Abstract:
A micro weight enclosure when fully loaded with gear and equipment is capable of being towed by vehicles with gross tow weight ratings of less than 1000 lbs. This enclosure does not utilize a traditional chassis, rather uses common manufacturing of panel assemblies mechanically attached together forming the basic structural elements required for strength at minimal weight and reduced wind drag. 
     The enclosure, being ergonomically optimized, allows enough space to stand in one location, but sit, recline, or lay prone in a most comfortable fashion, and to attend to human hygiene and related activity in a secure protected environment. 
     The independent suspension couples directly to the enclosure lowers the vehicle, reducing wind drag, allowing enclosure leveling, improves ingress, egress, and overall occupant comfort. 
     The enclosure being acceptable for day travel; surfing or partying in urban and rural environments as example, or extended travel; road trips or camping as example.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to towable recreational utility vehicles, a camper shell, or more particularly, an enclosure specifically designed for super sub compact vehicles with tow weight ratings of 1000 lbs or less. 
     Recreational vehicles are generally use to provide human comfort and transport items convenient for individuals or groups engaged in activities remote from a persons primary domicile; hiking, swimming, surfing, camping, hunting, and skiing as examples. As the transportation market moves toward smaller, lighter, more gas efficient vehicle, providing additional occupant comforts and conveniences during these activities becomes marketable. 
     Various enclosures for recreational vehicles, travel trailers, campers, utility vehicles of multiple sizes, forms, and weights are well known in prior art which utilize; a fully rigid enclosure, a semi-rigid or pop up enclosure using a rigid structure coupled to a tent like structure, or a compliant inflatable structure, all three aforementioned enclosures then being attached to chassis with one or more wheels. 
     Rigid recreational utility vehicles at or near the 1000 lb gross vehicle weight rating have dry weights of near 1000 lb, as the enclosure does not efficiently provide structure back to the chassis and wheel set, the result is little or no cargo capacity for the towed vehicle. Rigid recreational utility vehicles also cause excessive vehicle drag as the enclosure sits atop a chassis then a top an axled wheel set. Compromises in enclosure height to combat vehicle drag has resulted in poor ergonomics for standing within the vehicle. Further attempts to minimize rigid recreational enclosure while maintaining traditional construction technique has provided for poor sitting and sleeping comfort. 
     Compliant enclosures contain foldable, inflatable, slide-able or otherwise deployable strategies used to achieve the recreational vehicles function at reduced weight and wind drag levels. These compliant enclosure strategies have numerous drawbacks, paramount is the human effort required to erect and deploy the compliant portion of the enclosure. Additional drawbacks include poor protection from the elements, poor personal security, and poor personal property protection. A further drawback is the size and appearance of deployed semi rigid recreational vehicle making its use limited in many instances, an overnight party at a friends requiring parking on a city street as example. 
     Using common materials and modern manufacturing techniques for recreational utility vehicles leave owners of sub compact and super sub compact vehicles with tow ratings of less than 1000 lbs few good options for vehicles with rigid enclosures. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     According to the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a rigid recreational utility vehicle is shown which comprises a multi-dimensional optimized enclosure reducing weight, increasing load carrying capacity while improving occupant ergonomics. 
     It would be advantages to provide a vehicle that, even fully loaded with gear or equipment, could be towed by vehicles with a 1000 pound tow rating or less. As the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure will show a recreational utility vehicle containing a chassis-less load transfer system comprising an enclosure for structural integrity utilizing modular panels, an integrated tow vehicle coupling system, and a suspension system bridging the structural enclosure to the ground engaging system. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a recreational/utility vehicle is shown comprising partitioning within an enclosure optimizing ergonomics, providing for an individual to stand erect, sit, and lie down in full comfort, while the rigid enclosure provides maximum personnel security and full protection from the elements. A further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure will show partitioning allows for division of the enclosure necessary for human grooming and hygiene activities, provides for work surfaces, and provide shelves and supports. 
     It would be advantageous to provide for a recreational utility vehicle that has easy ingress, egress, and rigid vehicle stability when entered by occupant. According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a recreational utility vehicle is shown comprising a suspension which provides for the suspension to be locked level utilizing a locking pin, to be dropped flat on the ground utilizing a release nut or by removing the suspension assemblies altogether, or lie level on uneven ground when locking pin and release nut are used together. A further illustration embodiment will show insertion of the suspension lock pin stabilizes the enclosure in its nominal, loaded, travel position. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a recreational/utility vehicle is shown which comprises an enclosure optimized for aerodynamics, minimizing aerodynamic drag at highway speeds but not compromising aforementioned functions. 
