Lift System

Abstract

An improved RV lift mechanism according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the lift functions by way of an elongated, rotatably mounted acme screw. A bracket slides parallel to the acme screw, securing to an acme screw and an object to be lifted. The acme nut is threaded onto the acme screw and further held from rotation by the bracket. Thus, as the acme screw turns, it presses against the bracket, lifting or lowering both it and its payload.

1 . A recreational vehicle comprising: 
 a cargo area used to receive an off-road vehicle;    a door used as a ramp to move the off-road vehicle into and/or out of the cargo area;    an upper bed positioned over a lower bed, the upper bed and the lower bed being movable vertically and at least substantially translationally between a first configuration where the upper bed and the lower bed are spaced apart in the cargo area to receive one or more persons to sleep thereon and a second configuration where the upper bed and the lower bed are stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the recreational vehicle; and a motor used to move the upper bed and the lower bed between the first configuration and the second configuration;    wherein the upper bed is unsupported by the lower bed in the first configuration; and wherein the lower bed is part of a lower bed assembly which is used to vertically move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the position of the upper bed in the first configuration may be adjusted vertically.  
   
   
       3 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the recreational vehicle is a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.  
   
   
       4 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the upper bed and the lower bed are queen size or larger.  
   
   
       5 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  comprising 
 a first wall; and    a second wall positioned opposite the first wall;    wherein at least one of the upper bed or the lower bed is supported at least in part by the first wall and the second wall in the first configuration.    
   
   
       6 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 5  comprising a first pair of lifting assemblies coupled to the first wall of the recreational vehicle; and a second pair of lifting assemblies coupled to the second wall of the recreational vehicle; wherein the first pair of lifting assemblies and the second pair of lifting assemblies are used to move the upper bed and the lower bed between the first configuration and the second configuration.  
   
   
       7 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 5  comprising 
 a first rigid support member including an engaging portion, the first rigid support member being coupled to the first wall;    a second rigid support member including an engaging portion, the second rigid support member being coupled to the second wall; and    a first gear and a second gear which mesh with the engaging portion of the first rigid support member and the engaging portion of the second rigid support member, respectively, to move the upper bed and the lower bed between the first configuration and the second configuration.    
   
   
       8 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 5  wherein the lower bed is movable between a first orientation where the lower bed is at least substantially flat and used for sleeping and a second orientation where the lower bed includes a seat back and is used for seating.  
   
   
       9 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 5  wherein the recreational vehicle is a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.  
   
   
       10 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 5  wherein the upper bed and the lower bed are queen size or larger.  
   
   
       11 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  comprising a first pair of lifting assemblies coupled to the recreational vehicle; and a second pair of lifting assemblies coupled to the recreational vehicle; wherein the first pair of lifting assemblies and the second pair of lifting assemblies are used to move the upper bed and the lower bed between the first configuration and the second configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 11  wherein each of the lifting assemblies from the first pair of lifting assemblies and the second pair of lifting assemblies includes a rigid support member coupled to the recreational vehicle and a gear which meshes with an engaging portion of the rigid support member to move the upper bed and the lower bed between the first configuration and the second configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the lower bed is movable between a first orientation where the lower bed is at least substantially flat and used for sleeping and a second orientation where the lower bed includes a seat back and is used for seating.  
   
   
       14 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 11  wherein movement of the first pair of lifting assemblies is synchronized with movement of the second pair of lifting assemblies using a rigid drive member.  
   
   
       15 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the recreational vehicle is a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.  
   
   
       16 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the upper bed and the lower bed are queen size or larger.  
   
   
       17 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  comprising a rigid support member; and a gear; wherein the gear meshes with an engaging portion of the rigid support member to move the upper bed and the lower bed between the first configuration and the second configuration.  
   
   
       18 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 17  wherein the lower bed is movable between a first orientation where the lower bed is at least substantially flat and used for sleeping and a second orientation where the lower bed includes a seat back and is used for seating.  
   
   
       19 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 17  wherein the recreational vehicle is a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.  
   
   
       20 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 17  wherein the upper bed and the lower bed are queen size or larger.  
   
   
       21 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the lower bed is movable between a first orientation where the lower bed is at least substantially flat and used for sleeping and a second orientation where the lower bed includes a seat back and is used for seating.  
   
   
       22 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 21  wherein the recreational vehicle is a travel trailer or a fifth wheel.  
   
   
       23 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 21  wherein the upper bed and the lower bed are queen size or larger.  
   
   
       24 . The recreational vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the recreational vehicle is a snowmobile trailer.