US3740092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible cover assembly for truck boxes and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-01
•
Granted: 1973-06-19
•
Expires: 1991-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A channel-shaped track extends along the upper edge of each side of a truck box, the channel-shaped configuration providing an upwardly facing slot. The tracks contain and guide a plurality of shoe mechanisms each comprised of a hinged pair of vertical panels. The laterally spaced ends of the bows, the flexible canopy being placed over the bows, are supported by the shoe mechanisms, there being one shoe mechanism for each bow end and the bow end functioning as a hinge pin in each instance. The lower marginal portions of the canopy are anchored to these panels. The rear portions of the tracks maintain the hinged panels in a straight line relationship, whereas the forward portions of the tracks permit the inward pivoting of the panels as the canopy is collapsed or retracted beneath a protective hood. The hood and sections of the tracks therebeneath can pivot upwardly to permit removal of the sides of the truck box. The rear of the truck box is equipped with a hinged tail piece that is automatically raised when the canopy is fully extended or expanded. Further, the tracks are formed so that moisture will not enter the interior of the truck box.
Inventors
- 👤 R Page
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/06; B60J7/061; B60J7/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A collapsible cover assembly for truck boxes and the like comprising a pair of spaced tracks extending along the sides of the box, a plurality of shoe mechanisms guided for longitudinal movement by said tracks, each shoe mechanism including a pair of elongated panels hinged together about a substantially vertical axis at their adjacent ends, a plurality of bow members spanning the lateral distance between said tracks, at least certain of said bow members being movable and each having its ends supported by a pair of said shoe mechanisms adjacent the hinged ends of said elongated panels, and a flexible canopy overlying said bow members having lower marginal portions thereof anchored to said elongated panels, whereby when said movable bow members are moved in a direction to collapse said canopy the opposite ends of said elongated panel members swing inwardly to permit said canopy to assume a folded configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A collapsible cover assembly for truck boxes and the like comprising a pair of spaced tracks extending along the sides of the box, a plurality of shoe mechanisms guided for longitudinal movement by said tracks, each shoe mechanism including a pair of elongated panels hinged together about a substantially vertical axis at their adjacent ends, a plurality of bow members spanning the lateral distance between said tracks, at least certain of said bow members being movable and each having its ends supported by a pair of said shoe mechanisms adjacent the hinged ends of said elongated panels, and a flexible canopy overlying said bow members having lower marginal portions thereof anchored to said elongated panels, whereby when said movable bow members are moved in a direction to collapse said canopy the opposite ends of said elongated panel members swing inwardly to permit said canopy to assume a folded configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which each track is generally channel-shaped so as to receive therein the lower edges of said elongated panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 2 including a ramp extending upwardly from the bottom of each channel-shaped track for elevating said shoe mechanisms as said canopy is collapsed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which each channel-shaped track is provided with inner and outer side walls, whereby when said movable bow members are moved in a direction to collapse said canopy said ramps elevate said shoe mechanisms sufficiently so that said panels clear said inner side walls to permit the opposite ends of said elongated panels to swing inwardly to permit said canopy to assume a folded configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 4 including a plurality of weep holes in said outer side walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which one end region of each track is channel-shaped to provide a bottom wall and upstanding outer and inner side walls with a slot therebetween, the panels at one side extending downwardly into the track of that side and the panels at the other side extending downwardly into the track at said other side, the other end region of the track having an inner side wall of lesser height than the height of the inner side walls of said one end region, and a ramp inclining upwardly to a sufficient elevation so that said hinged panels clear said last-mentioned inner side walls as said opposite ends swing inwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which said elongated panels have interleaved knuckles and in which the ends of said bow members include pins extending downwardly into said knuckles to hingedly connect said panels together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which the portion of each track onto which the shoe mechanisms move when said canopy assumes its folded configuration constitutes a separate track section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 8 in which each of said track portions is pivoted at the end thereof remote from the remaining track portion, whereby the collapsed canopy may be swung upwardly to permit removal of the box sides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 9 including a hood overlying said pivotal track portions, said hood being fixedly attached to said track portion so that said hood and track portions can be swung upwardly together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 1 including a pivotally mounted tail piece for closing the end of said canopy that would otherwise be open when said canopy is expanded.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 11 including means associated with said tail piecE and engageable by the rearmost bow member to pivot said tail piece upwardly into a vertical position to close said opening as said rearmost bow member expands said canopy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 6 including a sprocket rotatably mounted near each end of each track, a chain entrained about each sprocket, and strip means connected to each chain projecting rearwardly toward the end of the track where the canopy is expanded and connected to the rear bow member so as to urge the rear bow member at each side rearwardly beyond the rear pair of sprockets, said rear pair of sprockets being spaced from the rear extremities of said tracks
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 13 in which the lower flight of each chain passes along the bottom wall of its particular track, and respective pin means providing the connection of each strip means at the forward end thereof to the lower flight of its associated chain so that each strip means also passes along the bottom wall of its particular track, the other end of each strip means being fixedly connected to said rear bow member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A collapsible cover assembly in accordance with claim 11 including a fixedly mounted head piece beneath said hood, and resilient means extending between said head piece and said canopy to pull said canopy taut when said canopy is expanded.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
174 words
A collapsible cover assembly for truck boxes and the like comprising a pair of spaced tracks each having a bottom surface at one elevation and inner and outer sides providing raised surfaces, means associated with each track sloping upwardly from a portion of the bottom surface to a portion of the inner raised surface, a plurality of shoe mechanisms guided for longitudinal movement by said tracks, each shoe mechanism including a pair of elongated panels hinged together about a substantially vertical axis at their adjacent ends and movable up the sloping means onto the raised inner surface of that track with which that mechanism is associated, and a flexible canopy overlying said bow members having lower marginal portions anchored to said elongated panels, whereby when said movable bow members are moved in a direction to collapse said canopy said adjacent panel ends are elevated onto said raised inner surfaces via said sloping means so that the opposite ends of said elongated panels can swing inwardly to permit said canopy to assume a folded configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
174 words
A collapsible cover assembly for truck boxes and the like comprising a pair of spaced tracks each having a bottom surface at one elevation and inner and outer sides providing raised surfaces, means associated with each track sloping upwardly from a portion of the bottom surface to a portion of the inner raised surface, a plurality of shoe mechanisms guided for longitudinal movement by said tracks, each shoe mechanism including a pair of elongated panels hinged together about a substantially vertical axis at their adjacent ends and movable up the sloping means onto the raised inner surface of that track with which that mechanism is associated, and a flexible canopy overlying said bow members having lower marginal portions anchored to said elongated panels, whereby when said movable bow members are moved in a direction to collapse said canopy said adjacent panel ends are elevated onto said raised inner surfaces via said sloping means so that the opposite ends of said elongated panels can swing inwardly to permit said canopy to assume a folded configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |