This invention relates to providing improved truck cover systems. More particularly, this invention relates to providing improved truck cover systems which are convenient to operate, and which rise perpendicularly from the bed of a truck.
Typically, persons needing to store items in their truck bed install a cover in order to protect those items. Such covers are difficult to operate and are labor intensive to open. In addition, substantial effort must typically be made to install these covers.
Therefore, a need exists for a truck cover system that is not labor intensive to open. Further, a need exists for a truck cover system which is easy to operate and install.
A primary object and feature of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and meet the above-listed needs. A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide truck cover systems.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that is attached to the walls lining the bed of a truck. It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that rises substantially perpendicular to the bed of a truck.
It is yet another object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system having a screw-type connection between the cover and the truck. It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system having motorized movement of the cover. In addition, it is an object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that has storage compartments.
It is yet another object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system having parts for enclosing the cover and a portion of the truck, when the cover is open. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system having a storage compartment for the demountable enclosure parts. In addition, it is an object and feature of the present invention to have a storage compartment for a wheel.
It is yet another object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system having a second cover attached to the primary cover. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system having a second cover arranged for movement to the roof of the truck. In addition, it is an object and feature of the present invention to have light projectors on these covers.
A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide such a system that is efficient, inexpensive, and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to covering at least one cargo bed of at least one truck having at least one cab, such system comprising: at least one bed cover, having at least one inner surface and at least one outer surface, such at least one bed cover structured and arranged to substantially cover the at least one cargo bed; and at least one first connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one bed cover to the at least one cargo bed; wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one motorizer structured and arranged to motorize movement of such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one motorizer is located substantially adjacent such at least one inner surface; wherein such at least one first connector comprises at least one screw shaft; and wherein such at least one motorizer is structured and arranged to move such at least one bed cover substantially along the axis of such at least one screw shaft. Moreover, it provides such a system wherein: the axis of such at least one screw shaft comprises a substantially vertical orientation; and such at least one bed cover is structured and arranged to translate substantially vertically between at least one bed-covering position located substantially adjacent the at least one cargo bed and at least one raised position located above the at least one cargo bed.
Additionally, it provides such a system further comprising at least one demountable enclosure structured and arranged to demountably enclose at least one open area formed substantially between the at least one cargo bed and such at least one bed cover, when such at least one bed cover is moved to such at least one raised position. Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one enclosure storage structured and arranged to store such at least one demountable enclosure when demounted from the at least one cargo bed. In addition, it provides such a system further comprising: at least one in-bed storage unit structured and arranged to assist in-bed storage of at least one item substantially within the at least one cargo bed; wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one storage access portion structured and arranged to provide access to such at least one in-bed storage unit when such at least one bed cover is in such at least one bed-covering position.
And, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises: at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to provide partial access to the at least one cargo bed when such at least one bed cover is in such at least one bed-covering position; and at least one second connector structured and arranged to substantially connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one second connector comprises at least one relocator structured and arranged to relocate such at least one repositionable cover portion from at least one stowed position substantially within such at least one bed cover to at least one deployed position substantially adjacent the at least one cab; and wherein, when such at least one repositionable cover portion is in such at least one deployed position, access to the at least one cargo bed is provided. Further, it provides such a system wherein such relocation of such at least one repositionable cover portion by such at least one relocator is assisted by such at least one motorizer.
Even further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one second connector comprises: at least one detacher structured and arranged to enable detachment of such at least one second connector from such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one connector storage structured and arranged to store such at least one second connector; wherein such at least one second connector is storable within such at least one connector storage after such detachment. Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one illuminator structured and arranged to provide illumination adjacent the at least one truck. Additionally, it provides such a system wherein such at least one illuminator comprises: at least one third connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one illuminator to such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one third connector comprises at least one pivot structured and arranged to assist pivotal movement of such at least one illuminator relative to such at least one bed cover.
Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one wheel storage area structured and arranged to store at least one road wheel of the at least one truck. In addition, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one first connector comprises at least one threaded collar structured and arranged to collar such at least one screw shaft; and such at least one threaded collar is fixedly coupled to the at least one cargo bed; such at least one motorizer is structured and arranged to rotate at least one screw shaft; such at least one threaded collar is maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the at least one cargo bed during such rotation; and such rotation of such at least one screw shaft results in a substantially vertical translational movement of such at least one screw shaft through such at least one threaded collar. And, it provides such a system wherein such at least one first connector further comprises: at least four of such at least one screw shafts operationally engaging a matching number of such at least one threaded collars; wherein such at least one motorizer comprises at least one drive train structured and arranged to contemporaneously rotate each one of such at least one screw shafts.
Further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one drive train comprises: at least one electrically driven motor structured and arranged to provide at least one rotational force; coupled to such at least one electrically driven motor, as least one rotational shaft structured and transfer such at least one rotational force away from such at least one electrically driven motor; and at least one worm gear structured and arranged to adjust torque levels within such at least one drive train. Even further, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one bed cover comprises at least four peripheral corners; and each one of such at least four peripheral corners comprises one such at least one screw shaft. Moreover, it provides such a system further comprising at least one controller structured and arranged to control motorized operation of such at least one motorizer. Additionally, it provides such a system further comprising at least one selectable power director structured and arranged to selectably direct such at least one rotational force between such at least one first connector and such at least one second connector. Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one relocator comprises: at least one roller structured and arranged to assist rolling movement of such at least one repositionable cover portion from such at least one stowed position to such at least one deployed position; at least one guide track structured and arranged to guide such at least one roller during such rolling movement.
In addition, it provides such a system wherein such at least one relocator comprises: at least one roller structured and arranged to assist rolling movement of such at least one repositionable cover portion from such at least one stowed position to such at least one deployed position; at least one guide track structured and arranged to guide such at least one roller during such rolling movement; and at least one positional lock structured and arranged to positionally lock such at least one repositionable cover portion in such at least one deployed position; wherein such at least one guide track comprises at least one cover-mounted portion structured and arranged to assist such rolling movement over such at least one bed cover, and at least one cab-mounted portion structured and arranged to assist such rolling movement over the at least one cab.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to covering at least one cargo bed of at least one truck having at least one cab, such system comprising: at least one bed cover structured and arranged to cover the at least one cargo bed; and at least one first connector structured and arranged to movably connect such at least one bed cover to the at least one cargo bed; wherein such at least one first connector comprises at least one screw shaft; and wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one hand crank structured and arranged to assist in the performance of at least one hand-cranked rotation of such at least one screw shaft; wherein the axis of such at least one screw shaft comprises a substantially vertical orientation; wherein such hand-cranked rotation of such at least one screw shaft moves such at least one bed cover substantially along the axis of such at least one screw shaft between at least one bed-covering position located substantially adjacent the at least one cargo bed and at least one raised position located above the at least one cargo bed.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one cab and at least one cargo bed, such system comprising: at least one cargo-bed cover structured and arranged to substantially cover such at least one cargo bed; at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to provide partial access to the at least one cargo bed when covered by such at least one cargo bed cover; and at least one connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one connector comprises at least one relocator structured and arranged to relocate such at least one repositionable cover portion from at least one stowed position substantially within such at least one bed cover to at least one deployed position substantially adjacent the at least one cab; and wherein, when such at least one repositionable cover portion is in such at least one deployed position, partial access to the at least one cargo bed is provided.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one cargo-bed cover having at least one motorizer, comprising the steps of: packaging the at least one cargo-bed cover; and selling the at least one cargo-bed cover; wherein the at least one cargo-bed cover comprises the at least one motorizer.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a method related to covering at least one cargo bed of at least one truck, such method comprising the steps of: mounting at least one screw shaft receiver in the at least one cargo bed; and mounting at least one screw shaft in the at least one screw shaft receiver; coupling at least one motor-driven rotator to such at least one screw shaft; mounting at least one cargo-bed cover to such at least one screw shaft; wherein rotation of the at least one screw shaft by the at least one motor-driven rotator provides movement of the at least one bed cover substantially along the at least one screw shaft.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one roof, comprising: bed cover means for covering the at least one truck, having at least one inner surface and at least one outer surface; and first connector means for connecting such bed cover means to the at least one truck; wherein such bed cover means comprises motorizer means for motorized movement of such bed cover means; wherein such motorizer means is located substantially between such at least one inner surface and such at least one outer surface; wherein such first connector means comprises at least one screw; and wherein such motorizer means is structured and arranged to move such bed cover means substantially along the axis of such at least one screw. Moreover, it provides such a system further comprising demountable enclosure means for enclosing such bed cover means and at least one cargo bed of the at least one truck.
Additionally, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises bed storage means for storing at least one item. Also, it provides such a system further comprising: demountable enclosure means for enclosing such bed cover means and at least one cargo bed of the at least one truck; wherein such bed cover means comprises second storage means for storing such demountable enclosure means. In addition, it provides such a system wherein such motorizer means comprises at least one worm gear. And, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises: second cover means for covering at least one second portion of the at least one truck; and second connector means for connecting such second cover means to such bed cover means; wherein such second cover means is structured and arranged to move substantially onto the at least one roof. Further, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises: second cover means for covering at least one second portion of the at least one truck; second connector means for connecting such second cover means to such bed cover means; and attacher means for attaching such second cover means to the at least one roof.
Even further, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises: second cover means for covering at least one second portion of the at least one truck; second connector means for connecting such second cover means to such bed cover means; and wherein such motorizer means is structured and arranged to move such second cover means substantially onto the at least one roof. Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises: second cover means for covering at least one second portion of the at least one truck; second connector means for connecting such second cover means to such bed cover means; and third storage means for storing such second connector means; wherein such second connector means detaches and stores inside such third storage means. Additionally, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises projection means for projecting at least one light from the at least one truck. Also, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises: projection means for projecting at least one light from the at least one truck; wherein such projection means comprises third connector means for connecting such projection means to such bed cover means; and wherein such third connector means comprises at least one hinge. In addition, it provides such a system wherein such bed cover means comprises fourth storage means for storing at least one wheel. And, it provides such a system wherein: such first connector means comprises collar means for collaring such at least one screw; and such collar means remains stationarily connected to the at least one truck when such at least one screw is screwed. Further, it provides such a system further comprising controller means for controlling motorized movement of such motorizer means.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one roof, comprising: bed cover means for covering the at least one truck; and first connector means for connecting such bed cover means to the at least one truck; wherein such bed cover means comprises crank means for cranked movement of such bed cover means; wherein such first connector means comprises at least one screw; and wherein such crank means moves such bed cover means substantially along the axis of such at least one screw.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one roof, bed cover means, and first connector means, comprising: second cover means for covering the at least one truck; and second connector means for connecting such second cover means to the bed cover means; wherein such second cover means is structured and arranged to move substantially onto the at least one roof.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one roof, comprising: at least one bed cover structured and arranged to cover the at least one truck, having at least one inner surface and at least one outer surface; and at least one first connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one bed cover to the at least one truck; wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one motorizer structured and arranged to motorize movement of such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one motorizer is located substantially between such at least one inner surface and such at least one outer surface; wherein such at least one first connector comprises at least one screw; and wherein such at least one motorizer is substantially structured and arranged to move such at least one bed cover substantially along the axis of such at least one screw. Even further, it provides such a system further comprising at least one demountable enclosure structured and arranged to enclose such at least one bed cover and at least one cargo bed of the at least one truck.
Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one bed storage unit structured and arranged to store at least one item. Additionally, it provides such a system further comprising: at least one demountable enclosure structured and arranged to enclose such at least one bed cover and at least one cargo bed of the at least one truck; wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one second storage structured and arranged to store such at least one demountable closure. Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one motorizer comprises at least one worm gear. In addition, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises: at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to cover at least one second portion of the at least one truck; and at least one second connector structured and arranged to substantially connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one repositionable cover portion is substantially structured and arranged to move substantially onto the at least one roof. And, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises: at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to cover at least one second portion of the at least one truck; at least one second connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to such at least one bed cover; and at least one attacher structured and arranged to attach such at least one repositionable cover portion to the at least one roof.
Further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises: at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to cover at least one second portion of the at least one truck; at least one second connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to such at least one bed cover; and wherein such at least one motorizer is substantially structured and arranged to move such at least one repositionable cover portion substantially onto the at least one roof. Even further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises: at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to cover at least one second portion of the at least one truck; at least one second connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to such at least one bed cover; and at least one third storage structured and arranged to store such at least one second connector; wherein such at least one second connector substantially detaches and stores inside such at least one third storage. Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one projector structured and arranged to project at least one light from the at least one truck.
Additionally, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises: At least one projector structured and arranged to project at least one light from the at least one truck; wherein such at least one projector comprises at least one third connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one projector to such at least one bed cover; and wherein such at least one third connector comprises at least one hinge. Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one fourth storage structured and arranged to store at least one wheel. In addition, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one first connector comprises at least one collar structured and arranged to collar such at least one screw; and such at least one collar remains stationarily connected to the at least one truck when such at least one screw is screwed. And, it provides such a system further comprising at least one controller structured and arranged to control motorized movement of such at least one motorizer.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one roof, comprising: at least one bed cover structured and arranged to cover the at least one truck; and at least one first connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one bed cover to the at least one truck; wherein such at least one bed cover comprises at least one crank structured and arranged to crank movement of such at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one first connector comprises at least one screw; and wherein such at least one crank substantially moves such at least one bed cover substantially along the axis of such at least one screw.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one roof, at least one bed cover, and at least one first connector, comprising: at least one repositionable cover portion structured and arranged to cover the at least one truck; and at least one second connector structured and arranged to connect such at least one repositionable cover portion to the at least one bed cover; wherein such at least one repositionable cover portion is substantially structured and arranged to move substantially onto the at least one roof.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck having at least one bed cover having at least one motorizer, comprising the steps of: packaging the at least one bed cover; and selling the at least one bed cover; wherein the at least one bed cover comprises the at least one motorizer.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a system, related to at least one truck, at least one bed cover, at least one screw having at least one axis, and at least one screw hole, comprising the steps of: installing the at least one screw hole in the at least one truck; and installing the at least one screw in the at least one screw hole; wherein the at least one screw provides movement of the at least one bed cover substantially along the at least one axis of the at least one screw.
First connector 210 preferably comprises screw shaft 220, preferable four screw shafts 220, preferably located at each corner of cargo bed 112 so as to provide stable lifting and lowering of bed cover 200, as shown. Motorizer 250 is preferably adapted to move bed cover 200 substantially along the vertical axis 229 of screw shafts 220, as best shown in
Preferably, drive train 260 at least comprises electrically-driven motor 252, transmission 256, rotational shafts 245, gear boxes 251, and worm gear assemblies 222, as shown. Preferably, a single electrically-driven motor 252 produces the rotational force used to drive the preferred operations of bed cover 200. The rotational force generated by electrically-driven motor 252 preferably passes through transmission 256 before being distributed along an arrangement of rotational shafts 245 and gear boxes 251, as shown. Preferably, transmission 256 is structured and arranged to selectively transfer the rotational force of electrically-driven motor 252 between lifting/lowering of bed cover 200 and powered deployment of repositionable cover portion 290. Preferably, transmission 256 (at least embodying herein at least one selectable power director structured and arranged to selectably direct such at least one rotational force between such at least one first connector and such at least one second connector) comprises a two-way frictional clutch 255 movable along drive shaft 247 between a first position in contact with transfer-belt assembly 257, as best shown in
Drive train 260 preferably comprises worm gear 222, preferably at least four worm gears 222, preferably located directly above first connectors 210 so as to provide raising and lowering of bed cover 200, as shown. Worm gears 222 are preferred for their ability to control both operational speed and torque levels within drive train 260. A highly preferred advantage of the above-described design is the coordination of rotational speeds between individual screw shafts. More specifically, bed cover 200 preferably comprises four peripheral corners 281, each one preferably comprising a screw shaft 220, as shown. By operating each screw shaft 220 from a common drive train 260, each of the screw shafts are contemporaneously rotated in a highly coordinated manner, thus, a high degree of operational coordination is achieved during lifting and lowering of the cover. Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will now understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as intended use, cost, etc., other rotator arrangements, such as providing a dedicated high torque motor at each screw shaft with electronic-based coordination, utilizing independent drive trains for cover lifting and sub panel deployment, etc., may suffice. Furthermore, upon reading the teachings of this specification, those with ordinary skill in the art will now understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as advances in technology, mechanics, cost, space, user preference, etc., other transmissions, such as transmissions without worm gears, electric, magnetic, pulley, non-gear transmissions, non-belt transmissions, etc., may suffice.
Motorizer 250 preferably comprises user-operable switch 263, so as to provide switching between lifting and lowering of bed cover 200, and deployment of repositionable cover portion 290. User-operable switch 263 (at least embodying herein at least one controller structured and arranged to control motorized operation of such at least one motorizer) preferably comprises a remote control and/or a controller switch located inside the cab 113 of truck 110 (see
First connector 210 preferably comprises a positionally-fixed collar 224, so as to provide anchored linear movement of screw shafts 220 along vertical axis 229 when motorizer 250 is actuated, preferably installed in the walls of bed 112, preferably threaded consistently with screw shafts 220, as shown. First connector 210 preferably comprises a hollow neck 226, so as to provide a semi-protected space for screw shafts 220 to move vertically, as shown.
Alternate truck cover 300 preferably comprises bed cover portion 302 having a repositionable cover portion 304 located therein, as shown. Alternate truck cover 300 preferably comprises deployment subsystem 303 designed to allow repositionable cover portion 304 to move from stowed position 301, as shown in
The above-described reconfiguration of alternate truck cover 300 preferably begins with the raising of bed cover portion 302 vertically from bed-covering position 310 (located substantially adjacent cargo bed 112) to raised position 312 located above cargo bed 112, as shown in
Preferably, track assembly 305 comprises cover-mounted guide 316 and roof-mounted guide 318, as shown. Preferably, cover-mounted guide 316 and roof-mounted guide 318 are maintained in close physical alignment when bed cover portion 302 is in raised position 312, as shown.
Next, repositionable cover portion 304 is preferably raised from bed cover portion 302 to moveable position 306 and subsequently configured to enable a preferred low-friction movement along track assembly 305. Preferred means for disengagement and lifting of repositionable cover portion 304 from bed cover portion 302 is discussed in
Once repositionable cover portion 304 resides in the preferred deployed position 308, repositionable cover portion 304 is preferably locked in place using locking assembly 326, as shown. Preferably, locking assembly 326 functions to maintain repositionable cover portion 304 in deployed position 308, as shown in
Preferably, deployment subsystem 303 comprises a pair of pivoting lift arms 330 situate adjacent each side of repositionable cover portion 304, as shown. Preferably, each pivoting lift arm 330 comprises a set of engageable slots 332 adapted to engage a complementing set of projecting bars 334 that are preferably coupled to cover portion 304.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes modifications such as diverse shapes, sizes, and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as read in connection with the above specification. Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims.
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/886,074, filed Jan. 22, 2007, entitled “TRUCK COVER SYSTEMS”, the content of which is incorporated herein by this reference and is not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by the mention in this cross-reference section.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60886074 | Jan 2007 | US |