AU2003204415A1 - Motor lorry storage apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPEC/F/CA T/ONFORA STANDARD PATENT Name ofApp/icant: Actua//nventor(s}: Address for Service: BOACO PTY LTD AHEARN FOX Patent Trade Mark Attorneys GPO Box 1149 Brisbane Queensland 4001 "MOTOR LORRY STORAGE APPARATUS" Inventbn Trie: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: MOTOR LORRY STORAGE APPARATUS FIELD OF INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to motor lorry storage apparatus.

The present invention has particular application to motor lorry storage apparatus for one-tonne-type motor lorries popularly known as utility vehicles or utes and relates in particular to improving the usefulness of the storage space provided to the rear of utility vehicles.

BACKGROUND ART Utility vehicles almost universally have a passenger compartment forward of a load carrying portion including a tray surrounded by two side walls, a front wall constituted by the rear of the passenger compartment and a tailgate hinged to the tray along its bottom edge. Sometimes, the side walls are style walls which are fixed, and sometimes the side walls are drop-side walls hinged to the tray along their bottom edges. In this specification, the term "utility vehicle" refers to this type of vehicle unless the context requires otherwise.

Often, space is wasted on or in the load carrying portion and particularly with some models of utility vehicles, means for securing a load are few and/or restricted to elastic ties and/or rope. Recent models of style-sided utility vehicles tend not to include cleats for securing a load due to the requirement that such protrusions be removed from modern vehicle designs. A flexible cover is normally provided for utility vehicles but provides little, if any, security. Accordingly, users are at times reluctant to leave valuable goods, such as the tools of their trade, in the vehicle when unattended. For builders and other tradesmen, tools are heavy, bulky, or in too great a quantity to load and unload from the vehicle each time the vehicle is to be left, and so large heavy tool boxes are normally -2used which usually result in inefficient usage of space and a limiting of the weight of other material and the amount of load carrying area in the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle.

The present invention aims to provide motor lorry storage apparatus which alleviates at least one of the aforementioned problems or at least to provide an alternative Other aims and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the following description.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one aspect resides broadly in motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and wherein said frame includes attachment means for attaching one or more load securing tying means. Suitably, the load securing tying means includes ropes, cables, chains, tapes, nets, tarpaulins or such like. Preferably, the attachment means is provided about the periphery of the frame.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; -3a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and wherein said frame and cover assemblies are formed with a strength sufficient to support a load substantially without downward deflection of the frame and cover assemblies.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and adjustment means operatively associated with said frame for fitting of the frame assembly to a range of different vehicles.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; the parts being so formed and arranged that the cover assembly is moveable in its entirety away from the tray of the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle in its movement from its closed attitude to its open attitude.

-4- In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and wherein said frame includes frame members at least some of which are adapted to receive rainwater from said cover assembly and drainage means operatively associated with the frame members for draining the rainwater to the outside of the utility vehicle.

Preferably, the frame and cover assemblies are constructed of material with strength sufficient to accommodate loading with a load to the lading capacity of the utility vehicle with a margin for safety, strength and/or stiffness. Preferably, the frame includes columnar support members operatively associated with other frame members, the columnar support members being mountable to the tray of the utility vehicle and providing for the support of the other frame members in spaced relationship from the tray. In particular, it is preferred that the motor vehicle storage apparatus be constructed such that access is maintained to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle by way of the tailgate without having to open the cover assembly.

Preferably, two cover assemblies are provided. They are preferably arranged in longitudinal side-by-side relationship to one another. It is also preferred that the opening mechanism includes a pair of primary struts pivotally connected at an upper end each to said cover assembly and pivotally and slidably connected at a lower end each to said frame assembly, a pair of secondary struts pivotally connected at a lower end each to said frame assembly and at an upper end each to one of said primary struts intermediate its upper and lower ends; and a pair of tertiary struts pivotally connected at a lower end each to one of said primary strut intermediate its upper and lower ends and pivotally and slidably to said cover assembly.

