Having Docking Passage Means Between Body And Vehicle Unit Patents (Class 296/166)
  • Patent number: 11866100
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a vehicle body. The vehicle body is supported on the vehicle frame. The vehicle body has a cabin and a cargo box. The cabin houses one or more vehicle seats of the vehicle. The cabin has a rear wall and the cargo box has a front wall that is adjacent to the rear wall. The rear wall of the cabin and the front wall of the cargo box together define a passthrough that connects a floor of the cargo box and a floor of the cabin. The passthrough is closeable by a barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith St. Clair
  • Patent number: 11227348
    Abstract: The systems and methods provided herein are directed to a system of modular mobile autonomous vehicles that can selectively connect in order to combine dining experiences of different passengers. Passenger preferences, trip details, and food logistics can each be factors in determining optimal matches for combined dining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael T. Sailer, Nathan G Brown, Annika E. Nordlund-Swenson, Katie C. Wallace, Panagiotis Giannopoulos
  • Patent number: 10538152
    Abstract: A truck bed accessory frame is disclosed therein which allows for reconfiguration between an opened position and a closed position. In the open position, objects taller than the frame can loaded onto the truck bed. In the closed position, objects placed in the truck bed can be protected from the environmental elements (e.g. rain and UV rays from the sun).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 7876202
    Abstract: A device for controlling the height of a load or load carrier behind the cab of a truck includes a sensor supported on a power operated air deflector on the roof of the cab. The sensor is arranged, during vertical movement of the rear end of the air deflector, to sense the maximum height of the load or the load carrier behind the cab and to send signals representing the maximum height to an indicator inside the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Benny Liljeblad, Tobias Vikström
  • Patent number: 7293723
    Abstract: A material handling device for a vehicle includes a receiving portion for receiving material, a material moving system operable to move material along the receiving portion, a material processing device attachable at a rear of the receiving portion, and a power source. The receiving portion is configured to fit at a vehicle bed, and is removably positioned at a vehicle bed. The material handling device may be movably supported at a support surface to ease installation and removal of said material handling device at the vehicle. The material processing device is operable to dispense material from within the receiving portion to a location external the receiving portion and/or collect material from a location external the receiving portion and dispense the collected material into the receiving portion. The power source may provide power to the material processing device and/or the material moving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Rockit Corp.
    Inventors: Cal G Niemela, Philip J Quenzi
  • Patent number: 7275901
    Abstract: A transport system having a chassis; a body mounted on the chassis, where the body includes a cabin for transporting at least one passenger; a cabin for the driver; a tandem coupled to the chassis; a drop frame secured to the chassis where the drop frame is below and behind the tandem; and a fifth wheel secured to the drop frame. In various embodiments, the driver cabin and the passenger cabin together form a unitary compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Blaine Carroll
  • Patent number: 7213872
    Abstract: A truck, in particular a fire-fighting utility vehicle. The vehicle has a structure mounted on a chassis frame with a driver's cab pivotable about a horizontal axis extending transversely to the travel direction. A crew and/or equipment cab is also mounted on the chassis frame communicating with the driver's cab via a releasable connecting mechanism forming a passageway. Independently of the driver's cab and the crew and/or equipment cab, a utility structure is mounted on the chassis frame having built-in fixtures for storing tools and equipment and optionally having extinguisher units consisting of at least a tank, extinguisher pump, etc. and mounting devices are provided at entry and/or operating openings in transverse and/or longitudinal side walls of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Rosenbauer International Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Ronacher, Franz Hochdaninger
  • Patent number: 7111896
    Abstract: A device, which can be folded for storage and zipped together for use. The device provides a connection between the sliding rear window of a truck with the front edge of a camper or cab to eliminate the elements entering the cab or camper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: David R. Arriola, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7014251
    Abstract: An elongate moldable, flexible material or sealing body positioned between adjacent walls of a pickup truck and canopy mounted to a pickup truck bed, to permit windows of the pickup cab and canopy to be open for communication between the cab space and the canopy space, as well as to keep out wind, rain, dust and debris. The sealing body encompassing the perimeter of the windows of the cab and canopy. The sealing body also having a width dimension greater than its thickness dimension. Further, the sealing body having the ability to rotate about its central axis to accommodate varying dimensions of gaps between the cab wall and the canopy wall. The sealing body also having a fast compression rate and a compression memory. The slow expansion rate or “slow memory” giving the added benefit of avoiding abrasion of the sealing body against the cab or canopy walls due to vibration of the cab or canopy structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Vernon ‘Russ’ Husk
