WO1998056613A1

WO1998056613A1 - Rail-type vehicle room slide-out operating mechanism including a combined inner rail drive and support assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1998056613A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/012317
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert H. Schneider
Original assignee: Applied Power Inc.
Priority date: 1997-06-13
Filing date: 1998-06-12
Publication date: 1998-12-17
Also published as: AU7964898A

Abstract

A slide-out operating mechanism (24) for a vehicle (10) having a slide-out room section (12) includes a pair of inner rails (38) slidably mounted relative to a pair of outer rails (26), which in turn are secured to the frame (28, 30) of the vehicle. A drive and support assembly (70) is mounted to each outer rail (26), and includes a bracket (74) engageable with side walls of the outer rail (26) and to which a drive gear (98) and roller assembly (84) are mounted for rotation. Each drive gear (98) engages a gear rack (46) provided on the lower wall of one of the inner rails (38), and the roller assembly (84) includes a pair of roller surfaces which engage the lower wall of the inner rail (38) on either side of the gear rack (46). A motor mount (122) is engageable with one of the brackets (74) for securing a drive motor (128) thereto. The motor (128) includes an output shaft (132) which is coupled to an input shaft (104) to which the drive gear (98) is mounted, such that operation of the motor (128) functions to impart rotation to the drive gear (98). A cross-shaft (112) drivingly interconnects the drive gears (98), such that rotation of one drive gear (98) is transferred to the other drive gear (98) to move both inner rails (38) inwardly and outwardly relative to their respective outer rails (26) upon operation of the motor (128).

Description

RAIL-TYPE VEHICLE ROOM SLIDE-OUT OPERATING MECHANISM INCLUDING A COMBINED INNER RAIL

DRIVE AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates broadly to the field of expandable vehicles, and more particularly pertains to an operating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out section of a trailer or recreational vehicle.

In order to increase the available interior space of recreational vehicles and trailers, it is known to provide a slide-out room section integral with the structure of the vehicle or trailer. During transit, the slide-out room section is retracted and stored in the interior of the vehicle or trailer, with the exterior wall of the slide-out room section approximately flush with the exterior of the vehicle or trailer. To use the slide-out room section, the vehicle is first parked and leveled. The slide-out room section is then slid outwards from the vehicle to an extended position, increasing the interior space of the vehicle.

Various mechanisms are known to extend and retract a slide-out room section. Some such mechanisms utilize a hydraulic or pneumatic motor drive for extending and retracting the slide-out room section, while others use an electric motor or sheave and pulley drive arrangement. Blodgett, Jr. U.S. Patent 5,332.276 shows a motor actuated cable and sheave mechanism for moving the slide-out room section between its extended and retracted positions. A motor operated worm gear system is disclosed in Cooper U.S. Patent No. 5.237,782, and a motor-driven rack and pinion drive system is shown in Eden U.S. Patent No. 5,333,420. Another rack and pinion drive mechanism is disclosed in copending application serial no. 08/563,043 owned by the same assignee as the present application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The operating mechanism disclosed in Eden U.S. Patent 5,333.420„is of modular construction, i.e. all components of the operating mechanism are preassembled and the mechanism is mounted as a unit to the frame of the vehicle. While this arrangement has its advantages in ensuring the rails of the mechanism are parallel, the mechanism involves certain drawbacks in that it requires cross-members which are rendered unnecessary when the rails are connected individually to the vehicle frame members. In addition, the mechanism can only be mounted to the underside of the vehicle frame members, which reduces the overall ground clearance of the vehicle due to the depth of the mechanism depending from the frame members. In addition, the mechanism provides no flexibility in placement of components during installation and requires a substantial amount of space for shipment, due to the preassembly of all the components.

The mechanism disclosed in copending application serial no. 08/563,043 contemplates separate mounting of the various components of the operating mechanism individually to the vehicle frame members. That is, a pair of openings are formed in one of the vehicle frame members and one of an outer rail member is mounted to the vehicle frame member in alignment with each opening. An opposite end of each outer rail member is secured to another one of the vehicle frame members. The inner rail members are received within the outer rail members and are slidably movable in a back and forth direction relative to the outer rail members. A motor is mounted to a bracket which is engageable with one of the vehicle frame members, and a drive gear is also mounted to the motor mounting bracket. Rollers are mounted to separate mounting brackets, which are secured to a side of the vehicle frame member opposite the side to which the motor mounting bracket is secured. The rollers support the inner rail member as it moves inwardly and outwardly relative to the outer rail member. This construction has been found satisfactory, in that it does not affect the ground clearance of the vehicle and the components can be mounted to the vehicle frame members in a relatively simple and straightforward manner. Further, the system provides a certain amount of flexibility in placement of the components during installation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an enhanced slide-out operating mechanism which again is relatively simple in its components and construction, and which can be mounted to the vehicle frame members in a relatively quick and accurate assembly process. Another object of the invention is to provide a slide-out operating mechanism which does not affect the ground clearance of the vehicle frame. A still further object of the invention is to provide a slide-out operating mechanism in which the motor and other operative components of the mechanism are not directly mounted to the vehicle frame members.

In accordance with the invention, a vehicle slide-out operating mechanism includes at least one outer rail member and at least one inner rail member mounted for longitudinal movement in an inward and outward direction relative to the outer rail member. Preferably, the slide-out operating mechanism includes a pair of rail assemblies, each of which includes an outer rail member and an inner rail member. The rail assemblies are secured transversely to a pair of axially extending vehicle frame members, such that each rail assembly extends along a longitudinal axis which is transverse to the overall longitudinal axis of the vehicle and parallel to the direction of movement of the slide-out section relative to the vehicle body. Mounting structure is adapted for engagement with the outer rail. A drive member is mounted to the mounting structure and is drivingly engageable with the inner rail, and a support member is also mounted to the mounting structure and is engageable with the inner rail for supporting the inner rail for inward and outward movement relative to the outer rail. The outer rail preferably includes an opening, and the drive member and the support member extend through the opening for engagement with the inner rail. In a preferred form, the mounting structure is in the form of a bracket member adapted for mounting to the outer rail adjacent the opening. The bracket member includes a pair of spaced walls. The drive member is preferably in the form of a gear rotatably mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls, and the support member is preferably in the form of a roller member rotatably mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls. A gear rack is provided on the inner rail, and the gear drive member is engageable with the gear rack such that rotation of the gear results in axial inward and outward movement of the inner rail relative to the outer rail. The drive gear is rotatably mounted to the bracket via a first rotatable mounting arrangement, and the roller is rotatably mounted to the bracket via a second rotatable mounting arrangement separate from the first rotatable mounting arrangement. In this manner, the inner rail is drivingly engaged with the drive gear at a location distinct from the location at which the roller member engages the inner rail. A motor may be mounted to the mounting structure and drivingly engaged with the drive gear. The motor is engaged with a motor mount, which in turn is secured to one of the walls of the bracket. The motor includes an output shaft, and the drive gear is preferably mounted to a gear shaft which is rotatably supported between the bracket walls and includes an end extending toward the motor. In a preferred form, the motor mount includes a mounting plate to which the motor is secured, and a spacer member connected to the mounting plate and to one of the bracket walls. The spacer member defines an interior, and the motor output shaft is drivingly engaged with the end of the gear shaft via a coupling disposed within the interior of the spacer member. The invention further contemplates a method of assembling a slide-out operating mechanism to a vehicle having a frame with one or more frame members, substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle or trailer, having a slide-out room section and incorporating the slide-out operating mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the slide-out room section in its extended position;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a vehicle room slide-out operating mechanism embodying the present invention and incorporated into the vehicle of

Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the motor, gear and motor mounting arrangement for the slide-out operating mechanism of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial exploded isometric view showing the drive gear and roller mount arrangement for the slide-out operating mechanism of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view, with portions broken away, of the slide-out operating mechanism of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 9 is a section view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an expandable room section attached to a known trailer or recreational vehicle to provide distinct advantages over the prior art as will be described and appreciated hereafter. In the preferred embodiment, the trailer or recreational vehicle (generally referred to as the vehicle) is equipped with a laterally movable wing or slide-out section used to provide additional interior room space. However, it should be understood that the invention can also apply to expandable sections or compartments provided on other vehicles for use in construction, military, medical, education, mobile broadcast and other applications, to expand the inside volume of the vehicle.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a side isometric view of a vehicle body 10 having mounted thereon an expandable telescopic slide-out room section 12 in its fully retracted position. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing slide-out room section 12 fully extended or expanded. Slide-out room section 12 is rectangularly configured and includes a pair of parallel end walls 14, a side wall 16 with two windows, a floor 20 and an upper wall or roof 22. An arrangement for supporting and controlling slide-out section 12 is adapted to be mounted beneath the body 10 in the following manner.

As shown in Fig. 3, an operating mechanism 24 is interconnected with the vehicle 10 and slide-out room section 12 for selectively controlling the extension and retraction of slide-out room section 12. Operating mechanism 24 includes a pair of parallel tubular outer rail members 26 which extend between and are mounted to a pair of parallel structural frame members 28, 30, which form part of the frame of the vehicle 10 and which extend along the sides of the vehicle body. Each outer rail member 26 defines an inner end 31 and an outer end 32, and includes an internal passage extending throughout its entire length. An inner plate 34 is mounted to the inner end 31 of each outer rail 26. Similarly, an outer plate 36 is mounted to the outer end 32 of each outer rail 26. Inner and outer plates 34, 36, respectively, are notched so as to receive outer rail member 26 therein, and are configured such that the upper edge of each of plates 34, 36 is substantially in the same plane as the upper wall of each outer rail member 26. Each of inner and outer plates 34, 36, respectively, has a height substantially equal to the height of vehicle frame members 28, 30, respectively. Outer rail members 26 are mounted to vehicle frame members 28, 30 by first forming an opening in at least outer frame member 30 and then inserting outer rail member 26 through the opening formed in outer frame member 30. In the construction as illustrated in Fig. 3, an opening is also formed in inner frame member 28, and outer rail member 26 is inserted through the opening in inner frame member 28. Inner plates 34 are then positioned against the edge of inner frame member 28, and each inner plate 34 is positioned such that outer rail member 26 is received within the notch formed in inner plate 34. Inner plate 34 is then welded to inner frame member 28 and outer rail member 26 is welded to inner plate 34 at the edges of inner plate 34 defining the notch within which outer rail member 26 is received. When inner frame member 28 is an I-shaped member, the opening in frame member 28 is formed in the web of the I-shaped member and inner plate 34 is welded along its upper and lower edges to the top and bottom flanges, respectively, of the I-shaped member.

The same process is then repeated for mounting outer plate 36 to outer frame member 30 and mounting outer rail member 26 to outer plate 36. This functions to securely mount rail members 26 on the vehicle frame without effecting the structural integrity of frame members 28, 30. As mounted, rail members 26 are disposed parallel to each other.

As an alternative, inner end 31 of each outer rail 26 may terminate adjacent the inner edge of outer frame member 28, and inner plate 34 may also be positioned adjacent the inner edge of outer frame member 28 opposite that shown in Fig. 3. With this configuration, it is not necessary to form an opening in inner frame member 28. Rather, the inner end 31 of each outer rail member 26 can be mounted to inner frame member 28 by welding inner plate 34 to inner frame member 28 and then welding the inner end of each outer rail member 26 to inner plate 34 at the edges of inner plate 34 forming the notch within which outer rail member 26 is received. This construction eliminates the need to form an opening in inner rail member 28, and can be used when a shorter outer rail 26 can be used as dictated by the required stroke length of mechanism 24.

An inner rail member 38 is received within the passage defined by each outer rail member 26. Each inner rail member 38 is tubular in construction, and is movable inwardly and outwardly in a telescoping manner relative to each outer rail member 26. Each inner rail member 38 extends outwardly of outer rail member 26 through the open end of inner rail member 26 at its outer end 32. Each inner rail member 38 defines an inner end 40 received within the passage defined by one of outer rail members 26, and an outer end 42 located outwardly of the open end of the outer rail member 26 at its outer end 32. As can be appreciated, outer end 32 of each outer rail member 26 and outer end 42 of each inner rail member 38 are disposed outwardly of outer frame member 30.

Referring to Fig. 7, each of inner rail members 38 has an upper roller assembly 44 mounted adjacent its inner end 40. Roller assembly 44 preferably includes a pair of side by-side rollers which define roller surfaces which extend above the upper wall of inner rail member 38 and engage the inner surface of the upper wall of outer rail member 26, within which inner rail member 38 is received. A gear rack

46 is mounted to the lower wall of inner rail member 38, and defines a series of laterally spaced downwardly extending teeth, in a manner as is known. Gear rack 46 is received within a slot 47 formed in the bottom wall of outer rail member 26.

A bracket assembly 48 (Fig. 3) is mounted to the outer end 42 of each inner rail member 38. Each bracket assembly 48 includes a vertical channel member

50 having an end wall 52 and a pair of flanges 54. A top plate 56 is mounted to the upper end of each channel member 50. Slots 58 are formed in channel member flanges 54, and bolts 60 extend through slots 58 and through openings 62 formed in the side walls of inner rail members 38 for mounting channel member 50 to the outer end of inner rail member 38 at its outer end 42. A nut 64 engages the threads on the shank of each bolt 60 for securely mounting channel member 50 to inner rail member 38. Slots 58 function to provide vertical adjustment between inner rail member 38 and the underside of floor 20 of slide-out section 12 with which plate 56 is engaged, to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and mounting to different models of vehicle 10. A pair of slots 66 are formed in top plates 56. Slots 66 receive fasteners, such as lag screws or the like, for connecting top plate 56 to floor 20 of slide-out section 12. In this manner, each inner rail 38 is fixed to slide-out section 12 such that movement of inner rail member 38 along its longitudinal axis causes inward or outward movement of slide-out section 12 relative to vehicle 10. As shown in Figs. 3 and 7, a threaded member such as a bolt 68 is mounted such as by welding to the upper wall of outer rail member 26, defining a threaded opening in alignment with an opening formed in the upper wall of outer rail member 26. A screw 69 is engaged with the threads of threaded member 68, and includes a shank extending into the internal passage of outer rail member 26. Screw 69 functions to maintain the vertical position of inner rail member 38 relative to outer rail member 26, to maintain the teeth of drive gear 98 in engagement with the teeth of gear rack 46. Screw 69 can be removed or adjusted as desired, to accommodate variations in installation and manufacture. Preferably, the end of the shank of screw 69 is spaced slightly above the upper wall of inner rail member 38, and simply functions to prevent excessive upward movement of inner rail member 38 which otherwise may dislodge the teeth of gear rack 46 from the teeth of drive gear 98.

A drive and support assembly 70 is mounted to each outer rail member 26. A motor assembly 72 is mounted to one of the drive and support assemblies 70. Referring to Fig. 5, each drive and support assembly 70 includes a bracket member 74 having a pair of spaced side walls 76 and a pair of cross-members

78 extending between and interconnecting side walls 76. A pair of aligned openings 80 are formed in each side wall 76 toward its outer edge, and a pair of enlarged aligned openings 82 are formed in side walls 76 at a location spaced inwardly from openings 80. As shown in Figs. 5 and 8, a roller assembly 84 is positioned between side walls 76, and includes a pair of roller surfaces 86 with a recess 88 therebetween. Roller assembly 84 includes an axial passage 90 opening onto its ends, which is adapted for placement in alignment with openings 80 formed in bracket side walls 76. A bolt 92 extends through openings 80 and through roller assembly passage 90 for rotatably mounting roller assembly 84 to and between side walls 76, such that roller assembly 84 is rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of bolt 92. A nut 94 engages the threads at the end of bolt 92 to maintain bolt 92 and roller assembly 84 assembled to bracket member 74.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 9, a bushing 96 is received within each enlarged opening 82 of bracket side walls 76. A drive gear 98 is located between bushings 96, and defines a series of gear teeth, a reduced diameter shoulder 100, and an axial passage 102. Gear passage 102 is adapted for alignment with the passages of bushings 96, and a gear shaft 104 extends through the passages of bushings 96 and through gear passage 102 for rotatably mounting gear 98 to and between bracket side walls 76. A pin 106 extends through a transverse opening formed in shoulder 100 and through an aligned opening 108 formed in gear shaft 104 for non-rotatably fixing gear

98 to gear shaft 104. Cotter pins 110 extend through transverse passages formed in gear shaft 104 outwardly of the shoulder of each bushing 96, for maintaining the lateral position of gear shaft 104 relative to side walls 76. A cross-shaft 112 is drivingly engaged with the inner end of gear shaft 104 via a bolt 114 extending through aligned openings formed in the end of cross shaft 112 and the inner end of gear shaft 104.

Outer rail member 26 further includes an opening 118 in its bottom wall, which extends from longitudinal slot 47 formed in the bottom wall of outer rail member 26 and through which the teeth of gear rack 46 extend. Bracket assembly 74 is positioned such that the teeth of drive gear 78 engage the teeth of gear rack 46, and such that each roller surface 86 is positioned on either side of gear rack 46 as shown in Fig. 8. Once bracket assembly 74 has been positioned in this manner, side walls 76 are welded to the side walls of outer rail member 26, and cross-members 78 may be welded to the portions of the bottom wall of outer rail member 26 on either side of slot 47. When drive and support assembly 70 is mounted to outer rail members 26 in this manner, opening 116 in the side walls of outer rail member 26 receive roller mounting bolt 92 and roller surfaces 86. Gear shaft 104 is disposed below the lower surface of the bottom wall of outer rail member 26.

As can be appreciated, a drive and support assembly 70 is mounted to each outer rail member 26. Cross-shaft 112 is secured to the end of each gear shaft 104, such that gears 98 of drive and support assemblies 70 rotate in unison.

A motor mounting assembly 120 is mounted to the outer side wall 76 of one of bracket members 74. Motor mounting assembly 120 can be secured to either of drive and support assemblies 70.

Motor mounting assembly 120 includes a motor mounting plate 122 and a pair of spacers 124. Each spacer 124 is mounted at one end to the outer surface of bracket side wall 76 and at its other end to motor mounting plate 122, to define a space therebetween. Spacers 124 cooperate to define an interior 126 (Fig. 6) bordered by spacers 124, motor mounting plate 122, and bracket side wall 76, which opens in upward and downward directions. A motor 128 is secured to motor mounting plate 122 via a series of bolts 130. Motor 128 is preferably an integral motor-brake with a releasable brake member, and includes an output shaft 132 extending from a gear box and into interior 126 of motor mounting assembly 120. Gear shaft 104 defines an outer end 134 which is also disposed within interior 126 of motor mounting assembly 120. A coupler 136 is fixed to outer end 134 of gear shaft 104, and includes a pair of slots 138. A pin 140 extends through motor output shaft 132 and is received within slots 138, for drivingly engaging motor output shaft 132 with gear shaft 104.

Motor mounting assembly 120 can be fixed to either drive and support assembly 70, according to space availability in the underside of the vehicle and other design constraints. Motor mounting assembly 120 can either be prefabricated onto one of drive and support assemblies 120 or can be assembled to the desired one of drive and support assemblies 70 at the time slide-out operating mechanism 24 is installed on the vehicle.

As can be appreciated, operation of motor 128 results in rotation of motor output shaft 132, which is transferred through coupler 136 to the gear shaft 104 with which motor output shaft 132 is interconnected. Rotation of the gear shaft 104 is transferred through cross-shaft 112 to the other gear shaft 104, which results in simultaneous rotation of drive gears 98 to cause inward or outward movement of inner rail members 38 relative to outer rail members 26 through gear racks 46, to extend or retract slide-out section 12. Each bracket member 74 is preferably installed on an outer rail member 26 prior to shipment, with bushings 96, drive gear 98 and gear shaft 104 pinned in place on the bracket member 74. In addition, the motor mounting assembly 120 is preferably in place on one of bracket members 74 as installed. The installer then assembles outer rail members 26 to vehicle frame members 28, 30 as set forth previously. Pursuant to the customer's specifications, motor mounting assembly 120 is pre-mounted either to the front outer rail 26 or to the rear outer rail 26, as desired. The installer than bolts motor 128 to motor mounting plate 122 and couples motor output shaft 132 to coupling 136 utilizing pin 140. Cross-shaft 112 is engaged with the ends of gear shafts 104 at the time outer rail members 26 are installed on vehicle frame members 28, 30. Inner rail members 38 are positioned within the passages defined by outer rail members 26 prior to installation of motor 128, such that the teeth of gear rack 46 mounted to each inner rail member 38 engage the teeth of one of drive gears 98. Roller assembly 84 is then positioned between bracket walls 76 and roller mounting bolt 92 is inserted through roller assembly passage 90 for mounting roller assembly 84 to bracket member 74. Screw 69 is then turned down an amount sufficient to maintain the teeth of gear rack 46 in engagement with the teeth of drive gear 98.

As an alternative, bracket members 74 with drive gears 98 and gear shafts 104 preinstalled, could be secured to outer rail members 26 at the time of shipment. The installer could then determine the appropriate location for motor 128 and secure motor mounting assembly 120 to the bracket member 74 determined to be appropriate. In addition, inner rail members 38 could be pre-loaded into the internal passage of each outer rail member 26. While less desirable, it is also contemplated that bracket members 74 could be shipped separately from outer rail members 26 and installed on each outer rail member 26 at the time of mounting to vehicle frame members 28, 30. It can thus be appreciated that the invention provides a slide-out operating mechanism which is relatively simple in its construction and the manner in which it is installed on a vehicle. The invention provides a slide-out operating mechanism which can be installed in a variety of locations and in which the space between the rail assemblies can be varied simply by varying the length of cross-shaft

112 which interconnects the drive and support assemblies 70. The drive motor is mounted to the slide-out operating mechanism without mounting to the vehicle frame members, which enables use of a single motor mounting assembly and drive and support assembly for vehicles having varying frame configurations and sizes of frame members.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. An assembly for driving and supporting an inner rail of an operating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out section of a vehicle body, the operating mechanism including an outer rail adapted for mounting to the vehicle body and an inner rail mounted to the outer rail for inward and outward movement relative thereto, comprising: mounting structure adapted for engagement with the outer rail: a drive member mounted to the mounting structure and drivingly engageable with the inner rail; and a support member mounted to the mounting structure and engageable with the inner rail for supporting the inner rail upon inward and outward movement relative to the outer rail.

2. The assembly of claim 1. wherein the outer rail includes an opening, and wherein the drive member and the support member extend through the opening for engagement with the inner rail.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting structure comprises a bracket member adapted for mounting to the outer rail adjacent the opening.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the bracket member includes a pair of spaced walls, and wherein the drive member comprises a gear rotatably mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls, and wherein the support member comprises a roller member rotatably mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the drive member comprises a gear rotatably mounted to the bracket via a first rotatable mounting arrangement, and wherein the support member comprises a roller rotatably mounted to the bracket via a second rotatable mounting arrangement separate from the first rotatable mounting arrangement.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a motor mounted to the mounting structure and drivingly engaged with the drive member.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting structure comprises a bracket member defining a pair of spaced walls, wherein the drive member is rotatably mounted to and between the spaced walls, and further comprising a motor mount secured to one of the bracket walls to which the motor is mounted.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the motor includes an output shaft and wherein the drive member comprises a gear disposed between the bracket walls and rotatably mounted to the bracket walls via a gear shaft to which the gear is mounted, and wherein the motor output shaft is drivingly engaged with the gear shaft.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the motor mount includes a mounting plate to which the motor is secured, and a spacer member connected to the mounting plate and to one of the bracket walls, wherein the spacer member defines an interior, and wherein the motor output shaft and the gear shaft extend into the interior of the spacer member and are drivingly engaged with each other therewithin.

10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure comprises a bracket member defining a pair of spaced walls, wherein the drive member is mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls via a first rotatable mounting arrangement, and wherein the support member comprises roller structure mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls via a second rotatable mounting arrangement separate from the first rotatable mounting arrangement.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the second rotatable mounting arrangement comprises a roller support member extending between the bracket walls, and wherein the roller structure includes a pair of roller surfaces for engaging the inner rail at a pair of spaced locations.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the pair of roller surfaces define a space therebetween, and further comprising a gear rack mounted to the inner rail and disposed within the space between the roller surfaces, wherein the drive member comprises a drive gear engageable with the gear rack.

13. In an operating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide out section of a vehicle body, the operating mechanism including one or more outer rails adapted for mounting to the vehicle body and an inner rail adapted to be slidably mounted to each outer rail for movement relative to the outer rail, the improvement comprising: a gear rack mounted to the inner rail; a mounting member mounted to the outer rail; a gear rotatably supported by the mounting member and having teeth in meshing engagement with teeth on the gear rack; and roller structure rotatably supported by the mounting member and engageable with the inner rail.

14. The improvement of claim 13 , wherein the mounting structure defines a pair of spaced walls, and wherein the gear and the roller structure are rotatably mounted to and between the pair of spaced walls via separate first and second rotatable mounting arrangements, respectively.

15. The improvement of claim 14, wherein the roller structure comprises a pair of spaced roller surfaces engageable with the inner rail one on either side of the gear rack.

16. The improvement of claim 14, wherein the mounting structure includes a motor mount secured to one of the walls for mounting a motor thereto, wherein the motor includes an output, and further comprising a coupling arrangement for drivingly interconnecting the gear with the motor output.

17. The improvement of claim 16, wherein the motor output comprises an output shaft and wherein the gear is rotatably mounted to and between the bracket walls via a gear shaft, and wherein the coupling functions to drivingly engage the motor output shaft and the gear shaft.

18. The improvement of claim 17, wherein the motor mount includes a mounting plate to which the motor is secured, and a spacer member defining an interior and interposed between the mounting plate and one of the walls, wherein the coupling and an end of each of the motor output shaft and the gear shaft are disposed within the interior of the spacer member.

19. A method of assembling a slide-out operating mechanism to a vehicle having a frame with one or more frame members and including a slide-out section, comprising the steps of: mounting a rail assembly to at least one of the vehicle frame members, each rail assembly including an outer rail having an opening and an inner rail movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the outer rail, and wherein mounting of the rail assembly to each vehicle frame member is carried out such that the outer rail is fixed relative to the vehicle frame member; and mounting a drive and support assembly to the outer rail at the opening, wherein the drive and support assembly includes a drive member extending through the opening and drivingly engageable with the inner rail, and a support member extending through the opening and engageable with the inner rail for supporting the inner rail upon its inward and outward movement relative to the outer rail.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the drive member and the support member are separately rotatably mounted to the drive and support assembly such that mounting of the support assembly to the outer rail at the opening functions to engage the drive member with the inner rail at a location separate from engagement of the support member with the inner rail.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the support member includes a pair of spaced roller surfaces and wherein the inner rail includes a gear rack with which the drive member is engageable, and wherein the step of mounting the drive and support assembly to the outer rail at the opening is carried out such that the gear rack is disposed between the spaced roller surfaces of the support member.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of mounting a motor to the drive and support assembly and drivingly engaging the motor with the drive member.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the drive and support assembly includes a mounting bracket with which the drive member and the support member are engaged, and wherein the step of mounting the motor to the drive and support assembly comprises securing a motor mount to the mounting bracket and connecting the motor to the motor mount.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the drive member comprises a drive gear rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket via a gear shaft and wherein the motor includes an output shaft, and further comprising the step of engaging the motor output shaft with the gear shaft.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the motor mount includes a mounting plate to which the motor is connected and a spacer disposed between the mounting plate and the mounting bracket, wherein the spacer defines an interior, and wherein the step of securing the motor mount to the mounting bracket is carried out by connecting the spacer to the mounting bracket.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of engaging the motor output shaft with the gear shaft is carried out within the interior of the spacer by coupling an end of each of the motor output shaft and the gear shaft together.