Patent ID: 6871897

Claim:
A telescoping drive mechanism for an extendible living section of a recreational vehicle, said drive mechanism having at least one telescoping rail assembly comprising: a gear drive comprising a rotatable drive gear and a motor which selectively rotates said drive gear to extend and retract the living section; a stationary rail having a mounting arrangement which is engagable with said recreational vehicle, said stationary rail having an interior channel wherein said drive gear projects therein; and a movable rail which is slidably supported within said interior channel in telescoping engagement with said stationary rail, said movable rail comprising an outer channel which has a first thickness and defines an interior slot, and an inner channel which is nested within said interior slot and affixed to said outer channel, said inner channel having a second thickness which is less than said first thickness and having an inner wall which is spaced from an opposing outer wall on said outer channel and at least partially closes said interior slot such that said inner and outer channels have a rigid tubular structure, said inner wall including gear tooth formations along the length thereof to define a gear rack which is drivingly engaged by said drive gear.