RV-EZ Travel Deck - an extendable self-storing deck assembly for recreational vehicles

Abstract

This invention comprises a complete deck assembly for a recreational vehicle. The deck platform can be deployed and stowed quickly and easily with the push of a button. When stowed the deck is secured into a position allowing for safe travel. When deployed the deck moves in outward and downward directions until it reaches suitable height and then continues outward until fully extended. When deployed, the flat and stable deck platform, resides at one step above ground level. Adjustable supports allow the deck platform to be easily leveled on uneven terrain. The deck's 12-volt motor receiving power from the vehicles standard electrical system allows use without land-based power. Manual operation is also possible in the event of power failure.

1 . A deck assembly for installation on a recreational vehicle with means to deploy and retract a platform in combined vertical and horizontal directions and where the vertical movement does not restrict the horizontal movement.  
   
   
       2 . A complete deck assembly of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 Frontal and rearward adjustable mounting brackets    Left and right deployment arm assemblies    Carriage assembly with integrated drive mechanism    And a platform, being rectangular in shape, with integrated adjustable supports    Where as said frontal and rearward mounting brackets, of deck assembly of  claim 2 , are further defined as:    As having means of adjustment for differing types of frame members    And having means of vertical and horizontal adjustment    And where as the left and right deployment arm assemblies, opposing in nature, of deck assembly of  claim 2  are further defined as comprising:    A frontal and rearward arm assembly and a link arm assembly    And where as said frontal arm assembly comprises: 
 A first end of a first member, with means of attachment to, carriage of deck assembly of  claim 2   
 And where as said first member has means of pivotal attachment on second end  
 And where as a second member has first end pivotally attached to said first member  
 And where as second member has second end pivotally attached to mounting bracket of  claim 2   
   And where as rearward arm assembly comprises: 
 A first member the same as aforesaid frontal arm assembly  
 And a second member of greater length than the second member of the aforesaid frontal arm assembly  
 And first end of said second member is pivotally attached to mounting bracket of  claim 2   
 And where said second member is pivotally attached to first member at a distance from first end, of said second member, equal to that of aforesaid frontal arm assembly  
 And where as the first end of a third member is pivotally attached to the second end of the said second member  
 And where as the said third member has means of attaching rollers to provide movable tangency to, yet to be described, ramp rails of platform of  claim 2   
   And where as the link arm assembly is further defined 
 as a link member with first end pivotally attached to second member of aforesaid frontal arm assembly, at a point between and offset from, existing pivotal axis  
 And second end of link arm is pivotally attached to second member of rearward arm assembly  
 And where as the first end of a gas spring is pivotally attached to said link member at an appropriate distance from said first end of said link member  
 And where as the second end of said gas spring is pivotally attached to the bracket of  claim 2   
 And where as the gas spring gives means for smooth deployment operation and assists the drive mechanism in retraction operation  
   And where as the carriage assembly, of  claim 2 , is further defined as: 
 Opposing rails perpendicularly attached to each end of a channel  
 And where as said channel has an integrated drive system comprising:  
 A motor, means of speed reduction, and an acme screw  
   And where as the platform of  claim 2 , is further described as comprising:    An assembled aluminum frame, a plurality of vinyl deck boards, a ramp assembly and integrated adjustable supports 
 Where as center vinyl deck board serves to protect, stabilize and lubricate aforesaid acme screw of aforesaid drive mechanism  
 And where as an acme nut is attached at rearward end of said center vinyl deck board  
 And where as aforesaid ramp assembly provides means of assisting in deployment and retraction operations  
 And where as integrated front supports are further define:  
 The first end of a first member pivotally attached to a pad  
 And a pin attached to said first member on second end parallel to first pivot  
 And a shaft transversely passing through, parallel to pin, and attached to, said first member at a short distance from the said second end of first member  
 And where aforesaid shaft, passes through a second member, being the frontal most member of the aforesaid frame  
 And where as a spring is placed on the said shaft, between the first member and a third member, being the second most member of the afore said frame  
 And where as depressing the end of said shaft, compresses spring, and allows first member to pivot  
 And where as, upon release of shaft, aforesaid pin locks into one of several hoes in said second member.  
   
   
   
       3 . An integral adjustable support of deck assembly of  claim 2 , 
 Where as the said support could be adapted for various uses    And where as said support could easily be adapted into a detachable support, by simply adding a mounting component, where as additional uses are possible.