Patent Publication Number: US-2022212593-A1

Title: Sleeper bunk system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/911,505, filed Jun. 25, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/866,608, filed Jun. 25, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/894,551, filed Aug. 30, 2019, which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to sleeper bunks for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles, such as commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles, have sleeper areas that include one or more sleeper bunks. The bunks may move between a stored position that provides more area within the vehicle to move about and an operable position that exposes a bed held in the bunk for use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a sleeper system including an upper sleeper bunk in a stored, vertical position and a lower bunk in an open, horizontal position; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the upper bunk pivoted downward to an open, horizontal position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 1  showing a frame of the upper sleeper bunk extending about a recess for receiving a mattress; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 3  showing exterior panels of the upper sleeper bunk including storage compartments; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a portion of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 3  showing a mead board of the upper sleeper bunk removed to show a lattice support of the upper sleeper bunk that is supported by the frame; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 5  showing lattice members of the lattice support forming a pattern of connected triangles; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 6  showing a rail of the frame and end caps of the frame that are connected to opposite ends of the rail; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the lattice support of  FIG. 7  showing a central opening that receives an actuator for controlling latches of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lattice support of  FIG. 8  showing an opening of the side wall that receives a fastener to connect the lattice support to one of the end caps; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 6  showing a projection of the lattice support received in a recess of the rail; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the dashed circle  11  in  FIG. 10  showing a mating profile of the projection of the lattice support and the recess of the rail that permits the lattice support to be slid longitudinally into the recess of the rail to connect the lattice support to the rail; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the dashed circle  12  in  FIG. 10  showing a rear flange of one of the exterior panels abutting an underside of a rear wall of the lattice support; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 6  showing an end of the rail and a side wall of the lattice support received in a recess of a skirt of the end cap; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 6  showing the exterior panels connected to an underside of the lattice support; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of the dashed circle  15  in  FIG. 14  showing the side wall of the lattice support and a flange of the exterior panel received within the skirt recess of the end cap; 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of one of the exterior panels of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 4  showing an opening of the compartment; 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the exterior panel of  FIG. 16  showing a panel base, a panel exterior, a cover, and a reinforcement of the exterior panel; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17  showing the reinforcement reinforcing a lower wall of the panel base; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an upper sleeper bunk showing a frame extending about a recess for receiving a mattress; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 19  showing lower exterior panels of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a lower sleeper bunk showing a frame extending about a recess for receiving a mattress; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 21  showing a rail and a pair of end caps of the frame and a lattice support including a front portion and a rear portion; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the lattice support of  FIG. 22  showing upper and lower portions of the lattice support front and rear portions that interlace to support the weight of a mattress and user on the lattice support; 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the lattice support of  FIG. 22  showing the laced portions of the lattice support; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24  showing a lap joint between an upper portion of the lattice support front portion and a lower portion of the lattice support rear portion; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of another lower bunk showing a frame of the lower bunk including end caps connected to opposite ends of a rail; 
         FIG. 27  is a bottom perspective view of the lower bunk of  FIG. 26  showing a two-part lattice support of the lower bunk; and 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of a cable mount of a lattice support. 
         FIG. 29  is a top perspective view of an upper sleeper bunk showing a frame of the upper sleeper bunk extending about a recess for receiving a mattress; 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom perspective view of the sleeper bunk of  FIG. 29  showing exterior panels of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 31  is a bottom perspective view similar to  FIG. 30  with the exterior panels and the ladder of the upper sleeper bunk removed to show a safety restraint bracket and an actuator of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded view of portions of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 29  showing a front rail and a rear rail of the frame and support members for extending laterally between the front and rear rails; 
         FIG. 33  is a top plan view of an intermediate support member of  FIG. 32  showing a sinusoidal shape of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 34  is a bottom plan view of the intermediate support member of  FIG. 33  showing beam portions extending along opposite sides of the intermediate support member and a web portion extending between the beam portions; 
         FIG. 35  is a side elevational view of the intermediate support member of  FIG. 33  showing an arched profile of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  36 - 36  in  FIG. 33  showing a tubular cross-section of the beam portions of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of a pair of intermediate support members showing overlapping flanges of adjacent intermediate support members engaged which distributes load between the support members; 
         FIG. 38  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  38 - 38  in  FIG. 29  showing a skirt of an end cap of the frame extending about the front rail, rear rail, and end support member; 
         FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  39 - 39  in  FIG. 29  showing a front wall of one of the intermediate support members received in a recess of the front rail; 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  40 - 40  in  FIG. 29  showing a rear wall of one of the support members received in a recess of the rear rail; 
         FIG. 41  is a top perspective view of an upper sleeper bunk having a frame including a front rail assembly and a rear rail, the upper sleeper bunk further including support members extending laterally between the front rail assembly and the rear rail; 
         FIG. 42  is a top perspective view of a portion of the upper sleeper bunk of FIG.  41  showing a pocket structure of each of the intermediate support members that permits a either a ladder bracket or a safety restraint anchor to be secured to the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  43 - 43  in  FIG. 42  showing a bolt of the safety restraint extending through a safety restraint anchor, through an opening of the intermediate support member, and engaging a nut insert of a safety restraint bracket secured to an underside of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 44  is a bottom perspective view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 41  showing exterior panels of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 45  is a view similar to  FIG. 44  showing the exterior panels removed to illustrate the safety restraint bracket extending across multiple intermediate support members; 
         FIG. 46  is an exploded view of a portion of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 41  showing the front rail assembly including a front rail and a fascia that is connected to the front rail; 
         FIG. 47  is a top plan view of one of the intermediate support members of  FIG. 46  showing the pocket structure of the intermediate support member including a wider, ladder bracket-receiving pocket and a narrower, safety restraint-receiving pocket; 
         FIG. 48  is a bottom plan view of the intermediate support member of  FIG. 47  showing a front end portion of the intermediate support member with connecting portions to receive fasteners for securing to the front rail, bosses for receiving fasteners of the safety restraint bracket, and a rear end portion with connecting portions to receive fasteners to secure to the rear rail; 
         FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  49 - 49  in  FIG. 47  showing a tubular cross-section of the beam portions of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  50 - 50  in  FIG. 41  showing a front wall portion of one of the intermediate support members received in a recess of the front rail and the fascia covering the front rail; 
         FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  51 - 51  in  FIG. 41  showing a rear wall portion of one of the intermediate support members received in a recess of the rear rail; 
         FIG. 52  is a top perspective view of a lower sleeper bunk having a front rail assembly, a rear rail, and support members extending laterally between the front rail assembly and the rear rail; 
         FIG. 53  is a bottom perspective view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 52  showing a safety restraint bracket secured to multiple intermediate support members of the lower sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 54  is an exploded view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 52  showing hinges of the lower sleeper bunk that are secured to the rear rail; 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  55 - 55  in  FIG. 54  showing a pair of spaced walls of the beam portions of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 56  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  56 - 56  in  FIG. 52  showing fasteners connecting one of the intermediate support members to the front rail and the front fascia covering the front rail; 
         FIG. 57  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  57 - 57  in  FIG. 52  showing fasteners connecting one of the intermediate support members to one of the hinges and the rear rail; 
         FIG. 58  is a top perspective view of an upper sleeper bunk having intermediate support members; 
         FIG. 59  is a bottom perspective view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 58  showing exterior panels and an actuator of a latch system of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 60  is a top plan view of one of the intermediate support members of  FIG. 58  showing circular and rectangular protrusions extending downwardly from an upper surface of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  61 - 61  in  FIG. 60  showing one of the rectangular protrusions having an aperture for receiving a latch cable assembly of the latch system and one of the circular protrusions receiving a fastener that connects one of the exterior panels to the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 62  is a perspective view of a latch cable routing apparatus having through openings that receive latch cables connected to the actuator of  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 63  is a top perspective view of a lower sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 64  is a bottom perspective view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 63  showing three safety restraint brackets secured to the undersides of three different intermediate support members of the lower sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 65  is a top perspective view of a lower sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 66  is a bottom perspective view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 65  showing an opening in a lower exterior panel that may be closed with a branded trim piece; 
         FIG. 67  is a side elevational view of an upper sleeper bunk and the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 63  in horizontal orientations; 
         FIG. 68  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 67  showing the upper sleeper bunk in a raised, vertical orientation and the lower sleeper bunk in a raised orientation; 
         FIG. 69  is a perspective view of another sleeper bunk having front and rear rails and support members connecting the rails; 
         FIG. 70  is a bottom perspective view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 69  showing a ladder, an actuator, and exterior panels of the upper sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 71  is an exploded view of the upper sleeper bunk of  FIG. 69  showing the three support members and three exterior panels removed from the front and rear rails; 
         FIG. 72  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  72 - 72  showing a flange portion of one of the end support members supported by an upper portion of the rear rail; 
         FIG. 73  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  73 - 73  in  FIG. 69  showing a front flange portion of the end support member supported on the front rail; 
         FIG. 74  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  74 - 74  showing a tab of the intermediate support member received in a channel of the end support member; 
         FIG. 75  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  75 - 75  in  FIG. 69  showing the end exterior panel secured to the front rail; 
         FIG. 76A  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  76 A- 76 A in  FIG. 69  showing a distal strengthening ridge of the tab of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 76B  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  76 B- 76 B in  FIG. 69  showing a corrugated cross-section of the end support member formed by alternating strengthening ridges and channels; 
         FIG. 77  is a top perspective of another lower sleeper bunk having front and rear rails that support end members and intermediate support members; 
         FIG. 78  is a bottom perspective view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 77  showing a striker of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 79  is an exploded view of the lower sleeper bunk of  FIG. 77  showing the end support members and intermediate support member removed from the front and rear rails of the lower sleeper bunk; 
         FIG. 80  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  80 - 80  in  FIG. 77  showing a doghouse of one end support member overlapping and nesting with a doghouse of the intermediate support member; 
         FIG. 81  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  81 - 81  in  FIG. 77  showing a side portion of the intermediate support member sandwiched between a side portion of one end support member and the rear rail; 
         FIG. 82  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  82 - 82  in  FIG. 77  showing an upper wall portion of the doghouse of the end support member covering an upper wall portion of the doghouse of the intermediate support member and a fastener joining the doghouses of the end support member and the intermediate support member; and 
         FIG. 83  is a cross-sectional view taken across line  83 - 83  in  FIG. 77  showing a corrugated cross-section of the end support member formed by alternating strengthening ridges and channels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a sleeper system  10  is provided in a sleeping area  12  of a vehicle, such as a truck. The sleeper system  10  includes an upper sleeper bunk  14  and a lower sleeper bunk  16 . The upper and lower sleeper bunks  14 ,  16  are mounted to a structure of the vehicle, such as a wall  18 . The upper and lower sleeper bunks  14 ,  16  support mattresses  19 A,  19 B therein. The upper sleeper bunk  14  includes one or more mounts  32  that permit the upper sleeper bunk  14  to pivot from a closed or stored, vertical position of  FIG. 1  to an open or operable horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The mounts  32  may permit different of movement in other embodiments, such as a linear movement. The upper sleeper bunk  14  includes end caps  22 ,  24  (see  FIG. 3 ) at opposite longitudinal ends of the upper sleeper bunk  14  that have one or more lower surfaces  26  that are configured to contact and be supported by a surface  28  of a support  30  of the vehicle. The support  30  and mounts  32  support the weight of a user when the user is in the upper sleeper bunk  14 . 
     The lower sleeper bunk  16  includes one or more mounts  302  that connect the lower sleeper bunk  16  to the wall  18 . In one approach, the one or more mounts  302  permit the lower sleeper bunk  16  to pivot in direction  34  from an operable, horizontal position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to a stored, vertical position. This pivoting of the lower sleeper bunk  16  in direction  34  may expose, for example, a table of a kitchenette that was covered by the lower sleeper bunk  16  when the lower sleeper bunk  16  was in the operable position. Further, the sleeper system  10  may include a support  36  that supports a lower surface  38  of end caps  40 ,  42  (see  FIG. 21 ) of the lower sleeper bunk  16 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 3 , the upper sleeper bunk  14  includes a frame  50  extending about a recess  52  sized to receive a mattress. The frame  50  includes a longitudinal frame member, such as a rail  54 , and transverse frame members, such as the end caps  22 ,  24 . The rail  54  may be elongated and have substantially the same cross-section taken perpendicular to the length of the rail  54  along the entirety of the rail  54 . The rail  54  has a cross-section and is made of a material configured to provide rigidity to the upper sleeper bunk  14 . The rail  54  may operate as the structural backbone for the upper sleeper bunk  14  and provides strength for the substrate or support, such as lattice support  70 . In one embodiment, the lattice support  70  is rigidly mounted to the mounts  32  and transfers loading from the mattress to the mounts  302 . In one approach, end caps  22 ,  24  are a plastic component, such as counter pressure structural foam, and the rail  54  is an extruded metal component such as aluminum. The rail  54  may also be configured to contribute to the overall visual appearance of the upper sleeper bunk  14 , such as by having a brushed metal finish. The rail  54  provides flexibility in manufacturing the upper sleeper bunk  14  for a given vehicle because the rail  54  is simply extruded to the length required for the vehicle. The manufacturing flexibility provided by the rail  54  offers an improvement over some prior sleeper bunks that utilize a molded shell to support a mattress. In order to provide these prior molded shells for a variety of vehicles, a corresponding number of molds would have to be produced which complicates manufacture. 
     The mounts  32  of the upper sleeper bunk  14  include a strut or lift support  60  that assists a user in pivoting the upper sleeper bunk  14  between operable and stored positions and a latch system  62  for releasably securing the upper sleeper bunk  14  in the stored position. The latch system  62  may include one or more front latch mechanisms  64  and/or one or more side latch mechanisms  66  as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Regarding  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the upper sleeper bunk  14  includes the lattice support  70  which is supported by the end caps  22 ,  24  and the rail  54 . The lattice support  70  transfers the load from the weight of the user on the mattress to the end caps  22 ,  24  and the rail  54 . The lattice support  70  includes a plurality of support members, such as lattice members  72 , connected by connections such as vertices  74  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The lattice members  72  form a contiguous pattern of lattice members  72  configured to support a mattress support, such as a mead board  76 . The mead board  76  may be, for example, a wood sheet or a composite plastic material as some examples. The mead board  76  provides a flat upper surface for supporting a mattress received in the recess  52 . 
     The contiguous pattern of the lattice members  72  also improves manufacturability of the upper sleeper bunk  14  for a variety of vehicles because the pattern of lattice members  72  may be repeated or truncated as needed to meet the size requirements for a given vehicle. For example, a lattice support  70  for a longer upper sleeper bunk  14  may have more lateral rows of triangles of lattice members  72  than for a shorter upper sleeper bunk  14 . Further, the rail  54  may simply be extruded to a desired length to match the selected length of the lattice support  70 . In this manner, the upper sleeper bunk  14  may be readily designed and manufactured for a variety of sizes of a vehicle. The lattice members  72  may have uniform or different sizes, and the contiguous pattern may include a plurality of shapes formed by the lattice members  72 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 3 , the upper sleeper bunk  14  includes a safety restraint  80  having one or more straps  82  and a netting  84  that extend across the mattress received in the recess  52  to hold the mattress in the recess  52  when the upper sleeper bunk  14  is in the stored position. The safety restraint  80  may include, for example, one or more connections  86  for connecting to the rail  84  and a wall  18  of the vehicle. 
     Regarding  FIG. 4 , the upper sleeper bunk  14  includes one or more exterior panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  that are connected to an underside  96  (see  FIG. 7 ) of the lattice support  70 , the rail  54 , and/or the end caps  22 ,  24 . Regarding  FIG. 6 , the vertices  74  of the lattice support  70  include through openings  98  and annular walls  99  extending about the through openings  98 . The exterior panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  may be connected to the lattice support  70  using a number of approaches. For example, the lattice support  70  may have one or more filled-in triangular areas (rather than triangular openings) between the lattice members  72  with female features formed in the filled-in triangular areas. The exterior panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  may have molded projections with clips connected thereto that engage the female features of the filled-in triangular areas of the lattice support  70 . Alternatively or additionally, the lattice support  70  may be provided with filled-in triangular areas each having a hole that receives a screw. The shank of the screw engages a metal U-clip supported on a plastic projection of the exterior panel  90 ,  92 ,  94 . 
     The upper sleeper bunk  14  may be tailored to a particular vehicle in that the rail  54 , lattice support  70 , and panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  may be selected for a particular application and assembled. Further, the end caps  22 ,  24  may be the same for varying lengths of the rail  54 , lattice support  70 , and different types of panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  which simplifies assembly. For example, the exterior panels  90 ,  92  include compartments  100  (see  FIG. 4 ) for storing items and the exterior panel  92  includes guide protrusions  102  for directing movement of a ladder  104  mounted to the rail  54 . The ladder  104  has a stored configuration wherein the ladder  104  is generally parallel to the exterior panel  92  and may pivot in a direction  105  to an extended position transverse to the exterior panel  92  that positions a step  106  of the ladder  104  below the upper sleeper bunk  14 . By contrast and with reference to  FIG. 20 , in another embodiment, an upper sleeper bunk  110  is provided that includes exterior panels  111 ,  113 ,  115 . The exterior panels  111 ,  115  do not include compartments  100  which may be desired in some applications. By having the exterior panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  or  111 ,  113 ,  115  connect to the underside of the respective lattice support, the exterior panels  90 ,  92 ,  94  or  11 ,  113 ,  115  may be selected for a particular application. This further improves the ease of manufacturing the upper sleeper bunk  14 ,  110  for different types of vehicles and different sizes of sleeping areas. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the upper sleeper bed  14  includes an actuator  110  operable to reconfigure the latch system  62  from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and permit the upper sleeper bed  14  to pivot downward from the stored position thereof. In one embodiment, the actuator  110  includes a handle  112  that is turned in a first direction to shift the latch system  62  from the locked to the unlocked configuration. The handle  112  may be spring-biased in a reverse direction in order to automatically return the latch system  62  to the locked configuration once the user removes his hand from the handle  112 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 6 , the actuator  110  includes latch cable assemblies  114  that extend around or through lattice members  72  and/or the vertices  40  of the lattice support  70 . For example, the latch cable assembly  114 A extends through an opening  116  of the lattice member  72 A. Alternatively or additionally, and with reference to  FIG. 28 , the lattice support  70  may include one or more filled-in triangle portions  201  including a retainer  203  in an opening  199  between lattice members  72 . The retainer  203  includes a retainer member  205  extending about an opening  207  sized to receive a portion of a latch cable assembly  114 . The opening  207  is sized slightly smaller than the diameter of the portion of the latch cable assembly  114  so that the retainer member  205  engages the exterior of the portion of the latch cable assembly  114  and holds the portion of the latch cable assembly  114  relative to the lattice support  70 . 
     The latch cable assemblies  114  each include a housing, such as a tube, and a latch cable that extends through the housing and operably connects the handle  112  to a latch member of the front latch mechanism  64  or the side latch mechanisms  66 . For example, the side latch mechanism  66  has a latch member  120  coupled to the latch cable assembly  114 B. When the handle  112  is turned in the unlocking direction, the cable of the latch cable assembly  114  shifts toward the handle  112  and shifts the latch member inward in direction  122  toward the end cap  22 . The inward movement of the latch member  120  positions the latch member  120  in clearance with a structure of the vehicle such that the latch member  120  may permit the upper sleeper bed  14  to pivot from the stored position to the operable position. 
     The exterior panels  90 ,  94  may each be an assembly of parts or, in other embodiments, may be a single part. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the exterior panels  90 ,  94  are mirror images of each other but, in other embodiments, the exterior panels  90 ,  94  may be different. With respect to the exterior panel  94 , the exterior panel  94  includes a panel base  140  that is connected to the lattice support  70  and a panel exterior  142  that covers lower surfaces of the panel base  140 . The panel base  140  includes a projection  144  that forms a cavity  146  of the panel base  140  and defines a portion of the compartment  100 . The exterior panel  94  includes a reinforcement  150  that is received in the cavity  146  and includes mounting portions  152  that connect to the lattice support  70  to strengthen the projection  144 . The exterior panel  94  also includes a cover  154  having notches  156  that provide clearance for the mounting portions  152  of the reinforcement  150  to connect to the lattice support  70 . The cover  154  closes the cavity  146  and separates the cavity  146  from the lattice support  70 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lattice support  70  includes a front wall  160 , a taller, rear wall  162 , and side walls  164 ,  166 . In one embodiment, the lattice support  70  has a unitary, one-piece construction. For example, the lattice support  70  may be made of a plastic material and may be manufactured using molding or additive manufacturing techniques. As an example, the lattice support  70  may be injection molded using a glass filled polypropylene material. 
     The end caps  22 ,  24  each include a skirt  170  extending from a lateral wall  172  and forming a recess  174  that receives an end portion  176  of the rail  54  as well as the front wall  160 , side wall  164  and rear wall  162  of the lattice support  70 . The recess  174  of the end cap skirt  170  may also receive flanges  179 ,  182  of the panel base  140  and panel exterior  142 . 
     The rail  54  has opposite end portion  178  with a recess  180  extending from the end portion  178  to the end portion  176 . To connect the lattice support  70  and the rail  54 , the front wall  160  is slid in direction  182  into the recess  180  of the rail  54  to form a slide connection therebetween. The lattice support  70  is slid along the rail  54  until the front wall  160  is fully engaged along the length thereof with the rail  54 . The lateral wall  172  of the end cap  24  has an opening configured to receive a fastener  360  (see  FIG. 12 ), such as a bolt, extending through an opening  192  of the side wall  164  of the lattice support  70 . The fastener  360  extending through the openings  190 ,  192  connects to the mount  32  and transfers loading from the lattice support  70  to the mount  32 . Further, the mount  32  includes another fastener at the lift support  60  that extends through an opening in the end cap  24  (see  FIG. 5 ) and through an opening in the side wall  164  of the lattice support  70  to further enable load transfer between the lattice support  70  and the mount  70 . The end cap  22  forms a similar connection with the lattice support  70 , rail  54 , exterior panel  90 , and the other mount  32 . In some embodiments, the end caps  22 ,  24  have through openings that receive additional fasteners for connecting the end caps  22 ,  24  to the lattice support  70 , such as M6 screws, and the lattice support  70  includes U-nuts that engage the fasteners. 
     Regarding  FIG. 8 , the lattice support  70  includes the lattice members  72  extending about through openings  200  and joined together at the vertices  74 . The lattice members  72  are arranged in a pattern, such as a polygonal pattern, that provides rigidity to the lattice support  70  and may be repeated for longer sleeper bunk configurations or reduced for shorter sleeper bunk configurations. The lattice member  72  include lattice members  72 A,  72 B extending at an angle  202  relative to one another, such as 60 degrees. In one embodiment, the lattice members  72  are arranged in a triangular shape with vertices  74  at the intersection of the lattice members  72 . In other forms, the lattice members  72  may be arranged in other polygonal shapes or may include curved portions, such as circles, as some examples. With the lattice members  72  forming equilateral triangles, the lattice support  70  has parallel transverse cords such as cords  210 ,  212  extending at an angle  214  relative to a longitudinal axis  216  of the lattice support  70 . The lattice members  72  also include lateral cords, such as cord  218 , extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  216 . The cords  210 ,  212  and  218  extend between the walls  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  and bridge across the recess  52 . The cords  210 ,  212 ,  218  thereby transfer the weight of the mattress and user to the walls  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  which in turn transfers the load to the frame  50 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 8 , the lattice support  70  includes a collar  230  extending about an opening  232 . The opening  232  receives a housing  234  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the actuator  110 . The actuator housing  234  may be mounted to the collar  230 , such as by fasteners and/or interlocking portions of the housing and the collar  230 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 9 , each vertex  74  may include an annular wall  240  extending about the through opening  98 . The annular wall  240  provides rigidity to the interface and the opening  98  may improve the ease of manufacturing the lattice support  70 . For example, the annular wall  240  provides a substantially uniform wall thickness of the vertices  74  and the lattice members  72  which improves the flow of material when injection molding the lattice support  70 . 
     The front wall  160  includes ribs  250  separated by gaps  252  therebetween. The ribs  250  have an edge  254  with an outer surface  256  thereon. The edges  254  of the ribs  250  provide spaced line contacts between the front wall  160  of the lattice support  70  and an interior of the rail  54  to improve the ease of advancing the front wall  160  in direction  182  (see  FIG. 7 ) into the rail  54 . The ribs  250  include end rib  250 A that is received in the skirt recess  174  of the end cap  24  and a corresponding end rib  250  at the opposite end of the front wall  160  that is received in a similar skirt recess of the end cap  22 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 9 , the side wall  164  includes the opening  192  for receiving the fastener  360  therethrough to connect the lattice support  70  to the end cap  24  and a pocket  260  that provides clearance for inserting the fastener  360 , such as a bolt, into the opening  192  and the associated opening  190  of the skirt  124 . The side wall  164  also includes reinforcing structures, such as a reinforcing collar  262  extending about the opening  192  and one or more ribs  264  that extend away from the reinforcing collar  262  and increase the thickness of the side wall  164  adjacent the opening  192  which inhibits crack propagation. The fastener  360  that extends through the opening  192  may connect to one of the mounts  32  on the opposite side of the end cap  24  from the lattice support  70 . The side wall  164  may include other openings  268 ,  270  that may be used in other embodiments to connect the lattice support  70  to the end cap  24  and/or mount  32 . The provision of the openings  268 ,  192 ,  270  provides flexibility in permitting the lattice support  70  to be used with different types of end caps and mounts  32 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 9 , the side wall  164  includes an opening  266  that receives a portion of a side latch mechanism  66 A (see  FIG. 6 ). The portion of the side latch mechanism  66 A may also operate as fastener to connect the side wall  164  to the end cap  24 . The lattice support  70  includes a pocket  274  that receives a portion of the side latch mechanism  66 A and improves the ease of assembling the side latch mechanism  66 A with the lattice support  70 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the upper sleeper bunk  14  includes an interface  300  between the rail  54  and the lattice support  70  that provides a rigid connection for the lattice support  70  to extend therefrom and support the weight of a user on the upper sleeper bunk  14 . More specifically, the lattice support  70  has a projection  302  including the front wall  160  that is received in the recess  180  of the rail  54 . The rail  54  has a front wall  304 , an upper wall  306 , a lip wall  308 , and a lower wall  310 . The walls  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  form an interlocking engagement with the projection  302  of the lattice support  70  and support a base portion  312  of the lattice support  70  as the base portion  312  extends away from the rail  54 . The lower wall  310  include a recessed portion  351  that forms a recess  353  below the projection  302  of the lattice support  70 . The lower wall  310  further includes a ramp portion  355  that extends upwardly to a floor portion  357 . The floor portion  357  extends along and supports the underside of the base portion  312  of the lattice support  70 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 10 , at the rear wall  162  of the lattice support  70 , rear wall  162  has a projection  320  that cooperates with a rear flange  322  of the exterior panel  22 . The rear flange  322  extends upward and along the rear wall  162  to cover the rear walls  162  of the lattice support  70 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 11 , the lip wall  308  and the lower wall  310  form a neckdown portion  330  of the rail  54  and defines a lateral opening  332  having a height that is smaller than a height  334  of the projection  302  of the lattice support  70 . This causes surfaces  340 ,  342  to abut and resist pull-through of the projection  302  from the recess  180  of the rail  54  as the user&#39;s weight pulls downward on the middle of the lattice support  70 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 11 , the edge  254  of each rib  250  has a shape complementary to an inner surface  346  of an inner wall portion  348  of the front wall  304 . The inner surface  346  of the inner wall portion  348  and the surface  256  may have a crenulated profile with straight sections and corners separating the straight sections. In one embodiment, the rail  54  includes inner and outer wall portions for each of the front wall  304 , upper wall  306 , lip wall  308  and lower wall  310 . For example, the front wall  304  includes the inner wall portion  348 , an outer wall portion  350 , and a void  352  therebetween. There may also be support portions  354  to increase the strength of the cross-section of the rail  54 . This dual-wall structure of the rail  54  may provide a desired rigidity of the rail  54  while minimizing the material required to manufacture the rail  54 . It is noted that in other embodiments, the rail  54  may be machined or produced using additive manufacturing as some examples. 
     Regarding  FIG. 12 , the lattice support  70  is shown with the fastener  360  extending through the opening  192  of the side wall  164 .  FIG. 12  also shows the projection  320  of the rear wall  162  of the lattice support  70  having an underside  362  against which an upper edge  364  of the rear flange  322  of the exterior panel  92  abuts. The contact between the underside  362  and the edge  364  may serve to position the exterior panel  92  relative to the lattice support  70 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 13 , the side wall  164  of the lattice support  70 , the end portion  176  of the rail  54 , and the flanges  179 ,  182  of the panel base  140  and panel exterior  142  are shown received in the recess  174  formed by the skirt  170  of the end cap  24 . The skirt  170  includes an upper skirt wall portion  380 , a side skirt wall portion  382 , a lower skirt wall portion  384 , and a side skirt portion  386 . The upper, side, and lower skirt wall portions  380 ,  382 ,  384  encircle and form a mating fit with the upper wall  306 , the front wall  304 , and the lower wall  310  of the rail  54  and the rear wall  162  of the lattice support  70 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 13 , the end caps  22 ,  24  each have a lateral midline  167  and the end caps are symmetrical about the midline  167 . This permits a manufacturer to make one end cap  22 ,  24  and have the end cap  22 ,  24  be assembled to the rail  54  by flipping the end cap  22 ,  24  about the midline  167  as appropriate to connect to the desired end portion  176 ,  180  of the rail  54 . The upper wall  306 , front wall  304 , and lower wall  310  of the rail  54  have outer surfaces for contacting inner surfaces of the end cap  22 ,  24  that are likewise symmetrical about the lateral midline to permit the end caps  22 ,  24  to be connected to the rail  54 . The end caps  22 ,  24  may have two sets of holes to receive fasteners therethrough so that the correct set of holes are selected depending on which end portion  176 ,  180  the end cap  22 ,  24  is connected to. The unused sets of holes may be closed with a plug or left open. 
     Regarding  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the end cap  24  also receives the flanges  179 ,  182  of the panel base  140  and the exterior panel  142 . The connection between the end cap  22 , the lattice support  70 , and exterior panel  90 , are similar. The caps  22 ,  24  thereby also help secure the exterior panels  90 ,  94  relative to the rail  54  and lattice support  70 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 16 , the exterior panel  94  is shown in greater detail. The projection  144  of the panel base  140  extends through an opening  390  of the panel exterior  142 . The projection  144  has an edge  392  extending about an opening  394  that opens to the cavity  146 . The panel exterior  142  includes an edge  396  that defines a portion of the opening  390  and also defines a portion of the opening  394 . Regarding  FIG. 17 , the cover  154  includes a lip  400  that overlaps the flange  179  of the panel base  140  and may be fastened thereto. The cover  154  has notches  156  providing clearance for the mounting portions  152  of the reinforcement  150  that extend therethrough. Regarding  FIG. 18 , the reinforcement  150  is secured at a lower portion  451  thereof to a lower wall  410  of the projection  144  of the panel base  140 . Further, the mounting portions  152  of the reinforcement  150  are secured to the lattice support  70 . The reinforcement  150  resists deformation of the lower wall  410  in direction  412 , such as by a user accidentally pulling downward on the lower wall  410  near the opening  394 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the upper sleeper bunk  110  is provided that is similar in many respects to the upper sleeper bunk  14  discussed above. The upper sleeper bunk  110  includes a frame  450  having a rail  452  and end caps  454 ,  456  and a lattice support  457  received in the frame  450 . The upper sleeper bunk  110  has mounts  458  that may be different than the mounts  32  discussed above. Regarding  FIG. 20 , the upper sleeper bunk  110  includes exterior panels  111 ,  115  that do not include compartments for storage. Further, the upper sleeper bunk  110  does not include a ladder. It will be appreciated that the exterior panels  111 ,  113 ,  115  may be selected for a particular application and connected to the rail  450 , end caps  454 ,  456 , and lattice support  457 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 21 and 22 , the lower sleeper bunk  16  is similar in many respects to the upper sleeper bunk  14  discussed above such that differences between the two will be highlighted. The lower sleeper bunk  16  includes a frame  500  including a rail  502  and the end caps  40 ,  42 . The lower sleeper bunk  16  includes a mattress base  504  received on a lattice support  506 . The lower sleeper bunk  16  also includes mounts  302  that may permit the lower sleeper bunk  16  to be moved from a stored configuration to an operable configuration. In other embodiments, the mounts  302  do not permit movement of the lower sleeper bunk  16 . Regarding  FIG. 22 , the lattice support  506  includes a plurality of lattice support portions, such as a lattice support front portion  510  and a lattice support rear portion  512 . The lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  form a connection  514  therebetween that provides rigidity for the lattice support  506  despite the multiple components being utilized. 
     The multiple lattice support portions may be utilized because the lower sleeper bunk  16  may have a lateral width  514  (see  FIG. 21 ) larger than the upper sleeper bunk  14 . Due to the larger width  514 , it may be desirable to form the lattice support  506  using a plurality of components to ease manufacture. For example, if the lattice support  506  is injection molded, the two-piece construction of the lattice support  506  may require a smaller injection mold volume to mold the components of the lattice support  506  than if the lattice support  506  had a single-piece construction. Another advantage of utilizing the two-piece lattice support  506  is that the lattice support front portion  510  may be connected to a first lattice support rear portion  512  to provide a first lateral width, or the lattice support front portion  510  may be connected to a second lattice support rear portion  512  to provide a smaller lateral width. This further improves the flexibility of the lower sleeper bunk  16  to be tailored to a particular vehicle. 
     The lower sleeper bunk  16  also includes an exterior panel  520  that is connected to an underside of the lattice support  506 . The exterior panel  520  includes a rear wall  522 , and a flange  524  extending about a central opening  526 . The opening  526  provides access to an underside of the lattice support  506  and improves air flow through the lower sleeper bunk  16 . The lower sleeper bunk  16  may also include a light  530  and a cable  532  for providing electricity to the light  530 . The light  530  may provide light for a lounge area when the lower sleeper bunk  16  is moved to the stored position. 
     Regarding  FIG. 23 , the lattice support front portion  510  includes side walls  540 ,  542  that may include openings  544 ,  546  for receiving fasteners to connect the side walls  540 ,  542  to the end caps  40 ,  42 . In other approaches, the side walls  540 ,  542  may include interlocking features with the end caps  40 ,  42 , as some examples. The lattice support front portion  510  also includes a front wall  550  having ribs  552  and is similar to the front wall  160  of the lattice support  70  discussed above. The lattice support rear portion  512  includes a rear wall  554  extending between side walls  556 ,  558  of the lattice support rear portion  512 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 23, 24 , the interface  514  between the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  includes one or more upper portions  560  that rest upon one or more lower portions  562  to transfer the shared loading between the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512 . The lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  have upper surfaces  609 A,  609 B to support a mattress resting, either directly or indirectly, on the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512 . The lattice support front portion  510  includes upper portions  560 B,  560 D that overlap with lower portions  562 B,  562 D of the lattice support rear portion  512 . Likewise, the lattice support rear portion  512  includes upper portions  560 A,  560 C,  560 E that overlap with lower portions  562 A,  562 C,  562 E of the lattice support front portion  510 . The lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  may be connected by sliding the lattice support rear portion  512  in direction  509  until the upper and lower portions  560 ,  562  overlap. The front and rear portions  510 ,  512  may each include one or more slots between the upper and lower portions of the front and rear portions  510 ,  512  to facilitate nesting of the upper and lower portions of the front and rear portions  510 ,  512 . The lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  may be secured together using a variety of approaches, such as metal u-nuts on one of the portions  510 ,  512  that receive screws from the other of the portions  510 ,  512 . 
     Further, the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512 , include lattice members  570  connected by vertices  572 . The upper portions  560  include an upper end wall  580 , the lower portions  562  include a lower end wall  582 , and an intermediate end wall  584 . The upper end wall  580  abuts against the intermediate end wall  584  with the upper portion  560 A overlapping the lower portion  562 A. The lower end wall  582  of the lower portion  562 A extends below the lattice members  570  of the upper portion  560 A and supports the undersides thereof. In this manner, the upper and lower portions  560 A,  562 A of the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  provide a laced arrangement of the upper portions  560  of the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the upper portion  560 A of the lattice support rear portion  512  is shown forming a lap joint  590  with the lower portion  562 A of the lattice support front portion  510 . The upper portion  560  includes the lattice members  570 A having lower surfaces  592  that contact upper surfaces  594  of lattice members  570 B of the lower portion  562 A. The upper portion  560 A has a thickness  600 , and the lower portion  562  has a thickness  602 . With the upper and lower portions  560 A,  562 A overlapping, the overall thickness of the upper and lower portions  560 A,  562 A is approximately equal to the thickness  606  of the body portion  608  of the lattice structure front and rear portions  510 ,  512 . Further, there may be a gap  610  between the intermediate end wall  584  and the upper end wall  580  as well as a gap  612  between the lower end wall  582  and a recessed end wall  614  of the lattice support rear portion  512 . The gaps  610 ,  612  may accommodate variation in manufacturing of the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512 . In other embodiments, the walls  580 ,  584  and  582 ,  614  are abutting. With the lattice support front and rear portions  510 ,  512  connected, openings  620  of the vertices  572  of the upper and lower portions  560 A,  562 A are coaxially aligned. This may permit a fastener to be inserted through the aligned opening  620  and connect a component, such as the exterior panel  520 , to the lattice support  506 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 26 , a lower sleeper bunk  700  is provided that is similar in many respects to the lower sleeper bunk  16  discussed above. The lower sleeper bunk  700  includes a frame  702  having a rail  704  and end caps  706 ,  708 . The lower sleeper bunk  700  is different than the lower sleeper bunk  16  discussed above in that the lower sleeper bunk  700  does not include an exterior panel like the exterior panel  520  discussed above. Rather, a lattice support  710  of the lower sleeper bunk  700  is visible from below as shown in  FIG. 27 . The lower sleeper bunk  700  also includes one or more mounts  711  each having a ball joint that connects with a strut of a bulkhead below the lower sleeper bunk  700 . The lower sleeper bunk  700  may be pivoted upward from a horizontal, operative position to provide access to the interior of the bulkhead and the struts assist in lifting the lower sleeper bunk  700 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 29 , an upper sleeper bunk  800  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above such that differences will be highlighted. The upper sleeper bunk  800  includes a frame  802  extending about a recess  820  and including a longitudinal frame member, such as a front rail  804 , and another longitudinal frame member, such as a rear rail  806 . The frame  802  further includes end caps  808 ,  810  that cover the ends of the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . 
     The upper sleeper bunk  800  further includes one or more lateral supports, such as support members  822 , extending intermediate the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . In one embodiment, the support members  822  span the distance between the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . A mead board and mattress may be received in the recess  820  on the support members  822 . The support members  822  transfer the weight of the mead board, mattress, and user to the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . 
     In one embodiment, the support members  822  each have a body  944  (see  FIG. 33 ) having a unitary, one-piece construction. The body  944  may be made of a plastic material, and may be made using an injection molding process. Regarding  FIG. 34 , each support member  822  includes one or more beam portion, such as beam portions  854 ,  856  and one or more web portions, such as web portion  858 , extending from the beam portions  854 ,  856 . The beam portions  854 ,  856  are thicker in the vertical direction than the web portion  858  and may include a tubular wall  1010  (see  FIG. 36 ). The beam portions  854 ,  856  increase the rigidity of the support members  822  while permitting the support member body  944  to have a relatively thin wall thickness, such as in the range of approximately 3 mm to approximately 4 mm. This reduces the amount of plastic utilized to form each of the support members  822  and may improve the flow of plastic material within the mold. In one approach, the tubular wall  1010  defines a cavity  1012 . The cavity  1012  is formed by gas-assist or liquid-assist injection molding. The gas or liquid utilized to form the cavity  1012  provides a secondary effect of cooling the plastic material, which reduces the cycle time required to mold the support members  822 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 29 , the upper sleeper bunk  800  includes one or more mounts  812  that permit pivoting of the upper sleeper bunk  800  between a stored, vertical position and an open, lower horizontal position. The upper sleeper bunk  800  further includes a latch system  814  having one or more front latch mechanisms  816  and one or more side latch mechanisms  818 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 30 , the upper sleeper bunk  800  includes exterior panels  830 ,  832 ,  834  that may include compartments as discussed above. The latch system  814  includes an actuator  836  that a user may manipulate, such as turning, to shift the front and side latch mechanisms  816 ,  818  between locked and unlocked configurations. The upper sleeper bunk  800  may also include a ladder  838  that may pivot downward to permit a user to climb into the upper sleeper bunk  800 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 31 , the support members  822  include one or more intermediate support members  840  that may be identical and one or more end support members  842 ,  844  that may be mirror images of one another. The intermediate support members may include side portions  850 ,  852  that engage adjacent intermediate support members  840  or the adjacent end support member  842 ,  844 . The intermediate support members  840  further include one or more reinforcing portions, such as the beam portions  854 ,  856 , and the web portion  858  extending longitudinally between the beam portions  854 ,  856 . The beam portions  854 ,  856  provide rigidity to the intermediate support members  840  and the web portions  858  provide a surface area to support a portion of the mead board and/or mattress. Similarly, the end support members  842 ,  844  include a beam portion  860  that is similar to the beam portions  854 ,  856  and a web portion  862  similar to the web portion  858 . In one embodiment, the intermediate support members  840  include strengthening ribs  864  that project downwardly from and extend along the undersides of the web portions  858 . Likewise, the end support members  842 ,  844  may include ribs  866  projecting downward from and extending along the underside of the web portions  862 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 31 , the latch system  814  may include one or more latch cable assemblies  870  that are routed through or around the support members  822 . In one embodiment, one or more of the latch cable assemblies  870  extend through openings  872  in the beam portions  854 ,  856  and/or  860 . 
     In one embodiment, the upper sleeper bunk  800  includes a safety restraint, similar to the safety restraint  80  shown in  FIG. 3 . Regarding  FIG. 31 , the upper sleeper bunk  800  includes a safety restraint bracket  876  that includes anchor portions  878  that receive nut inserts  880 . The safety restraint has bolts that each extend through an opening (not shown in  FIG. 33 ) of the intermediate support members  822  and engage the nut inserts  880 . The safety restraint bracket  876  may be secured to the underside of one or more of the support members  822  via one or more fasteners, as one example. 
     Regarding  FIG. 32 , the end support members  842 ,  844  each include an end wall  890  with openings  892 , 894  to mounting hardware of the mounts  812 . The mounts  812  are rigidly secured to the end support members  842 ,  844 . The end support members  842 ,  844  operate as a primary structural connection between the mounts  812  and the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . The front and rear rails  804 ,  806  thereby transfer loading from the intermediate support members  840  to the mounts  812  via the end support members  842 ,  844 . The end support members  842 ,  844  each include a front projection, such as a front wall  896 , and a rear projection, such as a rear wall  898 , that are received respectively in channels or recesses  900 ,  902  of the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . The front and rear walls  896 ,  898  are configured to form a mating engagement with the front and rear rails  804 ,  806  and resist pull-through from within the recesses  900 ,  902 . Further, the front and rear rails  804 ,  803  connect the support members  822  together, strengthen the construct, and operate as a pair of structural backbones of the upper sleeper bunk  800 . 
     The end caps  808 ,  810  each include a skirt  904  extending about a recess  906  that receives the end wall  890  of one of the end support members  842 ,  844 . The end caps  808 ,  810  cover the interfaces between the end support members  842 ,  844  and the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . The end caps  808 ,  810  also include openings to permit hardware associated with the side latch mechanism  818  and mount  812  to pass therethrough. 
     As shown in  FIG. 32 , the intermediate support members  840  include a side portion  850  that mates with a side portion  852  of an adjacent intermediate support member  840 . Likewise, the end support members  842  include side portions  910  that mate with the side portion  850  or  852  of the adjacent intermediate support member  840 . The side portions  850 ,  852 ,  910  have a sinusoidal or undulating profile that interlocks and forms a rigid, load-sharing construct of the support members  822 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 33 , in one embodiment each intermediate support member  840  has a body  944  with a unitary, one-piece construction. The intermediate support members  840  are made of a plastic material, such as an injection molded plastic. The body  944  has one or more connecting portions for securing the body  944  to the front and rear rail  804 ,  806 . The connecting portions may carry thereon clips, such as resilient metal clips, that receive fasteners for securing the connecting portions of the body  944  to the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . Likewise, the end support members  842 ,  844  may each have a body with a one-piece construction that may be made of a plastic material and include one or more connecting portions that carry thereon metal clips that receive fasteners for securing the end support members  842 ,  844  to the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . In other embodiments, the body  944  of the support member  840  and the bodies of the end support members  842 ,  844  may include one or more assembled components. 
     Regarding  FIG. 33 , the intermediate support member  840  includes a front end portion  920 , a rear end portion  922 , and a longitudinal axis  924  extending therebetween. The side portion  850  includes a protrusion  926  and a recess  928  with a peak  930  and a valley  932  thereof being separated by a distance  934  which is less than half of the overall length of the intermediate support member  840 . Likewise, the side portion  852  includes a protrusion  936  and a recess  938 . The front end portion  920  includes a front protrusion, such as a front wall  940 , and the rear end portion  922  includes a rear protrusion, such as a rear wall  942 . The front and rear walls  940 ,  942  are configured to form mating connections in the recesses  900 ,  902  of the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . 
     The front wall  940  includes one or more openings  946  that receive fasteners to connect the front wall  940  to the front rail  804 . The front wall  940  includes clips  941  having plate portions on opposite sides of a portion of the front wall  940  that permit a fastener to extend through the opening  946  of the front wall  940  and secure the front wall  940  to the front rail  804 . The plate portions of the clips  941  provide metal surfaces for the fastener, which may also be metal, to contact. Further, the rear wall  942  includes one or more openings  950  to receive fasteners for connecting the rear wall  942  to the rear rail  806 . The rear wall  942  includes clips  943  similar to the clips  941 . 
     The body  944  further includes one or more openings  948  to receive fasteners of a bracket of the ladder  838 . In one embodiment, the intermediate support members  840  are identical. Because the intermediate support members  840  are identical, all of the intermediate support members  840  are configured to be connected to the ladder  838  even though only two of the intermediate support members  840  are actually connected to the ladder  838  when the front sleeper bunk  800  is assembled. 
     Regarding  FIG. 34 , the intermediate support member  840  includes the beam portions  854 ,  856  extending between the front end portion  920  and the rear end portion  922 . The intermediate support member  840  includes transverse reinforcements, such as the ribs  864 , extending between the beam portions  854 ,  856 . The front end portions  920  includes one or more receptacles, such as doghouses  960 , and fastener receiving elements such as clips. The term doghouse is used herein to refer to a substantially box-shaped structure having one wall of the box missing or an opening formed in one of the walls of the box. The box-shaped doghouse has an inner void that may be utilized, for example, to receive a shank of a fastener. The missing wall or opening of the doghouse may be formed during molding of the intermediate support member body  944  by a portion of the mold that shifts during molding. It is intended that the opposing walls of the doghouse may be parallel or may be inclined relative to each other. 
     The clips of the doghouse  960  may be metal clips  962  that are connected to a bottom wall  964  of the doghouse  960 . The doghouses  960  further includes one or more side walls  966  that extend vertically, which may be normal to the page in  FIG. 34  or inclined relative to normal, and space the bottom wall  964  from the web portion  858 . The doghouses  960  each have a recess  968  within the doghouse  960  for receiving a shank of a fastener. Further, the doghouse  960  and metal clip  962  therein define a through opening  970  for receiving a fastener that extends through one of the openings  972  (see  FIG. 30 ) of the front rail  804  to connect the bottom of the front end portion  920  of the intermediate support member  840  to the front rail  804 . 
     Likewise, the rear end portion  922  of the intermediate support member  840  includes one or more connecting portions, such as doghouses  974 , that each receive a clip  976 . The doghouses  974  and clips  976  form a through opening  978  that receives a fastener extending through an opening  980  (see  FIG. 32 ) of the rear rail  806  to connect the bottom of the rear end portion  922  of the intermediate support member  840  to the rear rail  806 . The intermediate support member  840  is shown with a pair of doghouses  960  and openings  946  at the front end portion  920  and a pair of doghouses  974  and openings  950  of the rear end portion  922 . In other embodiments, the front and rear end portions  920 ,  922  of the intermediate support members  840  may each include any number (e.g., 1, 3, 4) dog houses and openings or other structures as appropriate. 
     Regarding  FIGS. 33 and 34 , the body  944  includes a lower surface  980  and an upper surface  982  opposite the lower surface  980 . The upper surface  982  may be generally flat, rounded, or have other shapes/structures as appropriate. Regarding  FIG. 35 , the intermediate support member  840  has a middle portion  945  with an arched configuration such that a lower surface portion  986  near a center of the body  944  is a distance  988  vertically above a lower surface portion  990  of the front end portion  920 . The front end portion  920  includes a bend  994  connecting the upright front wall  940  to the middle portion  945  and a bend  996  connecting the upstanding rear wall  942  to the middle portion  945 . Regarding  FIGS. 35, 39 and 40 , as a load is applied in direction  1000  upon a mattress in the recess  820 , the middle portion  945  may deform slightly, e.g., straighten, and urge the end portions  920 ,  922  apart in directions  1002 ,  1004  which tightly engages the bends  994 ,  996  and/or walls  940 ,  942  within the recesses  900 ,  902  of the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . In other embodiments, the intermediate support member  840  may not have an arched configuration. 
     Regarding  FIG. 36 , in one embodiment, the beam portions  854 ,  856  include the tubular wall  1010  extending about the cavity  1012 . The cavity  1012  may be formed by gas-assist or water-assist injection molding. The use of gas- or water-assisted injection molding to form the intermediate support member  840  may decrease cycle time required to mold the body  944  of the intermediate beam portion  840  because the gas or water cools the material of the intermediate support member  840  within the mold. Further, the tubular wall  1010  increases the moment of inertia of the intermediate support member  840  at the opposite sides of the intermediate support member  840  about a neutral axis  1014 . Due to the larger moment of inertia, the beam portions  854 ,  856  are more resistant to bending as a load is applied downward in direction  1000  (see  FIG. 35 ) onto the intermediate support member  840 . 
     In one embodiment, the tubular side wall  1010  includes an upper wall  1020 , lower wall  1022 , an inner wall  1024 , and an outer wall  1026 . The inner and outer walls  1022 ,  1024  extend vertically away from the neutral axis  1014  which positions material farther away from the neutral axis  1014  and increases the moment of inertia of the beam portion  854 . Further, the upper wall  1020  and the bottom wall  1022  are spaced vertically away from the neutral axis  1014  which positions additional material away from the neutral axis  1014  and further increases the rigidity of the beam portion  854 . 
     The beam portions  854 ,  856  provide strength for the intermediate support member  840  to resist bending while minimizing the average wall thickness of the intermediate support member  840 . For example, the beam portions  854 ,  856  may each have an overall height of approximately 30 mm while the average wall thickness of the intermediate support member body  944  is approximately 4 mm. 
     Regarding  FIG. 36 , the beam portion  854  further includes a flange  1030  having a downwardly directed lip  1032  with a lower surface  1034  and a recess, such as a channel  1036 , having a surface  1038 . In an opposite manner, the beam portion  856  includes a flange  1040  having an upwardly directed lip  1042  with an upper surface  1044  and a channel  1046  with an upper surface  1048 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 37 , a cross-sectional view of two intermediate support members  840 A,  840 B is provided taken toward the front wall  940  of the intermediate support members  840 A,  840 B ( FIG. 36  was taken toward the rear wall  942 ). In  FIG. 37 , the flanges  1030 ,  1040  of adjacent intermediate support members  840 A,  840 B form a joint  1050  extending laterally across the upper sleeper bunk  800 . Specifically, the downwardly directed lip  1032  of the beam portion  854  is received in the channel  1046  of the beam portion  852  of the intermediate support member  840 B and the upwardly directed lip  1042  is received in the channel  1036  of the beam portion  854  of the intermediate support member  840 A. The surface  1034  of the downwardly directed lip  1032  is in contact with the surface  1048  of the channel  1046  while the surface  1044  (see  FIG. 36 ) of the upwardly directed lip  1042  is in contact with the surface  1038  of the channel  1036 . In this manner, the vertically overlapping flanges  1030 , cause a downward load applied in direction  1000  on the intermediate support member  840 A to be transferred to the intermediate support member  840 B with the intermediate support member  840 B applying a reactive force in direction  1001 . This load sharing between the intermediate support members  840  as well between the intermediate support members  840  and the end support members  842 ,  844  distributes loading evenly across the support members  822 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 38 , the upper sleeper bunk  800  has an interface  1060  between the rear rail  806  and the rear wall  942  of the intermediate support member  840  and an interface  1064  between the front rail  804  and the front wall  940  of the intermediate support member  840 . In one embodiment, the rear wall  942  is slid into the recess  902  of the rear rail  806  and the front wall  940  is slid into the recess  900  of the front rail  804  in a longitudinal direction parallel to the length of the front and rear rails  804 ,  806 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 38 , the exterior panels, such as the exterior panel  834 , may be connected to the support members  822  via doghouses  1068  of the exterior panel  834 . The exterior panels may include one or more fasteners  1070  that are used to connect the doghouses  1068  to the support members  822 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 39 , the front rail  804  may include a front wall  1080 , an upper wall  1082 , a front lip wall  1084  and a lower wall  1086 . The front, upper, front lip, and lower walls  1080 ,  1082 ,  1084 ,  1086  may have two-wall configurations as discussed above. The intermediate support member  840  includes a connecting portion, such as a wall having a metal clip  941  (see  FIG. 33 ) carried thereon, that includes the opening  946  for receiving a fastener, such as a screw  1090 , that extends through an opening  1092  of the front lip wall  1084  to connect the front wall  940  of the intermediate support member  840  to the front lip wall  1084  of the front rail  804 . Further, the support member  840  includes connecting portions  1094  that include the front doghouses  960  (see  FIG. 34 ), metal clips  962 , and openings  970  which receive fasteners, such as screws  1098  to secure the intermediate support member  840  to the lower wall  1086  of the front rail  804 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 40 , the rear rail  806  includes a rear wall  1100 , an upper wall  1102 , a rear lip wall  1104 , and a lower wall  1106 . The rear wall  922  includes connecting portions  1110  that include the apertures  950  (see  FIG. 33 ) for receiving a fastener, such as a screw  1112 , to secure the rear wall  922  to the rear rail  806 . The intermediate support member  840  further includes connecting portions  1114  that include the rear doghouses  974  (see  FIG. 34 ), metal clips  976 , and openings  978  that receives fasteners, such as a screw  1116 , for securing the intermediate support member  840  to the lower wall  1106  of the rear rail  806 . In one embodiment, the rear rail  806  is a stamped metal piece, such as steel. The front rail  806 , by contrast, may be an extruded metallic piece, such as extruded aluminum. 
     Regarding  FIG. 41 , an upper sleeper bunk  1200  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above such that differences will be highlighted. The upper sleeper bunk  1200  includes a frame  1202  including a front rail assembly  1204  and a rear rail  1206 . The upper sleeper bunk  1200  includes one or more support members  1208  extending laterally between the front rail assembly  1204  and the rear rail  1206 . The support members  1208  include one or more intermediate support members  1210  and one or more end support members  1212 . The end support members are connected to one or more mounts  1214  that permit the upper sleeper bunk  1200  to be reconfigured between different positions. In one embodiment, the upper sleeper bunk  1200  includes a safety restraint  1216  that is similar in many respects to the safety restraint  80  discussed above with respect with  FIG. 3 . The safety restraint  1216  includes one or more straps  1218  connected to tongues  1220  that are releasably engaged with buckles  1222 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 42 , the intermediate support members  1210  each include a pocket structure  1230  that permits the intermediate support member  1210  to be connected to either an anchor  1232  of the safety restraint  1216  or a bracket  1234  of a ladder  1236  (see  FIG. 44 ) of the upper sleeper bunk  1200 . The intermediate support members  1210  may be identical, which permits each intermediate support member  1210  to be connected to the ladder bracket  1234  and/or the safety restraint anchor  1232  depending on the location of the intermediate support member  1210 . Of course, some of the intermediate support members  1210  may not be connected to either the bracket  1234  or the safety restraint anchor  1232  depending on the position of the intermediate support member  1210 . In one embodiment, the pocket structure  1230  includes a ladder bracket pocket  1236  and a safety restraint anchor pocket  1238 . The pockets  1236 ,  1238  may be in communication with one another and the pocket  1236  may be wider in a longitudinal direction than the pocket  1238 . The ladder bracket  1234  receives fasteners  1240 ,  1244  that connect to the front rail assembly  1204 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 42 and 43 , the anchor  1232  connects to the buckle  1222  via a strap  1250 . The pocket structure  1230  includes a floor  1252  having an opening  1254  therein through which a fastener, such as a bolt  1256 , extends. The fastener  1256  has a head which seats against the anchor  1232  and a threaded shank which engages a nut insert  1258  of a safety restraint bracket  1260 . The safety restraint bracket  1260  includes a center portion  1262  that engages a channel  1264  of the nut insert  1258  and opposite side portions  1266  that have apertures to receive fasteners, such as screws  1268 . The screws  1268  engage bosses  1270  of the intermediate support member  1210  to secure the safety restraint bracket  1260  to the underside of the intermediate support member  1210 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 44 , the upper sleeper bunk  1200  includes exterior panels  1280 ,  1282 ,  1284  and an actuator  1286  for controlling a latch system  1288  of the upper sleeper bunk  1200 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 45 , the intermediate support members  1210  include side portions  1290 ,  1292  that are separated longitudinally by gaps  1294  from the side portions  1290 ,  1292  of adjacent intermediate support members  1210  or side portions  1296  of the end support members  1212 . The gaps  1294  extend laterally across the upper sleeper bunk  1200 . 
