Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relate~s to a ~odular utility unit for camL~er
vehicles. ~ore particularly it relates to such a m~dular utility unit
which is adapted to be selectively removably incorporated into a va~-type
vehicle by attachment through existing loading doors.
There are numerous camper vehicles now available on the market,
from the very expensive m~tor homes, to many simple tent trailer units.
One of the major disadvantages of these various types of camper vehicles
is the lack of versatility of the unit, namely the fact that, due to the
functional requirements of a camper, the vehicle cannot readily be used
for other purposes. One of the more popula~ vehicles on which cam æ rs are
constructed is the van, which is very often outfitted by the cwner with the
appropriate camping equipment.
However, in the temperate zones, since camping is seldom a year-
rDund activity, the owners of van-hased campers would find it extremely
advantageous if the vehicle a~ula be quickly reconverted to its van mDde.
m ere is, therefore, a need for equipnent which will he used to convert
easily a van-type of vehicle into a camFer van, and vice versa. In parti-
cul æ there is a need to provide easy insta~lation of the main ooo1~ng,
heatm g, ventilating, refrigerating and water supply oamponents.
; Accordingly, it is an object of a broad aspect of the present in-
vention to provide a mDdular utility unit for a canper vehicle which can
be easily installed and rem~ved.
An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide
such a m~dular utility unit which may he m~unted in a van type of vehicle
using existing-loading dcorways bD acccmodate the unit.
An object of a further aspect of the present invention is to pro-
vide such a nodul æ utili~y unit for a van which is adapted to oonform
to the oonfigurations of a van doorway by replacing the door with such a
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modu]ar utility unit containing the desired appliances.
By one broad aspect of this invention, a modular unit is provided
which is intended to replace a door on a vehicle, the utility unit compris-
ing: a modular, appliance-containing unit having a facade, a base, a top,
sides and a rear surrogate door panel; utility appliances disposed within
the modular utility unit; and clamping means disposed within the modular util-
ity unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel, the clamping means coopera-
ting with a door frame of the vehicle when a door mounted in the frame is
removed, whereby, when the clamping means is engaged, it secures the modular
unit within the vehicle, with the surrogate door panel replacing the former
door, and, when the clamping means is disengaged~ it enables removal of the
modular utility unit from the vehicle and replacement with the original door.
By one variant, the utility-components comprise units requiring ex-
ternal venting.
By a variation thereof the modular utility unit includes a range,
a refrigerator, a heater, a gas light, a water heater, an exhaust shroud, a
supply of fuel, water hook-up hoses and electrical outlets.
By another variant, the surrogate door panel is provided with vent-
ing outlets for at least the appliances, the utility components and with sup-
ply plugs for the water and electrical outlets.
By a further variant of this invention, the clamping means is pro-
vided by a hollow housing having a slot on one side thereof, provided with
securement means on the housing for mounting the housing within the modular
utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel; a rotatable screw mem-
ber mounted longitudinally therein; adjusting means secured to one end of the
rotatable screw member; a travelling rail member disposed along the screw
member; and a pivotable arm supported by the travelling rail member, the
pivoting arm protruding from the slot and being adapted to pivot as a result
of rotation of the rotatable screw member, thereby clamping the unit within
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the vehicle when the adjusting means causes the screw member to rotate in a
predetermined direction.
By yet another variant, the clamping means comprises a hollow rec-
tangular parallelpiped housing having a slot in one side thereof, and provided
with securement plates transversely positioned at opposite ends thereof for
mounting the housing within the modular utility unit in proximity to the
surrogate door panel; a screw member mounted longitudinally therein, one end
of the screw member being freely rotatably mounted at one of the housing, and
the other end of the screw member being provided with an attached ad~usting
means and a travelling rail member disposed along the screw member; and a
pivotable arm supported by the rail member, the pivotable arm being adapted
to protrude from the slot and to pivot as a result of rotation of the screw
member.
By another aspect of this invention, a modular utility unit is pro-
vided which:,is intended to replace removably an exterior door on a vehicle,
comprising a self-contained modular utility unit having an interior utility
module and an exterior surrogate door panel, the panel being correspondingly
si~ed and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door
being replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially
the same space normally occupied by the door with the utility module being
positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accomodate utility-components
and utility-appiances thereat, corresponding external venting and external
supply connectlon means prov~ded on the panel for such utility-components and
utility-appliances, and releasable securing means for removably securing the
unit within the vehicle.
By a variant thereof, the securing means include a housing mounted
on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement
arm adjustably movable between a retracted position and an extended position
with respect to the housing for removable securing engagement with an adjacent
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portion of the vehicle, and means for adjustably moving the arm between such
retracted and extended positions.
Thus, the unit of an aspect of this invention, replaces an exterior
door at a corresponding door frame portion on the van or vehicle, and the sur-
rogate door panel, which is an exterior panel, is correspondingly sized and
shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being replaced
and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same space
normally occupied by the replaced door, whereby to maintain the normal vehi-
cle silhouette or outline, with the remainder of the unit being positioned
within the vehicle.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a van vehicle outfitted with the
utility unit of one aspect of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front inside of the utility
unit of an aspect of this invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear outside of the utility
unit of an aspect of this invention; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clamping member used in se-
curing the utility unit of an aspect of this invention to the van.
Referring now to Figure 1, a van 10 is shown. The usual van con-
struction includes rear loading doors (not shown), or side loading doors and
driven and passenger entry doors 11. The side doors may be of the hinge type
or may be of the sliding type. The utility unit 50 of an embodiment of this
invention is intended to replace either the rear or the side doors; as shown
in Figure 1 it replaces a side loading door, by a surrogate door panel 60
which is part of the utility unit to be described hereinafter with reference
to Figures 2 and 3. When the utility unit 50 is removed from the van, the
original van door is replaced on the van.
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Figures ~ and 3 show dctails of the utility unit 50 of one
embodiment of this in~ention. The utility unit 50 is made up of two basic
components, the exterior surrogate door panel 60, and the interior utility
module 70. The utility module 70 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes an
enclosure having an interior facade 61a, top 61, sides 62 and base 63, within
which are stove 71, furnace 72, refrigerator 73, electrical outlets 74, gas light
75, water heater (not shown) and water hook-up hoses 76. In addition an exhaust
hood 711 is provided for disposing of cooking odors. Surrogate door panel 60
which is secured to the rear of utility module 70 is provided with suitable
venting, namely 64 for the furnance 72, 621 from the exhaust hood 711, 65 for
the refrigerator 73, and 66 for the water heater in the utility module 50. In
addition surrogate door panel 60 includes access panel 67 to a cabinet for a
propane bottle, as well as an electrical supply plug 69 and water supply~filler
plug 68. It is understood that while the embodiment of the invention which is
shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes a particular grouping of appliances, the
scope of the invention could include any combination of appliances in varying
configurations, e.g. air conditioning units, microwave ovens, etc.
The utility unit 50, including the surrogate door panel 60, is
intended removably to replace the original van door. In order to install the
utility unit 50, the original van door is removed, and is replaced by the .
utility unit 50, with the utility module 70 disposed within the van and
the original van door now replaced by surrogate door panel 60. In order
removably to secure the utility unit 50 in place, clamping means 80, partially
shown in Figures 2 and 3 and to be descr~bed hereinafter in greater detail in
Figure 4 are used. The utility unit is provided with height adjusting legs 77
depending from base 63 which permit the utility unit 50 to be supported on the
van floor and to be levelled and stabilized inside the van.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, surrogate door
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panels 60 are mde of glass fibers in order to facilitate manufacture and to
provide well fitting surrogate door panels.
Another embodiment of the present invention makes use of spare
parts door units which can be obtained directly from the vehicle manufacture
and which can be machined and outfitted with the desired features.
In order to secure the utility unit 50 to the van, the original
hinged or door mountings of the van may be used. However, in a preferred em-
bodiment of the present invention, a securing clamp 80 as shown in Figure 4,
i8 used which permits easy mounting and securement as well as dismounting of
the unit, with a minimum of adjustments and fittings necessary. The subject
matter of Figure 4 is disclosed and claimed in a divisional application of the
present application.
As shown in Figure 4, the clamping unit 80 includes a hollow rec-
tangular parallelpiped housing 81, and securement plates 82, 83 transversely
positioned at opposite ends thereof for securing the clamping unit 80 to the
inside of utility module 70. While securement plates 82, 83 have been shown
at the ends, lt is possible to include additional intermediate securement
plates. Disposed within the housing 81 and mounted longitudinally thereof
is screw member 84 which i8 freely rotatably mounted in aperture 841 at one
end 85 of housing 81 and projecting through an aperture (not seen) in the other
end 86 of housing 81 and which is there fitted with an adjusting nut 87.
Approximately half way down the length of screw member 84 and protruding out
through slot 88 of housing 81 is pivoting arm 89 which is pivotally inter-
connected to one end of tranvelling rail 90 by pin 901. Rail 90 includes
plates 91, 92 each secured at one end to nuts 93, 94 which in turn are
threaded about screw member 84. Thus, pivoting arm 89 is connected to travel-
ling rail 90 by pin 901, which permits pivoting arm 89 to be retracted into
the housing 81 to permit installation of the unit and to swing transversely
out through slot 88 as a result of rotation of screw member 84. The extent
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of the swinging motion of pivoting arm 89 is limited by engagement of the
front faces 95 of arm 89 with the trailing edge 881 of slot 88 in housing 81.
Pivoting arm 89 is urged to the extended position by spring means 891.
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.~ curing c]~m~ 80 1l ~ou ted on ~he inside of utility nodule 70 in
close pro~i~niLy to llr ~3ate door panel ~0, and one such clamp 80 is
attached to the i3~side of each side wall 62 of utility ~dule 70 by
securement plates 82, 83 through conventional fastening n~ans, such as,
for e~ample, screws or rivets. Housing 81 of securing cla~p 80 is of
suitable length to reach the facade 61a, but not to allow adjusting nut
87 to protrude beyond the facade 61a of u~ility module 70. An aperture
96 is provided on the facade 61a for access to the adjvsting nut 87. The
side wall~ 62 of the utility modvel 70 are each provided with a slot 97
which allow pivDting arm 89 to protrude outwardly frcm withi~ the utility
module 70.
Rotation of adjusting nut 87 cavses screw 84 to rotate, which in
tvrn cavses travelling rail gO to travel longitvdinally along the housing
81. As the rail 90 moves, pivoting arm 89, which protrudes outside the
modvlar unit 70, is urged to pivot. The outer end 98 of pivoting arm 89
thus swings forward in an arc as it is urged by the movement of screw 84
which is in turn oontrolled by rotation of adjusting nut 87. Pivoting
arm 89 will arc until it abuts nut 93, at a position approximately perpen-
dicular with hovsing 81.
Further rotatqon of adjusting nut 87, will cause pivDting arm to
travel thr~ugh the aperture 96 in approxImately the same perpendicul æ
manner. m us, pivoting arm 87 may be urged against the door frame of the
vehicle, as will be described hereafter.
When the utility unit 70 is mounted in the van, the end 98 of pivot-
ing arm 87 is braced against the inside frame nembers ~not shown) of the
van doorway. Tightening of adjusting nut 87 forcingly urges pivoting
arm 89 against the inside frame members to the van doorway. Thus, the
entire utility unit 70 is secured within the doorway, and is retained in
this position by tightening of adjusting nut 87, which in turn effectively
bra oe s the pivoting arms 89 against the frame of the van.
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Accor~ gly, Lhc modular utility unit 50 is intended removably
to replace an exterior door, e.g. at a corresponding door frame portion, on a
vehicle, and constitutes an inherently self-contained modular utility unit
having an interior utility module 70, including an interior facade, base, top
and sides, and an exterior surrogate door panel 60. The panel is correspondingly
sized and shaped to conform substantially to the conformation of the door being
replaced and in turn to be positioned at and to occupy substantially the same
space normally occupied by the door with the utility module, e.g. facade, base,
top and sides, being positioned within the vehicle and adapted to accommodate
utility-components and utility appliances thereat, e.g. with corresponding
external venting means and external supply connection means being provided on
the panel for servicing such utility-components and utility-appliances.
Further it has releasable securing means for removably securing the unit
within the vehicle, e.g. with such securing means including a housing mounted
on the unit in proximity to the panel and operatively carrying an engagement
arm adjustably movable from a retracted position with respect to the housing
to an extended position with respect thereto for removable securing engagement
with an adjacent portion of the vehicle, plus means for adjustably moving the
arm between such retracted and extended portions.
In this manner, a utility unit 70 which contains appliances is
provided. The utility unit 70 can be easily mounted in a van in lieu of the
original van doors, and is provided with securement means for providing
a universal mounting in the van and which is simple to install. Moreover,
the utility unit 70 can just as easily be removed, and the original door or
doors replaced.
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