Hinged Patents (Class 296/100.06)
  • Patent number: 6254169
    Abstract: A removable cover system for use on a pickup truck bed, the bed having a floor, side walls, a front wall, and a tailgate. The cover comprises a frame having a front member, a rear member, and two side members. Members of the frame are attached to the bed at the upper surfaces of the side wall and front wall. Additionally, a captive lid and a restraining lid are provided. The captive lid and the restraining lid each have a front edge, a rear edge, an outboard edge, an inboard edge, a top side, and a bottom side. A plurality of receiving members are disposed on the side members of the frame. A plurality of pin members are disposed on the outboard edge of both the captive lid and the restraining lid. In one embodiment, an alignment system is provided. The system incorporates grooves on the side members of the frame and on the lids. The grooves guide the pins into the receiving members thus allowing the lids to be rotatably connected to the side members of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Jim Arthur
  • Patent number: 6234559
    Abstract: A rigid, Tonneau cover assembly for a pickup truck bed wherein the cover assembly comprises a panel member and an integral tool box. The low profile cover assembly comprises a panel member positioned flush to a rim of the truck bed and an integral tool box fixedly mounted to the panel member and positioned in an interior region of the truck underneath of the panel member so as to be concealed from view. A plurality of access doors are formed on the panel member so as to provide quick access to the tool box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Vista Consolidated, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Block, Gerald B. Block
  • Patent number: 6231096
    Abstract: A cargo space covering for a cargo space of a motor vehicle, particularly a station wagon, has at least one inherently rigid covering element which, in an approximately horizontal covering position approximately in parallel to the cargo space floor, separates the cargo space from the vehicle occupant compartment and can be swivelled upward out of the covering position about a swivelling axis into an unloading position. The swivelling axis of the covering element extends approximately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Two covering elements are provided which are pivotable about respective swivelling axes of hinges extending along lateral sides of the cargo space. The hinges are releasable and the covering elements are configured to form a portable suitcase when removed from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Bollmann, Ferdinand Greiner, Hans-Guent Moeller
  • Patent number: 6227602
    Abstract: A cargo cover for covering an open cargo box of a pick-up truck comprising a pair of similar pivotally connected panels extending from a forward portion of the cargo box to a rearward portion of the cargo box. Each of said panels is formed from a pair of thin spaced apart metal sheets joined together by folding an outer portion of one of the sheets over an outer portion of the other of the sheets. The panels are pivotally connected with a linear hinge which substantially extends across the full width of the cover. Several embodiments for locking the panels to the pick-up truck are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cover is locked by engaging thin transverse rods with strikers which are attached to opposite sides of the pick-up truck. In a second embodiment, a “pull” type solenoid mounted on a panel engages a plunger with a striker mounted on the pick-up truck. In a third embodiment, a single key lock unlocks the front and rear panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. Bogard
  • Patent number: 6217103
    Abstract: A pickup truck cargo bed tonneau cover (30) includes cover panels (32, 34) and a cargo bed partition (50) mounted on a common hinge to suspend the partition (50) beneath the tonneau cover and divide the cargo bed (14) into individual compartments (14a, 14b). The cargo bed/partition includes fasteners (60) to releasably secure the partition (50) in an upright position beneath the tonneau cover and to permit swinging movement of the partition, when released, about the hinge out of the way to accommodate large loads in the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Stella Schultz, Bert Theodore Swanson, Colleen Marie Hoffman, Jack V. Giles
  • Patent number: 6213539
    Abstract: A carrier system for transporting equipment, such as bicycles. The carrier of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a partial enclosed compartment having a substantially oval shape. Two opposing lid members are pivotally mounted on each end of the compartment. The two lid members open upward and outward to allow full access to the interior of the compartment. The two lid members then close downward and towards one another with a slight overlap to fully enclose the body to form the carrier body. In one embodiment, the axle assembly and tongue are directly mounted on the lower surface of the trailer body. Equipment mounting devices are formed or affixed directly in the interior of the trailer body. The equipment is thus able to be securely transported without danger from the elements or from unauthorized access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Let's Go Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Marty Williams, Matthew Drabczyk
  • Patent number: 6186576
    Abstract: A rigid bedcover and suspension/access system that provides substantially uniform and stable suspension throughout the angle of travel of the bedcover from the fully closed position to the fully open position. An offset hinge pivotally supports the bedcover and a counterbalanced suspension system suspends the pivoting bedcover with a substantially constant force throughout its path of travel from a fully closed position at 0 degrees to a fully open position at approximately 90 degrees. The counterbalanced suspension system of this invention does not require the hydraulic piston required by the prior art and provides a counterbalancing force and stable opening at every angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Bruce L. Kepley, Robert M. Farnam