Cargo bed storage trunk for a vehicle

• US 6,471,277 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Scensny, Brian Scott, Porcari, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US09/682,120
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 296/10, 296/37.6, 296/37.14, 296/183, 296/57.1
• US Class Current: 296/37.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/00 Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like

Abstract

A cargo bed storage trunk for a vehicle including a cargo bed having a back end, a tailgate pivotally attached to the back end operable between a closed vertical position and an opened position, and a panel situated inside the cargo bed operable between a closed horizontal position and an opened position.

Claims

1. A cargo bed storage trunk for a vehicle comprising:

a cargo bed having sidewalls and a back end;

a tailgate pivotally attached to the back end operable between a closed vertical position and an opened position; and

a panel situated inside the cargo bed below tops of the sidewalls and extending the entire length and width of the cargo bed operable between a closed horizontal position and an opened position.

2. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel forms the floor of the cargo bed when in the closed horizontal position.

3. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 1, wherein the tailgate is received in a recess when in the opened position thereby being flush with the vehicle.

4. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 1, wherein the tailgate is pivoted substantially 180 degrees from the closed vertical position to a vertical opened position.

5. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel is pivoted upward a predetermined degree when in the opened position.

6. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 1, further including a cab adjacent the cargo bed wherein the panel is pivotally operable where the cargo bed meets the cab.

7. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 1, further having wheel wells wherein the panel is situated above the wheel wells when in a closed position thereby forming a storage area thereunder. position wherein the panel reveals a storage area thereunder.

8. A cargo bed storage trunk for a vehicle comprising:

a cargo bed having sidewalls, a back end and wheel wells;

a tailgate pivotally attached to the back end operable between a closed vertical position and an opened position;

a cab adjacent to the cargo bed; and

a panel situated inside the cargo bed above the wheel wells pivotally operable where the cargo bed meets the cab between a closed horizontal position wherein the panel serves as a floor of the cargo bed located below tops of the sidewalls and an opened position wherein the panel reveals a storage area thereunder.

9. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 8, wherein the tailgate is received in a recess when in an opened position thereby being flush with the vehicle.

10. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 8, wherein the tailgate is pivoted substantially 180 degrees from the closed vertical position to a vertical opened position.

11. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 8, wherein the panel is pivoted upward a predetermined degree when in the opened position.

12. The cargo bed storage trunk as defined in claim 8, wherein the panel extends the entire length and width of the cargo bed.