| 摘要 |
A cover apparatus for the cargo bed of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck (11), travel trailer and the like, comprising a top (13) and a mechanism (15) for raising and lowering the top is disclosed. The top may comprise a structurally stiff planar sheet suitable for supporting a relatively large storage container (121) affixed to the lower surface thereof; or, a relatively lightweight, low silhouette camper top (17) of the type commonly mounted on the side walls surrounding the bed of a pickup truck. The raising and lowering mechanism (15) comprises telescoping columns (31)-one located in each of the four corners of the cargo bed. Horizontal frame members (41, 43, 45) support the telescoping columns (31) in a vertical position. A driven shaft (69) extends between one pair of columns and is chain coupled to a parallel shaft (81) that extends between the other pair of columns. Each column is fully enclosed and includes a base member (33), at least one intermediate member (35) and an end member (37 ) telescoped together. The intermediate member (35) is attached to a point on a continuous chain (87) moved by either the driven or the parallel shaft. The end member (37) is connected to one end of a chain (115) that wraps around a sprocket (113) mounted at the end of the intermediate member (35) remote from the base member (33). The other end of the latter chain (115) terminates at the bottom end of the base member (33). When the driven shaft (69) is rotated, the parallel shaft (81) is also rotated. The rotating shafts move the continuous chains (87) to cause relative movement between the intermediate (35) and base (33) members which, in turn, causes relative movement between the intermediate (35) and end (37) members.
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