BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to pickup trucks and, more particularly, to bed covers for pickup trucks that are fuel efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and unique.

2. Related Art

A variety of devices are currently on the market for providing environmental and structural protection to a bed of a pickup truck. Some such devices include lightweight tonneau covers that are made of a canvas or vinyl type material and are stretched to engage with the truck's side rails to cover the bed. While useful, some may not consider such tonneau covers to be aesthetically pleasing, they severely limit what can be put in the bed, and they provide little in the way of security protection because they can be easily ripped or torn. To overcome the deficiencies with soft tonneau covers, manufacturers have developed had shell tonneau covers, such as flat fiberglass covers. While these overcome many of the issues with soft tonneau covers, they present issues of their own. More specifically, there is limited ability to lift open or store tall items. In addition, unlike soft tonneau covers, it is not recommended to travel in the truck with the hard cover open, which substantially limits the items that may be carried to only items that fit within the enclosed bed of the truck.

Another common device for covering the bed of a pickup truck is a bed cap. A typical bed cap has a boxy shape with four cap walls, one of which is typically a door or hatch that can be mounted on the truck's three bed walls and the tailgate. The cap walls extend upwardly to a generally flat roof to define an enclosure which extends from the floor of the bed to the roof of the cap. Such bed caps provide more structural and security protection to the bed by structurally enclosing it with a hard shell, and allow taller objects to be stored unlike tonneau covers. However, bed caps currently are very utilitarian in looks with their boxy shapes, and therefore, they are considered by some to be aesthetically unpleasing. Additionally, such bed caps are generally not aerodynamic, and thus, fitting a bed cover on a pickup truck may have a negatively impact on a truck's fuel economy.

There remains a continuing need for a structurally sound and aesthetically attractive option for covering the bed of a pickup truck that also allows for greater ability to store items than tonneau covers provide, and better fuel efficiency than traditional bed caps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention relates generally to pickup trucks and, more particularly, to a truck cap assembly for pickup trucks that are fuel efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and unique. The truck cap assembly is configured to be attached to the cargo hold of a pickup, the cargo hold having side rails, a front rail and a tailgate, and a horizontal bed extending therebetween and wherein the side rails are generally arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pickup.

The truck cap assembly includes a stationary portion and a hatch member. The stationary portion is coupled to the cargo hold of the pickup, and includes a pair of opposing bed rail supports each having an inwardly extending portion and an outer lip, and a side wall extending upwardly from each bed rail support, and an upper cross member extending between each side wall, wherein each of the sidewalls, opposing bed rail supports and upper cross member define a hatch opening.

The hatch member is configured to fit within the hatch opening and has an upper edge, an inclined portion and a tail portion and the hatch member is configured to move between an open position and a closed position and wherein the hatch member is hingedly connected to at least one of the upper cross member and the side walls, and wherein the hatch member is configured to sealingly engage the upper cross member, the side walls in the closed position. The sidewalls extend upwardly and inwardly and wherein the inclined portion of the hatch member extends downwardly from the upper edge to the tail portion.

The hatch also sealingly engages a portion of each of the opposing bed rail supports. The inwardly extending portion includes an end lip and wherein the inwardly extending portion increases in width as the inwardly extending portion approaches the end lip. Each of the sidewalls may be curved, angled or extend inwardly toward each other as the sidewalls increase in height from the opposing bed rail supports. The inwardly extending portion includes an end lip and wherein each of the sidewalls is curved, angled or extends inwardly toward each other and is reduced in height as the sidewalls approach the end lip. A rear end wall extending between the sidewalls and the upper cross member and wherein the sidewalls extend from the rear end wall to the end lip on the inwardly extending portion but do not reach the end lip.

Each of the sidewalls may include a window, and the hatch member may include a window in the inclined portion.

The inclined portion may be at least partially covered by louvers, configured to extend substantially horizontally when the hatch member is in the closed position.

The hatch member includes an inclined portion and a tail portion extending therefrom and the tail portion may be angled relative to the inclined portion and ends in an outer lip.

The tail portion may include an intermediate portion between the inclined portion and the outer lip, or be formed without it.

The stationary portion includes an inner edge within a channel around the periphery of the hatch opening.

The hatch member may include a protrusion around its periphery on at least two sides configured to interface with the channel and a sealing member displaced between the hatch member and the stationary member.

The hatch member extends in a downward and rearward direction between the upper cross member and the tailgate and wherein the open position, the hatch member exposes an opening defined by the stationary portion.

In the open position the hatch member is approximately parallel with or angled upward away from the horizontal bed as the hatch member extends away from the upper cross member.

The hatch member is spaced from and extends over the horizontal bed between the tailgate and the upper cross member. This is unusual and required special hinges and bracing not normal in truck caps.

The horizontal bed has a length along the longitudinal axis and the hatch member extends along the longitudinal axis for the majority of the length, but does not extend for the whole length.

The hatch member has an inclined portion including a hatch window and wherein the hatch window is arranged to be more parallel to the horizontal truck bed than perpendicular to the horizontal truck bed.

Each sidewall includes a side window and wherein the side window has a front edge and an opposing rear edge and bottom edge and an upper edge and wherein the sidewalls are configured so that the rear edge is disposed closer to the tailgate than the front edge and wherein the rear edge is displaced inward toward the longitudinal axis relative to the front edge and wherein the upper edge is displaced inward toward the longitudinal axis relative to the lower edge.

The hatch member has an inclined portion including a hatch window and wherein the hatch window is inclined less than 50 degrees, preferably less than 40 degrees and more preferably less than 30 degrees and more than 10 degrees from a plane formed by the horizontal bed as it extends upwardly away from the tailgate, and wherein the side windows are each inclined more than 50 degrees, but less than 90 degrees relative to the plane formed by the horizontal bed. In fact, it has been found that 15 to 25 degrees, preferably about 20 degrees gives the most pleasing look on a five and a half foot or six and a half foot length bed.

A hinge assembly operably connecting the hatch member with the stationary portion allows the hatch member to move between the open and closed positions; and wherein the hinge assembly includes a pair of hinges each being generally question mark-shaped for allowing a back edge of the hatch member to raise above the an adjacent portion of the stationary piece for guiding rain water away from the opening when the hatch member is in the open position and for preventing interference between the hatch member and the stationary piece when the hatch member is moved between the open and closed positions.

At least one of the stationary portion and the hatch member include an edge channel and the other of the stationary portion and the hatch includes a protrusion configured to fit within the edge channel and when the hatch member is in the closed position, the a sealing member coupled to one of the stationary portion and the hatch member is in sealing contact with the other of the hatch member and the stationary portion.

The edge channel is located on the stationary portion and the truck cap assembly further includes a drain channel configured to sealing engage the edge channel and divert water from entering the cargo hold and wherein the drain channel includes a channel extending between an opening and an outlet.

The channel on the drain channel is an internal channel extending between an opening and an outlet and wherein the outlet is proximate the sidewalls of the pickup.

A truck cap assembly configured to be attached to the cargo hold of a pickup, the cargo hold having side rails, a front rail and a tailgate, and a horizontal bed extending therebetween and wherein the side rails are generally arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pickup. The truck cap assembly includes a stationary portion which is fixable with a the side rails of the cargo hold and wherein the stationary portion defines a hatch opening; a hatch member operably connected with the stationary piece and selectively movable relative to the stationary portion between an open position which exposes the hatch opening in the stationary portion and a closed position wherein the hatch member covers the hatch opening; a pair of hinges operably connecting the hatch member with the stationary portion and allowing the hatch member to move between the open and closed positions; and each of the hinges being generally question mark-shaped for allowing a back edge of the hatch member to raise above the an adjacent portion of the stationary piece for guiding rain water away from the opening when the hatch member is in the open position and for preventing interference between the hatch member and the stationary piece when the hatch member is moved between the open and closed positions.

The stationary portion includes a pair of opposing bed rail supports each having an inwardly extending portion and an outer lip, and a side wall extending upwardly from each bed rail support, and an upper cross member extending between each side wall, wherein each of the sidewalls, opposing bed rail supports and upper cross member define a hatch opening, and the hatch member having an upper edge, an inclined portion and a tail portion; and wherein the stationary member includes opposing sidewalls extending upwardly and inwardly and wherein the inclined portion of the hatch member extends downwardly from the upper edge to the tail portion.

The inwardly extending portion includes an end lip and wherein the inwardly extending portion increases in width as the inwardly extending portion approaches the end lip, and wherein each of the sidewalls is curved inwardly toward each other and is reduced in height as the sidewalls approach the end lip.

The sidewalls extend inwardly toward each other as the sidewalls increase in height from the opposing bed rail supports, and further wherein the truck cap assembly includes a rear end wall extending between the sidewalls and the upper cross member and wherein the sidewalls extend from the rear end wall to the end lip on the inwardly extending portion but do not reach the end lip.

Each of the sidewalls may include a window and the hatch member may include a window in the inclined portion. Other windows may be added or removed as desired.

The inclined portion may be at least partially covered by louvers, configured to extend substantially horizontally when the hatch member is in the closed position.

The hatch member includes an inclined portion and a tail portion extending therefrom and wherein the tail portion is angled relative to the inclined portion and ends in an outer lip, and wherein the tail portion includes an intermediate portion between the inclined portion and the outer lip that extends beyond the tailgate and over the horizontal bed.

The stationary portion includes an inner edge around the periphery of the hatch opening and wherein the inner edge includes an edge channel.

A drain channel15configured to prevent water in the edge channel from entering the cargo hold by diverting water through a channel from an opening engaging the edge channel to an outlet proximate the side walls of the pickup.

A support plane is formed by the lower surfaces of the opposing bed rail supports, rear end wall, and tail portion. In the open position the hatch member is parallel with or angled upward away from the support plane as the hatch member extends away from the upper cross member and wherein the hatch member is spaced from and extends over the support plane between the tailgate and the upper cross member and wherein the truck cap assembly has a length along the longitudinal axis of pickup and wherein the hatch member extends along the longitudinal axis for the majority of the length, but does not extend for the whole length.

The hatch member has an inclined portion including a hatch window and wherein the hatch window is arranged to be more parallel to the support plane than perpendicular to the support plane.

Each sidewall may include a side window and wherein the side window has a front edge and an opposing rear edge and bottom edge and an upper edge and wherein the sidewalls are configured so that the rear edge is disposed closer to the tailgate than the front edge and wherein the rear edge is displaced inward toward the longitudinal axis relative to the front edge and wherein the upper edge is displaced inward toward the longitudinal axis relative to the lower edge.

The hatch member may have an inclined portion including a hatch window and wherein the hatch window is inclined less than 40 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees, typically 15-25 degrees, and about 20 degrees in the illustrated Figures from the support plane and wherein the side windows are each inclined more than 50 degrees, but less than 90 degrees relative to the support plane.

At least one of the stationary portion and the hatch member include an edge channel and the other of the stationary portion and the hatch includes a protrusion configured to fit within the edge channel and when the hatch member is in the closed position, the a sealing member coupled to one of the stationary portion and the hatch member is in sealing contact with the other of the hatch member and the stationary portion

The edge channel is located on the stationary portion and the truck cap assembly further includes a drain channel configured to sealing engage the edge channel and divert water from entering the cargo hold and wherein the drain channel includes a channel extending between an opening and an outlet and wherein the outlet is proximate the sidewalls of the pickup, typically engaging a support member for the sidewalls.

A truck cap assembly configured to be attached to the cargo hold of a pickup, the cargo hold having side rails, a front rail and a tailgate, and a horizontal bed extending therebetween and wherein the side rails are generally arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pickup, the truck cap assembly comprising:

a stationary portion which is fixable with the side rails of the cargo hold and wherein the stationary portion defines a hatch opening; a hatch member operably connected with the stationary piece and selectively movable relative to the stationary portion between an open position which exposes the hatch opening in the stationary portion and a closed position wherein the hatch member covers the hatch opening; the stationary portion having an edge channel and wherein one of the match member and the stationary portion is coupled to at least one sealing member extending along the periphery of the inner edge of the hatch member of inner edge of the stationary portion; and when the hatch member is in the closed position, the sealing member of the stationary portion being in sealing contact with the channel and the sealing member being in sealing contact between the hatch member and the stationary portion.

A pair of hinges operably connecting the hatch member with the stationary portion and allowing the hatch member to move between the open and closed positions; and each of the hinges being generally question mark-shaped for allowing a back edge of the hatch member to raise above the an adjacent portion of the stationary piece for guiding rain water away from the opening when the hatch member is in the open position and for preventing interference between the hatch member and the stationary piece when the hatch member is moved between the open and closed positions.

