Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-19
2001-08-14
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
C296S190050, C296S208000, C296S182100, C296S065060, C280S756000, C280S164100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273494
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the interior of motor vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to interior supports of a truck vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Truck vehicles have limited interior space for the driver and passengers. In recent years, many features have expanded the space provided for the driver and passengers. Now, many truck designs include sleeping and storage compartments along with other features to enhance the comfort of the driver and passengers. With these features, the interior space of truck vehicles is more limited.
With limited space, truck designs seek to maximize the use of available space. However, the additional features also create the need for additional supports such as structural supports for the sleeper compartment, supports for the accessories, and supports for the upper bunks to name a few.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system to combine supports for various features in the interior of a truck vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As a result a primary object of the invention is to provide vertical sleeper supports combined with various features of the interior of the truck vehicle. The present invention satisfies the primary object of invention among others not stated. The present invention provides a support system for the interior of a truck vehicle. The support system provides vertical support poles for use with various features of the truck vehicle.
The poles are integrated into the structure of the sleeper. They provide additional structural rigidity and may limit the roof crush in the event of vehicle roll-over.
The poles also serve as an anchor point for the modular cabinetry system. They can hold the cabinetry in position either with quick release pins, or bolts.
The poles are equipped with various external accessories. For example, they may have a swivel seat attached for additional seating within the sleeper. Sound system speakers may be hung from the poles and aimed where desired. A television or computer monitor may also be hung off the poles enabling adjustment for numerous viewing angles within the cab and the sleeper.
The poles may also serve as a conduit for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the sleeper environment. The poles can serve as the air ducts or a separate duct could be installed within each pole to channel air to multiple air outlets. The poles are designed to distribute air to the lower and upper regions of the sleeper. The poles also may serve to hold openings and intake ducts, which draw air from the upper and lower regions of the sleeper for recirculation.
The poles may also serve as mounting points for upper bunk access steps, being fixed in place to the side of the poles, or integrated into them with hinging capability. The integrated steps fold up or down into the poles so as to be out of the way when not in use. The fold out steps may be mechanically actuated from a remote location such as the upper sleeper berth. They may be flipped up or down manually as shown in the figures. In addition, the poles hold integrated grab handles for access to the upper bunk via the bunk steps.
The poles may provide either fixed or fold out upper bunk rests as shown in the figures. The bunk rests may be actuated mechanically, deploying or retracting automatically as the bunk is lowered or raised from the back wall. The bunk rests may be actuated manually from the poles.
The poles may serve as pathways for running electrical wiring through the sleeper. The poles may serve to hold control panels for both the lower and upper bunk regions for cab and sleeper lighting, heating/air conditioning/ventilation controls, sound system and video controls, power outlets, and similar items.
The poles may be constructed as a modular unit, containing pre-assembled pieces for installation into the sleeper compartment as a completed unit on the assembly line. This eliminates the need to run separate ducts and wires through the rest of the sleeper.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4088364 (1978-05-01), Termont
patent: 4121684 (1978-10-01), Stephens et al.
patent: 4201415 (1980-05-01), Suchanek
patent: 5119718 (1992-06-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 5560673 (1996-10-01), Angelo
Blankenship Greg
Calfa Jeffrey
Dayoan D. Glenn
International Truck & Engine Corp.
Powell Neil
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