DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] The preferred embodiment, a recreational vehicle foldable deck generally identified by reference numeral 10 , will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 .

[0018] Structure and Relationship of Parts:

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1 , foldable deck 10 has a platform which is segmented into a two or more segments 12 . Segmented platform 12 is attached to “L” shaped members 14 which are pivotally attached to supports 16 . Supports 16 are, in turn, fixedly attached to frame 18 of one side of recreational vehicle 20 . Each one of segmented platforms 12 is pivotally movable between a substantially horizontal operative position illustrated in FIG. 2 and a substantially vertical stored position illustrated in FIG. 3 . Referring to FIG. 2 , “L” shaped member 14 has a first end 22 and a second end 24 . First end 22 is fixedly attached to segmented platform 12 . Second end 24 is adapted with a plurality of attachment points 26 . Support 16 is similarly adapted with a second plurality of attachment points 28 . Each of “L” shaped members 14 is pivotally secured to supports 16 by pivot pins 25 extending through a selected one of apertures 28 in supports 16 and a selected one of apertures 26 in “L” shaped members 14 . The selection of the respective apertures 28 and 26 in supports 16 and “L” shaped members, respectively, permits adjustment to maintain platform segment 12 close to the ground surface when in the operative position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and close to the one side of the recreational vehicle 20 when in the stored position, as illustrated in FIG. 3 . Referring to FIG. 2 , second end 24 is shown substantially right angle to support 16 when segmented platform 12 is in the substantially horizontal operative position with an underside 30 of segmented platform 12 oriented downwards toward ground surface 32 . Referring to FIG. 3 , second end 24 is shown substantially parallel with support 16 when segmented platform 12 is in a substantially vertical stored position with a top 34 of segmented platform 12 oriented towards one side of recreational vehicle 20 . A spring loaded latch mechanism 38 positioned along a peripheral edge of segmented platform 12 serves to secure segmented platform 12 in the substantially vertical stored position. When recreational vehicle 20 is going to be travelling on a highway, a locking pin 36 can be inserted apertures in “L” shaped member 14 and support 16 to further secure segmented platform 12 in a substantially vertical stored position. The apertures which receive locking pin 36 are best illustrated in FIG. 2 , those apertures being apertures 27 on “L” shaped member 14 and apertures 29 on supports 16 . Referring to FIG. 4 , “L” shaped member 14 may optionally be equipped with a tension spring 40 , which acts against support 16 . Referring to FIG. 5 , it is preferred that top 34 of segmented platform 12 be covered with a metal lattice work of see-through mesh 42 . Referring to FIG. 6 , underside 30 of segmented platform 12 has framework 44 and spring-loaded latch assembly 38 .

[0020] Operation:

[0021] The use and operation of recreational vehicle foldable deck 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 Referring to FIG. 1 , recreational vehicle foldable deck 10 may be lowered to a substantially horizontal operative position as shown wherein each segment of segmented platform 12 is oriented substantially below the level of frame 18 . Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , users, by selectively adjusting the pivotal attachment via plurality of attachment points 26 or second plurality of attachment points 28 , may orient underside 30 and framework 44 of segmented deck 12 to a substantially close position relative to ground surface 32 . Further, users may lift any segment of the segmented platform 12 and place each segmented platform 12 in a substantially vertical storage position. Referring to FIG. 4 , the raising of segmented platform may, optionally, be assisted by tensioning spring 40 . Referring to FIG. 3 , when in the substantially vertical stored position, foldable deck 10 is secured in position with spring loaded latch assembly 38 . Prior to highway travel, locking pin 36 may be placed in position as an additional safety precaution.

[0022] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art from a review of FIG. 1 , the advantage that the described segmented platform provides. Having the segments independently movable between the operative position and the stored position enables access to be obtained to a door 31 on recreational vehicle 20 by lowering only one of the platform segments 12 to the operative position. Having the platform segmented reduces the size and weight of each of the individual segments, enabling them be manually pivoted and lifted from the operative position to the stored position. By having each segment consisting of a framework covered by a see-through mesh covering, persons are able to see through windows 33 on recreational vehicle 20 and air can pass through each of platform segments 12 to utility vents and the like when the platform segments 20 are in the stored position.

[0023] In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0024] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the claims.