Abstract: The present invention provides a drive mechanism for a slide-out room including a support rail for mounting under the slide-out room and moving through a guide mounted to the vehicle. The support rail includes a rack which is driven by a pinion gear mounted within the guide. A pair of motors turn the pinion gear to drive the room between the extended and retracted position. According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism is attached to the vehicle floor and disposed almost entirely within a cavity formed in the room floor. A pair of bevel gears connected to the pinion gear extend from the guide and mate with a corresponding pair of bevel gears driven by the pair of motors. Accordingly, the motors, which cooperate to provide the power needed to move the room, may also be disposed within the room floor.

Abstract: A multi-configuration, multi-purpose rack system which has at least 20 separate and useful configurations for carrying a very wide variety of objects on a vehicle. The rack system is economical to manufacture, easy to use, and may be disassembled into its component parts, stored in it's own folding platform and conveniently carried in the cargo area of a vehicle.

Abstract: A space saving system to provide stable and supported movement of an expandable room or other moveable structure relative to a vehicle or other base structure is disclosed. The space saving system provides an inner and outer nested tubular member within a floor of the base structure. Low friction bearings are used to separate and support the nested tubular members relative to one another. The inner member is fixed to the base structure and the outer member is allowed to move telescopically relative to the inner member. The outer member is vertically supported by the base structure through use of a low friction bearing. The expandable room is supported upon the outer member.

Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by means of a drive mechanism which includes either one or two endless cables. A plurality of sheaves, rotatably mounted on the slideout unit, define a path for the endless cable or cables. This path includes a pair of parallel longitudinally extending courses disposed on opposite sides of the slideout unit. Anchors, attached to respective longitudinally extending courses of the cable(s) and to adjacent portions of the vehicle body, effect relative reciprocation between the slideout unit and the vehicle body. Sliding movement of the slideout unit may be either motor driven or manually powered.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an expandable room, wherein the expandable room may be positioned in either a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the room expands outwardly from the main housing of the vehicle so as to enlarge the overall living space area of the main housing. In the retracted configuration, the room slides inwardly into the main housing of the vehicle so as to reduce the width of the vehicle. The expandable room is equipped with at least one additional door on an outer wall in a manner so as to allow access to other rooms when expandable room is in the retracted configuration. The room may be extended in conjunction with an exterior slide-out assembly, wherein the deployed slide-out assembly produces a larger inner living space so as to accommodate the expanded room.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a main living area and a slide out room that slides between an extended and retracted position relative to the main living area. At least one extendable support member is mounted within the floor of the main living area, and is connected to the slide out room so that the weight of the slide out room is transferred to the extendable support member as the room slides to the extended position. The extendable support member bends in response to the weight transfer such that the room floor is substantially flush and level with respect to the main living area floor. The extendable support includes an inner support connected to the room and the outer support connected to the vehicle. The shape of the inner support may be such that the end connected to the room drops vertically as the inner support is extended from the outer support.

Abstract: A securing mechanism for use with a recreational vehicle (RV) slide out assembly. The securing mechanism structurally interconnects the slide out assembly to the RV when the slide out assembly is in a retracted position and when it is in an extended position. Specifically, loads in the RV induced from the road, from passengers, from equipment, and other various sources are distributed through the slide out assembly. Advantageously, flexure of the RV walls around the slide out opening is reduced. As a result, walls and their fixtures are less likely to be damaged due to flexure, seals between the RV walls and the slide out are more likely to stay intact, and the size of slide outs can be increased without compromising the structural integrity of the RV.

Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by a drive mechanism that includes a pair of cables. A plurality of sheaves, rotatably mounted on the vehicle body about the opening, define a path for the cable or cables. The drive cables have a double Y-shape whereby each cable has four ends with an end being connected to each corner of the slideout unit. Sliding movement of the slideout unit 24 may be either motor driven or manually powered.

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: A vehicle having an expandable slide-out body is provided. The slide-out body is movable relative to the vehicle by a slide-out apparatus. The slide-out apparatus has first and second rails, and first and second synchronization members. The first rail is attached to the vehicle and defines a first longitudinally-extending compartment. The second rail also has a second longitudinally-extending compartment. The second rail is attached to the slide-out body, and is disposed within and movable relative to the first longitudinally-extending compartment. The first synchronization member is attached to the second rail. The second synchronization member is located inside the second longitudinally-extending compartment and is engagable with the first synchronization member.

Abstract: A retractable awning for a recreational vehicle is provided wherein the awning is stored behind a pivoting door that closes flush with the side of the recreational vehicle when the awning is not deployed over a slide-out unit. The pivoting door is adjacent the awning and the pivoting door closes flush with the side of the recreational vehicle with the awning enclosed in its side mounted compartment. With the retractable awning completely behind the plane defining the side of the recreational vehicle and protected by a locking door, the awning does not add any additional unwanted width to the recreational vehicle and is protected from unfurling during transport. An automatic locking mechanism is provided for ensuing that the door remains closed during transportation. Further, a debris clearing mechanism is preferably installed adjacent the spool which collects the retractable awning as it retracts, thereby cleaning the awning of debris prior to its withdrawal into the compartment.

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: Transportable living quarters includes a main frame supporting a main living area and a slide out room which slides between an extended and retracted position relative to the main living area. An extendable member is mounted on the main frame and is rigidly connected to the slide out room floor, so that the weight of the slide out room is transferred from the floor of the main living to the extendable member as the slide out room slides between the retracted and extended positions. In one embodiment of the invention, the floor of the slide out room is leveled with respect to the floor of the main living area when the slide out room is moved to the extended position by bending of the extendable support member in response to the weight transfer.

Abstract: A mobile living quarters unit incorporates a slide-out room which is moveable between an extended position providing an auxiliary living area when the unit is parked and a retracted position retracted into the unit when the unit is moved. A latching mechanism automatically latches the slide-out room to the mobile living quarters as the slide-out room is moved into the retracted position, and releases the room to permit outward movement of the slide-out room when the unit is parked and the slide-out room is extended.

Abstract: A linkage mechanism provides for the extension and retraction of rooms in recreational vehicles while maximizing the space inside the vehicle. Braced parallel linkage members are applied between a vehicle frame member and an expandable room member. A hydraulic cylinder or other force assist element may be used to drive a slotted glide arm which, in turn, causes the braced parallelogram linkage to shift, thus pulling or pushing the room frame member relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an expandable room wherein the room can be positioned in a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the room expands inwardly into the main housing of the vehicle so as to enlarge the area of the room without displacing the fixtures and plumbing that are typically positioned adjacent an outer wall of the room. The room can be extended in conjunction with an exterior slide-out assembly wherein the deployed slide-out assembly creates a larger inner living space so as to accommodate the expanded room wherein the expanded room comprises a walk-in closet.

Abstract: A slide out room is a extended from a mobile living quarters to provide auxiliary space and is retracted into the mobile living quarters when the unit is to be moved by a pair of independent actuators. A control is provided which responds to signals generated by position sensors for each actuator to interpret a corresponding actuator whenever the position of one of the actuators exceeds the position of the other actuator by more then a predetermined offset. The actuators are stopped whenever they attain a corresponding “room in” or a “room out” stop limit. The stop limits are set by independently advancing the actuators after they have attained default limit to set the out and in stop limits independently between the actuators.

Abstract: A slide-out room for recreational vehicles, sleeper cabs of trucks, and similar mobile living quarters is supported for movement through an aperture in the side wall of the mobile living quarters by a set of four linkages, two of which are mounted between each side of the slide-out room in the corresponding side of the aperture of the side wall of the unit. When the slide-out room is fully retracted within the mobile living quarters, one of the linkages on each side of the slide-out room is fully extended and the other is fully collapsed. As the slide-out room is moved toward the fully-extended position, the other linkage gradually expands and the one linkage collapses, so in the fully extended, as well as the fully retracted position, the slide-out room is supported and aligned for movement through the aperture in the vehicle slide-out room, and the slide-out room is continuously supported as it travels between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An adjustable body sub-frame assembly that mounts on a truck chassis, and an adjustable body panel assembly that mounts on the body sub-frame assembly. The body sub-frame assembly includes left and right sub-frame rails that mount on respective truck chassis rails. Each sub-frame rail includes sub-frame brace tubes and body support brackets. The sub-frame brace tubes are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally inward from the truck chassis rails, and the body support brackets are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally outward from the truck chassis rails. The body sub-frame assembly further includes sub-frame brace sleeves that receive corresponding sub-frame brace tubes of the sub-frame rails. The sub-frame brace tubes can be welded at different positions within the sub-frame brace sleeves providing for adjustability in the width of the body sub-frame assembly. The body panel assembly includes left and right body panels.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes structure defining side walls of a main living unit mounted on a frame and a slide-out room which extends and retracts through an aperture in one of the side walls. Adjustments are provided to adjust the angular orientation of the slide-out room without respect to the side wall of the main living unit, to adjust the vertical position of the slide-out room in the extended position and to adjust the tilt of the slide-out room. Further adjustments are also provided to adjust the position of the back wall of the slide-out room in the retracted position to assure that trim and decals applied to the side wall of the unit and extending over the back wall of the slide-out room are properly aligned.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an extendable slide-out controlled by an actuator assembly is provided with a damage avoidance system. The damage avoidance system determines if the slide-out is in an adverse state and, if the adverse state is detected, inhibits the actuator assembly from moving the slide-out. The slide-out is in the adverse state if (a) a collision between the slide-out and a nearby object is imminent, (b) a collision has recently occurred, or (c) a resistive force is acting on the slide-out which substantially inhibits the actuator assembly from moving the slide-out. The damage avoidance system comprises a sensor module for monitoring the state of the slide-out and for providing an override signal to the actuator assembly, wherein the override signal is indicative of the slide-out being in the adverse state.

Abstract: An extendable deck assembly for providing a retractable deck for owners of recreational vehicles. The extendable deck assembly includes a frame adapted for coupling to an underside of the trailer. A first panel assembly is slidably coupled to the frame. A second panel assembly is slidably coupled to the first panel assembly. The first panel assembly slides outwardly from the trailer in a first direction and the second panel assembly slides outwardly from the first panel assembly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction whereby the first and second panel assemblies form a deck extending along a side of the trailer.

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 media or recorded event editing, screening, and communications trailer provides portable means by which editing, screening, and communications equipment can be brought on-site or otherwise to provide greater efficiency and less delay in processing film or other media. A large trailer such as that used in tractor/trailer rigs provides the basis for a combined facility incorporating a projection room, a screening area, several editing consoles, a refreshment area, an equipment area, a foyer, and an editing area. Slideouts provide increased interior volume space for greater working comfort yet are sturdy and stable both in their deployed and collapsed conditions. A communications facility incorporated into the trailer provides local and/or global communications networking and access as well as audio, video, and/or audio/video signal communication capacity.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slide-out support rail, which is particularly adapted for use as a single set of rails, which may be power operated or manually operated. The slide-out support rail system has an inner telescoping rail with a gear rack mounted on top of the upper wall of the inner rail. The teeth of the gear rack face upwardly and mesh with a pinion gear which is journaled relative to the outer rail above the gear rack.

Abstract: A recreational travel trailer comprising a main housing which encloses a living space having multiple floor levels, and a two level extendable housing having a deployed configuration and an extended configuration. The extendable housing is movably positioned within an opening in the main housing so that a first floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a first floor of the main housing and so that a second floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a second floor of the main housing. In the deployed configuration, the extendable housing extends through the opening of the main housing so as to increase the enclosed space within the trailer. In the retracted configuration, the extendable housing is substantially positioned within the main housing so as to provide the main housing with a shape and size that is suitable for being towed on a public road. The trailer is further comprised of a two level actuator assembly which moves the two level extendable housing.

Abstract: An interlocking slidable assembly useful for movable extensible platforms, such as a movable or sliding floor or plate extension used with the rear cargo areas of a motor vehicle such as a pickup truck. This assembly includes a first and second plurality of rotatable members spaced apart along parallel axes that slidably interlock with the guide members of the rail or rails. Each of the rotatable members is rotatable about a substantially vertical rotational axis and slidably engages the respective guide member of the rail or rails. One of the guide members or the rotatable members have a recess in the periphery thereof to slidably receive the other of the guide and rotatable members. Because the rotatable members rotate about vertical axes, there is better and more even distribution of weight on the weight-bearing surfaces that makes it easier for slidable movement and decreases the amount of wear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle having a fixed room and a slide-out room which extends and retracts relative to the fixed room. The fixed room includes a floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section, and the slide-out room includes a floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section. A slide-out extension mechanism extends and retracts the slide-out room in a cantilevered manner. In a fully retracted position, the roof section and two of the sidewall sections of the slide-out room are typically concealed from exterior view, and a third sidewall section of the slide-out room forms a portion of the sidewall section of the fixed room. Furthermore, the floor section of the slide-out room is flush with the floor section of the fixed room, and proximal ends of the sidewall sections of the slide-out room are flush with an inner surface of one of the sidewall sections of the fixed room when the slide-out room is fully extended.

Abstract: An expandable trailer is designed for transportation and use of satellite communication related electronic equipment. The trailer has a generally horizontal support frame with an upper surface defining a floor of the trailer. A pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extend upwardly from the support and define an interior transport area between the walls. An expansion module is supported in an opening in one of the side walls. The expansion module has a vertical front panel and rear panel with inboard edges and outboard edges. The panels are spaced apart to define the front and rear of the expansion module. A generally vertical side panel extends between the outboard edges of the front and rear panels and has an upper edge and a lower edge. The expansion module has a closed position where the side panel is generally aligned with the side wall and the outboard edges of the front and rear panels are adjacent the side wall.

Abstract: A mobile living quarters unit incorporates a slide-out room which is moveable between an extended position providing an auxiliary living area when the unit is parked and a retracted position retracted into the unit when the unit is moved. A latching mechanism automatically latches the slide-out room to the mobile living quarters as the slide-out room is moved into the retracted position, and releases the room to permit outward movement of the slide-out room when the unit is parked and the slide-out room is extended.

Abstract: The travel trailer includes a chassis having wheels and a trailer hitch for towing the travel trailer. The travel trailer further includes a trailer body attached to the chassis defined by sidewalls, a front end wall, a rear end wall, a roof, and a floor. The sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor form an internal space of the trailer body. A slide-out area is slidably extendable outward from the trailer body. The slide-out area is extendable from a retracted position received within the trailer body to an extended position extended outward from the trailer body. The slide-out area includes a peaked roof, sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a front end wall. The front end wall includes a flange extending around the perimeter thereof. A sealing gasket is attached to the flange to face the trailer body for sealing against the trailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area.

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 recreational vehicle includes structure defining side walls of a main living unit mounted on a frame and a slide-out room which extends and retracts through an aperture in one of the side walls. Adjustments are provided to adjust the angular orientation of the slide-out room without respect to the side wall of the main living unit, to adjust the vertical position of the slide-out room in the extended position and to adjust the tilt of the slide-out room. Further adjustments are also provided to adjust the position of the back wall of the slide-out room in the retracted position to assure that trim and decals applied to the side wall of the unit and extending over the back wall of the slide-out room are properly aligned.

Abstract: A drive unit for a recreational vehicle slide out room comprises actuation members having linear gears fixed thereto. A drive mechanism is comprised of a transverse mounted unit having a fluid operated cylinder which drives an externally threaded rod. The externally threaded rod is cooperable with an internally threaded drive gear, which in turn meshes with a drive gear mounted to a transverse drive shaft. The transverse drive shaft has gears mounted at opposite ends which mesh with the linear gear teeth.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a main living area and a slide out room that slides between an extended and retracted position relative to the main living area. At least one extendable support member is mounted within the floor of the main living area, and is connected to the slide out room so that the weight of the slide out room is transferred to the extendable support member as the room slides to the extended position. The extendable support member bends in response to the weight transfer such that the room floor is substantially flush and level with respect to the main living area floor. The extendable support includes an inner support connected to the room and the outer support connected to the vehicle. The shape of the inner support may be such that the end connected to the room drops vertically as the inner support is extended from the outer support.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for elevating a slide-out room above the floor of a vehicle as the room is moved between an extended and retracted position. The lifting assembly in one embodiment includes a pair of rollers which support the room and which move vertically to elevate the slide-out room. In other embodiments of the invention, the rollers are attached to rotatable levers, which rotate upon retraction of the slide-out room to elevate the slide-out room floor. Accordingly, the room is moved between the extended and retracted positions with minimal damaging contact with the finished floor surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for transportable living quarters having a main living area and a slide-out room includes a plurality of actuators connected between the main living area and the slide-out room to move the room between a retracted position retracted within the main living area and an extended position extended from the main living area, a plurality of position sensors associated with the plurality of actuators, each position sensor outputting a position signal representing a position of its associated actuator, a plurality of valves connected to the plurality of actuators, each valve being adjustable to either enable or inhibit movement of its corresponding actuator, and a controller for adjusting the valves in response to the position signals to synchronize movement of the actuators.

Abstract: A bed slide for use in a vehicle storage area is designed to provide greater access to stored objects, requires no fasteners for mounting, and is easily removable. The bed slide is characterized by two detachable pieces, a bottom frame that stays stationary, and a top portion that slides forward and back along the bottom frame. The bottom frame is connected to the vehicle storage area by inserting the pegs of the bottom frame into holes in the vehicle storage.

Abstract: A slide out room is a extended from a mobile living quarters to provide auxiliary space and is retracted into the mobile living quarters when the unit is to be moved by a pair of independent actuators. A control is provided which responds to signals generated by position sensors for each actuator to interpret a corresponding actuator whenever the position of one of the actuators exceeds the position of the other actuator by more then a predetermined offset. The actuators are stopped whenever they attain a corresponding “room in” or a “room out” stop limit. The stop limits are set by independently advancing the actuators after they have attained default limit to set the out and in stop limits independently between the actuators.

Abstract: A recreational travel trailer comprising a main housing which encloses a living space having multiple floor levels, and a two level extendable housing having a deployed configuration and an extended configuration. The extendable housing is movably positioned within an opening in the main housing so that a first floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a first floor of the main housing and so that a second floor of the extendable housing is positioned adjacent to a second floor of the main housing. In the deployed configuration, the extendable housing extends through the opening of the main housing so as to increase the enclosed space within the trailer. In the retracted configuration, the extendable housing is substantially positioned within the main housing so as to provide the main housing with a shape and size that is suitable for being towed on a public road. The trailer is further comprised of an actuator assembly having a linear actuator which moves the two level extendable housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slide-out support rail, which is particularly adapted for use as a single set of rails, which may be power operated or manually operated. The slide-out support rail system has an inner telescoping rail with a gear rack mounted on top of the upper wall of the inner rail. The teeth of the gear rack face upwardly and mesh with a pinion gear which is journaled relative to the outer rail above the gear rack.

Abstract: A vehicle frame with a low profile suitable for attaching directly to an incomplete, preassembled motorized chassis to construct a motorhome. The vehicle frame includes planar bulkheads and a storage area floor that are attached to the frame and to the chassis so as to create a three-dimensional space frame that is highly resistant to bending and twisting forces as well as storage areas that extend the width of the motorhome. The motorhome with the frame mounts a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as heavy holding tanks within or below the plane of the vehicle frame so as to lower the center of mass of the motorhome to thereby improve vehicle handling and safety. Placement of the HVAC system within and/or below the vehicle frame obviates the need to position HVAC components on the roof of the motorhome thereby further lowering the center of mass and eliminating a source of liquid water condensation above the living space of the motorhome.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a slide out room of mobile living quarters that latches the slide out room to the side wall of the living quarters, sealing the fascia of the slide out room to the side wall when the slide out room is in the retracted position. The seal formed prevents moisture or other contaminants from entering the inner space of the mobile living quarters. Compressible bubble seal is used to further seal off the inner space from the elements ensuring better protection of the slide out room while it is in the retracted position. In an effort to increase the effectiveness of the magnetic seal, booster magnets may be utilized, along with many different variations of magnetic camming mechanisms. Separation of the slide out room from the mobile living quarters is achieved through a number of manual releases intended to overcome the magnetic sealing force, allowing the slide out room to be extended.

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: A mobile living quarters unit incorporates a slide-out room which is moveable between an extended position providing an auxiliary living area when the unit is parked and a retracted position retracted into the unit when the unit is moved. A latching mechanism automatically latches the slide-out room to the mobile living quarters as the slide-out room is moved into the retracted position, and releases the room to permit outward movement of the slide-out room when the unit is parked and the slide-out room is extended.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive mechanism for a slide-out room including a support rail for mounting under the slide-out room and moving through a guide mounted to the vehicle. The support rail includes a rack which is driven by a pinion gear mounted within the guide. A pair of motors turn the pinion gear to drive the room between the extended and retracted position. According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism is attached to the vehicle floor and disposed almost entirely within a cavity formed in the room floor. A pair of bevel gears connected to the pinion gear extend from the guide and mate with a corresponding pair of bevel gears driven by the pair of motors. Accordingly, the motors, which cooperate to provide the power needed to move the room, may also be disposed within the room floor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel travel trailer having an improved chassis, the chassis comprising a rear section, a mid-section, and a front section disposed in vertically offset horizontal planes. The trailer further comprises a carriage member having a plurality of rotatable wheels mounted underneath the rear section of the chassis and a housing member having an interior living space formed therein mounted above the chassis. The rear section of the chassis comprises a pair of main longitudinal members each having a pair of stacked I-beams such that upper surfaces of the main longitudinal members define a first horizontal mounting plane suitably elevated above the wheels of the carriage assembly so as to enable a rear section of a floor assembly to mount directly to the rear section of the chassis in the first mounting plane to thereby increase the rigidity of the rear section of the chassis.

Abstract: A retractable awning for use on mobile homes, recreational vehicles or the like having slide-out units as a part thereof includes an awning sheet that is secured along an inner edge to the side of the mobile home with the opposite edge being secured to a torsionally biased roll bar rotatably disposed on the outer ends of support arms pivotally mounted to the outer face of the slide-out unit. A flexible tie-down strap secures the awning in an extended position with the support arms projecting substantially horizontally away from the outer wall, and upon release of the tie-down strap, the awning automatically retracts to a position immediately adjacent to the outer wall of the slide-out unit. The awning sheet always overlies the top wall of the slide-out unit when the slide-out unit is extended and regardless of whether or not the awning is extended or retracted.