Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a hull coupled to a chassis where the hull is formed by coupling pre-formed panels together using two piece channel members, and/or the chassis is formed by mechanically coupling pre-formed segments together. In some instances, the two piece channel members will interconnect substantially perpendicular panels such as by coupling wall panels to a floor panel, to a ceiling panel, and to adjacent wall panels. Such a vehicle can be quickly assembled from space efficient pre-formed pieces by lower skilled assemblers than are typically required in manufacturing a recreational vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile recreational vehicle includes a body enclosing a living area designed to serve as self-contained living quarters during recreational travel. The body is supported on at least one pair of wheels (and often two or more pairs). The vehicle includes a ceiling assembly, a floor assembly; and an elongated and adjustable ceiling support extending between the ceiling assembly and the floor assembly wherein the height of the support can be adjusted during installation. In some instances, the vehicle has a shortened full length slide-out to allow for additional sidewall ceiling support, and in some instances has a slide-out opening that has cambered upper edges to minimize sagging the opening.

Abstract: A chassis for a recreational vehicle having an open lattice structure includes a pair of central longitudinal support units, each including a pair of vertically spaced bearing members that are interconnected to provide vertical rigidity. A pair of side longitudinal support units extend parallel to the central longitudinal support units and also include a pair of vertically spaced bearing members interconnected to provide vertical rigidity. The central longitudinal support unit includes a further lower bottom member positioned at the same vertical distance as the lower side longitudinal support bearing member. Interconnecting members provide both vertical and horizontal rigidity so that a stable chassis platform is provided without requiring additional structural support and strength from any hull built thereon.

Abstract: An assembly comprising at least two structural members moveably coupled to each other, each structural member being coupled to opposite ends of a bias member biasing the at least two structural members to move towards or away from each other, wherein one or more of the at least two structural members form a bias member receiving recess and the structural members and bias member are coupled together in such a manner that moving one structural member relative to the other structural member causes the bias member to rotate at least partially into or at least partially out of the bias member receiving cavity.

Abstract: A supplemental chassis platform comprising a box structure is rigidly mounted to travel trailer chassis main rails. The supplemental platform assumes the role of axle support from the chassis rails, where a plurality of cross beams cooperate to form a framework that supports the axle assembly outside of the chassis' twin main rails. With the axles supported by the box section, the chassis rails' spacing can be reduced to increase the storage space available under the shell.

Abstract: A retractable awning for a recreational vehicle is provided wherein the awning is stored behind a pivoting door that closes flush with the side of the recreational vehicle when the awning is not deployed over a slide-out unit. The pivoting door is adjacent the awning and the pivoting door closes flush with the side of the recreational vehicle with the awning enclosed in its side mounted compartment. With the retractable awning completely behind the plane defining the side of the recreational vehicle and protected by a locking door, the awning does not add any additional unwanted width to the recreational vehicle and is protected from unfurling during transport. An automatic locking mechanism is provided for ensuing that the door remains closed during transportation. Further, a debris clearing mechanism is preferably installed adjacent the spool which collects the retractable awning as it retracts, thereby cleaning the awning of debris prior to its withdrawal into the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved wallboard joint compound comprising an inorganic joint compound such as, for example, gypsum, mixed with water, plus one or more additives selected to reduce the moisture in the gypsum compound and improve the strength of the finished wallboard joint. The first additive is selected from a class of water soluble functional polymer with either nitrogen or sulfonate, such as, for example, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). A second additive is selected from a class of solid epoxy resins, preferably added together with the first additive. These two additives, when mixed with the joint compound alone or in combination, produced a more flexible, higher strength wallboard with a reduce moisture content and quicker drying time.

Abstract: The folding vehicle bed assembly includes a housing member that can be connected to a vertical support wall and a bed frame that can be stored within the housing member or extended for use. A movable support lever provides a first pivotal connection to the bed frame to enable the bed frame to rotate when moved from an operative horizontal position to a vertical storage position. A second pivotal connection is attached to the end of the bed frame adjacent to the vertical support wall and above the height of a mattress. A motor assembly is connected to the second pivotal connection to drive it parallel to the vertical support wall and to rotate the end of the bed frame about the second pivotal connection.

Abstract: A front cap housing for a vehicle body includes an integral hollow shell member with an upper convex canopy having an aperture of a configuration to receive a front windshield. The hollow shell member includes a lower convex engine cowling. The hollow shell member is configured to be variably mounted on the front of the vehicle body and includes a pair of support posts of a U-shaped configuration extending between the upper convex canopy and the lower engine cowling. A pair of horizontal plate members extend between the pair of support posts, one above the windshield aperture and the other below the windshield aperture to thereby provide a relatively rigid mounting structure.

Abstract: A convertible table can be conveniently configured into either a coffee table or a dining table. The convertible table includes a table bottom unit supported by four legs and a table hinge secured to the table bottom unit via four lower hinge brackets. A table top unit is secured to the table hinge via four upper hinge brackets. The hinge moves between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration to vertically move the table top unit away from the table bottom unit and back into contact with the table bottom unit, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mobile body construction in the field of motor homes having relatively rigid side walls mounted to a floor above a chassis frame. A frame joint system is provided through use of metallic extruded joint members of a lightweight configuration, while maintaining a relatively rigid frame. These joint members are elongated and can be cut to the individual needs of the particular unit under construction, and comprise a hollow interior subdivided into strengthening polygonal cells. A floor interfacing beam is connected to the floor. The floor interfacing beam has a cross-section including two rectangular polygons and an approximately triangular polygon. The three polygons share a common surface which is parallel to the floor and are juxtaposed adjacent one another. A side wall interfacing beam is connected to the side wall, and has a cross-section including both a polygon having four sides and at least two approximately 90-degree angles and a vertical portion.

Abstract: An improved folding trailer includes a base member supported by a pair of wheels with a top member movably connected to the base member. A plurality of extendable support units is mounted on the base member and can be hydraulically driven to extend the top member. The hydraulic system is connected to the extendable support units through pulleys and cables and includes a pressure-compensated flow control valve system for hydraulically limiting the retraction rate of these extendable support units.