Abstract:
A portable, highway legal truck tent made of steel tubing, having a durable cover, and containing two built-in bench seats is disclosed. The truck tent assembles within thirty minutes and once on a truck, it requires no disassembly/reassembly. Because of its durability, the cover will not flutter when driving at fast speeds. The construction/design of the metal tubing frame allows campers to drive to their destinations with the tent already assembled. The mobile tent can remain on the truck bed or be placed on the ground. The frame has poles that extend into the truck bed and lock on the truck tie downs, which are in the form of clamps that hook under the lip of the truck bed. Interlocking pins in the frame of the bench seat allow for enlargement of the bench seat to adjust to varying lengths and widths of different trucks.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/830,227, filed Apr. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,364, issued Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Mobile Truck Tent,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/830,227 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,364) claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/464,202, filed Apr. 22, 2003, entitled “Mobile Truck Tent,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     Embodiments described herein are directed to a mobile truck tent. Specifically, the frame of the mobile truck tent is made of steel tubing, is freeway-safe, contains two built-in bench seats made of metal, and requires little or no assembly/disassembly/reassembly for its various uses. In addition, the cover for the mobile truck tent is durable and will not flutter when driven at high speeds.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]     The use of truck tent covers of various types is well known in the art. For example, cover assemblies that attach to the tops of the sidewalls of pickup truck beds have been previously disclosed. Assemblies having base portions that rest on the bottom of pickup truck beds have also been taught. The assemblies may be of the collapsible rigid enclosure as well as of the soft enclosure variety. Such truck tent covers typically are limited in combination with a truck bed alone, provide little versatility, and lack strength in construction or are expensive, difficult to install on and remove from a pickup truck bed, and do not provide sufficient coverage from the elements. The mobile truck tent as taught herein substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs known in the art, and in doing so, provides an apparatus for protecting cargo within a truck bed as well as for providing shelter for individuals while camping or performing numerous other activities. The mobile truck tent sustains normal freeway speeds; provides adequate shelter from rain, wind, and other harsh weather conditions; requires no disassembly; and contains two twenty-inch wide bench seats.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pickup truck.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2   a  is a front seat frame assembly of a mobile truck tent for installation on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2   b  is a center seat frame assembly of a mobile truck tent for installation on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2   c  is a rear seat frame assembly of a mobile truck tent for installation on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a steel frame assembly of a mobile truck tent installed on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a back view of a steel frame assembly of a mobile truck tent installed on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a steel frame assembly of a mobile truck tent installed on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a depiction of an assembled mobile truck tent with its attached cover installed on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a view of the front seat frame assembly, center seat frame assembly, and rear seat frame assembly fit together to form a full seat frame assembly.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a back view of an alternative embodiment of the shell assembly of a mobile truck tent installed on a pickup truck, particularly in its lowered configuration.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a back view of an alternative embodiment of the shell assembly of a mobile truck tent installed on a pickup truck, particularly in its raised configuration.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the shell assembly of a mobile truck tent installed on a pickup truck, particularly in its raised configuration.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a view of a frame sleeve member for attaching the shell assembly to the seat frame assembly of a mobile truck tent for installation on a pickup truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     The following paragraphs and figures describe a new and improved mobile truck tent that may be attached to bed sidewalls of a pickup truck  100  or anchored to the ground for camping or other activities and purposes. Because of the design of its support frame, the mobile truck tent has the advantage of remaining assembled on the back of the pickup truck  100  at all times—even while driving. The mobile truck tent has a plethora of uses and applications. It can easily be used for hauling materials such as refuse and recyclables. Nurseries can employ the truck tent for hauling soil, seeds, plants, trees, and gardening tools. The mobile truck tent may be used by any delivery company for groceries, packages, etc. Furthermore, the mobile truck tent provides shade for individuals while camping.  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a pickup truck  100  typically includes a cab  110  and a cargo box  120 . The cargo box  120  includes a cargo box floor  130  having a left vertical sidewall  140 , a right vertical sidewall  150 , and a forward wall  160  extending perpendicularly between the sidewalls  140  and  150  to form a generally box shape. The sidewalls  140  and  150  are parallel to one another.  FIG. 1  further shows a cargo box tailgate  170  that is movable between a closed position, wherein the tailgate  170  is upright over the cargo box floor  130  and the end of the cargo box  120  is closed, and an open position, wherein the tailgate  170  is lowered and the end of the cargo box  120  is open. Beneath the tailgate  170  is a bumper  180 .  
         [0022]     Turning to  FIG. 2   a  in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , a front seat frame assembly  200  of a mobile truck tent for installation to the cargo box  120  of the pickup truck  100  is shown. The front seat assembly  200  is made of round metal tubing  210 . Steel is the preferred metal, but other metals such as aluminum, for example, may also be used. The metal tubing  210  has a one-inch dimension. The front seat frame assembly  200  has poles  220   a,    220   b,    220   c  and  220   d  that lock on truck tie downs in the cargo box  120 . The primary tie downs are preferably clamps  310   a  and  310   b  (not shown) that hook under the lips of the cargo box  120 . These secure tie downs allow for driving the pickup truck  100  safely at highway speeds with the mobile truck tent affixed thereto.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2   b  similarly shows a center seat frame assembly  230  of a mobile truck tent for installation on the pickup truck  100 . The center seat assembly  230  is also made of round metal tubing  210 , having a one-inch dimension. The center seat frame assembly  230  has a pole  220   e  that locks on truck tie downs in the cargo box  120 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 2   c  shows a rear seat frame assembly  240  of a mobile truck tent for installation on the pickup truck  100 . The rear seat assembly  240  is also made of round metal tubing  210 , having a one-inch dimension. The rear seat frame assembly  240  has poles  220   f  and  220   g  that lock on truck tie downs in the cargo box  120 . The primary tie downs are preferably turnbuckles  310   c  and  310   d  that hook under the lips of the cargo box  120 . Again, these secure tie downs allow for driving the pickup truck  100  safely at highway speeds with the mobile truck tent affixed thereto. The front seat frame assembly  200 , center seat frame assembly  230 , and rear seat frame assembly  240  fit together to form a complete seat frame assembly.  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mobile truck tent has bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  that sit on each side of the cargo box  120 . Bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  are made of one-inch metal tubing. Steel is the preferred metal, but other metals such as aluminum, by way of example, may also be used. The clamps that secure the bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  are preferably threaded one-half inch tumbuckles  310   c  and  310   d.  These tumbuckles  310   c  and  310   d  prevent any axis of rotation from occurring while driving at highway speeds. Moreover, various nuts, bolts, and washers in the frame of the bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  allow for enlargement of bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  to fit long bed pickup trucks. In addition, a rubber gasket glues underneath the frames of the bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  for paint protection for the pickup truck  100 . The bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  are six feet long and twenty inches wide and have numerous uses. For example, bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  can serve as beds for average-sized children. Bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  may further be used as nightstands for eyeglasses, alarm clocks, and various accoutrements. Camping gear and attire may be held on bench seats  320   a  and  320   b.  Indeed, bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  allow for many different storage applications. Velcro netting may also be added for storage space around bench seats  320   a  and  320   b.  For comfort, bench seats  320   a  and  320   b  have plastic seat covers that easily pop on top of the underlying metal tubing.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  further shows a shell assembly  330  for the mobile truck tent. The shell  330  is made of one-inch metal pipes/tubing, thereby providing the truck tent with the sheer strength necessary to withstand wind pressures encountered while driving in normal highway conditions. The various pipes, preferably made of steel, of the shell  330  may be used for storage purposes by hanging articles, such as, for example, clothing, from them. It is important to note that shell  330  assembles by way of sliding the various one-inch metal tubing pieces into one another with accommodating sleeves and buttons. Tie down clamps  310   a  and  310   b  and turnbuckles  310   c  and  310   d  allow for simple attachment and removal to the cargo box  120  of the pickup truck  100 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows the back view of the shell assembly  330  of the mobile truck tent from as perched on the pickup truck  100 . The bumper  180  of the pickup truck is clearly shown in this view. In addition,  FIG. 5  shows a side view of a steel frame shell assembly  330  of the mobile truck tent. As shown from this perspective, the shell assembly  330  has an aerodynamic nose, thereby allowing for little wind resistance, even when driving at highway speeds.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a heavy fabric cover member  600  for the shell  330  of the truck tent. The cover is durable and waterproof. The cover member  600  may be of the Sunbrella variety as manufactured by Glen Raven Mills of Van Nuys, Calif. Other materials may be used for the cover member  600 , such as the widely known and popular Gortex, for example. Preferably, the cover member  600  is treated on both the inside and outside for protection from the elements the cover member  600  is lightweight, thereby allowing for optimal fuel efficiency. The cover member  600  further includes a door  610  and windows  620   a  and  620   b.  Door  610  and windows  620   a  and  620   b  may be unzipped and un-velcroed for providing light and securing air flow. The cover member  600  may also be unzipped and serve as an awning for shading on hot camping days.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate alternative embodiments for the mobile truck tent in which the shell assembly can be assembled in two different configurations such that the vertical height of the shell assembly  330  can be increased or decreased.  FIG. 8  shows a back view of shell assembly  330  of the mobile truck tent installed on pickup truck  100  in its lowered configuration. In its lowered configuration, the vertical height of a center side of the tent and a rear side of the tent is no higher than a front side of the tent. The shell  330  is made of rigid metal pipes/tubing that can range in diameter from seven-eighths of an inch to one and one-eighths inches. The metal pipes/tubing of shell  330  can be made out of aluminum; however, shell  330  can be made out of steel, titanium, brass or any other rigid material that is capable of providing the truck tent with the sheer strength necessary to withstand wind pressures encountered while driving in normal highway conditions.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 11 , the front seat frame assembly  200  and rear seat assembly  240  fit together to form a seat frame assembly. The center seat frame assembly  230  (not shown) can be added to lengthen the seat frame assembly to fit longer bed pickup trucks. A first frame member  710  of shell assembly  330  is placed at the front end of the cargo box  120  and extends perpendicularly between the sidewalls of the cargo box  120 . The first frame member  710  of shell assembly  330  is constructed of round metal tubing and removably attaches to poles  220   a  and  220   b  of the front seat frame assembly  200  on both sides of the cargo box  120 . The shell assembly also comprises a plurality of secondary frame members  720  that is made of round metal tubing. Each secondary frame member  720  is orientated such that it is parallel to one another from the front end to the rear end of the shell assembly  330 . The secondary frame members  720  are coupled to one another above the cargo box  120  by way of sliding various round metal tubing pieces of various lengths into one another with accommodating sleeves and buttons. The plurality of secondary frame members  720  is connected to the seat frame assembly by way of a plurality of frame sleeve members  700 . The bottommost end on each secondary frame member  720  comprises a button  760  in which frame sleeve member  700  has an aperture  770  where button  760  can pass. The frame sleeve member  700  engages button  760  and slides onto pole receptacle  220  to attach secondary frame member  720  to the seat frame assembly.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  depicts the shell assembly  330  of the mobile truck tent installed on the pickup truck  100  in its raised configuration. To achieve this raised configuration, secondary frame member  720  is disconnected from the seat frame assembly by releasing the frame sleeve button  760  and sliding the frame sleeve member  700  off the pole receptacle  220 . A plurality of extension means  730  made of one-inch round metal tubing are interposed between the pole receptacle  220  and the secondary frame member  720 . Extension means  730  attach to the seat frame assembly by way of the frame sleeve member  760  in order to raise the vertical height of the shell assembly  330 .  
         [0032]     The side view of the shell assembly  330  of the mobile truck tent installed on the pickup truck  100  in  FIG. 10  shows the raised configuration of the shell assembly  330 . As shown from this perspective, shell assembly  330  has an aerodynamic nose and the vertical height is raised such that the vertical height of the front side of the tent is lower than the vertical height of the center and rear sides.  
         [0033]     While the above description refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover any such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0034]     The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.