Leveling apparatus and method
AssigneeD & R Ventures, Inc.
InventorsClayton W. Riihiluoma, Sheila K. Dokken
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A leveling apparatus comprising a frame assembly including a top frame structure and a bottom frame structure, the top and bottom frame structures interconnected by an extensible wall structure; an inflatable bladder assembly, the bladder assembly being substantially enclosed by the top and bottom frame structures and the extensible wall structure, whereby the top frame structure is raised and lowered upon inflation and deflation, respectively, of the bladder assembly; locking means for retaining the frame assembly in a raised, extended position upon deflation of the bladder assembly; and fluid inlet and outlet means in fluid communication with the bladder assembly for inflating and deflating the bladder assembly.
Claims19
A leveling apparatus;
- comprising:
- a frame assembly including a top frame structure and a bottom frame structure, the top and bottom frame structures interconnected by a vertically extensible wall structure;
- an inflatable bladder assembly, the bladder assembly being substantially enclosed by the top and bottom frame structures and the extensible wall structure, whereby the top frame structure is raised and lowered upon inflation and deflation, respectively, of the bladder assembly;
- locking means for retaining the frame assembly in a raised, extended position upon deflation of the bladder assembly;
- and
- fluid inlet and outlet means in fluid communication with the bladder assembly for inflating and deflating the bladder assembly.
A leveling kit, comprising:
- a leveling apparatus;
- comprising:
- a frame assembly including a top frame structure and a bottom frame structure, the top and bottom frame structures interconnected by a vertically extensible wall structure;
- an inflatable bladder assembly, the bladder assembly being substantially enclosed by the top and bottom frame structures and the extensible wall structure, whereby the top frame structure is raised and lowered upon inflation and deflation, respectively, of the bladder assembly;
- locking means for retaining the frame assembly in a raised, extended position upon deflation of the bladder assembly;
- and
- fluid inlet and outlet means in fluid communication with the bladder assembly for inflating and deflating the bladder assembly;
- a level indicator apparatus;
- and
- fluid source means for supplying fluid under pressure to the inflatable bladder assembly.
A method of leveling a camper, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a leveling apparatus in a deflated state, including an inflatable bladder assembly disposed within a frame assembly including a top frame structure and a bottom frame structure interconnected by a vertically extensible wall assembly, at a desired location on the ground;
- positioning the camper such that a wheel of the camper on one side of the camper is disposed on the top frame structure of the leveling apparatus;
- interconnecting a source of pressurized air to an air inlet of the bladder assembly of the leveling apparatus;
- inflating the bladder assembly of the leveling apparatus using the source of pressurized air thereby raising one side of the camper until the camper is substantially level from one side to the other;
- locking the frame assembly of the leveling apparatus in the raised, leveled position by positioning at least one support member between the top and bottom frame structures for retaining the leveling apparatus in the raised, leveled position;
- and
- at least partially depressurizing the bladder assembly by releasing pressurized air from the bladder assembly through the air inlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.