Cargo bed extension system

• US 6,338,515 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher A. Munhall
• Original Assignee: Christopher A. Munhall
• Inventors: Munhall, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carpenter, Scott
• Application Number:
  US09/791,216
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26.08, 296/26.1, 296/61
• US Class Current: 296/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/40 for carrying long loads, e.g. with separate wheeled load supporting elements E04G21/14 takes precedence; signal devices to be attached to overhanging load B60Q7/02

Abstract

A cargo bed extension system for allowing a user to ease the loading and unloading of equipment from a truck bed as well as increase the size of the cargo space. The cargo bed extension system includes an extension assembly that has a pair of end panels and a center panel. Each of the end panels is hingably coupled to opposite ends of the center panel. A pair of mounting assemblies each are designed for mounting to the cargo bed of the vehicle. Each of the mounting assemblies are for selectively receiving one of the end panels such that each of the end panels are designed for being secured to the cargo bed of the vehicle. A securing assembly is designed for mounting to a tailgate of the vehicle, the securing assembly is for selectively engaging the center panel of the extension assembly such that the securing assembly is designed for securing the center panel to the tailgate of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A cargo bed extension system for extending a cargo bed of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an extension assembly having a pair of end panels and a center panel, each of said end panels being hingably coupled to opposite ends of said center panel;

a pair of mounting assemblies each being adapted for mounting to the cargo bed of the vehicle, each of said mounting assemblies for selectively receiving one of said end panels such that each of said end panels are adapted for being secured to the cargo bed of the vehicle;

a securing assembly being adapted for mounting to a tailgate of the vehicle, said securing assembly being for selectively engaging said center panel of said extension assembly such that said securing assembly is adapted for securing said center panel to the tailgate of the vehicle;

each of said end panels having an anchor portion downwardly extending from said respective end panel, said anchor portion being for engaging one of said mounting assemblies such that said anchor portion is adapted for securing said respective end panel to the cargo bed of the vehicle;

said anchor portion having a shaft and a disk portion, said disk portion of said anchor portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of said shaft of said anchor portion; and

each of said mounting assemblies having a slot extending into said mounting assembly, said slot having a disk receiving portion and shaft receiving portion, said disk receiving portion having a width greater than a width of said shaft receiving portion, said disk receiving portion being for selectively receiving said disk portion of said anchor portion and said shaft receiving portion is for selectively receiving said shaft of said anchor portion whereby each of said mounting assemblies are for preventing each of said end panels from vertical movement when said anchor portion engages said mounting assembly.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing assembly comprises a rail and a mounting plate, said rail being adapted for coupling to the tailgate of the vehicle, said mounting plate being slidably coupled to said rail, said mounting plate being for removably coupling to said center panel such that said center panel is adapted for being secured to the tailgate of the vehicle.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said rail has a base and an L-shaped distal portion upwardly extending from said base, said base being adapted for being secured to the tailgate of the vehicle;

and

said mounting plate having a bracket for slidably receiving said distal portion of said base, said mounting plate having a securing portion hingably coupled to said bracket, said securing portion being for removably securing to said center panel of said extension assembly such that said securing portion secures said center panel to said rail.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

a ramp member being hingably coupled to a free end of one of said end panels, said securing portion being positionable in a horizontal position such that a hook portion of said ramp member removably engages said securing portion in said horizontal position whereby said end panels and said center panels are positioned coplanarly to form a ramp adapted for facilitating access to the cargo bed of the vehicle.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said end panels and said center panel have a plurality of cross members forming a grid, said grid having a plurality of apertures adapted for permitting air to flow through said grid when said end panels and said center panel are secured to the cargo bed and tailgate of the vehicle.

6. A cargo bed extension system for extending a cargo bed of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an extension assembly having a pair of end panels and a center panel, each of said end panels being hingably coupled to opposite ends of said center panel;

a pair of mounting assemblies each being adapted for mounting to the cargo bed of the vehicle, each of said mounting assemblies for selectively receiving one of said end panels such that each of said end panels are adapted for being secured to the cargo bed of the vehicle;

a securing assembly being adapted for mounting to a tailgate of the vehicle, said securing assembly being for selectively engaging said center panel of said extension assembly such that said securing assembly is adapted for securing said center panel to the tailgate of the vehicle;

each of said end panels having an anchor portion downwardly extending from said respective end panel, said anchor portion being for engaging one of said mounting assemblies such that said anchor portion is adapted for securing said respective end panel to the cargo bed of the vehicle;

said anchor portion having a shaft and a disk portion, said disk portion of said anchor portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of said shaft of said anchor portion;

each of said mounting assemblies having a slot extending into said mounting assembly, said slot having a disk receiving portion and shaft receiving portion, said disk receiving portion having a width greater than a width of said shaft receiving portion, said disk receiving portion being for selectively receiving said disk portion of said anchor portion and said shaft receiving portion is for selectively receiving said shaft of said anchor portion whereby each of said mounting assemblies are for preventing each of said end panels from vertical movement when said anchor portion engages said mounting assembly;

said securing assembly comprising a rail and a mounting plate, said rail being adapted for coupling to the tailgate of the vehicle, said mounting plate being slidably coupled to said rail, said mounting plate being for removably coupling to said center panel such that said center panel is adapted for being secured to the tailgate of the vehicle;

said rail having a base and an L-shaped distal portion upwardly extending from said base, said base being adapted for being secured to the tailgate of the vehicle;

said mounting plate having a bracket for slidably receiving said distal portion of said base, said mounting plate having a securing portion hingably coupled to said bracket, said securing portion being for removably securing to said center panel of said extension assembly such that said securing portion secures said center panel to said rail;

a ramp member being hingably coupled to a free end of one of said end panels, said securing portion being positionable in a horizontal position such that a hook portion of said ramp member removably engages said securing portion in said horizontal position whereby said end panels and said center panels are positioned coplanarly to form a ramp adapted for facilitating access to the cargo bed of the vehicle; and

each of said end panels and said center panel having a plurality of cross members forming a grid, said grid having a plurality of apertures adapted for permitting air to flow through said grid when said end panels and said center panel are secured to the cargo bed and tailgate of the vehicle.

7. A cargo bed extension system for extending a cargo bed of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an extension assembly having a pair of end panels and a center panel, each of said end panels being hingably coupled to opposite ends of said center panel;

a pair of mounting assemblies each being adapted for mounting to the cargo bed of the vehicle, each of said mounting assemblies for selectively receiving one of said end panels such that each of said end panels are adapted for being secured to the cargo bed of the vehicle;

a securing assembly being adapted for mounting to a tailgate of the vehicle, said securing assembly being for selectively engaging said center panel of said extension assembly such that said securing assembly is adapted for securing said center panel to the tailgate of the vehicle; and

said securing assembly comprising a rail and a mounting plate, said rail being adapted for coupling to the tailgate of the vehicle, said mounting plate being slidably coupled to said rail, said mounting plate being for removably coupling to said center panel such that said center panel is adapted for being secured to the tailgate of the vehicle.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said rail has a base and an L-shaped distal portion upwardly extending from said base, said base being adapted for being secured to the tailgate of the vehicle;

and

said mounting plate having a bracket for slidably receiving said distal portion of said base, said mounting plate having a securing portion hingably coupled to said bracket, said securing portion being for removably securing to said center panel of said extension assembly such that said securing portion secures said center panel to said rail.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

a ramp member being hingably coupled to a free end of one of said end panels, said securing portion being positionable in a horizontal position such that a hook portion of said ramp member removably engages said securing portion in said horizontal position whereby said end panels and said center panels are positioned coplanarly to form a ramp adapted for facilitating access to the cargo bed of the vehicle.

10. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said end panels and said center panel have a plurality of cross members forming a grid, said grid having a plurality of apertures adapted for permitting air to flow through said grid when said end panels and said center panel are secured to the cargo bed and tailgate of the vehicle.