Expandable modular system

• US 5,061,001 A
• Filed: 05/26/1988
• Issued: 10/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobile Systems Research Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mobile Systems Research Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Madden, Michael D., Maginnis, James S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Robert R.
• Application Number:
  US07/199,272
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26, 296/27, 296/171, 296/175, 52/67, 52/68
• US Class Current: 296/26.12
• 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

An expandable modular enclosure which allows substantial increase in the available interior size. An expanding floor section is provided within the enclosure assembly and extensible retractable modules are provided to extend laterally outwardly from the enclosure and supported in the extended mode by cantilever support arrangements which are movable on bearing assemblies to allow the extension and retraction of the modular segments.

Claims

1. An expandable enclosure including chassis means having a longitudinal axis, first and second extensible-retractable floor support means adapted to be extended laterally from opposite sides of said chassis to a first position and retracted to second position with said floor support means located inwardly from said first position;

cantilever support means to secure said first and second floor support means to said chassis means to allow the extension and withdrawal of said first and second floor support means;

frame assembly including first and second fixed frame means secured to said first and second floor support means respectively where the length of each of said first and second frame means in a distance transverse to said longitudinal axis is less than the distance from the center of said chassis to the outer edge of said respective first or second floor support means where said first and second frame means are connected at their respective inner edges to first, second, third, and fourth articulated frame means, whereby said first, second, third and fourth articulated frame means are disposed in "AA" configuration when said frame members are in said second position and move to co-planar relation with said first and second frame means in said first position; and

motive means to move said first and second frame means between said first and second positions.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein extensible retractable floor sections are retained on said first and second frame means.

3. The invention of claim 1 including a central enclosure located over said chassis with at least one module carried by at least one of said first and second frame means and located within said central enclosure when said first and second frame means are in the second position and located outwardly from said central module when said first and second frame means are in said first position.