Vehicle with bed raising and lowering system

A vehicle such as a truck with a sleeping compartment includes a bed positioned within the sleeping compartment and most preferably at an upper berth position. A bed shifter is provided for shifting the bed between bed sleeping and bed storage positions. More specifically, the upper bed sleeping surface of the bed is raised toward the ceiling of the vehicle when the bed is shifted between the sleeping and storage positions, with the side portions of the bed similarly being raised as this shifting occurs. The bed shifter may be designed to tilt the bed as shifting occurs so that, when in the bed storage position, the upper bed surface more closely follows the contour of a vehicle with a downwardly sloped or otherwise configured ceiling. Bed shifting elements of variable length may be provided to shift the bed by varying the length of these elements. In one form, the elements comprise elongated straps which are wound and unwound from a rotatable shaft to raise and lower the bed between bed sleeping and bed storage positions. Guide tracks may be provided to guide the motion of the bed as it is shifted between such positions. Manual as well as motor powered bed shifting systems may be used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to trucks or other land vehicles with 
sleeping compartments and, more specifically, to land vehicles with beds 
supported in such compartments in a manner that permits the beds to be 
stowed to free up space otherwise occupied by the bed. 
It is known for vehicles, such as long-haul trucks, to include sleeping 
compartments rearwardly of the driver and passenger seat area of the 
truck. 
A number of these sleeping compartments are of a raised roof configuration 
which provides sufficient head clearance, that is, space between the floor 
and interior ceiling, to allow a driver or a passenger of the truck to 
stand fully erect in the sleeping compartment area. Beds positioned in the 
sleeping compartment are known to have been hinged to a lower portion of 
the back wall of the truck for pivoting about a fixed pivot axis which 
extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the truck. In some 
cases, storage compartments have been positioned under such beds so that 
when the beds are pivoted, access is provided to the storage spaces. In 
such configurations, the bed and storage compartment interferes with the 
area available for an individual to walk in the sleeping compartment. That 
is, the bed occupies floor space that would otherwise be available for 
someone to walk within the sleeping area. 
Truck sleeping compartment configurations are also known where the bed is 
pivoted to a lower portion of the back wall so that it can be shifted 
against the back wall of a truck in a "murphy" bed style configuration. 
When against the back walls additional floor space is available in which a 
person can walk within the sleeping compartment. However, the bed still 
occupies space in a lower portion of the sleeping compartment, even when 
folded against the back wall. In addition, when the bed is lowered, no 
living space is available under the bed. 
Sleeping compartment bunk configurations for trucks are also known where an 
upper and lower bunk are provided with both of the bunks or beds extending 
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In these arrangements, 
the upper bunk prevents an individual from walking erect in the sleeping 
compartment area of the vehicle. In addition, the lower bunk limits space 
available for walking and other furnishings. In addition, the upper bed or 
bunk in such configurations interferes with the folding of the lower bunk 
against the back wall of the vehicle. 
Therefore, a need exists for vehicles with beds which are constructed in a 
manner that frees up additional space within a vehicle for other purposes 
and, in particular, which is directed toward overcoming these and other 
problems of the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a land vehicle such as a truck 
has a cab with a sleeping compartment. The sleeping compartment is defined 
by first and second side walls, a rear wall, a ceiling and a floor. In a 
truck with a raised roof configuration, the ceiling of the sleeping 
compartment typically slopes forwardly from the rear wall and toward the 
front of the truck. In raised roof configuration trucks, there is 
typically enough headroom between the ceiling and floor to allow an 
individual to walk fully erect throughout the majority of the sleeping 
compartment. 
At least one bed is positioned in the sleeping compartment. The bed has an 
upper major sleeping surface, an opposed major under surface, and side 
edge portions extending between the sleeping surface and under surface. A 
bed shifting system couples the bed to the cab and is operable to shift 
the bed from at least one sleeping position in which the bed sleeping 
surface is spaced from the ceiling a sufficient distance to permit a user 
to climb onto the bed sleeping surface and recline thereon to a bed 
storage position. When shifted to the bed storage position, the bed 
sleeping surface and side edge portions of the bed are shifted upwardly 
toward the ceiling of the sleeping compartment to position the bed 
sleeping surface adjacent to the ceiling. As a result, additional 
clearance is provided between the bed under surface and the floor when the 
bed is in the bed storage position. In a raised roof configured truck, in 
a preferred embodiment the bed is raised sufficiently to allow an 
individual to walk underneath the bed without having to duck. In a 
particularly preferred embodiment, the bed sleeping surface is not only 
adjacent to the ceiling, but abuts the ceiling, with the mattress or other 
bed covering materials being pressed against the ceiling when the bed is 
stored. Although variable, the higher the bed is raised toward the 
ceiling, the greater the clearance between the bed under surface and 
vehicle floor. 
The bed shifting system may be built into a bed with the truck then simply 
incorporating attachment mechanisms for coupling to the bed contained 
shifting system. Alternatively, the bed shifting system may be 
substantially separate from the bed and built into the truck, for example, 
at the time the truck is manufactured. 
In accordance with one specific form of the invention, the bed shifting 
system may comprise at least one and preferably more supports of 
selectively variable length which are coupled to the bed. In this 
approach, by adjusting the length of the supports, the bed is shifted 
between the sleeping and bed storage positions. These elongated bed 
supports may take various forms, such as fluid cylinders and screw jacks. 
Alternatively, the elongated bed supports may comprise a plurality of 
flexible elements which suspend the bed downwardly below the ceiling as 
the bed is shifted between bed sleeping and bed storage positions. These 
flexible elements may comprise cables, chains, belts or the like but, in a 
specifically preferred form, such elements comprise a plurality of 
flexible straps. 
In a specific bed shifting system of the invention, the mechanism includes 
a rotatable shaft coupled to the flexible elements. In addition, a motor 
is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft. When the shaft is wound in 
a first direction, the flexible elements are wound about the shaft to 
raise the bed. In contrast, when the motor rotates the shaft in a second 
direction opposite to the first direction, the flexible elements are 
unwound from the shaft to lower the bed. 
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a first set of 
flexible elements may be coupled to the bed adjacent to a rear wall of the 
sleeping compartment. In addition, a second set of flexible elements may 
be coupled to the bed at a location spaced further away from the rear 
wall, such as toward the front of the bed. The first or rearmost set of 
flexible elements are coupled to the shaft so as to be wound and unwound 
from the shaft at a faster rate than the second set of flexible elements. 
Consequently, the rear portion of the bed travels faster and a further 
distance as the bed is raised and lowered compared to the front of the 
bed. As a result, the bed sleeping surface tilts forwardly from horizontal 
as the bed is raised and tilts rearwardly toward horizontal as the bed is 
lowered toward the bed sleeping position. Consequently, with a ceiling 
that slopes downwardly moving from the rear toward the front of the truck, 
the bed sleeping surface tilts at a similar orientation to allow it to 
more closely follow the contour of the ceiling of the truck as the bed is 
moved toward a bed storage position. 
As yet another aspect of the present invention, the flexible elements may 
be substantially enclosed by the ceiling and rear wall of the sleeping 
compartment, at least when the bed is in the bed storage position. 
Alternatively, such elements may be substantially enclosed by the bed, 
itself, when the bed is in the bed storage position. 
Bed position sensors may be coupled to the motor with the motor being 
responsive to such sensors to stop operating when the bed is sensed by the 
sensors to be in preselected positions. In a specific form, such sensors 
may comprise limit switches activated by the bed when the bed is in 
respective bed storage and bed sleeping positions to stop the motor when 
the bed is shifted to the desired position. Timers and other mechanisms 
may also be used to selectively stop the motor, for example, if the motor 
is activated to shift the bed from a bed sleeping position to a bed 
storage position and the bed is not sensed to be in the bed storage 
position within a predetermined time. In addition, optional obstacle 
sensors (e.g. pressure sensors, and/or motor load sensors such as of the 
type utilized in garage door systems) may be used to cause the motor to 
reverse the direction of rotation of the shaft to lower the bed upon the 
detection of an obstacle as the bed is being raised. 
In accordance with another specific embodiment of the present invention, 
the bed shifter may comprise a scissors structure coupling the bed to the 
cab. 
As still another aspect of the present invention, at least one and, most 
preferably, first and second parallel spaced-apart upright elongated bed 
motion guiding tracks are mounted to the rear wall of the truck and are 
coupled to the bed so as to guide the motion of the bed as it shifts 
between bed sleeping and bed storage positions. In addition, a guide such 
as a roller is mounted to the bed and positioned to engage and follow the 
track to guide the motion of the bed as it is shifted between bed storage 
and bed sleeping positions. 
In designing the truck cab, the ceiling of the sleeping compartment may be 
provided with a recess to receive the bed sleeping surface and, more 
specifically, the upper portions of the bed when the bed is moved to the 
bed storage position. This recess may be deep enough to completely receive 
the bed so that the ceiling has a generally flush appearance when the bed 
is in the bed storage position, with the under surface of the bed, in 
effect, forming an exposed portion of the sleeping compartment ceiling. 
One or more fluid struts may optionally be employed in the bed shifting 
system to limit the rate of movement of the bed between bed storage and 
bed sleeping positions. For example, in a manual system, such fluid struts 
would assist in lowering the bed at a controlled rate as the bed shifter 
is operated. 
The cab may also include bed supports projecting inwardly into the sleeping 
compartment from the walls of the truck cab, for example, from the side 
walls and/or from the rear wall, to engage and support the underside of 
the bed when the bed is in a bed sleeping position. Consequently, the bed 
shifting mechanism need not support the bed and the weight of a person 
reclining thereon when the bed is in use. These bed supports may include a 
shelf with an interior storage cabinet positioned below the shaft and 
mounted or otherwise coupled to the shelf. 
In a specifically preferred embodiment of the present invention of a raised 
roof sleeping compartment configuration with an inclined ceiling, when the 
bed is in a bed storage position there is at least about 200 cm. of head 
height between the under surface of the bed at the front portion of the 
bed and the floor (measured without any carpet being positioned on the 
floor) and about 230 cm. of clearance between the floor and back edge of 
the bed. In addition, when the bed is in the bed sleeping position, in 
this embodiment at least about 150 cm. of clearance is provided between 
the bed under surface and the floor. This allows sufficient headroom for 
an individual to comfortably sit in a standard chair underneath the bed, 
even when the bed is in the bed sleeping position. Consequently, one 
person may sleep in the bed while another person does paperwork or 
otherwise occupies the space under the bed. 
The invention also relates to methods of raising a bed in a sleeping 
compartment. 
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention 
will become more apparent with respect to the following description and 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to FIG. 1, a truck 10 is shown of the type which has a 
raised roof 12. A rear portion 14 of the truck 10 comprises a sleeping 
compartment or living space area. The sleeping compartment is positioned 
rearwardly of the driver and passenger seats of the vehicle and is 
contained within first and second side walls 16, 18 of the truck, a rear 
wall 20 of the truck, and the roof 12. As can be seen in FIG. 1, for 
aerodynamic reasons, the roof 12 typically slopes downwardly moving from a 
rear portion of the roof 22 toward a front portion of the roof 24. In 
general, the interior walls of the sleeping compartment follows the 
contours of the exterior side walls, rear wall and roof of the truck. It 
should be understood that although this invention is described with 
reference to a truck of a raised roof configuration in accordance with a 
most preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be noted that the 
invention is applicable to vehicles of other configurations, such as to 
trucks with flat roofs and to trucks which are not of a raised roof 
configuration. 
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a schematic illustration showing one form of 
sleeping compartment 14 is illustrated for a vehicle of the type shown in 
FIG. 1. The sleeping compartment may include furnishings and other 
features which are different from those shown in these figures. However, 
for purposes of convenience, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a passenger seat 30 
adjacent to the passenger door 32. The seat 30 is shown pivoted from a 
forward facing position to a position facing the interior of the living or 
sleeping compartment area of the vehicle. Another chair 34 is shown in a 
rear portion of the sleeping compartment along with a bench or cabinet 
support 36 within which storage areas may be provided. Access to these 
storage areas may be provided, for example, by lifting up the lid of the 
bench 36 or through a doorway 38 extending through the side wall of the 
truck. 
In FIG. 2, a bed 50 is shown in a raised or bed storage position adjacent 
to the ceiling of the vehicle underneath the roof 12. The bed 50 includes 
a bed frame 52 and a mattress 54. The mattress may be a commercially 
available truck mattress. Alternatively, the mattress may be of a quilted 
fireproof fabric such as MBSS 302 fabric from Tietex Corp. of Spartanburg, 
N.C. In this latter case, as a specific example, the mattress may be 71/2 
inches thick by 75 inches long by 50 inches wide. In other words, the 
mattress may be a full sized mattress. The illustrated bed 50 includes a 
bed sleeping surface 56 and a bed under surface 58 with side portions 60 
extending between the bed under surface and bed sleeping surface. The 
illustrated bed is of a generally rectangular configuration having a front 
side edge portion 62, a rear side edge portion 64, and first and second 
end portions 66, 68. Although other orientations may be used, the 
illustrated bed extends transversely within the sleeping compartment of 
the truck. That is, the bed has a longitudinal axis along a line 70 which 
is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72 of the truck. 
The bed assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a bed shifter or shifting 
system, illustrated in one form at 80, which couples the bed to the cab of 
the truck. The bed shifter is operable to shift the bed 50 from at least 
one sleeping position, such as shown in FIG. 3, to a bed storage position, 
such as shown in FIG. 2. When the bed is in a bed sleeping position, the 
bed sleeping surface 56 is spaced from the ceiling of the truck a 
sufficient distance to permit a user to recline on the bed sleeping 
surface As shown in FIG. 3, although the bed may be, for example, located 
at lower or higher positions than shown when in a bed sleeping position, 
the illustrated location depicts the bed in an upper berth position. That 
is, when in this bed sleeping position, there is enough clearance between 
the floor 90 of the sleeping compartment 14 and the under surface 58 of 
the bed to permit an individual to sit in the chair 34 or on the bench or 
cabinet support 36 underneath the bed and engage in activities even while 
another individual is sleeping on the bed sleeping surface. For example, 
in a specific truck with a raised roof configuration, when the bed is in 
the bed sleeping position shown in FIG. 3, there is preferably at least 
150 cm. of clearance between the under surface of the bed and the floor 90 
and, more specifically, about 156 cm. of clearance. In addition, in a 
truck configuration with a downwardly sloping ceiling, and when the bed is 
in the bed sleeping position depicted in FIG. 3, a distance of about 50 
cm. is provided between the front edge of the upper bed surface 56 and the 
ceiling, and a clearance of about 80 cm. is provided between the bed 
sleeping surface at the rear edge of the bed and the interior ceiling of 
the vehicle. These dimensions may be varied, depending upon the truck 
configuration, but illustrate specifically preferred dimensions for the 
truck shown in FIG. 1. 
In contrast, when the bed is shifted to the bed storage position shown in 
FIG. 2 adjacent to the interior ceiling of the truck, about 200 cm. of 
clearance is provided between the front edge of the under surface of the 
bed and the floor 90. In addition, about 230 cm. of clearance is provided 
between the under surface of the bed at the back edge thereof and the 
floor 90. In a specific embodiment of the invention, 204 cm. of clearance 
was provided between the floor and front edge of the bed under surface, 
and 237 cm. of clearance was provided between the floor and the under 
surface of the bed at the rear edge of the bed. These dimensions may be 
varied. In providing these dimensions, the dimensions are measured from an 
uncarpeted floor of the vehicle. It is most preferred that enough 
clearance be provided between the floor (allowing for carpet and carpet 
pad, if used, carpet and carpet pad, for example, being about one inch) 
and the under surface of the front edge of the bed to permit an individual 
who is over six feet tall, for example, at least about six feet two inches 
tall, to stand erect and walk underneath the stored bed into the rear 
portion of the sleeping compartment of the vehicle. 
