Abstract:
Assemblies for selectively providing access to an interior portion of a vehicle having a sidewall are provided. Methods of manufacturing a vehicle that incorporates the assemblies are also provided. The assemblies utilize an access opening formed in a portion of a sidewall of the vehicle to facilitate trimming the interior of the vehicle. Upon completion of trimming the interior of the vehicle, the access opening is closed out (i.e., covered) with an assembly that may be a door, a fixed panel, or combinations thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    To assemble or trim the interior of a truck sleeper, components typically need to be passed through an opening in the sleeper or cab, and the opening is later closed off during the assembly process. The opening must be sufficiently large such that sleeper components, such as a mattress, cabinets, kitchenette accessories, etc., may fit through the opening. For ease of installation, large sections of the sleeper are often removed or otherwise designed for later installation to create a sufficiently large opening in the sleeper during trim assembly. For instance, a large opening may be defined by a removable roof, rear panel, or fire wall. 
         [0002]    Although such large openings enable an operator to easily install trim components and allow significant air and light to pass into the sleeper during assembly, such large openings require installation of large closures (i.e., the roof, rear panel, fire wall, etc.) after the interior trim is installed. Large closures often include complicated interfaces that can make installation difficult, leading to incomplete sealing of the closures and an increased risk of damage to the body, interior components, and finished surfaces during installation. The openings defined for the cab doors may also be used, but use of such openings limit the access, light, and air into the sleeper. Moreover, use of the cab door openings for sleeper trim installation prevents simultaneous installation of components within the cab. 
         [0003]    What is desired, therefore, is a system that allows for improved access to a truck cab during assembly and trimming in a manner that also improves truck manufacturing efficiency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, a sidewall enclosure assembly for selectively providing access to an interior portion of a vehicle having a sidewall with an access opening formed in the sidewall is provided. In one embodiment, the sidewall enclosure assembly comprises: 
         [0006]    (a) an insert selectively attachable to a portion of the sidewall such that it divides the access opening into at least first and second closeout openings; and 
         [0007]    (b) at least one modular closeout sealingly engageable with the sidewall and the insert to enclose one of the first and second closeout openings. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a sidewall enclosure assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the sidewall enclosure assembly is configured for selectively providing access to an interior portion of a vehicle having a sidewall and an access opening defined in the sidewall, the access opening sized and configured to allow vehicle interior trim components to be passed through the access opening during vehicle assembly. The sidewall enclosure assembly comprises: 
         [0009]    a double door assembly sealingly engageable with the sidewall to cover the access opening, wherein the double door assembly comprises:
       (i) an entry door moveable between open and closed positions, the entry door sized and configured to provide access to a first interior portion of the vehicle when the entry door is opened; and   (ii) an access door defined in a portion of the entry door such that access door moves with the entry door when the entry door is moved between open and closed positions, the access door configured to open independent of the entry door and sized and shaped to provide access to a second interior portion of the vehicle.       
 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a method for assembling an interior of a vehicle having a cab portion and a sleeper portion is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: 
         [0013]    (a) defining an access opening in a sidewall of the sleeper portion of the vehicle that provides access to an interior of the sleeper portion; 
         [0014]    (b) passing at least one interior trim component through the access opening and into the interior of the sleeper portion; 
         [0015]    (c) installing the at least one interior trim component in the interior of the sleeper portion; and 
         [0016]    (d) covering the access opening with a sidewall enclosure assembly, comprising:
       (i) an insert selectively attachable to a portion of the sidewall such that it divides the access opening into at least first and second closeout openings; and   (ii) at least one modular closeout sealingly engageable with the sidewall and the insert to enclose one of the first and second closeout openings.       
 
         [0019]    In another aspect, a method for assembling an interior portion of a truck sleeper is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: 
         [0020]    (a) defining an access opening in a sidewall of the truck sleeper that provides access to the interior portion of the truck sleeper; 
         [0021]    (b) passing a sleeper component for installation in the truck sleeper through the access opening and into the interior portion of the truck sleeper; 
         [0022]    (c) installing the at least one interior sleeper component in the interior portion of the sleeper; and 
         [0023]    (d) covering the access opening with a sidewall enclosure assembly, the sidewall enclosure assembly comprising a double door assembly sealingly engageable with the sidewall to cover the access opening, wherein the double door assembly comprises:
       (i) an entry door moveable between open and closed positions, the entry door sized and configured to provide access to a first interior portion of the vehicle when the entry door is opened; and   (ii) an access door defined in a portion of the entry door such that access door moves with the entry door when the entry door is moved between open and closed positions, the access door configured to open independent of the entry door and sized and shaped to provide access to a second interior portion of a vehicle.       
 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a partial-cutaway isometric view of a cab/sleeper unit of a vehicle having an access opening in a sidewall; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly for covering the access opening of the cab/sleeper unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly for covering the access opening of the cab/sleeper unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly for covering the access opening of the cab/sleeper unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly for covering the access opening of the cab/sleeper unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly for covering the access opening of the cab/sleeper unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly for covering the access opening of the cab/sleeper unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a portion of the sidewall enclosure assembly illustrated in  FIG. 6 , taken substantially across line  8 - 8 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a portion of the sidewall enclosure assembly illustrated in  FIG. 7 , taken substantially across line  9 - 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The present disclosure provides various assemblies for selectively providing access to an interior portion of a vehicle.  FIG. 1  depicts an untrimmed vehicle shell or body having at least one sidewall  112  with one or more access openings  110  formed therein that provides access to the interior of the vehicle body. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle body is a portion of a cab/sleeper unit  118  of a heavy-duty truck (e.g., a Class 8 truck). It should be appreciated, however, that the various assemblies described herein are not limited in use to the cab/sleeper unit of a heavy-duty truck, and the descriptions and FIGURES provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0037]    The access opening  110  is located within the sidewall  112  of the vehicle body near the rear of the cab/sleeper unit  118 . The access opening  110  is suitable in size and configuration to provide access to the interior of the cab/sleeper unit  118  when uncovered. For instance, the access opening  110  may be generally rectangular in shape and of a sufficient height and width such that, when uncovered, it provides access to both the bed in the sleeper portion of the cab/sleeper unit  118  (when trimmed) and a toolbox or other storage space (not shown for simplicity) located beneath the bed, directly inside the opening  110 . 
         [0038]    The access opening  110  is also suitable in size and configuration to accommodate the pass-through of various interior trim components of the cab/sleeper unit  118  during assembly. For example, a bed  120  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as an exemplary trim component. As described in the Background section above, sleepers must typically be equipped with relatively large furniture, such as beds, cabinets, and benches. The access opening is suitably sized and shaped to accommodate these or similar components during the cab/sleeper unit assembly process. In other words, the cab/sleeper unit  118  access opening  110  is sized and shaped to allow interior trim components to be passed into the cab/sleeper unit  118  and ultimately used to trim out or finish the interior of the cab/sleeper unit  118 . Relatively large items can be loaded through the access opening  110 , and the access opening  110  provides sufficient air and light to pass into the interior of the cab/sleeper unit during assembly. 
         [0039]    After the trim components have been passed through the access opening  110  and the interior of the cab/sleeper unit  118  has been satisfactorily assembled, the access openings  110  are covered by securing a sidewall enclosure assembly within the access opening  110  of the sidewall  112 .  FIGS. 2-8  depict various embodiments of sidewall enclosure assemblies configured for use with a vehicle having an access opening  110  or a similar opening. 
         [0040]    In the embodiments discussed below, the sidewall enclosure assembly can optionally take many forms, depending on, for instance, the functionality or aesthetic appearance desired of the sidewall enclosure assembly. For example, the sidewall enclosure assembly can be embodied as a single door (see sidewall enclosure assembly  214  of  FIG. 2 ), a fixed panel (see sidewall enclosure assembly  314  of  FIG. 3 ), two independent doors (see sidewall enclosure assembly  414  of  FIG. 4 ), a fixed panel and a door (see sidewall enclosure assembly  514  of  FIG. 5 ), or a double door (see sidewall enclosure assemblies  614  and  714  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , respectively). Each embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly will now be described in more detail. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a first embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly  214  for use with an access opening  210  in the sidewall  212  of a cab/sleeper unit  218  is depicted. The sidewall enclosure assembly  214  is defined by a door  220  that is substantially the same size and shape as the access opening  210 . The door  220  may be any suitable configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the door  220  includes a window  222 ; however, it should be appreciated that such a window  222  is an optional feature. 
         [0042]    The door  220  is provided with at least one hinge  224  secured along an elongated edge of the door  220 . The hinges  224  are attachable to the sidewall  212  of the cab/sleeper unit  218  near the access opening  210 . As such, the door  220  may be reciprocated between open and closed positions to selectively cover the access opening  210 . For example, when the door  220  is opened, a person situated on the exterior of the cab/sleeper unit  218  may have access to, for instance, a bed and/or a toolbox inside the cab/sleeper unit  218 . This maybe useful when, for example, a first person would like to access the interior of the sleeper (to get into and out of the sleeper or to access the toolbox) without disturbing someone in the cab portion of the cab/sleeper unit  218 . Moreover, in the closed position, the door  220  acts as a substantial barrier from any noise, weather conditions, etc. In that regard, the sidewall enclosure assembly  214  may further include a seal  226 , having substantially the same size and shape as the access opening  210 , disposed between the door  220  and the sidewall  212  of the cab/sleeper unit  218  so as to provide a weather tight interface between the door  220  and the sidewall  212 . 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a second embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly  314  for use with an access opening  310  in the sidewall  312  of a cab/sleeper unit  318  is depicted. A wall panel  330  that is substantially the same size and shape as the access opening  310  defines the sidewall enclosure assembly  314 . The wall panel  330  closes out the access opening  310  in a more permanent manner than the door  320  of  FIG. 2 . By providing a relatively permanent covering of the opening  310 , the wall panel  330  prevents further access to the cab/sleeper unit  218  via the opening  310 . 
         [0044]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the wall panel  330  is affixed to the cab/sleeper unit  318  by a plurality of brackets  332  that attach to both the wall panel  330  and the sleeper sidewall  312  at the margins of the access opening  310 . The use of brackets  332  to affix the wall panel  330  in the opening  310  is only one example of a type of fixture useful with the enclosure assembly  314 . It will be appreciated that any fixtures capable of affixing the wall panel  330  to the sleeper sidewall  312  are useful in the embodiments provided herein, including clamps, bolts, screws, and the like. 
         [0045]    Similar to the embodiment described in  FIG. 2 , a seal  326  can be disposed intermediate the wall panel  330  and the sidewall  312  so as to provide a weather tight wall panel  330 . 
         [0046]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , third and fourth embodiments of sidewall enclosure assemblies  414  and  515  are depicted, wherein the sidewall enclosure assemblies  414  and  515  are comprised of at least two modular enclosures. The modular enclosures can be doors, fixed panels, or combinations thereof. 
         [0047]    Referring first to  FIG. 4 , the third embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly  414  for use with an access opening  410  in the sidewall  412  of a cab/sleeper unit  418  is depicted. The sidewall enclosure assembly  414  is substantially the same size and shape as the opening  410 . The sidewall enclosure assembly  414  is defined by an upper door  442 , a lower door  444 , and a carrier insert  452  disposed between the upper and lower doors  442  and  444 . 
         [0048]    Each of the doors  442  and  444  are attached to the sleeper sidewall  412  near the access opening  410  with one or more hinges  446  that allow for reciprocation between open and closed positions. An upper seal  448  substantially the same size and shape as the upper door  442  is intermediate the upper door  442  and the sleeper sidewall  412  to provide a weather tight seal. Similarly, a lower seal  450  substantially the same size and shape as the lower door  444  is intermediate the lower door  444  and the sleeper sidewall  412  to provide a weather tight seal. 
         [0049]    The carrier insert  452  laterally spans the width of the access opening  410  and divides the access opening  410  into upper and lower closeout openings that provide access to different areas of the interior of the sleeper, such as the bed (through the upper door  442 ) and the toolbox (through the lower door  444 ). The upper and lower openings may be selectively covered by the upper and lower doors  442  and  444 . In that regard, the carrier insert  452  is vertically positioned intermediate the upper seal  448  and the lower seal  450 . The carrier insert  452  also functions to cover the portion of the access opening  410  in the space between the upper door  442  and the lower door  444  when the doors are closed. 
         [0050]    The carrier insert  452  makes it possible to install one or more modular closeouts or enclosures into a single access opening  410 . In this regard, it should be appreciated that the carrier insert  452  may be configured to divide the opening  410  into any desired number of smaller closeout openings that are sized and shaped to receive a desired enclosure, such as a door, panel, etc. 
         [0051]    The carrier insert  452  is affixed to the sleeper sidewall  412  using techniques known to those of skill in the art (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.). The carrier insert  452  may be formed from a metal, a plastic, a composite, or combinations thereof. 
         [0052]    The lower and upper doors  444  and  442  in combination are substantially the same size and shape as the access opening  410 . The lower door  444  is sized and shaped to provide access to the floor of the cab/sleeper unit  418  proximal to the opening  410 . Such access is useful, for example, when a toolbox or other item is stored within a compartment in the floor of the cab/sleeper unit  418 . Accordingly, such an access door is sometimes referred to as a “toolbox door.” The lower door  444  is a dedicated toolbox door that allows an operator to reach through a smaller closeout opening (defined by the carrier insert  452 ) to access a tool or other item inside the cab/sleeper unit  418 . Such a dedicated, smaller closeout opening helps increase efficiency in obtaining tools and does not require a full-sized door to be opened. This is helpful, for example, when an operator wishes to access the toolbox without disturbing someone sleeping on the bed in the sleeper unit. 
