U.S. patent application number 11/259163 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for removable motor brake for use with vehicle slide out.
Invention is credited to Raymond Willis JR. Blodgett.
Application Number | 20060070829 11/259163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32397247 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060070829 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blodgett; Raymond Willis
JR. |
April 6, 2006 |
Removable motor brake for use with vehicle slide out
Abstract
A motor and brake assembly having a disengaging mechanism for
use with RV's are disclosed. The assembly includes a motor and a
disengaging mechanism that is mounted thereon. The disengaging
mechanism includes a motor mount comprised of a cylindrical piece
with a plurality of holes disposed on the periphery of an outer
flange of the cylindrical piece. The cylindrical piece extends over
the barrel of the motor and is secured to the barrel with a
pluralty of screws. Through manipulation of the cylindrical piece,
the user can selectively engage or disengage the brake from the
motor.
Inventors: |
Blodgett; Raymond Willis JR.;
(Norco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INSKEEP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP, INC
2281 W. 190TH STREET
SUITE 200
TORRANCE
CA
90504
US
|
Family ID: |
32397247 |
Appl. No.: |
11/259163 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10720324 |
Nov 21, 2003 |
6971489 |
|
|
11259163 |
Oct 25, 2005 |
|
|
|
60430425 |
Dec 2, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
188/158 ;
188/167; 188/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 7/1023 20130101;
B66F 3/08 20130101; B60P 3/39 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
188/158 ;
188/167; 188/216 |
International
Class: |
B60L 7/00 20060101
B60L007/00 |
Claims
1. A slide out system comprising: a sliding member disposed on a
nonmoving member to slide relative to said nonmoving member; a
motor to move said sliding member relative to said nonmoving
member; a mounting bracket attachable to said motor; said brake
housing selectively engageable with said mounting bracket, said
brake housing having an engagement member sized and shaped to lock
with said mounting bracket and thereby substantially prevent
relative rotational movement between said mounting bracket and said
brake housing when said mounting bracket and said brake housing are
engaged; and a motor brake disposed on said brake housing; a
retaining member connecting said brake housing to said mounting
bracket and maintaining said selective engagement of said brake
housing with said mounting bracket such that said brake housing is
movable between at least a first position where said motor brake
and said motor are engaged and a second position where said brake
and said motor are disengaged.
2. The slide out system of claim 1, wherein said retaining member
is an elongated flexible member.
3. The slide out system of claim 1, wherein said retaining member
is an elongated elastic member.
4. The slide out system of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket
includes a flange having an aperture positioned to receive said
engagement member.
5. The slide out system of claim 1, wherein said motor brake is
electrically actuated.
6. The slide out system of claim 1, wherein said motor brake can be
electrically actuated to selectively brake said motor when said
motor housing is in said first position.
7. The slide out system of claim 1, wherein said motor brake
includes a recess sized and shaped to receive a protruding drive
shaft member of said motor.
8. A releaseable brake system for a motorized slide out comprising:
a motor including an internal drive shaft; an external coupling
member located at an end of said internal drive shaft; a motor
brake assembly comprising an elongated rotation locking member
holding an electric brake and a retaining member connecting said
motor brake assembly to said motor; said electric brake including a
receptacle for receiving said external coupling member; wherein
said motor brake assembly includes a first position wherein said
elongated rotation locking member engages said motor so as to
prevent relative rotation between said motor and said motor brake
assembly and said receptacle of said electric brake receives said
external coupling member, and a second position wherein said
elongated rotation locking member disengages said motor from said
motor brake assembly so as to allow relative rotation between said
motor and said motor brake assembly and said receptacle of said
electric brake disengages said external coupling member.
9. The relaseable brake system of claim 8, wherein said retaining
member is configured to bias said motor brake assembly into said
first position.
10. The relaseable brake system of claim 8, wherein said motor
includes a motor bracket disposed on an external surface of said
motor.
11. The releaseable brake system of claim 8, wherein said elongated
rotation locking member is a locking pin sized to engage an
aperture in said motor.
12. The releaseable brake system of claim 8, further comprising a
second elongated rotation locking member.
13. The releaseable brake system of claim 8, further comprising a
second retaining member.
14. A method of manually releasing an electric motor brake for a
slide out system comprising: providing an electric motor brake
mounted and retained at an end of a motor to electrically lock and
unlock said motor from operation; moving said electric motor brake
away from said end of said motor while retaining a connetion
between said electrical brake to said motor; maintaining said
electric motor brake away from said end of said motor.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said providing an electric
motor brake mounted and retained at an end of a motor and
configured to electrically lock and unlock said motor from
operation further comprises retaining said electric motor brake
with a biasing member.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein moving said electric motor
brake away from said end of said motor while retaining a connection
between said electrical brake to said motor further comprises
moving a locking pin out of engagement with an aperture on said
motor.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein said providing an electric
motor brake mounted and retained at an end of a motor and
configured to electrically lock and unlock said motor from
operation further comprises preventing rotation of said electric
motor brake relative to said motor.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein said maintaining said electric
motor brake away from said end of said motor further comprises
rotating said electric motor brake to prevent engagement with said
motor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/430,425 filed on Dec. 2, 2002 entitled
Removable Motor Brake For Use With Vehicle Slide Out, the contents
of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A large number of recreational vehicles and recreational
trailers (collectively "RV's") currently include compartments that
are moved outwardly from the walls of the RV so as to expand the
internal living space of the RV. These compartments are typically
referred to as slide-outs. It is not uncommon for such slide-outs
to substantially enlarge a bedroom or a kitchen area of the RV.
[0003] Many of the slide-outs are operated on the RV with an
electric motor that is connected to the structural framework of the
slide-out. When energized, the motor causes the framework to move
along a guide or pathway until the framework extends to its fullest
extension, at which point the motor is then deenergized.
[0004] Such motors typically include a brake mechanism as an
integral part of the motor such that when the motor ceases its
operation, the brake automatically engages the slide-out so as to
ensure no further movement of the framework of the slide-out. The
engagement of this brake, however, can pose problems to the user in
those instances when the motor inadvertently fails or in the event
electrical power to the motor is unexpectedly interrupted. In those
circumstances, the user may desire to move the slide-out manually
but will be unable to do so unless the brake is first disengaged.
As a result, there is a need for a manual mechanism that enables
the user to quickly and easily disengage the brake from the motor
so that the user may then manually move the slide-out.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with this need, the present invention
contemplates a motor and brake assembly described in preferred
embodiments below. The assembly includes a motor and a disengaging
mechanism that is mounted thereon.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
slide-out motor brake which may be manually disengaged.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an inexpensive motor brake which may be easily and reliably
disengaged.
[0008] These and other objects not specifically enumerated here
that are achieved by the present invention will become evident as
more fully described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of a disassembled motor brake according to the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the brake assembly according to the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the disengaged motor brake of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the motor brake of the present invention mounted
within a typical slide-out assembly;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the motor brake slide-out gearing of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the motor brake slide-out gearing coupled to the
motor of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a preferred
embodiment of the of the slide-out assembly and motor brake of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a preferred
embodiment of the movable ram gearing of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is depicted. A braking motor assembly 100 is made up of a
slide-out motor 102 and a removable braking assembly 130. The motor
power cables 126 extend out the backside of the slide-out motor
102, to a control switch and power supply (not shown). A motor key
104 is located on the backside of motor 102, near the motor power
cables 126. The motor key 104 is coupled to the drive shaft within
the motor. As the motor is energized, the drive shaft rotates. And
as the drive shaft rotates, so does the motor key 104.
[0018] A variety of motors may be used, so long as the motor is
capable of driving the slide-out mechanism on the vehicle and so
long as it has a drive shaft coupled to a motor key. The key serves
as an engagement surface for said external brake.
[0019] The brake assembly 130 is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
A preferred embodiment includes a motor mount 108, a brake housing
110, and a motor brake 107. An exemplary motor brake 107 for use in
a preferred embodiment is a brake manufactured by Steams a division
of Rexnord Industries of Wisconsin, model number #b 130 OBJY2.
[0020] The motor mount 108 is a cylindrical member having a
plurality of screw holes disposed on the periphery of the
cylindrical member. The cylindrical member extends over the barrel
of the motor 102, as best seen in FIG. 3. Mounting screws 114 screw
into the plurality of screw holes and further into the barrel of
the motor 102, securing the motor mount 108 to the motor.
[0021] The brake housing 110 has a cylindrical shape, fitting over
both the motor 102 barrel and the motor mount 108. The brake
housing 110 locks to the motor mount 108 by multiple locking pins
116 which extend through pin holes 128 in the flange of motor mount
108. The motor mount 108 and brake housing 110 are further secured
together by the force of springs 112 which, when attached to the
flanges of each member are held in tension, thus compressing the
motor mount 108 and the brake housing 110 together.
[0022] The motor brake 107 can best be seen in FIG. 1 with a key
hole 106 and brake power wires 124 extending out the back. The
motor brake 107 is mounted to the interior of brake housing 110 by
mounting bolts 120 and mounting nuts 122.
[0023] When assembled, motor key 104 is received into key hole 106
of the motor brake 107. When the motor 102 is unenergized, the
brake 107 defaults to the locked position, preventing the key hole
106 from rotational movement and thus preventing movement of the
motor drive shaft. As a result, the slide-out mechanism is
prevented from movement. When the motor 102 is energized, the motor
brake 107 is caused to unlock, thus allowing the keyhole 106 to
freely rotate with the rotation of the key 104. This then allows
free rotation of the motor drive shaft so as to move the slide-out
mechanism inwardly or outwardly from the vehicle. In summary, so
long as the key 104 is engaged in the key hole 106 of the motor
102, the state of the brake 107 will then dictate whether the
slide-out mechanism can be moved by the drive shaft of the motor
102.
[0024] Brake assembly 130 may be positioned in an engaged and
disengaged position. FIG. 2 illustrates the brake assembly 130 in
an engaged position and shows that the engaged position is achieved
when the locking pins 116 are positioned within the pin holes 128
in the motor mount 108, preventing rotation of the brake housing
110. In this engaged position, the key 104 of the motor 102 will be
engaged within the key hole 106 of the brake 107.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the unengaged position of this
embodiment. The brake assembly 130 is disengaged by manually
pulling the brake housing 110 directly away from the motor mount
108 until the locking pins 116 are completely removed from the pin
holes 128. The brake housing 110 is then rotated in either
direction. Such rotation prevents the brake assembly from moving
back to the engaged position, since the pins 116 and the pin holes
128 are no longer aligned. This movement of the brake assembly 130
also disengages the key hole 106 of the motor brake 107 from the
motor key 104 of the motor 102, thus resulting in free rotation of
the drive shaft of the motor 102.
[0026] Many slide-out mechanisms operate in a fashion similar to
the mechanism described herein. Generally these mechanisms have
sliding members that slide back and forth on nonmoving members or
vehicle structural supports. A slide-out room secures to these
moving members, allowing for extension and retraction from the main
body of the vehicle.
[0027] FIGS. 4 through 7 illustrate a preferred embodiment of such
a slide-out mechanism 200 mentioned above. Outer structural members
208 support most of the load of a slide-out room (not shown), while
inner structural member 206 provides a mounting area for the
braking motor assembly 100. This mounting area can best be seen in
FIG. 5 where the motor 102 has been removed to show a drive gear
212 and a shaft gear 210, as well as in FIG. 6 where a motor gear
housing 207 encloses this gearing while securing the braking motor
assembly 100.
[0028] The slide-out room (not shown) sits on a top surface of
sliding rams 204, being further fastened to each ram 204 with
bolts. The rams 204, in turn, are slidably coupled to the top side
of the outer structural members 204, extending a substantial length
of each. Thus, the rams 204 allow a slide-out room to easily extend
out from the main body of a vehicle.
[0029] A present preferred embodiment of the slide-out mechanism is
driven by the braking motor assembly 100, mounted to the inner
structural member 206. The braking motor assembly 100 drives the
entire slide-out mechanism 200 from the inner structural member 206
by a series of distribution gears and shafts.
[0030] Beginning with the braking motor assembly 100, the drive
shaft of motor 102 is coupled to drive gear 212. Drive gear 212
meshes with shaft gear 210, located on the cross shaft 202. The
cross shaft 202 is responsible for transferring the rotational
energy of the motor 102 to each of the sliding rams 204. Rotational
movement is further transferred to the cross shaft 202 since the
shaft gear 210 is mounted around the cross shaft 202.
[0031] The cross shaft 202 is rotatably mounted within both the
outer structural members 208 and inner structural member 206. As
the cross shaft 202 rotates, it drives ram gear 216, as best seen
in FIG. 8. Positioned underneath the sliding ram 204 is ram gear
216, allowing the gear to mesh with ram gear track 214. The ram
gear track 214 extends the length of the underside of each sliding
ram and in this manner allows the ram gear 216 to move the sliding
ram 204 and thus the slide-out room to an extended or retracted
position.
[0032] Another popular slide-out mechanism design can be seen in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,073, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference. It is understood that the present
invention may utilize a variety of different slide-out mechanisms
as long as they are motorized or are capable of becoming
motorized.
[0033] A disengaging mechanism of the preferred embodiment operates
as follows: In the event the user determines that the motor 102 is
not usable (e.g. loss of power, motor failure, etc.) and the brake
107 must be disengaged, the user simply pulls on the brake housing
110 (against the force of the springs 112) in a direction away from
the motor 102 until the motor key 104 on the drive shaft of the
motor disengages the brake keyhole 106 of the brake 107. After
pulling a certain distance, the pins 116 will be withdrawn from
their corresponding pin hole 128 in the flange of the motor mount
108. Next, the user will rotate the brake housing 110 a sufficient
distance (either clockwise or counter clockwise) so that neither
the brake key hole 106 nor the elongated pins 116 are in alignment
with the motor key 104 and pin holes 128 respectively.
[0034] The user then releases the grip on the brake housing 110
causing the tip of the pin 116 to engage the flange on the motor
mount and thereby preventing the brake assembly 130 from reengaging
with the motor 102. With the motor 102 now being free from the
brake 107, the user then is able to manually move the slide-out
framework without further resistance from the motor brake.
[0035] The user reengages the brake assembly 130 by again pulling
the brake housing 110 (against the force of the springs 112) in a
direction away from the motor 102 until the locking pins 116 no
longer apply pressure to the flange of motor mount 108. The user
then rotates the brake housing 110 until the locking pins 116 are
once again aligned with their corresponding pin holes 128. Next,
the user releases the brake assembly 130, allowing locking pins 116
to enter the corresponding pin holes 116 and brake housing 110 to
move closer to motor mount 108. As the brake housing 110 moves
closer to the motor 102, the motor brake 107 also moves closer to
the motor 102 until key hole 106 reengages with key 104. Once the
key hole 106 has reengaged with key 106, braking motor assembly 100
once again operates as mentioned above, allowing the brake 107 to
lock the motor 102 when the motor 102 is powered down, thus locking
the slide-out room in place when not being extended or
withdrawn.
[0036] Although the invention has been described in terms of
particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in
the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional
embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of
or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is
to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are
proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the
invention and should not be construed to limit the scope
thereof.
* * * * *