US4101162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertically swingable camper shell
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-01-06
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1997-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A specially constructed hinge, mounted within the open body of a light truck, pivotally supports a body-enclosing, box-type shell behind the truck cab for vertical swinging movement of the shell about an axis extending transversely of the truck adjacent the uppermost portion of the cab end of the shell whereby the shell may be swung selectively up or down to open or close the body without encountering interference between the shell and cab. The hinge comprises a pair of parallel, upright, laterally spaced plates each secured to a respective sidewall of the truck body and defining a pair of spaced, arcuate, non-concentric slots for captively retaining corresponding rollers carried by depending structure on said shell. An electric winch selectively retracts or releases cable and pulley assemblies associated with respective pairs of rollers for powered raising or lowering of the shell relative to the truck body.
Inventors
- 👤 Leland Koehn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/16; B60J7/1607; B60J7/1621; B60J7/02; B60J7/04; B60J7/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In combination with a light truck of the type having an open-topped body and a cab at one end of said body extending upwardly beyond said top, a cover for the top including: a hollow, open-bottomed, box-like shell on said body overlying said top in normally closing relationship to the latter, said shell including an upright end wall adjacent said cab and extending transversely of the truck; and hinge means mounting said shell on said body for swinging vertical movement of the shell about a fixed transversely extending axis adjacent the uppermost portion of said end wall whereby said shell may be selectively shifted from its closing relationship over said top to permit unobstructed access to the body of the truck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In combination with a light truck of the type having an open-topped body and a cab at one end of said body extending upwardly beyond said top, a cover for the top including: a hollow, open-bottomed, box-like shell on said body overlying said top in normally closing relationship to the latter, said shell including an upright end wall adjacent said cab and extending transversely of the truck; and hinge means mounting said shell on said body for swinging vertical movement of the shell about a fixed transversely extending axis adjacent the uppermost portion of said end wall whereby said shell may be selectively shifted from its closing relationship over said top to permit unobstructed access to the body of the truck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge means is disposed wholly outside said hollow shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said hinge means underlies said shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1; and a lift mechanism for powered swinging movement of said shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said lift mechanism includes an electric winch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5, said lift mechanism including a spring assist disposed to augment the lifting action of said winch during upward swinging of said shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said hinge means includes a pair of spaced, arcuate tracks attached to said body, and depending structure on said shell supporting a pair of rollers adapted for captive engagement with said respective tracks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
In combination with a light truck of the type having an open-topped body and a cab at one end of said body extending upwardly beyond said top, a cover for the top including: a hollow, open-bottomed, box-like shell on said body overlying said top in normally closing relationship to the latter, said shell including an upright end wall adjacent said cab and extending transversely of the truck; and hinge means mounting said shell on said body for swinging vertical movement of the shell about a transversely extending axis adjacent the uppermost portion of said end wall whereby said shell may be selectively shifted from its closing relationship over said top to permit unobstructed access to the body of the truck, said hinge means including a pair of spaced, arcuate tracks attached to said body, and depending structure on said shell supporting a pair of rollers adapted for captive engagement with said respective tracks, wherein said tracks are coplanar comprising arcuate slots formed in an upstanding plate extending longitudinally of the truck.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
In combination with a light truck of the type having an open-topped body and a cab at one end of said body extending upwardly beyond said top, a cover for the top including: a hollow, open-bottomed, box-like shell on said body overlying said top in normally closing relationship to the latter, said shell including an upright end wall adjacent said cab and extending transversely of the truck; and hinge means mounting said shell on said body for swinging vertical movement of the shell about a transversely extending axis adjacent the uppermost portion of said end wall whereby said shell may be selectively shifted from its closing relationship over said top to permit unobstructed access to the body of the truck, said hinge means including a pair of spaced, arcuate tracks attached to said body, and depending structure on said shell supporting a pair of rollers adapted for captive engagement with said respective tracks, wherein said tracks are coplanar comprising arcuate slots formed in an upstanding plate extending longitudinally of the truck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as claimed in claim 8, wherein said arcuate slots are non-concentric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of each of said slots is substantially equal to the diameter of their respective rollers.
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) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |