MOTORHOME WITH LOADING SIDE PANEL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motorhome comprising an interior with an access opening which can be closed by the tail lift.

[0002] It is known in the art to design vehicles for travel that, as motorhomes, provide an interior with comfortable furnishings. Such vehicles can be divided into various living spaces and sometimes even include garage compartments in the floor area, into which vehicles can be driven using a ramp. However, such compartments are generally difficult to access, as they are very narrow in the floor area of ​​the vehicle and designed to be as small and low as possible.

[0003] A motorhome is a motor vehicle with interior furnishings suitable for living, allowing all the necessities necessary for a longer journey to be transported. Therefore, common motorhomes only have doors that lead into the interior of the vehicle via a step or ladder. Particularly heavy loads cannot be easily lifted through these openings and stowed inside the motorhome for the journey. Expedition equipment also generally cannot be stowed in a camper without a tailgate system.

[0004] A multi-purpose trailer with a lifting system is already known from US 7,387,480 B1. The trailer comprises a frame with a

[0005] Vehicle storage compartment located above a boat storage compartment and a workshop compartment located in the front area.

[0006] Furthermore, a swap body for commercial vehicles, in particular for trucks, is already known from DE 26 45 025 A1. The swap body comprises a box-like frame with longitudinal and transverse beams, vertical spars, and movable vertical supports. It is characterized by having four vertically adjustable supports.

[0007] Finally, a truck that has been converted, in particular, into a camper van or motorhome is already known from DE 20 2004 006 066 U1. This truck comprises a box body with a driver's cab and a cargo space. A lifting mechanism is connected to the cargo space, the lifting platform of which can be lowered essentially horizontally to road level and raised to the level of the loading area.

[0008] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a motorhome in which loads such as two-wheelers, leisure items and luggage can be easily and conveniently transported into the interior and the interior is additionally sealed or insulated from the outside world.

[0009] This is achieved by a motorhome with a tail lift according to the features of independent claim 1. Further useful embodiments can be found in the subsequent dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, a motorhome with a tail lift is provided, comprising an interior with an access opening which can be closed by the tail lift, wherein the tail lift comprises a lifting frame and at least one outer flap and wherein the outer flap is hingedly attached to the lifting frame and actuated via at least one lifting cylinder, so that the outer flap can be pivoted from a closed position away from the vehicle into a loading position and the lifting frame can be moved vertically.

[0011] Motorhomes serve as a means of transport and living space for longer trips and offer sufficient room to transport essentials. There should also be enough space inside the motorhome to allow for overnight accommodation. In addition to luggage, many travelers also want to transport bicycles, motorcycles with spare tires, general cargo, or other items that are difficult or impossible to lift using physical strength. These can be lifted using the tail lift and safely stowed inside the motorhome. For this reason, an external hatch is provided which closes off the interior of the motorhome and can be pivoted into a loading position. In the loading position, the external hatch can be lowered using a lifting frame, allowing for easy loading. It can then be raised to the level of the vehicle floor so that the loads can be stowed inside.

[0012] Furthermore, the interior can be simultaneously closed by an inner flap, which, in a closed position, is arranged essentially parallel to the outer flap and can be pivoted away from the vehicle at a hinge toward the upper edge of the access opening. The presence of an outer flap and an additional inner flap has the advantage that the access opening can be closed twice, thereby additionally sealing and insulating the interior. For this purpose, at least one sealing element can be provided on the inner flap, which interacts with corresponding edges on the motorhome body.

[0013] The outer flap can be swung away from the vehicle toward the underside of the vehicle. The inner flap can be swung toward the top edge of the vehicle, opening the interior of the motorhome. It would also be conceivable for the inner flap to be designed as a roller shutter. The outer flap, on the other hand, should be sufficiently stable to allow heavy loads to be transported securely. In use, the outer flap can also be used as a patio for the motorhome, and the inner flap, if designed as a flap, can serve as sun or rain protection.

[0014] The lifting frame can be moved vertically using a linear drive. An electric linear drive is a device that converts the rotational movement of a spindle shaft driven by an electric motor into an axial feed. This linear movement can be used to raise and lower the outer flap, guided along the lifting frame.

[0015] Preferably, the linear drive can have motor-driven toothed belts arranged on both sides, which interact with corresponding toothed rails. Toothed belts are drive belts with teeth that run in a form-fitting and friction-locking manner in the toothed rails, allowing the outer flap to be moved vertically along the lifting frame. To enable the toothed belts to move the outer flap, they are mounted on the side of the lifting frame.

[0016] The linear actuator can be equipped with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for raising and lowering the lifting frame. As described above, the linear actuator can be electrically operated, or pneumatically or hydraulically. These drive types provide sufficient power to drive the lifting frame and raise the outer flap.

[0017] In a specific design, a threshold can span a gap between the interior and the tail lift, crossing the lifting frame. This is particularly advantageous, as it allows loads to be pushed from the exterior flap into the interior without having to lift them. A gap, with its edges, would represent an obstacle that would have to be bridged during transport.

[0018] The interior may have straps on the floor and side walls for securing items with straps. Motorcycles or other loads should be secured during transport in the motorhome by securing them to the interior walls and floor with straps. Other fastening and storage options are also conceivable, such as shelves or support frames.

[0019] In a specific design, the interior can be divided by a partition wall into a garage open to the access opening and a living area, with the living area extending beyond the garage. This allows for optimal use of the interior space. The garage is accessible from the exterior hatch as well as from the living area and offers storage space for transported goods. A separate room above the garage can be located, serving as a living area and in which, for example, sleeping berths can be advantageously installed.

[0020] The invention described above is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] It shows Figure 1 shows a body of a motorhome with a tail lift in the loading position in a lateral longitudinal section, Figure 2 shows a tail lift detached from the motorhome in a side view, and Figure 3 shows a motorhome with a body according to Figure 1in a side view.

[0022] The Figure 1 The figure shows a motorhome body 1 with a tail lift 2. The tail lift 2 can close an access opening 7 of an interior 3. For this purpose, it comprises an outer flap 11 and an inner flap 12. The outer flap 11 is located in the Figure 1 in a loading position 13, so that loads are first placed on the tail lift 2 and then with this onto the Figure 1shown level of the loading sill can be raised. The interior 3 of the motorhome comprises a garage 4, into which the loads can then be brought from the outer flap 11, as well as a living area 5 adjacent to and spanning the garage 4. The living area 5 is separated by a partition wall 6 next to and above the garage 4. In it, above the garage 4, there are two sleeping berths so that the room height, which is considerably reduced by the garage, can be used effectively. The outer flap 11 can be moved vertically via a lifting frame 9 so that loads which are on the tail lift 2 can be transported into the interior 3. The outer flap 11 can be pivoted from the closed position into a loading position 13 for opening, whereas the inner flap 12 can be pivoted from a closed position into a position deflected at the upper edge 8 of the access opening 7.

[0023] In Figure 2The tail lift 2 is shown detached from the motorhome 1. It consists of a lifting frame 9 to which the outer flap 11 is attached. The lifting frame 9 can move the outer flap 11 vertically so that loads can be transported into the motorhome 1. The inner flap 12 is also open and, when unfolded, can also serve as a sunshade, which is stretched above the outer flap 11, which can be used as a terrace. The inner flap 12 and the outer flap 11 close off the interior 7 of the motorhome 1 as needed. In the state shown, the lifting frame 9 is extended far enough that a load, such as a motorcycle, which is to be carried in the garage, can be easily pushed from the ground onto the outer flap 11. A side railing ensures safety on the outer flap 11.If the lifting frame 9 is now moved upwards, it takes the outer flap 11 with it, while the inner flap 12 remains in position, hinged to the upper edge 8 of the access opening 7. When the outer flap reaches the level of a threshold 14, the movement stops, and the material previously loaded onto the outer flap 11 can be conveniently loaded into the garage 4. The motorcycle can also be pushed into the garage 4 and secured there.

[0024] Figure 3shows the motorhome 1 as a whole in a side view, in the position described above. The inner flap 12 and the outer flap 11 are each in a loading position 13 and can now be pivoted from the loading position 13 into a closed position. To do this, the inner flap 12 is first folded down, thus closing the access opening 7. Sealing elements attached to the edge of the inner flap 12 ensure adequate sealing against cold and moisture. The outer flap 11, which is then pivoted in the opposite direction parallel to the inner flap 12, forms a second, complete cover of the access opening and provides an additional, more robust closure layer for the interior of the motorhome 1.

[0025] The above describes a motorhome with a tail lift, with which loads such as two-wheelers, leisure items and luggage can be lifted and stowed in an interior space. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0026] 1 Motorhome 2 Tail lift 3 Interior 4 Garage 5 Living area 6 Partition 7 Access opening 8 Top edge 9 Lifting frame 10 Joint 11 Outer flap 12 Inner flap 13 Loading position 14 Threshold

Claims

1. Motorhome having a tail lift (2), comprising an interior (3) which has an access opening (7) and can be closed by the tail lift (2), the tail lift (2) comprising a lifting frame (9) and at least one outer flap (11) and the outer flap (11) being hingedly attached to the lifting frame (9) and actuated via at least one lifting cylinder so that the outer flap (11) can be pivoted from a closed position away from the vehicle into a loading position (13) and the lifting frame (9) can be moved vertically, characterized in that the interior (3) can be closed simultaneously by an inner flap (12) which, in a closed position, is arranged substantially parallel to the outer flap (11) and which can be pivoted away from the vehicle around a joint (10) arranged on an upper edge (8) of the access opening (7).

2. Motorhome according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting frame (9) can be moved vertically by means of a linear drive.

3. Motorhome according to claim 2, characterized in that the linear drive has motor-driven toothed belts arranged on both sides, which interact with corresponding toothed rails.

4. Motorhome according to claim 2, characterized in that the linear drive has hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for raising and lowering the lifting frame (9).

5. Motorhome according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a threshold (14) spans a gap between the interior (3) and the tail lift (2), crossing the lifting frame (9).

6. Motorhome according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the interior (3) on the floor and on the side walls there are fastening tabs for fastening objects with fastening straps.

7. Motorhome according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior (3) is divided by means of a partition wall (6) into a garage (4) which is open toward the access opening (7) and a living area (5), the living area (5) extending over the garage (4).