US3768858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Truck box cover
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-23
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A truck box cover including two pairs of panels, each of which pairs has an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel is hingedly secured to the side wall of the truck box. The inner panel is hingedly secured to the outer panel. The cover can be folded from a position wherein the panels enclose the top of the box, to a position, wherein the panels of each pair are overlaying each other and are positioned outside their respective side wall, parallel to same. A six-panel embodiment is also disclosed. The cover is also provided with a foldable bulkhead.
Inventors
- 👤 A Boismier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/04; B60J7/041; B60J7/08; B60J7/12; B60J7/14; B60J7/141; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
In combination, a truck box defined by a bottom wall of generally rectangular configuration, a pair of generally parallel side walls and end walls extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, said side walls and end walls extending above the bottom wall and terminating in upper edges disposed in a generally horizontally extending plane and a cover assembly for selectively closing said truck box and providing open access thereto, the improvement in combination therewith which comprises said cover assembly including: a plurality of generally planar cover panels of a size and shape sufficient to cover the truck box along the upper edges of the side and end walls thereof when said panels are disposed in a box closing position wherein the panels extend in a horizontal plane generally coincident with the aforesaid horizontal plane of the upper edges of said side and end walls and are disposed in generally side-by-side relation with respect to each other in an arrangement which includes an outer panel adjacent each side wall of the box and an inner panel inwardly of each outer panel, means operatively connected with each outer panel for mounting said outer panel for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent to and generally parallel with the upper edge of the associated side wall from said box closing position through an arc of the order of 270* into a box access position wherein said outer panel is disposed generally vertically downwardly from the pivotal axis thereof in generally parallel relation to the exterior of the associated side wall, means operatively connected between each outer panel and the associated inner panel mounting the inner panel for pivotal movement with respect to the associated outer panel and for movement with the associated outer panel from said box closing position to a box access position wherein said inner panel is disposed in generally vertically coextensive parallel relation with the associated outer panel outwardly thereof, and means for retaining each inner panel in said box access position in relation to the associated outer panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
In combination, a truck box defined by a bottom wall of generally rectangular configuration, a pair of generally parallel side walls and end walls extending between corresponding ends of the side walls, said side walls and end walls extending above the bottom wall and terminating in upper edges disposed in a generally horizontally extending plane and a cover assembly for selectively closing said truck box and providing open access thereto, the improvement in combination therewith which comprises said cover assembly including: a plurality of generally planar cover panels of a size and shape sufficient to cover the truck box along the upper edges of the side and end walls thereof when said panels are disposed in a box closing position wherein the panels extend in a horizontal plane generally coincident with the aforesaid horizontal plane of the upper edges of said side and end walls and are disposed in generally side-by-side relation with respect to each other in an arrangement which includes an outer panel adjacent each side wall of the box and an inner panel inwardly of each outer panel, means operatively connected with each outer panel for mounting said outer panel for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent to and generally parallel with the upper edge of the associated side wall from said box closing position through an arc of the order of 270* into a box access position wherein said outer panel is disposed generally vertically downwardly from the pivotal axis thereof in generally parallel relation to the exterior of the associated side wall, means operatively connected between each outer panel and the associated inner panel mounting the inner panel for pivotal movement with respect to the associated outer panel and for movement with the associated outer panel from said box closing position to a box access position wherein said inner panel is disposed in generally vertically coextensive parallel relation with the associated outer panel outwardly thereof, and means for retaining each inner panel in said box access position in relation to the associated outer panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The cOmbination as defined in claim 1 wherein each outer panel mounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed adjacent the upper edge of the associated side wall and extending horizontally outwardly thereof, a second hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion of the associated outer panel and a pivot pin hingedly interconnecting said first and second hinge elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein each inner panel mounting means comprises a third hinge element fixed to the inner edge portion of the associated outer panel, a fourth hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion of the inner panel and a second pivot pin hingedly interconnecting said third and fourth hinge elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each inner panel mounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed to the inner edge portion of the associated outer panel, a second hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion of the inner panel and a pivot pin hingedly interconnecting said first and second hinge elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, further including locking means for locking said panels in said box closing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes a plate hingedly secured at the upper edge of the front end wall of said box, said plate being adapted to be locked in a substantially horizontal position in overlapping relation with the forward end portions of said panels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein each outer panel mounting means comprises a first hinge element fixed to the outer edge portion of the outer panel, a third panel of a size and shape similar to said outer panel having a second hinge element on one edge portion thereof, a pivot pin hingedly interconnecting said first and second hinge elements and means mounting said third panel on said side wall (1) for vertical movement with respect thereto between an upper vertically extending position and lower vertically extending position wherein said pivot pin is coincident with the aforesaid axis of pivotal movement of the outer panel and (2) for pivotal movement with respect to said side wall from said upper position arcuately inwardly about an axis disposed parallel with the pivotal axis of said pivot pin into an operative position in which all of the panels can extend in canopy fashion over said truck box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination as defined in claim 7, further including a foldable front bulkhead mounted adjacent the front end wall of said box, said bulkhead including an upper panel and a lower panel hingedly connected to each other at the upper substantially horizontal edge of said lower panel for pivotal movement of said upper panel into an unfolded position in which the lower panel and the upper panel are substantially coplanar, vertical and perpendicular to the side walls of said box.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein at least a part of the perimeter of the bulkhead is defined by a frame, said perimeter having substantially the shape of the cross-section of said cover panels when disposed in canopy fashion over said truck box.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said lower panel is provided with means for selectively shifting the position of said lower panel in a substantially horizontal direction whereby the bulkhead can be first unfolded and then shifted by said shifting means into an engagement with the front portions of the cover panels to support said cover panels in their operative position in canopy fashion, at least a part of the perimeter of the unfolded bulkhead corresponding to the cross-section of the cover panels when disposed in said operative position in canopy fashion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |