CA2080898A1 - Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed cover - Google Patents
Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed coverInfo
- Publication number
- CA2080898A1 CA2080898A1 CA002080898A CA2080898A CA2080898A1 CA 2080898 A1 CA2080898 A1 CA 2080898A1 CA 002080898 A CA002080898 A CA 002080898A CA 2080898 A CA2080898 A CA 2080898A CA 2080898 A1 CA2080898 A1 CA 2080898A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- panels
- enclosure
- pick
- wall
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007306 turnover Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
- B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
- B60J7/10—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins
- B60J7/106—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins readily detachable hard-tops
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
- B60P3/32—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles
- B60P3/34—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A camper shell (10) for mounting on a pick-up truck (11) comprises a five panel kit for easy assembly and knockdown. The side panels (16) connect to the front (13) and rear panels (14) along vertically extending substantially continuous joints and clamping means (34) mounted in the joints permit easy assembly and disassembly. The top panel (12) can serve also as a cover for the pick-up truck bed.
Description
.. WO 91/16215 2 ~ 9 ~ PCI/US90/0209 PIVE PANE:L SYSTEM FOR PIC~--UP TRUCK
CAMPER SHE~L OR BED C~VF.R
Backqround of the Invention ,. :
This invention pertains generally to enclosures, such as camper shells for mounting on pick-up trucks, and more particularly concerns a five panel kit which is S easy to erect through use of simple hand tools and which is easy to disassemble or knockdown. The panels are configured to nest within one another to take up a minimum amount of space for storageO
The popularity of the ~ick-up truck is very evident on the highways, and its use as a personal vehicle is wide sp ead. The vehicle is adapted to a variety of uses and owners sometimes mount a camper unit in the ~ed of the pick-up truck while other owners mount a simple enclosure or shell ~or covering the bed so that materials may be carried in the enclosure secured and protected from the environment.
A camper unit of the prior art may be dismounted from the pick-up truck bed, but the dismountad unit requires a particular supporting surface so that the truck may be driven under the camper unit for mounting and dismounting. Once dismounted, tha camper unit cannot be easily shifted to another location as a matter of convenience. A camper shell can be dismounted from the ,.
CAMPER SHE~L OR BED C~VF.R
Backqround of the Invention ,. :
This invention pertains generally to enclosures, such as camper shells for mounting on pick-up trucks, and more particularly concerns a five panel kit which is S easy to erect through use of simple hand tools and which is easy to disassemble or knockdown. The panels are configured to nest within one another to take up a minimum amount of space for storageO
The popularity of the ~ick-up truck is very evident on the highways, and its use as a personal vehicle is wide sp ead. The vehicle is adapted to a variety of uses and owners sometimes mount a camper unit in the ~ed of the pick-up truck while other owners mount a simple enclosure or shell ~or covering the bed so that materials may be carried in the enclosure secured and protected from the environment.
A camper unit of the prior art may be dismounted from the pick-up truck bed, but the dismountad unit requires a particular supporting surface so that the truck may be driven under the camper unit for mounting and dismounting. Once dismounted, tha camper unit cannot be easily shifted to another location as a matter of convenience. A camper shell can be dismounted from the ,.
2 ~ 9 ~ PCT/US90/02096 pick-up truck bed with the cooperation of two or three people, or through use of a block and tackle. The camper shell must be deposited in a location for easy retrieval and must be supported so as not to rack out of shape. Many owners of camper units or pick-up truck shells wish the dismountable units were more inconspicuous, could be handled more easily, or were more versatile in service.
Summary of the Invention and Ob~ects:
According to the present invention, there is provided for mounting on the bed of a pick-up truck a five paneled enclosure which may be readily assembled and disassembled. The five panels comprise two side wall panels, a front wall panel, a rear wall panel, and a top panel which can also serve independently as a pick-up bed cover. The side panels are connectible to the front and rear panels along veritcally extending substantially continuous linear joints and clamping means are mounted in the joints including fasteners easily accessible ~rom inside the encIosure so that the connection between panels may be readily established or disassembled with simple tools. The panels nest together in the disassembled condition for convenient storage or shipment.
A general object of the invention is to provide an easy to assemble, five panel knockdown enclosure for mounting on a vehicle such as a pick-up truck.
Another object of the invention is to provide an enclosure of the type described which includes a top or roof panel usable either as a roof for the assemble~
enclosure and when disassembled, may serve as a cover for the bed of a pick-up truck.
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- WO91/16215 ~ CT/~S90/02~96 ,~
Another object of the invention is to provide a five panel kit which when disassembled the individual panels nest together to require a very small arnount of space, and are light in weight so that the panel group can be suspended from the ceiling of a garage or the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a five panel knockdown camper shell with standing headroom which is very light in weight and thereby does not require overload springs or oversized tires for the truck which carries it.
~ .
Another ob~ect of the invention is to provide a five panel system comprising a camper wherein the panels are secured together in joints which withstand the stresses induced from the motions of road travel and maintain a substantially weather proof condition over a long service life.
,~-: ' . ' Other objects and advantages of the ir.vel.tion will appear from the following detailed description taken in -connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs:
... ..
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure of the present invention shown operatively mounted on a pick-up truck; ~ ~
' . -Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the top panel unit component of the present invention mounted as a ;~
cover over the bed of a pick-up truck;
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:
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WO91/1621~ 2 ~ Pcr/usgo/02096 Figure 3 is an enlarged, exploded view showing the association of the five panels included in the present invention;
Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 4-4 ln Figure l;
Figure 5 is a view like Figure 4, taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in Figure l;
Figure 6 is a view like Figures 4 and 5, taken in the lo direction of the arrows 6-6 of Figure 1, Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a connector means used in the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment: :
, Referring to Figure i o~ the drawings, an enclosure 10 is shown in the assembled condition operatively mounted upon a pick-up truck vehicle 11. The enclosure 10 can be assembled from five panels in the relationships as illustrated in the exploded view of Figure 3. The five panels comprise a top or cover panel 12, a front panel unit 13, a rear or back panel unit 14, and two side panel units 16.
.
The particular configuration of the invention illustrated and described herein is only one of several configurations of the five panel enclosure for pick-up trucks or the like. The various enclosures have in common the means for ioinin~ or unitin~ the panel units together and the configuration and size of the panel units for nesting together for storage in the ~, :.
, - ~ ,' .
: .
WO~ 215 ~ PCT/U~90/020~6 ~5-disassembled or knockdowned condition. These features and advantages will be described more Fully below.
The top panel unit 12 may be sized and configured to serve as a cover of the bed of a pick-up truck 11' as viewed in Figure 2, when the sides 16, front 13 and rear 14 panel units have been removed. Thus, the top has a dual purpose serving either as a roof for the complete unit or when knockdown, serves as a pick-up bed cover thereby creating a lock-up area for on-the-job storage and for the secure transportation of tools and materials. The top panel 12 includes an upper perimeter flange structure 17, best shown in Figures 4 and 6, comprising an exterior flange member 17a, and an interior flange Tnember 17b, which serve to provide a secure, weatherproof joint between the top panel and the four other panels when in the assembled condition.
The exterior flange member 17a may be formed integral `
with the wall of the top to serve as an eave to overhang the adjoining portions of the other four pa~als. The interior flange member 17b, includes an downwardly extending leg 17c which may be equipped with a plurality of fastener receiving apertures for effectively connecting the panels together.
The top unit 12 may be formed from moldable plastic materials well known in the field, and to increase the rigidity of the roof, stiffener sections 18 may be integrally formed in the wall skin which extends upwardly and outwardly from the perimeter flange 17.
The front panel unit 13 may include a forwardly protruding aerodynamic body 19 formed integrally with the front wall 21 to overhang or project over the roof of the truck cab for improving the air penetration and air flow over the assembled enclosure lO. The overhang , .
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WO91/16215 2 ~ ~ ~ 3 9 ~ ~T/US90/02096 ~
portion 19 also serves as a storage area and may be provided with windows 22. It is evident that the provision of the aerodynamic frontal portion 19 of the enclosure 10 tends to improve the gas mileaye performance of the associated vehicle 11.
The back or rear panel unit 14 may be s~lbstantially planar in form, and is equipped with a side opening door 23 which serves to provide for access into the assembled enclosure 10.
The two side panel units 16 may be designed and constructed as either identical panel units or as right hand and left hand side panel units. But in either case, the side panel unit comprises a perimeter flange structure 26 which serves to connect the side unit 16 to the front 13 and rear wall panel unit 14, as well as to the top 12 and the entire unit 10 to the metal portions of the pick-up truck 11.
The perimeter flange 26 of the side panel 16, shown best in Figures 3, 4 and 5, consists of a horizontally extending top margin portion 26a having a shoulder which underlies the top flange 17a, and includes a reces.s or offset 27. The top margin includes a flange 26b which extends vertically downwardly to lay parallel to flange 17c. The offset 27 supports a compressible sealing strip 28 of a suitable elastomer material to effect a seal and to promote weather tightness in the top junction between the roof and sides 16. A similar construction is found at the junction between front 13 and rear panel units 14 as shown in Figure 6, wherein the front panel unit terminates at its upper margin in a shoulder 13a with a downwardly Pxtending offset flange 13b, providing a pocket or offset 27 for receipt of the sealing~ strip 28. This construction is found WO91/1621~ 2~ PCT/US90/0~096 also on the rear panel unit 14 at the junction with the top 12 as shown at the right hand side of Figure 6.
Considering further the perimeter flange 26 of the side panel unit 16, the vertically disposed portions as shown in Figures 3 and 5 are configured into a channel or corrugated shape 3l as viewed in cross-section.
The channel 31 has tapering or converging side walls which extend substantially the full height of the side panel unit 16 as shown in Figure 3. The channel formation provides stiffness to the front 13 and rear 14 edge portions of the side panel unit, and furnishes a component of the j~int with the associated front or rear panel unit.
More specifically referring to Figure 5, a channel or corrugated shape 32 extends vertically on the margi~ ~f each of the front and rear panel units. In lateral section the channel 32 is configured complimentary to the tapered side walls of the adjacent channel 31 of the side unit. The channel or corrugation 32 is dimensioned with respect to the adjacent channel 31 in the side member to achieve a wedge fit which is to say that the outer channel unit 32 does not seat completely to the bottom of the channel unit 3l, as is shown clearly in Figure 5.
A clamping ~astener assembly 34 is mounted in the channel 32, and provides a plurality of bolts 36 secured to a backing bar 37. The assembly 34 may be either fixedly mounted, and secured by a sealing plastic material within the channel 32, or mounted therein for disassembly. The clamping bar 34 serves to apply a clamping pressure between the front and side and rear and side panel units when the nuts 35 are . .
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.,:
WO91/1621~ 2 ~ 8 ~ 8 PCT/US90/0209fi ~/, tightened on the bolts 36 to bring the parts into firm engagement when assembling the unit 10.
The vertically extending margins of the front 13 and rear 14 panel units are each equipped with a turn over edge sealing flange 38 which serves to provide edge stiffness, weather sealing, and a good finished off appearance to the panel unit.
The perimeter flange 26 of the side panel unit has been described above with regard to the side and upper perimeter portions and referring now to Figure 3, the lower perimeter portion 39, is adapted to fit against and abutt a complementary surface of the pick-up truck 11 and most usually will lay in a horiæontal plane.
The member 39 is provided with a plurality of apertures 41 to receive fasteners for fixedly connecting the unit 10 to the pick~up truck 11.
