Abstract: A tire engaging brake for use with a vehicle having a vehicle frame supporting a tire from a suspension includes a base securable to the vehicle frame, a brake pad mounting arm pivotally connected to the base, and a brake pad connected to the brake pad mounting arm. An over-center linkage has an inner link pivotally connected at an inner end to the base at a position spaced from the pivotal connection of the brake pad mounting arm to the base. An outer link of the over-center linkage is pivotally connected at an inner end to the inner link and is pivotally connected at an outer end to the brake pad mounting arm. A lever arm is cooperable with the inner link for pivoting the inner link, the outer link and the brake pad mounting arm between a retracted position and a tire engaging position in which the inner link and the outer link extend in an over-center condition.

Abstract: A stabilizing jack includes a base securable to a vehicle frame with a drive screw rotatably mounted to the base and a screw follower threadingly secured to the drive screw. A length adjustable lift leg is pivotally connected at an upper end to the screw follower. A stabilizing member is pivotally connected at a first end to the base inward from the screw follower. The lift leg is pivotally connected at an outer end to the stabilizing member. Downward extension of the lift leg through outward advancement of the screw follower on the screw and downward pivoting of the lift leg by the stabilizing member advances the foot into the ground to raise the vehicle frame relative to the suspension. The extended lift leg and stabilizing member form a triangle with the base providing resistance to lateral movement of the vehicle frame relative to the wheels and suspension.

Abstract: A system includes a structure having a wall, a doorway and a door that is repositionable between a first position wherein the door is clear of the doorway and a second position wherein the door occludes the doorway. The system also includes a stair carrier attached to the structure. A stair may be connected to the stair carrier. The stair carrier is repositionable between a first position wherein the entirety of the stair carrier is disposed on a first side of the wall and a second positon wherein a portion of the stair carrier extends through the doorway to a second side of the wall. The door is fully operable between the first position and the second position both when the stair carrier is in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: A system includes a structure having a wall, a doorway and a door that is repositionable between a first position wherein the door is clear of the doorway and a second position wherein the door occludes the doorway. The system also includes a stair carrier attached to the structure. A stair may be connected to the stair carrier. The stair carrier is repositionable between a first position wherein the entirety of the stair carrier is disposed on a first side of the wall and a second position wherein a portion of the stair carrier extends through the doorway to a second side of the wall. The door is fully operable between the first position and the second position both when the stair carrier is in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: A system includes a structure having a wall, a doorway and a door that is repositionable between a first position wherein the door is clear of the doorway and a second position wherein the door occludes the doorway. The system also includes a stair carrier attached to the structure. A stair may be connected to the stair carrier. The stair carrier is repositionable between a first position wherein the entirety of the stair carrier is disposed on a first side of the wall and a second positon wherein a portion of the stair carrier extends through the doorway to a second side of the wall. The door is fully operable between the first position and the second position both when the stair carrier is in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: A system includes a structure having a wall, a doorway and a door that is repositionable between a first position wherein the door is clear of the doorway and a second position wherein the door occludes the doorway. The system also includes a stair carrier attached to the structure. A stair may be connected to the stair carrier. The stair carrier is repositionable between a first position wherein the entirety of the stair carrier is disposed on a first side of the wall and a second position wherein a portion of the stair carrier extends through the doorway to a second side of the wall. The door is fully operable between the first position and the second position both when the stair carrier is in the first position and in the second position.

Abstract: A storage box comprises a housing with open ends and a tray that slides out either open end and up to at least fifty percent or up to at least sixty percent of the length of the tray may slide out either open end. Latch members operable from either open end of the housing selectively hold the tray in a centered position and can be released to allow the tray to slide out a selected end of the housing. Multiple latch member mating members may be associated with the housing for selective engagement by the latch members to latch the tray in multiple extended positions between the centered position and fully retracted positions out either the first or second open ends. Latch engagement members mounted on the doors engage latches connecting the tray to the housing when the doors are shut to prevent the latches from becoming unlatched when the doors are shut.

Abstract: A wheel rim guard comprising a resilient circular disc having a gap extending from a central inner opening to a circumferential edge of said disc; said disc is shaped to form a body of frusto-conical or cylindrical shape. The wheel rim guard further includes a guide strap received through the disc. One end of the guide strap is fastened proximate to a first edge of the body, the other end of the guide strap is fastened to the body between the first edge and a second edge. The wheel rim guard further includes a hook assembly having at least one hook and a washer attached by a cord, wherein the hooks are received through the central inner opening of the disc and attached to the wheel rim such that tightening the cord on the fixing member secures the wheel rim guard to the wheel rim.

Abstract: A wheel rim guard comprising a resilient circular disc having a gap extending from a central inner opening to a circumferential edge of said disc; said disc is shaped to form a body of frusto-conical or cylindrical shape. The wheel rim guard further includes a guide strap received through the disc. One end of the guide strap is fastened proximate to a first edge of the body, the other end of the guide strap is fastened to the body between the first edge and a second edge. The wheel rim guard further includes a hook assembly having at least one hook and a washer attached by a cord, wherein the hooks are received through the central inner opening of the disc and attached to the wheel rim such that tightening the cord on the fixing member secures the wheel rim guard to the wheel rim.

Abstract: A storage box comprises a housing with open ends and a tray that slides out either open end and up to at least fifty percent or up to at least sixty percent of the length of the tray may slide out either open end. Latch members operable from either open end of the housing selectively hold the tray in a centered position and can be released to allow the tray to slide out a selected end of the housing. Multiple latch member mating members may be associated with the housing for selective engagement by the latch members to latch the tray in multiple extended positions between the centered position and fully retracted positions out either the first or second open ends. Latch engagement members mounted on the doors engage latches connecting the tray to the housing when the doors are shut to prevent the latches from becoming unlatched when the doors are shut.

Abstract: A storage box comprises a housing with open ends and a tray that slides out either open end. Latch members mounted on opposite outer corners of the tray and cooperating with latch keepers on the housing, hold the tray in a centered position and can be released to allow the tray to slide out a selected end of the housing. Stops mounted on the tray engage the latch keepers to limit the length of the tray that may be withdrawn from the housing and to prevent the drawer from sliding completely out either open end. Latch hold downs are formed on doors hingedly connected across the open ends. The latch hold downs engage the latch members when the tray is centered and the doors closed to prevent the door from coming unlatched.

Abstract: A lift mechanism is mounted to a support for raising and lowering a bed. The lift mechanism is attached to a side of the bed and includes at least one chain, at least one bed bracket connected to the chain, and a drive mechanism for controllably moving the chain to move the bed bracket and the bed between a respective raised position and lowered position. The bed bracket includes a chain connector for connecting to the chain, a chain guide member receiving the chain and attached to the chain connector, and a bed support member attaching to the chain guide member and to the bed. At least a portion of the bed support member is inserted through the chain guide member. The bed bracket is compact and easy to manufacture and provides a secure connection between the lift mechanism and the bed.

Abstract: A line carrier for supporting wiring and tubing extending between a vehicle and a slide-out room of the vehicle comprises an elongated strip of a flexible and material having a first end secured to a skirt of the slide-out room which extends below the vehicle floor and a second end which is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin extending below the vehicle floor. A plurality of retainers with line receiving holes formed therein are secured to the elongated strip. Wires or tubing are threaded through the line receiving holes in the retainers to connect or secure the wires and tubing to the elongated strip. When the slide-out room is retracted, the elongated strip forms a coil on which the wires and tubing are supported. As the slide-out room-advances to an extended position, the elongated strip uncoils and the second end pivots about the pivot pin.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a drive train with a drive gear and an output gear. An electric motor is connected to the drive gear. A drive shaft is slidably received through a center hole in the output gear so as to be longitudinally movable relative to the output gear. A clutch operates to engage the drive shaft with the output gear as the drive shaft is moved in a first direction and to disengage the drive shaft from said output gear as the drive shaft is moved in a second direction. A drive member connected to a first end of the drive shaft is engageable with a room actuation mechanism, and a crank handle is removably connectable to a second end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A stabilizing jack for vehicles comprises a pair of legs advanceable between retracted and extended positions by a drive assembly including a drive screw having left and right hand threaded sections. The drive screw is mounted on a slide frame which is slidably mounted to a base frame securable to a vehicle. Each leg is pivotally secured at a first end thereof to a screw follower threadably secured to a respective threaded section of the drive screw. When the legs are extended on uneven ground, one leg will engage the ground before the other preventing that leg from further downward advancement but causing the drive assembly to drive the slide frame in an opposite direction while the other leg continues to advance downward until it engages the ground.

Abstract: A stabilizing jack for vehicles comprises a pair of jack legs advanceable between retracted and extended positions by a single drive screw having left and right hand threaded sections which is mounted on a slide frame which is slidably mounted to and below a base frame. The base frame is securable to the frame of a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle for use in stabilizing the vehicle when parked. The drive screw has a screw follower or trunnion secured to each threaded section. Each leg is pivotally secured at a first end thereof to one of the screw followers. Struts or leg braces are pivotally connected at one end to each leg, medially thereof, and are pivotally connected at opposite ends to the base frame at the ends closest the respective leg.

Abstract: A slide-out mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out room through a slide-out room opening in a wall which automatically levels or aligns the slide-out room relative to the slide-out room opening in the wall comprises at least one stationary member, a retractable member slidably secured to the stationary member, and a threshold bracket for securing and supporting a front end of the stationary member on an upper surface of a portion of the wall defining a lower edge of the slide-out room opening. A support leg is preferably secured to a rear end of the stationary member for supporting the rear end thereof. The support leg is preferably height adjustable to permit leveling of the rear end of the stationary member relative to the front end.