US3749439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for raising and lowering the tops of convertible recreational vehicles
Assignee: Coachmen Ind Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-21
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A lifting mechanism for the tops of recreational vehicles, such as campers and the like, consists of two pairs of adjustable telescoping members connected to the four corners of the top. Tracks, having horizontal and vertical sections with interconnecting radius sections, have lifting elements slidably received in the tracks and are mechanically moved within the tracks to exert expanding movement on the telescoping elements and therefore lifting movement on the top. The elements consist of plastic or other composition members which are connected in series to each other by flexible connections which permit them to turn through a radius from horizontal to vertical track sections, and also transmit along their length the lifting force exerted manually at one part of the system. Thereby lifting force is communicated evenly to each of the four corners of the top while it is being raised and lowered. There is no possibility for jamming or misalignment and the product is easily constructed and maintained.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ferguson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/32; B60P3/34; B60P3/341
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a convertible trailer having a frame, a body, and a raisable and lowerable top which moves vertically relatively to said body, the raising and lowering mechanism comprising: telescoping members which are generally nonvertically supportive and secured to said body and top respectively to provide the raising and lowering movements of said top, guidetrack means having horizontal, radiused and vertical sections associated with said telescoping members, a plurality of articulated linkage elements received in said tracks and movable through the horizontal radiused and vertical sections respectively to communicate raising and lowering movements of said top by serial force transmission througH said elements, and to provide vertical supportive load for said top in the vertical position obtained within said telescoping members, said elements being externally confined by a containment within said telescoping members whch preclude buckling in the vertical supportive position of said elements, and manually operable drive means for effecting display articulated elements within said track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a convertible trailer having a frame, a body, and a raisable and lowerable top which moves vertically relatively to said body, the raising and lowering mechanism comprising: telescoping members which are generally nonvertically supportive and secured to said body and top respectively to provide the raising and lowering movements of said top, guidetrack means having horizontal, radiused and vertical sections associated with said telescoping members, a plurality of articulated linkage elements received in said tracks and movable through the horizontal radiused and vertical sections respectively to communicate raising and lowering movements of said top by serial force transmission througH said elements, and to provide vertical supportive load for said top in the vertical position obtained within said telescoping members, said elements being externally confined by a containment within said telescoping members whch preclude buckling in the vertical supportive position of said elements, and manually operable drive means for effecting display articulated elements within said track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The claimed structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said articulated elements comprises a plurality of individual plastic composition blocks, each having a wrist pin connection with its adjacent member, and means forming a driving connection between said actuating means and respective one of said members whereby driving force is communicated in series between said elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The claimed structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elements consist of a plurality of regularly spaced apart blocks having flexible connecting means and extending continuously through said track, whereby said blocks can move between horizontal and vertical sections of said track and communicate raising and lowering forces therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The claimed construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein horizontal track sections are overlapped and the driving elements include a retracting section with a reserve of lifting elements therein sufficient to effect movement of the top from a fully lowered to a fully raised position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
The claimed construction in accordance with claim 1 including a plurality of spherical, regularly spaced elements, a relatively flexible cable having said spherical elements in permanent fixed positions thereon, said cable providing sufficient bending movement between adjacent elements to provide travel of said elements through the radius connecting the horizontal and vertical track sections respectively, and means for actuating said elements including a rotary member having fingers which straddle the flexible cable and pass between adjacent spherical members, and engageable therewith to effect their displacement in vertical and horizontal directions and communicate a longitudinal chain of force effective for raising and lowering movements of the top which is connected to said elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The claimed structure in accordance with claim 1 including a rotating handle, a drive shaft, spaced gearing means, having drive elements associated with spaced-apart pairs of said guide means, and means for connecing said gears to the lift elements in said respective pairs of guide whereby actuation of said crank simultaneously communicates lifting force at spaced points of said top.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |