Abstract:
A panel system configured to be circumferentially disposed proximate the base of a recreational camper trailer so as to environmentally isolate the area generally underneath the recreational camper trailer. The panel system is operable to assist a user maintain a temperature within the camper trailer that is different than that of its surroundings. The panel system includes a plurality of panels that are hingedly and releasably secured to each other so as to be configurable to accommodate recreational camper trailers of varying sizes. Each panel of the panel system includes a first layer and a second layer. Furthermore, each panel includes a hinge mounted on the first and second side edges that are operable to facilitate the folding of the panel system in a z-fold pattern for transportation when not in use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a perimeter panel system, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a panel system that includes a plurality of hingedly attached panels that function to circumferentially surround an elevated structure, such as but not limited to a recreational camper, so as to substantially eliminate access to the space intermediate the bottom of the recreational camper and the ground. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of individuals participate in camping in the United States and other countries every year. Individuals engaged in camping typically utilize a variety of different forms of portable shelter to camp in at various campsites. One popular camping method is the utilization of towable camper trailers. These trailers can house individuals for extended periods of time and are popular in part due to the numerous amenities that these types of trailers provide to the user. These towable trailers are routinely transported to camping grounds or other similar facilities wherein the trailers can be operably coupled to water, electrical and sewage systems providing all the comfort of home to the user. 
     One problem with this type of trailer is that despite having internal environmental controls, it has been shown that controlling the internal temperature is difficult in particular environments. Many individuals that use these types of trailers in colder climates have difficulty regulating the temperature due to inefficient insulation and additionally in part as a result of the design of the trailer. Most trailers are manufactured with the floor, or bottom of the trailer, being mounted on a chassis that includes at least one axle having wheels coupled thereto. This construction causes the trailer to usually be at least several feet above the ground, which results in the external air being exposed to the bottom of the trailer. As the external air passes underneath the bottom of the trailer, it has an adverse effect on the internal temperature of the trailer in particular environments, more specifically but not by way of limitation, colder climates. 
     Another problem with the conventional design of the camper trailers is that the elevated design allows debris and other materials to collect underneath the trailer. The elevated design does not inhibit access to underneath the trailer to either unwanted individuals, pets or debris. The presence of any of the aforementioned can result in numerous problems for the individual utilizing the camper trailer. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a panel system that circumferentially surrounds the perimeter of a conventional camper trailer that substantially extends between the bottom of the camper trailer and the ground so as to inhibit access underneath the camper trailer and provide an additional method of regulating the internal temperature of the camper trailer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds a conventional camper trailer and extends vertically from the ground to at least the bottom of the camper trailer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds the base of a camper trailer that utilizes a plurality of releasably secured and interconnected panels to accommodate numerous different sizes of trailers. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds the base of a camper trailer that includes at least one panel having an aperture configured to allow a utility connection therethrough. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds the base of a camper trailer that includes at least one panel that is formed to accommodate a step or other entry structure that is part of the camper trailer. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds the base of a camper trailer that is manufactured from an insulating material so as to assist in the regulation of the internal temperature of the camper trailer to a temperature that is dissimilar from the external environment. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds the base of a conventional camper trailer that is foldable in a z-fold configuration. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a perimeter panel system that circumferentially surrounds the base of a convention camper trailer that is lightweight and easy to assemble. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. 
     Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention circumferentially surrounding a camper trailer wherein one panel is formed to accommodate a step integral to the camper; and 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention circumferentially surrounding a camper trailer wherein one panel is formed to accommodate a utilities pipe; and 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a panel system  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     The panel system  100  further includes a plurality of panels  10  that are generally square in shape and are manufactured of a suitable durable material. While no particular material is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a panel  10  that includes an exterior surface  11  constructed of vinyl and an inner core (not illustrated herein) that is constructed of a lightweight insulating material, such as but not limited to a high density polyethylene fibrous material. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panels  10  are constructed so as to have an exterior surface  11  resistant to damage while providing thermal isolation for the area contained within the panel system  100  generally underneath the conventional camper trailer  5 . 
     The panels  10  include a top edge  15 , bottom edge  20  and two opposing side edges  30 ,  35 . While no particular dimensions of the panel  10  are required, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the height of the panel as measured from the bottom edge  20  to the top edge  15  is greater than the height of the base  7  from the ground on which the conventional camper trailer  5  is superposed. More specifically but not by way of limitation, good results have been achieved with a panel  10  that is approximately thirty inches in height as measured from the top edge  15  to the bottom edge  20 . Additionally, while no specific width of the panel  10  is required as measured intermediate each opposing sides  30 , 35 , good results have been with a panel  10  that is approximately thirty inches in width as measured between the opposing sides  30 ,  35  of a panel  10 . The top edge  15  of each panel  10  is generally proximate the base  7  subsequent the panel system  100  being placed in position wherein the panel system  100  circumferentially surrounds the conventional camper trailer  100 . Additionally, the panel system  100  is in a generally vertical orientation subsequent its installment circumferentially around the conventional camper trailer  5 . 
     The panels  10  are hingedly coupled proximate each of the opposing sides  30 , 35  of each adjacent panel  10  in order to comprise the panel system  100  that circumferentially surrounds a conventional camper trailer  5 . The panels  10  are combined to form the panel system  100  that functions to thermally and environmentally isolate the area underneath the conventional camper trailer  5 . The panel system  100  thermally and environmentally isolates the area underneath the conventional camper trailer  5  so as to assist in the control of the regulation of the internal temperature of the conventional camper trailer  5 , wherein the occupant of the conventional camper trailer  5  desires to maintain a temperature within the interior of the conventional camper trailer  5  that is dissimilar to that of its environment. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the panels  10  function to substantially eliminate air flow underneath the base  7  of the conventional camper trailer  5  thereby providing environmental isolation of the area underneath the conventional camper trailer  5  by substantially surrounding the perimeter  6  of the base  7  of the conventional camper trailer  5 . The substantial elimination of air flow underneath the conventional camper trailer  5  significantly increases the ability of the occupant of the conventional camper trailer  5  to regulate the internal temperature of the conventional camper trailer  5  and maintain a temperature that is dissimilar to that of its surroundings. 
     The panels  10  further include a hinge  40  mounted along each opposing side  30 , 35 . The hinge  40  is a conventional piano-style hinge that is substantially the length of each opposing side  30 ,  35  and functions to facilitate the folding of the panel system  100  for transportation. More specifically, the hinge  40  allows for one hundred and eighty degree movement of each panel relative to the adjacent panel  10  so as to permit the panel system  100  to be folded in a z-fold pattern wherein each panel  10  is superposed the adjacent and joining panel  10  so as to form one stack for easier manipulation for transport. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous suitable mechanical fasteners could be implemented to hingedly couple the panels  10  to each other in order to facilitate the folding of the panel system  100  in a z-fold pattern. The hinge  40  further functions to facilitate through suitable mechanical methods the removable connection between each panel  10 . Each panel  10  of the panel system  100  is further removably connected to the adjacent panel  10  so as to facilitate the appropriate sizing of the panel system  100  in order for the panel system  100  to be appropriately sized to substantially surround the perimeter  6  of conventional camper trailer  5 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous keepers could be utilized to facilitate the removable fastening of each panel  10 , more specifically but not by way of limitation a hinge pin could be utilized to permit each panel  10  to be removably connected to an adjacent panel  10 . 
     As shown in particular in  FIG. 1 , a step panel  50  is included in the panel system  100 . The step panel  50  is manufactured in accordance with the principles of the panels  10  having a vinyl exterior surface  51  and a core of high density polyethylene fibrous material. The step panel  51  includes hinges  40  along each opposing side  53 ,  54  so as to be hingedly secured to adjacent panels  58 ,  59 . The step panel  50 , is further configured to be removably mounted to adjacent panels  58 ,  59  similarly to the other panels  10  that comprise the panel system  100 . The step panel  50  is configured to have a height that is less than the panels  10  in the panel system  100 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the step panel  50  is of suitable height to be at least slightly below a step  60  of the conventional camper trailer  5 . The step panel  50  allows the user to assemble the panel system  100  to circumferentially surround the base  7  of the conventional camper trailer  5  and not interfere with the normal operation of the step  60 . While only one step panel  50  is illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that more than one step panel  100  could be included as part of the panel system  100 . 
     A utilities panel  70  is further included in the panel system  100 . The utilities panel  70  is manufactured in accordance with the principles of the panels  10  having a vinyl exterior surface  71  and a core of high density polyethylene fibrous material. The utilities panel  70  includes hinges  40  along each opposing side  73 ,  74  so as to be hingedly secured to adjacent panels  78 ,  79 . The utilities panel  70  is approximately the same size as the panels  10  and further includes an aperture  80 . The aperture  80  functions to accommodate therethrough utilities connections, such as but not limited to drain pipes, so as to allow the panel system  100  to be circumferentially surround the base  7  of the conventional camper trailer  5  without interference from the standard utilities connections that routinely are operably coupled to a conventional camper trailer  5  when in use. While only one utilities panel  70  is illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that more than one utilities panel  100  could be included as part of the panel system  100 . 
     While the panel system  100  in its preferred embodiment is designed to circumferentially surround a conventional camper trailer  5  so as to environmentally and thermally isolate the area underneath, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panel system  100  could be configured to circumferentially surround any elevated structure so as to environmentally and thermally isolate the area underneath the structure. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the panel system  100  could be configured to circumferentially surround a traditional pier and beam style house, mobile home or travel trailer. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panel system  100  could include at least one panel having a plurality of apertures so as to allow occupants of the conventional camper trailer  5  to house small animals underneath the conventional camper trailer  5  without substantially comprising the environmental and thermal isolation provided by the panel system  100 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a description of the operation of the panel system  100  is as follows. The user will assemble a plurality of panels  10  utilizing the hinge  40  so as to form a panel system  100  that is of appropriate length to circumferentially surround the perimeter  6  of a conventional camper trailer  5 . The step panel  50  is positioned in the appropriate location so as to be generally underneath the step  60  and substantially not interfere with the normal operation thereof. Additionally, the utilities panel  70  is positioned within the panel system  100  so as to allow the user to journal the necessary utility connection therethrough without interfering with the normal operation of the utilities and further allowing the utility panel  70  to be generally adjacent the base  7  proximate the top edge  72 . The panel system  100  is deployed so as to circumferentially surround the conventional camper trailer  5  upon the user locating the conventional camper trailer in a desired location. While not illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panel system  100  could be releasably secured proximate the base  7  utilizing conventional fasteners such as but not limited to snaps or hook and loop fasteners. When the user desires to relocate the conventional camper trailer  5 , the user will fold the panels  10  comprising the panel system in a z-fold pattern so as to facilitate the transportation thereof. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panel system  100  may be divided into two approximately equivalent halves that are joined together so as to enable a user to more easily deploy and remove the panel system  100 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.