US4023857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tensioned and retractable truck body tarpaulin
Assignee: KILLION ROSE
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Filing: 1975-04-24
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1995-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A generally horizontal load bed construction including upstanding opposite side walls is provided together with an elongated flexible cover for extension and retraction over the upper edges of the side walls of the load bed. One end of the load bed is provided with a winding member to which one end of the flexible cover is secured for winding thereon and the opposite side walls of the load bed include elongated generally horizontal tracks extending longitudinally thereof and including downwardly directed opposite end portions. A pair of upstanding support arms are secured at their upper ends to the extendible and retractable end of the cover and the lower end of each support arm includes a pair of follower members spaced on opposite sides of the support arm and engaged with longitudinally spaced portions of the corresponding track or track member. When the support arms are disposed at the end of the load bed from which the winding member is journaled, the support arms are inclined upwardly and outwardly of that end of the load bed. As the support arms move away from that end of the load bed they are upwardly shifted toward the remote end of the load bed and thereafter swing to a substantially vertical position for continued movement along the load bed in a horizontal direction. Then, as the support arms approach the end of the load bed remote from the winding member and move onto the corresponding downwardly inclined ends of the track members, the support arms are swung past the upright center positions to positions inclined upwardly and outwardly of the end of the load bed remote from the winding member after which the support arms then move in a downwardly inclined direction to their limit positions of movement away from the winding member.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C. Killion
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/06; B60J7/067; B60J7/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
In combination, an elongated vehicle load bed including opposite side upstanding longitudinal side walls having upper marginal edges, a pair of upstanding support arms for a flexible cover, elongated rigid track guide means stationarily supported from and extending longitudinally of said side walls, the lower ends of said support arms including follower means guidingly engaged with said track guide means for movement therealong, said follower means being operative to support said arms at each of the opposite ends of said load bed with said arms upwardly and outwardly inclined relative to the corresponding end of the associated load bed and to (1) upwardly elevate said support arms along upwardly inclined paths upon initial movement of said support arms away from one end of said load bed toward the other end of said load bed, (2) swing said arms to generally upright positions and guide said arms horizontally, in upright positions, toward said other end of said load bed upon further movement of said arms toward said other load bed end and (3) thereafter further swing said arms to positions upwardly and outwardly inclined relative to said other load bed end and lower said arms along downwardly inclined paths upon final movement toward said other load bed end, the upper end portions of said arms being spaced above the adjacent upper marginal edges of said side walls throughout a major portion of the movement of said support arms along said guide means, said upper end portions of said arms including means adapted to be attached to opposite side portions of one end of the flexible cover to be lengthwise extended over said load bed from one end thereof, said guide means being spaced below the upper marginal edges of said side walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
In combination, an elongated vehicle load bed including opposite side upstanding longitudinal side walls having upper marginal edges, a pair of upstanding support arms for a flexible cover, elongated rigid track guide means stationarily supported from and extending longitudinally of said side walls, the lower ends of said support arms including follower means guidingly engaged with said track guide means for movement therealong, said follower means being operative to support said arms at each of the opposite ends of said load bed with said arms upwardly and outwardly inclined relative to the corresponding end of the associated load bed and to (1) upwardly elevate said support arms along upwardly inclined paths upon initial movement of said support arms away from one end of said load bed toward the other end of said load bed, (2) swing said arms to generally upright positions and guide said arms horizontally, in upright positions, toward said other end of said load bed upon further movement of said arms toward said other load bed end and (3) thereafter further swing said arms to positions upwardly and outwardly inclined relative to said other load bed end and lower said arms along downwardly inclined paths upon final movement toward said other load bed end, the upper end portions of said arms being spaced above the adjacent upper marginal edges of said side walls throughout a major portion of the movement of said support arms along said guide means, said upper end portions of said arms including means adapted to be attached to opposite side portions of one end of the flexible cover to be lengthwise extended over said load bed from one end thereof, said guide means being spaced below the upper marginal edges of said side walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said track guide structures including generally horizontal mid-portions and downwardly inclined opposite end portions, said follower means including horizontally spaced apart followers carried by the lower end of each of said support arms guidingly engaged with and spaced along the corresponding guide structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
In combination, an elongated vehicle load bed including opposite side upstanding longitudinal side walls having upper marginal edges, elongated rigid guide tracks stationarily supported from and extending along said side walls below the upper marginal edges thereof, said guide tracks each including oppositely downwardly inclined opposite end portions and a center generally horizontal mid-portion extending between and connecting the corresponding opposite end portions, a pair of opposite upstanding support arm members for a flexible cover, each arm member including a pair of followers supported from a lower portion of said arm member and guidingly engaged with the corresponding guide track at points spaced therealong for movement along that guide track, an elongated flexible cover panel having first and second end portions, opposite side portions of said cover panel adjacent one end thereof being anchored to upper end portions of said arm members, said upper end portions of said arm members being elevated above the adjacent upper marginal edges of said side walls when said arms are supported from the center generally horizontal portions of said guide track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
177 words
In combination, an elongated vehicle load bed including opposite side upstanding longitudinal side walls having upper marginal edges, elongated rigid guide tracks stationarily supported from and extending along said side walls below the upper marginal edges thereof, said guide tracks each including oppositely downwardly inclined opposite end portions and a center generally horizontal mid-portion extending between and connecting the corresponding opposite end portions, a pair of opposite upstanding support arm members for a flexible cover, each arm member including a pair of followers supported from a lower portion of said arm member and guidingly engaged with the corresponding guide track at points spaced therealong for movement along that guide track, an elongated flexible cover panel having first and second end portions, opposite side portions of said cover panel adjacent one end thereof being anchored to upper end portions of said arm members, said upper end portions of said arm members being elevated above the adjacent upper marginal edges of said side walls when said arms are supported from the center generally horizontal portions of said guide track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said arm members include means operative to adjust the effective lengths thereof intermediate said lower and upper end portions thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein one end of said load bed, adjacent one pair of corresponding ends of the upper marginal edges thereof includes a transverse rotatable winding member to which the second end of said cover panel is attached for winding thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 5 including thrust means yieldingly biasing said arm members toward the end of said load bed remote from said winding member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said thrust means are connected to said arm members at points spaced therealong centrally intermediate said followers and said upper end portions of said arm members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
199 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said thrust means comprise a pair of elongated tension members, a pair of expansion springs, a pair of levers and a pair of guide structures, one pair of corresponding ends of said tension members being anchored to opposite ends of said winding member for winding thereon in a direction opposite to the direction in which said second end of said cover panel is wound on said winding member, guide means carried by the ends of said side walls remote from said winding member and with which the mid-portions of said tension members are guidingly engaged, said levers being pivotally supported intermediate their opposite ends from the side walls intermediate the opposite ends thereof and including opposite end guide structures, said levers being disposed in generally upstanding relation, the end portions of said tension members remote from said one pair of corresponding ends thereof being guidingly engaged with the corresponding guide structures and having their terminal end portions anchored to the corresponding support arms, said springs being operatively connected between said side walls and the corresponding levers and yieldingly biasing said levers toward angularly displaced positions with said tension members in a tensioned condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said arm members include means operative to adjust the effective lengths thereof intermediate said lower portions and upper ends thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |