Cantilever support for slide-out room

Abstract

The present invention involves a cantilever support assembly for supporting an extension unit to a structure that has an exterior wall and a main floor. The extension unit has a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure. The extension unit also has an extension wall of which at least a portion is substantially parallel with the exterior wall of the structure. The extension unit further has a roof portion and a floor portion that extend between the exterior wall and the extension wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position. In addition, the extension unit includes a track mounted to and extending along at least a portion of the extension unit and at least one cantilever support member, which has a first end pivotally connected to the structure and a second end movably engaged with the track.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to slide-out rooms or movable extension units for creating additional interior living space within a structure. More particularly, the invention relates to support assemblies for supporting the movable extension units of the structure.

2. Background Art

Physical dimensional restrictions limit the amount of interior space within many structures providing living space. For example, recreational vehicles, manufactured housing, and specialty trailer structures are restricted in their width dimension because of space restrictions upon the highways upon which those structures are transported. However, once the recreational vehicle, manufactured housing, or specialty trailer component has completed its transport, either temporarily or permanently, the structure no longer has a width restriction. In fact, the occupants of those structures would prefer to have a greater amount of interior living space.

To accommodate the desire for additional interior space, several different configurations have been employed. One example involves creating a pop-out compartment formed by the extension of side walls from the recreational vehicle. In the side walls' retracted position, the side walls form interior partitions within the vehicle. These interior partitions limit the amount of interior space within the vehicle when the compartment is retracted.

Another example involves a tent camper with a lateral slide-out room. The tent camper includes a camper main body that is pulled in a longitudinal direction by a towing vehicle. A roof, aligned above the camper main body, is movable between a lowered, storage or transport position and a raised, camping or deployed position. The lateral slide-out room, coupled to the camper body, is movable in a lateral direction between a retraced, storage position and an extended, operational position. This allows the lateral slide-out to extend and provide additional living space within the camper. The interior space of the camper is not habitable in the retracted, transport position, the overlap or interior partition of the slide-out walls within the camper is not an issue.

A further example involves a mobile accommodation structure, such as a caravan or motor home, with a foldable extension for enlarging the volume of the vehicle. A wall panel is attached to guide rails on the side of the vehicle for pivotal and sliding movement over the vehicle side wall. Another wall panel is only pivotally connected to the side wall, while the middle wall panel is pivotally connected to both other wall panels. The roof of the accommodation structure is hinged on the vehicle roof edge to be able to move from a position overlying the vehicle roof to a position covering the trapezoidal recess formed by the side walls when deployed. The floor is hinged on the floor edge so that it is capable of moving from a position parallel to the vehicle side wall to a position co-planar with the vehicle floor.

Each of these prior structures includes drawbacks in terms of the use and support of the extension unit. In many recreational vehicles, the creation of interior partitions in the retracted position diminishes the utility of the extension, as often such interior partitions interfere with the amount of the space within the vehicle during transport, either as living or storage space. Also, because the extension units must be adequately supported to be structurally sound and prevent binding during deployment and retraction, the deployment mechanisms of many extension units are expensive and complicated. In addition, the complex mechanisms for deploying the extension units often require adding even more expensive actuation devices and controls to provide movement of the extension units between the deployed and retracted positions.

What is needed in the art is an economical support for an extension unit so as to provide the desired additional interior space without creating interior partitions and yet provide adequate support for the extension unit and the simplistic ease of moving into the extended position and back to the retracted position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a support for an extension unit of a structure, with the extension unit having a track and a cantilever support pivotally connected to the structure and moveably engaging the track.

In one embodiment, the invention includes an extension unit for a structure that has an exterior wall and a main floor. The extension unit has a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure. The extension unit also has an extension wall of which at least a portion is substantially parallel with the exterior wall of the structure. The extension unit further has a roof portion and a floor portion that extend between the exterior wall and the extension wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position. In addition, the extension unit includes a track mounted to and extending along at least a portion of the extension unit and at least one cantilever support member, which has a first end pivotally connected to the structure and a second end movably engaged with the track.

The extension unit may include two cantilever support members with the first ends being connected adjacent the lower end of the extension unit. In addition, the extension unit may include a mounting bracket attached to the structure with the first end of the support member pivotally connected to the mounting bracket. The support member may move relative to the vertical when pivoting in relation to the mounting bracket as the extension unit is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position in order to lower the floor portion to be flush with the main floor.

The extension unit may further include a rail block pivotally connected to the second end of the support arm that traverses at least a portion of the track. The rail block may include a follower wheel that rolls along the track. The rail block is located in a central portion of the extension unit when the extension unit is in the retracted position. As the extension unit is moved to the deployed position, the rail block moves outwardly along the track. The track may be sloped so as to be lower in the central portion and sloping upwardly to the outer ends thereof. The floor portion may be lowered relative to the main floor as the rail block moves up the slope of the track and the extension unit moves to the deployed position.

In one embodiment, when the extension unit is in the retracted position, the support member extends parallel to the exterior wall, and when the extension unit is in the deployed position, the support member is at an angle to the exterior wall. The track may be mounted to the floor portion of the extension unit and parallel to the extension wall.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an embodiment of a support assembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure. The extension unit has a retracted position for travel, and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure. The support assembly includes a track mounted to and extending along at least a portion of the extension unit and at least one cantilever support member. Each support member has a first end pivotally connected to the structure and a second end movably engaged with the track.

The support assembly may include two cantilever support members, wherein the first ends are connected adjacent to and at a lower end of the extension unit.

The support assembly may also include a rail block that is pivotally connected to the second end of the support member. The rail block traverses at least a portion of the track. The support assembly may further include a follower wheel mounted to the rail block. The follower wheel rotates relative to the rail block and rolls in the track. The rail block is located in the central portion of the extension unit when the extension unit is in the retracted position, and as the extension unit is moved to the deployed position, the rail block moves outwardly along the track. The track may be sloped so that it is lower in the central portion and slopes upwardly to outer ends.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide an embodiment of a support assembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure, wherein the extension unit has a retracted position for travel, and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure. The support assembly includes a support arm and a swing arm. The swing arm has first and second ends, such that the first end is pivotally connected to the support arm and the second end is adapted for engagement with a support surface. The swing arm extends substantially parallel with the support arm when the extension unit is in the retracted position; and is pivoted about the pivot connection when the extension unit is in the deployed position so as to be at an angle relative to the support arm.

The support arm may have a slot, and the assembly may include a brace having a fixed pivot connection to the swing arm and a sliding pivot connection to the slot in the support arm. The swing arm may also include locking recesses, and the support arm may include locking members for securing the swing arm substantially parallel with the support arm when the extension unit is in the retracted position.

A further aspect of the invention involves how the extension unit is connected to the structure. The frame of the extension unit has an interior and an exterior section, which clamp the extension unit to the walls of the structure. This embodiment of the extension unit has an extension wall, a roof, floor, and frame. The roof is adapted to extend between the exterior wall and the extension wall when said extension unit is in the deployed position. The floor is adapted to extend between the extension wall and the exterior wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position. The frame supports the extension wall, roof, and floor, having an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interior and exterior portions are adapted to clamp over the exterior wall of the structure to secure the extension unit to the exterior wall of the structure.

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen to describe so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. The present invention provides a cantilever support assembly for supporting movable extension units of a recreational vehicle. Further, while the description below is specifically identified with recreational vehicles in general, many other structures could utilize the arrangement and configuration of the present invention. For example, manufactured housing components are transported over the highways, and have similar width restrictions as recreational vehicles. The occupants of manufactured houses have the same desire for additional interior space as the occupants of recreational vehicles, and the cantilever support of the subject invention may be used to support bay windows or other extension units of a manufactured house. Also, recreational vehicles themselves have many varieties, such as motor homes, fifth wheels, tent campers, trailers, etc., which can utilize the present invention. Other structures, such as mobile homes, boats, train compartments, may find the structure of the present invention beneficial. Thus, while the structure of a recreational vehicle is explicitly shown and described in detail below, many other structures can utilize the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of several embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recreational vehicle having an extension unit shown in the retracted position and a cantilevered support of the present invention for supporting the extension unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recreational vehicle of FIG. 1 with the extension unit in the deployed position.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the extension unit in the retracted position and additional details of the cantilevered support.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view with the extension unit in the deployed position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cantilevered support removed from the recreational vehicle showing the position of the cantilevered support while the extension unit is in the retracted position in solid lines and showing the position of the cantilevered support while the extension unit is in the deployed position in phantom lines.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the swivel block of the present invention showing the block as is positioned while the extension unit is in the deployed position in solid lines and showing the position that the swivel block is in while the extension unit is in the deployed position in phantom lines.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the cantilever support assembly and track shown with the extension unit in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing the swivel block removed from the track.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention including a sloped track to allow the extension unit to be lowered so that the extension unit floor is level with the main floor when the unit is in the deployed position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 taken as shown in view lines 10-10 of FIG. 4 with the floor lowered.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 taken as shown in view lines 11-11 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a close up of another embodiment showing a pivotal mount of the support to the mounting bracket that allows the extension unit floor to be lowered as the extension unit is deployed.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate support for the extension unit having a swinging support.

FIG. 14 is another embodiment of an alternate support for the extension unit with a swinging support.

FIG. 15 is an interior perspective view of an alternate embodiment extension unit in retracted position.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken through section line 16-16 in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is an interior perspective view of the embodiment of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 15 in the extended position.

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view taken through section line 18-18 in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exterior perspective view of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the extension unit of FIG. 19 with the extension walls removed.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the extension unit frame including a motor on load support beams.

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the frame clamping the wall.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a cantilever beam utilized in the embodiment of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is an interior perspective of an alternate embodiment extension unit with folding fan floor in the retracted position.

FIG. 25 is a close up perspective view of the folder fan style floor.

FIG. 26 is a cross section view of taken along lines 26-26 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an interior perspective view of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 25 in the partially extended position.

FIG. 28 is a close up perspective view of the folder fan style floor in the partially extended position.

FIG. 29 is a cross section view taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is an interior perspective view of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 24 in the fully extended position.

FIG. 31 is a close up perspective view of the folder fan style floor in the extended position.

FIG. 32 is a cross section view taken along lines 32-32 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a side cross section of an embodiment of the extension unit with telescoping roof and folder fan style floor in the retracted position.

FIG. 34 is a cross section view taken along lines 34-34 of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a cross section view taken along lines 35-35 of FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a side view of the embodiment of the extension unit depicted in FIG. 33 in the extended position.

FIG. 37 is a cross section view taken along lines 35-35 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a cross section view taken along lines 36-36 of FIG. 36.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art might utilize their teachings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cantilever support assembly generally indicated as 10 mounted on a recreational vehicle generally indicated as 12 for supporting an extension unit generally indicated as 14. Recreational vehicle 12 includes exterior wall 16, main floor 18 under the major portion of recreational vehicle 12, and roof 19. Frame 60 clamps to exterior wall 16 to secure extension unit 14 in recreational vehicle 12 as described in greater detail below. The present invention may be utilized with an extension unit having floating corners as detailed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,701 to Dennis Vance, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such an extension unit is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in conjunction with cantilever support assembly 10 of the present invention. Cantilever support assembly 10 may also be used with rectangular slide-out units, which are well known.

Extension unit 14 includes central wall panel 20 and two side wall panels 22 and 24, which are pivotally connected to central wall panel 20. Extension unit 14 also includes roof portion 26 and floor portion 28 (FIGS. 3, 10, and 11). Extension unit 14 is movable between a retracted position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which reduces the width of recreational vehicle 12 during traveling or storage, and an extended or deployed position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 that increases the interior living space of recreational vehicle 12.

In the retracted position, wall panels 20, 22, and 24 of extension unit 14 lie substantially juxtaposed and parallel with exterior wall 16 of recreational vehicle 12, and roof portion 26 and floor portion 28 are contained within recreational vehicle 12 below roof 19 and above main floor 18, respectively. In the deployed position, central wall panel 20 is extended away from, but still substantially parallel with, exterior wall 16, while side wall panels 22 and 24 are at an angle to and biased against exterior wall 16, as more fully described in the '701 Patent to Vance.

Cantilever support assembly 10 is designed to provide additional support and structural rigidity to extension unit 14, when it is in the deployed position and to retract with the extension unit in the retracted position. As such, the support assembly does not increase the overall width of recreational vehicle 12, whether extension unit 14 is in the deployed or retracted position. In one embodiment of the invention, cantilever support assembly 10 includes a pair of support members generally indicated as 30a, 30b, a pair of mounting brackets 32a, 32b, and track 34 (FIG. 7).

Support members 30a, 30b each respectively include support arm 40a, 40b, rail block 42a, 42b, and follower wheel 44a, 44b. In the form of the invention shown, each support arm 40a, 40b is a generally rectangular, elongated structural member having first end 45a, 45b, and second end 46a, 46b, respectively; however, any suitable structural member may be employed. Rail blocks 42a, 42b are pivotally attached to first ends 45a, 45b of respective support arms 40a, 40b, using pivot pin 48 as shown in FIG. 8 or by other known pivotal connection mechanisms.

Rail blocks 42a, 42b have a rectangular configuration in the embodiment shown and include opening 50 and upper surface 52 that surrounds opening 50. Opening 50 is configured to receive a portion of follower wheels 44a, 44b, which are mounted to respective rail blocks 42a, 42b using axle 54 or other known mechanisms that allow wheels 44 to rotate within opening 50. A portion of follower wheels 44a, 44b protrude from opening 50 and beyond upper surface 52 of rail blocks 42a, 42b.

In the embodiment shown, second ends of each support arm 40 are connected to corresponding hinged connections 56, or other mechanism for providing pivotal movement. Hinged connection 56 is disposed on frame 60, facing the exterior of recreational vehicle 12. In this embodiment, side panels 22 and 24 are pivotally connected to frame 60, and cantilever supports extend underneath floor 28 to provide support in the extended position. Support arms 40 maintain engagement floor 28 using track 34 and rail blocks 42.

In the form shown, track 34 includes cross member 70 and a pair of flanges 72, 74 that are spaced apart and extend generally perpendicular from cross member 70. Cross member 70 and flanges 72, 74 together define channel 76 (FIG. 8). Channel 76 is sized for receipt of rail blocks 42a, 42b. In the form shown, track 34 is mounted to the floor portion 28 of extension unit 14 using bolts and nuts (not shown) or other known fastening mechanisms. Track 34 may also be mounted to other structural or frame members on extension unit 14.

To assemble cantilever support assembly 10, mounting brackets 32a, 32b are mounted to main floor 18 or other structural members at a location to the sides of respective side panels 22 and 24 as shown in FIG. 3. Support arms 40a, 40b are mounted to respective mounting brackets 32a, 32b so that they extend in a generally horizontal direction toward and below wall panel 20. Rail blocks 42a, 42b mounted on first ends 45a, 45b of support arms 40 are positioned in track 34 so that wheels 44a, 44b are in contact with cross member 70 and in channel 76 between flanges 72 and 74.

In operation, cantilever support assembly 10 is designed to provide additional support and rigidity for extension unit 14 when it is extended to the deployed position. In the retracted position, support arms 40a, 40b lie generally parallel to exterior wall 16, and rail blocks 42a, 42b will be located in track 34 toward the center of central wall panel 20 as best shown in FIG. 3. As extension unit 14 is extended to the deployed position as shown in FIG. 4, second ends 46a, 46b of respective support arms 40a, 40b will pivot on hinged connections 56a, 56b, respectively, so that support arms 40 are at an angle to exterior wall 16 of recreational vehicle 12. As support arms 40 are pivoting about hinged connections 56, wheels 44a, 44b roll on the cross member 70 of track 34 so that rail blocks 42a, 42b move toward the sides of central wall panel 20 whereby support members provide cantilever support to the outer corners of extension unit 14 as shown in FIG. 4.

In the retracted position, rail blocks 42 are substantially aligned with support arms 40a, 40b. However, as extension unit 14 is deployed and rail blocks 42 move outwardly along track 34, they will also pivot relative to support arm 40 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 about pivot pin 48. This prevents rail block 42 from binding in track 34.

When it is desired to retract the extension unit, the operation of the cantilever support members is reversed and return to the position shown in FIG. 3. The above disclosed support assembly will function with the extension unit being either manually or mechanically deployed and retracted.

Now referring to FIGS. 9-12, cantilever support members 30a, 30b are shown positioned in alternate embodiment track 134. Track 134 has an angled or sloped surface 175 that wheels 44a, 44b rotate against and ride along as compared to the flat cross member 70 of track 34. Track 134 is sloped so that the lowest part is located toward the center of central panel 20 as shown in FIG. 10. From there, track 134 slopes upward toward the side ends of central panel 20. The purpose of track 134 being sloped is to allow floor portion 28 of extension unit 14 to drop substantially flush with main floor portion 18 of recreational vehicle 12 in the deployed position.

When extension unit 14 is in the retracted position, floor portion 28 is supported above main floor 18 as the lower central portion of sloped surface 175 of track 134 is supported upon rail blocks 42a, 42b. As extension unit 14 is moved to the deployed position, floor portion 28 lowers to the position shown in FIG. 11 as rail blocks 42 ride up the sloped surface 175 toward the outer edges of track 134. As extension unit 14 is retracted, wheels 44 follow the slope back towards the central portion of track 134 so that floor portion 28 is pushed above main floor 18.

FIG. 12 shows alternate embodiment hinged connection 156a, 156b. In this embodiment, hinged connection 156 incorporates worm gear 157 and worm gear bearing 158 attached to second end 46a, 46b of support arms 40. Worm gear hinged connection 156 may be used as an alternate mechanism of allowing floor portion 28 to be lowered as extension unit 14 is moved to the deployed position. As should become evident, as arms 40a, 40b are rotated about hinged connection 156a, 156b, worm gear bearing 158 follows worm gear 157 resulting in a vertical displacement of support arm 40 as it pivots about hinged connection 156. Alternate hinged connections 156a, 156b may also be used in conjunction with sloped track 134 to achieve the desired vertical displacement of floor portion 28 as extension unit 14 is moved to the deployed position.

FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment support assembly at 210. Support assembly 210 includes mounting end 232, support arm 240 and swing arm 241. Swing arm 241 includes locking recesses 243, first end 245 and second end 246. Foot pad 247 is attached to second end 246 of swing arm 241 with pivot connection 248. First end 245 of swing arm 241 is connected to support arm 240 with pivot connection 249. Support arm 240 also has locking members 251 for receipt of locking recesses 243. Support assembly 210 may be rotatingly mounted to extension unit 14 with mounting end 232.

When extension unit 14 is in the retracted position, swing arm 241 is substantially parallel with support arm 240 with locking recesses 243 lockingly receiving unlocking members 251. When the extension is deployed, swing arm 241 is pivoted about pivot connection 249 so that foot pad 247 is contacted with the ground or other supporting surface. Foot pad 247 may rotate about pivot connection 248 to meet the contour of the ground or support surface.

Another support assembly 310 is shown in FIG. 14. Support assembly 310 is similar to support assembly 210 except that it includes brace 355 extending between support arm 340 and swing arm 341. Brace 355 is connected to swing arm 341 with fixed pivot connection 357 and is connected to support arm 340 with sliding pivot connection 358. Brace 355 provides additional rigidity and support for support assembly 310. When extension unit 14 is in the retracted position, sliding pivot 358 will be located in slot 359 to the right side of support arm 340. As extension unit 14 is deployed, sliding pivot 358 slides to the left to the position shown in FIG. 14 as swing arm 341 moves to the support position.

FIGS. 15-19 show an embodiment of the invention using a three piece floor unit 28. Side panels 80 and 82 are attached to side panels 22 and 24, respectively, to border a solid floor formed by unit 28 for the areas of extension unit 14 which extend beyond vehicle 12. FIG. 16 shows the retracted position, wherein support arms 40A and 40B extend to engage track 90 of roof 26 to provide support for roof 26 in this retracted position. When in the extended position, see FIG. 17, floor unit 28 has bottom panels 80 and 82 generally aligned with the interior of the recreational vehicle. Although not shown in the illustrated views, floor unit 28 has portions adapted to provide the support for the solid floor for extension unit 14. Support arms 40A and 40B maintain engagement with track 90 of roof 26, however in the extended position track 90 is approximately parallel to wall 16 of recreational vehicle 12, consequently roof 26 is primarily supported by wall 20. In these figures, roof 26 is shown in breakaway, where in practice a panel and/or shingles (not shown), as appropriate, are positioned on the upper side of roof 26.

