CA1283940C - Collapsible enclosure apparatus - Google Patents
Collapsible enclosure apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1283940C CA1283940C CA000505945A CA505945A CA1283940C CA 1283940 C CA1283940 C CA 1283940C CA 000505945 A CA000505945 A CA 000505945A CA 505945 A CA505945 A CA 505945A CA 1283940 C CA1283940 C CA 1283940C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- gate
- enclosure
- door
- vehicle
- rearward
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000136 polysorbate Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 8
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 241001527902 Aratus Species 0.000 description 3
- 241000950638 Symphysodon discus Species 0.000 description 3
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- HOQADATXFBOEGG-UHFFFAOYSA-N isofenphos Chemical compound CCOP(=S)(NC(C)C)OC1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OC(C)C HOQADATXFBOEGG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 2
- NSMXQKNUPPXBRG-SECBINFHSA-N (R)-lisofylline Chemical compound O=C1N(CCCC[C@H](O)C)C(=O)N(C)C2=C1N(C)C=N2 NSMXQKNUPPXBRG-SECBINFHSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000726103 Atta Species 0.000 description 1
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- 102100026827 Protein associated with UVRAG as autophagy enhancer Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101710102978 Protein associated with UVRAG as autophagy enhancer Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102000012152 Securin Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010061477 Securin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006748 scratching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002393 scratching effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved apparatus for covering at least a part of the open bed of a land or marine vehicle or the like includes an enclosure structure telescopically collapsible and extendable with an access opening and door assembly rearward longitudinally movable portion thereof. An improved end gate assembly is selectively positionable and releasably securable at a number of longitudinal locations on the open bed, corresponding with the movable rearward section of the enclosure. The apparatus also includes an improved track assembly for the telescopically collapsible and extendable enclosure sections, with apparatus for substantially preventing or minimizing the accumulation of corrosion, water or other foreign materials that would hinder the smooth and free operation of the enclosure structure.
An improved apparatus for covering at least a part of the open bed of a land or marine vehicle or the like includes an enclosure structure telescopically collapsible and extendable with an access opening and door assembly rearward longitudinally movable portion thereof. An improved end gate assembly is selectively positionable and releasably securable at a number of longitudinal locations on the open bed, corresponding with the movable rearward section of the enclosure. The apparatus also includes an improved track assembly for the telescopically collapsible and extendable enclosure sections, with apparatus for substantially preventing or minimizing the accumulation of corrosion, water or other foreign materials that would hinder the smooth and free operation of the enclosure structure.
Description
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The invention relates generally to an enclosure apparatus for covering at least a part of an open bed or bed-like portion of a truck, trailer, boat, or other vehicle or the like. ~ore p~rtlcularly, the invention relate~ to Lmprovements in enclosures of the telescopically collapsible and extendable type, wherein one or mDre enclosure sections are ~lidably movable along a track-like device on the vehicle.
A wide variety of fixed and retractable enclo~ures for open portions of vehicle~ and the like have previously been provided and are known in the art. Such enclosures include accordian-type ~oft-sided foldable covers or enclosures that are made of canvas or other heavy ~abrics and have a number of m~vable and relativel~ rigid skeletal frame members, as ~ell as hard-top endosures having a number of ~igid, generally bow-shaped enclosure sections telescopically movable relative to one another. Still other known retractable and extendable enclosures have included various oombinations of hard-top and soft-top elements.
me abcve-described Frior endosule deYices have, howevex, proved to be tedious, cumber~ome and inconNenient to install, remove and use, as well as Eeverel~ limiting ~he utility and cargv-carrying capabilities of the vehicle on which the enclosure device is installed. Other ;disadvantages o~ the prior enclosures include leaky joints between c~nnecting oa~ponents, the lack of a relatively secure and lo ~ le StQra~e area, and the inability or inconvenienoe of transporting cargo while the enclosure is in any of its partially or wholly collapsed or extended igurations. Furthenmore, such prior enclosuIes have p~esented other p~oblems 8uch as jamming or binding of n~Yable enclosure ~ectio~s as a resul~ of the build-~p of corrosion, water ~ other foreisn materials in ~heir track-like dbvices 8uch ~hat fim~ot~ operation of the enclosure is hindbredO The need has therefore ari~en for a retractable, ~elf-ætoring : ~ .
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enclosure apQaratus that allcws for quick and convenient conver6ion between a covered bed and open bed configuration, while still maintaininq its durability, rigidity, ~ecurity, weather resistance and ease of operation, without unduly minimizing the utility of the vehicle upon which it is installed. It i~ thu~ one of the objects of the present invention to provide such an enclosure apparatus that offers a greater degree of flexibility in its cargo-carrying capabilities and that can be used to transpDrt cargo in any of its cDllap~ed vr extended configurations.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the pre~ent invention, an improved apparatus f~r oovering at lèast part of an open bed of a vehicle or the like include~ an enclosure structure telescopically collapsible and extendable on the vehicle and having a rearward portion longitudinally m~vable relative to the open bed as the enclosure structure is collapsed or extended. The rearward portion, which includes an access opening therein, is selectively positionable and releasably securable at a number of longitudinAl locations on the vehicle'~ open bedO A preferred gate ap~aratus is also removably positionable at any of the longitudinal location on the oFen bed independently of the position of the rearward portion of the end osure structure. A pxeferred do~r assembly includes a door member that is pivotally and removably connected to the rearward portion o~ the ~nclosure ~tructure and is pivo~all~ m~vable ~etween an open dGor position and a cloæd door position at which ~he door substantially covers and clo~es the access opening. m e dbor assembly also includes a door latching mechanism for selectively and releasably ~ecuring the door to the gate apparatus when the m~vable rearward enclosure pDrtion and ~ate apparatus are positioned at substantially the same longitudinal location on the oFen bed of the vehicle and the door is pivoted to its closed door position.
e gate apparatus Freferably includes a g~te frame assembly that ,, ~: ;
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is select.ively and releasably securable to the vehicle ~t any of the ~bove-mentioned longitudinal locations on ~he open bed, as well as a gate ~ember that is pivotally and removably connectable to tne gate frame assembly. The door and gate members can be independently pivotally connected to the rearward pDrtion of the enclosure s*ructure 2nd the gate frame assembly, respectively, or the gate member may be opkionally remKved from ~he gate frame a~sembly and removably ~ecured to the door assembly for pivotal motion ~herewith. Preferably, the enclosure includes ~torage means such that both the door member and the gate member may te selectively rem~v~d and ~tored within the encl~ure ~tructure independently of the respective rearward portion and gate frame a~sembly.
A preferred track a6semb1y is provided for longitudinally and slidably supporting one or more telescopically arranged, moYable ~ections of the enclosure structure. The track assembly, upon which the movable enclosure ~ections aIe slidably disposed, ind udes slider nembers upon which the movable enclosure sections are slidably ~upported, and means for impeding the entry and accumulation of water or cther foreign materials into elongated slots in which the slider nembers are slidably disposed. Ihe slider members also F~eferably included a Erotruding cleaning mæmber for slidably scraping or wiping the interiors of their corresponding elon~ated ~lots as the slidbrs are longitudinally moved therein, thereby reducing the accummll1ation of corrosion, water or o~her foreign materials that would hinder the fim~oth ~nd free operation of the o~llapsible and extendable enclosure structure.
Additional advantages and features, as well as additional embodiments and variations, of ~he present in~ention will beoome ap~arent from the subsequent description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the acoompanying dkawings.
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1~33~3~0 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle h~ving an enclosure apparatus on its open bed according to the pre~ent invention, with the enclosure ap~aratus fihown in a fully-extended position.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle and enclosure apparatus of Figure 1, but with the enclosure apparatu~ ~h~wn in a retracted position.
Figure 3 is a partially cut-away, and partially phantom, perspective ~iew ~ the open bed portion of the vehicle of Figure 1, illu~trat mg some of the de~ails of ~he enclosure apparatus, ~s well as the track mechanism up~n which the movable enclosure sections are ~lidably unted.
~ igure 4 is an enl rged cross~sectio~al view of the circled portion of Figure 3.
Fi~ure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the track mechanism for the enclosure apparatus of Figure 1~
Figure 5A is a dbtail perspective view of the track mechanism of Figure 4, along with its associated slider m~mbers.
Figure 5B is a cross sectional view, taken generally along l~ne SB~5B of ~ig~re 5.
~ Figure ~ i8 a Fartial bottom perspecti~e view of one of the slider m~mbers along with associoted components ~f ~he track assembly ~f Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the vehicle and enclosure appara~us of Fisure 1, ~howin~ the enclosure apparatus partially extended to an intermediate longitudinal lo~ation on the open bed of the vehicle.
Figure 9 is a view somewhat simil~r to Figure 8, but illustrating ~e dbor me~ber and gate member of the enclosure apparatus oonnected ~o o~
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~X839~0 another and pivoted to an open p3sition.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the gate frame as~embly o~ a preferred gate a~sembly for the enclosure apparatus of Figures 1 through 9.
Figure 11 i8 a pQrtially exploded view of the gate fsa~e ass ~ ly of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of ~e vehicle and enclosure apparatus of Figure 1, illu~trating the door member ln an open door pssition and the gate member ind2pendently pi~ot~d to an open gate position on t~e gate frame a ~ly.
Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of ~he door m~nber, gate mm~er and gate frame ass3mbly of Figures B through 12, illustrating ~he cooperating interrelationship thereof.
Figure 14 is a rear perspective view of the door nEmber with the gate n#nber removably æcured thereto.
Figure 15 iæ a p~rtially perspective, phantom view, illustrating the door member and gate member releasably secured and stored in ~he interior of the endosure ap~aratus.
Figure 16 is a partial elevational view, looking generally rearward from inside the enclosLre apFaratus, ~howing the door m~mber and the medhanism for rele~sably securin~ the m~v~ble enclosure æctions at p~eselected longitudinal locations along the open bed.
Figure 17 is an overall perspec~ive view illustrating the principles of the present invention as applied in a collapsible and extendable enclosure for a tra;ler or the like.
