Patent Abstract:
A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by means of a drive mechanism that includes two sets of cabling. The drive mechanism includes a frame installed about the opening in the vehicle body. The frame includes a header, a sill and two pre-assembled jambs. The pre-assembled jambs have a plurality of pulleys with a plurality of cables pre-installed inside the jambs around the pulleys. One end of the cables, attached to the slidable room, is pre-strung through a cable extension hole. The other end of the cables extends out an end of the jamb.

Full Description:
SLIDABLE ROOM ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending prior application Ser. No. 10/668,038, filed Sep. 22, 2003, which was a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/002,032, filed Nov. 15, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,066. application Ser. No. 10/668,038 and Ser. No. 10/002,032 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to a slidable room assembly, particularly to a slidable room for a vehicle for a vehicle having a slidable room or compartment that is retracted when the vehicle is in motion and may be extended to afford more room when the vehicle is parked. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of installing a slidable room.  
           [0003]    Recreation vehicles including motor homes, fifth wheel trailers and travel trailers may be provided with an extendable slidable unit for increasing the vehicle&#39;s living space. This slidable unit may be extended for use when the vehicle is parked and is retracted in a telescoping manner when the vehicle is to be moved.  
           [0004]    Existing slidable rooms for vehicles can be time consuming to install. Frequently, the operating mechanisms consist of many separate components that must be individually installed and connected, which incurs significant labor costs.  
           [0005]    The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present slidable room assemblies. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a slidable room comprising:  
           [0007]    a frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle about an opening in the vehicle, the frame comprising: a header; and sill; and two pre-assembled jambs, each jamb having: a plurality of pulleys thereon; a plurality of cable extension holes therein; and a plurality of cables, a first end of each cable extending around at least one pulley and through one cable extension hole, a second end of the cables extending beyond an end of the jamb;  
           [0008]    a room, the room being adapted to be inserted into the vehicle opening and into the frame;  
           [0009]    the first end of the plurality of cables being attached to the room; and  
           [0010]    a motor, the second end of the cables being operatively attached to the motor.  
           [0011]    In another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a jamb for attachment to a vehicle and for use with a slidable room adapted to be installed in an opening in the vehicle, the jamb comprising:  
           [0012]    a framing member, the framing member having a plurality of cable extension holes therein, the framing member being adapted for attachment to the vehicle adjacent the vehicle opening;  
           [0013]    a plurality of pulleys rotatably attached to the framing member;  
           [0014]    at least one cable, a first end of the at least one cable extending around at least one pulley and through a cable extension hole, a second end of the at least one cable extending beyond an end of the framing member.  
           [0015]    In a further aspect of the invention, this is accomplished by providing a vehicle comprising:  
           [0016]    at least one wall having an opening therein;  
           [0017]    a slidable room frame comprising: two interconnecting frames and two pre-assembled cable frames, each cable frame having: a plurality of pulleys thereon; a plurality of cable extension holes therein; and a plurality of cables, a first end of each cable extending around at least one pulley and through one cable extension hole, a second end of each cable extending beyond an end of the cable frame, the slidable room frame being attached about the opening of the at least one wall;  
           [0018]    a room inserted into the opening of the at least one wall, the room being reciprocable between an extended position and a retracted position, the first end of the plurality of cables being attached to the room; and  
           [0019]    a motor attached to the at least one wall, the second ends of the cables being operatively attached to the motor.  
           [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the cable frames are jambs attached to the sides of the opening and the interconnecting frames are a header and sill positioned at the top and bottom of the opening respectively.  
           [0021]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a frame member for attachment to a vehicle and for use with a slidable room adapted to be installed in the vehicle, the frame member comprising:  
           [0022]    an elongated first member; and  
           [0023]    an elongated wall clamp member,  
           [0024]    the first member and the wall clamp member each having an attachment flange adapted to be attached to the vehicle, the first member and the wall clamp member having complementary longitudinally extending engaging flanges wherein the first member engaging flange retainingly engages the wall clamp member engaging flange.  
           [0025]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a cable adjuster comprising:  
           [0026]    a body; and  
           [0027]    a plurality of threaded adjusters attached to the body, an end of the threaded adjusters being adapted to be connected to a flexible member.  
           [0028]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a method of installing a slidable room in a vehicle, the vehicle having an opening therein, the method comprising the steps of:  
           [0029]    providing a frame, the frame comprising two jambs, a header and a sill, each jamb having:  
           [0030]    a plurality of pulleys thereon; a plurality of cable extension holes therein; and, a plurality of cables, a first end of the cables extending around at least one pulley and through one cable extension hole, a second end of the cables extending beyond an end of the jamb;  
           [0031]    attaching the frame to the vehicle about the opening in the vehicle;  
           [0032]    attaching a motor to the vehicle;  
           [0033]    attaching the cables to the motor;  
           [0034]    inserting the slidable room into the vehicle opening and through the frame; and  
           [0035]    attaching the cables to the slidable room.  
           [0036]    The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 is a perspective exterior view of a portion of a vehicle having a slidable room according to the present invention, showing the slidable room in a fully extended position;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 is a perspective interior view of a frame and cable arrangement for the slidable room shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2A is a plan inside view of a portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the frame, cables and motor components of the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2B is a plan inside view of a frame and cable arrangement for a rear extension slidable room;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2C is an enlarged plan view of drive motor  24 ;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2D is a plan view of idler sprocket  35 , illustrated in FIG. 2B;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the jamb shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the pulleys within the jamb;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the slidable room shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of an upper corner of the cable frame shown in FIG. 2A;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of the upper pulley in the jamb shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 4D is an enlarged view of the lower pulley in the jamb shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4E is an enlarged view of the cable adjuster shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 4F is an enlarged view of the cable adjuster shown in FIG. 2B;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 4G is a perspective view of the cable adjuster shown in FIG. 2B;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the jamb shown in FIG. 3, illustrating one set of pulleys and the attachment of the jamb to the vehicle wall;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 6 is a plan view of an instruction sheet included with the slidable room shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the cables, chains and cable chain connectors shown in the FIGURES;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 8 is a plan view of track and roller for use with a slidable room; and  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 9 is an end view of the track and roller shown in FIG. 8. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0056]    [0056]FIG. 1 shows a portion of a vehicle  10  with a slidable room  20  in an extended position. During movement or transport of the vehicle, the slidable room  20  is normally fully retracted into the vehicle  10 . The vehicle wall  13  has an opening  12  into which the slidable room  20  fits. Positioned about the edges of the opening  12  is a frame  14 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, frame  14  consists of two cable frames  15  and two interconnecting frames  17 ,  19 . In the embodiments shown in the figures, the cable frames  15  are jambs and the interconnecting frames are a header  17  and sill  19 . Preferably, one or more rollers  16  are attached to sill  19  and room  20  rolls on these rollers  16  when room  20  is extended or retracted. Optionally, seals, such as a polymeric strip, can be provided on the inside of frame  14  to provide a weather tight seal between the frame and the room  20 . Room  20  can include a dinette, wardrobe, library, storage, bedroom, closet, kitchen, etc. compartment.  
         [0057]    The vehicle  10  may be a self-powered vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, or may be a trailer that is adapted to be towed, e.g., by an automobile or a truck tractor. The vehicle may be one that is designed for living (as a house trailer), or may be a work vehicle (e.g., a mobile library). The slidable room  20  can also be used with fixed structures such as modular housing or vacation homes.  
         [0058]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, each cable frame or jamb  15  is pre-assembled with a plurality of pulleys  46  and a plurality of cables  40  pre-strung around the pulleys  46 . One end  41  of each cable  40  extends from a pulley  46  through a cable extension hole  36  in jamb  15 . After installation, the cable first ends  41  are attached to room  20  with attachment anchors  30 . Preferably, a cable end plug  43  is attached to the cable first ends  41  to prevent the ends of the cables from being pulled through the cable extension holes  36 .  
         [0059]    The other end or second end  42  of each cable  40  extends from an end of jamb  15 . After installation, the cable second ends  42  are attached a drive motor  24 . Preferably, each jamb  15  includes four cables  40 . The cable second ends  42  are strung through a corner pulley bracket  32 , which includes two double pulleys  33 . After passing through a corner pulley bracket  32 , the cable second ends  42  are attached to a chain  26  by cable chain connectors  28 . Chain  26  is then attached to a sprocket  34  on drive motor  24 . Each end of chain  26  is attached by a cable chain connector  28  to two cable second ends  42 . The cables  40  attached to one end of chain  26  are attached to the outside  20   b  of room  20  and the cables  40  attached to other end of chain  26  are attached to the inside  20   a  of room  20 . Since frame  14  includes two jambs  15 , two chains  26  are attached to sprockets  34  on drive motor  24 . Each chain  26  connects to the cables  40  associated with one jamb  15 . Therefore, each chain  26  is associated with one side of room  20 , either the left side or the right side.  
         [0060]    When drive motor  24  is rotated in a first direction, the cables  40  attached to the inside  20   a  of room  20  are retracted, causing room  20  to be extended out of vehicle  10 . When drive motor  24  is rotated in the opposite direction, the cables  40  attached to the outside  20   b  of room  20  are retracted, causing room  20  to be retracted into vehicle  10 .  
         [0061]    As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A,  4 C,  4 D and  5 , the preferred embodiment of jamb  15  has two sets of double pulleys  46 , a lower set and an upper set. The upper set of double pulleys  46  also includes an idler  48 . Pulley support brackets  55   a ,  55   b  are riveted to jamb  15 . The pulleys  46  and idler  48  are all attached to jamb  15  by clevis pins  56  that fit through holes in jamb  15  and pulley support brackets  55   a ,  55   b . A clip (not shown) fits into a hole in clevis pin  56  to retain clevis pin  56  in the pulley support brackets  55   a ,  55   b.    
         [0062]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, one cable  40  extends from a first cable chain connector  28 , through corner pulley bracket  32 , around an upper pulley  46 , through an upper cable extension hole  36  and is then attached to the outside  20   b  of room  20 . A second cable  40  extends from the first cable chain connector  28 , through corner pulley bracket  32 , around a lower pulley  46 , through a lower cable extension hole  36  and is then attached to the outside  20   b  of room  20 . A third cable  40  extends from a second cable chain connector  28 , through corner pulley bracket  32 , around idler  48 , an upper pulley  46 , through an upper cable extension hole  36  and is then attached to the inside  20   a  of room  20 . The fourth cable  40  extends from the second cable chain connector  28 , through corner pulley bracket  32 , around a lower pulley  46 , through a lower cable extension hole  36  and is then attached to the inside  20   a  of room  20 . Since there are two jambs  15 , this cable arrangement is repeated for the other side of the room  20 .  
         [0063]    Although the preferred embodiment shown in the figures shows the cable frames or jambs  15  on the sides of room  20  with the interconnecting frames  17 ,  19  forming the header  17  and sill  19  of frame  14 , the cable frames  15  could be positioned above and below room  20  with the interconnecting frames  17 ,  19  along the sides of room  20 . The motor  24 , along with the corner pulley brackets  32 , would preferably then be positioned along one of the sides of room  20 . It is also possible to use more or less cables in each jamb  15  than the four cables shown in the figures. The second ends  42  of cables  40  could exit the lower end of jamb  15  with corner pulley brackets  32  and motor  24  being mounted below room  20 . The first ends  41  of cables could altematively be attached to the top and bottom of room  20 , rather than to the sides of room  20 .  
         [0064]    Cable frame or jamb  15  preferably includes a cap or jamb clamp  60  (See FIG. 5). The jamb  15  has an attachment flange  54  that is attached to the outside of vehicle wall  13 . The inside portion of jamb  15  has a jamb slot  66  into which the jamb clamp  60  fits. The jamb clamp  60  includes an attachment flange  62  that is parallel to the jamb attachment flange  54  and is attached to the inside of vehicle wall  13 . The jamb clamp  60  also has a hook  64  that fits into jamb slot  66 . During installation of jamb  15 , jamb  15  with the attached pulleys  46  and pre-strung cables  40  is attached to vehicle wall  13  using a plurality of fasteners (not shown). Then the jamb clamp hook  64  is inserted at an angle into the jamb slot  66 . Finally, jamb clamp  60  is rotated so that the attachment flange  62  fits against vehicle wall and is attached to the inside of vehicle wall  13  with a plurality of fasteners (not shown). Sill  19  preferably has the same shape as jamb  15 . A sill clamp  21 , also preferably having the same shape as jamb clamp  60 , fits into sill  19 . Sill  19  and sill clamp  21  are attached in the same manner as jamb  15  and jamb clamp  60 . The jamb clamp  60  adds strength to jamb  15  and reduces flexing of jamb  15 .  
         [0065]    To install slidable room  20  in opening  12 , the basic method starts with an assembled frame  14 , which consists of two jambs  15  connected to one another by the interconnection frames  17 ,  19 , normally header  17  and sill  19 . A corner connector  18  (see FIG. 4B) fits in each corner of frame  14  and connects one frame member to an adjacent frame member. Cables  40  have been pre-strung through the pulleys  46  attached to jamb  15 . The first cable ends  41  extend through cable extension holes  36 . The second cable ends  42  extend from one end of jamb  15 . The frame  14  is inserted into vehicle  10  through opening  12  and positioned with the jambs  15 , header  17  and sill  19  adjacent the edges of opening  12 . The header  17  and sill  19  have a shape similar to jamb  15  and have attachment flanges similar to attachment flange  54 . The four attachment flanges abut the outside surface of vehicle wall  13 . Fasteners (not shown) attach frame  14  to wall  13  via the four attachment flanges. Wall clamp  60  is then engaged with jamb  15  and attached to the inside of wall  13 . Sill clamp  21  is attached in the same manner as wall clamp  60 .  
         [0066]    In an alternate installation method, jambs  15 , header  17  and sill  19  are provided as separate pieces. Each piece is individually attached to the vehicle wall  13 .  
         [0067]    After frame  14  is installed, motor  24  is attached to wall  13 , typically above header  17 . The corner pulley brackets  32  are attached to vehicle wall  13  and chains  26  are placed on the motor sprockets  34 .  
         [0068]    Slidable room  20  is inserted into the vehicle  10  through frame  14 . Attachment anchors  30  are attached to room  20 . The cable first ends  41  are connected to attachment anchors  30 . The length of cables  40  are adjusted as necessary using cable chain connectors  28 .  
         [0069]    Each cable chain connector  28  is formed from two identical parts nested together as shown in FIG. 4E. Two threaded cable adjusters  44 , consisting of a threaded rod and adjustment nut, attach the second ends  42  of two cables  40  to the cable chain connector  28 . A threaded chain adjuster  27 , consisting of a threaded rod and adjustment nut, attach one end of a chain  26  to the cable chain connector  28 . As shown in FIG. 4E, the cables  40  are attached to one side of the cable chain connector  28  and the chain  26  is attached to the opposite side of the cable chain connector  28 . Preferably, the cable adjuster  27  is positioned between the two cable adjusters  44 .  
         [0070]    An anti-vibration clip  25  is provided for each threaded cable adjuster  44 . Anti-vibration clip  25  is a spring steel clip having a base portion with a hole therein and a tab extending from the base portion. The threaded cable adjuster extends through the hole and the anti-vibration clip  25  is held in place by the adjustment nut. The tab extends along the side of the adjustment nut and prevents the nut from turning by pressing against one of the flats of the adjustment nut. The anti-vibration clip prevents rotation of the adjustment nut as a result of vibration caused by transport of the recreational vehicle on roads or operation of slidable room  10 . Because anti-vibration clip  25  is formed from spring steel, the tab will ratchet out of the way when the adjustment nut is being deliberately turned to adjust a cable.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 6 shows a cable adjustment instruction template  70  which is used in conjunction with the cable adjusters  44  and the chain adjuster  27  to adjust the overall tension and the tension in individual cables  40  for proper alignment and adjustment of room  20 . Typically, template  70  is attached to frame  14  or wall  13  near the cable chain connectors  28 . FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the cable system showing the relationship between the instructions on template  70  and the cable chain connectors  28 . Template  70  is divided into four color coded sections, one section for each cable chain connector  28 . Each cable chain connector  28  is color coded to match one of the color coded sections of the template  70 . For example, the left front cable chain connector  28  is color coded red to correspond with the red section of template  70 . The cables  40  attached to left front (red) cable chain connector  28  are adjusted to adjust the tension on cables  40  for the left side of the room  20  when room  20  is in the extended position. The cables  40  attached to the left rear (blue) cable chain connector  28  are adjusted to adjust the tension on cables  40  for the left side of the room  20  when room  20  is in the retracted position. To adjust the overall tension in the left side cables  40  and chain  26 , the adjuster nut on chain adjuster  27  on either left cable chain connector  28  is adjusted to either increase or decrease the overall tension. To adjust the tension in the left side cables  40 , the adjustor nut on the appropriate cable adjuster  44  is adjusted to either increase or decrease the overall tension. Typically, the cable  40  attached to the upper half of a cable chain connector  28  is connected to a lower or bottom part of room  20  and the cable  40  attached to the lower half of the cable chain connector  28  is connected to the upper or top part of room  20 .  
         [0072]    An alternate cable arrangement shown in FIG. 2B is used for slidable rooms that extend outward from the rear of the recreational vehicle  10 . One such use of a rear extension slidable room is for a bedroom containing a bed. In this arrangement, motor  24  is mounted below and to one side of frame  14 . In place of the four cable chain connectors  28 , two cable chain connectors  29  are used to connect four cables  40  to both chains  26 , see FIG. 4F. One chain  26  is connected to each cable chain connector  29  and fits about sprocket  34  on the motor  24 . The other chain  26  is connected to each cable chain connector  29  and fits about an idler sprocket  35 , which is positioned below the frame  14  and on the opposite side of the frame  14  from the motor  24 . The cables  40  pass around the respective corner pulleys  32  and enter the bottom of jamb  15 , which is upside down compared to the jamb  15  shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the idler pulley  48  that is at the upper part of jamb  15  in FIG. 2 is at the lower part of jamb  15  in FIG. 2B. Cables  40  pass around double pulleys  48  and out through cable extension holes  36  in the same manner as described for jamb  15  above.  
         [0073]    The cables  40  and chains  26  are connected to the cable chain connector  29  in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4E and discussed above to allow adjustment of the tension in the cables and chains and to adjust the aligmnent of the room. Cable chain connector  29  is also formed from two identical parts nested together.  
         [0074]    The chains  26  and cable chain connectors  29  are connected in an endless loop. The motor chain  26  extends from the motor  24  to a first connector  29 . The idler chain  26  extends from the first connector  29  around the idler sprocket  35  and to the second connector  29 . The other end of the motor chain  26  is connected to the second connector  29  and extends around the motor sprocket  34  completing the endless loop.  
         [0075]    The first connector  29  is connected to cables  40  connecting to the left outside of the room and to cables  40  connecting to the right inside of the room. The second connector  29  is connected to cables  40  connecting to the left inside of the room and to cables  40  connecting to the right outside of the room. When the motor  24  is rotated clockwise, the first connector  29  is pulled to the left and the second connector  29  is pulled to the right pulling on cables  40  connected to the inside of the room and allowing the cables  40  connected to the outside of the room to extend out from jamb  15 , thereby pulling the room from the retracted position to the extended position. When motor  24  is rotated counterclockwise, the first connector  29  is pulled to the right and the second connector is pulled to the left pulling on cables  40  connected to the outside of the room, thereby pulling the room from the extended position to the retracted position.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIGS. 8 and 9 show a track  80  and roller  81  for use with the room  20 . This track  80  and roller  81  are preferably used with a rear slide system as shown in FIG. 2B. Two tracks  80  are attached to a floor of the recreational vehicle  10  and extend away from the wall  13  through which room  20  extends. Roller  81  consists of two wheels  83  connected by a shaft  85 . Preferably, wheels  83  include a bearing (not shown). One wheel  83  hooks into track  80 , as shown in FIG. 9, the second wheel  83  rides on the floor of the recreational vehicle  10 . Slidable room  20  rolls on top of the second wheel  83 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 1