Dual-compartment storage apparatus for a truck bed with receiving zone for bi-wheeled vehicle and collapsible ramp stowed in ramp storage compartment

• US 6,913,304 B1
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neil R. Sweet
• Original Assignee: Neil R. Sweet
• Inventors: Sweet, Neil R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/676,644
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.6, 211/5, 211/17, 211/20, 211/22, 211/23, 224/42.11, 224/42.13, 224/42.32, 224/42.33, 224/42.39
• US Class Current: 296/37.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P

Abstract

A dual-compartment storage apparatus is a toolbox system for pickup trucks with a recessed receiving zone in the middle, wherein a wheel of a motorcycle to fit into the receiving zone and allows the entire motorcycle to fit in into the truck bed. Additionally, the tool box provides tie-down points to secure the motorcycle during transport and prevent it from moving about. Finally, a storage compartment across the back of the box holds a collapsible ramp to allow the motorcycle to roll into and out of the bed with a minimum of effort.

Claims

1. In a truck storage apparatus positioned adjacently to a forward wall of the cargo area of a truck, said cargo area defined by a pair of parallel sidewalls each depending from said forward wall, and a pivotal tailgate parallel to said forward wall, said sidewalls, said forward wall and said pivotal tailgate depending from a cargo bed, said storage apparatus comprising two spaced apart storage compartments and a receiving zone intermediately therebetween, the improvement comprising:

each one of said storage compartments comprises an articulating lid, an upper anchoring plate and a lower anchoring plate, each one of said storage compartments suspendingly elevated above said cargo bed and forming storage space therebetween;

a ramp storage compartment externally coupled to said storage compartments and adjacently engaging said forward wall; and

a collapsible ramp for facilitating loading onto and unloading from said cargo area, said ramp storable in said ramp storage compartment.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein each one of said storage compartments comprise at least one storage cell enclosed by said lid.

3. The improvement of claim 2 further comprising a removable tray comprising a plurality of compartments for storing a plurality of items, said tray housed within said at least one storage cell.

4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said upper anchoring plate depends from an exterior sidewall of said storage compartment.

5. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said lower anchoring plate depends from an interior sidewall of said storage compartment.

6. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said lower anchoring plate is affixed to said cargo bed, said lower anchoring plate suspendingly elevating said storage compartment and forming said storage space.

7. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said storage space permits slidable insertion of items between said cargo bed and said storage compartment.

8. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of channels, wherein each one of said plurality of channels comprise at least one dowel cooperatively permitting attachment of straps, bands and rope attachable to each of said storage compartments.

9. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising a lockable cable for securing a wheel of a vehicle, said lockable cable retractably affixed to at least one of said storage compartments.

10. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising at least one attachment tab affixed to said ramp storage compartment, said at least one attachment tab provided for affixing said storage apparatus to said forward wall.

11. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said ramp comprises:

an intermediate section;

an upper section detachably affixed to an end of said intermediate section; and

a lower section detachably affixed to an end of said intermediate section opposite of said upper section.