BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recreational vehicle with underbody insulation.

Various systems have been devised for heating recreational vehicles. Examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,225,244 and 2,760,726.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a recreational vehicle has a front end, a rear end, a first side extending from the front end to the rear end, a second side extending from the front end to the rear end opposite the first side, a chassis, and a floor located above the chassis. The chassis includes a first side frame member extending along the first side of the recreational vehicle from the front end to the rear end and a second side frame member extending along the second side of the recreational vehicle from the front end to the rear end. The first and second side frame members each have an upper surface and a lower surface. The chassis further includes a first cross member connected to the first side frame member and the second side frame member adjacent the front end of the recreational vehicle, a second cross member connected to the first side frame member and the second side frame member adjacent the rear end of the recreational vehicle, a third cross member connected to the first side frame member and the second side frame member between the first cross member and the second cross member, and a fourth cross member connected to the first side frame member and the second side frame member between the third cross member and the second cross member. The third and fourth cross members each have an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, a rear surface and an opening extending through the cross member from the front surface to the rear surface. The chassis further includes a first split cross member connected to the first side frame member and the second side frame member between the third cross member and the fourth cross member and a second split cross member connected to the first side frame member and the second side frame member between the first split cross member and the fourth cross member. The first and second split cross members each have an upper member and a lower member positioned below the upper member so as to form a space between the upper member and the lower member. The chassis further includes a first bracket connected to first side frame member, a second bracket connected to second side frame member, a third bracket connected to the third cross member, and a fourth bracket connected to the fourth cross member. A first insulating member is connected to the lower surface of the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross member and the third cross member so as to form a first enclosed volume between the floor, the first insulating member, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross member and the third cross member. A second insulating member is connected to the first bracket, the second bracket, the third bracket and the fourth bracket so as to form a second enclosed volume between the floor, the second insulating member, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the third cross member and the fourth cross member. A third insulating member is connected to the lower surface of the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the second cross member and the fourth cross member so as to form a third enclosed volume between the floor, the third insulating member, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the second cross member and the fourth cross member.

In one embodiment, the second insulating member extends between the upper and lower members of the first and second split cross members. In another embodiment, the second insulating member is located above the lower surface of the first and second side frame members.

In one embodiment, the first and second brackets extend between the upper and lower members of the first and second split cross members. In certain embodiments, the first, second, third and fourth brackets each have an upper surface and the second insulating member is connected to the upper surface of the first, second, third and fourth brackets.

According to another embodiment, at least one fuel tank is located between the third and fourth cross members and below the second insulating member.

In one embodiment, the recreational vehicle includes an opening in the floor and a furnace for directing heated air through the opening and into one of the first, second and third enclosed volumes. In certain embodiments, the heated air flows between the first and second enclosed volumes through the opening in the third cross member and between the second and third enclosed volumes through the opening in the fourth cross member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a recreational vehicle includes an interior defined at least in part by a floor, a ceiling and one or more walls, a furnace located in the interior, a first enclosed volume located below the floor, a second enclosed volume located below the floor, an opening in the floor through which heated air flows from the furnace to the first enclosed volume, and an air flow path from the first enclosed volume to the second enclosed volume.

In one embodiment, the recreational vehicle further includes a chassis having a first side frame member, a second side frame member, a first cross member, a second cross member, a third cross member, a first insulating member and a second insulating member. The first enclosed volume is defined by the floor, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross member, the second cross member and the first insulating member. The second enclosed volume is defined by the floor, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the second cross member, the third cross member and the second insulating member.

In one embodiment includes at least one opening in the second cross member and the air flow path is defined at least in part by the opening in the second cross member.

In another embodiment, the second insulating member is located closer to the floor than is the first insulating member.

In certain embodiments, the recreational vehicle includes a third enclosed volume located below the floor and an air flow path from the second enclosed volume to the third enclosed volume.

In one embodiment, the chassis further includes a fourth cross member and a third insulating member. The third enclosed volume is defined by the floor, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the third cross member, the fourth cross member and the third insulating member.

Another embodiment includes at least one opening in the third cross member and the air flow path from the second enclosed volume to the third enclosed volume is defined at least in part by the opening in the third cross member.

One embodiment includes a fuel tank located between the second and third cross members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a recreational vehicle includes an interior space having a floor, a first insulating member located below the floor, a second insulating member located below the floor, a chassis located at least in part between the floor and the first insulating member and the floor and the second insulating member, a first enclosed volume defined by the floor, the chassis and the first insulating member, a second enclosed volume defined by the floor, the chassis and the second insulating member, an air flow path between the first enclosed volume and the second enclosed volume, and an air flow path between the interior of the recreational vehicle and the first enclosed volume.

In one embodiment, the air flow path between the interior of the recreational vehicle and the first enclosed volume includes an opening in the floor.

In another embodiment, the recreational vehicle includes a third insulating member, a third enclosed volume defined by the floor, the chassis and the third insulating member and an air flow path between the second enclosed volume and the third enclosed volume.

In one embodiment, the chassis includes a first cross member having an opening therein and the airflow path between the first enclosed volume and the second enclosed volume is defined at least in part by the opening in the first cross member.

In certain embodiments, the chassis includes a second cross member having an opening therein and the airflow path between the second enclosed volume and the third enclosed volume is defined at least in part by the opening in the second cross member.

Other embodiments include a fuel tank located between the first and second cross members.

