Versatile Van Bed
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Retain the cargo capability of your van,
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use as a work van/office with benches
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quick & easy conversion to a platform bed.
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additional integral seating
Fold down cantilevered desks/bed platform
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provides a walk-thru desk/work space for day use
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a fast and easy ventilated, slatted single or double bed.
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full access flexibility of floor space without obstruction.
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with integral seating.
VersatileVanBed
Transform a Weekday Work Van
to a Weekend Camper & more
Drive your van for Leisure? or Work?
Transporting bulky equipment?
Working remotely? - and Sleep over?
Vehicle shown is
Fiat Ducato L2H2
medium wheelbase(3.45m)
equiv. RAM Promaster 136"
Welcome the Versatile Van Bed, providing a multi-mode, dynamic space for a van.
Choose beyond the restrictions of conventional van designs
conventional campervans
have a fixed or obstructing layout which destroys their usefulness as a work van.
the same is true if you need to work remotely while on the road in your campervan; you need a proper work space, not crouching in bed or sitting at a wobbly little table.
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A platform bed is often used to create a ‘garage’ storage space under the bed.
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These bed design are typically fixed, eliminating thru passage and access by rear doors and restricting the use of the large space above the bed.
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Some removable platform bed design span the width with a single piece construction which is bulky to store while having only bed/no-bed modes.
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Other fold-away platform design use floor cabinet structures for support which restrict width and again create an obstacle to daily use as a work or cargo van.
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A common strategy is to combine the under bed support structure with floor-attached cabinets which are intended as fixed container storage compartments. These restrict width for cargo and equipment storage.
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Some platform design can fold-down/away with drop down legs for support or by suspension from above using tension straps. These support features are again intrusive and obstruct access.
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Nearly all design are single purpose bed/no-bed. That includes especially the elevating overhead beds which remove the luxury of walk-thru to give the pain of crouch-thru.
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A small few design of split fold-away platform use cantilever support, which avoids obstructive support features. These are good but can be improved upon ....
A new type of multi-purpose, compact fold-away platform bed
A more versatile design is achieved using a cantilever support for the primary fold-down mode combined with a secondary flip-over feature which provides either of the bridge for a platform bed, or the base for seating.
This is the Versatile Van Bed, providing a multi-mode, dynamic space for a van.
a Versatile Van Bed
Multi-modes combined in one dynamic package
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Open access retained for large Cargo/equipment transport
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Table/Counter Space for Daytime Work & walk through access
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Platform Bed with retained storage below
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Seating mode for social/meeting opportunities
the basics combined in one base install
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compact > Space saving
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built-in > always Available
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transformable > in Seconds without redundant parts
A Reality - Multi-Mode Dynamic Layout
Innovative Cantilever 'Floating' design
engineered with counter arm pivot structure
alternate positions:
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folded up = Stowed / Cargo mode
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fold down at 90deg. = desk / Work mode
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table top flips open to give slatted Bed mode
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folds down to provide bench Seating mode
Versatile Van Bed
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Fold-down cantilevered desks
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Desks unfold to present a slatted bed
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either single or double Bed
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Pivot design provides also seating
A Dynamic Space - more Utility
Cargo space
1500mm min width
rapid change from Cargo to Desks to Bed modes
Change from Desks to Seat mode
Open Access to maximal use of Floor Space
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Cantilever design removes floor obstructions and expands possibilities
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Easy access loading and unloading of equipment
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Especially suited to bulky hobby equipment as bicycles, kayaks & motorcycles
min. gap between folded desks is 1500mm
Cargo mode
Retain a maximal cargo capacity
Cantilever 'floating' design without legs
> complete flexibility of floor space.
- enjoy walk thru access with those rear doors
- reduce use of the big annoying slider side-door!
- accessible for storage, equipment & work benches
Access for loading equipment is easily achieved with the benches folded up in cargo mode.
transform the limited space
for day use with walk thru aisle
Work desk mode
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deploy as single use or double
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single use provides extra table counter space.
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double bed size with all counters flipped.
without disturbing floor
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just swing cross beams & flip desktops to bed
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sleep above your equipment storage
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secure, internal access to floor space /'garage'
Bed Modes
Social mode - Seating
Cantilevered 'floating' seats
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seating also appears to float above the floor
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storage on floor is not obstructed by seat support
Versatility is the game
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a walk-thru desk space for daily work use.
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full access flexibility of floor space.
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Integral seating for social.
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Single or Double bed quickly with no fuss
Versatile is the name
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vehicle cargo capability is retained
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useful remote work/office desk space for daily use
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comfortable single/double bed above equipment store
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space with seating for social/meeting
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built-in / Integral > always available
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rapid transformation > seconds without redundant parts
Are you interested to have a versatile van bed fitted in your van?
...in case we are local ....
the designer & fabricator of the versatileVanBed is an engineer presently working on/out of his van based in Enniskillen, N.Ireland, UK.
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If you are interested in this design and you are also located on the green island of liquid sunshine, then please make contact using web form; perhaps there is chance you can see it in the flesh so to speak.
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For everyone else - please write to me first over the contact form.
Want to see more demo video and layout ideas? - check out our Social Media links.
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The author is reaching out to find those interested as potential clients or collaborators for a build project. e.g. adapting the design for installation on other van platforms.
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Also a welcome route is to find van conversion outfitters with whom to collaborate for a next build and develop the design as a viable option for specification in a new customer van conversion.
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Given the greater flexibility on offer with this design, it should be attractive as a new choice to a wider range of van owners who would not otherwise have considered doing a conventional, obstructive campervan conversion layout which would destroy the utility they need from their van.
Design status - Jan.2023 - update:
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the bed design has been tested during 6months summer & autumn tour in europe over 5000miles travel.
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Refinement of the prototype design is on-going. e.g. attention to details of speed and convenience to operate the seat suspension connection.
Installation:
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Prototype installation required a fair degree of craft skill to custom align and attach the base structure (which are the 4 x 1" box tube vertical uprights) to the van wall structure. This process is not yet straightforward enough to offer a DIY-friendly box kit for just bolting into any van.
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