Truck tent

The truck tent has a base assembly that is removably secured atop the pickup truck bed side walls. This base assembly includes an extended living area having a pair of extended bed frames that project outwardly from the truck bed side walls and are attached to the top of the side walls. At least two frame supports are used for maintaining the extended bed frames in a substantially parallel position relative to the ground. The upper ends of the frame supports are connected into the outer edges of the extended bed frame and the lower end of the frame supports are positioned against the rear tire and the ground. A tent assembly is easily, quickly and removably connected to the extended bed frames of the base assembly and to the truck bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to pickup trucks, and, in particular, to tent-like structures that attach to vehicles like pickup trucks, and, in greater particularity, relates to tent-like structures that are attached to the truck beds of such.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pickup trucks constitute a substantial portion of the vehicles on the road. The pickup bed provides an area having multiple uses, mostly for moving large items. As far as becoming a living area, a cap provides protection from the weather and from unwanted intruders to a certain degree. Normally, there is no standing room under a cap installed on the truck bed and it is difficult to remove the cap to fully use the truck bed. A permanent camper allows for standing in the truck bed but prevents other uses.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,347 discloses a pickup bed cover which can be converted into a camping tent only covering the truck bed. The user must install a frame having poles that fit into recesses on the top edge of the truck bed. Because of the unique shapes of truck beds, multiple designs are required.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,087 discloses a truck bed frame having swinging panels for a bed cover. The frame allows for carrying outsize cargo.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,851 discloses a canopy tent for use in a pickup truck bed. Several belts attached to the bed hold the canopy tent thereto and provide devices for holding the pole assemblies. No additional living area is shown other than the bed area.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,330 discloses a camper/cargo trailer having a tent structure mounted on the trailer. Additional living space is provided by boards 26 and 28. The tent structure is not easily removable to allow for cargo use of the trailer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,169 discloses a bed cover having two sections that are rotated from the truck bed side walls.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,079 discloses a foldable cap for a pickup truck bed.

Other means to increase the living area when a pickup truck is used includes a pop-up camper and a bed mounted camper. These options are clearly more expensive and require greater effort in their use.

Thus, there exists a need for an assembly that allows for increased living space on a conventional pickup truck.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention of a truck tent provides for increased living space when installed onto a bed of a conventional pickup truck.

The truck tent of the present invention comprises a base assembly that is removably secured atop the pickup truck bed side walls. This base assembly includes an extended living area which comprises a pair of extended bed frames that project outwardly from the truck bed side walls and are removably attached to the top of the side walls. At least two frame supports are used for maintaining the extended bed frames in a substantially parallel position relative to the ground. A tent assembly is easily, quickly and removably connected to the extended bed frames of the base assembly and to the truck bed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the truck tent provides for almost double the living area where the extended living area may be used as a sleeping area, storage area, and/or seating area. The extended living area is not only outside of the truck bed but provides a higher ceiling for standing within the truck bed. The bed frames when used as a sleeping area allow for sleeping quarters up to four people or more in the truck tent. The extended living area further provides for a working level above the truck bed floor. The extended living area has the extended bed frames supported on the truck bed side walls and by frame supports that rest upon the ground and against the rear tires.

In this embodiment, the base assembly of the truck tent is adjustable to accommodate different truck bed heights, widths and lengths for greater stability.

Because a tent is mounted to the extended bed frames of the extended living area, there is an increased height of the tent due to the deeper base area and thus standing is possible. The tent of the present invention may use an expanded tent bottom because the recessed truck bed.

The truck tent of the present invention provides for ease of use since the tent is folded up after a tent frame of two support rods is removed and disconnected, and the extended bed frames of the extended living area are also folded for storage. This allows for quick assembly and disassembly.

The present invention further provides for an increased benefit of having a pickup truck, in that a camper is not required, i.e., pop-up camper or a bed mounted camper.

These and many other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the related drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates by a rear elevation view a truck tent10of the present invention mounted on a truck bed12of a typical pickup truck14.

The truck tent10,FIG. 1, of the present invention comprises a base assembly16, shown partially inFIG. 2, that is removably secured on the truck bed12, extended living areas18and20comprising a pair of extended bed frames22and24that project outwardly from the truck bed12and are removably attached to top edges26and28of a driver side wall30and a passenger side wall32, respectively. Two frame supports34, one per side, maintain the extended bed frames22and24in a substantially parallel position relative to a bed floor36of the truck bed12. A tent assembly38is removably connected to the extended frames22and24of the base assembly16and to the truck bed12.

The present invention is suitable for variations in styles of truck beds such as step-side walls and fleet-side walls as well as variations in width, length and depth of the truck bed.

Referring toFIG. 5, the truck bed12has the bed floor36, a cab wall40, the driver side wall30, the passenger side wall32, and a gate wall42being the gate44, shown in a lowered condition inFIG. 1. As presently disclosed, the top edges26and28,FIG. 1, of the side walls30and32, respectively, should be substantially flat, unless specifically mentioned herein, for mounting of the truck tent10. A piece of rubber46,FIG. 4A, foam, or the like may be placed between the extended bed frames22and24and the top edges26and28of the truck bed12to insure proper support, prevent damage to the top edges, and prevent the entrance of insects or moisture. Although one side of the extended bed frame rests on the top edge of the side wall, the other side of the bed frame must be fully supported to withstand substantial loads in a range from several pounds to hundreds of pounds to a possible maximum of about 500 pounds.

In this regard, the frame supports34connect into a bottom48, the underneath side of the extended bed frames22and24. The frame supports34at the upper ends50removably connect into recessed channels52,FIGS. 2 and 5, that are located on the bottoms48of the frames22and24and in close proximity to the outer edges54of the extended bed frames22and24. The lower ends56of the frame supports34are positioned on the ground58and against the outside walls59of the rear tires60. The lower ends56of the support frames34may be staked into the ground58to further secure the support frames34. Due to adjustments in the support frames34, the outer edges54of the extended bed frames22and24will have a tendency to rotate about the respective support side walls and into the rear tires, especially under load. Therefore, the resulting forces from the support frame34will insure that the means of attaching of the extended bed frames22and24to the top edges26and28of the truck bed12will remain firmly in position as will be further disclosed below.

FIG. 2discloses a c-clamp62holding a bracket64against a lip66of the top edge26. As seen therein, an outer panel68of the driver side wall30, the top edge26, and the lip66form an upside down J. Although the bracket64of the present invention provides for proper connection of the extended bed frames22and24to the top edges26and28, other styles of securing means are clearly feasible to obtain the purpose disclosed.

The extended frames22and24may have several embodiments, but the preferred embodiment of the extended bed frames22and24,FIG. 5by top view, illustrates two extended tri-fold bed frames70and72having hinges74and76, 2 per frame, running laterally, parallel to the width of the truck bed12. Another embodiment of the hinges may use door-like hinges78rather than the longer type of hinges. The three sections80A,80B, and80C may be folded together for compact storage.

The extended bed frames22and24may be made of plywood, hardboard, etc. A frame may also be like a hollow core, foam filled door. A plastic extended bed frame140may be constructed of hollow cells142with interior walls144as seen inFIG. 4B. The top surface146would be smooth plastic and the bottom surface would have the cells exposed to reduce weight. The recessed channels52would be on the underneath side of the bottom48of the extended frames22and24, approximately 1 to 2 inches deep. These frames may have a painted finish and should have sufficient strength to support several hundred pounds.

The extended bed frames22and24must have external support frames34to maintain their position parallel to the truck bed floor36. One embodiment of a frame support82is shown inFIG. 3A. The frame support82has an upper end50being approximately 5 feet long and a lower end56being approximately 2 feet long and is shaped overall like a trapezoid with sides83and85. The frame support82is made of tubular metal such as aluminum, steel, etc. A plurality of assembly joints84allow the support82to be assembled and/or disassembled for use or storage. Each joint84comprises a reduced outer diameter tube which can be closely inserted into an adjoining tube for a given distance sufficient to provide a secure joint. An adjustable joint86in each side83and85comprise one tube end being of reduced outer diameter and of a length of approximately several feet. This reduced diameter tube would closely fit within the adjoining tube. Through holes88in the reduced diameter tube would allow a locking pin to be inserted therein when the proper adjustment is obtained. A single through-hole90is located in the outer tube. The pin being inserted into the through-hole90and one of the through-holes88. Each side83and85may be adjusted to a different length to allow for uneven ground58.

A second embodiment of a frame support92is shown inFIG. 3B. This frame support92is shaped like a T with a foot. The upper end94is approximately 5 feet long and the lower end96is approximately 2 feet long. Two assembly joints98allow the support92to be dissembled or assembly. An adjustable joint100is located in a center leg93, similar to the adjustable joint above, allows for a limited adjustment in the vertical length of the support92but is more suitable for a level ground58surface.

FIG. 4Aillustrates by a cross sectional view one embodiment of removably connecting the extended bed frame22to the truck side wall30. As seen therein, the bracket64has a hinge102positioned between an upper hinge plate104and a lower hinge plate106. The upper hinge plate104may be attached to the bed frame22edge108by bolting or similar securing means. The lower hinge plate106rests against the lip66that extends down from the top edge26of the side wall30. The lip66may be several inches wide in depth or so according to the make of the truck. The c-clamp62is positioned about the lip66and the lower hinge plate106and tightened.

A second embodiment of the bracket110is shown inFIG. 4Bwhere the lower hinge plate114has a J-shaped end118which fits about the lower lip116of the lip66. The J-shaped end118is positioned over the lower lip116during installation of the bed frame22. The bed frame22is raised and rotated counter clockwise about the hinge102so that the end118may be hooked over the lower lip116.

Another embodiment of a bracket112is shown inFIG. 4Cwhere the lower end113is L-shaped and is easily hooked over the lower lip66. In any of the above embodiments, the c-clamp62may be used to further secure the bed frame22to the top edge26of the side wall.

Attached to the base assembly16is the tent assembly38,FIG. 1, having a tent frame120connected to the extended bed frames22and24such as shown inFIG. 5. The tent frame120may comprise 2 nylon shock corded fiberglass tent supports122, only one shown inFIG. 2, that are secured to the outside corners of the extended bed frames22and24into support cups124, four shown inFIG. 5. The support cups124may be hard plastic cups installed into holes drilled into the top surfaces146of the extended bed frames22and24,FIG. 4B, for example. The tent supports122are mounted so as to form an X with the crossing point secured together by straps or VELCRO, for example. The tent supports122may be further broken down for storage in that they will have a length of approximately 10 to 15 feet depending on the size of the truck bed.

A canopy-like tent130,FIG. 1andFIG. 6, is installed on the tent frame120. The tent150is a tent that would have dimensions of approximately 7 feet by 12 feet. The extended frames occupying approximately 6 feet of the width. The truck bed12ranges from about 4.7 to 6.2 feet in width.

Although a canopy-like tent is shown, other styles of tents are possible with modifications to the tent supports and the tent itself.

As seen inFIG. 6, an outside peplum132is attached near the base line136of the tent130. An extended tent bottom134drapes into the truck bed for approximately 30 inches on 2 sides over the extended frames and one side drapes into the truck bed at the cab wall. The outside peplum132hangs like a skirt around and over the extended bed frames22and24and the cab wall40to provide for water runoff. This includes both front and rear sides71and73of the extended bed frames22and24. There is no requirement for a peplum over the tailgate area. The inside of the tent is secured to the tent supports122by VELCRO ties or wraps, approximately 4 to 8 per tent support.

It is further possible to have multiple ties attached to the tent fabric about the base of the tent so that excess material is folded or otherwise secured when the ties are secured to the base assembly, the extended frames, frame supports, or the truck. These ties will further aid in securing the tent assembly to the truck in severe weather.

The tent130would have an approximate base area of 7×12 feet, and has the outside peplum132,FIG. 6, that hangs about 12 inches over the extended frames and the cab wall40. A zippered D style door138,FIG. 1, having a width of about 30 inches and a height of about 60 inches may installed in the tail gate section to allow entry and exit of the tent130.

Further, an additional tent support may be included across the tail gate area to increase the interior room as well as making entering and leaving the door easier. Additional shock corded rods may be placed on the outer edges of the extended bed frame between the two outer corners so that the tent fabric in the bed area is lifted up and out.

In operation, a user would first install the frame supports34to the extended bed frames22and24on the truck bed and then secure the extended bed frames22and24to the side walls of the truck bed with the c-clamps62. The frame supports34may initially be vertically oriented while the frames22and24are secured. The loose tent would be placed in the truck bed and the user would stand inside of the tent and install the crossing shock corded rods. Appropriate ties would be used to secure the tent to the tent frame, the truck bed and to the extended bed frames22and24.

Clearly, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and it is therefore understood that within the inventive scope of the inventive concept that the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically claimed.