Importance

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Abstract

The present invention involves an extension unit for a structure, such as a recreational vehicle or manufactured housing component. The recreational vehicle or manufactured housing component structure has an exterior wall, and the extension unit provides additional interior space for the structure when in a deployed position. The extension unit comprises a floor, a roof, a first wall extending between the floor and roof, a second wall operably coupled to the first wall and extending between the floor and roof, a pivotal connection linking the first wall and one of the second wall and exterior wall, and a biasing mechanism for biasing the first wall into the other of the second wall and exterior wall in the deployed condition. The pivotal connection links the first wall to the second wall, while the biasing mechanism biases an edge of the first wall into the exterior wall in both the deployed position and the retracted position. The biasing mechanism includes a coil spring operably coupled to the first side wall. The first side wall includes a side floor portion, with the side floor portion extending out of the floor in the deployed position. A drive shaft, operably coupled to the floor, carries a motor, and the motor is connected to the structure to move the floor, and hence the entire extension unit, relative to the structure. The roof comprises a hinged portion and a slidable portion, with the slidable portion being operably coupled to a guide rail within the structure and the hinged portion including a seal which abuts the slidable portion in the deployed position. In a second embodiment of the invention, the pivotal connection links the first wall to the exterior wall, and the biasing mechanism biases an edge of the first wall into the second wall in both the deployed position and the retracted position. In either embodiment, the pivotal connection includes a sealing mechanism for forming a seal along the pivotal connection in both the deployed position and the retracted position.

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First Claim