The assembly of extension unit 14 on recreational vehicle 12 is more particularly shown in FIGS. 20-22. FIG. 20 shows frame unit 60 having an exterior portion 60B, which pivotally holds support arms 40C and 40D on the lower side. Frame 60 also has interior section 60A which provides a pivotal support 62 for support arms 40 that secure roof 26. In addition, FIG. 21 shows frame 60A as having an additional track 65 which may be connected to a motor for driving the extension and retraction of floor 28. FIG. 22 shows the interconnection of interior portion 60B and exterior portion 60A which clamps to wall 16. Frame 60 further includes wall pivot 61, which may be formed with either exterior portion 60A, exterior portion 60B, or as a third separate portion. Bolt 63 or other connector (not shown) may then connect together the corresponding portions of frame 60, securing the clamping of frame 60 over wall 16. This allows the unit to be initially assembled in two components, namely portions 60A and 60B, at a location separate from the manufacturing location of recreational vehicle 12. The two portions 60A and 60B may be advantageously shipped together with a relatively thin profile (particularly thin with the telescopically configured floor and roof disclosed in FIGS. 33-38 described below), separated when arriving at the location where the structure is assembled, portion 60A positioned in the interior of the structure and portion 60B positioned on the exterior of the structure, then connecting together portions 60A and 60B to clamp extension unit 14 to wall 16. The clamping of frame 60 helps to distribute the load of extenstion unit 14 and anchor support arms 40.

An alternative embodiment of support arm is provided in FIG. 23. Support arm 40′ pivots about hinge number 56′, and has a roller 42′ to engage another member. For example, FIG. 24 shows such a support arm providing support to extension unit 14′. In this embodiment, floor 28′ has a generally trapezoidal configuration to provide the entire floor when extension unit 14′ is fully extended. To prevent gaps from appearing between side walls 22 and 24 as the unit is extended, a plurality of side leaves 80′ and 82′ are configured to extend in an accordion like fashion to fill the space between floor panel 28′ and side walls 22 and 24. This arrangement is shown more particularly in FIG. 25, where roller 42′ engages Track 76′ of floor panel 28′. FIGS. 26-32 generally show the progression to the extended position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 33-38 depict an embodiment having telescopically formed roof 26′, as well as telescopically formed floor 28″ and telescopically formed side panel 80″. As extension 14″ is pulled out, a central portion 28″ may move laterally on the interior floor until fully extended, and through pin and channel connection 83 lower floor 28″ into recess 81 to provide a center portion of the entire floor of extension unit 14″, with side panels 80″ filling in the side portions of the trapezoidal room formed by the extension of central portion 28″. Alternatively, center portion 28′″ may comprise a plurality of trapezoidally shaped floor panels with cantilever supports (not shown).

Similarly, a plurality of roof panels 26′ may be extended with cantilevered supports as shown FIGS. 36 and 37, to provide an exterior roof surface protecting the interior of extension unit 14″.

While the invention has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, someone skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. As such, the scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the description.

Claims

1. An extension unit for a structure, the structure having an exterior wall and a main floor, and the extension having a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure, the extension unit comprising; an extension wall; a roof portion adapted to extend between the exterior wall and said extension wall when said extension unit is in the deployed position; a floor portion adapted to extend between said extension wall and the exterior wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position; and a track mounted to and extending along at least a portion of said extension wall; and at least one cantilever support member, each support member having a pivotal first end adapted to be associated with the structure and a second end moveably engaged with said track.

2. The extension unit of claim 1, including two cantilever support members, each said first end being connected adjacent a lower end of the extension unit.

3. The extension unit of claim 1, further including a mounting bracket, the first end of the support member pivotally connected to said mounting bracket.

4. The extension unit of claim 3, wherein said support member is vertically displaced when pivoting in relation to said mounting bracket as the extension unit is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position.

5. The extension unit of claim 1, further comprising a rail block pivotally connected to said second end of said support member and capable of traversing a least a portion of said track.

6. The extension unit of claim 5, further including a follower wheel mounted to said rail block and adapted for relative rotation, the follower wheel positioned to roll in the track.

7. The extension unit of claim 6, wherein said rail block is located in a central portion of the extension unit when the extension unit is in the retracted position, and as the extension unit is moved to the deployed position, said rail block correspondingly moves outwardly along said track.

8. The extension unit of claim 7, wherein said track has a sloped surface.

9. The extension unit of claim 8, wherein said track surface is lower in a central portion and slopes upwardly at ends of said track surface.

10. The extension unit of claim 9, wherein said floor portion is configured to be lowered relative to said main floor when said rail block moves up said sloped surface of said track as the extension unit is moved to the deployed position.

