Kwikee Products Co., Inc.

Other

Hydra-slide Corporation

Robert L Tiedge

Michael R Anderson

A system varies space of a vehicle having a first portion with occupiable space and a number of ground engaging wheels coupled to the first portion. A second occupiable portion is coupled to the first portion and configured to move relative thereto to adjust volume of an occupiable living space defined by both portions. A pair of support arms are coupled to the first portion which each have a bearing member engaging a guide of the second portion. Each bearing member is permitted to move relative to an axis perpendicular to an axis of travel of the second portion to relieve stress from forces acting on the system which are nonparallel to the axis of travel. The arms are positioned by an operator controlled positioning mechanism. In another system, an arrangement of telescoping arms is disclosed for positioning a first occupiable portion relative to a second occupiable portion. This arrangement includes an operator positioning mechanism with a rotatable member formed from a self-lubricating polymeric material. The rotatable member is configured to movably engage at least one arm and correspondingly position the first portion relative to the second portion to adjust volume of an occupiable living space defined by the first and second portions.

Self-aligning system to adjust occupancy space in a vehicle

A vehicle for providing adjustable occupant space has a fixed occupiable section defining a first interior space. The fixed occupiable section includes a number of ground engaging wheels and has a floor affixed to a number of walls. Also included is an expandable occupiable section moveably coupled to the fixed section which also has a floor fixed to at least one wall. The expandable section defines a second interior space intersecting the first interior space which is moveable relative to the first interior space to vary an amount of total living space defined by the fixed and expandable sections. A carriage for supporting the expandable section and selectively positioning it relative to the fixed section is included to adjust volume of the living space defined by both sections. This carriage includes at least one arm pivotably anchored to the first section which engages the expandable section in a load bearing relationship. An actuator with a stationary member fixed to the expandable section and a positioning member coupled to the load bearing arm is included. This positioning member is configured to selectively move relative to the stationary member in response to activation of the actuator to rotate the arms and correspondingly adjust the living space. By way of example, a coupling member provided on the load bearing arm is threaded onto a threaded shaft coupled to a motor, the coupling member and arm rotating with rotation of the threaded shaft.

Vehicle with adjustable occupancy space

A system varies space of a vehicle having a fixed portion and a number of ground engaging wheels coupled to the fixed portion. An expandable portion coupled to the fixed portion moves along a first axis relative to the fixed portion to vary volume of a living space defined by both portions. A pair of moveable, load bearing arms are each coupled to the fixed portion and each have a bearing member that contacts the expandable portion. The bearing member of each of the arms moves relative to both portions along a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis during varying of the living space. Another housing system includes an enclosure with a pair of walls that may be selectively coupled together by a latch. In one form, this latch includes a pair of guide rails fixed to one of the walls that define a channel therebetween. One of the rails defines a first notch intersecting the channel. A projection extends from the other wall which defines a second notch. The projection may slide between the rails to align the first and second notches. A coupling pin engages the notches when aligned to substantially prevent movement between the walls.

Systems for adjusting occupiable space in a vehicle and a latch for a

A system for varying space of a vehicle having a fixed portion with occupiable space and a number of ground engaging wheels coupled to the fixed portion. An expandable portion is coupled to the fixed portion and has a rigid floor. The expandable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion to adjust volume of a living space defined by the fixed and expandable portions. The floor is configured for planar movement along a generally horizontal plane when the expandable portion is moved. The system has a first load bearing arm engaging the floor to support the expandable portion. The first load bearing arm is pivotally anchored to the fixed portion to rotate about a generally vertical first axis to correspondingly move the expandable portion. Also, the system has an operator controlled actuator coupled to the first load bearing arm to selectively rotate the first load bearing arm and thereby control position of the expandable portion relative to the fixed portion to provide adjustment of the living space. The system may also include multiple swing arms controllably linked by a rod to facilitate tandem rotation.

System for providing adjustable occupant space in a vehicle

A position locking feature for an expandable trailer by which the trailer may be automatically locked in either an expanded or a retracted position. A stop block having a transverse striking plate is mounted to an expansion box beam carrying the expandable portion of the trailer. A locking assembly is mounted to a fixed box beam carrying the fixed portion of the trailer. The locking assembly biases a plunger toward the expansion box beam such that the plunger abuts the transverse striking plate, thereby preventing relative movement of the fixed and expandable portions in one direction. A pair of such stop blocks may be used to lock the trailer in either of the expanded or retracted positions.

Growing community of inventors

Cicero, IN, United States of America

Robert L Tiedge