Abstract: A retractable awning is provided to be mounted on a side of a recreational vehicle. The awning includes a canopy, a roller about which the canopy can be can be rolled or unrolled, a pair of support arms, a pair of tension rafters, and at least one latch or spring clip to retain the awning adjacent the vehicle while traveling. The support arms define a longitudinally extending channel and have a pair of flanges inwardly extending from each side wall. The support arms have one end supporting the canopy and another end contacting a supporting surface. The generally rectangularly-shaped tension rafters have one end operatively secured to the side of the recreational vehicle and another end operatively connected to an associated one of the support arms. Each of the tension rafters is sized so as to be nestable in the channel of the associated support arm.

Abstract: A refrigerator is located in a central island or wall of a vehicle. An air duct extends downwardly from the refrigerator through a floor of the vehicle. A fan is installed in the duct to aid air circulation. The fan is controlled by a temperature switch located on a condenser of the refrigerator. Air for cooling the condenser and an absorber are drawn up the duct from outside the vehicle and exhausted outside the vehicle through an upper duct and vent in a roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: A returnable and reusable shipping and storing system for elongated members, such as rolled awnings. The system includes a cart upon which a series of awning support plates are stacked. Each support plate has a wave-like structure which cooperates with vertically adjacent support plates to define a series of elongated channels. The channels are adapted to slidably receive the rolled awnings, and allow individual rolled awnings to be removed from the stack of support plates regardless of their vertical position within the stack. The awnings project in a cantilever fashion from the support plates, the projecting ends being protected and supported by awning end bags. The awning support plates are nestable to reduce the vertical height required for storage and re-shipment to the awning manufacturer, thereby reducing the inventory and shipping expenses of the system.

Abstract: A galvanized and coated roll formed tube has several slideway channels formed therein. Edges of the sheet material forming the tube are folded back and interlocked in a hook arrangement to form a seam. The seam is located radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the tube, preferably on a wall of one of the channels. Strengthening ridges are also formed in the tube. The tube is attached to an awning and supported at each end by poles or outriggers. The awning is also attached to a wall so as to be rollable around the tube.

Abstract: A retractable awning for recreational vehicle slide-outs prevents rain, snow and other debris from collecting on the roof of the slide-out. The awning is provided with an inner edge secured to the adjacent wall of the recreational vehicle immediately above the slide-out roof. The opposite edge of the awning is connected to a roller journaled on arms pivotally mounted on the outer face of the slide-out. The arms provide oppositely extending lateral projections so that they can support a roller having a length greater than the spacing between the arms. Since the roller must be wider than the awning, the roller has a length exceeding the width of the slide-out roof, and the awning has a width at least equal to the width of the slide-out roof so that full coverage of the slide-out roof is provided. The roller support arms can be pivoted down to provide a typical awning for a window provided in the slide-out.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes an annular roller for supporting an awning fabric. The roller has a plurality of C-shaped retainer channels internally disposed at spaced positions on its annular periphery. A pair of these C-shaped channels are shaped to receive the awning fabric and to receive rods which extend through the awning fabric to hold the awning fabric in fixed position relative to the roller. A coupling member has a bead which is retained within another of the C-shaped retainer channels. The article also has a body portion which extends from the bead. A hole may be provided in the body portion to receive a member such as a hook. Different articles such as potted plants, clothes hangers and messages may be attached to the hook.

Abstract: A tension rafter arrangement adapted to apply tension to an awning extending between a wall and an awning support comprises an extensible rafter having one end adapted to be pivoted at a wall. The rafter has a fitting for releasably holding it to the support. The pivoting arrangement enables pivoting of the rafter to a position so that the fitting is adjacent the wall. The fitting can be releasably held to the wall. The rafter has a tensioning arrangement with a mechanical advantage, and a link pivoting the rafter to the wall serves as a support to lift a stored awning. A roller support for the awning can rotate without affecting the tension of the awning.

Abstract: A system for extending and retracting a step, such as a step of a recreational vehicle, includes an electric motor coupled to extend and retract the step, and a circuit for energizing the motor. The circuit comprises a first circuit including a circuit breaker and connected to selectively energize the motor via the circuit breaker in one rotation direction to extend and retract the step, and a second circuit responsive to opening of the circuit breaker for energizing the motor in an opposite rotation direction to retract the step.

Abstract: A case awning assembly has a housing for receiving an awning rolled on a roller tube. An extensible rafter assembly is pivoted within the housing, and an extensible support arm is pivoted to the rafter assembly, with the roller tube being supported at the junction of the rafter and arm assemblies. Lock tabs are provided on the arm assembly for holding the rafter and arm assemblies and awning when the arm assembly is pivoted into the housing. The arm assembly is resiliently extensible and provided with a further locking arrangement to hold it to the housing, the further locking arrangement being releasable upon shortening of the arm assembly.

Abstract: An electric leveling and stabilizing jack for recreational vehicles having a vertical ground-engaging position and pivotable to a horizontal stowed position. The jack has a rigid double retraction arm which is connected on one end to a retraction sleeve and at the other end to a U-shaped housing for the motor and gear assembly. The jack has telescoping tubular members, the inner member being connected to the footpad and an expandable boot connecting the footpad to the retraction sleeve.