So as to provide a large ample volume within the unit 10, each side panel 16 unit protrudes outwardly from the perimeter flange 26, 39 with a vertically disposed side wall 42 connected by a continuous skirt wall 43 to the flange 26, 39. A pair of windows 44 is shown arranged in each of the side walls 42, this being a matter of selection from a group comprising a vertically hinged door, or a smooth continuous unbroken side wall, neither of which are shown herein.
The side wall unit 16 is dimensionally configured so as to nest together and nest with the top 12 with the rear panel 14 juxtaposed thereon, and the front panel 13 also fitting within the panel group or disassembled kit.
, ' .
~WO9l/16215 2 0 ~ 8 PCT/US90/07096 _9_ The enclosùre 10 may be assembled or disassembled within a matter of minutes. To begin t~e assembly, the front panel 13 is first secured to the forward portions of the two side panel units 16 to establish the joint between the two channels 31, 32. The fasteners carried by the clamping member 34 on ~he front and rear panels project into apertures in the channels 31 thereafter receive the nuts 37. The positioning of the fasteners on the inside of the enclosure 10, as may be seen from Figures 3 and 5, is such that easy access is provided for mounting nuts 35 on the bolts to bring the parts securely together.
A second step in the assembly is to bolt the side panel units 16 through the lower perimeter flange member 39, to the side rails on the pick-up truck bed. Then the rear body panel 14 is mounted to the side panel units 16 through the use of the clamping member 34 with fasteners positioned as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.
It is desirable that the tail gate of the pick-up truck be removed before installing the enclosure lU. The top panel unit 12 may then be secured to the front, rear and side panel units. With the sealant 28 in place, the panel units are held together with the nut and bolt fasteners as illustra~ed in Figures 4 and 6.
Each of the five panels of the camper shell 10, can be fabricated from moldable plastic materials and each weighs between 60 and 9O pounds. The presence of the steel clamping members 34 serves to reinforce the joints between the front and rear panels and t~ resist -`~
the twisting and panel working due to road motion forces.
The nclosure 10 may function quite handily as a stand ~ ;
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,:
WV91/1621~ 2 0 ~ 0 8 ~ 3 P~T/US90/02096 .~
--10-- .
alone enclosure serving as a workshop or stora~e shed or as a playhouse for children.
While one preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in detail, various modifications to 5 the enclosure 10 may be made. This invention, however, should not be so limited to the description but only limited by the scope of the followiny claims.
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Summary of the Invention and Ob~ects:
According to the present invention, there is provided for mounting on the bed of a pick-up truck a five paneled enclosure which may be readily assembled and disassembled. The five panels comprise two side wall panels, a front wall panel, a rear wall panel, and a top panel which can also serve independently as a pick-up bed cover. The side panels are connectible to the front and rear panels along veritcally extending substantially continuous linear joints and clamping means are mounted in the joints including fasteners easily accessible ~rom inside the encIosure so that the connection between panels may be readily established or disassembled with simple tools. The panels nest together in the disassembled condition for convenient storage or shipment.
A general object of the invention is to provide an easy to assemble, five panel knockdown enclosure for mounting on a vehicle such as a pick-up truck.
Another object of the invention is to provide an enclosure of the type described which includes a top or roof panel usable either as a roof for the assemble~
enclosure and when disassembled, may serve as a cover for the bed of a pick-up truck.
, .
' .~' ':
- WO91/16215 ~ CT/~S90/02~96 ,~
Another object of the invention is to provide a five panel kit which when disassembled the individual panels nest together to require a very small arnount of space, and are light in weight so that the panel group can be suspended from the ceiling of a garage or the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a five panel knockdown camper shell with standing headroom which is very light in weight and thereby does not require overload springs or oversized tires for the truck which carries it.
~ .
Another ob~ect of the invention is to provide a five panel system comprising a camper wherein the panels are secured together in joints which withstand the stresses induced from the motions of road travel and maintain a substantially weather proof condition over a long service life.
,~-: ' . ' Other objects and advantages of the ir.vel.tion will appear from the following detailed description taken in -connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs:
... ..
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure of the present invention shown operatively mounted on a pick-up truck; ~ ~
' . -Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the top panel unit component of the present invention mounted as a ;~
cover over the bed of a pick-up truck;
;
:
. .: .
' ~
WO91/1621~ 2 ~ Pcr/usgo/02096 Figure 3 is an enlarged, exploded view showing the association of the five panels included in the present invention;
Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 4-4 ln Figure l;
Figure 5 is a view like Figure 4, taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in Figure l;
Figure 6 is a view like Figures 4 and 5, taken in the lo direction of the arrows 6-6 of Figure 1, Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a connector means used in the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment: :
, Referring to Figure i o~ the drawings, an enclosure 10 is shown in the assembled condition operatively mounted upon a pick-up truck vehicle 11. The enclosure 10 can be assembled from five panels in the relationships as illustrated in the exploded view of Figure 3. The five panels comprise a top or cover panel 12, a front panel unit 13, a rear or back panel unit 14, and two side panel units 16.
.
The particular configuration of the invention illustrated and described herein is only one of several configurations of the five panel enclosure for pick-up trucks or the like. The various enclosures have in common the means for ioinin~ or unitin~ the panel units together and the configuration and size of the panel units for nesting together for storage in the ~, :.
, - ~ ,' .
: .
WO~ 215 ~ PCT/U~90/020~6 ~5-disassembled or knockdowned condition. These features and advantages will be described more Fully below.
The top panel unit 12 may be sized and configured to serve as a cover of the bed of a pick-up truck 11' as viewed in Figure 2, when the sides 16, front 13 and rear 14 panel units have been removed. Thus, the top has a dual purpose serving either as a roof for the complete unit or when knockdown, serves as a pick-up bed cover thereby creating a lock-up area for on-the-job storage and for the secure transportation of tools and materials. The top panel 12 includes an upper perimeter flange structure 17, best shown in Figures 4 and 6, comprising an exterior flange member 17a, and an interior flange Tnember 17b, which serve to provide a secure, weatherproof joint between the top panel and the four other panels when in the assembled condition.
The exterior flange member 17a may be formed integral `
with the wall of the top to serve as an eave to overhang the adjoining portions of the other four pa~als. The interior flange member 17b, includes an downwardly extending leg 17c which may be equipped with a plurality of fastener receiving apertures for effectively connecting the panels together.
The top unit 12 may be formed from moldable plastic materials well known in the field, and to increase the rigidity of the roof, stiffener sections 18 may be integrally formed in the wall skin which extends upwardly and outwardly from the perimeter flange 17.
The front panel unit 13 may include a forwardly protruding aerodynamic body 19 formed integrally with the front wall 21 to overhang or project over the roof of the truck cab for improving the air penetration and air flow over the assembled enclosure lO. The overhang , .
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WO91/16215 2 ~ ~ ~ 3 9 ~ ~T/US90/02096 ~
portion 19 also serves as a storage area and may be provided with windows 22. It is evident that the provision of the aerodynamic frontal portion 19 of the enclosure 10 tends to improve the gas mileaye performance of the associated vehicle 11.
The back or rear panel unit 14 may be s~lbstantially planar in form, and is equipped with a side opening door 23 which serves to provide for access into the assembled enclosure 10.
The two side panel units 16 may be designed and constructed as either identical panel units or as right hand and left hand side panel units. But in either case, the side panel unit comprises a perimeter flange structure 26 which serves to connect the side unit 16 to the front 13 and rear wall panel unit 14, as well as to the top 12 and the entire unit 10 to the metal portions of the pick-up truck 11.
The perimeter flange 26 of the side panel 16, shown best in Figures 3, 4 and 5, consists of a horizontally extending top margin portion 26a having a shoulder which underlies the top flange 17a, and includes a reces.s or offset 27. The top margin includes a flange 26b which extends vertically downwardly to lay parallel to flange 17c. The offset 27 supports a compressible sealing strip 28 of a suitable elastomer material to effect a seal and to promote weather tightness in the top junction between the roof and sides 16. A similar construction is found at the junction between front 13 and rear panel units 14 as shown in Figure 6, wherein the front panel unit terminates at its upper margin in a shoulder 13a with a downwardly Pxtending offset flange 13b, providing a pocket or offset 27 for receipt of the sealing~ strip 28. This construction is found WO91/1621~ 2~ PCT/US90/0~096 also on the rear panel unit 14 at the junction with the top 12 as shown at the right hand side of Figure 6.
Considering further the perimeter flange 26 of the side panel unit 16, the vertically disposed portions as shown in Figures 3 and 5 are configured into a channel or corrugated shape 3l as viewed in cross-section.
The channel 31 has tapering or converging side walls which extend substantially the full height of the side panel unit 16 as shown in Figure 3. The channel formation provides stiffness to the front 13 and rear 14 edge portions of the side panel unit, and furnishes a component of the j~int with the associated front or rear panel unit.
More specifically referring to Figure 5, a channel or corrugated shape 32 extends vertically on the margi~ ~f each of the front and rear panel units. In lateral section the channel 32 is configured complimentary to the tapered side walls of the adjacent channel 31 of the side unit. The channel or corrugation 32 is dimensioned with respect to the adjacent channel 31 in the side member to achieve a wedge fit which is to say that the outer channel unit 32 does not seat completely to the bottom of the channel unit 3l, as is shown clearly in Figure 5.
A clamping ~astener assembly 34 is mounted in the channel 32, and provides a plurality of bolts 36 secured to a backing bar 37. The assembly 34 may be either fixedly mounted, and secured by a sealing plastic material within the channel 32, or mounted therein for disassembly. The clamping bar 34 serves to apply a clamping pressure between the front and side and rear and side panel units when the nuts 35 are . .
''''. ''", .::
.,:
WO91/1621~ 2 ~ 8 ~ 8 PCT/US90/0209fi ~/, tightened on the bolts 36 to bring the parts into firm engagement when assembling the unit 10.
The vertically extending margins of the front 13 and rear 14 panel units are each equipped with a turn over edge sealing flange 38 which serves to provide edge stiffness, weather sealing, and a good finished off appearance to the panel unit.
The perimeter flange 26 of the side panel unit has been described above with regard to the side and upper perimeter portions and referring now to Figure 3, the lower perimeter portion 39, is adapted to fit against and abutt a complementary surface of the pick-up truck 11 and most usually will lay in a horiæontal plane.
The member 39 is provided with a plurality of apertures 41 to receive fasteners for fixedly connecting the unit 10 to the pick~up truck 11.
So as to provide a large ample volume within the unit 10, each side panel 16 unit protrudes outwardly from the perimeter flange 26, 39 with a vertically disposed side wall 42 connected by a continuous skirt wall 43 to the flange 26, 39. A pair of windows 44 is shown arranged in each of the side walls 42, this being a matter of selection from a group comprising a vertically hinged door, or a smooth continuous unbroken side wall, neither of which are shown herein.
The side wall unit 16 is dimensionally configured so as to nest together and nest with the top 12 with the rear panel 14 juxtaposed thereon, and the front panel 13 also fitting within the panel group or disassembled kit.
, ' .
~WO9l/16215 2 0 ~ 8 PCT/US90/07096 _9_ The enclosùre 10 may be assembled or disassembled within a matter of minutes. To begin t~e assembly, the front panel 13 is first secured to the forward portions of the two side panel units 16 to establish the joint between the two channels 31, 32. The fasteners carried by the clamping member 34 on ~he front and rear panels project into apertures in the channels 31 thereafter receive the nuts 37. The positioning of the fasteners on the inside of the enclosure 10, as may be seen from Figures 3 and 5, is such that easy access is provided for mounting nuts 35 on the bolts to bring the parts securely together.
A second step in the assembly is to bolt the side panel units 16 through the lower perimeter flange member 39, to the side rails on the pick-up truck bed. Then the rear body panel 14 is mounted to the side panel units 16 through the use of the clamping member 34 with fasteners positioned as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.
It is desirable that the tail gate of the pick-up truck be removed before installing the enclosure lU. The top panel unit 12 may then be secured to the front, rear and side panel units. With the sealant 28 in place, the panel units are held together with the nut and bolt fasteners as illustra~ed in Figures 4 and 6.
Each of the five panels of the camper shell 10, can be fabricated from moldable plastic materials and each weighs between 60 and 9O pounds. The presence of the steel clamping members 34 serves to reinforce the joints between the front and rear panels and t~ resist -`~
the twisting and panel working due to road motion forces.
The nclosure 10 may function quite handily as a stand ~ ;
' ' ": ' . .::
,:
WV91/1621~ 2 0 ~ 0 8 ~ 3 P~T/US90/02096 .~
--10-- .
alone enclosure serving as a workshop or stora~e shed or as a playhouse for children.
While one preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in detail, various modifications to 5 the enclosure 10 may be made. This invention, however, should not be so limited to the description but only limited by the scope of the followiny claims.
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Claims (4)
1. In an enclosure adapted for mounting on the bed of a pick-up truck vehicle and being adapted to be readily assembled and disassembled, the combination comprising a top panel, two side wall panels, a front wall panel and a rear wall panel, the side panels being connectable to the front panel and to the rear panel along vertically extending substantially continuous linear joints, said joints comprising generally complementary engaging portions recessed from the margins of the connecting panels, clamping means disposed in said joints along the recesses and including a plurality of fasteners extending through the joint such that the fastener ends are easily accessible on the inside of the enclosure so that the joints between the panels can be readily secured together or disassembled with simple tools, said panels being configured so as in the disassembled condition the panels nest together for convenient storage or for shipping.
2. The enclosure of Claim 1, wherein the top panel is equipped with a peripheral outwardly extending flange configured to overlie the connection joints between the top panel with the side, front and rear wall panel, said top panel also including an inside flange portion including a web extending generally vertically in the assembled condition of said enclosure, at least one of said other panels being equipped with a generally vertically extending flange arranged along the top margin thereof for engaging with the complementary flange from said top panel wall, clamping means acting between the respective flanges of said one panel wall and said top panel serving to establish a joint therebetween, said clamping means including a plurality of fasteners extending through said flanges, said flanges and fastener means being arranged for easy access within the enclosure so that said top wall may be easily clamped to said front, side, and end wall panels to achieved the assembled condition, as well as being easily disassembled by appropriate action with said fastening means for removal of said clamping means.
3. The enclosure of Claim 1, wherein the top panel is configured and dimensioned to serve as a cover for the box of a pick-up truck when the side, front and end wall panels are disassembled and held in a storage condition.
4. The enclosure of Claim 1, wherein said rear wall panel is equipped with a door permitting entry and egress from the enclosure, and at least one of said side or front panels is equipped with a window.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1990/002096 WO1991016215A1 (en) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-04-20 | Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed cover |
| CA002080898A CA2080898A1 (en) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-04-20 | Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1990/002096 WO1991016215A1 (en) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-04-20 | Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed cover |
| CA002080898A CA2080898A1 (en) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-04-20 | Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed cover |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2080898A1 true CA2080898A1 (en) | 1991-10-21 |
Family
ID=4150570
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002080898A Abandoned CA2080898A1 (en) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-04-20 | Five panel system for pick-up truck camper shell or bed cover |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2080898A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-04-20 CA CA002080898A patent/CA2080898A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |