U.S. patent application number 09/965385 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for truck storage box.
Invention is credited to Brady, Joseph.
Application Number | 20020030373 09/965385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29581990 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020030373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brady, Joseph |
March 14, 2002 |
Truck storage box
Abstract
A method of retrofitting a commercial truck having aerodynamic
body panels with a storage box. A first body panel located between
the front and rear axles of the truck below the cab of the truck is
removed from the truck to provide a space for the storage box. The
storage box is secured to the chassis frame rail of the truck. The
first body panel is then secured to a front access door of the
storage box. The storage box is dimensioned such that when the
first body panel is attached to the access door, the body panel is
located in the same position as it originally was on the truck
prior to being removed.
Inventors: |
Brady, Joseph; (Otis
Orchards, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REIDLAW, L.L.C.
1926 SOUTH VALLEYVIEW LANE
SPOKANE
WA
99212-0157
US
|
Family ID: |
29581990 |
Appl. No.: |
09/965385 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09965385 |
Sep 27, 2001 |
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09480080 |
Jan 10, 2000 |
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60118950 |
Feb 5, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/37.6 |
International
Class: |
B60N 003/12 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of retrofitting a commercial truck having aerodynamic
body panels with a storage box comprising: removing a first body
panel from the truck, the first body panel being located between a
front axle and a rear axle of the truck and below a cab of the
truck to expose a space to be used to accommodate the storage box;
providing a storage box configured to fit within the space provided
for the storage box, the storage box having a vertically hinged
front access door, the storage box being dimensioned such that when
the first body panel is attached to the front access door and the
storage box is mounted to the truck, the first body panel is
located in essentially the same position on the truck as it was
prior to being removed from the truck; securing the storage box to
a chassis frame rail of the truck; and securing the first body
panel to the front access door of the storage box.
2. The method of claim 1, and wherein the truck comprises a second
body panel which partially overlaps the first body panel when the
first body panel is mounted to the access door of the storage box,
and wherein the overlap is proximate the hinged side of the access
door, the method further comprising overlapping the second body
panel over an outward facing surface of the first body panel.
3. The method of claim 1, and wherein the truck comprises a second
body panel which partially overlaps the first body panel when the
first body panel is mounted to the access door of the storage box,
and wherein the overlap is distal from the hinged side of access
door, the method further comprising overlapping the first body
panel over an outward facing surface of the second body panel.
4. The method of claim 1, and wherein at least one body panel brace
from the original manufacturer of the truck is reused in mounting
the first body panel to the access door.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. Utility
patent application Ser. No. 09/480,080, filed Jan. 10, 2000, which
in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application,
Ser. Number 60/118,950, filed Feb. 5, 1999, both of which are
herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains to storage boxes, and in particular
to a storage box which can be used on a commercial truck.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Commercial trucks have a need for storage compartments to
store items such as tire chains, tools, tie-downs, and the like. It
is not always practical to store these items in the truck cab, and
therefore such storage boxes or compartments are typically attached
to the outside of the truck. Additionally, such storage boxes can
be used to house one or more portions of an operating system or
auxiliary system of a commercial truck. For example, automotive
batteries make up a portion of the electrical operating system of a
commercial truck. Often, the batteries of a commercial truck are
housed in a storage box to provide protection and to facilitate
access. As a further example, some commercial trucks employ
auxiliary power units for operating various components of the truck
without running the main vehicle power plant. Such an auxiliary
power unit is an example of an auxiliary system of which the whole
or portions can be housed in a storage box. Further examples of
such operating and auxiliary systems include filters, fuel heaters,
on-board engine pre-heaters, hydraulic pumps, and pumps and blowers
for handling bulk cargo. For large trucks having significant ground
clearance, storage boxes are usually located between the front and
rear axles, and are frequently attached to the frame rail, or
chassis of the truck.
[0004] A recent trend in large trucks has been to design the body
of the truck to be aerodynamic to improve fuel economy. One
particular area where aerodynamic body panels are now being used is
in the area between the front and rear axles, particularly below
the cab of the truck. This is the area traditionally occupied by
fuel tanks and storage boxes. It is also becoming more prevalent
among truck manufacturers to configure such aerodynamic body panels
into a full-length side skirt fairing, which runs the entire length
of the vehicle between the front and rear axles. Consequently, the
fuel tanks and storage boxes on such trucks are oftentimes
concealed by one or more aerodynamic body panels which can make up
either a partial or a full-length side skirt fairing. Access to the
fuel tank filler neck for fueling can be had through a small cutout
in the body panel. On vehicles having partial or full-length side
skirt fairings, access to the prior art storage boxes has been
gained by reaching over the top of a body panel which makes up the
fairing. In this arrangement, the access door of some prior art
storage boxes has been located on the top of the box.
[0005] However, top-mounted doors provide only limited access to
the interior contents of the storage box and, in addition, can
cause back strain to persons accessing the contents. Alternatively,
prior art storage boxes with vertically-hinged side doors can be
used. However, the use of prior art storage boxes having
vertically-hinged door configurations in conjunction with side
skirt fairings sometimes requires the boxes to have a reduced width
in order to provide adequate access clearance between the box and
the fairing. This results in storage boxes of reduced size which do
not utilize all of the available space between the truck frame rail
and body panel. Also, access to prior art storage boxes is hindered
by the various structural members that are employed to support and
brace the body panels which make up the side skirt fairings. As an
additional consequence, trucks requiring large storage boxes for
housing certain systems sometimes cannot be configured with
full-length skirt fairings due to the aforementioned problems.
[0006] It is therefore desirable to find a way to include
full-width storage boxes having vertically hinged access doors on
large commercial trucks that incorporate aerodynamic body panels as
part of partial and full-length side skirt fairings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A truck storage box having an access door, wherein the
access door comprising an aerodynamic body panel of the kind used
on commercial trucks and the like. In one embodiment the access
door is hinged along a vertical hinge to open in a traditional
door-like manner, as opposed to swinging upward or downward. The
storage box can be affixed to the truck chassis between the front
and rear axles of the truck. The aerodynamic body panel on the
storage box can be overlapped on one end by an adjacent body panel
such that an access door of the storage box can still be opened
without interference between the two body panels. This allows a
continuous aerodynamic surface to be provided for on the truck
body, yet still allow for the access door to be opened.
[0008] The access door can further include a step or steps which
can be used by a driver to ease ingress and egress from the cab of
the truck or facilitate climbing to the top of the frame rails
behind the cab. The step or steps can be affixed to the door
through cutouts in the aerodynamic body panel. The storage box is
preferably constructed of a strong material such that it can bear
the weight of a person using the step or steps. More preferably,
the material of construction is of a lightweight material such as
aluminum to reduce weight.
[0009] The storage box can further comprise a latch to secure the
access door. In one embodiment, the latch is configured such that
it can be accessed by reaching behind the body panel at the top of
the panel, but such that the latch is not visible to a casual
observer. This renders the existence of the storage box invisible
to passers-by, which provides security from theft. A mechanism to
attach a lock to the latch or door can be further provided to add
an additional level of security for the storage box.
[0010] The invention further includes a method of retrofitting a
commercial truck having aerodynamic body panels with a storage box.
In the method, a first body panel is removed from the truck. The
first body panel is preferably located between the front and rear
axles of the truck below the cab of the truck, and may be mounted
to the truck by a mounting bracket or the like. The mounting
bracket is removed, providing a space where the storage box can be
installed. The storage box is secured to the truck. Preferably, the
storage box is secured to the chassis frame rail of the truck by a
secure method, such as by using bolts. If the removal of the
mounting bracket has made accessible existing mounting holes in the
frame rail, these can be advantageously used to assist mounting of
the storage box. The first body panel is secured to a front access
door of the storage box. The storage box is dimensioned such that
when the first body panel is attached to the access door, it is
located in the same position as it originally was on the truck
prior to being removed. When an adjacent body panel is present, the
first body panel is mounted to the access door of the truck such
that the door can be opened without interfering with the adjacent
body panel. This can be achieved by overlapping the adjacent body
panel over the outer surface of the first body panel at the point
where the body panels mate on the hinge side of the access door. If
an adjacent body panel overlaps on the latch side of the door, the
body panel affixed to the access door should overlap the outer
surface of the adjacent body panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the tractor of a
commercial truck incorporating a storage box of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a storage box of the present
invention showing the aerodynamic body panel on the access
door.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the storage box of FIG. 2
with the aerodynamic body panel removed.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the storage box of FIG. 3
from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of the storage box of
FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the storage box of FIG.
3.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of the storage box of FIG. 3 showing
grating which can be added to the top of the box.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the storage box of FIG.
3 showing the access door in an open position.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a latch that can be used to
secure the access door of the storage box.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevation detail of the latch of FIG.
9.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the storage box of FIG.
5 showing a storage shelf inside the box.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the storage box of FIG.
5 showing a tire chain storage rack inside the box.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, the tractor 2 of a commercial
truck is shown. The tractor comprises a cab section 4 which is
mounted to a chassis or frame rail 5. Between the front axle 6 and
the rear axle 7, and below the cab section 4, are located
aerodynamic body panels 8 and 9. Body panel 8 typically covers the
fuel cell. Body panel 9 typically covers a void section aft of the
fuel cell and in front of the first rear axle 7. This void section
offers a convenient location for storage box 10, which can be
mounted to the frame rail 5. Body panel 9 can be affixed to the
access door of the storage box 10. In FIG. 1, the access door of
the storage box is shown in an open position so that the body panel
9 is viewed from the end, rather than frontally as is body panel 8
in the figure. It is understood that body panel 9 can be an
existing body panel produced by the manufacturer of the truck, and
is attached to the truck by brackets or the like in the absence of
the storage box 10.
[0024] The Apparatus
[0025] Turning to FIG. 2, an isometric diagram of the storage box
10 is shown. The aerodynamic body panel 9 is shown attached to the
front of the box 10. Turning briefly to FIG. 3, it is seen that
body panel 9 is affixed to and covers access door 20. Since the
body panel 9 typically comprises an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) body panel provided with the truck, while the storage
box 10 can be provided as an after-market accessory, the body panel
will likely be provided with mounting clips and attachment points,
allowing it to be secured to the truck in the absence of the
storage box. Such mounting clips and attachment points can be
re-used, with or without modifications as required, to attach the
body panel 9 to the access door 20 of the storage box, as shown in
FIG. 3. The body panel is typically fabricated from fiberglass
composite or aluminum. Other known methods of securing body panels
of this type can be employed to secure the body panel 9 to the
access door 20.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, one embodiment of the apparatus
for attaching the body panel to the door 20 is shown. Tabs 122,
124, 126 and 128 are attached to and extend laterally from the
edges of the door 20. Body panel braces 123, 125, and 127 are, in
turn, fastened to the tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 to support a panel
from a Kenworth T2000 truck, as described more fully in the example
below. The body panel braces 123, 125, 127 are typically OEM body
panel braces which were originally installed on the truck and which
have body panel attachment points to which the body panels are
fastened. The panel braces 123, 125, 127 are located in relation to
the access door 20 such that the body panel attachment points are
in their original locations relative to the truck.
[0027] The geometry of the storage box 10 is configured such that
when the body panel 9 is attached to the access door 20, and the
storage box is mounted to the truck, the body panel 9 lies in
alignment with other adjacent body panels. Further, the storage box
is preferably configured to maximize storage capacity in the
available space. For these reasons, the storage box shown in the
Figures has the sloped front. Other applications to particular
vehicles can result in different geometries than that shown in the
accompanying figures. The particular example shown fits on a
Kenworth T2000 truck tractor, and fits aft of the right side fuel
cell, and in front of the rear axles, as shown in FIG. 1. For
fitting on the left side of the Kenworth T2000 truck tractor, the
hinge 38 is oriented on the left side of the storage box 10 (as
viewed from the front), rather than on the right side as shown is
shown in FIG. 6.
[0028] When body panels 8 and 9 overlap at adjacent edges, it is
preferable that body panel 9 be located under the overlapping
portion of body panel 8. This allows the access door 20 to be
opened in the manner shown in FIG. 1 such that there is no binding
between the adjacent body panels. Body panel 9 can be provided with
a recessed lip 22 as shown in FIG. 2 to facilitate such
advantageous overlap of the body panels. A rubber gasket (not
shown) can be attached to one of the body panels along the
overlapping edge to reduce vibration between body panels.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the top of the storage box 10
can be provided with a grating 24 to provide a surface upon which a
person can stand. The grating shown is provided with holes 116, and
is mounted slightly above the top panel 32, as shown in FIG. 11.
This facilitates runoff of water from the grating, providing a
safer surface upon which a driver can stand. Additionally, the
grating 24 can be provided with a textured surface to reduce
slippage of a shoe or boot on the grating.
[0030] The storage box 10 can be further provided with steps 12 and
14 which protrude through respective cutouts 13 and 15 in the body
panel 9. The steps 12 and 14 can be secured to respective brackets
16 and 18 of FIG. 3, which are in turn secured to the access door
20 by a method such as welding or bolting. The steps 12 and 14, as
well as the grating 24, can be used for example to facilitate
ingress and egress of a driver from the cab 4 of the truck, or to
allow a driver to climb on top of the truck box or truck frame in
order to connect cables and the like to a trailer.
[0031] Inasmuch as the storage box is ideally designed to support
the weight of a driver, the storage box 10 is preferably fabricated
from a strong material, and is secured to the truck in a manner to
avoid becoming detached due to bearing the weight of a driver or
from repeated stress cycles due to vibration. In one example, the
storage box 10 is secured to the frame rails of the truck in
conjunction with two external support brackets 28 which are bolted
to the right side 30, left side 36, and bottom 34 of the storage
box 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 (bolts not shown). As best
seen in FIG. 4, each bracket 28 has two mounting holes 26, each of
which are substantially aligned with complimentary mounting holes
(not shown) in the back 25 of the storage box 10. The storage box
10 and brackets 28 are secured to the frame rails of the truck
using four 5/8 inch steel mounting bolts (not shown), each bolt
having a 1 inch diameter washer on the inside of the storage box to
prevent tear-out of the bolt from the storage box. Referring to
FIG. 4, the mounting bolts pass through the mounting holes 26 in
the brackets 28 and through the complimentary mounting holes (not
shown) in the back 25 of the storage box 10, as well as through
holes in the frame rail, securing the storage box 10 to the frame
rail of the truck, as shown in FIG. 1. In this example, the sides
and back of the storage box are fabricated from a single piece of
1/8 inch thick aluminum with a radiused bend at the corners. The
top and bottom of the storage box are also fabricated from 1/8 inch
thick aluminum and are welded to the sides and back of the storage
box.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a front elevation view of the storage box 10
with the door 20 in an open position. In the example shown, the
door 20 is fabricated from a single piece of sheet steel. Turning
to FIG. 3, the hinge 38 is shown as connecting the access door 20
to the right side 30 of the storage box 10. The design of the hinge
38, and its manner of connection to the door 20 and the right side
30, are not constrained to any particular configuration. In the
example shown, the hinge is welded to the side 30 and door 20 of
the storage box 10. While a single hinge is shown in the example, a
plurality of hinges can be employed as well. When it is anticipated
that the door will need to support loads in excess of the door
weight itself, such as when the door incorporates steps 12 and 14
as shown in FIG. 2, the hinge should be designed to withstand the
anticipated stresses.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 4, a door latch 40 is shown. The door
latch 40 secures the door 20 to the left side 36 of the storage box
10. While any known latching mechanism can be employed, the latch
shown is particularly beneficial for the intended use. The latch 40
is shown in side view in FIG. 5, and in front view in FIG. 6 with
the door 20 in a closed position. FIG. 8 shows the front view of
FIG. 6, but with the door 20 in an open position. (It should be
noted that the door is normally configured to open 90 degrees,
rather that 180 degrees, as shown. The reason for limiting the
swing of the door is to prevent interference between the body panel
attached to the door and the other body panels on the truck. This
aids in preventing damage to the body panels which can result if
the body panels are allowed to contact one another as the door is
opened.) As seen in FIG. 6, the latch 40 comprises upper catch 42
and lower catch 44. The latch further comprises latch rod 46 which
operates the catches, and which terminates on an upper end in
handle 48.
[0034] Turning now to FIG. 9, a detail of the latch 40 of FIG. 4 is
shown in an isometric view. Upper catch 42 comprises upper and
lower catch plates 50 and 52, respectively, as well as central
catch plate 54. In like manner, lower catch 44 comprises upper and
lower catch plates 56 and 58, respectively, as well as central
catch plate 60. As is seen in FIG. 8, the upper catch plates 50 and
56, as well as the lower catch plates 52 and 58, are secured to the
door 20, while the central catch plates 54 and 60 are secured to
the left side 36 of the storage box 10. Latch rod 46 is configured
to slide freely within openings in catch plates 50, 52, 56 and
58.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 9, the upper catch plates 50, 56,
central catch plates 54, 60, and lower catch plates 52, 58, of each
catch 42 and 44 are all provided with a slot or opening 66 and 68,
respectively, which aligns in all three plates of each catch when
the door 20 is in a closed position. The latch rod 46 is provided
with upper clasp plate 62 and lower clasp plate 64. Referring to
FIG. 10, a sectional view of the lower catch 44 is shown. Clasp
plate 64 is provided with a tooth 130 which is configured to fit
within the openings 68 (see FIG. 9) in the catch plates 56 and 60.
The tooth 130 is advantageously beveled in the direction shown such
that when the door 20 is closed, the tooth 130 strikes the forward
outside edge of the central catch plate 60, forcing the clasp plate
64, and hence the latch rod 46, in an upward direction. Once the
tooth 130 has cleared the opening 68 in the central catch plate 60,
spring 70 (discussed more fully below) forces the tooth 130 of the
clasp plate 64 into the opening 68 in central catch plate 60,
thusly securing the catch 44. Upper catch 42 is configured
similarly to lower catch 44, in that it is provided with a clasp
plate 62 having a tooth (not visible in the figures). Upper catch
42 operates in a similar manner as lower catch 44, as described
above.
[0036] The latch is further provided with spring 70. Turning to
FIG. 10, a left side view of lower catch 44 is shown. Spring 70 is
a coil spring disposed about the lower end of latch rod 46. The
spring is constrained in a partially compressed state between lower
catch plate 58 and retaining discs 72. Lower catch plate 58 is
affixed to the edge of door 20, while retaining discs 72 are
secured to the lower portion of latch rod 46 by cotter pin 74.
Spring 70 thereby biases latch rod 46, and thus clasp plates 62 and
64, in a position such that the clasp plates are disposed within
openings 66 and 68, respectively, when the clasp plates are aligned
with the openings, to thereby secure the latch 40. When the latch
rod 46 is pulled in an upward direction by handle 48 of FIG. 9,
clasp plates 62 and 64 move out of the openings 66 and 68, allowing
the door to be freely opened. Pulling the latch rod 46 upward from
its normally biased position compresses spring 70 further, such
that when the handle is released spring 70 returns the latch rod
and clasp plates to their normally closed position. The tension on
spring 70 can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of
retaining discs 72. Retaining discs 72 can comprise simple metal
washers configured to fit over latch rod 46.
[0037] As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the body panel 9 is in place
on the storage box 10, the latch handle 46 is essentially invisible
to the casual passer-by, providing a level of security for contents
within the box. For additional security, the door 20 can be secured
in a closed position by a locking apparatus. Turning to FIG. 9, one
embodiment of such a locking apparatus is shown Latch rod 46 is
provided with an upper lock plate 132 which is rigidly attached
thereto by a method such as welding. A complimentary lower lock
plate 134 is rigidly attached to the edge of door 20 by a similar
method. The lower lock plate 134 is provided with an opening (not
shown) through which the latch rod 46 is movably disposed.
[0038] The upper lock plate 132 is provided with a slot 136 in
which an alignment tab 138 is positioned. The alignment tab 138 is
rigidly attached to both the latch rod 46 and the upper lock plate
132 by a method such as welding. The lower lock plate 134 is also
provided with a slot (not shown) into which the alignment tab 138
freely fits. When the latch rod 46 is in the latched position, the
alignment tab 136 is in alignment with the slot in the lower lock
plate 134, allowing the alignment tab to freely enter the lower
slot. The upper lock plate 132 can be further provided with lock
hole 139 as shown in FIG. 9. The lower lock plate 134 is also
provided with a complimentary lock hole (not shown) which
substantially aligns with the hole 139 when the latch rod 46 is in
the latched position. A lock, such as a padlock, can be placed such
that the bolt of the padlock is disposed through both the hole 139
in the upper lock plate 132 and through the hole in the lower lock
plate 134, restricting relative vertical movement between the upper
lock plate 132 (and similarly the alignment tab 136) and the lower
lock plate 134, thereby securing the alignment tab in the lower
lock plate slot and effectively secure the latch 40 in a latched
position.
[0039] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which shows a front
elevation view of the storage box 10 with the door 20 in an open
position. The front of the storage box 10 shown here includes a
front panel 80, having an opening 84 allowing access to the
interior of the storage box 10. The example shown includes a shelf,
88. Preferably, a gasket or seal 86 is disposed about the periphery
of the opening 84. The gasket preferably comprises a flexible,
compressible material, such as rubber. The gasket should be of a
resilient material, and resistant to aging under various weather
conditions. Further, the gasket should be attached to the periphery
of the opening in a manner such that it can be removed relatively
easily for replacement. One manner of removably attaching the
gasket is to use a gasket having a channel formed therein to
accommodate the edge of the periphery of the opening 84, much in
the manner of an automotive windshield seal. The gasket serves to
provide a water-tight seal about the opening 84. The gasket further
provides a beneficial functional aspect of biasing the door in a
slightly open position. In this manner, in order to secure the door
using the latch 40, the gasket must be slightly compressed. As the
door in the closed position will be slightly biased towards an open
position, the latch components which are movable with respect to
one another will tend to be held in relatively fixed position,
reducing vibration and rattling of the latch components.
[0040] FIGS. 11 and 12 show left side elevation sectional views of
the storage box 10. FIG. 11 shows the storage box 10 provided with
an intermediate shelf 88. Shelf 88 is secured to the interior of
the storage box 10 utilizing bolts (not shown) which pass through
the shelf 88, and through the right side 30, left side 36, and back
25, as well as the support brackets. FIG. 12 shows the storage box
10 provided with an optional tire chain holder 108 instead of shelf
88. Tire chain holder 108 comprises one or more chain supports 112
over which tire chains can be draped. In one example, two chain
supports are used, oriented side-by side. Only one chain support
112 is shown in FIG. 12. Preferably, the chain supports 112 are
oriented at a slight upward angle from the back 25 of the storage
box to the door 20 to reduce the tendency of chains to slide
towards the access door or off of the chain supports 112. Further,
the length of the chain supports 112 are selected such that the tip
114 of the chain support is very near the inside surface of the
door 20 when the door is in a closed position. In this manner
chains will not be able to slide off of the chain supports. The
chain holder 108 can be secured to the storage box 10 by mounting
plate 110, which can be provided with mounting holes which match
the mounting holes 26 in the back 25 of the storage box, as shown
in FIG. 4. Chain supports 112 are rigidly attached to mounting
plate 110.
[0041] The Method
[0042] In the method, an existing truck tractor is retrofitted with
a storage box in an otherwise unused area behind a body panel. More
particularly, the area is located behind an aerodynamic body panel
between the front and rear axles of the truck. Prior to the use of
aerodynamic body panels, such areas were widely used for storage
boxes. The introduction of aerodynamic body panels has made access
to such areas impractical or impossible. The present invention
discloses a method of locating a storage box into these otherwise
unusable areas, but still allowing the aerodynamic body panel to be
used.
[0043] In the method, a body panel on the truck is first identified
under which a storage box can be located. The body panel is removed
to expose the area in which the storage box will be located. A
storage box configured to fit within the area exposed by the
removed body panel is provided. Any brackets or components
remaining on the truck following removal of the body panel, and
which would interfere with the installation of the storage box in
the identified area, are removed or relocated. A common practice
among truck manufacturers is to utilize lightweight, elongated,
tubular braces adjacent to the inside surface of the body panels to
provide mounting points thereto. Often, these braces can be re-used
by attaching them to the storage box access door, thereby providing
mounting points for the body panels when they are attached to the
access door. In some instances, slight modifications to the braces
may be necessary prior to attachment to the access door.
[0044] After removal of the body panels and related support
structure, the storage box is secured to the truck. One method of
securing the storage box to the truck is by attaching the back of
the storage box to the frame rail of the truck such that an access
door on the storage box is outward facing. When possible, existing
brackets and mounting points on the frame of the truck can be used
to mount the storage box to minimize modifications to the truck and
reduce installation time.
[0045] Following securing the storage box to the truck, the removed
body panel and body panel support braces are attached to the access
door of the storage box. It is not necessary that this step be
performed in this order: in some instances, the body panel can be
attached to the storage box prior to mounting the storage box to
the truck. Preferably the geometry of the storage box, and the
position in which the storage box is mounted to the truck, are
selected such that the body panel which is attached to the access
door of the storage box is oriented in the same or nearly the same
position as it was prior to having been removed from the truck.
[0046] Where the storage box body panel overlaps an adjacent body
panel, the panels are preferably oriented to prevent binding and
interference of the panels when the access door of the storage box
is opened and closed. For body panels which are adjacent at the
hinge side of the access door, this will typically result in the
adjacent body panel overlapping the storage box body panel on the
outside of the storage box body panel. For body panels which are
adjacent at the non-hinge side of the access door, this will
typically result in the storage box body panel overlapping the
adjacent body panel on the outside of the adjacent body panel.
[0047] The storage box can be provided with a latch to secure the
access door of the storage box in a closed position. The storage
box can be further provided with steps to allow a driver to more
easily access the cab of the truck or the top of the frame rails
behind the cab. The steps can either be added as an additional
feature to the storage box, or they can be existing steps from the
truck which were removed when components were removed to allow
installation of the storage box on the truck. In the latter
instance, the existing steps are preferably re-used. The steps are
secured to the storage box, as for example by securing them to the
access door of the storage box through cut-outs in the body
panel.
[0048] The storage box can be further provided with internal
components to facilitate use of the storage volume. For example, a
shelf can be provided, or a tire chain hanger. The tire chain
hanger is preferably oriented to urge chains hung thereon towards
the back of the storage box. Additionally, the distance between the
end of the tire chain hangers and the access door, when in a closed
position, is reduced or minimized to reduce the likelihood of
chains slipping off of the tire chain hangers when the truck is in
motion.
EXAMPLE
[0049] In one example, a storage box is fit to a Kenworth T2000
truck tractor. The Kenworth T2000 is fitted with aerodynamic body
panels beneath the passenger compartment, between the front and
rear axles. A first such body panel covers the fuel cell. Aft of
the fuel cell, and in front of the rear axle, a second body panel
covers an area which is essentially a void area. Steps are mounted
to the frame rail of the truck in the void area by at least one
step support bracket. The steps facilitate access to the top of the
frame rails behind the truck cab. Cutouts in the second body panel
allow the steps to be mounted to the step support brackets near the
outer surface of the second body panel. The first and second body
panels are mounted to at least one common brace which runs forward
from a mud flap in front of the forward rear axle towards the front
of the truck. The first body panel overlaps the second body panel
such that the overlapped edge of the second body panel is beneath
the edge of the first body panel.
[0050] To prepare the void area aft of the fuel cell for the
storage box, the first and second body panels are removed from the
truck. The portion of the bracket which was used to support the
second body panel is removed to allow the storage box to be
installed. The steps, and accompanying step support brackets, are
also removed from the void area.
[0051] A storage box, generally designed and constructed in
accordance with the description provided herein, is provided. The
storage box generally resembles that of FIGS. 3 and 4. The forward
slope of the front of the storage box is provided to assist the
second body panel in being correctly aligned with the first body
panel following installation of the storage box and body panels.
The storage box is provided with four mounting holes 26 in the back
25 of the storage box, as indicated in FIG. 4. These holes mate
with existing holes in the frame rail of the truck which are made
available by removal of the existing step support bracket. Two
additional mounting holes are formed in the frame rail of the truck
to accommodate the reinstallation of one of the OEM step brackets
in a more forward location to support the aft end of the first body
panel. Bolts, nuts and washers are used to secure the storage box
to the truck frame rail in a removable manner.
[0052] When the storage box is mounted on the right side of the
truck, as shown in FIG. 1, the hinge of the access door is located
on the right side of the access door (viewing the storage box from
the front), as shown in FIG. 8. When the storage box is mounted on
the left side of the truck, the hinge of the access door is located
on the left side of the access door (viewing the storage box from
the front). Thus, in either event the hinge will be located towards
the front of the truck. This is useful in assuring that the access
door of the storage box can be opened without interference of the
first and second body panels, and also resists air current forces
from tending to open the door of the storage box when the truck is
in motion.
[0053] The second body panel is secured to the access door of the
storage box by way of tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 which protrude from
the edges of the access door, and the OEM braces 123, 125, 127
which have been slightly modified by cutting and which have been
fastened to the tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 as shown in FIG. 3. The
storage box is provided with new step support brackets 16 and 18 of
FIG. 3. These protrude through the existing step support cutouts in
the second body panel. Stair treads 12 and 14 of FIG. 2 are secured
to the new step support brackets 16 and 18 of FIG. 3. A top grating
24 is attached to the top of the storage box.
[0054] One of the OEM step brackets is reinstalled in a more
forward location to support the aft end of the first body panel.
The first body panel is reattached to the truck, using the
reinstalled OEM step support bracket as well as existing brackets
and attachment points. Following installation of the storage box
and the body panels, the forward edge of the second body panel,
mounted to the storage box, lies beneath the rearward edge of the
first body panel. Thus, when the access door of the storage box is
opened, as shown in FIG. 1, that portion of the second body panel
which is overlapped by the first body panel rotates inwardly
towards the frame rail, avoiding contact with the overlapping edge
of the first body panel.
[0055] The storage box can be provided with further details, such
as the latch, shelf, and chain holders generally described further
herein above.
[0056] While the above invention has been described in language
more or less specific as to structural and methodical features, it
is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the specific features shown and described, since the means herein
disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into
effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims
appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of
equivalents.
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