U.S. patent application number 10/044481 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-16 for sliding mechanisms and systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Happijac Corporation. Invention is credited to Rasmussen, C. Martin.
Application Number | 20020056329 10/044481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23780210 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020056329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rasmussen, C. Martin |
May 16, 2002 |
Sliding mechanisms and systems
Abstract
A quick-release mechanism that allows a motor to be quickly and
easily released from a motorized activation assembly to activate a
sliding mechanism thereby extending or retracting a slide-out
compartment of a recreational vehicle. The quick-release mechanism
includes a coupler adapted to slidingly engage a motor drive shaft
and selectively engage a gear drive shaft. A spring urges the
coupler into engagement with the gear drive shaft. A cam member
supports the biased coupler and permits the coupler to be cammed
against the spring bias force such that the coupler slides along
the motor drive shaft and, thus, out of engagement with the gear
drive shaft.
Inventors: |
Rasmussen, C. Martin; (Fruit
Heights, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER & SEELEY
1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
Happijac Corporation
|
Family ID: |
23780210 |
Appl. No.: |
10/044481 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10044481 |
Jan 11, 2002 |
|
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|
09448410 |
Nov 23, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
74/89.17 ;
296/17; 296/26.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 3/34 20130101; Y10T
74/18808 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/89.17 ;
296/17; 296/26.01 |
International
Class: |
B60P 003/34; F16H
019/04 |
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters
Patent is:
1. A quick-release mechanism for manipulating a sliding mechanism
to extend and retract a slide-out compartment of a recreational
vehicle, the quick-release mechanism comprising: (a) a connector
box configured to be attached to the sliding mechanism; (b) a cam
member supported within said connector box, said cam member having
a support surface and a cam surface, said cam member pivotal
between having said cam surface oriented in a first direction and
having said support surface oriented in said first direction; (c) a
coupler supported by the surface of said cam member in said first
direction, said coupler being configured to engage a motor drive
shaft and for engaging a gear drive shaft that cooperates with the
sliding mechanism such that rotation of said gear drive shaft
effects movement of the sliding mechanism; and (d) a spring
positioned and tensioned to bias said coupler toward said cam
member, wherein, when said coupler is supported by said support
surface of said cam member, said motor drive shaft and said gear
drive shaft are engaged to thereby activate said sliding mechanism
and, when said coupler is supported by said cam surface of said cam
member, said motor drive shaft and said gear drive shaft are
disengaged.
2. The quick-release mechanism in claim 1, further comprising a cam
lever accessible on said connector box for selectively pivoting
said cam member.
3. The quick-release mechanism in claim 1, wherein the cam surface
slopes toward the support surface.
4. The quick-release mechanism in claim 1, wherein a second end of
said coupler and a first end of said gear drive shaft are adapted
to facilitate engagement.
5. The quick-release mechanism in claim 1, wherein a second end of
said coupler and an first end of said gear drive shaft have beveled
surfaces.
6. The quick-release mechanism in claim 1, wherein a first end of
said motor drive shaft is attached to a motor.
7. A quick-release mechanism for manipulating a sliding mechanism
to extend and retract a slide-out compartment of a recreational
vehicle, the quick-release mechanism comprising: (a) a connector
box configured to be attached to the sliding mechanism; (b) a cam
member supported within said connector box, said cam member having
a support surface and a cam surface, said cam member pivotal
between having said cam surface oriented in a first direction and
having said support surface oriented in said first direction; (c) a
coupler supported by the surface of said cam member in said first
direction; and (d) a spring positioned and tensioned to bias said
coupler toward said cam member, wherein, when said coupler is
supported by said support surface of said cam member, said coupler
is in a position closer to the sliding mechanism than when said
coupler is supported by said cam surface of said cam member.
8. The quick-release mechanism as recited in claim 7, further
comprising a cam lever accessible on said connector box for
selectively pivoting said cam member.
9. The quick-release mechanism as recited in claim 7, wherein the
cam surface slopes toward the support surface.
10. The quick-release mechanism as recited in claim 7, wherein a
first end of said coupler and said second end of said gear drive
shaft are adapted to facilitate engagement.
11. A quick-release mechanism for manipulating a sliding mechanism
to extend and retract a slide-out compartment of a recreational
vehicle, the quick-release mechanism comprising: (a) a connector
box configured to be attached to the sliding mechanism; (b) a cam
member supported within said connector box, said cam member having
a support surface and a cam surface, said cam member pivotal
between having said cam surface oriented in a first direction and
having said support surface oriented in said first direction; (c) a
coupler supported within said connector box by the surface of said
cam member in said first direction, said coupler having a bore
therethrough for slidably engaging a motor drive shaft and
selectively engaging a gear drive shaft that cooperates with the
sliding mechanism such that rotation of said gear drive shaft
effects movement of said sliding mechanism thereby moving the
slide-out compartment; and (d) a spring positioned and tensioned to
bias said coupler toward said cam member; wherein, when said
coupler is supported by said support surface of said cam member,
said coupler is supported in a position that is closer to the
sliding mechanism than when said coupler is supported by said cam
surface of said cam member.
12. The quick-release mechanism in claim 11, further comprising a
cam lever accessible on said connector box for selectively pivoting
said cam member.
13. The quick-release mechanism in claim 11, wherein the cam
surface slopes toward the support surface.
14. The quick-release mechanism in claim 11, wherein a second end
of said coupler and a first end of said gear drive shaft are
adapted to facilitate engagement.
15. The quick-release mechanism in claim 11, wherein a second end
of said coupler and an first end of said gear drive shaft have
beveled surfaces.
16. A quick-release mechanism for manipulating a sliding mechanism
to extend and retract a slide-out compartment of a recreational
vehicle, the quick-release mechanism comprising: (a) a connector
box configured to be attached to the sliding mechanism; (b) a cam
member supported at a pivot axis within said connector box, said
cam member having a support surface and a cam surface, said cam
surface being further from said pivot axis than said support
surface, said cam member pivotal between having said cam surface
oriented in a first direction and having said support surface
oriented in said first direction; (c) a coupler supported within
said connector box by the surface of said cam member oriented in
said first direction, said coupler having a bore therethrough for
slidably engaging a motor drive shaft and selectively engaging a
gear drive shaft that cooperates with the sliding mechanism such
that rotation of said gear drive shaft effects movement of said
sliding mechanism thereby moving the slide-out compartment; and (d)
a spring positioned and tensioned to bias said coupler toward said
cam member and into engagement with the gear drive shaft; wherein,
when said coupler is supported by said support surface of said cam
member, said motor drive shaft and said gear drive shaft are
engaged to thereby activate said sliding mechanism and, when said
coupler is supported by said cam surface of said cam member, said
motor drive shaft and said gear drive shaft are disengaged.
17. The quick-release mechanism in claim 16, further comprising a
cam lever accessible on said connector box for selectively pivoting
said cam member.
18. The quick-release mechanism in claim 16, wherein the cam
surface slopes toward the support surface.
19. The quick-release mechanism in claim 16, wherein a second end
of said coupler and a first end of said gear drive shaft are
adapted to facilitate engagement.
20. The quick-release mechanism in claim 16, wherein a second end
of said coupler and an first end of said gear drive shaft have
beveled surfaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/448,410, filed Nov. 23, 1999, and entitled "Sliding
Mechanisms and Systems" and claims the benefit thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a device for
sliding objects in a controlled manner, and, more specifically, to
a sliding mechanism for a "slide-out" compartment or room for a
recreational vehicle, such as a camper, trailer, motor home, or the
like.
[0004] 2. The Prior State of the Art
[0005] Recreational vehicles (RVs), such as travel trailers,
campers, and motor homes offer users the opportunity to escape the
rigors of everyday life and explore the world we live in.
Resembling a small home on wheels, an RV is capable of transporting
and comfortably sheltering people for extended periods of time. The
primary benefit of such a vehicle is to enhance the camping or
traveling experience by providing the comforts of home away from
home. Additionally, the occupant is given the option of braving the
elements, commonly known as "roughing it", or retreating to the
protection afforded by the RV. Thus, the spirit of "roughing it"
may be maintained without deprivation of the full camping
experience.
[0006] Although freely mobile, as the size of RV's increase, the
ease of handling tends to decrease. Additionally, RV's have
dimensional limits dictated by highway regulations or the specific
configuration of truck bed that contains the camper. Responding to
the need for more living space inside a smaller vehicle, numerous
different RVs incorporate pop-up tops and/or slide-out rooms for
selectively expanding the living area. Designed to be used only
when the RV is parked, these rooms are retracted and stored in the
interior of the vehicle during travel, and are slid outwardly when
the vehicle is parked. Generally, upon parking the recreational
vehicle, the pop-up tops or slide-out rooms are moved horizontally
to an extended position to increase the useable interior space of
the vehicle.
[0007] Several different devices have been proposed for use as
slide-out rooms. Included among those proposed are expandable
camper bodies and enclosures, and slidable room assemblies for RVs.
Envisioned for recreational vehicle use, some older slide-out
devices generally include accordion-like side walls laterally
joined to a rigid end wall. Supporting the walls is a slidable
frame carried on the main RV frame to slidably extend and retract
from and within the main RV frame. Traditionally, a manually
operated or motorized driving mechanism interconnects between the
sliding frame and the main frame for expansion and retraction of
the slide-out.
[0008] The trend in the RV industry over the last several years
concerning slide-out rooms has been to incorporate the entire
slide-out assembly within the main frame of the RV. This trend, has
led to the use of sliding tubes or beams that are attached to or
integrally formed with the main frame of the RV. The associated
driving mechanism is attached to the main frame or in close
proximity thereto. However, the components forming the slide out
mechanism tend to be scattered within the interior of the RV with
the motor in one location, the driving mechanism encompassing
another interior region, and the load bearing members extending
across a substantial part of the interior of the RV. As such, the
drive mechanisms and other components associated with these sliding
mechanisms have become more complex and costly to install, repair,
and/or replace.
[0009] Driving mechanisms for RV slide-out rooms, that are
currently available, function in many different forms. They tend
to, however, generally share many of the same functional and
structural characteristics. One variation of slide-out drive
mechanisms involves the use of threaded drive screws to drive racks
and pivoted cross-members that extend or retract the slide-out
room. Another type of drive mechanism uses toothed geared drive
assemblies having racks that expand or contract upon rotation of a
toothed gear. Unfortunately, during the rigors of travel, the racks
may become disengaged from the gears thereby preventing the
slide-out room from being extended or retracted.
[0010] Further efforts to provide drives for slide-out rooms have
led to the use of hydraulic cylinders. Resembling horizontally
installed hydraulic jacks, these mechanisms slidably force the room
open as the hydraulic jack extends. Likewise, the hydraulic
cylinder can slidably close the room. Although straightforward in
design, hydraulic systems often tend to be fragile in nature and
being subject to deleterious rigors of vibration in the transport
of the RV over the roadway can experience a relatively short
service life.
[0011] Though these various devices solve many problems, they still
require a significant amount of space within the recreational
vehicle for the motor and drive mechanism. While motor home type
RV's have substantial amounts of space to accommodate the required
motors and driving mechanisms, the space within camper and trailer
type RV's is at a premium and limits the application of currently
slide-out room technology. For example, in motor home type
slide-out rooms, the trend is to include a drive mechanism that
extends from one side of the motor home to the other to provide the
necessary load bearing strength. This technique is inoperable for
camper type RV's because a camper slide-out room must slide out
from a small wing wall that extends over the side of a pick-up. To
allow an individual to use the camper, the driving mechanism may
not extend into the central isle of the camper, and therefore must
be limited to the dimensional restrictions of the wing wall.
Furthermore, people still desire access to the interior of the
camper when the slide-out room is retracted. Consequently, the
slide-out room and associated driving mechanism cannot
substantially block the interior isle. As such, it would be
beneficial to reduce the space required for the motor and drive
mechanism of a slide-out room for motor homes, and especially
campers and trailers.
[0012] Another problematic characteristic often shared by prior art
drive mechanism designs is the intended location of the operating
mechanism. Slide-out driving mechanisms are usually installed as
original equipment during manufacture of the RV. Termed "OEM"
equipment, the installation locations of these devices is often
chosen without consideration of the fact that it may be desirable
to subsequently gain access to such mechanisms for repair and/or
replacement. As a result, the devices are often incorporated within
the confines of the main frame of the RV making repairs costly and
replacement nearly impossible.
[0013] Additionally, with current slide-out room construction a
relatively large gap is created between the slide-out room and the
RV body when the slide-out room is extended. During use under
adverse weather conditions, such as wind, rain, sleet, or snow,
water tends to leak into the interior of the vehicle in the area
between the slide-out room and the exterior wall of the vehicle.
Current approaches to solving this problem involve filling the gap
with a sealer to prevent infiltration of inclement weather.
Unfortunately, since the gap between the bottom of the slide-out
room and the RV body is large, the effectiveness of the sealer is
limited. Furthermore, since the sealing material is less durable
than other portions of the RV, overtime, the larger sealers tend to
deteriorate, thereby allowing wind, rain, sleet, or snow to creep
into the drive mechanisms of the slide-out room or to damage the
walls of the RV body.
[0014] Another problem with current RV mechanisms occurs once the
RV has been in use for a period of time. During construction of an
RV, the slide-out room is adjusted to properly fit the sidewalls
and cooperate with the slide mechanisms. During use, however, the
dimensions of the slide-out room and the body of the recreational
vehicle may change due to a number of conditions. Current
construction techniques and slide mechanisms make it difficult to
readjust the fit of the slide-out room relative to the vehicle's
sidewalls and floors, thereby providing inefficient sliding,
binding, and damage to the sides and floor of both the slide-out
room and the body of the recreational vehicle.
[0015] It would be an advance to provide RV mechanisms for sliding
a slide-out room on a recreational vehicle, such as a camper,
trailer, motor home, or the like, that is compact, reliable, while
reducing the possibility of infiltration of adverse weather
conditions within the interior of the RV. In particular, it would
be and advance to provide a sliding systems that incorporates
sliding mechanisms, driving mechanisms, and structural support
elements within a single unit, that requires little space for
installation and use, while being reliable.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
sliding mechanism and system for moving a slide-out compartment of
a recreational vehicle that is compact while maintaining the
required strength and rigidity.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sliding mechanism and system that provides additional structural
support to the exterior wall of a recreational vehicle.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sliding mechanism and system that that may be activated manually to
extend and retract a slide-out compartment of a recreational
vehicle.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
sliding mechanisms and systems that are capable being easily
modified to accommodate for changes in the structural dimensions of
the recreational vehicle.
[0020] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a sliding mechanism and system that is capable of being
utilized on various types of recreational.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sliding mechanism and system that minimizes the space required for
both installation and use of the sliding mechanism on various types
of recreational vehicles.
[0022] Still another object of the present is to provide a sliding
mechanism and system that cooperates with seals to prevent
infiltration of adverse weather conditions within the interior of
various types of recreational vehicle.
[0023] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of
the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
[0024] To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the
invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a sliding
mechanism for extending and retracting a slide-out compartment is
disclosed. The sliding mechanism includes a guide member having two
securing flanges separated by a gap that is in communication with
an interior channel. A slider rail is disposed within the interior
channel and has a middle portion adapted with a plurality of holes
formed therein. Extending from the middle portion are two securing
members that cooperate with the securing flanges of the guide
member to maintain slider rail within the interior channel as
middle portion extends into the gap. Disposed within the interior
channel at one end of the guide element is a gear mechanism. The
gear mechanism drivingly engages with the plurality of holes in the
middle portion of the slider rail to extend or retract the
slide-out compartment. As such, in one embodiment, gear mechanism
includes a gear shaft and a gear attached to the gear shaft. The
gear includes a plurality of teeth that extend into the gap between
the securing members to engage with the holes in the middle portion
of the slider rail. In this configuration, the slider rail is
continuously maintained in the interior channel and the teeth are
in continuous engagement with the slider rail. This prevents the
teeth from disengaging from the slider rail and being incapable of
moving slideout compartment.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
gear shaft is adapted to cooperate with one or more activation
assemblies. In one embodiment, the activation assembly is a manual
activation assembly. The manual activation assembly includes a
connector member that is adapted to attach to one end of the gear
shaft. Located at another end of the connector member is a hand
crank. As the hand crank is rotated, the connector member is
rotated, thereby activating the gear mechanism to extend or retract
the slide-out compartment.
