Abstract:
The structure illustrates is an articulating cover for the bed of a vehicle which includes a hinge connecting a first portion and a second portion and which can articulate as the cover is raised. This configuration provides a stable isolation to area over and both in and above the truck bed area. A higher level of articles can be stored in the truck bed area and still remain partially covered with the first portion providing a vertical shield from wind and shade. The truck bed can also accommodate passengers while provide shade both from the front vertical portion and the second portion which remains horizontal. The second attribute enables the truck bed to be converted into a comfort area especially amenable to sitting, relaxing and enjoying a view, tailgating and other activities involving the truck bed. The second use is especially useful where the vehicle travels to areas having little or no natural shade, where the second portion can provide shade from above and where the first portion may be positioned through the positioning of the vehicle to provide low angle shade.

Description:
This case depends from co-pending Provisional Patent Application No. 60/296,339 filed Sep. 24, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vehicle accessories and more particularly to a deployable cover for a vehicle, especially the bed area of a truck. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of truck accessories, and more particularly truck bed lids, there are a variety of structures for simply covering the truck bed. Some lids are made of fabric or cloth and are tied on, while others are rigid and may be custom made for a tight fit. The majority of lids are used simply to store items in the truck bed, with the innovations based upon lockability, water sealing ability, accessibility, and the like. Similarly, for most of the lids, a different utilization of the truck bed requires at best a removal and temporary discarding of the lid and at worst a disassembly of the lid from the truck bed. Other uses include the possibility of (1) carrying a load which is higher than the rigid covering, (2) enabling persons to occupy the truck bed, and (3) providing some additional utility in its relation to the truck bed other than complete sealed covering. 
     Another aspect is cost. In order to provide a structure having wide acceptability, the cost must be low, while providing sufficient structural integrity. For example, some lids are remotely operable with jack screws in order to provide raising of the cover from the front and the rear or both. Each jack screw, its associated motor, and associated articulating arms, some of which may be scissors arms with significant moving parts, is quite expensive on its own. An articulated lid can utilize up to 8 such devices. The mix of utility and low cost must be adequately combined in order to yield a structure which has high utility and this is lacking in commonly available designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The structure illustrates an articulating cover for the bed of a vehicle which includes a hinge connecting a first portion and a second portion and which can articulate as the cover is raised. This configuration provides a stable isolation area over and both in and above the truck bed area. A higher level of articles can be stored in the truck bed area and still remain partially covered with the first portion providing a vertical shield from wind and shade. The truck bed can also accommodate passengers while providing shade both from the front vertical portion and the second portion which remains horizontal. The second attribute enables the truck bed to be converted into a comfort area especially amenable to sitting, relaxing and enjoying a view, tailgating and other activities involving the truck bed. The second use is especially useful where the vehicle travels to areas having little or no natural shade, where the second portion can provide shade from above and where the first portion may be positioned through the positioning of the vehicle to provide low angle shade. Further, shade from either of the first or second portion may be supplemented by either or both of a draped shade structure, or an extended shade structure to provide supplemental shade. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck vehicle with an open tail gate showing a typical installation of the lid and cover assembly of the present invention in the up position and illustrating the points of attachment to the vehicle, and a retractable shade, the view taken from a lower perspective; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the lid cover assembly seen in FIG.  1  and shown over a somewhat schematic representation of the truck bed in isolation and seen as a view taken from an upper perspective; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a side view taken along section  3 — 3  of FIG.  1  and illustrates a unitary mounting bracket; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a side view taken along section  3 — 3  of FIG.  1  and illustrates a two-piece, segregated mounting bracket which will allow some movement of the rear bracket, especially where an obstruction dictates that it be displace forwardly or rearwardly; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view looking into the right front corner of the truck bed from an upper position looking down and illustrating the details of a right “L” support and its brackets; 
     FIG. 6 is a section taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  5  and illustrating the details of attachment of a spring assembly to a fender wall; 
     FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic view seen with the left side of the truck bed removed to show further details of attachment and articulating hinged relationship; 
     FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the base hinge where the lid and cover assembly first portion pivots with respect to other structure attached to the vehicle body; 
     FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a hinge which permits articulation of the first and second portions of the lid and cover assembly as a pair of laterally elongate complementary hinge members; 
     FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a hinge which permits articulation of the first and second portions of the lid and cover assembly as a laterally elongate, typically metal hinge; 
     FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view into the second portion, taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG.  7  and illustrating an axially slidable shade assembly and adjacent rubber “C” shaped gasket for sealing about the truck vehicle bed upper side members; 
     FIG. 12 is an underside view of an embodiment of the lid and cover assembly with the wide lateral hinge and focussing upon the first portion and illustrating the use of blocks to prevent angular positioning of said first portion with respect to said second portion of more than ninety degrees; and 
     FIG. 13 is an underside view of an embodiment of the lid and cover assembly with the wide lateral hinge and focussing upon the second portion and illustrating the attachment of underside structures to support the shade and pivot plates. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The description and operation of the lid and cover assembly  11  of the invention will be best begun and described with reference to FIG.  1 . Lid and cover assembly  11  includes a first portion  13  which has an articulating or pivoting attachment to a second portion  15 . Typically the first portion  13  is pivotally attached to an upper forward section of a truck bed  17 . Truck bed  17 . typically has a right fender wall  19 , the inside of which is shown in FIG. 1, a left fender wall  21 , the outside of which is shown in FIG. 1, and a front wall  23 , the inside of which is seen in FIG.  1 . 
     Also seen in FIG. 1 is a tailgate  25  which is shown in the lowered or open position. The lid and cover assembly  11  is shown with four force spring assemblies, including a pair of forward spring assemblies including a right forward spring assembly  31 , a left forward spring assembly  33 , a right rear spring assembly  35  and a left rear spring assembly  37 . The spring assemblies  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are preferably gas spring assemblies which provide a rushing air resistance to the extension of a rod from within a spring cylinder. These gas spring assemblies provide force and motion which is dampened by the rushing displacement of air into the cylinder holding the force spring, typically through a small aperture, and prevent the displacement under force from being applied instantly. Other methods can be used to dampen the displacement rate. 
     The spring assemblies  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  are positioned with respect to the angle of mounting of the first and second portions to apply a proper amount of lifting force to assist in raising the lid and cover assembly  11 , and to overcome the weight of the lid and cover assembly  11  when it is in raised position. Both the location points and angle of sweep can be adjusted to give desired force and displacement effects. 
     In FIG. 1, the spring assemblies  31  and  35  are shown as depending from a right “L” support  41 . The ability to utilize a fixed support as right “L” support  41  will depend upon the configuration of the fender walls  19  and  21  of the truck bed  17  but should be generally utilizable. Truck bed  17  overall configuration will include the overall length and width, as well as the width of the fender walls  21  and  23 , and the tail gate  25 . As can be seen, depending upon the dimensions of the truck bed  17 , the overall dimensions of the first and second portions  13  and  15  may change. In other words, different sized lid and cover assemblies  11  may be required for different makes and models of vehicles which have different sized truck beds  17 . 
     The right fender wall  19 , the inside of which is seen in FIG. 1 may be material which is added to the truck body to finish the truck bed  17 , or it may have configurations which include reinforcing steel necessary to support the outside of the truck body, especially the outside of the fender walls  19  and  21 , the outside of fender wall  21  being shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Underneath second portion  15 , which is shown as being in a substantially horizontal position, although this need not be the case, a rearwardly extending shade  45  is mounted to slide with respect to a pair of side frame supports  47  and  49 . The rearwardly extending shade  45  may be made of a single extent of material or it may consist of a fabric covering suspended between rigid members. The rearwardly extending shade  45  may be completely light blocking, or if the material is thin enough it may be partially light transmissive. The rearwardly extending shade  45  is slidable with respect to the pair of side frame supports  47  and  49  in order to enable the rearwardly extending shade  45  to be deployed once the second portion  15  is brought to a raised position, and then retracted in order to lower the lid and cover assembly  11  onto the truck bed  17 . 
     The manner of construction of the first and second portions  13  and  15  may be by any suitable method, but a shape which has an overall cap shape with reinforcing member  51  seen in FIG. 1 will serve to provide the structural strength needed and leave the outer peripheral under surface nearer the outside edges to form a cap overfit with respect to the bed  17  which is advantageous in sealing and keeping moisture out, even under driving conditions. Reinforcing member  51  may be a solid plate, honeycomb plate or other reinforcing structure and may be manufactured with the respective first or second portion  13  and  15 . 
     Further detail of the lid and cover assembly  11  are seen beginning with FIG.  2 . The exploded view illustrates first portion  13  as having more clearly seen curved peripheral regions  53 . At a forward edge  55  a pair of hinges  57  are supplied for attachment to the right “L” support  41  and a left “L” support  59  seen for the first time. These structures fit within the forward corners of the truck bed  17  and thus gain significant stability from the truck bed  17  for both the hinges  57  and connection to the spring assemblies  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . Utilizing these “L” supports  41  and  59  permits a more modular construction and one in which the deployed lid and cover assembly  11  may simply be placed onto the truck bed  17  and bolted on. This also means that the complete lid and cover assembly  11  may be packaged and shipped in a completely assembled condition, but for the attachment of the “L” supports  41  and  59 . 
     Also shown in greater detail is the rearwardly extending shade  45 . Here the rearwardly extending shade  45  is seen as having a frame including side supports  61  and  63  which are cross braced by a fore support  65  and a rear support  67 . Between the supports  61 ,  63 ,  65 , and  67  may be extended a length of material  71 . Again, any sort of rearwardly extending shade  45  need only have enough structural integrity to support itself from the underside of the second portion I 5 . A sealing member  73  can be seen and which can be added in the best manner to seal out moisture. One optimum position might be just ahead of the “L” supports  41  and  59 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a side view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1 is a view looking into the right side of the truck bed  17  and particularly directly across from the right fender wall  19  illustrates the lateral placement. The right “L” support  41  is seen as setting the spacing of the bottom of the spring assemblies  31  and  35 . Each of the spring assemblies  31  and  35  shown, and this may be the case with all of the spring assemblies  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 , has a cylindrical spring casing  75  and an extending plunger  77 . The casings  75  are pivotally mounted to the first and second portions  13  and  15 , while the plungers  77  are pivotally mounted to the right “L” support  41 . This need not be the case and the position could be reversed. The plunger  77  end (not seen) within the casing  75  typically has a piston which dampens the movement of the plunger within the cylinder as the plunger  77  is being urged out of the casing  75 . 
     As can be seen from the mounting angle, the right forward spring assembly  31  is acting to push the first portion  13  upward and, due to the triangular shaped formed between the first portion  13 , right forward spring assembly  31  and displacement of the attachment end of plunger  77  from the axis of pivot of the first portion  13 , pivotably forward (to the left taken from the perspective of FIG.  3 . 
     Right rear spring assembly  35  will not apply compression until the second portion  15  is relatively closer to the upper surface of the right fender wall  19  at which time it also begins to exert force. In this configuration, both assemblies  31  and  35  will lift at the outset, but once the lid and cover assembly  11  is lifted about a foot above the right fender wall  19 , the assembly  31  will bear the greater part of the load. Once the lid and cover assembly  11  is in its upper position, especially once the first portion  31  bears on its own hinged connection with the truck bed  17 , and once the right rear spring assembly  35  has achieved a vertical position, it takes very little force to keep the lid and cover assembly  11  upright. Thus, the triangular configuration referred to with respect to right forward spring assembly  31  is sufficient to keep the cover assembly  11  up right, especially if the vehicle is not moving. It is possible to mount the pivoting end of the plunger  77  of the right forward spring assembly  31  further rearward and away from front wall  23  in order to place more force in the forward direction. This may especially be the case where more upward and forward force is desired, and may include instances where the vehicle is to be operated with the lid and cover assembly  11  extending over a load. Also seen is a multi-position bracket  79  having a pair of mounting holes for bolting onto right “L” support  41 . There are four holes in “L” support  41  to enable  3  positions which differ from forward to rear location, to enable the user to more highly customize the force and displacement characteristics of the lid and cover assembly  11 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a variation on the view of FIG. 3 is shown where the right “L” support  41  is replaced by a shortened “L” support  81  which terminates just to the rear of the located of holes for supporting the bracket  79 . A separate bracket  83  is not connected to the right “L” support  41  and may be mounted at varying distances behind the support  41  to effect the force and height characteristics of the lid and cover assembly  11 . In some cases, there may be some obstructions along the inside of the right fender wall  19  and a separate bracket  83  can be utilized to provide a mounting at a location to avoid any physical conflict. In this case, there may also be additional pivot point structures on the bottom of the second portion  15  of the lid and cover assembly to allow the spring assembly  35  to be moved forwardly or rearwardly without significantly affecting the force and displacement characteristics of the lid and cover assembly  11 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view looking forward into the area seen in FIG. 3 shows the full extent of the right “L” support  41 , and including bracket  79 . A series of holes  83  are seen which enable the adjustability of bracket  79 , as well as a short bracket  85  supporting the right rear spring assembly  35 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the right fender wall  19  and which includes an outer wall  87  extending to a horizontal upper portion  89  and thence to a vertical inner wall  91 . The right “L” support  41  is seen as fitting over the apex of the vertical inner wall  91  and the horizontal upper portion  89 . In the view shown, the vertical inner wall  91  terminates after about two or three inches from the apex. Consequently, a grabbing “U” shaped fitting  93  is secured with a bolt  95  and nut  97 . This secures the right “L” support  41  whether or not the bolt  95  is used in conjunction with a drilled aperture in the vertical inner wall  91 . 
     A pivot fitting  99  provides pivoting about an axis of the extending plunger  77  of the right rear spring assembly  35 . A similar fitting may be utilized with the other spring assemblies  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, a somewhat schematic view seen with the left side of the truck bed  17  removed to show further details of various attachment and articulating hinged relationships. Hinge  57  is seen as well as a hinge  103 . 
     FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the base hinge  57  and illustrating the details thereof. The front wall  23  may extend upwardly to include a quadrilateral section supporting an inner vertical wall  107 . The inner vertical wall  107  extends up to meet a horizontal wall  109 . The left “L” support  59  fits over the wall  109  and against the wall  107  and is shown as being bolted directly to bolts  111  extending from the wall  107 . Bolts  111  may be welded to the wall  109  or the bolts  111  may be threaded into the wall  109 . Bracket  57  is pivotally connected to a hinge portion  115  which includes a scroll shape connected to an upper plate  117 . The upper plate  117  may be covered by a protective layer  119 . The hinge  115  need only be set to move over a ninety degree range and in FIG. 8, the position of the first portion  13  is seen in the vertical position. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a hinge which permits articulation of the first and second portions  13  and  15  of the lid and cover assembly  11  as a pair of laterally elongate complementary hinge members. A first hinge member  121  is negrated into the first portion  13 , and a second hinge member  123  is integrated into the second portion  15 . The hinge members  121  and  123  fit closely complementarily together to form a continuous seal across the entire lateral length of the hinge members  121  and  123 . Hinge member  121  has a curved positive member  125  which fits within a curved negative member  127 . The curved negative member  127  has a void space  129  within which curved positive member  125  follows a circular sweeping path. Throughout the ninety degree angular pivot range, the hinge members  121  and  123  form a sealed relationship which will not allow water or air to enter through the hinge formed by the hinge members  121  and  123 . This is especially important where the hinge action lies at the bottom of the depth of thickness of the lid and cover assembly  11 . 
     Also seen in FIG. 9 is a lug  131  having an aperture  133  for pivoting attachment to the left forward spring assembly  33 . Also seen is a projection or support  135  extending from the second portion  15  which is provided as a lateral stabilizing member to prevent hinge member  121  from moving with respect to hinge member  123 , when the first and second portions  13  and  15  are in a generally coplanar (flat) relationship. 
     FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a hinge, taken from the same general perspective as seen in FIG. 9. A hinge  141  is attached to reinforcing blocks  143  which are utilized as expanded area structures mounted within the first and second portions  13  &amp;  15 . A differently shaped lug  145  is provided with a lug aperture  147 . The hinge  141  is typically made of metal and will likely include multiple screws, rivets, or bolts in being connected to the reinforcing blocks  143 . 
     FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view into the second portion as seen along line  11 — 11  of FIG.  7 . Illustrated is an axially slidable shade assembly  151  including a sliding bracket  153  having a “c” shaped holder which supports shade  45  including its side brackets  49  which may include an end bracket  155  as formed into a frame with the side frame supports  47  &amp;  49 . Sliding bracket  153  need not have the “c” shape and may be any sort of supportive shape, especially since the shade  45  is normally expected to be very light. Other examples of structures may be a shelf extending across the bottom of the shade  45 , especially where the shade  45  is light and this may be advantageous to protect the shade  45 . A cloth or other protective cover may also be used as a shelf to provide a structure with “give” and which protects the shade  45 . 
     To the right of the bracket  153 , the underside shape of the second portion  15  has a curvature which may roughly correspond to the horizontal upper portion  89  of the right fender wall  19 . A soft rubber “c” shaped gasket  157  (fitting generally within the inverted “c” shaped space can provide sealing against the horizontal upper portion  89 . The gasket  157  can be made so large and soft that it can be made to generally seal against any shape of horizontal upper portion  89 . Between the rearwardly extending shade  45  and the sliding bracket  157 , there may be employed bearings  159  to facilitate deployment of the rearwardly extending shade  45 , especially over the path of its rearward travel as it is extended beyond the end of the second portion  15 . 
     Referring to FIG. 12, an underside view of the first portion  13  shown looking down onto its underside and showing the connection of the hinges  57 . At the second, rearward side of the first portion a pair of blocks, including block  161  a block  163  are mounted to extend away from the planar underside of the first portion  13  of the lid and cover assembly  11 . The blocks  161  and  163  prevent the second portion  15  from assuming an acute angle with respect to the first portion  13 . This will enable the force and angle settings of the spring assemblies  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  to be set to exert a more forwardly force without the possibility of the first portion  13  moving forwardly to contact a cab of the vehicle. The forwardly set force, rather than cause the first portion  13  to contact the cab, will contribute to the support of both the first and second portions  13  and  15  and will enable the lid and cover assembly  11  to remain deployed in an upward position, despite opposing forces, such as would come from wind, should the vehicle be moved. 
     Referring to FIG. 13 is an underside view of the second portion  15  and illustrating the attachment of the frame supports  47  and  49 , the curved positive member  125 . A reinforcing pivot plate  171  is shown for attachment to the second portion  15 . Smaller versions of this member have been shown, but the expanded mounting plate of the reinforcing pivot plate  171  is useful to distribute the load of support from the spring assemblies  35  and  37 . 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of a lid and cover assembly for a vehicle, and in terms of several embodiments in which varying degrees of deployment are possible, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many similar structures. The present invention may be applied in any situation where controlled deployment of a covering structure in an inexpensive manner is desired. 
     Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.