Abstract:
The pickup truck bed cover has two laterally disposed rigid panels, the panels being hingedly attached to the upper edges of the cargo box sidewalls. Each panel is operated by a separate actuator, with the actuators mounted near the sidewall upper edges to avoid intrusion upon the cargo floor area. The actuators are mounted at about the longitudinal midpoints of the sidewalls, to avoid asymmetric forces on the cover panels during operation. The actuators comprise jackscrews driven by motors that are controlled by a switch panel in the vehicle cab. The motors may be electric, or may comprise electrohydraulic power packs having electric motors driving hydraulic pumps that in turn drive hydraulic motors to actuate the jackscrews. The gear reduction and threaded jackscrew of each actuator provide positive retention of oversize cargo within the vehicle box, positively locking down any such cargo to prevent its shifting or unauthorized removal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to doors and movable panels for enclosures, and particularly to a motorized pickup truck bed cover for securing a pickup truck box or bed and any contents thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The light pickup truck has become an increasingly popular motor vehicle in the U.S. and in many other parts of the world as well. The versatility of such vehicles for carrying a limited number of passengers, as well as a relatively large volume of cargo, greatly accounts for their popularity with motor vehicle owners and operators. While they are quite popular with small business owners, construction contractors, and others in similar fields, they are also very popular with individuals using them only as routine transportation and for the occasional carriage of miscellaneous articles. 
     Perhaps the greatest drawback of such pickup truck vehicles is their conventionally open cargo areas in the truck beds, and the resulting ease of access by unauthorized persons. This has led to a great number of tool storage boxes, covers, and enclosures for the otherwise open bed, with these various storage boxes, covers, and enclosures being permanently secured to the bed structure or at least being relatively difficult to open or remove by unauthorized parties. Insofar as the bed cover configurations are concerned, nearly all such covers are manually operated and are thus relatively cumbersome to open and close. This is true of both rigid covers and flexible tarp type covers. 
     Another problem with such bed covers and enclosures is that they incorporate various support struts and the like, with the bases of these struts usually attached to the floor of the vehicle cargo bed or box. Horizontal space in the cargo boxes of pickup trucks is generally somewhat limited, particularly laterally due to the encroachment of the wheel wells for the rear wheels and tires of the vehicle. The mounting of support struts and the like to the floor of the cargo box further encroaches upon the otherwise available flat cargo space. In some cases, such support struts have been installed at the head of the cargo box. While this improves the available lateral flat space across the floor of the box, the resulting support of the overlying bed or box cover panels at only one end or edge thereof creates undue asymmetrical stresses on the cover panels and requires significantly increased structure and weight for the mechanism. 
     Thus, a pickup truck bed cover solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The pickup truck bed cover comprises two laterally disposed rigid panels, with each panel being hingedly affixed to the upper edge of a corresponding one of the side walls of the cargo box. Each panel is operated by a separate motor and jackscrew actuator with each of the actuators being mounted relatively high on a side wall of the cargo box, adjacent to the upper edge of the side wall. The actuators are attached to the upper portions of the side walls at generally medial positions therealong, between the forward and rearward ends of the side walls. The distal ends of the actuator struts attach to each door or panel at a generally medially disposed reinforced area thereof in order to avoid asymmetrical forces during operation. 
     The system is preferably electrically operated from a switch panel located in the cab of the vehicle. The switch panel provides electrical power to an actuating motor, which motor drives a jackscrew to extend or retract the panel. Alternatively, the electrical system may provide power to an electrically driven hydraulic pump that in turn drives a hydraulic motor to operate the jackscrew. The mechanical advantage provided by the gear reduction system, along with the threaded jackscrew extension and retraction strut, provides positive retention and lockdown of any outsize cargo that may be carried within the vehicle cargo bed. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a pickup truck having the pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention installed thereon. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a pickup truck, showing the installed pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention in a partially opened state to secure an article of cargo in the bed. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a pickup truck, showing the installed pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention in a closed state. 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of the actuator for one of the panels of the pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view in partial section of one of the actuators for the pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the interior of a pickup truck having the pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention installed therewith, showing the control switch for the cover. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic representation showing an exemplary electrical circuit for operating the pickup truck bed cover, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The pickup truck bed cover  10  comprises two laterally disposed, motorized rigid panels  12   a  and  12   b  that open and close to positively secure the cargo bed of the truck and any articles stored therein.  FIG. 1  of the drawings provides a perspective view of a pickup truck T having a forwardly disposed cab C and a rearwardly disposed bed B. The bed B has laterally opposed first and second sidewalls, respectively S 1  and S 2 , with the two sidewalls defining the bed floor F therebetween. Each of the sidewalls S 1  and S 2  further has a forward end, respectively FE 1  and FE 2 , an opposite rearward end, respectively RE 1  and RE 2 , and a medial portion, respectively M 1  and M 2 . 
     The pickup truck bed cover  10  includes a first panel  12   a  and a laterally opposed second panel  12   b . Each panel  12   a ,  12   b  has an outer edge, respectively  14   a  and  14   b , secured respectively to the first and second upper edges U 1 , U 2  of the two side panels S 1 , S 2  by hinges  16 . Each panel  12   a ,  12   b  is configured to cover substantially half of the area of the truck bed B, with the inner edges  18   a ,  18   b  of the panels  12   a ,  12   b  mating with one another to provide a substantially weatherproof seal when the panels are closed, as described in detail further below. 
     First and second actuators, respectively  20   a  and  20   b  (the second actuator is illustrated in other FIGS.), drive the respective panels  12   a ,  12   b . The two actuators  12   a ,  12   b  are affixed to the respective sidewalls S 1 , S 2  of the bed B at positions adjacent to the upper edges U 1  and U 2  of the two sidewalls, well above the floor F of the bed B, as shown clearly in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  7  of the drawings. The relatively high location of each actuator  20   a ,  20   b  avoids encroachment on the area of the floor F of the truck bed B, thereby providing additional floor area for the carriage of various articles in the bed B. Moreover, since the beds of most pickup trucks have wheel wells (e.g., wells W 1  and W 2 ,  FIG. 2 ) encroaching in the bed space, the actuators  20   a ,  20   b  may be positioned above the wheel wells, thereby obviating any requirement for additional bed space as shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. 
     It will be further noted particularly in  FIGS. 1 and 2  that each actuator  20   a ,  20   b  is installed upon the medial portion M 1 , M 2  of its respective sidewall S 1 , S 2 , substantially equidistant between the respective ends FE 1 , FE 2  and RE 1 , RE 2  of the two sidewalls. Each panel  12   a ,  12   b  has a forward end, respectively  22   a  and  22   b , and an opposite rearward end, respectively  24   a  and  24   b , with the ends of each panel defining a medial portion, respectively  26   a  and  26   b , therebetween. A reinforcement plate is installed upon the inner surface of each panel  12   a ,  12   b , in or on the medial portion thereof. (The reinforcement plate  28   b  and panel inner surface  30   b  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , with it being understood that the two panels  12   a ,  12   b  are mirror images to one another and have identical components and features.) As the panels  12   a ,  12   b  have their masses distributed substantially uniformly therealong and thereacross, it will be seen that the panel mass forward, rearward, inboard and outboard of the reinforcement plate is substantially equal. Thus, as the distal end  32   a ,  32   b  of each actuator strut  34   a ,  34   b  is connected substantially to the center of each reinforcement plate, e.g., the second plate  28   b  as shown clearly in  FIGS. 1 and 4  of the drawings, it will be seen that the forces imposed upon each panel  12   a ,  12   b  are substantially longitudinally and laterally symmetrical as the panels are opened and closed. This configuration substantially obviates any asymmetrical forces on the two panels  12   a ,  12   b  during actuation, thereby precluding need for additional reinforcement (and corresponding weight) being added to the panels. 
       FIG. 3  of the drawings provides an illustration of the two panels  12   a ,  12   b  in their closed positions. It will be seen that there is by necessity a slight gap between the inboard edges  18   a ,  18   b  of the two panels, even in their closed positions. This gap is made substantially weatherproof by providing one of the panels, e.g., the first panel  12   a , with a generally U-shaped channel  36   a  depending from its inboard edge  18   a , with the second panel  12   b  having a lip  36   b  depending from its inboard edge  18   b . The lip  36   b  of the second panel  12   b  seats within the channel  36   a  of the first panel  12   a , precluding the entry of rainwater, snow, sand and dust, etc. between the inboard edges  18   a ,  18   b  of the two panels  12   a ,  12   b . Any rainwater, etc. that runs into the channel  36   a  will run off from the forward and/or rearward ends of the channel beyond the truck bed B. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings provide detailed illustrations of the actuator mechanisms used to operate the two panels  12   a  and  12   b . While only the second actuator  20   b  is illustrated in these two FIGS., it will be understood that the two actuators comprise substantially equal components and are installed in mirror image to one another. Each actuator, e.g., the actuator  20   b , is mounted in a bracket  38  that is in turn affixed to the upper portion of the sidewall of the truck bed adjacent the upper edge of the sidewall, generally as shown in  FIG. 4 . The actuator strut  34   b  includes a base tube  40  with a bracket attachment end  42  secured to the bracket  38  by a pin  44  that passes through the end  42  of the base tube  40 . (The bracket attachment end  42  of the base tube  40  may be affixed to a plate  46  that is in turn pivotally attached to the bracket  38 , with the plate supporting the base tube  40 , drive motor, and gearing, as shown in  FIG. 5 .) Thus, the base tube  40 , and the remainder of the strut  34   b , is able to pivot relative to the fixed bracket  38  and the sidewall as the panel is opened and closed. 
       FIG. 5  of the drawings provides a detailed schematic representation of the actuator mechanism. A drive motor  48  is affixed to, or adjacent to, the bracket attachment end  42  of the base tube  40  and pivots therewith as the mechanism moves during operation. The drive motor  48  may be a conventional electric motor, or may comprise a conventional electrohydraulic power pack having an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump, which in turn drives a hydraulic motor. In the exemplary system shown in  FIG. 5 , the drive motor  48  and bracket attachment end  42  of the base tube  40  are immovably affixed to the plate  46 , with the plate being pivotally mounted within the actuator bracket  38  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). A speed reduction gear train  50  is installed upon the plate  46  between the drive motor  48  and a threaded jackscrew  52  that passes axially through the base tube  40 . The gear train  50  serves to reduce the operational speed of the threaded jackscrew  52  to a reasonable rate, and also provides torque multiplication to the jackscrew  52  to allow a relatively small drive motor  48  to be used. 
     The jackscrew  52  passes through a mating internally threaded receptacle  54  affixed in the proximal end  56  of the panel attachment tube  58  that selectively telescopes from the base tube  40  according to rotation of the jackscrew  52 . The base tube  40  has a square or other non-circular internal cross section, with the panel attachment tube  58  having a mating external cross section. Thus, the panel attachment tube  58  is prevented from rotating relative to the base tube and its attachment to the plate  46  or bracket  38 . As the panel attachment tube  58  cannot rotate, the rotation of the jackscrew  52  results in driving the mating threaded receptacle  54 , and thus the panel attachment tube  58 , to extend from and retract into the base tube  40 , depending upon rotation of the drive motor  48  and gear train  50 . 
     The panel attachment tube  58  has a panel attachment end  32   b  (for the second actuator  20   b  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) comprising the distal end of the strut assembly  34   b , with a shackle or other connector  60  attached to the distal panel attachment end  32   b . The shackle  60  in turn attaches to a panel attachment member  62  that is immovably affixed to the inner surface  30   b  of the panel, or more specifically to the reinforcement plate  28   b  (or reinforcement rib  64  or other strengthening member, as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIGS. 1 through 3  generally illustrate the operation of the two panels  12   a ,  12   b  from their fully open position ( FIG. 1 ) through an intermediate position ( FIG. 2 ) and finally to their completely closed position ( FIG. 3 ). It will be noted that the pickup truck bed B is shown carrying a relatively large and bulky object O therein, in  FIG. 2 . The mechanical advantage provided by the gear reduction system between the drive motor  48  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 ), the speed reduction gear train  50  ( FIG. 5 ), and threaded jackscrew  52  driving the panel attachment tube  58  ( FIG. 5 ), results in a positive mechanical linkage that precludes any significant or substantial movement of the associated panel when the drive motor  48  is not in operation. Thus, the panels  12   a  and  12   b  may be closed upon a large and bulky object such as the object O in the truck bed B in  FIG. 2 , and serve to lock the object O firmly within the truck bed B to preclude its movement during transport. 
     Operation of the two panels  12   a ,  12   b  is controlled by an electrical switch console  66  preferably located in the cab C of the pickup truck, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  provides a schematic illustration of an exemplary electrical system for the operation of the panels  12   a ,  12   b . Electrical power  68  is provided from the conventional electrical storage battery and/or alternator universally provided with pickup trucks and other motor vehicles. Electrical power is provided from the power source  68  to both the switch console  66  and to first and second double pole relays  70   a  and  70   b , respectively providing electrical power to the two motors  48 . The switch console  66  may have two separate switches  72   a  and  72   b , respectively controlling the opening and closing of the two panels  12   a  and  12   b . Operating one of the switches, e.g., the first switch  72   a , closes one circuit to send electrical power to the two relays  70   a ,  70   b , which relays close the selected circuit to actuate the two drive motors  48  in the selected direction of rotation, e.g., causing the motors to open the two panels  12   a ,  12   b . Operating the second switch  72   b  closes the second circuit to close the other relay circuits, with the relays  70   a ,  70   b  providing electrical power to the two motors  48  to reverse their direction of rotation and close the two panels  12   a ,  12   b . Conventional limit switches, torque-sensing switches, etc., may be used to limit the opening and closing of the two panels  12   a ,  12   b , and sequencing switches may be included in the circuit to properly sequence the panel operation. The above-described electrical system is exemplary, and it will be seen that many other electrical system configurations may be provided to operate the two panels  12   a ,  12   b . As noted further above, the two motors  48  are operated electrically, but each of the motors may comprise an electrohydraulic power pack having electrically driven hydraulic pump that in turn drives a hydraulic motor to open and close the two panels  12   a ,  12   b  as described further above. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.