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.

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.