Cable-operated slide-out actuator
AssigneeLippert Components, Inc.
InventorsMark HOWIE, Jeffrey K. ALBRECHT, Evan WHITNEY, Patrick W. QUIGLEY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cable-operated mechanism for actuating a slide-out room includes a column, an endless chain loop disposed with the column, first and second drive blocks engaged with the chain loop, and first through fourth cables attached at first ends thereof to the drive blocks. The cables are attached at second ends thereof to inboard and outboard ends of a slide out room. Operation of the chain loop in a first direction tensions the cables attached to the inboard end of the room and slackens the cables attached to the outboard end. Operation of the chain loop in a second direction has the opposite effect.
Claims20
An actuator for operating a slide-out compartment slidably installed in an opening in a wall of a structure, the slide out compartment having an inboard end and an outboard end, the actuator comprising:
- an elongated U-shaped column;
- a bi-directional drive motor attached to the column, the motor including a selectively rotatable motor shaft extending therefrom;
- a first toothed sprocket attached to said motor shaft;
- a second toothed sprocket spaced form said first toothed sprocket and rotatably attached to said column;
- a first drive block;
- a second drive block;
- a chain comprising:
- a first link connected to said first drive block;
- a second link connected to said second drive block;
- a third link connected to said first drive block;
- a first intermediate portion intermediate said first link and said second link, said first intermediate portion engaged with said first sprocket;
- and
- a second intermediate portion intermediate said second link and said third link, said second intermediate portion engaged with said second sprocket;
- a first cable guide;
- a second cable guide;
- a third cable guide;
- a fourth cable guide;
- a first cable having a first end attached to said first drive block and a second end attachable to said outboard end of said compartment, said first cable engaged with said first cable guide;
- a second cable having a first end attached to said second drive block and a second end attachable to said inboard end of said compartment, said second cable engaged with said second cable guide;
- a third cable having a first end attached to said first drive block and a second end attachable to said inboard end of said compartment, said third cable engaged with said third cable guide;
- and
- a fourth cable having a first end attached to said second drive block and a second end attachable to said outboard end of said compartment, said fourth cable engaged with said fourth cable guide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.