Having Pivotal Means Patents (Class 296/26.14)
  • Patent number: 9216683
    Abstract: A cover assembly for the slide out portion of a recreational vehicle or camper is provided, which is adapted to prevent water and debris from collecting along the upper surface of the slide out portion when extended. The assembly comprises a frame affixed to the vehicle and positioned above the slide out portion thereof. The frame forms a clevis that supports a hingedly attached cover. The cover extends downward and over the slide out portion when the slide out portion is retracted. When extended, the slide out portion forces the cover outward and upward. The cover is sized to rest against the slide out portion and engages its outer, upper edge when fully extended. The cover forms a slanted surface when extended, and then retracts to a substantially vertical state when retracted. A lock secures the cover to the frame between uses and while the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jessie Tenpenny
  • Patent number: 8925990
    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 within the aperture, and the drive assembly includes a prime mover having a brake engagable to inhibit unintentional movement of the slide-out room. A driven assembly is 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard D. Yoder, Borivoj Krobot
  • Publication number: 20140001786
    Abstract: A foldable floor assembly, including an outboard floor panel apparatus including a bottom surface and a top usable surface generally extending in a floor plane and configured to be used when the foldable floor assembly is in an unfolded state and a pivot rail having an inboard surface, the pivot rail movable in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the floor plane, wherein movement of the inboard surface of the pivot rail in the horizontal direction toward the outboard floor panel apparatus imparts a moment onto the outboard floor panel apparatus when the bottom surface of the outboard floor panel apparatus and the inboard surface of the pivot rail are in contact with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Philp T. Cantin, Justin M. White
  • Patent number: 8528962
    Abstract: Described herein is a mobile home 1 being a caravan, recreational vehicle or the like that includes an outdoor deck section 3 that pivots from the main structure 2. When in an open configuration, the deck 3 is available for use and, when being moved, the deck portion 3 is moved to integrate with the main structure 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Bevan Wilkie, Stuart Michael Winterbourn
  • Patent number: 7871114
    Abstract: A slide-out arcs between extended and retracted positions. An outer end of the slide-out is lifted so as to tip the slide-out inwardly when approaching the retracted position. The outer end of the slide-out is lowered so as to tip the slide-out outwardly when approaching the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schultz, Craig J. Reske
  • Patent number: 7828367
    Abstract: A mobile facility has a fixed frame, an expandable roof section, an expandable floor section, and an expandable side section. Interior space within the mobile facility is expanded by expanding the expandable roof section, the expandable floor section and the expandable side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Pathfinder Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lavern Hickam, Victor Lee Wisdom, Ivan J. Jaszlics
  • Patent number: 7712813
    Abstract: An expandable trailer comprising a chassis, at least one pair of extendable supports, at least one pair of horizontal floor sections and at least one pair of floor elements. Each support is extendable laterally outwardly to a respective side of a central longitudinal axis of the chassis. The horizontal floor sections of each pair of horizontal floor sections are spaced apart laterally and each have an outer rail which is coupled to a corresponding one of the supports. The floor elements are pivotally coupled to each other and to the floor sections. Upon extension of the extendable supports from a retracted position to an open, extended position, the horizontal floor sections move laterally outwardly to extend from the chassis and the floor elements move from an upright vertical arrangement to an arrangement where the floor elements lie in horizontal alignment with the floor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Peel Truck & Trailer Equipment Ltd
    Inventor: Benito Di Franco
  • Patent number: 7493727
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable enclosure provides an additional storage or work area in a structure which has a limited amount of available space, such as a motor home or trailer. The enclosure is installed in an opening, such as for a window, and can be selectively moved to an extended position where the enclosure extends outside the structure, or to a retracted position where the enclosure is positioned inside the structure. Two spaced apart swing arms pivotally mount the enclosure to the structure, and allow the enclosure to be selectively moved to the extended or retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Frederick Broussard
  • Patent number: 7175219
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle mounting bracket having an adjustable linkage mounting portion. The mounting bracket is fixed to the vehicle and the linkage system, while adjustment bolts on the mounting bracket allow the user to adjust the vertical height of linkage relative to the vehicle. Scalloped adjustment joints of the linkage allow a user to modify the joint angle while effectively increasing or decreasing the length of the linkage members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: RBW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray W. Blodgett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7150483
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main floor and a slide-out portion which includes a slide-out floor. A flush floor slide-out mechanism may be used to move the slide-out portion between a retracted position where the slide-out floor is positioned adjacent to the main floor and an extended position where the slide-out floor is at least substantially flush with the main floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Recreation Systems Inc.
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7066517
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle having a slide-out housing, wherein the slide-out housing may be positioned in either a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the slide-out housing extends outwardly from a main housing of the recreational vehicle so as to enlarge the living space within the main housing. In the retracted configuration, the slide-out housing extends inwardly into the main housing so as to reduce the living space within the main housing. In various embodiments, the slide-out housing is lifted prior to retraction and lowered after deployment so that the floor of the slide-out housing aligns with the floor of the main housing. In other various embodiments, vertical movement of the slide-out housing may occur during retraction and deployment. Moreover, the recreational vehicle may utilize a vertical actuating assembly, as disclosed herein, that is adapted to engage with the slide-out housing to thereby lift and lower the slide-out housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Alfa Leisure, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnnie R. Crean
  • Patent number: 6976721
    Abstract: A land vehicle includes a first floor, a second floor, a first support member, a second support member, and a gear. The first support may be coupled to the land vehicle and sloped relative to the first floor. The second support member may be supported by the first support member and coupled to the second floor. The second support member may include an engaging portion. The gear may cooperate with the engaging portion to move the second support member relative to the first support member and thus move the second floor between a first position where the second floor is positioned adjacent to the first floor and a second position where the second floor is substantially level with the first floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Happijac Company
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6926343
    Abstract: A lock assembly for use with conventional fold-down bed doors of recreational vehicles is disclosed. The lock assembly draws the bed door down into proper contact with the door seal, as well as, securely locking the bed doors in their vertical closed position. The lock assembly includes a lock cylinder, a rotor, latch part and key. The lock cylinder is mounted to the bed door, with the rotor journaled inside. The latch part is operatively connected to the rotor so that it moves into progressive contact with a strike plate as the rotor is manually turned by a key. The latch part applies force against the inner edge of the strike plate to draw the bed door down against the door seal ensuring proper seating and closure of the bed door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Nappanee Window, LLC.
    Inventors: Evan James Bontrager, Ryan Christopher Brenneman, Steve Lynn Brenneman, Ryan Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 6874283
    Abstract: A stationary building structure having a sidewall opening with a shuttle section movable through the opening to an extended position or movable over the opening for closing thereof. The shuttle section includes a frame which defines a shuttle floor surface thereabove. A shuttle tail extends from the shuttle frame into the stationary building structure for supporting the shuttle section at all times whether in the extended position, the retracted position or moving therebetween. An outer shuttle wall extends upwardly from the frame for closing the sidewall opening of the stationary building when the shuttle is retracted. A sealing means is defined on the outer wall for engaging the building around the sidewall opening for selectively sealing thereof when in the retracted position. A drive mechanism is mounted to the stationary building structure and is operatively secured to the shuttle section for urging movement thereof between the respective positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: William A. Hindle
  • Patent number: 6679543
    Abstract: A Comprehensive Modular RV Hybrid Electric Drive And Modular Construction System for recreational vehicles, including motorhomes, trailers, amphibious vehicles, and houseboats, and with full-length vehicle widening slide-outs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Messano
  • Patent number: 6679541
    Abstract: A push-pull drive chain mechanism and scissors linkage assembly powered by a hydraulic cylinder to affect the coordinated, linear movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The drive chain moves generally vertically along a first structural member, such as a vehicle frame member, as the hydraulic cylinder extends or retracts to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The drive chain is pivotally connected at the proper place on the scissors-type linkage assembly, the links that form the scissors extending and crossing for pivotal attachment to a structural member of the vehicle body and a structural member of the expandable room. The drive chain is constructed and guided to provide the required force for opening and closing the scissors assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Edmund Hanser, Stacy Hanser
  • Patent number: 6658798
    Abstract: A space saving system to provide stable and supported movement of an expandable room or other moveable structure relative to a vehicle or other base structure is disclosed. The space saving system provides an inner and outer nested tubular member within a floor of the base structure. Low friction bearings are used to separate and support the nested tubular members relative to one another. The inner member is fixed to the base structure and the outer member is allowed to move telescopically relative to the inner member. The outer member is vertically supported by the base structure through use of a low friction bearing. The expandable room is supported upon the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Edward Frerichs, Paul Edmund Hanser
  • Patent number: 6536821
    Abstract: A slide-out room for recreational vehicles, sleeper cabs of trucks, and similar mobile living quarters is supported for movement through an aperture in the side wall of the mobile living quarters by a set of four linkages, two of which are mounted between each side of the slide-out room in the corresponding side of the aperture of the side wall of the unit. When the slide-out room is fully retracted within the mobile living quarters, one of the linkages on each side of the slide-out room is fully extended and the other is fully collapsed. As the slide-out room is moved toward the fully-extended position, the other linkage gradually expands and the one linkage collapses, so in the fully extended, as well as the fully retracted position, the slide-out room is supported and aligned for movement through the aperture in the vehicle slide-out room, and the slide-out room is continuously supported as it travels between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Stewart Gardner
  • Patent number: 6533338
    Abstract: A cammed vertical arm support system is described for the support and control of an expandable room that may be moved between a retracted position within a vehicle to an expanded position outward from the vehicle. The cammed relationship allows the room floor to lie above and generally parallel with the vehicle floor when the room is retracted and beside and generally flush with the vehicle floor when the room is extended. A moveable housing to conceal vertical arms is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Edward Frerichs, Paul Edmund Hanser
  • Patent number: 6527324
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes structure defining side walls of a main living unit mounted on a frame and a slide-out room which extends and retracts through an aperture in one of the side walls. Adjustments are provided to adjust the angular orientation of the slide-out room without respect to the side wall of the main living unit, to adjust the vertical position of the slide-out room in the extended position and to adjust the tilt of the slide-out room. Further adjustments are also provided to adjust the position of the back wall of the slide-out room in the retracted position to assure that trim and decals applied to the side wall of the unit and extending over the back wall of the slide-out room are properly aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: VT Holdings II, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. McManus, Martin P. McManus
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6428073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle having a fixed room and a slide-out room which extends and retracts relative to the fixed room. The fixed room includes a floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section, and the slide-out room includes a floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section. A slide-out extension mechanism extends and retracts the slide-out room in a cantilevered manner. In a fully retracted position, the roof section and two of the sidewall sections of the slide-out room are typically concealed from exterior view, and a third sidewall section of the slide-out room forms a portion of the sidewall section of the fixed room. Furthermore, the floor section of the slide-out room is flush with the floor section of the fixed room, and proximal ends of the sidewall sections of the slide-out room are flush with an inner surface of one of the sidewall sections of the fixed room when the slide-out room is fully extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: RBW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Willis Blodgett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6422628
    Abstract: An expandable trailer is designed for transportation and use of satellite communication related electronic equipment. The trailer has a generally horizontal support frame with an upper surface defining a floor of the trailer. A pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extend upwardly from the support and define an interior transport area between the walls. An expansion module is supported in an opening in one of the side walls. The expansion module has a vertical front panel and rear panel with inboard edges and outboard edges. The panels are spaced apart to define the front and rear of the expansion module. A generally vertical side panel extends between the outboard edges of the front and rear panels and has an upper edge and a lower edge. The expansion module has a closed position where the side panel is generally aligned with the side wall and the outboard edges of the front and rear panels are adjacent the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Veridian ERIM International, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Thomas Bortell
  • Publication number: 20020084665
    Abstract: Transportable living quarters includes a main frame supporting a main living area and a slide-out room that slides between an extended and retracted position relative to the main living area. The actuation mechanism for extending and retracting the slide-out room includes a curved slider arm that causes the slide-out room to tilt slightly when moving into the fully extended or retracted positions. Upon extension, the slide-out room tilts outwardly to compress an inner compressible seal between sealing surfaces on the main living area and the slide-out room inner flange. Upon retraction, the slide-out room tilts in the opposite direction to compress an outer compressible seal between sealing surfaces on the outside of the main living area and the outer flange of the slide-out room. This tilting of the room results in a tighter seal at the top of the slide-out room that better isolates the living area from the outside elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Patrick W. McManus, James E. Dewald, Martin P. McManus
  • Publication number: 20020084661
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is shown for transportable living quarters. An outer tube is oriented so that the corresponding inner tube extends downwardly relative to the main living area, lowering the slide-out room back wall and causing the slide-out room to tilt slightly outward in its extended position to compress an inner compressible seal between sealing surfaces on the main living area and the slide-out room inner flange. Similarly, upon retraction, the back wall is raised relative to the main living area, tilting the room in the opposite direction to compress an outer compressible seal between sealing surfaces on the outside of the main living area and the outer flange of the slide-out room. The mechanism may include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of the outer tube for optimal sealing. The mechanism may also be used in conjunction with a wear bar attached to the edge of the main living area floor to increase the tilt applied to the slide-out room for added pressure on the compressible seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Patrick W. McManus, Martin P. McManus
  • Patent number: 6402216
    Abstract: Transportable living quarters includes a main frame supporting a main living area and a slide-out room that slides between an extended and retracted position relative to the main living area. The actuation mechanism for extending and retracting the slide-out room includes a curved slider arm that causes the slide-out room to tilt slightly when moving into the fully extended or retracted positions. Upon extension, the slide-out room tilts outwardly to compress an inner compressible seal between sealing surfaces on the main living area and the slide-out room inner flange. Upon retraction, the slide-out room tilts in the opposite direction to compress an outer compressible seal between sealing surfaces on the outside of the main living area and the outer flange of the slide-out room. This tilting of the room results in a tighter seal at the top of the slide-out room that better isolates the living area from the outside elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: VT Holdings II, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. McManus, James E. Dewald, Jr., Martin P. McManus
  • Patent number: 6393769
    Abstract: A portable stage having at least a transport configuration and a deployed configuration is disclosed. The portable stage includes a chassis having wheels rotatably attached thereto and a main floor panel attached to the chassis. First and second deployable floor panels are pivotally attached to the main floor panel, and a deployable canopy is attached to the chassis. The deployable canopy is stored between the first and second floor panels when the portable stage is in its transport configuration. When the stage is deployed, the main floor panel, first floor panel and second floor panel form a main stage, and the canopy is large enough to cover the main stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Marshall Austin Productions
    Inventors: Roy M. Mertik, Donald R. McCallum, Donald J. McCallum
  • Patent number: 6345855
    Abstract: A Level Floor Room Extension for expandable and retractable rooms in vehicles employs a subfloor movable from a horizontal stored position beneath the vehicle floor, through an intermediate horizontal position, to an elevated horizontal position, to provide a continuously level floor extending from the interior vehicle floor, over the subfloor, to the slide out room floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Hanser, Stacy M. Hanser
  • Patent number: 6293611
    Abstract: The outer side of a slide-out floor (20) is supported by the outer end of an inner rail member (40). The inner rail member (40), or at least a support wall thereof, is telescopically angled within an outer rail member (32) such that the angle increases as the inner rail member (40) is extended, so as to position the outer end of the slide-out floor (20) at an elevation that is substantially flush with the fixed floor (74) when the slide-out floor (20) is fully extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Schneider, Jeffrey N. Ashbeck
  • Patent number: 6286883
    Abstract: A vehicle having a slide-out room section includes an operating mechanism for moving the slide-out room section laterally relative to the stationary room section for expanding the interior volume of the vehicle. The slide-out room section has an outer end which is mounted via a vertically movable connection arrangement to the operating mechanism, and a cooperative support arrangement is provided for the inner end of the slide-out room section to enable the slide-out room section to be vertically dropped when fully extended to place the slide-out room section floor flush with the floor of the stationary room section. The vertically movable connection arrangement includes a support member interconnected with the extension member and movable therewith, and a mounting member secured to the movable room section and engaged with the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schneider, Richard B. Lahti
  • Patent number: 6250701
    Abstract: The present invention involves an extension unit for a structure, such as a recreational vehicle or manufactured housing component. The recreational vehicle or manufactured housing component structure has an exterior wall, and the extension unit provides additional interior space for the structure when in a deployed position. The extension unit comprises a floor, a roof, a first wall extending between the floor and roof, a second wall operably coupled to the first wall and extending between the floor and roof, a pivotal connection linking the first wall and one of the second wall and exterior wall, and a biasing mechanism for biasing the first wall into the other of the second wall and exterior wall in the deployed condition. The pivotal connection links the first wall to the second wall, while the biasing mechanism biases an edge of the first wall into the exterior wall in both the deployed position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: ASV Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis R. Vance
  • Publication number: 20010002758
    Abstract: A Level Floor Room Extension for expandable and retractable rooms in vehicles employs a subfloor movable from a horizontal stored position beneath the vehicle floor, through an intermediate horizontal position, to an elevated horizontal position, to provide a continuously level floor extending from the interior vehicle floor, over the subfloor, to the slide out room floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: PAUL E. HANSER, STACY M. HANSER