Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a new and improved method and apparatus for assembly, support and adjustment of recreational vehicle bedding. An embodiment of the invention includes a recreational bedding supporting apparatus comprising a bedding base, a vertical support having a stationary leg, a mobile leg, a pivotal structure and a lever, the stationary leg extending towards the pivotal structure and operationally connected to the lever, and a proximal and distal end associated with the lever, the distal end in communication with the mobile leg and the proximal end extending therefrom, whereby the mobile leg is adapted for incremental positioning of the bedding base. The present invention also includes a method for incremental elevation of the recreational bedding vehicle having a bedding base with a pair of support slats above the ground the method including the steps of positioning the jack with the lever between the bedding base and the ground, pivoting the lever having a latching end towards the ground, rotating the latching end of the lever, the latching end associated with the latch operationally connected to a mobile leg having a plurality of slots adapted to receive the latch, positioning the latch within a slot having a bottom releasing surface presenting a cavity for releasable receipt of the latch, the slot associated with the mobile leg, moving the latch out of the cavity and downward against a bottom releasing surface associated with the slot, raising the mobile leg upward in relation to a stationary leg whereby the bedding base is elevated and the supports slats are secured.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and 37 C.F.R. 1.78(a)(4) based upon copending U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 61/250,489 for JACK FOR LIFTING CAMPER BEDS, filed Oct. 9, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling, supporting and adjusting recreational vehicle bedding such as that found on “pop-up” campers and the like, and, more specifically, one embodiment includes a stabilizing jack, bedding and support slats. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are a variety of recreational vehicles which are designed to travel more compactly through the use of retractable bedding. One example of such a vehicle is what is commonly referred to as the “pop-up” camper, variations of which have been in use for over one hundred years. The pop-up camper is typically attached for transport to a truck, van or other vehicle using a hitch arrangement. At least a portion of the camper&#39;s outer walls is usually composed of either flexible materials or retractable panels. By collapsing these flexible materials or retractable panels and folding them into the body of the camper and allowing the associated roofing materials to rest on the body of the camper, it becomes a smaller profile trailer for traveling. 
         [0004]    One common feature of many campers is at least one bed with at least a portion of its length extending horizontally (upon completed assembly) from its sidewalls. There are several possible bedding designs including beds supported by slats extending diagonally from the base of the bedding downward toward the ground or to a portion of the camper, supported by slats extending from the base of the bedding upward toward and being secured to a portion of the camper or external support structure, or supported simply by a rigid base. 
         [0005]    As regards bedding supported by slats which extend from the base of the bedding, many designs employ detachable slats which, when assembling, must have one end attached to the bedding and the other to the ground or other support structure such as a portion of the camper. During the assembly process, an operator typically will grasp the bedding, pull or push to extend it from the body of the camper, and then maneuver it into a particular height or angular position appropriate for attaching the support slats. It is common for such techniques to result in bodily strain on the operator due to the forces employed and bodily positions required to support the bedding while attempting to maneuver the support slats into position. 
         [0006]    Additionally, during use of the assembled bedding, often a camper may wish to incline the bedding to an angular position outside the range allowed by associated support slats. Alternatively, a camper may have misplaced one or more of the support slats and may require additional bedding support. 
         [0007]    Heretofore, there exists a need for an improved method and apparatus for assembly of recreational vehicle bedding as well as for support and angular positioning of the assembled bedding during use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a new and improved method and apparatus for assembly, support and adjustment of recreational vehicle bedding. An embodiment of the invention includes a recreational bedding supporting apparatus comprising a bedding base, a vertical support having a stationary leg, a mobile leg, a pivotal structure and a lever, said stationary leg extending towards said pivotal structure and operationally connected to said lever, and a proximal and distal end associated with said lever, said distal end in communication with said mobile leg and said proximal end extending therefrom, whereby said mobile leg is adapted for incremental positioning of said bedding base. The present invention also includes a method for incremental elevation of the recreational bedding vehicle having a bedding base with a pair of support slats above the ground with a jack said method including the steps of positioning the jack with a lever between the bedding base and the ground, pivoting said lever having a latching end towards the ground, rotating said latching end of said lever, said latching end associated with a latch operationally connected to a mobile leg having a plurality of slots adapted to receive said latch, positioning said latch within a slot having a bottom releasing surface presenting a cavity for releasably receiving said latch, said slot associated with said mobile leg, moving the latch out of said cavity and downward against a bottom releasing surface associated with said slot, raising said mobile leg upward in relation to a stationary leg whereby said bedding base is elevated, and securing said support slats. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings. Directional and orientation references are for convenience only and are not intended as limiting aspects of the invention. The drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a typical collapsed pop-up camper. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a typical assembled pop-up camper. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the apparatus being used with the method for bedding assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of the apparatus from a side view which includes an optional means for illumination. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a sectional depiction of an embodiment of the apparatus from a side view of the pivotal structure area including portions of the lever, stationary and mobile legs, as well as the latch. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a sectional depiction of an embodiment of the apparatus from a frontal view of portions of the latching end of the lever and the mobile leg, as well as the latch being received into one of the mobile leg&#39;s slots. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a cross-section of an embodiment of the apparatus showing an exemplary assembly of the components present in the pivotal structure area. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the stationary leg from a side view. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a cross-section of an embodiment of the stationary leg. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a cross-section of the lower portion of an embodiment of the stationary leg including an optional stationary leg base. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment of the mobile leg. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of a cross-section of the upper portion of an embodiment of the mobile leg including an optional mobile leg cap. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a top view of an embodiment of the lever. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a side view of an embodiment of the lever. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional front view of the distal latching end of an embodiment of the lever including latch and side members. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a back view of the proximal end of an embodiment of the lever. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict traditional collapsed and assembled pop-up campers, respectively. FIG.  1 &#39;s collapsed camper presents a smaller profile more appropriate for travel, with retractable portions of the sidewalls (not shown) folded inward and collapsed into the body of the camper.  FIG. 2  depicts a traditional assembled camper with retractable portions of the sidewalls deployed and extending from the body of the camper or from portions of the bedding upward toward the camper&#39;s roof section. The bedding is depicted extending horizontally from the sidewalls of the camper with each bed supported by slats  22  extending downwardly from the base  24  of the bedding toward a portion of the camper body to which they are attached. A bedding base  24  is typically comprised of a rigid material which helps support and prevent substantial bending of the overlying mattress or bedding materials when the bed is extended from the body of the camper and assembled. 
         [0028]    Of course, there are myriad bedding and bedding support designs employed by campers in use across the United States and the world. For example, some slats  22  extend upward from the base  24  and are attached to portions of the camper or other support structures, thus supporting the bedding through resistance to tensile forces. These slats may be made of rigid materials such as wood, steel or aluminum alloys or of straps comprised of flexible materials which are also capable of withstanding tensile forces. In other designs, such as that shown in  FIG. 2 , slats  22  may extend downward and are supported by the ground or other support surface, thus supporting the bed through resistance to compressive forces. These slats  22  may be made of rigid materials such as wood, steel or aluminum alloys capable of withstanding the compressive forces. 
         [0029]    Slats  22  may be associated with the bedding base  24  using a variety of structures or attachment devices known by persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the base  24  may have apertures formed within it to receive an end of the slat  22 ; alternatively, an attachment device having a receiving aperture may be fastened to the base  24  using conventional fastening devices such as screws or nails. The opposing end of the slat  22  may be secured to the camper body or other support surface by using similar apertures or attachment devices. Alternatively, either end may simply be designed to rest against the base  24  or support surface. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the invention comprising a bedding base  24  supported by two slats  22  extending diagonally and downward from the base  24  toward the body of the camper. The base  24  is also supported by a jack  30  extending from the base  24  downward to the ground. The jack  30  is comprised generally of a stationary leg  32  which is shown contacting the ground support surface and extending upward to a pivotal structure where a lever  36  is pivotally associated with it. The jack  30  is also comprised of a mobile leg  34  which extends upward alongside the stationary leg  32  and terminates in contact with the bedding base  24 . 
         [0031]    As will be appreciated from  FIG. 3 , the jack  30  is generally longer and capable of support at greater heights in comparison with many jacks employed for use in elevating cars or the like. Its usage with camper bedding materials also allows the jack  30  to be comprised of components made of relatively light materials such as wood. 