11. The extension unit of claim 1, wherein said support member extends substantially parallel to the exterior wall when said extension unit is in the retracted position, and said support member is at an angle to the exterior wall when said extension unit is in the deployed position.

12. The extension unit of claim 1, wherein said track is located substantially parallel to said exterior wail.

13. The extension unit of claim 12, wherein said track is mounted to said floor portion.

14. The extension unit of claim 1 wherein said roof partition includes a plurality of telescopically arranged panels.

15. The extension unit of claim 1 wherein said floor portion includes a plurality of telescopically arranged panels.

16. A support assembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure, the extension unit having a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure, the support assembly comprising: a track adapted to be mounted to and extend along at least a portion of the extension unit; and at least one cantilever support member, each support member having a first end pivotally adapted to be connected to the structure and a second end movably engaged with said track.

17. The support assembly of claim 16, including two cantilever support members, each said first end being connected adjacent a lower end of the extension unit.

18. The support assembly of claim 16, further including a rail block pivotally connected to said second end of said support member, said rail block traversing at least a portion of said track.

19. The support assembly of claim 18, further including a follower wheel mounted to the rail block and adapted for relative rotation, said follower wheel positioned to roll in said track such that said rail block is located in a central portion of the extension unit when the extension unit is in the retracted position, and as the extension unit is moved to the deployed position, said rail block correspondingly moves outwardly along said track.

20. The support assembly of claim 16, wherein said track has a sloped surface with a lower central portion which slopes upwardly to ends of said sloped surface.

21. A support assembly for supporting an extension unit of a structure on a support surface, the extension unit having a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure, the support assembly comprising: a support arm; and a swing arm having first and second ends, said first end having a pivot connection with said support arm, said second end being adapted for engagement with the support surface, and said swing arm extending substantially parallel with said support arm when the extension unit is in the retracted position and pivoted about said pivot connection when the extension unit is in the deployed position so as to be at an angle relative to said support arm.

22. The support assembly of claim 21, further including a slot in said support arm and a brace having a fixed pivot connection to said swing arm and a sliding pivot connection to said slot in said support arm.

23. The support assembly of claim 22, wherein said swing arm includes locking recesses and said support arm includes locking members for securing said swing arm substantially parallel with said support arm when the extension unit is in the retracted position.

24. An extension unit for a structure, the structure having an exterior wall and a main floor, and the extension having a retracted position for travel and a deployed position for providing additional interior space for the structure, the extension unit comprising; an extension wall; a roof portion adapted to extend between the exterior wall and said extension wall when said extension unit is in the deployed position; a floor portion adapted to extend between said extension wall and the exterior wall when the extension unit is in the deployed position; and a frame supporting said extension wall, said roof portion, and said floor portion, said frame having an interior portion and an exterior portion, said interior portion and said exterior portion adapted to clamp over the exterior wall of the structure to secure said extension unit to the exterior wall of the structure.

25. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising at least one support arm, said at least one support arm being pivotally connected to said exterior portion of said frame and adapted to support one of said floor portion and said roof portion when said extension unit is in the deployed position.

26. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising at least one support arm, said at least one support arm being pivotally connected to said interior portion of said frame and adapted to support one of said floor portion and said roof portion when said extension unit is in the deployed position.

27. The extension unit of claim 24 wherein said interior portion includes a track for moveably supporting said floor portion when it traverses from the travel position to the deployed position.

28. The extension unit of claim 24 wherein said frame includes a wall pivot connected to said extension wall.

29. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising a support arm with a first end pivotally attached to said frame, a track associated with said extension wall, and a rail block pivotally connected to a second end of said support arm and capable of traversing a least a portion of said track when said support arm is pivoted.

30. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising a support arm with a first end pivotally attached to said frame, a track associated with said floor portion, and a rail block pivotally connected to a second end of said support arm and capable of traversing a least a portion of said track when said support arm is pivoted.

31. The extension unit of claim 24 further comprising a support arm with a first end pivotally attached to said frame, a track associated with said roof portion, and a rail block pivotally connected to a second end of said support arm and capable of traversing a least a portion of said track when said support arm is pivoted.

32. The extension unit of claim 24 wherein said roof partition includes a plurality of telescopically arranged panels.

33. The extension unit of claim 24 wherein said floor portion includes a plurality of telescopically arranged panels.