Vehicle mounted storage unit

• US 6,375,054 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marshall Lance, Sandra Lance
• Original Assignee: Marshall Lance, Sandra Lance
• Inventors: Lance, Sandra, Lance, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/621,770
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 224/404, 224/403, 224/547, 224/557, 296/37.6
• US Class Current: 224/404
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04

Abstract

A vehicle mounted storage unit adapted to be mounted to a rear floor portion of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, may be provided with a mounting structure and a cabinet mounted to the mounting structure. The storage unit may be provided with a plurality of drawers disposed in the cabinet and positioned within the cabinet between a pair of cabinet sidewalls, each of the drawers being movable in a direction parallel to the width of the cabinet. The storage unit may have a cover operatively connected to the cabinet, the cover being movable between an open position in which the drawers may be opened and a closed position in which the cover prevents the drawers from being opened, and a cover latch associated with the cover that allows the cover to be latched in its closed position.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted storage unit mounted to a rear floor portion of a vehicle having a rearwardly facing cab wall, a first vehicle sidewall, a first wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said first vehicle sidewall, a second vehicle sidewall, a second wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said second vehicle sidewall, said vehicle mounted storage unit being mounted to said vehicle at a mounting point adjacent said cab wall and disposed substantially equally between said first and second vehicle sidewalls, said vehicle mounted storage unit comprising:

a mounting structure mounted to said rear floor portion of said vehicle, said mounting structure comprising;

a mounting body having a plurality of holes formed therein to facilitate attachment of said mounting body to said rear floor portion of said vehicle;

a first flange that extends outwardly from a first side of said mounting body, said first flange being vertically spaced from said rear floor portion of said vehicle by a first distance to define a first flange space; and

a second flange that extends outwardly from a second side of said mounting body, said second flange being vertically spaced from said rear floor portion of said vehicle by a second distance to define a second flange space;

a cabinet mounted to said mounting structure, said cabinet having a length of at least about three feet, a width of at least about twelve inches, and a height of at least about fifteen inches, said cabinet comprising;

a first cabinet sidewall that is spaced from said first vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said first cabinet sidewall;

a second cabinet sidewall spaced from said first cabinet sidewall by at least about three feet in a direction parallel to said length of cabinet, said second cabinet sidewall being spaced from said second vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said second cabinet sidewall;

a rear cabinet member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls;

a cabinet floor member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls, said cabinet floor member having a plurality of holes formed therein to facilitate attachment of said cabinet floor member to said mounting body of said mounting structure;

a first mounting flange that is sized to fit within said first flange space disposed between said rear floor portion of said vehicle and said first flange of said mounting structure; and

a second mounting flange spaced from said first mounting flange in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet, said second mounting flange being sized to fit within said second flange space disposed between said rear floor portion of said vehicle and said second flange of said mounting structure;

a first drawer disposed in said cabinet, said first drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said first drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said first drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said first drawer by at least about two feet in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said first drawer, said front drawer wall of said first drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches;

at least one first drawer support member that supports said first drawer, said first drawer support member supporting said first drawer so that said first drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a first drawer latch associated with said first drawer, said first drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said first drawer latch prevents said first drawer from being opened and a second position in which said first drawer latch allows said first drawer to be opened;

a second drawer disposed in said cabinet and positioned below said first drawer, said second drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said second drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said second drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said second drawer by at least about two feet in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said second drawer, said front drawer wall of said second drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches;

at least one second drawer support member that supports said second drawer, said second drawer support member supporting said second drawer so that said second drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a second drawer latch associated with said second drawer, said second drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said second drawer latch prevents said second drawer from being opened and a second position in which said second drawer latch allows said second drawer to be opened;

a cover operatively connected to said cabinet, said cover comprising a first cover portion and a second cover portion that is perpendicular to said first cover portion, said cover being movable between an open position in which said first and second drawers may be opened and a closed position in which said cover prevents said first and second drawers from being opened; and

a cover latch associated with said cover, said cover latch allowing said cover to be latched in its closed position.

2. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 1 wherein said rear cabinet member comprises a rear cabinet wall.

3. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 1 wherein said first distance is substantially equal to said second distance.

4. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second drawer latches comprises:

a movable latching member; and

a spring operatively coupled to said latching member that biases said latching member in a latching position in which one of said drawers is prevented from being opened.

5. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a pair of cover support assemblies that cause said cover to be retained in its open position.

6. A vehicle mounted storage unit mounted to a rear floor portion of a vehicle having a rearwardly facing cab wall, a first vehicle sidewall, a first wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said first vehicle sidewall, a second vehicle sidewall, a second wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said second vehicle sidewall, said vehicle mounted storage unit being mounted to said vehicle at a mounting point disposed substantially equally between said first and second vehicle sidewalls, said vehicle mounted storage unit comprising:

a cabinet mounted to said rear floor portion of said vehicle, said cabinet having a length of at least about three feet, a width of at least about twelve inches, and a height of at least about fifteen inches, said cabinet comprising;

a first cabinet sidewall that is spaced from said first vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said first cabinet sidewall;

a second cabinet sidewall spaced from said first cabinet sidewall by at least about three feet in a direction parallel to said length of cabinet, said second cabinet sidewall being spaced from said second vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said second cabinet sidewall;

a rear cabinet member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls; and

a cabinet floor member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls, said cabinet floor member being shaped to facilitate attachment of said cabinet floor member to said mounting structure;

a first drawer disposed in said cabinet, said first drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said first drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said first drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said first drawer by at least about two feet in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said first drawer, said front drawer wall of said first drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches;

at least one first drawer support member that supports said first drawer, said first drawer support member supporting said first drawer so that said first drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a first drawer latch associated with said first drawer, said first drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said first drawer latch prevents said first drawer from being opened and a second position in which said first drawer latch allows said first drawer to be opened;

a second drawer disposed in said cabinet and positioned below said first drawer, said second drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said second drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said second drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said second drawer in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said second drawer, said front drawer wall of said second drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches;

at least one second drawer support member that supports said second drawer, said second drawer support member supporting said second drawer so that said second drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a second drawer latch associated with said second drawer, said second drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said second drawer latch prevents said second drawer from being opened and a second position in which said second drawer latch allows said second drawer to be opened;

a cover operatively connected to said cabinet, said cover being movable between an open position in which said first and second drawers may be opened and a closed position in which said cover prevents said first and second drawers from being opened; and

a cover latch associated with said cover, said cover latch allowing said cover to be latched in its closed position.

7. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 6 wherein said rear cabinet member comprises a rear cabinet wall.

8. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said first and second drawer latches comprises:

a movable latching member; and

a spring operatively coupled to said latching member that biases said latching member in a latching position in which one of said drawers is prevented from being opened.

9. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 6 additionally comprising a pair of cover support assemblies that cause said cover to be retained in its open position.

10. A storage unit structured to be mounted to a rear floor portion of a vehicle having a rearwardly facing cab wall, a first vehicle sidewall, a first wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said first vehicle sidewall, a second vehicle sidewall, a second wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said second vehicle sidewall, said vehicle mounted storage unit comprising:

a cabinet shaped to be capable of being mounted to said rear floor portion of said vehicle, said cabinet having a length of at least about three feet, a width of at least about twelve inches, and a height of at least about fifteen inches, said cabinet comprising;

a first cabinet sidewall that is spaced from said first vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said first cabinet sidewall when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

a second cabinet sidewall spaced from said first cabinet sidewall by at least about three feet in a direction parallel to said length of cabinet, said second cabinet sidewall being spaced from said second vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said second cabinet sidewall when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

a rear cabinet member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls; and

a cabinet floor member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls, said cabinet floor member being shaped to facilitate attachment of said cabinet floor member to said mounting structure;

a first drawer disposed in said cabinet, said first drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said first drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said first drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said first drawer by at least about two feet in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said first drawer, said front drawer wall of said first drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

at least one first drawer support member that supports said first drawer, said first drawer support member supporting said first drawer so that said first drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a first drawer latch associated with said first drawer, said first drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said first drawer latch prevents said first drawer from being opened and a second position in which said first drawer latch allows said first drawer to be opened;

a second drawer disposed in said cabinet and positioned below said first drawer, said second drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said second drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said second drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said second drawer in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said second drawer, said front drawer wall of said second drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

at least one second drawer support member that supports said second drawer, said second drawer support member supporting said second drawer so that said second drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a second drawer latch associated with said second drawer, said second drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said second drawer latch prevents said second drawer from being opened and a second position in which said second drawer latch allows said second drawer to be opened;

a cover operatively connected to said cabinet, said cover being movable between an open position in which said first and second drawers may be opened and a closed position in which said cover prevents said first and second drawers from being opened; and

a cover latch associated with said cover, said cover latch allowing said cover to be latched in its closed position.

11. A storage unit as recited in claim 10 wherein said rear cabinet member comprises a rear cabinet wall.

12. A storage unit as recited in claim 10 wherein each of said first an d second drawer latches comprises:

a movable latching member; and

a spring operatively coupled to said latching member that biases said latching member in a latching position in which one of said drawers is prevented from being opened.

13. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 10 additionally comprising a pair of cover support assemblies that cause said cover to be retained in its open position.

14. A storage unit structured to b e mounted to a rear floor portion of a vehicle having a rearwardly facing cab wall, a first vehicle sidewall, a first wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said first vehicle sidewall, a second vehicle sidewall, a second wheel well having a portion which extends outwardly from a portion of said second vehicle sidewall, said vehicle mounted storage unit comprising:

a cabinet shaped to be capable of being mounted to said rear floor portion o f said vehicle, said cabinet having a length of at least about three feet, a width of at least about twelve inches, and a height of at least about fifteen inches, said cabinet comprising;

a first cabinet sidewall that is spaced from said first vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said first cabinet sidewall when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

a second cabinet sidewall spaced from said first cabinet sidewall by at least about three feet in a direction parallel to said length of cabinet, said second cabinet sidewall being spaced from said second vehicle sidewall by at least about four inches in a direction perpendicular to said second cabinet sidewall when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

a rear cabinet member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls; and

a cabinet floor member connected to said first and second cabinet sidewalls, said cabinet floor member being shaped to facilitate attachment of said cabinet floor member to said mounting structure;

a fixed tray disposed said cabinet, said fixed tray being non-movable and being located between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said fixed tray comprising;

a first tray sidewall;

a second tray sidewall spaced from said first tray sidewall by at least about two feet in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front tray wall connected to said first and second tray sidewalls, said front tray wall having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

a first drawer disposed in said cabinet below said fixed tray, said first drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said first drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said first drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said first drawer by at least about two feet in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said first drawer, said front drawer wall of said first drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

at least one first drawer support member that supports said first drawer, said first drawer support member supporting said first drawer so that said first drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a first drawer latch associated with said first drawer, said first drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said first drawer latch prevents said first drawer from being opened and a second position in which said first drawer latch allows said first drawer to be opened;

a second drawer disposed in said cabinet and positioned below said first drawer, said second drawer being positioned within said cabinet between said first cabinet side wall and said second cabinet sidewall, said second drawer being movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet, said second drawer comprising;

a first drawer sidewall;

a second drawer sidewall spaced from said first drawer sidewall of said second drawer in a direction parallel to said length of said cabinet; and

a front drawer wall connected to said first and second drawer sidewalls of said second drawer, said front drawer wall of said second drawer having a first side that is spaced from said first sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle and a second side that is spaced from said second sidewall of said vehicle by at least about eight inches when said cabinet is mounted to said vehicle;

at least one second drawer support member that supports said second drawer, said second drawer support member supporting said second drawer so that said second drawer is movable in a direction parallel to said width of said cabinet between an open position and a closed position;

a second drawer latch associated with said second drawer, said second drawer latch being movable between a first position in which said second drawer latch prevents said second drawer from being opened and a second position in which said second drawer latch allows said second drawer to be opened;

a cover operatively connected to said cabinet, said cover being movable between an open position in which said first and second drawers may be opened and a closed position in which said cover prevents said first and second drawers from being opened; and

a cover latch associated with said cover, said cover latch allowing said cover to be latched in its closed position.

15. A storage unit as recited in claim 14 wherein said rear cabinet member comprises a rear cabinet wall.

16. A storage unit as recited in claim 14 wherein each of said first and second drawer latches comprises:

a movable latching member; and

a spring operatively coupled to said latching member that biases said latching member in a latching position in which one of said drawers is prevented from being opened.

17. A vehicle mounted storage unit as recited in claim 14 additionally comprising a pair of cover support assemblies that cause said cover to be retained in its open position.