US3627396A

US3627396A - Cabinet for camper vehicles

Info

Publication number: US3627396A
Application number: US29903A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lester D Miller
Original assignee: Bangor Punta Operations Inc
Current assignee: ROKANE INVESTMENT GROUP Inc; Lear Siegler Inc
Priority date: 1970-04-20
Filing date: 1970-04-20
Publication date: 1971-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-14

Abstract

A fold-down cabinet for campers in which a counter assembly having a sink and stove is mounted on a base for movement between raised and lowered positions. The mechanism for raising and lowering the counter assembly consists of a plurality of levers connected to the counter assembly and to the base, permitting the base to swing outwardly, forwardly, upwardly and rearwardly as the counter assembly is moved from its lowered to its raised position. A drain fixture having a vent is connected to the sink, and the fixture has a plurality of holes for receiving the drain and vent outlet when the counter assembly is in its lowered and raised positions.

Description

United States Patent 72] Inventor Lester D. Miller Topeka, Ind. [21] Appl. No. 29,903 [22] Filed Apr. 20, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 1971 [73] Assignee Bangor Punta Operations, Inc.

New York, N .Y.

[54] CABINET FOR CAMPER VEHICLES 13 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 312/229, 126/37, 312/228, 312/312, 312/237 [51] Int. Cl A47b 51/00, F24c 15/00 [50] Field 01 Search 5/2, 11; 297/338, 345;4/1, 166-170, 187, 188, 191; 312/228, 229, 236, 237, 306, 27-29, 312, 296; 126/37 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,406,750 9/1946 Dyett 312/295 X 2,790,689 4/1957 Hubbell 312/312 X 2,904,380 9/1959 Mark 312/27 3,043,640 7/1962 Eames et a1. 312/27 X 3,472,219 10/1969 Roy et al 312/312 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorneys-Hobbs and Green and Kemon, Palmer and Estabrook having a vent is connected to the sink, and the fixture has a plurality of holes for receiving the drain and vent outlet when the counter assembly is in its lowered and raised positions.

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SHEET 3 BF 4 f \"\\KKYS lNVliN'I'UR. AESTER 0. MILLER BY fm CABINET FOR CAMPER VEHICLES Generally accepted in the recreational field, the term "camper" refers to a trailer-type vehicle having a low body with a top which rests on the upper edge of the body while the vehicle is closed and being transported, and which is raised to an elevated position sufficiently high to permit an adult person to stand erect therein while the vehicle is being used for living quarters. In order to provide a relatively low center of gravity and to reduce wind resistance when the vehicle is being towed by an automobile, the body is relatively low, usually of less height internally than the normal height of a conventional table or kitchen work counter and kitchen sink. Most campers are provided with fixed work counters and sinks which, because of the low height of the body, have been substantially lower than the normal height, and consequently have been inconvenient, difl'tcult and tiring to use. These prior work counters and sinks have usually been permanently and rigidly installed, since the sinks have had water pipes permanently connected to tanks or other sources of water, and drain pipes connected to an outlet in the sidewall or floor of the body. It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a work counter including a sink and stove which folds downwardly so that if fits into the low body structure of a camper, yet which can easily and readily be raised to the height of a conventionaltable or work counter when the top of the camper has been raised to permit occupancy of the camper space. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a camper counter with a sink having water pipes and a drain pipe connected thereto, which can be conveniently moved between a lower, compact condition to a raised, normally used position without detaching the pipes from the sink, and which forms a rigid structure when in either its lowered or raised positions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sink-supporting structure of the aforesaid type, which permits the sink to be moved between lowered and raised positions and includes a drain pipe connection with the outside for venting drain gases to the atmosphere when the sink is either in lowered or raised positions, and in which the drain connection is so constructed and designed that it can be easily connected to a sewer or other suitable outside drain system.

A- further object is to provide a cabinet having a sink and a frame for supporting the sink which is pivotally mounted on a base to permit the sink and supporting structure to swing outwardly and upwardly from its lowered position to its raised position and to be rigidly locked in place in both positions.

Another object is to provide a foldable cabinet having a counter with a sink and stove therein, and a base for supporting the counter having a refrigerator, and in which the sink, stove and refrigerator can be used regardless of whether the cabinet is in its raised or lowered position.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present cabinet, showing the cabinet in its folded-down position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the cabinet in its elevated position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet shown in FIGS 1 and 2 showing certain details and internal construction of the cabinet, and showing the cabinet in its folded-down position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cabinet shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing certain details of the internal construction of the cabinet, and showing the cabinet in its elevated position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the cabinet shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of part of the cabinet. the section being taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the work counter in its lowered position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to the view shown in FIG. 6, but showing the work counter in its elevated position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a drain and vent mechanism for use in conjunction with the present cabinet, showing the vent structure in the lowered position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vent structure, showing the vent in its lowered position, the section being taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 8, but showing the drain and vent structure in the elevated position; and

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vent structure shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, but showing the vent in the elevated position.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the present cabinet 8 is intended for use in a camper in which the body is relatively low, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3 in which a sidewall 10 and floor or bottom 12 are shown with the present cabinet installed in the trailer. The top of the cabinet, when it is in its folded position, is level with or below the upper edge 14 of wall 10. The type of camper or trailer in which the present cabinet is used is of a well-known construction in which the top rests on the upper edge 14 of the camper body when the camper is being towed or stored, and the top is lifted to a height sufficient to permit the occupants to stand fully erect in the camper when the camper is to be used for living accommodations. Various types of lifting mechanisms for the top may be used in the trailer in which the present cabinet is installed such as that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,314,715. The sides of the camper between the upper edge of the body and the lower edge of the top when the top is raised is normally enclosed with canvas, plastic, or other suitable flexible material.

The present foldable cabinet includes a base structure 20 and a counter 22, the base normally containing a refrigerator 24 having a door 26, and the counter including a sink 28 and a stove 30 with a hinged cover 32. The base may also have cupboards and drawers such as those shown at

numerals

34 and 36. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base consists of a front frame or wall 40 for receiving and retaining the refrigerator, cupboard, and drawer, and two

sidewalls

42 and 44 joined to the outer edges of the front wall to form a rigid base structure therewith.

The counter assembly 50 includes counter 22, front panel 52 and

side panels

54 and 56 joined rigidly to the front panel and to the underside of counter 22 to form a rigid structure. The sink and stove, 28 and 30, respectively, are recessed in the counter and project only a short distance thereabove. The

side panels

54 and 56 are spaced outwardly from the

sides

42 and 44 of the base, and

fixtures

60 and 62 are installed therebetween, consisting of bars forming a generally rectangular shape with an upper bar 64 joined to the internal wall of panel 56 by a plurality of screws 66, and a lower horizontal bar 68 joined to the external wall of

sides

42 and 44 by a plurality of screws 70. The two horizontal bars are pivotally connected to one another by three

vertical members

74, 76 and 78. This construction permits the counter assembly to swing from the lowered position shown in FIG 3 to the elevated position shown in FIG. 4 by a forward, upward, and rearward swinging movement which can be readily effected by merely pulling forwardly and upwardly on the lower edge of the front panel 52. By the use of three

vertical members

74, 76 and 78, instead of two, the counter assembly will always be maintained in a substantially level position throughout the entire movement between its lowered and elevated positions.

The sink is provided with hot and cold water faucets 80 and 82 which are mounted in the countertop and are connected by flexible hoses or other suitable flexible tubing with the respective sources of hot and cold water. The manner in which the faucets are connected may be considered conventional and will not be described in detail here. The gas connection is also made by an approved flexible tubing or hose with a gas tank or other suitable source of gas. The cover 32 is hinged along its rear edge and lifts upwardly, forming a shield when the burners of the stove are in use. While the stove is referred to as gas operated, it may be electric if desired.

Since the refrigerator may be used at various times when the cabinet is in its folded position, an opening 88 through which the upper edge of refrigerator door 26 can swing when the refrigerator door is to be opened is provided in front panel 52, and the opening is closed by adoor 90 pivoted to the front panel by

hinges

92 and 94. Panel 90 is swung upwardly, thus.

fully exposing the refrigerator door even though thecounter assembly is in its lowered position illustrated in FIG. 1, with the front panel and two side panels extending downwardly over the upper part of the base. when the counter assembly is in its raised position, the space above the refrigerator behind door panel 90 may be used for storage purposes. While the counter assembly, as illustrated, contains a sink and stove, it may contain merely the sink or the stove, and likewise, while the base is shown containing a refrigerator, cupboard, and drawer, it may contain any one of these three or none, depending upon the model of camper for which the cabinet is designed.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated. in the drawings, a drain for the sink generally shown at number 100 consists of a trap T02 connected to the outlet in the bottom of the sink. The trap is connected to a drain and vent assembly 104 having T 106 connected to the trap by a pipe 107, a drain pipe [08 connected to the lowered part of the T and a vent pipe 110 connected to the upper part of the T. The drain has an outlet or threaded nipple ll4 for receiving-a hose or other suitable connection for draining the water into a sewage system or other suitable water disposal system. The construction illustrated in the drawing permits the vent to be open regardless of whether the cabinet is in its lowered or elevated position. This structure is best shown in FIGS. 9 through 11 and consists of a fixture 120 having an upper opening 122 and a lower opening T24 for drain outlet 114. The fixture also includes an opening 126 for receiving the end 128 of vent 110. When the counter assembly is in its lowered position, a plate 130 is placed over the .two

holes

22 and 24 and secured thereto by any suitable securing means such as a hand nut and screw 132. A cap 134 having an opening 136 is preferably provided over vent opening 126 to prevent rain water from draining intothe drain through opening 122 into the inside of the camper. When the counter assembly is in its raised position, the drain and vent are in the positions illustrated in Figures and 11 with drain outlet end 114 extending through opening 122 and vent outlet 128 extending through a grommet 140 in flexible side panel 142. connecting the upper edge of the camper body with the lower edge of the top of the camper. The grommet consists of a rubber washer 144 having an opening therein for receiving outlet end 128, and a nut 146 threaded onto the outlet end seats the grommet firmly against flange 148 to form a watertight joint with the flexible sidewall.

When the counter assembly is in its elevated position, a drain hose or pipe can be readily connected to the end or nipple 114, thereby permitting the water to drain effectively from the sink, and vent 110 is opened to the atmosphere through the hole in the grommet 140. When the counter assembly is in its lowered position, end 114 extends into hole 124 where a cap 150 such as that illustrated in H6. 9, can be threaded onto the nipple, or if the sink is to be used while the counter assembly is in either its lowered or raised positions, the drain hose can be connected to end 114. In either instance, the vent outlet 128 also is opened to the atmosphere, either through the grommet or through opening 126 in the upper end of fixture 120. When the counter assembly is in lowered position, plate 130 is reversed to place hole 152 is its lower position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The plate is inverted to place hole 152 in its upper position as illustrated in FIG. 10 when the counter assembly is in its raised position. The drain assembly 100 is rigidly supported on the underside of the counter assembly by the support member 160 attached to a member 162 on the underside of counter 22.

In the operation of the present foldable cabinet installed in a camper in the manner illustrated in FIGS 3 and 4, after the top of the camper has been lifted and the flexible sides between 4 the upper edge of the body and the lower edge of the top-have been unfolded, the counter assembly 22 is pulled forwardly and upwardly from its lowered to its raised position. Movement of the counter assembly initially retracts the drain and vent outlets from the respective holes in fixture 120 on sidewall 10, and the forward swinging movement permits the drain assembly 104 to move freely upwardly until the counter assembly has reached substantially its upper most level and

members

74, 76, and 78 are in nearly vertical position. When this position is approached, the drain and vent outlet ends are placed in the proper position to extend through opening 126 and the opening in the grommet, respectively. The drain is then connected to a hose or other suitable connection, and nut 146 is threaded onto outlet 128 and seated against the grommet to draw the flange l48 tirmly against the grommet to form a watertight seal. A hook 170 connected to the base and to the inside of the front panel is used to retain the assembly in its elevated position and to prevent the counter assembly from swinging forwardly, and thus prevent it from being accidentallylowered. When the counter assembly is to be lowered, the vent outlet is disconnected from grommet 144, the hose is disconnected from the drain outlet 114, and hook 170 is unlatched, thus permitting the assembly to swingfor wardly and downwardly into its lowered position. While it is nonnally desirable to use the cabinet with the counter assembly in its raised position, the sink and stove maybe used when the assembly is in its lowered position and the refrigerator can be opened by raising door panel to its horizontal position, thus fully exposing door 26 of the refrigerator and permitting it to open fully. I

While the sink drain having vent is the preferred form, in economy type installations where regulations'will permit, the sink may be drained directly by a hose or other suitable connection without a vent. Other variations and modifications may be made to suit requirements without departing from the scope of the invention.

l. A fold-down cabinet for campers and the like, comprising a base structure, a counter assembly mounted on and supported by said base structure and having a sink therein, a means connected to said counter assembly and to said base structure for raising and lowering said counter assembly with respect to said base structure and including a plurality of levers pivoted to said counter assembly and to saidbase structure whereby said counter assembly swings forwardly, upwardly and rearwardly as said assembly is moved from its lowered to its raised position, and drain means including a vent means, for said sink movable with said counter assembly.

' 2. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 1 in which said means includes a plurality of pivoted levers at each end of said counter assembly and base structure.

3 A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 2 in which three pivoted levers are used at each end.

4. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 3 in which said pivoted levers are connected at their upper and lower ends to horizontal bars, one of which is attached to said counter assembly and the other to said base structure.

5. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 1 in which said counter assembly includes a stove.

6. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 1 in which said base structure includes a refrigerator.

7. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 5 in which said base structure includes a refrigerator.

8. A fold-down cabinet as defined in claim 7 in which said cabinet assembly includes a front wall which extends downwardly over the upper edge of said refrigerator and said wall is provided with a slot to permit the refrigerator door to be opened when the counter assembly is in its lowered position.

9. A fold-down cabinet as defined in claim 8 in which a door closes said slot.

10. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 1 in which said drain means includes a fixture having a pair of vertically arranged holes for receiving the drain outlet when the counter is in either its lowered or raised position, and said outlet swing inwardly away from the lower opening and hence upwardly and outwardly into the upper opening for the raised counter assembly position.

11. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 1 in which said drain includes a fixture and said fixture has two vertical pairs of openings for receiving the outlets of said drain and vent when said counter assembly is in its lowered position and said outlets swing inwardly away from the respective openings and hence upwardly and outwardly into the respective openings for the raised counter assembly position.

12. A fold-down cabinet for campers and the like, comprising a base structure. a counter assembly mounted on and supported by said base structure and having a sink therein, a means connected to said counter assembly and to said base structure for raising and lowering said counter assembly with respect to said base structure and including a plurality of levers pivoted to said counter assembly and to said base structure whereby said counter assembly swings forwardly, upwardly and rearwardly as said assembly moved from its lowered to its raised position, drain means including a vent means for said sink movable with said counter assembly, and an upper and lower hole and a drain outlet which moves with the counter assembly from the lower hole to the upper hole as said assembly is moved from its lowered to its raised position.

13. A fold-down cabinet for campers and the like, comprising a base structure, a counter assembly mounted on and supported by said base structure, and having a sink therein, a means connected to said counter assembly and to said base structure for raising and lowering said counter assembly with respect to said base structure, and drain means including a vent means for said sink moveable with said counter assembly, said drain means including a fixture having a pair of vertically arranged holes for receiving the drain outlet when the counter is in either its lowered or raised position.

i i I i l

Claims

1. A fold-down cabinet for campers and the like, comprising a base structure, a counter assembly mounted on and supported by said base structure and having a sink therein, a means connected to said counter assembly and to said base structure for raising and lowering said counter assembly with respect to said base structure and including a plurality of levers pivoted to said counter assembly and to said base structure whereby said counter assembly swings forwardly, upwardly and rearwardly as said assembly is moved from its lowered to its raised position, and drain means including a vent means, for said sink movable with said counter assembly.

2. A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 1 in which said means includes a plurality of pivoted levers at each end of said counter assembly and base structure. 3 . A fold-down cabinet for campers as defined in claim 2 in which three pivoted levers are used at each end.

9. A fold-down cabinet as defined in claim 8 in which a door closes said slot.

12. A fold-down cabinet for campers and the like, comprising a base structure, a counter assembly mounted on and supported by said base structure and having a sink therein, a means connected to said counter assembly and to said base structure for raising and lowering said counter assembly with respect to said base structure and including a plurality of levers pivoted to said counter assembly and to said base structure whereby said counter assembly swings forwardly, upwardly and rearwardly as said assembly moved from its lowered to its raised position, drain means including a vent means for said sink movable with said counter assembly, and an upper and lower hole and a drain outlet which moves with the counter assembly from the lower hole to the upper hole as said assembly is moved from its lowered to its raised position.