MULTIFUNCTIONAL DEVICE FOR A CAMPER VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a multifunctional device for a camping vehicle.

[0002] In this context, a camping vehicle is understood to be a motorhome or caravan, preferably a vehicle or trailer that provides a sleeping or living space for the user. The vehicles do not need to be motorized. Another term for a motorhome is a camper van or recreational vehicle. A caravan, for example, can also be referred to as a caravan or camping trailer. Camping vehicles are also called recreational vehicles.

[0003] A multifunctional device for a camping vehicle is understood here to mean a device which can fulfil the functions of a lounger, a bed, a table and / or a storage area inside the camping vehicle.

[0004] Inflatable SUP (stand-up paddling) boards, also known as iSUP boards, are well-known in the water sports sector. These are available in various shapes and functions, for example, they can be used for stand-up paddling or as a swimming platform.

[0005] There are also various mounting options for iSUPs available in the state of the art, allowing you to attach various items to an iSUP. For example, there are fabric stickers with metal rings attached that can be glued to the surface of an iSUP board.

[0006] The so-called drop-stitch technique or construction is a key requirement for dimensionally stable iSUP boards. The principle of drop-stitch construction is based on linking the inside of the deck and base of the board, or any inflatable element in general, with vertical connecting fibers, thereby holding them in the desired shape under high internal pressure. This creates a fabric that, thanks to a large number of knots, is extremely tear-resistant and dimensionally stable. It is very stiff when inflated and can withstand very high loads, yet can still be folded compactly when deflated. Modern SUP boards with a drop-stitch core have an internal pressure of 15 to 25 psi, which in SI units corresponds to 1.03 bar to 1.72 bar. Different boards have different layers of drop-stitch fabric bonded and vulcanized with PVC of different qualities.The top surface is usually covered with a deck pad made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC or obsolete EVA) to increase the board's slip resistance.

[0007] In the drop stitch technique, fibers are used to connect the boundary surfaces of an inflatable element and keep them at a defined distance, for example, using polyester fibers in the SUP boards described above. It is also possible to glue the fibers to the fabric rather than weave them into the fabric, or to connect the boundary surfaces solely using adhesive or plastic threads. The disadvantage of this is that, while it allows for simplified production, it results in relatively high rigidity even when deflated.

[0008] Another possibility is therefore to use a very lightweight and high-strength fabric, such as polyamide fabric, which connects the boundary surfaces as bands or strips and is woven into them at their ends. The boundary surfaces are preferably made of the same fabric. This is well known for airbags, which use retaining straps to secure their shape, and this technique can be used to produce inflatable elements that can be folded into a small space when deflated. By interweaving a large number of such bands, a board or inflatable element in general can be created that is similarly stiff when inflated, as with the drop stitch technique.

[0009] Both the drop stitch technique, including the iSUP technique, and the previously described technique of woven straps will be collectively referred to below as an internal tension element stiffened board or inflatable element.

[0010] Furthermore, adjustable lift beds with fixed frames and slatted frames are well known in the leisure industry, with which a variable sleeping space can be generated.

[0011] Furthermore, it is known in the state of the art to design seating groups in such a way that they can be converted into a bed.

[0012] DE 10 2009 04891 A1 describes an inflatable air bed comprising a changing device and an inflatable mattress. The mattress can be rolled up onto the changing device when deflated.

[0013] WO 2017 / 201555 A1 describes a tent with a supporting frame, a tent skin, and a tent floor. The tent floor is formed by an inflatable, plate-like body when inflated, whose top and bottom layers are made of a flexible material and are connected to each other by a multitude of connecting threads or fibers.

[0014] One object of the present invention is to make the interior of a camping vehicle more practical and flexible. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a multifunctional device for a camping vehicle that can be set up and / or stowed away quickly and easily.

[0015] This object is achieved by a multifunctional device having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0016] In this case, a multifunctional surface is understood to mean a lying surface, a table surface, a bed surface, a storage surface and / or a work surface.

[0017] Alternatively, the object of the invention can also be achieved by a stowable multifunctional device in which the board stiffened by an inner tension element is replaced by an inflatable structure that, when inflated, has a predetermined load-bearing capacity and preferably a predetermined dimensional stability. In the present case, the term "load-bearing capacity" refers to a specific load-bearing capacity, i.e., a load-bearing capacity related to the weight. This specific load-bearing capacity depends on the internal pressure in inflatable elements, boards, and iSUP boards stiffened by an inner tension element, or in inflatable structures in general.

[0018] Preferably, the inflatable structure has the shape of a board when inflated.

[0019] A core idea of ​​the invention is that a board stiffened by an internal tension element, in particular one with the technology of an iSUP board, can not only be used in the water sports sector, but can also serve as an inflatable and easily stowable mattress, especially in camping vehicles.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the multifunctional surface of the multifunctional device is a lying surface, a table surface, a bed surface, a storage surface, and / or a work surface. This advantageously allows the multifunctional device to be used in the camping vehicle, among other things, as a mattress or as a hard table surface.

[0021] According to the invention, the stowage unit has or is a profile. The term "profile" refers to an elongated component of indeterminate cross-section. The profile preferably has a round cross-section. The profile is preferably a tube, a rod, a beam, or a strip. The profile material is preferably metal. Alternatively, the material can be plastic. The profile is suitable for wrapping the airless, inner-tension element-stiffened board around the profile. The length of the profile is preferably longer than one dimension of the inner-tension element-stiffened board.

[0022] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the multifunctional device further comprises a holding device for holding the inner tension element-stiffened board in the inflated state. Preferably, both the profile of the stowage unit and the holding device are used to hold the inner tension element-stiffened board in the inflated state. The holding device can preferably also be a profile. Alternatively or additionally, the holding device can also have a different shape or construction. In this case, the holding device can be supported from below or held from above, i.e., suspended.

[0023] It is therefore clear to the person skilled in the art that the stowage unit not only serves to stow the deflated inner tension element stiffened board, but can also serve to hold the inflated inner tension element stiffened board.

[0024] According to the invention, the evacuated inner tension element-stiffened board is wound around the profile in the stowed state. This advantageously ensures that the evacuated inner tension element-stiffened board can be stowed in a space-saving manner. Further preferably, the profile is then arranged in a stowed position with the wound inner tension element-stiffened board.

[0025] It is further preferred that the inflated inner tension element-stiffened board be held by the stowage device and the mounting device in the use state. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that in this state, i.e., in the use state, the multifunctional surface of the multifunctional device can be used. With an airless inner tension element-stiffened board, the multifunctional surfaces are generally not used.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the storage unit has a roll-up mechanism. The roll-up mechanism preferably has a spring mechanism and / or a motor. This advantageously allows the evacuated inner tension element-stiffened board to be easily wound onto the storage unit. The roll-up mechanism is preferably lockable.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the storage unit has a lifting / lowering device for raising and / or lowering the storage unit. The lifting / lowering device can be a lifting mechanism of a lifting bed. For example, the lifting / lowering device can have a profile whose height is adjustable using two ropes or straps attached to the ends of the profile.

[0028] The storage unit is preferably designed and configured such that, when stowed, the storage unit is firmly connected to the body of the camping vehicle. In this state, the profile preferably contributes to the structural integrity of the body and the vehicle's safety concept by being firmly connected to the body in this passive state. This can be achieved, for example, by locking the profile into a predetermined stowed position.

[0029] According to the invention, the storage unit is integrated into a piece of furniture arranged inside the camping vehicle or into a furniture structure, e.g., a seating group, in particular a longitudinal seating group. It is conceivable, for example, that the storage unit with the deflated, inner tension element-stiffened board, in the stowed state, is located inside a furniture structure. The usable state and the usable position can be achieved by opening a flap in the furniture structure and manually or automatically unwinding the inner tension element-stiffened board and then manually or automatically inflating it.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment, the multifunctional device further comprises a compressor for inflating / deflating the inner tension element-stiffened board. The compressor is preferably integrated into the camping vehicle and enables fully automatic inflation and deflation of the inner tension element-stiffened board or the inflatable structure. Alternatively or additionally, a hand pump can be provided.

[0031] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the multifunctional device further comprises a topper for placement on the inner tension element stiffened board or the inflatable structure.

[0032] A topper or mattress topper is, in its original sense, a mattress that forms the upper layer of a Scandinavian box spring bed. However, it can be more generally understood as any mattress that is placed on top of another, usually thicker, mattress, which increases sleeping comfort in any sleeping position and protects the underlying mattress. Toppers are typically a few centimeters thick.

[0033] The topper can be attached to the board stiffened by the inner tension element, in particular detachably.

[0034] The topper can preferably be self-inflatable or generally inflatable. It is further preferred that the topper be connected or attached to a suction unit, such as the aforementioned compressor. The topper is preferably deflated together with the inflatable structure or the inner tension element-stiffened board. This advantageously reduces the height of both the topper and the inner tension element-stiffened board, making them easy to store.

[0035] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Figure 1 shows a multifunctional device in three different states according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows the Figure 1 illustrated multifunctional device in a three-dimensional schematic view.

[0036] In the left part of Figure 1 A multifunctional device 100 for a camping vehicle is shown. In this illustration, the multifunctional device 100 is in the stowed state. Here, an airless inner tension element stiffened board 110 is wound up on a stowage unit 120. The stowage unit 120 has a profile 122 with a rolling mechanism 124, wherein the profile 122 and the rolling mechanism 124 are shown in the middle part of Figure 1 are designated by reference numerals. The middle part of Figure 1shows the storage unit 120 with the airless, internal tension element-stiffened board 110 unrolled from the profile 122, which is arranged in a horizontal position. The profile 122 of the multifunctional device 100 is suspended at both ends of the profile 122 from a lifting / lowering device 126. Using the lifting / lowering device 126, the height of the multifunctional device 100 can be adjusted.

[0037] In the right part of Figure 1 The multifunctional device 100 is shown in use with the inflated inner tension element-stiffened board 110, on the upper side of which, forming the multifunctional surface 112, a topper 115 is arranged. Furthermore, a mounting device 130 for mounting the inflated inner tension element-stiffened board 110 is shown. Figure 2 is more easily recognizable.

[0038] In Figure 2The storage unit 120 with the profile 122, which in this case is a support beam or support tube, can be seen. At the front end of the storage unit 120, the rolling mechanism 124 can be seen, with which the deflated, rolled-out inner tension element-stiffened board 110 can be wound back onto the profile 122 of the storage unit 120. At the rear end of the profile 122, there is also such a rolling mechanism 124, which in the illustration of the Figure 2 but is covered by the inner tension element stiffened board 110.

[0039] The mounting device 130 consists of a rod 130, which has a device 132 for locking in an end position at each end of the rod 130. The mounting device 130 can be supported from below or secured in another way.

Claims

1. A storable multifunctional device (100) for a recreational vehicle, comprising: an inflatable board (110) having a multifunctional surface (112); and a storage unit (120) for storing the board (110) when deflated, the storage unit (120) having a profile (122), characterised in that the inflatable board (110) is designed as an inflatable internal tensile member-stiffened board (110), that in the stowed state the deflated internal tensile member-stiffened board (110) is wrapped around the profile (122), and that the storage unit (120) is integrated into a piece of furniture arranged in the interior of the recreational vehicle.

2. Multifunctional device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that that the multifunctional surface (112) of the multifunctional device (100) is a lying surface, a table surface, a bed surface, a storage surface and / or a work surface.

3. Multifunctional device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a holding device (130) for holding the internal tensile member-stiffened board (110) in the inflated state.

4. Multifunctional device (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterised in that in the use state, the inflated internal tensile member-stiffened board (110) is held by the storage unit (120) and the holding device (130).

5. Multifunctional device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage unit (120) has a roll-in mechanism (124).

6. Multifunctional device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage unit (120) comprises a lifting and lowering device (126).

7. Multifunctional device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage unit (120) is designed and arranged in such a way that the storage unit (120) is firmly connected to a body of the recreational vehicle in the stowed state.

8. Multifunctional device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a compressor for inflating and / or deflating the internal tensile member-stiffened board (110).

9. Multifunctional device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a topper (115) for arrangement on the internal tensile member-stiffened board (110).