Truck shell
OwnerDavid C. Blockinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molded truck shell is provided having side walls hinged along the top of the shell, thus allowing the entire side wall to pivot upwardly and outwardly, providing increased access to cargo stored in a truck bed. Additional lateral seams between the side wall and shell are located on the front and rear of the shell rather than on the side of the shell thereby further increasing the opening into the truck bed and creating a visually clean appearance. Water penetrating through the side wall hinge line is directed away from the interior of the truck bed by a moisture flange that conducts the water to the exterior of the truck.
Claims14
A truck shell dimensioned to be positioned on the upper side walls of a truck bed so as to define an enclosed space within the truck bed, the truck shell comprising:
- a first and second side wall having front and rear lateral edges that is positioned on the upper side walls of the truck bed wherein the first and second side walls have an opening formed therein so as to permit access to the enclosed space within the truck bed;
- a roof interconnecting the first and second side wall;
- a first and a second door hingedly mounted to the truck shell via a hinge interface so as to be movable between an open position, wherein the first and second doors are positioned so as to permit access to the enclosed space via the openings, and a closed position, wherein the first and second doors are positioned adjacent the first and second sidewalls respectively so as to define an interface therebetween and so as to inhibit access to the enclosed space via the first and second openings and wherein the first and second doors have a length that is at least as long as the length of the first and second side walls such that the interface between the first and second doors and the first and second side walls is positioned adjacent the front and rear lateral edges of the first and second side wall.
A truck shell configured to be attached to a truck bed comprising a roof, two opposing side walls extending the longitudinal length of the shell, the side walls each comprising a support wall and outer side wall;
- wherein each of the support walls have an upper edge interconnected by the roof;
- and wherein the outer side walls are hingedly connected to the roof at a hinge interface, such that the outer side walls are pivotable about the hinge interface between a closed position, wherein the outer side wall substantially covers the support wall, and an open position, wherein the support wall is exposed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.