US3841690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-07
•
Granted: 1974-10-15
•
Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
Abstract Discloses a compartment closure of a pickup truck which converts to a supplemental vehicle body. The compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body comprises a pair of sidewall sections, pivotably mounted along the sidewall panels of the pickup truck. The sidewall sections, when disposed horizontally, cooperatively act as a closure for the truck and when disposed vertically in alignment with the sidewall panels of the pickup truck, act as a supplemental body. Means for urging the heavy sidewall sections from their horizontal position to a vertical position comprises a pair of torsion bars disposed longitudinally along the inner surface of the sidewall panels and fixedly secured under tension to the truck body. A novel latch mechanism, which acts to lock the compartment closure and tailgate is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 P Piercy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment, including: A. a truck bed. B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, and C. a tailgate, pivotable between open and closed positions: D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises: 1. a pair of heavy duty sidewall sections convertible from a compartment closure and cargo deck, when disposed in a horizontal plane parallel to said truck bed, to sidewall sections of a supplemental vehicle body, when disposed in a verticale plane, in alignment with said sidewall panels of said compartment; 2. hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall section through an arc from one plane to another; 3. means for urging each of said sidewall sections from the horizontal plane to a vertical plane which includes: a. a first torsion bar extending essentially the length of said compartment and fixedly mounted at one end to said truck, b. a torque arm operatively connected to said torsion bar and to said sidewall section to apply torqUe to said sidewall section for moving said section from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane and which acts to apply torsion to said torsion bar as said section moves from said vertical plane to said horizontal plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment, including: A. a truck bed. B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, and C. a tailgate, pivotable between open and closed positions: D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises: 1. a pair of heavy duty sidewall sections convertible from a compartment closure and cargo deck, when disposed in a horizontal plane parallel to said truck bed, to sidewall sections of a supplemental vehicle body, when disposed in a verticale plane, in alignment with said sidewall panels of said compartment; 2. hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall section through an arc from one plane to another; 3. means for urging each of said sidewall sections from the horizontal plane to a vertical plane which includes: a. a first torsion bar extending essentially the length of said compartment and fixedly mounted at one end to said truck, b. a torque arm operatively connected to said torsion bar and to said sidewall section to apply torqUe to said sidewall section for moving said section from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane and which acts to apply torsion to said torsion bar as said section moves from said vertical plane to said horizontal plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall section through an arc from one plane to another;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall section through an arc from one plane to another;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 1, the further combination of: A. a second torsion bar mounted so as to lie generally co-axially with said first torsion bar but with one end fixedly mounted to the opposite end of said truck relative to said first torsion bar, B. a torque arm, operatively connected to said torsion bar and to said sidewall section in spaced relation to the torque arm of said first torsion bar so as to apply torque to said wall section at a point spaced from said first torque arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall sections through an arc from one plane to another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall sections through an arc from one plane to another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
the stop disposed on the outer edge of the second leaf member acting to limit the forward movement of said leaf member against the outer top surface of said tailgate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
the stop disposed on the outer edge of the second leaf member acting to limit the forward movement of said leaf member against the outer top surface of said tailgate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a handle for raising the sidewall section upwardly from a horizontal plane, and,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a handle for raising the sidewall section upwardly from a horizontal plane, and,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
said rail serving as a stop rail to limit the pivotable movement of said wall section past said vertical plane,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
said rail serving as a stop rail to limit the pivotable movement of said wall section past said vertical plane,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said wall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said sidewall section through an arc from one plane to anOther;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said wall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said sidewall section through an arc from one plane to anOther;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a handle for raising said sidewall section upwardly from a horizontal plane, and,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a handle for raising said sidewall section upwardly from a horizontal plane, and,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall section through an arc from one plane to another;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means, pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall section through an arc from one plane to another;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
said rail serving as a stop rail to limit the pivotable movement of said wall sections past the vertical plane,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
said rail serving as a stop rail to limit the pivotable movement of said wall sections past the vertical plane,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
the stop disposed on the outer edge of the second leaf member, limiting the pivotable movement of said leaf member against the outer top surface of said tailgate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
the stop disposed on the outer edge of the second leaf member, limiting the pivotable movement of said leaf member against the outer top surface of said tailgate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall sections through an arc from one plane to another.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
hinge means pivotably securing one end of each of said sidewall sections to the upper portion of said sidewall panels and providing means for movement of the free end of said wall sections through an arc from one plane to another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
a throw rod mounted in said keeper member for movement in a longitudinal path and for pivotable movement around an axis normal to said longitudinal path,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
a throw rod mounted in said keeper member for movement in a longitudinal path and for pivotable movement around an axis normal to said longitudinal path,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said wall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said wall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
a handle extending from said throw rod to the rear of said tailgate, said handle being bent near its end to project over the top of said tailgate, and to secure said tailgate in closed position,
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
a handle extending from said throw rod to the rear of said tailgate, said handle being bent near its end to project over the top of said tailgate, and to secure said tailgate in closed position,
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a cargo tiedown rail when said sidewall sections are in a horizontal plane.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a cargo tiedown rail when said sidewall sections are in a horizontal plane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
said stop rail serving as a cargo tiedown rail when said sidewall sections are disposed horizontally.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
said stop rail serving as a cargo tiedown rail when said sidewall sections are disposed horizontally.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
said stop rail serving as cargo tie-down rails when said sidewall sections are disposed horizontally.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
said stop rail serving as cargo tie-down rails when said sidewall sections are disposed horizontally.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a cargo tiedown rail when said sidewall sections are in a horizontal plane.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
said rail serving as a cargo tiedown rail when said sidewall sections are in a horizontal plane.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
95 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from the horizontal plane to a vertical plane which includes: a. a first torsion bar extending essentially the length of said compartment and fixedly mounted at one end to said truck, b. a torque arm operatively connected to said torsion bar and to said sidewall section to apply torqUe to said sidewall section for moving said section from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane and which acts to apply torsion to said torsion bar as said section moves from said vertical plane to said horizontal plane.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
95 words
means for urging each of said sidewall sections from the horizontal plane to a vertical plane which includes: a. a first torsion bar extending essentially the length of said compartment and fixedly mounted at one end to said truck, b. a torque arm operatively connected to said torsion bar and to said sidewall section to apply torqUe to said sidewall section for moving said section from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane and which acts to apply torsion to said torsion bar as said section moves from said vertical plane to said horizontal plane.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
63 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body as defined in claim 1, in which the torque arm is formed from one end of said torsion bar, said end of said torsion bar being bent at 90* at one point and being bent at 45* at two points so as to project into said sidwall section along the short axis of said sidewall section.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
111 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body as defined in claim 1, the further combination of: A. front and end wall sections, each wall section comprising two flat leaflike members and, B. hinges for each wall section, each hinge hingedly securing one of said leaf members along its outer edge to the front or rear edges of one of said opposite sidewall sections, for pivotable movement of said leaf members from face to face registry with the inner surface of said sidewall sections, inwardly into a vertical alignment with said front compartment wall panel and tailgate respectively to cooperatively form the front and end wall sections of said supplemental vehicle body.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
136 words
a combination latch and compartment closure locking mechanism, which comprises: a. a pair of keeper members, each keeper member being mounted on one of said sidewall sections so as to be in alignment with the other member when said sidewall sections are in horizontal position, b. a throw rod, mounted in said keeper member for movement in a longitudinal path and for pivotable movement around an axis normal to said longitudinal path, c. a handle, extending from said throw rod to the rear of said tailgate, said handle being bent near its end to project over the top of said tailgate and to secure said tailgate in closed position, d. an open hasp, mounted between said tailgate and said throw rod for reception of said handle, e. holes in said hasp for reception of a lock.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
136 words
a combination latch and compartment closure locking mechanism, which comprises: a. a pair of keeper members, each keeper member being mounted on one of said sidewall sections so as to be in alignment with the other member when said sidewall sections are in horizontal position, b. a throw rod, mounted in said keeper member for movement in a longitudinal path and for pivotable movement around an axis normal to said longitudinal path, c. a handle, extending from said throw rod to the rear of said tailgate, said handle being bent near its end to project over the top of said tailgate and to secure said tailgate in closed position, d. an open hasp, mounted between said tailgate and said throw rod for reception of said handle, e. holes in said hasp for reception of a lock.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
the further combination therewith of: a. a combination stop and cargo tiedown rail which comprises:
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
the further combination therewith of: a. a combination stop and cargo tiedown rail which comprises:
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
the further combination therewith of: a. combination handle and cargo tiedown rail which comprises:
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
the further combination therewith of: a. combination handle and cargo tiedown rail which comprises:
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
an open hasp, mounted between said tailgate and said throw rod for reception of said handle, and,
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
an open hasp, mounted between said tailgate and said throw rod for reception of said handle, and,
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
99 words
the further combination therewith of: a. front and end wall sections, each wall section comprising two flat leaflike members, b. hinges for each wall section, each hinge hingedly securing one of said leaf members along its outer edge to the front or rear edges respectively of one of said opposite sidewall sections, for pivotable movement of said leaf members from face to face registry with the inner surface of said sidewall section, inwardly into vertical alignment with said front compartment wall panel and tailgate respectively to cooperatively form the front and end wall sections of said supplemental vehicle body.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
99 words
the further combination therewith of: a. front and end wall sections, each wall section comprising two flat leaflike members, b. hinges for each wall section, each hinge hingedly securing one of said leaf members along its outer edge to the front or rear edges respectively of one of said opposite sidewall sections, for pivotable movement of said leaf members from face to face registry with the inner surface of said sidewall section, inwardly into vertical alignment with said front compartment wall panel and tailgate respectively to cooperatively form the front and end wall sections of said supplemental vehicle body.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
9 words
holes in said hasp for reception of a lock.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
9 words
holes in said hasp for reception of a lock.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body as defined in claim 4, the further combination therewith of: A. a latch means for latching said leaflike members together, to form said front and rear wall sections.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
64 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 4, the further combination therewith of: A. stop members at the lower end of each of said leaf members for engagement with said front wall panel and tailgate for limiting the pivotable movement of said leaf members and to maintain said members in vertical alignment with said front wall panel and tailgate respectively.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
30 words
A compartment and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 6, the improvement of: A. stop members disposed on the inner edges and outer edges respectively of said leaf members,
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
78 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body as defined in claim 4, the further combination therewith of: A. locking slots disposed on the inner medial surface of said leaflike members and, B. pivotable tongues disposed on the inner surface of said sidewall sections in operative relation to said locking slots so as to engage with the slot and hold said leaflike members in face to face relationship as the said sidewall sections move from vertical to horizontal position.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
48 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 4, the further combination with said leaflike members of: A. a cargo fence, operative when said wall sections are disposed in a horizontal plane to form a barrier in the rear part of said compartment, which comprises:
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 1, the further combination therewith of: A. a combination stop and cargo tie-down rail which comprises:
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 1, the further combination therewith of: A. a combination handle and cargo tiedown rail which comprises:
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
28 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 1, the further combination therewith of: A. a combination latch and compartment closure locking mechanism which comprises:
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, which comprises:
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, which comprises:
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
33 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 13, the further combination therewith of latch means for latching said leaflike members together to form said front and rear wall sections.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
57 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 13, the further combination therewith of: A. stop members at the lower end of each of sAid leaf members for engagement with said front wall panel or tailgate for limiting the pivotable movement of said leaf member and for maintaining said leaf member in vertical alignment.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
32 words
A compartmental closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 13, the further combination of: A. a stop member disposed on the inner and outer edges respectively of said leaf members,
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
77 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 13, the further combination therewith of: A. lock slots disposed on the inner medial surface of said leaf-like members and, B. pivotable tongues disposed on the inner surface of said sidewall sections in operative relation to said locking slots so as to engage the slot and hold said leaflike members in face to face relationship as the said sidewall members move from vertical to horizontal positions.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
48 words
A compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body, as defined in claim 13, the further combination with said leaflike members of: A. a cargo fence operative when said side sections are disposed in a horizontal plane to form a barrier in the rear part of said compartment, which comprises:
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment, including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate, pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises:
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment, including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate, pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises:
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment, including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartmental closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises:
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment, including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartmental closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises:
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises:
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
48 words
For use with a pickup truck, having an open rear compartment including: A. a truck bed, B. vertically disposed sidewall panels and a front wall panel, C. a tailgate pivotable between open and closed positions, D. the improvement of a compartment closure and supplemental vehicle body which comprises:
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |