Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Variable capacity of body
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-04-10
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Variable capacity of body
C296S026080, C296S190020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213531
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The current invention relates to a sleeper for use on trucks or similar motor vehicles. In one aspect, it relates to a sleeper having a rearwardly extendable extension for changing the useful volume enclosed within the sleeper.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to provide trucks with sleepers, i.e., enclosed compartments situated behind the driver's seat and accessible from the truck cab. Sleepers typically include one or more bunks for sleeping and frequently contain additional space for amenities such as tables, chairs, storage closets and other furniture. Generally speaking, making a sleeper longer is desirable because it provides the driver with more space. However, the length of current sleepers is limited by two considerations, namely, swing clearance requirements and overall vehicle length restrictions, as further described below.
Swing clearance requirements relate to the fact that trucks used for hauling semi-trailers in a tractor-trailer combination are typically equipped with a semi-trailer attachment apparatus known as a fifth wheel. Mounted on the rear frame of the truck, the fifth wheel receives and secures a kingpin mounted on the underside of the semi-trailer to provide a pivotal connection between the truck and semi-trailer. This pivotal articulation allows the tractor-trailer combination to be much more maneuverable than a non-articulated vehicle of similar length. However, when the tractor-trailer combination is in a turning configuration, the front corners of the semi-trailer pivot about the kingpin center, causing one or the other of the corners to move forward along an arc toward the back of the truck cab or, if the truck is so-equipped, toward the back of the truck sleeper. The generally D-shaped area through which the front corners of the semi-trailer move when the tractor-trailer combination turns define the so-called “swing-clearance area.” Presently, the positioning of the sleeper or other truck components within the swing-clearance area is avoided to prevent possible interference between the sleeper and semi-trailer during turns. This is true even though the swing clearance area need only be avoided when the tractor-trailer combination is in a turning configuration (e.g., while operating the tractor-trailer combination). When the tractor-trailer combination is in a substantially straight configuration (e.g., while parked), the swing clearance area is typically unused free space.
Some states and countries have laws or regulations that restrict the overall length of a tractor-trailer combination which can operate in their jurisdictions. Because the primary purpose of a tractor-trailer combination is to haul large loads of goods, it may be desirable to maximize the length of the semi-trailer to accommodate larger loads. Hence, to accommodate long trailers it is currently necessary to limit the length of the sleeper to comply with local length restrictions while maintaining adequate swing-clearance between the sleeper and the semi-trailer.
Therefore, a need exists for a sleeper that can provide the driver with additional interior space which does not increase the overall vehicle length or compromise the swing clearance area when the truck is in motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the current invention to provide a truck sleeper for use in a tractor-trailer combination which can have increased interior space when the tractor-trailer combination is at rest, but which does not compromise the swing clearance area when the tractor-trailer combination is in motion.
It is another object of the current invention to provide a truck sleeper for use in a tractor-trailer combination which can have increased interior space without increasing the overall length of the tractor-trailer combination.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an extendable truck sleeper is provided having a fixed portion and a movable extension. The extension is slidably connected to the fixed portion so as to allow fore-and-aft movement with respect thereto. The fixed portion is defined by rigid sleeper sidewalls, and is adapted for attaching to a rear portion of a truck cab. The extension has rigid extension sidewalls and a rigid rear panel. The fore-and-aft movement of the extension with respect to the fixed portion causes the extendable sleeper to move between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration. In the stored configuration, at least part of the extension is located inside the fixed portion. In the deployed configuration, at least another part of the extension extends behind the fixed portion such that the sleeper has a relatively greater enclosed volume and longitudinal length.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the extendable sleeper may accommodate an occupant when the extendable sleeper is in the stored configuration and in the deployed configuration. In further embodiments, the extendable sleeper may incorporate one or more of the following amenities, in any combination: a bed, a foldable bed, retractable furniture, a retractable platform adapted to be a table or a bed extension, a storage compartment, windows, a safety lock, a safety alarm system, a safety engine kill switch, a drivetrain deactivation safety system, or a power actuator for moving the extension.
In yet another embodiment, the extendable sleeper may be incorporated into a tractor-trailer combination such that the extension of the sleeper occupies the swing clearance area when in the deployed configuration, and the extension does not occupy the swing clearance area when in the stored configuration.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the useful volume within a truck sleeper may be changed by longitudinally sliding an extension of the sleeper from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration. The extension has rigid extension sidewalls and a rigid rear panel. In the stored configuration, the extension is at least partially inside a fixed portion of the sleeper. In the deployed configuration, the extension is extending at least partially behind the fixed portion. In another embodiment of the present invention, the useful volume within a truck sleeper may be further changed by retracting the extension from the deployed configuration back to the stored configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal sliding may be effected by an electric actuator. In other embodiments, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators may be used for the longitudinal sliding. Also, the extension in the deployed configuration may occupy at least a portion of the swing clearance area.
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pat
Cook Charles L.
Corey Jeffrey S.
Kahn William C.
Schneck, Jr. Frank H.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Gutman Hilary
Paccar Inc
Sidley & Austin
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