Cargo support for truck

• US 7,494,169 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ben K. Collins
• Original Assignee: Ben K. Collins
• Inventors: Collins, Ben K.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US11/421,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20070278810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 296/3, 296/50, 296/51, 296/26.01, 296/26.08, 211/195
• US Class Current: 296/3
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0207 Connections of movable or detachable racks or stanchions to platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0273 Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks B62D33/037 takes precedence

Abstract

A cargo support apparatus for a truck bed includes a forward support assembly capable of being at least partially stowed within the front wall of the truck bed and a rear support assembly capable of being at least partially stowed within the tailgate. The forward and rear support assemblies include respective horizontal support members for supporting cargo above the truck bed. The forward and rear support assemblies may be capable of assuming stowed and deployed configurations independently of each other. The support assemblies can include telescoping members for elevating the horizontal support members. Raised stop members may be included to prevent cargo from sliding from the horizontal members.

Claims

1. A cargo support apparatus for a truck bed, the truck bed having a front wall and a pivoting rear tailgate, the support assembly comprising:

a forward support assembly capable of assuming a stowed configuration and at least one deployed configuration, the forward support assembly disposed at least partially within the front wall of the truck bed when assuming the stowed configuration, the forward support assembly including a forward horizontal support member disposed above the front wall for supporting cargo above the front wall when the forward support assembly assumes the at least one deployed configuration; and

a rear support assembly capable of assuming a stowed configuration and at least one deployed configuration, the rear support assembly attached to and pivoting with the pivoting rear tailgate of the truck bed, the rear support assembly disposed at least partially within the tailgate when assuming the stowed configuration, the rear support assembly including a rear horizontal support member extending from the tailgate for supporting cargo beyond the tailgate when the rear support assembly assumes the at least one deployed configuration.

2. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward support assembly and the rear support assembly are capable of assuming their stowed and deployed configurations independently of each other.

3. The cargo support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the forward and rear support assemblies are capable of assuming respective deployed configurations such that the forward horizontal support member and the rear horizontal support member can be maintained at a common height for supporting long cargo members in horizontal dispositions spanning the truck bed.

4. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, the forward support assembly further comprising a pair of spaced forward elevating members supporting the horizontal support member when the forward support assembly assumes the at least one deployed configuration.

5. The cargo support apparatus of claim 4, wherein portions of the forward elevating members are disposed within the front wall of the truck bed when the forward support assembly assumes the stowed configuration.

6. The cargo support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the forward elevating members comprise telescoping members.

7. The cargo support apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said forward elevating member further comprises a stop member capable of assuming at least one raised configuration, each said stop member having at least a portion raised above the forward horizontal support member when assuming the raised configuration for preventing cargo supported by the forward horizontal member from sliding past the stop member.

8. The cargo support apparatus of claim 7, wherein each said stop member is further capable of assuming a lowered configuration, each said stop member having no portion raised above the forward horizontal support member when assuming the lowered configuration.

9. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward support assembly further includes a spaced pair of stop members extending upwardly from the forward horizontal support member for preventing cargo disposed between the stop members from sliding past the stop members.

10. The cargo support apparatus of claim 9, wherein each said stop member is capable of assuming a lowered configuration and a raised configuration, each said stop member extending upwardly from the forward horizontal support member when assuming the raised configuration thereof, each said stop member having no portion raised above the forward horizontal support member when assuming the lowered configuration thereof.

11. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, the forward support assembly further including an additional horizontal member disposed below the forward horizontal support member, the additional horizontal member assuming a position vertically adjacent the forward horizontal support member when the stowed configuration is assumed by the forward support assembly, the forward support assembly capable of assuming at least one deployed configuration with the additional horizontal member assuming a position vertically spaced from the forward horizontal support member.

12. The cargo support apparatus of claim 11, wherein, when the stowed configuration is assumed by the forward support assembly, the additional horizontal support member is received at least partially within an elongate channel defined by the front wall.

13. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward support assembly is capable of assuming a fully deployed configuration to dispose the forward horizontal support member higher than a passenger cab forward of the truck bed.

14. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward horizontal support member has a lower surface defining a channel receiving an upper edge of the front wall when the forward support assembly assumes the stowed configuration.

15. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear horizontal support member has a lower surface defining a channel receiving an upper edge of the tailgate when the rear support assembly assumes the stowed configuration.

16. The cargo support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forward support assembly further includes a biasing member that biases the forward support assembly toward the at least one deployed configuration.

17. The cargo support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.

18. The cargo support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the forward support assembly further includes at least one actuatable release member adapted such that the forward support assembly is forced by the biasing member to assume the at least one deployed configuration when the release member is actuated.

19. A cargo bed for an automobile, the cargo bed comprising:

a fixed vertical forward wall;

a rear tailgate spaced from the forward wall, the tailgate capable of being pivotally disposed into a horizontal disposition and a vertical disposition, the tailgate defining a vertical rear wall parallel to the forward wall when the tailgate is disposed in the vertical disposition;

a forward support assembly connected to the forward wall, the forward support assembly comprising a pair of spaced forward elevating members and a forward horizontal member connected to the pair of forward elevating members, the forward elevating members capable of being disposed at least partially within the forward wall such that the forward horizontal member is disposed proximal the forward wall, the forward elevating members further capable of being vertically extended from the forward wall such that the forward horizontal member is spaced from and disposed above the forward vertical wall;

a rear support assembly connected to the tailgate, the rear support assembly comprising a pair of spaced rear elevating members and a rear horizontal member connected to the pair of rear elevating members, the rear elevating members capable of being disposed at least partially within the tailgate such that the rear horizontal member is disposed proximal the tailgate, the rear elevating members capable of being extended from the tailgate such that the rear horizontal member is spaced from the tailgate.

20. The cargo bed of claim 19, wherein the forward wall defines a forward channel such that the forward support assembly is capable of being disposed at least partially within the forward channel, and wherein the tailgate defines a rear channel such that the rear support assembly is capable of being disposed at least partially within the rear channel.