AU2007216839B2

AU2007216839B2 - A vehicle body and a vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2007216839B2
Application number: AU2007216839A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Colin Robert Maclean
Original assignee: Paradise Motor Homes Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Paradise Motor Homes Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-19
Filing date: 2007-09-19
Publication date: 2012-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-19
Also published as: AU2007216839A1

Abstract

A recreational vehicle that is a motor home is disclosed. The motor home includes a vehicle body shell arrangement 3 having a front wall 5 and a rear wall 7 and left 5 and right sides 9, 11 that together define an interior space. The interior space is divided up into a front seat region 13 and a rear living region 15. The rear living region 15 comprises rooms and arrangements that enable users to live in the motor home. The motor home includes a slide out 25 on the body shell 3 that is movable between a contracted position in which it is received within the body shell 10 arrangement 3 and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the walls of the body shell arrangement 3. The slide out 25 has at least one bathroom fitting mounted thereon and forms at least part of a bathroom. The size of the bathroom is expanded significantly when the slide out is moved to its extended position and this considerably increases the amenity afforded by the bathroom 51. FIG. 4 FOR PUBLICATION FTO-o -LID

Description

1 A VEHICLE BODY AND A VEHICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a vehicle body. It also extends to a vehicle having the vehicle body and also to a method of increasing the size of a bathroom within a vehicle. This invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a recreational vehicle that 10 is a motor home and it will therefore be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this example application. However it is to be clearly understood that the invention is capable of broader application. For example the invention could equally be applied to a recreational vehicle that is a caravan or a fifth wheeler. 15 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Powered recreational vehicles such as motor homes and passive towed recreational vehicles such as caravans and motor homes are widely used in many 20 countries around the world. A motor home has its own engine and motive power and does not need to be towed. It typically comprises a commercial base vehicle such as a cab chassis truck or a van that is built up so that it is adapted to be lived in. The motor home 25 defines an interior space made up of a front seat space with a driver's seat and a passenger seat and a rear living region behind the front seat space. The rear living space of the motor home is fitted out with the usual amenities of a home that enable it to be lived in. 30 A caravan by contrast is a passive vehicle that is towed by a powered vehicle that defines an interior space that is fitted out to be lived in. Typically it has a lounge 2 and a dining area, a kitchen area, a bedroom area and often also a bathroom as well. A fifth wheeler is a passive vehicle that is a semi-trailer that is mounted on a tray 5 of a tow vehicle such that it can pivot and articulate relative thereto. Like the caravan it has an interior space that is fitted out to be lived in. It will readily be appreciated that space is at a premium in the interior space of a motor home, caravan and fifth wheeler. This is particularly so in a rear living 10 region of a motor home. Each amenity or fitting such as a bed, a cupboard, a table, a kitchen appliance or a shower, is generally fitted or mounted against a wall extending along the sides of the living space of the vehicle. The length of these two side walls is limited by the 15 length of the vehicle and very often there are practical limitations on the length of a recreational vehicle. Usually the length of a recreational vehicle is limited considerations such as drivability, manoeuvrability and parking to a length of about 8m to 9m. The width of a road going vehicle is limited to enable it to be safely received within a vehicle lane on a road. Effectively the road use regulations limit 20 the total width of such vehicles to 2.5 m to enable the vehicle to travel within a single lane of a road. Accordingly it is a constant challenge for designers of recreational vehicles to provide a comfortable home in the rear living region of a motor home with these 25 length and width limitations. There is therefore an ongoing need for innovations that enable the interior space of a recreational vehicle to be increased or to be used more effectively or efficiently. Fig. 1 illustrates a motor home in accordance with the prior art. As can clearly be 30 seen the motor home has an interior space that is very cramped and has very limited space particularly in a lateral direction across the width of the motor home. The motor home has a small and compact bathroom positioned along the right 3 side of the vehicle. The bathroom has a toilet and a shower that occupy the same space and a vanity adjacent the toilet/shower. However it is immediately obvious that the bathroom is very small. For example it would not be practical for more than one person to use the bathroom at the same time. Further a 5 person using the bathroom has limited space to move around in the bathroom and to towel themselves or arrange their hair. However it is not a simple matter to simply increase the size of the bathroom because it would then be extremely difficult to fit all the other amenities such as bed and kitchen area into the living space. 10 Clearly therefore there is an ongoing need for innovations that enable the interior space of a recreational vehicle to be increased or to be used more effectively or efficiently. In particular it would be advantageous if a more spacious bathroom could be provided in a motor home without appropriating 15 space required for other amenities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a recreational vehicle 20 body for forming part of a recreational vehicle or being mountable on a recreational vehicle, the body including: a body shell defining at least one end body wall and two side body walls extending away from the end body wall, the body shell defining an interior space that includes a stowing zone; 25 a slide out defining a slide out interior space that is mounted on an end body wall of the body shell, that is movable between a retracted position in which the slide out is received within the stowing zone of the body shell and an extended position in which the slide out projects out of the stowing zone; and a bathroom that is formed by a combination of the slide out and the 30 portion of the stowing zone when the end slide out is displaced to the extended position.

3a The slide out may have at least one bathroom fitting mounted thereon. Further the bathroom may include substantially all the stowing zone when the end slide out is in the extended position. 5 The body shell may further include an internal partition for closing off the stowing zone from the rest of the interior space, and substantially the entire stowing zone may form the bathroom. The internal partition may include a wall having an access opening therein and a closable door mounted in the access 10 opening. Instead the partition may include a collapsible wall that can be pulled closed or pushed open in concertina fashion. The body shell may have an end body wall that is a rear body wall and the slide out may be mounted on the rear body wall and extend across substantially all of 15 the rear body wall. The interior space of the slide out may have a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved of 1.0m to 1.5m, and the bathroom may have a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved of 2.Om to 3.0m, and the interior space 20 of the slide out may have a length of 2.3m to 2.5m in a direction extending orthogonally to the direction in which the slide out is moved. The slide out may include a primary wall extending along the length of the slide out, and the slide out may further include a side wall extending transversely 25 away from the primary wall. The primary wall and the side wall may comprise a substantially rigid box shaped arrangement of unitary construction facing into the interior space, with the side wall being fixed and comprising top and bottom side wall portions and 30 left and right side wall portions extending between the primary wall and the body shell when the slide out is in the extended position.

3b The slide out may have a plurality of bathroom fittings mounted thereon that is selected from the group consisting of: a shower, and a toilet and a vanity. Conveniently the plurality of bathroom fittings mounted on the slide out includes 5 each of (or all of) a shower, and a toilet and a vanity. The bathroom may include a shower against the primary wall towards one end of the primary wall and a toilet against the primary wall towards the other end of the primary wall, and a vanity mounted against the primary wall intermediate the 10 shower and the toilet. Instead the bathroom may include a shower against the primary wall towards one end of the primary wall and a vanity mounted against the primary wall towards the other end of the primary wall, and a toilet mounted against the primary wall intermediate the shower and the vanity. 15 The recreational vehicle body may include a water service supply and a waste water disposal unit on the body shell, and a water service connector may extend from the water service supply to the shower and/or vanity on the slide out, and a waste water connector may extend from the shower and/or vanity to the waste water disposal unit. 20 The invention extends to a motor home, a caravan, and a fifth wheeler including the vehicle body defined in the preceding aspect of the invention. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a recreational 25 motor home including: a body shell defining a rear body wall and two side walls extending away from the rear body wall, the body shell defining an interior space that includes a stowing zone and including an internal partition mounted on the body shell for closing off the stowing zone from the rest of the interior space; 30 a rear slide out defining a slide out interior space mounted on the rear body wall that is movable between a retracted position in which the slide out is received within the stowing zone and an extended position in which the slide out 3c projects out of the stowing zone, the rear slide out having a plurality of bathroom fittings mounted thereon that is selected from the group consisting of: a shower, and a toilet and a vanity; and a bathroom that is formed by the slide out interior space and the stowing 5 space, the size of the bathroom being increased when the rear slide out is in its extended position, with the partition closing off the bathroom from the remainder of the interior space to provide privacy in the bathroom. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of 10 increasing the size of a bathroom within a recreational vehicle body, the method comprising: providing a body shell having an interior space defining a slide out stowing zone the body shell having a slide out mounted thereon that is displaceable between a retracted position and an expanded position; 15 forming a bathroom from the slide out and the stowing zone; and displacing the slide out of the stowing zone to the extended position to increase the size of the bathroom. The slide out may define a slide out interior space. The bathroom may be 20 formed by a combination of the slide out and that portion of the stowing zone that is exposed by displacement of the slide out to the extended position. Displacing the slide out to the extended position may include displacing the slide out substantially fully out of the stowing zone so that the bathroom comprises a combination of the slide out interior space and substantially the 25 entire stowing zone. The method may include partitioning the stowing zone off from the remainder of the interior space by means of a partition to provide privacy within the bathroom.

3d According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a vehicle body for forming part of a vehicle or being mountable on a vehicle, the body including: 5 a body shell arrangement having body walls defining an interior space; a slide out defining a slide out interior space, that is movable between a retracted position in which the slide out is at least partly received within the body shell and an extended position in which the slide out projects away from the body shell, wherein the slide out has at least one bathroom fitting mounted 10 thereon. The interior space of the body shell arrangement may include a stowing zone, and the slide out may occupy the stowing zone when the slide out is in the retracted condition. The slide out may be displaced away from the stowing 15 zone when the slide out is moved to the extended condition.

4 The vehicle body may include a bathroom, and the slide out interior space may form at least part of the bathroom. The body walls may comprise a front body wall and a rear body wall, and two side 5 body walls extending between the front and rear body walls. In some forms of the invention the bathroom comprises the slide out interior space and also at least part of the stowing zone within the interior space of the body, e.g. the bathroom may comprise the slide out interior space and also substantially the 10 entire stowing zone. In these forms the vehicle body may further include an internal partition for closing off the bathroom from the rest of the interior space of the body shell arrangement. In one form the partition may include a wall mounted on the body shell 15 arrangement having an access opening therein and a closable door mounted in the door opening. In another form the partition may be in the form of a collapsible wall that can be pulled closed or pushed open in a concertina fashion. The slide out may be positioned such that it extends across at least part of the rear 20 body wall, e.g. the slide out may extend across substantially all of the rear body wall. Instead the slide out may be positioned such that it extends across at least part of a said side body wall. 25 The interior space of the slide out may have a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved to the extended position of 0.5m to 2.0m, e.g. a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved of 1.0m to 1.5m. 30 The bathroom may have a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved of 2.Om to 3.0m, e.g. the stowing zone forming part of the bathroom may have a depth of 1.0 to 1.5m and the depth of the slide out may be 1.0m to 1.5m.

5 Conveniently the slide out and the stowing zone may be substantially the same size and the slide out may fill the stowing zone in the retracted position. Consequently when the slide out is moved to the extended position the stowing zone and the slide out may each contribute about 1/3 to 2/3 of the size of the 5 bathroom. This depth in the bathroom enables two people to use the bathroom at the same time. For example if one person is using a vanity then another person can walk behind the person at the vanity without having to bump them or deliberately squeeze past them. Further a person can get out of the shower and dry 10 themselves while another person is standing over the vanity. The interior space of the slide out may have a width, extending orthogonally to the direction in which the slide out is moved between the retracted and extended conditions, of 2.Om to 3.0m, e.g. a width extending orthogonally to the direction in 15 which the slide out is moved to the extended condition of 2.3m to 2.5m. In other forms of the invention the slide out interior space forms substantially all the bathroom and the stowing zone does not form part of the bathroom when the slide out is in the extended condition. This is therefore different to the forms above 20 where the stowing zone does form part of the bathroom when the slide out is in the extended position. In these other forms the body may further include an internal partition for closing off the bathroom from the interior space of the body shell arrangement. The 25 partition may be in the form of a wall mounted on the slide out having an access opening therein and a closable door mounted in the door opening. Instead the partition may be in the form of a collapsible wall which can be pulled closed or pushed open in a concertina fashion. 30 In these other forms of the invention the slide out may be positioned such that it extends across at least part of a said side body wall, e.g. intermediate the front 6 and rear body walls. The slide out may be positioned in a very broad sense about 1/3 to 2/3 of the way along the length of a said side body wall. Instead the slide out may be positioned such that it extends across at least part of 5 the rear body wall, e.g. across substantially all of the rear body wall. The interior space of the slide out may have a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved to the extended position of 0.5m to 3.0m, e.g. 1.0m to 3.0m. Further the interior space of the slide out may have a width extending orthogonally 10 to the direction in which the interior space of the slide out is moved between the retracted and extended conditions of 2.Om to 2.5m. In many forms of the invention the bathroom may include a plurality of bathroom fittings, e.g. mounted on the slide outs. The bathroom fittings may include a 15 shower, and/or a vanity, and/or a shower. The vanity may be a double vanity with two hand basins side by side. The slide out may include a primary slide out wall extending along the length of the slide out, and the bathroom may include a shower towards one end of the primary 20 slide out wall and a toilet towards the other end of the primary slide out wall. The slide out may include a double vanity mounted against the primary slide out wall intermediate the ends of the primary slide out wall, e.g. alone or in combination with one or both of the toilet and shower described in the preceding statement. 25 The vehicle body may further include a water service connector extending from a water service supply on the body shell arrangement to the shower and/or vanity on the slide out. The body may further include a waste water connector extending from the shower and/or vanity to a waste water disposal unit on the body shell arrangement. 30 In addition to the primary wall of the slide out described above, the slide out may further include a slide out side wall extending transversely away from the primary 7 wall around the periphery thereof. The slide out side wall may conveniently comprise top and bottom side wall portions and left and right side wall portions. The slide out may have a substantially box shaped arrangement of unitary construction facing into the interior space of the body shell arrangement with the 5 side walls extending between the slide out primary wall and the body shell arrangement in the extended condition. The slide out may be directly or indirectly mounted on the body shell arrangement. The body shell arrangement may comprise a support and a body superstructure 10 mounted on the support, and the slide out may be mounted on the support. The superstructure may be made of steel from a plurality of sections that are joined together permanently, e.g. by welding and define the basic shape and configuration of the body shell arrangement. 15 In particular the support may comprise a substantially horizontally extending chassis frame. Instead the body may be of monocoque construction in which case the body is made out of a sheet material having structural strength, e.g. a composite material, and will not include a chassis frame. 20 The vehicle body may include a further slide out, e.g. that is free of bathroom fittings and does not form part of a bathroom, on one body side wall of the body shell arrangement, e.g. a left side wall of the body shell arrangement. The vehicle body may also include a yet further side slide out, e.g. that is free of 25 bathroom fittings and does not form part of a bathroom, on the other body side wall of the body shell arrangement, e.g. the right side wall of the body shell arrangement. Where the bathroom slide out is positioned on a side wall of the body shell 30 arrangement then the vehicle body may include a further slide out , e.g. that is free of bathroom fittings and does not form part of a bathroom, on the rear body wall of the body shell arrangement. In this form the vehicle body may include a yet 8 further slide out, e.g. that is free of bathroom fittings and does not form part of a bathroom, on the side wall of the body shell arrangement opposed to that having the bathroom slide out. 5 Each slide out may be mounted on the body shell arrangement by means of complementary engagement formations that engage each other and are displaced relative to each other by means of a linear translational sliding movement. The complementary engagement formations that slidably support each slide out 10 on the body shell arrangement may comprise a female member on one of the body shell arrangement and the slide out, and a male member on the other of the body shell arrangement and the slide out. The male formation may be received within the female formation and may slide relative to the female formation to move the slide out between the extended and retracted conditions. 15 Conveniently the female member may be mounted on the body shell arrangement and the male member may be mounted on the slide out. The male member may be snugly received within the female member with a small 20 tolerance so that the only movement of the male member relative to the female member is an axial sliding movement. The male and female members may have low friction surfaces that enable smooth sliding of the male and female members relative to each other with little or no rattling and associated noise. A surface of the female member may be metallic and the surface of the male member may be non 25 metallic, e.g. plastic, so reduce rattling sounds in use. The slide out may further include a drive means for driving each rear slide out between the extended and retracted positions. The drive means may be in the form of a linear actuator. The linear actuator may include limit switches for 30 stopping movement of the slide out, e.g. precisely in each of the extended and retracted positions.

9 The vehicle body may be a motor home body or a caravan body or a fifth wheeler body. In this specification the term room shall be construed broadly and shall be defined 5 to include a space or zone within which certain amenities are contained. For example a bedroom may not necessarily be a closed off bedroom. It could be a space or zone that is open to the remainder of the interior space of the body shell arrangement. The same applies to a bathroom or a kitchen or a living room. 10 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a vehicle body for forming part of a vehicle or being mountable on a vehicle, the body including: a body shell arrangement having walls defining an interior space; 15 a slide out defining a slide out zone that is movable between a retracted position in which the slide out is at least partly received within the body shell and an extended position in which the slide out projects out of the body shell; wherein the slide out forms at least part of a bathroom, and the body shell 20 arrangement or the slide out has at least one bathroom fitting within the bathroom. The vehicle body may include any one or more of the features of the vehicle body defined above according to the first aspect of the invention. 25 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a motor home including, a vehicle body as defined above in the first or second aspects of the invention. In particular the body may include any one or more of the optional features of the 30 vehicle body defined in the first aspect of the invention above.

10 The motor home may be a vehicle that has a total weight of less than 4.5 ton and may therefore be able to be registered on a car license. The motor home may be built from a base vehicle that is a cab chassis truck, e.g. a MERCEDES SPRINTER TM cab chassis truck. 5 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a fifth wheeler including, a vehicle body as defined above in the first or second aspects of the invention. 10 In particular the body may include any one or more of the optional features of the vehicle body defined in the first aspect of the invention above. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan including, a vehicle body as defined above in the first or second aspects of the invention. 15 In particular the body may include any one or more of the optional features of the vehicle body defined in the first aspect of the invention above. The slide out with the bathroom fittings mounted thereon can also be positioned on 20 the front wall of the caravan. Further the bathroom slide out may be positioned on the rear wall of the caravan body or one of the side walls of the body and the vehicle body may include a further slide out that is positioned on the front wall of the caravan. 25 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of increasing the space of a bathroom within a vehicle body, comprising: providing a body shell arrangement having an interior space defining a 30 bathroom zone; 11 providing a slide out defining a slide out interior space on the body shell arrangement that is stowed in the bathroom zone in a retracted condition; and displacing the slide out at least partly out of the bathroom zone to an 5 extended condition to form an enlarged bathroom comprising the slide out interior space and that part of the bathroom zone that is not occupied by the slide out in the extended condition. The bathroom zone in the body shell arrangement may be the same as the 10 stowing zone defined in the first aspect of the invention. Displacing may comprise displacing the slide out with a translational linear sliding displacement substantially fully out of the bathroom zone in the extended condition. 15 Displacing may comprise displacing the slide out by means of a drive means such as a linear actuator. Mounting may include mounting the slide out on the body shell arrangement. 20 The method may include partitioning the bathroom zone off from the remainder of the interior space. The method may include providing access to the bathroom zone through the partition from the rest of the interior space. 25 According to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a vehicle body comprising: a body shell arrangement mounted on the chassis, the body shell arrangement having a front body wall and a rear body wall and left and right body 30 walls and defining an interior space, the body shell arrangement defining a bathroom in the interior space; and 12 a slide out on the body shell arrangement, the slide out being movable by means of a linear translational displacement between a retracted position in which it is received within the body shell arrangement and an extended position in which it projects away from the rear body wall of the body shell arrangement, the slide 5 out forming part of the bathroom and opening into the bathroom whereby to increase the depth of the bathroom in the longitudinal direction of the body when the slide out is in the extended position. The slide out may increase the depth of the bathroom in the fore and aft direction 10 of the vehicle body by 1.5m to 2.Om when the slide out is in the extended position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle that is a motor home or a caravan or a fifth wheeler in accordance with 15 this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will therefore be convenient to hereinafter provide a detailed description of the invention with reference to several example embodiments. 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 practical effect. It is to be clearly 20 understood however that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art motor home body showing the internal layout of the motor home; 25 Fig. 2 is a three dimensional view of a motor home body having slide outs in accordance with one embodiment of this invention with the slide outs shown in an extended position; 30 Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the motor home body of Fig. 2 showing the internal layout thereof; 13 Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a motor home body having a different internal layout in the bathroom to that in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a three dimensional view of the bathroom on the motor home body 5 shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of a motor home body having a different layout to the motor home body shown in Figs. 2 and 3; 10 Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of a motor home body having a different bathroom and bathroom layout to that shown in Fig. 6, with the slide outs shown in the retracted positions; Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the motor home body shown in Fig. 7 with 15 the slide outs shown in the extended position; Fig. 9 is a three dimensional view showing a support for supporting the slide outs on the vehicle body of Fig. 2 such that the slide outs can slide relative thereto; and 20 Fig. 10 is a sectional end view of the support shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of a caravan body in accordance with the invention showing the interior layout of a vehicle with the slide outs in the extended 25 condition; Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of a caravan body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention with the slide outs shown in the extended condition; 30 14 Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view of a caravan body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention with the slide outs shown in the extended condition; and 5 Fig. 14 is a schematic three dimensional view of a vehicle that is a fifth wheeler having a fifth wheeler body with a slide out at the rear end shown in its extended condition. Fig. 1 is a prior art motor home and is discussed in the preamble to the invention 10 described above. It will not be discussed further in the detailed description which focuses on embodiments of the invention that is disclosed in this application. In Figs. 2 and 3 a reference numeral 1 refers to a vehicle body 1 that is a motor home body in accordance with the invention. 15 The vehicle body 1 includes a body shell arrangement 3 having body walls defining an interior space. The body walls comprise a front body wall 5 and a rear body wall 7, and two side body walls 9, and 11 extending between the front and rear body walls 5, and 7. 20 The front body wall 5 and the rear wall 7 together with the side body walls 9 and 11 extending there between define an interior space within the body shell arrangement 3. In turn this interior space is divided up into a front seat region shown very generally by the numeral 13 and a living region rearward of the front 25 seat region 13 shown very generally by the numeral 15. The front seat region 13 comprises a forward most portion of the interior space. Typically this contains a driver's seat 17 on one side in proximity to the usual set of driver's controls and a passenger seat 19 alongside the driver's seat for a front 30 seat passenger. Typically the driver's seat 17 and the passenger's seat 19 are comfortable padded chairs that are suitable for long distance driving. Further they 15 are often swivel seats that can be swiveled around when the vehicle 1 is not in driving use to face rearward into the rear living region 15 of the interior space. The body 1 includes a bathroom slide out 25 defining a slide out interior space, 5 that is movable between a retracted position in which the slide out 25 is at least partly received within the body shell 3 and an extended position in which the slide out 25 projects away from the body shell 3. The interior space of the body shell arrangement 3 includes a stowing zone 27 for 10 the slide out 25. The slide out 25 is received within the stowing zone 27 when the slide out 25 is in the retracted condition. The slide out 25 may be displaced away from the stowing zone 27 when the slide out 25 is moved to the extended condition. The stowing zone 27 is formed by a rear region of the interior space of the body shell arrangement 3 adjacent the rear body wall 9. 15 The slide out 25 forms at least part of a bathroom 23. The bathroom 23 is made up of the interior space of the slide out 25 and also the entire stowing zone 27 within the interior space of the body shell arrangement 3. 20 The vehicle body 1 further includes an internal partition 35 for closing off the bathroom 23 from the rest of the interior space of the body shell arrangement 3. In the illustrated form the partition 35 includes a wall having an access opening therein and a closable door 37 mounted in the access opening. In another form that has not been shown in the drawings the partition is in the form of a collapsible 25 wall that can be pulled closed or pushed open in a concertina fashion. The bathroom slide out 25 has a plurality of bathroom fittings or bathroom fixtures mounted thereon. The bathroom fittings comprise a shower 43, a toilet 45 and a vanity 47 all of which are mounted on the slide out 25 up against the main wall 30 portion thereof. In the illustrated embodiment the shower 43 is in one corner and a toilet 45 is positioned adjacent to the shower 43. A vanity 47 is located in the other corner of the bathroom 51. The vanity 47 has a single basin mounted in a 16 vanity counter and a cupboard beneath the counter and a mirror mounted on the wall adjacent the vanity. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the slide out 25 is positioned such that it 5 extends across substantially all of the rear body wall 9 and has a width of 2.4m to 2.5m. The interior space of the slide out 25 has a depth in the direction in which the slide out 25 is moved to the extended position (which is the same as the fore and aft 10 direction of the vehicle body) of 1.0m to 1.5m. Similarly the stowing zone 27 has a depth of 1.0m to 1.5m. Overall the bathroom 31 has a depth in the direction in which the slide out 25 is moved of 2.0m to 3.Om made up of the interior space of the slide out 25 and also the stowing zone 27 within the body shell arrangement 3. 15 The resultant depth in the bathroom 23 when the slide out 25 is in the extended position enables two people to use the bathroom 23 at the same time. For example if one person is using the vanity 47 then another person can walk behind the person at the vanity 47 without having to bump them or deliberately squeeze past them. Further a person can get out of the shower 43 and dry themselves 20 while another person is standing in front of the vanity 47. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5 the vehicle body 1 also has a one side slide out 51, e.g. a left slide out, on the left side of the body shell arrangement 3. The left slide out 51 has a corresponding stowing zone 55 within the interior space towards the left 25 body side wall 9 of the body shell arrangement 3 for receiving the slide out 21 in its retracted position. The left slide out 51 has a length of 2.0 to 3.Om with the direction of length being orthogonal to the direction in which the slide out 51 is moved to the extended 30 position. The left slide out 51 has a width or depth in the direction in which the slide out 51 is moved to the extended position of 1.0 to 1.5m. Further the left slide 17 out 51 may be a full height slide out and may extend up substantially the full height of the body shell arrangement 3. The left slide out 51 may form part of a bedroom 71. The bedroom 71 may have a 5 double bed 21 mounted on the slide out 51 with an east west configuration with the head of the bed 21 against the slide out 51 and the bed 21 also extending into the interior space of the body shell arrangement 3. The double bed 21 extends across the stowing zone of the left slide out 55. The bed 21 also extends across part of the interior space of the body shell arrangement inward of the stowing zone 10 55. When the left slide out 55 is moved to the extended position the foot of the bed 21 is spaced a reasonable distance in from the side wall 7 of the body shell arrangement 3. This provides space to walk around the foot of the bed 71 to gain 15 access one side of the bed 71 and also to gain access to the bathroom 23 in the rear slide out 25. The left slide out 51 also includes storage fixtures or fittings 73, 75 in the form of bed side tables on each side of the bed 71. These fixtures 73, 75 typically do not 20 extend up to a height that is higher than the height of the bed 71. The bed side tables 73, 75 include a plurality of drawers which may be used for storing personal items. In the illustrated embodiment the storage fixture 73 forward of the bed 71 has a greater length than the storage fixture 75 rearward of the bed. 25 The vehicle body 1 also includes another side slide out 53 (hereinafter called a right slide out) on the right side of the body shell arrangement 3. The right slide out 23 also has a corresponding stowing zone 57 adjacent the right body side wall 11 of the interior space for receiving the slide out 23 in its retracted 30 position.

18 The right slide out 53 is also a full height slide out and extends up substantially the full height of the body shell arrangement 3. The right slide out 53 has a length of 3.Om to 4.0m, in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the slide out 53. Further the right slide out 53 may have a depth in the direction of extension 5 of the slide out 53 of 1.0m to 1.5m. The right slide out 53 includes a kitchen arrangement 77 mounted thereto having a length of 1.Om to 1.6m. The kitchen arrangement 77 may include a basin or sink, and a cook top, and a bench top. The right slide out 53 also includes a seat 10 arrangement 79 having a length of 1.2m to 2.Om in the form of a lounge seating arrangement The seat arrangement 79 is positioned forward of the kitchen arrangement 77. The right slide 53 out further includes a storage arrangement 80 having a length of 15 1.5m to 2.5m extending from floor to ceiling of the slide out 53. The storage arrangement is in the form of a wardrobe 80 and includes wardrobe hanging space and one or more drawers. The wardrobe 80 is adjacent to and rearward of the kitchen arrangement 77. As the wardrobe 80 is received within the interior space of the slide out 53 it does not encroach on the space within the shell arrangement 20 3. In the illustrated embodiment the wardrobe 80 is broadly laterally aligned with the bed 21. The interior space of the body shell arrangement 3 further includes a dinette arrangement 82, comprising a small dining table and at least two dining table 25 seats arranged next to the dining table. The dinette arrangement 82 is positioned towards the left side body wall 5 and is substantially laterally aligned with the kitchen arrangement 77 or the seating arrangement 79 on the right slide out 53. Thus the illustrated motor home body has three slide outs 25, 51 and 53. The 30 general purpose of the slide outs 51, and 53 to increase the interior space within the motor home body 1 when all the slide outs are extended. The left and right slide outs 51 and 53 overlap each other in a longitudinal direction. The overlapping 19 slide outs 51, 53 increase the lateral width of the body 1 of the motor home body 1 making it feel a lot more spacious. Each slide out 25, 51 and 53 resembles a cup shaped receptacle or container. 5 The open side of the receptacle or container faces into a corresponding opening defined in the body shell arrangement 3 corresponding to the particular slide out. Thus the container opens into the interior space of the body shell arrangement 3 of the vehicle body 1 and communicates therewith. 10 At a structural level each slide out 25, 51 and 53 comprises a primary slide out wall portion 61 for covering the surface area of the slide out opening in the associated wall of the motor home body shell arrangement 3. Each slide out 25, 51 and 53 also has a side wall portion 63 extending transverse to the primary wall portion 61. The side wall portion 63 in turn comprises end wall portions at each 15 end of the primary wall portion 61 extending from the associated body wall of the body shell arrangement 3 to the primary wall portion 61 of the slide out. The side wall portion 63 also includes a bottom portion and a roof portion. The side wall portion 63 extends transverse to the primary wall portion 61 and act to close off the slide out 25, 51 or 53 from the outside, particularly when the slide out is in the 20 extended configuration. Thus the space defined by the slide out in the extended position opens into the living region 15 of the motor home body 1. Each slide out 25, 51 and 53 is mounted on the body shell arrangement 3, and particularly the chassis 2 thereof, by means of a female member 65 on the body 25 shell arrangement 3 engaging and receiving a male member 67 on the slide out 25, 51 or 53. The female member 65 is sized to receive the male member 67 snugly and with little clearance so as to provide a guide mechanism that is very accurate and precise and is not prone to rattling when the 1 is being driven on the road. This structure is shown in some detail in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. 30 In an example embodiment two linear actuators that are longitudinally spaced from each other are used to drive each slide out 25, 51 or 53 between the contracted 20 and retracted conditions. The linear actuators are driven by an electric motor associated with the actuator and the motor in turn is energized or powered by electrical power from the battery of the motor home body 1. Further each linear actuator is fitted with limit switches for stopping displacement of the actuator when 5 the slide out reaches each of the extended and retracted positions. The linear actuators are particularly suitable for this application because they produce fine motor movements and are able to guide the slide outs 25, 51 and 53 very precisely into their retracted and extended positions. Further the linear 10 actuators 45 are able to repeatedly move the slide outs 25, 51 and 53 into exactly the same position each time they move them into the retracted or extended positions. A further advantage of the linear actuators is that they occupy very limited space in the motor home body 1 and this is advantageous. 15 In use the slide outs 25, 51 and 53 are positioned in their retracted positions on the body 1 when the vehicle is being stored or being driven on the road. Each of the slide outs 25, 51 and 53 is received within its stowing zone 27, 55, or 57 within the body shell arrangement 3. This compact arrangement provides a vehicle that can comfortably and easily be driven on the road and can be received within a 20 normal vehicle lane on a road. In this configuration a user can move around in the interior space and can use the bathroom 23 in the rear region of the body shell arrangement 3. While the bathroom 23 is small and compact in this configuration it can still be used in the 25 normal way. Each of the toilet 45 and shower 43 and vanity 47 can be used. When the motor home body 1 is to be used for being lived in it is transformed into its camping configuration. Each of the slide outs 25, 51 and 53 is moved to its extended configuration and this drastically increases the interior space within the 30 body 1. The bathroom 23 is significantly increased in size and can be used by a user with freedom of movement. In particular two people can comfortably use the bathroom 23 at the same time.

21 Figs. 4 and 5 show a variation on the motor home body 1 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As the motor home body in Fig. 4 is similar to that described above and shown in 5 Fig. 3 the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. The description above applies generally to the motor home body shown in Fig. 4. The following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the Fig. 3 embodiment. 10 The differences between the motor home body 1 in Fig. 3 and that in Figs. 4 and 5 reside solely in the internal layout of the fittings and units in the bathroom slide out 25. 15 In Fig. 4 a vanity 47 having two hand basins 68 and 69 side by side is positioned next to the shower 43. A toilet 45 is then positioned in the corner remote from the shower 43. A feature of this layout is that the bathroom 23 is able to accommodate a vanity with two hand basins and the vanity is centrally positioned in the bathroom 23. 20 As shown in Fig. 5 the bathroom 23 has sufficient depth to comfortably accommodate and receive two people at one time. In the drawing one person is beautifying themselves in front of a mirror. The other person can have a shower and then also get out of the shower and towel themselves in comfort in the space 25 within the bathroom. The increased depth afforded by the slide out 25 is important to achieve this effect. In Fig. 6 a motor home body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown. 30 The Fig. 6 embodiment has the same basic outline as the embodiment in Figs. 3 and 4 with left and right slide outs 51, 53 and a rear slide out 25. As the Fig. 6 22 motor home body is similar in many ways to the Figs. 3 and 4 motor home bodies the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components unless otherwise indicated. 5 The internal layout in the Fig. 6 embodiment is different to that in the Fig. 3 embodiment and the following description will focus on these differences in internal layout. This body 1 has a rear slide out 25 and left and right slide outs 51, 53 like those in 10 Fig. 3. However the usage of the different slide outs is somewhat different. The bathroom 23 is positioned in the left slide out 51. The space within the bathroom 23 is formed partly by the stowing zone 55 in the body shell arrangement 3 that receives the slide out 51 in the stowed configuration and the 15 remainder is formed by the interior space of the left slide out 21. In its fully extended condition the slide out 51 projects fully out of the stowing zone 53 in the interior space of the vehicle body 1. Fig. 6 shows the slide out 51 displaced only part of the way to the fully extended position. 20 The body 1 also includes a right slide out 53 of considerable length that includes a kitchen arrangement 77 and a lounge seat arrangement 79. Further the right slide out 23 overlaps with the left slide out 21 in a longitudinal direction. 25 The rear slide out 25 typically forms part of a bedroom, a bedroom region or a bedroom zone 71, and the slide out 25 acts to increase the depth of the bedroom 71 when in the extended position. The movement of the rear slide out 25 to the extended position increases the space around the foot of the bed 21 and thereby increases the amenity in the bedroom 71. 30 Figs. 7 and 8 show a plan view of a motor home body in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

23 As the Fig. 7 motor home body has some similarities to the motor home body 3 described above with reference to Fig. 6 the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components unless otherwise indicated. 5 The following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the earlier embodiments above. The left slide out 51 has a bathroom 23 which is substantially fully contained within 10 the slide out 51. In the retracted position shown in Fig 7 the slide out 51 and the bathroom 23 are fully received within the body shell arrangement 3. The partition 35 is mounted on the slide out 51 and moves out with the slide out 51 when it is moved to the extended position. In Fig. 8 with the slide out 51 in the 15 extended position the stowing zone 55 forms part of the general interior space and does not form part of the bathroom 23. The bathroom 51 thus does not encroach or intrude into the interior space of the body shell arrangement 3 when the slide out 51 is extended. By contrast in Fig. 6 the bathroom 23 is formed by a combination of the stowing zone 55 of the slide out 51 and partly by the interior 20 space of the left slide out 51. Fig. 11 shows the interior layout of a caravan body in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. In the drawing the caravan body is indicated generally by reference numeral 61. 25 As the caravan body 61 shares many structural and functional similarities with the motor home body described above with reference to Fig. 3 the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components unless otherwise illustrated. Further the description above of the motor home applies mutatis 30 mutandis to the caravan body.

24 The caravan body 61 has a rear slide out 25 forming part of the bathroom 23 to expand the space within the bathroom 23 during use as in the Figs. 3 and 4 embodiments. The caravan body 61 also has left and right slide outs 51 and 53 to increase the living region or living space 15 within the motor home body 1. Fig. 11 5 in particular shows how the interior space is significantly increased in three different directions. Further the caravan body 61 also has a draw pole 63 and hitch 65 for hitching it to a towing vehicle at the front wall 5 of the caravan body 61. 10 Fig. 12 illustrates a caravan body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As this caravan embodiment has many structural and functional similarities to the 15 caravan embodiment shown in Fig. 11 the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components unless otherwise illustrated. The following description will focus on the difference between this embodiment and the Fig. 11 embodiment. 20 In Fig. 12 the caravan body has a forward slide out 81 on the front wall 5 of the caravan body 61 in addition to the rear slide out 25. The front slide out 81 thus increases the interior space defined by the interior space of the body 1 by expanding out forward over the draw pole 63 of the caravan body 61. The front 25 slide out 81 can be used as a dinette area 82 with a table and a couple of seats. Fig. 13 illustrates a caravan body 61 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 30 As this caravan body embodiment has many structural and functional similarities to the caravan body embodiment shown in Fig 12 the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components unless otherwise illustrated.

25 The following description will focus on the difference between this embodiment and the Fig. 12 embodiment. 5 The caravan body 61 shown in Fig. 13 has a front slide out 81 as well as a rear slide out 25. The front slide out 81 however receives a double bed 21 and thus forms a bedroom or bed region 71 that is extended when the slide out 81 is extended. 10 Another difference in Fig 13 is that the caravan body 61 has a left slide out 51 but not a right side slide out 53 like that in Fig. 12. The kitchen arrangement 77 and wardrobe 80 are mounted against the body side wall 11 of the body shell arrangement 3. 15 Fig. 14 illustrates a fifth wheeler for mounting to a towing vehicle with a rear tray which is indicated generally by reference numeral 83. As this fifth wheeler 83 has many structural and functional similarities to the caravan body 61 shown in Fig. 11 the same reference numerals will be used to 20 refer to the same components unless otherwise illustrated. The fifth wheeler body 83 comprises a rear slide out 25 that forms part of a bathroom 23. When the slide out 25 is moved to the extended position the depth of the bathroom 23 is increased making it much more spacious and thereby 25 increasing the amenity thereof. The fifth wheeler body 83 also includes a bed 21 in a bedroom region 71 towards the front body wall 5 of the fifth wheeler body 73. The body 73 has a raised region 75 towards its front body wall 5 and the bed 21 which would ordinarily be spaced 30 above the ground is conveniently mounted on the raised front region 75.

26 An advantage of the motor home body described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 8 is that it provides a bathroom of generous size that has quite separate spaces for the shower and the toilet. In particular the bathrooms have a generous amount of depth such that they are not long and thin. Apart from conveying a feeling of 5 spaciousness at a practical level this increased depth enables two people to use the bathroom at the same time. Another advantage is that several embodiments of the bathroom described above have two side by side basins in the vanity. Another advantage is that the Figs. 2 to 5 embodiments have the bathroom slide 10 out at the rear of the body. This way the floor to ceiling obstruction caused by the bathroom is positioned at the rear of the body and does not create a floor to ceiling obstruction intermediate the ends of the motor home. A further advantage of the Figs. 7 and 8 embodiment is that the bathroom is fully 15 received within the left slide out and as a result the bathroom does not encroach on the interior space within the body shell arrangement when the slide out is in the extended position. This preserves an interior space free of floor to wall obstructions from the front wall to the rear wall on that side of the body. 20 A further advantage of the Figs. 2 to 5 embodiments described above is the double bed has a walk around region at the foot of the bed. It also has floor to ceiling wardrobes that are received within the right slide out in line with the bed. Consequently the wardrobe does not intrude on and encroach on the interior space within the body shell arrangement. 25 A further advantage of the motor homes and caravans and fifth wheelers is that the three sizeable slide outs significantly increase the space within the body of the motor home when parked at a site with the slide outs expanded into their expanded positions. The vehicle still has a compact form when being driven on the 30 road and is fairly easy to drive. It only becomes large when it is in a camping mode.

27 Consequently a recreational vehicle is provided that has a high level of amenity and comfort. This is particularly advantageous for affluent users of motor homes such as baby boomers who are used to living in a comfortable home. They find it particularly desirable that the motor home provides a well appointed and 5 comfortably sized bathroom. Another advantage of the motor home described above with reference to the drawings is that it can have a manufactured weight of less than 4.5 ton consequently can be licensed to be driven on a car license in Australia. 10 A further advantage of the rear slide out described above is that it can be easily and quickly changed from the contracted to the expanded positions. A user simply activates the linear actuators which then drive the slide outs very precisely and smoothly into the desired position. 15 It will of course be realized 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 the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. 20

Claims

1. A recreational vehicle body for forming part of a recreational vehicle or being mountable on a recreational vehicle, the body including: 5 a body shell defining at least one end body wall and two side body walls extending away from the end body wall, the body shell defining an interior space that includes a stowing zone; a slide out defining a slide out interior space that is mounted on an end body wall of the body shell, that is movable between a retracted position in 10 which the slide out is received within the stowing zone of the body shell and an extended position in which the slide out projects out of the stowing zone; and a bathroom that is formed by a combination of the slide out and the portion of the stowing zone when the end slide out is displaced to the extended position. 15

2. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein the slide out has at least one bathroom fitting mounted thereon, and wherein the bathroom includes substantially all the stowing zone when the end slide out is in the extended position. 20

3. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body shell further includes an internal partition for closing off the stowing zone from the rest of the interior space. 25

4. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 3, wherein the internal partition comprises a wall having an access opening therein and a closable door mounted in the access opening, or the internal partition comprises a collapsible wall that can be pulled closed or pushed open in concertina fashion. 30

5. A recreational vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body shell has a rear body wall and the slide out is mounted on the rear body wall and extends across substantially all of the rear body wall. 29

6. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 5, wherein the interior space of the slide out has a depth in the direction in which the slide out is moved of 1.0m to 1.5m, and the bathroom has a depth in the direction in which 5 the slide out is moved of 2.Om to 3.0m, and the interior space of the slide out has a length of 2.3m to 2.5m in a direction extending orthogonally to the direction in which the slide out is moved.

7. A recreational vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 10 wherein the slide out includes a primary wall extending along the length of the slide out.

8. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 7, wherein the slide out further includes a side wall extending transversely away from the primary wall. 15

9. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 8, wherein the primary wall and the side wall comprises a substantially rigid box shaped arrangement of unitary construction facing into the interior space, with the side wall being fixed relative to the primary wall and comprising top and bottom side wall 20 portions and left and right side wall portions extending between the primary wall and the body shell when the slide out is in the extended position.

10. A recreational vehicle body according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the slide out has a plurality of bathroom fittings mounted thereon that is 25 selected from the group consisting of: a shower, and a toilet and a vanity.

11. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of bathroom fittings mounted on the slide out includes a shower, and a toilet and a vanity. 30

12. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 11, wherein the bathroom includes a shower against the primary wall towards one end of the primary wall 30 and a toilet against the primary wall towards the other end of the primary wall, and a vanity mounted against the primary wall intermediate the shower and the toilet. 5

13. A recreational vehicle body according to claim 11, wherein the bathroom includes a shower against the primary wall towards one end of the primary wall and a vanity mounted against the primary wall towards the other end of the primary wall, and a toilet mounted against the primary wall intermediate the shower and the vanity. 10

14. A recreational vehicle body according to any one of claims 11 to 13, including a water service supply and a waste water disposal unit on the body shell, and a water service connector extending from the water service supply to the shower and/or vanity on the slide out, and a waste water connector 15 extending from the shower and/or vanity to the waste water disposal unit.

15. A recreational vehicle body according to any one of claim 1 to 14, wherein the vehicle body is a motor home body or a caravan body or a fifth wheeler body. 20

16. A motor home including: a recreational vehicle body in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14. 25

17. A caravan including: a recreational vehicle body in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14.

18. A fifth wheeler including: 30 a recreational vehicle body in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14. 31

19. A recreational motor home including: a body shell defining a rear body wall and two side walls extending away from the rear body wall, the body shell defining an interior space that includes a stowing zone and including an internal partition mounted thereon for closing off 5 the stowing zone from the rest of the interior space; a rear slide out defining a slide out interior space mounted on the rear body wall that is movable between a retracted position in which the slide out is received within the stowing zone and an extended position in which the slide out projects out of the stowing zone, the rear slide out having a plurality of 10 bathroom fittings mounted thereon that is selected from the group consisting of: a shower, and a toilet and a vanity; and a bathroom that is formed by the slide out interior space and the stowing zone, the size of the bathroom being increased when the rear slide out is in the extended position, with the partition closing off the bathroom from the remainder 15 of the interior space to provide privacy in the bathroom.

20. A method of increasing the size of a bathroom within a recreational vehicle body, the method comprising: providing a body shell having an interior space defining a stowing zone 20 the body shell having a slide out mounted thereon that is displaceable between a retracted position and an expanded position; forming a bathroom from the slide out and the stowing zone; and displacing the slide out of the stowing zone to the extended position to increase the size of the bathroom. 25

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the bathroom is formed by a combination of the slide out and that portion of the stowing zone that is exposed by displacement of the slide out to the extended position. 30

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein displacing the slide out to the extended position includes displacing the slide out substantially fully out of the stowing zone. 32

23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, including partitioning the stowing zone off from the remainder of the interior space by means of a partition to provide privacy within the bathroom. 5

24. A motor home or a caravan or a fifth wheeler substantially in accordance with any one of the embodiments described on pages 14 to 21 of the detailed description of the invention and illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 of the drawings. 10

25. A caravan substantially in accordance with any one of the embodiments described on pages 23 to 25 of the detailed description of the invention and illustrated in Figures 11 to 13 of the drawings.