CA2033468A1 - Pick-up truck canopy removal and storage rack - Google Patents
Pick-up truck canopy removal and storage rackInfo
- Publication number
- CA2033468A1 CA2033468A1 CA 2033468 CA2033468A CA2033468A1 CA 2033468 A1 CA2033468 A1 CA 2033468A1 CA 2033468 CA2033468 CA 2033468 CA 2033468 A CA2033468 A CA 2033468A CA 2033468 A1 CA2033468 A1 CA 2033468A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- canopy
- support member
- horizontal support
- underside
- truck
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001821 foam rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
PICK-UP TRUCK CANOPY REMOVAL AND STORAGE RACK
Abstract of the Disclosure A rack for removing and storing a cap or canopy for a pick-up truck is disclosed. A horizontal support bar has a free end which is inserted under the canopy roof through the open end of the canopy. A jack is provided to raise the support against the underside of the canopy and off of the pick-up truck. The device can operate either standing on the floor or suspended from a ceiling due to the provision of reversible supports.
Abstract of the Disclosure A rack for removing and storing a cap or canopy for a pick-up truck is disclosed. A horizontal support bar has a free end which is inserted under the canopy roof through the open end of the canopy. A jack is provided to raise the support against the underside of the canopy and off of the pick-up truck. The device can operate either standing on the floor or suspended from a ceiling due to the provision of reversible supports.
Description
2~3~
PIC~UP TR~C~ CANOP~ R~MO~A~ A~D STOR~E R~CK
Field of the Invent.ion The invention relates to devices for removing and storing pick-up truck canopies or caps.
Back~round of the .~nvention Glass fibre shells which provide an enclosure for a pick-up truck box are referred to as canopies, caps or toppers. Such canopies are in popular use to convert the open pick-up truck box to an enclosed space Eor camping and recreational use. Such canopies ara bul]cy and heavy to move, but i.n the past the owner has typically removed the canopy by hand for storage in his garage or back yard.
Typically the canopy is stored by simply laying it on the ground or against a wall.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an apparatus for lifting, supporting and lowering a pick-up truck canopy, which canopy has a roof and a rear opening which permits 2S access to the interior space formed under the rooE of the canopy. The invention comprises a horizontally extending base member, a vertically extending support member secur-ed to the base member, a horizontally extending support member mounted at a first end thereof for vertically adjus-table movement on said vertical support member, the secondend thereof being free for insertion through the rear opening of said canopy to extend into the interior space of the canop~, means for adjustably moving the horizontal sup-port member on the vertical support member, and means attached to the horizontal support member for contacting and supporting the underside of the roof of the canopy. The base member may be floor standing and provided with wheels or may be hung from a ceiling or the like. Preferably the means for contacting the underside of the canopy comprises ~33~
a member having a vertical stem and a horizontally ex-tending member secured to said stem, and means attached to the horizontal support for receiving the vertical stem in an orientation with the horizontal member either above or below the horizontal support.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs In drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention:
Fig. l is a perspective view of the invention in its floor standing mode with the truck canopy removed;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in its floor standing mode with the truck canopy in place;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in its floor standing mode with the wheels removed and the truck canopy shown in phantom outline;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in its ceiling suspended mode with the truck canopy in place;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the invention as shown in Fig. 3 with the truck canopy removed;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the invention as shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a left side view of the invention as shown in Fig. 5 Fig. 8 is a detail view in perspective of the jack and cantilever connections of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a side view partially cut away of the jack shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a detail view in perspective of the adjustable clamp of the invention;
Fig. ll is a detail view in perspective of the padded canopy supports of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a detail view in perspective of the base connector and cross-bar connector of the invention;
Fig. 13 is a detail view in perspective of the castoring wheels of the invention; and 2 0 ~ g Fig. 14 is a detail view in perspective of the fixed wheel of th~ invention.
Detailed Descri~tion of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to the drawings, the apparatus of the invention, designated generally as 10, consists of a horizontal base 12, vertical upright support 14 and hori-zontal support 16. Base 12 consists of a base arm 18 and cross-bar 20. A fixed wheel 22 may be provided at the end of arm 180 Castoring wheels 24 are provided at either end of cross-bar 20. Adjustable canopy supports 26 consist of vertical stems 28 and horizontal arms 30 having cyli~
ndrical pads 32 at either end. The height and orientation of supports 26 is adjusted by adjustable clamps 34.
BasP arm 18 and cross-bar 20 will be manufac-tured for example of a piece of 2-inch by 3-inch hollow steel bar. Fixed wheel 22, shown in detail in Fig. 14, will typically be a metal wheel approximately 5-inches in diameter mounted on axle 23 in plate 25 which is removab-ly fixed to base 18 by bolts 33 or the like. Castoring wheels 24 shown in Figure 13 are similar to wheel 22 but their axle 39 is mounted in a pivoting plate 27 which in turn is able to pivot on axis 29 mounted on plate 31 which i~ turn is removably fixed to cross-bar 20 by bolts 35 or the like. As shown in Fig. 12, support 14 is secured to base 18 by bracket 15, and cross-bar 20 consists of two pieces connected together by bracket 21, welded at either end to cross-bar 20 and secured by bolt 37 to base lg.
The height of horizontal support 16 is varied by jack assembly 36, shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9.
Horizontal support 16 is fixed by cantilever bracket 38 to jack 36. Hollow pipe 40 of jack 36 slides freely within hollow vertical support 14 by means of nylon bushings 42.
Central post 44 of jack assembly 36 is fixed to vertical 6 ~
support 14 by means of pin 46. Jack assembly 36 is a conventional screw-type jack, such that rotation of hand le 48 causes pipe ~0 and attached support 16 to move up or down relative to vertical support 14.
Support pads 32, shown in further detail in Fig.
ll, are typically a dense foam rubber and are cylindrical in shape to allow them to conform to the various inner surface shapes of truck canopies. Clamp 34 is shown in further detail in Fig. 10. Post 28 slides in an aperture 52 in clamp body 54. Handle 50 is threaded in body 54 to allow it to be tightened against post 28. Horizorltal member 16 slides in aperture 56 in clamp body 34. Adjustment of handle 50 allows the clamp body 34 to be secured at dif-ferent locations along bar 16 and allows adjustment of theheight of post 28 and reversal in vertical orientation post 28 as shown in Figure 3.
operatlon of the apparatus can be understood by reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4. A pick-up truck canopy 60 is initially installed on the pick-up truck box. The rear window or flap 62 of the canopy is raised. ~ack 10 is then slid or rolled (if wheels 22 and 24 are installed~ into place with base bar 18 extending lengthwise under the rear end of the pick-up truck, and with bar 16 extending into the space formed between the canopy 60 and the truck box.
Jack 36 is then operated to raise bar 16 so that pads 32 contact canopy 60 and canopy 60 is raised off the pick-up truck box and is supported on supports 26. The rack 10 is then rolled away to its storage location with canopy in place. If wheels 22 and 24 are not installed ~as shown in Fig. 3), the truck will be moved, leaving rack 10 and canopy 60 in place.
PIC~UP TR~C~ CANOP~ R~MO~A~ A~D STOR~E R~CK
Field of the Invent.ion The invention relates to devices for removing and storing pick-up truck canopies or caps.
Back~round of the .~nvention Glass fibre shells which provide an enclosure for a pick-up truck box are referred to as canopies, caps or toppers. Such canopies are in popular use to convert the open pick-up truck box to an enclosed space Eor camping and recreational use. Such canopies ara bul]cy and heavy to move, but i.n the past the owner has typically removed the canopy by hand for storage in his garage or back yard.
Typically the canopy is stored by simply laying it on the ground or against a wall.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an apparatus for lifting, supporting and lowering a pick-up truck canopy, which canopy has a roof and a rear opening which permits 2S access to the interior space formed under the rooE of the canopy. The invention comprises a horizontally extending base member, a vertically extending support member secur-ed to the base member, a horizontally extending support member mounted at a first end thereof for vertically adjus-table movement on said vertical support member, the secondend thereof being free for insertion through the rear opening of said canopy to extend into the interior space of the canop~, means for adjustably moving the horizontal sup-port member on the vertical support member, and means attached to the horizontal support member for contacting and supporting the underside of the roof of the canopy. The base member may be floor standing and provided with wheels or may be hung from a ceiling or the like. Preferably the means for contacting the underside of the canopy comprises ~33~
a member having a vertical stem and a horizontally ex-tending member secured to said stem, and means attached to the horizontal support for receiving the vertical stem in an orientation with the horizontal member either above or below the horizontal support.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs In drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention:
Fig. l is a perspective view of the invention in its floor standing mode with the truck canopy removed;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in its floor standing mode with the truck canopy in place;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in its floor standing mode with the wheels removed and the truck canopy shown in phantom outline;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in its ceiling suspended mode with the truck canopy in place;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the invention as shown in Fig. 3 with the truck canopy removed;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the invention as shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a left side view of the invention as shown in Fig. 5 Fig. 8 is a detail view in perspective of the jack and cantilever connections of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a side view partially cut away of the jack shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a detail view in perspective of the adjustable clamp of the invention;
Fig. ll is a detail view in perspective of the padded canopy supports of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a detail view in perspective of the base connector and cross-bar connector of the invention;
Fig. 13 is a detail view in perspective of the castoring wheels of the invention; and 2 0 ~ g Fig. 14 is a detail view in perspective of the fixed wheel of th~ invention.
