Abstract: A recreational vehicle (RV) with a central actuator that controls locking and unlocking of a plurality of access doors. Each of the access doors has a locking member that is interconnected to the central actuator. Thus, the central actuator may be configured to lock or unlock selected group of doors simultaneously. The central actuator is located inside the RV, and controlling input to the central actuator may be from a remote transmitter, or by direct manipulation of the central actuator. The locking members and the central actuator may be linked mechanically, electromagnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or in any number of ways. The central actuator advantageously permits an RV user to lock or unlock groups or all of the access doors simultaneously while inside the RV, or by using the remote transmitter.

Abstract: A unitized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system ventilates and regulates the air temperature inside a motorhome. Air is drawn from inside the motorhome and is directed to a furnace and an air conditioning unit via a common air return. A filter is positioned within the common return. The HVAC unit is compact and adapted for placement below the living area of motorhome so as to reduce the noise inside the cabin generated by the HVAC system and to reduce the center of gravity of the motorhome.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the cost in blood test and to simplify the operation thereof.

Abstract: A slideout-bed coupling system for a recreational vehicle that allows the bed to be positioned at desirable locations when the slideout is in retracted and extended configurations. By selectively coupling the slideout to the bed during the movement operation of the slideout, the bed's position relative to its surrounding can be controlled. In one embodiment, the bed's axis is oriented to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the recreational vehicle, and the bed partially moves when the slideout extends. As such, when the slideout is in the retracted configuration, the bed can be positioned to provide selected access to the one or more side of the bed. When the slideout is in the extended configuration, the coupling system allows the bed to be positioned to provide enhanced accessible clearance to both sides of the bed.

Abstract: A vehicle frame with a low profile is designed to be suitable for attaching directly to an incomplete, preassembled motorized chassis to construct a motorhome. The vehicle frame includes planar bulkheads and a storage area floor that are attached to the frame and to the chassis so as to create a three-dimensional space frame that is highly resistant to bending and twisting forces as well as storage areas that extend the width of the motorhome. The motorhome with the frame mounts a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as heavy holding tanks within or below the plane of the vehicle frame so as to lower the center of mass of the motorhome to thereby improve vehicle handling and safety. Placement of the HVAC system within and/or below the vehicle frame obviates the need to position HVAC components on the roof of the motorhome thereby further lowering the center of mass and eliminating a source of liquid water condensation above the living space of the motorhome.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an expandable room, wherein the expandable room may be positioned in either a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the room expands outwardly from the main housing of the vehicle so as to enlarge the overall living space area of the main housing. In the retracted configuration, the room slides inwardly into the main housing of the vehicle so as to reduce the width of the vehicle. The expandable room is equipped with at least one additional door on an outer wall in a manner so as to allow access to other rooms when expandable room is in the retracted configuration. The room may be extended in conjunction with an exterior slide-out assembly, wherein the deployed slide-out assembly produces a larger inner living space so as to accommodate the expanded room.

Abstract: A securing mechanism for use with a recreational vehicle (RV) slide out assembly. The securing mechanism structurally interconnects the slide out assembly to the RV when the slide out assembly is in a retracted position and when it is in an extended position. Specifically, loads in the RV induced from the road, from passengers, from equipment, and other various sources are distributed through the slide out assembly. Advantageously, flexure of the RV walls around the slide out opening is reduced. As a result, walls and their fixtures are less likely to be damaged due to flexure, seals between the RV walls and the slide out are more likely to stay intact, and the size of slide outs can be increased without compromising the structural integrity of the RV.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an expandable room wherein the room can be positioned in a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the room expands inwardly into the main housing of the vehicle so as to enlarge the area of the room without displacing the fixtures and plumbing that are typically positioned adjacent an outer wall of the room. The room can be extended in conjunction with an exterior slide-out assembly wherein the deployed slide-out assembly creates a larger inner living space so as to accommodate the expanded room wherein the expanded room comprises a walk-in closet.

Abstract: A vehicle frame with a low profile is designed to be suitable for attaching directly to an incomplete, preassembled motorized chassis to construct a motorhome. The vehicle frame includes planar bulkheads and a storage area floor that are attached to the frame and to the chassis so as to create a three-dimensional space frame that is highly resistant to bending and twisting forces as well as storage areas that extend the width of the motorhome. The motorhome with the frame mounts a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as heavy holding tanks within or below the plane of the vehicle frame so as to lower the center of mass of the motorhome to thereby improve vehicle handling and safety. Placement of the HVAC system within and/or below the vehicle frame obviates the need to position HVAC components on the roof of the motorhome thereby further lowering the center of mass and eliminating a source of liquid water condensation above the living space of the motorhome.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an extendable slide-out controlled by an actuator assembly is provided with a damage avoidance system. The damage avoidance system determines if the slide-out is in an adverse state and, if the adverse state is detected, inhibits the actuator assembly from moving the slide-out. The slide-out is in the adverse state if (a) a collision between the slide-out and a nearby object is imminent, (b) a collision has recently occurred, or (c) a resistive force is acting on the slide-out which substantially inhibits the actuator assembly from moving the slide-out. The damage avoidance system comprises a sensor module for monitoring the state of the slide-out and for providing an override signal to the actuator assembly, wherein the override signal is indicative of the slide-out being in the adverse state.

Abstract: A recreational travel trailer comprising a main housing which encloses a living space having multiple floor levels, and a two level extendable housing having a deployed configuration and an extended configuration. The extendable housing is movably positioned within an opening in the main housing so that a first floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a first floor of the main housing and so that a second floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a second floor of the main housing. In the deployed configuration, the extendable housing extends through the opening of the main housing so as to increase the enclosed space within the trailer. In the retracted configuration, the extendable housing is substantially positioned within the main housing so as to provide the main housing with a shape and size that is suitable for being towed on a public road. The trailer is further comprised of a two level actuator assembly which moves the two level extendable housing.

Abstract: A fifth wheel travel trailer having an improved chassis, the chassis comprising a rear section, a mid-section, and a front section disposed in vertically offset horizontal planes. The trailer further comprises a carriage member having a plurality of rotatable wheels mounted underneath the rear section of the chassis and a housing member having an interior living space formed therein mounted above the chassis. The rear section of the chassis comprises a pair of main longitudinal members each having a pair of stacked I-beams such that upper surfaces of the main longitudinal members define a first horizontal mounting plane suitably elevated above the wheels of the carriage assembly so as to enable a rear section of a floor assembly to mount directly to the rear section of the chassis in the first mounting plane to thereby increase the rigidity of the rear section of the chassis.

Abstract: A bubble forming mechanism has a bottle for holding therein a bubble forming solution. The bottle has a concave top surface with a slot formed in the surface. The bottle also includes a guide carried by a portion of the bottle. The mechanism has a wand with a loop carried on a lower end of the wand wherein the wand and loop are capable of being received in the slot and into the bottle. The guide aligns the wand and the loop with the slot.

Abstract: A bubble forming mechanism has a bottle for holding therein a bubble forming solution. The bottle has a concave top surface with a slot formed in the surface. The bottle also includes a guide carried by a portion of the bottle. The mechanism has a wand with a loop carried on a lower end of the wand wherein the wand and loop are capable of being received in the slot and into the bottle. The guide aligns the wand and the loop with the slot.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an expandable room wherein the room can be positioned in a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the room expands inwardly into the main housing of the vehicle so as to enlarge the area of the room without displacing the fixtures and plumbing that are typically positioned adjacent an outer wall of the room. The room can be extended in conjunction with an exterior slide-out assembly wherein the deployed slide-out assembly creates a larger inner living space so as to accommodate the expanded room.

Abstract: A recreational travel trailer comprising a main housing which encloses a living space having multiple floor levels, and a two level extendable housing having a deployed configuration and an extended configuration. The extendable housing is movably positioned within an opening in the main housing so that a first floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a first floor of the main housing and so that a second floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a second floor of the main housing. In the deployed configuration, the extendable housing extends through the opening of the main housing so as to increase the enclosed space within the trailer. In the retracted configuration, the extendable housing is substantially positioned within the main housing so as to provide the main housing with a shape and size that is suitable for being towed on a public road. The trailer is further comprised of an actuator assembly having a linear actuator which moves the two level extendable housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an awning assembly for a recreational vehicle. The awning assembly includes an awning that is configured to be extended from a sidewall of the recreational vehicle to provide shade. A rug is removably mounted to one edge of the awning. In use, the rug is removed from the awning and positioned on the ground below the awning to serve as a ground covering. When not being used, the rug is attached to the awning and stored with the awning in an awning housing to save space. In another embodiment, the awning assembly comprises a rug housing that is configured to be moved between a storage configuration and an extended configuration.

Abstract: A fifth wheel travel trailer having an improved chassis, the chassis comprising a rear section, a mid-section, and a front section disposed in vertically offset horizontal planes. The trailer further comprises a carriage member having a plurality of rotatable wheels mounted underneath the rear section of the chassis and a housing member having an interior living space formed therein mounted above the chassis. The rear section of the chassis comprises a pair of main longitudinal members each having a pair of stacked I-beams such that upper surfaces of the main longitudinal members define a first horizontal mounting plane suitably elevated above the wheels of the carriage assembly so as to enable a rear section of a floor assembly to mount directly to the rear section of the chassis in the first mounting plane to thereby increase the rigidity of the rear section of the chassis.

Abstract: A recreational travel trailer comprising a main housing which encloses a living space having multiple floor levels, and a two level extendable housing having a deployed configuration and an extended configuration. The extendable housing is movably positioned within an opening in the main housing so that a first floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a first floor of the main housing and so that a second floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a second floor of the main housing. In the deployed configuration, the extendable housing extends through the opening of the main housing so as to increase the enclosed space within the trailer. In the retracted configuration, the extendable housing is substantially positioned within the main housing so as to provide the main housing with a shape and size that is suitable for being towed on a public road. The trailer is further comprised of a two level actuator assembly which moves the two level extendable housing.

Abstract: An improved travel trailer chassis that has a main section, which is connected to the axles of the wheels, a first elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the main section and is elevated above the main section and a second elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the first elevated section and is elevated above the first elevated section. The first elevated section is configured to receive a floor and fixtures to support a bathroom. A trunk space for storage is defined by a floor that extends forward from the main section of the chassis underneath the first elevated section of the chassis. One or more sewage tanks are mounted to the first elevated section of the chassis immediately beneath and substantially adjacent the floor of the bathroom supporting the fixtures. A drain assembly extends through the trunk space to an exhaust positioned outside of the trailer.