Cargo compartment organizer

• US 4,844,305 A
• Filed: 10/15/1986
• Issued: 07/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James W. Mckneely
• Original Assignee: James W. Mckneely
• Inventors: McKneely, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US06/919,055
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 224/42.42, 224/273, 224/311, 224/281, 224/309, 224/324, 224/42.46, 296/24 R, 296/37.1, 296/37.6, 296/37.7, 296/100, 312/333, 312/338, 312/122, 312/250, 312/DIG. 33
• US Class Current: 224/404
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/06 for tools or spare parts for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D

Abstract

A tool box which is formed partially from the open cargo bed of a pickup truck or the like has drawers mounted on top of the cargo bed walls. The drawers slide from one side of the truck to the other. Because the drawers extend only partially from one side to the other and only partially from the top of the walls to the bottom, the drawers may slide away from one side to allow access to the space below the drawers. The drawers slide in a frame which is removably mounted on the tops of the walls so the cargo space may be easily converted back to an open cargo space. A cover is provided for the tool box which may be opened from either side of the truck. The cover provides protection from the weather and theft. The tool box maximizes the use of the space provided by the cargo compartment to accommodate the modern tradesman.

Claims

1. A cargo compartment organizer for use with a pickup truck, said pickup truck having a cargo bed having a floor, a front wall, a tailgate and a pair of vertically extending walls, each of said pair of vertically extending walls having a top edge which is level with the top edge of the other of said pair of vertically extending walls, said cargo bed further including a cargo space defined by said floor, front wall, tailgate and pair of vertically extending walls said cargo compartment organizer comprising:

(a) a pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members;

(b) a plurality of cross members attached to said pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members, said plurality of cross members being perpendicularly disposed relative to said pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members, whereby when said cargo compartment organizer is positioned for use, wherein said pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members are positioned to overlie the top edges of said pair of vertically extending walls, said plurality of cross members will be transversely disposed relative to the length of said cargo space;

(c) clamping means for removably fastening said pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members to said pair of vertically extending walls of the cargo bed of said truck;

(d) a plurality of horizontal rails attached to said pair or horizontally oriented longitudinal members, said plurality of horizontal rails disposed parallel to said plurality of cross members;

(e) a pair of vertical side pieces attached to said pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members and to said plurality of cross members in an orthoganal fashion;

(f) a central longitudinal beam fixedly attached to said plurality of cross members, said central longitudinal beam disposed perpendicular to said plurality of cross members and disposed parallal to, and substantially equidistant from said pair of horizontally oriented longitudinal members, whereby said central longitudinal beam substantially bisects said cargo space;

(g) at least one drawer slidably mounted on said plurality of horizontal rails, whereby said at least one drawer may slide along said plurality of horizontal rails in a direction transversely oriented relative to said cargo space from one vertical side piece to the other, wherein the longitudinal motion of said at least one drawer relative to said cargo space is constrained by said plurality of cross members;

(h) a pair of cover means;

(i) hinge means fastened to said central longitudinal beam and said pair of cover means, whereby said pair of cover means maybe opened and closed relative to said cargo compartment organizer from either side of the truck, whereby when said pair of cover means is closed, said pair of cover means will overlie and protect said pair of vertical side pieces and said plurality of cross members, and whereby said pair of cover means will also protect said cargo space from rain, but whereby when said pair of cover means is opened said at least one drawer and said cargo space will be accessible.

2. The cargo compartment organizer of claim 1 further comprising a lower compartment organizer which may be positioned upon the floor of said cargo bed, beneath said at least one drawer and said plurality of horizontal rails, whereby said cargo space may be organized for efficient usage and storage.

3. The cargo compartment organizer of claim 1 wherein said at least one drawer includes a plurality of handles for facilitating the sliding of said at least one drawer from one side of said cargo compartment organizer to the other.

4. The cargo compartment organizer of claim 1 further including latching means for constraining the motion of said at least one drawer relative to said plurality of horizontal rails, whereby said at least one drawer may be positioned in the desired position relative to said plurality of horizontal rails and said plurality of cross members and immobilized.

5. The cargo compartment organizer of claim 1 wherein the top edges of said plurality of cross members are peaked, whereby each of said pair of cover means slope downwardly towards said pair of vertically extending walls of said cargo bed, whereby rain falling on said pair of cover means will be encouraged to run off of said pair of cover means.

6. The cargo component organizer of claim 5, wherein said plurality of cross members each have a notch and wherein said central longitudinal beam is disposed within each said notch, whereby said central longitudinal beam is disposed at a lower relative elevation than the longitudinal edges of said pair of cover means which are disposed proximate said hinge means whereby said central longitudinal beam may serve as a rain gutter.

7. The cargo component organizer of claim 1 further comprising a stationary holding means for immobilizing said pair of cover means in an open position.

8. The cargo component organizer of claim 1 further comprising locking means attached to said pair of vertical side pieces and said pair of cover means for holding said pair of cover means immobile in a closed position.