Method of fabricating a motorhome

• US 7,340,832 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2004
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfa Leisure Inc
• Original Assignee: Alfa Leisure Inc
• Inventors: Crean, Johnnie
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant; David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afzali; Sarang
• Application Number:
  US10/973,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20050204560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 298/972, 294/69, 298/97, 294/011, 296/204, 296/37.1, 296/37.6, 296/164, 296/165, 296/175, 296/176, 296/156, 296/26.13
• US Class Current: 29/897.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/34 the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement B60P3/38 takes precedence; tents supported at least partially by vehicles E04H15/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/36 Auxiliary arrangements; Arrangements of living accommodation toilet or washing arrangements B60R15/00; Details
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/02 comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/02 for carrying large numbers of passengers, e.g. omnibus
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/046 built up with flat self-supporting panels; Fixed connections between panels B62D29/045, B62D33/048 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/00 Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49616 Structural member making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49622 Vehicular structural member making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49904 Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly

Abstract

A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating a motorhome, comprising:

prefabricating a frame in an upside down orientation, the frame having a ladder frame and one or more bulkheads that extend upward from the ladder frame when the frame is in the upside down orientation wherein prefabricating a frame comprises positioning the ladder frame on a jig and attaching the bulkheads to the ladder frame so as to extend upwards wherein the ladder frame and the bulkheads define a mounting location;

positioning a pre-assembled vehicle chassis adjacent the jig;

moving the frame from the upside down orientation to a right side up orientation such that the one or more bulkheads and the mounting location extend downward; and

attaching the frame in the right side up orientation to a vehicle chassis by positioning the vehicle chassis in the mounting location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein prefabricating of the frame comprises:

assembling a planar ladder frame; and

attaching the one or more bulkheads to the planar ladder frame.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more bulkheads are attached to the planar ladder frame while resting on the planar ladder frame rather than being held up to the planar ladder frame.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning of the pre-assembled vehicle chassis is performed after prefabricating of the frame is substantially complete.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the positioning of the pre-assembled vehicle chassis comprises obtaining the chassis in a just-in-time manner so as to reduce time capital being tied up in the chassis prior to completion of the fabrication of the motorhome.