AU774689B2 - Pop top caravan internal & external roof support - Google Patents

Description

4cs

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT POP TOP CARAVAN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ROOF SUPPORT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

POP TOP ICARAVAN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ROOF SUPPORT.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for supporting pop top caravan roofs.

During many years of caravanning, a problem has existed whereby any type of awning or annex attached to the pop top roof of a caravan has a distinct tendency to put downward and side pressure on the existing roof supports.

This causes sagging of the roof on that particular side and added stress to the supports on that side. Many caravan owners use a piece of wood or metal tube to counteract this problem. However, being of fixed length and having no adjustment, the makeshift devices are likely to fall out if there is any movement of the roof, particularly under windy conditions.

This problem is overcome by the present invention which provides tension between the roof cant of the caravan and the pop top. It can be fitted to the caravan in seconds. It is a one hand operation, is simple, strong, adjusteble and effective. It is not a permanent fixture to the caravan.

To assist in understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show one example of the invention. Drawings are not to scale.

In the drawing: Drawing 1 of 3 shows an example of the pop top roof support according to this invention.

Drawing 2 of 3 shows the pop top support in the open position fitted to a pop top caravan.

Drawing 3 of 3 shows the pop top support in the fixed and closed position fitted to a pop top caravan.

Referring to drawing 1 of 3.

It can be seen that the pop top support according to S this invention comprises of three main components. The arm the leg and adjustable foot The arm(1) and the leg pivot on Pin The arm and the leg are 45 separated by a nylon washer Welded to the arm (1) is a U section The leg has a stop pin (6) welded to the top of the leg. On the base of the leg (2) a 5/16 hole is drilled and a nut is welded over the hole. A set Screw locks stainless steel foot (3) O with angle section (10) in place. Angle has a non-slip rubber pad (1.1),attached.

*04 0000 00.0* 0 *00 b ••go 9o** 9: Referring to drawing 2 of 3.

This shows the pop top support in the open and set position to support the pop top roof. As can be seen, the U shaped section is placed under the outer edge (15) of the pop top. The angle section (10) is placed on the caravan's roof cant The support is locked in position by moving the lower end of arm to a position parallel with leg At this point the radius section on arm will have reached stop pin and U section will have passed to an overcentre position in relation to pivot pin This action will have placed the support in a locked position that will give tension support to the pop top roof.

Referring to drawing 3 of 3.

Shows the pop top support in the tensioned support position.

The reason for such a support can be seen here. The awning (17) is attached to the pop top of the caravan (15) The spar (18) is the adjustment method of keeping the awning taut. It is only reasonable to assume that when the spar is adjusted to keep the awning taut that a downward pressure is placed on the pop top and its existing supports.

This invention corrects that problem.

The operation of the support is simple.

Referring to drawing 1 of 3 and 2 of 3.

With the support in the closed position, back off the set screw Slide adjustable foot all the way up inside the leg Place U section under outer edge of pop top Slide adjustable foot out of leg until angle bracket (10) rests on cant of roof of the caravan (16) Lock set screw Remove support. Extend foot (3) approx. 5mm. and re-lock set screw.

Replace the support in the open position as shown in drawing 2 of 3. Close support by moving lower end of arm (1) to a position parallel with leg At this point the radius section of arm will have reached the stop pin and U section will have passed to an overcentre position in relation to pivot pin This action will have placed the support in a locked position which will give tensioned support to the pop top roof of the caravan.

S4} By adjusting the foot more or less tension can be S* applied.

The average caravan would use two supports, one at each end of the pop top of the side to be supported. In the case of larger vans, three supports may be found to be an advantage. When the van is stationery for lengthy periods, one support on each corner of the roof would give added relief to existing struts, prolonging life, particularly that of gas struts.

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Claims (8)

1. A Pop top roof support comprising of two lengths of square steel tube, one length of tube, the arm, has a radius bend on one end, with a U shaped section welded to that end, the other length of tube, the leg, has an adjustable foot with an angle bracket attached, both arm and leg are connected together at a pivot point so as to work with a scissor action, and, when fitted to a caravan in a closed position, will give firm support to the caravan roof.

2. The pop top roof support of Claim 1 wherein the one length of square tube, the arm, has the specified radius above the pivot point and a calculated measurement be- tween the U section and the pivot point..

3. The pop top roof support of Claim 1 wherein the one length of square tube, the leg, has a stop pin welded at a calculated distance above the pivot point.

4. The pop top roof support of Claim 1 wherein the adjust- ing foot comprises of a length of stainless steel rod with the angle bracket attached, the diameter of the rod is such that it can slide inside the square tube leg so that adjustment can be accomplished.

The pop top roof support of Claim 3 wherein both the arm and leg are connected by a pivot bolt and the support is in the closed position, the U section on the arm will have moved overcentre of the pivot point and reached the stop pin situated on the leg, placing the support in a locked position. 35

6. The pop top roof support of claims 1 and 4 wherein the stainless steel rod of the adjusting foot may be sub- stituted for a length of threaded rod and a nut welded to the base of the leg and a lock nut fitted to secure the foot.

7. The pop top roof support of Claim 1 wherein the length of the support can be adjusted by extending the measure- ment of the leg below the pivot point. e .e eeoc

8. The pop top roof support is described in the best manner known to me with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0o