1. Related Application
2. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recreational vehicles and, more particularly, pertains to a slide-out room roof access system for facilitating roof access and providing structures for climbing to and from the roofs of a slide-out room and a recreational vehicle, the facilitating and climbing being done in a safe and convenient and economical manner.
3. Description of the Prior Art
The use of recreational vehicle roof access systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, recreational vehicle roof access systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of providing access to roofs of recreational vehicles are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, a typical recreational vehicle ladder is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,895 issued to Rassada, Jr. et al. This ladder presents a long, steep climb with a challenging transition between the ladder and roof on assent or descent. An external ladder becomes slippery when exposed to water, road grime and oil. This type of ladder presents a daunting climb to most people. This type of ladder is inexpensive, widely used and potentially dangerous.
An improved ladder is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,654 to Ziaylek, Jr., et al. This ladder can pivot outwardly from the lower vehicle to achieve a better climbing angle. The transition on and off the roof remains a challenge. Moisture and road grime can make any external ladder slippery.
Publication No. U.S.2003/0094827 to Faludy et al. describes a long collapsible ladder extending from the ground to a rooftop deck. This attempt to allow routine access to a rooftop living area still presents a long climb. This is a heavy and complicated apparatus.
A roof hatch and stairway to access a roof deck are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,988 issued to Messano. This hatch puts a large opening in the carefully engineered roof of a luxury recreational vehicle. Various internal components of the roof might have to be repositioned or modified to accommodate this hatch. The hatch has to be waterproof. Waterproofing when the vehicle is parked is a small challenge, however, when the vehicle is moving at highway speed through rain, the challenge is considerable. This hatch will resemble the hatch on a boat or ship. This hatch should also provide insulation from weather and road noise at least equal to the roof material removed for the hatch installation. This hatch is well within current recreational vehicle art. This hatch will be costly, but worth it on a premium priced recreational vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,678 issued to Itty Atcravi shows a recreational vehicle with multiple stories and slide-out rooms. A hatch above a stairway is used to access the vehicle roof. This hatch must protect the vehicle interior when traveling at highway speeds.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,804 issued to Crean includes a recreational vehicle with a slide-out room. A door in the slide-out end accesses a stairway leading to the ground. When the vehicle is in motion, the slide-out is retracted into the vehicle. The door is never exposed to the wind, weather or noise of an external door on a moving recreational vehicle. This can be a simple to engineer and modestly priced feature.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a slide-out room roof access system that allows facilitating roof access and providing structures for climbing to and from the roofs of a slide-out room and a recreational vehicle.
In this respect, the slide-out room roof access system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating roof access and providing structures for climbing to and from the roofs of a slide-out room and a recreational vehicle.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved recreational vehicle roof access system which can be used for facilitating roof access and providing structures for climbing to and from the roofs of a slide-out room and a recreational vehicle. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.