         [0053]    The upper door  442  is sized and shaped to provide access to another portion of the cab/sleeper unit  418 , such as the bed, and may be configured, for example, to allow a person access to, or egress from, the bed of the cab/sleeper unit  418 . 
         [0054]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , the fourth embodiment of the sidewall enclosure assembly  514  for use with an access opening  510  in the sidewall  512  of a cab/sleeper unit  518  is depicted. The sidewall enclosure assembly  514  is defined by an affixed upper panel  562 , a lower door  564 , and a carrier insert  574  disposed between the upper panel  562  and the lower door  564 . The carrier insert  574  divides the access opening  510  into upper and lower closeout openings that are coverable by the upper affixed panel  562  and the lower doors  564 , respectively. The carrier insert  574  is substantially identical to the carrier insert  474  described above; and therefore, the carrier insert  574  will not be described in detail. 
         [0055]    The sidewall enclosure assembly  514  provides an operator with access to the interior of the cab/sleeper unit  518  through the lower “toolbox” door  564 , while maintaining closure of the upper opening that would provide access to, for instance, a bed in the cab/sleeper unit  518 . The upper portion of the opening  510  (defined by carrier insert  574 ) is enclosed by the panel  562  that is not readily openable. Accordingly, the embodiment of  FIG. 5  is configured to provide toolbox access through a lower portion of the opening  510  without disturbing a person in the bed of the cab/sleeper unit  518 . 
         [0056]    The lower door  564  is provided with at least one hinge  566  secured along an edge of the door  564 . The hinges  566  are attachable to the sidewall  512  of the cab/sleeper unit  518  near the access opening  510 . As such, the lower door  564  may be reciprocated between open and closed positions to selectively provide access to the toolbox area of the cab/sleeper unit  518 . 
         [0057]    The upper panel  562  is affixed to the sleeper sidewall  512  surrounding the opening  510  using one or more brackets  568 , similar to the wall panel  330  of  FIG. 3 . The upper panel  562  and lower door  564  are made weather tight against the sleeper sidewall  512  by way of an upper seal  570  and a lower seal  572  disposed between the panel  562  and the sidewall  512  and the door  564  and the sidewall  512 , respectively. The carrier insert  574  also covers or closes out the gap formed between the upper panel  562  and the lower door  564 . 
         [0058]    While the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  includes a fixed upper panel  562  and a lower door  564 , it will be appreciated that additional embodiments contemplate the opposite arrangement: a fixed panel on the lower portion of the access opening  510 , and a door on the upper portion of the access opening  510 . However, a lower door  564  is particularly useful as a toolbox door, as described above with regard to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0059]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , fifth and sixth embodiments of sidewall enclosure assemblies  614  and  714  for an access opening are depicted as double door assemblies. Double door assemblies are particularly useful in providing multiple options for a vehicle operator to access the interior of the cab/sleeper unit. For example, a double door assembly may be used to provide entry to the sleeper area of a vehicle for an operator, access to the toolbox area of a vehicle interior, or both, as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0060]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the fifth embodiment of the sidewall enclosure assembly  614  for use with an access opening  610  in the sidewall  612  of a cab/sleeper unit  618  is depicted. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall enclosure assembly  614  is defined by a first double door assembly  680  that provides access to a sleeper area and/or a toolbox area of a cab/sleeper unit  618 . 
         [0061]    The double door assembly  680  includes an entry door  682  that is substantially the same size and shape as the access opening  610 , which allows a vehicle operator to, for instance, enter into the interior of the cab/sleeper unit  618 , or have access to the bed within the cab/sleeper unit  618 , when the entry door  682  is opened. The entry door  682  is mounted to the sidewall  612  by one or more hinges (not illustrated) and is moveable between open and closed positions. 
         [0062]    An access door  686  is embedded within the entry door  682  to provide access to a limited, predetermined portion of the interior of the cab/sleeper unit  618 . The access door  686  is inset from the lateral and lower edges of the entry door  682  or is otherwise located within the entry door  680  to provide access to the predetermined interior portion of the cab/sleeper unit  618 , such as a toolbox area located beneath a sleeper bed. The access door  686  forms a portion of the entry door  680  and therefore moves with the entry door  680  when the entry door  680  is moved between open and closed positions. However, the access door  686  is also configured to open independently from the entry door  682 . 
         [0063]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the access door  686  is a toolbox door positioned and configured to provide access to a toolbox area of the cab/sleeper unit  618  proximal to the access opening  610  (similar to the access door  444  described with reference to  FIG. 4 ). It will be appreciated, however, that the access door  686  can be sized, positioned, and configured as needed to provide access to other interior compartments or areas within the sleeper interior. Additionally, access door  686  can be two or more doors, instead of the single door illustrated. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a description of an exemplary construction of the double door assembly  680  will be hereinafter provided. In the depicted embodiment of the double door assembly  680 , the entry door  682  and access door  686  both open away from the sleeper sidewall  612 . The access door  686  is hingedly connected to, and can open independently from, the entry door  682 . It will be appreciated that the entry door  682  and the access door  686  need not open in the same direction. 
         [0065]    In the exemplary configuration illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a seal  608  is disposed intermediate an access door frame  600  and an entry door frame  602  so as to provide a weather tight connection between the doors. Accordingly, when the access door  686  is closed, the access door frame  600  sealingly engages with the entry door frame  602  by compressing the seal  608 . When the access door  686  is in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a latch or other fixation mechanism (not illustrated) acts to keep the access door  686  in place. In order to open the access door  686  independently from the entry door  682 , the latch is released (e.g., manually or electronically), at which point the access door  686  can swing freely. 
         [0066]    A seal  688  is also disposed intermediate a sidewall door frame  604  and the entry door frame  602  so as to provide a weather tight connection between the entry door  682  and the sidewall  612 . Accordingly, when the entry door  682  is closed, the sidewall door frame  604  sealingly engages with the entry door frame  602  by compressing the seal  688 . The entry door  682  may be latched (not illustrated) when in the closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0067]    As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the access door  686  can be opened independently of the entry door  682  (e.g., for toolbox access when the entry door  682  is closed). If the entry door  682  is opened, however, the access door  686  opens in unison with the entry door  682  (e.g., the entire double door assembly  680  opens as a single door unit). 
         [0068]    A second embodiment of a sidewall enclosure assembly  714  depicted as a double door assembly  790  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the double door assembly  790  includes an entry door  792  and an access door  794 . The access door  794  is embedded within the entry door  792  in a manner similar to that described with reference to  FIG. 6 . However, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the lateral width of both the entry door  792  and the access door  794  are the same; whereas, in the double door assembly  680  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the access door  686  is surrounded marginally by the entry door  682 . Accordingly, the double door assembly  790  of  FIG. 7  provides a variation on the double door assembly design that allows for maximum width of the access door  794 . 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary construction of the double door assembly  790  will now be described. The access door  794  is secured within the entry door  792  such that when the access door  794  is closed, the exterior surface of the access door  794  is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the sleeper sidewall  712 . However, in contrast to the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the entry door  792  does not surround the access door  794  and therefore the entry door  792  does not have an exterior surface exposed to the exterior of the cab/sleeper unit  718  at the bottom of the double door assembly  790 . Instead, the entry door  792  includes an entry door frame  702  that is nested behind an access door frame  700 . The access door frame  700  sealingly engages the entry door frame  702  with a seal  708 . Furthermore, the entry door frame  702  sealingly engages a sidewall door frame  704  with a seal  798 . 
         [0070]    In the exemplary embodiment of the double door assembly  790  illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the access door  794  can be opened independently of the entry door  792 . If the access door  794  is opened independently of the entry door  792 , a portion of the entry doorframe  702  is exposed. The entry door  792  can also be opened, in which case, the access door  794  opens in unison with the entry door  792 . In this manner, the entry door  792  and access door  794  open as a single door unit to provide access to the cab/sleeper unit  718  interior such that an operator can enter the cab/sleeper unit  718 . 
         [0071]    The embodiments described herein with regard to  FIGS. 6-9  can be distinguished from earlier-described embodiments, such as those described with reference to  FIG. 4 , in that the double door assemblies  680  and  790  have an access door and an entry door that are joined together such that if the entry door (e.g.,  682  and  792 ) is opened, the entire double door assembly  680  or  790  (including the access door and the entry door) will open. In comparison, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the upper door  442  and lower door  444  open and close independent of one another. 
         [0072]    It will be appreciated that the modular nature of the sidewall enclosure assemblies and methods provided herein allow for modification of a sidewall enclosure assembly after it is installed on a cab/sleeper unit during production. For example, if a door  220  is initially installed, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , at a later time, the door  220  may be removed and a combination fixed panel  562  and lower door  564 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , could be installed. Such a change may be desirable, for example, if a vehicle is transferred to a new operator who requires different functionality of the sleeper (e.g., only toolbox access is needed). 
         [0073]    While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.