US 10,946,785 B2 · Edge-stowable tent for trailer system

Abstract

A tent stowable around edges of a flatbed trailer to leave the floor of the flatbed trailer open for cargo and motor toys. The edge-stowable tent is supported internally by three rotationally deployable squared-off U-shaped supports. To be stowed, the tent and tent supports rotate to align with the front top edge and front portions of side top edges of the flatbed trailer. To be deployed, the tent and tent supports rotate to bring the rear edge of the tent to the rear edge of the flatbed trailer. Opposite legs of U-shaped tent supports are coupled to respective mounting supports on each side of the trailer, and rotate about aligned right-angled flanges to erect the tent. Support bars, attached to the top surfaces of front and side trailer walls or frame, support fasteners for bottom edges of the tent. The tent is stowed and erected by various means.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An edge-stowable tent for trailer system comprising:

a. a tent sized and shaped to be stowed:
i. along a top surface of a first end of a flatbed trailer;
and
ii. along first and second portions of respective first and second opposed long side top surface portions extending from opposed ends of said first end of said flatbed trailer;
b. a support bar aligned and affixed along said top surface of said first end;
c. front and rear support bars aligned along each of said first and second opposed long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer;
d. first and second right-angled flanges aligned between said first and second support bars on respective first and second opposed long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer;
e. first and second vertical back end support bars:
i. attached to opposing vertical rear ends of respective first and second sidewalls;
and
ii. supporting fasteners for securing lower rear side edges of said tent;
and
f. wherein said front, rear, and first end support bars comprise fasteners for securing bottom edges of said tent.

10 more elements

An edge-stowable tent for trailer system comprising:

a. a tent sized and shaped to be stowed:
i. along a top surface of a front end of a flatbed trailer;
and
ii. along first and second portions of respective left and right opposed long side top surface portions extending from opposed ends of said front end of said flatbed trailer;
b. a support bar aligned and connectable along said top surface of said front end;
c. front and rear support bars aligned and connectable along each of said first and second opposed long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer;
d. first and second right-angled flanges aligned and connectable between said front and rear support bars on respective said first and second opposed long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer;
e. an overlapping horizontal portion of said front and rear support bars attachable to each said first and second long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer, said overlapping horizontal portion:
i. overlapping adjacent horizontal portions of said respective first and second right-angled flanges;
and
ii. having a fastener opening aligned to a fastener opening in each said first and second right-angled flanges;
f. first and second support mountings pivotally attached to respective first and second right-angle flanges;
g. wherein said first and second support mountings are pivotable between stowed and deployed configurations;
and
h. wherein said first and second support mountings are securable in stowed and in deployed configurations;
i. wherein said opposed long top surfaces and said front top surface of said flatbed trailer comprise one of:
i. first and second opposed long top trailer frame surfaces and a front top trailer frame surface of said flatbed trailer;
and
ii. first and second opposed long top surfaces of respective first and second sidewalls of said flatbed trailer and a top surface of a front wall of said flatbed trailer;
and
j. a piano hinge having first and second hinged panels, wherein:
i. said first hinged panel is attachable to a rear edge of a flat bed of said flatbed trailer;
and
ii. said second hinged panel comprises attachments operable to:
1assist in securing a rear edge of said tent, when said second hinged panel is rotated into a vertical position;
and
2assist rolling cargo to enter or leave said flatbed trailer when said second hinged panel is rotated into a horizontal position.

24 more elements

An edge-stowable tent for trailer system comprising:

a. a tent sized and shaped to be stowed:
i. along a top surface of a front end of a flatbed trailer;
and
ii. along first and second portions of respective left and right opposed long side top surface portions extending from opposed ends of said front end of said flatbed trailer;
b. a support bar aligned and connectable along said top surface of said front end;
c. front and rear support bars aligned and connectable along each of said first and second opposed long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer;
d. first and second right-angled flanges aligned and connectable between said front and rear support bars on respective said first and second opposed long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer;
e. an overlapping horizontal portion of said front and rear support bars attachable to each said first and second long side top surfaces of said flatbed trailer, said overlapping horizontal portion:
i. overlapping adjacent horizontal portions of said respective first and second right-angled flanges;
and
ii. having a fastener opening aligned to a fastener opening in each said first and second right-angled flanges;
f. first and second support mountings pivotally attached to respective first and second right-angle flanges;
g. wherein said first and second support mountings are pivotable between stowed and deployed configurations;
h. wherein said first and second support mountings are securable in stowed and in deployed configurations;
i. wherein said opposed long top surfaces and said front top surface of said flatbed trailer comprise one of:
i. first and second opposed long top trailer frame surfaces and a front top trailer frame surface of said flatbed trailer;
and
ii. first and second opposed long top surfaces of respective first and second sidewalls of said flatbed trailer and a top surface of a front wall of said flatbed trailer;
j. wherein said support bars comprise fasteners for securing bottom edges of said tent;
k. first and second vertical back end support bars:
i. attached to opposing vertical rear ends of respective first and second sidewalls;
and
ii. supporting fasteners for securing lower rear side edges of said tent;
l. a piano hinge having first and second hinged panels, wherein:
i. said first hinged panel is attachable to a rear edge of a flat bed of said flatbed trailer;
and
ii. said second hinged panel comprises attachments operable to:
1. assist in securing a rear edge of said tent, when said second hinged panel is rotated into a vertical position;
and
2. assist in rolling cargo to enter or leave said flatbed trailer when said second hinged panel is rotated into a horizontal position;
and
m. front, center, and rear squared-off U-shaped internal tent supports each having first and second ends attached to respective said first and second support mountings:
i. wherein said front and rear squared-off U-shaped internal tent supports are pivotally attached to said first and second support mountings;
ii. wherein said center squared-off U-shaped internal tent support is rigidly attached to said first and second support mountings;
and
iii. an actuator pivotally connected between said center squared-off U-shaped internal tent support and said flatbed trailer and operable to rotate said center squared-off U-shaped internal tent support from a stowed position to a deployed position.

33 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Edge-stowable tent for trailer system

Life of this patent

Edge-stowable tent for trailer system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18