Expandable structure having an improved expansion chamber

• US 5,658,032 A
• Filed: 10/17/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gardner, Stewart
• Original Assignee: Gardner, Stewart
• Inventors: Gardner, Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEAN J
• Application Number:
  US08/544,089
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26, 296/27, 296/165, 296/171, 296/172, 296/175, 296/176, 52/67
• 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 structure having an interior living space, an optional cab for operation of a propulsion system, and at least one expanding chamber. Each chamber is a box with one open wall. The structure may be a towable trailer, a recreational vehicle body on a truck chassis, or a motorized recreational vehicle, or a trailer with a support system instead of wheels for stationary use, or a fixed building on a foundation. The structure'"'"'s living space is open at the interface with a respective expansion chamber. For use, a stowed chamber moves from within the structure, between its outer walls, to an expanded position external of the structure. A pair of cantilevered deployable rails are moved, prior in time to a chamber exodus, outwardly from beneath the structure to support the chamber to be expanded.

Claims

1. A structure, selected from the group consisting of wheeled and unwheeled coaches and permanent buildings on a foundation, which structure has an interior living space, and which includes at least one expansion chamber,

which structure includes a main body having a top wall, and two spaced preferably parallel upright walls, attached normal thereto;

and a fixed base, which fixed base is connected to said upright walls;

each of said expansion chambers comprising a box open at one end and having a top wall, a bottom wall and three closure walls, two of which are spaced from and parallel to each other, and an open wall all of which connect the top wall and the bottom wall, the location of the closure walls being dependent on the disposition of the expansion chamber relative to the main body,

such that said three closure walls can be any of (a) two spaced sidewalls and a rear wall;

(b) two spaced sidewalls and a front wall;

(c) spaced front and rear walls and one sidewall;

said expansion chamber being disposed intermediate the main body'"'"'s spaced upright walls, and between both of said top wall and said fixed base,

said expansion chamber being movable in and out with respect to said main body in a telescopic manner, from between the main body'"'"'s outer and inner sidewalls, and from between both of the top wall and fixed base on a deployable rail system;

the interior living space being defined as the volume of the interior of the main body added to the volume of each of said expansion chambers when moved to its in use position wherein each expansion chamber moves from its first position to its second position on the deployable rail system, which rail system comprises a pair of deployable rails each of which comprises a support bar to which a pivot bar is hingedly attached to pivot 180°

from an at rest position to an in use position, said pivot bar extending outwardly along substantially the entire length of said support bar.

2. In the structure of claim 1 wherein each expansion chamber is moved from a stowed inner position to an in use outer position by an electronic means comprising a reversing switch actuated battery powered ram.

3. In the structure of claim 1 wherein each expansion chamber is moved from a stowed inner position to an in use outer position by a hand crank operated ram.

4. In the structure of claim 3 including means to prevent excessive outward movement of the expansion chamber relative to the main body disposed between the expansion chamber and the main body.

5. In the structure of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls of the main body have an exterior side and an interior side and further including at least one roller mounted on the interior side of each main body sidewall sized to permit the rotating section thereof to roll on the adjacent respective sidewall of the expansion chamber.

6. In the structure of claim 5 wherein the structure is a building and said building has two expansion chambers, each of which moves in the same direction from its stowed position to its in use position.

7. In the structure of claim 1 wherein said structure is a coach which includes a superstructure comprising two chassis, a main body chassis and an expansion chassis for each expansion chamber, and said main body chassis contains the deployable rail system.

8. In the structure of claim 7 wherein the structure is a coach, which coach'"'"'s main body chassis comprises a series of spaced crossmembers connected to spaced channel longitudinal side members,

said main body chassis having said deployable rail system hingedly mounted thereto.

9. In the structure of claim 8 wherein the deployable rail system comprises a pair of deployable rails, each of which has a distal and a proximal end and each of which is pivotally mounted at its proximal end to a main body chassis member and

wherein each expansion chassis is disposed within said main body for movement on said rail system and is configured as a rectangle having front, and rear cross members connected to at least three spaced longitudinal channel members, and wherein at least one of the longitudinal members has a movement mechanism disposed therein for the egress and ingress of said chamber.

