Abstract:
A slide-out mechanism for a vehicle is provided to extend a slide-out section of a vehicle such as a motorhome, fifth-wheel RV, utility vehicle, etc. The slide-out section is dropped after being driven outward from the vehicle over a predetermined distance. The slide-out mechanism is provided to expand the slide-out section outward in a level manner, i.e., without tilting or angling the slide-out section, and to drop the inside and outside ends of the slide-out section at approximately the same time, thereby enabling the slide-out section to expand outwards to its fullest extent and to attain a flush alignment between the floors of the stationary main floor and the moveable slide-out section floor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/520,241, filed Nov. 14, 2003, and is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______, filed concurrently herewith and entitled “SINGLE OR DUAL FLUSH FLOOR UPPER DECK SLIDE-OUT”, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/519,976, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to vehicles with moveable room sections, and more particularly, relates to a slide-out mechanism that moves the moveable room section in a controlled manner from a retracted position relative to a main housing of the vehicle to an extended position where the moveable room protrudes beyond the main housing.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Conventional recreational vehicles (RV) are available in a number of different types depending upon the size requirements and other desires of the purchaser. For example, the purchaser or user can select an RV that is motorized and can be driven by itself or one can be selected that requires a tow vehicle to tow the RV. Consumers increasingly want additional, increased interior room and also want to be provided with additional options available with the RV. One option that has found increasing commonality in the recent years is the incorporation of one or more slide-out sections into the RV. The slide-out sections are part of an automated system where the user simply activates the system resulting in the slide-out section extending outward from an exterior wall of the RV. The slide-out section in its extended position thus increases the overall available interior space. Slide-out sections can be incorporated into any number of different types of RVs including motor homes and fifth wheel trailer type RVs.  
         [0004]     With respect to a fifth wheel type RV, the upper deck portion is typically used as a living area and therefore, the incorporation of a slide-out section in the upper deck portion is desirable since it results in an increase in the available space for use as a living area. However, it is difficult to incorporate conventional slide-out mechanisms into the upper deck of a fifth wheel trailer. In conventional recreational vehicles, the operating mechanism is stored in the front or rear section of the slide-out mechanism. However, in the case of a slide-out mechanism in the upper deck, the operating mechanism would be blocked by the fifth wheel if the slide-out mechanism was placed in front. Access to the operating mechanism would be difficult since it would be necessary to remove the fifth wheel to access the operating mechanism. Thus, these constraints make it difficult for the slide-out mechanism to be incorporated into the fifth wheel section.  
         [0005]     In conventional recreational vehicles, the slide-out mechanism is many times incorporated above the floor of the vehicle since it is difficult to integrate the slide-out mechanism into the chassis. It is also difficult to integrate the slide-out mechanism into the chassis in a way that maintains a pleasing appearance for the vehicle. As a result, the slide-out mechanism is typically placed above the floor location; however, by incorporating the slide-out mechanism above the floor of the upper deck, the amount of available interior space in the upper deck decreases and thus, it is somewhat counterproductive to place the mechanism at this location.  
         [0006]     Conventional recreational vehicles typically include slide-out mechanisms with one or two arms that are the drive means for driving the slide-out section. However, slide-out mechanisms including only one arm provide limited support and are less stable. For slide-out mechanisms including multiple arms, the movement of the arms must be synchronized. Arms that are not synchronized cause the slide-out section to be misaligned during expansion which can damage the slide-out mechanism and spoil the outward appearance of the vehicle.  
         [0007]     A conventional recreational vehicle with a slide-out mechanism also typically includes a main floor section and a moveable floor section. In the retracted position, the moveable floor sections lie on top of the main floor section. In the extended position, the moveable floor sections slide outward with respect to the main floor section. However, the height differential between the moveable floor sections and the main floor sections creates a step that is a potential safety hazard and detracts from the appearance of the room.  
         [0008]     Conventional recreational vehicles with slide-out mechanisms typically include a slide-out mechanisms that slides the moveable floor section at an angle as the slide-out section is extended away from the vehicle. Therefore, in the extended position, the moveable floor section has gradually dropped to create a “flush floor” with the main floor section. However, sliding the moveable floor section at an angle causes the slide-out room to tilt until it is level at the extended or retracted positions.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     Thus, it is one object of the present invention to provide a slide-out mechanism for the upper deck that is integrated into the chassis, has excellent structural integrity, and has at least three arms that are synchronized when the mechanism is actuated and the arms are extended. The slide-out mechanism also provides an aesthetically attractive appearance in its extended and retracted positions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a slide-out mechanism with a moveable room section whose floor is aligned flush with the floor of the stationary room section without causing the slide-out room to tilt as it moves between the retracted and extended positions.  
         [0010]     The aforementioned objects are achieved by providing a slide-out mechanism for a vehicle to extend and retract at least one slide-out section relative to a frame of the vehicle. The slide-out section has a floor and is configured for incorporation into a chassis of the vehicle and includes (a) a frame; (b) a plurality of movable arms supported by the frame and having ends that are securely coupled to the floor of the slide-out section, wherein at least one of the movable arms is a drive arm; and (c) drive means coupled to an intermediate section of the drive arm for driving the drive arm in a first direction for extending the movable arm outwardly from the frame resulting in the slide-out section being driven to an extended position and a second direction for retracting the movable arm toward the frame resulting in the slide-out section being driven to a retracted position.  
