Camping enclosure

• US 5,358,298 A
• Filed: 04/15/1993
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David G. Fate
• Original Assignee: David G. Fate
• Inventors: Fate, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/047,961
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26, 296/164, 296/165, 296/159, 296/167, 296/161, 135/88
• US Class Current: 296/26.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/103 where lower door part moves independently from other door structures, e.g. by being hinged on the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/38 Sleeping arrangements , e.g. living or sleeping accommodation on the roof of the vehicle

Abstract

A flexible enclosure structure which may be placed on a vehicle so that its bottom and two sides are anchored within the vehicle'"'"'s interior. The top panel is fastened to the roof, preferably in a manner which results in a low air flow impedance. With the internal anchoring and the low air flow impedance to the structure along the outer surfaces of the vehicle, the vehicle may be driven on roadways for short errands while the structure is in place. When desired, the enclosure structure may be removed from the vehicle and folded, because of its flexibility, into a small, conveniently carried package. The structure includes windows to permit the entry of light and entry and exit flaps which may be closed during inclement weather. When the flaps are open, screening inhibits the entry of insects. When camping of more than a transient moment is anticipated, a tent enclosure may be coupled to the vehicle mounted enclosure.

Claims

1. A portable enclosure comprising in combination a face panel peripherally bordered by a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, the combination forming a foldable, open, box-like structure;

an automotive vehicle having a rear, a roof, a lift window gate and a drop tailgate;

a plurality of protuberances within the interior of said vehicle to which load securing straps may be removably affixed;

a plurality of load securing straps coupling said pair of side panels and said bottom panel to said plurality of protuberances so as to draw said side panels inwardly toward the forward interior of said vehicle and said bottom panel forwardly and upwardly against said drop tailgate; and

means for securing said top panel to said roof so as to draw said top panel forwardly and downwardly atop said lift window gate, the drawn panels of the structure cooperating to allow the high speed movement of the vehicle when the structure is coupled thereto, the drawn panels further inhibiting entry of persons and inclement weather into said box-like structure.

2. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said lift window gate and said drop tailgate further comprise means for placing said pair of side panels of said box-like structure in tension.

3. The enclosure of claim 2 wherein said means for placing said side panels in tension comprise means for urging and maintaining said lift window gate and said drop tailgate apart to thereby apply an upward directed force to said top panel of said box-like structure and a downward directed force to said bottom panel, said opposing forces placing said side panels in tension.

4. The enclosure of claim 3 wherein said means for urging and maintaining said window lift gate and said drop tailgate apart comprise a wedge pole coupled between said lift gate and said tailgate urging said gates apart.

5. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said top panel of said box-like structure includes a flexible window, said flexible window being juxtaposed with the window of said vehicle'"'"'s lift window gate.

6. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said face panel of said box-like structure includes a first entry and egress port for permitting entry to and exit from said vehicle through said port, said port further including closure means for inhibiting entry of persons and inclement weather through said port.

7. The enclosure of claim 6 further comprising a ground based antichamber removably coupled to said top and side panels of said box-like structure;

said antichamber being a tent having a second entry and egress port juxtaposed to said first entry and egress port in said face panel of said box-like structure when said antichamber is coupled to said top and side panels of said structure, said juxtaposition of said first and said second entry and egress ports permitting a person egress from said vehicle and entry into said antichamber.

8. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said face panel includes a flexible window therein.

9. The enclosure of claim 8 wherein said face panel of said box-like structure includes a first entry and egress port for permitting entry to and exit from said vehicle through said port, said port further including closure means for inhibiting entry of persons and inclement weather through said port.

10. The enclosure of claim 9 wherein said port is screened to inhibit entry of insects into said enclosure.

11. The enclosure of claim 10 wherein said port further includes closure means for inhibiting entry of persons and inclement weather through said port.

12. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein the means for securing said top panel to said roof comprises a magnetic strip mounted on said top panel for securing said top panel to said roof.

13. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes a rooftop carrier and further wherein the means for securing said top panel to said roof comprises loading straps coupling said top panel to said rooftop carrier.

14. A portable enclosure comprising in combination a face panel peripherally bordered by a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, the combination forming a foldable, open, box-like structure;

an automotive vehicle having a rear, a roof, a lift window gate and a drop tailgate;

a plurality of protuberances within the interior of said vehicle to which load securing straps may be removably affixed;

a plurality of load securing straps coupling said pair of side panels and said bottom panel to said plurality of protuberances so as to draw said side panels inwardly toward the forward interior of said vehicle and said bottom panel forwardly and upwardly against said drop tailgate;

means for securing said top panel to said roof so as to draw said top panel forwardly and downwardly atop said lift window gate, the drawn panels of the structure cooperating to allow the high speed movement of the vehicle when the structure is coupled thereto, the drawn panels further inhibiting entry of persons into the structure; and

said face panel of said box-like structure including a first entry and egress port for permitting entry to and exit from said vehicle through said port, said port further including closure means for inhibiting entry of persons and inclement weather through said port.

15. A portable enclosure comprising in combination a face panel peripherally bordered by a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, the combination forming a foldable, open, box-like structure;

an automotive vehicle having a rear, a roof, a lift window gate and a drop tailgate;

a plurality of protuberances within the interior of said vehicle to which load securing straps may be removably affixed;

a plurality of load securing straps coupling said pair of side panels and said bottom panel to said plurality of protuberances so as to draw said panels inwardly toward the forward interior of said vehicle and said bottom panel forwardly and upwardly against said drop tailgate;

means for securing said top panel to said roof so as to draw said top panel forwardly and downwardly atop said lift window gate, the drawn panels of the structure cooperating to allow the high speed movement of the vehicle when the structure is coupled thereto, the drawn panels further inhibiting entry of persons into said structure; and

means for urging and maintaining said lift window gate and said drop tailgate apart to thereby apply an upward directed force to said top panel of said box-like structure and a downward directed force to said bottom panel, said opposing forces placing said side panels in tension.

16. The enclosure of claim 15 further wherein said face panel of said box-like structure includes a first entry and egress port for permitting entry to and exit from said vehicle through said port, said port further including closure means for inhibiting entry of persons and inclement weather through said port.