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: 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 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 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 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 a storage compartment in the subfloor area. The storage compartment is accessible via an access door positioned in outer housing of the recreational vehicle. A latching mechanism is mounted on the access door that secures the non-hinged corners, such as the bottom corners, when the access door is hinged at the top, so as to more securely latch the door. Force multiplier members are included in the latching mechanism such that greater force is applied to the securing members in response to user actuation of an external latch.

Abstract: A unitized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for ventilating and regulating 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 mass of the motorhome so equipped.

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: 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: A composite structure is disclosed which is especially useful as a sidewall for trailers. The structure, however, because it is very strong can be used for end walls, roofs or floors and even prefabricated housing. The composite structure provides all the advantages of wood framing and aluminum framing and has good raking characteristics. A method of producing the structure is also disclosed which can be used in a production line assembly operation.