         [0011]     It will be appreciated that the present slide-out mechanism can be incorporated into a chassis associated with any number of different types of vehicles, such as motor homes or a trailer type vehicle.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, a fifth wheel type recreational vehicle is provided and including a main cabin portion and an upper deck portion having a chassis that supports a stationary base floor and a slide-out section that includes a floor and selectively extends from an exterior surface when actuated for increasing an interior space of the upper deck portion. The vehicle includes a slide-out mechanism for selectively moving the slide-out section between a retracted position and an extended position, with the mechanism being nested within receiving features that are formed in the chassis so as to couple the mechanism to the chassis. The mechanism is disposed underneath the stationary base floor and includes: (a) a frame that is securely attached to the chassis; (b) at least three hollow support members that have first ends that are securely coupled to the frame and second ends that are nested within the receiving features of the chassis, with at least one of the hollow support members having an elongated slot formed in a face thereof; (c) at least three arms that are slidably received within the hollow support members with each having one end thereof that is securely connected to the overlying floor of the slide-out section such that movement of the arm is translated into movement of the arms is translated into movement of the floor of the slide-out section, wherein at least of the arms is a drive arm; (d) a drive device that is selectively operable and includes an elongated drive piston that extends through the elongated slot and is coupled at one end to a medial region of the drive arm; wherein extension of the drive piston is translated into extension of the drive arm outwardly beyond the chassis resulting in the slide-out section moving from a retracted position where it overlies the stationary floor to an extended position where the floor of the slide-out section is substantially flush with the stationary floor and when the drive piston is retracted, the drive arm is likewise retracted causing the slide-out section to be drawn back to the retracted position; and (e) a ramp structure that cooperates with the stationary floor and is coupled to the chassis to permit the floor of the slide-out section to ride down the ramp structure as the floor is moved from the retracted position to the extended position and vice versa when the floor is driven back to the retracted position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of the illustrative embodiments of the invention wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements and in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fifth wheel RV with slide-out section in the upper deck according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an upper deck portion of a chassis and a slide-out mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a slide-out mechanism mounted onto an upper deck portion of the chassis according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view taken along line  4  of  FIG. 2  showing the connection between a stub on a side frame member and a rear support member;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway view taken along line  5  of  FIG. 2  showing wear tabs positioned on a rear support member;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2  of a middle telescoping arm in the retracted position inside a middle support member;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a middle telescoping arm moving to the extended position inside a middle support member;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the interior space of a fifth wheel RV when a slide-out section is in the retracted position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the interior space of a fifth wheel RV when a slide-out section is in the extended position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway view taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8  of a moveable floor when a slide-out section is in the retracted position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cutaway view taken along the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9  of a moveable floor when a slide-out section is in the extended position;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a center support sub-assembly of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a passive support sub-assembly of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a center support sub-assembly and a rack-and-pinion mechanism of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a gear mechanism of the rack-and-pinion mechanism of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a cutaway side view of the center support sub-assembly and the rack-and-pinion mechanism of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a middle arm and middle support member of the center support sub-assembly of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 18  is a local perspective view of a slide-out mechanism according to another embodiment shown in combination with a vehicle frame;  
         [0032]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18  showing a movable arm supported by a roller assembly that assists in dropping the arm into a flush arrangement with a floor of the vehicle;  
         [0033]      FIG. 20  is a local exploded perspective view of the roller assembly taken at arrow  20  of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of the slide-out mechanism of  FIG. 18  with the movable arm in a retracted position;  
         [0035]      FIG. 22  is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along the line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 18  showing a ramp of the movable arm;  
         [0036]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the movable arm;  
         [0037]      FIG. 24  is a detailed perspective view taken at arrow  24  of  FIG. 24  illustrating a rear roller assembly;  
         [0038]      FIG. 25  is a side elevation view of the slide-out mechanism of  FIG. 18  with the movable arm in the extended position; and  
         [0039]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18  showing the movable arm supported by the roller assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one exemplary recreational vehicle (RV)  100 . There are a number of different type of RVs that are available to a user depending upon a particular individual&#39;s needs, desires and wishes. For example, one type of RV is a motor home that is a self-contained motorized RV that looks something like a bus and is often referred to as a “coach”. This type of RV includes a number of different rooms and amenities that can provide superior comfort. Another type of RV is a travel trailer that is designed to be towed by a vehicle having hitch equipment for securely mating with the frame of the tow vehicle. Yet another type of RV is called a fifth wheel trailer (often referred to as a “fifth wheel”) which is a trailer that is designed to be towed by a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, that is equipped with a special hitch in a bed portion of the tow vehicle.  FIG. 1  illustrates a fifth wheel type RV  100 ; however, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to fifth wheel type RVs but rather it can be incorporated into other types of RVs, including those mentioned above. The fifth wheel type RV  100  is easily distinguished by its neck portion  110 , which is also called an upper deck portion of the RV  100 , that is formed at the front of the RV  100 . Often times, this upper deck portion  110  houses a living room. To the rear of the upper deck portion  110 , a main cabin or housing  120  is provided and extends completely to the rear of the RV  100  and typically includes additional rooms, such as a master bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, etc. A door  122  for entering the interior of the main cabin  120  is provided in this section.  
         [0041]     In most, if not all, of the RVs mentioned above, one or more slide-out sections  130  can be provided which, when extended, provide an increased amount of interior space. For example, the exemplary fifth wheel RV  100  of  FIG. 1  has at least one and preferably two slide-out sections  130  which are controllably movable from a retracted position to an extended position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for the purpose of increasing the available interior space of the RV  100 . By actuating a slide-out mechanism, described in greater detail hereinafter, one or more sections of an exterior wall  132  of the RV can be extended away from the surrounding exterior wall. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slide-out section  130  contains not only the exterior wall section  132  but also has a pair of side walls  134  as well as a roof section  136 . One or more windows  140  can be incorporated into the slide-out section  130  as well. In order to provide a seal against the elements in both the retracted and extended positions, a skirt  150  can be provided around the exterior wall section  132  and a seal element  160  can be provided around the opening formed in the surrounding exterior wall that permits the extension and retraction of the slide-out section  130 . When the slide-out section  130  is retracted, the skirt  150  preferably is in intimate contact with the seal element  160  to effectively seal the interior of the RV  100 . The seal element  160  can be formed of any number of conventional sealing materials, such as a suitable insulation, etc. In addition, another seal element (not shown) can be provided on an underside of the skirt  150 .  
         [0042]     Below the upper deck portion  110  toward the front of the RV  100 , a storage compartment  124  can be provided. The interior of the storage compartment  124  can be accessed via a door  126  provided at the front or on one or both of the sides of the storage compartment  124 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the RV  100  includes a structural frame in the form of a chassis  200  that supports the upper deck portion  110  and the main cabin  120 . The chassis  200  includes an upper deck portion  210  and a main cabin portion (not shown). The upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  supports the upper deck portion  110  of the RV  100 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a slide-out mechanism  300  which is mounted onto and incorporated into the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200 , and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the slide-out mechanism  300  mounted onto the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slide-out mechanism  300  helps to enable the slide-out section  130  of the RV  100  to move between the retracted position and the extended position shown in  FIG. 1 . The slide-out mechanism  300  of the present invention, however, is not limited to being placed in the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  and can be used in combination with slide-out sections  130  in other areas of the RV  100 , such as in the main cabin  120 . The upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  is constructed in a conventional manner in that it includes a plurality of structural support members  212  that are arranged and coupled to one another to provide a support platform for the upper deck portion  110  of the RV  100 . For example, the upper deck portion  210  can include side frame members  214  that are spaced apart from one another; end frame members  216 ; and a plurality of cross support member  218  that are securely coupled at their ends to the side frame members  214 . Each of the side frame members  214  includes a plurality of spaced notches  219  formed therein at pre-selected locations. The function of the notches  219  will be described hereinafter. The notches  219  can be formed to have any number of shapes and according to the illustrated embodiment, the notches  219  are U or C-shaped in construction. The number of notches  219  will vary on the construction of the slide-out mechanism  300  and in one exemplary embodiment (as illustrated), there are three notches  219  in each of the side frame members  214  with one notch  219  being axially aligned with one corresponding notch  219  on the other side frame member  214 . The frame members of the chassis  200  are typically metal support beams that can be solid or hollow in construction.  
         [0045]     The slide-out mechanism  300  functions as a mechanical drive mechanism for causing the controlled extension and retraction of the slide-out sections  130 . The slide-out mechanism  300  can be configured to drive a single slide-out section  130  or it can be configured to drive two slide-out sections  130  as in the illustrated embodiment, and thus can be referred to as a dual slide-out drive mechanism.  
         [0046]     The slide-out mechanism  300  includes a base frame  310  is complementary to the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  so that the base frame  310  can be mated therewith, resulting in the frame  310  being supported by the upper deck portion  210 . The base frame  310  is securely attached to the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  using conventional techniques, such as a welding process where the interfaces between the two are securely welded to one another. In other words, welds are formed, for example, between the surfaces of the chassis  200  (upper deck portion  210 ) and the frame  310  which are in contact.  
         [0047]     The exemplary frame  310  has a square shape (box) or can be rectangular shaped and is formed of a front frame member  312 , two side frame members  314 , and a rear frame member  316 . The frame members  312 ,  314 ,  316  are connected at their ends to each other so as to form a rigid support frame and typically, the frame members  312 ,  314 ,  316  are formed of metal materials and can either be solid or hollow in construction. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the frame members  312 ,  314 ,  316  is a hollow member with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and therefore, can be thought of as tubular support member. It will be appreciated that the frame members  312 ,  314 ,  316  can be formed in any number of different shapes so long as the members  312 ,  314 ,  316  are compatible with the upper deck portion  210  of the frame  200 .  
         [0048]     The frame  310  further includes a plurality of cross support members, namely, two front support members  320 , two middle support members  330 , and two rear support members  340 . Each front support member  320  includes a first end  321  and a second end  322 ; the middle support member  330  includes a first end  331  and a second end  332 ; and the rear support member  340  includes a first end  341  and a second end  342 . The support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are very similar, if not identical, to one another and they have substantially identical outer dimensions and lie parallel to each other when they are coupled to the side frame members  314 .  
         [0049]     The two front support members  320  are positioned proximate to each other toward the front frame member  312  at the front of the frame  310 , and the two rear support members  340  are positioned proximate to each other toward the rear frame member  316  at the rear of the frame  310 . The front support members  320  are preferably substantially identical to the rear support members  340 . The middle support members  330  are coupled to one another and are positioned side-by-side near the middle of the frame  310 .  
         [0050]     The support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are generally hollow members that receive a plurality of telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 , respectively, as described below. The first ends  321 ,  331 ,  341  of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are slidably connected to one of the side frame members  314  such that while the first ends  321 ,  331 ,  341  are securely coupled thereto, the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are permitted a limited degree of travel. For example, an inner surface of the side members  314  can include a plurality of spaced protrusions, posts or stubs  318  that are received with the first ends  321 ,  331 ,  341 . The protrusions  318  thus have a complementary shape and are dimensioned so that they can be received within the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340 . Thus, the illustrated protrusions  318  have a generally rectangular or square cross-section.  
         [0051]     The plurality of telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are mounted at positions spaced apart along the length of the side frame members  314 . Front telescoping arms  350  and rear telescoping arms  370  are slidably supported within the front support members  320  and the rear support members  340 , respectively. The front telescoping arms  350  are substantially identical to the rear telescoping arms  370 . A middle telescoping arm  360  is slidably supported within the middle support member  330 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame members  312 ,  314 ,  316 , the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  and the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are tubular, as shown in  FIGS. 1-11 .  
         [0052]     The front telescoping arm  350  includes a first end  351  and a second end  352 ; the middle telescoping arm  360  includes a first end  361  and a second end  362 ; and the rear telescoping arm  370  includes a first end  371  and a second end  372 . The telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  have substantially identical outer dimensions since the inner dimensions of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are substantially identical. The first ends  351 ,  361 ,  371  of the telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are free to slide within their respective support members  320 ,  330 ,  340 . The second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  extend beyond the second ends of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340 .  
         [0053]     The support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  and telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are aligned such that their length in the longitudinal direction is parallel to the direction of expansion or retraction of the slide-out section  130  across the width of the RV  100 . The telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are configured so that three arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are capable of extending telescopically from each of the sides of the frame  310  when the mechanism  300  is actuated as described below.  
         [0054]     The second ends  322 ,  332 ,  342  of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are disposed within the plurality of notches  319  in the frame  310  and the plurality of notches  219  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) in the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200  when the slide-out mechanism  300  is securely mounted to the chassis  200 . In other words, and as will be described herein, the notches  319  in the frame  310  are substantially aligned with the notches  219  in the chassis  200  when the slide-out mechanism  300  is incorporated into the chassis  200 .  
