AU2005101043A4 - A camper - Google Patents

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A CAMPER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: O1

TITLE

"A CAMPER" 2FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a camper. In particular, the invention relates to a light source provided in a storage box of a camper.

0BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Camping has become a very popular past time of millions of N Australians. One way in which many people camp is to tow a camper trailer to a desired location. Camper trailers are quick to set up and access. Further, camper trailers provide many comforts in a single, convenient unit that is "ready to go" at any time.

It is well known in the field of camper trailers and caravans to locate an annex adjacent the campervan and caravan to provide an open shaded area. Traditionally, annexes are formed from a canvas roof or the like with the canvas roof secured at one end to a side of the camper trailer or caravan. A series of vertically extending support members are located around the ends of the canvas roof for supporting the roof. The vertical support members are maintained in a vertical position by means of a guide rope. Each guide rope is secured at one end to an upper end of a vertical support member and is anchored to the ground at an end of guide rope distal from its respective vertical support member. The guide ropes are maintained in tension in order that vertical support members remain vertical and the canvas roofing remains taught.

However, the prior art annex arrangements are deficient in that they represent a potential safety hazard. A well known occurrence is that i. 2

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people tend to trip on the guide ropes when walking around the outside of the annex. This is especially the case at night when the slim guide ropes are difficult to see and hence the risk of injury is increased.

Furthermore, the support arrangement for the canvas roof causes the roofing to flap when exposed to windy weather. This flapping of the roof can lead to the vertical support members moving from a substantially vertical position and hence results in the roof becoming slack and Sdrooping in the middle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, the invention resides in a camper comprising an annex, the annex having: an annex roof extending from the camper; a plurality of vertically extending support members supporting the annex roof; and a plurality of support flaps, each support flap extending from the annex roof and able to be anchored to the ground at an end of the support flap distal from the annex roof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a camper trailer with an annex ~n3 Saccording to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG 2 shows a schematic plan view of a camper trailer and annex according to a further embodiment of the invention; FIG 3 shows a partial perspective view of an underside of a roof of the annex shown in FIG 2; FIG 4 shows a close up partial perspective view of a rib member forming part of the camper trailer and annex shown in FIG 2; and c FIG 5 shows a close up perspective view DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a camper trailer 100 and annex 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Camper trailer 100 has a roof 110 formed from a tough flexible waterproof material such as treated canvas or the like.

Annex 200 is formed from an annex roof 210 extending from camper trailer 100, a plurality of supporting flaps 220 and a series of vertically extending support members 230.

Annex roof 210 is preferably formed from a tough flexible waterproof material. Preferably, annex roof 210 is formed from treated canvas or similar material. Annex roof 210 extends from a side of camper trailer 100. An edge of annex roof is firmly secured to this side of camper trailer 100.

A series of vertically extending support members 230 are located around the perimeter of canvas roof 210 in order to support the canvas roof in substantially the same plane as that of camper trailer roof 110.

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Suitably, each support member 230 extends through an aperture in annex 0 roof in order that an upper end of each support member 230.

A plurality of support flaps 220 extend at one end from annex roof 210 to the ground at an end distal from support roof 220. Each support flap 220 is securely anchored to the ground by means of ground engaging pegs or the like. Support flaps 220 are maintained in tension in order to maintain the vertically extending support members 230 in a substantially 1 vertical attitude and hence ensure that annex roof 210 is remains in substantially the same plane as camper trailer roof 110.

Additionally, each support flap 220 provides shelter from the sun and other elements and as such delivers a larger useable area for annex 200.

The support flaps 220 offer advantages of the guide ropes of the prior art in that they accomplish the same function in that they provide structural support to the annex 200 but overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art due to the fact that their size ensures that they are readily visible and hence it is less likely that they will present a safety hazard to a camper.

Furthermore, the support flaps 220 provide additional protection from the sun and elements and hence increase the useable area of the annex.

FIG 2 shows a schematic plan view of camper trailer 100 and annex 200 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, annex 200 has rib members 240 providing additional support to annex roof 210.

SEach rib member 240 extends between respective vertically a extending support members 230 as shown.

FIG 3 shows a partial perspective view of an underside of annex roof 210 of annex 200. The annex roof 210 extends from camper trailer roof 110. Preferably, annex roof 210 is stitched to camper trailer roof 110.

Optionally, annex roof 210 is secured to camper trailer roof 110 by means of Velcro, ties or other known means.

1 At least some of the vertically extending support members 230 are located adjacent camper trailer 100 and at least some of vertically extending support members 230 are located about an edge of annex roof 210 distal from camper trailer 100. Rib members 240 extend between at least some of the adjacent vertically extending support members 230.

In the embodiment shown in FIG 3, rib members 240 extend from vertically extending support members 230 located adjacent camper trailer to vertically extending support members 230 located distal from camper trailer 100 and also between adjacent vertically extending support members 230 located distal form camper trailer 100.

In the embodiment shown in FIG 3, a plurality of rib members 240 extend from a fanned joining member 250 located at an upper end of each vertically extending support member 230 located adjacent camper trailer 100.

A T-section joining member 255 is located at an upper end of each vertically extending support member 230 located distal from camper trailer 100. Each T-section joining member receives a rib member 240 extending from fanned joining member 250 and a rib member extending Ob Sfrom each adjacent vertically extending support member 230.

a Each rib member 240 provides additional support to annex roof 210. Additionally, roof members 240 assist in maintaining vertically support members 230 in a substantially vertical attitude and hence ensure that annex roof 210 does not sag due to the force of wind or other elements.

FIG 4 shows a close up partial perspective view of a rib member S240. Rib member 240 is formed from a hollow first portion 241 having a receiving portion 242 located at an end thereof. A second portion 243 telescopes with first portion 241 and is received within receiving portion 242. A clamping member 244 is located at ane end of second portion and a third portion 245 is received within second portion 243 via a clamping member 244.

Clamping member 244 is in the form of a flange 244A having wings 244B and a screw 244C. Screw 244C is able to adjust the distance between wings 244B and thus adjust the pressure flange 244A applies on third portion 245. By increasing the pressure on third portion 245, clamping member 244 securely holds third portion 245 within second portion 243. By reducing the pressure applied by flange 244A on third portion 245, third portion 245 is able to telescope with respect to second portion.

Similarly, receiving portion 242 permits the telescoping of second portion 243 within first portion 241 and is able to securely hold second portion 243 at a position within first portion 241.

Thus, the length of each rib member 240 is able to be adjusted in S7 order that each rib member 240 is able to span differing distances a between respective vertically extending support portions 230.

It will be appreciated that each rib member 240 may comprise a plurality of portions each able to telescope with respect to adjacent portions in order to adjust the length of rib member 240.

FIG 5 shows fanned joining member 250 in more detail. Fanned o joining member 250 has a slot 251 defined by spaced plates 251A. Slot 1251 receives a planar end portion 241 of each rib member 240. The planar end portions 241 are secured within slot 251 by means of bolts 252 extending through end plates 251A and planar end portion 241. The fanned joining member 250 is securely located on an upper end of a vertically extending support member 230.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. 2. The camper trailer of claim 1, wherein said annex further comprises a plurality of rib members extending between adjacent support members.
2. 3. The camper trailer of claim 2, wherein the length of each rib member is adjustable.
3. 4. The camper trailer of claim 2 or 3, wherein the length of each rib member is adjustable by means of telescopic reception of a first portion of the rib member within a second portion of the rib member.
4. 5. The camper trailer as substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. Dated This 2 1 st Day of December BRUCE DAVID LOXTON By His Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY