Having Means To Tie Down Body To Vehicle Unit Patents (Class 296/167)
  • Patent number: 11440387
    Abstract: A camper shell system for a pickup truck generally includes universal mounting plates and a structural support for a camper shell that comprises front, first, and second walls that extend downward from a top. The shell and mounting plates extend wider than the bed rails to cover a space above and to the sides of the truck bed. The structural support is sized to nest within and reinforce the camper shell and, preferably, to transfer forces acting on the camper shell to the bed of the truck. In one configuration, when the tailgate is down, the structural support is enclosed and operable to extend over the tailgate to enlarge the space covered by the camper shell system and to help bear the top of the camper shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventors: John Howard Younkins, Jr., Amy Morrill Younkins
  • Publication number: 20150145279
    Abstract: A latch system for securing a camper within the bed of a truck is provided. The latch system comprises two main assemblies: the bed-mounted rail-receiver track assembly and the camper rail frame assembly which is adapted to be secured to the bottom of the camper. The camper rail frame assembly includes at least a left camper rail and at least a right camper rail. The bed-mounted rail-receiver track assembly includes at least two and preferably four bed-mounted rail-receiver track members adapted for receiving the rail members carried by the bottom of the camper. Each bed-mounted rail-receiver track member preferably includes a flange flared so as to compensate for slight misalignments, either up or side to side, of the camper as the camper is being mounted within the bed of the truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Corae, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8474767
    Abstract: A tie-down bar apparatus and method for securing Cargo onto the bed of trailer or full-size, mid-size, or small pick-up truck comprising an adjustable telescoping support bar having a main body and two ends, the main body of the telescoping support bar has at least one tie-down ring is connected to the main body for securing one or more pieces of cargo including recreational vehicles, the main body of the telescoping support bar has two elongated arm which are positioning inside each end of the main body, to create the telescoping effect so that the support bar can be adjusted to match the size of the width of a vehicle's bed. Wherein a user will install said pair of connectors to the vehicle thereby securely attaching said telescoping support bar to the bed of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Bike Tite, Inc.
    Inventor: John Nicholls
  • Publication number: 20080238138
    Abstract: Cocoon Camper is a two-unit camper consisting of a frontal vehicle and a rear camper section. The frontal vehicle and rear camper section are connected and locked together allowing the vehicle to drive as if it were a single unit. The rear camper section of Cocoon Camper overlaps the frontal vehicle on top with a section that locks in place and connects directly to the top of the frontal vehicle unit with supports. The rear camper also locks in place from the back of the frontal vehicle unit to fully connect and stabilize the vehicle. Cocoon Camper works by connecting the drive shaft from the frontal vehicle to the camper in order to drive the wheels of the camper section from the rear. Cocoon Camper makes this possible by allowing the rear wheels of the frontal vehicle unit to retract to provide the proper clearance. The frontal vehicle has a unique modified differential that includes a selector to activate the wheels on the frontal vehicle or the wheels on the camper unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jacques Vallee
  • Patent number: 6808227
    Abstract: A hold down mechanism for securing a camper to a vehicle bed which provides a spring lever connected to the undercarriage of the vehicle which is flexible in a vertical direction and which acts as a shock absorber when the vehicle is in motion over various rough road conditions and the like. The assembly provides a device for readily releasing the tie-downs of the camper or adjusting the same with regard to the vehicle mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Dana F. Ayler
  • Patent number: 6688672
    Abstract: A camper tie-down. The tie down is provided for mounting a load such as a camper to pre-existing mounting structure on a motor vehicle frame, such as a hitch or frame portion. The tie-down includes a retractable base portion, an adjustable tension member, and a shock absorbing cushioning member. The tie-down minimizes or eliminates drilling, cutting, welding or other custom mounting structure for installation on most vehicles. One embodiment includes bullet shaped extension plates for extending the attachment point of arms forward or rearward, as appropriate depending on whether the attachment is to be made at the front or at the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Jack Kay
  • Patent number: 6547314
