Patents by Inventor Craig J. Kreil

Craig J. Kreil has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9085271
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing an interface between a structure having a side wall having an opening therein and a slide-out compartment that may be extended and retracted through the opening includes a first channel attached to the side wall and a complementary second channel attached to the compartment. The first channel includes a pair of wiper seals. The second channel is movable with respect to the first channel such that a flange of the second channel may be received within an interior of the first channel in engagement with the pair of wiper seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Patent number: 8991890
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a slide-out room disposed in an aperture of a side wall of a vehicle from a retracted position to an extended position in a drive direction. The apparatus includes a drive assembly supported by the side wall of the vehicle and a driven assembly driven by the drive assembly. The driven assembly is connected to a wall of the slide-out room such that the slide-out room moves with the driven assembly from the retracted position to the extended position in the drive direction and the driven assembly is movable in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the drive direction relative to the wall of the slide-out room. The room is extended and retracted horizontally and moved between upper and lower positions vertically in a square Z or square h pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Publication number: 20150042120
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing an interface between a structure having a side wall having an opening therein and a slide-out compartment that may be extended and retracted through the opening includes a first channel attached to the side wall and a complementary second channel attached to the compartment. The first channel includes a pair of wiper seals. The second channel is movable with respect to the first channel such that a flange of the second channel may be received within an interior of the first channel in engagement with the pair of wiper seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Craig J. KREIL
  • Publication number: 20140175822
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a slide-out room disposed in an aperture of a side wall of a vehicle from a retracted position to an extended position in a drive direction. The apparatus includes a drive assembly supported by the side wall of the vehicle and a driven assembly driven by the drive assembly. The driven assembly is connected to a wall of the slide-out room such that the slide-out room moves with the driven assembly from the retracted position to the extended position in the drive direction and the driven assembly is movable in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the drive direction relative to the wall of the slide-out room. The room is extended and retracted horizontally and moved between upper and lower positions vertically in a square Z or square h pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Publication number: 20120261944
    Abstract: A seal is provided for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle. The slide-out room is movable in a range of positions including a retracted position and an extended position. The seal is compressible between the slide-out room and a side wall of the vehicle and includes at least one sensor capable of detecting a force or a lack thereof on the seal, to indicate if adequate compression of the seal has been achieved in a stop position of the room or if there is an obstruction in between the stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Patent number: 8141927
    Abstract: A control system for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a number of room slides which move the slide-out room between retracted and extended positions. If multiple room slides are used, a controller synchronizes the movement of the room slides to prevent damage to the components of the system. The retracted and extended positions of the slide-out room can be reset by the end user. The controller is also capable of detecting faults and communicating faults to the user via LEDs on a control panel. The controller automatically stops the motion of the slide-out room if a fault is detected. The control system includes a lock which is automatically disengaged before motion of the slide-out room. The lock is also automatically engaged when the slide-out room moves to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Publication number: 20120035813
    Abstract: A slide-out room system for a vehicle includes a slide-out room movably connected to the vehicle and at least four room slides supported by the vehicle and operable to move the slide-out room relative to the vehicle. A first of the four room slides is disposed in a first quadrant of the slide-out room, a second of the four room slides is disposed in a second quadrant of the slide-out room, a third of the four room slides is disposed in a third quadrant of the slide-out room, and a fourth of the four room slides is disposed in a fourth quadrant of the slide-out room. The system further includes a controller operatively connected to each of the four room slides for independently controlling the motion of the four room slides and synchronizing the motion of the four room slides to move the quadrants in concert with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Publication number: 20100066025
    Abstract: The invention provides a seal for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle. The slide-out room is movable in a range of positions including a retracted position and an extended position. The seal is compressible between the slide-out room and a side wall of the vehicle and includes at least one sensor capable of detecting a force or a lack thereof on the seal, to indicate if adequate compression of the seal has been achieved in a stop position of the room or if there is an obstruction in between the stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Publication number: 20090261610
    Abstract: A control system for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a number of room slides which move the slide-out room between retracted and extended positions. If multiple room slides are used, a controller synchronizes the movement of the room slides to prevent damage to the components of the system. The retracted and extended positions of the slide-out room can be reset by the end user. The controller is also capable of detecting faults and communicating faults to the user via LEDs on a control panel. The controller automatically stops the motion of the slide-out room if a fault is detected. The control system includes a lock which is automatically disengaged before motion of the slide-out room. The lock is also automatically engaged when the slide-out room moves to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Craig J. Kreil
  • Patent number: 6494518
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Actuant Corp.
    Inventors: Craig J. Kreil, Kurt H. Ott, Brian J. Wheeler, Robert H. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20020093213
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Craig J. Kreil, Kurt H. Ott, Brian J. Wheeler, Robert H. Schneider