As shown in FIG. 3, when the bed is in the bed sleeping position, the upper 
bed sleeping surface 56 is substantially horizontal In contrast, when in 
the bed storage position shown in FIG. 2, in the case where a truck has a 
sloped ceiling, it is preferred that the bed upper surface or sleeping 
surface 56 be tilted downwardly moving from front to rear of the vehicle 
to more closely follow the contour of the ceiling of the vehicle and 
thereby maximize the available clearance or headroom toward the rear of 
the sleeping compartment. However, it should be understood that the bed 
may simply be raised with the sleeping surface being maintained in a 
horizontal orientation, such as when a flat roofed truck is being used or 
if lesser head clearance space is desired in a given application. 
The illustrated bed shifter 80 in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a plurality of 
bed supports of selectively variable length. Although a single such 
element could be used, in general the shifting of the bed would be less 
controlled unless additional mechanical connections were made between the 
bed and cab structure or between the bed and variable length bed support. 
By varying the length of the supports, the bed is shifted between the bed 
sleeping and bed storage positions. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the supports 
comprise a plurality of flexible elements 100, 102, 104 and 106 Although 
these elements may take numerous forms such as cables, chains, and the 
like, in the illustrated form the elements 100-106 comprise a plurality of 
elongated straps of a strong, durable, flexible material. For example, 
these straps may be of the same material used in conventional seat belts, 
with a nylon web of 20 mm. thickness being a specific example 
The straps 100-106 are coupled to the bed frame 52 in any suitable manner. 
In FIG. 3, conventional seat belt fasteners 110 are shown for connecting 
the lower end of the straps 102, 104 to receptacles 112 mounted to the bed 
frame. This type of connection allows rapid removal of the bed frame if 
desired, although the straps may be permanently attached to the bed frame. 
The bed shifter 80 shown in these figures includes a shaft 116 rotatably 
coupled to the cab and extending transversely within the cab. Strap 
receiving elements, such as spools 118, 120, are mounted to the shaft 116, 
such as being keyed to the shaft. Spools or pulleys 118, 120 rotate with 
the shaft 116 when the shaft is rotated. Strap 100 is connected to the 
spool 118, while strap 106 is connected to the spool 120. In addition, 
strap receiving elements, such as pulleys or spools 122, 124, are also 
mounted to the shaft 116 for rotation therewith. The pulleys 122, 124 
receive the straps 102, 104 which are connected thereto at the rear of the 
cab. In addition, the strap 102 passes over a pulley 126 pivoted to the 
cab adjacent the ceiling of the vehicle, generally above the front side 62 
of the bed. Similarly, the strap 104 passes over a pulley 128 pivoted to 
the cab at a location spaced transversely from the pulley 126. The shaft 
116 may be rotated in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, 
a motor 130 is coupled by drive gears 122 to the shaft for respectively 
rotating the shaft in opposite directions (e.g. counter-clockwise and 
clockwise). When rotated in a first direction, the straps 100-106 are 
wound onto the shaft 116, and more specifically, about the respective 
spools 118-124, to thereby raise the bed sleeping surface 56 and the bed 
to the bed storage position. Conversely, rotation of the shaft 116 in the 
opposite direction by the motor 130 unwinds the straps from the shaft and 
lowers the bed to the bed sleeping position. 
In configurations where the ceiling is sloped, for example forwardly and 
downwardly, the bed may be tilted as it is raised to more closely orient 
the bed to match the contour of the ceiling when the bed is in a fully 
raised position. In the bed shifter of FIGS. 2 and 3, the pulleys or 
spools 118, 120 are of a larger diameter than the pulleys or spools 122, 
124. Consequently, as shaft 116 is rotated to raise the bed, the straps 
100, 106 are shortened faster than the straps 102, 104 to thereby raise 
the rear edge of the bed at a faster rate than the front edge of the bed. 
Consequently, the bed surface 56 tilts forwardly and away from horizontal 
as the bed is raised. Conversely, the bed surface 56 tilts rearwardly and 
toward horizontal as the bed is lowered. Although the design of FIGS. 2 
and 3 is advantageously simple, any convenient approach which achieves 
this differential motion may be used to cause the bed to tilt as it is 
raised and lowered. If the truck has a flat roof, or for other reasons one 
does not desire to tilt the bed as it is raised, the spools 118-124 may be 
of the same diameter. 
As shown in FIG. 3, when the bed is in the bed sleeping position, the bed 
sleeping surface 56 is generally planar and substantially horizontal. In 
addition, a plurality of inwardly projecting bed supports may extend 
inwardly into the cab sleeping compartment from the walls of the vehicle. 
These supports are positioned to engage and carry the bed frame of the bed 
when the bed is in a bed sleeping position. Consequently, although 
desirable for safety reasons, the bed shifting mechanism need not be sized 
to support an individual sleeping on the bed and instead need only be 
strong enough to raise or lower the bed when the bed is empty. In one 
specific form, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one such support may comprise an 
inwardly projecting shelf 140. An interior storage compartment 142 may be 
suspended downwardly from the support 140 so that the support performs a 
dual function of carrying the bed and supporting the cabinet, 
One suitable motor and drive assembly is a Model 1L567 110 amp. electric 
motor from Dayton of Chicago, Ill. Such a motor is powered from the 
inverter of a truck. Other motors, such as a 12 volt direct current may be 
utilized. In addition, although less advantageous, a manual crank may be 
provided for rotating the shaft 116 to wind up the straps to raise the 
bed. The motor 130 is typically controlled by a momentary on switch (not 
shown) to cause the motor to drive the shaft in the appropriate direction 
for raising or lowering the bed. The switch may be positioned so that the 
bed is visible to the person controlling the switch. 
A more detailed drawing of the bed shifter 80 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in 
FIG. 4. Elements in FIG. 4 which correspond to those in FIGS. 2 and 3 have 
been assigned numbers which are identical to those in the previous 
figures. These elements will, in general, not be described again. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the illustrated bed frame 52 includes an 
elongated box beam element along each side portion of the bed, such 
elements being indicated at 160, 162, 164 and 166. These bed frame 
elements are preferably of a light weight durable material, such as a 
composite material or aluminum, and are open at their respective ends. 
Alternatively, the bed, itself, could include components which function as 
a frame. A corner piece (one being numbered as 170 in FIG. 4) 
interconnects adjacent end portions of the respective frame elements 
160-166. In particular, as shown for corner piece 170, a first end portion 
172 is inserted into the end of frame element 160, and a second end 
portion 174 is inserted into the end of frame element 166. Bolts or other 
fasteners 176 are utilized to interconnect the bed frame elements and 
corner pieces to provide a rigid boxlike frame structure. 
First and second reinforcing inverted U-shaped (with upper outwardly 
extending flange portions) channel pieces 180, 182 extend between side 
frame elements 162 and 166 to reinforce the bed frame. A crosspiece, not 
shown, may extend transversely between pieces 180, 182, for additional 
reinforcement and to provide a location to which an underbed trim piece 
may be connected. A bed frame bottom piece 190, such as of aluminum, may 
be supported on the bed frame (see also FIG. 6). For example, aluminum of 
one-eighth inch thickness, may be used. This material will flex to a 
limited extent to enhance the comfort of the bed. The elements 160-166 may 
be extruded or otherwise manufactured and may have an inwardly projecting 
flange (see 191 in FIG. 6) to support the side edges of the bottom piece. 
As is also shown in FIG. 6, the bed bottom surface 58 may be defined by a 
molded or otherwise manufactured cover piece 193, such as of plastic, 
having front and rear side walls 210 (only the front side wall being shown 
in FIG. 6). The upper edge of side wall 210 is formed with an inwardly 
projecting lip 212 which overhangs the upper edge of bed frame corner 
piece 166 to hold element 193 in place at the front side of the bed frame. 
The rear side wall typically lacks such a flange and is merely bolted or 
otherwise fastened in place. The central area of cover piece 193 is 
secured to the bed frame elements 180, 182 and to a crosspiece extending 
therebetween. A light may be included in the bed and covered by a lens cap 
214. A suitable trim piece, such as 218, may be secured to the underside 
of bed bottom piece 190 to provide a more finished look to the bed under 
surface. 
Returning again to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, at 
least one, and most preferably two, bed motion guiding elements are 
provided for guiding the motion of the bed as it is shifted between bed 
sleeping and bed storage positions. In a specific form, first and second 
spaced-apart elongated parallel upright guide channels 220, 230 are 
provided. These elements are secured to the rear wall of the truck (or to 
a bracket, not shown, which is mounted to the truck rear wall), such as by 
plural fasteners extending through fastener receiving holes in the channel 
elements, some of these holes being indicated at 232 in FIG. 4. The bed 
slidably engages the guide channels during operation. More specifically, 
in the illustrated embodiment, first and second coupling brackets 234, 
only one being visible in FIG. 4, are coupled to the bed frame (see also 
FIG. 7). The brackets 234 support guides, such as a rotatably mounted 
roller 236 carried by the bracket 234 and positioned within the guide 
channel defined by the element 220. As the bed is raised and lowered, the 
roller 236 is retained and rolls within the guide element 220 to maintain 
the rear edge of the bed adjacent to the rear wall of the bed during 
operation. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 4, rather than seat belt connections, the straps 
are secured to the bed frame utilizing buckles such as the one indicated 
at 240 in FIG. 4. In particular, a bracket 242 is mounted to the bed 
frame. This bracket includes a slot positioned to receive a hook 246 which 
in turn is connected to the associated strap (in this case, strap 102). 
The hook 246 is inserted into the slot to suspend the bed in place. 
Similar hooks are provided at the lower end of each of the straps for 
engaging respective brackets to couple each of the straps to the 
associated bracket. In particular, the bracket 234 is provided with a slot 
250 for engaging a hook at the lower end of the strap 100. Like 
connections may be utilized for each of the straps and thus will not be 
described in detail. It should be noted that any suitable strap to bed 
connection may be used. 
Mounting brackets 252, 254, such as shown in FIG. 4, pivotably support the 
respective pulleys 126, 128. The brackets 252, 254 are mounted to the 
ceiling of the truck by fasteners, not shown. One end of the shaft 216 is 
journaled by a bearing 256 to a mounting bracket 258 which is secured to 
the ceiling and rear wall of the truck. The opposite end of the shaft 116 
is journaled by bearings 260 to a mounting bracket 262 which is also 
mounted to the rear wall of the truck. The bracket 262 includes an 
outwardly projecting motor mounting flange portion 270 to which the motor 
230 and associated drive gearing 232 is connected. 
The bed supporting shelf 140, as shown in FIG. 4, extends the full width of 
the bed and is mounted to the side wall of the truck by an angle bracket 
272 and a shelf bracket 274. The interior cabinet (142, FIG. 3) may be 
hung from the shelf 140. A rear corner shelf 280 is coupled to the rear 
wall and side wall of the truck and projects inwardly toward the interior 
of the sleeping compartment from these walls. A shelf 284 is also 
supported by brackets which are secured to the side wall of the truck. The 
shelves 140, 280 and 284 comprise one form of bed support for supporting 
the bed when in the bed sleeping position. Although less preferred, the 
bed shifter 80 may itself support the bed in all positions. The underside 
of the bed frame is typically provided with bumpers, such as rubber or 
other resilient material, at the corners thereof for abutting the supports 
140, 280 and 284 when the bed is in the bed lowered or sleeping position, 
As shown in FIG. 4, a reinforcing element 290, such as of an inverted 
U-shaped configuration, is provided. Element 290 has side legs 292, 294 
and a crosspiece 296. The crosspiece 296 extends transversely from side 
wall to side wall of the sleeping compartment. The reinforcement 290 is 
optional but does provide additional strength to the roof to support a 
bed. As shown in FIG. 4, the brackets 252, 254 may be connected at their 
forward ends to element 290. Reinforcement 290 may be of tubular 
construction, such as a one-inch diameter steel tubing of one-eighth inch 
wall thickness. The side legs 292, 294 of the reinforcement are connected 
at their lower ends by brackets to the side wall framework of the vehicle 
and, more specifically, to the B-pillar (behind the driver and passenger 
seats) frame structure of the cab. Forward reinforcement may be provided 
by legs 295, 297 and a crosspiece 299, which may be of the same material 
as reinforcement 290. Elements 295, 297 and 299 may extend forwardly to 
the A-pillar of the vehicle structure (ahead of the front doors) with 
crosspiece 299 being positioned above the truck windshield. Like elements 
292, 294 and 296, elements 295, 297 and 299 are preferably concealed from 
view by a vehicle occupant. A plurality of belt receiving fasteners, such 
as 300, 302 and 304, which may be conventional seat belt receptacles, are 
coupled to the bed frame. Each of these fasteners are positioned beneath a 
respective safety net support bracket 306, 308 and 310 mounted to the 
reinforcement 290. Safety netting, such as a conventional nylon webbing of 
straps formed in a netlike configuration may be secured to the brackets 
306, 308 and 310 and also to the connectors 300, 302 and 304 for safety 
reasons. That is, in the event the vehicle suddenly stops, an individual 
sleeping on the bed sleeping surface will not roll off the bed as the 
webbing will retain the person on the bed. 
A user of the bed of FIG. 4 may, for example, turn the motor on to cause 
the bed to raise or lower, depending upon the direction the motor operates 
the shaft 116. When the bed reaches the desired position, the operator may 
simply turn the motor off. In addition, bed position sensors may be 
provided to control the operation of the motor. Although the sensors may 
take various forms, they are designed to cause the motor to stop operating 
when the bed reaches preselected positions. In one form, such position 
sensors include limit switches 312, 314 mounted to guide track 220 and 
coupled to the motor control circuit. These limit switches are engaged by 
the roller 236 to cause the motor circuit to open and stop the motor from 
operating. In FIG. 4, limit switch 312 is located at a bed sleeping 
position location, while limit switch 314 is located at a bed storage 
location. Consequently, when switch 312 is engaged, the position of the 
bed is sensed at a bed sleeping position and the motor is stopped. 
Conversely, when the bed is raised to the point where roller 236 engages 
switch 314, the bed is sensed in the bed storage position and operation of 
the motor is stopped. Although less preferred, other limit switches may be 
used to stop the bed at intermediate positions between the upper and lower 
positions shown in FIG. 4, as it is possible for a user to climb into the 
bed and sleep there, even if the bed is not totally lowered. This would 
provide additional clearance for an individual working beneath the bed. 
Although not shown, other controls may also be used. For example, a motor 
load sensor may be used to sense excessive load on the motor. This will 
protect the motor in the event the motor is caused to operate and the bed 
is blocked from reaching the upper or lower positions shown in FIG. 4 
(eog. by a suitcase on the bed or something stored beneath the bed). 
Additional sensors, such as a pressure sensor indicated at 316, may also 
be utilized and coupled to the motor circuit to cause the circuit to open 
and stop the operation of the motor in the event the bed presses against 
the sensor with a force greater than a maximum force established by the 
sensor. Instead of a pressure sensor, a weight sensor may be used to block 
the motor from operating in the event too much weight (for example, a 
sleeping individual) is on the bed sleeping surface. Moreover, the motor 
may be provided with an obstacle sensor of other forms, such as 
conventionally used in garage door systems for reversing the direction of 
operation of the motor in the event an obstacle is encountered as the bed 
is raised to the bed sleeping position. However, in many applications, 
this is less preferred because it is desirable for the bedding to be 
compressed against the ceiling when the bed is in the bed stored position 
to thereby provide additional clearance between the underside of the bed 
and the floor of the truck. In the most preferred form, a simple up-down 
momentary on switch is used in combination with the limit switches as a 
bed user is in position to watch the bed as it is raised and lowered. 
Referring to FIG. 6, the bed 50 is shown in dashed lines as it approaches a 
bed storage position. In FIG. 5, the bracket 234 is illustrated in a 
slightly different form from that shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 illustrates how 
the strap 104 extends through a slot 340 in a ceiling 342 of the truck. 
When in this position, the strap 104 (as well as the strap 102 at the 
opposite side of the truck) is positioned substantially in the ceiling of 
the vehicle where the strap is concealed from view. In addition, the rear 
straps 100, 106 may be positioned behind panel components at the rear wall 
of the vehicle to conceal such straps from view. Therefore, the 
construction provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. As can be seen 
in FIG. 6, a recess 350 is provided in the ceiling of the vehicle in the 
sleeping compartment area. The illustrated recess is relatively shallow; 
however, it allows the bed to be drawn at least partially into the recess. 
The ceiling may be configured to provide a recess 350 which has enough 
depth to allow the bed to be totally received in the recess. In this 
latter case, the bottom or under surface 58 of the bed would be 
substantially flush with remaining portions of the ceiling. 
FIG. 7 illustrates the channel 220 and its mounting to the cab structure in 
greater detail. In particular, the illustrated cab structure includes a 
corner piece 350, with a mounting surface 352 to which the channel 220 may 
be fastened. Alternatively, the channel 220 may be found in the surface 
352. In addition, the channel may alternatively be mounted to a bracket 
coupled to the rear wall. The illustrated corner piece 350 extends from 
the rear wall 20 of the cab to the side wall 18 of the cab. Piece 350 may 
take other forms, for example, it may be a bracket mounted to the back 
wall of the truck. 
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the bed shifting mechanism 80 and in 
particular illustrates the concealment of the straps 104 and 106 in the 
respective ceiling areas and rear wall areas of the truck so that, when 
the bed is raised to a bed storage position, only a small portion of the 
lowermost end and forwardmost end of strap 104 would be visible. When in 
the bed storage position shown in FIG. 5, the sides of the bed have all 
been shifted upwardly along with the bed sleeping surface 56 toward the 
ceiling 342 of the sleeping compartment As can be seen in this figure, the 
bed surface 56 is adjacent to the ceiling 342 and may, in fact, abut the 
ceiling. Typically, the bed surface 56 is positioned within at least about 
four inches of the ceiling 342. However, bed surface 56 may be positioned 
further away from the ceiling surface 342 when the bed is in the bed 
storage position, although this will result in a sacrifice of clearance 
between the underside of the bed 58 and the floor of the sleeping 
compartment. 
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment wherein the bed shifter 80 includes a 
different form of bed support of variable length for raising and lowering 
the bed between bed sleeping and bed storage positions. In the embodiment 
of FIG. 8, a plurality of fluid cylinders, in this case a pair of such 
cylinders 380, 382 are utilized. The fluid cylinders 380, 382 may be 
powered from the pneumatic air lines of the truck or may be powered from a 
hydraulic system on the truck. One example of a lifting cylinder is a rod 
and telescopic cylinder from Dana Corporation of Lancaster, Tex. Such 
cylinders are available in a variety of stroke length and may be selected 
for the specific vehicle cab configuration. The cylinders 380, 382 are 
coupled between the cab and bed frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the 
respective rod ends 384, 386 of cylinders 380, 382 are pivoted to 
respective ends 66, 68 of the bed frame 52. This embodiment may also 
include guide tracks 230, 232 within which rollers (e.g. roller 236) 
coupled by a bracket 234 to the bed frame may be guided to guide the 
motion of the bed. In this construction, the cylinders 380, 382 are 
extended to raise the bed to the bed storage position and retracted to 
lower the bed from the bed storage position. The cylinder or housing 
portions 388, 390 of elements 380, 382 are pivotably coupled at their 
lower end to the respective side walls of the cab. 
Operation of the cylinders may be controlled in the same manner as the 
motor 120 in the previously described embodiments of the present 
invention. However, typically the stroke of the cylinder is set to 
precisely move the bed the desired distance between bed sleeping and bed 
storage positions. Appropriate fluid pressure relief elements may be 
included in the fluid circuit operating these cylinders to, for example, 
bleed fluid and stop the operation of the cylinder in the event an 
obstacle is encountered 
In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the bed support elements of variable length 
may comprise a plurality of screw jacks such as a worm gear screw jack 
available from Joyce/Dayton Corp. of Dayton, Ohio. These jacks may be 
manually or motor driven and may be controlled in the same manner as 
described previously for motor 120. In the FIG. 9 embodiment, a plurality 
of screw jacks are illustrated, in this case two such jacks 420, 422 
coupled between the cab structure and the bed frame. More specifically, 
jack 422 is connected to the bed frame adjacent the end 66 of the bed 
frame, while the jack 420 is coupled to the bed frame adjacent to the end 
68 of the bed frame. The screw jacks 420, 422 are operable in the same 
manner as the cylinders 380, 382 described previously in connection with 
FIG. 8, to raise and lower the bed between the bed storage and bed 
sleeping positions. 
FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a bed shifting system employing a 
scissors mechanism, one such mechanism being indicated at 460 in FIG. 10. 
Most preferably a pair of scissors mechanisms are utilized, with one such 
mechanism being positioned at each end of the bed 50. In the embodiment 
shown, the scissors mechanism includes first and second arms 462, 464 with 
respective longitudinally extending slots 466, 468. A pin 470 couples 
these elements together and extends through the slots such that the pin is 
free to slide along the slots. A first end 472 of arm 464 is pivotably 
connected to the bunk frame at location 474. A first end 478 of arm 462 is 
pivoted at location 480 to the cab frame. The second or opposite end 482 
of arm 462 is loosely coupled at location 484 by a slide pin (not shown) 
which slidably couples the end portion 482 of arm 462 to the bed frame for 
sliding along a slot 486 provided in the bed frame. As the end 490 of arm 
464 (opposite to the end 472) is pulled downwardly and forwardly in FIG. 
10, the pin 470 shifts along the path indicated by arrow 492 to the 
location shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10. Similarly, location 472 shifts 
to the position shown in dashed lines in this figure, and location 484 
similarly shifts to the location 484 indicated in dashed lines When in the 
dashed line position, the bed 50 is shifted to the bed storage position 
shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10 from the bed sleeping position shown in 
solid lines in this figure. Although not shown, a lever may be attached to 
the end 490 of arm 464 to provide additional leverage when grasped and 
pulled by a user. Alternatively, a motor may be utilized to engage and 
move the arm 464 to raise the bed. In an alternative configuration, the 
scissors structure may extend downwardly from the ceiling to support the 
bed from above. Although useful and relatively mechanically simple, a 
scissors construction typically results in exposed mechanical parts which 
could pinch a user when the scissors construction is utilized, in the 
absence of special covering mechanisms. 
Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, another form of bed shifting mechanism is 
illustrated. In each of these embodiments, at least one fluid strut 500 is 
used. Most preferably, a plurality of such struts are employed, such as 
one such strut being coupled between the cab structure and the bed frame 
at one end of the bed and another such strut being coupled to the cab 
structure and bed frame at the opposite end of the bed. In particular, as 
shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a housing portion 502 of the strut is pivoted 
at 504 to the cab structure, while a rod end 506 of the strut 502 is 
pivoted at 508 to the bed frame 52. In addition, at least one guide track, 
and preferably a pair of spaced-apart upright elongated guide tracks, such 
as 510 in FIG. 11A, are mounted to the side walls of the vehicle. Bracket 
mounted guides, such as rollers, travel within the guide tracks to guide 
the motion of the bed. In particular, in FIG. 11A, a bracket mounted 
roller is mounted to a rear portion of the bed (not shown in this figure) 
for traveling in the guide track. 
In operation, assuming a case where no optional pocket 530 is provided, a 
user pushes the rear end of the bed upwardly toward the ceiling as shown 
in FIG. 11A until the bed engages a latch (not shown). Thereafter, the 
user pushes the front edge of the bed upwardly until it is latched by a 
latch (not shown). Consequently, the bed may be manually raised between 
bed sleeping and bed storage positions. The fluid struts limit the rate at 
which the bed may be raised and lowered. Consequently, when the front edge 
of the bed in FIG. 11A is released, the bed slowly drops downwardly. 
Similarly, when the rear edge of the bed is released, the rear edge drops 
downwardly. In the FIGS. 11A and 11B form of the invention in the 
embodiment where a pocket is provided, the front edge of the bed is raised 
first and, as the rear edge of the bed is raised, the bed is guided by the 
track 510 into the pocket 530. The fluid struts of FIGS. 11A and 11B may 
be utilized with the bed shifting mechanisms of the other embodiments of 
the present invention to limit the rate at which the bed is shifted 
between bed sleeping and bed storage positions. 
FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the invention which is 
like the FIGS. 2 and 3 embodiment, except that, in this embodiment, the 
bed contains the bed raising and lowering mechanism. Consequently, this 
structure is easy to retrofit into an existing truck. In addition, this 
structure may be preassembled and available as a subcomponent for ready 
installation into trucks when a customer requests a bed with a bed 
shifting system in accordance with the present invention. In the FIG. 12 
form of the invention, the straps 100-106 each include a hook at their 
upper end, with hook receiving brackets (not shown) being mounted to the 
truck ceiling at appropriate locations to receive the strap brackets. In 
FIG. 12, the shaft 116 may be contained inside the bed frame structure In 
addition, the pulleys 118-124 may be mounted to the shaft 116 within the 
bed frame structure. Also, the pulleys 126, 128 are pivoted to the bed 
frame. The motor 120 and gearing 122 may be contained within a housing 
which is mounted to the underside of the bunk structure and is typically 
contained at least partly within the bunk structure to minimize the 
downwardly projecting portion of the housing. However, since the housing 
is located at the rear corner of the bunk structure, very little 
interference would be provided with the desired clearance by this 
configuration. A power cable (not shown) would couple the motor to 
respective sensors, switches and a source of power, for example, in the 
same manner as the motor 120 in FIGS. 2 and 3 embodiments. The bed 
structure of FIG. 12 is shifted between a bed sleeping position shown in 
solid lines in FIG. 12 and a bed storage position adjacent to the ceiling 
of the truck shown in dashed lines in FIG. 12. In addition, the pulleys 
120, 118 may be larger in diameter than pulleys 122, 124 for reasons 
previously explained so that as the bed is raised it tilts to more closely 
assume the configuration of the ceiling of the truck if the truck has a 
downwardly sloped ceiling. 
In any of the bed constructions described above, mechanical latches (for 
example, on shelves 140 and 284 in FIG. 4) may be used to hold the bed in 
respective sleeping and storage positions. 
It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the 
present invention may be modified in arrangement and detail without 
departing its principals. For example, alternative bed shifting systems 
may be used to raise and lower the bed. Also, the invention has been 
described for convenience with reference to trucks, but has applicability 
to other land vehicles as well. Land vehicles in this case refer to 
vehicles such as trains, buses and the like which travel along the ground. 
We claim as our invention all embodiments which fall within the scope of 
the following claims.