     Regarding intermediate support members  1210 A and  1210 B, there is a gap  1294 A therebetween. The safety restraint bracket  1260  has an anchor portion  1300  with fasteners  1268  that secure the anchor portion  1300  to the intermediate support members  1210 A,  1210 B. The anchor portion  1300  includes a nut insert  1258  that is vertically aligned with the gap  1294 A. The nut insert  1258  receives one of the bolts  1256  (see  FIG. 43 ) of the safety restraint  1216 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 45 , the safety restraint bracket  1260  includes anchor portion  1302  having fasteners  1268  that connect the anchor portion  1302  to the intermediate support member  1210 C. Further, the nut insert  1258 B is vertically aligned with the opening  1254  of the intermediate support member  1210 C. The offset of the anchor portion  1300  between the intermediate support members  1210 A,  1210 B may be desirable for spacing in some situations. In other embodiments, all of the anchor portions  1300  are vertically aligned with one of the intermediate support members  1210  rather than having some of the anchor portions  1300  aligned with the gaps  1294 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 45 , in one embodiment, the latch system  1288  includes one or more latch cable assemblies  1310  that extend longitudinally across the gaps  1294  and through one or more side portions  1290 ,  1292 , and/or  1296  of the intermediate support members  1210  and/or the end support members  1212 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 46 , the end walls  1212  each include a front wall  1320  and a rear wall  1322  and the intermediate support members  1210  each include a front wall  1324  and a rear wall  1326 . The front rail assembly  1204  includes a front rail  1328  and a fascia  1330  that is connected thereto. The front rail  1328  may be made of a rigid material, such as a stamped metal, and the fascia  1330  may be made of more aesthetically pleasing material, such as a plastic. To connect the end support members  1212  and the intermediate support members  1210  to the front rail  1328 , the front walls  1320 ,  1324  are slid longitudinally into a recess  1330  of the front rail  1328 . Likewise, the rear walls  1322 ,  1326  are slid longitudinally into a recess  1332  of the rear rail  1206 . Once the end support members  1212  and intermediate support members  1210  have reached the desired longitudinal positions along the front and rear rails  1328 ,  1206 , the end support members  1212  and intermediate support members  1210  are fixed in position along the front and rear rails  1328 ,  1206  using one or more fasteners as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Regarding  FIG. 47 , the intermediate support member  1210  includes a front end portion  1350  that includes the upper wall  1324  and a rear end portion  1352  that includes the rear wall  1326 . The intermediate support member  1210  includes a body  1354  that may have a unitary, one-piece construction. The body  1354  may be made of a plastic material, such as injection molded plastic. The body  1354  may carry one or more fastener receiving elements, such as metal clips  1356 , having one or more openings aligned with an opening  1358  (see  FIGS. 47 and 50 ) of the front wall  1324  for receiving fasteners to secure the front wall  1324  to the front rail  1328 . The front end portion  1350  further includes openings  1360  and  1362  for receiving fasteners  1240 ,  1244  (see  FIG. 42 ) of the ladder bracket  1234 . The body  1354  includes an upper surface  1364  for supporting a mead board and/or a mattress. 
     Regarding  FIG. 48 , the front end portion  1350  includes one or more connecting portions, such as front doghouses  1370 , clips  1372 , and openings  1374  that receive fasteners to secure the bottom of the intermediate support member  1210  to the front rail  1328 . Likewise, the rear end portion  1352  includes one or more connecting portions, such as rear doghouses  1380 , clips  1382 , and openings  1384  for receiving fasteners to secure the bottom of the intermediate support member  1210  to the rear rail  1206 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 48 and 49 , the intermediate support members  1210  include one or more beam portions  1390 ,  1392  extending between, either partially or fully between, the front end portion  1350  and the rear end portion  1352 . The intermediate support member  1210  further includes one or more web portions  1394  extending longitudinally between the laterally extending beam portions  1390 ,  1392 . The intermediate support member  1210  further includes an axis  1396  and one or more transverse supports such as ribs  1398  reinforcing the web portion  1394 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 49 , one or more of the beam portions  1390 ,  1392  include a cavity  1400  that is formed using gas- or water-assisted injection molding techniques. As discussed above, the gas or water utilized in these processes increases the cooling rate of the material of the intermediate support member  1210  in a mold which may reduce the time required to injection mold the intermediate support member  1210 . For example, the beam portion  1392  includes an upper wall  1402 , a lower wall  1404 , an inner wall  1406 , and an outer wall  1408 . The beam portions  1390 ,  1392  may have curved corners  1410 ,  1412  connecting the walls  1402 ,  1408  and  1404 ,  1406  to reduce stress concentrators. In another approach, the intermediate support members  1210  may be made using a straight injection molding process. 
     Regarding  FIG. 50 , the front wall  1324  of the intermediate support member  1210  is received in the recess  1330  of the front rail  1328 . The front rail  1328  may be made of a stamped metal material. The front rail  1312  has a front wall  1420 , an upper wall  1422 , a front lip  1424 , and a lower wall  1426 . The front wall  1324  of the intermediate support member  1210  includes a front wall portion  1430  that may have at least a portion of the opening  1432  formed therein and may carry a clip  1356  thereon. The clip  1356  has a pair of plate portions  1434 ,  1436  and a bend  1438  connecting the plate portions  1434 ,  1436 . The plate portions  1434 ,  1436  are on opposite sides of the front wall portion  1430 . Further, the plate portion  1434  of the clip  1356  is sandwiched between the front lip  1424  of the front rail  1328  and the front wall portion  1430  of the intermediate support member  1210 . The clip  1356  is carried on the front wall portion  1430  as the front wall  1324  is slid into the recess  1330  of the front rail  1328 . Once the intermediate support member  1210  is at the desired location along the front rail  1310 , the opening  1358  of the intermediate support member  1210  is aligned with an upper opening  1440  of the front lip  1424  of the front rail  1328 . A fastener, such as a screw  1442  having a head, a retained washer, and a shank may be advanced through the upper opening  1440  and openings of the clip  1356  and the opening  1358  in the front wall portion  1430  of the intermediate support member  1210  to secure the front wall  1324  of the intermediate support member  1210  to the front lip  1424  of the front rail  1328 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 50 , each of the front doghouses  1370  includes a lower wall  1450  and a side wall  1452  separating the lower wall  1450  from a platform portion  1454  of the intermediate support member  1210  to form a recess  1456 . The lower wall  1450  includes the opening  1374  that aligns with an opening  1460  in the lower wall  1426  of the front rail  1328 . A fastener, such as a screw  1462 , is advanced through the aligned openings  1374 ,  1460  along with the opening(s) in the metal clip  1372  associated with the doghouse  1370  to connect the bottom of the intermediate support member  1210  to the lower wall  1426  of the front rail  1328 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 51 , the rear wall  1326  of the intermediate support member  1210  is received in the recess  1332  of the rear rail  1206 . The rear rail  1206  has an upper wall  1470 , a rear lip  1472 , a rear wall  1474 , and a lower wall  1476 . The rear wall  1326  of the intermediate support member  1210  includes a rear wall portion  1480  having an opening  1482  that receives a shank of a screw  1484 . This screw  1484  extends through an opening  1486  in the rear lip  1472  and through openings in the clip  1327  which is carried on the rear wall portion  1480 . Further, the rear doghouse  1380  includes a side wall  1500 , a lower wall  1502 , and a recess  1504 . The lower wall  1502  includes an opening  1506  that is aligned with openings of the clip  1382  of the rear doghouse  1380  and receives a screw  1510  that extends through an opening  1384  of the lower wall  1476  (see also  FIG. 46 ). Regarding  FIG. 51 , the exterior panel  1248  may be secured to the lower wall  1476  of the rear rail  1206  via a fastener and a connecting portion, such as a doghouse  1520 , of the exterior panel  1284 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 52 , a lower sleeper bunk  1600  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunk  1200  discussed above such that differences will be highlighted. The lower sleeper bunk  1600  includes a frame  1602  including a rear rail  1604  and a front rail assembly  1606 . The lower sleeper bunk  1600  includes one or more support members  1608  extending laterally between the front rail assembly  1606  and the rear rail  1604 . The support members  1608  may include one or more intermediate support members  1610  and one or more end support members  1612 . The intermediate support members  1610  include pockets  1614  that may receive an anchor  1616  associated with a buckle  1618  of a safety restraint  1620 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 53 , the lower sleeper bunk  1600  includes a safety restraint bracket  1622  having one or more anchor portions  1624  that are each vertically aligned with one of the intermediate support members  1610 . In another embodiment, the safety restraint bracket  1622  includes two or more safety restraint brackets  1622  each mounted to a respective one of the intermediate support members  1610 . The anchor portion  1624  has fasteners  1626  that connect the anchor portion  1624  to the associated intermediate support member  1610  and a nut insert  1628  that receives a bolt  1630  of the anchor  1616  (see  FIG. 52 ). 
     Regarding  FIG. 54 , the front rail assembly  1606  include a pair of fascia portions  1632 ,  1634  that may be connected together and to a front rail  1636 . The front rail  1636  has a recess  1638  that receives front walls  1640 ,  1642  of the end support members  1612  and the intermediate support members  1610 . Similarly, the rear rail  1604  has a recess  1644  that receives rear wall  1646 ,  1648  of the end support members  1612  and the intermediate support members  1610 . The lower sleeper bunk  1600  further includes one or more hinges  1650  that connect the rear rail  1604  to a support structure, such as a wall of the vehicle. The hinges  1650  permit the lower sleeper bunk  1600  to be pivoted between different positions. 
     Regarding  FIG. 55 , the intermediate support member  1610  includes a body  1651  that may be made of a unitary, one-piece material, such as plastic. The body  1651  includes one or more beam portions  1652 ,  1654  and a web portion  1656  extending laterally therebetween. As another example, the intermediate support member  1610  may have a single beam portion and a pair of web portions extending longitudinally in opposite directions away from the beam portion. 
     The beam portions  1652 ,  1654  each include an upper wall  1658 , an inner wall  1660 , and an outer wall  1662 . There is a gap  1664  between the inner and outer walls  1660 ,  1662  and one or more ribs  1666  connecting the inner and outer walls  1660 ,  1662 . The ribs  1666  resist movement of the inner and outer walls  1660 ,  1662  relative to one another and stiffen the beam portions  1652 ,  1654 . The intermediate support member  1610  further includes one or more ribs  1668  extending between the beam portions  1652 ,  1654 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 56 , the front wall  1642  of the intermediate support member  1610  is received in the recess  1638  of the front rail  1636 . The front rail  1636  may be made of a stamped metal and may include a front wall  1651 , an upper wall  1652 , a front lip  1654 , and lower wall  1656 . The front wall  1642  of the intermediate support member  1610  has an upper connecting portion, such as one or more front wall portions with openings that receives fasteners, such as screws  1658 , that connect the front wall  1642  of the intermediate support member  1610  to the front lip  1654  of the front rail  1636 . For example, the connecting portion of the front wall  1643  may include a pair of wall portions similar to wall portions  1430  of  FIG. 50 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 56 , the intermediate support member  1610  further includes a lower connecting portion, such as one or more front doghouses  1660 , for receiving fasteners such as screws  1662  that secure the intermediate support member  1610  to the lower wall  1656  of the front rail  1636 . In one embodiment, the front doghouse  1660  includes a lower wall  1664 , a side wall  1666 , and an opening  1668  in the lower wall  1664  that is aligned with through openings  1670  formed in an upper plate portion  1672  and a lower plate portion  1674  of a clip  1676 . The lower plate portion  1674  is clamped between the lower wall  1664  of the front doghouse  1660  and the lower wall  1656  of the front rail  1636 . Continuing to refer to  FIG. 56 , the intermediate support member  1610  includes one or more bosses  1680  that receive screws  1682  for connecting the safety restraint bracket  1622  to the intermediate support member  1610 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 57 , the rear wall  1648  of the intermediate support member  1610  is received in the recess  1644  of the rear rail  1604 . The rear rail  1604  includes an upper wall  1700 , a rear wall  1702 , and a rear lip  1704 , and a lower wall  1706 . The rear wall  1648  of the intermediate support member  1610  has a connecting portion  1710 , such as a wall portion with a through opening and clip carried on the wall portion, that receives a screw  1712  to connect the rear wall  1648  of the intermediate support member  1610  to the rear lip  1704  of the rear rail  1604 . For example, the connecting portion  1710  may include a pair of wall portions similar to wall portion  1480  of  FIG. 51 . 
     The rear wall  1648  of the intermediate support member  1610  further includes a connecting portion, such as an outer wall portion  1714  having an opening  1716  and a clip  1718  carried on the outer wall portion  1714 . The clip  1718  has plate portions  1720 ,  1722  with through openings that are aligned with the opening  1716  of the outer wall portion  1714 . 
     The hinges  1650  each include one or more fasteners, such as a screw  1730 , that extends through an opening  1723  of the rear rail rear wall  1702 , openings of the clip plate portions  1720 ,  1722 , and the opening  1716  of the intermediate support member rear wall portion  1714 . The screw  1730  thereby connects a rail portion  1732  of the hinge  1650  to the rear wall  1702  of the rear rail  1604  and to the outer wall portion  1714  of the intermediate support member  1610 . 
     The intermediate support member  1610  further includes a connecting portion  1740  that receives a fastener, such as a screw  1742 , that connects the hinge rail portion  1732 , rear rail lower wall  1706 , and intermediate support member  1610 . In one embodiment, the connecting portion  1740  may include a doghouse having a metal clip thereon. The hinge  1650  includes a mounting portion  1744  that may be secured to a structure, such as a wall of a vehicle, and a pin  1746  that extends between loop portions  1748 ,  1750  and forms a pivotal connection between the mounting portion  1744  and the rail portion  1732 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 58 and 59 , an upper sleeper bunk  1800  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above such that differences will be highlighted. The upper sleeper bunk  1800  includes intermediate support members  1802  and a latch system  1806  with an actuator  1808  that may be manipulated to shift latch members or strikers  1809  of the latch system  1804  between locked and unlocked positions. The upper sleeper bunk  1800  also includes a facia such as side exterior panels  1812  and a center exterior panel  1814 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 60 , the intermediate support members  1802  each include one or more latch cable holder protrusions  1820  and one or more exterior panel connector protrusions  1822  extending downward (into the page in  FIG. 60 ) from an upper surface  1824  of the intermediate support member  1802 . Regarding  FIG. 61 , the cable holder protrusions  1820  include one or more side walls  1826  defining a recess  1828  and gripping portions  1830  forming one or more apertures  1832 . The latch system  1806  has latch cable assemblies including latch cables extending between the actuator  1808  and the strikers  1809  and sleeves or tubes surrounding the latch cables. One tube with a latch cable slidably received therein may be snapped into the apertures  1832  of the gripping portions  1830 . The tube may have a diameter slightly larger than the distance across aperture  1832  so that the gripping portions  1830  frictionally retain the latch cable assembly in the cable holder protrusion  1820 . 
     The exterior panel connector  1822  includes one or more side walls  1840  defining a recess  1842  and a bottom wall  1844  having an opening  1846  therein. The opening  1846  receives a fastener  1847 , such as a M6 bolt, having a shank that threadingly engages a metal clip  1848  carried on a doghouse of one of the exterior panels  1812 ,  1814 . The exterior panel connectors  1822  are uniform for the intermediate support members  1802  so that any of the intermediate support members  1802  may be connected to either of the exterior panel  1812 ,  1814 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 62 , the upper sleeper bunk  1800  includes a cable router  1850  including a bracket  1852  with one or more base portions  1854  and a holder portion  1856 . The holder portion  1856  supports one or more sleeves  1858  with through openings  1860 . The through openings  1860  receive latch cables of the latch system  1804 . In one embodiment, one or more cable routers  1850  are mounted to the center exterior panel  1814  via one or more fasteners  1862  that connect to bosses of the center exterior panel  1814 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 63 and 64 , a lower sleeper bunk  1900  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above such that difference will be highlighted. The lower sleeper bunk  1900  includes intermediate support members  1902  and anchors  1904  that secure buckles  1906  to the intermediate support members  1902 . The lower sleeper bunk  1900  includes three separate safety restraint brackets  1908  secured to the undersides of three respective intermediate support members  1902 . The anchors  1904  are each secured to one of the safety restraint brackets  1908 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 65 and 66 , a lower sleeper bunk  1950  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above such that differences will be highlighted. The sleeper bunk  1950  includes hinges  1952  that permit the sleeper bunk  1950  to move from a horizontal open position to a vertical closed position. The lower sleeper bunk  1950  further includes a pair of strikers or latch members  1954 ,  1956 . One of the latch members  1954  is engaged by a latch of the vehicle when the lower sleeper bunk  1950  is in the horizontal position and the other latch member  1954  is engaged by a latch of the vehicle when the lower sleeper bunk  1950  is in the vertical position. 
     Regarding  FIG. 66 , the lower sleeper bunk  1950  includes one or more exterior panels  1958  that form an opening  1960  therein. The opening  1960  may remain open, or a vehicle manufacturer may install a trim piece with the manufacturer&#39;s logo (as an example) to close the opening  1960 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 67 , a portion of a sleeper area of a vehicle is shown that includes an upper sleeper bunk  1980  having a mount  1982  that connects the upper sleeper bunk  1980  to a structure such as a wall  1984  of the vehicle. The sleeper area further includes the lower sleeper bunk  1900  mounted to the wall  1984  and covering a bulkhead  1986 . The upper sleeper bunk  1980  and lower sleeper bunk  1900  are shown in horizontal, open positions. In  FIG. 69 , the lower sleeper bunk  1900  has been moved to a raised position to permit access to the bulkhead  1986 . The upper sleeper bunk  1980  has been moved to a vertical closed position. 
     With reference to  FIG. 69 , an upper sleeper bunk  2000  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above such that differences will be highlighted. The upper sleeper bunk  2000  includes a mattress support assembly having a frame  2002  and a plurality of support members  2004  such as end support members  2006 ,  2008  and an intermediate support member  2010 . The support members  2004  cooperate to form a tub for receiving a mattress. The upper sleeper bunk  2000  has a recess  2012  for receiving a mead board and/or a mattress that is advanced into the tub formed by the support members  2004 . The support members  2004  include opposite end portions  2014 ,  2016  that are secured to front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  (see  FIG. 71 ). The front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  each have one or more through openings  2021 ,  2023  to receive fasteners that secure various components to the front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020 . The fasteners may include, for example, screws, bolts, trim clips, staples, and/or assemblies of components such as screws and metal clips. 
     The support members  2004  transfer the weight of the mattress and a person resting thereon to between the support members  2004  and the front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020 . The front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  distribute loading between the support members  2004  and resist relative movement of the support members  2004 . The front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  are elongated and have a longitudinal length. The support members  2004  extend laterally between the rear rails  2018 ,  2020 . 
     The support members  2004  and front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  are made of different materials. For example, the support members  2004  may be made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene, and may be formed by injection molding as one example. The front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  may be made of the same or different metallic material, such as aluminum or steel. The front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  may be formed by stamping or extruding as a few examples. 
     Regarding  FIG. 69 , the support members  2004  have overlapping portions  2022  that transfer loading between the support members  2004 . In one embodiment, the overlapping portions  2022  include protrusions, such as tabs (see  FIG. 71 )  2024 ,  2026 ,  2028 ,  2030  that are received in channels  2032 ,  2034 ,  2036 ,  2038  of the end support members  2006 ,  2008 . The overlapping portions  2022  facilitate transfer of loading directly from one support member  2004  to another support member  2004  such that the end engaging support members  2004 . In this manner, the overlapping portions  2022  may press against one another to resist bending of the support members  2004  and thereby strengthen the support members  2004  against deformation even under heavy loads on the associated mattress or mattress support (e.g., a wood sheet) thereon. 
     Further, the end support members  2006 ,  2008  and the intermediate support member  2010  have alternating strengthening ridges  2260  and channels  2262  that provide a corrugated cross section taken only at a plane parallel to the front and rear rails  2018 ,  2020  which permits rigidity against bending of the end support members  2006 ,  2008  and the intermediate support member  2010 . The strengthening ridges  2260  and channels  2262  are discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 76B . 
     The upper sleeper bunk  2000  includes one or more mounts  2040  that permit the upper sleeper bunk  2000  be pivoted between a raised storage position and a lower operative position. The upper sleeper bunk  2000  has one or more safety restraints  2042  that may be anchored to the vehicle. In  FIG. 69 , the safety restraints  2042  have belts  2044  that are shown with a break to enable a clear view of the support members  2004 . In practice, the belts  2044  will be uninterrupted to connect an anchor  2048  and an associated buckle  2046  to the vehicle. 
     The upper sleeper bunk  2000  further includes a ladder  2050  that is mounted to the intermediate support member  2010  via ladder brackets  2052 . With reference to  FIG. 70 , the upper sleeper bunk  2000  has an actuator  2054  that is operable to shift latches  2056  between locked and unlocked positions. The upper sleeper bunk  2000  includes exterior panels  2060  to cover undersides of the support members  2004  for aesthetic purposes. In one embodiment, the exterior panels include end exterior panels  2062 ,  2064  and an intermediate exterior panel  2066 . With reference to  FIGS. 70 and 71 , the exterior panels  2060  include front wall portions  2070  that extend about the front rail  2018 , a bottom wall portion  2072  covering undersides of the support members  2004 , a side wall portion  2074 , and a rear wall portion  2076  (see  FIG. 72 ). 
     Regarding  FIG. 71 , the end support members  2006 ,  2008  each include a base portion  2080 , a front wall portion  2082 , a side wall portion  2084 , and a rear wall portion  2086 . The front wall portion  2082 , side wall portion  2084 , and rear wall portion  2086  cooperate to define an upper opening  2133  in which an end of the mattress is received. 
     In one embodiment, the mount  2040  includes a pair of mounts  2040  each secured to the side wall portion  2084  of one of the end support members  2006 ,  2008 . The support member  2004  are made of a rigid material, such as a reinforced plastic, which is sufficiently rigid to transfer loading from the support  2003  to the mounts  2040 . 
     The intermediate support member  2010  has openings  2090 ,  2092  at opposite side portions  2094 ,  2096  of the intermediate support member  2010 . The intermediate support member  2010  has a base portion  2100  and front and rear wall portions  2102 ,  2104  upstanding from the base portion  2100 . The front and rear wall portions  2102 ,  2104  of the intermediate support member  2010  cooperate to define an upper opening  2105  that receives a middle of the mattress. The upper openings  2133  of the end support members  2006 ,  2008  and the upper opening  2105  of the intermediate support member  2010  cooperate to form an upper opening  2107  (see  FIG. 69 ) of the support members  2004  sized to permit a mattress to be advanced through the upper opening  2107  and positioned on the strengthening ridges  2260  of the support members  2004 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 72-76A , the details of the end support member  2008  are discussed although the end support member  2006  has similar structures. In one embodiment, the end support member  2006  is a mirror image of the end support member  2008 . Regarding  FIG. 72 , the rear rail  2020  has an upper portion  2120 , an intermediate portion  2122 , and a lower portion  2124 . The upper portion  2120  and rear portion  2124  of the rear rail  2020  extend in opposite directions away from the intermediate portion  2122  giving the rear rail  2020 , in one embodiment, a Z-shaped cross section. The exterior panel  2064  is secured to the intermediate support  2124  and the lower portion  2124  of the rear rail  2020 , such as by fasteners extending through openings of the rear rail  2020  and the exterior panel  2064 . 
     The rear wall portion  2086  of the end support member  2008  includes a flange  2130  extending outwardly from an upper opening  2032  of the end support member  2008 . The flange portion  2130  terminates in a lip  2132  that extends downward about the upper portion  2120  of the rear rail  2020 . The lip  2132  may assist in locating the end support member  2008  on the rear rail upper portion  2120  during assembly. 
     With reference to  FIG. 73 , the front rail  2018  has an upper portion  2150 , an intermediate portion  2152 , and a lower portion  2154 . The lower portion  2154  extends in an opposite direction from the upper portion  2150  thereby giving the front rail  2018 , in one embodiment, a Z-shaped cross section. The front wall portion  2082  of the end support member  2008  has a front flange  2156  extending outwardly from the upper opening  2133 . The front flange  2156  has a lip  2158  that extends downward about the upper portion  2150  of the front rail  2018 . During assembly of the upper sleeper bunk  2000 , the lip  2158  may facilitate positioning the end support member  2008  on the front rail  2018 . One or more fasteners  2155  secure the end support member  2008  and/or the end external panel  2064  to the front rail  2018 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 74 , the tab  2030  of the intermediate support member  2010  is shown received in the channel  2038 . The tab  2030  has a generally U-shaped cross section as shown in  FIG. 74  including side wall portions  2160 ,  2162  and a floor portion  2164 . The channel  2038  likewise has side wall portions  2170 ,  2172  and a floor portion  2174 . The exterior panel  2064  has a receptacle, such as a doghouse  2180 , with an upper wall portion  2182  engaged with an underside of the floor portion  2174 . In one embodiment, the tab  2030 , channel  2038 , and doghouse  2180  are joined together by a fastener  2182  having a head  2184  that seats against the tab  2030  and a shank that engages a metal clip  2186  of the doghouse  2180 . The fastener  2182  extends through openings in the floor portion  2164  of the tab  2030 , the floor portion  2174  of the channel  2038 , and the upper wall portion  2182  of the doghouse  2180 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 75 , the tab  2028  is likewise received in the channel  2036  and secured to a doghouse  2190  of the end exterior panel  2064  via a fastener  2192 . The front flange  2156  of the end support member  2008  is supported on upper portion  2150  of the front rail  2018 . The front rail  2018  has an opening  2200  of the intermediate portion  2152  that receives a retainer  2202  of the end exterior panel  2064 . The retainer  2202  has a lip  2204  that extends about an upper portion  2206  of the front rail intermediate portion  2152  and resists movement of the end exterior panel  2064  away from the front rail  2018  in direction  2210 . Further, the end exterior panel  2064  includes one or more doghouses  2212  that are secured to the lower portion  2154  of the front rail  2018  by way of one or more fasteners  2214 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 76A , the tab  2030  has a base portion  2230  and a free end portion  2232 . The free end portion  2232  includes a ridge  2234  to strengthen the tab  2030  against deformation. In one embodiment, the ridge  2234  includes an inboard wall portion  2236 , an outboard wall portion  2238 , and a connecting wall portion  2240 . The floor portion  2164  of the tab  2030  extends across and overlaps the floor portion  2174  of the channel  2038 . Loading in direction  2250  on the intermediate support portion  2010  may be transferred via the tabs  2030 ,  2028  against the floor portions  2172  of the channels  2038 ,  2036 . The floor portions  2172  of the channels  2038 ,  2036  provide a reaction force in direction  2252  to resist the deformation of the intermediate support portion  2010 . Further, the fasteners  2182 ,  2192  extending through the tabs  2030 ,  2028  and channels  2038 ,  2036  are subjected to shear stress upon resist relative movement of the tabs  2030 ,  2028  and channels  2038 ,  2036  in directions  2251 ,  2253 . The fasteners  2182 ,  2192  are sufficiently strong to resist the shear stress and inhibit relative movement of the tabs  2030 ,  2028  and channels  2038 ,  2036  in directions  2251 ,  2253 . In this manner, the overlapping tabs  2028 ,  2030 , channels  2036 ,  2038 , and fasteners  2182 ,  2192  provide a rigid construct to resist the weight of a person or other objects received on the upper sleeper bunk  2000 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 69 , the support members  2004  include alternating strengthening ridges  2260  and channels  2262  that provide a corrugated cross-section of the support members  2004  as shown by the longitudinal cross-section shown in  FIG. 76B . In  FIG. 76B , the end support member  2006  has strengthening ridges  2260  and channels  2262  forming a crenulated cross section  2264 . The strengthening ridges  2260  have upper mattress supporting surfaces  2266 , which are configured to support a mattress. In some embodiments, a support sheet or panel such as a wood sheet may be positioned intermediate the mattress and the surfaces  2266 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 77 , a lower sleeper bunk  2300  is provided that is similar in many respects to the sleeper bunks discussed above. The lower sleeper bunk  2300  includes a frame  2302  and a support  2305  formed by an assembly of support members  2304 . The support members  2304  support a mattress in opening  2306  of the lower sleeper bunk  2300 . The frame  2302  includes a rear rail  2308  (see  FIG. 79 ) and a front rail assembly  2310  including fascia portions  2312 ,  2314  and a front rail  2316 . The support members  2304  include end support members  2320 ,  2322  and an intermediate support member  2324 . 
     The lower sleeper bunk  2300  has one or more safety restraint systems  2330  and one or more mounts such as three hinges  2332 . With respect to  FIG. 78 , the lower sleeper bunk  2300  has a striker  2334  for engaging a latch of a compartment when the lower sleeper bunk  2300  is in a lower position. The hinges  2332  permit the lower sleeper bunk  2300  to pivot upwardly from the lower operative position to a raised position that permits access to the compartment (see, e.g.,  FIG. 68 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 79 , the end support members  2320 ,  2322  each include a front wall portion  2340 , a rear wall portion  2342 , a side wall portion  2344 , and a base portion  2346 . Opposite the side wall portion  2344 , the end support members  2320 ,  2322  have a side portion  2348  with an opening  2350  that is placed in communication with an opening  2352  of a side portion  2354  of the intermediate support member  2324  upon assembly of the end support members  2320 ,  2322  and intermediate support member  2324 . 
     The side portion  2348  of the end support member  2322  includes a lower wall portion  2360  having one or more receptacles, such as doghouses  2362 , that overlap with a lower wall portion  2364  and receptacles, such as doghouses  2366 , of the intermediate support member  2324  upon assembly of the end support member  2320  and intermediate support member  2324 . The intermediate support member  2324  has a side portion  2370  opposite the side portion  2354  that similarly overlaps with a side portion  2372  of the end support member  2320 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 79 , the rear rail  2308  has openings  2376  to receive fasteners for connecting the support members  2304  and the hinges  2332  thereto. The front rail  2316  has openings  2378  for receiving fasteners that connect the support members  2304  and the fascia portions  2312 ,  2314  to the front rail  2316 . The lower sleeper bunk  2300  has brackets  2380  of the safety restraint systems  2330  that are mounted to undersides of the support members  2304 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 80 , the doghouse  2366  of the intermediate support member  2324  nests within the doghouse  2362  of the end support member  2322 . The doghouse  2362  has side walls  2390 ,  2392  and an upper wall portion  2394  with a through opening  2396  that receives a fastener  2398 . Similarly, the doghouse  2366  has side wall portions  2400 ,  2402  and an upper wall portion  2404  having a through opening  2406  that receives a fastener  2398 . As discussed in previous embodiments, a metal clip may be provided on the upper wall portion  2404  that is threadingly engaged by the fastener  2398 . The nested side walls  2390 ,  2392  and  2400 ,  2402  and fastener  2398  resist relative movement of the side portions  2354 ,  2348  (see  FIG. 79 ) of the end and intermediate support members  2322 ,  2324  in directions  2401 ,  2403 . 
     Regarding  FIGS. 79 and 80 , the intermediate support member  2324  has a base portion  2410 , a front wall portion  2412  and a rear wall portion  2414 . As shown in  FIG. 80 , the front rail  2316  has an upper portion  2420 , an intermediate portion  2422 , and a lower portion  2424 . The overlapping portions  2303  (see  FIG. 77 ) include a flange portion  2430  (see  FIG. 80 ) of the front wall portion  2340  of the end support member  2322  that overlaps a flange portion  2432  of the front wall portion  2412  of the intermediate support member  2324 . One or more of the flange portions  2430 ,  2432  of the end support member  2322 , and intermediate support member  2324  are secured to the upper portion  2420  of the front rail  2314  such as by fasteners  2436 . The front fascia portions  2312 ,  2314  may be secured to the front rail  2412  via one or more fasteners  2438 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 81 , the rear wall portion  2342  of the end support member  2322  includes a flange portion  2440  that overlaps a flange portion  2442  of the rear wall portion  2414  of the intermediate support member  2324 . The rear rail  2308  has an upper portion  2444 , an intermediate portion  2446 , and a lower portion  2448  that support the end support member  2322  and the intermediate support member  2324 . Regarding  FIGS. 77 and 82 , the support members  2304  include strengthening ridges  2450  and channels  2452  that provide a corrugated cross-section of the support  2305  and which provide rigidity to the support  2306 . With reference to  FIG. 83 , the strengthening ridges  2450  and channels  2452  of the end support member  2320  are shown. 
     Regarding  FIG. 82 , the overlapping portions  2303  include at least a portion of one of the channels  2452 . The doghouse  2362  of the end support member  2322  includes an opening  2454  that receives the doghouse  2366  of the intermediate support member  2324 . The doghouses  2362 ,  2366  have rear side wall portions  2460 ,  2462  supporting the upper wall portions  2394 ,  2404 . The overlapping upper wall portions  2394 ,  2404 , nested side wall portions  2390 ,  2392  (see  FIGS. 80 ) and  2400 ,  2402 , and the fastener  2398  resist relative movement of the doghouses  2362 ,  2366 . In this manner, the end support member  2322  transfers loading in direction  2470  (see  FIG. 82 ) to the intermediate support member  2324  which provides a reaction force in direction  2472  to resist deflection of the end support member  2322 . 
     Uses of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. It is intended that the phrase “at least one of” as used herein be interpreted in the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B. 
     Terms of orientation such as vertical, horizontal, etc. are intended to refer to the relative orientation of a component rather than an absolute position, e.g., with reference to the earth. Further, the term substantially is intended to encompass values +/−10%, such as +/−5%, of a given value. 
     While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended for the present invention to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims.