US3589576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible rack for vehicle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-11-04
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A supporting rack adapted to be secured to the load-carrying portion of a truck body. A pivotally attached portion is adapted to overlie the main portion of the rack, and in such position is provided with a configuration for supporting a tarpaulin or the like. The pivotally secured portion is also adapted to be rotated to a nonoverlying position in which such portion provides an extension of the top framework of the rack so as to provide an elongated support for carrying lengthy loads. A tailgate portion of the rack is also adapted to be secured to the main framework in either of two positions which are the inverse of each other. In one position of the tailgate portion an additional support for the tarpaulin is provided, whereas in the inverted position, an additional extended support is provided for long loads.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Rinkle
- 👤 Sonnie D Stapleton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:40
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/08; B60; B60R; B60R9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A convertible rack for a pickup truck body of the type having vertically disposed sockets at least at its corners where an end wall joins a sidewall, said rack being convertible between a first condition where it is adapted for supporting a tarpaulin and a second condition when it is adapted for carrying elongate loads, said rack comprising in combination, a main portion having cornerposts each disposed at a corner of said body and disposed at their lower ends into said sockets, longitudinal side members joining said cornerposts on each side of said body and transverse members also joining said cornerposts at each end of said body, an auxiliary portion comprising at least four cornerposts having a length substantially less than that of said cornerposts of said main portion and being joined by longitudinal and transverse members whose lengths are such that said auxiliary portion has a width substantially equal to that of said main portion but a length less than that of said main portion, and hinge means for hingedly connecting said auxiliary portion to said main portion along the forward, upper edge of said main portion, said hinge means permitting rotation of said auxiliary portion from a first position in which said auxiliary portion overlies said main portion to a second position in which said auxiliary portion extends forwardly of said main portion to provide an extended support for the carrying of elongate loads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A convertible rack for a pickup truck body of the type having vertically disposed sockets at least at its corners where an end wall joins a sidewall, said rack being convertible between a first condition where it is adapted for supporting a tarpaulin and a second condition when it is adapted for carrying elongate loads, said rack comprising in combination, a main portion having cornerposts each disposed at a corner of said body and disposed at their lower ends into said sockets, longitudinal side members joining said cornerposts on each side of said body and transverse members also joining said cornerposts at each end of said body, an auxiliary portion comprising at least four cornerposts having a length substantially less than that of said cornerposts of said main portion and being joined by longitudinal and transverse members whose lengths are such that said auxiliary portion has a width substantially equal to that of said main portion but a length less than that of said main portion, and hinge means for hingedly connecting said auxiliary portion to said main portion along the forward, upper edge of said main portion, said hinge means permitting rotation of said auxiliary portion from a first position in which said auxiliary portion overlies said main portion to a second position in which said auxiliary portion extends forwardly of said main portion to provide an extended support for the carrying of elongate loads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said transverse members of said main portion are disposed below the upper ends of said cornerposts and have their upper surfaces lying in a common plane, said transverse members of said auxiliary portion being disposed to lie also in said common plane when said auxiliary member is rotated forwardly about said hinge means, whereby elongate loads supported by said transverse members on said common plane are prevented from rolling off the side of said rack by, at least in part, said cornerposts which extend above said plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said transverse member at the rear end of said main portion is detachably secured adjacent the rear cornerposts of said main portion and comprises at least two spaced structural members interconnected by a plurality of vertical supports, said rear transverse member being adapted for securing adjacent said rear cornerposts in a first position in which the uppermost of said structural members forms a convex curved upper support for a tarpaulin and in an optional second position in which the then uppermost structural member provides a flat support lying in said common plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said longitudinal side members of said main portion comprise hollow tubular members, and said rear transverse member includes a plurality of horizontally extending dogs which fit into the ends of said tubular side members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes means for locking said auxiliary portion in both said first and second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defineD by claim 1 in which said auxiliary portion includes also at least one generally curved transverse element extending at its convex apex above the uppermost ends of said cornerposts to thereby provide a support for a tarpaulin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said main portion comprises two longitudinally extending parallel members interconnecting the front and rear cornerposts on each side, the topmost of said two members interconnecting said cornerposts substantially at their uppermost ends and the other interconnecting said cornerposts at locations spaced from but generally adjacent to said uppermost ends, said auxiliary portion in its forwardly extended position also comprising two parallel longitudinally extending parallel members the lower one of which is so disposed as to be substantially colinear with the lower of the two parallel members of said main portion, said transverse members on both said main and auxiliary portions interconnecting only the lower of said parallel members to provide thereby a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse supports for an elongate load, which supports all lie in a common plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said auxiliary portion supports a pair of longitudinally extending dogs each substantially colinear with a respective lower one of said two parallel longitudinal members, a socket on the end of each said lower longitudinal member on said main portion for receiving a respective one of said dogs when said auxiliary portion is rotated about said hinge means to its forwardly extended position, and means for locking each said dog in its respective socket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2947566A
Cited
US3458094A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |