Abstract: A motor controller for a drive motor of an RV awning system, increases the voltage provided to the motor from the RV power supply to a boosted voltage, to increase the speed of the motor and thereby reduce the amount of time required to deploy or retract the awning. The motor controller includes a microprocessor control unit that uses a PWM control signal to linearly increase the current to the drive motor to achieve a soft start for the motor and reduce the risk of an overcurrent condition. The motor controller is configured to be added to an existing awning switch to easily increase the operating speed of an existing awning drive motor. The motor controller includes a housing with a flange that rests on the lower ledge of the switch opening formed in the outer wall of the RV.

Abstract: A modular surface-mounted electrical fixture for a recreational vehicle (RV) includes a mounting bracket mounted within an opening in a wall of the RV, an electrical module including one or more electrical components selected from a plurality of different electrical components, and a mechanical interface between the mounting bracket and the electrical component for fixed mounting of the electrical component within the center opening of the mounting bracket manually and without using tools.

Abstract: A modular electrical distribution system for an RV comprises a water-tight housing for mounting to the RV with a plurality of water-tight openings for receiving electrical cables or wires from a towing vehicle and/or auxiliary electrical devices. The system includes a power-in assembly, a trailer connection assembly and a breaker assembly that can be tailored to the particular electrical distribution needs of the RV. The trailer connection assembly includes a plurality of electrical terminals for engagement to wires connected to electrical components of the towing vehicle, such as brake lights, turn signal lights, etc. The breaker assembly includes a plurality of circuit breakers or fuses connected to the power-in assembly and to a plurality of corresponding output bars with output terminals to connect to the cables/wires for the auxiliary electrical devices. The system can include an auxiliary circuit for connection to an auxiliary power source, such as a solar panel array.

Abstract: A register for mounting on an opening of an air duct in a structure includes an annular face plate with a perimeter side wall sized and configured for a close fit with the opening. Two plenums are positioned inside the perimeter side wall, with a recess surrounding the plenums. Each plenum has a planar top surface that is adjacent or nearly co-planar with the annular face plate. The plenums open to the air duct and define a plurality of cavities beneath the top surface. A plurality of vent openings are defined in a perimeter wall of each plenum so that air from the air duct enters the plurality of cavities and flows through the plurality of vent openings and through the recess into the surrounding environment. The register presents a generally uniform aesthetic appearance between the face plate and the top surfaces of the plenums.

Abstract: A modular electrical distribution system for an RV comprises a water-tight housing for mounting to the RV with a plurality of water-tight openings for receiving electrical cables or wires from a towing vehicle and/or auxiliary electrical devices. The system includes a power-in assembly, a trailer connection assembly and a breaker assembly that can be tailored to the particular electrical distribution needs of the RV. The trailer connection assembly includes a plurality of electrical terminals for engagement to wires connected to electrical components of the towing vehicle, such as brake lights, turn signal lights, etc. The breaker assembly includes a plurality of circuit breakers or fuses connected to the power-in assembly and to a plurality of corresponding output bars with output terminals to connect to the cables/wires for the auxiliary electrical devices. The system can include an auxiliary circuit for connection to an auxiliary power source, such as a solar panel array.

Abstract: A modular electrical distribution system for an RV comprises a water-tight housing for mounting to the RV with a plurality of water-tight openings for receiving electrical cables or wires from a towing vehicle and/or auxiliary electrical devices. The system includes a power-in assembly, a trailer connection assembly and a breaker assembly that can be tailored to the particular electrical distribution needs of the RV. The trailer connection assembly includes a plurality of electrical terminals for engagement to wires connected to electrical components of the towing vehicle, such as brake lights, turn signal lights, etc. The breaker assembly includes a plurality of circuit breakers or fuses connected to the power-in assembly and to a plurality of corresponding output bars with output terminals to connect to the cables/wires for the auxiliary electrical devices. The system can include an auxiliary circuit for connection to an auxiliary power source, such as a solar panel array.

Abstract: A kitchen accessory for a recreational vehicle includes a box configured to be mounted within a side wall of the recreational vehicle. A vertical support post is anchored within said box and a drop-down support assembly is rotationally mounted on the vertical support post. The drop-down support assembly includes a plate on which a cooking component is mounted. The cooking component includes a stove and an optional table extension. The drop-down support assembly is configured to extend the cooking component from the box to a deployed position for use outside the vehicle, and to retract the cooking component completely into the box in a stowed position for storage within the box. An additional table assembly can be pivotably mounted to the box for storage within and extension outside the box. An auxiliary support component can be mounted on the vertical support post to support an auxiliary device, such as a television.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for mounting on the roof of a recreational vehicle includes a planar antenna structure configured to receive UHF/VHF signals and a shark fin shaped body sized to surround the planar antenna structure vertically oriented relative to the vehicle. The body includes a mounting flange adapted to be fastened to the roof of the vehicle, and a cover attached to the body to completely enclose the planar antenna structure. The cover includes a flange extending from a bottom surface of the cover for engagement within a complementary opening in the roof of the vehicle. The antenna structure includes a printed circuit board with electrical terminals extending therefrom into the flange for connection to TV cables of the vehicle.

Abstract: A kitchen accessory for a recreational vehicle includes a box configured to be mounted within a side wall of the recreational vehicle. A vertical support post is anchored within said box and a drop-down support assembly is rotationally mounted on the vertical support post. The drop-down support assembly includes a plate on which a cooking component is mounted. The cooking component includes a stove and an optional table extension. The drop-down support assembly is configured to extend the cooking component from the box to a deployed position for use outside the vehicle, and to retract the cooking component completely into the box in a stowed position for storage within the box. An additional table assembly can be pivotably mounted to the box for storage within and extension outside the box. An auxiliary support component can be mounted on the vertical support post to support an auxiliary device, such as a television.

Abstract: A modular electrical distribution system for an RV comprises a water-tight housing for mounting to the RV with a plurality of water-tight openings for receiving electrical cables or wires from a towing vehicle and/or auxiliary electrical devices. The system includes a power-in assembly, a trailer connection assembly and a breaker assembly that can be tailored to the particular electrical distribution needs of the RV. The trailer connection assembly includes a plurality of electrical terminals for engagement to wires connected to electrical components of the towing vehicle, such as brake lights, turn signal lights, etc. The breaker assembly includes a plurality of circuit breakers or fuses connected to the power-in assembly and to a plurality of corresponding output bars with output terminals to connect to the cables/wires for the auxiliary electrical devices. The system can include an auxiliary circuit for connection to an auxiliary power source, such as a solar panel array.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for mounting on the roof of a recreational vehicle includes a planar antenna structure configured to receive UHF/VHF signals and a shark fin shaped body sized to surround the planar antenna structure vertically oriented relative to the vehicle. The body includes a mounting flange adapted to be fastened to the roof of the vehicle, and a cover attached to the body to completely enclose the planar antenna structure. The cover includes a flange extending from a bottom surface of the cover for engagement within a complementary opening in the roof of the vehicle. The antenna structure includes a printed circuit board with electrical terminals extending therefrom into the flange for connection to TV cables of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic RF combiner receives signals from an over-the-air antenna, a cable television signal source and at least two satellite antennae, and combines the signals for output to one or more television receivers. The combiner includes a first signal combiner connected to the input for the over-the-air antenna and the cable television signal source and providing an output signal. The output from the first signal combiner is supplied to a second signal combiner together with signal at the input for the at least two satellite antenna. A conflict module prevents conflicts from more than one antenna being connected at an input.

Abstract: An automatic RF combiner receives signals from an over-the-air antenna, a cable television signal source and at least two satellite antennae, and combines the signals for output to one or more television receivers. The combiner includes a first signal combiner connected to the input for the over-the-air antenna and the cable television signal source and providing an output signal. The output from the first signal combiner is supplied to a second signal combiner together with signal at the input for the at least two satellite antenna. A conflict module prevents conflicts from more than one antenna being connected at an input.

Abstract: An automatic RF combiner receives signals from an over-the-air antenna, a cable television signal source and at least one satellite antenna, and combines the signals for output to one or more television receivers. The combiner includes a first signal combiner connected to the input for the over-the-air antenna and the cable television signal source and providing an output signal. The output from the first signal combiner is supplied to a second signal combiner together with signal at the input for the at least one satellite antenna.

Abstract: An automatic RF combiner receives signals from an over-the-air antenna, a cable television signal source and at least one satellite antenna, and combines the signals for output to one or more television receivers. The combiner includes a first signal combiner connected to the input for the over-the-air antenna and the cable television signal source and providing an output signal. The output from the first signal combiner is supplied to a second signal combiner together with signal at the input for the at least one satellite antenna.

Abstract: A spectral analysis apparatus includes a light transmissive envelope, first and second electrodes, a sleeve, and first and second electrical contacts. The light transmissive envelope contains a fluid operable to emit light when electrically energized. The first electrode is disposed upon an external surface of an end portion of the envelope external to the envelope. The second electrode is disposed upon an external surface of a second end portion external to the envelope. The sleeve defines a cavity configured to removably receive the envelope. The electrical contacts are in communication with the cavity and are configured to electrically connect to the corresponding electrode when the envelope is within the sleeve. The electrical contacts are connectable to an electrical power supply and electrically energize the fluid when connected to the electrical power supply.

Abstract: A spectral analysis apparatus includes a light transmissive envelope, a first and second electrode, a sleeve, and a first and second electrical contact. The light transmissive envelope includes a first end portion and a second end portion and the envelope contains a fluid operable to emit light when electrically energized. The first electrode is disposed upon an external surface of the first end portion and is completely external to the envelope. The second electrode is disposed upon an external surface of the second end portion and is completely external to the envelope. The sleeve defines a cavity configured to removably receive the envelope. The first electrical contact is in communication with the cavity and is configured to electrically connect to the first electrode when the envelope is within the sleeve. The second electrical contact is in communication with the cavity and is configured to electrically connect to the second electrode when the envelope is within the sleeve.

Abstract: A technique for displaying advertising messages along the border of a conventional video display without obscuring any of the conventional video display. A video signal is received from a television station, satellite, cable, or video recording device and the effective size of the received video information is reduced so that the received information occupies only a portion of a display device thereby freeing another portion for other use. A locally stored message is introduced to occupy the other portion of the display. The message may, for example comprise one or more advertising banners extending along edges of the received information display. The message provider may sell advertising space to customers and pay the owner of the establishment in which the program and advertising message are displayed a fraction of the advertising revenue. The locally stored message may be periodically updated by the message provider from a remote source by way of a modem or similar communication link.