Abstract:
A slide-out mechanism is provided that adjusts the elevation of a slide-out room relative to the main body of a vehicle. In one preferred embodiment, the slide-out mechanisms includes a tube roller mounted near the edge of the floor to slide vertically. The top end of the tube roller contacts the floor of the slide-out room while the bottom of the tube roller rolls along an extending arm. The extending arm includes a groove which allows the tube roller to reduce its vertical position when the slide-out is fully extended, causing the proximal end of the slide-out to therefore reduce in height.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/496,960, entitled Slide System with Floor Roller, Tube Roller, Latching Mechanism, filed Aug. 18, 2003 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates broadly to slide-out rooms. More particularly, this invention relates to a mechanism for adjusting the elevation of a slide-out room typically used in travel trailers, fifth wheel travel trailers, motor homes, and other recreational travel vehicles. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to increase the available interior space of a motorized or towable vehicle such as a motor home or trailer, these vehicles have been designed to include slide-out rooms. When the vehicle is in transit, the slide-out room is retracted and stored in the vehicle&#39;s interior with the exterior wall of the slide-out room approximately flush with the vehicle&#39;s exterior. As a result, there is typically adequate space within the vehicle&#39;s interior to accommodate users in transit and remain within the standard width limitations imposed upon a vehicle. When the vehicle is parked and leveled, the slide-out room is then slid outward through an opening formed in a sidewall of the vehicle thereby increasing the internal accommodations. 
   Typically, slide-out rooms include a floor section, a roof section, a first sidewall section, a second sidewall section, and a third sidewall section. In the retracted position, the roof section and the first and second sidewall section are concealed from exterior view, and the third sidewall section forms a portion of the vehicle&#39;s sidewall. At the same time, the floor section of the slide-out room typically rests above a floor section of a fixed room and may form a portion of the usable interior floor during vehicle transit. Similarly, the roof section of the slide-out room may define the interior ceiling of that part of the vehicle during transit. The proximal ends of the roof section, first sidewall section, and second sidewall section, include stop walls. As used herein, “proximal” refers to the portion towards the vehicle body and “distal” refers to the portion away from the vehicle body. The stop walls form an L-shaped configuration with the respective roof section, first sidewall section and second sidewall section. The stop walls engage the inner surface of a respective sidewall section of the fixed room when the slide-out room is fully extended, and thereby limit the travel of the slide-out room. 
   In the early phases of slide-out room design, the floor of the slide-out room would slide back and forth over the top of the interior vehicle floor. With these early designs, however, there would then always exist a step differential between the vehicle floor and the slide-out room floor, even when the slide-out room was fully extended. To some users, this type of design was inconvenient or unsightly. 
   As a result, later slide-out rooms were designed so that the slide-out room floor would become flush with the interior vehicle floor once the slide-out room was fully extended out from the vehicle. These designs become known as flush floor designs and examples of these designs can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,637,794, 6,598,354, and 5,577,351, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
   However, even these later flush floor slide-out designs have not perfected the goal of achieving a flush floor configuration. For example, some existing flush floor slide-out designs are too complicated or cause excessive wear of parts over time. As a result, there is a continuing desire in the industry to find yet a better and more efficient way of achieving a flush floor configuration. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art and provide an improved way of achieving a flush floor configuration in a vehicle slide-out. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a slide-out mechanism that adjusts the elevation of a slide-out room. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a slide-out room that reduces its height when extended. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a slide-out room having a floor substantially level with a main floor of the vehicle body when in an extended position. 
   To achieve these and other objects not specifically numerated here, the present invention provides a slide-out mechanism that adjusts the elevation of a slide-out room relative to the main body of a vehicle. In one preferred embodiment, the slide-out mechanisms includes a tube roller mounted near the edge of the floor to slide vertically. The top end of the tube roller contacts the floor of the slide-out room while the bottom of the tube roller rolls along an extending arm. The extending arm includes a groove which allows the tube roller to reduce its vertical position when the slide-out is fully extended, causing the proximal end of the slide-out to therefore reduce in height. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of a slide-out mechanism according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a roller of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of a roller of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a side view of a roller of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of a slide-out mechanism according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of a roller of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates a side view of a cable of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4D  illustrates a side view of a latch of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view of a slide-out mechanism according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a side view of a roller of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a side view of a cable of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates a side view of a latch of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of a slide-out mechanism according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a side view of a roller of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates a side view of a cable of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 6D  illustrates a side view of a latch of the slide-out mechanism shown in  FIG. 6A ; and 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the latch shown in  FIG. 6D . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1A–3B  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the slide-out mechanism  100  according to the present invention. The slide-out mechanism  100  allows a slide-out room  102  to extend from a vehicle and reduce its height when in a fully extended position. In the present embodiment, this is achieved with an extending arm  112  mounted at a downward angle and a tube roller  116  that lowers or raises the proximal end of the slide-out room  102 . This arrangement allows the slide-out room  102  to extend and reduce in height so that the slide-out room floor  104  is flush with the main floor  106  of the vehicle. 
   The slide-out room  102  generally retracts and rests on the main floor  106  of the vehicle, partially supported by floor rollers  118 , seen best in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B, and  3 B. The slide-out room floor  106  contains upwardly ramped areas  104   a  positioned at the proximal end of the slide-out room  102 . Each ramped area  104   a  has a width similar to or larger than the width of floor roller  118 . Additionally, each ramped area  104   a  is aligned with each floor roller  118  (two or more floor rollers  118  are preferably included), allowing the proximal end of the slide-out room  102  to move downward in conjunction with a tube roller mechanism  116  described in more detail below. Optionally, the floor roller  118  may be replaced by a low friction pad, facilitating sliding movement of the slide-out room  102 . 
   The slide-out mechanism  100  includes a fixed arm  114  mounted within the vehicle body, having a smaller extending arm  112  which telescopes outward from it. The distal end of the extending arm  112  is fixed to the underside of the slide-out room  102  by a bracket  110  which allows the extending arm  112  to push and pull the slide-out room  102  into an extended or retracted position. In this respect, the extending arm  112  may be coupled to a manual or motorized drive system to provide the force for extension and retraction. 
   The fixed arm  114 , and therefore the extending arm  112 , is mounted at a slight downward angle relative to the body of the vehicle. The downward angle is such that when the slide-out room  102  is fully extended, the distal end of the slide-out room floor  104  achieves an elevation that is level with the main floor  106 . Therefore, as the extending arm  112  extends from the fixed arm  114 , it pushes the distal end of the slide-out room  102  outwards and downwards at an angle. Thus, the slide-out room  102  remains substantially level in a retracted position and becomes angled as the slide-out room  102  is extended. However, note that when in a fully extended position the slide-out room  102  is once again substantially level, but overall lower in height, due to a tube roller  116  fixed to the vehicle body. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B, and  3 B, the slide-out mechanism  100  includes the tube roller  116  (a cylinder shaped member having a roller bearing at either end), mounted to the vehicle body by a sleeve  119  within which the tube roller  116  moves vertically. Preferably, the sleeve  119  is positioned within an outer L shaped ledge on the main floor  106  of the vehicle. A top end of the tube roller  116  contacts and supports the slide-out room floor  104 , while a lower end of the tube roller  116  contacts and rolls over the extending arm  112 . Note that the L shaped ledge of the main floor  106  provides additional space for the slide-out room  102  to lower into when fully extended. 
   The extending arm  112  includes a ramped depression  112   a , located at the same horizontal position as the proximal end of the slide-out room  102 , as best seen in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A, and  3 A. The tube roller  116  maintains a substantially uniform elevation as the slide-out room  102  is extended, until it reaches the ramped depression  112   a . The tube roller  116  slides downward within the sleeve  119  as it rides down the ramped depression  112   a . Since the tube roller  116  at least partially supports the slide-out room  102 , the slide-out room  102  also reduces in height. 
   Preferably, the extending arm  112  and rollers  118  and  116  lower the slide-out room  102  so the slide-out room floor  104  is substantially level or flush with the main floor  106  of the vehicle. The height variation of the slide-out room  102  may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the angle of the extending arm  112  relative to the vehicle, the depth of the ramped area  104   a  and the depth of the ramped depression  112   a.    
   In operation, the extending arm  112  pushes the slide-out room  102  out from the vehicle, rolling on floor rollers  118  and tube roller  116 , seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The slide-out room  102  extends further away from the vehicle in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , while the extending arm  112  pulls the distal end of the slide-out room  102  at a downward angle. As the slide-out room  102  begins to reach a fully extended position, the floor rollers  118  follow the ramped areas  104   a  of the slide-out room floor  104 , while the tube rollers slide downward along the ramped depression  112   a  of the extending arm  112 . In this respect, the proximal end of the slide-out room  102  moves downward to a position level with the distal end while the slide-out room floor  104  moves to a position level or flush with the main floor  106  of the vehicle, seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     FIGS. 4A–7  illustrate another preferred embodiment of a slide-out mechanism  140  according to the present invention. The slide-out mechanism  140  is similar to the previously described slide-out mechanism  100 , in that a ramped depression  112   a  on the extendible arm  112  allows the tube roller  116  to slide downward to reduce the height of the slide-out room  102 . However, floor rollers and their accompanying ramped portions of slide-out room floor  104  are not included. Additional differences of the slide-out mechanism  140  include a latch mechanism  132  between the extendible arm  112  and the slide-out room  102  that releasably secures the height of the distal end of the slide-out room  102 , as well as an extending arm  112  that extends at an angle level to the vehicle. 
   As previously stated, this embodiment of the slide-out mechanism  140  does not include floor rollers nor the associated ramped portions on the slide-out room floor  104 . Typically, the slide-out room floors  104  are beveled to create ramped portions needed for flush floor conditions. However, by removing the ramped portions and floor rollers, it is possible to use simpler and cleaner square-cut edges on the floors. 
   The slide-out mechanism  102  also includes a latch mechanism  132  which latches when the slide-out room  102  when in a retracted position to support the height of the distal end of the slide-out room  102  and unlatches when the slide-out room  102  is in an extended position to reduce the height of the slide-out room  102 . As seen best in  FIGS. 4D ,  5 D,  6 D, and  7  the latch  132  includes a mount plate  119  fixed to a lower portion of the slide-out room  102 , having an angled slot  122 . A cross rod  121  is attached to the end of the extendible arm  112 , extending through the slot  122 , allowing it to slide back and forth within the slot  122 . A latch  120  is pivotally mounted to the mount plate  119 , having an inwardly curved region sized to accept the cross rod  121 . When the cross rod  121  is slid to a proximal end of the slot  122 , the latch  120  can latch onto the cross rod  121  to secure its position within the slot  122 , as seen in  FIG. 4D . 
   The position of the latch  120  is controlled by the tension of a cable  126  which is fixed to the latch  120  and the fixed arm  114 . The cable  126  is positioned through the extendible arm  112  and attached to the fixed arm  114 , as seen in  FIG. 4C . Preferably, the cable  126  is mounted to a position on the fixed member  114  that allows the cable  126  to wrap around the end of the extending arm  112 , thereby taking up at least some of the slack as the extendible arm  112  retracts. 
     FIGS. 5C and 6C  illustrate the cable  126  as the extending arm  112  is extended. The cable  126  is of a length such that the cable  126  is in tension when the extension arm  112  is moved to a fully extended position. As seen in  FIGS. 4D ,  5 D, and  6 D, the distal end of the cable  126  is positioned around two angling pegs  119   a  on the mount plate  119  and fixed to a distal end of the latch  120 . This arrangement allows the cable  126  to apply or relieve force at an appropriate angle on the latch  120 , raising or lowering it. 
   When the slide-out room  102  is in a retracted or partially retracted position (e.g.  FIG. 4A ), the tension of cable  126  low enough to allow the latch  120  to remain latched onto the cross rod  121 , as seen in  FIGS. 4A–4D . By remaining latched, the latching mechanism  132  maintains the distal end of the slide-out room  102  in a relatively elevated position, substantially even with the proximal end of the slide-out room  102 . As the slide-out room  102  reaches its fully extended position, the cable  126  becomes tense, lifting the latch  120  off the cross rod  121 , as seen in  FIGS. 5A–5D . Once the latch  120  is lifted, the distal end of the slide-out room  102  lowers, allowing the cross rod  120  to move distally within slot  122 , as seen in  FIGS. 6A–6D . As a result, the distal end of the slide out room  102  lowers to about the same height as the proximal end. In this respect, the slide-out room floor  104  is level or flush with the main floor  106  of the vehicle. 
   Although the slide-out mechanism  140  preferably includes the cable  126  and latch  120 , these items may be omitted to leave only the cross rod  121  and the mount plate  119  with slot  122 . In this respect, the distal end of the slide-out room  102  may vary in elevation, but may not lock in place as with the latch  120 . 
   Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.