US 11,667,230 B2
Chassis for recreational vehicles having at least one crawl space
Jeffrey M. Snyder, White Pigeon, MI (US)
Assigned to THOR TECH, INC., Elkhart, IN (US)
Filed by Thor Tech, Inc., Elkhart, IN (US)
Filed on Apr. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/220,197.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/003,461, filed on Apr. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0309141 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. B60P 3/36 (2006.01); B62D 21/02 (2006.01); B62D 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC B60P 3/36 (2013.01) [B62D 21/02 (2013.01); B62D 21/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A recreational vehicle comprising a chassis, at least one axle assembly, a vehicle body, and a composite floor, wherein:
the composite floor comprises an upper sheet and lower sheet bonded to a skeletal framework as a structurally integrated composite;
the vehicle body and the composite floor are supported by the chassis;
the axle assembly is coupled to the chassis and provides motive support and underbody clearance to the chassis;
the chassis comprises a plurality of longitudinal main rails, a plurality of lateral crawl space cross members, at least one longitudinal floor support, and at least one insulation sheet, wherein:
the composite floor, the plurality of longitudinal main rails, the plurality of lateral crawl space cross members, the at least one longitudinal floor support, and the at least one insulation sheet collectively define at least one crawl space; and
each of the at least one crawl space having an upper surface defined by the composite floor, a bottom surface defined by the plurality of lateral crawl space cross members and the at least one insulation sheet, and sides defined by the at least one insulation sheet;
the plurality of longitudinal main rails span at least a portion of a length of the recreational vehicle and define a length of the at least one crawl space;
the plurality of lateral crawl space cross members extend between and interconnect the plurality of longitudinal main rails and define a width of the at least one crawl space, wherein an upper face of the plurality of lateral crawl space cross members is lower than an upper face of the plurality of longitudinal main rails; and
the at least one longitudinal floor support is positioned between the composite floor and the plurality of lateral crawl space cross members, the at least one longitudinal floor support operable to provide support is to the composite floor.