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An extendable and retractable enclosure provides an additional storage or work area in a structure which has a limited amount of available space, such as a motor home or trailer. The enclosure is installed in an opening, such as for a window, and can be selectively moved to an extended position wher

An extendable and retractable enclosure provides an additional storage or work area in a structure which has a limited amount of available space, such as a motor home or trailer. The enclosure is installed in an opening, such as for a window, and can be selectively moved to an extended position where the enclosure extends outside the structure, or to a retracted position where the enclosure is positioned inside the structure. Two spaced apart swing arms pivotally mount the enclosure to the structure, and allow the enclosure to be selectively moved to the extended or retracted positions.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture having a perimeter, a frame disposed around the perimeter of the aperture, the frame having a bottom portion, an inside top portion, an outside top portion, and a downwardly projecting lip horizonta

I claim: 1. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture having a perimeter, a frame disposed around the perimeter of the aperture, the frame having a bottom portion, an inside top portion, an outside top portion, and a downwardly projecting lip horizontally disposed along the outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the frame; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; a top member connecting said top end of said first swing arm to said top end of said second swing arm; a bottom member connecting said bottom end of said first swing arm to said bottom end of said second swing arm; a first elongated hinge connectable between the inside top portion of the frame and said top member; and, a second elongated hinge connectable between said bottom member and said bottom portion of said front. 2. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture having a perimeter, a frame disposed around the perimeter of the aperture, the frame having a bottom portion, an inside top portion, an outside top portion, and a downwardly projecting lip horizontally disposed along the outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the frame; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; and, said bottom of said enclosure including a first curved portion spaced apart from a second curved portion. 3. The extendable and retractable enclosure of claim 2, further including: a first roller; a second roller spaced apart from said first roller; said first and second rollers connectable to the bottom portion of the frame, wherein said first and second rollers upwardly project from the bottom portion of the frame; and, said first roller engaging said first curved portion, and said second roller engaging said second curved portion. 4. The extendable and retractable enclosure of claim 3, further including: said first and second rollers each including a biasing mechanism which urges said rollers in an upward direction. 5. The extendable and retractable enclosure of claim 3, further including: said first curved portion including first and second notches for receiving said first roller; said second curved portion including first and second notches for receiving said second roller; and, wherein said first notches are for receiving said rollers when said enclosure is in said extended position, and said second notches are for receiving said rollers when said enclosure is in said retracted position. 6. The extendable and retractable enclosure of claim 2, further including: said rear of said enclosure having a top horizontal lip; and, said first and second spaced apart curved portions shaped and dimensioned so that when said enclosure is moved to said retracted position, said top horizontal lip of said rear becomes seated under the downwardly projecting lip of the outside top portion of the frame. 7. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture having a perimeter, a frame disposed around the perimeter of the aperture, the frame having a bottom portion, an inside top portion, an outside top portion, and a downwardly projecting lip horizontally disposed along the outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the frame; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; and, said top of said enclosure forming an acute included angle with said front of said enclosure. 8. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture having a perimeter, a frame disposed around the perimeter of the aperture, the frame having a bottom portion, an inside top portion, an outside top portion, and a downwardly projecting lip horizontally disposed along the outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the frame; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; a top member connecting said top end of said first swing arm to said top end of said second swing arm; a bottom member connecting said bottom end of said first swing arm to said bottom end of said second swing arm; a first elongated hinge connectable between the inside portion of the frame and said top member; a second elongated hinge connectable between said bottom member and said bottom portion of said front; said bottom of said enclosure including a first curved portion spaced apart from a second curved portion; a first roller; a second roller spaced apart from said first roller; said first and second rollers connectable to the bottom portion of the frame, wherein said first and second rollers upwardly project from the bottom portion of the frame; said first roller engaging said first curved portion, and said second roller engaging said second curved portion; said first and second rollers each including a biasing mechanism which urges said roller in an upward direction; said first curved portion including first and second notches for receiving said first roller; said second curved portion including first and second notches for receiving said second roller; wherein said first notches are for receiving said rollers when said enclosure is in said extended position, and said second notches are for receiving said rollers when said enclosure is in said retracted position; said rear of said enclosure having a top horizontal lip; said first and second spaced apart curved portions shaped and dimensioned so that when said enclosure is moved to said retracted position, said top horizontal lip of said rear becomes seated under the downwardly projecting lip of the outside top portion of the frame; and, said top of said enclosure forming an acute included angle with said front of said enclosure. 9. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture, the aperture having a bottom edge, an inside top portion, and an outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the aperture; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; and, wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; a top member connecting said top end of said first swing arm to said top end of said second swing arm; a bottom member connecting said bottom end of said first swing arm to said bottom end of said second swing arm; a first elongated hinge connectable between the inside top portion of the aperture and said top member; and, a second elongated hinge connectable between said bottom member and said bottom portion of said front. 10. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture, the aperture having a bottom edge, an inside top portion, and an outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the aperture; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; and, wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; and, said bottom of said enclosure including a curved portion, wherein as said enclosure is moved said curved portion slides over the bottom edge of the aperture. 11. The extendable and retractable enclosure of claim 10, further including: said curved portion including first and second notches for receiving the bottom edge of the aperture; and, wherein said first notch is for receiving the bottom edge of the aperture when said enclosure is in said extended position, and said second notch is for receiving the bottom edge of the aperture when said enclosure is in said retracted position. 12. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture, the aperture having a bottom edge, an inside top portion, and an outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the aperture; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; and, wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; and, said top of said enclosure forming an acute included angle with said front of said enclosure. 13. An extendable and retractable enclosure for a structure having a wall having an aperture, the aperture having a bottom edge, an inside top portion, and an outside top portion, said enclosure comprising: a top, a bottom, a front having a bottom portion, a rear, a first side and an opposite second side; a first swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end; a second swing arm having a top end and an opposite bottom end, said second swing arm spaced apart from said first swing arm; said top ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to the inside top portion of the aperture; said bottom ends of said first and second swing arms pivotally connectable to said bottom portion of said front; and, wherein said swing arms movably support said enclosure, and allow said enclosure to be selectively moved to one of (1) an extended position wherein said enclosure protrudes outwardly from the wall, and (2) a retracted position wherein said enclosure protrudes inwardly from the wall; a top member connecting said top end of said first swing arm to said top end of said second swing arm; a bottom member connecting said bottom end of said first swing arm to said bottom end of said second swing arm; and, a first elongated hinge connectable between the inside top portion of the aperture and said top member; a second elongated hinge connectable between said bottom member and said bottom portion of said front; said bottom of said enclosure including a curved portion, wherein as said enclosure is moved said curved portion slides over the bottom edge of the aperture; said curved portion including first and second notches for receiving the bottom edge of the aperture; wherein said first notch is for receiving the bottom edge of the aperture when said enclosure is in said extended position, and said second notch is for receiving the bottom edge of the aperture when said enclosure is in said retracted position; and, said top of said enclosure forming an acute included angle with said front of said enclosure.