         [0032]    In operation, the bedding of the assembled camper in  FIG. 3  may be supported by the jack  30  during occupation of the camper or may optionally be elevated using the jack  30  to different desired elevations or angles. These options, for example, may be useful where slats  22  have gone missing or are unavailable or where an occupant of the camper desires to change the angle of the bedding for use outside of the angular range, if any, provided through exclusive use of slats  22 . 
         [0033]    The jack  30  may also be used during assembly of the bedding for support and incremental elevation. An operator may begin by placing the stationary leg  32  against a support surface such as the ground and the opposite end of the mobile leg  34  against the base  24  or other structure associated with the base  24 . By then pivoting the lever  36  about the stationary leg  32 , the operator may cause the incremental elevation of the bedding through the resulting upward movement of the mobile leg  34 . 
         [0034]    Regarding the additional task of positioning support slats  22  during assembly, the operator may pivot the lever  36  using one hand while positioning a slat  22  using the other. He may also choose to cyclically raise the bedding to a particular level using the lever  36 , check whether the slat(s)  22  is appropriately positioned for attachment to the base  24  and support surface, then return to the lever  36  for additional elevation when necessary. In either case, the operator is not required to support and manipulate the bedding using his own body, nor is he required to attempt to maneuver the slats  22  into position concurrently with supporting the bedding. He may simply pivot the lever  36  at times of his choosing and maneuver the slats  22  at his leisure. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  provides additional detail for the structure of an embodiment of the jack  30 . The upper end of the mobile leg  34  is further comprised of a mobile leg cap  38  which is positioned beneath the bedding base  24  Likewise, the lower end of the stationary leg  32  is further comprised of a stationary leg cap  40  which is positioned above the ground or other support surface. From the stationary leg cap  40 , the stationary leg  32  extends upward to its pivotal structure, which is pivotally associated with the lever  36 . In this embodiment, the pivotal structure is comprised of a pivot block  48  fastened to the main shaft of the stationary leg  32  on the side proximal to an operator (not pictured), a pivot block hole  58  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) extending through the pivot block  48 , and a pivot pin  50  rotatably extending through the pivot block hole  58 . The pivot pin  50  further extends from the sides of the pivot block  48  where it is pivotally associated with the lever  36 . The lever  36  extends away from the pivotal structure toward the operator and, in the other direction, extends away from the pivotal structure to its latching end. 
         [0036]    The stationary leg  32  continues to extend upward from its pivotal structure and is additionally fixed to a mobile leg guide  46  located on the side distal from the operator and to an optional light bracket  54  on the side proximal to the operator. The light bracket  54  may be fastened to the stationary leg  32  using conventional fasteners such as screws or nails or, optionally, using a ball-and-socket, track, magnetic or other structure known in the art which allows adjustment of the bracket  54  in relation to the stationary leg  32 . It may also be removably fixed to the jack  30  using clips, magnets, or other known structures. The bracket  54  optionally contains a fixed or removable light  52 ; in this case the light is depicted as a conventional flashlight which is generally pointed upward toward the base  24  for illumination of the area where the mobile leg  34  comes into contact with the base  24 . The fixed or removably attached bracket  54  and light  52  may be positioned at differing locations on the jack  30  from that of the depicted embodiment to allow for illumination of alternative areas. 
         [0037]    The mobile leg  34  extends downward from the mobile leg cap  38  toward the top of the stationary leg  32  and continues to extend down alongside the stationary leg  32  until it reaches the mobile leg guide  46 . The mobile leg guide  46  is fixed to the stationary leg  32  and is depicted as a thin, elongated bracket forming a perimeter around a space through which the mobile leg  34  may movably extend. The mobile leg  34  thus extends through the mobile leg guide  46  down alongside the stationary leg  32  until it terminates near the bottom of the jack  30 . The mobile leg&#39;s  34  distal surface is further comprised of slots  42  for receiving the latching end of the lever  36 . 
         [0038]    Having positioned the jack  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , between the bedding base  24  and the ground, an operator may grasp the proximal end of the lever  36  and slowly push or pull that end toward the ground causing the lever  36  to pivot about the pivot pin  50 . This pivot causes the latching end to move upward along with the mobile leg  34  to which it is latched. Following this incremental movement of the mobile leg  34 , the operator may push or pull the proximal end of the lever  36  away from the ground causing the latching end to release one slot  42  in the mobile leg  34  and re-enter a lower one. 
         [0039]    At any point during this process, the operator may removably fasten a clip or other known retainer fastened to one or both of the stationary and mobile legs  32 ,  34  to help prevent vertical movement in relation to each other. Said retainer may be used to supplement the support provided by a releasable lock  61  (as shown in  FIG. 9  and described below). Using these separately or in combination will allow the operator to have two free hands with which to position the slats  22  between the base  24  and a support surface. If he then determines that the base  24  is in an improper position to receive the slats  22 , he may return to the lever  36  and undergo additional iterations to raise the bedding base  24  to an acceptable level. Alternatively, the operator may forego use of the fastener and releasable lock  61  and simply keep one hand on the lever  36  while using the other to telescope the slat  22  into position. 
         [0040]    If the operator is not using the jack  30  for assembly of the bedding, he may wish to use it to provide additional support for the base  24 , or to adjust the angle and height of the base  24  during use. In such cases, he may simply elevate the bedding to the desired height and employ a releasable lock  61  or retainer to substantially immobilize vertical movement between stationary and mobile legs  32 ,  34 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  depicts the pivotal structure and nearby portions of the lever  36 , stationary leg  32 , and mobile leg  34  in more detail. A plurality of slots  42  are mounted along mobile leg  34  and are each comprised of a top protruding lip having a surface which extends from the interior of a cavity associated with said slot  42  downwardly toward an outer distal surface of the mobile leg  34 , thus forming a lip around which the latching end of the lever  36  may catch. Each slot  42  includes a bottom releasing surface for receiving the latch end of the lever as the mobile leg  34  extends towards the interior of the slot  42  cavity. 
         [0042]    The latching end of the lever  36  is further comprised of a latch  44  which, in  FIG. 5 , is a cable secured to the latching end of the lever  36  using conventional mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails or staples. The latch  44  consists of wire or other materials capable of withstanding tensile pressure caused by lifting or supporting the mobile leg  34 . In  FIG. 5 , the latch  44  is shown positioned within slot  42  and, more specifically, is positioned near the top protruding lip. In this position, the proximal end of the lever  36  is positioned for pivotal movement toward the ground allowing the latching end of the lever to rotate and the latch  44  to move upward. In operation, when the latch  44  is rotated for location within slot  42 , the mobile leg  34  moves upwardly in relation to the stationary leg  32 . Continuing, the proximal end of the lever  36  may be pivoted away from the ground allowing the latch  44  to move downward against the bottom releasing surface of slot  42  and out of its cavity and down into a relatively lower slot  42  if desired. The jack  30  may then be prepared for another increment of elevation. In this manner, the jack  30  provides for incremental elevation of the bedding with minimal effort of the operator. An aspect of the invention is thus the capability to make small, controlled adjustments of the height of the bedding which may reduce the strain of elevating the bedding and the possibility of inadvertently displacing slats during and following assembly. 
         [0043]    The lever  36 , as discussed above, is pivotally associated with the pivot block  48  using the pivot pin  50  which extends through the pivot block hole  58  and out from a side of the block  48 . An embodiment of this pivotal association is shown in more detail in  FIG. 7 . The pivot block hole  58  is shown, from a top perspective, extending horizontally through the pivot block  48 . As illustrated, the pivot block  48  may be fixed to the proximal side of the stationary leg  32 . 
