Abstract: A fluid actuator includes housing defining a cylinder bore and first and second fluid passages. A circumferential detent groove extends into the housing from the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore receives a piston having a top face and a skirt in sliding engagement. A circumferential detent ring groove extends radially inwardly into the skirt. The detent ring groove has a first portion of a first depth and a second portion of a second, greater depth. An o-ring is at least partially received in the second portion. A wear ring is at least partially received in the first portion and overlies the o-ring. The o-ring biases the wear ring outwardly of the detent ring so that the wear ring may be selectively engaged with the detent groove.

Abstract: A fluid actuator includes housing defining a cylinder bore and first and second fluid passages. A circumferential detent groove extends into the housing from the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore receives a piston having a top face and a skirt in sliding engagement. A circumferential detent ring groove extends radially inwardly into the skirt. The detent ring groove has a first portion of a first depth and a second portion of a second, greater depth. An o-ring is at least partially received in the second portion. A wear ring is at least partially received in the first portion and overlies the o-ring. The o-ring biases the wear ring outwardly of the detent ring so that the wear ring may be selectively engaged with the detent groove.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for laterally moving a slide-out section of a vehicle between a retracted position and an extended position includes two support members and a rack and pinion assembly. The two support members can have alignable mounting locations that allow for height adjustable mounting of the slide-out section. The rack and pinion assembly is operable to move the slide-out section from the retracted position to the extended position, preferably by the engagement of a pair of pinions with a pair of racks mounted to elongated rail members mounted to the bottom of the slide-out section. Rollers or other anti-friction members can be added to support the rails and ease the movement of the slide-out section.

Abstract: A tool for actuating a workpiece includes a fixed member for contacting a contact surface of a workpiece and a movable member, which is supported by the fixed member for generally linear movement relative to the fixed member. The movable member is for contacting a second contact surface of the workpiece. The tool further includes a trigger mechanism for urging the movable member into engagement with the second contact surface. The trigger mechanism has stored energy therein and is adapted to apply a load to the movable member whereby the movable member moves over a first range of movement for moving the second contact surface relative the first contact surface in response to the load for actuating the workpiece. In addition, the trigger mechanism releases at least a portion of the stored energy when the movable member no longer detects a reaction force from the second contact surface to thereby move the movable member over a second range of movement in response to the release of the stored energy.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by engagement of a rotary member with a linear intermeshing member, such as dedicated rack and pinion arrangements. A shaft connects the rotary engagers so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated rotary engager.

Abstract: A pseudo four-leg leveling system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle or the like, includes four jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted in pairs at the front and rear of the vehicle. A power system supplies hydraulic fluid to extend and retract the jacks thereby adjusting the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. The front two jacks are driven in parallel and the rear jacks are driven separately and independent of the front jacks. When the power system is de-energized the front jacks are hydraulically isolated to improve the stability of the system when static. Pressure operated valves automatically control the isolation of the jacks driven in parallel, as well as return passage to the tank, without the need for additional electronically controlled valves.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by engagement of a rotary member with a linear intermeshing member, such as dedicated rack and pinion arrangements. A shaft connects the rotary engagers so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated rotary engager.

Abstract: A slide-out room (12) support system (28) for a recreational vehicle (10) has outer C-shaped rails (34) received at least partially within the thickness of the floor (64) with the slot of the C-shape opening downwardly. A fixed support (30) extends up through the slot and mounts four rollers (38), two on each side, which extend into the space between the top wall (42) of the rail (34) and the flanges (40) so as to support the rail (34) generally horizontal and relieve much of the weight of the slide-out room (12) from being borne by the stationary floor of the recreational vehicle (10). A lead screw (46) that moves longitudinally with the rail (34) drives it in and out, and a rack (60, 70) and pinion (62, 68) system synchronizes the movement of the rails (34) when two or more rails (34) are provided. The lead screw (46), or alternatively the rack (60, 70) and pinion (62, 68) system, may be manually or electrically driven.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by engagement of a rotary member with a linear intermeshing member, such as dedicated rack and pinion arrangements. A shaft connects the rotary engagers so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated rotary engager.

Abstract: A tool for actuating a workpiece includes a fixed member for contacting a contact surface of a workpiece and a movable member, which is supported by the fixed member for generally linear movement relative to the fixed member. The movable member is for contacting a second contact surface of the workpiece. The tool further includes a trigger mechanism for urging the movable member into engagement with the second contact surface. The trigger mechanism has stored energy therein and is adapted to apply a load to the movable member whereby the movable member moves over a first range of movement for moving the second contact surface relative the first contact surface in response to the load for actuating the workpiece. In addition, the trigger mechanism releases at least a portion of the stored energy when the movable member no longer detects a reaction force from the second contact surface to thereby move the movable member over a second range of movement in response to the release of the stored energy.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by its own rack and pinion arrangement. A shaft connects the pinions so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated pinion.

Abstract: A slide-out room (12) support system (28) for a recreational vehicle (10) has outer C-shaped rails (34) received at least partially within the thickness of the floor (64) with the slot of the C-shape opening downwardly. A fixed support (30) extends up through the slot and mounts four rollers (38), two on each side, which extend into the space between the top wall (42) of the rail (34) and the flanges (40) so as to support the rail (34) generally horizontal and relieve much of the weight of the slide-out room (12) from being borne by the stationary floor of the recreational vehicle (10). A lead screw (46) that moves longitudinally with the rail (34) drives it in and out, and a rack (60, 70) and pinion (62, 68) system synchronizes the movement of the rails (34) when two or more rails (34) are provided. The lead screw (46), or alternatively the rack (60, 70) and pinion (62, 68) system, may be manually or electrically driven.

Abstract: A landing gear leg adapted for mounting to a vehicle has an outer member, and a middle member telescoped slidably into the outer member. The middle member has a first end and a second end. The first end extends beyond the outer member. An inner member telescoped slidably into the middle member has a first end positioned within the outer member and a second end extending beyond the outer member. A locking mechanism locks the middle member in a fixed relationship with the inner member, and a drive mechanism slidably drives the inner member in relationship with the outer member from a retracted position to an extended position. A rack and pinion drive may be used to slidably move the leg between an extended and retracted position providing a simplified drive mechanism.

Abstract: A slide-out support system (28) for a flat floor slide-out room (12) of a recreational vehicle (10) has ways (40) on both sides of telescoping inner rails (34) which present a pair of downwardly facing ramped surfaces (110) on which rollers (70) roll to support the room (12). Ramped surfaces (56) are provided on opposite sides of stationary outer rails (30) on which rollers (50, 52) mounted to the inner end of the inner rails (34) roll to also help support the room. The ramps (110, 56) are in registration with one another so that during extension and retraction the rails (34) are lowered and raised while maintaining them substantially horizontal. A follower (72) has a roller (76) which rolls on the upper surface (36) of the inner rail (34) and a roller (78) which rolls on the lower surface (80) of the slide-out floor (64) to lower or raise the floor (64) as the rail (34) is lowered or raised while maintaining the floor (64) in a substantially constant horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for use in a vehicle having a bedroom slide out, the bedroom slide out having a platform which is movable laterally relative to a vehicle having a stationary floor. The operating mechanism laterally moves the movable room section relative to the stationary room section between a retracted position and an extended position, and has a height adjustable frame. The frame includes overlapping side members which are slidably moveable relative to each other and fastenable at two or more discrete heights.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by its own rack and pinion arrangement. A shaft connects the pinions so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated pinion.

Abstract: A pseudo four-leg leveling system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle or the like, includes four jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted in pairs at the front and rear of the vehicle. A power system supplies hydraulic fluid to extend and retract the jacks thereby adjusting the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. The front two jacks are driven in parallel and the rear jacks are driven separately and independent of the front jacks. When the power system is de-energized the front jacks are hydraulically isolated to improve the stability of the system when static. Pressure operated valves automatically control the isolation of the jacks driven in parallel, as well as return passage to the tank, without the need for additional electronically controlled valves.

Abstract: A surface mount slide-out support system has rollers rotatably mounted to its side walls spaced apart and received in inwardly opening U-shaped channels of a frame. The channels have gear racks affixed to than with pinion gears meshing with die racks on a common shaft and an electric motor driving the shaft. Nylon bearings between the rails and the rollers help prevent racking.

Abstract: A slide-out mechanism for laterally moving a platform relative to a stationary floor fixed to a vehicle between a retracted position and an extended position which is easily assembled and adjusted. The mechanism includes a first member fixed relative to the platform, and a second member telescopically mounted to the first member for slidable movement between an extended position and retracted position. A rail shaft cage mounted to the first member has a pair of sides with a slot formed in each of the sides, and a rail shaft assembly having a rotatable shaft, wherein the shaft is supported by the slots. In one embodiment, the slide-out mechanism includes bearings having inner and outer races mounted on the shaft, and each bearing outer race is supported by the slot cradle. A portion of the slot and the outer race are polygonal shaped, and the bearing inner race is eccentrically mounted in the outer race, wherein rotating the outer race in the cradle changes the relation between the shaft and the first member.

Abstract: A slide-out support system (28) for a flat floor slide-out room (12) of a recreational vehicle (10) has ways (40) on both sides of telescoping inner rails (34) which present a pair of downwardly facing ramped surfaces (110) on which rollers (70) roll to support the room (12). Ramped surfaces (56) are provided on opposite sides of stationary outer rails (30) on which rollers (50, 52) mounted to the inner end of the inner rails (34) roll to also help support the room. The ramps (110, 56) are in registration with one another so that during extension and retraction the rails (34) are lowered and raised while maintaining them substantially horizontal. A follower (72) has a roller (76) which rolls on the upper surface (36) of the inner rail (34) and a roller (78) which rolls on the lower surface (80) of the slide-out floor (64) to lower or raise the floor (64) as the rail (34) is lowered or raised while maintaining the floor (64) in a substantially constant horizontal orientation.