Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Camper
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-15
2004-02-17
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Camper
C296S166000, C296S026040, C296S024430, C296S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06692062
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to recreational motor vehicles and more particularly relates to a motor coach and method for converting a semi tractor into a motor coach.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to make a luxury motor coach by modifying a standard semi tractor to include to an extended rear body structure that provides interior living space. Such a motor coach and a process for making such a motor coach are generally referred to as a “conversion.” The interior can be equipped for use as living quarters, mobile office space, or a display area. Tractors are commercially available with various types of standard, original equipment (OE) truck bodies or cabs. In general, the conversion involves cutting away a portion of the standard truck body and mounting an extended rear body that is joined to a rear of the truck body.
Conventional motor coach conversions are commonly based on a small sized tractor, e.g., classes 5, 6 or 7, in which the standard truck body is typically not equipped with a “sleeper” section rearward of the driver compartment. A conversion on such a small tractor has conventionally included cutting a small opening in the back wall of the cab then adding a custom rear body mounted rearward of the standard body. The small opening provides limited access between the driver compartment and does not allow for full stand-up headroom as a person passes between the driver compartment and the rear body. The small opening undesirably shuts off the driver and co-driver from interaction with the rest of the passengers in the rear living space.
Some motor coach conversions have been known which are based on a large sized tractor, e.g., class 8, which has a sleeper section. However, during a process of converting the tractor into a luxury motor coach, the sleeper section has conventionally been cut off behind the front seats and discarded, and custom rear body components are mounted to replace the removed sleeper portion. Unfortunately, the removal of the sleeper portion compromises the structural integrity of the remaining OE body. Additionally, a fiberglass cap has been provided in some conversions to join the truncated OE body to the custom rear body. Unfortunately, such caps have been known provide a poor seal that leaks water.
When traveling in a luxury motor coach, it is desirable to bring an auxiliary vehicle. The auxiliary vehicle has conventionally been towed behind the motor coach on a trailer. A few motor coaches have included a self-contained garage, however, improvements are needed to the garages of conventional motor coaches.
A need exists for a motor coach in which an a rearearward of the driver compartment is open with full stand-up headroom allowing free movement and access to and from the cab to the tractor. A need further exists for an unobstructed view forward from inside the living areas of the truck conversion. Additionally, a need exists for a motor coach having an improved garage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the deficiencies of the prior art and provides an improved motor coach and process for converting a semi tractor into a luxury motor coach. For example, in an embodiment, a motor coach is manufactured by converting a truck into a luxury motor coach which generally includes providing a semi tractor having a standard “sleeper” style body (commonly referred to as a “class 8” tractor or “class 8 sleeper”), removing a portion of the rear panel of the sleeper, and mounting a rear body portion to a frame of the tractor rearwardly of remaining walls of the sleeper portion of the standard body. In an embodiment, the process further includes lengthening the frame of the tractor. The lengthening may result in lengthening the wheelbase and/or lengthening the frame rearwardly from the rear axles. Furthermore, the step of removing a portion of the rear panel includes cutting the rear panel at a distance from the sides and a top of the sleeper portion to form a flange of remaining material of the rear panel which extends inwardly from sides and a top sleeper portion. The remaining strip of material that forms the flange preferably has a width from about 6 inches to about 9 inches. A front edge of the rear body is matably mounted to the flange, preferably providing a flexible bushing between the rear body and the flange to provide a weathertight seal. Additionally, in an embodiment, the rear body has a cooperatively shaped flange that generally matches the shape of the front body portion. Advantageously, the conversion process of the invention provides an interior space in which the sleeper portion opens into the rear body portion as part of the living area of the vehicle. This allows for standing headroom rearward from the driver compartment. It also allows for a greater flexibility in the design given the open, cathedral-like design offered by a class 8 sleeper tractor. Additionally, utilizing the sleeper portion of the OE body results in a smooth, aerodynamic, and aesthetically pleasing interface between the tractor and the custom designed body.
The invention also includes motor coach constructed in accordance with the conversion process, wherein the standard body portion contains a driver compartment, an engine compartment generally forward of the driver compartment, and a sleeper portion rearward of the driver compartment, the standard body portion having a rear panel with a cutout therein so that the rear panel defines a flange extending inwardly a distance of about 6 inches to about 9 inches along a top and sides sleeper portion. The rear body portion is mounted to the frame rearward of the front body portion, wherein the rear body portion is matably mounted to the flange to define an open interior space from the sleeper portion into the rear body portion. In an embodiment, the rear body has a flange that mates against the flange of the sleeper body. Preferably, a flexible bushing is additionally mounted be between the rear body portion and the front body portion to provide a watertight seal. The rear body portion may be mounted to the flange by welding and/or bolts.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a motor coach wherein the rear body portion has multiple levels with sufficient headroom to permit an average person to stand at least partially erect, the multiple levels including an elevated level having a floor on or above the frame and a lower level having a floor below the frame. The lower room is narrow in configuration, disposed between the truck frame and a side of the rear body portion. The lower room can be configured with limited headroom or full headroom, depending on the design in conjunction with the elevated living space above. Desirably, the lower room at least has headroom sufficient to permit a person to stand partially erect, e.g., standing on one's feet although crouched over. In an embodiment, a lower suite is provided by a pair of lower rooms, one on each side of the frame, and a pass-through space positioned over the frame which extends between the pair of rooms. The suite generally straddles the frame, and the pass-through space is suitable for a use as a bed.
In an embodiment, the motor coach is capable of transporting an auxiliary vehicle. In such an embodiment, the motor coach includes a truck frame having a front end with a front axle and a rear end with at least one rear axle, the frame including at least one rail extending generally horizontally between the front and rear ends. A front body portion is mounted generally near the front end of the frame, the front body portion containing a driver compartment and an engine compartment generally forward of the driver compartment. A rear body portion is mounted to the frame behind the front body portion, the rear body portion including a living section and a garage section, the garage positioned at a rear of the motor coach and the living space extending between the garage and the front body portion. A garage floor is provided to support an auxiliary vehicle inside the garage section of the rea
Clapp Donald Wayne
Woodard Eric Morris
Morphos Design, Inc.
Morrow Jason
Pedder Dennis H.
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