Trailer chassis mounted support

Abstract

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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a chassis mounted support apparatus for a trailer and in one form relates to a stowable seat mountable to the 5 underside of a caravan or camper trailer chassis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The chassis of a caravan or camper trailer is the framework or structural base to which various components are attached. Typically, the chassis includes a main frame constructed from steel, aluminium, or a composite thereof, and is usually 10 rectangular in shape to distribute the weight evenly across the trailer body. An A-frame is connected to, or formed at, one of shorter ends of the rectangular frame. The A-frame includes a hitch located at a forward end for connecting the caravan or camper trailer to the tow vehicle. The chassis is supported on wheels mounted to an axle or axles, or more 15 recently to independent suspension members. The suspension system (springs, shock absorbers, etc) is mounted to the chassis, to provide a smoother ride and absorbing road shocks. Depending on the configuration of the trailer, walls, a floor, tent or other structural members are attached to the chassis to form a living space. The chassis also includes structural reinforcements, including cross 20 members, bracing, and thicker metal components in certain areas of the chassis to improve durability. These reinforcements increase the structural integrity of the caravan, especially for larger or so-called offroad models and varies between manufactures and models. The interior of caravans or camper trailers typically include seating and / or 25 table of various configuration and layouts. The exterior of the caravan or camper trailer typically comprises simple panels with doors or hatches, for accessing the interior of the trailer. Some caravans or camper trailers have fold out tables attached to a side wall panel, however these are lightweight in nature and are can typically only carry small loads 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 Due to space and weight limitations of caravans or camper trailers the owners are required to minimise excess luggage or additional camping equipment. There are times however when extra exterior seating or a support surface would be beneficial. This may be when additional people briefly visit the owners at a 5 campsite or caravan park without their own camp chair. Seating or additional support surfaces may also be useful when the owner of the caravan or camper trailer is pulled up on the side of the road and does not want to retrieve their camp chairs or table from the interior of the trailer. It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the 10 specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15           It is therefore an object of the illustrated embodiments to provide externally mounted seating for a caravan or camper trailer. Other objects of the illustrated embodiments are to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative. The foregoing objects should not necessarily be considered as cumulative and various aspects of the invention may 20 fulfil one or more of the above objects. The reader will appreciate that the support apparatus of the present invention may be retrofitted to various configurations of trailers, such as but not limited to caravans, camper trailers and hybrid campers. Accordingly, the term “trailer” or “caravan” used throughout the specification should be given their broadest 25 definitions. It could be broadly understood that the present invention relates generally to seating that can be retrofitted to an underside of a caravan or camper trailer chassis. In one aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, there is proposed a support apparatus reversibly attachable to a trailer 30   chassis, comprising: an elongate main frame; 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 at least two adjustable connectors being couplable to, and slidable along, the elongate main frame, wherein the at least two adjustable connectors being affixable to respective cross members of the trailer chassis in a spaced apart arrangement; and 5 a load bearing seating member adjustably attached to the elongate frame and movable between a stowed position and an extended position. Preferably, the trailer chassis is the chassis of a caravan, camper trailer or hybrid camper. The load bearing seating member may pivotably or slidably engage the 10 elongate main frame. In one form, the support apparatus includes a first pivoting arm assembly at or adjacent a first end of the elongate main frame and a second pivoting arm assembly at or adjacent a second end of the elongate main frame. Accordingly, the load bearing seating member can be pivoted downwardly and outwardly from under the chassis, or slid outwardly from under the chassis, into 15 the extended position to thereby provide temporary seating for one or more people. When the caravan or camper trailer is to be moved, the load bearing seating member can be pivoted or slid back into the stowed position. In one form, a seating surface of the load bearing seating member is retained within a dust and weather proof compartment when in the stowed position. For 20   instance, as the load bearing seating member is moved into the stowed position a cover portion may be configured to enclose the seating surface. In this way when the load bearing seating member is moved into the extended position the user is presented with a generally clean seating surface. Alternatively, the seating surface may be automatically or manually pivoted or 25 otherwise moved into the dust and weather proof compartment prior to, or during movement of the load bearing seating member into the stowed position, to thereby protect the seating surface during transportation of the caravan or camper trailer. The support apparatus may further include a locking mechanism for retaining the load bearing seating member in a stowed position. 30          In one form, the load bearing seating member is a seat, being a beach seat or individual seating member. 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 In another form, the load bearing seating member comprises a seat and a table portion for use in temporarily holding articles, such as but not limited to, camping equipment, kitchen utensils or plates / cups. The load bearing seating member may incorporate a storage compartment or 5 storage compartments. In one form the load bearing seating member comprises a floor and sides that delineate a storage compartment, and a hinged lid that seals the compartment. The hinged lid may include a lock or locks, and dust seal. The top surface of the hinged lid when closed can be used as a seat for one or more people and may including a 10 table portion. The compartment may include internal dividing walls forming a number of separate compartments which are accessed by way of the hinged lid or separate hinged lids. In one form, the load bearing seating member may include a removable cover 15 to provide a clean surface once in the extended position. The cover may be stored in the sealed compartment or within the caravan or camper itself. In another form, the load bearing seating member may include a frame member that is movably attached to the elongate main frame, and a removable insert. In this configuration the removable insert can be connected to, or supported 20 on top of, the frame member when the load bearing seating member is in the extended position and then removed therefrom, for storage, when the load bearing seating member is to be moved into the stowed position. The removable cover or insert may be padded if being used as a seat. The removable insert may also have a padded side and a planar firm side so that it can 25 be flipped to provide a seat for one or more people. The elongate main frame in one form is generally a rectangular box shape comprising two longitudinally extending spaced apart elongate metal side members and two laterally extending spaced apart elongate metal side members connected therebetween. The elongate metal side members may be welded, bolted or 30 otherwise affixed together to form a generally rigid elongate main frame. 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 The two longitudinally extending metal side members may include respective upwardly open channels. Each of the connectors include couplings for engaging with the respective upwardly open channels. In this way the connectors can be fixedly positioned relative to the elongate main frame once the connectors are in position for 5 fixing to the cross members of the chassis. Each connector may comprise a bolt that threadably engages a rectangular nut, wherein the nut is configured to slidably engage opposing elongate extending lips along either side of the upwardly open channel. The reader will however appreciate that the couplings may take any form that allows the connectors to be 10 moved along the upwardly open channel and then fixed in place. The connectors include apertures for engagement of the shaft of a bolt for use in attaching the connectors to the cross member of the chassis. The apertures may align with existing holes in the cross member of the chassis or correspondingly positioned holes may be drilled through the cross 15 member of the chassis prior to attachment. The reader will appreciate that attaching the support apparatus to the cross members of the chassis rather than the main frame of the chassis minimise the risk to the structural integrity of the main frame. Furthermore, the configuration of the support apparatus means that a point of weakness or an entry point for moisture 20 which could lead to rusting is not introduced into the main frame. The load bearing seating member may be manually operated, or the support apparatus may incorporate a motor for automatically moving the load bearing seating member between the stowed and extended positions. In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of providing 25 seating on the exterior of a caravan or camper trailer, including: attaching the support apparatus in accordance with any of the above aspects, to the underside of a chassis of the caravan or camper trailer; moving the load bearing seating member from a stowed position into an extended position; 30 utilising the load bearing seating member as seating for one or more people; and moving the load bearing seating member from an extended position back into the stowed position for storage thereof during towing of the caravan or camper trailer. 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the 5 invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view a caravan illustrating the attachment of the support apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view an offroad camper trailer illustrating the attachment of another embodiment of the support apparatus; 10 Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the support apparatus, incorporating a load bearing seating member positioned below the main frame and cross members of a trailer chassis; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the support apparatus of Figure 3 in a folded or stowed position; 15 Figure 5 is a partial exploded view of the support apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a front view of the support apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a top view of the support apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a side view of the support apparatus of Figure 4 in a folded or stowed position; 20 Figure 9 is a side view of the support apparatus of Figure 3 in an extended position; Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the load bearing seating member / board seat of the support apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 11 is an underside perspective view of the load bearing seating 25 member / board seat of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the hinged arm assemblies of the support apparatus of Figure 3 in a folded arrangement; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the hinged arm assembly of Figure 12 in an extended arrangement; 30 Figure 14 is a perspective view of the opposing hinged arm assembly of the support apparatus of Figure 3 in a folded arrangement; 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 Figure 15 is a perspective view of the hinged arm assembly of Figure 14 in an extended arrangement; Figure 16 is a top view of the hinged arm assembly of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a side view of the hinged arm assembly of Figure 15; 5 Figure 18 is an end view of the hinged arm assembly of Figure 15; Figure 19 is an exploded view of the hinged arm assembly of Figure 15; Figure 20 is a perspective view of one of the connectors of the support apparatus of Figure 3; 10 Figure 21 is a perspective view an elongate metal side member of the support apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 22 is a side view of the connectors of Figure 20 positioned above the parallel elongate metal side members of the support apparatus, for engagement therewith; 15 Figure 23 is a top view of the connectors engaging the parallel elongate metal side members of the support apparatus; Figure 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the support apparatus illustrating the load bearing seating member slidably engaging the elongate main frame; 20 Figure 25 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the support apparatus illustrating the load bearing seating member incorporating a compartment with hinged lid; and Figure 26 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the support apparatus illustrating the load bearing seating member comprising a frame member and a removable insert. 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and / or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 Referring to the figures for a more detailed description of the present invention, there is illustrated a support apparatus 10 being reversibly attachable to a trailer chassis 12, demonstrating by way of examples, arrangements in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. 5          As illustrated in Figure 1, the support apparatus 10 may be attached to the chassis 12 of a standard caravan 14. Alternatively, the support apparatus 10 may be attached to the chassis 12 of an offroad hybrid camper 16, as illustrated in Figure 2. As the reader will appreciate such towed vehicles typically include a chassis 12 having a rectangular shaped steel or aluminium main frame 18, an A-frame 20 at 10 a front of the chassis 12. The A-frame 20 includes a hitch 22 for connecting the trailer to a tow vehicle (not shown). The chassis 12 is supported on wheels 24 having an axel, or independent suspension members. Walls 26 and the floor 28 are connected to the chassis 12 and a roof 30, being fixed, pop-top or canvas encloses the interior of the caravan or 15 camper. As the skilled addressee will appreciate the chassis 12 also includes cross members 32 that extend between opposing sides of the frame 18 to improve rigidity and overall strength of the chassis 12. The caravan 14 and camper 16 further includes a door 34, windows 36, hatches 38, access step 40 and jockey wheel 42. Other components of the caravan 20 14 / camper 16 will not be discussed in detail. As illustrated in Figures 3 to 26, the support apparatus 10 includes an elongate main frame 50, connectors 52, 54 being couplable to, and slidable along, the elongate main frame 50. The connectors 52, 54 are affixable to respective cross members 32 of the trailer chassis 12. The support apparatus 10 further includes a 25 load bearing seating member 56, which could also be called a board seat, which is adjustably attached to the elongate frame 50 by way of a first pivoting arm assembly 58 and a second pivoting arm assembly 60, and movable between an extended position X, as illustrated in Figure 3 and a stowed position Y, as illustrated in Figure 4. A rubber cover 57 may be configured to engage with an upper surface of the load 30 bearing seating member 56. The rubber cover 57 may be removable so that it can be detached while the caravan 14 and camper 16 are being towed. 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 The reader will appreciate that in use the load bearing seating member 56 is able to be extended from the side of the camper or caravan to provide seating for one or more people or stowed under the chassis 12 where it does not obstruct use of the camper or caravan when not in used. In this way the load bearing seating 5 member 56 can be pivoted downwardly and outwardly from under the chassis 12 into the extended position to thereby provide temporary seating and then easily stowed away after use. When the caravan or camper trailer is to be moved, the load bearing seating member 56 can be pivoted or slid into the stowed position Y. The support apparatus 10 may further include a locking mechanism (not 10 shown) for retaining the load bearing seating member 56 in a stowed position Y. The locking member inhibits unintentional extension of the member 56, due to for instance travelling over a corrugated road. The elongate main frame 50 is generally rectangular in shape, comprising two longitudinally extending spaced apart elongate metal side members 62, 64 and two 15 laterally extending spaced apart elongate metal side members 66, 68 connected therebetween. The elongate metal side members 62, 64, 66, 68 may be welded, bolted or otherwise affixed together to form the rigid elongate main frame 50. The two longitudinally extending metal side members 62, 64 include respective upwardly open channels 70. Each of the connectors 52, 54 includes 20 couplings 72 for engaging with the respective upwardly open channels 70. In this way, the connectors 52, 54 can be fixedly positioned relative to the elongate main frame 50 once the connectors 52, 54 are in position for attachment to the respective cross members 32 of the chassis 12. This means that the support apparatus 10 can be retrofitted to a range of chassis have different configurations. 25           As illustrated in Figures 12 to 19 the first pivoting arm assembly 58 and the second pivoting arm assembly 60, each comprise link members 110, 112, 114, which are coupled together by way of rivets 116. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 20, each coupling 72 comprises a bolt 74 that threadably engages a rectangular nut 76, wherein the rectangular nut 76 30 is configured to slidably engage opposing longitudinally extending lips 78, 80 of the upwardly open channels 70. 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 As best illustrated in Figure 20, the connectors 52, 54 include apertures 82 for engagement with a shaft of a bolt (not shown) for use in attaching the connectors 52, 54 to the respective cross member 32. The apertures 82 may align with existing holes in the cross member 32 or correspondingly positioned holes may be drilled 5 through the cross member 32 prior to attachment of the support apparatus 10. In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 24, the load bearing seating member 56 slidably engages tracks 84. Such a configuration would be useful for standard “on-road” caravans where the underside of the chassis 12 is closer to the ground than so called offroad caravans. 10           In still another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 25 the load bearing seating member 56 may incorporate a storage compartment 86, wherein the load bearing seating member 56 comprises a floor 88 and sides 90, 92, 94, 96 that delineates the storage compartment 86, and a hinged lid 98 that seals the compartment 86. The hinged lid 98 may include a lock or locks (not shown), and dust 15 seal (not shown). As the reader will appreciate, when the hinged lid 98 is closed the upper surface can be used as a seat. The compartment 86 may include internal dividing walls (not shown) that are access by way of the hinged lid 98 or lids. As illustrated in Figure 26, the load bearing seating member 56 may comprise a frame member 100, that is movably attached to the elongate main frame 50, and a 20 removable insert 102. In this configuration, the removable insert 102 can be position in or on the frame member 100 when the load bearing seating member 56 is in the extended position X and then removed therefrom for storage, when the load bearing seating member 56 is to be moved into the stowed position Y. The insert 102 includes an upper padded portion 104 and a lower key portion 25   106 for registering with a correspondingly shaped recess 108 through or in the frame member 100. The skilled addressee will now appreciate the many advantages of the illustrated invention. In one form, the invention provides seating for one or more people, on an exterior of the caravan or camper that can be selectively accessed, 30 such as when in camp or at a roadside stop. The use of the movable connectors means that they can be adjusted for connection to cross members at various positions. This means that the support 2025283596   19 Dec 2025 apparatus can be retrofitted to different configurations of trailer chassis. Furthermore, since the support apparatus is attached to the cross members of the chassis, not the main frame, it minimises the risk to the structural integrity of the main frame or introducing a point of weakness or an entry point for moisture which could 5 interfere with services, such as electrical cables, positioned within the main frame. The configuration means that an installer is not concerned about severing electrical cabling and the like, that may be routed through the main frame of the chassis. Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be 10 understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention, and it is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary 15 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A support apparatus reversibly attachable to a trailer chassis, comprising: an elongate main frame;at least two adjustable connectors being couplable to, and slidable along, the 5          elongate main frame, wherein the at least two adjustable connectors beingaffixable to respective cross members of the trailer chassis in a spaced apart arrangement; anda load bearing seating member adjustably attached to the elongate frame and movable between a stowed position and an extended position.10       2. The support apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the trailer chassisis the chassis of a caravan, camper trailer or hybrid camper.

3. The support apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the load bearing seating member pivotably or slidably engages the elongate main frame.15       4. The support apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the supportapparatus includes a first pivoting arm assembly at or adjacent a first end of the elongate main frame and a second pivoting arm assembly at or adjacent a second end of the elongate main frame.

5. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims, 20          further including a locking mechanism for retaining the load bearing seatingmember in a stowed position.

6. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims, wherein the load bearing seating member incorporates a storage compartment or compartments.25       7. The support apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the load bearingseating member comprises a floor and sides that delineate a storage compartment, and a hinged lid that seals the compartment.

8. The support apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the compartment includes internal dividing walls forming a number of separate compartments which are accessed by way of the hinged lid or separate hinged lids.302025283596   19 Dec 20259. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims, wherein the load bearing seating member includes a removable cover to provide a clean surface once in the extended position.

10. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims,5          wherein the load bearing seating member includes a frame member that ismovably attached to the elongate main frame, and a removable insert, whereby the removable insert can be connected to, or supported on top of, the frame member when the load bearing seating member is in the extended position and then removed therefrom, for storage, when the load bearing10          seating member is to be moved into the stowed position.

11. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims, wherein the elongate main frame is generally a rectangular box shape comprising two longitudinally extending spaced apart elongate metal side members and two laterally extending spaced apart elongate metal side15         members connected therebetween.

12. The support apparatus in accordance with claims 11, wherein the two longitudinally extending spaced apart elongate metal side members include respective upwardly open channels.

13. The support apparatus in accordance with claims 12, wherein the at least two 20          adjustable connectors engage with the respective upwardly open channels,whereby each of the connectors can be fixedly positioned relative to the elongate main frame once the connector is in position for fixing to the cross members of the chassis.

14. The support apparatus in accordance with claims 13, wherein each of the at 25          least two adjustable connectors comprise a bolt that threadably engages arectangular nut, wherein the nut is configured to slidably engage opposing elongate lips along either side of the upwardly open channel15. The support apparatus in accordance with claims 13, wherein the at least two adjustable connectors each include apertures for engagement of the shaft of30          a bolt for use in attaching the respective connector to the cross member ofthe chassis.2025283596   19 Dec 202516. The support apparatus in accordance with claims 15, wherein the apertures align with existing holes in the cross member or correspondingly positioned holes are drilled through the cross member prior to attachment.

17. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims,5          wherein the load bearing seating member is manually operated, or thesupport apparatus incorporates a motor for automatically moving the load bearing seating member between the stowed and extended positions.

18. The support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims, wherein the load bearing seating member includes a seating surface that is10          retainable within a dust and weather proof compartment when in the stowedposition to thereby protect the seating surface during transportation of the caravan or camper trailer, such that when the load bearing seating member is moved into the extended position the user is presented with a generally clean seating surface.15       19. The support apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein a cover portionis configured to enclose the seating surface, or the seating surface is automatically or manually pivoted or otherwise moved into the dust and weather proof compartment prior to, or during movement of the load bearing seating member into the stowed position.20       20. A method of providing seating on the exterior of a caravan or camper trailer,including:attaching the support apparatus in accordance with any one of the above claims, to the underside of a chassis of the caravan or camper trailer;moving the load bearing seating member from a stowed position into an25          extended position;utilising the load bearing seating member as seating for one or more people; andmoving the load bearing seating member from an extended position back into the stowed position for storage thereof during towing of the caravan or30           camper trailer.

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