초록 ▼

A cap that is adapted to be selectively inserted into one or more receiver openings (e.g., receiver openings for gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitch assemblies) in a vehicle bed (e.g., pickup truck bed) and selectively secured to the bed to limit or inhibit the introduction of moisture, debris, or other

A cap that is adapted to be selectively inserted into one or more receiver openings (e.g., receiver openings for gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitch assemblies) in a vehicle bed (e.g., pickup truck bed) and selectively secured to the bed to limit or inhibit the introduction of moisture, debris, or other elements into the receiver opening while facilitating the movement of objects (e.g., equipment, boxes) across the bed liner.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus that is adapted to be inserted into an opening in a vehicle bed and selectively secured thereto, the apparatus comprising: a rigid cap comprising opposed upper and lower surfaces and a central aperture extending between the upper and lower surfaces;first and second pins secured to th

1. An apparatus that is adapted to be inserted into an opening in a vehicle bed and selectively secured thereto, the apparatus comprising: a rigid cap comprising opposed upper and lower surfaces and a central aperture extending between the upper and lower surfaces;first and second pins secured to the lower surface of the cap and extending substantially perpendicularly away therefrom;a clamping plate that is slidable along the first and second pins in clamping direction towards the lower surface of the cap and in an opposed release direction away from the lower surface of the cap; anda fastener extending through the central aperture in the cap and into a threaded aperture in the clamping plate, wherein rotation of the fastener in opposed first and second rotational directions respectively induces sliding movement of the clamping plate in the clamping and release directions, wherein insertion of the clamping plate into the vehicle bed opening and rotation of the fastener in the first rotational direction clamps the cap and the clamping plate about the vehicle bed and conceals the vehicle bed opening with the cap, and wherein rotation of the fastener in the second rotational direction loosens the cap and clamping plate and allows the apparatus to be released from the vehicle bed. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a cap body and a plug extending away from the cap body, wherein the central aperture extends through the plug, and wherein the plug is insertable into the vehicle bed opening to limit lateral movement of the apparatus relative to the vehicle bed. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second pins are secured to the plug. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cap body further comprises a recess surrounding the plug, wherein the recess is adapted to conceal a receiver protruding from the vehicle bed opening. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap body further comprises a recess within the lower surface, wherein the recess is adapted to conceal a receiver protruding from the vehicle bed opening. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the cap comprises a central planar portion and an outer tapered portion, wherein the central planar portion is adapted to be generally parallel to and spaced from the vehicle bed when the apparatus is secured to the vehicle bed, and wherein the outer tapered portion is adapted to provide a ramping surface between the vehicle bed and the central planar portion when the apparatus is secured to the vehicle bed. 7. A method, comprising: inserting the clamping plate of the apparatus of claim 1 into an opening through a top surface of a vehicle bed and past a lip of the opening; andfirst rotating the fastener in the first rotational direction to respectively clamp the cap and the clamping plate against the top surface and the lip, wherein the vehicle bed opening is concealed by the cap. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising after the inserting step and before the rotating step: twisting the apparatus to bring the clamping plate under the lip. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising before the inserting: removing a hitch assembly from the vehicle bed opening. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hitch assembly comprises a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch assembly. 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising after the first rotating step: second rotating the fastener in the second rotational direction to respectively loosen the cap and the clamping plate from the top surface and the lip; andremoving the apparatus from the vehicle bed opening. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising after the second rotating step and before the removing step: twisting the apparatus so that the clamping plate is not disposed under the lip. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising after the removing: inserting a hitch assembly into the vehicle bed opening; andsecuring the hitch assembly to the vehicle. 14. A vehicle, comprising: a bed;an opening disposed at least partially through the bed; andthe apparatus of claim 1 inserted into the opening and clamped to the bed. 15. An apparatus that is adapted to be inserted into an opening in a vehicle bed and selectively secured thereto, the apparatus comprising: a cap including: a rigid cap body having opposed upper and lower surfaces;a rigid plug extending away from the lower surface of the cap body; anda central aperture extending through the rigid cap and rigid plug;a resilient plug having opposed upper and lower surfaces and a central aperture extending therethrough;a clamping plate having opposed upper and lower surfaces and a threaded aperture extending therethrough; anda fastener extending into the central aperture in the cap, the central aperture of the resilient plug and the threaded aperture in the clamping plate, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first rotational direction induces movement of the clamping plate towards the rigid plug to clamp the resilient plug therebetween and expand the resilient plug against an inner surface of the vehicle bed opening to secure the apparatus to the vehicle bed, and wherein rotation of the fastener in an opposed second rotational direction induces movement of the clamping plate away from the rigid plug to release the resilient plug and allow the resilient plug to contract away from the inner surface of the vehicle bed opening and the apparatus to be released from the vehicle bed. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cap body further comprises a recess surrounding the plug, wherein the recess is adapted to conceal a receiver protruding from the vehicle bed opening. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the upper surface of the cap body comprises a central planar portion and an outer tapered portion, wherein the central planar portion is adapted to be generally parallel to and spaced from the vehicle bed when the apparatus is secured to the vehicle bed, and wherein the outer tapered portion is adapted to provide a ramping surface between the vehicle bed and the central planar portion when the apparatus is secured to the vehicle bed. 18. A method, comprising: inserting the clamping plate of the apparatus of claim 16 into an opening through a top surface of a vehicle bed; andfirst rotating the fastener in the first rotational direction to expend the resilient plug against an inner surface of the opening to secure the apparatus to the vehicle bed, wherein the vehicle bed opening is concealed by the cap. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising after the first rotating step: second rotating the fastener in the second rotational direction to respectively contract the resilient plug from the inner surface of the vehicle bed opening; andremoving the apparatus from the vehicle bed opening. 20. A vehicle, comprising: a bed;an opening disposed at least partially through the bed; andthe apparatus of claim 15 inserted into the opening and secured to the bed.