[0026] In another embodiment, the activation assembly is a
motorized activation assembly. The motorized activation assembly
includes a quick-release arrangement that allows a motor to be
engaged and disengaged through rotation of a cam lever. Motorized
activation assembly allows a motor to communicate with the gear
shaft to thereby allow the motor to extend and retract the
slide-out compartment. Additionally, when the sliding mechanism
includes two connected gear shaft, with a manual activation
assembly coupled to one gear shaft and a motorized activation
assembly coupled to the other gear shaft, activation of the
quick-release arrangement releases engagement of the motor with one
gear shaft thereby allowing operation of the manual activation
assembly. In one embodiment, the two gear shafts can be coupled
together by a timing assembly. The timing assembly includes a
detachable drive shaft that is capable of engaging and disengaging
to the two gear shafts independently of each other.
[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for
extending and retracting a slide-out compartment incorporated
within a recreational vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a
base assembly that is adapted for fixably attachment to the
recreational vehicle. The base assembly includes the guide element
and a number of support elements that combine to provide structural
support to both the slide-out compartment and the remaining parts
of the recreational vehicle. The base assembly cooperates with the
sliding mechanism to allow a slide-out compartment to be extended
and retracted. In one embodiment of the sliding system, two slider
rails are attached together through two slider supports.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] In order that the manner in which the above recited and
other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more
particular description of the invention briefly described above
will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that
are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention
will be described with additional specificity and detail through
the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a partial breakaway perspective view of one
embodiment of a vehicle and camper within one embodiment of the
sliding system of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sliding
system.
[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a base assembly of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a sliding assembly of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0033] FIGS. 5A and 5B are partial perspective views of embodiments
of a slider rail for one embodiment of the sliding assembly of FIG.
4.
[0034] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a roller assembly of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0035] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a gear mechanism of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0036] FIG. 8 is partial cross-sectional view of the gear mechanism
of FIG. 7 installed in a base assembly of FIG. 3.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an end view of one embodiment of a first end of a
drive shaft of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0039] FIG. 11 is an end view of one embodiment of a second end of
a drive shaft of the sliding system of FIG. 2.
[0040] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a motorized assembly that can be used with the sliding system of
FIG. 2.
[0041] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of a quick-release arrangement having a cam member in a cammed.
[0042] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment
of a quick-release arrangement of FIG. 13 with the cam member in an
uncammed.
[0043] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the
quick release arrangement of FIG. 13.
[0044] FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view that depicts the
relative positions of the cam member and a second end of a second
gear, in the cammed orientation, of the quick-release arrangement
of FIG. 13.
[0045] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view that depicts the
relative positions of the cam member and a second end of a second
gear, in the uncammed orientation, of the quick-release arrangement
of FIG. 13.
[0046] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of a cam member that is adapted to be added to an
existing motorized activation assembly.
[0047] FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
a slider rail
[0048] FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
a slider rail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] The present invention relates to sliding mechanisms and
systems which may be used to extend and retract a slide-out
compartment incorporated within a recreational vehicle, such as but
not limited to campers, trailers, motor homes, and the like. The
sliding mechanism is configured to be compact, while being capable
extending and retracting variously sized slide-out rooms or
compartments to increase the living space within a recreational
vehicle. Furthermore, the sliding mechanism and systems of the
present incorporate numerous sliding and driving components into a
single unit thereby making installation simpler and quicker, while
maintaining structural support and providing additional structural
support to the recreational vehicle. Additionally, the sliding
mechanisms and systems are capable of being installed on various
recreational vehicles and at varying locations on the recreational
vehicle without the need to substantially alter any portion of the
mechanisms or components. As such, the sliding mechanisms and
systems of the present invention are interchangeable or may be used
without modification for slide-out rooms or compartments on the
right, left, front, or rear of the recreational vehicle.
[0050] Generally, the sliding mechanisms and systems shall be
described hereinafter with reference to a camper that is contained
within the bed of a pick-up truck. The discussion relating to
application of the present invention to campers should not be
considered as limiting the application of the general principals of
the invention to other types of recreational vehicle, such as
trailers and motor homes. Additionally, reference is made herein to
a single slide-out compartment; however, it can be appreciated by
one skilled in the art that multiple slide-out compartments may be
incorporated within a single recreational vehicle.
[0051] FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle 10 with a cab 12 and a vehicle bed
(not shown) that supports a camper 18. As shown, camper 18 has a
forward portion 20 that extends over cab 12 of vehicle 10 and a
rear portion 22 that extends beyond the rear of vehicle 10. Camper
18 has a step configuration formed with a lower exterior wall 24
retained within the interior of the bed (not shown) and an upper
exterior wall 26 that is located above the bed (not shown). Lower
exterior wall 24 and upper exterior wall 26 are joined together by
way of a wing wall 28 (FIG. 2) that extends over a side 16 of
vehicle 10. As depicted in FIG. 1, in one embodiment camper 18
includes a slide-out room or compartment 30. As illustrated, in one
embodiment, slide-out compartment 30 is located intermediate
between forward portion 20 and rear portion 22 of camper 18.
Slide-out compartment 30, however, may be located at the forward
portion or rearward portion of the side of camper 18.
Alternatively, slide-out compartment 30 may be located at the front
or rear of camper 18. Furthermore, camper 18 may include a multiple
number of slide-out compartments 30 which are located at the front,
rear, and/or on both sides of camper 18.
[0052] According to one aspect of the present invention, slide-out
compartment 30 is extended and retracted by way of a sliding
system, as referenced by numeral 40 in FIG. 2. The configuration of
sliding system 40 minimizes the space required for installation and
usage of sliding system 40 to extend and retract slide-out
compartment 30, thereby increasing the available living area while
providing the requisite strength and functionality to operate
slide-out compartment 30.
[0053] Sliding system 40 includes a base assembly 42, a gear
mechanism 44, and a slider assembly 46. As depicted in FIG. 2, base
assembly 42 is attached to wing wall 28 of camper 18. Base assembly
42 is configured to both provide structural support for gear
mechanism 44 and slider assembly 46, while providing structural
support to camper 18. Additionally, base assembly 42 is adapted to
form the central unit of sliding system 40 upon which gear
mechanism 44 and slider assembly 46 may be attached and to which
portions of camper 18 are affixed.
[0054] One embodiment of base assembly 42 includes support elements
50 that provide structural support to both sliding system 40 and
camper 18. Attached to support elements 50 are optional feet 52
(FIG. 3) that are capable of assisting in leveling and attaching
support elements 50 to camper 18. As illustrated in FIG. 2, also
attached to support element 50 are a number of guide members 54
that cooperate with gear mechanism 44 and slider assembly 46 to
allow slide-out room 30 to be retracted or extended as
required.
[0055] In the case of use with camper 18 (FIG. 1), base assembly 42
is sized so that when support elements 50 are coupled to wing wall
28, the location of support elements 50 on wing wall 28 coincides
with the top of lower exterior wall 24 and the bottom portion of
upper exterior wall 26. Base assembly 42, and therefore support
elements 50, provide structural support to camper 18.
[0056] As depicted in both FIG. 2 and 3, each support element 50
has a generally U-shaped cross-section having an outer portion 60
and an inner portion 62 that are separated by a base portion 64.
Outer portion 60 and inner portion 62 have a spaced apart
relationship that allows attachment of guide members 54, while
giving strength to base assembly 42. As shown in FIG. 2, support
elements 50 are capable of being attached to wing wall 28, while
also attaching to lower exterior wall 24 and upper exterior wall
26. As such, the cross-sectional configuration of support element
50 may be varied as necessary dependent on the particular use
thereof, such that support element 50 may have a cross-section in
the configuration of a square, rectangular, oval, trapezoidal, or
the like, or combinations thereof.
[0057] As depicted in FIG. 3, inner portion 62 includes a plurality
of feet fastening holes 66 through which optional feet 52 may be
coupled thereto. In one embodiment, both base portion 64 and outer
portion 60 include numerous fastening holes 68 which are configured
to allow portions of camper 18 to be attached to support element
50. By way of example, and not limitation, fastening holes 68 in
outer portion 60 may be sized to allow fasteners to attach outer
portion 60 to upper exterior wall 26, while fastening holes 68 in
base portion 64 may be sized to allow fasteners to attach base
assembly 42 to wing wall 28. It will be appreciated that the
number, size, and dimensions of feet fastening holes 66 and
fastening holes 68 may be varied as needed. In addition, feet
fastening holes 66 and fastening holes 68 may have various other
configurations that are not illustrated in FIG. 3. By way of
example and not limitation, feet fastening holes 66 and fastening
holes 68 may be round, oval, elliptical, elongated, square,
triangular, rectangular, or the like.
[0058] Support element 50 may be composed of various types of
materials, such as by way of example and not limitation, metals,
composites, plastics, or the like, as long as the material used is
capable of providing support to the other components of the present
invention, while giving structural support to camper 18. In one
embodiment, support element 50 is substantially composed of
steel.
[0059] In one embodiment, feet 52 are releasably attached to
support element 50. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the
art that feet 52 are an optional feature of sliding system 10.
Siding system 10 is equally effective without feet 52. Feet 52
allow support element 50 to be leveled with respect to wing wall 28
and the other components and dimensions of camper 18, such as lower
and upper exterior walls 24, 26, respectively. Additionally, feet
52 are particularly useful as the camper ages, because feet 52 may
be utilized to assist with eliminating problems such as the camper
not being level. Furthermore, feet 52 may be used to compensate for
defects in the construction of camper 18 that would otherwise
affect the sliding motion of slider system 40. In one embodiment,
feet 52 have a generally L-shaped cross-section. As depicted in
FIG. 3, feet 52 have a first foot portion 70 adapted to couple to
support element 50 at feet fastening holes 66, while a second foot
portion 72 is adapted to couple to wing wall 28. Each foot portion
70, 72 includes a number of apertures 74 which are adapted to
cooperate with numerous types of fastener (not shown) to allow
secure attachment of feet 52 to either wing wall 28 or support
element 50. Additionally, in one embodiment, each aperture 74 has
an ovular or slotted form to allow adjustment of support elements
50 and feet 52.
[0060] In view of the teaching contained herein, one skilled in the
art can identify various other configurations of feet 52 which are
capable of performing the function thereof. By way of example and
not imitation, each foot 52 may have various other cross-sectional
configuration, such as square, rectangular, or the like.
Additionally, in an another configuration, feet 52 are integrally
formed with support element 50 and washers slidably engages with a
fastener to vary the distance between each second foot portion 72
and wing wall 28. In another configuration, feet 52 are in the form
of a post or cylindrical member that has a threaded portion
encompassing the exterior surface thereof. The threaded portion
cooperates with a complementary threaded portion formed in support
element 50, to thereby level base assembly 42. In yet another
configuration, feet 52 may have the form of a post or cylindrical
member that is spring-loaded to maintain separation between wing
wall 28 and second foot portion 72.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, guide member 54 is attached to support
element 50. Guide member 54 separates and gives structural support
to support elements 50, thereby providing structural integrity to
base assembly 42. Guide member 54, additionally, cooperates with
slider assembly 46 and gear mechanism 44 to allow slider assembly
46 to be extended and retracted during operation of sliding system
40.
[0062] In one embodiment, guide member 54, shown in greater detail
in FIG. 3, has a generally C-shaped cross-section. Guide member 54
has a first side 80 and a second side 82 separated by a base 84.
Extending from first side 80 and second side 82 is a first securing
flange 86 and a second securing flange 88, respectively. First and
second securing flanges 86, 88, respectively, are sized such that a
gap 90 remains therebetween. It will be appreciated that the
configuration of guide member 54 defines a channel along the
longitudinal length thereof. In this embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 2, guide member 54 is adapted to cooperate with gear mechanism
44 and slider assembly 46 to allow slide-out compartment 30 to be
extended and retracted.
[0063] Referring back to FIG. 3, guide member 54 has a first end
124 and a second end 126. Located at first end 124 of guide member
54 is a gear mount 94. At second end 126 is a roller mount 96. It
can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, however, that gear
mount 94 may be located at second end 126 and roller mount 96 may
be located at first end 124. Similarly, it can be appreciated that
both gear mount 94 and roller mount 96 may be located at any
longitudinal distance along guide element 54. Furthermore, in
another embodiment of base assembly 42, gear mount 94 is located at
first end 124 and roller mount is located at second end 126,
however, base assembly 42 is rotated 180.degree. from that shown in
FIGS. 2 and when installed on camper 18.
[0064] Gear mount 94 includes two bushing protrusions 98 which
extend from respective surfaces of first side 80 and second side
82. An axial gear shaft hole 100 passes through bushing protrusion
98 and the associated first side 80 or second side 82. Axial gear
shaft holes 100 are adapted to cooperate with gear mechanism 44,
and allow free rotation thereof. Bushing protrusions 98 and axial
gear shaft holes 100 are one embodiment of structure capable of
performing the function of a connecting means for coupling gearing
mechanism 44 to guide member 54. It will be appreciated by one
skilled in the art that various other configurations of connecting
means are possible. For example, connecting means could utilize
gear shaft holes 100 that have the form of a slot that extends to
the end of first side 80 or second side 82, distal from base 84. In
this embodiment, the slot is capped with a securing flange that
closes the open end thereof and attaches gearing mechanism 44 to
guide element 54. In another embodiment, bushing protrusions 98 are
detachable and secured to guide member 54 by way of one or more
fasteners. In yet another embodiment, connecting means comprises of
a hole that has an interior tapered form that frictionally retains
gear mechanism 44 to guide member 54.
[0065] Roller mount 96 includes two axially coinciding roller shaft
holes 102 formed in first side 80 and second side 82. Roller shaft
holes 102 are capable of cooperating with the components of roller
assembly 96. Roller shaft hole 102 is one structure capable of
performing the function of connecting means for coupling roller
assembly 96 to guide member 54. It will be appreciated that various
other configurations of connecting means are capable of performing
the function thereof. For example, roller shaft hole 102 may be
tapered to cause a friction fit with roller assembly 96. In another
embodiment of connecting means, roller shaft hole 102 includes
protrusions similar to those of bushing protrusions 98. In yet
another embodiment of connecting means, roller shaft hole 102 is a
slot.
[0066] As depicted in FIG. 2, sliding assembly 46 is disposed in
the channel defined by guide member 54 and cooperates with securing
flanges 86, 88 (FIG. 2). Slider assembly 46 is attached to
slide-out compartment 30, as well as being slidably engaged with
the channel defined by guide member 54 and gear mechanism 44.
Slider assembly 46, in cooperation with guide member 54, provides
the structural support and load bearing members that carry the
weight and dissipate the forces resulting from extending and
retracting slide-out compartment 30. As depicted in FIG. 4, slider
assembly 46 includes slider rails 110 that are coupled to slider
supports 112. While FIG. 4 depicts slider assembly 46 as having two
slider rails 110 and two slider supports 112, it will be
appreciated that various other numbers of slider rails 110 and
slider supports 112 could be used.
[0067] In one embodiment of slider rail 110, as illustrated in FIG.
5A, slider rail 110 has a raised middle portion 114, with a first
securing member 116 and a second securing member 118. First and
second securing members 116 and 118, respectively, extend outwardly
from the peripheral edges of middle portion 114. Securing members
116, 118 may have various widths, so long as they are capable of
cooperating with securing flanges 86, 88 of guide members 54 to
retain slider rail 110 within the channel defined by guide member
54. Middle portion 114 includes a number of slots 120 that are
configured to cooperate with gear mechanism 44 to allow movement of
slider assembly 46. In one embodiment, each slot 120 has a
generally rectangular form. It will be appreciated, however, that
various other configurations are capable of performing the function
thereof. By way of example and not limitation, slot 120 may be
round, oval, elliptical or any combination thereof. What is
important is that slot 120 be configured to cooperate with gear
mechanism 44. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5A, one or more of slot
120 may include a curved section that is capable of accommodating a
fastener (not shown) to attach slider rail 110 to a portion of
slide-out compartment 30. First end 124 and second end 126 of
slider rail 110 have a number of retaining holes 128 formed
therein. In one embodiment, retaining holes 128 include an optional
threaded portion to allow slider rail 110 to be attached to slider
support 112. Alternatively, slider support 112 may be bolted,
welded, riveted, or glued to slider rail 110 during fabrication or
manufacture.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 5b, an alternate embodiment of a
slider rail 110b is depicted. Slider rail 110b includes a first
element 130 and a second element 132. A slot 133 is formed through
the first element 130 and second element 132 that acts as slot 120
of slider rail 110. Alternatively, slot 133 may only passes through
second element 132 and first element 132 is a solid piece of
material.
[0069] The first element is adapted to act as middle portion 114,
while the second element acts as securing member 116, 118.
Therefore, first element 130 is fixably coupled to the central
portion of second element 132 such that slots in each element align
to form slot 133. Additionally, fixation of first element 130 to
second element 132 leaves the sides 134, 135 of second element 132
exposed such that sides 134, 135 are capable of cooperating with
securing flanges 86, 88 of guide members 54 to retain slider rail
110 within the channel defined by guide member 54. It can be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that there are various other
configuration of slider rails 110 and 110b that are possible.
[0070] Returning to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, slider support 112
has a generally L-shaped configuration that comprises an upper
portion 136 and a side portion 138 extending therefrom. Side
portion 138 is substantially perpendicular to upper portion 136. It
will be appreciated, however, that side portion 138 may extend from
upper portion 136 at various other angular orientations. In one
embodiment, upper portion 136 of slider support 112 includes two
notches 140 that are adapted to cooperated with first and second
ends 124, 126 of slider rail 110. Surrounding each notch 140 in
slider support 112 are retaining holes 128 that are configured to
cooperate with retaining holes 128 in slider rail 110. As such,
notches 140 and retaining holes 128 may have various dimensions and
sizes so long as they assist in securely retaining slider rail 110
to slider support 112, i.e. allow fasteners to be disposed through
retaining holes 128 in upper portion 136 and into retaining holes
128 of slider rail 110.
[0071] In one embodiment, both upper portion 136 and side portion
138 of slider support 112 include a number of securing orifices 144
that are formed to accommodate a fastener (not show) used to attach
slider support 112 to a portion of slide-out compartment 30.
Securing orifices 144, therefore, may have any desirable form, such
as but not limited to, circular, angular, slot-like, or the like.
Additionally, the fasteners described herein may comprise of
various types of fasteners, such as but not limited to, screw,
bolts, split pins, and the like.
[0072] The cross-sectional configuration of slider rail 110 and
slider support 112 may be varied as necessary depending on the
particular use thereof. By way of example and not limitation,
slider rail 110 and slider support 112 may have various other
configurations such as square, rectangular, or the like.
Additionally, slider rail 110 and slider support 112 may be
fabricated from various types of materials, such as for example,
metals, composites, plastics, fibrous material, or the like, so
long as the material has sufficient strength for extending and
retracting slide-out room 30. In one embodiment, slider rail 110
and slider support 112 are substantially composed of a steel
material.
[0073] In use of slider system 10, slider rail 110 cooperates with
roller assembly 148 as depicted in FIG. 6. Roller assembly 148
includes a roller shaft 150 and a roller 152. Roller shaft 150 is
sized to securely fit within roller shaft holes 102 and an axial
hole 164 formed through roller 152. Roller shaft holes 102 and
axial hole 164 are sized and configured to allow roller 152 to
rotate about roller shaft 150. In one embodiment, roller shaft 150
includes two fastening grooves 154 formed in the surface thereof,
which are adapted to receive fastening clips 156. Fastening clips
156 and fastening grooves 154 assist in retaining roller shaft 150
within roller shaft holes 102. Various other structures are capable
of performing the function of roller shaft 150, fastening clips
156, and fastening grooves 154. For example, in another embodiment
roller 152 is configured to cooperate with the underside of middle
portion 114 of slider rail 110 so as to self center therein. In
another embodiment, roller shaft 150 may be retained within roller
shaft holes 102 through a friction fit and roller 152 is configured
to rotate axially around roller shaft 150. In yet another
embodiment, roller shaft 150 includes pinholes that accommodate
split pins or the like, which prevent retraction of roller shaft
150 from within roller shaft holes 102.
[0074] Roller shaft 150 may be manufactured from various types of
material, such as by way of example and not by way of limitation,
metals, composites, plastics, and the like. In one embodiment,
roller shaft 150 is composed of steel.
[0075] In one embodiment, roller 152 has a generally cylindrical
configuration that includes a larger diameter portion 160 and a
smaller diameter portion 162. Larger diameter portion 160 of roller
152 is configured to cooperate with slider rails 110. In addition,
roller 152 self-centers within the channel defined by guide member
54 upon insertion of roller shaft 150 through axial hole 164.
Larger diameter portion 160 and middle portion 114 of slider rail
110 are configured to cooperate so as to allow roller 152 to self
center. Consequently, larger portion 160 self-centers on the
underside of middle portion 114 of slider rail 110 to provide
smooth sliding of slider rail 110 within the channel defined by
guide element 54.
[0076] Roller 152 is rotatably mounted within the channel defined
by guide member 54 as roller shaft 150 passes through roller shaft
hole 102 and locates within roller mount 96. In this embodiment,
roller 152 has a length sufficient to extend across the width of
the channel defined by guide member 54. As such, roller 152 abuts
against first side 80 and second side 82 to reduce movement of
guide member 54 during use. Additionally, since roller 152 abuts
the sides 80, 82 of guide member 54, larger diameter portion 160 is
always in engagement with middle portion 114 of slider rail 110. It
will be appreciated that roller 152 may take various other forms
such as bearing rollers, or the like.
[0077] Roller 152 may be composed of various types of material,
such as by way of example and not by way of limitation, metal,
composites, plastics, and the like. In one embodiment, roller 152
is formed from a plastic material.
[0078] As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, gear mechanism 44 is adapted
to cooperate with slider rail 110. One embodiment of gear mechanism
44, illustrated in FIG. 7, includes a gear shaft 170 and a gear
172. Gear shaft 170 is sized to securely fit within gear holes 100
of guide member 54 with the aid of bushings 174, while being
capable of freely rotating within bushings 174. As depicted, in one
embodiment, gear shaft 170 has a generally cylindrical
configuration. Gear shaft 170 has a first end 180, a second end
182, and an intermediate portion 176 disposed there between. First
and second ends 180, 182, respectively, are shaped to allow driving
activation assemblies and timing mechanism to be engaged thereto.
As shown, in this embodiment, first and second ends 180, 182 are
generally square, while intermediate portion 176 is generally
cylindrical. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that
gear shaft 170, first and second ends 180, 182, respectively, and
intermediate portion 176 may have various other cross-sectional
configurations, such as by example and not limitation, hexagonal,
square, octagonal, triangular, oval, or the like. In another
embodiment, gear shaft 170 has a generally hexagonal form with two
cylindrical portions that cooperate with bushings 174 to allow free
rotation of gear shaft 170.
[0079] Gear 172 is adapted to cooperate with gear shaft 170. In one
embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, gear 172 has a generally cylindrical
form with a plurality of teeth 190 extending outwardly from a
surface thereof. Teeth 190 are configured to cooperate with slots
120 formed in slider rail 110, as shown in FIG. 8. Returning to
FIG. 7, gear 172 has an axial hole 192 that is sized to cooperate
with the dimensions of gear shaft 170. In this embodiment, axial
hole 194 has a generally cylindrical configuration, however,
various other cross-sectional shapes are possible as long as axial
hole 194 and intermediate portion 176 cooperate.
[0080] In addition, gear 172 has a retaining hole 194 that passes
through gear 172 and is sized to cooperate with a retaining hole
184 formed in gear shaft 170. As shown in FIG. 8, when gear 172 is
mounted on gear shaft 170, retaining holes 184, 194 align to
accommodate a securing pin (not shown). The securing pin (not
shown) prevents gear 172 from slipping relative to gear shaft 170
as gear shaft 170 rotates to extend or retract slide-out
compartment 30. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, gear shaft 170
and axial hole 192 may have complementary shapes such that the
complementary shape limits any slippage which might occur between
gear shaft 170 and axial hole 192. Retention clips 156 cooperate
with coinciding retaining grooves 198 formed in gear shaft 170 to
retain gear shaft 170 within gear shaft holes 100. As illustrated
in FIG. 8, gear 172 is disposed in the channel defined by guide
member 54 and extends into gap 90 between securing flanges 86, 88.
Teeth 190, therefore, engage with slots 120 of slider rail 110.
[0081] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that
various other configurations of gear mechanism 44 are capable of
performing the function thereof. For example, gear 172 may be
welded, brazed, or joined to gear shaft 170. In another embodiment,
gear shaft 170 may include pinholes which accommodate split pins
that prevent gear shaft 170 from being retracted from gear shaft
holes 100. In another embodiment, gear shaft 170 may include two
gears 172 that cooperate with a slider rail having two sets of
slots. In still another embodiment, gear 172 may be retained on
gear shaft 170, solely through the combination of retaining hole
184, 194 and a securing pin. In yet another embodiment, gear shaft
150 is located through gear holes 100 that are located at second
end 126 of guide element 54.
[0082] Gear 172, gear shaft 170, and bushing 174, may be
manufactured from various types of material, such as by way of
example and not by way of limitation, metal, composites, plastics,
and the like. In one embodiment, gear 172, gear shaft 170, and
bushing 174, are fabricated from steel. While in this embodiment
gear 172, gear shaft 170, and bushings 174 are composed of the same
material, this is not required.
[0083] Referring back to FIG. 2, sliding system 40 is depicted in a
fully assembled and operational form. Support elements 50 are
coupled to guide members 54 such that guide members 54 rest upon
inner portions 62 of support elements 50. Simultaneously, the ends
of guide members 54 are attached to outer portions 60 of support
elements 50. Support elements 50 and guide members 54 combine to
form a square or rectangular base assembly 42.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 8, upon manufacture of base assembly 42,
gear mechanisms 44 are coupled to respective roller 152, such that
gear 172 is substantially centered within the channel defined by
guide member 54. It will be appreciated that when assembled, roller
152 is similarly centered within the channel defined by guide
element 54. Before slider rail 110 is attached, teeth 190 of gear
172 extend between securing flanges 86, 88, and await engagement
with slots 120 of slider rail 110.
[0085] Once slider rails 110 are fixably attached to slider
supports 112, slider rail 110 is located within the channel defined
by guide element 54 such that securing flanges 86, 88 of guide
element 54 contact securing members 116, 118 to retain slider 110.
In one embodiment, securing members 116, 118 cooperate with wear
guides 200 coupled to securing flanges 86, 88. Wear guides 200
separate securing flanges 86, 88 from securing members 116, 118.
Wear guides 200 minimize the effects of friction and reduce wear of
the securing flanges 86, 88 and securing members 116, 118. It will
be appreciated that wear guides 200 may be fabricated from various
materials such as plastics, or the like.
[0086] As securing members 116, 118 couple with securing flanges
86, 88, middle portion 114 of slider 110 extends through gap 90,
thereby allowing slots 120 to engage teeth 190 of gears 172. In
this configuration, teeth 190 of gear 172 remain in contact with
slots 120 of slider rail 110 throughout the life of sliding system
40. There is, therefore, no possibility of gear 172 disengaging
from slots 120 before, during, or after slide-out compartment 30 is
extended or retracted. This eliminates the problem with prior
sliding mechanisms and systems that disengage during travel of the
recreational vehicle, thereby requiring costly repairs and
maintenance.
[0087] During assembly, slider rail 110 is moved along the channel
defined by guide element 54 until the detached end of slider rails
110 extends out of guide channel 92. When this occurs, a second
slider support 112, depicted in FIG. 9, is attached to slider rail
110 to thereby form slider assembly 46. Slider supports 112 prevent
over extraction of slider rails 110 from the channel defined by
guide member 54, thereby preventing over extension of slide-out
compartment 30 during use.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 9, in one embodiment, sliding system 40
utilizes two gear mechanisms 44 located at first ends 124 of guide
members 54. The combination of gear mechanism 44 is considered the
gearing assembly of the present invention. It may be appreciated,
however, that the gearing assembly may comprise of various other
numbers of gear mechanism 44. Additionally, the location of each
gear mechanism 44 may be varied so that gear mechanism 44, and so
the gearing assembly, may be at any location along the length of
guide members 54.
[0089] The sliding system 40 as depicted herein encompasses
substantially all the structural support members, sliding members,
and driving elements within the interior confines of base assembly
42. As such, sliding system 40 of the present invention is compact
and has a height that is minimized to reduce the gap formed between
the camper's exterior walls and the slider rails 110 of sliding
system 40. By so doing, sliding system 40 reduces the area through
which wind, rain, sleet, and snow can infiltrate during use if
slide-out compartment 30.
[0090] Additionally, since all the components are attached to base
assembly 64, shown in FIG. 1, sliding system 40 is simple to
install on a camper, thereby reducing cost and time for fabricating
campers with slide-out compartments. Furthermore, sliding system 40
reduces the required space for apparatus and devices that extend
and retract slide-out compartments 30.
[0091] According to another aspect of the present invention, as
depicted in FIG. 9, gear shafts 170 of gear mechanism 44 are
connected by way of a timing assembly 205. Timing assembly 205
includes a drive shaft 210 and a retaining spring 212. Although
spring 212 is depicted as being on the right side of sliding system
40, it is contemplated that spring 212 could be on the left side
and have equal effectiveness. Drive shaft 210 has a generally
elongated form with a first end 214 and a second end 216. Each end
214, 216 of drive shaft 210 has a respective connector recess. One
embodiment of first connector recess 218 and second connector
recess 220 are depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. Connector recesses 218,
220 are adapted to cooperate with the respective ends of gear shaft
170. As shown in FIG. 10, first connector recess 218 has an
interior configuration having six facets formed therein. In
contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 11, second connector recess 220
has an interior configuration with twelve facets formed therein.
Each interior configuration is capable of cooperating with either
end of gear shaft 170. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the
art that various other configurations of timing assembly 205 are
possible. For example, timing assembly 205 could include two
retaining springs, one on each gear shaft 170 of this embodiment of
sliding system 40. In another example, timing assembly 205 is
capable of rotating either gear mechanism 44 on either side of
sliding system 40.
[0092] One feature of the present invention is the ability of drive
shaft 210 to be disengaged with respect to one gear shaft 170
attached to one guide element 54, while remaining engaged with a
second gear shaft 170 attached to a second guide element 54. In
this manner, the timing of sliding assembly 40 and gear mechanism
44 may be adjusted, thereby compensating for any misalignment
between slide-out compartment 30 and camper 18 and reducing any
binding and wearing of slider rails 110 and slide-out compartment
30.
[0093] To time sliding system 40, drive shaft 210 is pushed toward
gear shaft 170 having retaining spring 212 proximal thereto. As
retaining spring 212 depresses, second end 216 of drive shaft 210
disengages second connector recess 220 (FIG. 11) from a second gear
shaft 170. Upon being disengaged, drive shaft 210 may be rotated to
turn gear shaft 170, thereby modifying the starting position of
gear shaft 170. Upon achieving the desired rotation to time gear
shaft 170, drive shaft 210 is released and first connector recess
218 (FIG. 10) engages with gear shaft 170 as retaining spring 212
extends to an extended position.
[0094] This configuration also allows the user to compensate for
deviations in the squareness of slide-out compartment 30 and camper
18 because second connector recess 220 (FIG. 11) of drive shaft 210
has twelve facets as compared to first connector recess 218 (FIG.
10) which has six. That is, drive shaft 210 may be rotated in
increments of {fraction (1/12)}.sup.th of a complete rotation. It
will be appreciated that connector recesses 218, 220 may be formed
with a variety of different internal facets, thereby providing a
different number of increments of rotation.
[0095] To extend or retract slide-out compartment 30 it is
necessary to utilize an activation assembly, such as a manual
activation assembly or a motorized activation assembly. Slider
system 40 is configured to work with either one. A manual
activation assembly 230 is depicted in FIG. 9. Manual activation
assembly 230 includes a connector member 232 and a hand crank 234.
Hand crank 234 has a generally S-shaped form with a handle 236 at
one end thereof and a shaped connector end 238 distal thereto.
Shaped connector end 238 releasably couples to connector member
232. Connector member 232 has a first end 240 adapted to hook to
gear shaft 170 and a second end 242 that cooperates with shaped
connector end 238 of hand crank 234. As such, rotational movement
of hand crank 234 is translated along connector member 232 to gear
shaft 170.
[0096] Connector member 232 may have various lengths and
dimensions, so long as it is capable of cooperating with gear shaft
170 and hand crank 234. For example, connector member 232 may have
a length sufficient to pass through a portion of exterior walls 24,
26 of camper 18 to engage with gear shaft 170 on either side of
sliding system 40. Alternatively, connector member 232 may be
integrally formed with hand crank 234. Connector member 232 and
hand crank 234 may have various configurations as long as they are
capable of cooperating and can translate rotational motion to gear
shaft 170.
[0097] Alternative to, or in combination with manual activation
assembly 230, sliding system 44 may incorporate a motorized
activation assembly 250. One embodiment of which is illustrated in
FIG. 12. One embodiment of motorized activation assembly 250
includes a gear reduction assembly 252 and a motor 254. Motor 254
is engaged to gear reduction assembly 252. As schematically
depicted in FIG. 12, motor 254 includes a drive shaft 330 extending
from a body thereof. Motor 254 may take various forms such as an
electric, pneumatic, oil, gasoline, or the like. As such, one
skilled in the art can identify various types of motor that may be
utilized to rotate second end 292 of second gear 260, thereby
rotating gear shaft 170 to extend and retract slide-out compartment
30.
[0098] Gear reduction assembly 252 includes a connector plate 256,
a first gear 258, a second gear 260, and a connector box 266. In
one embodiment, connector plate 256 has a generally square shape
with a first aperture 268 and a second aperture 270 formed therein.
Connector plate 256 further includes a plurality of retaining holes
288 located about the peripheral edge of connector plate 256 that
cooperate with a plurality of fasteners (not shown) to allow
connector plate 256 to be coupled to guide member 54.
[0099] Cooperating with first aperture 268 is first gear 258. First
gear 258 has a first end 290 and a second end 292 with a plurality
of teeth 294 located therebetween. First end 290 is adapted to be
disposed within first apertures 268 of connector plate 256, while
second end 292 cooperates with connector box 266. First end 290
includes an interior recess 296 that engages with gear shaft 170,
such that rotational movement of first gear 258 rotates gear shaft
170. As such, interior recess 296 may have various forms and
dimensions, so long as it is capable of engaging with gear shaft
170.
[0100] Second gear 260 is engaged with both first gear 258 and
connector plate 256. Second gear 260 has a first end 300, an
elongated second end 302, and a plurality of teeth 304 disposed
therebetween. First end 300 cooperates with second aperture 270 of
connector plate 256, while second end 302 cooperates with connector
box 266. Second end 302 is further adapted to cooperate with motor
254 so that rotational motion induced by motor 254 is translated to
teeth 304 that are engaged with teeth 294 of first gear 258. Second
end 302 of second gear 260 may have various forms as known by one
skilled in the art.
[0101] In communication with second end 292 of first gear 258 and
second end 302 of second gear 260 is connector box 266. Connector
box 266 includes a body portion 280, a flange 282 mounted to body
portion 280, and a cam lever 332. Cam lever 332 is the only
component of a quick release arrangement 330 (FIG. 13) that is
visible. Attached to one end of body portion 280 is flange 282.
Flange 282, in one embodiment, has the same general configuration
as connector plate 250, i.e., includes a first aperture 268, a
second aperture 270, and a plurality of retaining holes 274 formed
about a periphery thereof. It will be appreciated by one skilled in
the art that connector box 266 may have various other
configurations, such as round, hexagonal, rectangular, octagonal,
trapezoidal, or the like. Additionally, connector box 266 may be
fabricated from various types of material, such as plastics,
composites, metals, or the like.
[0102] Body portion 280 of connector box 266 has a generally square
cross-section with an interior 281. Interior 281 of body portion
280 is adapted to accommodate structures described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/887,197 entitled "Quick Release Arrangement
for a Camper Jack System," the disclosure of which is incorporated
by this reference. Therefore, interior 281 includes quick release
arrangement 330 (FIG. 13) that connects and releases the driving
force of motor 254 to second end 302 of second gear 260.
[0103] FIG. 13 depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of
quick release arrangement 330. A coupler 334 having a bore 335
therethrough is adapted at a top end 336 to engage a lower end 338
of motor drive shaft 340. Motor drive shaft 340 is rotatable on its
longitudinal axis but is fixed against vertical movement within
body portion 280. Motor drive shaft 340 extends a short distance
from coupler 334 and passes through an opening surrounded by a
stationary flange 352 into a compartment for coupling with motor
254 in motor housing 255, such that motor drive shaft 340 is
directionally rotated by motor 254. Motor 254 resists movement in
an opposite direction to the motor's directional setting, and so
provides brake control as well as drive control to second end 302
of second gear 260.
[0104] Coupler 334 has a bottom end 342 adapted to slidably engage
second end 292 of second gear 260. Second gear 260 is also
rotatable on its longitudinal axis but is fixed against
longitudinal movement within connector box 266. Coupler 334 is
configured to securely engage motor drive shaft 340 and second end
302 of second gear 260 such that, when coupled, motor drive shaft
340 and second gear 260 rotate together through operation of motor
254. At the same time, coupler 334 is adapted to slide along the
longitudinal axis of motor drive shaft 340 and second end 302 of
second gear 260.
[0105] It will be appreciated that various means for affecting the
slidable engagement of coupler 334, motor drive shaft 340 and
second gear 260 could be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 15,
bore 335 through coupler 334 is configured to have notched corners
345 to thereby engage with comers 315 of the substantially
square-shaped second end 302 of second gear 260 and motor drive
shaft 340 such that coupled rotation will occur while still
permitting coupler 334 to slide longitudinally along motor drive
shaft 340 and second end 302 of second gear 260. To withstand the
torque generated by operation of motor 254, coupler 334 is
constructed of a strong and durable metal material. Alternatively,
in the event that quick release arrangement 330 is used with manual
activation assembly 230 or some other manual activation means that
do not generate as much torque, a very strong plastic or nylon
material could be used, if desired.
[0106] In addition to the notched comers 345 within bore 335 of
coupler 334, second end 302 of second gear 260 is configured to
have beveled edges 341 that correspond to beveled edges 343 formed
on a bottom end 342 of coupler 334 such that slidable engagement of
coupler 334 and second gear 260 is facilitated.
[0107] A spring 348 is positioned to bias coupler 334 to engage
with second end 302 of second gear 260. It will be appreciated that
various other means for effecting the spring bias force could be
used. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, flange 352 forms
the stop for a top end of spring 348, while a protruding shoulder
350 formed on coupler 334 forms a stop for the bottom end of spring
348. The biased coupler 334, in turn, is stopped by a cam member
354 pivotally supported within body portion 280 of connector box
266. Cam member 354 is connected to cam lever 332 on the outside of
connector box 266.
[0108] Cam member 354 is illustrated in the cammed orientation in
FIG. 13 and in the uncammed orientation in FIG. 14. FIGS. 16 and 17
show the relative positions of cam member 354 and second end 302 of
second gear 260 in, respectively, the cammed orientation and the
uncammed orientation. The relative position of cam lever 332 on the
exterior of connector box 266 is also illustrated in FIGS. 16 and
17.
[0109] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, when cam member 354 is pivoted
approximately 90.degree. into the cammed orientation, cam surface
356 is rotated towards motor drive shaft 340 as support surface 358
is rotated towards second end 302 of second gear 260. Since cam
surface 356 is farther than support surface 358 from the axis of
rotation of cam member 354, as cam member 354 pivots, cam surface
356 forces biased coupler 334 to be cammed against the spring bias
force and made to slide along motor drive shaft 340 and, thus, to
slide out of engagement with second gear 260. As shown in FIGS. 13
and 16, cam surface 356 ends up supporting coupler 334 at a
position slightly above second end 302 of second gear 260. In this
manner, motor 254 may be disconnected from gear mechanisms to allow
manual activation of sliding system 10, without any braking
occurring from motor 254.
[0110] Cam member 254 is configured to partially encircle second
gear 260 in both the cammed and uncammed orientation. When
uncammed, support surface 358 of cam member 354 is located slightly
below second end 302 of second gear 260 (FIGS. 13 and 16) such that
biased-coupler 334 is supported in the engaged position with second
gear 260. Thus, when cam member 354 is uncammed, the spring bias
force normally affects coupling of motor drive shaft 340 and second
gear 260 through coupler 334 such that both motor drive shaft 340
and second gear 290 are directionally driven, i.e., selectively
rotated in a forward or reverse direction, by motor (not
shown).
[0111] Since coupler 334 is biased by spring 348 to remain engaged
with second gear 260, the spring bias force must be overcome by the
pivoting cam member 354 to effect camming, i.e., disengagement of
second gear 260 from coupler 334. Spring tension is adjusted as,
for example, by selecting the thickness and flexibility of the
material forming spring 348, to ensure that inadvertent release,
i.e., inadvertent camming, due to normal vibration and jolting and
jarring and, especially, the normal vibration and bouncing and
bumping that occurs during travel of the camper, is prevented
because the spring bias force is not overcome by these occurrences.
On the other hand, when cam member 354 is in the cammed orientation
(FIG. 16), there is a slightly increased force on cam surface 358
applied by spring 348 that is tightened as coupler 334 was cammed.
Cam member 354 must be constructed to securely support coupler 334
in the cammed direction.
[0112] As best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in one embodiment, cam
member 354 is configured to have a rounded edge 360 between support
surface 358 and cam surface 356. Surfaces 356, 358 are smooth and
just slightly resilient to permit cam member 354 to smoothly pivot
along bottom end 342 of coupler 334. Suitable materials, e.g.,
moldable nylon and plastic materials, are known in the art. In one
embodiment, cam member 354 is constructed from a very strong but
resilient nylon or plastic material. One possible product is the
plastic known as DELRIN, a product of E.I. du Pont D Nemours &
Co., Inc. In addition, this material and similar materials are
readily available, moldable, durable and inexpensive. As best shown
in FIG. 16, cam surface 356 is configured to have a slight slope
362 toward rounded edge 360 between cam surface 356 and support
surface 358. If cam lever 332 is operated only partially, the force
of coupler 334 upon sloped surface of cam surface 356 will tend to
cause cam member 354 to "flip" back into the uncammed orientation.
In this manner, cam member 354 is prevented from resting in a
relatively unsafe position that is between the fully cammed
orientation and the fully uncammed orientation. When cam level 332
is operated fully, however, cam member 354 is very securely
positioned in the cammed orientation.
[0113] It will be appreciated that various means for pivotally
supporting cam member 354 within connector box 266 could be used. A
shown in FIG. 18, one embodiment of cam member 354 is adapted to be
added to connector box 266 that is previously unprepared for use
with quick release arrangement 330. Cam member 354 is formed with
receiving holes 370 for securely receiving a connecting end 372 of
cam lever 332 on one side and a bolttype connector 372 on the
opposite end. Bolt-type connector 374, in one embodiment, is made
of a sturdy smooth material such as hard nylon or plastic. It will
be appreciated that holes may be provided or may be made in
connector box 266 to correspond to receiving holes 370 and cam
member 354 may then be positioned within connector box 266 with
receiving holes 370 aligned with the holes in connector box 266.
The bolt-type connector 374 and connecting end 372 of cam lever 332
are passed through the holes in connector box 266 and into
respective receiving holes 370 to thereby provide the pivotally
supported cam member 354 of quick release arrangement 330. In
addition, for ease of removal of cam member 354, small access holes
376 are provided within cam member 354 to connect with receiving
holes 370 in a manner that permits the tip of a screwdriver or
other small object to be inserted into access holes 376 such that
the connecting end of cam lever 332 or bolt-type connector 374 may
be pushed out of engagement with the respective receiving hole 370.
In one embodiment, cam lever 332 and bolt-type connector 374 are
composed of a strong but resilient nylon or plastic material.
[0114] Quick release arrangement 330 of the present invention is
very safe. Since coupler 334 is biased by spring 348 to remain
engaged with second gear 260, the spring bias force must be
overcome by pivoting cam member 354 to effect camming, i.e.,
disengagement of second gear 260 from coupler 334. Therefore, only
rotational motion of cam lever 332 will overcome the spring bias
force and effect camming.
[0115] Referring again to FIG. 12, connector plate 256 and
connector box 266 maintain first gear 258 and second gear 260
within first aperture 268 and second aperture 270, respectively.
Connector plate 256 and connector box 266 are separated from each
other a predetermined distance through the combination of fasteners
310 and spacers 312. Fasteners 310 pass through retaining holes 274
in flange 282 and into spacers 312. Fasteners 310 extend into
retaining holes 274 in connector plate 250 that includes,
optionally, a threaded portion that engages with the threads of
fasteners 310. Alternatively, retaining holes 274 in connector
plate 250 are devoid of threads and fasteners 310 pass therethough
to attach to guide element (not shown). Various other means are
applicable for attaching connector plate 256 to connector box 266.
Additionally, there are various other means for attaching gear
reduction assembly 252 to guide element (not shown) or other
portion of sliding system 40. For example, gear reduction assembly
252 may be bolted, welded, brazed, glued, or integrally formed with
sliding system 40.
[0116] Both manual activation assembly 230 and motorized activation
assembly 250 are structures capable of performing function of
driving means for activating said gear mechanism to extend and
retract the slide-out compartment. Other structures that are
capable of performing the same function, in light of the teaching
contained herein, are known by one skilled in the art.
Additionally, the combination of manual activation assembly 230
and/or motorized activation assembly 250 with gear mechanism 44 is
one structure capable of performing the function of moving means
for extending and retracting the slide-out compartment. It will be
appreciated that various other moving means are capable of
performing the same function, and are known by one skilled in the
art.
[0117] Referring now to FIGS. 19A and 19B, a alternate embodiment
of a slider rail 380 is depicted. Slider rail 110, as previously
discussed above, supports the majority of the weight associated
with slide-out compartment 30, thereby acting as a load-bearing
member. When the size of slide-out compartment 30 increases,
however, slider rail 110 carries more load and requires
strengthening. One configuration that provides increased strength
to slider rail 110 is depicted as slider rail 380. The majority of
the features discussed with respect to slider rail 110 also relates
to slider rail 380. As shown, slider rail 380 includes a lower
slider rail 384 and an upper slider rail 386, thereby forming a
load-bearing member. Upper slider rail 382 and lower slider rail
384 are attached together at their respective middle portions 386,
388, thereby forming an I-beam structure. The I-beam construction,
as known in the art, is strong, rigid, and capable of providing the
necessary support.
[0118] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19B, a tubular member 390
may be fixably attached to slider rail 384, such that strength is
provided while retaining the capability of lower slider rail 384 to
engage with gear mechanisms 44. Tubular member 390 is depicted as
having a square cross-section, however, it can be appreciated that
one skilled in the art can identify various other cross-sectional
shapes that are appropriate, such as but not limited to, oval,
rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like.
[0119] Generally, it will be appreciated that various other
configurations of slider rail 380 are possible and other methods
may be used to increase the strength of slider rail 380.
[0120] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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