IP Library Granted Patent US 8,581,540
Granted Patent B2
US 8,581,540 · App. 13/495,500 · Granted Nov 12, 2013

Method for installing actuation mechanism for extending and retracting retractable room for recreational vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,581,540
App. No.
13/495,500
Granted
Nov 12, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A slide-out or retractable room for a mobile living quarters, such as a recreational vehicle, is provided with actuating assemblies mounted on opposite side walls of the slide-out room and the adjacent wall of the main living area. The actuating assemblies include a pair of parallel gear racks mounted on the side wall, which are engaged by pinions rotated by torque shafts mounted on the main living quarters. Each torque shaft is rotated by a separate motor. A roller engages a bearing surface on the lower portion of the gear racks. Accordingly, the slide-out room is extended and retracted by rotating the torque shafts to cause the gear racks and the attached slide-out room to extend and retract. The weight of the slide-out room is supported by the rollers, thereby supporting the slide-out room off of the floor of the main living quarters as it extends and retracts.

Claims (7)

1. Method of synchronizing a pair of electric motors for extending and retracting a slide-out room, the speed of said motors being controlled by electrical voltage powering the motors, comprising the steps of:

measuring the rotational speeds of each of said motors;

determining if the motors are operating within a predetermined rotational speed threshold of one another; and

altering the voltage of electricity to one of said motor to bring the speed of said one motor to within the predetermined rotational speed threshold.

2. Method of synchronizing a pair of electric motors as claimed in claim 1 , including the steps of:

determining if either motor has reached a predetermined stall threshold; and

stopping the one motor reaching the stall threshold while permitting the other motor to continue operating.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2025
From: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.; CURT MANUFACTURING, LLC; FURRION, LLC; FURRION LTD; INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, INC.; KASPAR RANCH HAND EQUIPMENT, LLC; LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.; TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 070719/0650 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2015
From: SCHWINDAMAN, MICHAEL A.; HOWARD, MICHAEL W.; ROGERS, THOMAS J.
To: SCHWINTEK, INC.
Reel/Frame 037209/0554 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2015
From: SCHWINTEK, INC.
To: LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037209/0658 →