         [0055]     The notches  219 ,  319  are formed in a U-shape and are cut away from the top surface of the side frame members  314  and the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200 . Each notch  219 ,  319  has dimensions which are slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  to permit a snug fit therebetween. The support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  sit and slide inside the notches  219 ,  319 . The notches  219 ,  319  are positioned so that the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are aligned with the direction of expansion or retraction of the slide-out section  130  of the RV  100 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view taken along circle  4  of  FIG. 2  showing the connection between the rear support member  340  and the stub  318  on the side frame member  314 . The first ends  321 ,  331 ,  341  of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are slidably coupled to one of the side frame members  314  via the stubs  318 . The stub  318  is fastened to the inward-facing vertical surface of the side frame member  314  by a method such as welding or the stub  318  can be formed integral thereto as during a molding process. The stub  318  can be formed solid or tubular.  
         [0057]     Each of the side frame members  314  includes two stubs  318  on the inward-facing vertical surface thereof. The stubs  318  are coupled to and aligned with the front support members  320  and rear support members  340 . The outer dimensions of the stub  318  are slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the front support members  320  and rear support members  340  so that the first ends  321 ,  341  of the front and rear support members  320 ,  340  fit around the stub  318 . This coupling forms a sliding connection that allows the front and rear support members  320 ,  340  to slide with respect to the stub  318  and the frame  310 . This sliding motion is limited by the length of the stub  318 . This sliding connection is formed between the first ends  321 ,  341  of the front and rear support members  320 ,  340  to the respective side frame members  314  via the stubs  318 . Thus, since the front and rear support members  320 ,  340  are not fixedly attached to the frame  310 , the front and rear support members  320 ,  340  are able to find their equilibrium by sliding freely with respect to the frame  310 , thereby increasing the stability of the structure.  
         [0058]     In one embodiment of the present invention, wear tabs  380  are provided on the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  and the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  to facilitate movement of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  inside the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  and to protect the inside surfaces of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  and the outside surfaces of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 .  FIG. 5  is a cutaway view taken along circle  5  of  FIG. 2  showing wear tabs  380  positioned on the rear support member  340 .  
         [0059]     Openings  324 ,  334 ,  344  for fastening the wear tabs  380  are disposed on the top and side surfaces of the respective second ends  322 ,  332 ,  342  of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  that protrude from the frame  310 . Wear tabs  380  are also fastened to openings (not shown) provided on the top and side surfaces of the first ends  351 ,  361 ,  371  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 . Therefore, wear tabs  380  are provided on each of the interfaces between the top and side surfaces where the first ends  351 ,  361 ,  371  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  slide inside the respective support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  and where the second ends  322 ,  332 ,  342  of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  support the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  as they slide therein. Each wear tab  380  is positioned to contact the inner surface of the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  and the outer surface of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370 . The wear tabs  380  are positioned only on the upper and side interfaces between the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  and the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  to help to protect the opposing surfaces of the support members and arms against damage, such as by scratching or abrasion, to the opposing surfaces of the arm and the support member.  
         [0060]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2  of one middle telescoping arm  360  in a retracted position inside one middle support member  330 . The first end  331  of each middle support member  330  is fixedly supported by one side frame member  314 , e.g., by welding, and is slidably supported by the notches  319  on the other side frame member  314  and by the notches  219  in the chassis  200 . The two middle support members  330  are attached to each other in the middle of the frame  310  between the front support members  330  and the rear support members  340 .  
         [0061]     Each of the middle support members  330  includes a vertical surface or face  335  that faces away from the other middle support member  330 . Thus, the vertical surface  335  in the middle support member  330  toward the front of the RV  100  faces the front of the RV  100 , and the vertical surface  335  in the middle support member  330  toward the rear of the RV  100  faces the rear of the RV  100 . A longitudinal slot  336  extends through the vertical surface  335  of the middle support member  330 . As will be appreciated, the length of the longitudinal slot  336  defines the distance that the middle telescoping arm  360  can be driven as is described in detail hereinafter. The longer the longitudinal slot  336 , the greater the distance that the middle telescoping arm  360  can be driven. The illustrated longitudinal slot  336  is rectangular shaped.  
         [0062]     The middle support member  330  supports the middle arm  360  which slides therein, and the second end  362  of the middle arm  360  protrudes beyond the end of the middle support member  330 . It is the telescoping arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  that support and permit the extension and retraction drive movements of the slide-out section  130 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 6  shows the middle arm  360  in the retracted position, and  FIG. 7  shows the middle arm  360  moving to the extended position. It will be appreciated that even when the middle arm  360  is driven to its extended position, a substantial length of the middle arm  360  remains within the middle support member  330 . The mechanism  300  includes an operating mechanism  390  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) that includes a pair of drive shafts  392  which transfer motion from the operating mechanism  390  to the respective middle arms  360  to cause the extension or retraction of the middle arms  360 .  
         [0064]     Actuation of the operating mechanism  390  causes movement of the drive shaft  392  and since one end of the drive shaft  392  is coupled to one of the middle arms  360 , the driving action is translated to the middle arm  360 . The longitudinal slot  336  permits access to the middle arm  360  so that the shaft  392  can be coupled to a medial section of the middle arm  360 . The slot  336  in the middle support member  330  allows the shaft  392  and the middle arm  360  to slide with respect to the middle support member  330  as the shaft  392  is driven. More specifically, the length of the slot  336  in the middle support member  330  enables the shaft  392  to access the middle arm  360  while the slide-out section  130  is in the extended or retracted positions. One stroke of the operating mechanism  390  slides the middle arm  360  in and out of the middle support member  330  between a first position shown in  FIG. 6  corresponding to the retracted position of the slide-out section  130  of the RV  100  and a second position corresponding to the extended position of the slide-out section  130  of the RV  100 .  
         [0065]     The operating mechanism  390  can have components that are disposed within the storage compartment  170  of the RV  100 , thereby allowing access to the operating mechanism  390  via the door  126  of the storage compartment  124 . The storage compartment  390  is located below the frame  310  of the slide-out mechanism  300  in the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-11 .  
         [0066]     In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , the operating mechanism  390  is a pneumatic system which uses pneumatic pressure to controllably drive the middle arms  360  in either a first direction to extend the middle arms  360  or an opposite second direction to retract the middle arms  360 . In this embodiment, the operating mechanism  390  includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders  394  for driving the shaft  392  in either an extension direction or a retraction direction, thereby allowing the middle arm  360  to slide within the middle support  330 .  
         [0067]     Each of the hydraulic cylinders  394  is connected to a first conduit  396  and a second conduit  396  for transferring a fluid such as air to and from the hydraulic cylinders  394  to extend and retract the drive shaft  392 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when air is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder  394  via the first conduit  396 , the hydraulic cylinder  394  will move to the retracted position, and as shown in  FIG. 7 , when air is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder  394  via the second conduit  398 , the hydraulic cylinder  394  will move to the extended position.  
         [0068]     A bracket, such a right angle/L-shaped bracket,  338  is mounted toward the first end  331  of the middle support member  330 . One of the hydraulic cylinders  394  is mounted onto each of the brackets  338  which act to support the cylinder  394  in a manner that permits the working components of the mechanism  300  to freely move. A coupling member  366  is associated with each of the middle arms  360  and acts to couple the shaft  392  to the middle arm  360 . In one embodiment, the coupling member  366  is a plate that is mounted onto each middle arm  360  in an intermediate position between the first end  361  and the second end  362  of the middle arm  360 . The shaft  392  is coupled to the plate  366  and serves as a piston that slides longitudinally within the hydraulic cylinder  394  and since the shaft  392  and plate  366  are coupled to one another, the movement of the piston is translated into movement of the middle arm  360 . The plate  366  is positioned so that it can be accessed through the slot  336  in the middle support member  330  while the slide-out section  130  is in the extended or retracted positions. Thus, the ends of the slot  336  define the degree of travel of the plate  366 . Preferably, the pneumatic source (air source) is one of the components that can be disposed within the storage compartment  124 .  
         [0069]     The hydraulic cylinders  390  are connected to an actuation mechanism (not shown) such as a button or a switch. The user operates the actuation mechanism to extend or retract the slide-out mechanism  300  via the operating mechanism  390 . For example, when the slide-out sections  130  are in the retracted position and the user flips the switch, the hydraulic cylinders  394  are actuated and the shafts  392  extend and cause the two middle arms  360  to be driven in opposite directions relative to the frame which corresponds to the middle arms  360  either both being driven to an extended position or being driven to a retracted position. As will be described in greater detail below, the driving of the middle arms  360  is directly translated to movement of the slide-out sections  130  in the same direction that the middle arms  360  are driven. When the user flips the switch back to its original position, the hydraulic cylinders  394  operate in the opposite manner and the shafts  392  retract, thereby retracting the slide-out sections  130 .  
         [0070]     Alternatively, the operating mechanism  390  can include a rack-and-pinion mechanism, such as the rack-and-pinion mechanism shown in  FIGS. 14-17  as described below, to move the middle arms  360  between the extended and retracted positions, instead of the hydraulic cylinders  394 .  
         [0071]     It will also be appreciated that another mechanism, such as a stepper motor, may be used to controllably extend and retract the shafts  392  to cause the controlled movement of the slide-out sections  130 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the interior space of the RV  100  with the slide-out section  130  in the retracted position, and  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the interior space of the RV  100  with the slide-out section  130  in the extended position. As can be seen, the present slide-out mechanism  300  is of a type that is commonly referred to as an above the floor chassis type mechanism since the slide-out sections  130  are initially disposed above the base floor of the vehicle  100  and mechanism  300  is incorporated into the chassis as opposed to being provided above the base floor. It will be appreciated that while the illustrated slide-out mechanism is of a dual type in that it contains two slide-out sections  130 , only a single slide-out section  130  can be provided.  
         [0073]     The protruding second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are securely coupled to a corresponding movable floor section  400  that represents the floor of the slide-out section  130  and therefore, each slide-out section  130  is driven by urging of its floor portion. The arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  can be coupled to the floor section  400  using any number of techniques. For example and according to one embodiment, the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  include openings  354 ,  364 ,  374  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) on the protruding second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372 , respectively. A plurality of brackets  402  are provided to couple the second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  to an edge of the floor section  400 . The brackets  402  are securely attached to the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  by using fasteners that are received through the openings  354 ,  364 ,  374  on the second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 .  
         [0074]     A stationary base floor section  410  is coupled to the chassis  200  and represents a support surface that extends across the chassis  200 . The floor section  410  is coupled to the chassis  200  using any number of conventional techniques, including attaching the floor section  410  to the chassis  200  using conventional fasteners, such as screws, nails, etc. The stationary floor section  410  covers the major components of the mechanism  300 , e.g., the six support members  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and is made of a flat, durable flooring material such as plywood or tile.  FIG. 10  is a cutaway view taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8  of a moveable floor section  400  when the slide-out section  130  is in the retracted position, and  FIG. 11  is a cutaway view taken along the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9  of the moveable floor section  400  when the slide-out section  130  is in the extended position.  
         [0075]     A ledge  220  is formed in the chassis  200  at the left and right sides of the RV  100 . The ledge  220  and the chassis  200  itself form a substantially L-shaped face with a vertical surface  221  and a horizontal surface  222 . As described above, the chassis  200  includes notches  219  so that the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are slidably supported therein. The notches  219  allow the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  and a portion of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  to extend therefrom. In the retracted position, the horizontal surface  222  of the ledge  220  supports the second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  that protrude outward from the second ends  322 ,  332 ,  342  of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340 . In the extended position, the horizontal surface  222  of the ledge  220  supports the portion of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  that overlap thereon. A supporting plate  224  is provided on the vertical surface  221  of the ledge  220  to extend past the sides of the chassis  200 . However, alternatively, instead of providing the supporting plate  224 , the sides of the chassis  200  can be formed to extend farther than as shown on  FIG. 10 .  
         [0076]     At least one panel  420  covers a portion of the chassis  200  including the ledge  220 , a portion of the supporting plate  224 , and the top surface of the sides of the chassis  200  that are welded to the side frame members  314 . The panel  420  has a vertical surface  421  positioned above the supporting plate  224 , a horizontal surface  422  aligned flush with the stationary floor section  410 , and a sloped surface  423  joining the vertical and horizontal surfaces  421 ,  422  of the panel  420 . The sloped surface  423  of the panel  420  inclines upward toward the center of the RV  100  so that the horizontal surface  422  of the panel  420  is aligned flush with the stationary floor section  410 . The panel  420  thus provides a sloped edge finishing for the floor section  410  and provides a smooth transition to the ledge  220  so that the peripheral edges of the floor section  410  are not exposed.  
         [0077]     At least one ramped support  430  is provided proximate to the front support member  320  and the rear support member  340 . Preferably, there are two ramped supports  430  that are spaced apart one another to facilitate the sliding action of the slide-out section  130  and to locate the slide-out section  130  when it is extended. The ramped support  430  includes a bottom edge  431  and a top edge  432 . The bottom edge  431  of the ramped support  430  is supported by the supporting plate  224 , and the top edge  432  of the ramped support  430  overlies the sloped surface  423  of the panel  420 .  
         [0078]     One moveable floor section  400  is included for each slide-out section  130 . Two moveable floor sections  400  are thus included in the illustrated dual slide-out mechanism  300 . For sake of brevity and clarity, the following description is directed to the actuation and movements of a single moveable floor section  400 . It is understood, however, that this description is equally applicable for the other moveable floor section  400  in a dual slide-out mechanism  300 .  
         [0079]     The moveable floor section  400  includes one edge attached to the brackets  402  and an opposite edge which is a free edge  401 . As described above, the brackets  402  attach the moveable floor section  400  on one side of the RV  100  to the protruding second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the three arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 . Therefore, when the operating mechanism  390  extends and retracts the middle arm  360 , the movement of the middle arm  360  is translated to the front and rear arms  350 ,  370  via the moveable floor section  400 , thereby ensuring synchronization of the three arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  as they move in and out of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340 . In other words, while the middle arms  360  are the only arms that are positively driven, the other arms  350 ,  370  are passively driven since all of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are connected to a common member, namely the floor section  400 .  
         [0080]     The mechanism  300  of the present invention provides a flush floor between the stationary floor section  410  and the moveable floor sections  400  when the slide-out sections  130  are in the extended positions to provide a nice smooth, transition free enlarged room in the vehicle  100 . When the moveable floor section  400  is in the retracted position, it lies on top of the stationary floor section  410 . The free edges  401  of the floor sections  400  face another and are in close proximate relation to one another, with a small gap being formed between the free edges  401 . After the moveable floor section  400  starts to extend outward via the movement of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 , the free edge  401  of the moveable floor section  400  lowers as it passes over the sloped surface  423  of the panel  420  and the sloped surface of the ramped supports  430 . At the extended position, the upper surface of the moveable floor section  400  is aligned essentially flush with the upper surface of the stationary floor section  410 , and essentially the entire moveable floor section lies above the brackets  402 , the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 , the sloped surface  423  of the panel  420 , and the sloped surface of the ramped supports  430 .  
         [0081]     At the extended position, any height differential that exists due to the support of the brackets  402  underneath the moveable floor section  400  is offset by the deflection of the second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370 . The weight of the slide-out section  130  on the cantilevered arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  allow the moveable floor section  400  to deflect and be substantially horizontal, resulting in the floor sections  400 ,  410  being substantially flush and planar with one another.  
         [0082]     Ramp support  430  can include a feature  434  that serves as a locator or stop that limits the movement of the moveable floor section  400  as it is extended. The feature  434  is preferably an integral feature and represents an elevated section of the ramp support  430  as compared to the surrounding sections. The feature  434  is formed on the beveled section of the ramp support  430 . The feature  434  functions as a stop since it limits the degree of travel of the floor section  400  as the floor section  400  travels down the ramp support  430 . The illustrated feature  434  represents a bent section of the ramp support  430  that can serve as a catch or stop. The feature  434  is located along the ramp support  430  at a location where the floor section  400  will be flush with the floor section  410  when the floor section  400  seats against the feature  434 . In other words, the feature  434  is positioned such that it limits the end of travel of the floor section  400  as the slide-out section  130  is being extended from the base floor section  410 .  
         [0083]     There may be a slight gap A (shown in  FIG. 11 ) between the end of the moveable floor section  400  and the edge of the sloped sections of the panel  420  and/or the ramped support  430 . However, in an embodiment of the present invention, a carpet (not shown) can be used to cover the moveable floor section  400  and the stationary floor section  410 , which would also cover this gap. The carpet can be rolled over the moveable floor section  400  and the stationary floor section  410  after the slide-out sections  130  are extended to their extended positions.  
         [0084]     When the moveable floor sections  400  are in the process of being retracted, the panel  420  and the ramped support  430  allow the moveable floor sections  400  to slide back up to their original height. At the final retracted position, the moveable floor sections  400  have returned to their original positions overlapping the stationary floor section  410 .  
         [0085]     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , the frame  310  is fixed to the chassis  200  by a known method such as welding. However, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the frame  310  is not included. In this alternate embodiment, the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are fixed directly to the chassis  200 . The stubs  318 , which are provided on the side frame members  314  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , can be provided on the chassis  200  in the alternate embodiment to mate with the first ends  321 ,  341  of the front and rear support members  320 ,  340 . The middle support members  330  are fixed directly to the chassis  200 .  
         [0086]      FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of the present invention in which the slide-out mechanism  300  includes a center support sub-assembly  500 . The center support sub-assembly  500  is an alternative to the frame  300  and the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . The exemplary center support sub-assembly  500  has a rectangular shape and is formed of a front member  510 , side members  520 , and a rear member  530 .  
         [0087]     The center support sub-assembly  500  is positioned approximately midway between the front and rear sides of the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200 . One end of the support members  540  is fixed to one of the side members  520 , and the other end is slidably supported within notches  522  in the opposite side member  520  and the notches  219  in the chassis  200 .  
         [0088]     Telescoping arms  550  are slidably supported within the support members  540 . The support members  540  and the arms  550  of the center support sub-assembly  500  are substantially identical in size and function to the middle support member  330  and the middle arm  360  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . Accordingly, each of the arms  550  is driven by the operating mechanism  390 , e.g., hydraulic cylinders  394 , and the support members  540  permit access to the arms  500  via longitudinal slots  542  (rectangular slots). Wear tabs  380  can also be included, as shown in  FIG. 12 , positioned similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 .  
         [0089]     Thus, the center support sub-assembly  500  shown in  FIG. 12  can be mounted onto the chassis  200  as described above so that there is a single arm  550  that supports each slide-out section  130 . The arms  550  include a first end  551 , a second end  552 , and an opening  554  at the second end  552  for attaching the bracket  402 .  
         [0090]     In the embodiment described above, the chassis  200  is provided with a single notch  219  on each side of the chassis  200 , corresponding to each of the support members  540  of the center support sub-assembly  500 .  
         [0091]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the chassis  200  can be provided with additional notches  219  to slidably support one or more passive support sub-assemblies  600  so that the center support sub-assembly  500  and the one or more passive support sub-assemblies  600  are spaced apart along the length of the chassis  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, two passive support sub-assemblies  600  are provided toward the front and the rear of the upper deck portion  210  of the chassis  200 .  
         [0092]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the passive support sub-assembly  600  of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The passive support sub-assembly  600  is similar to the center support sub-assembly  500  except that the passive support sub-assembly  600  is not connected to the operating mechanism  390  and does not include the slot  542 . The passive support sub-assembly  600  has a rectangular shape and is formed of a front member  610 , side members  620 , and a rear member  630 . One end of the support members  640  is fixed to one of the side members  620 , and the other end is slidably supported within notches  622  in the opposite side member  620  and the notches  219  in the chassis  200 .  
         [0093]     Telescoping arms  650  are slidably supported in the support members  640  and include an opening  654  for attaching the bracket  402 , as described in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . The arms  650  of the passive support sub-assembly  600  are substantially identical in size and function to the front and rear arms  350 ,  370  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . Wear tabs  380  can also be included, as shown in  FIG. 13 , positioned similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 .  
         [0094]     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  can be used with an operating mechanism  390  in the form of hydraulic cylinders  394 . Alternatively, the operating mechanism  390  can include a rack-and-pinion mechanism  700  with a gear mechanism  710  to move the middle arms  550  between the extended and retracted positions.  
         [0095]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the center support sub-assembly  500  and the rack-and-pinion mechanism  700 ;  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the gear mechanism  710 ;  FIG. 16  is a side view of the center support sub-assembly  500  and the rack-and-pinion mechanism  700  of  FIG. 14 ; and  FIG. 17  is a side view of the middle arm  550  and the middle support member  540  of the center support sub-assembly  500  of  FIGS. 15 and 16 .  
         [0096]     Teeth  553  are provided along the top surface of the arms  550  of the center support sub-assembly  500  from the first end  551  to approximately the middle of the arm  550 . The teeth  553  mate with a gear  712  of the gear mechanism  710 , as shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0097]     The support members  540  of the center support sub-assembly  500  of this embodiment are modified so that they have a longitudinal opening at the top surface that extends along a longitudinal length of the support member  540 . The opening forms lips  544  that extend over the tops of the arms  550 . The lips  544  are short enough to allow the gear mechanism  710  to contact the teeth  553  on the top of the arms  550 . It will be appreciated that will the illustrated embodiment shows the longitudinal opening in the top surface extending approximately ½ the length of the support member  540  (e.g., from one end until approximately the location of the gear mechanism), the longitudinal opening can extend the entire length of the support member  540 , thereby permitting the teeth  554  of the arm  550  to be disposed above the plane of the lips  544  of the support member  540 .  
         [0098]     The gear mechanism  710  is fixed in position with respect to the corresponding support member  550  and is driven by a motor (not shown). As the gear  712  in the gear mechanism  710  is rotated in one direction via the motor, the corresponding arm  550  is extended. Accordingly, as the gear  712  in the gear mechanism  710  is rotated in the opposite direction, the corresponding arm  550  is retracted.  
         [0099]      FIGS. 18-26  show another embodiment of the present invention in which the moveable floor section  400  is aligned flush with the stationary floor section  410  as the slide-out section  130  is moved between the retracted and expanded positions without causing the slide-out section  130  to tilt. It will be appreciated that this embodiment shows a means for assisting the movable arm to reach a flush orientation with the floor of the vehicle as the arm is driven to the fully extended position.  FIG. 18  shows the environment of the movable arm relative to the chassis frame, etc. It will be appreciated that any of the drive mechanisms disclosed hereinbefore can be used in combination with the illustrated means for lowering the arm to a flush position. For example, the previously described pneumatic and rack and pinion drive systems can be used.  
         [0100]     As described above, the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are relatively stationary with respect to the frame  300  as the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  telescope in and out of the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 .  
         [0101]     A roller  440  and a pair of smaller-diameter rollers  441  are axially supported by a shaft  442 . The shaft  442  is fixed onto a support, e.g., the frame  310 , the chassis  200 , an extension to the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  (as shown), or some other type of support and is thus fixed stationary relative to the respective support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 . When the slide-out section  130  is in the retracted position, the second end  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  is supported by the roller  440 , and when the slide-out section  130  moves from the retracted position to the extended position, the roller  440  allows the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  to maintain a level condition when it slides outward within the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 . The lower face of the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  can be modified (e.g., as by a cutout) at its distal end so as to accommodate the roller  440  and rollers  441  such that in the extended position, an upper surface of the roller  440  is in contact with and supports the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370 . The roller  440  and rollers  441  are thus recessed relative to the surrounding lower face of the support member; however, the shaft  440  can still extend through openings formed in side walls of the support member.  
         [0102]     Another roller  450  is axially supported by shaft  451 , which is fixed onto the top of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  to allow the top of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  to contact and roll against the inside of the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  during extension and retraction of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370 . This roller is thus directly coupled to the arm and is moveable therewith. It is noted that roller  450  and/or rollers  440 / 441  can be a side bearing in place of the rollers or any other suitable device.  
         [0103]     As described above, the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  is attached via the bracket  402  to the end of the slide-out section  130 . As the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  extends out of the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 , the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  drives the slide-out section  130  outward in a level manner, i.e., not tipping at an angle relative to the main cabin  120 . The movement of the slide-out section  130  occurs in an essentially level, non-tipping manner.  
         [0104]     The arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  includes an opening  461  (formed on an underside thereof) through which an angled ramp  460  positioned longitudinally toward the center thereof can be accessed. In other words, the ramp  460  is a bent or indented portion of the underside of the arm and leads to the opening  461 . The angled ramp  460  is inclined from the underside of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  upwards to toward the first end  351 ,  361 ,  371 . The opening  461  in the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  is sized so that the roller  440  can slide therein. The width of the ramp  460  and the opening  461  accommodates the width of the roller  440 , with the two rollers  441  being disposed outside of the ramp  460  and opening  461 .  
         [0105]     When the second end  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  travels a defined distance out from the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 , i.e., when the slide-out section  130  is at a position that it is desired that the slide-out section  130  be lowered, the roller (or bearing pad)  440  falls into the opening  461  in the under side of the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  via the angled ramp  460 . When the roller  440  enters the opening  461  in the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370 , the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  then contacts the smaller diameter rollers (or slide bearings)  441 , thusly causing the slide-out section  130  to drop. This drop is preferably timed to occur when the moveable floor section  400  lowers downward from above the stationary floor section  410 . The net result is a slide-out section  130  that travels level, without angularity or tilt and at a prescribed distance, lowers in a level manner, i.e., with minimal tipping of the slide-out section  130 .  
         [0106]     Retraction of the slide-out section  130  occurs in the reverse of the movement described above. As the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  is retracted, the roller (or bearing)  440  moves up through the opening  461  and over the angled ramp  460  in the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 , thereby allowing the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  to maintain a level position as the slide-out section  130  is retracted.  
         [0107]     Actuation of the above embodiment can be accomplished by the operating mechanism  390  described above, e.g., by a pivoting or trunion mount. For instance, the hydraulic cylinder(s)  394  can be attached to the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340  and the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  to drive the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  outward relative to the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 . Alternatively, the operating mechanism  390  can include linear actuator(s), e.g., an acme or ball screw with an electric motor input, similarly attached as the hydraulic cylinder  394 . In another alternative embodiment, the operating mechanism  390  can include linear actuator(s), e.g., a rack-and-pinion mechanism  700 , similarly attached as the hydraulic cylinder  394 . In a further embodiment, the operating mechanism  390  drives the shaft  442  of the roller  440  and smaller-diameter rollers  441 , and the spinning of the shaft  442  drives the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  outward relative to the support member  320 ,  330 ,  340 . When the shaft  442  is driven in the opposite direction, the rotation of the rollers  440 ,  441  causes the arm  350 ,  360 ,  370  to be driven in an opposite direction and the slide-out section is retracted inward toward the stationary floor. This embodiment presents a mechanism that smoothly extends and retracts the slide-out section without experiencing any tipping of the slide-out section. Instead, the slide-out section smoothly rides towards and then drops into a location where is substantially flush with the adjacent stationary floor.  
         [0108]     The present invention provides a dual slide-out mechanism  300  that spans the width of the RV  100  from the left side to the right side so that the RV  100  can expand on the left and/or right sides. This dual slide-out mechanism  300  includes two slide-out sections  130 . The present invention, however, is not limited to a dual slide-out mechanism  300  and can be mounted as a single slide-out mechanism in either the left or right side of the RV  100 , thereby providing one slide-out section.  
         [0109]     Preferably, the inward length of the side walls  134  of the slide-out section  130  defines the limit of expansion of the slide-out section  130 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the slide-out section  130  may be occupied when in the retracted position, and a balance is achieved by making the inward length as large as it can be without unduly interfering with the use of the RV  100  interior during transit. Typically, the upper deck portion of the RV  100  is used as a living room or seating area; and, therefore, the slide-out section  130  can be incorporated into the living room area of the upper deck portion of the RV  100  as a means for increasing the interior living space. Furniture, such as a chair and/or an entertainment center, can be fixed to one or both of the moveable floor sections  400  to slide out with the slide-out section  130 , thereby increasing the amount of available space toward the center of the RV  100 .  
         [0110]     As can be seen in the foregoing description and drawings, the dual slide-out mechanism  300  can be constructed as a single slide-out mechanism for incorporating a single slide-out section  130  in the left or right side of the RV  100 . A single slide-out mechanism includes a single set of support members, which includes one front support member  320 , one middle support member  330 , and one rear support member  340 , and a single set of arms, which includes one front arm  350 , one middle arm  360 , and one rear arm  370 .  
         [0111]     The following example is intended to illustrate the construction and the advantages of the present invention more fully without limiting its scope, since numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
       EXAMPLE  
       [0112]     In one example of the present invention, the frame  310  is constructed to have a length of 76″ from the front surface of the front frame member  312  to the rear surface of the rear frame member  316  and 84″ wide from the outward facing surfaces of the side frame members  314 . The support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  and arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  have a square-shaped cross section. The outer dimensions of the support members  320 ,  330 ,  340  are approximately 2″×2″, and the outer dimensions of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are approximately 1½″×1½″. The middle support members  330  are separated from the front and rear support members  320 ,  340  by approximately 30″-32″.  
         [0113]     Openings (not shown) for mounting the plate  366  in one wall of the middle arm  360  are positioned approximately 39¼″ in the longitudinal direction from the second end  362  of the middle arm  360  that attaches to the brackets  402 . These holes are aligned with the openings (not shown) in the plate  366  for mounting the shaft  392  of the hydraulic cylinder  394 .  
         [0114]     In the extended state, the second ends  352 ,  362 ,  372  of the arms  350 ,  360 ,  370  are extended approximately 24″-36″ between the extended and retracted states, and the slots  336  in the middle support members  330  are approximately 36″ long.  
         [0115]     It will be appreciated that the present invention can either be embodied as a single slide-out section or a dual slide-out section since it may be desirable to provide only a single slide-out section. The mechanism of the present invention advantageously permits the vehicle to either include a single or plural slide-out sections that are operated via the present mechanism.  
         [0116]     Another advantage of the present invention is that the drive mechanism and timing mechanism are orientated in such a manner that they are shielded from the elements outside of the vehicle since neither of these mechanisms ever leaves the vehicle itself during operation thereof and retraction and extension of the slide-out section. In other words, since the mechanisms are contained in the vehicle during operation, they are never effected by weather, etc., unlike conventional constructions where the drive mechanism was exposed to weather when the slide-out section was moved to the extended position.  
         [0117]     Having described embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.