    Abstract: A system for anchoring and/or positioning a camper within a bed of a truck. The system comprising an anchoring assembly, a positioning assembly, and tie-down means for interconnecting the camper with said anchoring assembly. The anchoring assembly is attached to the bed of the truck and includes a mounting bracket, guide plate, stabilizing bar, and support bracket. The mounting bracket is configured to be mountable to the bed of the truck. The guide plate is connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to receive the stabilizing bar therein. The stabilizing bar is configured to connect two or more guide plates. A support bracket is attached to a load bearing member of the truck below the bed of the truck. A positioning assembly is also mounted in the bed of the truck. The positioning assembly is configured to guide the camper within the bed of the truck, while preventing lateral movement of the camper during movement of the truck. A tie-down assembly interconnects the camper with the anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Happijac Company
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20020014786
    Abstract: A camper tie-down. The tie down is provided for mounting a load such as a camper to pre-existing mounting structure on a motor vehicle frame, such as a hitch or frame portion. The tie-down includes a retractable base portion, an adjustable tension member, and a shock absorbing cushioning member. The tie-down minimizes or eliminates drilling, cutting, welding or other custom mounting structure for installation on most vehicles. One embodiment includes bullet shaped extension plates for extending the attachment point of arms forward or rearward, as appropriate depending on whether the attachment is to be made at the front or at the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jack Kay
  • Patent number: 6260910
    Abstract: A retractable camper tie-down. The tie down is provided for mounting a load such as a camper to pre-existing mounting structure on a motor vehicle frame. The tie-down includes a retractable base portion, an adjustable tension member, and a shock absorbing cushioning member. The tie-down requires no drilling, cutting, welding or other custom mounting structure for installation on most vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Jack Kay
  • Patent number: 6196507
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for releasably securing a cab or other truck toppers to a pick-up truck box includes master and slave assemblies mounted to a transverse section of the sidewall of the cab and spaced-apart from each other. Each assembly has an engagement member pivotable between an operative position in which the engagement member extends beneath an inwardly extending flange of the sidewall of the truck box and abuts the undersurface of the flange, and an inoperative position in which the engagement member clears the flange. A set of worm and worm gear is provided in the master assembly and a worm gear shaft extends through the master and slave assemblies to drive the engagement members in the pivotal movement. The clamp assembly is operated using a rotating tool from inside of the cab so that unauthorized removal of the cab from the truck is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Yvon Morin, Kenneth J. Morey
  • Patent number: 6168227
    Abstract: A camper stand including a pair of elongated frame members mounted in parallel to the bottom of a camper. A pair of leg assemblies are pivotally supported intermediate the elongated frame members. Each leg assembly includes a crossbar, a pair of outer sleeves attached to the crossbar, and a pair of telescoping members with each telescoping member being positioned at least in part within a respective one of the outer sleeves. Each telescoping member has a plurality of holes, a selected one of which is engaged by a pin passing through the respective outer sleeve to fix the length of each leg. Each leg assembly is fixed in the extended position by a pair of detachable braces. The leg assemblies are folded to lie flat against the bottom of the camper to permit the camper to be mounted on the bed of a truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Edward T. Lofting
  • Patent number: 6145920
    Abstract: An anchor device for securing a camper in a bed of a truck is that includes a bracket that is configured to be mounted below the horizontal planar level of the bed of the truck and to stably retain the camper in the bed of the truck while limiting the rotational, horizontal and vertical movement of the camper. The bracket comprises a first arm and a second arm that are connected by a corner portion so as to have a generally elbow-shaped profile and a cross member that provides strength and rigidity to the bracket. The cross member has an outside surface and is attached to the first arm and the second arm such that the cross member and the edges of the first arm and said second arm are substantially parallel. The first arm, the second arm, and the cross member are configured to be mounted on three surfaces of the truck so as to limit any rotational, horizontal and vertical movement of the camper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Happijac Corporation
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6106052
    Abstract: A detachable anchor for attaching a camper to a pickup truck. The detachable anchor has a mounting plate portion for attachment to a pickup truck and a detachable turnbuckle portion. The mounting plate portion is attached to the front wall of the bed of the pickup truck. The mounting plate portion has a pair of protrusions with enlarged heads and narrower necks. The detachable turnbuckle portion has a pair of apertures with wider ends and narrower ends with the wider ends of the apertures being adapted to receive the enlarged head and the narrower ends of the apertures being adapted to retain the heads. The detachable turnbuckle portion has a wing region that extends beyond the sidewalls of the bed and has an aperture to attach to a turnbuckle. When not in use, the detachable turnbuckle portion can be removed from the mounting plate portion attached to the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Jeff Shaw
  • Patent number: 6070925
    Abstract: A tent assembly includes a plurality of support members connected to one another to form a frame. Covering material is removably connected with the frame to enclose an area. A sleeve structure is connected to the covering material with flexible sidewalls of the sleeve structure extending outwardly. The sidewalls define a sleeve opening adapted for enveloping the rear portion of the vehicle for removable telescoping engagement therewith. Compressible material is connected to outer edges of the sleeve structure for flexibly and resiliently engaging the rear portion of the vehicle so that the compressible material is compressed against the rear portion of the vehicle to form a seal to prevent the ingress of water and insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Lanny Moldofsky
  • Patent number: 6007137
    Abstract: An enclosure is described for the box of a pick-up truck. The box of a pickup truck is defined by a front wall, side walls and a rear gate the flat upper surfaces of the box forming a rectangle. The enclosure has a front wall, side walls and a rear gate which has a lower flange surface substantially congruent with the uppermost, outermost edge of the box, and mountable atop same. This defines a space enclosed by the box and an enclosure. The enclosure of the present invention is hinged internally within the defined space and is characterized in that between the other side wall of an enclosure of the invention and the corresponding side wall of a box is provided a pair of lifting arms to assist in the lifting, and closing, of said enclosure and a pair of latches to keep the enclosure in the lowermost closed position and is further defined by a weatherproof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: James Whitfield Lambden
  • 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: 5833302
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a camper on the bed of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a pair of laterally spaced and generally opposed stabilizers that are mounted adjacent respective side walls on the bed and have vertical, inwardly facing surfaces that are configured to engage the camper's side walls. Each stabilizer engages a respective one of the camper's side walls, and the stabilizers collectively define a mounting surface therebetween within which the camper is removably mounted and stabilized. The apparatus further includes a pair of guides for positioning the camper as the camper is mounted on the vehicle. Each guide extends at an angle generally upwardly and outwardly from the stabilizer and toward the side wall to which the stabilizer is adjacent to provide an angled surface that is configured to engage and direct the camper into the mounting surface between the stabilizers as the camper is mounted on the bed, even if the camper and the bed are originally slightly out of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Ralph R. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5769191
    Abstract: A universal stabilizer strut for a truck camper includes a hydraulic unit that is made in only one standard length and one or more interchangeable extension units, so that different designs of cabs with different heights and widths can be accommodated. Each end of the stabilizer strut is provided with a spherical mount that accommodates angular deviations between the strut and its attachment to the truck and to the camper. One end of the stabilizer strut is secured to an upper bracket extending downwardly and forwardly from a lower surface of the cabover portion of the camper and the other end of the stabilizer strut is secured to a lower bracket expending upwardly and rearwardly from the front bulkhead region of the truck chassis, with the two ends of the stabilizer strut being adapted to be quickly installed and removed from the two respective brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Lance Camper Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Earl Jackson Cole, Jr., Larry Whaley
  • Patent number: 5765902
    Abstract: A clamping device for securing a removable truck cap to the cargo bed of a truck to inhibit horizontal slippage of the cap relative to the truck bed. The device has two clamping members and a clamping pad which interlocks with the truck cap. The clamping members compress the clamping pad to hold the truck cap against the truck cargo bed wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Grrreat Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Love
  • Patent number: 5743701
    Abstract: A roll on roll off receptacle handling system, that can load and unload a receptacle, store the receptacle and transporting the receptacle. The system includes a storage platform or independent support, such as portable jacks, for supporting the receptacle when it is rolled off the transport device. The transport device, that the receptacle can be rolled on to, can transport the receptacle to another location where it can be rolled off to another platform or independent support. The system also includes power assist devices for operating the jacks and for moving the receptacles to and from the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Richard Green
  • Patent number: 5735566
    Abstract: A new Truck Box Accessory Attachment System for offering an easier manner of mounting a truck box accessory to a truck box. The inventive device includes a truck female rail, an attachment male rail, and a slide locking device. In use, the truck female rail (20) is aligned with an alignment tool (70) and attached to a pickup truck (12). The alignment tool (70) is comprised of the support stem (33), the right rail (31), and the left rail (32) and a horizontal tool bar (72) which is fastened at its ends to the support stem (33) by an end attachment fastener (76) and is lengthwise adjustable by virtue of a rail spacing adjustment structure (74). Parallel alignment of the truck female rail (20) at a variety of spaced distances is accomplished by use of the alignment tool (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: E. Phil Bradley
  • Patent number: 5595418
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Eric G. Medlin
  • Patent number: 5593272
    Abstract: A roll on roll off receptacle handling system, that can load and unload a receptacle, store the receptacle and transporting the receptacle. The system includes a storage platform or independent support, such as portable jacks, for supporting the receptacle when it is rolled off the transport device. The transport device, that the receptacle can be rolled on to, can transport the receptacle to another location where it can be rolled off to another platform or independent support. The system also includes power assist devices for operating the jacks and for moving the receptacles to and from the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Richard Green
  • Patent number: 5486031
    Abstract: An assembly (10) is disclosed including first slides (38) secured by bolts (64) to a topper (26) and second slides (36) secured by bolts (68) to the side walls (18) of a pickup truck (12). The first and second slides (36, 38) are of a tubular shape, with each of the first slides (38) further including first and second vertical legs (44) located on opposite sides of the second slides (36) and a horizontal seal leg (46) for sandwiching a seal (66) against the topper (26). First connectors (50) having female head portions (52) and second connectors (60) having male head portions (62) horizontally slideably received in the female head portions (52) include tabs (54) slideably received in the ends of the tubular shape of the slides (36, 38) and secured therein by the securement bolts (64, 68). A tubular weatherstrip (88) is slid on a cross bar (90) held by L-shaped portions formed on the connectors (50) of the front ends of the second slides (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventors: David K. Ronchetti, Robert A. Ronchetti, William L. Ronchetti
  • Patent number: 5316366
    Abstract: A camper shell mounting rail is formed from two pieces, one of which retains one side of the lower terminus of the side-wall of the camper shell, and the other piece retains the other side. Fasteners such as rivets or screws enter the mounting rail from the bottom and secure the two pieces together, while, at the same time, clamping the sidewall of the camper shell between the two pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Larry K. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 5277471
    Abstract: The pick-up truck box supports a topper made of superimposed upper and lower half portions. The topper half portions are interconnected in edgewise fashion by a connector assembly. This connector assembly is also used as an anchor point for cupboards supported within the enclosure of the topper. The topper side walls are releasably anchored to the truck box side walls by a pivotal handle bar assembly. The latter includes a removable pivotable handle, projecting inside the topper enclosure, and a fulcrum end with an elastomeric pad to frictionally anchor the topper to the truck box. Release of the handle bar lock is possible only from within the topper enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Robert Thibault
  • Patent number: 5228739
    Abstract: A clamp having a L-shaped body member and a U-shaped body member laterally shiftably connected relative to one another by a bolt. The bolt is threadably connected through aligned holes in the center of the two body members and adjusts the distance between them upon turning the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Grrreat Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Love
  • 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: 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: 5016935
    Abstract: A collapsible cap for a pickup truck box having separable front, back and intermediate panel members that sealingly connect along joints by releasable fasteners that may be operated by hand without the need of tools. The intermediate panel members are hinged and form side and top panel portions of the cap which are relatively pivotable whereby the top panel portions may be extended in a coplanar relation to said side panel portions to be storable in a flattened arrangement. Extruded connector strips with sealing gaskets extend along edges of the panel members for tight engagement between the pickup truck box and the cap and at joints between the collapsible cap panel members themselves. Manually operable releasable fasteners connect the cap to the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: James S. Semple
  • Patent number: 4948311
    Abstract: A tie down assembly including a fitting adapted to fit within a stake hole in a wall section of a pickup truck. The lower plate is dimensioned and configured for insertion through the stake hole for engagement with the underside of the wall section. An upper plate of the fitting engages the upper side of the section and is secured to the lower plate by a fastener assembly. In one embodiment aligned slots in the plates receive a retainer member for pivotal movement between a recessed position flush with the wall section to a projected position where it is adapted for engagement by a cargo securing line or the like. In another embodiment the fastener assembly projects above the truck bed side walls for engagement by securing or clamping elements. A number of such fittings enable securement of cargo on the truck bed or, in conjunction with a clamping assembly, the securement of a camper top or the like onto the truck side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventors: Frank H. St. Pierre, Jack D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4815787
    Abstract: A topper provided with a U-shaped frame that is sealingly secured to the lower coplanar edges of its side walls and the joining front wall, with the frame having a plurality of depending posts that mate with sockets along the flanged upper edges of the truck side walls. The posts serve as supports when the topper is dismounted. The frame is provided with a lower surface seal for contact with the side wall flanges, and latches releasably secure the topper in mounted condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Charles R. Hale
  • Patent number: 4657299
    Abstract: An anchor for insertion in, and securement to, a stake receiving pocket in a truck such as a pickup truck is provided. The anchor is used in erecting a camper, to secure tent poles or a tent frame to the truck, in order to assemble the camper unit over a bed of the truck. The anchor includes an expandable portion, a bolt mechanism for actuating the expandable portion, and an adjustable socket member for engagement with the tent frame. When used, the expandable member is inserted between generally opposite walls in the stake receiving pocket of the truck. The bolt member is actuated, causing the expandable member to expand and engage the opposite walls, to secure the anchor in position. The socket member is adjustable and may be oriented within the anchor in a preferred position for mounting of the tent frame thereon. A method is provided for assembling a camper unit on a pickup truck bed using the tent pole anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Richard L. Mahan
  • 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: 4444427
    Abstract: A support apparatus for auxiliary structural elements in a pickup truck. First and second frame members, each having a support element, a retaining element and a plurality of upwardly opening frame pockets, are supported on each sidewall of the pickup truck. Third and fourth frame members, similar in construction to the first and second frame members, are supported at opposite ends by the first and second frame members. The frame members form a deck-supporting enclosure in which an auxiliary deck may be clearingly lowered and received. The frame pockets of each frame member form a side-supporting structure in which a vertically disposed auxiliary side element may be clearingly lowered and received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventor: John A. Martin
  • Patent number: 4354707
    Abstract: An apparatus for locating a camper on a pick-up truck bed comprises a pair of members securable to the truck bed and the camper. A first member has an opening for receiving a portion of a second member as the camper is lowered towards the bed. The opening is substantially larger than the portion of the second member so that the second member is readily locatable within the opening. The members have a tapering fit therebetween and fit closely together when the camper is lowered onto the truck bed so the camper is properly located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Edward A. Jones
  • Patent number: 4296960
    Abstract: This invention relates to an inflatable camper that may be used in conjunction with pickup trucks. A flat section of flexible material with magnetic strips is used to attach the camper to the bed of a pickup truck. Extending upward from the flat section of flexible material are inflatable walls that have internal shape forming walls therein to prevent overinflation of any particular portion of the inflatable walls. The internal shape forming walls allow pressurized air to flow therethrough to other sections of the inflatable walls. The inflatable walls connect to an inflatable top that likewise has internal shape forming walls located therein. Flexible transparent windows are located in portholes in the sides of the flexible walls, as well as a flexible transparent door being located in an entrance for the inflatable camper. Both the flexible transparent windows and door may be unzipped and either removed or moved to one side with screens remaining to protect against insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventor: Loren R. Winchester
  • Patent number: 4295765
    Abstract: A structure serving for use in the tie-down of cargo on the bed of a truck characterized by a body member, partly threaded both externally and internally, which has been inserted into a hole drilled through the truck bed, and a further assembly including both a positioning or plug member and a nut disposed beneath the truck bed and threadedly secured to external threads on the stem of the body member. The head of the body member and the positioning member each have complementary outwardly flaring surfaces, so that, when drawn together by wrench means, the top surface of the body member is in a generally flush relationship with the surface of the truck bed adjacent the hole. The internal threads of the body member typically receive an eyehook, which, in turn, receives a rope or the like for positioning the cargo on the bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventor: Michael R. Burke
  • Patent number: 4294486
    Abstract: A camper and tent unit is applied to a passenger car and has a housing with a vertical section supported on the rear bumper of the car and a horizontal section extending forwardly and supported on the roof of the car. The vertical section contains a galley and the standard vehicle safety lights to be plugged into a connector on the car. A window in the vertical section affords clear rear vision. Bumper structure engages the car bumper for protection. The horizontal section houses folded tent components and poles enabling erection of a complete camper-tent including the housing and flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Inventor: Eusebio H. Espejo
  • Patent number: 4281951
    Abstract: In a container pedestal (10) a supplemental lock (42) is movable to a weighted position tending to maintain the spring (34) biased pedestal latch (22) from pivoting into a position to allow entry or exit of containers (C) from the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Baker, Richard J. Mandrell
  • Patent number: 4247145
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted cargo unit having a pair of rear jack assemblies employed to tie the cargo unit to a bed of the vehicle on which it is mounted and to aid in the support of the cargo unit when removed from the vehicle. The cargo unit has a generally rectangular box shape enclosure with a pair of side walls and a bottom wall of a generally U-shape in transverse cross section. Included in the bottom wall are a base section and a pair of upright side sections, each of which has an upper outwardly projected lateral section secured at an outer end to an adjacent side wall to form a channel portion for receiving a side portion of the vehicle bed. The jack assemblies are mounted in an upright position in the rear of the channel portions such that they are extendible to support the rear of the cargo unit and are retractible into engagement with the vehicle to secure the cargo unit thereon for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Inventor: Richard L. Groene
  • Patent number: 4239430
    Abstract: A jack and tie-down system for the front end of a vehicle mounted box shaped cargo unit having a front wall and a transversely extended chamber means secured to the inner surface thereof. A pair of front jack assemblies each includes a horizontal support structure guidably mounted within the chamber means for movement from a storage position in the chamber means to an operating position projected outwardly from an associated end of the chamber means. A linearly extendible and retractible jack unit is releasably mounted at the outer end of each projected support member for adjustment into and out of ground engagement. When the cargo unit is to be transported the jack units are retracted and detached from their associated support members. Each jack unit is then received within a support member, and the resulting assembly stored in the chamber means within the transverse confines of the cargo unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Richard L. Groene
  • Patent number: 4231610
    Abstract: An anchoring and locking structure for a camper body adapted to be mounted on the rear of a pick-up type truck. The structure comprises rail-like members which are secured to the underside or bottom of the camper body coupled with mating rail-like members secured to a shaft or post which extend into openings formed in the sides of the truck body. The aforesaid rail-like members engage with one another and are retained in assembled relationship by a wing nut which extends from one of the rail-like members and engages the other said rail-like member. A locking member extends within one of the openings in the side of the truck body and release mechanisms extend between the bottom or floor of the camper and the truck body sides so as to enable one to release the locking mechanisms when it is desired to remove the camper body from the pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventor: Christopher A. Stoll
  • Patent number: 4197600
    Abstract: A camping bed for station wagons is comprised of paired, upstanding frame elements which extend between the tailgate door and the rear seat of the station wagon and are separated by a spacer member at their bottom edges so that they are located against the inner side walls of the station wagon. A rear pillow, which spans between the upper edges of the frame elements is divided into front and rear portions, each of which is pivotally mounted to the frame elements by hinges. Accordingly, each portion can be independently raised for access to materials which are stored beneath it. Located beneath the rear portion, which generally covers the well of the station wagon, is a drawer unit that is slidably mounted on tracks. Therefore, by sliding the drawer unit outwardly through the station wagon tailgate door, access to the well is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: John P. Slabic
  • Patent number: 4143902
    Abstract: A modular utility unit is provided which is intended to replace a door on a vehicle. The modular utility unit includes: a utility-containing and appliance-containing unit having a facade, a base, a top, sides and an exterior surrogate door panel; utility appliances disposed within the modular utility unit; and clamps disposed within the modular utility unit in proximity to the surrogate door panel. When the door of the vehicle is removed, the clamps cooperate with a door frame of the vehicle for securing the utility unit within the vehicle. Releasing the clamps enables removal of the utility unit from the vehicle, and the door of the vehicle may then be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas V. Johnstone