Thor Industries. has been granted a patent for a vehicle featuring a configurable living space expansion. This expansion includes at least three wall sections, with two as side walls, and incorporates a hollow chamber wall section that can be inflatable, enhancing the vehicle’s interior space when set up. GlobalData’s report on Thor Industries gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Thor Industries, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Thor Industries's grant share as of July 2024 was 52%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Expandable living space for vehicles with inflatable walls
The patent US12030423B2 describes a vehicle equipped with a living space expansion that can be adjusted as needed to increase the interior volume of the vehicle. This expansion consists of at least three wall sections, including two side walls, with at least one wall section designed to move out from the vehicle's interior to create the living space. Notably, the living space expansion features a hollow chamber wall section that serves as a supporting structure and is inflatable. The design allows for various configurations, including the possibility of all wall sections being hollow chamber wall sections, which can be arranged with multiple vertical chambers. These chambers may be interconnected and covered by a means that links them to the vehicle.
Additionally, the patent outlines various movement mechanisms for the living space expansion, including motor-driven, hydraulic, or mechanical options. The expansion can be positioned in different areas of the vehicle, such as the roof or rear, and may include rigid wall sections that incorporate features like side doors or rear hatches. The inflatable hollow chamber wall sections can be self-inflating and may consist of materials such as PVC or TPU. The design also allows for the inclusion of pipe runs that move with the expansion, enhancing the functionality of the living space. Overall, the patent presents a versatile solution for increasing living space in vehicles, combining inflatable structures with rigid components for improved usability.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
