US3652119A

US3652119A - Telescoping camper cabin for trucks

Info

Publication number: US3652119A
Application number: US40604A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert D Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-05-26
Filing date: 1970-05-26
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28

Abstract

A vertically telescoping glass fiber-reinforced plastic camper cabin embodying a one-piece lower body section with unitary plastic cabinet sections mounted therein, together with a doubleshell upper body section of glass fiber-reinforced plastic and metal inner frame construction telescopically receiving the lower body section, and fluid rams for raising and lowering the upper section connected between brackets provided in the sections.

Description

ilnited States Patent Hall [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] TELESCOPING CAMPER CABIN FOR TRUCKS [72] Inventor: Robert D. Hall, 10320 Sunland Blvd., Sun-- land, Calif. 91040 [22] Filed: May 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 40,604

52 11.8.0. ..296/23 c, 296/27, 52/67 51 Int.Cl .;..B60p3/34 5s FieldofSearch ..296/23,26, 27,31 P; 52/66,

[ 5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,103 3/1959 Hall ..296/23 2,883,233 4/1959 Beckley ..296/31 P X 2,858,580 11/1958 Thompson ..296/3l P X 3,021,170 2/1962 Cornelius ..296/23 Primary Examiner-Philip Goodman Attorney-Wham & McManigal [57] ABSTRACT A vertically telescoping glass fiber-reinforced plastic camper cabin embodying a one-piece lower body section with unitary plastic cabinet sections mounted therein, together with a double-shell upper body section of glass fiber-reinforced plastic and metal inner frame construction telescopically receiving the lower body section, and fluid rams for raising and lowering the upper section connected between brackets provided in the sections.

7 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures TELESCOPING CAMPER CABIN FOR TRUCKS This invention has to do generally with camper cabins adapted to be mounted on the bed of a truck between the sides thereof, and more particularly to such camper cabins as embody an upper body section which telescopes vertically over the lower or main section so that the upper section can be lowered for transit.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved camper cabin construction which provides a superior product of lighter weight, greater strength and durability and improved surface finish as compared with camper cabins heretofore made by conventional construction methods utilizing conventional materials, such as metal, wood and plywood.

Another object is to provide a relatively simple construction wherein the camper body is made up of a minimum number of body sections which can be fabricated independently of each other and can be readily assembled without the exercise of special skill.

A further object is to provide a camper cabin embodying a novel and improved construction wherein the main telescoping sections are molded with suitable reinforcement and bracket means therein for the mounting of fluid rams between the sections thereby eliminating the problem and diffic ulty of accurately fitting mounting brackets to the sections as in conventional construction.

Another object is to provide a novel construction for a verticallyexpanding camper cabin which makes it possible to build a cabin that has a lower overall height when the upper section is lowered relative to the lower section but which provides 2 equal or greater headroom inside the cabin when the upper section is raised than has heretofore been accomplished.

More particularly it is an object to provide a camper cabin construction in which the camper cabin is largely made up ofa minimum number of relatively large molded sections or components of glass fiber-reinforced synthetic resin or plastic that can be readily assembled with a minimum amount of labor and skill.

In summary, it is an object to provide a construction embodying a novel main or lower body section molded as a unit and provided with plastic foam insulation together with a minimum number of unitary molded cabinet sections fitted therein in conjunction with an upper section formed vof an inner shell and an outer shell with foam insulation between the shells, the upper body section telescopically receiving the lower body section, and fluid ram mounting brackets integral with the upper and lower body sections with fluid rams mounted thereon and extending between the sections for raising and lowering the upper section.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and the following description. Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a truck with a camper cabin embodying the invention shown in place thereon with the upper portion of the camber cabin lowered for transit;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the upper portion of the camper body raised for habitation;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the major components of the camper cabin;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lower body section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the camper cabin substantially in the plane designated by the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, but on a larger scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 5, but on a larger scale;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but taken in the opposite direction near the opposite end of the cabin in the plane designated by line 8--8 ofFlG. 4; I

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 99 of FIG. 8, but on a larger scale;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 10-10 of FIG, 8; and

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the metal frame incorporated in the upper body section.

1 More particularly describing the invention, in FIGS. 1 and 2 I show a camper cabin l1 embodying the invention mounted on a so-called pickup truck 12, the cabin being shown contracted, that is, with the upper body section 14 lowered for transit, in FIG. 1, and expanded, that is, with the upper body section raised, in FIG. 2.

In general the camper cabin includes a lower body section 15 and the aforementioned upper body section 14 which telescopically receives the lower body section and is movable vertically with respect thereto. The section 15 rests on the floor or bed of the truck body 16, fitting between the sides 17 thereof. In this connection it will be noted that the sides of the body are stepped to provide inset lower side walls 18 that fit between the sides of the truck body and that these in turn a are recessed at 19 to accommodate the wheel wells in the truck body.

It is a particular feature of the construction and method of manufacture of the camper cabin that, apart from the trim, windows, hardware, furnishings, appliances, plumbing and electrical components and fittings, it is made up of a minimum number of unitary, fiber-reinforced plastic (synthetic resin) molded components that can be readily assembled. The lower body section 15 is chiefly made'up of a main shell 21, two cabinet sections, designated 22 and 23, and fittings including a door and window (not shown). The main shell is a one-piece or unitary molded plastic structure made chiefly of a suitable material, such as glass fiber-reinforced polyester-type resin, or the like. This is formed to provide a bottom wall 25 which incorporates a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal stiffening and mounting channels 26 incorporating an additional layer 26' of material and reinforcement. The shell includes side walls 28, a front end wall 30 and a rear end wall 31. The walls are a continuation of the floor or bottom wall and are continuous except where the rear end wall is interrupted by a wide opening 32 for a door and where the front end wall 30 is interrupted by an opening 33 for a window. Theupper edge of the section is supported by metal tubing 35 which extends completely around the upper edge of the main body section or shell 21.

The back end wall 31 of the shell 21 is provided with a U- shaped reinforcement frame, designated 38, made up of a tu bular base member 39 and two laterally spaced uprights 40, the latter being connected to the former by diagonal braces 41. The frame is secured in place in the molded shell by additional resin and glass fiber-reinforcing, as required, and, as shown in FIG. 7, the molded shell substantially encompasses the base member 39. The frame'38, in addition to reinforcing the end wall of the shell which is weakened by the door opening 32, serves as a bracket for supporting the two fluid rams 44 which, with the two rams-45 at the front, are used for raising and lowering the upper body section 14. For this purpose each of the uprights 40 is provided with a laterally projecting mounting car 46 to which the cylinders 47 of the rams 44 are secured, respectively. This construction assures proper positioning of the rams during assembly.

The front end wall 30 does not require additional reinforcement and the lower ends of cylinders 48 of rams 45 are mounted on brackets 50 which in turn are mounted on steps 51 formed by the contour of the lower body section at the forward end of the cabin.

The shell 21 is coated on the inside with a layer of plastic foam 54, such as polyurethane foam, to provide heat and sound insulation, the foam being sprayed on or otherwise applied to the end walls 30 and 31 and to the side walls 28 above the bench orledge 55.

Apart from furnishings and trim, the interior of shell 21 is completed by mounting therein the two

cabinet sections

22 and 23. Each of these comprises a unitary or one-piece molded member of plastic, such as a glass fiber-reinforced polyester resin. The design or shape of the cabinet sections may vary, depending on the fixtures, appliances, cabinets and other built-in accommodations to be offered in a particular camper cabin. By way of example, cabinet section 22 is shown as having a stove-receiving surface 57, a seat surface 58 and a higher sink-receiving surface 59. Depending from such surfaces is an apertured skirt wall 61 that is secured to the channel 25 in the bottom wall of the shell. Upright side wall 62 and

end walls

63 and 64 extend upwardly to completely cover and thus finish the interior of the shell 21, the side and end walls terminating in a marginal flange 65 that extends over and is secured to the upper margin of the shell by screws (not shown) and by bonding In a similar manner, the cabinet section 23 chosen for illustration includes a closet section 67, seat surface 68, and a low closet floor surface 69. It also has a skirt 70, upper side wall 71 and

end walls

72 and 73. The section 23 fits into the shell 21 in a manner similar to section 22, except that section 23 in part extends above the shell 21.

The upper body section 14 is supported on the lower or main body section which it telescopically receives by means of the two sets of

fluid rams

44 and 45. The latter of course are connected into a fluid pressure supply system of any desired type, although I prefer to employ a hydraulic fluid in a closed circuit with a hand pump and supply tank. This is known and need not be illustrated, reference being made to US. Pat.'No. 2,879,103, by way ofexample.

The upper body section comprises inner and outer plastic shells, designated 75 and 76, respectively, of glass fiber-reinforced polyester resin or other suitable plastic and a skeletal framework 77 therebetween of metal, together with a filling of foam plastic between the two shells. The outer shell 76 has a roof or top wall 80, side walls 81, front end wall 82 and back end wall 83. The inner shell has similar walls designated by the same numerals distinguished by the addition ofa prime mark.

The framework 77 which is mounted between the top shells 7S and 76 is made up ofa central longitudinal channel section 85 having lateral flanges, two

similar cross members

86 and 87 normal thereto, and side longitudinal members 88. The parts are welded together. At the front of the frame each corner is provided with a downwardly extending L-shaped member 90 while at the back end of the frame, somewhat shorter downwardly extending L-like corner elements 91 are provided. The framework 77 is assembled with the inner and outer molded

shells

75 and 76 in any suitable manner and held in place either by being glassed-in" (secured with glass fiberreinforced resin) or by means of screws or rivets.

The rams 44 at the rear of the cabin have their piston rods 47 secured directly to the rear cross member 86 of the frame structure 77, as best seen in FIG. 6. At the forward end of the cabin special brackets 93 are attached to the front cross member 87 as by screws 94 for mounting the piston rods 48 of rams 45. 7

In order to impart further stiffness to the upper body section 14, a metal reinforcing member 96 is provided between the two shells around the bottom edge of the section. Various means may be used for guiding the upper body section 14 for telescoping vertical movement relative to the lower body section, channel guides 98 being shown on the end walls of the lower body section for engagement by suitable slides (not shown) inside the upper body section.

It will be apparent that the various objects of the invention hereinbefore set forth are achieved by the camper cabin construction shown and described. It will also be apparent that the upper body section 14, which is shown lowered in FIGS. and 8, can be readily raised by supplying pressure fluid to the four rams, as by means ofa hand pump (not shown) connected into a suitable system as heretofore referred to. Further, although I have shown particular embodiments of the invention, 1 contemplate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept.

1 claim:

1. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising:

a. a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plastic;

b. a unitary upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section, said upper body section including a one-piece outer shell of molded reinforced plastic and a one-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic secured inside said outer shell;

c. fluid ram means connected between said upper and lower body sections for raising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lower body section;

d. a molded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lower body section along each side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as a finish therefor; and

e. an interior layer of foam plastic insulation disposed behind said cabinet sections.

2. The telescoping cabin for trucks as defined in claim 1, including a metal tubing extending completely around the upper edge ofsaid one-piece lower body section.

3. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks having an open body with a bed, sides and an open end, comprising a unitary molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic open-topped lower body section adapted to be supported on the bed of the truck body between the sides thereof, said section having a back end wall interrupted by a substantial opening through its upper margin for a door, a metal reinforcement frame mounted in said back end wall of said lower body section and including an internally projecting mounting ear adjacent each rear corner of the section, an upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section and covering the same, a pair of fluid rams connected between the mounting ears of said frame and said upper body section, additional fluid rams between the front end portion of said lower body section and the front end portion of said upper body section, and a fluid supply, pressurizing and control system carried by said lower body section and operatively connected to said fluid rams.

4. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks having an open body with a bed, sides and an open end, comprising:

a. a unitary molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic opentopped lower body section adapted to be supported on the bed of the truck body between the sides thereof, said section having a back end wall interrupted by a substantial opening through its upper margin for a door;

b. a metal reinforcement frame mounted in said back end wall of said lower body section and including an internally projecting mounting ear adjacent each rear corner of the section;

. an upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section and covering the same, said upper body sec- .tion being formed of an inner and an outer shell of molded glass fiber-reinforced plastic with a metal framework incorporated therebetween;

d. a pair of fluid rams connected between the mounting ears of said frame and said upper body section, additional fluid rams between the front end portion of said lower body section and the front end portion of said upper body section, said pair of fluid rams and said additional fluid rams being secured at their upper ends to said framework; and

. a fluid supply, pressurizing and control system carried by said lower body section and operatively connected to said fluid rams.

5. A telescoping camper cabin, comprising a lower body section in the form ofa unitary, molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic open-topped shell having a bottom wall with a pair of raised, laterally spaced channels equi-off longitudinal center and having side walls and end walls with one end wall interrupted centrally by a door opening, a pair of cabinet sections secured in said shell, each cabinet section having a skirt portion secured to a channel of the shell and having an upper marginal portion secured to the upper marginal portion of the shell, a metal frame in said shell at the end wall interrupted by said opening, an upper body section comprising a molded plastic inner and an outer shell and a metal frame therebetween, said upper body section covering and telescopically receiving said lower body section, fluid rams mounted between said frame and said framework at one end of said cabin and between the lower body section and said framework at the other end thereof.

6. A lower body section for a telescoping camper cabin adapted to mount on a truck, comprising:

a. a molded unitary open-topped shell of a glass fiber-reinforced plastic, said shell having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls, and being formed to provide a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting inverted channels; and

b. a molded reinforced cabinet section mounted inside said shell along each side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface of the shell to provide an interior finish therefor, each said cabinet section having: I. a skirt portion secured to a channel in the shell;

2. utility surfaces extending laterally of the upper edge of the skirt; and

3. upright wall portions extending upwardly from said utility surfaces and terminating in a laterally projecting marginal flange secured to the upper margin of said shell.

7. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising:

a. a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plastic interrupted at one end;

b. a metal frame incorporated in said lower body section at the end having the interruption;

c. a unitary upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section, said upper body section being interrupted at one end so as to, in cooperation with the interruption in said lower body section, for a door opening, and including a one-piece outer shell of molded reinforced plastic and a one-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic secured inside said outer shell with a metal framework incorporated therebetween;

d. fluid ram means connected between said upper and lower body sections for raising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lower body section, said fluid ram means including four rams connected at their upper ends to said metal framework with two of said rams connected at their lower ends to said metal frame in the lower body section; and

e. a molded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lower body section along each side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as a finish therefor.

Claims

1. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising: a. a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plastic; b. a unitary upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section, said upper body section including a onepiece outer shell of molded reinforced plastic and a one-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic secured inside said outer shell; c. fluid ram means connected between said upper and lower body sections for raising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lower body section; d. a molded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lower body section along each side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as a finish therefor; and e. an interior layer of foam plastic insulation disposed behind said cabinet sections.

2. The telescoping cabin for trucks as defined in claim 1, including a metal tubing extending completely around the upper edge of said one-piece lower body section.

2. utility surfaces extending laterally of the upper edge of the skirt; and

4. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks having an open body with a bed, sides and an open end, comprising: a. a unitary molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic open-topped lower body section adapted to be supported on the bed of the truck body between the sides thereof, said section having a back end wall interrupted by a substantial opening through its upper margin for a door; b. a metal reinforcement frame mounted in said back end wall of said lower body section and including an internally projecting mounting ear adjacent each rear corner of the section; c. an upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section and covering the same, said upper body section being formed of an inner and an outer shell of molded glass fiber-reinforced plastic with a metal framework incorporated therebetween; d. a pair of fluid rams connected between the mounting ears of said frame and said Upper body section, additional fluid rams between the front end portion of said lower body section and the front end portion of said upper body section, said pair of fluid rams and said additional fluid rams being secured at their upper ends to said framework; and e. a fluid supply, pressurizing and control system carried by said lower body section and operatively connected to said fluid rams.

5. A telescoping camper cabin, comprising a lower body section in the form of a unitary, molded, glass fiber-reinforced plastic open-topped shell having a bottom wall with a pair of raised, laterally spaced channels equi-off longitudinal center and having side walls and end walls with one end wall interrupted centrally by a door opening, a pair of cabinet sections secured in said shell, each cabinet section having a skirt portion secured to a channel of the shell and having an upper marginal portion secured to the upper marginal portion of the shell, a metal frame in said shell at the end wall interrupted by said opening, an upper body section comprising a molded plastic inner and an outer shell and a metal frame therebetween, said upper body section covering and telescopically receiving said lower body section, fluid rams mounted between said frame and said framework at one end of said cabin and between the lower body section and said framework at the other end thereof.

6. A lower body section for a telescoping camper cabin adapted to mount on a truck, comprising: a. a molded unitary open-topped shell of a glass fiber-reinforced plastic, said shell having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls, and being formed to provide a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting inverted channels; and b. a molded reinforced cabinet section mounted inside said shell along each side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface of the shell to provide an interior finish therefor, each said cabinet section having:

7. A telescoping camper cabin for trucks, comprising: a. a one-piece lower body section of molded reinforced plastic interrupted at one end; b. a metal frame incorporated in said lower body section at the end having the interruption; c. a unitary upper body section telescopically receiving said lower body section, said upper body section being interrupted at one end so as to, in cooperation with the interruption in said lower body section, for a door opening, and including a one-piece outer shell of molded reinforced plastic and a one-piece inner shell of molded reinforced plastic secured inside said outer shell with a metal framework incorporated therebetween; d. fluid ram means connected between said upper and lower body sections for raising and lowering said upper body section relative to said lower body section, said fluid ram means including four rams connected at their upper ends to said metal framework with two of said rams connected at their lower ends to said metal frame in the lower body section; and e. a molded reinforced plastic cabinet section secured inside said lower body section along each side thereof defining a center aisle space and covering the inner surface of said lower body section and serving as a finish therefor.