US20100269875A1

US20100269875A1 - Camper privacy enclosure

Info

Publication number: US20100269875A1
Application number: US12/799,409
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Charles Notermann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-27
Filing date: 2010-04-24
Publication date: 2010-10-28

Abstract

A camper privacy enclosure that not only acts as a storage pod, suitably attached to a transport means such as a camping trailer, recreational vehicle (“RV”) travel trailer, and the like, but when its contents are removed, it can be manipulated into a vertical position to create an upright booth. The interior space of the enclosure provides sufficient space and privacy to change clothes, wash up, and contain a portable commode.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/214,649 filed Apr. 27, 2009 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention
This invention relates to an enclosure, and more particularly, to a device to provide for privacy in the instance of using a restroom or showering and the like while camping or similar activity.
2. Description of Related Art
Attempts have been made by folding camping trailer manufacturers to provide a plastic curtain or foldable wall divider to create a separated private room within these structures for use as a bath facility. Currently the only available component provided in this type of shelter is very inadequate. Folding tent campers have to offer the option of some type of facilities and the available solution is not ideal for the needed privacy or for achieving the basic convenience of such component inside some models of folding tent campers.
The interior of a folding tent camping trailer is only suitable for objects and furnishings that are low in height by specific design to be positioned closer to the floor because of the overall height restrictions when this type of folding camping shelter has been collapsed down into its travel mode for towing. This restriction of the interior volume of space is what eliminates the structure to be able to provide interior room for this separate room for a private enclosure for these basic needs. The alteration of this interior space is insubstantial for a bathroom type private toilet facility.
It is common for existing and current folding camping trailers to provide a front storage box. This option is often built onto a slightly longer chassis to provide this additional space within a storage container mounted on the longer chassis in the front portion of the main unit of the camper. These fixed storage compartments have access doors to allow removal of items when needed during a camping trip.
The available models of folding camping trailers do not offer the ideal facilities for complete use because of the lower overall height dimensions when collapsed for towing to allow a proper interior enclosure to provide any adequate facilities due to these considerations. Thus, attempts have been made to seek a solution for such basic human requirements to be suitable for persons to rest from this basic requirement with some degree of privacy.
Currently no comparable products exist. Additionally, there are lower profile hard wall trailers that cannot provide space for “rest rooms”. No common elements in relationship to this new concept are available to provide any reference of any familiar components of the new concept.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an enclosure that not only acts as a storage pod, suitably attached to a trailer such as a camping trailer, recreational vehicle (“RV”) travel trailer, and the like, but when its contents are removed, it can be manipulated into a vertical position to create an upright booth. This upright booth would then be positioned with its base floor at ground level and have an access door to allow a full-sized adult to step into it. The interior space of the enclosure provides sufficient space to change clothes, wash up, and contain a portable commode. The upright booth provides for a higher degree of privacy and functionality to these types of folding campers that are just beyond its foldable canvas walls.
In its secured down-most position as a storage compartment set for transporting in front of the fully collapsed folding tent camper, the new privacy compartment in this position is as close to any common appearance currently available and only to provide the same functional advantages for the use of storing items but offers alternative uses because of its ability to be manipulated away from the one task. The privacy compartment may be constructed in such a manner so as to provide access for the handicapped by having a fold down threshold entry portion. Additionally, rails may be secured to the interior walls to assist those in wheel chairs and the like. In the consideration for use as a shower unit, interior shelves allow for a water storage unit to be placed and flexible hosing provides for the water transport means to a shower head dispensing unit. Pressurized water sources, basins, holding tanks with pumps and fixed plumbing devices may be accommodated and used as a means of water sources. Hooks, shelves and the like secured to the interior walls act as a means to hang clothing, towels, personal toiletry items, or other personal effects. A floor drain provides for a means for water to exit. A roof vent with a means to open and close is provided for fresh air and allow for escape of moisture. Similarly an access door on the drivers side of the compartment would have a glass or plastic window contained within the frame. When the compartment is tilted up to the standing position, the window would then be the top side of the stall to allow natural light to shine in to help illuminate. For use in the evening and night hours, a light source may be mounted internally and turned on as needed or one may be permanently affixed to an internal wall and hooked up to an external electrical source. The windows would also be able to prop open to vent the top of the stall. With the enclosure on its side, the open window allows the user to place into or retrieve stored items.
The construction of the privacy enclosure may consist of a full size rigid structure, or walls that slide past one another to fully expand. This can be done either manually, pneumatically, or an electrically motorized means built in to the unit. Additionally, to facilitate removal of the structure from the trailer, means for a sliding mechanism may be employed to allow for it to be pushed off. A gripping means, a strap, or similar, is located on the outside of the structure allow for the upright lifting of the booth. The transport trailer may employ a pneumatic arm that latches on to the booth to allow it to be slid off and be positioned upright. Adjustable feet, or similar may be attached to the bottom to aid in pushing the unit back onto the chassis. Connection points between the structure and the chassis ensure the unit is stabilized both horizontally and vertically thereby enhancing stability of the enclosure.
Various models may allow the booth/storage unit to be placed in other locations on altered chassis and may tilt in other directions to allow it to be position on different sides of the chassis. Also, various shape and sizes of these units may be offered. A bumper mounted model may be offered for pick-up type trucks and larger sport utility vehicle (SUV) type vehicles that may mount onto the hitch to allow the unit to be tilted up for use. In another variation, some models may be added to flat bed and utility type trailers to replace the salt/sand shields for the dual use purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the privacy enclosure in its upright position having receiving mechanical assistance in doing so via a pneumatic lifting arm attached to the transport trailer.

FIG. 2 shows the privacy enclosure with its door in an upright position beside an un-deployed folding camping trailer.

FIG. 3 shows, starting in the lower left and proceeding counter clockwise, the privacy enclosure in its stored position on the transport trailer. The next drawing shows the booth in its partially removed configuration from the transport trailer. The upper drawing shows the booth fully removed from the trailer and adjacent to the fully deployed folding camping trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.
The present invention is referred to generally in FIGS. 1-3 by the reference numerals 10, 20, and 40 and is intended to provide for privacy enclosures and the like. It should be understood that the device 10 may also be used as a storage pod and should not be limited in use to only as a privacy enclosure. Furthermore, it is noted that the present invention may be monolithically formed as a single unit thereby negating the necessity to mechanically attach its various parts together.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a trapezium shaped frame with side walls 11 and 12, top wall 13, bottom wall 20, rear wall 14, and front wall 21 configured to allow access to the interior. Suitably attached hinges 15 to wall 12 act as a fulcrum point allowing the enclosure to pivot about the edge of a transport carrier and be positioned in an upright manner. In an optimal configuration, the distal end of pneumatic arm 16 is suitable attached to wall 12 and its proximal end is suitably attached to sliding panel 17 that suitably attaches to the transport carrier 18. In the horizontal position on the transport carrier, sliding panel 17 locks in a safe and secure manner to maintain the enclosure in a horizontal position during transport. Top wall 13 also includes an optimal lockable sliding panel 19 to allow for air exchange within enclosure 10. Sliding panel 19 may also optimally consist of a translucent material to allow for natural light to enter the enclosure 10. In an optimal configuration, a floor drain is suitably attached to bottom wall 20 allowing for liquids to escape the enclosure. Hand rails, hooks, and shelves are suitably attached to the interior walls 11, 12, 14, and 21 to allow for the placement of objects while in the upright position. Hooks may also act as tie down points of interior objects when the enclosure is acting as a storage pod and the unit is in transport.
Referring to FIG. 2, privacy enclosure 30 includes a hexagonal shape with side walls 31, 32, 33, 34, top wall 36, rear wall 38, and bottom wall 37. Within front wall 21 consists a lockable door 35 to allow access to the interior of the enclosure.
Referring to FIG. 3, enclosure 40 is shown in its horizontal transport position, partially deployed off the transport vehicle, and fully deployed vertical position. Enclosure 40 includes a quarter circle shape configuration with front wall 41 and side wall 42 perpendicular to each other, arcing wall 43 connecting to walls 41 and 42, top wall 44, and bottom wall 45. Front wall 41 is configured to allow access to the interior. Arcing wall is optimally configured acting as a wind shield for reduced drag.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated
It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure useful as a shower stall, restroom, changing shelter or storage pod comprising:

a generally rectangular base having a pair of generally parallel bottom and top walls, a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall said first and third side walls generally parallel to one another and said second and fourth walls generally parallel to one another, said side walls spanning said top and bottom walls where said first side wall accommodates a lockable entrance door to said shelter;

hand rails horizontal to said bottom wall suitably attached to the interior of said side walls;

shelves horizontal to said bottom wall suitably attached to the interior of said side walls;

a floor drain suitably attached and in said bottom wall to provide means of water escapement;

a roof vent and storage access hatch suitably configured into said top wall;

hooks suitably attached to the interior of said side walls;

adjustable ground supports suitably attached to the bottom of said bottom wall;

recessed handles within the exterior of said side walls for manual engagement by a user for means of positioning said structure vertical and horizontal;

a hinged panel, having lower and upper segments said lower segment suitably attached to the exterior of said second side wall where said hinges span the width of said panel traversing from said first side wall to said third side wall.

2. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 1 wherein said horizontal hand rails are positioned approximately 30 inches above said bottom wall.

3. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 1 wherein said top wall accommodates a portion of translucent material such as window glass, or frosted plastic.

4. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 1 wherein said hinged sliding rails consist of attachment means to allow said rails to be secured to a transport means such as a trailer or hitch mounted platform.

5. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 1 wherein said top and bottom walls, and said parallel side walls are comprised of structural materials such as fiberglass.

6. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 1 wherein the exterior of said upper segment of said hinged panel comprises a pair of parallel sliding rails spanning the distance from said top wall to said hinges, suitably attached to said upper segment, from said top wall along their length to said hinges.

7. A portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure useful as a shower stall, restroom, changing shelter or storage pod comprising:

a generally one-quarter circle shaped base having a pair of generally parallel bottom and top walls, first and second side walls with first and second ends attached at said first ends forming a 90 degree angle spanning said top and bottom walls, an arced wall attached to said second ends of said side walls, a lockable entrance door to said shelter incorporated into said first side wall;

a roof vent and storage access hatch suitably configured into said top wall;

hooks suitably attached to the interior of said side walls;

adjustable ground supports suitably attached to the bottom of said bottom wall;

a hinged panel, having lower and upper segments said lower segment suitably attached to the exterior of said second side wall where said hinges span the width of said panel traversing from said first side wall to said arced wall.

8. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 7 wherein said horizontal hand rails are positioned approximately 30 inches above said bottom wall.

9. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 7 wherein said top wall accommodates a portion of translucent material such as window glass, or frosted plastic.

10. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 7 wherein said hinged sliding rails consist of attachment means to allow said rails to be secured to a transport means such as a trailer or hitch mounted platform.

11. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 7 wherein said top and bottom walls, and said parallel side walls are comprised of structural materials such as fiberglass.

12. The portable rigid vertical privacy enclosure of claim 7 wherein the exterior of said upper segment of said hinged panel comprises a pair of parallel sliding rails spanning the distance from said top wall to said hinges, suitably attached to said upper segment, from said top wall along their length to said hinges.