WO2007130062A1 - Système de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale - Google Patents

Système de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007130062A1
WO2007130062A1 PCT/US2006/017934 US2006017934W WO2007130062A1 WO 2007130062 A1 WO2007130062 A1 WO 2007130062A1 US 2006017934 W US2006017934 W US 2006017934W WO 2007130062 A1 WO2007130062 A1 WO 2007130062A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cover
lift
unitary
horizontal bed
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/017934
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joseph M. Altman
Original Assignee
Altman Joseph M
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Altman Joseph M filed Critical Altman Joseph M
Priority to PCT/US2006/017934 priority Critical patent/WO2007130062A1/fr
Publication of WO2007130062A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007130062A1/fr

Links

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
    • B60J7/16—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 non-foldable and rigid, e.g. a one-piece hard-top or a single rigid roof panel
    • B60J7/1607—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 non-foldable and rigid, e.g. a one-piece hard-top or a single rigid roof panel for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds
    • B60J7/1621—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 non-foldable and rigid, e.g. a one-piece hard-top or a single rigid roof panel for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds hinged on one side
    • 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
    • B60J7/16—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 non-foldable and rigid, e.g. a one-piece hard-top or a single rigid roof panel
    • B60J7/1607—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 non-foldable and rigid, e.g. a one-piece hard-top or a single rigid roof panel for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds
    • B60J7/1614—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 non-foldable and rigid, e.g. a one-piece hard-top or a single rigid roof panel for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds with a vertical lifting movement maintaining the inclination of the roof or panel

