The invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, a mobile catering trailer which may be towed to, and set up for, operation, at a <BR> <BR> site for substantially independent operation, eg. , in a park, at a sporting ground, in a backyard or the like.

2. Prior Art As society becomes more mobile, there is a greater desire for catering to be provided at locations other than fixed food preparation/sale outlets, eg. , cafes and take-away food outlets.

While mobile catering vehicles have been operating for many years, they are usually based on modified caravan bodies or motor vans mounted on truck chassis. One major limitation is that vehicles having an <BR> <BR> external width greater than, eg. , 2.5m exceed the standard width limits for<BR> road registrable vehicles and can only operate, eg. , with special permits.

Because of the limitation of the external width of the catering vehicle bodies, such vehicles are usually very cramped and make operation by two or more persons very difficult due to their limited floor space. The limited floor space usually limits service to customers to one side of the vehicle only.

Another limitation with existing mobile catering vehicles is that the floor is a considerable distance above the ground. This means the catering operator (s) must bend down to serve the customers. While this problem may, in part, be ameliorated by providing a step or demountable floor onto which customers may step, experience has shown that accidents frequently occur when customers step onto, or from, the step or floor. Such accidents are likely to result in personal injury claims, with the attendant

litigation costs and higher insurance premiums.

In addition, the internal configuration of the known catering vehicles is usually fixed and cannot be easily adapted to suit differing catering requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile catering vehicle, such as a trailer, which can comply with the road registration width limits but which can be expanded on-site to provide an effective operating floor area for one or more operators.

It is a preferred object to provide such a vehicle where the food and/or beverage preparation/cooking/storage/equipment is provided in one or more frames which can be moved from a retracted transport position to an extended catering position to increase the effective floor area.

It is a further preferred object to provide such a vehicle which is mounted on a variable height suspension to enable the vehicle to be raised for transport and lowered for the catering operation.

It is a still further preferred object to provide a vehicle where customers are served at ground level, avoiding step (s) or raised floor (s).

It is a still further preferred object to provide a vehicle where customers can be served along both sides of the vehicle.

It is a still further preferred object to provide a vehicle where the catering equipment can be provided in modular form and can be easily changed for different catering configurations.

Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

In one aspect, the present invention resides in a mobile catering vehicle including: a main frame transportable from site to site; at least one frame support means on the main frame; at least one secondary frame, movably supported by the, or a

respective, frame support means; and operating means to move the or each secondary frame from a first, retracted, position extending over the main frame to a secondary, extended position, at or adjacent a respective side, or end, of the main frame.

The main frame may constitute a chassis for the vehicle; a frame mountable on the chassis of a supporting vehicle; or the chassis of a supporting vehicle, eg. , a prime mover (such as a light truck).

Preferably the or each support frame means extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and may incorporate one or more guide rails, tracks, tubes or the like, engageable by rollers, slides or the like on the secondary frames, or vice versa.

Preferably, the or each secondary frame is operable to receive/support catering equipment, including preparation/cooking/ refrigeration/freezing/storing/dispensing equipmentforfoods, beverages and the like.

While the operating system to move the secondary frame may <BR> <BR> be manual (eg. , screw jacks, cables and pulleys, sprockets and chains, racks and pinions), it is preferred that the means be hydraulic or pneumatic (eg., <BR> <BR> rams) or electric (eg. , electric motors connected to pinion gears or screw shafts).

Preferably, a floor assembly is provided along the main frame to provide a continuous working surface between the secondary frames when the secondary frames are in their secondary, extended, positions.

The floor assembly preferably has non-slip surface (s) and may be profiled to drain any waste (s), eg., spilled beverages, to waste outlet (s) connected to waste tank (s) (preferably under the main frame).

Storage tank (s) (eg. , for water) and storage container (s) (eg., for ice, utensils, glassware, crockery) may be mounted on the main frame, eg. , on the drawbar or goose-neck of a trailer-version of the vehicle.

Preferably, the main chassis is mounted on at least one variable height suspension system for the vehicle which is operable to kneel (or vary the operating height of the vehicle) between a lowered, catering, position, and a raised, transport position.

In a second aspect, the present invention resides in a mobile catering vehicle having a main frame (or chassis) supported on a prime mover or at least one set of wheels, wherein the prime mover or the or each set of wheels has a variable height suspension system enabling the vehicle to be raised for transport and lowered for the catering operation.

Preferably, the or each variable height suspension system is operable to lower the floor of the vehicle to a minimum distance above the ground.

Preferably, the vehicle incorporates the frame support means, secondary frames and operating means of the first aspect.

Preferably, the equipment for the foods, beverages and the like are provided in modularform, or in selectively replaceable secondary frames, to enable the catering configuration of the vehicle to be easily and quickly <BR> <BR> changed, eg. , from a wet bar to a food/non-alcoholic beverage catering vehicle.

A de-mountable or raisable roof assembly may be provided on the vehicle to at least partially protect the operator (s) from the elements when the vehicle is in the catering configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To enable the invention to be fully understood, a preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of a mobile catering vehicle, in accordance with the present invention, in the "closed"transport configuration; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vehicle in the"open"

catering configuration; FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a modified form of the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view thereof; FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof; FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle in the transport configuration, parts being omitted to illustrate the chassis; FIG. 7 is a similar view of the vehicle in the catering configuration; FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of the chassis of a mobile catering trailer, in accordance with the present invention, in the"closed"transport configuration; FIG. 9 is an isometric rear view corresponding to FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the chassis of the catering trailer in the open, catering configuration; FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view corresponding to FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the trailer; FIG. 13 is a sectional schematic side view of a frame support means, secondary frame and an operating ram therefor; FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic side views of first variable height suspension unit, for the vehicle, respectively, in the catering and transport configurations; FIGS. 16 and 17 are similar views of a second variable height suspension unit; FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the catering vehicle in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 19 is a schematic rear view of a fourth embodiment of a catering vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The mobile catering vehicle 10, of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, is in the form of a trailer to be towed behind a towing vehicle (not shown) and has a main frame 20, constituting the chassis forthe vehicle 10, having elongate main chassis rails 21 interconnected by transverse rails (not shown). An A-frame drawbar 22 is provided at the forward end of the main frame 20 for connection to the towing vehicle ; and a rear transverse rail or beam 23.

Secondary frame support members 30, in the form of square or rectangular tubes, extend substantially transversely to the side rails 21 of the main frame 20, to receive, and support, guide rollers 41 on inwardly-directed support arms 42 of respective secondary frame members 40 provided along each side of the trailer 10. Each secondary frame 40 is preferably formed from RHS steel or aluminium tube and is provided with a sheet metal skin (43), which may be painted or powder-coated and be provided with appropriate sign-writing.

Each secondary frame 40 is configured, as desired, into a plurality of compartments 44 operable to receive, and support, food and/or beverage storage/preparation/cooking/refrigeration/freezing/dispensin g equipment 45 as desired to suit the particular requirements of the catering vehicle operator. Examples of such equipment 45 include ice containers, bottle and can drink dispensers, cooking equipment (eg, fryers, griddles, hotplates, ovens), refrigeration and/or freezer units, cleaning equipment, eg., basins and sinks, storage, drawers, preparation benches and the like.

Gas containers and/or electricity generator (s) may also be provided within the secondary frames 40 to enable operation of the catering vehicle 10 independent of external power sources.

The mudguards 46 (for the wheels 25) may be mounted on the secondary frame 40.

Preferably, at least two hydraulic rams 47 (see FIG. 13) are operably interconnected between the frame support members 30 and the support arms 42 of each secondary frame 40 to move the secondary frames 40 between the retracted, transport, position shown in FIGS. 1,3 and 6, and the extended, catering, positions shown in FIGS. 2,4, 5 and 7.

A water tank 50 may be mounted on the A-frame drawbar 22 and a waste tank 51 may be mounted below a floor assembly 26 which extends along the main frame 20 to provide a continuous floor surface between the support frames 40 when in their extended, catering, positions.

Preferably, the floor assembly 26 has a non-slip surface and may be profiled, eg. , of shallow V or concave shape to drain any waste, eg., spilled beverages, to at least one waste outlet 27 connected to the waste tank 51.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the main frame 20 is supported by four wheels 25 (with pneumatic tyres) mounted on axles 71 on respective trailing arms 72 of variable height suspension units 70 which are respectively raised or lowered by hydraulic (or pneumatic) suspension rams 73 connected to the trailing arms 72 by respective rocker arm mechanisms 74 in housings 75.

For transport, the suspension rams 73 are operated to lower the axles 71 relative to the main frame 20 so that the main frame has sufficient road clearance for transport. When the catering vehicle 10 is on- site, the suspension rams 73 are operated to raise the axles 71 so that the main frame 20 (and thereby floor assembly 26) is low to the ground. (The main frame 20 may be lowered to rest on the ground so that the vehicle 10 is stable during the catering operations. ) This minimises the amount of bending that the operators must undergo to serve the customers; and obviates the need for external steps or demountable external floors to be negotiated by the customers.

If preferred, hydraulic or pneumatic jacks 77 (see FIG. 5) may

be provided at or adjacent the corners of the main frame 20 to support and level the vehicle while in the catering configuration, eg. , on uneven ground.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a second embodiment for the variable height suspension units 70a, where the trailing arms 72a are pivotally mounted on the longitudinal rails 21 of the main frame 20 and pneumatic bladders (or airbags) 73a are operable to move the trailing arms 72a to raise and lower the vehicle 10.

The controls for the hydraulic or pneumatic equipment to move the secondary frames 40, raise and lower the variable height suspension units 70,70a and the jacks 77 may be mounted in the forward section of the drawbar 22.

The hydraulic or pneumatic equipment may be powered by an onboard hydraulic or pneumatic pump or be connected (via hoses) to a suitable pump on the towing vehicle.

A telescopic roof assembly 80,80a may be provided for the vehicle 10 to provide at least some weather protection for the operators while the vehicle 10 is in the catering configuration; and at least cover the secondary frames 40, floor assembly 26 and catering equipment 45 when the vehicle 10 is in the transport configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the roof assembly 80 has a main longitudinal beam 81, below an elongate ridge cap 82, mounted on telescopic posts 83.

A pair of flexible membrane roof panels 84 are attached to respective side beams 85 and are drawn from rolls 86 rotatably mounted on the longitudinal beam 81. Hinged arms 87 interconnect the side beams 85 to the longitudinal beam 81 to enable the roof panels 84 to be selectively retracted, as in FIG. 3, or extended as in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the roof assembly 80a of FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible <BR> <BR> membrane roof panels 84a are extendible from the sides of a solid (eg. , plastics/fibreglass) central roof panel 82a, which is supported on telescopic

posts 83a.

It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the layout of the catering vehicle 10 can be varied to suit particular intended applications and that the vehicle may be towed by a prime mover (not shown) having, eg., refrigerator/freezer compartments for the storage of foods and/or beverages.

The catering equipment 45 may be provided in modular form, to enable easy change in catering configuration, eg. , from a wet bar for a sports club function to a food/non-alcoholic beverage unit for a child=s birthday party.

Alternatively, the secondary frames 40 may be de-mountable from the vehicle 10 and be substituted with alternative secondary frames 40 having different catering equipment to enable the catering configuration to be changed.

To complywith vehicle registration requirements, lights 90 and registration plates/labels 91 can be provided at the rear of the vehicle 10.

FIGS. 8 to 12 illustrate an alternative chassis/secondary frame configuration for a second embodiment of the catering vehicle 110, where like reference numbers are increased by 100, ie., wheels 125.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 18, the catering vehicle 210 has a"goose-neck"222 for"fifth-wheel"connection to a prime mover 201, which may have additional food/beverage storage 202.

An electricity generating set 203 and/or hydraulic or pneumatic pump 204 may be provided on the goose neck 222 to power all the equipment on the vehicle 210.

A computer 205 can monitor electricity and/or gas usage to enable the hire rate for the vehicle 210 to be calculated. The computer 205 can also monitor for any potential features, eg. , if a freezer cannot maintain a required temperature and initiate an appropriate alarm.

While the mobile catering vehicle has been described and

illustrated in the drawings as being of a trailer-like configuration, it will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the vehicle may be mounted on, or incorporate the chassis of, a prime mover, eg. , a truck.

In a further alternative, illustrated in FIG. 19, the catering vehicle 310 may be provided as a self-contained unit which is transported to and from sites on a removable trailer 308, supported on wheels 309 with variable height suspension. The trailer 308 is received in an elongate recess 329 and can be secured by suitable latches or twistlocks (not shown).

Retractable jacks 77 can raise the vehicle 310 to enable the trailer 308 to be located under, or released from, the vehicle 310.

It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the present invention provides a highly flexible catering vehicle, able to cater a wide range of events, at a wide range of sites, with maximum safety to both the operators and customers.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention.