Aerodynamic transformable truck cap assembly
A transformable, aerodynamic cover assembly for pickup trucks which is user switchable between a closed aerodynamic configuration and a fully deployed truck cap configuration. The aerodynamic configuration reduces vehicle wind resistance and drag, thus increasing fuel efficiency. The cover assembly, constructed of rigid materials, comprises a fiberglass shell mounted within the truck bed supporting a rigid, fiberglass cover. Flexible fabric windows suspended from the cover are supported between sidewall hangers and pivoted sleeve tubes. A flexible rear hatch is supported by a transverse hanger. Internal stanchions pivoted to the cover underside foldably switch between deployed, cover-elevating positions an stowage positions. The cover sidewalls and hatch provide a space for human habitation and increased cargo hauling capacity. The cover is detachable from the body of the assembly for hauling oversized cargo.
This utility patent application is based upon, and claims the priority filing date of my previously-filed, U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Aerodynamic Transformable Truck Cap Assembly,” filed Oct. 1, 2007, Ser. No. 60/997,085.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to truck caps and cover assemblies for pickup trucks. More particularly, this invention relates to an aerodynamic cover assembly for pickup truck beds that is user-transformable between selected configurations. Known prior art relevant to this invention can be found in U.S. Patent Class 296, subclasses 100 and 165.
2. Description of Prior Art
For several years, cover assemblies of various forms have been mounted on the beds of pickup trucks. The modern truck cap is a popular pickup truck accessory, providing a variety of functional and aesthetic advantages. Prior art cover assemblies provide a covered space for human habitation and a weatherproof storage space for cargo. A variety of colored and styled bed cover assemblies for popular pickup truck models exist.
Typical truck caps are made of rigid material, and they often are shaped somewhat “squarish,” i.e., generally in the form of a rectangle. Typical prior art truck caps comprise a front wall, opposed side walls, and a rear hatch, with all four sides containing safety glass for lateral and rearward visibility. The roof portion of most truck caps either extends above or is flush with the top of the cab. Such accessories often increase aerodynamic drag, and reduced fuel economy is unfortunately typical.
However, for purposes of streamlining, an aerodynamic truck cap has a roof, which begins flush in height with the roof of the truck cab and then slopes rearwardly to a height approximate to that of the tailgate of the pickup truck bed. This sloping fastback roof of the aerodynamic truck cap provides much less wind resistance than a truck cap with a roof that is flush with the truck cab roof. The greatest benefit of an aerodynamic truck cap is in increasing the fuel efficiency of the host pickup truck. The main drawback of the aerodynamic truck cap is that, with its slope, there is a substantial loss of interior volume over that provided by a truck cap with a roof flush with the cab of the pickup. This diminishes the space for human habitation and cargo stowage in the aerodynamic truck cap over that space provided by a standard truck cap.
Both U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,184 to Byrd (1985) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,960 to Benignu (1994) show aerodynamic truck caps. Both of these patents show the ability to change configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,184 to Byrd provides a truck cap which can be stored in a relatively small space and minimizes wind resistance. The Byrd patent collapses from an aerodynamic configuration to a smaller stored configuration. In the aerodynamic configuration, the Byrd patent only allows cargo to be loaded through the open tailgate space. There is no hinging of the sloped roof, which, if allowed to open and shut would provide a more utilitarian design for cargo loading and unloading. Cargo size is reduced to the square footage of the tailgate opening. The small entrance through the tailgate opening does not facilitate easy access for human habitation. There is no ventilation provided for human or domestic animal occupancy. The truck cap in the Byrd patent is made of vinyl fabric that is more apt to flutter when acted upon by aerodynamic forces experienced at sustained freeway speeds. Valuable cargo is also more vulnerable to theft when the host vehicle is left unattended.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,960 to Benignu provides a tent-like arrangement with an aerodynamic contour. That configuration purports to create less air drag. With a growing global demand for fossil fuels, fuel prices are increasing annually. Such a global dynamic pleads for decreasing fuel consumption. When the truck bed is used for hauling, the tonneau top is removed. If cargo is to be transported, a large portion of the assembly must be removed. The fully deployed configuration of Benignu's design can only be assumed when the host vehicle is static. Additionally, the tailgate must be lowered to complete the interior expansion of the design. Benignu's structure, except for the support frame, is made from fabric. The design is not meant to be in the expanded configuration while the host vehicle is being operated on the road in motion.
In my prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,095 entitled “Transformable truck bed cover assembly”, issued Sep. 14, 1999, I provided transformable cover assembly for pickup trucks that was user-switchable between a low profile configuration covering the rear truck bed, and a fully deployed, camper configuration. The apparatus unfolds from a planar orientation into a pair of cooperating, stacked, generally wedge-shaped segments. The complementary segments form an inhabitable enclosure in the general form of a parallelepiped when erected. A planar deck that is foldably deployed comprises a top that ultimately covers the upper segment, and a shroud that unfolds to form a border between the adjacent, deployed segments. A foldable framework comprising a plurality of cooperating members enables foldable transformation. As the assembly deploys, it unfurls pliable, generally triangular walls at the segment sides. However, the overall configuration did not exhibit the desired reduction in wind drag necessary in today's world to maximize fuel economy.
In conclusion, I am aware of no easily removable, aerodynamic truck cap designed to reduce wind drag in one mode, to user-deploy into a convenient camping or storage mode, and which protectively enshrouds truck bed contents in either mode. Ideally, a truck cap should be made from rigid material with a hinged roof to enable easy deployment. It must provide the user with maximum space for enhanced cargo capacity, and for comfortable human habitation. An acceptable truck cap must also be weatherproof. I am aware of no such truck cap combining the attributes of reduced fuel consumption and wind drag in its compact, aerodynamic mode, while at the same time maximizing fuel economy. Furthermore, I am aware of no such analogous wind drag reducing structure that is quickly foldably transformable to an erected camping mode.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention, an improved aerodynamic truck cap assembly, is user transformable between a streamlined, aerodynamic position and an elevated position increasing cargo space. The aerodynamic configuration reduces vehicle wind resistance and drag, and increases fuel efficiency.
The assembly preferably comprises a rigid fiberglass shell mounted within the truck bed that supports a rigid, removable fiberglass cover. The roof-like cover can be opened from the aerodynamic configuration and elevated to a position level with the roof of the cab.
The cover includes a pair of sidewall hangers for suspending fabric or rigid sidewalls, that are tensioned at their bottoms by elongated sleeve tubes pivoted to the cover front at its underside. A fabric or rigid rear hatch deployed at the cover rear is supported by a transverse hanger glassed into the cover underside. Internal stanchions pivoted to the cover underside foldably switch between deployed, cover-elevating positions and out-of-the-way stowage positions. The cover, its sidewalls and hatch combine to provide an enclosed space for human habitation or cargo stowage. The cover is detachable from the shell for hauling oversized cargo.
The user can deploy the sidewalls and hatch from the underneath of the roof to fully enclose the truck bed. Thus my new aerodynamic truck cap is readily adaptable for hauling, or it can provide a space for human habitation. In the elevated and enclosed configuration, the user can operate the host vehicle at sustained freeway speeds.
Accordingly a fundamental object of the invention is to provide an improved aerodynamic truck cap to lower wind resistance and enhance the fuel efficiency of the host pickup truck.
Another basic object is to provide a truck cap assembly with a removable cover that quickly and conveniently mounts to or dismounts from the apparatus shell.
Another basic object is to provide greater space for human habitation and the transportation of cargo.
It is also an object to allow operation of the host pickup truck while in motion with the aerodynamic truck cap disposed in either an elevated or enclosed configuration. Further, an important object is to provide a truck cap of the character described with durable structure to endure aerodynamic forces experienced at sustained high rates of speed.
Another object is to provide a truck bed cover assembly of the character described that can be quickly transformed between configurations.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:
With initial reference directed to
When installed, the substantially rigid, preferably fiberglass cover 17 is disposed upon shell 18 over bed 12, between truck side panels 14. The cover 17 may be deployed in the closed, aerodynamic position shown in
Preferably cover 17 comprises a translucent, rear window 19 for rearward visibility. The triangular sides of shell 18 are aligned vertically, projecting upwardly from the tops of the truck bed side panels 14 to contact and support cover 17. The shell sides preferably comprise side windows 20 that enhance visibility and provide ventilation. In the best mode, cover 17 comprises an accessory brake light 21 adapted to be operationally positioned proximate conventional tailgate 15. Light 21 is electrically interconnected with the standard truck wiring according to conventional techniques. A pair of spaced apart locks 24, preferably mounted at the rear of cover 17, secure valuable cargo within bed area beneath cover assembly cover 17.
In
The cover assembly 16 is illustrated in a fully transformed position in
In
Next, hinges 33 (
In
A pair of elevating stanchions 28 (
Preferably the lower ends of stanchions 28 are permanently pivoted to tube stubs 36 that coaxially fit into the rear ends of sleeve tubes 31 (
The deployable sidewalls 22 at either side of over 17 are supported by a pair of rigid, extruded sidewall hangers 30 attached to the rear underside of the cover 17. These lightweight, preferably aluminum hangers 30 are preferably glassed into the underside of cover 17. A pair of lower sidewall sleeve tubes 31 tension and captivate the sidewalls 22 for proper fit and positioning when the cover 17 is elevated. Sleeve tubes 31 penetrate an elongated loop formed in the fabric bottom of the sidewalls 22 to facilitate sidewall control. Sleeve tubes 31 are attached at their fronts to the underside of removable cover 17 by U-shaped brackets 32 (
When cover 17 is deployed in the aerodynamic position, sidewall hangers 30 and lower sleeve tubes 31, and cover 17 all extend at an inclination proximate the triangular sides of the shell 18 (
The rear end of each sleeve tube 31 (
To raise the cover 17 from the closed aerodynamic position of
Next, the user foldably deploys the nested or retracted stanchions 28 from their previous stowed positions beneath cover 17. Stanchions 28 unfold beneath cover 17 and drop into a substantially vertical position where they can be placed atop brackets 41. The user should interconnect the sleeve tubes 31, nested within cradles 51, to the stanchions 28 by inserting keeper stubs 36 coaxially into the open rear ends of the lower sleeve tubes 31 (
After cover 17 is raised, the sidewalls 22 and hatch 25 can be conveniently lowered from their prior stowed position and unfurled for deployment. Ends of both of the fabric sidewalls 22 are wrapped around the stanchions 28 and secured with snap caps 26, which are attached to snap cap buttons 35. For example, when the cover 17 is positioned as in
The cover assembly 16 has now undergone the full process to be positioned in the fully transformed configuration of
The user can optionally remove cover 17 from the truck cap shell 18 to facilitate the transportation of oversized cargo that, for example, might be higher than the roof of cab 11. First, the user opens the cover 17 as described above, from a closed aerodynamic position to a partially raised roof open position. Once the truck cap cover 17 is in the raised position with the fabric sidewalls 22 and the fabric rear hatch 25 still in the stowed positions underneath the truck cap cover 17, stabilizer struts 23 are disconnected from ball studs 42. The user then removes the front quick release pins 34 from the hinges 33 (
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A transformable cover assembly for conventional pickup trucks of the type having a cab, a rear cargo bed bounded by sides, a rear, and a tailgate, the cover assembly comprising:
- a rigid shell operationally disposed within said bed, said shell comprising a pair of spaced apart, generally triangular sidewalls extending from an elevated transverse portion proximate the rear of said cab, said sidewalls tapering to a reduced height towards said truck rear and overlying said truck bed sides;
- means for semi-permanently attaching said shell within said bed;
- a rigid aerodynamic cover pivotally coupled to said shell for covering said truck bed, said cover having a front and a rear;
- means for securing said cover to said shell in either an inclined, aerodynamic configuration that provides reduced aerodynamic drag, or a fully deployed elevated configuration in which said cover is substantially parallel with and vertically spaced above said truck bed;
- a pair of flexible sidewalls and a flexible rear hatch attached to said cover that are selectively deployable to enclose said bed when said cover is disposed in said elevated configuration; and,
- means associated with said aerodynamic cover for stowing said sidewalls and said rear hatch when said cover is disposed in said aerodynamic position.
2. The cover assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is hinged to and detachable from said shell.
3. The cover assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said shell remains attached to said truck when said aerodynamic cover is removed.
4. The cover assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is detachably hinged to said shell, and wherein said shell remains attached to said truck when said aerodynamic cover is removed.
5. The cover assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said cover comprises a hanger permanently attached to it for supporting said hatch, a pair of wall hangers for suspending the sidewalls, and a pair of sleeve tubes pivoted to it penetrating the sidewalls at their bottoms for deploying and tensioning them.
6. The cover assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said cover comprises a pair of adjustable stanchions depending from it for supporting the cover when disposed in an elevated position, and means for coupling said stanchions to said sleeve tubes and wherein sides of said shell comprise cradles for nesting said cover sleeve tubes.
7. The cover assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said shell comprises keeper brackets releasably coupled to said stanchions for supporting them when said cover is elevated.
8. The cover assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said cover is detachable from said shell to facilitate complete removal of said cover from said shell to provide clearance for the transportation of cargo greater in height than the roof of the truck cab while said shell remains attached to the truck.
9. The cover assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for coupling said stanchions to said sleeve tubes comprises stubs pivoted to said stanchions that can coaxially fit within ends of said sleeve tubes.
10. A cover assembly for mounting on a pickup truck having an open bed defined by upstanding sides and a tailgate disposed rearwardly of the cab, said cover assembly being transformable between a closed aerodynamic configuration in which said cover assembly completely enshrouds said truck bed for securing contents therein and a fully deployed camper configuration in which said cover assembly defines, in concert with the truck bed, a habitable enclosure, said assembly comprising:
- a rigid shell mountable upon said truck proximate said bed;
- a rigid aerodynamic cover detachably hinged to said shell, said cover comprising: a pair of flexible sidewalls and a flexible rear hatch that are selectively deployable to enclose said bed when said cover is disposed in said elevated configuration; elongated sidewall hangers secured underneath said cover for suspending said sidewalls; elongated sleeve tubes secured beneath and pivoted to said cover that captivate and tension said sidewalls when the cover is elevated and the sidewalls are deployed; stanchions pivoted to said cover at its rear underside that can be pivotally deployed to support the cover when elevated; and, a hanger attached to the cover for supporting said hatch;
- means for releasably coupling said stanchions to said sleeve tubes; and, keeper brackets associated with said shell for supporting the stanchions.
11. The cover assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said shell comprises an elongated cradle at the top of each of its sides for nesting the sidewall sleeve tubes.
12. The cover assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said sleeve tubes penetrate portions of the sidewalls at their bottoms for tensioning them.
13. The cover assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for coupling said stanchions to said sleeve tubes comprises stubs pivoted to said stanchions that coaxially fit within ends of said sleeve tubes.
14. A cover assembly for mounting on a pickup truck having an open bed defined by upstanding sides and a tailgate disposed rearwardly of the cab, said cover assembly comprising:
- a shell mountable upon said truck proximate said bed the shell comprising a pair of triangular sidewalls and a transverse portion proximate said cab;
- a rigid, aerodynamic cover detachably hinged to said shell transverse portion, said cover comprising: a pair of flexible sidewalls and a flexible rear hatch that are selectively deployable to enclose said bed when said cover is disposed in said elevated configuration; elongated sidewall hangers secured underneath said cover for suspending said sidewalls; elongated sleeve tubes secured beneath and pivoted to said cover that captivate and tension said sidewalls when the cover is elevated and the sidewalls are deployed; stanchions that can be pivotally deployed to support the cover when elevated;
- stubs pivoted to said stanchions that coaxially fit within ends of said sleeve tubes for releasably coupling said stanchions to said sleeve tubes; and,
- brackets associated with said shell for supporting the stanchions.
15. The cover assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said shell comprises an elongated cradle at the top of each of its sides for nesting the sidewall sleeve tubes.
16. The cover assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said sleeve tubes penetrate portions of the sidewalls at their bottoms for tensioning them.
17. The cover assembly as defined in claim 16 further comprising struts secured beneath the cover that releasably couple to said shell.
18. The cover assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said stanchions are pivoted at their tops to said cover.
19. The cover assembly as defined in claim 18 wherein said sleeve tubes penetrate portions of the sidewalls at their bottoms for tensioning them.
20. The cover assembly as defined in claim 19 further comprising struts secured beneath the cover that releasably couple to said shell.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 29, 2008
Publication Date: Apr 23, 2009
Inventor: Brett Stuart Herndon (Little Rock, AR)
Application Number: 12/286,516