     The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  shows a left side rear perspective view illustrating the vehicle in the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a left side rear perspective assembly diagram showing the main groups of components of the vehicle enclosure illustrated of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a left side rear perspective exploded view of the main enclosure of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged cross sectional perspective view of the lower rear right corner of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a left side rear perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  illustrating vehicle in present disclosure access and flip up canopy doors; 
         FIG. 6  shows a left side front perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  floor assembly system; 
         FIG. 7  shows a bottom rear perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a left side front perspective assembly diagram showing the main groups of components of the partition wall system illustrated of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a left side front perspective of the ergonomic spatial layout of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a right side rear perspective view of the closet partition layout of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a right side front perspective view of the work shelf partition layout of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a right side front perspective view of the bed partition system of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a right side front perspective view of the floating partition system of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  shows a left side front bottom perspective view of the suspension system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows a left side rear perspective view of the suspension system of  FIG. 1 ; 
     
    
    
     Corresponding references characters indicate corresponding parts through several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize there teachings. For example, while the following description refers primarily to recreational utility vehicles, certain features described herein would apply to other applications such as travel trailers, campers, day trailers, hunting blinds, and fishing shanty&#39;s. 
     With reference first to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle of the present disclosure will be described. The vehicle shown generally at  10  and is commonly referred to as a recreational vehicle, a travel trailer, a camper, or a utility trailer. As shown, vehicle  10  generally comprises a structural enclosure system  11 , supported by ground engaging member  12  and  13 . As shown in this disclosure, ground engaging member  12  is comprised of wheel  14 , tire  15 , and fender  16 . In conjunction with or in place of wheel  13 , tire  14 , and fender  15  a ground engaging member may just as easily be ice skis, snow skis, or water floats. Vehicle  10  further comprises a left hand suspension system  17  and right hand suspension system  18  operatively connecting ground engaging member  12  and  13  to structural enclosure system  11 . Vehicle  10  further comprises an integrated tow vehicle coupler system  19  shown opposite ground engaging members  12  and  13  integrated into the structural enclosure system. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 2 , showing enclosure  11  generally comprising a wall load system  20 , a partition system  60 , a floor load system  40 , and a wall to suspension reinforcement system  50 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 3 , wall load system  20  will be described in greater detail. Wall load system  20  is generally comprised as a left hand side wall assembly  21 , a right hand side wall assembly  22 , an upper wall assembly  23  a middle wall assembly  24 , and a rear wall assembly  25 . Side wall assembly  21  comprising a plurality of side wall sub-assemblies  26 . Upper wall assembly  23  may comprises a plurality of upper wall sub assemblies  27 , or could be conceived to be formed into side wall sub assemblies  26  or as a single piece upper wall section utilizing generous radii between upper wall assembly  23 , side wall assembly  21  and  22  and floor load system  40 . Middle wall assembly  24  comprising a plurality of upper wall assemblies  28 , or could be conceived as a single piece wall assembly. Rear wall assembly  25  comprising a plurality of upper wall assemblies  29 , or could be conceived as a single piece wall assembly.  FIG. 3  side wall sub assemblies  26 , upper wall sub assemblies  27 , middle wall sub assemblies  28 , and rear wall sub assemblies  29  as shown count twelve, but could be conceived to count six as developed for enclosure  11  ( FIG. 1 ) spatial ergonomics and load management requirements for frameless vehicle  10 , with due considerations for design limits imposed by material availability, sheet stock size as example, and manufacturing processes, sheet metal edge hemming as example. 
     With respect still to  FIG. 3 , wall load system  20  will be described in further detail. Wall load system  20  comprising middle wall assembly  24  and a rear wall assembly  25  comprising a plurality of sub assemblies  28  and  29 . Both middle wall assembly  24  and rear wall assembly  25  contain openings humans can pass through. Middle wall assembly  24  leaves material D 1  and D 2  with rear wall assembly  25  leaving material D 3  and D 4  at top and bottom of wall opening as defined by load management requirements for frameless vehicle  10 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 4 , wall load system  20  will be described in yet greater detail. Right hand side wall system  22  is shown comprising two side wall sub assemblies  26 , rear wall assembly  25  comprising rear wall sub assembly  29 , and wall to suspension reinforcement system  50 . Shown further is a section through the lower right corner of rear wall system  25  and right hand wall side assembly  22  comprising an inner skin  28 , an insulating spacer  29 , and an outer skin  60 . The material type and thickness of inner skin  28  and outer skin  60 , the material and width of insulating spacer  29  is defined by load management requirements for frameless vehicle  10 , bending and shear strength of sub assembly as example, with due considerations for design limits imposed by material availability, standard sheet stock thickness as example and manufacturing processes, encapsulation molding as example. Materials used for inner skin  28 , outer skin  60 , could be conceived as aluminum, plastics, or composites, cut sheet stock or press formed, using common manufacturing processes, sheet metal pressing as example. Similarity, insulating spacer  29  could be conceived as polymers or paper, urethane foam as example utilizing common manufacturing processes, injection molding as example. 
     Wall load system  20  comprising left hand wall assembly  21  and right had wall assembly  22 , all sub assemblies  26 , upper wall assembly  23  comprising upper wall sub assemblies  27 , middle wall assembly  24  comprising middle wall sub assemblies  28 , rear wall assembly  25  comprising rear wall sub assemblies  29  similarly comprise an inner skin  28 , an insulating spacer  29 , and an outer skin  60 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 5 , vehicle  10  is shown comprising enclosure  11 , suspension system  17 , and left hand ground engaging members  12  and right hand ground engaging member  13 . Rear wall assembly  25  comprising a human pass through with left hand door assembly  61  and right hand door assembly  62 . Left hand door assembly  61  and right hand door assembly  62  being hinged to rear wall assembly  25  with removable hinge pins. The said removable hinge pins being replaceable onto the top of left hand door  61  and onto the top of right hand door  62  allowing door  61  and door  62  to swing vertically up forming the basis for canopy support  63 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 6 , floor load system  40  will be described in greater detail. Floor load system  40  comprising a plurality of individual extrusions  41  assembled together by conventional manufacturing methods.  FIG. 6  further describing floor load system  40  counts thirty six individual extrusions  41  but could be conceived to count more or less as section thicknesses, section height, and section width of extrusions  41  is defined by load management requirements for frameless vehicle  10 ; Materials used for extrusion  41  could be conceived as aluminum or plastic using common manufacturing processes, aluminum extrusion as example. 
     With respect still to  FIG. 6 , floor load system  40  comprising an integrated vehicle tow coupler system  90  allowing vehicle  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to be towed. Integrated vehicle tow coupler system  90  comprising a ball cup  91  which is in physical contact with tow vehicle, further comprising ball cup lock plate  92 , ball cup lock pin  93 , ball cup insulator  94 , forming basis of coupling lock system. Integrated vehicle tow coupler system  90  further comprising ball cup reinforcement plate  95 , left hand extrusion tie  96 , right hand extrusion tie  97  disseminating energy into floor load system  40  and enclosure  11 . The material and thickness of components of integrated vehicle tow coupler system  90  is defined by load requirements for frameless vehicle  10 , shear strength of sub assembly as example and could be conceived as aluminum, plastics with due regard for manufacturing processes, welding as example. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 7 , enclosure to suspension reinforcement system  50  will be described in greater detail. Floor load system  40  comprising assembled extrusions  41  is attached to enclosure  11  along entire floor periphery. Floor to wall reinforcement system  50  begins on left hand side wall system  21  and side wall sub assembly  26  above suspension left hand suspension system  17  moving rearward to rear wall system  25  and rear wall sub assembly  29  around corner traveling in an arc below rear wall door  61  along rear wall door  62  up to right hand side wall system  22  and right hand wall sub assembly  26  around corner and forward above right hand suspension system  18  then forward near middle wall system  24  and middle wall sub assembly  28  then down to floor load system  40  around corner then straight across floor load system  40  back to left hand side wall system  21  and left hand side wall sub assembly  26  then up left hand side wall assembly  21  and up to height equal to the point of beginning above left hand suspension  17  and rearward to close the loop. Loads generated on or through enclosure  11  and floor load system  40  pass through the integrated vehicle tow coupler system  90  at for forward end of vehicle  10  and through the wall to suspension reinforcement  50  into suspension  17  and  18  to ground engagement members  12  and  13 . Material used for reinforcement  50  could be conceived as aluminum, plastic, or composites, cut sheet stock or press formed, using common manufacturing processes, sheet metal bending and welded as example. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 8 , showing partition wall system  30  ( FIG. 2 ), comprising an spatial layout  60  derived from base ergonomic requirements utilizing a closet partition system  70 , a work surface partition system  80 , a bed partition system  90 , and a floating partition system  100 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 9 , the spatial layout  60  contained within partition system  30 , driven by base ergonomic requirements comprising a single location to stand  61 , to sit prone or slightly reclined  62 , to lie torso elevated, thighs and calves adjusted  63 , or to lie flat  64 . Cushion  65  bridging between bed partition system  90  ( FIG. 8 ) and sitting position  62 , elevated and adjusted position  63 , and lying position  64 . Alternate customer usage profiles could form various spatial layout  60 , changing the static and dynamic loads for vehicle  10 , and would necessarily change various aspects of enclosure  11  ( FIG. 2 ), and partition system  30 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 10 , closet partition system  70  comprising upper shelf  71 , lower shelf  72 , partition door  73 . Partition door  73  comprising hinge  74  and latching mechanism  75  where by middle wall  24  shown in phantom line forms cabin separation and isolation between the closet partition  70  and main cabin area containing bed partition system  90  when partition door  73  is open as shown in  FIG. 10 . Lower shelf  72  further comprising lower shelf facing  76 , lower shelf sitting plate  77 , and removable lower shelf sitting plate cover  78 . Removable lower shelf sitting plate  78  further comprising waste bag attachment mechanisms. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 11 , a working surface shelf system  80  comprising upper shelf  81 , upper shelf facing  82 , lower shelf  83 , lower shelf facing  84 , and shelf system facing  85 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 12 , a bed partition system  90  comprising torso board  91 , thigh board  92 , calf board  93 , bed partition system hinge support  94 , peak board  95 , peak board support  96  providing for a location to sit prone or slightly reclined  62  ( FIG. 9 ), or to lie flat  64  ( FIG. 9 ). Bed partition system  90  further comprising hinges, swing bar and locking pins located on and between torso board  91 , thigh board  92 , and calf board  93  allowing each to be adjusted individually providing for a torso elevated, thighs and calves adjusted  63  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     With respect now to  FIG. 13 , floating partition system  100  comprising a foldable floating partition  101 , articulating adjustable support system  102 , and upper wall attachment support  103 . Articulating adjustable support system  102  allows foldable floating partition  101  to move up to a stowed position along upper wall assembly  23  ( FIG. 3 ) and allowing partition  101  to function as table top and shelf system through out enclosure  11  for all ergonomic positions  62  ( FIG. 9 ),  63  ( FIG. 9 ), and  64  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 13 , enclosure  11  ( FIG. 1 ) is comprised of plurality of wall and partition assemblies containing skins and insulating spacers of various thickness and materials. Joining of these panel assemblies is key in transferring loads generated from customer usage into the ground engagement member and tow vehicle coupler. Mechanical methods of joining thin skinned panels could be hemming, interlocking flanging, brazing, or adhesion, as example. Mechanical means of joining thicker skinned panels could be riveting, bolting, welding, or again adhesion, as example. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 14 , left hand suspension system  17  will be described in detail. Left hand suspension  17  comprises hinge plate  5  fastened to swing arms  9  and strut assembly  8 . Left hand suspension system  17  further comprises inner suspension plate  7  and outer king pin plate  6 . Further comprising left hand suspension system  17  are suspension components, such as nuts, bolts, washers, and bearings as examples.  FIG. 14  further shows left hand suspension system  17  attached to ground engaging member  12  comprising tire  14 , wheel  15 , and fender  16 . Left hand suspension system  17  and right hand suspension system  18  ( FIG. 7 ) further comprising lock pin  3 , which may be inserted through hinge plate  5 , engaging swing arm  9 , and inner suspension plate  7  allowing vehicle  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to become vertically stable. Locking pin  3 , when inserted through different holes in hinge plate  5  allows vehicle  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to be leveled on unleveled ground. In the present disclosure, the left hand suspension system  17  is known as double swing arm, but any suspension system could be contemplated, torsion bar as example. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 15 , left hand suspension system  17  is shown further comprises a quick release attachment  4  which allows strut  8  to wing inboard of hinge plate  5  so that left hand suspension system  17  may translate up allowing vehicle  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to settle on to ground. With left hand suspension system  17  and right hand suspension system  18  ( FIG. 7 ) settled on to the ground, decoupling from tow vehicle allows vehicle  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to sit as solid platform on ground. Both suspension system  17  and symmetrically opposite right hand suspension system  18  ( FIG. 7 ) could be conceived to be removable from enclosure  11  through attachment methods, nuts and bolts, as example.