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 platform assembly provides a platform deck that manually deploys between raised and lowered positions and ensures a specific order of operation when moving the deck between the raised and lowered positions. The platform assembly includes a deck, which rides on a roller disposed within upright slide rails mounted to opposed interior walls of the trailer, vehicle or structure. The deck is supported by a horizontal side member in the lowered position and a support bracket and two sets of piston props in the raised position. The platform assembly uses a pair of stop pins that ride within a vertical channel in the upright slide rails and seat within notches formed in the rail channels.

Abstract: The vehicle seat includes an integral child carrier that deploys and unfolds for use as either a child seat or an infant cradle for safely transporting infants while being conveniently stowed when not in use. The child carrier includes a folding seat/cradle that in certain embodiments doubles as both an upright child seat and reclined infant cradle. The folding seat/cradle rides on its own carrier sub-frame that is mounted to the main seat back frame. The carrier sub-frame allows the seat/cradle movement between a stowed position where the folded seat/cradle lies flat within or against the seat back frame and a deployed position where the unfolded seat/cradle extends outward from the seat back frame. The carrier sub-frame includes one or more slide rails, slide blocks, a linkage member and a latch assembly. The seat/cradle includes a seat panel hinged to a back panel that unfold to form a secure seat or cradle from a flat stowed package.

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: 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: The lift pedestal is used to raise and lower a television or video monitor between a retracted storage position and an extended viewing position. The lift pedestal can be used as a stand alone support device or incorporated into cabinetry or a furniture enclosure. The lift pedestal includes a stationary back plate and an extensible support plate to which the television or video monitor is mounted. A pair of cabinetry drawer slides allow vertical translational movement of the support plate relative to the back plate between the retracted storage position and the extended viewing position. The drawer slides are mounted between angled sides of the back plate and support plate. The lift pedestal is actuated by a gas prop mounted to a third drawer slide. A cable and pulley operate in conjunction with the gas prop to increase the effective travel of the gas prop piston.

Abstract: The lift pedestal is used to raise and lower a television or video monitor between a retracted storage position and an extended viewing position. The lift pedestal can be used as a stand alone support device or incorporated into cabinetry or a furniture enclosure. The lift pedestal includes a stationary back plate and an extensible support plate to which the television or video monitor is mounted. A pair of cabinetry drawer slides allow vertical translational movement of the support plate relative to the back plate between the retracted storage position and the extended viewing position. The drawer slides are mounted between angled sides of the back plate and support plate. The lift pedestal is actuated by a gas prop mounted to a third drawer slide. A cable and pulley operate in conjunction with the gas prop to increase the effective travel of the gas prop piston.

Abstract: A slide out room is glidingly supported from a main structure by a flexible tension member defining first and second lengths, each length trained about a set of rotatable support members carried by the main structure such that the tension member supports the room from the rotatable support members in both its extended and retracted positions. A tensioner connected to the tension member is used to adjust the tension in the tension member. A leveler carried by the room includes a longitudinal adjustment member that engages the tension member, whereby the room may be leveled relative to the main structure by adjusting the adjustment member.

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: 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: The present invention involves a foldable bay window for mobile living quarters, such as recreational vehicles, is movable between an extended position, in which the bay window projects from a wall of the unit to a folded position, in which the components of the bay window assembly are substantially flat against the outer wall of the unit. The bay window assembly includes a pair of side panes which are slidably and pivotally mounted on horizontally extending tracks on the wall of the unit, and a center pane connecting the side panes. A bottom panel is pivotally connected to the wall or center pane and is constrained for movement along vertical tracks, to thereby force the panes into the folded position as the bottom panel is moved from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. As the panes are folded against the wall of the vehicle, a hinged roof panel drops into a substantially vertical 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: An expandable-retractable portable structure is provided which is capable of being transported on public highways in its retracted position. The structure has a stationary portion and a movable portion, wherein the movable portion pivotally encloses the stationary portion of the structure in the retracted configuration of the structure. The movable portion of the structure carries a winch which when activated causes the movable portion to move from the expanded configuration to a retracted configuration by pivotally enclosing the stationary portion of the structure. The winch is reversed in direction to rotate the movable portion from the retracted to its expanded configuration wherein maximum interior space is available within the structure for use.