It is also preferred that the frame assembly be adapted for two cover or lid assemblies, each arranged to open along the longitudinal sides of the utility vehicle. In a preferred form, the frame assembly includes two lateral frame members in the form of a U-shaped section and a longitudinal frame member also in the form of a U-shaped section intersecting the lateral frame members intermediate their respective ends in such manner that the channels intersect for drainage of rainwater from the longitudinal member to either one or both of the lateral frame members (depending, of course, upon the orientation of the utility vehicle) by way of drainage ports or passages operatively associated with the ends of the lateral frame members. In such form, the struts of the opening mechanism are operatively associated with the lateral frame members and the longitudinal frame member is substantially central between the ends of the lateral members, the cover assemblies being substantially the same size as one another.

It is also preferred that a lifting aid be incorporated between the cover assemblies and the frame assembly to at least partially overcome the weight of the covers assemblies and afford easier opening thereof. It is preferred that, for example, one or more gas-lifting devices are pivotally connected between the frame assembly at one end of the device and at the other end of the device to the cover assembly or cover assemblies.

It is also preferred that the frame assembly further include two side frame members, each one extending from the end -6of on lateral frame member to the corresponding end of the other lateral frame member, each side frame member to one side of the frame assembly, and adapted for mounting to the upper edge of the side walls of the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle.

The side frame members preferably include a lip portion arranged to extend outward from the upper edge of the side walls. In such form, it is preferred that the lip be adapted to engage hooks or the like of load securing means, such as, for example, straps.

In such form, the cover assemblies are constructed of material with strength sufficient to accommodate loading with a load to the lading capacity of the utility vehicle with a margin for safety, strength and/or stiffness according to standard engineering or design principles.

The lateral frame members are preferably operatively associated with a forward frame support for the lateral frame member towards the front of the utility vehicle and a rear frame support towards the rear of the utility vehicle. The rear frame support is preferably arranged to permit the tailgate to be opened and closed in its normal operation and permit access to the space between the cover assemblies and the tray of the load carrying portion even when the cover assemblies are in their closed attitude by opening the tailgate of the utility vehicle.

It is also preferred that sealing means be provided to seal the cover assemblies against the frame assembly to substantially prevent the ingress of rainwater or the like into the space between the cover assemblies and the tray of the utility vehicle.

Latches, locking mechanisms and the like are preferably provided in operative association with the cover assemblies and/or the frame assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention in one or more of its aspect and wherein: Fig. 1 is a pictorial view showing motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention when mounted to a utility vehicle; Fig. 2 is a pictorial view showing another motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention when mounted to another utility vehicle; Fig. 3 is a pictorial view showing the details of construction of motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a pictorial underside view of a cover assembly forming part of motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a set of three pictorial views of part of a frame assembly for the motor storage apparatus shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a pictorial view showing the attachment of the cover assembly of Fig. 4 with respect to the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and Fig. 7 is a pictorial view showing detail of a kick down cover for the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and Figs. 8 and 9 are pictorial views to show the assembly of parts of the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and 5 using the kick down cover of Fig. 7; -8- Fig. 10 is a pictorial view showing detail of an alternative form kick down cover for the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and Figs. 11 and 12 are pictorial views to show the assembly of parts of the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and 5 using the kick down cover of Fig. Fig. 13 and 14 show in pictorial and sectional view a cover plate and gutter detail for the frame assembly of Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 15 is a pictorial view showing casting detail of skirt for the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and Figs. 16 and 17 are two front elevation views showing a hinge assembly for motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention, each view representing the hinge assembly at a pivot different angle; Figs. 18 and 19 are diagrammatic end views showing the pivoting of the cover with respect to the frame and the flashing detail of motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention; Figs. 20 and 21 show in diagrammatic plan view two alternative arrangements of cover panels and frame members for different types of utility vehicle for motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic exploded plan view and orthographic projection showing the arrangement of frame elements for the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and Fig. 23 and 24 are two respective orthographic projections showing two alternative arrangements of frame elements for different types of utility vehicle for the frame assembly of Figs. 4 and Fig. 25 is sectional view of part of the frame assembly if Figs. 4 and Fig. 26 is a set of seven views of the cover assembly for motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic end view of part of motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention showing details of the arrangement of flashing to seal between the frame assembly and the cover assembly for motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention; Figs. 28 and 29 are diagrammatic plan views of part of motor lorry storage apparatus showing a tray closed and part-open respectively; Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic part-sectional view of the rear of a utility vehicle with motor lorry storage apparatus according to the invention mounted thereto; Fig. 31 is a pictorial view of part of the motor lorry storage apparatus of Fig. 30 with the cover assemblies in their open or part-open attitude; Figs. 32, 33 and 34 are pictorial views showing the motor lorry storage apparatus of Figs. 30 and 31 mounted to the utility vehicle with one of the cover assemblies being shown closed and the other being shown closed, partly open and fully open; Fig. 35 is a pictorial view showing the motor lorry storage apparatus mounted to the utility vehicle of Figs.

to 34 and with a load stowed atop one of the cover assemblies in its closed attitude; Fig. 36 is a detail section showing the mounting of one of the side frame members to the utility vehicle; Fig. 37 is a detail section showing an alternative form of mounting of one of the side frame members to the utility vehicle; Fig. 38 is a pictorial view showing diagrammatically the drainage arrangement of the motor lorry storage apparatus mounted to the utility vehicle of Figs 30 to 35; and Fig. 39 is a pictorial view showing the motor lorry storage apparatus mounted to the utility vehicle of Figs.

to 35 and showing the mounting of roll bars in operative juxtaposition with respect thereto.

-11- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The motor lorry storage apparatus 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is installed on the back of a light truck chassis 20 having a tray back with fold down sides 11, a fold down tailgate 12, each mounted to a tray 13. The apparatus has two cover assemblies or lids 14 each having locks 16 for locking the lid to the fold down sides at respective side panel latches 29 (only two of which are shown) mounted at or near the upper edges of the fold down sides.

A rear plate 15 is provided across the top of the tailgate, and a forward plate 17 is provided just behind the passenger compartment. The detail 21 shown in Fig 3 includes a step 22 to provide a flush finish for the lid. A step in 23 is provided along the side-rail 24 which also has a latch aperture intermediate its connection with the two cross-rails, one being a forward cross-rail 26 and the other a rear cross-rail 27. The cross-rails are connected to the vehicle by way of four mounting brackets 28 (two of which are shown) the mounting brackets being shown in detail The downward loading force exerted onto the top of the motor lorry storage apparatus by a load stored thereabove is accommodated by four frame posts, one at each end of the forward and rearward cross-rails (two of which are shown in phantom outline at 40 in Fig. At least some of the lateral loading forces which may be generated by motion or orientation of the utility vehicle is also accommodated by the four frame posts.

The forward mounting brackets attached to the forward cross-rail are in mirror image to the rearer mounting brackets mounted to the rearward cross-rail. It will be appreciated that the front right and left rear mounting brackets will be the same configuration and the right rear and left front mounting brackets will also be a mirror image to the other two.

Referring to the detail 30 in particular, the mounting -12bracket includes an outer angle member 31 mounted to an inner Ushaped member 32 by way of mounting pins shown typically at 33.

The-inner U-shaped member is fastened to the outer angle member by way of two fasteners 34 in the form of a screw and nut assembly. The position of the U-shaped member with respect to the angle member is determined by the relative positions of the mounting pins in L-shaped slots provided in the angle member with the elbow of the slots adjacent one another and the trailing portion of the L being on the same side of the angle member along the same edge thereof. The L-shaped slots are just opposed with elongate.pairs of slots 36 along three sides of the U-shaped member, two of the slots providing for the fasteners to penetrate therethrough and into respective apertures in the angle member so that when the fasteners are tightened, the U-shaped member is in a selected position with respect to the outer angle member.

The end portion 37 of the cross rail is inserted with its sides between the sides of the U-shaped member and aligned to that one of the fasteners can penetrate through two opposed apertures 38 provided near the end of the cross rail. The cross-rail can be integrally formed with the rear plate and/or forward plate as required and may include a lip 39 conformed to the configuration of the vehicle into which the motor vehicle storage apparatus may be installed. This arrangement permits the frame posts to be mounted at an appropriate location to the tray of the load carrying portion of a wide range of models of utility vehicle using the same frame elements in each case by permitting adjustment of the disposition of the frame posts with respect to the other frame elements.

The lid 14 is shown in an inverted attitude in Fig. 4 for clarity, and includes a latch tongue 41 which engage into the latch aperture 25 and a plate portion 42 having an appropriately shaped edge 43, and two longer side frame members 44 and two shorter side frame members 45 connected to one another to form -13a rectangular frame fixed or fastened to, or formed with, the plate portion. A lock recess 46 is also provided in the plate portion for the provision of a lock mechanism.

The frame assembly is preferably provided initially in the form of a rotating H-section as shown in Fig. 5 assembled at "stage 1" by providing a setter rail 47 to which a forward crossrail is attached in substantial alignment therewith at its connecting point at The forward cross-rail is rotated with respect to the centre rail in the direction of arrow 48 and urged towards the end of the centre rail in the direction of arrow 49 as shown in "stage The rear cross-rail is connected to the centre rail in a similar fashion as shown in stage 3 at end "B" of the centre rail. The assembled frame then has the lid portions attached with the hinge mechanisms (described hereinafter) as shown in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, one form of connector 50 is provided for connecting the cross-rails to the centre-rail, and in Figs.

11 and 12, an alternative connector 50a is shown. In each case, the connector is used connect the centre rail to the crossrails and still provide for drainage of water from the centrerail to the cross-rail. The form shown in Fig. 7 has over flashing portions 51 in the form of spring caps and the alternative form shown in Fig. 10 has two over flashing triangular portions 52. In the case of the version shown in Fig.

7, a slot 53 enables the connector to be located at a selected position with respect to the cross-rail and affords for easy dismantling of the frame assembly by pulling the centre-rail in the direction of arrow 58 and rotating in the direction of arrow 59 with respect to the cross-rail. A similar approach is taken with respect to the version shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. The spring caps shown in Fig. 7 also act as over flashing between the cross-rail and the centre-rail. Also in each case, a step down -14- 54 is provided so that the web of the centre-rail is higher than the web of the cross-rail.

The cover plate and gutter detail shown in Figs. 13 and 14 includes a gutter portion 61 generally U-shaped in form and extending from a plate portion 62 to receive rain or other water falling onto the plate (that is, the forward plate or rear plate 17 or 15 as the case may be, as well as from the top of the lid to drain without having to be directed into the channels forming the frame assembly. In order to provide a clean finish for the corner, casting detail 65 shown in Fig. 15 includes a plastic end cap which can be installed onto a rebate 63 in the end of the member 64.

The hinge assembly 70 shown in Figs. 16 and 17 has a frame arm 71 for mounting to forward or rearward cross-rails adjacent the centre-rail. In particular, the hinge assemblies are mounted to the closer of the flanges to one another of the respective forward and rearward cross-rails. Mounted to the frame arm at a bracing pivot 81 is an angle arm 72 which extends from the bracing pivot to a pivotal connection to a cover frame support arm 73 at a cover pivot 82. The cover support arm 83 is connected to the frame arm indirectly by way of a connecting arm 74 by way of a first connecting pivot 83 on the cover support arm remote from the cover pivot, closer to the frame arm, and a second connecting pivot 84 on the frame arm remote from the bracing pivot a distance commensurate with the length of the angle arm. It can be seen that by lifting the lid, the cover support arm will be pivoted roughly in the direction of arrow 76 so that the connecting arm will be pivoted roughly in the direction of arrow 77. It can be seen in Fig. 17 that the lid can be lifted substantially right angles with respect to the frame arm. Moreover, the two edges of the lid can be lifted, one edge being lifted more than the other by virtue of the compound pivoting action of the cover support arm. This pivoting action can be seen in Figs. 18 and 19 where flashing shown generally at 79 in the form of rubber sheeting or the like of provided on the proximal edge of the lid to provide for drainage of any water thereon into the channel of the centre rail, the lid being shown in two different positions with respect to the frame assembly.

The motor vehicle storage apparatus 10 shown in Figs. and 21 is substantially identical in each case, but the version shown in Fig. 20 has a different width of forward and/or rear plate to accommodate the differing tray lengths of different utility vehicles. In the case of the version shown in Fig. 21, extra flashing shown at 89 is provided along the sides to accommodate the extra width (in this case about 25 mm) on each side so that very few extra components would need to be manufactured to provide the motor vehicle storage apparatus for a wide range of different utility vehicles.

The frame elements shown diagrammatically in Fig. 22 are shown set out in their respective dispositions with respect to one another, the short frame elements 91 having four hinge apertures shown typically at 92 towards the proximal end thereof, the distal end thereof being mitred to joint with a longer frame element 93 and a mid frame element 94 arranged substantially parallel to longer frame element. The plate portion for the lid is attached normally by welding to the frame elements.

The frame sets shown in Figs. 23 and 24 also provide for different models of vehicle. These figures show the back cover for a Hilux in Fig. 23 and a Ford/Rodeo in Fig. 24, the forward plate being wider in the case of the Ford Rodeo than in the case of the Hilux.

The assembly cross-section shown in Fig. 25 has a hose outlet 86 to provide for drainage of water from the cross-rail.

-16- The hose outlet is provided at the outer corner between the web and the outlet flange of the forward and rearward cross-rails respectively close to the outer ends thereof.

In the frame layout of the forward or rear plates shown in Fig. 26, a downwards curved frame elements 95 is provided so that water collecting on the upper face thereof will drain in towards the centre, and from there to the channel elements described herein. In the side-on sectional views shown in Fig. 28, the lid is shown in a partial open attitude (59o in this particular example) and the tailgate 98 of the utility vehicle is shown in Fig. 28 in a closed attitude with its top meeting just under the late of the rear plate, and in Fig. 29 with the tail gate partly opened at 97. This arrangement permits access to the storage area underneath the lids even when they are in a closed position, and a similar arrangement is provided for opening the drop sides of utility vehicles, the load being supported by the frame posts at the four corners of the frame assembly.

The motor lorry storage apparatus 10 and utility vehicle shown in Figs. 30 to 39 are essentially the same in all views with the exception of the two alternative forms of side frame member shown in Figs. 36 and 37, and accordingly, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout even though not all parts are identified in every one of the Figs.

The motor lorry storage apparatus includes two cover assemblies, a left cover assembly 312 and a right cover assembly 311 shown in Fig. 30 diagrammatically partly open and in two further open positions at 311a and 311b. The cover assemblies are mounted to a frame assembly 313 and are each formed from a rectangular sheet member 314 of checkerplate steel mounted to a rectangular cover frame 315, in each case, with the minor dimension of the rectangle being transverse to the utility vehicle and the dimensions of the cover frame being less than the -17plate member to provide a flange around the perimeter of the cover assembly.

Some builder's items shown generally at 332 are stowed beneath the frame assembly and the left cover assembly shown in Fig. 30 has a saw horse 331 stowed thereon (as does the right cover assembly in Fig. The frame assembly includes a central channel member 321 arranged with its channel opening upwards intersecting with a forward channel member 322 and a rear channel member 323 such that the channels intersect as shown in particular in Fig. 31.

The channel member is joined at its respective ends to the forward and rear channel members substantially at right angles.

The inward facing flanges of the forward and rear channel members are cut and folded outwards to be joined to the flanges at the sides of the central channel member. The web of the central channel member extends partly under or over the corresponding webs of the forward and rear channel members. A flange extension 324 extends outward from the upper edge of the outward facing flanges of the forward and rear channel members such that the forward and rear channel members have a dipper section.

Each cover assembly is operatively associated with the frame assembly by way of a pair of strut assemblies each pivotally attached at its lower ends to the frame assembly and at its upper ends to the cover frame. One of the strut assemblies is attached toward the forward end of the apparatus and the other toward the rear end of the apparatus. The strut assemblies are shown in particular in Fig. 31, and the parts of the forward strut assembly will be the same, but in mirror image to the rear strut assembly, and described in relation to one or the other depending on which parts are visible in Fig. 31. An upper slide block 351 is attached one to each of the outside of the front and rear sides of the cover frame and a lower scovere -18block 352 is attached to the inner sides of the front and rear channel members. Each upper slide block includes a slot 362, hereinafter called the "upper slot" to distinguish it from a corresponding lower slot 60 in the lower slide block. The upper slot is provided on the outward facing faces of each upper slide block and the lower slot is provided on the inner facing faces of each lower slide block.

A main strut 354 extends between each upper and lower slide block, and is pivotally connected to the upper slide block at an upper fixed pivot 356 and pivotally connected to the lower slide block at a lower sliding pivot 361, the lower sliding pivot also being provided in slidable engagement with the lower slot. The main strut is substantially straight, but is jogged to accommodate an upper strut 359 and a lower strut 358 each pivotally connected to the main strut by one of their respective ends at a central pivot 357. The lower strut is pivotally connected to the lower slide bar by its lower end at a lower fixed pivot 355 and the upper strut is pivotally connected to the upper slide bar by its upper end at an upper sliding pivot 363.

This arrangement permits the cover assembly to be lifted wholly from the frame assembly and tilted a desired amount within the sliding range of the upper sliding pivots, the amount lf lift being determined by the amount of sliding of the lower sliding pivot in the lower slot.

In order to provide ease of lifting the cover assemblies, a gas lifter 365 is connected between the frame assembly and each end of each cover assemblies (such that there are two gas lifters for each cover assembly). The gas lifters are pivotally connected to the frame assembly by a lower lifter connection 366 about midway along the lower slide bar and to the cover assembly by an upper lifter connection 367 near the outside corner of the cover frame. A lifting handle 368 is provided on the upper face -19and near the outer edge of the cover plate member, and is arranged to fold, retract or collapse substantially to or below the upper face of the cover plate member when not in use. The action of lifting the cover assemblies is illustrated in Figs.

30 and 32 to 34, the modification of the shape of the triangle formed between the lower fixed and sliding pivots and the central pivot determining the lift of the cover assembly.

Correspondingly, the modification of the shape of the triangle formed between the upper fixed and sliding pivots and the central pivot determines the tilting of the cover assembly. When the cover assembly is in its closed attitude, the peripheral flanges about the cover assemblies sealingly engage with the frame assembly channel members to substantially seal against ingress of water from rain or road spray.

In order to accommodate drainage of water from the cover assemblies, the channel frame members are arranged as previously described, and as shown in Fig. 38, four drain pipes are provided in fluid connection with the channels formed in the frame assembly. There are two forward drain pipes, left and right, 381 and 382 respectively and two rear drain pipes, left and right, 382 and 384 respectively, each drain pipe extending from the lower side of the web near the end of the forward and rear channel frame members generally downward through the compartment formed beneath the frame assembly, and from there through either tray of the load carrying area or the side walls thereof to empty out beneath the vehicle.

The frame assembly also includes left and right side rails 385 and 386 fixed to the upped edge of the sides of the load carrying space of the utility vehicle. As shown in the detail views of Figs. 36 and 37, although each version 386b and 386a respectively differs slightly from the other depending on the configuration of the upper edge of the sides of the vehicle, each version includes an oblique flange portion 341 and a peripheral lip 342 extending therealong. In the version shown in Fig. 36, the side rail is an M-section adapted to attach to a single leaf wall 343 by way of a plurality of fasteners, one of which is shown at 345. The M-section is placed over the wall between two of the legs of the and the third leg of the providing the oblique flange and lip described above. In the case of the version shown in Fig. 37, the side rail is made up from a flat section 349 attached to the side of a double-leaf wall 344 by way of a plurality of fastener pairs, one pair of which is shown at 349 and a shallow upturned V-section 347 attached to the side wall by way of a plurality of further fasteners, one of which is shown at 349a. The flat and V-sections are joined or sealed against leakage between them longitudinally by a T-shaped strip 346 placed therebetween. One of the legs of the V-section provides the oblique flange and lip described above.

In use, the motor lorry storage apparatus of the present invention may be used to stow valuable goods such as tools securely under the cover assemblies, and other goods on top of the cover assemblies. Access to the tools may be gained by opening the tailgate as shown in particular in Fig. 31 even though the cover assemblies are securely closed by the engagement of two latch bolts associated with locking apertures in the frame assembly and locking mechanisms facing upwards with the upper faces of the plate members of the cover assemblies. The sealing and the security of the space is completed by the provision of forward and rear plates.

In order to gain access when the top of the apparatus is clear of goods, the cover assemblies may be unlocked and opened as shown in Figs. 2, 30 and 32 to 34. Either or both sides may be access in this way, and if desired, a central wall may be provided to separate the left hand side from the right hand side.

-21- Of course, the left and right cover assemblies may be divided into front and rear sections as well to provide four or more compartments each with separate access as desired. The load atop the apparatus may be secured by ties which can be fixed to the side rails by hooks which engage with the lipped oblique flanges.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. 2. Motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and wherein said frame includes attachment means for attaching one or more load securing tying means.
2. 3. Motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and -23- adjustment means operatively associated with said frame for fitting of the frame assembly to a range of different vehicles.
3. 4. Motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; the parts being so formed and arranged that the cover assembly is moveable in its entirety away from the tray of the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle in its movement from its closed attitude to its open attitude. Motor lorry storage apparatus for a utility vehicle including: a frame assembly sized to be mounted to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle; a cover assembly mounted to said frame by way of an opening mechanism and moveable between an open attitude and a closed attitude at which the cover assembly is spaced from the tray of the load carrying portion; and wherein said frame includes frame members at least some of which are adapted to receive rainwater from said cover assembly and drainage means operatively associated with the frame members for draining the rainwater to the outside of the utility vehicle.
4. 6. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame and cover assemblies are constructed of material with strength sufficient to accommodate -24- loading with a load to the lading capacity of the utility vehicle with a margin for safety, strength and/or stiffness.
5. 7. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame includes columnar support members operatively associated with other frame members, the columnar support members being mountable to the tray of the utility vehicle and providing for the support of the other frame members in spaced relationship from the tray.
6. 8. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims constructed such that access is maintained to the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle by way of the tailgate without having to open the cover assembly.
7. 9. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two cover assemblies are provided arranged in longitudinal side-by-side relationship to one another.
8. 10. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism includes a pair of primary struts pivotally connected at an upper end each to said cover assembly and pivotally and slidably connected at a lower end each to said frame assembly, a pair of secondary struts pivotally connected at a lower end each to said frame assembly and at an upper end each to one of said primary struts intermediate its upper and lower ends; and a pair of tertiary struts pivotally connected at a lower end each to one of said primary strut intermediate its upper and lower ends and pivotally and slidably to said cover assembly.
9. 11. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame assembly includes two lateral frame members in the form of a U-shaped section and a longitudinal frame member also in the form of a U-shaped section intersecting the lateral frame members intermediate their respective ends in such manner that the channels intersect for drainage of rainwater from the longitudinal member to either one or both of the lateral frame members by way of drainage ports or passages operatively associated with the ends of the lateral frame members.
10. 12. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lifting aid is incorporated between the cover assembly and the frame assembly to at least partially overcome the weight of the cover assembly and afford easier opening thereof.
11. 13. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame assembly further include two side frame members, each one extending from the end of on lateral frame member to the corresponding end of the other lateral frame member, each side frame member to one side of the frame assembly, and adapted for mounting to the upper edge of the side walls of the load carrying portion of the utility vehicle, and wherein the side frame members include a lip portion arranged to extend outward from the upper edge of the side walls.
12. 14. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the lateral frame members are operatively associated with a forward frame support for the lateral frame member towards the front of the utility vehicle and a rear frame support towards the rear of the utility vehicle, the rear frame support being arranged to permit the tailgate to be opened and closed in its normal operation and permit access to the space between the cover assembly and the tray of the load carrying portion even when the -26- cover assembly is in its closed attitude by opening the tailgate of the utility vehicle. Motor lorry storage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and including sealing means for sealing the cover assembly against the frame assembly to substantially prevent the ingress of rainwater or the like into the space between the cover assemblies and the tray of the utility vehicle.
13. 16. Motor lorry storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figs. 1 to 29.
14. 17. Motor lorry storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figs. 30 to 39. Dated this 28 th day of May 2003. BOACO PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys AHEARN FOX