"RETRACTABLE BED TOP FOR UTILITY VEHICLE"

The present invention concerns an innovative retractable bed top for utility vehicles, which can be raised flush with the driver's cab or retracted flush with the truck bed. Utility vehicles usually have an open rear cargo area and a tailgate, and are used mainly for carrying lighter, less bulky loads in lieu of larger commercial trucks.

In some cases, the owner may mount a high truck bed top flush with the cab to protect the load. However, in some special situations the driver may wish to remove the truck bed top in order to carry a greater volume of cargo.

The owners of utility vehicles may also use a flat canvas, or a rigid cover placed directly on the rim of the truck bed side walls for aesthetic reasons, protection against bad weather, and/or prevention of the aerodynamic drag effect.

Mounting or removing the truck bed top or rigid cover calls for skills and tools, physical strength and specific technical knowledge, necessitating time and resources to accomplish. Laying or removing the canvas calls for a certain amount of skill to prevent damaging the canvas, as often is the case.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention an innovative retractable truck bed top for utility vehicles that can be used either in the raised as well as in the retracted position, i.e. as a truck bed top or flat rigid cover, respectively. The position can be switched either by hand using a crank or automatically by means of electric motors that activate shafts, and it can be easily removed from the vehicle as well.

The invention retractable truck bed top comprises the following independent interrelated components:

- A front vertical panel that rests on the truck bed and is contoured by a rim;

- A lifting horizontal panel forming the central portion of the truck bed top roof;

- Two narrow horizontal panels that flank the central panel of the truck bed top roof; - A pivoting rear vertical panel forming the door of the truck bed top;

- Two pivoting vertical panels forming the sides of the truck bed top;

- Two front vertical screw shafts that raise the roof of the truck bed top;

- A front vertical shaft that transmits rotation to a horizontal screw shaft, positioned under the truck bed top roof in such a way as to pivot the rear door

of the truck bed top;

- A horizontal shaft positioned at the base and by the inner side of the front panel whose function is to simultaneously actuate both screw shafts and the vertical shafts; - A horizontal screw shaft parallel to the shaft for pivoting the sides of the truck bed top;

- Transversal guides positioned at the front and rear portions, under the roof of the truck bed top control the outward movement of the two narrow panels that flank the central portion of the truck top; - Bow-shaped rails, joined to the lower surface of the roof on the truck bed top, that by means of the pivoting movement of the rear door, orientate the movement of the narrow side panels of the roof.

The retractable top for utility vehicles object of the present invention can be better understood from the thorough description, based on the attached drawings listed below illustrating a preferential construction, which should not be regarded as limitative with regard to the invention: Figure 1 - view of the truck bed top in the retracted position; Figure 2 - view of the truck bed top with the roof half-raised; Figure 3 - view of the truck bed top with the roof and rear door raised; Figure 4 - view of the truck bed top with the side walls in motion; Figure 5 - view of the truck bed top fully mounted; Figure 6 - inner view of the truck bed top with the hand-operated movement mechanism;

Figure 7 - inner view of the truck bed top with power mechanism; Figure 8 - inner view of the truck bed top showing a variant of the hand-operated mechanism; Figure 9 - inner view of the truck bed top showing a variant of the power mechanism;

Figure 10 - view of a constructive option for the truck bed top mechanism with the roof half-raised;

Figure 11 - view of the truck bed top option with the roof and side walls raised and the rear door initiating the pivoting movement; Figure 12 - view of the truck bed top option fully mounted; Figure 13 - inner view of the option of raising mechanism for the truck bed top;

Figure 14 - diagram showing the sequence of positions for the side wall raising mechanism;

Figure 15 - inner side view of the means for raising the rear door; Figure 16 - inner view of the truck bed top option with power mechanism; Figure 17 - inner view of the truck bed top option with actuation belt; Figure 18 - inner view of the truck bed top option with belt and motor; Figure 19 - inner view of another constructive option for the raising mechanism for the truck bed top, shown in Figure 6;

