Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Camper
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-11
2003-04-15
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Camper
C296S035300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06547314
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a device for attaching objects within a bed of a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system, with associated methods and apparatus, for anchoring and/or positioning a camper within the bed of a truck.
2. The Relevant Technology
In recent years, developing trends have lead to the creation of increasingly larger vehicles, such as larger and more powerful pickup trucks. Truck power and dimensions have increased, thereby allowing individuals to move heavier loads over greater distances. Individuals may move a greater quantity of work equipment and supplies, while also towing more recreational equipment and materials. Specifically, with the increased towing power available with newer pickup trucks, individuals may tow larger boats, trailers, and the like. Furthermore, with the ability to move larger cargo loads, many individuals are turning to larger campers that may be loaded within the bed of a pickup truck for their recreational needs.
Typically, a bed mounted camper provides an individual with a secure and mobile dwelling so that the individual, and their family and friends, may enjoy the “outdoors” without the need to be tied to one particular fixed temporary dwelling, such as a motel or hotel. The use of a camper, therefore, gives many individuals a sense of freedom to explore the natural beauties of the world, while limiting the need to “rough it”. In this way, individuals are able to maintain some of normal amenities associated with their homes, such as cooking appliances, heating, sleeping accommodation, running water, and the like, while experiencing some aspects of “roughing it” in the great outdoors.
Bed mountable campers come in a variety of sizes ranging from smaller lightweight campers to the larger heavier campers that weigh approximately 5000 lbs or more. Normally, conventional tie-down assemblies are used to secure a bed mountable camper within the bed of the vehicle. Each tie-down assembly typically includes a turnbuckle, or similar device, which is attached to the camper. In general, each tie-down assembly extends from the truck to a connector point on the camper, typically at the camper's corners. By positioning the tie-down assemblies in close proximity to the corners of the camper, greater stability is given to the camper which reduces the road and wind action that acts to urge the camper away from the truck bed as the truck travels along a road.
Although the positioning of the tie-down assemblies alleviates some of the effects of road and wind action, generally, the camper may still move laterally or side-to-side within the bed of the truck. Lateral movement of the camper may result in significant damage to the truck. For example, since the inclusion of a camper within the truck bed raises the center of gravity of the truck-camper combination, if the camper is allowed to move laterally, the wind and road action may cause the camper to tilt causing significant torque and force moments on the tie-down assembly. Such lateral movement, and associated torque and force moments, may further result in the camper becoming at least partially disconnected from the truck and damaging the sides of the truck.
Various types of tie-down assemblies are known within the art that attempt to combat the force and torque moments that are applied on the camper by road and wind action. One type of available tie-down assembly, having an anchor member, which is secured to the bed of a truck, and a selectively removable, self-tension bracket member coupling with a turnbuckle attached to the camper, is available. The bracket member is rotatable about the anchor member and can be removed in one predetermined position but cannot become detached when a tensioning force is being applied through the turnbuckle. This type of tie-down assembly helps to reduce the effects of torque and force moments on the tie assembly. It is also important, however, that the tie-down assembly be securely anchored to the body of the truck, specifically to one or more of the load bearing members of the truck, by an anchoring device or assembly. The configuration of conventional tie-down assemblies is unable to meet this need.
There are numerous anchoring assemblies that may be used to retain a camper within the bed of a truck. For example, one type of anchoring assembly uses two front-end tie-down assemblies that are anchored near each side of the front wall of the bed of a truck. The mounting bracket for the front and rear tie-down assemblies usually include a substantially flat plate with a number of threaded holes therethrough. The plate is positioned between the rear wall of the cab and the front wall of the truck bed and extends a short distance beyond the sides of the truck bed. A number of bolts are passed through the front wall of the truck bed and are matted within the threaded holes in the plate. The extension of the plate beyond the sides of the truck bed allows a turnbuckle or similar device to be attached thereto, and hence a camper may be connected to the bed of a truck. The rear tie-down assemblies of the anchoring assembly are typically anchored at each sidewall of the bed of a truck near the tailgate or at each side of the rear bumper. These types of anchoring devices provide horizontal and vertical securing of the tie-down assembly.
Another type of anchoring assembly uses two elongate anchoring members that are sized to extend from one side of a truck to the other. The anchoring members include flanges that connect to the truck frame as the anchoring members are located beneath the truck bed and beneath the outer walls of the truck bed. In this type of anchoring assembly, therefore, each anchoring member is connected to the frame of the truck beneath the truck bed while allowing the ends of each anchoring member to extend beyond the sides of the truck. Located at the ends of each anchoring member is a hook or eyelet that allows a turnbuckle to connect the camper to the anchoring member. In this way the camper is retained within the truck bed. This type of anchoring assembly, however, has many problems.
As discussed above, the anchoring member extends a distance beyond the sides of the truck so that attachment of the turnbuckle between the camper and the anchoring member does not damage the exterior of the truck. As each turnbuckle is tightened to retain the camper within the truck bed, however, the portions of the anchoring member that extend from the truck frame beyond the sides of the truck begin to flex under the applied force. The tightening of the turnbuckle applies a significant torque moment to the anchoring members. Over time, the anchoring members may bend, become incapable of securely retaining the camper within the truck bed, or break.
To attempt to overcome some of these problems, elongate anchoring members are fabricated from larger elements that cause a resulting increase in the overall weight of the anchoring members. The increased weight makes the anchoring member more difficult to install and remove and adds to the purchase cost of the anchoring member. Furthermore, in a number of newer trucks, the truck's gasoline tank is positioned between the elements of the truck frame and extends below the lower surfaces of the truck frame. Consequently, the anchoring members described above may not connect to the truck frame at the desired points, thereby preventing the camper from being securely contained within the truck bed.
Another type of anchoring assembly attempts to solve the above-described problems with the elongated anchoring member by having two separate anchor members, one for each side of the truck. Each anchoring member includes a bracket that may be secured to the truck frame and an elongate member that extends beyond the side of the truck. Extending from the elongate member towards the underside of the truck bed is a bracing member that provides extra rigidity to the anchoring member. The bracing member limits the torque moments appli
Engle Patricia L.
Happijac Company
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
LandOfFree
Camper anchoring and/or positioning system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Camper anchoring and/or positioning system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Camper anchoring and/or positioning system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3108876