초록 ▼

A molded truck shell having side walls hinged along the top of the shell, allowing the entire side wall to pivot upwardly and outwardly, providing increased access to cargo stored in a truck bed. Additional lateral seams between the side wall and shell are located on the front and rear of the shell

A molded truck shell having side walls hinged along the top of the shell, allowing the entire side wall to pivot upwardly and outwardly, providing increased access to cargo stored in a truck bed. Additional lateral seams between the side wall and shell are located on the front and rear of the shell rather than on the side of the shell thereby further increasing the opening into the truck bed and creating a visually clean appearance. Water penetrating through the side wall hinge line is directed away from the interior of the truck bed by a moisture flange that conducts the water to the exterior of the truck.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A shell for a motor vehicle, the shell being attachable to a chassis of the motor vehicle so as to, in combination therewith, define an enclosed cargo compartment wherein the shell comprises:at least one side opening aligned generally with an exterior side surface of the vehicle; an outer side wa

1. A shell for a motor vehicle, the shell being attachable to a chassis of the motor vehicle so as to, in combination therewith, define an enclosed cargo compartment wherein the shell comprises:at least one side opening aligned generally with an exterior side surface of the vehicle; an outer side wall hinged generally aligned with an upper edge of the exterior side surface and completely covering the at least one side opening such that, in an open position, access is provided to the cargo compartment via the side opening; a rear opening; and an outer rear wall covering the rear opening such that, in an open position, access is also provided to the cargo compartment via the rear opening and wherein, in closed positions, the outer rear wall and outer side wall substantially abut each other. 2. The shell of claim 1, wherein the shell is removably attachable to the chassis.3. The shell of claim 1, wherein the outer side wall is at least partially transparent.4. The shell of claim 1, further comprising a latch securing the outer side wall in a closed position.5. The shell of claim 4, wherein the latch, in a locked position, locks the outer side wall in the closed position from the outside the vehicle and is operable from inside the cargo compartment to unlock the outer side wall from the closed position.6. The shell of claim 1, wherein the shell further comprises a moisture flange extending generally horizontally outwardly from the periphery of the at least one side opening wherein the moisture flange is configured to direct incident water around the at least one side opening.7. The shell of claim 6, further comprising a seal member attached to the moisture flange wherein, in the closed position, the seal member resiliently compresses against the outer side wall so as to seal the at least one side opening.8. The shell of claim 6, wherein the outer side wall overlaps the moisture flange along at least upper and opposite side portions thereof.9. The shell of claim 1, wherein the hinged connection of the outer side wall is covered by the outer side wall in at least a closed position.10. The shell of claim 1, wherein the abutment of the outer rear and side walls is positioned along a rear surface of the shell.11. The shell of claim 1, wherein the outer side wall comprises a generally planar surface and inwardly extending flanges at front and rear edges thereof wherein, in a closed position, the planar surface is generally parallel with the opening and the flanges extend generally perpendicular thereto.12. A shell for a motor vehicle, the shell being attachable to a chassis of the motor vehicle so as to, in combination therewith, define an enclosed cargo compartment wherein the shell comprises:at least one side opening; a moisture flange extending generally in horizontal planes outwardly from the periphery of the at least one side opening at top and bottom portions of the flange and generally in vertical planes at side portions of the flange wherein the moisture flange is configured to direct incident water around the at least one side opening; a movable outer side wall covering the at least one side opening such that, in an open position, access is provided to the cargo compartment via the side opening; a rear opening; and an outer rear wall covering the rear opening such that, in an open position, access is provided to the cargo compartment via the rear opening wherein, in closed positions, the outer rear wall and outer side wall substantially abut each other. 13. The shell of claim 12, wherein the shell is removably attachable to the chassis.14. The shell of claim 12, wherein the outer side wall is at least partially transparent.15. The shell of claim 12, further comprising a latch securing the outer side wall in a closed position.16. The shell of claim 15, wherein the latch, in a locked position, locks the outer side wall in the closed position from the outside the vehicle and is operable from inside the cargo compartment to unlock the outer side wall from the closed position.17. The shell of claim 12, further comprising a seal member attached to the moisture flange wherein, in the closed position, the seal member resiliently compresses against the outer side wall so as to seal the at least one side opening.18. The shell of claim 12, wherein the outer side wall overlaps the moisture flange along at least upper and opposite side portions thereof.19. The shell of claim 12, wherein the outer side wall is pivotably movable.20. The shell of claim 12, wherein the abutment of the outer rear and side walls is positioned along a rear surface of the shell.21. The shell of claim 12, wherein the outer side wall comprises a generally planar surface and inwardly extending flanges at front and rear edges thereof wherein, in a closed position, the planar surface is generally parallel with the opening and the flanges extend generally perpendicular thereto.22. A motor vehicle comprising:a chassis defining a passenger compartment; and a shell attached to the chassis so as to define an enclosed cargo compartment wherein the shell comprises: at least one side opening aligned generally with an exterior side surface of the vehicle; an outer side wall hinged generally aligned with an upper edge of the exterior side surface and completely covering the at least one side opening such that, in an open position, access is provided to the cargo compartment via the side opening; a rear opening; and an outer rear wall covering the rear opening such that, in an open position, access is provided to the cargo compartment via the rear opening and wherein, in closed positions, the outer rear wall and outer side wall substantially abut each other. 23. The motor vehicle of claim 22, wherein the shell is removably attached to the chassis.24. The motor vehicle of claim 22, wherein the outer side wall is at least partially transparent.25. The motor vehicle of claim 22, further comprising a latch securing the outer side wall in a closed position.26. The motor vehicle of claim 25, wherein the latch, in a locked position, locks the outer side wall in the closed position from the outside the vehicle and is operable from inside the cargo compartment to unlock the outer side wall from the closed position.27. The motor vehicle of claim 22, wherein the shell further comprises a moisture flange extending generally horizontally outwardly from the periphery of the at least, one side opening wherein the moisture flange is configured to direct incident water around the at least one side opening.28. The motor vehicle of claim 27, further comprising a seal member attached to the moisture flange wherein, in the closed position, the seal member resiliently compresses against the outer side wall so as to seal the at least one side opening.29. The motor vehicle of claim 27, wherein the outer side wall overlaps the moisture flange along at least upper and opposite side portions thereof.30. The motor vehicle of claim 22, wherein the hinged connection of the outer side wall is covered by the outer side wall in at least a closed position.31. The motor vehicle of claim 22, wherein the abutment of the outer rear and side walls is positioned along a rear surface of the shell.32. The motor vehicle of claim 22, wherein the outer side wall comprises a generally planar surface and inwardly extending flanges at front and rear edges thereof wherein, in a closed position, the planar surface is generally parallel with the opening and the flanges extend generally perpendicular thereto.