Figure 18 is an overall perspective view illustrating the principles~of the pre~ent invention applied to a oollapsible and extendable enalosure for ~ marine ves~el.
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33~3~0 DETAIL~D ~CRIPTION QF_~E FREF~R~E3 ~MBO~IMENIS
Figures 1 through 18 of the drawings depict merely exemplary enbodiments of the present invention for pLrpOSe~ of illustration only.
One ~killed in the art will readily recognize from the following dl6cussion that the principle~ of the pre ænt invention are equally applicable to ~nclo~ures or vehicles o~her than ~he exemplary pick-up truck, tra;ler, and marine vehicles shown in the drawings, as well as to suitable non-vehicular applications.
~ eferring initially to Figures 1 and 2, an e~emplary Ereferred enclosure apparatu~ 10 according to the present invention i~ shown installed on a pick-up truck vehicle 12. qhe enclosure apparatu~ 10 is ad~pted for enclosing or oovering at least a part of an open bed 14, which is defined by a pair of laterally-æpaced side wall~ 16 and by a longitudinally spaoed c2b 18 and tailgate 20. lhe enclosure appaLatus 10 includes at least one fixed enclosure section 24 and a relatively n~vable rearward enclosure section 28 at its rearward end, and p~eferably includes .-one or more relatively movable intermediate enclosure sections 260 The rearward en~losure &ection 28 includes an acoe ss opening 3Q ælectively clo~able by a door as~embly 32, which i removably connected to the rearward enolosure ~ection 28.
As ~hown p~imarily Ln Figuxes 1, 2 and 8, the enclosure ~pQar~tus 10 is Iongitudinally oollapfiible and extendable between $he fully extended po~ition illustrated in Figure 1 and the fully collap~ed position illu6trated in Figure 2, and may also be longitudinally collapsed or extended into ane ~r m~re intermediate positions, as ~hown in Figure 8. The reor~ord end enclosure section 28 is thus ~electively positionable at any of a number of longitudinal l~catiGns on the open bed 14 of the vehicle 12.
As will be described more fully below, a gate assembly 35 i5 also electively but independently positionable at any of the above-mentioned . . - ~. . . .
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~8~9~0 longitud1nal locations in the open bed 14, and is ~dapted to oo~perate with the dbor as&embly 32 ~uch that a ~ubstantially ~ecure and protected space is pro~ided at any of the fully-extended, fully-cDllapsed, or intermediate positions of the enclosure appaLatus 10.
A5 is ~hown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the enclosure sections 24, 26 and 28, includes a dvwnwardly-depending flange porti~n 22. qhe rearward section 28 also in d udes an ~pwardly-protruaing flange portion 21, while the intenmediate sections 26 include generally ~haped flanges 23, at the ~pposite longitudinal ends from ~he downward flanges 22. The flanges 21, 22 ~nd 23 abuttingly cooperate 80 as to collapse and extend the various enclosure ~ections 26 and 28 m~rely by longitudinally moving the rearward section 28, as well as limiting their longitudinal movement between p~eselected longitudinal limits. The flanges 21 ~nd 22 preferably extend cont muously along the end portions of their respective enclosure ~ectisns, and also preferably include sealing members 34 thereon, as ~b~wn in Figure 4. Ihe flanges 23 can be discrete segments located at ~arious positions, uch as at ~he o~rners and at laterally medial positions, along the end portions of their respective enclosure ections, and also include the ~ealing me ~ rs 34 thereon. Alternatively, ~he flanges 23 can be continuous along their r~spective enclosures. me ~ealing me~ker~ on each enclosure ~ection 2re adapked to slid ~gly and fiealingly engage bvth the outer surfaces and the sealing mæmber o~ the respective adjacent enclosure ~ections, thereby substantially munimizing the infiltration o~ air, water, dust or other foreign materials through the joint~ between adjacent end osure ~ections.
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~ As:~hown in Figures 3 through 7, the n~vable enclosur~ sections 26 : and Z8 are longitudinall~ and slidably movable along a track assembly 38, which inclu~e~ a paix of rail assemblies 40 extend ~g longitudinally along the 8i~ ~all 16 of ~he open bed 14 and secured thereto. Each of ~he ra ::
~2~33~3~0 assemblies 40 includes a number of laterally-spaced, longitudinally-extending rail mæmbers 44, with each laterall~ adja oe nt pair of the rail members 44 defining an elongated slot 46 therebetw~en.
In the preferred ~mb~diments, the intermediate slider m~mbers 50 and the rearward slider members 52 are each slidably ~eoeived in their respective elongated slots 46 on each lateral ~ide of ~he o~en bed 14 and are free to longitudinally and ~lidably mDve therein. one of the ~lider mbers 50 is connected to each lateral side of each of ~he inter~ediate enclosure sections 26, a~d &Imilarly one of the rearward slider members 52 is connected to each lateral ~ide of the rearward enclo~ure section 28, with the lateral side portions of the respective enclosure sec ions extending uEwardly th~ou~h the elongated 610ts 46. me slider %embers 50 and 52 are retained within the elongated slots 46 by flange portions 54, which are fixed to the rail nember~ 44 and extend laterally in a partially overlapping relationship with the upper periphery of the elongated slots 46.
Each of the rearward ~lider m~mbers 52, which slidably carry the }earward enclosure ~ection 28, is connected at both i~6 rearward and forward end~ to a cable 60 that extends throughout the rail assemblies 40 and ~he forward portion 42 and i6 movably carried by a nu~ber of sheaves 62. As can be readily seen in Figure 5, the cable 60 and ~e Eheaves 62 are configured such that when ei~her a rearward directed or a forward directed force is exerted on a lat~ral side of the rearward enclosure section 28, an equal and ~L~ilarly directed force is transmitted through ~he ~able 60 and is exerted on ~he opp~site lateral side of the rearward enclosure section 28. mis force egualization feature contributes significantly to the ease of operation of the longitudinally collap6ing or extending ~nclosure apparatus 10, as well as substantially reducing the possibility of the rearward enclosure section 28 jamming or being subjected :
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Lo ~acoept~ble d~ag re6l~lting fram ~:antially unbalanced forces being applied to its oppQsite lateral ~ides.
As can be readily &een from Figure 5A, which corre~ponds to the left-hand rail assembly 40 as viewed in Figure 5, the laterally outenmost slider member 50 preferably includes a rece~sed portion 64 on it~ laterally outer side that provides clearance for the free and ~mooth relative movement between this slider meMber 50 and the cable 60. It ahould be noted, in this regard, that the detail view shown in Figure 5A for the left-hand rail assEmbly 40 is typical for the right-hand rail assembly 40, but is opposite-handed with respect ~heretoO
As ~hown m Figure 6, the rearward slider members 52 include a ~tepped or cut-away portion 66 on their rearward ends. Such ~tepped pcrtions 66 pro~ide clearance for ~he provision of a load-bear~ng wheel or caster 68, which also significantly contributes to the smooth operation of the enclosure apparatus 10. When a re~rwardly-directed for oe i8 exerted o~
the rearward enclo~ure section 28 in order to extend the enclosure apparatus 10, a moment or force couple is created and results in an unde~irable dbwnwardly-directed force on the rearward end of the sliders 52. The effects of such undesirable for oe are counteracted and largely dimini~hed by the load-bearing capabili~ies of the casters 68 at the rearward ends ~f ~he enclosure ~ections 28, thereby allowLng the rearward end osure section 28, and the other enclosure sections to be mkved freely and sroDthly as ~he enclosure apparatus 10 is longitudinally extended.
Also for purpose~ of assuring smooth operation of the enclosure apparatu~
10, the rearward ends of the rearward slider members 52 are provlded with a protruding cleaning member 70 for slidably engaging, wiping or ~craping the interior of ~he corresponding elongated slot 46 as the ~ er m~mber 52 is l~ngitudinally moved with m the slot. Such sliding, wiping or ~craping enga~ement of the cleam ng m~mber 70 with the interior of the elongated _g_ ;
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, 1~'83~40 810t 46 serves to clean and remove corrosion, water, or other foreign material from the interior of the slot, thereby keeping the 610t clear for ~ree sliding movement of the ~ ider members.
As ~hown in Figure 7, which is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the slider memkers 52 ~ut is a ~ypical cro s-section ~or any of the slider members 50 or 52, a series of longitudinally-6paoed bores 76 are provided in each of the ~lider memkers 50 and 52. A ball or roller bearing member 78 i~ rotatably dispoæd within each of the bores 76 and is restrained for rotation between a reduoed-diameter portion 80 o the bore 76 and a retair.er n~mber 82, which is force-fitted or otberwi~e tightly ~ecured within ~e bore 76. ~me reduoed~iameter E~rtion sn of ~e bore 76 is sized and conf igured su~ that the ball bearing 78 protrudes out~ardly froqn ffle lawer edge of the filider n~nber 50 or 52 and is backed-up ~y the retainer ~er 82, thereby providing a low fricti~rl, ball bearing ~upeort for the filider m~nbers 50 and 52 as they are m~ved longitudinally within t~eir respective elong~ted slots 46. Preferably, ~he ball bearing 78, ~e slider members 50 and 52, and the retainer member 82 are composed of suitable an~i-fric'cion materials in order to minimize the frictial and drag on the slider me~rs 50 and 52 and thus on their respective movable enclosure sections.
AS i8 perhaps best seen in Figures 5, 5A arld 5B, 'che rail assemblies 40 of the track assembly 38 are covered, enclosed and interconnected by ~over ~ rs 48 and 49, respectively, such that the elongabed lots 46, the slider ~ rs 50 and 52, the cable 60~ and the sheaves 6~ throughout the entire track assembly 38 are substantially protected from exp~sure to water, dust and other foreign materials that may corrodb the oomponen~s or otherwise impede free and sm~oth operation o~ the enclosure apparatus 10. The oDYer members 48 an each lateral sidb of the :
open bed 1~: include a number of longitudinally-extending openings 56 :
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therein. Preferably, each of the elongated openings 56 has a resilient ~lap or sealing member 58 in an overlying relationship herewith (or Alternatively, in an underlying relationship therewith). The flap member 58 sealingly engages the surfaces of the co~er m~mher 48 generally adjacent the openings 56 in order to substantially impede the entry o~ ~ater, dust or other foreign materials into the sl~ts. Furthenmore, be~au~e the flap memkers are ~ompo æ d of a resilient material ~uch as an elastomer, for exæmpae, they are resiliently deflectable as the enclosure ~ections are slidably and lon~itudin~lly m~ved wi~hin the elongated opening~ 56 and the elongated slots 46. Preferably, the flap n~mbers 58 are se~ured to the oover members 48 on the laterally~outer ~ides of ~he respective openings 56, such that when resiliently deflected ky the enclosure sections, they will sealLngly and slidably engage the lateral portions of the enclosure 0ections and thereby cause water or otber materials to flow or be deflected outwardly ~way from ~he enclosure apparatus 10.
Referring primarily to Figures 8 through 14, a preferred door ~r 88 of the dbor assembly 32 is pivotally and remwably connected to ~he rearward enclosure EeCtion 28, generally adjaoent the ac oe ss opening 30, and is therefore longitudinally mDvable with the enclosure EeCtiOn 28 as the enclosure apparatus 10 is oollapsed or extended. ~hus, the door DK~nbe~ B8 is pivotally mo~able betwePn an open door position shown in Figure~ 9 and 12, and a closed door position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, regardles~ of ~he lon~itudinal location ~f the rearward enclosure section 28. Furthermore, the gate assembly 36 is removably positionable and ecLrable to the vehicle 12 at a~y of a number of longitudinal locations in ~he open bed 14, separatel~ and indeFendently of the longitudinal location o~ the rearward enclosure &ection 28 and the door assenbly 32.
erring prinarily to Figures 9 throu~h 13, the gate a~ly 36 includes a gate frame asse~ly 90 and a gate m~er 92. P.s is discussed in ,..
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: . '' ', . ' ' ~2839~0 re detail below, the gate member 92 i~ preferably r~movably and pivotally attachable to the gate frame a~embly 90 BO that it can be pivotally moved ~etween an open gate position shown in Figure 12, and a closed ga~e position in Figures 2, and 8, with ~uch pivotal movement of ~he gate member 92 ~eing separate and mdependent of khe lon~itudinal lscation of the gate frame assembly 90 and the other component~ of the ~nclo~ure apparatus 10. The preferred gate member 92 may al&o opkionally be removed from the gate frame as~e~bly 9U and removably Eecured to the ds~r mem~er 88, as ~hown in FigNres 9 and 12 through }4, ~udh that the gate me~ber is pivotal~y mcvable with the doDr me~ter 8~ between the ~pen and clo~ed db~r positions di~cu6æd above. Su~h opti~nal cDnnectability of the ghte ~ er 92 to the dcor member 88 is preferably provided by means of quick-release, threaded fastener devices 94 and their reoepkacles 95, or by means of other alternate quick-release attachment devices known tv those skilled in the art, It fihould ke noted that the dbor member 88 i~ equipped with a dbor latching mechanism 96, and that the ~ate member 92 is equipped with a gate latching mechanism 98 separate and independent of the door latching mechanism 96. Thus, the gate latching mechanism 98 i adapted for ~electively and releasably ~ecuring the gate m~mber 92 to the gate frame as~embly 90 in its clo ~ gate (by being received in the slots 99~ position ~hen the gate m#mber 92 is removably attached to the gate frame assembly 90. The gate latching m~chanism 98 is als~ adapked for ~electively and releasably securing the gate ~ r 92 to the gQte frame as6embly 90 when ~he gate m~mber 92 is attached to the dwr member 88 and the door member 88 is ~ ed to its closed dQor pvsition. Further, the db~r latching mechanism 96 can be used for releasably securing or latching the dbor member 88 to ~he gate me~ber 92 (by way of ~he ~pacer pDrtion 100~, as well as to the cover m~mbers 48 (by way o~ pms 93 and aper~ures 97~ as ~hown in Figures 3 ~. .
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and 5 for example), ~hen the dbor m~nber is pivoted to its dosed dbor position while the gate r~er 92 i~ not connected to the d~or ~ber 88.
Such latching interconnection between the gate member 92 and the door menber 88 is also provided by the door latching mechanism 96, ~hen the gate m~nber 92 is eecured ~o t:he door nE~mber 88 ~ way of ~e fa~tener devioes 94 and their receptacles 95. It ~hould also be noted that the door latching mechanism 96 is ~electively oFerable for releasably locking and securing the door member 88 to the tailgate 20 when the enclosure apparatus 1~ is fully extended and the dbor member 88 i~ cloaed.
lhe door latching mechaniEm 96 and the gate latdhing mechan ~ 98 ~hown in the drawings are merely examples ~ ~udh latching nechanisms ~hown for purposes of illu~trationO One skilled in the art will readily recognize, however, that any of a number of known and ~Dnventional latching ~echani~ms may be substituted ~or the door latching mechanism 96 and the gate latching mechanism 98, with ap~opriate n~dificati~ns as needbd.
As perhaps best shown in Figures g through 13, one preferred example of the gate frame assembly 90 includes a p~ir c)f spaced-apart side as~lies 102, eadh of which are posi~ionable generally adjacent one of tbe ~ ~ide wall~ 16 ~f ~he open bed 14 at any of a n~er of longitudiral locati~ns therein. In the exen~ilary embodiment ~hcswn in the drawings, ~adh of the side asse~lies 102 io of a ~lti-piece construction, including 8ide ~nels 103 and 104, and side posts 105 and 1û6. Ihe side panels 103 and ~104 are at'cached to the side posts 105 by means o~ :Easteners 107, elongated openings 109, and nuts 111, and thus can be laterally ad~usted ~or different sizes of gates (or different sizes of components can alternatively be provided), Stop flanges 113 are provided on the side ass~lies 102 for engaging the gate ~T~er 92 when it is ~osed. It ~hould be en Ehasized ~at the mul~i-pieoe construction of the side ass~nblies is exemplary only, and that various multi-piece parts of the gate frame --13-- ~ -.
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An elongated rotatahle rod member 108 i5 threaded on at least one end portion thereof, and thus threadably engages at least one o~ the side assemblies 102 while abuttingly engaging the opposite side as~embly 102. By such an arrangement, rotation of the rod member 108 in a flrst rotary direction pressurably biases and forcibly urges the side ~semblie~ 102 away from one another, and rotation of ~he rod member 108 ~n an opposite rotary direction allows the side mænkers to be freely mcved toward one another for removal from the open ~ed. Thus, ~hen t~e rod member is rotated so as to forcibly urge t}~e ~ide a~se~blie. ~way ~rcsn one anot~er, t~he 6ide ass~lies 102 are adjustably and forcibly ursed into a ~rictional and abutting engagement with their associated side walls 16 in order to removably secure the gate frame assenbly 90 to the v~hicle within the open bed 14 . In order to enhance the f r ictional engagement of the side ass~lies 102 with ffie inside ~urfaces of t~e side walls 76, and further to prevent scratching or otherwise d~Daging the side walls 16, protective mold mg strips 110 fabricated from an elastomer or other resilient material are provi~ d on the l~wer and outer edges of the side as~emblies 102.
The outer ~ide posts 106 are also preferably equipped with threadably extendable and retractable abutment member~ 112 that are vertically adjustable and extendable into a frictional abutting engag~ment with the flange p~rtions 114 typically providbd on ~he upper edges of the side walls 16 of mQny pick-up trucks. ffl e akutment m~mbers may optionally be provided with protec*ive pod members 116 oanposed of an elastomer or other resi 1 ient material and frictionally engaging the lo~er surfaoes of the flange pDrtiOnS 114 without ~ubstantially exposing them lto scratc~hing or other damage. ~he in'ceraction of the side assemblies 102 and the :: :
abutmen1: menlber~ 112, being forcibly urged into a frictional abutting enga~e3nent with ~eir respective portions o~ tihe side walls 16, results in ~: --14--.. - ~ : .
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~;~83940 1 ~ecure, but removable and releasable, attachment of the gate frame a86embly 9o at ~ny of a number of lQngitudinal lGcation6 within ~he open bed 14. It ~hould also be noted that the provi~ion of the side asBemblies 102 allows the gate mEnber 92 to be of a le6ser width, ~llowing the gate member ~2 to be clo~ed even when the rearward enclo~ure section 28 is positioned such that the gate memker 92 is between the wheel ~ells 17 of the pick-up truck. m us the ~ide æ ~mblies 112 al~o fill t~e l~teral ~p2 oe between the side walls 16 and the gate member ~2 when the gate frame assembly 90 is positioned at longitudinal locations o~her than between the wheel wells 17.
As shown in Figure 15, the door assembly 32, which includes a h~nge assenbly 84 and door operation assist devices 86, in addition to the door member 88, is selectively removable from the rearward end of ~he rearward enclosure fiection 2B (by way of the quick-release faæteners 136 ~hown in Figure 16) and can be stored within the interior of the enclosure aE~paratus 10. Su~h storage of the door ass~bly 32 can be acaxnpli~hed either with ~he gate m~mber 92 secured to the dbor member 88 by way of the fa~stener dbvioe ~ 94 and 95, as ahown in Figure 15, or ~eparately without the gate member attached thereto. Preferably, ~he enclo~ure apEaratus 10 indud0s latch devices 120, ~hich are ~electively operable for receiving and releaæably fiecuring ~he dbor asE~mbly 32 to a forward in~erior pvrtion of ~he enclosure apparatus 10, with or without the gate member 92 being atta~hed to the door m~er 88.
Figure 16 is a view of the rearward interior portion of the rearward enclosure section 28, looking longitudinally outwardly from within ~he open bed 14. An endosure position lccking apFaratus 124 i Ereferably provided at least on the rearward enclosure section 28 for ~electi~ely and :~releasably &ecuring or fixing the pDsition of the enclo~ure ~ection 28 relative to the open bed at any of a number of longitudinal locations :
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~L~8394() thereon. me exemplary enclosure position lockLng apparatus 124 shown ~n the drawings includes at least one, and preferably ~wo, pin members 126 81idably attached to the enclosure ~ction 28 and adapted for slidable movement generally toward and away from the 8ide walls 16 of the pick-up truck vehicle 12. AS ~hown in Figures 3 and 5, for example, pin receiving apertures 128 are provided at F¢e~elected longitudinal positions along the cover mEmbers 48 (which in turn are isedly attached to the 8idb ~alls 16)-l~e apertures 128 are located at positions oorre~ponding to ea~h of the above-discu~sed preselected longitudinal l~cations and are adapked ~r interlockingly receiving and engaging the correspondin~ pin members 126 when the enclosure ~ection 28 i8 positioned at any of such longitudinal locations. ~in member mounting means 130 are provided and located on correspond mg sides of ~he enclosure section 28 and include spring næmbers or other res;lient blasing means for resiliently biasing the pin members 126 dQwnwardly toward the cover members 48 such that the pin m~bers 126 are biasingly moved into an interlocking engagement with the pin receiving apertures 128 as the enclosure section 28 is moved into any of ~he p~esele ~ d longitudinal locations. A cable 132 is ~lidably at~ached to the enclosure section 28 by ~ay of a numher of guidbs 134 ~uch that both of the pin member~ 126 may be forcibly retracted againRt the force of the resilient bia~ing means and out of interlocking engagement with ~he pin-receiving apertures 128 by applying a pulling force at a single location along the cable 132.
It ~hould al~o be noted that the abutment flangeR 21, 22 and 23, discus~ed above, are prefer~bly u~ed in cooperation with the abo~e-described enclosure position locking apparatus 124, as well as the p~eselected lengths of the elongated openings 56 in the cover m~mbers 4B
~hcwn in Figure 5, in order to p~event undesirable longi~udinal ~hifting or m~Yement of the m~vable intermediate enclosure ~ectians 26 of the enclosure . , .
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~L28~940 apparatus 10. Horizontal pin means should be provided to restrain ~he intermediate sections 26 at partially collap~ed or extended enclosure configurations. ~cwever, a similar position lccking apparatus may also be re~uired on the intermediate enclosure ~ections 26 if other ~n~ermedlate preselected longitudinal positions of the enclosure apparatus are de~ired.
Figures 17 and 18 illustrate only two exemplary alternate applications of the F~inciples of the present invention, and many other alternate applications will undoubtedly occur to o~e ~killed in the art as a result of the teachings of the foregoing discussion and the acocmFany mg drawing~. In Figure 17, an alternate enclo~ure apparatus 2iO is illustrated on a trailer (having side walls) for carrying a horse or other animal, with the corresponding elements of the enclosure apparatus 210 bearing element numerals corresponding to those of ~he enclosuse apFaratus 10 described above, but having the numeral ~2~ as a prefix. It fihould be noted, however, that if the enclosure apparatus 210 i~ installed on a flatbed-type trailer or other vehicle having no side walls~ the gate frame assembly 290 would not be able to friction21ly and abuttingly ~n~age any side wall~. In 8uch a case, the gate frame assembly could be removably fastenable and positionable at various longitudinal locations on the trailer ky means of qulck-release fastener devices. m e enclosure appaLatus 210 i5 particularly advantageous in the application ~hcwn in Figure 17 si ~ the horse or other animal may be conYeniently and ~asil~ led onto the trailer while the enclosure apparatus 210 is fully collapsed. The enclosure apparatus 210 may then easily and cDnv~niently be extendeid around the a mmal, thereby allowing the entire loading or unloading operation to be performed by the user without h~ving to enter the trailer himself or herself.
Figure 18 illustrates an alternate e~closure apparatus 310 for a m~Line vehicie~ wherein the corresponding elements have ele~ent numerals -17- i ~, . .
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." . . ' ' ' ~839~0 ~orreRponding to those of the enclo ure aFparatus 10 discus~ed above, but having the numeral "3~ as a Frefix. One skllled in the art will readily recDgnize that minor m~difications to ~he various element6 of the exemplary enclosure ~pparatus 10 described above may ~e required in order to a &p*
such el~ments to the applications ~hown for purpo6es of illustration in Figures 17 and 18.
m e foregoing discu~sion discloses and describes exemplary embcdiments of the pre~ent mvention. One ~killed in the art will readily reoognize from such dlscussion that various changes, modifications and ~rariations may be rQade therein without departing fran the 8pirit and 5coFe of the invention as defined in 1~he foll~ing daims.
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The invention relates generally to an enclosure apparatus for covering at least a part of an open bed or bed-like portion of a truck, trailer, boat, or other vehicle or the like. ~ore p~rtlcularly, the invention relate~ to Lmprovements in enclosures of the telescopically collapsible and extendable type, wherein one or mDre enclosure sections are ~lidably movable along a track-like device on the vehicle.
A wide variety of fixed and retractable enclo~ures for open portions of vehicle~ and the like have previously been provided and are known in the art. Such enclosures include accordian-type ~oft-sided foldable covers or enclosures that are made of canvas or other heavy ~abrics and have a number of m~vable and relativel~ rigid skeletal frame members, as ~ell as hard-top endosures having a number of ~igid, generally bow-shaped enclosure sections telescopically movable relative to one another. Still other known retractable and extendable enclosures have included various oombinations of hard-top and soft-top elements.
me abcve-described Frior endosule deYices have, howevex, proved to be tedious, cumber~ome and inconNenient to install, remove and use, as well as Eeverel~ limiting ~he utility and cargv-carrying capabilities of the vehicle on which the enclosure device is installed. Other ;disadvantages o~ the prior enclosures include leaky joints between c~nnecting oa~ponents, the lack of a relatively secure and lo ~ le StQra~e area, and the inability or inconvenienoe of transporting cargo while the enclosure is in any of its partially or wholly collapsed or extended igurations. Furthenmore, such prior enclosuIes have p~esented other p~oblems 8uch as jamming or binding of n~Yable enclosure ~ectio~s as a resul~ of the build-~p of corrosion, water ~ other foreisn materials in ~heir track-like dbvices 8uch ~hat fim~ot~ operation of the enclosure is hindbredO The need has therefore ari~en for a retractable, ~elf-ætoring : ~ .
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enclosure apQaratus that allcws for quick and convenient conver6ion between a covered bed and open bed configuration, while still maintaininq its durability, rigidity, ~ecurity, weather resistance and ease of operation, without unduly minimizing the utility of the vehicle upon which it is installed. It i~ thu~ one of the objects of the present invention to provide such an enclosure apparatus that offers a greater degree of flexibility in its cargo-carrying capabilities and that can be used to transpDrt cargo in any of its cDllap~ed vr extended configurations.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the pre~ent invention, an improved apparatus f~r oovering at lèast part of an open bed of a vehicle or the like include~ an enclosure structure telescopically collapsible and extendable on the vehicle and having a rearward portion longitudinally m~vable relative to the open bed as the enclosure structure is collapsed or extended. The rearward portion, which includes an access opening therein, is selectively positionable and releasably securable at a number of longitudinAl locations on the vehicle'~ open bedO A preferred gate ap~aratus is also removably positionable at any of the longitudinal location on the oFen bed independently of the position of the rearward portion of the end osure structure. A pxeferred do~r assembly includes a door member that is pivotally and removably connected to the rearward portion o~ the ~nclosure ~tructure and is pivo~all~ m~vable ~etween an open dGor position and a cloæd door position at which ~he door substantially covers and clo~es the access opening. m e dbor assembly also includes a door latching mechanism for selectively and releasably ~ecuring the door to the gate apparatus when the m~vable rearward enclosure pDrtion and ~ate apparatus are positioned at substantially the same longitudinal location on the oFen bed of the vehicle and the door is pivoted to its closed door position.
e gate apparatus Freferably includes a g~te frame assembly that ,, ~: ;
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is select.ively and releasably securable to the vehicle ~t any of the ~bove-mentioned longitudinal locations on ~he open bed, as well as a gate ~ember that is pivotally and removably connectable to tne gate frame assembly. The door and gate members can be independently pivotally connected to the rearward pDrtion of the enclosure s*ructure 2nd the gate frame assembly, respectively, or the gate member may be opkionally remKved from ~he gate frame a~sembly and removably ~ecured to the door assembly for pivotal motion ~herewith. Preferably, the enclosure includes ~torage means such that both the door member and the gate member may te selectively rem~v~d and ~tored within the encl~ure ~tructure independently of the respective rearward portion and gate frame a~sembly.
A preferred track a6semb1y is provided for longitudinally and slidably supporting one or more telescopically arranged, moYable ~ections of the enclosure structure. The track assembly, upon which the movable enclosure ~ections aIe slidably disposed, ind udes slider nembers upon which the movable enclosure sections are slidably ~upported, and means for impeding the entry and accumulation of water or cther foreign materials into elongated slots in which the slider nembers are slidably disposed. Ihe slider members also F~eferably included a Erotruding cleaning mæmber for slidably scraping or wiping the interiors of their corresponding elon~ated ~lots as the slidbrs are longitudinally moved therein, thereby reducing the accummll1ation of corrosion, water or o~her foreign materials that would hinder the fim~oth ~nd free operation of the o~llapsible and extendable enclosure structure.
Additional advantages and features, as well as additional embodiments and variations, of ~he present in~ention will beoome ap~arent from the subsequent description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the acoompanying dkawings.
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1~33~3~0 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle h~ving an enclosure apparatus on its open bed according to the pre~ent invention, with the enclosure ap~aratus fihown in a fully-extended position.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle and enclosure apparatus of Figure 1, but with the enclosure apparatu~ ~h~wn in a retracted position.
Figure 3 is a partially cut-away, and partially phantom, perspective ~iew ~ the open bed portion of the vehicle of Figure 1, illu~trat mg some of the de~ails of ~he enclosure apparatus, ~s well as the track mechanism up~n which the movable enclosure sections are ~lidably unted.
~ igure 4 is an enl rged cross~sectio~al view of the circled portion of Figure 3.
Fi~ure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the track mechanism for the enclosure apparatus of Figure 1~
Figure 5A is a dbtail perspective view of the track mechanism of Figure 4, along with its associated slider m~mbers.
Figure 5B is a cross sectional view, taken generally along l~ne SB~5B of ~ig~re 5.
~ Figure ~ i8 a Fartial bottom perspecti~e view of one of the slider m~mbers along with associoted components ~f ~he track assembly ~f Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the vehicle and enclosure appara~us of Fisure 1, ~howin~ the enclosure apparatus partially extended to an intermediate longitudinal lo~ation on the open bed of the vehicle.
Figure 9 is a view somewhat simil~r to Figure 8, but illustrating ~e dbor me~ber and gate member of the enclosure apparatus oonnected ~o o~
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~X839~0 another and pivoted to an open p3sition.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the gate frame as~embly o~ a preferred gate a~sembly for the enclosure apparatus of Figures 1 through 9.
Figure 11 i8 a pQrtially exploded view of the gate fsa~e ass ~ ly of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of ~e vehicle and enclosure apparatus of Figure 1, illu~trating the door member ln an open door pssition and the gate member ind2pendently pi~ot~d to an open gate position on t~e gate frame a ~ly.
Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of ~he door m~nber, gate mm~er and gate frame ass3mbly of Figures B through 12, illustrating ~he cooperating interrelationship thereof.
Figure 14 is a rear perspective view of the door nEmber with the gate n#nber removably æcured thereto.
Figure 15 iæ a p~rtially perspective, phantom view, illustrating the door member and gate member releasably secured and stored in ~he interior of the endosure ap~aratus.
Figure 16 is a partial elevational view, looking generally rearward from inside the enclosLre apFaratus, ~howing the door m~mber and the medhanism for rele~sably securin~ the m~v~ble enclosure æctions at p~eselected longitudinal locations along the open bed.
Figure 17 is an overall perspec~ive view illustrating the principles of the present invention as applied in a collapsible and extendable enclosure for a tra;ler or the like.
Figure 18 is an overall perspective view illustrating the principles~of the pre~ent invention applied to a oollapsible and extendable enalosure for ~ marine ves~el.
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33~3~0 DETAIL~D ~CRIPTION QF_~E FREF~R~E3 ~MBO~IMENIS
Figures 1 through 18 of the drawings depict merely exemplary enbodiments of the present invention for pLrpOSe~ of illustration only.
One ~killed in the art will readily recognize from the following dl6cussion that the principle~ of the pre ænt invention are equally applicable to ~nclo~ures or vehicles o~her than ~he exemplary pick-up truck, tra;ler, and marine vehicles shown in the drawings, as well as to suitable non-vehicular applications.
~ eferring initially to Figures 1 and 2, an e~emplary Ereferred enclosure apparatu~ 10 according to the present invention i~ shown installed on a pick-up truck vehicle 12. qhe enclosure apparatu~ 10 is ad~pted for enclosing or oovering at least a part of an open bed 14, which is defined by a pair of laterally-æpaced side wall~ 16 and by a longitudinally spaoed c2b 18 and tailgate 20. lhe enclosure appaLatus 10 includes at least one fixed enclosure section 24 and a relatively n~vable rearward enclosure section 28 at its rearward end, and p~eferably includes .-one or more relatively movable intermediate enclosure sections 260 The rearward en~losure &ection 28 includes an acoe ss opening 3Q ælectively clo~able by a door as~embly 32, which i removably connected to the rearward enolosure ~ection 28.
As ~hown p~imarily Ln Figuxes 1, 2 and 8, the enclosure ~pQar~tus 10 is Iongitudinally oollapfiible and extendable between $he fully extended po~ition illustrated in Figure 1 and the fully collap~ed position illu6trated in Figure 2, and may also be longitudinally collapsed or extended into ane ~r m~re intermediate positions, as ~hown in Figure 8. The reor~ord end enclosure section 28 is thus ~electively positionable at any of a number of longitudinal l~catiGns on the open bed 14 of the vehicle 12.
As will be described more fully below, a gate assembly 35 i5 also electively but independently positionable at any of the above-mentioned . . - ~. . . .
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~8~9~0 longitud1nal locations in the open bed 14, and is ~dapted to oo~perate with the dbor as&embly 32 ~uch that a ~ubstantially ~ecure and protected space is pro~ided at any of the fully-extended, fully-cDllapsed, or intermediate positions of the enclosure appaLatus 10.
A5 is ~hown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the enclosure sections 24, 26 and 28, includes a dvwnwardly-depending flange porti~n 22. qhe rearward section 28 also in d udes an ~pwardly-protruaing flange portion 21, while the intenmediate sections 26 include generally ~haped flanges 23, at the ~pposite longitudinal ends from ~he downward flanges 22. The flanges 21, 22 ~nd 23 abuttingly cooperate 80 as to collapse and extend the various enclosure ~ections 26 and 28 m~rely by longitudinally moving the rearward section 28, as well as limiting their longitudinal movement between p~eselected longitudinal limits. The flanges 21 ~nd 22 preferably extend cont muously along the end portions of their respective enclosure ~ectisns, and also preferably include sealing members 34 thereon, as ~b~wn in Figure 4. Ihe flanges 23 can be discrete segments located at ~arious positions, uch as at ~he o~rners and at laterally medial positions, along the end portions of their respective enclosure ections, and also include the ~ealing me ~ rs 34 thereon. Alternatively, ~he flanges 23 can be continuous along their r~spective enclosures. me ~ealing me~ker~ on each enclosure ~ection 2re adapked to slid ~gly and fiealingly engage bvth the outer surfaces and the sealing mæmber o~ the respective adjacent enclosure ~ections, thereby substantially munimizing the infiltration o~ air, water, dust or other foreign materials through the joint~ between adjacent end osure ~ections.
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~ As:~hown in Figures 3 through 7, the n~vable enclosur~ sections 26 : and Z8 are longitudinall~ and slidably movable along a track assembly 38, which inclu~e~ a paix of rail assemblies 40 extend ~g longitudinally along the 8i~ ~all 16 of ~he open bed 14 and secured thereto. Each of ~he ra ::
~2~33~3~0 assemblies 40 includes a number of laterally-spaced, longitudinally-extending rail mæmbers 44, with each laterall~ adja oe nt pair of the rail members 44 defining an elongated slot 46 therebetw~en.
In the preferred ~mb~diments, the intermediate slider m~mbers 50 and the rearward slider members 52 are each slidably ~eoeived in their respective elongated slots 46 on each lateral ~ide of ~he o~en bed 14 and are free to longitudinally and ~lidably mDve therein. one of the ~lider mbers 50 is connected to each lateral side of each of ~he inter~ediate enclosure sections 26, a~d &Imilarly one of the rearward slider members 52 is connected to each lateral ~ide of the rearward enclo~ure section 28, with the lateral side portions of the respective enclosure sec ions extending uEwardly th~ou~h the elongated 610ts 46. me slider %embers 50 and 52 are retained within the elongated slots 46 by flange portions 54, which are fixed to the rail nember~ 44 and extend laterally in a partially overlapping relationship with the upper periphery of the elongated slots 46.
Each of the rearward ~lider m~mbers 52, which slidably carry the }earward enclosure ~ection 28, is connected at both i~6 rearward and forward end~ to a cable 60 that extends throughout the rail assemblies 40 and ~he forward portion 42 and i6 movably carried by a nu~ber of sheaves 62. As can be readily seen in Figure 5, the cable 60 and ~e Eheaves 62 are configured such that when ei~her a rearward directed or a forward directed force is exerted on a lat~ral side of the rearward enclosure section 28, an equal and ~L~ilarly directed force is transmitted through ~he ~able 60 and is exerted on ~he opp~site lateral side of the rearward enclosure section 28. mis force egualization feature contributes significantly to the ease of operation of the longitudinally collap6ing or extending ~nclosure apparatus 10, as well as substantially reducing the possibility of the rearward enclosure section 28 jamming or being subjected :
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Lo ~acoept~ble d~ag re6l~lting fram ~:antially unbalanced forces being applied to its oppQsite lateral ~ides.
As can be readily &een from Figure 5A, which corre~ponds to the left-hand rail assembly 40 as viewed in Figure 5, the laterally outenmost slider member 50 preferably includes a rece~sed portion 64 on it~ laterally outer side that provides clearance for the free and ~mooth relative movement between this slider meMber 50 and the cable 60. It ahould be noted, in this regard, that the detail view shown in Figure 5A for the left-hand rail assEmbly 40 is typical for the right-hand rail assembly 40, but is opposite-handed with respect ~heretoO
As ~hown m Figure 6, the rearward slider members 52 include a ~tepped or cut-away portion 66 on their rearward ends. Such ~tepped pcrtions 66 pro~ide clearance for ~he provision of a load-bear~ng wheel or caster 68, which also significantly contributes to the smooth operation of the enclosure apparatus 10. When a re~rwardly-directed for oe i8 exerted o~
the rearward enclo~ure section 28 in order to extend the enclosure apparatus 10, a moment or force couple is created and results in an unde~irable dbwnwardly-directed force on the rearward end of the sliders 52. The effects of such undesirable for oe are counteracted and largely dimini~hed by the load-bearing capabili~ies of the casters 68 at the rearward ends ~f ~he enclosure ~ections 28, thereby allowLng the rearward end osure section 28, and the other enclosure sections to be mkved freely and sroDthly as ~he enclosure apparatus 10 is longitudinally extended.
Also for purpose~ of assuring smooth operation of the enclosure apparatu~
10, the rearward ends of the rearward slider members 52 are provlded with a protruding cleaning member 70 for slidably engaging, wiping or ~craping the interior of ~he corresponding elongated slot 46 as the ~ er m~mber 52 is l~ngitudinally moved with m the slot. Such sliding, wiping or ~craping enga~ement of the cleam ng m~mber 70 with the interior of the elongated _g_ ;
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, 1~'83~40 810t 46 serves to clean and remove corrosion, water, or other foreign material from the interior of the slot, thereby keeping the 610t clear for ~ree sliding movement of the ~ ider members.
As ~hown in Figure 7, which is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the slider memkers 52 ~ut is a ~ypical cro s-section ~or any of the slider members 50 or 52, a series of longitudinally-6paoed bores 76 are provided in each of the ~lider memkers 50 and 52. A ball or roller bearing member 78 i~ rotatably dispoæd within each of the bores 76 and is restrained for rotation between a reduoed-diameter portion 80 o the bore 76 and a retair.er n~mber 82, which is force-fitted or otberwi~e tightly ~ecured within ~e bore 76. ~me reduoed~iameter E~rtion sn of ~e bore 76 is sized and conf igured su~ that the ball bearing 78 protrudes out~ardly froqn ffle lawer edge of the filider n~nber 50 or 52 and is backed-up ~y the retainer ~er 82, thereby providing a low fricti~rl, ball bearing ~upeort for the filider m~nbers 50 and 52 as they are m~ved longitudinally within t~eir respective elong~ted slots 46. Preferably, ~he ball bearing 78, ~e slider members 50 and 52, and the retainer member 82 are composed of suitable an~i-fric'cion materials in order to minimize the frictial and drag on the slider me~rs 50 and 52 and thus on their respective movable enclosure sections.
AS i8 perhaps best seen in Figures 5, 5A arld 5B, 'che rail assemblies 40 of the track assembly 38 are covered, enclosed and interconnected by ~over ~ rs 48 and 49, respectively, such that the elongabed lots 46, the slider ~ rs 50 and 52, the cable 60~ and the sheaves 6~ throughout the entire track assembly 38 are substantially protected from exp~sure to water, dust and other foreign materials that may corrodb the oomponen~s or otherwise impede free and sm~oth operation o~ the enclosure apparatus 10. The oDYer members 48 an each lateral sidb of the :
open bed 1~: include a number of longitudinally-extending openings 56 :
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therein. Preferably, each of the elongated openings 56 has a resilient ~lap or sealing member 58 in an overlying relationship herewith (or Alternatively, in an underlying relationship therewith). The flap member 58 sealingly engages the surfaces of the co~er m~mher 48 generally adjacent the openings 56 in order to substantially impede the entry o~ ~ater, dust or other foreign materials into the sl~ts. Furthenmore, be~au~e the flap memkers are ~ompo æ d of a resilient material ~uch as an elastomer, for exæmpae, they are resiliently deflectable as the enclosure ~ections are slidably and lon~itudin~lly m~ved wi~hin the elongated opening~ 56 and the elongated slots 46. Preferably, the flap n~mbers 58 are se~ured to the oover members 48 on the laterally~outer ~ides of ~he respective openings 56, such that when resiliently deflected ky the enclosure sections, they will sealLngly and slidably engage the lateral portions of the enclosure 0ections and thereby cause water or otber materials to flow or be deflected outwardly ~way from ~he enclosure apparatus 10.
Referring primarily to Figures 8 through 14, a preferred door ~r 88 of the dbor assembly 32 is pivotally and remwably connected to ~he rearward enclosure EeCtion 28, generally adjaoent the ac oe ss opening 30, and is therefore longitudinally mDvable with the enclosure EeCtiOn 28 as the enclosure apparatus 10 is oollapsed or extended. ~hus, the door DK~nbe~ B8 is pivotally mo~able betwePn an open door position shown in Figure~ 9 and 12, and a closed door position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, regardles~ of ~he lon~itudinal location ~f the rearward enclosure section 28. Furthermore, the gate assembly 36 is removably positionable and ecLrable to the vehicle 12 at a~y of a number of longitudinal locations in ~he open bed 14, separatel~ and indeFendently of the longitudinal location o~ the rearward enclosure &ection 28 and the door assenbly 32.
erring prinarily to Figures 9 throu~h 13, the gate a~ly 36 includes a gate frame asse~ly 90 and a gate m~er 92. P.s is discussed in ,..
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: . '' ', . ' ' ~2839~0 re detail below, the gate member 92 i~ preferably r~movably and pivotally attachable to the gate frame a~embly 90 BO that it can be pivotally moved ~etween an open gate position shown in Figure 12, and a closed ga~e position in Figures 2, and 8, with ~uch pivotal movement of ~he gate member 92 ~eing separate and mdependent of khe lon~itudinal lscation of the gate frame assembly 90 and the other component~ of the ~nclo~ure apparatus 10. The preferred gate member 92 may al&o opkionally be removed from the gate frame as~e~bly 9U and removably Eecured to the ds~r mem~er 88, as ~hown in FigNres 9 and 12 through }4, ~udh that the gate me~ber is pivotal~y mcvable with the doDr me~ter 8~ between the ~pen and clo~ed db~r positions di~cu6æd above. Su~h opti~nal cDnnectability of the ghte ~ er 92 to the dcor member 88 is preferably provided by means of quick-release, threaded fastener devices 94 and their reoepkacles 95, or by means of other alternate quick-release attachment devices known tv those skilled in the art, It fihould ke noted that the dbor member 88 i~ equipped with a dbor latching mechanism 96, and that the ~ate member 92 is equipped with a gate latching mechanism 98 separate and independent of the door latching mechanism 96. Thus, the gate latching mechanism 98 i adapted for ~electively and releasably ~ecuring the gate m~mber 92 to the gate frame as~embly 90 in its clo ~ gate (by being received in the slots 99~ position ~hen the gate m#mber 92 is removably attached to the gate frame assembly 90. The gate latching m~chanism 98 is als~ adapked for ~electively and releasably securing the gate ~ r 92 to the gQte frame as6embly 90 when ~he gate m~mber 92 is attached to the dwr member 88 and the door member 88 is ~ ed to its closed dQor pvsition. Further, the db~r latching mechanism 96 can be used for releasably securing or latching the dbor member 88 to ~he gate me~ber 92 (by way of ~he ~pacer pDrtion 100~, as well as to the cover m~mbers 48 (by way o~ pms 93 and aper~ures 97~ as ~hown in Figures 3 ~. .
' - ~ . ' " ' ~: ' , - . . ., : .
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and 5 for example), ~hen the dbor m~nber is pivoted to its dosed dbor position while the gate r~er 92 i~ not connected to the d~or ~ber 88.
Such latching interconnection between the gate member 92 and the door menber 88 is also provided by the door latching mechanism 96, ~hen the gate m~nber 92 is eecured ~o t:he door nE~mber 88 ~ way of ~e fa~tener devioes 94 and their receptacles 95. It ~hould also be noted that the door latching mechanism 96 is ~electively oFerable for releasably locking and securing the door member 88 to the tailgate 20 when the enclosure apparatus 1~ is fully extended and the dbor member 88 i~ cloaed.
lhe door latching mechaniEm 96 and the gate latdhing mechan ~ 98 ~hown in the drawings are merely examples ~ ~udh latching nechanisms ~hown for purposes of illu~trationO One skilled in the art will readily recognize, however, that any of a number of known and ~Dnventional latching ~echani~ms may be substituted ~or the door latching mechanism 96 and the gate latching mechanism 98, with ap~opriate n~dificati~ns as needbd.
As perhaps best shown in Figures g through 13, one preferred example of the gate frame assembly 90 includes a p~ir c)f spaced-apart side as~lies 102, eadh of which are posi~ionable generally adjacent one of tbe ~ ~ide wall~ 16 ~f ~he open bed 14 at any of a n~er of longitudiral locati~ns therein. In the exen~ilary embodiment ~hcswn in the drawings, ~adh of the side asse~lies 102 io of a ~lti-piece construction, including 8ide ~nels 103 and 104, and side posts 105 and 1û6. Ihe side panels 103 and ~104 are at'cached to the side posts 105 by means o~ :Easteners 107, elongated openings 109, and nuts 111, and thus can be laterally ad~usted ~or different sizes of gates (or different sizes of components can alternatively be provided), Stop flanges 113 are provided on the side ass~lies 102 for engaging the gate ~T~er 92 when it is ~osed. It ~hould be en Ehasized ~at the mul~i-pieoe construction of the side ass~nblies is exemplary only, and that various multi-piece parts of the gate frame --13-- ~ -.
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~ ' ~ . '' , " . . ~ ' 1.'~839~0 assembly 90 may alternatively be fabricated a~ one-piece ccmponents.
An elongated rotatahle rod member 108 i5 threaded on at least one end portion thereof, and thus threadably engages at least one o~ the side assemblies 102 while abuttingly engaging the opposite side as~embly 102. By such an arrangement, rotation of the rod member 108 in a flrst rotary direction pressurably biases and forcibly urges the side ~semblie~ 102 away from one another, and rotation of ~he rod member 108 ~n an opposite rotary direction allows the side mænkers to be freely mcved toward one another for removal from the open ~ed. Thus, ~hen t~e rod member is rotated so as to forcibly urge t}~e ~ide a~se~blie. ~way ~rcsn one anot~er, t~he 6ide ass~lies 102 are adjustably and forcibly ursed into a ~rictional and abutting engagement with their associated side walls 16 in order to removably secure the gate frame assenbly 90 to the v~hicle within the open bed 14 . In order to enhance the f r ictional engagement of the side ass~lies 102 with ffie inside ~urfaces of t~e side walls 76, and further to prevent scratching or otherwise d~Daging the side walls 16, protective mold mg strips 110 fabricated from an elastomer or other resilient material are provi~ d on the l~wer and outer edges of the side as~emblies 102.
The outer ~ide posts 106 are also preferably equipped with threadably extendable and retractable abutment member~ 112 that are vertically adjustable and extendable into a frictional abutting engag~ment with the flange p~rtions 114 typically providbd on ~he upper edges of the side walls 16 of mQny pick-up trucks. ffl e akutment m~mbers may optionally be provided with protec*ive pod members 116 oanposed of an elastomer or other resi 1 ient material and frictionally engaging the lo~er surfaoes of the flange pDrtiOnS 114 without ~ubstantially exposing them lto scratc~hing or other damage. ~he in'ceraction of the side assemblies 102 and the :: :
abutmen1: menlber~ 112, being forcibly urged into a frictional abutting enga~e3nent with ~eir respective portions o~ tihe side walls 16, results in ~: --14--.. - ~ : .
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: . .
.:
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~;~83940 1 ~ecure, but removable and releasable, attachment of the gate frame a86embly 9o at ~ny of a number of lQngitudinal lGcation6 within ~he open bed 14. It ~hould also be noted that the provi~ion of the side asBemblies 102 allows the gate mEnber 92 to be of a le6ser width, ~llowing the gate member ~2 to be clo~ed even when the rearward enclo~ure section 28 is positioned such that the gate memker 92 is between the wheel ~ells 17 of the pick-up truck. m us the ~ide æ ~mblies 112 al~o fill t~e l~teral ~p2 oe between the side walls 16 and the gate member ~2 when the gate frame assembly 90 is positioned at longitudinal locations o~her than between the wheel wells 17.
As shown in Figure 15, the door assembly 32, which includes a h~nge assenbly 84 and door operation assist devices 86, in addition to the door member 88, is selectively removable from the rearward end of ~he rearward enclosure fiection 2B (by way of the quick-release faæteners 136 ~hown in Figure 16) and can be stored within the interior of the enclosure aE~paratus 10. Su~h storage of the door ass~bly 32 can be acaxnpli~hed either with ~he gate m~mber 92 secured to the dbor member 88 by way of the fa~stener dbvioe ~ 94 and 95, as ahown in Figure 15, or ~eparately without the gate member attached thereto. Preferably, ~he enclo~ure apEaratus 10 indud0s latch devices 120, ~hich are ~electively operable for receiving and releaæably fiecuring ~he dbor asE~mbly 32 to a forward in~erior pvrtion of ~he enclosure apparatus 10, with or without the gate member 92 being atta~hed to the door m~er 88.
Figure 16 is a view of the rearward interior portion of the rearward enclosure section 28, looking longitudinally outwardly from within ~he open bed 14. An endosure position lccking apFaratus 124 i Ereferably provided at least on the rearward enclosure section 28 for ~electi~ely and :~releasably &ecuring or fixing the pDsition of the enclo~ure ~ection 28 relative to the open bed at any of a number of longitudinal locations :
.' ~ - , - . . . , -. .. . . . . . .
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.. . . . .
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~L~8394() thereon. me exemplary enclosure position lockLng apparatus 124 shown ~n the drawings includes at least one, and preferably ~wo, pin members 126 81idably attached to the enclosure ~ction 28 and adapted for slidable movement generally toward and away from the 8ide walls 16 of the pick-up truck vehicle 12. AS ~hown in Figures 3 and 5, for example, pin receiving apertures 128 are provided at F¢e~elected longitudinal positions along the cover mEmbers 48 (which in turn are isedly attached to the 8idb ~alls 16)-l~e apertures 128 are located at positions oorre~ponding to ea~h of the above-discu~sed preselected longitudinal l~cations and are adapked ~r interlockingly receiving and engaging the correspondin~ pin members 126 when the enclosure ~ection 28 i8 positioned at any of such longitudinal locations. ~in member mounting means 130 are provided and located on correspond mg sides of ~he enclosure section 28 and include spring næmbers or other res;lient blasing means for resiliently biasing the pin members 126 dQwnwardly toward the cover members 48 such that the pin m~bers 126 are biasingly moved into an interlocking engagement with the pin receiving apertures 128 as the enclosure section 28 is moved into any of ~he p~esele ~ d longitudinal locations. A cable 132 is ~lidably at~ached to the enclosure section 28 by ~ay of a numher of guidbs 134 ~uch that both of the pin member~ 126 may be forcibly retracted againRt the force of the resilient bia~ing means and out of interlocking engagement with ~he pin-receiving apertures 128 by applying a pulling force at a single location along the cable 132.
It ~hould al~o be noted that the abutment flangeR 21, 22 and 23, discus~ed above, are prefer~bly u~ed in cooperation with the abo~e-described enclosure position locking apparatus 124, as well as the p~eselected lengths of the elongated openings 56 in the cover m~mbers 4B
~hcwn in Figure 5, in order to p~event undesirable longi~udinal ~hifting or m~Yement of the m~vable intermediate enclosure ~ectians 26 of the enclosure . , .
. - - . . ..
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~L28~940 apparatus 10. Horizontal pin means should be provided to restrain ~he intermediate sections 26 at partially collap~ed or extended enclosure configurations. ~cwever, a similar position lccking apparatus may also be re~uired on the intermediate enclosure ~ections 26 if other ~n~ermedlate preselected longitudinal positions of the enclosure apparatus are de~ired.
Figures 17 and 18 illustrate only two exemplary alternate applications of the F~inciples of the present invention, and many other alternate applications will undoubtedly occur to o~e ~killed in the art as a result of the teachings of the foregoing discussion and the acocmFany mg drawing~. In Figure 17, an alternate enclo~ure apparatus 2iO is illustrated on a trailer (having side walls) for carrying a horse or other animal, with the corresponding elements of the enclosure apparatus 210 bearing element numerals corresponding to those of ~he enclosuse apFaratus 10 described above, but having the numeral ~2~ as a prefix. It fihould be noted, however, that if the enclosure apparatus 210 i~ installed on a flatbed-type trailer or other vehicle having no side walls~ the gate frame assembly 290 would not be able to friction21ly and abuttingly ~n~age any side wall~. In 8uch a case, the gate frame assembly could be removably fastenable and positionable at various longitudinal locations on the trailer ky means of qulck-release fastener devices. m e enclosure appaLatus 210 i5 particularly advantageous in the application ~hcwn in Figure 17 si ~ the horse or other animal may be conYeniently and ~asil~ led onto the trailer while the enclosure apparatus 210 is fully collapsed. The enclosure apparatus 210 may then easily and cDnv~niently be extendeid around the a mmal, thereby allowing the entire loading or unloading operation to be performed by the user without h~ving to enter the trailer himself or herself.
Figure 18 illustrates an alternate e~closure apparatus 310 for a m~Line vehicie~ wherein the corresponding elements have ele~ent numerals -17- i ~, . .
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~ ~ .
." . . ' ' ' ~839~0 ~orreRponding to those of the enclo ure aFparatus 10 discus~ed above, but having the numeral "3~ as a Frefix. One skllled in the art will readily recDgnize that minor m~difications to ~he various element6 of the exemplary enclosure ~pparatus 10 described above may ~e required in order to a &p*
such el~ments to the applications ~hown for purpo6es of illustration in Figures 17 and 18.
m e foregoing discu~sion discloses and describes exemplary embcdiments of the pre~ent mvention. One ~killed in the art will readily reoognize from such dlscussion that various changes, modifications and ~rariations may be rQade therein without departing fran the 8pirit and 5coFe of the invention as defined in 1~he foll~ing daims.
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Claims (22)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus for covering at least part of an open bed of a vehicle, the open bed having longitudinally spaced apart forward and rearward ends, said apparatus comprising:
enclosure means collapsibly and extendibly attachable to the vehicle for substantially enclosing at least part of the open bed, said enclosure means including a rearward enclosure portion thereon, said rearward enclosure portion being longitudinally movable relative to the open bed as said enclosure means is collapsed and extended, said rearward enclosure portion further being selectively and continuously positionable at a number of continuously variable longitudinal locations between the forward and rearward ends of the open bed, said rearward enclosure portion further including an access opening therein for providing access to the interior of said enclosure means at any of said continuously variable longitudinal locations;
track means securable to said vehicle, a number of slider members slidably engageable with said track means for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said rearward enclosure portion being interconnected with at least one of said slide members so that said rearward enclosure portion is slidably and telescopically movable generally along said track means;
enclosure locking means for selectively and releasably securing said movable rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means to the vehicle at any of said continuously variable longitud-inal locations on the open bed;
removable gate means for closing off said enclosure means at any of said continuously variable longitudinal locations when said rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means and said gate means are at the same longitudinal location, said gate means being positionable on the open bed independently of said enclosure means;
and door means pivotally connected to said rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means generally adjacent said access opening thereon and being longitudinally movable therewith, said door means being pivotally movable relative to said rearward enclo-sure portion at any of said continuously variable longitudinal loc-ations between an open door position generally away from said access opening and a closed door position wherein said door means substantially covers said access opening, said door means further including door latching means for selectively and releasably secur-ing said door means to said gate means when said door means and said gate means are positioned at substantially the same longitud-inal location on the open bed of the vehicle,
enclosure means collapsibly and extendibly attachable to the vehicle for substantially enclosing at least part of the open bed, said enclosure means including a rearward enclosure portion thereon, said rearward enclosure portion being longitudinally movable relative to the open bed as said enclosure means is collapsed and extended, said rearward enclosure portion further being selectively and continuously positionable at a number of continuously variable longitudinal locations between the forward and rearward ends of the open bed, said rearward enclosure portion further including an access opening therein for providing access to the interior of said enclosure means at any of said continuously variable longitudinal locations;
track means securable to said vehicle, a number of slider members slidably engageable with said track means for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said rearward enclosure portion being interconnected with at least one of said slide members so that said rearward enclosure portion is slidably and telescopically movable generally along said track means;
enclosure locking means for selectively and releasably securing said movable rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means to the vehicle at any of said continuously variable longitud-inal locations on the open bed;
removable gate means for closing off said enclosure means at any of said continuously variable longitudinal locations when said rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means and said gate means are at the same longitudinal location, said gate means being positionable on the open bed independently of said enclosure means;
and door means pivotally connected to said rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means generally adjacent said access opening thereon and being longitudinally movable therewith, said door means being pivotally movable relative to said rearward enclo-sure portion at any of said continuously variable longitudinal loc-ations between an open door position generally away from said access opening and a closed door position wherein said door means substantially covers said access opening, said door means further including door latching means for selectively and releasably secur-ing said door means to said gate means when said door means and said gate means are positioned at substantially the same longitud-inal location on the open bed of the vehicle,
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the open bed of the vehicle includes a vehicle gate assembly generally at the rear-ward end thereof, said enclosure means further being selectively extendible such that said rearward enclosure portion thereof is located at a longitudinal position substantially adjacent the vehicle gate assembly, and said door latching means including means for sel-ectively and releasably securing said door means to the vehicle gate assembly when said rearward enclosure portion is positioned substantially adjacent the vehicle gate assembly and said door means is pivoted to said closed door position.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said gate means includes a gate frame assembly removably positionable and securable to the vehicle generally at a number of said continuously variable longitudinal locations on the open bed, a gate member removably and pivotally attachable to said gate frame assembly, said gate member being pivotally movable relative to said gate frame assembly between open and closed gate positions when said gate member is attached to said gate frame assembly, and attachment means for removably and selectively attaching said gate member to said door means indepen-dently of said gate frame assembly for pivotal movement with said door means relative to said rearward enclosure portion at any of said longitudinal locations on the open bed.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said gate means includes gate latching means for selectively and releasably securing said gate member in said closed gate position when said gate member is attached to said gate frame assembly and for selectively and releasably securing said gate member to said gate frame assembly when said gate member is attached to said door means and said door means is moved to said closed door position.
5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said door means is removably and pivotally connectable to said rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means, said enclosure means further including storage means therein for receiving and releasably securing and storing said door means within an interior portion of said enclosure means when said door means is removed from said rearward enclosure portion of said enclosure means.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said storage means further includes means for receiving and releasably securing and storing said gate means within said interior portion of said enclosure means.
7. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said gate frame assembly includes pressure biasing means for forcibly and abuttingly engaging the vehicle in order to removably secure said gate frame assembly to the vehicle at any of said longitudinal locations on the open bed.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure locking means includes pin means slidably attached to said enclosure means for slidable movement generally toward and away from said vehicle, and pin receiving means at predetermined longitudinal pos-itions on the vehicle for interlockingly receiving and engaging said pin means when said rearward portion is positioned at any of said predetermined longitudinal locations and said pin means is re-ceived by said pin receiving means.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said enclosure locking means further includes resilient biasing means for resili-ently biasing said pin means generally toward said pin receiving means and into said interlocking engagement with said pin receiving means as said rearward portion is moved into any of said predeter-mined longitudinal locations.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said pin means includes a number of pin members slidably attached to said enclosure means resiliently biased generally toward said pin receiving means, said enclosure locking means further including cable means movably mounted on said enclosure means and connected to each of said pin members for slidably retracting said pin members out of interlocking engagement with said pin receiving means.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means includes a number of enclosure sections telescopically and longitudinally movable relative to one another, each of said enclos-ure sections being interconnected with at least one of said slider members so that said enclosure sections are slidably and telescop-ically movable generally along said track means.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said track means includes a number of longitudinally-extending elongated slots, each of said elongated slots being adapted to slidably receive one of said slider members therein, each of said slider members including a cleaning member protruding therefrom for slidably engaging the interior of the corresponding elongated slot as said slider member and the corresponding enclosure section are longitudinally moved therealong.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means includes a number of enclosure sections serially and telescopically arranged for longitudinal telescoping movement relative to one another, abutment means on each of said enclosure sections for abuttingly engaging and longitudinally moving a serially adjacent enclosure section as said enclosure means is longitudinally collapsed and extended, each of said abutment means including sealing means sealingly engageable with the abutment means on a serially adjacent enclosure section as said abutment means are abuttingly engaged with one another.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of said abutment means comprises a flange member protruding transversely from the corresponding enclosure section so that the flange members on serially adjacent enclosure sections interferingly and abuttingly limit said relative telescoping movement as said enclosure means is being collapsed and extended.
15. A door and gate assembly for a longitudinally collapsible and extendible enclosure apparatus for covering at least part of an open bed of a vehicle, the open bed of the vehicle having laterally spaced apart side walls at least partially circumscribing the open bed and at least a pair of wheel wells therein adjacent the opposite side walls, an end portion of the enclosure apparatus having an opening therein and being longitudinally movable relative to the open bed as the apparatus is longitudinally collapsed and extended, the end portion being selectively positionable at various longitud-inal locations on the open bed, said door and gate assembly com-prising:
a gate frame assembly selectively and removably securable to the vehicle generally at a number of said longitudinal locations other than between the wheel wells in the open bed independently of the position of the end portion of the enclosure apparatus, said gate frame assembly including at least a pair of laterally spaced apart gate frame side members, each of said side members being positionable generally adjacent one of the side walls, and selec-tively operable adjustment means for forcibly urging said side mem-bers away from one another into frictional and abutting engagement with the associated side walls such that said gate frame assembly is thereby removably secured to said vehicle at any of said number of longitudinal positions;
a gate member positionable between the wheel wells and being removably and pivotally attachable to said gate frame assembly be-tween said gate frame side members, said gate member further being pivotally movable relative to said gate frame assembly between open and closed gate positions when said gate member is attached to said gate frame assembly, said gate member being removably and pivotally attachable to said gate frame assembly between said slde members for said pivotal relative movement at any of said number of longitudinal locations on the open bed independently of the position of the end portion of the enclosure apparatus;
a door member pivotally connected to said end portion of the enclosure apparatus generally adjacent the opening therein and being longitudinally movable therewith, said door member being pivotally movable relative to the end portion at any of said various longitud-inal locations between an open door position generally away from the end portion opening and a closed door position substantially covering at least part of the end portion opening, said door member further including door latching means thereon for selectively and releasably securing said door member to said gate member when said door member is closed and said door and gate members are positioned at substan-tially the same longitudinal location on the open bed of the vehicle;
and attachment means for removably and selectively attaching said gate member to said door member independently of said gate frame assembly for pivotal movement with said door member relative to the end portion of the enclosure apparatus at any of said various longi-tudinal locations on the open bed.
a gate frame assembly selectively and removably securable to the vehicle generally at a number of said longitudinal locations other than between the wheel wells in the open bed independently of the position of the end portion of the enclosure apparatus, said gate frame assembly including at least a pair of laterally spaced apart gate frame side members, each of said side members being positionable generally adjacent one of the side walls, and selec-tively operable adjustment means for forcibly urging said side mem-bers away from one another into frictional and abutting engagement with the associated side walls such that said gate frame assembly is thereby removably secured to said vehicle at any of said number of longitudinal positions;
a gate member positionable between the wheel wells and being removably and pivotally attachable to said gate frame assembly be-tween said gate frame side members, said gate member further being pivotally movable relative to said gate frame assembly between open and closed gate positions when said gate member is attached to said gate frame assembly, said gate member being removably and pivotally attachable to said gate frame assembly between said slde members for said pivotal relative movement at any of said number of longitudinal locations on the open bed independently of the position of the end portion of the enclosure apparatus;
a door member pivotally connected to said end portion of the enclosure apparatus generally adjacent the opening therein and being longitudinally movable therewith, said door member being pivotally movable relative to the end portion at any of said various longitud-inal locations between an open door position generally away from the end portion opening and a closed door position substantially covering at least part of the end portion opening, said door member further including door latching means thereon for selectively and releasably securing said door member to said gate member when said door member is closed and said door and gate members are positioned at substan-tially the same longitudinal location on the open bed of the vehicle;
and attachment means for removably and selectively attaching said gate member to said door member independently of said gate frame assembly for pivotal movement with said door member relative to the end portion of the enclosure apparatus at any of said various longi-tudinal locations on the open bed.
16. A door and gate assembly according to claim 15, further in-cluding gate latching means for selectively and releasably securing said gate member in said closed gate position when said gate member is attached to said gate frame assembly and for selectively and releasably securing said gate member to said gate frame assembly when said gate member is attached to said door member and said door member is moved to said closed door position.
17. A door and gate assembly according to claim 15, wherein said gate frame assembly includes pressure biasing means for forc-ibly and abuttingly engaging the inside of the side walls of the vehicle in order to removably secure said gate frame assembly to the vehicle at any of said number of longitudinal locations on the open bed.
18. A door and gate assembly according to claim 15, wherein said gate frame assembly includes laterally spaced apart side assemblies, and said adjustment means includes an elongated rot-atable rod member, said rod member threadably engaging one of said side assemblies and abuttingly engaging the other of said side assemblies on the opposite side of the open bed such that rotation of said rod member in one direction forcibly urges said side assemblies away from one another and rotation of said rod member in an opposite direction allows said side assemblies to be moved toward one another.
19. A door and gate assembly according to claim 18, wherein the side walls include upper flanged portions thereon, said side assemblies each having an adjustably extendible abutment member thereon, said abutment member being selectively extendible into a forcible engagement with the upper flanged portion of the associated side walls.
20. A door and gate assembly according to claim 15, wherein said gate frame side members each include a panel member, said panel members being positioned to receive said removably and pivotally attached gate member therebetween and having lip portions located thereon in order to be engageable by said gate member when said gate member is pivotally attached to said gate frame assembly and moved to said closed gate position, said lip portions on said panel members also being engageable by said gate member when said gate member is attached to said door member and said door member is pivotally moved to said closed door position in at least some of said longitudinal locations.
21. A door and gate assembly according to claim 15, wherein said door member is removably and pivotally connectable to the end portion of the enclosure apparatus, the enclosure apparatus including storage means therein for receiving and releasably securing and storing said door means on an interior portion of the enclosure apparatus when said door means is removed from the end portion of the enclosure apparatus.
22. A door and gate assembly according to claim 15, wherein the open bed of the vehicle includes a vehicle gate assembly generally at a rearward end thereof, the enclosure apparatus being selectively extendable such that the end portion thereof is longitudinally located substantially adjacent the vehicle gate assembly, said door latching means including means for selectively and releasably secur-ing said door member to said vehicle gate assembly when the end por-tion is longitudinally located substantially adjacent the vehicle gate assembly and said door member is pivoted to said closed door position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000505945A CA1283940C (en) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-04-07 | Collapsible enclosure apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000505945A CA1283940C (en) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-04-07 | Collapsible enclosure apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1283940C true CA1283940C (en) | 1991-05-07 |
Family
ID=4132814
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000505945A Expired - Lifetime CA1283940C (en) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-04-07 | Collapsible enclosure apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1283940C (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-04-07 CA CA000505945A patent/CA1283940C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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