Vehicle mobile work station

• US 7,048,320 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Giem, Brett, Lewis, Stephen J, Rubel, Aaron, Reed, David B, Kruk, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US10/461,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.32, 296/24.43, 296/24.45, 296/37.6, 296/37.13, 296/37.16, 296/37.8
• US Class Current: 296/37.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A mobile work station assembly for a vehicle. The work station incorporates a docking station, toolbox, file organizer, power inverter, storage container and a mobile phone assembly on a sliding load floor that can extend outwardly from the interior of the vehicle. The work station is removably attached to the load floor. The work station is adapted for mounting in a vehicle interior or within a pickup truck bed.

Claims

1. A mobile work station comprising:

a load floor adapted to slidingly couple to a floor of a cargo bed of a truck and be moveable between a first position in which a portion of the load floor extends beyond an exterior plane of a wall of the cargo bed through an opening in the wall and a second position in which the load floor does not extend beyond the exterior plane;

a storage compartment removably attached to the load floor;

a work surface coupled to the load floor; and

a vehicle door pivotably coupled to the opening for closing same in a closed position and pivotable to an open position enabling full access to the work surface in both the first and second positions.

2. The work station of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is collapsible.

3. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a catch mechanism coupled to the load floor, wherein the catch mechanism is configured to restrain movement of the load floor relative to the vehicle.

4. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a tool box.

11. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a DC-AC voltage converter positioned proximate the work surface.

12. The mobile work station of claim 1, wherein the work surface is defined by an exterior surface of the storage compartment.

13. The mobile work station of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface is a lid of the storage compartment.

5. A storage system for a vehicle having an exterior surface defining an exterior plane, the storage system comprising:

a load floor having a first end and a second end, wherein the load floor is adapted to slidingly couple to the vehicle and be moveable between a first position in which the first end of the load floor extends beyond the exterior plane of the vehicle and a second position in which the first end of the load floor does not extend beyond the exterior plane; and

a storage compartment having a lid and being removably attached to the load floor,

wherein the vehicle comprises a door pivotally attached to the vehicle and forming a portion of the exterior surface, the door being pivotable from a closed position to an open position, and

wherein the vehicle is a pickup truck and the storage system is adapted for mounting within the bed of the truck.

6. The storage system of claim 5, wherein the storage compartment is collapsible.

7. The storage system of claim 5, further comprising a restraining mechanism to removably attach the storage compartment to the load floor.

8. The storage system of claim 5, further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to retain the lid in a closed position, wherein the locking mechanism is switchable from a locked position to an unlocked position.

9. The storage system of claim 5, further comprising a catch mechanism for coupling the load floor to the vehicle, for restraining movement of the load floor relative to the vehicle.

10. The storage system of claim 5, further comprising a frame adapted for mounting to the vehicle, wherein the load floor is slidingly coupled to the vehicle through the frame, and the frame defines a cavity for housing a drawer beneath the load floor.