Detailed Descri~tion of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to the drawings, the apparatus of the invention, designated generally as 10, consists of a horizontal base 12, vertical upright support 14 and hori-zontal support 16. Base 12 consists of a base arm 18 and cross-bar 20. A fixed wheel 22 may be provided at the end of arm 180 Castoring wheels 24 are provided at either end of cross-bar 20. Adjustable canopy supports 26 consist of vertical stems 28 and horizontal arms 30 having cyli~
ndrical pads 32 at either end. The height and orientation of supports 26 is adjusted by adjustable clamps 34.
BasP arm 18 and cross-bar 20 will be manufac-tured for example of a piece of 2-inch by 3-inch hollow steel bar. Fixed wheel 22, shown in detail in Fig. 14, will typically be a metal wheel approximately 5-inches in diameter mounted on axle 23 in plate 25 which is removab-ly fixed to base 18 by bolts 33 or the like. Castoring wheels 24 shown in Figure 13 are similar to wheel 22 but their axle 39 is mounted in a pivoting plate 27 which in turn is able to pivot on axis 29 mounted on plate 31 which i~ turn is removably fixed to cross-bar 20 by bolts 35 or the like. As shown in Fig. 12, support 14 is secured to base 18 by bracket 15, and cross-bar 20 consists of two pieces connected together by bracket 21, welded at either end to cross-bar 20 and secured by bolt 37 to base lg.
The height of horizontal support 16 is varied by jack assembly 36, shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9.
Horizontal support 16 is fixed by cantilever bracket 38 to jack 36. Hollow pipe 40 of jack 36 slides freely within hollow vertical support 14 by means of nylon bushings 42.
Central post 44 of jack assembly 36 is fixed to vertical 6 ~
support 14 by means of pin 46. Jack assembly 36 is a conventional screw-type jack, such that rotation of hand le 48 causes pipe ~0 and attached support 16 to move up or down relative to vertical support 14.
Support pads 32, shown in further detail in Fig.
ll, are typically a dense foam rubber and are cylindrical in shape to allow them to conform to the various inner surface shapes of truck canopies. Clamp 34 is shown in further detail in Fig. 10. Post 28 slides in an aperture 52 in clamp body 54. Handle 50 is threaded in body 54 to allow it to be tightened against post 28. Horizorltal member 16 slides in aperture 56 in clamp body 34. Adjustment of handle 50 allows the clamp body 34 to be secured at dif-ferent locations along bar 16 and allows adjustment of theheight of post 28 and reversal in vertical orientation post 28 as shown in Figure 3.
operatlon of the apparatus can be understood by reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4. A pick-up truck canopy 60 is initially installed on the pick-up truck box. The rear window or flap 62 of the canopy is raised. ~ack 10 is then slid or rolled (if wheels 22 and 24 are installed~ into place with base bar 18 extending lengthwise under the rear end of the pick-up truck, and with bar 16 extending into the space formed between the canopy 60 and the truck box.
Jack 36 is then operated to raise bar 16 so that pads 32 contact canopy 60 and canopy 60 is raised off the pick-up truck box and is supported on supports 26. The rack 10 is then rolled away to its storage location with canopy in place. If wheels 22 and 24 are not installed ~as shown in Fig. 3), the truck will be moved, leaving rack 10 and canopy 60 in place.
3~ As shown in Figure 4, supports 28 can be rever-sed in clamps 3~, allowing the rack 10 to be mounted to a ceiling 66. In this case wheels 22 and 24 are removed and 3 ~ ~ ~
base 18 is bolted to the ceiling or secured by some other means such as clamps. The pick-up truck with canopy in-stalled may then be backed up, with rear window 62 raised, so that bar 16 is inserted between canopy 60 and the pick-up truck box. Again, handle 48 is rotated so that bar 16 israised, bringing pads 32 into contact with the underside of the canopy and raising it off the truck. I'he truck is then driven away, leaving the canopy in storage position.
To re-install the canopy on the pick~up truc]c, it will be apparent that the above-mentioned steps are simply reversed. As will also be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example, rather than using the rever-sible supports disclosed, ths supports 26 could be provided with support pads 32 both above and below horizontal bar 16 to obviate the need for reversal of the bars. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accor~
dance with the substance defined by the following claims.
base 18 is bolted to the ceiling or secured by some other means such as clamps. The pick-up truck with canopy in-stalled may then be backed up, with rear window 62 raised, so that bar 16 is inserted between canopy 60 and the pick-up truck box. Again, handle 48 is rotated so that bar 16 israised, bringing pads 32 into contact with the underside of the canopy and raising it off the truck. I'he truck is then driven away, leaving the canopy in storage position.
To re-install the canopy on the pick~up truc]c, it will be apparent that the above-mentioned steps are simply reversed. As will also be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example, rather than using the rever-sible supports disclosed, ths supports 26 could be provided with support pads 32 both above and below horizontal bar 16 to obviate the need for reversal of the bars. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accor~
dance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. An apparatus for lifting, supporting and lowering a pick-up truck canopy having a roof and a rear opening which permits access to the interior space formed under the roof of the canopy, comprising:
a) a horizontally extending base member;
b) a vertically extending support member secured to said base member;
c) a horizontally extending support member mounted at a first end thereof for vertically adjustable movement on said vertical support member, the second end thereof being free for insertion through said rear opening of said canopy to extend into said interior space of said canopy;
d) means for adjustably moving said horizontal sup-port member on said vertical support member; and e) means attached to said horizontal support member for contacting and supporting the underside of said roof of said canopy.
a) a horizontally extending base member;
b) a vertically extending support member secured to said base member;
c) a horizontally extending support member mounted at a first end thereof for vertically adjustable movement on said vertical support member, the second end thereof being free for insertion through said rear opening of said canopy to extend into said interior space of said canopy;
d) means for adjustably moving said horizontal sup-port member on said vertical support member; and e) means attached to said horizontal support member for contacting and supporting the underside of said roof of said canopy.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for verti-cal adjustment comprises a jack.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said jack comprises an inner post secured to said vertical support member and an outer member secured to said horizontal support member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least three wheels attached to said base member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said wheels are remov-able.
6. The apparatus of claims 1, 4 or 5 wherein said base member is adapted for securing to a structure whereby said base member is positioned above said horizontal support member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for con-tacting said underside of said canopy comprises a member having a vertical stem and a horizontally extending member secured to said stem, and means attached to said horizon-tal support for receiving said vertical stem in an orien-tation with said horizontal member either above or below said horizontal support.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for con-tacting said underside of said canopy comprises means located both above and below said horizontal support member whereby said apparatus may be oriented with said horizontal support member above or below said base member for opera-tion of said apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising adjustable clamp means for adjustably receiving said means for con-tacting said underside of said canopy.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said adjustable clamp means is adapted to adjustably receive said horizontal support member.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for con-tacting said underside of said canopy comprises means adapted to be positioned above or below said horizontal support member whereby said apparatus may be oriented with said horizontal support member above or below said base member for operation of said apparatus.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2033468 CA2033468A1 (en) | 1990-12-31 | 1990-12-31 | Pick-up truck canopy removal and storage rack |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2033468 CA2033468A1 (en) | 1990-12-31 | 1990-12-31 | Pick-up truck canopy removal and storage rack |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2033468A1 true CA2033468A1 (en) | 1992-07-01 |
Family
ID=4146741
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2033468 Abandoned CA2033468A1 (en) | 1990-12-31 | 1990-12-31 | Pick-up truck canopy removal and storage rack |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2033468A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10391617B1 (en) | 2015-03-05 | 2019-08-27 | Mark Lloyd | Canopy removal and storage systems and methods |
-
1990
- 1990-12-31 CA CA 2033468 patent/CA2033468A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10391617B1 (en) | 2015-03-05 | 2019-08-27 | Mark Lloyd | Canopy removal and storage systems and methods |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |