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US 6,439,646 B1Granted
Soft shell camper top including a roof rack for use on a pickup truck
OwnerCharles S. Corneliusinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A soft shell camper top for use on pickup truck cargo compartments is disclosed. The invention consists of a space frame and a flexible outer covering. The frame is removably attachable to the pickup truck bed and includes provisions for the attachment of a roof rack. The outer covering includes front and rear curtains and side curtains. The curtains may be securely fixed to attachments on the frame to protect cargo from the elements or may be rolled up to facilitate easy access to the truck bed.
Claims51
A soft shell camper top for mounting on a pickup truck, the camper top comprising:
- a frame comprising;
- first and second elongate longitudinal rail members structured to rest on and conform generally to the faces of the side panels defining the truck bed, the rails extending longitudinally the length of the side panel faces, wherein the first rail is attachable to one of the truck side panel faces and the second rail is attachable to the opposing truck side panel face;
- a one-piece front hoop member, having first and second ends, disposed adjacent to the pickup cab and laterally spanning the truck side panel faces, the first end being rigidly attached to the first rail member and the second end being rigidly attached to the opposing second rail member;
- a one-piece rear hoop member, having first and second ends, disposed adjacent to the pickup tailgate and laterally spanning the truck side panel faces, the first end being rigidly attached to the first rail member and the second end being rigidly attached to the opposing second rail member;
- at least one one-piece intermediate hoop member, having first and second ends, disposed intermediate the front and rear hoop members and laterally spanning the truck side panel faces, the first end being rigidly attached to the first rail member and the second end being rigidly attached to the opposing second rail member;
- a plurality of elongate spreader bars disposed parallel to the rail members, interconnecting the hoop members;
- an outer cover adapted to attach to, and securely fit over, the frame, the cover including a plurality of panels, wherein each panel has a first closed position which seals the camper top and a second open position which allows access through the camper top to the interior of the truck bed;
- and
- a tailgate strip structured to attach to and conform to the top face of the truck tailgate, wherein the tailgate may be opened and closed without removal of the strip;
- the tailgate strip including snap attachments for the outer cover.
7 more elements
A soft shell camper top for mounting on a pickup truck, the camper top comprising:
- a frame comprising;
- first and second elongate longitudinal rail members structured to rest on and conform generally to the faces of the side panels defining the truck bed, the rails extending longitudinally the length of the side panel faces, wherein the first rail is attachable to one of the truck side panel faces and the second rail is attachable to the opposing truck side panel face;
- a one-piece front hoop member, having first and second ends, disposed adjacent to the pickup cab and laterally spanning the truck side panel faces, the first end being rigidly attached to the first rail member and the second end being rigidly attached to the opposing second rail member;
- a one-piece rear hoop member, having first and second ends, disposed adjacent to the pickup tailgate and laterally spanning the truck side panel faces, the first end being rigidly attached to the first rail member and the second end being rigidly attached to the opposing second rail member;
- at least one one-piece intermediate hoop member, having first and second ends, disposed intermediate the front and rear hoop members and laterally spanning the truck side panel faces, the first end being rigidly attached to the first rail member and the second end being rigidly attached to the opposing second rail member;
- a plurality of elongate spreader bars disposed parallel to the rail members, interconnecting the hoop members;
- an outer cover adapted to attach to, and securely fit over, the frame, the cover including a plurality of panels, wherein each panel has a first closed position which seals the camper top and a second open position which allows access through the camper top to the interior of the truck bed;
- and
- a roof rack comprising four uprights and mating crossbars.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.