Selectively liftable cargo bed enclosing system
US5595418A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60J7/1621
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A camper shell (12) attaches to a cargo bed (16) of a pickup truck (14) through a hinging mechanism (50). The hinging mechanism (50) resides within the shell (12) and causes the entire shell (12) to move rearward and upward as the shell (12) pivots upward. The hinging mechanism (50) includes upper arms (52), lower arms (54) and a counterbalancing spring (66, 76). The upper arms (52) are longer than the lower arms (54), and the upper arms (52) pivotally attach to the shell (12) at pivot points (58) which are spaced apart from and above the pivot points (62) where the lower arms pivotally attach to shell (12). The upper arms (52) pivotally attach to the cargo bed (16) at pivot points (56) that are spaced apart from and rearward of the pivot points (60) where the lower arms (54) pivotally attach to the cargo bed (16). The counterbalancing spring (66, 76) urges the shell to pivot upward.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.