         [0044]    As illustrated, the pivot pin  50  extends from the sides of the pivot block  48  into the lever  36 . More specifically, the pivot pin  50  is rotationally or fixedly associated with two sides of the lever  36  which are referred to here as lever side members  60 . The pivot pin  50  is shown extending into and through the side members  60 . The pin  50  may be rotationally associated with the side members  60  using, for example, caps placed on either end of the pin  50  to reduce side-to-side movement of the pin  50  and thus prevent the pin  50  from sliding out of contact with one or more of the side members  60 . Another type of rotational association may be achieved using one or more pins inserted through the width of the pin  50  which also would reduce side-to-side movement of the pin  50 . Alternatively, the pin  50  may be fixed to the side members  60  using conventional fasteners such as adhesives as shown in  FIG. 7 . Each of these allows the lever  36  to be pivotally associated with the pivot block  48  and stationary leg  32 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  provides additional detail regarding the mobile leg guide  46 . The mobile leg guide  46  is shown as a thin bracket fixed to the stationary leg  32  using conventional fasteners. Spacers  56  are shown between the side surfaces of the stationary leg  32  and the associated inner surfaces of the mobile leg guide  46 . To facilitate extension of the mobile leg  34  in relation to the mobile leg guide  46 , the guide  46  may be dimensioned wider than the stationary and mobile legs  32 ,  34 . Spacers  56  may be used to accommodate this additional width by filling what would otherwise be a gap between the guide  46  and the stationary leg  32 . Spacers  56  may be comprised of any of a variety of materials including plastic, metal or wood which may be held in place through the friction and pressures created by fixing the guide  46  to the stationary leg  32  or through association with glues or mechanical fasteners such as nails or screws. 
         [0046]    Also shown in  FIG. 9  is an optional releasable lock  61  shown in association with the mobile leg guide  46 . The illustrated embodiment of the releasable lock  61  includes a flange which is associated with the inner surface of the mobile leg guide  46  which generally faces the slotted distal surface of the mobile leg  34 . The flange extends from a lower edge, which is hinged or otherwise associated with the mobile leg guide  46  so as to allow it to swing toward and away from the mobile leg  34 , upward and away from the inner surface of the mobile leg guide  46 . In this manner, the flange is designed to be received into the slots  42  as the mobile leg  34  travels incrementally upward. Between the inner surface of the mobile leg guide  46  and the flange is a spring, as pictured in  FIG. 9 , which as illustrated depicts securing the spring to both the mobile leg guide  46  and the flange and operationally biases the flange toward the mobile leg  34 . The mobile leg  34  may be positioned vertically to provide pressure against the bedding in association with pivoting the lever  36 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , pivoting the lever  36  may position the flange of the releasable lock  61  into consecutive slot  42 . If desired, pressure associated with the lever  36  may be reduced by inserting the releasable flange associated with the releasable lock  61  into slot  42 . In this manner, when the operator releases the lever  36 , the mobile leg  34  will be held in position relative to the stationary leg  32  by the releasable lock  61 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the releasable lock  61  may further include a release bar which, in one embodiment, extends from a fixed position associated with the flange away from the mobile leg  34 . The release bar as shown is employed by pressing its lower end toward the mobile leg  34  allowing movement of the flange in relation to slot  42 , thereby facilitating slideable movement of mobile leg  34  in relation to stationary leg  32 . 
         [0048]    The optional releasable lock  61  may be used in conjunction with an optional clip or similar structure to limit movement of the mobile leg  34  in relation to the stationary leg  32  as desired; for example when the operator is not elevating the bedding. 
         [0049]      FIG. 13  depicts the structure of an embodiment of the lever  36  in greater detail. As illustrated, the lever  36  includes latch  44  adapted for releasable insertion into the slot  42  associated with mobile leg  34 . As depicted, the latch  44  is secured to both lever side members  60 . The side members  60  extend toward the operator and include, near the latching end, lever pivot holes  64  through which the pivot pin  50  extends. The side members  60  are optionally joined, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 16 , by a lever handle spacer  62  on the lever&#39;s  36  proximal end. The lever handle spacer  62  is generally comprised of a rigid material and secured between the side members  60 , thus substantially maintaining their separation and allowing for improved coordination of their movement. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 10 and 12  respectively show stationary and mobile leg caps  40 ,  38 . These caps  40 ,  38  contact ground or other support surfaces and the base  24  and increase the cross-sectional area of contact with these surfaces. Caps  40 ,  38 , however, are optional and may have a variety of characteristics for improving frictional properties between the mobile and stationary legs  34 ,  32  and their respective bedding base  24  and associated support surfaces. Additionally, these caps  40 ,  38  may be fixed or releasably fixed to the base  24  or support surfaces using conventional mechanical fasteners in order to limited undesired slippage between the surfaces and the caps  40 ,  38  during operation. 
         [0051]    While the foregoing detailed description has disclosed several embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. It will be appreciated that the discussed embodiments and other unmentioned embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.