Abstract: A shock absorbing pin box system includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and a kingpin. The first sidewall defines at least a first plurality of apertures arranged in first column, and the second sidewall defines at least a second plurality of apertures arranged in a second column. A plurality of tubes extend from each of the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures. A plurality of flexible and resilient tubular bushings are received in a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes. A plurality of bolts are received within corresponding ones of the pluralities of apertures of the pin box and the plurality of tubes.

Abstract: A tankless water heater for RV includes a heat exchanger disposed in a housing with an inlet cold water line and an outlet hot water line extending outside a front side of the housing. A burner, disposed in an operative relationship with the heat exchanger, is provided for heating water flowing through the heat exchanger and an exhaust system induces is provided to move exhaust fumes out a vent duct. The tankless water heater for RV can be partially automated using a microprocessor, which can receive signals from various sensors mounted with the water heater and can send control signals to control one or more parameters.

Abstract: A bed lift includes a bed support mechanism used to hold a bed in a raised position. The bed support mechanism includes a catch mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism is configured to move the catch mechanism between an engaged position where the catch mechanism holds the bed in the raised position and a disengaged position where the catch mechanism does not hold the bed in the raised position.

Abstract: A folding bed system includes a bed frame having a head section, a center section, and a foot section. The center section is connected to first and second slide mechanisms, and the head section is connected to first and second guide mechanisms. The slide and guide mechanisms are connectable to opposed walls of a structure. In some embodiments, a hinge assembly for a folding structure includes a center post securable to the center section, and a connecting bracket movably coupled with the center post that is vertically displaceable on the center post between a down position and an up position. A forward bracket is secured at one end to the connecting bracket and is securable at an opposite end to the head section, and an aft bracket is secured at one end to the connecting bracket and is securable at an opposite end to the foot section.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly includes a frame with a track, and a sliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in the track between a closed position and an open position. The sliding window portion includes a handle pivotable between a lock position and a slide position, and a driving pin coupled with the handle and engaging the track. The driving pin defines a pivot axis for the handle. A guide pin spaced from the driving pin is selectively engageable with the track when the handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position. With the handle in the slide position, the sliding window portion is displaceable from its closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A hinge system includes first and second hinge assemblies. The first hinge assembly includes a first hinge plate with a post and a second hinge plate with a collar configured to selectively receive the post. The second hinge assembly includes a third hinge plate with a counter bore and a keyway and a fourth hinge plate with a key configured to be selectively received within the keyway and the counter bore.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a bimini top with a pair of bimini arms supporting the bimini top includes a motor, a worm screw coupled with the motor for rotation by the motor, and a driven gear coupled with the worm screw. One of the pair of bimini arms is connected to the driven gear, and the driven gear is configured for displacement between a stowed position and an extended position by operation of the motor. A pivot hub engages the driven gear via an intermediate hub, and the other of the pair of bimini arms is connected to the pivot hub. The pivot hub and intermediate hub are configured for displacement between a down position and an up position by operation of the motor through the driven gear and the intermediate hub. A first arc spanned by the driven gear between the stowed position and the extended position is greater than a second arc spanned by the pivot hub between the down position and the up position.

Abstract: A structure such as a recreational vehicle includes a guide member coupled to a wall of the structure, a carriage member slidingly coupled to the guide member, a mounting bracket coupled to the carriage member, and a bed coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be coupled to the carriage member in a readily releasable manner. The mounting bracket can also be slidably received by a bed support member that is coupled to or part of the bed.

Abstract: A slide-out room system includes a drive mechanism that may be fixed to a vehicle wall adjacent the slide-out room. A drive unit includes a drive screw that is rotatable with rotation of an output shaft. A drive block that engages the drive screw may be fixed to a side wall of the slide-out room. Rotation of the drive screw effects displacement of the drive block to extend and retract the room, depending on a rotation direction of the motor.

Abstract: An improved telescopic linear actuator is disclosed comprising a rotational drive mechanism specially adapted and assembled within a tubular housing to reduce noise and vibration of the actuator during its operation. The rotational drive mechanism includes an electric motor adapted for low current operation, a gearbox containing a planetary gear axially connected to the motor with a stepped-up gear ratio, and a drive screw member operatively connected to the gearbox to extend longitudinally through the tubular housing with a specially configured threaded surface formed along the screw member having a reduced thread count and associated increased thread pitch to operatively engage and drive a movable piston member through the tubular housing with a substantially silent glide being exhibited.

Abstract: A drive head for a wrench is configured for operation with manually driven members of power-operated devices. The drive head includes at least first and second drive members selectively engageable with such driven members.

Abstract: A system and method for leveling a selected surface of a structure. The system includes a handheld mobile device and a platform leveling assembly (PLA) supportable on a structure to be leveled. The PLA includes a PLA controller and a PLA receiver communicatively coupled with the PLA controller. The handheld mobile device includes a tilt sensor configured to sense an attitude of a selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed; an output device configured to provide an indication to a user; an input device configured to receive input from the user; a transmitter configured to send wireless signals to the PLA receiver; and a mobile device controller communicatively coupled to the tilt sensor, the output device, the input device, and the transmitter and configured to cause the output device to provide an indication of the sensed attitude of the selected surface.

Abstract: An awning system includes lighting units integrated with support arms thereof. The lighting units are configured to direct light emitted thereby primarily toward a canopy thereof when the canopy is fully deployed.

Abstract: A trailer frame includes an axle-carrying portion and a tongue. The tongue includes first and second curved drawbars, each defining a convex surface. The convex surface of the first drawbar faces the convex surface of the second drawbar. The facing convex surfaces allow for an increased turning radius of a tow vehicle connected thereto by increasing the distance between the rear corners of the tow vehicle and the tongue.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a bed positioned in a rear corner where a side wall of the vehicle and a rear wall of the vehicle meet. The bed is movable vertically and at least substantially translationally between a lowered position where the bed is positioned to receive one or more persons to sleep on the bed and a raised position where the bed is stowed. The vehicle can include a storage area under the bed. The vehicle can also include an exterior door that provides access to the storage area from the outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A slide-out or retractable room for a mobile living quarters, such as a recreational vehicle, is provided with actuating assemblies mounted on opposite side walls of the slide-out room and the adjacent wall of the main living area. The actuating assemblies include a pair of parallel gear racks mounted on the side wall, which are engaged by pinions rotated by torque shafts mounted on the main living quarters. Each torque shaft is rotated by a separate motor. A roller engages a bearing surface on the lower portion of the gear racks. Accordingly, the slide-out room is extended and retracted by rotating the torque shafts to cause the gear racks and the attached slide-out room to extend and retract. The weight of the slide-out room is supported by the rollers, thereby supporting the slide-out room off of the floor of the main living quarters as it extends and retracts.

Abstract: A stabilizing system includes a plurality of jacks, each operated by a corresponding hydraulic actuator. A hydraulic fluid transfer pump supplies hydraulic fluid to and receives hydraulic fluid from one or more pressure chambers of the actuator. A pilot-operated check or directional valve may be provided in fluid communication with one or more of the pressure chambers and configured to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the pressure chamber. A directional control valve may connect the pump output with the jacks via respective pilot-operated directional valves. The directional control valve may include a plurality of switch positions respectively connecting the pump output with pairs of the jacks.

Abstract: A trailer frame includes a drawbar and a coupler connected to the drawbar through a pair of flexible and resilient connections operably disposed between the drawbar and the coupler and configured to absorb shock and vibration imparted to the drawbar and the coupler while the trailer is towed.

Abstract: An axle hanger includes a web, a first flange extending in a first direction perpendicular to the web, and a second flange extending in the first direction perpendicular to the web, spaced from and parallel to the first flange. A first return extends from the first flange toward the second flange parallel to the web, and a second return extends from the second flange toward the first flange parallel to the web. The axle hanger is easier to install and access in the event a hanger spring needs replacement, and the hanger can be more stably secured to the axle.

Abstract: A ramp frame guides a vehicle slide-out room to enable the slide-out room floor to be flush with the vehicle floor when the slide-out room is in its extended position. The ramp frame includes a landing portion including a top wall that is configured to receive the slide-out room in the extended position, and a lifting portion including an inclined section extending from the top wall of the landing portion and a horizontal section extending from a distal end of the inclined section. The horizontal section extends outside of a boundary defined by the top wall of the landing portion.