AU2005202365C1

AU2005202365C1 - A motor home having left and right slide outs

Info

Publication number: AU2005202365C1
Application number: AU2005202365A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Colin Maclean
Original assignee: Pmh Manufacturing Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Pmh Manufacturing Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-16
Filing date: 2005-06-01
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-01
Also published as: AU2005202365A1; AU2005202365B2

Abstract

A motor home that has left and right slide outs 10 and 12 is disclosed. The motor home 1 comprises broadly a chassis on which a body 5 is mounted. At least four wheels 3 are mounted on the chassis to support the vehicle 1 on a support surface. The body 5 comprises front and rear ends 6 and 7 and left and right sides 8 and 9 that together define an interior space. The interior space in turn comprises a front seat region and a living region rearward of that. The body also includes left and right slide outs 10 and 12 on left and right sides of the body 5 that can be moved between a contracted position in which they are flush with the side of the vehicle body 5 and an expanded condition in which they project out beyond the side of the body. The slide outs 12, 14overlap each other in the longitudinal direction by at least 900 mm. Further the slide outs 12, 14 have a width of least 400mm. The slide outs 12, 14 increase the lateral width of the interior space of the vehicle 1 and thereby assist in creating a feeling of spaciousness in the interior space of the vehicle. This enables all the essential amenities of a motor home to be contained within the body of a commercial van while still providing a comfortable and spacious living area. Fig 6 for publication caS nL

Description

A MOTOR HOME HAVING LEFT AND RIGHT SLIDE OUTS Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a vehicle body for a motor home. This invention also relates to a motor home incorporating the vehicle body. The contents of the applicant's complete application entitled 'A vehicle including a slide out and a slide out' which was filed contemporaneously herewith and was 10 allocated application number 2005202366 is hereby specifically incorporated into this specification by direct cross reference. Definitions 15 In this specification the term 'a motor home' shall be understood to mean a vehicle that has its own motive power and is capable of being driven. It also has an interior space including a front seat region including a driver's seat, and a living region positioned behind the front seat region that has been adapted to form a temporary dwelling that can be lived in for a period of time. For example the living 20 region might include one or more of the following: a bedroom or sleeping area, a kitchen and a bathroom. Typically the motor home is formed by taking a donor vehicle that is a commercial vehicle manufactured by an established manufacturer, such as a cab chassis or van type commercial vehicle that is available in the market place, and modifying the vehicle to provide a rear living 25 region. In this specification the term 'a caravan' shall be understood to be a vehicle mounted on wheels that does not have its own motive power and is towed to where it is required. A caravan may be towed by a towing vehicle that is a car or by a truck. In this specification the term 'fifth wheeler' shall be used to describe an articulating 5 truck and trailer in which the trailer has a living region forming a temporary living accommodation that is suitable for being lived out of. In this specification the term 'slide out' shall be understood to mean a member mounted on a side wall of a vehicle that can be laterally displaced outwardly when 10 the vehicle is not being driven around to create more space and a larger living region inside the vehicle. Further in this specification the term 'fitting' shall be interpreted broadly and shall include, but not be limited to kitchen fittings such as kitchen cupboards, kitchen 15 cook tops, kitchen ovens and kitchen sinks. Further it shall also include but not be limited to bathroom fittings such as toilets, basins, vanities and showers. Yet further it shall also include fittings associated with a sleeping region of a motor home such as a double bed, bedside tables, and wardrobes. Yet further it shall also include cupboards, tables and seating generally. 20 Background to the Invention The modification of vehicles to make them suitable for being lived in is known. For example a caravan is a vehicle that is towed by a powered vehicle such as a 25 family car and is well known. A caravan comprises a passive vehicle mounted on wheels that has an interior space that has been adapted to form a living region that is suitable for being lived in for a period of time. For example the living region it might typically contain a kitchen, a dining and lounge area, a bedroom or sleeping area and optionally also a bathroom and toilet facility. 30 A caravan is towed by a car, typically the family car, to where it is required and it is then detached and set up as a place to live in. Caravans offer flexibility in the sense that the caravan can be towed to wherever it is required and it is not fixed to a single destination. Further a caravan offers a temporary dwelling with fairly 5 comfortable living amenities. A development on the caravan has been the motor home. This comprises a vehicle that has an engine providing motive power to the vehicle. A motor home includes a front seat region including a driver's seat and a passenger's seat and 10 also driver's controls that enable it to be driven in the usual way like any other car. The motor home also has a living region behind the front seat region that has been modified to provide living accommodation. For example it might contain a sleeping area containing a bed, a set of cupboards, a kitchen area, a storage area for clothes and the like, and a washing area often with a toilet and a basin. It thus 15 provides a living area not unlike that contained within a caravan that is integral with the powered vehicle as distinct from being part of a separate vehicle. Motor homes are often preferred by couples because they are more compact than caravans and do not need to be hitched and then unhitched. One can simply get 20 in a motor home and drive off. With the change in lifestyles that is occurring, in particular with baby boomers starting to retire, the use of motor homes has increased markedly and this should continue. A particularly popular and widespread form of motor home is a motor home that 25 can be driven on a car licence (hereinafter referred to as a car licence motor home). Such a motor home has a weight when loaded and carrying two persons of not more than 4.5 ton (4500kg). To achieve this a motor home should have a built weight (i.e. when it is not carrying any people or cargo) that does not exceed about 4 ton (4000 kg). 30 If a motor home does not meet this requirement a driver requires a commercial truck licence to legally drive it. The rules governing the issue of truck licences are much stricter than those for car licences and the licence needs to be maintained more frequently. Owners of motor homes find the requirement of needing a truck 5 licence to drive their motor home very limiting. Many owners of motor homes are loathe to go to the trouble of obtaining and maintaining a truck licence. Accordingly it is quite apparent why there is a strong demand for motor homes which can be driven on a car licence. Further it is quite clear that motor homes that are hired out as a matter of practicality need to be able to be driven on a car 10 licence. However a motor home having a weight that qualifies it to be driven on a car licence of necessity has a very limited size. The challenge in designing such a motor home is therefore to maximize the amenity offered by the motor home so 15 that it is attractive to sophisticated and discerning motor home users while qualifying it as a car licence motor home so it can be driven on a regular car licence. Fig 1 of the drawings shows a schematic view of the layout of an interior space of 20 a prior art car licence motor home that has a weight that does not exceed 4.5 ton when loaded in a normal way and which can be driven on a car licence. The interior space can basically be divided up into a front seat region and a rear living region. A particularly limited dimension in a motor home is the lateral width 25 of the vehicle. The width of the rear living region is limited to the width of the vehicle which is generally limited to about 1.85m-2.30m. In the example prior art motor home shown in Fig 1, there is a double bed that extends transversely across the width of the vehicle. There is limited side access 30 to the bed and in particular the bed can only be accessed from one side thereof.

The other side sits up against the rear end of the vehicle. Further the foot of the bed lies up against one side of the body of the vehicle. The motor home includes an internal wall enclosing a bathroom on the side of the bed that can be accessed. The internal wall is positioned adjacent the head end 5 of the bed and consequently limits access to the head end of the bed on that side. It also forms an imposing structure next to the head end of the bed. The bathroom is compact with limited space and includes a toilet, a shower and a vanity with a hand basin. The toilet occupies the same space as the shower. The motor home further includes a kitchen area on the opposite side of the motor 10 home to the bathroom and adjacent to the foot end of the bed on the accessible side of the bed. The kitchen area includes a kitchen cupboard or kitchen cabinet extending up to a counter height with cupboards being located below the counter. A wash basin or sink and a cook plate are permanently fitted to the kitchen cupboard and are mounted on the counter. Optionally the motor home may also 15 include a TV positioned on top of the counter. Accordingly prior art motor homes have considerable limitations. This is particularly the case for compact motor homes which have a very limited interior space within which to provide the amenities. It would therefore be advantageous if a compact motor home could be devised that ameliorated the shortcomings 20 described above at least to some extent. Summary of the Invention According to this invention there is provided a motor home comprising: a chassis having wheels mounted thereon for travelling on a road surface; a vehicle body mounted on the chassis having a longitudinal axis extending 25 through front and rear ends of the vehicle body, and left and right sides extending between the front and rear ends, the vehicle body defining a front seat region and a vehicle body living region rearward of the front seat region; 5 a left slide out mounted on the left side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the left side of the vehicle body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left side of the vehicle body, the left slide out defining a left slide out interior 5 space that opens into the vehicle body living region; a right slide out mounted on the right side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the right side of the vehicle body, and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the right side of the vehicle body, the right slide out defining a right slide out 10 interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region, wherein the left and right slide outs overlap with each other in a longitudinal direction and the left slide out interior space and the right slide out interior space open into the vehicle body living region and form a continuous space which creates a feeling of spaciousness within the vehicle body living region. 15 In one aspect the motor home may include a double bed having a head end and a foot end, and the double bed may extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the motor home and the head end of the double bed may be received within one of the slide outs. In another aspect the motor home may include a bathroom within the vehicle body living region positioned adjacent to the rear end of the vehicle 20 body. In yet another aspect the motor home may include an entrance door provided access into the vehicle body living region that is defined in one side of the vehicle body, wherein at least one of the overlapping slide outs is positioned rearward of the entrance door. In yet another aspect one overlapping slide out may include a kitchen cupboard therein including a kitchen counter. 25 The motor home may further include bedside tables received within the same slide out as the head end of the double bed, positioned on each side of the double bed. The motor home may further include a refrigerator received within the same slide out as the head end of the double bed. 6 The motor home may further include a wardrobe mounted on an opposite side of the vehicle body to the slide out within which the head end of the bed is received, wherein the wardrobe at least partly laterally overlaps with the slide out within 5 which the head end of the double bed is received. The wardrobe and the foot end of the double bed may define a passageway or pedestrian walkway there between, when the slide out within which the head end of the double bed is received is in the expanded position, and at least part of each 10 side of the double bed may be open such that the side of the bed can be accessed by a user. The other slide out that does not have the foot end of the double bed received therein, may have a kitchen cupboard received therein, and the kitchen cupboard 15 may include a counter, and a cook top and a wash basin may be mounted on the counter. The other slide out that does not have the foot end of the double bed received therein, may include a seating arrangement received therein. The other slide out 20 that does not have the foot end of the double bed received therein may also include a kitchen cupboard and the seating arrangement may be positioned adjacent to the kitchen cupboard extending in the direction of length of the slide out. 25 In some embodiments where the right slide out also includes a kitchen cupboard fitting, the seating arrangement may be positioned adjacent to the kitchen cupboard fitting and the kitchen cupboard fitting and the seating arrangement may together extend substantially the full length of the slide out.

