U.S. patent application number 10/124876 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-20 for cargo area structure.
Invention is credited to Wayne, Mark.
Application Number | 20030034664 10/124876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23897684 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030034664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wayne, Mark |
February 20, 2003 |
Cargo area structure
Abstract
A cargo area structure for a pickup truck has a bottom, interior
side walls, and at least one interior end wall. The interior side
walls and the end wall have a top edge and a bottom edge, with the
bottom edge being attached to the bottom of the cargo area
structure. At least one transverse divider has a first end and a
second end and extends between the side walls with the first end
adjacent to one of the side walls and the second end adjacent to
the other side wall. Each of the side walls is generally planar and
has a plurality of generally parallel vertically extending
protrusions integrally formed on each of the side walls. The
protrusions extend inwardly from the plane of the side wall and are
spaced apart along the side wall so as to define mounting slots
between the protrusions for mounting the divider between the side
walls.
Inventors: |
Wayne, Mark; (Southfield,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
Ste. 400
400 N. Old Woodward Ave.
Birmingham
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
23897684 |
Appl. No.: |
10/124876 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10124876 |
May 24, 2002 |
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09477873 |
Jan 5, 2000 |
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6478356 |
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09477873 |
Jan 5, 2000 |
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08485660 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
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08485660 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
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08248460 |
May 23, 1994 |
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08248460 |
May 23, 1994 |
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07961065 |
Oct 14, 1992 |
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07961065 |
Oct 14, 1992 |
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07735196 |
Jul 24, 1991 |
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07735196 |
Jul 24, 1991 |
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07261081 |
Oct 24, 1988 |
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07261081 |
Oct 24, 1988 |
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07091747 |
Sep 1, 1987 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/39.2 ;
410/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/39.2 ;
410/142 |
International
Class: |
B62D 033/02 |
Claims
1. In combination: a cargo area structure for a pick-up truck
having a bottom, interior sidewalls and at least one interior end
wall; said interior sidewalls and said end wall having a top edge
and a bottom edge, said bottom edge being attached to said bottom;
a divider having a first end and a second end and extending between
said sidewalls with said first end adjacent one of said sidewalls
and said second end adjacent the other of said sidewalls; means for
mounting said divider in place between said sidewalls; said divider
extending closely adjacent said bottom to divide said structure
into separated cargo carrying portions; and said divider mounting
means comprising slots formed in said sidewalls, each of said slots
being adapted to receive said first end or said second end of said
divider and mounts connected between said cargo area structure and
said divider and engaging said divider to mount said divider within
said slots.
2. The combination as defined in clam 1 wherein said structure
comprises a bed liner and wherein said sidewalls, and said at least
one end wall and said bottom fit within a pick-up box
conventionally provided with said pick-up truck.
3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said divider
extends closely adjacent said top edges of said sidewall.
4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said structure
comprises a truck bed mounted to a pick up truck.
5. The combination as defined in claim 4 and which said mounts are
secured to said bottom and extend into engagement with said divider
to urge said divider into a locked position within said slots.
6. The combination as defined in claim 4 and which said mounts
extend through said ends of said divider and engage said sidewalls
of said cargo area structure to secure said dividers in said slots
and to said cargo area structure.
7. The combination as defined in claim 1 and including a second
divider extending substantially perpendicular to said first
mentioned divider and an enclosed box mounted within said cargo
area structure between said first mentioned divider and one of said
sidewalls of said cargo area structure.
8. In combination: cargo area structure for a pick-up truck having
a bottom, interior sidewalls and at least one interior end wall;
said interior sidewalls and said end wall having a top edge and a
bottom edge, said bottom edge being attached to said bottom; a
first divider having a first end and a second end and extending
between said sidewalls with said first end adjacent one of said
sidewalls and said second end adjacent the other of said sidewalls;
means for mounting said divider in place between said sidewalls;
said divider extending closely adjacent said bottom to divide said
structure into separated cargo carrying portions; said divider
mounting means comprising slots formed in said sidewalls, each of
said slots being adapted to receive said first end or said second
end of said divider; a second divider extending substantially
perpendicular to said first divider and an enclosed box mounted
within said cargo area structure between said first mentioned
divider and one of said sidewalls of said cargo area structure.
9. The combination as defined in claim 8 and said box having a
cover and including a hinge mounted between said cover and said
second divider.
10. The combination as defined in claim 8 and said divider mounting
means comprising slots formed in said sidewalls, each of said slots
being adapted to receive said first end or said second end of said
divider and mounts connected between said cargo area structure and
said divider and engaging said divider to mount said divider within
said slots.
11. The combination as defined in claim 10 and which said mounts
are secured to said bottom and extend into engagement with said
divider to urge said divider into a locked position within said
slots.
12. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said structure
comprises a bed liner and wherein said sidewalls and said at least
one end wall and said bottom fit within a pick-up box
conventionally provided with said pick-up truck.
13. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said divider
extends closely adjacent said top edges of said sidewall.
14. The combination as defined in claim 12 wherein said structure
comprises a truck bed mounted to a pick up truck.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
08/630,228 filed Apr. 10, 1996, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
08/485, filed Jun. 7, 1995, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
08/248,460 filed May 23, 1994, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
07/961,065 filed Oct. 14, 1992, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
07/735,196 filed Jul. 24, 1991 which is a continuation of Ser. No.
07/261,081 filed Oct. 24, 1988, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
07/091,747 filed Sep. 1, 1987.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to structures for cargo areas
for pick-up trucks, and more particularly to means in the form of
dividers for partitioning the cargo space and means to anchor the
dividers to a liner or a truck pick up box and means for covering a
selected divided area.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] Structures, such as liners, have been previously provided to
protect the beds of pick-up trucks from the abrasive effects of
using the truck to haul cargo. These liners have met with
considerable commercial success in recent years. Such liners not
only protect the bed of the truck, but enhance the appearance of
the vehicle. When the vehicle is to be resold the liner can be
removed to provide a bed which has the finish originally provided,
or it can be replaced with another liner.
[0004] However, prior to my prior patent applications, no such
structure now has been provided with means to partition the cargo
space into areas of selected sizes to accommodate different cargo,
and to provide a means of maintaining the cargo in place as it is
being transported by the vehicle. Further, the provision of means
to cover selected divided cargo areas appears to be new.
[0005] Recently truck manufacturers have elected to construct the
truck bed of plastic or similar material negating the need for a
protective bed liner. A need remains to partition such truck beds
into compartments.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] In one form of the present invention, a liner is provided
which is intended to be used to protect a bed of a pick-up truck,
and which includes partitioning means which permits the liner to be
partitioned to accommodate cargos of various sizes. The
partitioning means takes the form of dividers and slots or the
like, formed in the liner to receive the dividers. The dividers can
also be provided with slots to receive dividers to thereby provide
a variety of configurations to accommodate cargos of sizes over a
wide range. With the dividers locked in place, cargo can be placed
in the cargo areas defined by the dividers and will be retained in
place as the cargo is transported by the truck.
[0007] Means are provided to securely lock the divider to the bed
of the pick-up truck or to the truck bed liner.
[0008] The present invention can also be in the form of the truck
bed itself of a pick-up truck being provided with slots or similar
means to accommodate dividers to divide the box into distinct cargo
areas.
[0009] When the truck bed is provided with the slots to receive the
dividers means are provided to lock the dividers to the truck
bed.
[0010] A cover is provided which is adapted to fit over and cover
selected cargo areas formed by the dividers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
upon reference of the following drawing in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating another
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of another
preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the
liner in place in the bed of a pick-up truck;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to a
portion of the structure shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of FIG.
5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the
structure shown in FIG. 8; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the
structure shown in FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure
shown in FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
hinge used with the box shown in FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of another portion
of the hinge used with the box shown in FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 14 is an elevational view of preferred means for
locking a divider in place; and
[0026] FIG. 15 is an elevational view of another preferred means
for locking a divider in place.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred liner 10 of the present
invention is illustrated as being intended for use in a pick-up
truck bed. The liner 10 includes a floor 16, sidewalls 18, a
forward end wall 20, and a rearward end wall 22. The liner 10 is
preferably constructed of a heavy plastic or similar resilient, yet
strong material. As is common, the liner 10 is molded or otherwise
formed into a box-like configuration. Openings 23 are provided in
the exterior portion of the sidewalls 18 to accommodate the wheel
wells of the pick-up truck (not shown).
[0028] The sidewalls 18 of the liner 10 are provided with a
plurality of inwardly facing, vertically extending slots 24 spaced
along the interior length of the wall. The slots 24 on one of the
sidewalls 18 are each aligned with a corresponding slot 24 on the
opposite side wall 18 to removably receive a transversely extending
divider 26. A plurality of the dividers 26 are provided so that a
number of pairs of slots 24 can be used to divide the liner 10 into
a plurality of transversely extending cargo carrying areas (see,
for example, FIG. 3). The end walls 20 and 22 are also provided
with inwardly facing vertically extending slots 32, similar in
construction to the slots 24, and which align with corresponding
slots 32 on the opposite end wall. Dividers 38 can be provided to
be received in the slots 32 to divide the liner 10 into elongated
cargo carrying areas. The dividers 26 are also preferably provided
with vertically extending slots 34 which receive the dividers 38 to
further divide the cargo area into smaller areas to accommodate
smaller cargo.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 2, a further embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated and includes a truck bed in the
form of a one-piece, unitized box, generally indicated as 40,
fitted behind a conventional truck cab 41.
[0030] The box 40 is preferably composed of a polymerizable
material such as resilient and durable plastic. The box 40 may be
formed as a single piece or may be two or more pieces welded
together by heat or chemical treatment so as to form a one-piece
box 40.
[0031] The box 40 includes a pair of outer walls 80, a front wall
84, and a rear wall 82. The rear wall 82 may be hinged to function
as a door or tailgate.
[0032] The box 40, in other respects, includes the elements of the
liner 10 of FIG. 1, such as a floor 16, side walls 18, a forward
end wall 20, and a rearward end wall 22. The box 40 further
includes vertically extending slots 24 and 32.
[0033] The advantages offered by the box 40 over a conventional
pick-up box are manifold and include being resilient to dents,
rust-resistant and lightweight. The box 40 may be fitted behind the
cab 41 when the cab 41 is newly produced or may replace a damaged
or undersized conventional pick-up box.
[0034] Illustrating again the liner 10 of the embodiment discussed
initially, as shown in FIG. 3, the liner 10 of the present
invention sits in the bed of the pick-up truck 42, and utilizes
dividers 26, 38 and slots 24, 32 and 34 to divide the bed of the
truck 42 into cargo holding areas of different sizes to accommodate
cargo of different sizes.
[0035] While the liners 10 and 40 have been described as including
sidewalls 18 and end walls 20 and 22, it should be realized that it
may be desirable in some situations to provide the liner without
either an end wall or a sidewall, or with portions of these walls
removed. For instance, it may be desirable to provide the liners 10
or the box 40 without the end wall 22 to permit access to the
interior of truck bed through the tailgate 54 commonly provided on
such trucks.
[0036] Now referring to FIG. 4 for a description of another
preferred embodiment of the present invention a liner 110 is shown
therein as including slots 112 formed in sidewalls 114 of the liner
110 and slots 116 formed in a front wall 118 of the liner 110.
[0037] Dividers 120 extend between the slots 112 to divide the
interior of the liner 110 into compartments. Dividers 122 are
provided to extend between the slots 116 and one of the dividers
120 to further divide the interior of the liner 110 into
compartments.
[0038] As can best be seen in FIG. 5 a longitudinal divider 124
extends between the transverse dividers 120 and is mounted thereto
by brackets 126 (FIG. 12).
[0039] As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 11 a box 128 is provided having
a cover 130. The box 128 is positioned between the divider 124 and
the sidewall 114 with the cover 130 fastened to the divider 124 by
hinge members 132. The hinge member 132 are best seen in FIGS.
13.
[0040] As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 the cover 130 and a sidewall
136 of the box 128 form a weather-tight seal in a conventional
manner along the joint 138.
[0041] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 16 the dividers 120 are mounted
in place by stop members 140 which are mounted to the bed 142 of
the truck and have a pivotal portion 144 which can be rotated
upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 7 to engage one of the sides
of the divider 120 and to urge the other side of the divider 120
against the face forming the slot 116 to retain the dividers 120 in
place and to prevent them from disengaging from the slots 116 as
the truck is in use.
[0042] The pivotal portion 144 is shown (FIG. 6) to be in the form
of an eyebolt having a transversal portion 146 which is pivotally
retained by pivot blocks 148. It is apparent that other means could
be provided to prevent the dividers 120 from moving back and forth
in the slots 116. The portion 144 extends upwardly through an
opening provided in the truck bed liner 110.
[0043] A U-shaped member 149 (FIG. 6) or other similar stop member
can be fastened by welding or the like to the sidewall 150 of the
truck bed to engage the dividers 120 to aid in preventing movement
of the dividers 120 in the slots 116.
[0044] FIGS. 7 and 10 disclose an embodiment wherein the slot 116
is formed by spaced protrusions 150. In such a construction an
eyebolt 152 is provided which extends through holes 153 formed
through the protrusions 150 and through the end of the divider 120
to lock the divider 120 in the slot 116. A wing nut 154 or the like
will retain the eyebolt 152 in the mounted position. Such an
eyebolt 152 is provided at each end of each divider 120 to extend
through the holes 153 formed in each protrusion 150.
[0045] FIGS. 14 and 15 disclose other preferred means for fixing
the dividers 120 in place by preventing them from moving
transversely in the slots 116.
[0046] In FIG. 14 the bed liner 112 is formed with a corner pocket
154 by a corner support 156 which provides the means to position an
eyebolt 158 or the like to engage the face of the divider 120 to
aid in retaining the divider 120 in place in the slot (not
shown).
[0047] FIG. 15 discloses a metal plate 160 adapted to be welded or
otherwise mounted directly to the truck bed 142. The plate 160 is
provided with a threaded opening 162 to receive an eyebolt (not
shown) or the like. The plate 160 is positioned so that an eyebolt
mounted in the hole 162 will engage the face of a divider 120 to
maintain the divider 120 in the slot 116.
[0048] It should be understood that while the various embodiments
of the present invention have been described as being used with a
truck bed liner with suitable modifications the invention can be
used with just the truck bed without the liner. Truck beds are
being formed today of plastic and other similar materials and with
slots so that the need for a liner has been substantially reduced.
But ever where metal truck beds are used with pre-formed slot
provided the divider arrangement of the present invention can be
used with the various fastening means which have been described
being mounted directly to the bed of the truck.
[0049] Also although several embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed, it should be apparent to one with ordinary
skill in the art that many other modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed by
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *