Patent Document

[0001]     The present invention relates to passenger vehicle trailers, and more particularly to trailers adapted to camping, providing an improved level of accommodation, convenience in use and flexibility of configuration.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Traveling holidays by car and caravan have been a popular activity almost from the inception of the private motor vehicle. Camper trailers have traditionally offered advantages of lower cost and weight for easier towing, but at the price of comfort.  
         [0003]     Particularly in more recent times the increased popularity of four wheel drive vehicles and the desire to explore the less accessible parts of a country has led to the need for easily towable yet comfortable trailer-based accommodation with provisions for shower and toilet, not normally available in remote areas. The desire to be able to negotiate rough terrain has placed considerable design constraints on the camper trailer making it difficult to encompass within a small package the desirable features of maneuverability and reasonable accommodation. Frequently, such camper trailers require considerable manipulation to prepare for camping and in many cases cannot readily be used for short roadside stops.  
         [0004]     It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages or to offer a useful alternative.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, ther is provided a camping trailer adapted for towing behind a motor vehicle; said trailer comprising a body divided into: 
        a. a sleeping portion,     b. a kitchen portion, and     c. a bathroom portion, wherein said bathroom portion is substantially located over a forward “A” shaped towing frame of said trailer.        
 
         [0009]     Preferably, said trailer includes a platform chassis provided at a forward end with said “A” shaped towing frame and towing hitch mechanism adapted for releasable attachment of said trailer to a tow bar of said motor vehicle and provided at a rearmost end with road wheels and suspension elements.  
         [0010]     Preferably, said bathroom portion includes side walls, a rear wall and a front wall; said rear wall extending transversely across the width of said chassis platform.  
         [0011]     Preferably, said side walls curve forwardly and inwardly from said rear wall; forward edges of said walls terminating at side edges of said front wall; said front wall extending transversely across the width of said “A” shaped frame at a point on said frame where said width is substantially less than the width of said platform.  
         [0012]     Preferably, said front wall extends upwardly from said platform to a height sufficiently low so as to allow a user of said bathroom portion to step over said front wall.  
         [0013]     Preferably, upper edges of said side walls curve forwardly and downwardly from the junction of said side walls with the top of said rear wall so as to meet forward edges of said side walls at a height approximately half way between the height of said rear wall and said front wall.  
         [0014]     Preferably, said bathroom portion is provided with an openable access hatch structure; said openable access hatch hinged from the top edge of said rear wall and shaped so as to provide closure of an opening defined by said upper and said forward edges of said side walls and the upper edge of said front wall.  
         [0015]     Preferably, said side walls and said access hatch are shaped so as to minimize wind resistance of said trailer when under tow.  
         [0016]     Preferably, said access hatch and said front wall are adapted to allow entry by a user into said bathroom portion.  
         [0017]     Preferably, said access hatch is positioned when opened at a height sufficient to allow an upright posture of a user of said bathroom portion; said access hatch substantially covering floor area of said bathroom portion; said access hatch provided with flexible sheeting forming openable side walls and front wall; said front wall further provided with a zippered access panel.  
         [0018]     Preferably, said bathroom portion is provided with shower, hand basin and toilet facilities.  
         [0019]     Preferably, said bathroom portion is provided with cupboard space; a portion of said cupboard space accessible from the rear of said rear wall.  
         [0020]     Preferably, said kitchen portion is comprised of side walls and a front wall; said front wall extending across the width of said platform and positioned towards the rearmost of said platform.  
         [0021]     Preferably, said kitchen portion is provided with a roof extending over said kitchen portion and extending forwardly to the top of said rear wall of said bathroom portion; said kitchen portion further provided with a hinged rear panel hinged from the rear edge of said roof so as to provide closure of said kitchen portion when in a first closed state and an extension of said roof when rotated to a second horizontal state.  
         [0022]     Preferably, said kitchen portion is provided with cooking facilities, gas bottles and a refrigerator.  
         [0023]     Preferably, said kitchen portion is provided with an array of overhead cupboard spaces having provision for a microwave oven recess; a portion of said cupboard spaces accessible from said kitchen portion and a remaining portion of said cupboard spaces accessible from the front of said front wall of said kitchen portion.  
         [0024]     Preferably, said kitchen portion is provided with water storage and retrieval facilities.  
         [0025]     Preferably, said kitchen portion is provided with separate storage facilities for one spare wheel.  
         [0026]     Preferably, said sleeping portion is provided between said bathroom portion and said kitchen portion; said sleeping portion adapted to accommodate a queen-sized mattress.  
         [0027]     Preferably, said sleeping portion is provided with a fold-out bunk bed hinged to said front wall of said kitchen portion.  
         [0028]     Preferably, said sleeping portion is provided with hinged side panels; said side panels hinged from side edges of said roof between said bathroom portion rear wall and said kitchen portion front wall so as to provide closure of said sleeping portion when said side panels are in a first closed state, and sidewardly extensions of said roof when said side panels are rotated into a second horizontal state.  
         [0029]     In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the construction of a camper trailer adapted for towing by a motor vehicle; said method including the step of providing an integral chassis and platform fitted at a first forward end with a tow hitch mechanism and at a second rear end with road wheels; and wherein a bathroom module is supported on a forward “A” shaped towing frame.  
         [0030]     Preferably, said bathroom module is comprised of side walls, a rear wall, a front wall portion and an access hatch; said access hatch being operable while said trailer remains hitched to said motor vehicle; said front wall portion being of a height sufficiently low so as to allow entry into said bathroom module by stepping over said front wall portion.  
         [0031]     Preferably, said bathroom module is shaped so as to minimize wind resistance when said trailer is under tow by said motor vehicle.  
         [0032]     Preferably, said access hatch provides closure means between said side walls, said rear wall and said front wall portion so as to form an enclosed structure.  
         [0033]     Preferably, said access hatch is provided with a hinge attaching to the upper edge of said rear wall; said access hatch providing a roofed area over said enclosed structure when rotated about said hinge to an open position; said access hatch provided with flexible sheeting forming openable side walls and front wall; said front wall further provided with a zippered access panel.  
         [0034]     Preferably, said trailer further comprises side walls, a front wall and a roof; said roof extending forward to said rear wall of said enclosed structure; said roof thereby covering a central portion of said trailer disposed between said front wall and said rear wall.  
         [0035]     Preferably, said platform is provided at said rear end with a structure adapted to the provision of kitchen facilities; said kitchen facilities including equipment for food preparation, cooking, refrigeration, gas supply, power supply and storage.  
         [0036]     Preferably, equipment associated with operation of said trailer includes at least one spare road wheel, at least one power storage battery and charging means; said battery and charging means providing for 240V AC and 12V DC power supply to said trailer.  
         [0037]     Preferably, said central portion of said trailer is provided with sleeping facilities.  
         [0038]     Preferably, said trailer is provided with panels provided with hinges; a first of said panels hinging from a rearmost edge of said roof and a second and third of said panels hinging from side edges of said roof so as to provide closure means to said structure adapted for provision of kitchen facilities and to said central portion of said trailer and wherein said panels are adapted to provide enclosed annexes to said trailer when rotated into a horizontal position and fitted with detachable flexible sheeting depending from edges of said panels to the ground. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a sectioned side elevation of a camper trailer according to the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  with its roof removed.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  when arranged for camping.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  when arranged for camping.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the camper of  FIG. 1  when arranged for camping. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     In a broad form of the invention with reference to  FIG. 1  there is provided a camper trailer  10  based on an integral chassis platform  11  provided at its forward end  12  with an “A” shaped towing hitch frame  13 , hitch mechanism  14  adapted for articulated connection to a towing motor vehicle (not shown), wheels  15  and suspension elements  16  at its rear end  17 . In preferred embodiments wheels  15  are placed as far back as practicable so as to leave minimum overhang at the rear of platform  11 . This arrangement facilitates the negotiation of rough terrain and significantly reduces the swaying and bouncing of conventional mid-axle trailers when towed at speed over poor road surfaces. As well, due to the greater length between towing hitch  14  and the wheels  15 , the maneuverability of backing the trailer with a tow vehicle is improved.  
         [0046]     It is a particular object of the present invention that, in so far as is possible, weight distribution is concentrated in the area overlying wheels  15  and transaxle  18 , with the overall width, height and length comparable to that of mid-sized car for ease of garaging. Thus as may best be seen in the plan view of  FIG. 2 , all kitchen area  19  equipment such as cooktop  20 , propane gas bottles  21 , refrigerator  22 , water tank  23 , battery storage compartment  24  as well as a spare wheel/s storage  25  are accommodated in this area. Battery and spare wheel storage compartments are accessible from separate kitchen area cupboards of the trailer.  
         [0047]     Kitchen area is provided with a benchtop work space fitted with a sink and water tap and a fold-out extension  60  for added bench space. Also arranged in this area as best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is a system of overhead storage cupboards  26  some of which are accessible from the kitchen area  19  and some from the middle portion  27  of the trailer. The placement of the bulk of the weight over the rearward mounted wheels further ads to the stability of the trailer under tow.  
         [0048]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in preferred embodiments the forward portion  28  of trailer  10  is provided with a bathroom area  29  having fixed side walls  30  and an openable upper portion  31 . Bathroom area  29  is rounded both in plan section as shown in  FIG. 2  and at its openable upper portion  31  as shown in side elevation view of  FIG. 1  so as to minimize wind resistance when towing. This forward portion of trailer  10  is fitted with chemical toilet  32 , shower  33  and handbasin  34  facilities. Additionally, forward portion  28  is provided with cupboard space disposed along rear wall  40  with a portion of this cupboard space being accessible from within middle portion  27 .  
         [0049]     Openable portion  31  is in the form of a hinged access hatch  35  forming the roof and part of the front wall  36  of bathroom area  29  and extending downwardly along the front of the bathroom area sufficient to allow access by a user  37  by stepping over a low fixed front wall  36 .  
         [0050]     Access hatch  35  is adapted to swing forwardly and upwardly into the position shown dashed in  FIG. 1 . In this position hatch  35  provides a roof over forward portion  28  at a height allowing a user  37  of the facilities to stand under it. Hatch  35  preferably is urged into its open position by suitable gas struts (not shown) and is further be provided with attached canvas or other flexible sheeting so arranged as to depend from hatch  35  to provide privacy to a user. This sheeting is provided with a zippered door in the front. Towing hitch frame  13  is provided with a small platform area  38  and fold-down steps  39  so as to allow easy entry into bathroom area  29 .  
         [0051]     It will be appreciated that this arrangement allows the toilet facility to be used without any setting up of the trailer for camping and while still attached to the towing vehicle  56  if required, as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0052]     The middle portion  27  of trailer  10  is closed off from both forward portion  28  and kitchen area  19  by internal walls  40  and  41  respectively, and provides a permanent sleeping area. Middle portion  27  is further provided with fixed flexible sheeting with zippered access panels and flyscreen sections at both sides. Its roof  42  is fixed, forming a continuous structural element from internal wall  40  and extending to cover kitchen area  19 . Middle portion  27  is sufficiently large to accommodate a standard queen-sized mattress  43  (or two single mattresses) with optional fold-out bunk-bed  44  suitable for a child. Access to middle portion  27  is from either side of trailer  10  by means of swing-up panels  45 .  
         [0053]     Panels  45  are hinged from roof edges  46  and, when urged into fully opened positions as shown in  FIG. 3 , provide roofed accommodation annexes  47  and  48 . Panels  45  may be assisted into their opened positions by for example gas struts (not shown) and are provided with attachable canvas or otherwise flexible sheeting so as to form enclosing side walls  49  during inclement weather, and end walls  50  around accommodation annexes  47  and  48 . Entry doors  51  in the form of zippered or otherwise secured flaps are provided in suitable positions in side or end walls to give access to the accommodation annexes  47  and  48 .  
         [0054]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , kitchen area  19  is constructed with fixed side walls  52  joining roof  42 . Access to the kitchen area  19  and other equipment at the rear of trailer  10  is provided by hinged panel  53  as shown in  FIG. 1 . When in its opened position as shown by dashed lines in  FIG. 1 , panel  53  provides a covered work area  54  at the rear of the trailer. Being placed at the rear of trailer  10  and accessible by the opening of panel  53  the kitchen area  19  is readily available for use even during short roadside stops. Optionally, when set up for camping, flexible sheeting side and end walls may be attached to panel  53  as shown in  FIG. 5  so as to form an enclosed kitchen area.  
         [0055]     Kitchen area  19  is provided with drawer slide arrangements  55  for access to refrigerator  22 . Propane gas bottles  21  are accommodated in an enclosed drawer, vented underneath, which may be slid rearwardly for access to the bottles. Spare wheel/s are accessible via an access door provided in the rear of the middle portion.  
         [0056]     All panels  45  and  53  and hatch  35  when in the closed position are lockable and, with all equipment contained within the body of the trailer, there is a reduced likelihood of theft or damage.  
         [0057]     The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Technology Category: 7