US4168096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Side opening, shiftable cover for trucks or wagon beds
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-07-18
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Granted: 1979-09-18
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Expires: 1997-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A watertight cover for the open bed of a pickup truck has continuous flexible sheathing supported on a collapsible frame and pivot arms swingable with the frame for automatically and positively folding the end section of the cover when the frame is collapsed. The collapsible nature of the frame renders the cover shiftable transversely of the truck bed from a normal extended bed-enclosing position to a retracted position along one side of the bed for providing easy access thereinto. In one embodiment, the cover is provided with remote-actuation mechanism including a central torque shaft operably coupled with the frame for collapsing and extending the latter in response to rotation of the shaft in the appropriate direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry D. Langston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/12; B60J7/1226; B60J7/1265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A shiftable watershedding cover for the open bed of a drayage vehicle, said cover including: a collapsible frame adapted to be mounted on said bed for movement to and from a normal extended position overlying the latter, a continuous expanse of flexible sheathing mounted on said frame and moveable therewith to define a retractable, bed-enclosing shelter, said shelter including an upwardly facing roof panel and a pair of opposed, substantially upright unitary end panels depending from said roof panel; and means for positively and automatically folding said end sections when said frame is collapsed, said folding means being operable to unfold said end panels when the frame is moved to said extended position, said frame having a stationary section, and a moveable portion swingably supported on said stationary section, said folding means including an arm for each end panel, said arms being pivotally mounted on said stationary section and operably coupled with said moveable section to permit swinging of the arms therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A shiftable watershedding cover for the open bed of a drayage vehicle, said cover including: a collapsible frame adapted to be mounted on said bed for movement to and from a normal extended position overlying the latter, a continuous expanse of flexible sheathing mounted on said frame and moveable therewith to define a retractable, bed-enclosing shelter, said shelter including an upwardly facing roof panel and a pair of opposed, substantially upright unitary end panels depending from said roof panel; and means for positively and automatically folding said end sections when said frame is collapsed, said folding means being operable to unfold said end panels when the frame is moved to said extended position, said frame having a stationary section, and a moveable portion swingably supported on said stationary section, said folding means including an arm for each end panel, said arms being pivotally mounted on said stationary section and operably coupled with said moveable section to permit swinging of the arms therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shiftable cover of claim 1, each of said arms being secured by a single fastener to a respective end panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The shiftable cover of claim 2, said fastener being disposed substantially equidistant from the lateral boundaries of said panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The shiftable cover of claim 1; and a latching mechanism for releasably holding said frame in the extended position, said mechanism including a plurality of keepers shiftably mounted on said stationary section and a catch for each keeper mounted on said swingable section and adapted to be releasably engaged by respective said keepers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A shiftable cover for the open bed of a drayage vehicle, said cover including: a collapsible frame adapted to be mounted on said bed; an expanse, of flexible sheathing secured to said frame; and mechanism for selectively extending or collapsing said frame, said frame including a stationary section and a shiftable section, said mechanism having a shaft rotatably mounted on said stationary section and rigidly secured to said shiftable section whereby rotation of said shaft effects relative movement between said sections, said mechanism being provided with a manually manipulable crank operably coupled with said shaft for convenient actuation of the latter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A shiftable cover for the open bed of a drayage vehicle, said cover including: a collapsible frame adapted to be mounted on said bed; an expanse, of flexible sheathing secured to said frame; and mechanism for selectively extending or collapsing said frame, said frame including a stationary section and a shiftable section, said mechanism having a shaft rotatably mounted on said stationary section and rigidly secured to said shiftable section whereby rotation of said shaft effects relative movement between said sections, said mechanism being provided with a manually manipulable crank operably coupled with said shaft for convenient actuation of the latter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The shiftable cover of claim 5, said mechanism including a worm gear on said shaft and a mating worm coupled with said crank.
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) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |