Slide-out mechanisms and systems

• US 20040174031A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lippert Components (LCI Industries)
• Original Assignee: Happijac Co. (LCI Industries)
• Inventors: Rasmussen, C. Martin
• Granted Patent: US 6,976,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/26.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/34 the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement B60P3/38 takes precedence; tents supported at least partially by vehicles E04H15/06

Abstract

A land vehicle includes a first floor, a second floor, a first support member, a second support member, and a gear. The first support may be coupled to the land vehicle and sloped relative to the first floor. The second support member may be supported by the first support member and coupled to the second floor. The second support member may include an engaging portion. The gear may cooperate with the engaging portion to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the second floor between a first position where the second floor is positioned adjacent to the first floor and a second position where the second floor is substantially level with the first floor.

Claims

1. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a first floor;

a second floor;

a first support member coupled to the vehicle and sloped relative to the first floor;

a second support member supported by the first support member and coupled to the second floor, the second support member comprising an engaging portion; and

a gear which cooperates with the engaging portion to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the second floor between a retraced position where the second floor is positioned adjacent to the first floor and an extended position where the second floor is substantially level with the first floor.

2. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a frame which includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail;

a first floor supported by the frame;

a second floor movable between a retracted position where the second floor is positioned adjacent to the first floor and an extended position where the second floor is substantially level with the first floor;

a first support member pivotally coupled to the first frame rail and extending through the second frame rail, the first support member being movable at the second frame rail in a direction that is perpendicular to the first floor; and

a second support member supported by the first support member and coupled to the second floor, the second support member moving relative to the first support member to move the second floor between the retracted position and the extended position.

3. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a frame which includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail;

a slide-out compartment which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a first support member coupled to the first frame rail and extending through the second frame rail;

a second support member supported by the first support member and coupled to the slide-out compartment, the second support member comprising an engaging portion; and

a gear which cooperates with the engaging portion to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the slide-out compartment between the retracted position and the extended position;

wherein a root diameter of the gear is not greater than about 3 inches.

4. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a slide-out compartment which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a first support member coupled to the vehicle;

a second support member supported by the first support member and coupled to the slide-out compartment, the second support member comprising a plurality of holes;

a gear which cooperates with the plurality of holes to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the slide-out compartment between the retracted position and the extended position; and

a motor which is used to drive the gear, the motor comprising a motor shaft which rotates at about the same rate as the gear.

5. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a frame which includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail;

a slide-out compartment which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a plurality of first support members coupled to the first frame rail and extending through the second frame rail;

a plurality of second support members supported by the first support members and coupled to the slide-out compartment, each second support member comprising a plurality of holes; and

a drive assembly comprising a plurality of gears which cooperate with the plurality of holes to move the second support members relative to the first support members and thus move the slide-out compartment between the retracted and the extended position, the drive assembly being used to move the plurality of gears in unison, the drive assembly also being selectively telescopically adjustable between a first orientation where the plurality of gears move in unison and a second orientation where one of the plurality of gears is movable independent of another one of the plurality of gears.

6. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a frame which includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail, the second frame rail including a first side and a second side;

a slide-out floor which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a first support member coupled to the first frame rail and extending through the second frame rail;

a second support member supported by the first support member and coupled to the slide-out floor, the second support member comprising an engaging portion; and

a mounting assembly comprising a gear which cooperates with the engaging portion to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the slide-out floor between the retracted position and the extended position, the mounting assembly being used to couple the first support member to the second frame rail, the mounting assembly being configured to be selectively coupled to the first side or the second side of the second frame rail.

7. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a slide-out floor which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a first support member coupled to the recreational vehicle;

a second support member supported by the first support member and coupled to the slide-out floor, the second support member comprising-an engaging portion; and

a drive assembly coupled to the first support member, the drive assembly cooperating with the engaging portion to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the slide-out floor between the retracted position and the extended position;

wherein the drive assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to the first support member at any one of a plurality of locations on the first support member.

8. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a first floor;

a second floor movable between a retracted position where the second floor is positioned adjacent to the first floor and an extended position where the second floor is substantially level with the first floor;

a first support member including a first end which is coupled to the vehicle and a second end, the first support member being sloped relative to the first floor; and

a second support member coupled to the second floor, the second support member being extendable and/or retractable from the second end of the first support member to move the second floor between the retracted position and the extended position;

wherein the first support member comprises a roller positioned at the second end which is used to support the second support member as it extends and/or retracts.