10. In the structure of claim 9 wherein two of the longitudinal channel members of the expansion chassis have portions of a movement mechanism disposed therein thereby defining a dual drive system for the egress and ingress of said chamber.

11. In the structure of claim 9 wherein the expansion chassis further includes a bottom wall defining a floor disposed upon said crossmembers and said longitudinal members.

12. In the structure of claim 11 wherein the movement mechanism comprises a powered gear motor in engagement with an acme rod upon which rides an acme block.

13. In the structure of claim 11 wherein the movement mechanism further includes a gear box disposed within a different longitudinal channel member from said gear motor, but connected both to said motor and to a second acme rod.

14. In the structure of claim 13 wherein the structure is a coach whose upright walls are sidewalls, and both the left sidewall and the right sidewall of each of the main body'"'"'s sidewalls and those of the chamber have windows in spatial alignment.

15. In the structure of claim 13 wherein the structure is a fixed building whose upright walls are sidewalls, and at least one of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the main body'"'"'s sidewalls and those of the chamber have windows in spatial alignment.

16. In the structure of claim 9 further including means to support the deployable rails when in the deployed position.

17. In the structure of claim 9 wherein said movement mechanism comprises a dual drive mechanism, the first of which drives comprises a gear motor connected to an acme rod, which acme rod carries an acme block, said acme block being mounted to the main body of the structure;

and the second drive comprising a gear box mechanically connected to the gear motor, and to a second acme rod which second acme rod carries a second acme block which is also mounted to the main body of the structure.

18. In the structure of claim 7 wherein the expansion chassis comprises a rectangle having front, and rear spaced cross members connected to more than a pair of spaced longitudinal channel members and a floor mounted to all of said members;

and further including one, of a pair of rollers, mounted adjacent two separate longitudinal channel members.

19. In the structure of claim 18 wherein the fixed base of the main body also includes a pair of rollers disposed to make contact with the floor of said expansion chamber.

20. In the structure of claim 1 wherein the rail system further includes on each of the two pivot bars, an A-shaped metal section, extending along the length thereof and welded thereto and designated as a caster rail, and which extends along the entire length of the pivot bar;

and each expansion chamber moves from its first position to its second position on the deployable rail system, on a plurality of V-groove casters rolling on the pivot bars of said deployable rail system.

21. In the structure of claim 1 wherein spaced upright walls are sidewalls and at least one of the sidewalls of the main body includes a window, and the corresponding sidewall of an expansion chamber also includes a window, the window of said chamber being in spatial alignment with the window of said main body when the expansion chamber is in its stowed position such that light can enter the structure.

22. In the structure of claim 21 wherein the structure is a coach and there are two expansion chambers present.

23. In the structure of claim 21 wherein the structure is a building on a foundation and there are two expansion chambers present.

24. In the structure of claim 1 wherein the rail system further includes on each of the two pivot bars an elongated channel which extends inwardly from its top in use surface along its entire length, and disposed within said channel are a plurality of in-line casters, each of which comprises a wheel and an axle pin, and wherein each wheel extends into the channel and above the channel as well;

and each expansion chamber moves from its first position to its second position on the deployable rail system, on the plurality of upstanding casters of said deployable rail system.

25. In the structure of claim 1 wherein the rail system further includes on each of the two pivot bars along its entire length, a plurality of in-line casters, each of which comprises a wheel and an axle pin;

and each expansion chamber moves from its first position to its second position on the deployable rail system, on the plurality of upstanding casters of said deployable rail system.

26. A structure comprising a self-contained motorized coach having an interior living space, which structure, has a cab for controls for the operation of a propulsion system at the forward end of said structure, and which structure includes at least one expansion chamber which one expansion chamber is located at the rear thereof,

which structure includes a main body having a top wall, and spaced left and right outer sidewalls, attached normal thereto;

said main body also having spaced parallel sidewalls; and

a fixed base, which fixed base is connected to said fixed sidewalls,

said expansion chamber comprising a box open at one end and having a top wall, two sidewalls, a bottom wall and a rear closure wall connecting the top wall, sidewalls, and the bottom wall, said expansion chamber being disposed intermediate the main body'"'"'s sidewalls, and between both of said top wall and said fixed base,

said expansion chamber being movable in and out with respect to said main body in a telescopic manner, from between the main body'"'"'s spaced sidewalls, and from beneath both of the top wall and fixed base on a deployable rail system;

and a deployable rail system for the movement of said expansion chamber;

the interior living space being defined as the volume of the interior of the main body added to the volume of each of said expansion chambers when moved to its expanded in use position which rail system comprises a pair of deployable and pivotable rails each of which comprises a pivot bar pivotable 180°

from an at rest position to an in use position, and

said expansion chamber having an expansion chassis, said expansion chassis having a movement mechanism disposed therein for the egress and ingress of said chamber.

27. A structure comprising a self-contained motorized coach having an interior living space, which structure, has a cab for controls for the operation of a propulsion system at the forward end of said structure, and which structure includes at least one expansion chamber which one expansion chamber is located at one side thereof,

which structure includes a main body having a top wall, and spaced left and right outer sidewalls, attached normal thereto;

said main body also having spaced parallel sidewalls; and

a fixed base, which fixed base is connected to said fixed sidewalls, one of said parallel sidewalls having an opening therein for the ingress and egress of an expansion chamber;

said expansion chamber comprising a box open at one end and having a top wall, a bottom wall, spaced front and rear walls and a side closure wall connecting the top wall, front and rear walls, and the bottom wall, said expansion chamber being disposed along the length of one of the main body'"'"'s sidewalls, and between both of said top wall and said fixed base,

said expansion chamber being movable in and out with respect to said main body in a telescopic manner, from the opening within the main body'"'"'s sidewall, and from between both of the top wall and fixed base on a deployable rail system;

and a deployable rail system for the movement of said expansion chamber comprising two hingedly mounted deployable arms each of which has a support bar and a pivot bar, the pivot bar pivoting from a stowed position to an in use position on said support bar;

the interior living space being defined as the volume of the interior of the main body added to the volume of said expansion chamber when moved to its expanded in use position.

28. In the structure of claim 27 wherein one wall of the expansion chamber also includes a door therein.

29. In the structure of claim 27 wherein at least one wall of the front, rear and the sidewall of the expansion chamber has a window therein.

30. In the structure of claim 27 further including a movement mechanism for moving the expansion chamber from an inward to an outward disposition, which mechanism comprises a dual drive mechanism, the first of which drives comprises a gear motor connected to an acme rod, which acme rod carries an acme block, said acme block being mounted to the main body of the structure;

and the second drive comprising a gear box mechanically connected to the gear motor, and to a second acme rod which second acme rod carries a second acme block which is also mounted to the main body of the structure.

31. In the structure of claim 27 wherein the rail system further includes on each of the two pivot bars, an A-shaped metal section, extending along the length thereof and welded thereto and designated as a caster rail, and which extends along the entire length of the pivot bar.

32. A towable structure adapted to be pulled by a powered vehicle, said structure having an interior living space, which structure has at least one and no more than two expansion chambers,

which structure includes a main body having a top wall, and spaced left and right sidewalls, attached normal thereto;

and a fixed base, which fixed base is connected to said sidewalls;

each of said expansion chambers comprising a box having one open wall and having a top wall, two spaced parallel walls, a bottom wall and one closure wall connecting the top wall, the parallel walls and the bottom wall, the location of the closure wall being dependent on the disposition of the expansion chamber relative to the main body,

which expansion chamber if located in front of the main body has a front closure wall and if located to the rear of the main body has a rear closure wall, and if located to the side has a side closure wall;

each of said expansion chambers being disposed intermediate the main body'"'"'s outer and inner sidewalls, and beneath both of said top wall and said fixed base,

each of said expansion chambers being movable in and out with respect to said main body in a telescopic manner, from between the main body'"'"'s top wall and fixed base from a stowed position to an expanded position on a deployable rail system;

the interior living space being defined as the volume of the interior of the main body added to the volume of each of said expansion chambers when moved to its expanded position;

and a deployable rail system comprising two hingedly mounted deployable arms each of which has a support bar and a pivot bar, the pivot bar pivoting from a stowed position to an in use position on said support bar.