Definitions

  • a horizontal bed cover lift system for a vehicle of the present invention is a combination of a hard tonneau cover and a unitary lift.
  • the unitary lift has a lift member that connects to an upper member and the upper member is connected to the cover.
  • the lift member may retractably position the cover upwardly and the lift member may swivel the cover about the unitary lift.
  • the unitary lift is also connected to a lower member that may be connected to the cargo area of a vehicle.
  • the lower member may be connected to the floor of pick-up bed.
  • the present invention may also include a controller in addition to the cover and the unitary lift.
  • the controller is for controlling the unitary lift, whereby the controller may positionably control the unitary lift retractably raising the cover to an indicated height.
  • controller may positionably control the lift member to swivel about the unitary lift when the cover is above a clearance height. The swivel provides an additional attribute of the inventive lift system that increases the access and ease by which cargo may be loaded into the bed of a pickup.
  • the present invention may include additional unitary lifts for retractably raising the cover.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a rear elevation view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
  • a common truck bed cover 90 includes, but is not limited to, a fiberglass panel that overlies the truck bed 91.
  • the cover is hingably coupled to a distal end 92 of the truck bed 91 adjacent the truck cab 93.
  • the actuators or hydraulic shocks 94, 95, support the bed cover 90 in its rotated position.
  • Each end of an actuator arm 96, 97 is pivotally coupled to the side walls 98, 99 of the truck bed 91.
  • the actuator arms are sometime power assisted to facilitate opening about the hinge coupling.
  • the known prior art has limitations, as mentioned above, which the present invention inventively improves upon.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle 11 having a horizontal bed cover lift system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the vehicle 11 will have a vehicle bed 12 that is defined by a bed floor 13, upstanding opposite body side walls 14, 15, a tailgate 16, and a front wall 17 adjacent the driver's cab 18.
  • the hard tonneau cover or cover 20 comprises a one- piece molded fiberglass reinforced plastic panel that is sized to overlie the top rim 19 of the side walls 14, 15, front wall 17, and tailgate 16 so as to cover the vehicle bed 12 when the cover 20 is in the lowered closed position (shown in a lifted position).
  • the cover 20 can be made of other materials such as, but not limited to, sheet metal, plastic, or wood.
  • the cover 20 of the horizontal bed cover lift system 10 is a hard tonneau cover.
  • This type of cover is commercially available customized to fit a particular vehicle, is made typically from reinforced fiberglass, and is considered to be rigid.
  • the cover 20 may optionally be made from a non-rigid material supported by a skeletal frame.
  • the cover 20 may optionally have reinforced support members in the vicinity of where the upper member 23 is connected to the cover 20 in order to facilitate the structure' s strength.
  • the attachment method in which the upper member 23 is connected to the cover 20, the lift member 22 is connected to the upper member 23, and the lower member 34 is connected to the unitary lift 21 is governed by the combination of materials used for each item as would be recognized by a person of skill in the art according to any one of the many ways known in the art, such as, without limiting the scope of the present invention, fastening, welding, gluing, screwing, or bolting, among others.
  • the cover 20 is connected to the upper member 23 in a cantilevered position centered about the longitudinal sides of the cover 20 in order to use the present invention to advantage.
  • the upper member 23 may be connected to the cover 20 in any other position or location.
  • the piston assembly 40 is mounted in a manner within the vehicle bed 12 as mentioned above for moving the cover 20 between an open and closed condition 13.
  • a signal is received on wire 44 from a controller (not shown) in communication with a power supply 46 that drives the ram 42 from a closed position to an adjustable position as indicated by arrow 48.
  • the piston assembly is actuated electronically, other methods of actuation may be used such as the hydraulic system of a track.
  • the piston assembly 40 may be of various suitable types, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, or electro-mechanical.
  • an actuation signal is sent to the unitary lift 21 by operator actuation of either a remote control or a switch located in the cab of the vehicle.
  • the unitary lift 21 will extend the cover 20, by forcing the lift member 22 retractably upward.
  • the lift member 22 may be raised to any height within its length.
  • the vehicle bed 12 may be easily accessed to either place equipment or valuables within the bed or remove the equipment or valuables therefrom.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 10 may be reactuated to lower the cover 20 upon the top rim 19 of the vehicle bed 12, upon the equipment in the vehicle bed, or leave it up while the vehicle 11 travels.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 10 may include one or more adjustable support member 30.
  • two adjustable support members 30 are shown adjustably attached to the cover 20 at two locations 31, 32.
  • the adjustable support member 30 is pivotally joined to the cover 30 enabling positioning onto the top rim 19 or bed floor 13 of the vehicle bed 12.
  • the adjustable support member 30 when adjusted and positioned provides additional support for the cover 20 while the vehicle is in motion.
  • the adjustable support member 30 may be constructed from two or more pieces (not shown) enabling the member 30 to be adjusted to any height the cover 20 is lifted.
  • the adjustable support member 30 may be positioned at various locations and may be constructed from telescopic parts or jointed parts in order to enhance stability while the vehicle 11 is in motion.
  • FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a vehicle 11 having a horizontal bed cover lift system 50 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 50 includes a unitary lift 51 having a lift member 52.
  • the unitary lift 51 of this embodiment is a mechanical structure that is manually manipulated in order to raise the cover and may be secured at a height by inserting pin 53 through the unitary lift into one of the holes 54 located upon the lift member 52.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 50 may include a curtain coupled to one of the outer edges of the cover 55 and remavably attached to one of-ihe sidewall 14 of the vehicle 14.
  • each outer edge of the cover 55 may have a curtain fixedly attached that is removably attachable to a corresponding sidewall, i.e., side walls 14, 15, tailgate 16 or front wall 17, of the vehicle bed 12.
  • the curtain 56 is retractably expandable as the cover 55 is positioned above the vehicle bed 12.
  • the curtain 56 partially encloses the vehicle bed 12 protecting cargo from the weather when the cover 55 is in a lifted position.
  • the curtain 56 may be attached to any other curtain in order to more adequately protect the cargo.
  • FIG 3 is a partial side elevation view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system 60 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 60 in this embodiment has an electro-mechanical unitary lift 61.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 60 of this embodiment also depicts optional curtain (as shown in Figure 2) and optional adjustable support member (as shown in Figure 1).
  • FIG 4 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system 64 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the adjustable support member 65 is shown having an end 66 that is slideably positioned in a track 67 to support the cover 68 in a raised position.
  • the track 67 may be positioned upon the top rail 19, a sidewall, or on the bed floor 13 of the vehicle 11.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system 70 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the upper member 71 is enlarged to support and increase the rigidity of the cover 72 in order to decrease the effect of turbulence caused by air while the vehicle 11 is in motion.
  • the upper member 71 may be made or fashioned in numerous shapes, such as the upper member shown in Figure 6.
  • the lower member 73 may have a customized shape in order to better support the unitary lift on the vehicle bed.
  • FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system 76 in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the horizontal bed cover lift system 76 includes four unitary lifts 77, 78, 79, 80 positioned in various locations in the vehicle bed 12.
  • a person of skill in the art will recognize that any number of unitary lifts may be used in order to raise the cover 81, but in consideration of expense one or two may be preferential and achieve the same result.
  • FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle having a horizontal bed cover lift system 82 in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
  • the unitary lift 83 has a telescopic ram 84 enabling the cover 85 to reach a height greater than the height of the driver cab 18.
  • a telescopic ram may have any number of telescopic sections and may be actuated as mentioned above.
  • the cover 85 may be rotated or swiveled about the unitary lift 83 allowing greater access to the cargo area for loading and unloading.
  • a controller (not shown) may be used for controlling the unitary lift 83, whereby the controller may positionably control the unitary lift 83 retractably raising the cover 85 to an indicated height and the controller may positionably control the lift member 84 to swivel about the unitary lift 83 when the cover 85 is above a clearance height-r
  • the present invention may be used to advantage by using a single unitary lift, which will enable the cover to be positioned at a height above the vehicle bed when the lift is correctly mounted to the cover and bed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système (10) de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale pour un véhicule (11), comportant une bâche rigide (20), un soulévateur unitaire (21, 22) et en option un appareil de commande. Le soulévateur unitaire (21, 22) comporte un élément de levage (21) qui est relié à un élément supérieur (23) et l'élément supérieur (23) est relié à la bâche (20). L'élément de levage (21) peut en s'escamotant placer la bâche (20) vers le haut et l'élément de levage (21) peut faire pivoter la bâche (20) autour du soulévateur unitaire (21, 22). Le soulévateur unitaire (21, 22) est aussi relié à un élément inférieur (14) qui peut être relié à la zone de cargaison du véhicule (11). Dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'élément inférieur (14) est relié au plancher d'un plateau de pick-up. Également, l'appareil de commande en option sert à commander le soulévateur unitaire (21, 22), moyennant quoi l'appareil de commande peut commander en position le soulévateur unitaire (21, 22) qui soulève en s'escamotant la bâche (20) à une hauteur indiquée et peut commander en position l'élément de levage (21) pour pivoter autour du soulévateur unitaire (21, 22) quand la bâche est au dessus d'une hauteur de dégagement.
PCT/US2006/017934 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Système de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale WO2007130062A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/017934 WO2007130062A1 (fr) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Système de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/017934 WO2007130062A1 (fr) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Système de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007130062A1 true WO2007130062A1 (fr) 2007-11-15

