Abstract: A first stationary rail and a second stationary rail are attached to the recreational vehicle. A first bearing pad is combined to the first stationary rail and a second bearing pad combined to the second stationary rail. A first sliding rail is engaged against the first bearing pad and a second sliding rail engaged against the second bearing pad. A first step positioned between the first sliding rail and the second sliding rail.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a lift mechanism adapted for movement between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. At least one saddle rack adapted to carry a horse saddle is combined to the lift mechanism and positively rotates with respect to the lift mechanism in rotational synchronization with the movement of the lift mechanism as the lift mechanism moves between the respective positions, such that the horse saddle is held in a substantially upright position throughout the lift mechanism's movement.

Abstract: A convertible bed for a recreational vehicle has a sliding section and an inclining section. The sliding section is engageable with a frame for sliding movement relative to the frame between an extended position and a retracted position. The inclining section is pivotally combined and slidable with the sliding section. The inclining section is positioned for movement relative to the frame between a substantially flat position when the sliding section is in the extended position and an inclined position when the sliding section is in the retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an expandable room of a vehicle between a raised position and a lowered position is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one lift station attachable to the vehicle, an arm combined with the lift station, a rotatable member rotatably combining the at least one lift station and the arm, wherein the lift station rotates the arm between the raised position and the lowered position, and a support member fixed to the arm and engaging the expandable room, wherein the support member supports the expandable room.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a retractable staircase for a recreational vehicle. The retractable staircase has a translational section, which includes at least one-step. The translational section moves between an extended and a retracted position relative to the recreational vehicle. In the extended position, a rotational section, which also includes at least one step, moves between a lowered position with the step below the step of the translational section and an upside down and inverted position above the step of the translational section to provide for movement of the translational section to the retracted position.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting and disconnecting a first hydraulic connector and a second hydraulic connector. The coupler has a first end and a second end. The coupler first end has a threaded opening adapted to combine with a threaded connector. The coupler second end has an opening with several members movable relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupler. The movable members have a first position wherein they are moved outward to make the opening larger and a second position wherein they are moved inward to make the opening smaller. The opening in the coupler second end is adapted to receive a threaded connector when the movable members are in their first (larger) position. After a portion of the threaded connector is inserted into the opening, the members are moved to their second (smaller) position thereby securing the threaded connector to the coupler second end.

Abstract: A means to average the left and right tire height positions relative to the chassis of a vehicle having an independent suspension system. The averaging means uses a rigid member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is combined with the driver's side independent suspension and the second end is combined with the passenger's side independent suspension. As each side of the vehicle's suspension moves up and down, the ends of the rigid member also move up and down. A sensor determines the average height of the rigid member and communicates that information to the ride-height control system.

Abstract: A mechanism to affect the coordinated movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The mechanism comprises a drive chain assembly and a lift assembly. The drive chain assembly has a pair of drive chains (upper and lower) that move generally vertically along vehicle structural members and then the chains are redirected for horizontal travel as the main hydraulic cylinders are actuated to extend or retract the expandable room. The movement of the upper and lower drive chains is synchronized by a rack-and-pinion mechanism. The lift assembly controls vertical movement of the room so that when the room is fully extended, the floor of the vehicle and the floor of the expandable room are substantially flush. The lift assembly comprises at least one lift cylinder for raising and lowering the room. The lift cylinder is vertically combined with the lower end of the structural member.

Abstract: A synchronizing cylinder comprising a large diameter barrel and a small diameter barrel. The barrels are separated by a junction that is not fluidly sealed so that fluid can be communicated between them. The volume of the large diameter barrel is twice the volume of the small diameter barrel. The barrels comprise a first chamber adapted to communicate fluid to and from a hydraulic manifold, a second chamber adapted to communicate fluid to and from a first mechanism cylinder, and a third chamber adapted to communicate fluid to and from a second mechanism cylinder. The volumetric ratio of the barrels allows an equal volume of fluid to be communicated to and from the mechanism cylinders even though the volume of the barrels is not the same.

Abstract: A slidable storage tray adapted to be hydraulically actuated between a retracted position wherein the tray is nested inside a vehicle's storage compartment and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the tray is located outside of the vehicle's storage compartment. The slidable storage tray is dual directional so that it extends from either a first side or a second side of the vehicle. The hydraulic circuit comprises a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder. The rod of the first cylinder is attached to the vehicle/storage compartment frame and the rod of the second cylinder is attached to the slidable storage tray. The two hydraulic cylinders are attached together so their barrels cannot move relative to one another. The two hydraulic cylinders are facing the same direction so that their rods both extend in the same direction.

Abstract: A synchronizing cylinder that allows for the synchronized movement of multiple hydraulic mechanism cylinders having different sizes and volumes. In one embodiment, the synchronizing cylinder has a first chamber in fluid communication with a first mechanism cylinder and a second chamber in fluid communication with a second mechanism cylinder. The first mechanism cylinder has a first volume and the second mechanism cylinder has a second volume wherein the volume of the first mechanism cylinder is smaller than the volume of the second mechanism cylinder. The volume of the fluid being pushed from (or received by) the first chamber in the synchronizing cylinder is less than the volume of fluid being pushed from (or received by) the second chamber in the synchronizing cylinder so that the first and second mechanism cylinders extend and retract at the same speed and distance regardless of the smaller size and volume of the first mechanism cylinder.

Abstract: A seal assembly primarily for recreational vehicles that have an expandable room. The seal assembly seals the opening in a fixed wall of the vehicle through which the expandable room extends. The seal assembly includes a retainer that is attached to a fixed wall of the vehicles, the retainer holding a bulb-type seal properly in place. The retainer securely holds the bulb seal in place until it is compressed by the expandable room, and the retainer further functions to prevent the bulb seal from being crushed which could cause premature failure of the seal. The seal assembly also provides for relative movement in different directions between the meeting surfaces of the fixed room and moveable room. In this way, it acts as a low friction bearing surface while still maintaining a complete and positive seal at all times.

Abstract: An assembly adapted to protect a vehicle with an expandable room by preventing water and debris on the roof of an expanded expandable room from being trapped or crushed between the expandable room and the body of the vehicle as the room is retracted. The assembly comprises an upper member and a lower member that mate at a pivoting connection. The upper member is attached to the outside surface of the vehicle above the expandable room. The lower member is pivotally combined with the upper member so that it hangs below the upper member and rests against the top edge of the expandable room. As the room is retracted, a spring urges a portion of the lower member to remain frictionally engaged with the roof of the expandable room so as to slide over the surface of the roof and remove water and other debris from the roof.

Abstract: A push-pull drive chain mechanism and scissors linkage assembly and lifter assembly all powered by hydraulic cylinders to affect the coordinated, linear movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The drive chain moves generally vertically along a first structural member, such as a vehicle frame member, and then horizontally as the hydraulic cylinders extend or retract to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The lifter assembly assists in raising and lowering the expandable room so that when the room is extended, the floor of the expandable room will be substantially flush with the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for extending and retracting expandable rooms in vehicles. The system employs linear actuators that can be mounted laterally to the direction of movement of the room when it is expanded or extended. In order to provide for extending and retracting the room, the actuators are connected to heavy chains which are connected to the main body of the vehicle structure and which will flex in one direction only. The chains ride in tracks such that when the actuators are retracted, the room will be extended, and when the actuators are extended, the room will be retracted. The system includes infrared sensors that sense movement of each chain to produce a signal that is used to synchronize movement of all of the actuators as the room is extended or retracted.

Abstract: A linkage assembly for expandable rooms for recreational vehicles to affect the coordinated movement of parallelogram linkage members through the actuation of a glide arm that will extend or retract the expandable room. The glide arm is powered by a hydraulic cylinder and moves generally vertically along a vehicle frame member as the hydraulic cylinder rod extends or retracts to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The glide arm is pivotally connected to one link in each of two pairs of parallelogram linkage members, the linkage members extending between points of pivotal attachment with a second structural member, such as an expandable room member, and the vehicle frame member.

Abstract: A supporting structure for vehicles that have an expandable room. Telescoping double tube extension beams are secured to the vehicle structure and combined with hydraulic extension cylinders to move the extendable room from the retracted to the extended position and back again. The inner tube of each extension beam is connected to the outer wall of the extendable room using a pivot connector that includes a mounting plate which has extending from it spaced apart support plates that provide bearing surfaces to support a journal. The journal has a transverse opening extending through it between the support plates, and a connecting member is used to attach the inner tube to the journal and therefore to the room mounting plate.

Abstract: An improved, dynamic level detection and leveling system utilizing a biaxial inclinosensor to generate a series of measurements that reflect a level of tilt. When sufficient measurements have been collected, an average value is obtained. If the average value obtained exceeds (in either direction, low or high) a selected value limit, then corrective action may be instituted, or a signal may be generated to indicate a need for automatic or manual correction. Such measurements are taken along both axes of the biaxial sensor. Leveling system response is minimized by selecting not only a value limit, but also a value null limit.

Abstract: A push-pull drive chain mechanism and scissors linkage assembly powered by a hydraulic cylinder to affect the coordinated, linear movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The drive chain moves generally vertically along a first structural member, such as a vehicle frame member, as the hydraulic cylinder extends or retracts to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The drive chain is pivotally connected at the proper place on the scissors-type linkage assembly, the links that form the scissors extending and crossing for pivotal attachment to a structural member of the vehicle body and a structural member of the expandable room. The drive chain is constructed and guided to provide the required force for opening and closing the scissors assembly.