Mechanism for improving the sealing function for a slide out room of a recreational vehicle

Abstract

A recreational vehicle is shown having an opening through one of the side walls to access the main room of the recreational vehicle. A slide out room is expandable through the opening, between a retracted and expanded position to increase the living space of the main room when in the expanded position. A ceiling member is positioned between the recreational vehicle and the slide out room to seal the main room when the slide out room is in the fully retracted position. A plurality of mechanisms are disclosed herein which changes the relative position of the ceiling member and a corresponding ceiling surface when the slide out room is in the retracted position.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
   
   
       49 . A recreational vehicle having a main room and an expandable room movable relative to said main room to provide additional living space to said main room, a drive mechanism for moving said expandable room between extended and retracted positions, a sealing member positioned between the main room and the expandable room, and a latching mechanism mounted adjacent to a top edge of said expandable room, for latching the expandable room to the main room and moving the relative position of the sealing member and a sealing surface of the recreational vehicle, to enhance the sealing between the expandable room and said main room wherein said latching mechanism includes a latch joined to an actuator by way of a link, said latch configured to receive a bracket when said actuator is depressed and said actuator includes a flat plate extending from an opening and mounted to a plurality of arms in a pivotal connection so that depression of said plate into said opening causes said latch to further engage said bracket.  
   
   
       50 . The recreational vehicle as set forth in  claim 49  wherein said latch includes a camming surface whereby said camming surface engages said bracket in a manner further enhancing the sealing between said expandable room and said main room.  
   
   
       51 . The recreational vehicle as set forth in  claim 49  further comprising a vehicle side wall housing said actuator and said latch, wherein said bracket is attached to said expandable room.  
   
   
       52 . The recreational vehicle as set forth in  claim 49  wherein a portion of said latch is housed within a side wall of said vehicle including an opening, a portion of said bracket extending through said opening to engage said latch.  
   
   
       53 . The recreational vehicle as set forth in  claim 52  wherein said latch is obscured from view by said side wall when viewed from a plane including said side wall.  
   
   
       54 . The recreational vehicle as set forth in  claim 49  further including a spring biasing said latch away from said bracket.  
   
   
       55 . A latching mechanism for latching an expandable room to a side wall of a vehicle including a drive mechanism for moving a portion of the expandable room between an expanded position and a retracted position, said latching mechanism sealing said expandable room against said side wall and including: 
 a bracket;    a latch configured to engage said bracket and including a means for drawing said expandable room to said side wall of the vehicle in order to increase the effectiveness of the seal; and    wherein said expandable room includes an extension to be inserted into an opening in said side wall as said expandable room moves into the retracted position, said extension engaging said latch.    
   
   
       56 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 55  wherein said latching mechanism is located opposite said drive mechanism.  
   
   
       57 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 55  further including an actuator coupled to said latch in a manner allowing said actuator to alter the position of said latch as said latch engages said bracket.  
   
   
       58 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 57  wherein said actuator includes a plurality of arms joined in a scissors configuration.  
   
   
       59 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 55  wherein said latch is disposed within the sidewall and said bracket is attached to said expandable room.  
   
   
       60 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 56  wherein said latch is obscured when the sidewall is viewed from the side.  
   
   
       61 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 55  wherein said latch is obscured from view when said expandable room is in said retracted position.  
   
   
       62 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 55  wherein said means for drawing includes a camming surface and an opening for receiving said bracket.  
   
   
       63 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 62  further including an actuator linked to said latch and moving said latch such that said camming surface is moved into position over said bracket as the distance separating the expandable room and the side wall decreases.  
   
   
       64 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 63  wherein said expandable room contacts said actuator as said expandable room moves toward said side wall, said link translating contract between said expandable room and said actuator into movement of said camming surface.  
   
   
       65 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 55  wherein said latch engages said bracket in a manner allowing said latch to decrease the distance separating said side wall and a portion of said expandable room.  
   
   
       66 . A latching mechanism for securing an expandable room moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by a drive mechanism, to the side wall of a recreational vehicle wherein the movement of said expandable room into the retracted position causes said latch mechanism to assist said drive mechanism in withdrawing a portion of said expandable room located opposite said drive mechanism and said expandable room includes an extension engaging said latching mechanism and insertable into an opening in said side wall as said expandable room moves into the retracted position.  
   
   
       67 . The latching mechanism as set forth in  claim 66  wherein said extension comprises a portion of a bracket.