Family

ID=38668054

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/017934 WO2007130062A1 (fr) 2006-05-10 2006-05-10 Système de levage d'une couverture de benne horizontale

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2007130062A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8474896B2 (en) 2011-04-19 2013-07-02 Murray Ostberg Vehcile topper that encloses the cargo bed of a vehicle such as a pickup truck, yet provides convenient open access thereto
US9409750B2 (en) 2014-02-10 2016-08-09 Lange Originals, LLC Removable vehicle top lift system
US9932209B2 (en) 2015-06-05 2018-04-03 Lange Originals, LLC Vehicle top lift and storage system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4603901A (en) * 1984-12-18 1986-08-05 Mcintosh Kenneth B Liftable top for pickup trucks
US5031949A (en) * 1989-08-18 1991-07-16 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for opening and closing roof of open roof car

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4603901A (en) * 1984-12-18 1986-08-05 Mcintosh Kenneth B Liftable top for pickup trucks
US5031949A (en) * 1989-08-18 1991-07-16 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for opening and closing roof of open roof car

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8474896B2 (en) 2011-04-19 2013-07-02 Murray Ostberg Vehcile topper that encloses the cargo bed of a vehicle such as a pickup truck, yet provides convenient open access thereto
US9409750B2 (en) 2014-02-10 2016-08-09 Lange Originals, LLC Removable vehicle top lift system
US10179720B2 (en) 2014-02-10 2019-01-15 Lange Originals, LLC Removable vehicle top lift system hook
US9932209B2 (en) 2015-06-05 2018-04-03 Lange Originals, LLC Vehicle top lift and storage system
US10099906B2 (en) 2015-06-05 2018-10-16 Lange Originals, LLC Vehicle top lift and storage system

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