Pickup box side module

• US 7,686,365 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin R., Thelen, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan; Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chenevert; Paul A
• Application Number:
  US11/744,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20070267885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 224/402, 224/403, 224/404, 296/24.3, 296/24.4, 296/24.44, 296/24.45, 296/37.1, 296/37.6, 296/39.2, 296/181.3, 296/183.1, 220/4.28, 220/254.1, 220/254.3, 220/476, 220/480, 220/481, 220/529
• 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 storage module having at least one exterior panel of a motorized vehicle, at least one door, and at least one inner panel. The door is at least partially formed by at least one of the exterior panels. At least one of the exterior panels and at least one of the interior panels define at least one area to form the storage module.

Claims

1. A storage module integrated into a vehicle, said storage module comprising:

at least one exterior panel of said vehicle;

at least one door at least partially formed by said at least one exterior panel;

at least one compartment, wherein said at least one exterior panel and said at least one compartment define at least one area and said at least one door allows access to said compartment;

an aperture panel extending around an opening of said area and providing a connection between said at least one compartment and said at least one door; and

a rail extending along said at least one compartment, wherein said at least one compartment, and said at least one aperture panel are connected to said rail and said rail is intermediate and operably connects said at least one aperture panel and said at least one compartment to a section of a vehicle bed side.

2. The storage module of claim 1 further comprising one or more hinges connecting said at least one door to said aperture panel, wherein said one or more hinges provide a pivot axis for pivoting said at least one door about said one or more hinges.

3. The storage module of claim 2, wherein said axis extends in at least one of a horizontal direction, vertical direction, and is an angle, such that said door moves in a corresponding direction to said axis.

4. The storage module of claim 1 further comprising at least one shelf in said at least one compartment, wherein said shelf can be removable or integral with said at least one compartment.

5. The storage module of claim 1 further comprising a portion of a latch connected to said at least one door and extending to an inner panel of said at least one door, wherein said latch is operable to releasably secure said at least one door to said at least one compartment when said at least one door is in a closed position.

6. The storage module of claim 1 wherein said at least one exterior panel is one selected from the group comprising a vehicle fender, door panel, golf car exterior panel, motorcycle body panel, recreational vehicle exterior body panel, interior of a vehicle trunk, interior of an engine compartment, or an all terrain vehicle exterior body panel.

7. The storage module of claim 1 wherein said rail further comprises a first channel that extends along the interior of the truck bed sides and a second channel that extends along the exterior of the truck bed sides, wherein said first channel and said second channel provide attachment points to the rail.

8. A storage module integrated into an exterior panel of a vehicle, said storage module comprising:

a compartment having an area;

an aperture panel defining an opening of said compartment;

an exterior panel of said vehicle covering said aperture panel;

at least one door at least partially formed by said in said exterior panel, wherein said at least one door is pivotally connected to said aperture panel to allow said at least one door to rotate with respect to said aperture panel and allow access to said area of said compartment, wherein said aperture panel provides a connection for said compartment; and

a rail extending along said compartment, wherein said compartment and said aperture panel are connected to said rail and said rail is intermediate and operably connects said aperture panel and said compartment to a section of a vehicle bed side.

9. The storage module of claim 8 further comprising one or more hinges connecting said at least one door to said aperture panel, wherein said one or more hinges provide a pivot axis for said pivotal connection between said aperture panel and said at least one door.

10. The storage module of claim 9, wherein said axis extends in at least one of a horizontal direction, vertical direction, and is an angle, such that said door moves in a corresponding direction to said axis.

11. The storage module of claim 8 further comprising at least one shelf in said compartment, wherein said shelf can be removable or integral with said compartment.

12. The storage module of claim 8 further comprising a portion of a latch connected to said at least one door and extending to an inner panel of said at least one door, wherein said latch is operable to releasably secure said at least one door to said aperture panel when said at least one door is in a closed position covering said aperture panel and said compartment.

13. The storage module of claim 8 wherein said exterior panel is one selected from the group comprising a vehicle fender, door panel, golf car exterior panel, motorcycle body panel, recreational vehicle exterior body panel, interior of a vehicle trunk, interior of an engine compartment, or an all terrain vehicle exterior body panel.

14. The storage module of claim 8 wherein said rail further comprises a first channel that extends along the interior of the truck bed sides and a second channel that extends along the exterior of the truck bed sides, wherein said first channel and said second channel provide attachment points to the rail.

15. A storage module integrated into a fender of a vehicle, said storage module comprising:

at least one compartment having an opening and an area, wherein said at least one compartment is placed on a side of a vehicle above the wheel well of a vehicle, forward the wheel well, rearward the wheel well or combinations thereof;

said fender panel of said vehicle covering said compartment and said side of the vehicle;

at least one door at least partially formed in said fender panel, wherein said at least one door is pivotally connected to said at least one compartment to allow said at least one door to pivot with respect to said at least one compartment and allow access to said area of said compartment;

an aperture panel extending around an opening of said area and providing a connection between said at least one compartment and said at least one door; and

a rail extending along said at least one compartment, wherein said at least one compartment and said at least one aperture panel are connected to said rail and said rail is intermediate and operably connects said at least one aperture panel and said at least one compartment to a section of a vehicle bed side.

16. The storage module of claim 15 further comprising one or more hinges connecting said at least one door to said aperture panel, wherein said one or more hinges provide a axis for said pivotal connection between said aperture panel and said at least one door.

17. The storage module of claim 16, wherein said axis extends in at least one of a horizontal direction, and is an angle, such that said door moves in a corresponding direction to said axis.

18. The storage module of claim 15 further comprising at least one shelf extending into said area of said at least one compartment, wherein said at least one shelf can be removable or integral with said at least one compartment.

19. The storage module of claim 15 further comprising a portion of a latch connected to said at least one door and extending to an inner panel of said at least one door, wherein said latch is operable to releasably secure said at least one door to said at least one compartment when said at least one door is in a closed position covering said aperture panel and said compartment.

20. The storage module of claim 15 wherein said rail further comprises a first channel that extends along the interior of the truck bed sides and a second channel that extends along the exterior of the truck bed sides, wherein said first channel and said second channel provide attachment points to the rail.