BACKGROUND

Trucks, delivery cars or vans and light com- mercial vehicles can be used to transport various ar ^¬ ticles to a desired location. If there is a specific need for a truck or a delivery car, for example, for camping, a van needs to be customized to this specific purpose. After the van has been customized, it is not possible to easily change of the van to another pur ^¬ pose .

Therefore, there is a need for a solution that would allow using an existing truck or van to a specific purpose.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary of the dis ^¬ closure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements or delineate the scope of the description. The purpose is to present concepts dis ^¬ closed herein as a prelude to the more detailed de ^¬ scription that is presented later.

In one aspect there is provided a removable and adaptable module for a vehicle comprising a load ^¬ ing compartment. The module comprises a floor struc ^¬ ture, a roof structure and two side wall structures connecting the floor structure and the roof structure together, wherein each of the structures comprises linear actuating means, linear motion guiding means and locking means, and actuating means for actuating the linear actuating means. When the actuating means are operated, the actuating means are first configured to operate the linear actuating means of the floor structure to expand the floor structure to meet side structures of the loading compartment. Further, when further operating the actuating means, the actuating means are secondly configured to operate the linear actuating means of the roof structure and the linear actuating means of the side wall structures so that operating the actuating means is configured to expand the linear actuating means of the roof structure fast ^¬ er than the linear actuating means of the side wall structures. The locking means are configured to auto- matically lock the floor structure, the roof structure and the side wall structures to a locked state when the floor structure, the roof structure and the side wall structures meet internal structures of the load ^¬ ing compartment .

In one embodiment, the module comprises throttle check valves, wherein when further operating the actuating means, the throttle check valves are configured to direct hydraulic flow more to the linear actuating means of the roof structure than to the lin- ear actuating means of the side wall structures, and when the side wall structures reach the internal structures of the loading compartment, the throttle check valves are configured to direct hydraulic flow solely to the linear actuating means of the side wall structures.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the locking means comprises a lockable gas spring .

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi- tion, the linear guiding means comprises a linear tel ^¬ escopic guide.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the actuating means comprises a first actuator configured to operate the linear actuating means of the floor structure and a second actuator configured to operate the linear actuating means of the roof structure and the linear actuating means of the side wall structures.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the first and second actuators are manually op- erated actuators.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the first and second actuators comprise inter ^¬ faces for removably receiving electrical operating means .

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the module further comprises cushioning pads on outer surfaces of the side wall structures and the roof structure configured to contact the internal structures of the loading compartment.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the module further comprises balls on an outer surface of the floor structure to enable lateral move ^¬ ment of the floor structure in relation to a base of the loading compartment.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, the side wall structures comprise lameled por ^¬ tions configured to bend when meeting wheel boxes of the loading compartment during expansion of the mod ^¬ ule .

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi ^¬ tion, when releasing the locked state of the locking means, the locking means are automatically configured to compress the module back to a reduced size.

In one embodiment, alternatively or in addi- tion, wherein one end of the linear actuating means is connected to the linear motion guiding means, and one end of the locking means is connected to a sheave structure connected to the linear motion guiding means via a cable. When operating the actuating means, the actuating means are configured to operate the linear actuating means thus moving the linear motion guide means, wherein the movement of the linear motion guide means causes, via the sheave structure and the cable, loading of the locking means to a loaded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illus ^¬ trate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments described below are exam ^¬ ples only and the scope of protection shall not be limited to the presented embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates a lower section of a re ^¬ movable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a closed state according to one embodiment.

FIG. IB illustrates a lower section of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an ex ^¬ panded state according to another embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates an upper section of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a closed state according to one embodiment.

FIG. ID illustrates an upper section of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an ex ^¬ panded state according to another embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates actuating means for ex ^¬ panding the removable and adaptable module for a vehi ^¬ cle according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a removable and adaptable module for a vehicle according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate how a wheel box section of the side wall structure of the remova ^¬ ble and adaptable module is configured to accommodate the wheel box according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates partially the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment . FIG. 4B illustrates one side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 4C illustrates another side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 4D illustrates partially the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 4E illustrates one side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 4F illustrates another side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodi- ment .

FIG. 5A illustrates partially the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 5B illustrates one side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 5C illustrates another side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 5D illustrates partially the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodi ^¬ ment . FIG. 5E illustrates one side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

FIG. 5F illustrates another side of the floor structure of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodi ^¬ ment .

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the drawings is intended as a descrip- tion of the embodiments presented herein and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the pre ^¬ sent invention may be constructed or utilized. Howev ^¬ er, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates a lower section of a re ^¬ movable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a closed state according to one embodiment. The module compris ^¬ es a floor structure 100, a roof structure (not shown in FIG. 1A) and side wall structures 102A, 102B con- necting the floor structure 100 and the roof struc ^¬ ture. The coupling between the floor structure 100 and the side wall structures 102A, 102B has been arranged so that the structures can move with respect to anoth ^¬ er. The movement of the structures with respect to an- other may be arranged, for example, by using a hinge between two structures.

The floor structure comprises linear actuat ^¬ ing means 104 and linear motion guiding means 108 and locking means 106. The linear actuating means 104 re- fers, for example, to a linear actuator. Further, although FIG. 1A illustrates only one linear actuator, the floor structure 100 may also comprise more than one linear actuator. The linear motion guide means 108 refers, for example, to a linear telescopic guide. The locking means 106 refers, for example, to a lockable gas spring.

In FIG. 1A the floor structure 100 is in a compressed state by means of the linear actuating means 104. In the compressed state, the gas spring 106 is contracted to a locked non-recharged position. Sim ^¬ ilarly, the linear telescopic guides 108 are in a com- pressed state.

FIG. IB illustrates a lower section of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an ex ^¬ panded state according to another embodiment.

In FIG. IB, when the floor structure 100 is expanded with the linear actuator 104, the side wall structure 102A slides towards a side structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle. The movement is guided by the linear motion guide means 108. During the movement of the side wall structure 102A, the lockable gas spring 106 charges. When the side wall structure 102A reaches the side structure of the load ^¬ ing compartment of the vehicle, the linear actuators 104 stops and the lockable gas spring 106 locks to this position.

FIG. 1C illustrates an upper section of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a closed state according to one embodiment. In this em ^¬ bodiment, the upper section illustrates a roof struc ^¬ ture 116 and side wall structures 102A, 102B.

The module is in a compressed state by means of the linear actuating means 104. Locking means 114, for example, a lockable gas spring, is contracted to a locked non-recharged position. Similarly, linear motion guiding means 110, for example, linear telescopic guides, of the roof structure 116 and linear motion guiding means 112, for example, linear telescopic guides of the side wall structures 102A, 102B are in a compressed state.

FIG. 1C illustrates only a rear end of the upper section of the removable and adaptable module. It is evident that a front end of the upper section may comprise similar structures and elements.

FIG. ID illustrates the upper section of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an ex ^¬ panded state according to one embodiment.

Extension of the roof structure 116 and the side wall structures 102A, 102B may be effected simul ^¬ taneously by means of the linear actuators in the roof 116 and side wall structures 102A, 102B. The linear telescopic guides guide the extension movement. During the extension, the structure that first reaches an in ^¬ ner structure of structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle stops and the remaining structures con ^¬ tinue their expansion until reaching an inner structure of structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle. When the extension is completed, the linear actuators stop and the lockable gas springs lock to this position.

FIG. 2A illustrates actuating means for ex ^¬ panding a removable and adaptable module for a vehicle according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates actuating means 200, 202, for example, two crank handles, configured to cause extension of the floor structure, 100, the roof struc ^¬ ture 116 and the side wall structures 102A, 102B.

When a user operates the first crank handle

200, for example, by manually rotating the crank han ^¬ dle 200, this causes extension of the floor structure 100. When the floor structure 100 has reached an inner structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle, the user continues by rotating the second crank handle 202. This causes extension of the roof structure 116 and the side wall structures 102A, 102B. The user keeps rotating the second crank handle 200 until the side wall structures 102A, 102B and the roof structure 116 have reached an inner structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle.

A hydraulic system may be arranged between the actuating means 200, 202 and the linear actuating means of the floor 100, roof 116 and side wall 102A, 102B structures. When the user operates the second crank handle 202, the hydraulic system is configured so that the operation of the second crank handle 202 is configured to expand the linear actuating means 108 of the roof structure 116 faster than the linear actu ^¬ ating means of the side wall 102A, 102B structures. The hydraulic system may comprise throttle check valves, and when operating the second crank handle 202, the throttle check valves are configured to di ^¬ rect hydraulic flow more to the linear actuating means of the roof structure 116 than to the linear actuating means of the side wall structures 102A, 102B, and when the side wall structures reach the inner structures of the loading compartment, the throttle check valves are configured to direct hydraulic flow solely to the lin ^¬ ear actuating means of the side wall structures 102A, 102B.

When the inner side wall structures of the loading compartment have been reached, a common pres ^¬ sure in the pressure lines of the hydraulic system in ^¬ creases and the pressure discharges via a connecting hydraulic line only to hydraulic line relating to the linear actuating means of the side wall structures 102A, 102B via a throttle check valve. This causes the side wall structures to move until they reach the roof structure of the loading compartment.

