Patent Publication Number: US-6666490-B1

Title: Pickup bed cover

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/632,514, filed on Aug. 4, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,592 and entitled “Pickup Bed Cover”, which claimed priority from U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/148,436, filed on Aug. 11, 1999, and entitled “Pickup Bed Cover”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to truck bed covers and more particularly to security or hard tonneau covers for pickups. 
     Various security and hard tonneau covers are commercially available. These hard covers serve the purpose of keeping the contents of the truck bed out of view, are generally weather tight and prevent unauthorized entry into the truck bed. 
     Most hard covers are pivotally mounted to the front of the truck bed and open clamshell-like to the rear. This is mechanically simple, however access to the front of the truck bed is severely restricted. Cargoes tend to shift forward in truck beds, hence items tend to migrate to the front of the tuck bed where they are least accessible. If the cargo extends above the sidewalls of the truck bed, the cover cannot be closed. Even with the cover open, having the front of the cover hinged to the front of the truck bed prohibits hauling large items such as home appliances or motorcycles. Driving with this type of cover in the open position obliterates the driver&#39;s rear view. 
     Another type of hard cover is marketed as the SILVER SHIELD. Both sides of the cover open on folding legs; either or both sides can be open at a time. It has the advantage of good access to the entire truck bed and has proven popular with tradesmen who need to secure their tools while maintaining good access to the truck bed. Another advantage is that the truck can be driven with the cover in the open position to haul items which extend above the sides of the truck bed. A disadvantage is the tedious opening and closing procedure which involves folding two legs on each side and the insertion or removal of locking pins. 
     Another hard cover is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,154 entitled “Liftable Rigid Truck Bed Cover”. This hard cover opens on four legs operating as a parallelogram. From the closed position, the cover lifts upward and rearward along the arc of the pivoting legs. This achieves good access to the pickup bed without the tedium of opening and closing a Silver Shield. However, the geometry of the opening and closing mechanism requires four latch points to secure the cover in the closed position. To keep the cover in the open position, this cover utilizes a height establishing mechanism which locks pins into one of several holes. These mechanisms for locking the cover in the open and closed positions make it expensive to manufacture and more complex than other truck bed covers. 
     It is clear that there is a need for an improved security cover for pickup beds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a truck bed cover lifting and locking apparatus which provides good access to the truck bed with a minimum of mechanical complexity and excellent operating ease. 
     The truck bed cover is secured to a bed of a truck using two leg assemblies which are connected to the bed of the truck. In the preferred embodiment, these leg assemblies are generally “U” shaped with their associated extension of the leg assemblies connected to the bed of the truck. 
     The cover is swivelly connected to these leg assemblies allowing the cover to be raised or lowered. The cover is ideally supported by two linear members which extend between the leg assemblies and onto which the cover (ideally a rigid cover) is supported. 
     In an “up” position, the cover is locked in position using a locking bar which extends from the cover to the extensions of the rear-most leg assembly. The locking bar is ideally U-shaped with its legs extending into locking mechanisms located on the extensions of the rear-most leg assembly. 
     To release the locking bar from the locking mechanism on the leg assembly, a user pulls a handle on the locking bar. This downward pull is translated into an upward motion of the locking bar to effectuate a release allowing the cover to be lowered onto the bed of the truck. 
     In a “down” position, the cover is locked to the bed of the truck using engagement studs positioned near the cab of the truck. These engagement studs interact with engagement mechanisms (located on the forward-most leg assembly, the linear frame members or the cover). 
     In more detail, the invention opens the truck bed cover by lifting it upward and rearward on an approximately 90 degree arc with a plurality of lifting legs. The open cover is held in a generally horizontal position above the truck bed and tailgate. This provides shade over the tailgate. 
     A unique feature of the invention is the sliding pivot point on the front pair of lifting legs. The front legs are slightly shorter than the rear legs, hence the invention is not a perfect parallelogram. As the cover is closed, the shorter front legs travel in a shorter arc than the longer rear legs. If all of the pivot points of this apparatus were at fixed points, the apparatus would bind up before reaching a closed position. However, as the apparatus nears the closed position, the front legs traverse forward on a sliding pivot point, which in the preferred embodiment, are slotted holes in which pivot bolts reside. This forward traversing action of the front legs allows the apparatus to engage a locking means at the front of the truck bed as the cover reaches the closed position. Another benefit of this automatic front locking means is that it captures the gas lift spring used in the preferred embodiment in a closed position. Rear locking means, which are commonly built into commercially available truck bed covers, secure the rear of the cover. 
     The sliding pivot point of the front lifting legs makes the apparatus easier to open, because the user can get lifting momentum started at the rear of the cover before the front of the cover begins to raise. As the front lifting legs traverse rearward, the front locking means is disengaged, allowing the front of the cover to begin moving upward with the assistance of a lifting means such as a gas spring. 
     The apparatus also has a locking means to automatically lock the cover in the open position when it is raised. In the preferred embodiment, a U-Shaped locking tube is utilized to lock the rear lifting legs in their upright position. This U-shaped locking tube is spring loaded at the two pivot points to bias the tube ends downward. The U-shaped locking tube is slightly narrower than the rear lifting legs and fits inside the rear lifting legs. The rear lifting legs have latch points for the locking tube, and as the rear lifting legs reach their open position, the locking tube moves down by gravity and spring pressure and engages the latch points on the rear lifting legs. This prevents the cover from closing until the user releases the locking tube by pulling down the rear hoop portion of the locking tube. 
     In this context then, the invention provides for an improved pickup cover in which the effective operating radius of the front lifting legs are modified to achieve a front traversing action as the apparatus is near the closed position. In the open position, the front lifting legs are effectively shorter than the rear lifting legs. As the apparatus closes, the front lifting legs reach the same or similar length as the rear lifting legs by use of sliding pivot points or other means of effectively varying the length of the front lifting legs. This translates into a frontward traversing action at the front of the apparatus which enables the invention to engage a front locking means as the apparatus reaches the closed position. This has a number of benefits, such as the front locking means preventing unauthorized entry into the front of the truck bed cover and it also captures the gas spring in the closed position. Another benefit is that as the user opens the bed cover, the rear of the cover begins to lift before the front does. This lets the user impart some opening inertia into the rear part of the cover before the front begins to lift, hence the user does not have to get the entire cover moving at once from a dead stop. 
     A much less significant part of the apparatus is the powered open position locking means. In this embodiment, an electric linear actuator is utilized to obtain the required motion. 
     The invention provides for a variety of benefits, including, but not limited to, a truck bed cover with: 
     1) a lifting and locking apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art; 
     2) a lifting and locking apparatus which provides good access to the entire truck bed by lifting the entire cover into a generally horizontal position above the truck bed and tailgate; 
     3) a lifting and locking apparatus which requires a minimum of moving parts to provide excellent reliability and to minimize manufacturing costs; 
     4) a lifting and locking apparatus with an open position locking means which automatically locks the cover when it is raised, to prevent unintentional or accidental closing of the cover; 
     5) a lifting and locking apparatus which automatically secures the front of the cover in a locked position when it is closed to eliminate the need for separate locking means for the front of the cover; 
     6) a lifting and locking apparatus which can be retrofitted to existing truck bed covers or manufactured with new truck bed covers. 
    
    
     The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be more fully illustrated by the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof. 
     DRAWINGS IN BRIEF 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus from the left rear of a truck bed, and shows the apparatus in the open position. For illustrative clarity, the truck bed cover is omitted from the figure. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the left half of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus. This view is shown as if the truck bed has been cross-sectioned longitudinally in half, hence the drawing shows the inside of the left truck bed sidewall. The apparatus is shown in the open position. For illustrative clarity, the truck bed cover is omitted from the figure. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the left half of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus. This view is shown as if the truck bed has been cross-sectioned longitudinally in half, hence the drawing shows the inside of the left truck bed sidewall. The apparatus shown in the closed position. For illustrative clarity, the truck bed cover is omitted from the figure. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latch in an open position. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which provides a tent for the vehicle. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the forward striker or stud which is used to secure the cover in a closed position. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of the forward stud with locking mechanism. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of the invention which utilizes a single locking mechanism positioned on the from U-shaped leg. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are top views of the front leg secured to the bed of the truck and illustrating alternative locations of the studs and locking mechanisms. 
     FIGS. 10A,  10 B, and  10 C, illustrate the preferred embodiment&#39;s rotational and sliding characteristic of the forward leg to effectuate the locking action. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS IN DETAIL 
     Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an invention for lifting and locking a truck bed cover mounted to a truck bed, generally indicated by the numeral  10 . Cover  3  is illustrated in removed form for ease of illustration. Cover  3  is typically a rigid form which is used to encase the bed when closed, and provide shade for a user at the rear of the bed when cover  3  is raised. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is attached to the truck bed side rails with mounting strip  11 . Attachment to the truck bed said rail can be made with bolts, rivets or other fasteners. A one-piece mounting strip  11  is used in the preferred embodiment to minimize the chance of the installer mis-locating any parts of the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, mounting strip  11  is terminated forward of the tailgate to avoid interference with the rear locking means which truck bed cover manufacturers install at the rear edges of covers. 
     Rear lifting legs  12  are attached to the rear of mounting strip  11  with rear pivot bolts  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the pair of rear lifting legs are round or rectangular tubes made in a U-shaped form for rigidity and manufacturing economy. Corners are welded to the outsides of the bend radiuses to provide attaching and pivot points for top rails  14 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, front lifting legs  15  are attached to mounting strip  11  with pivot bolts  16  fixably attached to mounting strip  11 . The sliding pivot point action for the front lifting legs  15  is achieved with slotted holes  17  for pivot bolts  16  along the longitudinal axes of front lifting legs  15 . These slotted holes  17  allow front lifting legs  15  to traverse forward as the apparatus reaches its closed position. The slotted hole  17  is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     Top rails  14  are pivotally attached to rear lifting legs  12  and front lifting legs  15  with top pivot bolts  18 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, gas springs  19  are utilized to assist in raising the bed cover to the open position. Gas spring  19  is attached to the inside side wall of truck bed  10  at the butt end and is attached at the rod end to front lifting legs  15  at trunions  20 . 
     As the apparatus reaches the closed position, the front lifting legs  15  traverse forward along slotted hole  17 . This enables the apparatus to engage a front locking means as the cover closes. In the preferred embodiment, front locking slots  21  engage front striker bolts  22  to lock the front of the cover. In the preferred embodiment, locking slot  21  is at about a 45 degree angle from horizontal to achieve a locking action with a minimum of scuffing to the weather strip material of the truck bed cover. In the preferred embodiment, striker bolts  22  are long enough to allow front locking slots  21  to move laterally on striker bolts  22 , thus allowing for flexing action of the truck bed when the bed cover is in the closed position. 
     At the rear of the apparatus, locking tube  23  serves to automatically lock the apparatus in its open position to prevent accidental or unintentional closing of the bed cover. In the preferred embodiment, locking tube  23  is a U-shaped tube for rigidity of both sides of the tube assembly and for manufacturing economy. Locking tube  23  is pivotally attached to the pair of top rails  14  with locking tube pivot bolts  24 . Torsion springs  25  are biased concentrally located on locking tube pivot bolts  24  between locking tube  23  and top rails  14 . Torsion spring  25  biases the front ends of locking tube  23  downward. As the apparatus is raised upward, each end of locking tube  23  slides into latch points  26 , which are attached to rear lifting legs  12 . When the apparatus reaches the open position, rear striker bolts  32  on locking tube  23  engage rear locking slots  31  in latch points  26 . This prevents the apparatus from closing until the user releases locking tube  23  from latch points  26  by pulling down the rear U-shaped part of the locking tube. 
     Now referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus is shown in a cross-sectional view in the open position. Mounting strip  11  is shown attached to the sidewall of truck bed  10 . In this view it is more clearly shown that mounting strip  11  extends from the front of the truck bed to within a few inches of the tailgate. In the preferred embodiment, terminating mounting strip  11  forward of the tailgate avoids interference with any rear locking hardware which bed cover manufacturers install at the rear of the bed covers. Other attaching means may be used with separate mounting brackets for various parts of the apparatus, however a one-piece mounting strip reduces the chance of mis-alignment of parts by the installer. 
     Rear lifting leg  12  is shown pivotally attached to mounting strip  11  with rear pivot bolts  13 . 
     Front lifting leg  15  is pivotally attached to mounting strip  11  on front pivot bolt  16 . Front pivot bolt  16  is fixably attached to mounting strip  11  and resides in slotted hole  17  at the lower side of front lifting leg  15 . In the open position, gravity holds front lifting leg  15  down to keep front pivot bolt  16  in the upper part of slotted hole  17 . Slotted hole  17  is aligned along the longitudinal axis of front lifting leg  15  and the lower part of this slotted hole can be seen underneath front pivot bolt  16 . This makes front lifting leg  15  slightly shorter than rear lifting  12  when the apparatus is in the open position. 
     Top rails  14  are pivotally attached to rear lifting legs  12  and front lifting legs  15  with top pivot bolts  18 . 
     In another preferred embodiment, gas springs  19  are utilized to assist in raising the bed cover to the open position. Gas spring  19  is attached to the inside side wall of truck bed  10  at the butt end and is attached at the rod end to front lifting legs  15  at trunions  20 . Other embodiments may have gas springs  19  attached to rear lifting legs  12  in place of or in addition to front lifting legs  15 . These lift assist arrangements may vary according to the length and weight of the bed cover. Other embodiments of the apparatus may utilize electric linear actuators or other energy-storing or powered means in addition to or in place of gas springs. Powered embodiments of the apparatus may have the lifting means attached to rear lifting legs  12  in a similar manner as the gas spring  19  is shown attached to front lifting legs  15 . This rear mounting of powered lifting means could eliminate the need for the locking tube  23  and its related parts. Such a powered embodiment of the apparatus could also eliminate the need for the rear locking hardware which bed cover manufactures install on bed covers. A powered embodiment would lend itself to remote control from the truck cab or a key fob transmitter. A powered embodiment would be even more convenient for the user but would be significantly more expensive to manufacturer. 
     At the rear of the apparatus, locking tube  23  is shown pivotally attached to top rail  14  on locking tube pivot bolt  24 . Torsion spring  25  is concentrally located on locking tube pivot bolts  24  between locking tube  23  and top rails  14 . Torsion spring  25  biases the front ends of locking tube  23  downward along locking tube arc  27 . This spring pressure and gravity cooperate to hold the ends of locking tube  23  into latch points  26 . This prevents the apparatus from closing until the user pulls down on the rear part of locking tube  23  to release it from latch point  26 . 
     When opening and closing, rear lifting leg  12  travels along rear lifting leg arc  28 . Front lifting leg  15  travels along front lifting leg arc  29 , which has a slightly smaller radius than rear lifting leg arc  28 . The difference in radius of the front and rear arcs is due to gravity holding front lifting leg  15  down with front pivot bolt  16  in the upper part of slotted hole  17 . This makes front lifting leg  15  slightly shorter than rear lifting leg  12 , hence front lifting leg arc  29  has a shorter radius than rear lifting leg arc  28 . As the apparatus nears the closed position, front lifting leg  15  begins to traverse forward by sliding along slotted hole  17  on front pivot bolt  16 . This forward traversing action is shown as forward traverse  30  at the lower part of front lifting leg arc  29 . The forward traverse  30  engages the front locking means, which in the preferred embodiment locking slot  21  which engages striker bolt  22 . 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the apparatus is shown in the closed position. Top rail  14  is retracted to a position approximately at the same height as the truck bed sidewall. Rear lifting leg  12  is shown pivoted forward and downward on rear pivot bolt  13 , having traveled along rear lifting leg arc  28 . Locking tube  23  is shown residing on top of latch point  26 . 
     Front lifting leg  15  is shown in the closed position, having traveled along front lifting leg arc  29  and front traverse  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the front traversing action  30  is achieved when front lifting leg  15  slides forward along slotted hole  17 . This front traversing action is also shown as forward traversing distance  34 . In this view, front traverse  30  has engaged the front locking means, which in the preferred embodiment is locking slot  12  engaging striking bolt  22 . 
     It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that forward traverse  30  and forward traversing distance  34  can be achieved by various locations or configurations of slotted holes or movable hinge points in front lifting legs  15 , top rails  14 , or mounting strip  11  in other embodiments of the apparatus. Variable-length front lifting legs will also achieve the same effect in other embodiments of the apparatus. 
     Although the invention has herein been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not limited to the illustrative details disclosed. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latch in an open position. 
     Latch point  26  is a single piece of metal plate with the rear locking slot  31  cut into it. For manufacturing economy and structural rigidity, the latch point is bent about 300 degrees at the front, with both ends of the latch point welded to the rear lift leg. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the ends of locking tube  23  are flattened and holes are punched to accept rear striker bolts  32 . 
     Rear locking slot  31  has a wide opening to ensure that the rear striker bolt  32  enters it as the bed cover nears it&#39;s open position. The rear locking slot is of a generally arcuate form, which guides the rear striker bolt downward to the bottom of the rear locking slot as the cover reaches the raised position. To close the bed cover, the user pulls down and forward on the rear hoop portion of the locking tube  23  to release rear striker bolt  32  from rear locking slot  31 . 
     Latch point  26  also features a guide rod  33  to guide locking tube  23  and rear striker bolt  32  into rear locking slot  31 . When the bed cover in the closed position, locking tube  23  resides within the guide rod  33 . 
     This arrangement for the latch mechanism provides for additional safety since it won&#39;t allow the top to slam shut in a crash. The top is held open against front and rear impacts to the vehicle. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which provides a tent for the vehicle. 
     In this embodiment of the invention, a tent kit is provided for an expansion of the invention&#39;s applications. 
     The pickup, generally indicated by the numeral  50 , has a bed cover as described above in the raised position and the tailgate in the lowered position. The entire bed cover and bed is enclosed within tent  51 , ideally made of a fabric or other canvas-like material. 
     The embodiment shown here features fixed side windows  53  of insect screen, with zip-up canvas flaps on the inside for when the tent needs to be weather-tight. A rear entry door  54  features zip-up insect screen and an inside zip-up canvas flap to make the tent weather-tight. 
     Note, the entire tent kit has no hard parts or frame since it relies totally on the bed over for support. The tent is easily stowed in a small duffel bag. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the forward striker or stud which is used to secure the cover in a closed position. 
     The illustration of these figures focuses only on the striker or engagement stud and the engagement mechanism used to secure the cover to the engagement stud. 
     Engagement stud  22  is mounted proximal to the cab of the truck and extends outward. Often the engagement stud  22  is equipped with an outer lip to assist in aligning the engagement mechanism  60  with the stud  22 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6A, while the cover is still tilted, engagement mechanism  60  is pushed forward as indicated by arrow  61 A so that locking slot  62  surrounds stud  22 . The cover is pushed downward (as indicated by arrow  61 B) and forward (as indicated by arrow  61 A) the engagement mechanism  60  is fully secured to stud  22  as indicated in FIG.  6 B. 
     This arrangement provides for a forward locking mechanism which automatically engages when the cover is closed. The forward lock this attribute provides establishes a firm fastening of the cover to the bed of the truck when the cover is closed for travel. 
     The locking mechanism described in this figure is alternatively employed at several point on the invention, including, but not limited to: the frame; the rigid cover itself; and the forward leg. In an alternative embodiment, engagement mechanism  60  is fixably attached to the truck bed or mounting stip  11  with an engagement stud mounted to the frame, rigid cover, etc. 
     Once the cover is fully secured, as the truck goes over uneven terrain, flexing of the cover is minimized. This extends the live of the cover and frame. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of the forward stud with locking mechanism. 
     A engagement mechanism  70  is moved forward, engagement stud  22  is slipped into slot  72  (FIG. 7A) until engagement stud  22  is cradled within slot  72 . 
     In this embodiment of the invention, the engagement mechanism  70  moves downward (as indicated by arrow  73 A) at a 45 degree angle due to the shape of opening  72 . 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of the invention which utilizes a single locking mechanism positioned on the front U-shaped leg. 
     Bed  80  has leg  81  rotatably secured to thereto via pins  82 A and  82 B. Pins  82 A and  82 B allow leg  81  to rotate and raise/lower the cover (not shown for clarity). As leg  81  lowers (as indicated by arrow  85 , lock mechanism  84  engages receptacle  83  located at the from of bed  80 . This locking action, which occurs naturally during the lowering of leg  81 , secures the forward portion of the cover. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are top views of the front leg secured to the bed of the truck and illustrating alternative locations of the studs and locking mechanisms. 
     Referring to FIG. 9A, leg  91 A (similar in structure to the forward legs described earlier) is pivotally secured to bed  90 A. In this embodiment, leg  91 A is secured in a “closed” position using receptacles  92 A and  93 A which engage with locking mechanisms  94 A and  95 A respectively. 
     In FIG. 9B, leg  91 B is pivotally secured to bed  90 B. In this embodiment though, leg  91 B is secured in a “closed” position using receptacles  92 B and  93 B located on the side walls of bed  90 B. Receptacles  92 B and  93 B engage with locking mechanisms  94 B and  95 B respectively. 
     While the embodiments of FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the placement of two locking mechanisms (with associated receptacles), those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize that other arrangements and positions are available. 
     FIGS. 10A,  10 B, and  10 C, illustrate the preferred embodiment&#39;s rotational and sliding characteristic of the forward leg to effectuate the locking action. 
     FIG. 10A illustrates the position of leg  101 A when the cover is in an open position. Leg  101 A is supported by pin  105 A which engages slot  102 . 
     As leg  101 B is pushed forward, as indicated by arrow  103  of FIG. 10B, leg  101 B rotates to move the cover towards the “closed” state or position. 
     In the final motion to a closed position, as indicated by FIG. 10C, leg  101 C is almost horizontal, which translates the “closing” motion of arrow  104  into a lateral motion on pin  105 C within slot  102 . This lateral motion of pin  105 C causes leg  101 C to move laterally, thereby causing the locking mechanism to engage the receptacle (neither element shown) as discussed earlier. 
     It is clear that the present invention provides for a highly improved and versatile lifting and locking mechanism for a pickup bed cover.