  • Patent number: 6840529
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle is made up of a pickup truck, a camper which is releasably mounted on the pickup truck and includes an accessway between the cab of the pickup truck and the camper, and a trailer which communicates with the camper through an articulated passage or walkway to permit movement of occupants between the camper and trailer while the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: David B. Call
  • Patent number: 6740810
    Abstract: A container is provided, including a housing having a plurality of walls that define an inside and an outside of the housing; and at least one dual-sided outlet arranged on at least one of the walls, the dual sided outlet having a first electrical supply point arranged on the inside of the housing and a second electrical supply point arranged on the outside of the housing; wherein each of the first and second electrical supply points is configured to detachably couple to at least one respective electrical appliance, and each of the first and second electrical supply points is configured to provide electrical power to the at least one respective electrical appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Alejandro S Regueiro
  • Patent number: 6692062
    Abstract: A motor coach is provided as well as a method of manufacturing a luxury motor coach conversion from a semi tractor, for example, a class 8 sleeper. The motor coach utilizes the sleeper portion of the original truck body and includes a rear body portion that is mounted to a frame of the tractor rearwardly of the sleeper portion. In an embodiment, the motor coach is manufactured by removing a significant portion of a rear panel of the sleeper portion, mounting the rear body against the sleeper, and securing a flange over a seam between the rear body and the sleeper. In an embodiment, the motor coach has multiple occupiable levels including an elevated level and a lower level which has a sunken floor that is vertically lower than the truck frame. Optionally, the motor coach includes a garage having a tiltable floor that supports an auxiliary vehicle during travel and pivots to slope downwardly for loading and unloading the auxiliary vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Morphos Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Morris Woodard, Donald Wayne Clapp
  • Patent number: 6286891
    Abstract: A multi-purpose camper shell front window and frame assembly, for allowing quick and easy removal of a front camper shell window, without removal of the camper shell from the truck, to facilitate cleaning of the truck window and camper shell window; and for allowing use of one's choice among multiple front camper shell windows, including a picture window or a double pane sliding window; or for allowing use of a front pressure boot. A one piece outer frame assembly is readily secured to, or removed from, the camper shell front window aperture, and the picture window, sliding window, or pressure boot may be readily be installed within, or removed from, the outer frame assembly. Removal and reinstallation of a camper shell window, may easily be accomplished, without any special tools, in less than half an hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory Otis Gage, Dean Joseph Storholt
  • Patent number: 5967596
    Abstract: A two part motorhome that is connected when on the road can be separated into a motorized chassis and a living unit at other times. The motorized chassis can be used as an independent vehicle. The living unit utilizes four corner mounted jacks which are extended for separating the unit from the chassis. The jacks are retracted to allow the living unit to be leveled and to be lowered to nearly ground level for easy access. Means are provided for locking the chassis and living unit together. The chassis ignition circuit fails to operate if the unit is not properly locked. A system employing two lasers is an alignment aid for the driver in properly reconnecting the chassis and the living unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Donald Elmer Knoop
  • Patent number: 5924762
    Abstract: A truck tunnel (12) for a pickup truck (14) having a cab (16) with a rear window (18) in a rear wall (20) and a camper cap (22) on a bed (24) of the pickup truck (14) with a front window (26) in a front wall (28), spaced by a predetermined gap (30) from the rear wall (20) of the cab (16). The truck tunnel (12) comprises an inflatable apertured structural component (32) that is insertable into the predetermined gap (30) between the rear wall (20) of the cab (16) and the front wall (28) of the camper cap (22) and can be manipulated to extend about the rear window (18) in the rear wall (20) of the cab (16) and the front window (26) in the front wall (28) of the camper cap (22) to form a weatherproof and windproof seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Robert E Pols
  • Patent number: 5735568
    Abstract: The invention provides a unitized cab-sleeper assembly that may be mounted on a truck-tractor chassis. The cab-sleeper assembly includes lightweight monocoque cab and sleeper modules that are mechanically coupled in a unique manner to achieve a unitary structure with great structural integrity, while also providing a comfortable ride, when mounted to a truck-tractor chassis. The cab-sleeper assembly includes in certain embodiments a unique ladderlike subframe, which consists of mechanically coupled separate subframes of the cab and sleeper modules. In other embodiments, the subframe is not ladderlike, and the cab-sleeper floors may be fabricated of a composite material over a lightweight core. Moreover, the rear of the cab is coupled to the front of the sleeper by concealed couplings, located at least at each corner of the cab-sleeper interface. In an important feature of the invention, each of the pair of sleeper mounts of the cab-sleeper assembly is located about midway along the length of the sleeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Western Star Trucks, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Milton Arnold
  • Patent number: 5560673
    Abstract: A truck cab and sleeper assembly is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, a cab having no rear wall and a sleeper having no front wall are coupled together via bolts and a compressive seal. An internal rain gutter and an adhesive sealant are further provided to seal the interface between the cab and sleeper against moisture. The cab and sleeper may therefore be easily separated by cutting the adhesive sealant and unbolting the two structures. Because there are no walls between the cab and sleeper, access between the two is substantially unrestricted. The roof of both the cab and the sleeper slope upward in a rearward direction, thereby providing sufficient head room, together with the unrestricted access, to allow an occupant of the truck to comfortably transition frown a seated position in the cab to a standing position in the sleeper, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald J. Angelo
  • Patent number: 5516185
    Abstract: A cab to cap gap filler apparatus includes a top assembly which includes a top width that is greater than a gap width of a gap between a rear of a truck cab and a front of a truck bed cap. The top assembly is flexible along lines which are parallel to the top width, and the top assembly has a top length which is sufficiently long for the top assembly to cover horizontal and vertical portions of the gap between the rear of the cab and the front of the truck bed cap when the top assembly is flexed around horizontal and vertical portions of the gap. A flexible housing assembly is connected to a bottom side of the top assembly and includes a portion which has a housing width which is less than the top width, and a quantity of moldable solid particulate material is contained within the flexible housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventors: Teresa H. O'Donnell, Patrick A. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 5437492
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing leakage between the cabin of a pickup track and the boot of a camper shell installed thereon, the cabin and boot forming a joint therebetween. A magnetic boot umbrella, in the form of at least one length of magnetically attachable flashing, is attached to a substantially rear surface of the cabin of a pickup truck, and shields the cabin-boot joint. The magnetically attachable flashing comprises a flashing strip, which may be flexible or rigid, in operative combination with a magnet strip. Water or other fluids are precluded from intrusion between the cabin and the magnet strip by the intimate contact afforded therebetween by the flexible and conformable nature of the strip and the tenacity of its attachment to the cabin. A fluid traveling down the rear surface of the cabin is first diverted by the magnet strip over the flashing. The flashing then diverts the fluid over the boot-cabin joint to the body of the boot and thence away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Michael Pascoe
  • Patent number: 5429405
    Abstract: A shell-like vehicle cap mounted to the top of a vehicle, wherein there is an opening in the top of the vehicle and an opening in the floor of the cap, allowing entrance to the interior of the cap from the interior of the vehicle. The cap overhangs outwardly beyond the body of the vehicle, protecting the vehicle from sun and rain, and allowing ventilation openings, lights, etc. to be placed in the protected portion of the overhanging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Newbould
  • Patent number: 5280984
    Abstract: A boot assembly (10) and method for lining at least a portion of the periphery of a passageway between two compartments (4, 6) of a vehicle (8). The boot assembly (10) includes a boot body portion (16) formed to extend between the securement devices (12, 14) having opposed, first and second shoulders (24, 26). The securement devices are mounted proximate an opening formed in each opposed wall of the two compartments (4, 6). A retaining structure (20, 22) is provided on the body portion (16) to secure the body portion (16) to the securement devices (12, 14). The retaining structure (20, 22) includes a first lip portion (34) and a spaced apart second lip portion (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Paccar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Paul, David M. Yun
  • Patent number: 5192112
    Abstract: A safety captain window for a truck, which comprises: a captain window housing comprising inner, middle, and outer channel members, wherein the inner channel member comprises at least one slidable glass window member slidably movable within the inner channel member, the middle channel member comprises first and second fixed glass plate members fixedly mounted within the middle channel member so as to define an opening therein between the first and second fixed glass plate members, and the outer channel member comprises first and second channel sections separated by a safety screen means, whereby the safety screen means prevents the influx of solid matter through an opening formed when the at least one slidable glass window member is moved in a lateral direction within the inner channel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventors: Nicholas Gherardi, Sari Steller
  • Patent number: 5108144
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle comprised of a front section is rigidly coupled to a rear section. This design allows the vehicle to be utilized similar to a motor home when coupled and yet uncoupled when desired. Four independent suspension and wheel assemblies support the trailer. Each of the four suspension pivot about an upright axis. The pivoting action of the suspension allows the front and rear sections to be rigidly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Michael J. Crowley
  • Patent number: 5090765
    Abstract: A truck cab to bed seal and its method for utilization is set forth wherein an elongate inflatable sealing member includes an inner and outer pneumatic chambers to accommodate varying widths within a gap defined by an upper forward surface of a truck bed and a rear surface of a truck cab. The method includes providing such a sealing member and providing the sealing member of a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of a sliding window formed within a truck cab. The seal prevents heated air developed from a roadway and from engine heat to be driected between the gap and enter the cab through the sliding rear window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Paul J. Gremillion
  • Patent number: 5067769
    Abstract: The invention is a "duct-way" between the pickup truck cab and the bed cap, both with sliding glass windows. The invention is a sealed clear opening which allows the pickup truck sliding glass window to be closed. It is specifically for the sliding glass windows which face each other on a pickup truck cab (rear window) and a bed cap which also has a sliding glass window (front window on the cap).It is made of clear plastic or plexiglass which allows the driver to use his rear view mirror. The purpose of the duct-way is to allow for heat, air-conditioning, and communication to take place between the cab and cap. This unit is sealed from the weather and is able to be closed from the cab by closing the cab sliding glass window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: John Rex Benchoff
    Inventor: John R. Benchoff
  • Patent number: 5066065
    Abstract: A self-contained temporary shelter comprising an expandable/collapsible sleeping compartment for use in conjunction with a vehicle is described. The temporary shelter is accessible through the interior rear of the vehicle. The sleeping compartment comprises a collapsible/extendable canopy covering and a collapsible/expandable support structure. Said compartment, during non-use, is collapsed and housed in a manually removable container and use thereof requires no material modification to the vehicle. Dust and rain covers are disclosed which attach to the vehicle and comprise protective enclosure for open portals of the vehicle. The sleeping compartment when in the as used, extended or open position is supported at the distal end by terrain engaging columns and defines a sleeping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Milo Baughman
  • Patent number: 5004293
    Abstract: A cargo truck which includes a cab and a body portion connected to a frame chassis. The cab and body are interconnected for travel therebetween by a passageway which is sealed by a connecting boot to prevent ingress of moisture and to reduce vibrational forces on the body during road travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Cargo Master Incorporated
    Inventor: John F. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4993773
    Abstract: A vehicle used for camping or the like includes a roof structure having an opening upon which is mounted a seperable cover panel. The cover panel can be moved from a closed position covering the opening to an open position in which it is suspended in cantilever arrangement outwardly from one side of the opening with a tent enclosure between the opening and the underside of the panel to cover an access area therebetween. A lever arrangement includes first and second levers which are connected for pivotal movement respectively at the side edge of the opening and the adjacent side edge of the panel. Third and fourth levers are connected each coupled to one of the first and second levers for pivotal movement with the third and fourth levers connected together between the first and second levers and exending outwardly therefrom to engage a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Expandable Van Tops Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Lange
  • Patent number: 4940278
    Abstract: A removable seal assembly for interconnecting the rear window of a pick-up style cab with the front window of a bed unit such as a camper or a bed cap. The seal assembly comprises an elastic tunnel having peripheral elastic rings provided at each of its two ends. A frame member with a peripherally defined channel is fixed to the inside of the cab and another such frame member is fixed to the inside of the bed unit. By stretching each ring to fit into its respective frame channel, a weather tight seal is created between the cab and the bed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Willard LePere
  • Patent number: 4848831
    Abstract: Recreational vehicles such a motor homes are either self-contained or consist of a cab-type drive unit with a fifth wheel connection for the motor home component. The present device comprises a motor home unit and a self-contained van unit with the units being close-coupled together as one rigid assembly. Full access is provided when connected between the van and the motor home and the van is readily detached and can be used as a self-contained separate vehicle for travelling towing a boat or the like. Connection is by detachable connecting the front ends of the longitudinal chassis members of the motor home unit to the rear ends of the longitudinal chassis members of the van and the van is a front wheel drive unit with steerable front wheels and selectively steerable rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Continental Coach Ltd.
    Inventor: John M. Buday
  • Patent number: 4848832
    Abstract: A sliding door and window assembly for pickup trucks having caps over the bed portion is disclosed, the invention providing sliding doors and windows in the rear wall of the cab, doors in the front wall of the bed, and windows in the front wall of the cap. Upper and lower seals are provided to seal the space between the cab and bed portions, thus providing access between the cab and bed while sealing the interior from foreign contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventor: Doris H. Starnes
  • Patent number: 4671560
    Abstract: For use with a window boot joining in sealing relationship the aligned window openings in a camper, cap or canopy truck combination, the window boot having a semi-rigid compressible end construction, a frame assembly mounted about at least one of the window openings, preferably the camper window on the exterior thereof, which receives the window boot end in sealing relationship so that the otherwise conventional sliding windows of the window opening may be opened and closed with the boot end in place. The frame may be placed over an existing window opening or be made an integral part of the window. A pair of opposed, inverted J-shaped channels receive the boot end which includes opposed, telescopic, U-shaped legs spring urged to an expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventors: Thomas L. Pettit, Clyde L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 4627655
    Abstract: A pick-up cap construction is provided which includes a novel compressible seal arrangement between the pick-up driver cab and the pick-up cap, a novel rear door construction and a novel pick-up cap holddown arrangement. The rear door construction includes a full size rear door covering the complete area from the top of the pick-up cap to the truck bed, pivoted about a horizontally extending axis disposed at the top of the pick-up cap. The pick-up cap sidewalls are attached to the pick-up truck box sidewalls by means of an extruded metal mounting rail which forms one side of a sandwich clamp construction engageable with the lower part of the cap sidewall, and which is riveted to another extruded metal profile part which serves the additional function of accommodating a mounting of a decorative profile strip to cover the connection between the cap and truck box sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Leer, Incorporated
    Inventor: John Collins
  • Patent number: 4616871
    Abstract: A plastics material boot for insertion within adjacent, aligned openings or windows in a camper, cap or canopy and truck combination. A central, flexible tunnel in the form of an inflatable toroidal chamber has spring loaded, compressible, generally quadrilaterally shaped ends inserted through and behind the openings in a compressed state where after they are released to expand and retain the ends behind the openings. The central tunnel is then inflated. No other attachment of any kind is needed to install and retain the boot in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pettit
  • Patent number: 4492384
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement between a pair of aligned openings each of which is defined by a frame member and that includes a boot having a pair of opposed arm members adapted to be located in the openings with each arm member being sealingly maintained therein by a molding member which serves to press the associated arm member at localized points into sealing engagement with the associated frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Fredric A. Herschelman
  • Patent number: 4458939
    Abstract: Camping adapter unit mounted on a motor vehicle having a cab and a load platform extending behind the cab. The load platform has an opening therein adjacent the cab, and the adapter unit has a tub portion projecting through the opening in the platform to form an increased height for standing in the interior of the adapter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Inventor: Roland Hohn
  • Patent number: 4452465
    Abstract: A camping trailer is provided having a configuration to cooperatively combine with a towing automobile to integrate interior compartments and spaces of each into usable space. The trailer has a wheeled chassis provided with a forwardly extending tongue assembly and hitch assembly for interconnecting with the towing automobile and carrying a body structure having a front end portion configured to detachably interconnect with the rear end of the automobile. The front end portion has a front wall surface inclined upwardly in a forward direction to complement an opposed rear wall surface of the towing automobile and is provided with a flexible bellows that is detachably secured to the towing automobile around a rear hatch-type door of the automobile. An opening in the front wall surface of the trailer body structure permits opening of the rear hatch door of the automobile by swinging movement of the door through the opening and into the interior of the trailer thereby enabling combined use of the interior spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: NBS, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bourke
  • Patent number: 4378856
    Abstract: An arrangement including a passageway connection of the type for use in interconnecting the interior of a vehicle driver's cab and the interior of a sleeper unit mounted behind the cab comprising an outer accordian seal and an inner boot member. The outer accordian seal is mounted surrounding an external side of openings in the front and rear walls respectively, of a sleeper unit and driver's cab so as to provide a detachable water tight seal, while the inner boot member provides sound and temperature insulation as well as an attractive smooth appearance, and also coacting with a detachable end of the outer accordian seal so as to retain same in its assembled condition. The outer accordian seal also acts to protect the inner boot member which might otherwise be destroyed by exposure to the environment, truck washing equipment, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1983
    Assignee: Double Eagle Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray S. Miller
  • Patent number: 4319778
    Abstract: A bed structure which is primarily intended for use in an extension of the body of a motorhome extending over the cab of the motorhome can be constructed so as to utilize a support holding a mattress pad so that they are capable of being manipulated between normal use positions in which the support and the pad serve as a normal part of the bed to another non-use position in which both the support and the pad are located above another second support of the bed. This second support holds a second pad which is constructed so as to coact with the first pad on the first support so as to fit on top of the first pad when the first support and pad are shifted to the non-use position above the second support. A strap is provided for returning the second pad to its normal position when the first support and the first pad are moved back to their normal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Leonard, Arie Shikler
  • Patent number: 4299422
    Abstract: A flexible, plastics material boot for insertion within the adjacent opened windows in a camper, cap or canopy and truck combination. A central flexible tunnel has two inflatable toroidal chambers at the tunnel ends which are simply pushed or popped into placed after chamber inflation. No other attachment of any kind is required to install the boot in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Inventor: John E. Pettit
  • Patent number: 4294485
    Abstract: A boot is provided which includes a resiliently deformable frame shaped to the respective contours of the rear window aperture of the truck cab and front window aperture in the forward wall of the camper. The opposite end walls of the boot frame terminate in portions adapted for attachment to the cab an camper. One of said portions includes magnetic attachment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas E. Engelhard
  • Patent number: 4279426
    Abstract: The space between and surrounding aligned window openings of a vehicle cab and a camper carried thereby is sealed by an endless flexible member of sheet material of a length to surround the aligned window openings and of a width greater than the space therebetween. An endless resilient member is carried by the edge of each flexible member with each resilient member being of a length greater than the peripheral distance around the window opening adjacent thereto and adapted to snap therethrough and then retain a position outwardly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Inventor: Earl Flack, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4257645
    Abstract: A flexible sheet seal for joining first and second spaced apart members in waterproof and airtight sealing engagement. The sheet seal has gripping members on at least one end thereof for releasably securing the end in sealing engagement with one of the members. In one application, the seal is a hollow bellows seal for joining a window opening in a vehicle cab to an aligned opening in a pickup cap mounted on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Schlegel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas K. Balogh
  • Patent number: 4222605
    Abstract: A boot is provided which includes a resiliently deformable frame shaped to the respective contours of the rear window aperture of the truck cab and front window aperture in the forward wall of the camper. The opposite end walls of the boot frame terminate in respective continuous thickened lips which respectively snap-fit into corresponding channels provided in the cab and camper window frame. The thickened lips each include a flange-like projection which when the boot is installed provides a trough for draining away water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas E. Engelhard
  • Patent number: 4183573
    Abstract: A boot protection and antitheft apparatus which protects the flexible hollow boot extending between an opening in the forward surface of a camper shell and the rear window frame of a pickup truck cab. The apparatus includes two side members, which are substantially mirror images of each other, each of which includes a flat panel for substantially closing the opening between the truck cab and the camper shell and an angularly depending rectangular flange intersecting along one of the edges of each panel for facilitating attachment to the cab of the pickup truck. The apparatus is connected to the cab of the truck such that the flanges are inaccessible from the exterior and the panels are mounted substantially parallel to the sides of the cab rear window and are angled in towards each other at the ends approaching the camper shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Inventor: Alvin H. DeRidder
  • Patent number: 4172494
    Abstract: An air transfer system for conveying air from the heater-air conditioner of a vehicle to the interior of an accessory such as a camper, trailer, and the like attached to the vehicle. The air transfer system includes a main conduit that is attached at one end to the air spreader of the heater-air conditioner of the vehicle to receive conditioned air therefrom. In one embodiment, the main conduit is positioned under or over the front seat of the vehicle and the other end of it passed through a hole in the back window of the vehicle and mounted to an adaptor positioned adjacent a hole in the front window of the camper. In two of the embodiments, the ends of the main conduit have collars that are slideably receivable within adaptors mounted to the air spreader and the window of either the vehicle of the camper. A third embodiment has a collar mounted around the main conduit adjacent its second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Inventor: Cecil C. Saulters