GB498162A - Improvements in or relating to collapsible caravans - Google Patents

Abstract

498,162. Caravans; folding vehicles. TEW, G. H. Aug. 16, 1937, No. 22427. [Class 108 (i)] A self-propelled, hand-propelled, or trailer caravan comprises a rigid body of box-like shape formed in two parts hinged together so that the upper part may be turned from the closed position to an open position alongside the lower part in which it forms a floor for the caravan, and a tent-like structure attached to and folded within the body when the latter is closed and automatically erected by the opening of the body. As shown, the upper part 6, consisting of the top, two sides, and two ends, is hinged at 5 to the rear edge of the base 4 which is mounted on a two-wheel trailer chassis, and a canvas &c, cover consisting of two flat sides 7 and a strip 8 forming the end walls and roof is attached to the three remaining edges of the base and to the three free edges of the part 6. The cover is supported in the operative position by U-shaped frames 9, 12, 12, the central frame 9 being pivotally mounted on brackets 10 fixed on the base 4, and the ends of the frames 12 being pivoted to brackets 13 slidable on the limbs of the frame 9 to tension the canvas, the brackets 13 being lockable in a number of positions by a pin passing through holes in the brackets and in the frame 9. A door is provided comprising a hinged flap 23 in the side of the part 6 and a canvas strip 24 normally closing an opening on one side 7 of the cover and adapted to be rolled up and secured by straps or to be let down and secured by sliding-clasp fastenings 26 or by lacing. The cover may be secured to the base 4 and part 6 by nails, tacks, &c. or by press studs or turn buttons. As shown, it is secured to a fillet 27 on the base by press studs 28 so that the part 6, when collapsed, rests on the edge of the base outside the fillet. The cover may be secured directly to the inner edge of the part 6 or to internally-mounted fillets in which latter case a drainage arrangement, such as an internal gutter, is provided. Alternatively, the cover may be detachably secured to the outside edge of the part 6, the edge of the canvas being detached and put inside the body when the caravan is folded, strips of webbing arranged inside the strip 8 of the cover being permanently secured to the edge of the part 6 to enable the canvas to be erected automatically when the caravan is opened out. Lockers 30 may be mounted below the base 4. The frames 12 may be pivoted on a bracket permanently secured to the lower end of the frame 9, or the three frames 9, 12, 12' may all be pivotally mounted on the brackets 10, the limbs of the frames 12 being adjustable in length for tensioning purposes. The side members of the body and the end member remote from the hinged edge may be secured to the base part instead of to the upper part, or alternatively the sides may be divided horizontally, the upper parts being secured to the top member and the lower parts to the base.