Vehicle slide-out operating mechanism
View Patent ↗The invention provides a vehicle with one or more slide-out sections and a compact operating mechanism for moving each slide-out section between extended and retracted positions. In one form, the vehicle has a primary slide-out section and a secondary slide-out section mounted to extend and retract relative to the primary slide-out section. In that case, the vehicle has at least two operating mechanism, at least one for each sliding section. Each operating mechanism has two slide modules, one module is mounted to the slide-out section and the other is mounted to a stationary part of the vehicle. One module includes a drive and the other includes a drive member, such as a drive screw, that interact to extend and retract the slide-out section. A track and glide arrangement can be used to facilitate relative sliding between the modules.
1. A vehicle having a vehicle frame and an exterior wall defining an opening therein, the vehicle comprising:
a first slide-out section disposed at the vehicle wall opening and moveable between extended and retracted positions relative to the vehicle frame, the first slide-out section having an exterior wall having an opening therein;
a first operating mechanism for moving the first slide-out section between its extended and retracted positions;
a second slide-out section disposed at the first slide-out section wall opening and moveable between extended and retracted positions relative to the first slide-out section;
a second operating mechanism for moving the second slide-out section between its extended and retracted positions.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second operating mechanisms includes:
a pair of elongated V-shaped tracks mounted in spaced relation to define a gap therebetween extending in the direction of extension of an associated one of the first and second slide-out sections;
a pair of glides having V-shaped grooves mateable with the V-shaped tracks for movement therealong;
a support mounting the glides relative to the tracks;
a drive screw disposed in the gap between the tracks; and
a drive engaging the drive screw to impart linear movement to extend the associated slide-out section relative to the vehicle frame.