Locking mechanism for recreational vehicles
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, the present invention provides an upper locking device for a slide-out room which ensures a substantially tight seal is created at the upper portion of the slide-out room.
1. A slide-out room for a vehicle comprising:
a stationary member mounted on said vehicle;
a movable member slidably mounted to said stationary member;
said slide-out room fixed to said movable member;
a slot disposed in said stationary member;
a guiding element fixed on said movable member and disposed in said slot such that movement of said movable member is directed by said slot through said guiding element; and
said slot having a shape such that said guiding element causes said slide-out room to tilt in an extended position and thereby securely seal a top region of said slide-out room against said vehicle.
2. The slide-out room of claim 1 wherein said slot includes an upwardly angled portion.
3. The slide-out room of claim 2 wherein said upwardly angled portion is positioned at an outer end of said slot.
4. The slide-out room of claim 1 wherein said guiding element is a roller.
5. The slide-out room of claim 1 wherein said slide-out room includes a flange having a seal positioned to press against a side wall.
6. A slide-out system for a vehicle comprising:
a vehicle;
a first member fixed in a stationary position on said vehicle;
a slide-out room disposed within said vehicle;
a second member coupled to slide relative to said first member and having a first end fixed to said slide-out room;
a slot having an elongated shape and being positioned within said vehicle;
a slot member movable with said second member and disposed within said slot;
wherein said slot is shaped to modify a height of said slot member and thereby modify an angular position of said slide-out room relative to said vehicle.
7. The slide-out system of claim 6 wherein said slot includes an upwardly angled region.
8. The slide-out system of claim 7 wherein said upwardly angled region is positioned at an end of said slot.
9. The slide-out system of claim 6 wherein said slot is positioned within said second member.
10. The slide-out system of claim 6 further comprising a flanged lip disposed around an outer edge of said slide-out room.
11. The slide-out system of claim 10 wherein said slot member is a roller.
12. The slide-out system of claim 6 wherein said slide-out room includes a flange having a seal positioned to press against a side wall of said vehicle.
13. A method for securely sealing a top region of a slide-out room comprising:
providing a vehicle having a slide-out room disposed on a slide-out system to slide into and out of said vehicle, said slide-out system including a stationary member, a moving member and a guide member coupled to said moving member;
moving said slide-out room relative to said vehicle;
adjusting an angle of said slide-out room by moving said guide member within the length of a slot
wherein said adjusting an angle of said slide-out room further comprises changing an elevation of said guide member.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing an inner flange disposed on said slide-out room.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising urging said inner flange against a wall of said vehicle.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein said slot is positioned within said stationary member.