When again compressing the module to a re- duced size, the throttle check valves let the flow to escape without any blocking. When compressing the module to the reduced size, the actuating means may be operated to an opposite direction than in the expansion phase. Further, in another embodiment, the trans ^¬ formation to the reduced size may be by opening the locking of the locking means, for example, the locka- ble gas springs. When the locking of the lockable gas springs is released, the gas springs may automatically return back to the unloaded or compressed state from the loaded or expanded state, thus causing the module structure to automatically compress to the reduced size .

Although it has been illustrated that the use manually operated the actuating means 200, 202, in an ^¬ other embodiment, the module may comprise actuating means comprising an interface for removably receiving electrical operating means, for example, a battery op ^¬ erated power drill.

Further, in another embodiment, the module may comprise single actuating means operable by the user. A hydraulic system may be arranged between the actuating means and the linear actuating means of the floor 100, roof 116 and side wall 102A, 102B struc ^¬ tures. The operation of the single actuating means may first cause expansion of the floor structure 100. When the floor structure 100 has reached an inner structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle, the opera ^¬ tion of the single actuating means causes extension of the roof structure 116 and the side wall structures 102A, 102B. The user keeps operating single actuating means until the side wall structures 102A, 102B and the roof structure 116 have reached an inner structure of the loading compartment of the vehicle.

When the user operates the single actuating means, the hydraulic system is configured so that the single actuating means is configured to expand the linear actuating means 108 of the roof structure 116 faster than the linear actuating means of the side wall 102A, 102B structures. The hydraulic system may comprise throttle check valves, and when operating the single actuating means, the throttle check valves are configured to direct hydraulic flow more to the linear actuating means of the roof structure 116 than to the linear actuating means of the side wall structures 102A, 102B, and when the side wall structures reach the inner structures of the loading compartment, the throttle check valves are configured to direct hydrau ^¬ lic flow solely to the linear actuating means of the side wall structures 102A, 102B.

When the inner side wall structures of the loading compartment have been reached, a common pres ^¬ sure in the pressure lines of the hydraulic system in ^¬ creases and the pressure discharges via a connecting hydraulic line only to hydraulic line relating to the linear actuating means of the side wall structures 102A, 102B via a throttle check valve. This causes the side wall structures to move until they reach the roof structure of the loading compartment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a removable and adaptable module 210 for a vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B illustrates only the main structural elements of the module 210. The module 210 comprises the floor structure 100, the roof structure 116 and side wall structures 102A, 102B connecting the floor structure 100 and the roof structure 116. The coupling between the floor structure 100 and the side wall structures 102A, 102B has been arranged so that the structures can move with respect to another. The movement of the structures with respect to another may be arranged us ^¬ ing a hinge between two structures. The side wall structures 102A, 102B comprise wheel box openings 118 configured to receive wheel boxes of the vehicle into which the module is installed. The module may also comprise cushioning pads or bumpers 212 (for example, rubber bumpers) configured to contact the internal structures of the vehicle compartment. Thus, the bump- ers prevent direct contact of the side wall and roof structures to the internal structures of the vehicle compartment .

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate how a wheel box section of the side wall structure 102A of the re ^¬ movable and adaptable module is configured to accommo ^¬ date the wheel box according to one embodiment.

A specific section in the side wall structure 102A has been reserved to receive a possible wheel box structure of the loading compartment. A moulding 300 may be arranged on an inner surface of the side wall structure 102A and its height from the floor level may be dimensioned so that the moulding 300 is in a posi ^¬ tion higher than the highest possible wheel box it is configured to receive.

A set of lamels is movably fixed to a bottom part of the moulding 300. Although FIG. 3A illustrates that there are five lamels side by side, the number of lamels may vary. Further, it is evident that the size of the lamels may differ (be smaller or larger) than what is illustrated in FIG. 3A.

When the module has not yet been expanded, all lamels 302 are stationary. For the expansion of the module, lamels 304 may be in a folded state before the module has not yet been expanded. When the floor structure is then expanded (i.e. the side wall struc ^¬ ture moves towards an inner structure of the loading compartment), the previously folded lamels 304 straighten, as is illustrated in FIG. 3B.

Adjacent lamels may be connected to each oth ^¬ er using, for example, appropriate magnets or any oth ^¬ er connection means.

When the module is expanded and the wheel box in the loading compartment meets the side wall struc- ture 102A of the module, the wheel box pushes the lamels in the specific section of the side wall struc ^¬ ture 102A, and the lamels 306, 308 follow the physical dimensions of the wheel box. Although adjacent lamels are connected to each other with magnets, the protrud ^¬ ing wheel box causes the magnets to be separated from each other, as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

A module illustrated above may be readily furnished for any desired purpose, for example, mili ^¬ tary, camping, office, ambulance, transportation, etc. The module may also be constructed to include an elec ^¬ tricity system, a lighting system or any other system so that the module is ready for use once it has been expanded to fit a loading compartment into which it has been installed. A truck can be used to lift the module inside the loading compartment.

The module may also comprise balls on an out- er surface of the floor structure to enable lateral movement of the floor structure in relation to a base of the loading compartment when the module is expand ^¬ ed .

FIG. 4A illustrates partially a floor struc- ture 400 of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in a compressed state according to one embodi ^¬ ment. FIG. 4A illustrates one end of the floor struc ^¬ ture 400, and a similar structure may be arranged at the other end of the floor structure 400. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate the floor structure 400 in more detail.

FIG. 4B illustrates one side of the floor structure 400. For simplicity only elements relating to adapting the floor structure 400 are discussed.

The floor structure 400 comprises linear ac- tuating means 402A and linear motion guiding means 418A, 418B and locking means 404A. The linear actuating means 402A refers, for example, to a linear actua ^¬ tor. Further, although FIG. 4B illustrates only one linear actuator, the floor structure 400 may also com- prises more than one linear actuator 402B at the other side and/or end of the floor structure 400. The linear motion guide means 418A, 418B refers, for example, to a linear telescopic guide. The linear telescopic guide may comprise a fixed part 418B and a sliding part 418A. A shaft 406 of the linear actuator 402A is fixed to the sliding part 418A.

The locking means 404A refers, for example, to a lockable gas spring.

The floor structure 400 comprises also a ca ^¬ ble 410, for example, a steel cable. One end of the cable 410 is fixed via connecting means 414 to a base structure 420 of the floor structure 400. The end of the cable 410 is fixed to the base structure 420, for example, using a bolt 414. The other end of the cable 410 is fixed to the sliding part 418A of the linear motion guide means. A sheave structure 412 comprising a sheave 424 has been arranged to interact with the cable 410. A shaft 408 of the locking means 404A is also fixed to the sheave structure 412.

The floor structure 400 may also comprise a friction brake 422 configured to lock movement of the shaft 406 of the linear actuating means 402A.

The sliding part 418A of the linear guide means may comprise at least one bracket 416 configured to connect the floor structure 400 to a side wall structure .

FIG. 4C illustrates a similar arrangement as was illustrated in FIG. 4B. The difference is that the arrangement in FIG. 4C relates to the other side of the floor structure 400. As can been seen from FIGS. 4B and 4C linear actuating means 402A, 402B and lock- ing means 404A, 404B have been interleaved so that both sides of the floor structure 400 have dedicated elements .

FIG. 4D illustrates partially the floor structure 400 of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodiment. FIGS. 4E and 4F illustrate the expanded floor structure 400 in more detail. When comparing FIGS. 4B and 4E it can be seen that in the expanded state the sliding part 418A has slid and moved to the left. When the linear actuating means 402A is activated, the shaft 406 starts to move from the compressed state towards the expanded state. Since the shaft 406 is fixed to the sliding part 418A, the sliding part 418A moves and slides to the left.

Since the cable 410 is also fixed to the sliding part 418A, the movement of the shaft 406 caus- es movement of the shaft 408 of the locking means 404A, as illustrated in FIG. 4E . Since the cable 410 is fixed to the base structure 420 at one end and to the sliding part 418A at the other end and since one end of the shaft 408 of the locking means 404A is fixed to the sheave structure 412, the movement of the shaft 406 causes movement of the shaft 408 of the locking means 404A with the help of the cable 410 and the sheave 424.

When the linear actuating means 402A is not operated any more, the friction lock 422 locks the shaft 406 of the linear actuating means 402A.

FIG. 4F illustrates another side of the floor structure 400 of the removable and adaptable module for a vehicle in an expanded state according to one embodiment. The difference is that the arrangement in FIG. 4F relates to the other side of the floor struc ^¬ ture 400. As can been seen from FIGS. 4E and 4F linear actuating means 402A, 402B and locking means 404A, 404B have been interleaved so that both sides of the floor structure have dedicated elements.

FIGS. 5A-5F correspond to FIGS. 4A-4F and represent gray scale models of the line drawings il ^¬ lustrated in FIGS. 4A-4F.

Although the subject matter has been de- scribed in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodi ^¬ ment or may relate to several embodiments. The embod ^¬ iments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples without losing the effect sought.

The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above descrip ^¬ tion is given by way of example only and that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the in ^¬ vention may be implemented in various ways. The inven ^¬ tion and its embodiments are thus not limited to the embodiments described above; instead they may vary within the scope of the claims.