Raisable Truck Bed Cover

• US 20080191512A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Connaught Construction Company
• Original Assignee: Connaught Construction Company
• Inventors: Kealy, Jerry
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/100.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1614 with a vertical lifting movement maintaining the inclination of the roof or panel

Abstract

A raisable truck bed cover protects the contents of the truck bed from the elements and theft, while allowing access to the contents when materials are placed on the cover. The raisable cover maintains the storage capability of the original truck design while allowing additional material hauling capacity by way of the cover and an optional ladder rack system.

Claims

1. A bed system for a truck bed, comprising:

a raisable cover configured to substantially carry the weight capacity of the truck bed;

a storage box comprising at least three sides and adapted to reside in the truck bed; and

at least two lifting devices engaging the raisable cover and the storage box, where the lifting devices are operable to raise the cover in a substantially planar relationship to the truck bed.

2. The system of claim 1, the cover configured to carry at least ½

ton (453 kg).

3. The system of claim 1, comprising four lifting devices positioned substantially in each of the four internal corners of the storage box.

4. The system of claim 2, where the lifting devices are hydraulic cylinders.

5. The system of claim 2, where the lifting devices are electrically driven screw jacks.

6. The system of claim 1, the storage box held in the truck bed by an interference or size fit.

7. The system of claim 1, the cover including at least one curved edge adapted to extend over a top portion of the truck bed.

8. The system of claim 4, the cover including at least two piston head chambers for receiving hydraulic pistons.

9. The system of claim 8, the at least two piston head chambers connected by a horizontal bar.

10. The system of claim 1, the storage box including at least two sides, the sides including outside and inside walls.

11. The system of claim 1, the truck bed further comprising a ladder rack.

12. The system of claim 11, the storage box including a sealing ledge.

13. The system of claim 11, the storage box including a top plate, and the top plate including openings through which the ladder rack may engage rack receivers of the truck bed.

14. The system of claim 11, the cover including head chambers and stabilizing cover guides, the guides providing operative connectivity between the ladder rack and the head chambers.

15. The system of claim 14, the stabilizing cover guides comprising a shaft, an axle, and guide wheels, the shaft attached to the head chamber and the axle, the axle including the guide wheels.

16. The system of claim 15, the guide wheels enclosed by an upright of the ladder rack.

17. A bed system for a truck bed, comprising:

a raisable cover;

a ladder rack attached to the truck bed; and

at least two lifting devices engaging the raisable cover and the truck bed, where the lifting devices are operable to raise the cover in a substantially planar relationship to the truck bed.

18. The system of claim 17, the cover including head chambers and stabilizing cover guides, the guides providing operative connectivity between the ladder rack and the head chambers.

19. The system of claim 18, the stabilizing cover guides comprising a shaft, an axle, and guide wheels, the shaft attached to the head chamber and the axle, the axle including the guide wheels.

20. The system of claim 19, the guide wheels enclosed by an upright of the ladder rack.

21. The system of claim 17, comprising four lifting devices positioned substantially in each of the four internal corners of the storage box.