33. The towable structure of claim 32 wherein there is one expansion chamber and it is located at the rear of the main body.

34. In the structure of claim 32 further including a movement mechanism for moving the expansion chamber from an inward to an outward disposition, which mechanism comprises a dual drive mechanism, the first of which drives comprises a gear motor connected to an acme rod, which acme rod carries an acme block, said acme block being mounted to the main body of the structure;

and the second drive comprising a gear box mechanically connected to the gear motor, and to a second acme rod which second acme rod carries a second acme block which is also mounted to the main body of the structure.

35. In the expansion chamber of claim 34 wherein the each acme rod of the movement mechanism is about eight feet long, and is supported at the end distant from a gear means by a pillow block.

36. A structure comprising a self-contained motorized coach having an interior living space, which structure, has a cab for controls for the operation of a propulsion system at the forward end of said structure, and which structure includes at least one expansion chamber which one expansion chamber is located at the rear thereof,

which structure includes a main body having a top wall, and spaced left and right outer sidewalls, attached normal thereto;

said main body also having spaced parallel sidewalls; and

a fixed base, which fixed base is connected to said fixed sidewalls,

said expansion chamber comprising a box open at one end and having a top wall, two sidewalls, a bottom wall and a rear closure wall connecting the top wall, sidewalls, and the bottom wall, said expansion chamber being disposed intermediate the main body'"'"'s sidewalls, and between both of said top wall and said fixed base,

said expansion chamber being movable in and out with respect to said main body in a telescopic manner, from between the main body'"'"'s spaced sidewalls, and from beneath both of the top wall and fixed base on a deployable rail system;

and a deployable rail system for the movement of said expansion chamber;

the interior living space being defined as the volume of the interior of the main body added to the volume of each of said expansion chambers when moved to its expanded in use position further including a movement mechanism for moving the expansion chamber from an inward to an outward disposition, which mechanism comprises a dual drive mechanism, the first of which drives comprises a gear motor connected to an acme rod, which acme rod carries an acme block, said acme block being mounted to a main body of the structure;

and the second drive comprising a gear box mechanically connected to the gear motor, and to a second acme rod which second acme rod carries a second acme block which is also mounted to a main body of the structure.

37. In the structure of claim 36 wherein each acme rod of the movement mechanism is about eight feet long, and is supported at the end distant from a gear means by a pillow block.

38. An expansion chamber for retrofit onto a preexisting structure, which structure has outer walls, at least one end wall, a top wall and a base, upon creation of an opening in one wall of said structure for the disposition of said chamber,

said expansion chamber comprising a box open at one end and having a top wall, two spaced parallel walls, a bottom wall and one closure wall connecting the top wall, the two parallel walls, and the bottom wall, the location of the closure wall being dependent on the disposition of the expansion chamber relative to the main body,

said chamber being adapted for movement in and out with respect to said structure in a telescopic manner from between the structure'"'"'s pair of outer walls and from between both of the top wall and said base on a deployable rail system further including a movement mechanism for moving the expansion chamber from an inward to an outward disposition, which mechanism comprises a dual drive mechanism, the first of which drives comprises a gear motor connected to an acme rod, which acme rod carries an acme block, said acme block being mounted to a main body of the structure;

and the second drive comprising a gear box mechanically connected to the gear motor, and to a second acme rod which second acme rod carries a second acme block which is also mounted to a main body of the structure.

39. The expansion chamber of claim 38 wherein said chamber has a chassis having a plurality of rollers thereon adapted for movement on the floor of the base of a main body of a pre-existing structure.

40. In the expansion chamber of claim 39 wherein the chamber has a chassis comprising a plurality of spaced longitudinal u-channel members and a floor attached thereto.

41. In the expansion chamber claim 40 wherein two of the longitudinal u-channel members each carry a single V-groove caster, adapted to engage an A-shaped rail.

42. In the expansion chamber of claim 38 wherein the pair of parallel walls are sidewalls.

43. In the expansion chamber of claim 38 wherein the pair of parallel walls are front and rear walls.