Abstract: The utility trailer uses a semi-monocoque deck to eliminate the need for deck frames. The semi-monocoque deck is bolted atop an axle support structure and tongue assembly. The monocoque deck includes a deck floor bonded to a corrugated sub-floor to replace the framed structural support of traditional trailers. The corrugation sub-panel provides longitudinal rigidity to the deck and bonding the deck floor to the sub-panel provides lateral rigidity.

Abstract: The aerodynamic fairing assembly attaches to the existing hardware of the swinging doors of conventional trailers to improve the aerodynamics. The fairing assembly includes left and right folding fairing panels that mount to the existing door hinges and two sets of lock arms that mount to the existing bar lock mechanism of a conventional box style trailer. The folding fairing panels manually fold between stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: The convertible sofa-bed includes a base, a sliding and pivoting seat, a fold-out extension pivotally connected to the seat, and a fold-down seat back pivotally mounted to the base. The seat is pivotally connected to a pair of slides that ride on side rails mounted to the base, which allow the seat to be manually shifted between a horizontal seat position over base and a horizontal bed position spaced from the base. The seat is also pivotally connected to the slide by a ball joint that allows the seat to pivot upward so that the extension can be unfolded from beneath the seat. The ball joint connection between the slides and seat frame prevents the seat from binding when shifted between the seat position and the bed position even if the seat is not perfectly square with respect to the side rails as it is manually lifted and moved.

Abstract: The convertible sofa-bed includes a base, a sliding and pivoting seat, a fold-out extension pivotally connected to the seat, and a fold-down seat back pivotally mounted to the base. The seat is pivotally connected to a pair of slides that ride on side rails mounted to the base, which allow the seat to be manually shifted between a horizontal seat position over base and a horizontal bed position spaced from the base. The seat is also pivotally connected to the slide by a ball joint that allows the seat to pivot upward so that the extension can be unfolded from beneath the seat. The ball joint connection between the slides and seat frame prevents the seat from binding when shifted between the seat position and the bed position even if the seat is not perfectly square with respect to the side rails as it is manually lifted and moved.

Abstract: A platform lift employs flexible polyurethane timing belts as flexible rack members in a rack and pinion type drive mechanism. The platform lift includes a horizontal platform or deck shiftably mounted to a frame upright, post or column that is raised and lowered by movement of a “drive” carriage shiftably disposed within the frame upright. The carriage is driven along the flexible polyurethane timing belt disposed within the frame upright by a reversible electric motor that turns the pinion gear inside the carriage. The timing belt passes through a carriage and is trained around the pinion and between two idle rollers in a serpentine fashion.

Abstract: The actuator uses reinforced polyurethane timing belts as a flexible rack member mounted to the slide-out room and a pinion assembly mounted at the top and bottom of the slide-out opening of the main compartment. A pair of timing belts are mounted at the corners of the slide-out room top and floor, each running longitudinally to the direction of the slide-out movement. Each pinion block includes a pinion and two idle rollers. The timing belts pass through the drive block being trained around the pinion between two idle rollers in a serpentine fashion. A reversible electric motor, which is operatively connected to all four pinion blocks, simultaneously turns the pinions to propel the timing belts through the pinion blocks thereby extending and retracting the slide-out room through the slide-out opening.

Abstract: A stow-away bed is disclosed that includes a flat rectangular deck pivotally mounted between opposed vehicle end walls by a pair of parallel swing arms. The parallel swing arms allow the bed deck to remain horizontal as the deck is manually swung between the storage and sleep positions. The stow-away bed is pivotally mounted between opposed vehicle end walls for movement between a sleep position where the bed deck is suspended adjacent the vehicle ceiling and a sleep position, where the bed deck is suspended from the vehicle ceiling. In one embodiment, a pair of elastic cords connect the bed deck to the vehicle side wall. The elastic cords pull the bed deck toward the vehicle sidewall and help hold the bed deck in the sleep position. In another embodiment, a chain drive and piston prop are incorporated to assist in moving the bed between the storage and sleep positions.

Abstract: This dinette for use in a recreational vehicle includes a collapsible table assembly, which shifts vertically between a raised table position and a lowered bed position and eliminates the need for support posts or legs. The collapsible table assembly includes a table top/bed deck mounted to a vertically shiftable carriage and supported by a four point linkage. The carriage rides on four wheels, which are seated in two opposed tracks of a wall bracket. The support linkage allows the table top to be raised and lowered between the table and bed positions. A gas piston or spring biases the table top toward the raised table position.

Abstract: The folding bunk beds of this invention fold between a horizontal sleep position and a vertical storage position. The various embodiments, both manually operated and power operated, of the folding bunk beds use vertically shifting pivot points to accommodate larger bed decks. The bed decks are hinged to carriages that slide on vertical shafts mounted within a wall frame. Bed decks are mounted to support arms that are pivotally connected to the carriages. A linkage mechanism or guide track allows the bed decks to pivot simultaneously between a horizontal sleep position and a vertical storage position as the carriages shift along the shafts. The vertically shifting pivot point allows the bed decks to kneel down, that is to fold up at a pivot point lower on the wall.

Abstract: A stow-away bed is disclosed that includes a flat rectangular deck pivotally mounted between opposed vehicle end walls by a pair of parallel swing arms. The parallel swing arms allow the bed deck to remain horizontal as the deck is manually swung between the storage and sleep positions. The stow-away bed is pivotally mounted between opposed vehicle end walls for movement between a sleep position where the bed deck is suspended adjacent the vehicle ceiling and a sleep position, where the bed deck is suspended from the vehicle ceiling. A pair of elastic cords connect the bed deck to the vehicle side wall. The elastic cords pull the bed deck toward the vehicle sidewall and help hold the bed deck in the sleep position.

Abstract: A slide out room for mobile living quarters, such as a recreational vehicle or manufactured housing is supported by primary and secondary support arms extending from the main living quarters to the outer edge of the floor of the slide out room. The support arms are connected to the slide out room by a pivoting connection and are connected to the main living area by a connection which both pivots and slides vertically. Accordingly, the slide out room is maintained level, and is prevented from tilting or cocking, thereby assuring smooth operation of the slide out room.

Abstract: A fold-out tent camper is provided with a slide-out room providing increased living space. The slide-out room is supported through four-point linkages which extend between the opposite sides of the slide-out room and the corresponding edges of the aperture through which the slide-out room extends and retracts. The four-point linkages both guide the slide-out room as it extends and retracts, and also support the slide-out room when it is fully extended, thus eliminating the need for auxiliary supports.

Abstract: A coach, having an interior living space, which coach has at least one and no more than two expansion chambers. Each expansion chamber is formed as a box having top, side and bottom walls and one rear or front wall. The coach may be a trailer, an RV body disposed upon a truck chassis, or a recreational vehicle having a self-contained propulsion system. The coach may have instead of wheels as a support system, a series of vertical jacks or other support mechanism to thereby render the coach suitable for use as an office or an industrial facility. The coach features a spaced inner and outer wall construction and which may have no closing wall at the position at which the chamber is disposed. The chamber is adapted such that its sidewalls when in the retracted position are disposed between the inner and outer sidewalls of the living space.