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 gear driven slide-out system has a radially fixed gear rack which can be slid axially into or out of engagement with a gear in a manual gearbox which is in driving engagement with the drive shaft. The fixed gear rack is biased into engagement so as to lock the drive shaft and is disengaged by a hand operated rotary cam.

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 them with pinion gears meshing with the racks on a common shaft and an electric motor driving the shaft. Nylon bearings between the rails and the rollers help prevent racking.

Abstract: The outer side of a slide-out floor (20) is supported by the outer end of an inner rail member (40). The inner rail member (40), or at least a support wall thereof, is telescopically angled within an outer rail member (32) such that the angle increases as the inner rail member (40) is extended, so as to position the outer end of the slide-out floor (20) at an elevation that is substantially flush with the fixed floor (74) when the slide-out floor (20) is fully extended.

Abstract: A vehicle having a slide-out room section includes an operating mechanism for moving the slide-out room section laterally relative to the stationary room section for expanding the interior volume of the vehicle. The slide-out room section has an outer end which is mounted via a vertically movable connection arrangement to the operating mechanism, and a cooperative support arrangement is provided for the inner end of the slide-out room section to enable the slide-out room section to be vertically dropped when fully extended to place the slide-out room section floor flush with the floor of the stationary room section. The vertically movable connection arrangement includes a support member interconnected with the extension member and movable therewith, and a mounting member secured to the movable room section and engaged with the support member.

Abstract: A low profile operating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out section of a vehicle body includes a pair of substantially parallel outer rails secured to the vehicle body. Each of the outer rails has an inner end and an outer end. A pair of substantially parallel inner rails are provided for supporting the slide-out section thereon. Each of the inner rails are slidably mounted for longitudinal movement within one of the outer rails. A drive arrangement is secured to the outer ends of each outer rail for selectively moving the inner rails into and out of the outer rails to extend and retract the slide-out section of the vehicle body. The drive arrangement is constructed and arranged to define rearwardly thereof a relatively unobstructed storage space beneath the vehicle body.

Abstract: The outer side of a slide-out floor is supported by the outer end of an inner rail member. The inner rail member is telescopically angled within an outer rail member such that the angle increases as the inner rail member is extended, so as to position the outer end of the slide-out floor at an elevation that is substantially flush with the fixed floor when the slide-out floor is fully extended.

Abstract: A vehicle having a slide-out room section includes an operating mechanism for moving the slide-out room section laterally relative to a stationary room section for expanding the interior volume of the vehicle. The slide-out room section has an outer end which is mounted via a vertically movable connection arrangement to the operating mechanism, and a cooperative support arrangement is provided for the inner end of the slide-out room section to enable the slide-out room section to be vertically dropped when fully extended to place the slide-out room section floor flush with the floor of the stationary room section. The cooperative support arrangement for the inner end of the slide-out room section raises the inner end of the slide-out room section when the slide-out room section is retracted, and the vertically movable connection arrangement enables the outer end of the slide-out room section to be raised upon retraction of the slide-out room section.

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 to the vehicle frame. Two jacks are located adjacent to the rear the vehicle and two jacks are located adjacent the front of the vehicle. A manually operated control mechanism is located within the vehicle, and a power system interposed between the control mechanism and the jacks supplies hydraulic fluid to extend and retract the jacks thereby adjusting the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. Hydraulic fluid supplied to the rear jacks is controlled independently from the other jacks. The front jacks are in fluid communication with each other, and hydraulic fluid supplied to the front jacks is controlled independently of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the rear jacks. The invention minimizes frame twist when leveling the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for leveling a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or the like includes three jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the vehicle frame. A series of manually actuated switches, oriented in a diamond pattern, are located within the interior of the vehicle and are interconnected with the jacks to provide selective extension of the jacks to adjust the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A level sensor is mounted to the vehicle and is interconnected with the jacks and the switches, and an operating system is responsive to the level sensor for controlling operation of the jacks and providing information to the control panel. The operating system alerts the operator as to which of the switches should be actuated in order to level the vehicle, and also functions to cut-off extension of each jack when the level sensor has detected that the vehicle in the vicinity of the jack has attained a level condition.

Abstract: A system for leveling a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or the like includes three jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the vehicle frame. A series of manually actuated switches, oriented in a diamond pattern, are located within the interior of the vehicle and are interconnected with the jacks to provide selective extension of the jacks to adjust the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A level sensor is mounted to the vehicle and is interconnected with the jacks and the switches, and an operating system is responsive to the level sensor for controlling operation of the jacks and providing information to the control panel. The operating system alerts the operator as to which of the switches should be actuated in order to level the vehicle, and also functions to cut-off extension of each jack when the level sensor has detected that the vehicle in the vicinity of the jack has attained a level condition.

Abstract: An interior arrangement used in an expandable room structure includes a first room section having a stationary floor with an upper surface. A second room section is movable relative to the first section between a retracted position and an extended position to expand the interior volume of the vehicle, and the second room section has a floor with a top surface. A pair of substantially parallel outer rails is provided for supporting the first room section, and a pair of substantially parallel inner rails is provided for supporting the second room section. Each of the inner rails is slidably mounted for longitudinal movement relative to one of the outer rails. An operating mechanism selectively moves the inner rails relative to the outer rails to extend and retract the second room section relative to the first room section.

Abstract: A system for leveling a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or the like includes three jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the vehicle frame. A series of manually actuated switches, oriented in a diamond pattern, are located within the interior of the vehicle and are interconnected with the jacks to provide selective extension of the jacks to adjust the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A level sensor is mounted to the vehicle and is interconnected with the jacks and the switches, and an operating system is responsive to the level sensor for controlling operation of the jacks and providing information to the control panel. The operating system alerts the operator as to which of the switches should be actuated in order to level the vehicle, and also functions to cut-off extension of each jack when the level sensor has detected that the vehicle in the vicinity of the jack has attained a level condition.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for an expandable vehicle slide-out section includes a pair of inner rail members, each being slidably supported in an outer rail member secured to the vehicle body. Each of the inner rail members has an outer end attachable to the slide-out section. A power drive arrangement includes a drive shaft operably connected with the inner rail members to synchronize travel of each of the inner rail members. The power drive arrangement includes an integral motor-brake having a conveniently accessible release mechanism for selectively releasing engagement of the brake with the drive shaft. A manual override system is adjustably mounted on the drive shaft to extend and retract the slide-out section when the brake is released, should the power drive arrangement become inoperable.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for an expandable vehicle slide-out section includes a pair of inner rail members, each being slidably supported in an outer rail member secured to the vehicle body. Each of the inner rail members has an outer end attachable to the slide-out section. A power drive arrangement includes a drive shaft operably connected with the inner rail members to synchronize travel of each of the inner rail members. The power drive arrangement includes an integral motor-brake having a rotatable output shaft and a brake for positively stopping rotation of the output shaft and for preventing its further movement until released, so as to enable the slide-out section to be positioned between fully extended and fully retracted positions. A manual override system is adjustably mounted on the drive shaft to extend and retract the slide-out section should the power drive arrangement become inoperable.

Abstract: A door locking mechanism for use with a door having a door latch assembly and a stationary catch includes a locking rod movable between a locking position and a release position. In its locking position, the locking rod extends into aligned passages formed in a latch member and a stationary catch member of a door latch assembly, which are engaged with each other in a latched position to maintain the door in a closed position. This prevents disengagement of the latch member from the catch member, to prevent opening of the door. In its release position, the locking rod is withdrawn from at least the latch member passage, to enable the latch member to be disengaged from the catch member and to allow opening of the door. The locking rod is interconnected with a piston disposed within a cylinder. A spring urges the piston toward a position placing the locking rod in its locking position.

Abstract: A system for leveling a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or the like includes three jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the vehicle frame. A series of manually actuated switches, oriented in a diamond pattern, are located within the interior of the vehicle and are interconnected with the jacks to provide selective extension of the jacks to adjust the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A level sensor is mounted to the vehicle and is interconnected with the jacks and the switches, and an operating system is responsive to the level sensor for controlling operation of the jacks and providing information to the control panel. The operating system alerts the operator as to which of the switches should be actuated in order to level the vehicle, and also functions to cut-off extension of each jack when the level sensor has detected that the vehicle in the vicinity of the jack has attained a level condition.

Abstract: A manually operated leveling system for a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or the like includes three jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted to the vehicle frame. A shoe is mounted to the piston rod of each jack. Two jacks are located adjacent the rear of the vehicle and one jack is located adjacent the front of the vehicle. A series of manually actuated switches, oriented in a diamond pattern, are located within the interior of the vehicle, and are interconnected with the jacks to provide selective extension of the jacks in order to adjust the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A cross-check level or bullseye level is mounted within the interior of the vehicle for viewing by the operator to determine the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. A series of control valves are interposed between the jacks and the switches for controlling extension and retraction of the jacks in response to manual operation of the switches.

Abstract: A telescoping assembly includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member, each defining an internal passage. The inner and outer tubular members are mounted to each other for telescoping movement therebetween, and a pair of coaxial springs are mounted within the internal passages defined by the inner and outer tubular members. The springs act to bias the tubular members toward a retracted position. The tubular members are movable to an extended position against the force of the springs, by introduction of pressurized fluid into the internal passages defined by the inner and outer tubular members. A valve is mounted to an end of one of the tubular members, for introducing pressurized fluid into the internal passages defined by the tubular members, and for allowing fluid to be expelled therefrom under the force of the springs, for allowing the inner and outer tubular members to move to their retracted position.

Abstract: A system for leveling a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, includes three extendable and retractable fluid-operated jacks. The leveling system further includes an arrangement for sensing when the vehicle's parking brake is released, or when the vehicle's transmission is moved out of neutral while the vehicle's engine is operating, to automatically retract the jacks in response to either condition.