The stationary portion includes a pair of opposing bed rail supports each having an inwardly extending portion and an outer lip, and a side wall extending upwardly from each bed rail support, and an upper cross member extending between each side wall, wherein each of the sidewalls, opposing bed rail supports and upper cross member define a hatch opening, and the hatch member having an upper edge, an inclined portion and a tail portion; and wherein the stationary member includes opposing sidewalls extending upwardly and inwardly and wherein the inclined portion of the hatch member extends downwardly from the upper edge to the tail portion.

The inwardly extending portion includes an end lip and wherein the inwardly extending portion increases in width as the inwardly extending portion approaches the end lip, and wherein each of the sidewalls is curved inwardly toward each other and is reduced in height as the sidewalls approach the end lip.

Each of the sidewalls is curved, angled or extends inwardly toward each other as the sidewalls increase in height from the opposing bed rail supports, and further wherein the truck cap assembly includes a rear end wall extending between the sidewalls and the upper cross member and wherein the sidewalls extend from the rear end wall to the end lip on the inwardly extending portion but do not reach the end lip.

The hatch member includes an inclined portion and a tail portion extending therefrom and wherein the tail portion is angled relative to the inclined portion and ends in an outer lip, and wherein the tail portion includes an intermediate portion between the inclined portion and the outer lip that extends beyond the tailgate and over the horizontal bed.

The support plane formed by the lower surfaces of the opposing bed rail supports, rear end wall, and tail portion wherein in the open position the hatch member is parallel with or angled upward away from the support plane as the hatch member extends away from the upper cross member and wherein the hatch member is spaced from and extends over the support plane between the tailgate and the upper cross member and wherein the truck cap assembly has a length along the longitudinal axis of pickup and wherein the hatch member extends along the longitudinal axis for the majority of the length, but does not extend for the whole length.

The hatch member has an inclined portion including a hatch window and wherein the hatch window is arranged to be more parallel to the support plane than perpendicular to the support plane.

Each sidewall includes a side window and wherein the side window has a front edge and an opposing rear edge and bottom edge and an upper edge and wherein the sidewalls are configured so that the rear edge is disposed closer to the tailgate than the front edge and wherein the rear edge is displaced inward toward the longitudinal axis relative to the front edge and wherein the upper edge is displaced inward toward the longitudinal axis relative to the lower edge.

The hatch member has an inclined portion including a hatch window and wherein the hatch window is inclined 15-20 degrees from the support plane and wherein the side windows are each inclined more than 50 degrees, but less than 90 degrees relative to the support plane.

The inclined portion may include a transparent panel and a tail portion with a generally flat surface which extends in a horizontal plane and which has a generally trapezoidal shape.

The stationary portion may further include an edge channel and engage a drain channel member to divert water from the edge channel out of the cargo hold.

The drain channel may include a channel extending between an opening and an outlet and wherein the opening engages the edge channel and wherein the outlet is proximate to the side rails and wherein the drain channel includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion and wherein vertical portion includes a bed engagement portion configured to have a mirror image contour to a side wall contour and wherein the horizontal portion and vertical portions meet at a bed rail cutout.

The channel may be substantially internal to the horizontal and vertical portions and wherein the horizontal portion includes a horizontal axis and the vertical portion includes a vertical axis and wherein the horizontal axis is arranged approximately perpendicular to the vertical axis.

A truck cap assembly, including a stationary portion which is fixable with a the side walls of a pickup bed and which has an opening; a hatch member operably connected with the stationary portion and selectively movable relative to the stationary portion between an open position which exposes the opening in the stationary portion and a closed position wherein the hatch member covers the opening; and the hatch member having an inclined portion with a glass panel and a tail portion with a generally flat surface which extends in a horizontal plane and which has a generally trapezoidal shape.

A drain channel member for a truck cap assembly configured to fit over the cargo hold of a pickup and wherein the cargo hold of the pickup includes a horizontal bed, opposing sidewalls, a rear end and a pivotable tailgate, and wherein the sidewalls include a structural support having a support contour and wherein the drain channel member for a truck cap assembly including a horizontal portion including an opening and a vertical portion having a sidewall engagement portion configured to engage the structural support and wherein the sidewall engagement portion has a contour that is substantially a mirror image of the support contour.

The drain channel member for a truck cap assembly wherein the vertical portion includes an outlet and a channel extends between the opening on the horizontal portion to the outlet.

The drain channel member for a truck cap assembly wherein the truck cap assembly includes a stationary portion and a hatch me member and the stationary portion includes an edge channel configured to engage the opening on the drain channel member.