Figure 20 - inner side view of the means for raising the rear door in the lowered position;

Figure 21 - inner side view of the means for raising the rear door in the raised position. Figure 22 - view of an option of the drive mechanism for the side panels on the truck bed top roof; Figure 23 - view of another option of drive mechanism for the side panels on the truck bed top roof; Figure 24 - detailed constructive of an option for the mechanism with guide rails for the side panels on the truck bed top;

Figure 25 - view of another option of the pivoting and locking mechanism for the rear door;

Figure 26 - lateral cross section view of the pivoting and locking mechanism for the rear door with the truck bed top and rear door raised; Figure 27 - lateral cross section view of the pivoting and locking mechanism for the rear door with the truck bed top and rear door half-raised; Figure 28 - lateral cross section view of the pivoting and locking mechanism for the rear door with the truck bed top and rear door retracted; Figure 29 - view of a constructive option for the truck bed top; Figure 30 - lateral view of another constructive option for the truck bed top;

Figure 1 shows the truck bed top retracted, where a vertical front panel (1) can be seen, which rests on the truck bed and is contoured by a rim (2), and the roof on the truck bed top formed by two narrow panels (4) that flank the central panel (3).

Figure 2 shows the truck bed top as it begins the raising movement when the roof assembly, consisting of the central panel (3) and the two narrow

panels (4) are half-raised. During this movement the panel that forms the rear door (5) pivots, following the rising of the truck bed top roof, whereas the truck bed top sides (6) remain static. As the rim (2) of the front panel (1) slants, the narrow panels of the roof (4) are guided through the slanting vertical shaft (37). Figure 3 shows the roof of truck bed top (3 & 4) fully up and the rear door (5) in the vertical position.

Figure 4 shows the side panels of the truck bed top (6) beginning their pivoting movement. Figure 5 shows the truck bed top fully mounted. The rising of the roof (3, 4) and the pivoting of the rear door (5) for the truck bed top is achieved by the rotation of the vertical screw shafts (7), which are supported by bearings at their ends. A crank (8) is used to provide the rotation of the screw shafts (7). This crank (8) may be affixed to the top end of one the vertical screw shafts (7), as suggested in Figures 2 to 4, or it can be attached to the lateral end of the transversal shaft (9), as suggested in Figures 6 and 8. Figure 6 shows the truck bed top from a lower perspective, the rear door and the left side panel having been removed to enable a full view of the hand-operated mechanism for moving the truck bed top. The two vertical screws (7) are synchronized by way of a horizontal transversal shaft (9), positioned by the inner side of the truck bed top base. A central vertical shaft (10) is also driven by the transversal shaft (9) and transmits the rotation to a longitudinal screw shaft (11) positioned under the central panel (3) of the roof that is responsible for pivoting the rear door (5) of the truck bed top. This screw (11) makes the upper crossbar (12) move forward and backward causing the rear door (not shown in this Figure) to pivot. A horizontal screw shaft (13), parallel to the transversal shaft (9) and actuated by the crank (8), moves the bearings of the pivoting arms (14) and causes the side walls of the truck bed top (6) to pivot. Transversal guides (15), positioned under the front and back portions of the roof, control the inward and outward movement of the two narrow panels (4) of the roof on the truck bed top in conjunction with the slanting rods (37). This movement is for adapting the width of the roof on the truck bed top which is less wide than the truck bed. Bow-shaped rails (16), joined to the lower surface of the roof on the truck bed top, control the displacement of the narrow panels (4) to the extent that the upper crossbar (12) moves toward the pivoting of the rear door (5), driven by the longitudinal screw

shaft (11).

Figure 7 shows a constructive variant of the moving mechanism on the truck bed top shown in Figure 6. With this variant, the transversal shaft (9) and the horizontal shaft (13) are driven by small electric motors. Figure 8 shows yet another constructive variant of the hand- operated mechanism for moving the truck bed top shown in Figure 6. With this variant the transversal shaft (9), the horizontal screw shaft (13) and the longitudinal screw shaft (11) are replaced with belts (18, 19, and 20), respectively. Figure 9 shows another constructive variant of the drive mechanism for the truck bed top shown in Figure 8. With this variant the belts (18, 19, and 20) are driven by electric motors (17).

Figure 10 shows a constructive choice of the raising mechanism for the truck bed top, where the side walls (6') rise before the back door (5') as opposed to the previous proposal, shown in Figures 1 through 9. In this figure a vertical front panel can be seen (1') that is supported in the truck bed and contoured by a rim (2'), the roof on the truck bed top made of two narrow panels (4 ¹ ) that flank the central panel (3'). The side walls (6') pivot as the roof on the truck bed top (3' and 4') rises, whereas the rear door (5') remains still.

Figure 11 shows the roof on the truck bed top (3', 4') fully raised, the side walls (6') in the vertical position and the rear door (5') as it starts to pivot. Figure 12 shows the truck bed top fully mounted. The roof raising movement (3', 4') is achieved by the rotation of the vertical screws (7'). A crank (8') is provided to turn one of the screws (7'), as suggested in Figures 1 to 5, or it can be affixed to the side end of the transversal shaft (9'), as suggested in Figures 10, 11, and 13. Figure 13 shows the truck bed top from a lower perspective, the rear door and the left side wall having been removed in order to enable a full view of its hand-operated driving mechanism. The two vertical screw shafts (7') are synchronized by means of a horizontal transversal shaft (9'), positioned on the inner side of the base for the truck bed top. A frame (21) is affixed to the lower face of the central panel (3') of the roof. Pivoting arms (22) located in the frame

(21) and on the sides of the truck bed top (6') so that as the roof rises, the arms

(22) drive, and automatically cause the said side walls (6') to pivot. Transversal rails (16'), joined to the inner faces of the roof, act as guides for the upper end of the side walls of the truck bed top (6') during the pivoting movement.

Figures 14A to 14D show the sequence of the roof (3', 4') to which the frame (21) is joined as it rises causing the arms (22) to pivot on both ends, driving and pivoting the side walls (6') to the final vertical position.

Back to Figure 13, a second horizontal transversal shaft (23), parallel to the shaft (9'), receives the motion from the crank (8'), causing the longitudinal lower side screws (25) to rotate by means of conical gears (24). Those screws (25) displace the bushings (26) with pivoting arms (14') that raise the rear door (5'), shown schematically only (also shown in detail in Figure 15). Transversal guides (15'), positioned under the front and rear portions of the roof, control the inward movement of the two narrow panels (4') on the roof of the truck bed top. That motion is for adapting the width of the roof of the truck bed top which is less wide than the bed.

Figure 16 shows a constructive variant of the driving mechanism on the truck bed top shown in Figure 13. With that variant the transversal shaft (9') and the parallel shaft (23) are driven by small electric motors (17').

Figure 17 shows another constructive variant for the hand-operated mechanism of the truck bed top shown in Figure 13. With that variant, the transversal shaft (9') and the parallel shaft (23) are replaced with belts (18 and 19), respectively. Figure 18 shows yet another constructive variant of the drive mechanism for the truck bed top shown in Figure 17. With that variant, the belts (18, 19) are driven by electric motors (17').

Figure 19 shows a second constructive choice of raising mechanism for the truck bed top shown in Figure 6, where the rear door and the left side wall have both been removed to provide for a full view of the hand- operated drive mechanism for the truck bed top. The two vertical screw shafts (7) are synchronized by means of a horizontal transversal shaft (9), positioned by the inner side of the of truck bed top. A central vertical shaft (10) is also driven by the transversal shaft (9) and transmits the rotation to a horizontal screw shaft (11') positioned under the central panel (3) on the roof which is responsible for pivoting the rear (5) of the truck bed top; that screw shaft (11') causes the bushing (30) to move forward and backward; an orthogonal shaft (31) joined to the bushing, drives two pivoting arms (32 and 33), one articulating on a rail (34) joined to the roof (3) and one joined to the crossbar (12'), causing the rear door (not shown in this

Figure) to pivot. To mitigate the friction, the crossbar (12') has rollers (35) that run along the longitudinal rails (36) joined to the roof (3).

A horizontal screw shaft (13), parallel to the transversal shaft (9), driven by the crank (8), displaces the bearings on the pivoting arms (14) causing the side walls of the truck bed top to pivot (6). Transversal guides (15), positioned under the front and back portions of the roof, control the inward movement of the two narrow panels (4) that flank the central panel (3) on the roof of the truck bed top. Such motion is for adapting the width of the roof on the truck bed top which is less wide than the bed. Bow-shaped rails (16), joined to the lower surface of the truck bed top roof, control the displacement of the narrow panels (4), as the upper crossbar (12') moves to pivot the rear door (5), driven by the horizontal screw shaft (11').

Figures 20 and 21 shown in detail the pivoting movement of the rear door (5) through the (11') that longitudinally displaces the bushing (30) dragging the orthogonal shaft (31) that moves the two pivoting arms (32 and 33) at an angle, as they articulate on the rail (34) of the roof (3) and on the crossbar (12'), respectively. To mitigate the friction on the roof (3), the crossbar (12') has rollers (35) that run on the longitudinal rails (36).

Figure 22 shows an overview of the truck bed top without the central panel and with only one side panel (4') for a better view of the internal components of the option of the mechanism for the present invention. The front vertical panel (1') rests on the truck bed (not shown) and is contoured by a rim (2'), to which a rack (41) is horizontally affixed. A gear (42) moves along the rack (41); this gear is set on a longitudinal shaft (43), held by bearings to a rectangular frame (40) affixed under the central panel of the roof (not shown). On the shaft (43) two gears (44) are set apart that mesh with racks having transversal and horizontal arms (45) at which ends the side panels of the roof (4') are mounted.

In this way, as the panels (3', 4') on the roof of the truck bed top rise, along with the frame (40), the gear (42) rotates by contact with the vertical rack (41) turning the longitudinal shaft (43) that, in turn, drives the gears (44) moving the racks (45) and, consequently, the side panels (4') of the roof. In this way, the width of the roof (3', 4') adapts itself to the inclination of the rim (2') on the front vertical panel (1 ') of the truck bed top.

On the roof frame (40), the rods (46) slide guiding the movement of

the side panels (6') of the truck bed top and rise the rear part of the roof.

It must be understood, within the scope of the present invention, other transmission systems with equivalent movements, for example, screw and gear, chain and gear, toothed belt and sprocket wheel, rollers and cables in substitution for the rack and pinion systems (41/42 and 44/45) described above. It must also be understood, within the scope of the present invention, all the means for sliding the rods (46) on the frame (40), such as balls, linear rollers, bushings and sliding materials, etc.

Figure 23 shows a constructive variant of the drive mechanism for the side panels on the truck bed top roof, which were suppressed from the figure to enable a view of the internal components. A bar (47) pivots on the base of the front wall (1') and articulates on a second bar (47). At the end of the upper bar (47) a shaft is joined (43) which rotates a fraction of a turn as the roof of the truck top rises, causing the rotation of two crossbars (48) that are joined to it. Two rods (49) articulate on the crossbars (48) and axially displace the transversal arms (45') where the side panels of the truck top are mounted. In this way, the panels come near following the inclination of the rim (2') on the front vertical panel (1') of the truck top.

Figure 24 shows rails (67) that can be affixed to the inner faces of the rim (2') and are intended to guide the movement of the side panels (4') of the truck bed top roof as they move up and down, by means of a front arm (50). That construction may be applied in lieu of, or to aid, the two choices shown in Figures 22 and 23.

Figure 25 shows a constructive option of the mechanism for moving and retaining the rear door (5') of the truck bed top that is also internally mounted on the chassis (40), which is affixed under the central panel of the truck bed top roof (not shown to facilitate the view of the mechanism components). The rear door of the truck bed top pivots over the tailgate of the vehicle driven by a toothed belt (51), which is powered by an electric motor (52). To that belt (51) a rod (53) is affixed in which opposite end there is affixed a trolley (54), equipped with rollers at the ends, (66) that slides on two side rails (55) whereas the rear door (5') is guided by cables (56) that are displaced by the trolley (54).

To prevent the rear door (5') from vibrating as a result of the vehicle driving with the top retracted, a system has been created which employs

the tension from a wire rope (56) that is kept permanently stretched by a spring

(57) to keep it tight while the truck top moves. The wire rope (56) goes through a central transversal reinforcement (58) of the chassis (40) and runs on rollers (59), changing direction in two places by means of the trolley movement (54). Figures 26 to 28 show the rear door (5') in the raised, intermediate, and retracted positions, respectively, providing a more detailed view of the position assumed by the wire rope (56) and the trolley (54). In figure 26 the truck top is mounted, the door (5') is fully raised and in the vertical position whereas the wire rope (56) is stretched tight and the spring (57) is under load. A backstop (60) is affixed to the end of the wire rope (56) and is intended to block its course when it runs into the reinforcement (58) of the chassis (40) the wire rope (56) passes by the rollers (59) of the chassis (40) and the rollers (66) of the trolley (54) in order to reach the rear door (5') of the truck top. The end of the wire rope (56) is forced backward by the assembly consisting in the electric motor (52), belt (51) and rod (53), moving the rear door (5') of the truck top.

In Figure 27, the door (5') is in the intermediate position, and the wire rope (56) is less stretched by the spring (57) and the backstop (60) away from the chassis (40) reinforcement (58). The trolley (54) is displaced at half course. With the door (5') in that position, the descent movement of the roof assembly (3', 4') initiates.

In Figure 28, the truck top is fully lowered and the door (5') is fully retracted and in the horizontal position, while the wire rope (56) is kept stretched tight by the spring (57) and the backstop (60) in contact with the reinforcement

(58) of the chassis (40). The trolley (54) has been totally displaced forward, causing the wire rope (56) to go over an obstacle (65) forcing the upper part of the rear door (5') upward against the chassis (40), preventing it from vibrating.

Other components of the constructive choice of the drive mechanism for the rear door (5') of the truck top include a latch (61) that pivots on the structure (40) and is governed by a rod (62) actuated by the trolley (54) when it is at the end of its forward course, as shown in figure 28. The latch (61) has a tooth that penetrates into a recess in a body (63) joined to the door (5'), preventing it from moving even when exposed to intense vibration as the vehicle rides on a hard-surfaced road.

When the trolley (54) is withdrawn by the action of the motor (52),

belt (51), and rod (53) assembly, the pressure on the rod (62) ceases, releasing the latch (61). A spring (64) maintains the latch (61) permanently withdrawn, keeping the door (5') free to move, except when the rod (53) is actuating, i.e. at the end of the trolley's (54) forward course. It is to be understood, within the scope of this invention addition, other equivalent systems for actuating on, and locking the door (5 ¹ ), for example, screw and gear, chain and gear, rack and pinion, wire rope and rollers, in substitution for the belt (51) and rod (53) assembly.

The roller (59 and 66) may also be replaced with other equivalent means, for example, bushings, roller bearings, pins made of anti-friction material and other adequate means.

Figure 29 shows yet another constructive option for the retractable truck bed top that may present a one-piece roof (70), i.e. formed by a single panel, wherein the side panels (6') assume the vertical discontinuous position from the rim (2') of the vertical front panel (1'). The rim (2') may come in a number of inclinations or be completely orthogonal.

Figure 30 shows yet another constructive choice for the retractable truck bed top that may present a roof (3', 4', or 70) not flush with the rim (2 ¹ ) of the front vertical panel (1').