US-12624565-B2 - Truck bed canopy device

Abstract

A truck bed canopy device is disclosed as it may include post members installed in a bed of a truck or other vehicle. The example truck bed canopy device also includes rafter members connected to the post members. The example truck bed canopy device also includes drop members extending between the post members and the rafter members. The example truck bed canopy device also includes a ridge member and a cross member each extending between the rafter members. The example truck bed canopy device also includes a canopy connected on one end to the cross member, extending over the ridge member, and connected to the truck. The truck bed canopy device can be readily deployed and taken down for stowage.

Inventors

• Jeremy Scott Collyard

Assignees

• Jeremy Scott Collyard

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20231114

Claims (2)

1. 1 . A method of installing a canopy device in a truck bed, comprising: installing a first post member in a vertical orientation on a first side of the truck bed; installing a second post member in a vertical orientation on a second side of the truck bed; connecting a first rafter member to the first post member; connecting a second rafter member to the second post member; positioning a first drop member to extend between the first post member and the first rafter member; positioning a second drop member to extend between the second post member and the second rafter member; positioning a ridge member to extend between the first rafter member and the second rafter member; positioning a cross member to extend between the first rafter member and the second rafter member to form a drip edge; connecting a first end of a canopy to the cross member; extending the canopy over the ridge member; and connecting a second end of the canopy to the truck.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising first installing plates to the truck for mounting the first and second post members.

Description

BACKGROUND The open bed of a truck is convenient for hauling cargo, but is left exposed to the elements, such as direct sunshine, rain, snow, and hail. There are shade structures that can be deployed on the ground and placed near the truck to protect people and/or equipment from the weather conditions. These shade structures typically cannot be deployed on the truck bed, and even if the user sets up the shade structure in the back of or over the truck bed, the shade structure must be taken down before the truck can be driven. The open bed of a truck is designed for hauling cargo and is convenient for other uses such as performing work (contractors, environmental sampling, etc.) and for recreation (tailgating, camping, etc.). However, truck beds are exposed to the elements, such as direct sunshine, rain, snow and hail. There are shade structures that can be deployed on the group and placed near the truck to protect people and/or equipment from weather conditions. These shade structures typically cannot be deployed on the truck bed and for the limited products that do incorporate the truck bed into the structure, the shade structure still relies on ground placement. Therefore, these must be taken down before moving the truck. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an example truck bed canopy device as it may be installed in the bed of a pickup truck. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the example truck bed canopy device corresponding to FIG. 1, as it may be rolled up in a closed configuration on the tailgate of the pickup truck. FIGS. 3-5 are component views of the example truck bed canopy device corresponding to FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the example truck bed canopy device corresponding to FIG. 1, as it may be installed in the bed of the pickup truck. FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an example truck bed canopy device corresponding to FIG. 1, as it may be installed in the bed of the pickup truck. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A truck bed canopy device is disclosed as it may be installed on a truck bed (e.g., a pickup truck) for numerous purposes, including but not limited to, commercial, recreational, and personal use. In an example, the truck bed canopy device is readily deployable, and can remain up or be taken down and stowed for travel. The truck bed canopy device is designed to be deployed on the vehicle to allow for mobility of the vehicle while the device is deployed and servicing its purpose, but also for ease of set up and take down and for structural stability. The truck bed canopy device is collapsible, and is compact when stored so that it fits within the cab or can be stowed on the tailgate of the pickup truck. When deployed, the canopy covers all or part of the bed of the truck. The canopy also extends to cover the tailgate, and beyond the tailgate to cover an area behind the tailgate. The canopy does not inhibit closing the tailgate when deployed or stored on the tailgate. Even when deployed, the canopy does not prevent driving the truck. The canopy does not inhibit the closing of the tailgate when deployed allow for the safe driving of the vehicle while still deployed. When not deployed, the truck bed canopy device is stored within a carrying case that fits inside the cab of the truck or within the truck bed. Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.” It is also noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein. In addition, while the invention is described as it may be utilized with a pickup truck, it is noted that the truck bed canopy may also be used with other vehicles (including but not limited to other types of trucks and even trailers). The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented. FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an example truck bed canopy device 10 as it may be installed in the bed 2 of a pickup truck 1. The term “rear” is relative to the rear of the truck 1. The truck bed canopy device 10 can be quickly deployed to cover some or all of the bed 2 of the truck 1, some or all of the tailgate 3 of the truck, and/or extend beyond the tailgate 3 to cover behind the rear of the truck 1. In an example, the truck bed canopy device 10 does not need to be taken down to drive the truck. For example, the truck bed canopy device 10 may remain in a deployed state for driving. Or for example, the canopy 12 can be taken off and the remaining structure may stay in a deployed state for driving. The