The slide out within which the head end of the double bed is received may be the left slide out and the slide out within which the kitchen cupboard is received may be the right slide out. 5 The motor home may further include a table member or dinette forming a table surface towards the left side of the vehicle body forward of the left slide out. The motor home may further include an entrance door defined in the left side of the vehicle body positioned in a longitudinal direction between the left slide out 10 and the dinette. The left and right slide outs may overlap each other in a longitudinal direction by a length of at least 900mm. In some forms the left and right slide outs may overlap each other in a longitudinal direction by a length of at least 1600mm. In at least 15 one form the left slide out may have at least half of its length overlapping in a longitudinal direction with the right slide out. In another embodiment, each slide out may extend substantially the full length of the living region of the vehicle body. It will be appreciated that the vehicle body and specifically the living region thereof 20 will have its greatest lateral width for that part of its length where the left and right slide outs overlap each other in a longitudinal direction. The effect of increased spaciousness, within the interior space of the motor home body and particularly the living region thereof, increases as the length of overlap increases in the longitudinal direction. 25 The left slide out may have a depth that increases the width of the living region of the vehicle body by at least 300mm when the left slide out is moved to the expanded position. In some forms the left slide out may have a depth that increases the width of the living region of the vehicle body by at least 500mm 30 when the left slide out is moved to the expanded position. Correspondingly the right slide out may have a depth that increases the width of the living region of the vehicle body by at least 300mm when the right slide out is moved to the expanded position. In some forms the right slide out may have a depth that increases the width of the living region of the vehicle body by at least 500mm when the right 5 slide out is moved to the expanded position. In some forms of the invention each of the left and right slide outs together may increase the width of the interior space of the vehicle by a distance of 500 1000mm, e.g. 550-800mm, when the left and right slide outs are moved from the 10 contracted to the expanded positions. The vehicle body may have a body width of up to 4000mm (4m) in the region of longitudinal overlap of the left and right slide outs. 15 The left side of the vehicle body may define a left slide out opening of complementary size and shape to the left slide out within which the left slide out is received. Similarly the right side of the vehicle body may define a right slide out opening of complementary size and shape to the right slide out within which the right slide out is received. 20 Each of the left and right slide outs may comprise a primary wall portion covering the associated left or right slide out opening in the side wall, and two end wall portions extending along each end of the primary wall portion that extend transversely in from the primary wall portion towards the vehicle body. Each of the 25 left and right slide outs may also include top wall and bottom wall portions extending along the top and bottom of the primary wall portion respectively that extend transversely in from the primary wall portion towards the vehicle body. The primary, end, top, and bottom wall portions may collectively define the slide out interior space. 30 The various portions of the slide out form a cup shaped receptacle with one side open which opens into the vehicle interior. The slide out acts to close off the vehicle interior when it is in the expanded position and while it is being moved to the expanded position. 5 Each of the left and right slide outs may be mounted on the vehicle body by means of a sliding arrangement that supports the slide out on the vehicle body while permitting the slide out to slide from the contracted to the expanded position and then back to the contracted position. 10 Further each of the left and right slide outs may include a drive arrangement for driving the associated slide out between the contracted and expanded positions on demand. The drive arrangement may include a linear actuator including a lead screw and a lead nut and wherein the lead screw rotates relative to the lead nut to 15 effect linear displacement. The vehicle may include an engine providing the motive force for displacing the vehicle along a road, e.g. an internal combustion engine or a diesel engine. The vehicle may include driver's controls in proximate relation to the driver's seat for 20 enabling a driver in the driver's seat to drive the vehicle. In particular the donor vehicle from which the motor home is built may be a light commercial van type vehicle such as a Mercedes Sprinter long wheel base van. Thus the left and right slide outs are provided to increase the lateral width of the 25 interior space of the body. The slide outs are in their contracted positions when the motor home is in its driving mode while being driven on the roads. When the vehicle is parked for camping, the slide outs can be moved to the expanded position to increase the interior space within the body of the motor home in a camping mode. The expanded position increases the lateral dimension of the 30 interior space at points along the length of the body as distinct from increasing the length of the interior space. This is very useful because it assists in creating a feeling of spaciousness within a single interior space, rather than a feeling of cramped and limited space, within two distinct interior compartments. The slide outs enable certain fittings to be mounted within a slide out yet still provide a pedestrian corridor through which a person can pass with comfort, particularly 5 when the slide outs are in their expanded position. The motor home may be a car licence motor home. That is it is a motor home that has a weight that does not exceed 4.5 ton when loaded in a normal way and can be driven on a car licence. 10 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a vehicle body comprising: a vehicle body shell having front and rear ends and left and right sides and defining an interior space; 15 slide outs mounted on the left and right sides of the body shell, each said slide out being movable between a contracted position in which it is does not project out proud of the associated side of the body shell and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the associated side of the body shell whereby to increase the interior space defined by the vehicle body. 20 The body shell may have any one or more of the features of the vehicle body described above in the first aspect of the invention. In particular the slide outs may include any one or more of the optional or preferred features of the slide outs described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. 25 The body may also one or more fittings as described above for the first aspect of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a motor home comprising: a chassis of a light commercial van; anda vehicle body mounted on the chassis, the body having front and rear ends and left and right sides and defining an 5 interior space, the body including slide outs on the left and right sides of the body, each said slide out being movable between a contracted position in which it is does not project out proud of the associated side of the body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the associated side of the body, wherein the left and right slide outs overlap each other by at least 900mm in a longitudinal 10 direction whereby to increase the interior space defined by the body of the vehicle. Each slide out may have a primary wall portion and may have fittings or units mounted to the primary wall portions. 15 The motor home may be a motor home that can be driven on a car licence. According to yet another aspect of the invention, the invention also extends to a layout of an interior space of a motor home having left and right slide outs. 20 The layout of the motor home may include any one or more of the features of the preceding aspects of the invention that relate to the positioning and arrangement of fittings within the motor home including bedroom fittings such as double beds and bedside tables, bathroom fittings such as toilets, showers and vanities, and kitchen fittings such as kitchen cupboards and cook tops, ovens and wash basins 25 and sinks.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A compact motor home that can be driven on a car licence in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter provide a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention 5 with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to put the invention into practice. It is to be clearly understood however that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding statements. In the drawings 10 Fig 1 is a schematic plan view of an internal layout for a motor home in accordance with the prior art; Fig 2 is a three dimensional view of a motor home in accordance with one embodiment of the invention having left and right slide outs, the slide outs being shown in a retracted position; 15 Fig 3 is a three dimensional view of the motor home of Fig 2 having left and right slide outs, the slide outs being shown in an expanded position; Fig 4 is a rear view of the motor home of Fig 2 with the slide outs in the expanded position shown in Fig 3; Fig 5 is a schematic top plan view showing an example internal layout of the motor 20 home shown in Fig 2; Fig 6 is a schematic top plan view showing another example internal layout of a motor home similar to that shown in Fig 2; and Fig 7 is a schematic top plan view of a motor home that is a variation on the motor home shown in Figure 2, showing the chassis and frames for each of the slide 25 outs mounted on the chassis, and the drive arrangement for the slide outs as well as some of features of layout of the motor home. Fig 1 illustrates a motor home in accordance with the prior art and as such has been discussed in the background to the invention above. It will not be described 30 further in this description.

In Figs 2 to 7 reference numeral I refers generally to a vehicle that is a motor home in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 5 The motor home (vehicle) 1 comprises broadly a chassis 3 having ground engaging wheels 4 for travelling over a road surface and a vehicle body 5 that is in turn mounted on the chassis 3. The motor home 1 also includes a vehicle drive arrangement for providing motive 10 power to the vehicle in the form of an internal combustion engine or a diesel engine. The van type motor home shown in the drawings is made from a donor vehicle that is a Mercedes SPRINTERTM van. The motor home has a weight that is not 15 more than 4.5 ton when it is loaded in a normal fashion and can be driven by a driver having a normal car licence on public roads in Australia. The vehicle body 5 has a front end 6 and a rear end 7, a left side 8 extending between the front and rear ends 6 and 7, and a right side 9 extending between the 20 front and rear ends 6 and 7. The body 5 defines an interior space 10 between the front and rear ends 6 and 7 and between the left and right sides 8 and 9. The vehicle body has a width of about 2300mm. The interior space 10 in turn comprises a front seat region 11 and a living region 25 13 rearward of the front seat region 11. The front seat region 11 in turn comprises a driver's seat 15 on the right side thereof and a passenger's seat 16 on the left side thereof. The driver's seat 15 contains driver controls, e.g. steering wheel, an ignition and driver pedals.

The driver's seat 15 and the passenger's seat 16 are in the form of swivel chairs that are rotatable. This way they can be turned around to face rearward into the living region 13 when the motor home 1 is in a camping mode as will be described in more detail below. 5 The living region 13 comprises a substantially rectangular area that is positioned behind the front seat region 11 and which is fitted out with fittings that provide the motor home 1 with temporary dwelling accommodation. The vehicle body 5 has a side door 35 on its left side 8 providing access to the living region 13. The vehicle 10 body 5 further includes a left slide out 12 mounted on the left side 8 of the body 5 and a right slide out 14 mounted on the right side 9 of the vehicle body 5. Each slide out 12, 14 comprises a primary wall portion 20 for covering that portion of the side of the vehicle body 5 across which the slide out extends, and end wall 15 portions 22, 24 at each end of the primary wall portion 20. It also includes a bottom wall portion 26 and a top wall or roof wall portion 28. The end wall portions 22, 24 and the bottom wall and roof wall portions 26, 28 extend transverse to the primary wall portion 20 to close off the interior of the slide out 12, 14 from the outside and also to integrate it into the interior space 10 of the vehicle body 5. 20 Thus the slide out 12 or 14 forms a cup shaped receptacle and the space defined by the slide out 12, 14 opens into and forms part of the vehicle interior space 10. More specifically it forms part of the living region 13 of the interior space 10. Each slide out 12, 14 is movable between a retracted or contracted position 25 shown in Fig 2 in which the slide out is substantially flush with and aligned with the associated side 8, 9 of the body 5 and an expanded position. In the expanded position shown in Fig 3, the slide outs 12, 14 project sideways or laterally outward proud of the rest of the associated side 8 or 9 of the body 5. 30 Figures 2 to 4, 6 and 7 clearly show the left and right slide outs 12, 14 on left and right sides of the vehicle body 5. The left slide out 12 extends from a rear point towards the rear end 7 of the vehicle body 5 to a forward point just rearward of the side door 35 on the left side 8 of the vehicle body 5. The right slide out 14 extends from a point just behind the front seat region 11 to a point that is rearward of the forward point of the left slide out 12. 5 Figure 5, 6 and 7 show in a plan view the two slide outs 12, 14 overlapping each other in a lengthwise or longitudinal direction. The length of longitudinal overlap of the left and right slide outs 12, 14 is about 10 500mm to 2000mm. In the illustrated embodiment in Figure 5 the length of overlap is in the range of 800mm to 1000mm. Further the width of each slide out 12, 14 is in the range of 550mm to 720mm. Figure 7 is a schematic drawing showing how the two slide outs are mounted on 15 the chassis 3. It also shows the drive arrangements that are used to move the slide outs between the retracted and expanded positions. Each slide out 12, 14 is mounted on the body 5 by means of a plurality of sliding arrangements each of which includes a pair of engaging male and female 20 members. The sliding arrangements are shown very schematically in Figure 7 of the drawings. The male member of each pair of engaging pair of male and female members is mounted on the slide out 12, 14 and the female member is mounted on the vehicle body 5 and more specifically the chassis thereof. The sliding arrangements receive the male member within the female member with a close 25 tolerance fit that enables the slide out to be very accurately guided between the retracted and expanded positions. Further the close tolerance fit also means that each male member is tightly received within its associated female member and this resists its ability to rattle.

In addition to being able to very accurately position the slide outs 12, 14 relative to the vehicle body 5, the male and female members occupy only a modest amount of space within the body of the motor home 1. Further the male and female members are positioned beneath an internal floor of the vehicle body 5 on which 5 the fittings are mounted. As such they do not project into the living region 13 and interfere with fittings in the living region 13. Further as shown in Fig 7, a drive means or a drive arrangement which is in the form of a plurality of linear actuators is used to drive each slide out 12, 14 10 between the retracted and expanded positions. In the illustrated embodiment the drive arrangement comprises one linear actuator 30 located towards one end of the slide out 12 or 14 and another actuator 32 located towards the other end of the slide out 12 or 14. The linear actuators 30, 32 are well suited to driving the slide outs 12, 14 as they are capable of very precise movement and can move the 15 slide outs 12, 14 very accurately from the retracted to the expanded position and then back again from the expanded to the retracted position. Fig 5 illustrates one example layout within the interior space of the vehicle body and in particular the living region thereof. 20 The layout shows an arrangement of fittings within the living region 13 that achieve a certain level of living amenity within the living region 13 of the motor home 1. The term fittings shall be interpreted to include furniture such as beds and tables, appliances such as refrigerators, and ovens, as well as structures that 25 are permanently mounted on the vehicle body 5 such as wardrobes, kitchen counters and also bathroom fittings such as showers, vanities with hand basins and toilets. As shown in Fig 5 the left slide out 12 has a double bed 41 that is partly received 30 within the left slide out 12. The double bed 41 has a head end or a head or pillow region 42 and a foot end 43 and a bed longitudinal axis 45 extending between the head end 42 and the foot end 43. The bed longitudinal axis 45 extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body 5 and assumes what is known as an east-west configuration. The head end 42 of the double bed 41 is received within the left slide out 12 and the foot end 43 of the double bed 41 is received 5 within the interior space of the vehicle body 5. The slide out 12 also includes bedside tables, on each side of the head end 42 of the double bed 41. One bedside table 40 is positioned on the side of the double bed 41 that is proximate to the rear end 7 of the vehicle body 5 and the other 10 bedside table 44 is positioned on the side of the bed 41 that is proximate to the rear end 7 of the vehicle body 5. With this layout the double bed 42 has a bedside table 40, 44 on each side of the head end 42 thereof but otherwise the sides of the double bed 41 are substantially 15 free of fittings thereby enabling a user to access the double bed 41 from each side thereof. This is known as an island bed and considerably enhances the amenity provided by the double bed 42. Thus the motor home 1 has what is known as an island bed arranged with a transverse or east west orientation and this feature has been a considerable step forward in the amenity conferred by a motor home. 20 The left slide out also includes a refrigerator and/or freezer 46 substantially fully received within the slide out 12 forward of the head end 42 of the double bed 41. In particular the refrigerator 46 is positioned forward of and adjacent to the bedside table 44. Each bedside table 42 and 44 and the refrigerator 46 occupies 25 substantially the full width of the slide out 12. The motor home 1 and specifically the layout thereof also includes a wardrobe 70 on the right side 9 thereof that is broadly laterally aligned with the double bed 41. The wardrobe 70 extends up the full height of the living region 13 and has a mirror 30 72 extending across its full face. The wardrobe 70 has a width that can receive a coat hanger in a way that enables clothes to be hung in the wardrobe with the direction of the coat hanger extending transverse to the length of the wardrobe 70. The ability to hang the hangers in the wardrobe in this orientation is important to enable a user to make optimal use of the space within the wardrobe. 5 The vehicle body 5 also includes a pantry cupboard 76 on the right side 9 of the vehicle body 5. The pantry cupboard 76 is positioned adjacent to the mirrored wardrobe 70 forward of the wardrobe 70. Further as shown in the drawings, the pantry cupboard 76 is positioned rearward of the right slide out 14. 10 The vehicle body 5 also includes a full bathroom 80 towards the rear of the living region 13 extending to the rear end 7 of the vehicle body 5 that extends across the full width of the vehicle body 5. Further the bathroom 80 is closed off by an interior wall 82 that extends across the width of the vehicle body 5 spaced forward of the rear end 7 of the vehicle body 5. 15 The bathroom 80 includes a toilet 84, a shower 86 which occupies its own space, and a vanity 88 with a vanity counter and a wash basin 90 mounted in the vanity counter. The shower 86 is positioned in the left rear corner and the vanity 88 is positioned in the right rear corner and the toilet 84 including toilet pedestal is 20 positioned in between the shower 86 and the vanity 88. The vanity 88 has a washing machine and a clothes hamper positioned beneath the vanity counter. The bathroom 80 also includes overhead cupboards positioned along the rear end 7 of the vehicle body 5 intermediate the shower 86 25 and the vanity 88. The bathroom 80 also includes a linen cupboard spaced above the vanity 88 on the right side 9 of the vehicle body 5. The right slide out 14 of the motor home I has a lounge seat 50 and a kitchen cupboard 52 forming a kitchen counter including a cook top. The lounge seat 50 30 and the kitchen cupboard 52 each occupy substantially the full width of the slide out 14 and are arranged side by side along the length of the slide out 14. The lounge seat 50 is permanently mounted and fitted to the slide out 14 and includes a seat back that rests up against the primary wall portion 20 of the slide out 14. The kitchen cupboard 52 also includes a kitchen sink 53 for washing up mounted 5 on the counter. Optionally it might also include an oven received in the kitchen cupboard 52 beneath the counter thereof. Further the right slide out 14 also includes overhead cupboards for general storage positioned spaced above the lounge seat 50 and kitchen cupboard 52 and extending along the length of the slide out 14. 10 The vehicle body 5 also includes a fitting such as a small table member suitable for dining use (hereinafter called a dinette 94), and a dinette swivel chair 96 near the dinette 94. The dinette 94 is positioned on the right side of the vehicle body 5 forward of the side door 35. 15 The driver's seat 15 and the passenger seat 16 can be swivelled around to face into the living region 13 of the vehicle body 5 when the motor home 1 is in the camping mode. This way the seats 15 and 16 can be integrated into the living region 13 by turning them around so they face into the living region 13. In 20 particular the passenger's seat 16 can be turned around to face the dinette 94 opposite to the dinette chair 96. The vehicle body 5 in Figure 5 also includes overhead cupboards extending along the left side 8 of the body 5 forward of the door 35. These cupboards are spaced 25 above the dinette 94 so as not to interfere with a person sitting at the dinette 94. In use, the slide outs 12 and 14 are positioned in the retracted position when the motor home 1 is in a travelling mode suitable for travelling on the road. When the vehicle 1 stops at a camping site, the motor home is transformed into a camping 30 mode by moving the slide outs 12, 14 to the expanded position. The camping mode opens up the interior space 10 of the vehicle body 5 10 as shown in the drawings and particularly the living region 13 thereof, and considerably increases the feeling of spaciousness within the interior space of the vehicle 5. A key feature in providing this amenity is having left and right slide outs 12, 14 that overlap each other along their length. 5 Fig 6 illustrates a motor home having a layout that is different to that in Figure 5. However as many of the structural features and fittings of the Fig 6 motor home are the same, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. 10 The motor home 1 shown in Figure 6 has a right slide out 14 having a lounge seat 50 towards the front of the slide out 14, and a kitchen cupboard 52 positioned rearward of the lounge seat 50. The kitchen cupboard 52 has a counter with a hot plate 52 and a sink 53. It also has an oven received within the cupboard beneath 15 the counter (not shown). The motor home 1 also has a refrigerator 46 rearward of the kitchen cupboard 52 and a pantry 76 in turn rearward of the refrigerator 46. The left slide out 12 by contrast includes a bathroom 80 and also a bed region containing a double bed 41. The bathroom 80 in the left slide out 12 includes a toilet 84 towards one end thereof and a shower 86 adjacent to the toilet 84. 20 Optionally it also includes a vanity 88 towards a rear end thereof. The bathroom 80 is enclosed within an internal wall. The double bed 41 is an island double bed arranged in a transverse configuration or east west configuration, and the double bed 41 has a head end 42 which is 25 received within the slide out 12 and a foot end 43 which is received within the living region 13 of the body 5. The double bed 41 has some space on each side thereof and around its foot end 43 at least when the left slide out 12 is in the expanded position.

In the illustrated embodiment a bedside table 44 is positioned on one side of the head end 42 of the bed 41, behind the shower 86. A slide out washing machine may be positioned underneath the bedside table 44 to utilise the space beneath the bedside table 44. On the other side of the head end 42 of the double bed 41 is 5 another bedside table 40. The motor home 1 further includes a wardrobe 70 on the right side 9 of the vehicle body 5 opposite to the double bed 41. The wardrobe 70 has a mirror on its front surface and is closely spaced from the foot end 43 of the double bed 41 when the 10 left slide out 12 is in the retracted position and the motor home 1 is in the travelling mode. However a walkway or passageway is defined between the wardrobe 70 and the foot end 43 of the double bed 41 when the motor home 1 is in the camping mode with the left slide out 12 in the expanded position. Conveniently the motor home 1 also has a TV and DVD player mounted on or 15 about the wardrobe 70. As with the Fig 5 motor home, the Fig 6 motor home 1 also includes a dinette 94 on the left side of the body 5 forward of the left slide out 12. The motor home 1 also includes a dinette swivel chair 96 on one side of the dinette 94. Further the 20 driver's seat 15 and the passenger's seat 16 in the front seat region 11 are also swivel chairs that can be turned around to face into the living region 13. In particular the passenger's seat 16 can be turned around to face towards the dinette 94 in opposition to the seat 96. 25 The motor home 1 in Figure 6 also has some further fittings that will be described below. The left slide out 12 has overhead cupboards mounted on the primary wall portion 20 thereof spaced above the head 42 of the double bed 41. The motor home 1 also has overhead cupboards mounted on the left side 8 of the vehicle body 5 forward of the side door 35 that are spaced above the dinette 94 and that 30 are sufficiently high not to interfere with a person seated at the dinette 94. The motor home 1 includes further overhead cupboards that are mounted on the primary wall portion 20 of the right slide out 14. The overhead cupboards are spaced sufficiently high above the lounge seat 50 and the kitchen cupboard 52 that they do not interfere with utilisation of these fittings. 5 The slide outs 12, 14 shown in Fig 6 are quite a bit longer than those in the Fig 5 motor home. Further the length of longitudinal overlap of the two slide outs is about 1600-1700mm and the width of each of the slide outs 12, 14 is about 550 720mm. 10 The Fig 6 motor home 1 has more features in its right slide out 14 than the right slide out 14 in the Fig 5 motor home 1. For example it has a refrigerator and pantry adjacent the kitchen cupboard. In the left slide out 12 it has a separate toilet and shower within the slide out 12 as distinct from being mounted on the vehicle body 5 towards the rear end 7 of the motor home 1. This enables the 15 double bed 41 to be placed further back towards the rear end 7 than in the Fig 5 embodiment. This increases the area between the bed 12 and the front seat region 11 which is an important part of the living space. The living region has a width of about 2000mm between the units received within 20 the opposing slide outs 12, 14. The distance between the forward side of the double bed -41 and the front seat region 11 is about 3500mm. The lateral width of a motor home is limited by road regulations which effectively limit the external width of a motor vehicle to about 2.2 to 2.3.m so that it can safely 25 travel in a vehicle lane on a roadway. Applicant's research into prior art compact motor homes like that in Figure 1 showed that users found the living region to be very confined and cramped. Consequently users had difficulty relaxing in the motor home and living within the 30 motor home for any length of time. This narrow lateral width is exacerbated by the way in which the fittings are arranged in the motor home. For example in the Figure 1 prior art motor home the fittings are arranged on left and right sides of the motor home along the length of the motor home. For example the enclosed bathroom and the kitchen cupboards and lounge seating and the dinette all 5 encroach on the lateral space of the body of the motor home. The enclosed bathroom in a mid-region of the living region is particularly intrusive as the walls of the bathroom extend from the internal floor up to the roof wall or top wall of the body 5. 10 Applicant recognised that the evolutionary origins of man living in caves had an effect on people that made them inherently more comfortable living in spaces with much greater lateral width relative to their length. Applicant also recognised that the prior art motor homes have a layout having a longitudinal length that is much greater than their lateral width. 15 Applicant concluded that a motor home like that in Figure 1 would never be able to provide living accommodation in which users feel inherently comfortable and in which they could live in comfort for a period of time such as several weeks or months. This is particularly the case for those users that have become used to 20 high level of amenity in their homes and in their lives generally, such as wealthy baby boomers. The Applicant's discovery led it to realise that the width of the motor home had to be widened along at least part of its length and that the widened areas within the 25 motor home needed to be unified, that is they had to open into one space and not be separated from each other. In short the Applicant has recognised that an innovation which opened up the living region, particularly in a lateral direction, to generate a feeling of space such that users did not feel hemmed in would be a significant step forward in the art. Applicant's solution as defined in this application 30 is to provide a motor home having left and right slide outs that overlap with each other in a longitudinal direction and that open into a continuous interior space within the motor home. An advantage of the motor home described above with reference to the drawings 5 is that it provides a much wider central living space within the living region. Further the motor home shown in Figure 5 does not have any floor to ceiling fittings intermediate the ends of the living region. This creates a bigger open space which confers a multiplier effect in creating a perception or feeling of an even substantially greater spaciousness within the living region of the motor home 10 than the actual dimensions. In particular the motor home provides a reasonable living space within which the occupants can live with some degree of comfort. It genuinely offers a place in which to eat, relax and socialise within the body of the vehicle and not just a place to sleep, cook and wash. 15 Another advantage of the motor home described above with reference to the drawings is that it is a car licence motor home that can be driven by a driver on a car licence. That is it has a weight when loaded of not more than 4.5 ton and can be driven on a car licence. At the same time it is able to provide a very high standard of amenity that would appeal to a discerning customer. 20 A further advantage of the motor homes illustrated in the drawings is that they enable an island double bed with an east west configuration to be provided. This provides users with access to their side of the double bed. Further it provides a wardrobe on the side of the motor home opposite to the foot end of the double 25 bed and the additional space provided by the slide out enables a walkway to be provided around the foot end of the double bed. An advantage of the motor homes described above and illustrated in the drawings is that they provide a full bathroom with separate shower, toilet and vanity. These 30 are important features if a woman is to travel in a motor home for any length of time.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within 5 the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims

1. A motor home comprising: a chassis having wheels thereon for travelling on a road surface; a vehicle body on the chassis having a longitudinal axis extending through front and rear ends of the vehicle body, and left and right sides extending between the front and rear ends, the vehicle body defining a front seat region and a vehicle body living region rearward of the front seat region; a left slide out mounted on the left side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the left side of the vehicle body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left side of the vehicle body, the left slide out defining a left slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region; a right slide out mounted on the right side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the right side of the vehicle body, and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the right side of the vehicle body, the right slide out defining a right slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region, wherein the left and right overlapping slide outs overlap with each other in a longitudinal direction and the left slide out interior space and the right slide out interior space open into the vehicle body living region and form a continuous space which creates a feeling of spaciousness within the vehicle body living region; and a double bed received in the vehicle body living region extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the motor home, the double bed having a head end positioned within one of the overlapping slide outs and a foot end projecting into the vehicle body living region.

2. A motor home according to claim 1, wherein the other overlapping slide out has at least one of a kitchen cupboard or a seating arrangement received therein. 27

3. A motor home according to claim 2, wherein the other overlapping slide out includes a kitchen cupboard therein and the kitchen cupboard includes a kitchen counter, and a cook top and a wash basin on the kitchen counter,

4. A motor home according to claim 3, wherein the other overlapping slide out further includes a seating arrangement that is positioned adjacent to the kitchen cupboard in a direction of length of the slide out.

5, A motor home according to claim 2, wherein the other overlapping slide out includes a seating arrangement received therein,

6. A motor home according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further including a refrigerator received within said one overlapping slide out within which the head end of the double bed is received.

7. A motor home according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further including bedside tables received within said one overlapping slide out within which the head end of the double bed is received, positioned on each side of the double bed.

8. A motor home according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further including a wardrobe on an opposite side of the vehicle body to said one overlapping slide out within which the head end of the bed is received, wherein the wardrobe is positioned alongside the foot of the double bed in the direction of length of the vehicle body.

9. A motor home according to claim 8, wherein the wardrobe and the foot end of the double bed define a passageway or pedestrian walkway there between when the slide out within which the head end of the double bed is received is in the expanded position, and wherein the double bed has two sides and the sides are open so that the bed can be accessed from each side thereof, 28

10, A motor home according to any one of claims I to 9, wherein said one overlapping slide out which receives the head end of the double bed is the left slide out, and the other slide out is the right slide out.

11. A motor home according to claim 10, further including a member forming a dining table member or dinette on the left side of the vehicle body forward of the left slide out.

12. A motor home according to claim 11, further including an entrance door defined in the left side of the vehicle body positioned between the left slide out and the dinette.

13. A motor home according to any one of claims I to 12, wherein the left and right slide outs overlap each other in a longitudinal direction by a distance of at least 900mm.

14. A motor home according to claim 13, wherein the left and right slide outs overlap each other in a longitudinal direction by a distance of at least 1600mm, and the left slide out has a depth that increases the width of the vehicle body by at least 300mm when the left slide out is moved to the expanded position, and wherein the right slide out has a depth that increases the width of the vehicle body by at least 300mm when the right slide out is moved to the expanded position, and wherein the left slide out has a depth that increases the width of the vehicle body by at least 500mm when the left slide out is moved to the expanded position, and wherein the right slide out has a depth that increases the width of the vehicle body by at least 500mm when the right slide out is moved to the expanded position.

15. A motor home according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the left side of the vehicle body defines a left slide out opening of complementary size and shape to the left slide out within which the left slide out is received, and wherein the right side 29 of the vehicle body defines a right slide out opening of complementary size and shape to the right slide out within which the right slide out is received.

16. A motor home according to claim 15, wherein each of the left and right slide outs comprises a primary wall portion covering the associated left or right slide out opening in the side wall, two end wall portions extending along each end of the primary wall portion that extend transversely in from the primary wall portion towards the vehicle body, and top wall and bottom wall portions extending along the top and bottom of the primary wall portion respectively that extend transversely in from the primary wall portion towards the vehicle body, and wherein the wall portions collectively define the slide out interior space of the associated slide out.

17. A motor home according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the left and right slide outs is mounted on the vehicle body by means of a sliding arrangement that supports the slide out on the vehicle body while permitting the slide out to slide from the contracted to the expanded positions and then back to the contracted positions.

18. A motor home according to claim 17, wherein each of the left and right slide outs includes a drive arrangement for driving the associated slide out between the contracted and expanded positions on demand, and wherein the drive arrangement includes a linear actuator including a lead screw and a lead nut and wherein the lead screw rotates relative to the lead nut to effect linear displacement of the actuator.

19. A motor home comprising: a chassis having wheels thereon for travelling on a road surface; a vehicle body on the chassis having a longitudinal axis extending through front and rear ends of the vehicle body, and left and right sides extending between the front and rear ends, the vehicle body defining a front seat region and a vehicle body living region rearward of the front seat region; 30 a left slide out mounted on the left side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the left side of the vehicle body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left side of the vehicle body, the left slide out defining a left slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region; a right slide out mounted on the right side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the right side of the vehicle body, and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the right side of the vehicle body, the right slide out defining a right slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region, wherein the left and right overlapping slide outs overlap with each other in a longitudinal direction and the left slide out interior space and the right slide out interior space open into the vehicle body living region and form a continuous space which creates a feeling of spaciousness within the vehicle body living region; and a bathroom within the vehicle body living region positioned adjacent to the rear end of the vehicle body.

20. A motor home comprising: a chassis having wheels mounted thereon for travelling on a road surface; a vehicle body mounted on the chassis having a longitudinal axis extending through front and rear ends of the vehicle body, and left and right sides extending between the front and rear ends, the vehicle body defining a front seat region and a vehicle body living region rearward of the front seat region: a left slide out mounted on the left side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the left side of the vehicle body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left side of the vehicle body, the left slide out defining a left slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region: and a right slide out mounted on the right side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the right side of the vehicle body, and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the 31 right side of the vehicle body, the right slide out defining a right slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region, wherein the left and right slide outs overlap with each other in a longitudinal direction and the left slide out interior space and the right slide out interior space open into the vehicle body living region and form a continuous space which creates a feeling of spaciousness within the vehicle body living region; and an entrance door provided access into the vehicle body living region that is defined in one side of the vehicle body, wherein at least one of the overlapping slide outs is positioned rearward of the entrance door.

21. A motor home according to claim 20, wherein at least part of the other overlapping slide out extends rearward of the entrance door.

22. A motor home comprising: a chassis having wheels thereon for travelling on a road surface; a vehicle body on the chassis having a longitudinal axis extending through front and rear ends of the vehicle body, and left and right sides extending between the front and rear ends, the vehicle body defining a front seat region and a vehicle body living region rearward of the front seat region; a left slide out mounted on the left side of the vehicle body that is translationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the left side of the vehicle body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left side of the vehicle body, the left slide out defining a left slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region; a right slide out mounted on the right side of the vehicle body that is transiationally displaceable between a contracted position in which it is received within the right side of the vehicle body, and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the right side of the vehicle body, the right slide out defining a right slide out interior space that opens into the vehicle body living region, wherein the left and right overlapping slide outs overlap with each other in a longitudinal direction and the left slide out interior space and the right slide out 32 interior space open into the vehicle body living region and form a continuous space which creates a feeling of spaciousness within the vehicle body living region, and wherein one overlapping slide out includes a kitchen cupboard therein including a kitchen counter.

23. A motor home according to claim 22, wherein the kitchen cupboard including the kitchen counter includes a cook top and wash basin on the kitchen counter.

24. A motor home substantially as herein described in the detailed description of the invention with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings. 33