Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02497223 2008-01-09
Att'y Docket No.: 1468.04CAN
SLIDING TRAY TRUNK FOR A VEHICLE
By
ROBERT D. GRAFTON
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage trunk for a
truck. More particularly, the invention relates to a one-
compartment or two-compartment storage trunk for a truck
that provides enhanced accessibility to the inside of the
trunk.
Pickup truck cross bed tool/storage boxes have been in
use for many years in various shapes, sizes and materials.
In general, all have a common design feature which allows
the user to access the contents of the box from the top by
standing at the side or climbing into the bed of the
vehicle. Because of the design nature of these cross bed
boxes, contents are often difficult to access because the
user must reach over the higher sides of the cross bed box
or climb into the rear of the vehicle to reach contents.
Several prior art trunks for pickup trucks are explained
below.
U.S. Patent 4,993,771 to Ingerson et al. discloses a
trunk for pickup trucks having a horizontally slidable panel
across the top of the trunk. The storage space of the trunk
is not partitioned thus creating a disorganized mix of large
and small items.
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U.S. Patent 5,121,959 to King discloses a slide mount
for moving a trunk to the rear of the vehicle within the bed
of a pickup truck. In crder to slide the trunk to the rear,
the storage area of the bed should be completely cleared.
U.S. Patent 5,299,722 to Cheney discloses a trunk
having a rectangular bcx and a lower lid hinged on the box.
An upper lid is hinged on the lower lid. The space between
the lower lid and the upper lid may be used for storing slim
items.
U.S. Patent 5,439,150 to Trahms discloses a trunk
having a box covered with pivotable top parts to allow
access into the box. The user should reach through the top
parts to access contents in the box.
U.S. Patent 5,484,092 to Cheney discloses a trunk
having a first larger storage compartment and a second
smaller storage compartment that is positioned inside the
first compartment.
SIINIlKARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contrives to provide a trunk for
pickup truck that implements effective portioning of storage
space and superior accessibility from positions convenient
to the user.
Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a
two-compartment trunk in which the upper compartment is
movable on the lower compartment to allow easy access into
both compartments.
Another object of the invention is to provide a
mechanism for stable and smooth movement of the upper
compartment.
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Still another object of the invention is to provide a
trunk that maximizes storage space in the upper compartment.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a
trunk that has accessibility to contents of the upper
compartment from either side of the vehicle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a
trunk that has accessibility to the lower compartment
without bending over the upper compartment.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a
one-compartment trunk in which the storage compartment is
movable on a mounting base attached to the vehicle to allow
easy access into the compartment and the mounting base has a
security panel connected to the mounting base that can be
used as a space definer for an additional storage space
below the compartment to allow easy access into both
compartments.
Still another object of the invention is to provide the
user the option of creating a lower compartment using a
portiori of the pickup truck bed below by lowering a
deployable security panel.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a
storage compartment above the level of the pickup truck bed
without impeding the use of the space below.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a
secure storage space inside the truck bed without using a
traditlonal truck tru:zk.
To achieve the above-described objects, the invention
provides a sliding tray trunk for a vehicle that comprises a
mounting base attached to the vehicle, a storage device
slidab:Ly attached on top of the lower storage box, and a
stop device to limit sliding of the storage device on the
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mountirig base to a predetermined distance. The mounting base
can include either a.independent storage box or a hinged
security panel that lowers and locks into place to provide a
secure compartment utilizing the space below in the truck
bed.
The sliding tray trunk also includes a sliding device
that enables sliding movement of the storage device on the
mounting base.
When the mounting base is an additional storage box, it
is called the lower storage box and the storage device is
called the uppe-r storage box.
The lower storage box has a substantially rectangular
shape, and has a fron-- wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a
bottom wall, and a top wall. The top wall has an opening to
allow access into the lower storage box, and one or more
rails on which the upper storage box can slide. The two
rails protrude upward from the top wall.
A plurality of wheels are rotatably attached on each of
the rails, and the upper storage box slides by rotation of
the wheels. Each of the plurality of wheels comprises a
shaft rotatably attached on one of the rails, and a plastic
ring surrounding the shaft and fixed to the shaft.
Preferably, the wheels are impregnated with grease.
The upper storage box has a substantially rectangular
shape and comprises a front wall, a rear wall, two side
walls, a bottom wall, and a cover. The cover is pivotally
attached to the rear wall of the upper storage box. The
bottom wall of the upper storage box comprises two recesses
for receiving the wheels of the lower storage box. Each of
the recesses comprises a horizontal wall that contacts the
wheels such that the wheels can roll on the horizontal wall
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when the upper storage box slides, a vertical wall that
extends downward from the horizontal wall, and a horizontal
flange that extends horizontally from the vertical wall
toward the rail.
Each of the recesses further comprises a vertical
flange that extends downward from the horizontal wall, and
is oppositely positioned with the vertical wall such that
each of the recesses substantially surrounds the wheels.
One or more gas-operated springs are installed between
the cover and the side walls of the upper storage box to
facilitate opening and closing of the cover.
The cover comprises a tool tray that is pivotally
attached under the cover. The tool tray pivots downward when
the cover is opened, and remains horizontal during the full
travel range of the cover between the closed and open
positions.
The cover further comprises reinforcements, and the
tool tray is positioned between the reinforcements.
The stop device of the sliding tray trunk includes two
spring-loaded handles positioned on the side walls of the
upper storage box, snap protrusions, a link connecting the
handles and the snap protrusions, and recesses provided in
one of the rails of the lower storage box for receiving the
snap protrusions. Grasping one of the handles lifts the snap
protrusions out of the recesses so that the upper storage
box carl slide on the rails, and releasing the handle makes
the snap protrusions snap into the recesses when the snap
protrusions are aligned with the recesses.
The recesses are positioned at the center of the rail
and at predetermined distances from the center of the rail.
Therefore, the upper storage box stops sliding at the center
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of the rail or at the predetermined distances from the
center.
To ensure safety related to the sliding operation of
the upper storage box, the stop device further includes a
first protrusion fixed at the bottom wall of the upper
storage box near the front wall of the upper storage box, a
first stop fixed at the top wall of the lower storage box
near the front wall of the lower storage box, a second
protrusion fixed at the bottom wall of the upper storage box
near the rear wall of the upper storage box, and a second
stop fixed at t-he top wall of the lower storage box near the
rear wall of the lower storage box, in the manner that the
sliding of the upper storage box is blocked when the first
protrusion abuts the first stop, or the second protrusion
abuts the second stop allowing the upper storage box to be
slid in either direction with a positive safety stop
limiting travel.
The cover of the upper storage box has a top plate and
two side plates connected with the top plate. When the cover
is closed, the side plates are positioned near ends of the
rails, and block slidirlg of the upper storage box.
The front wall of the upper storage box has a pin, and
the cover of the upper storage box has a latch engaging with
the pin so that the cover of the upper storage box can be
locked to and unlocked from the upper storage box.
When the mounting base includes a security panel that
can be used as a space, the mounting panel is called frame
and the security panel is pivotally connected to the frame.
The frame has a substantially rectangular shape and has
an opening to allow access into the truck bed below, and one
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or more rails on which the storage device can slide. The two
rails protrude upward from the frame.
The storage device has a substantially rectangular
shape and comprises a front wall, a rear wall, two side
walls, a bottom wall, and a cover. The cover is pivotally
attached to the rear wall of the storage device. The bottom
wall of the storage device comprises two recesses for
receiving the wheels of the frame. Each of the recesses
comprises a horizontal wall that contacts the wheels such
that the wheels can roll on the horizontal wall when the
storage device -slides, a vertical wall that extends downward
from the horizontal wall, and a horizontal flange that
extends horizontally from the vertical wall toward the rail.
Orie or more gas-operated springs are installed between
the cover and the side walls of the storage device to
facilitate opening and closing of the cover.
The cover comprises a tool tray that is pivotally
attached under the cover. The tool tray pivots downward when
the cover is opened, and remains horizontal during the full
travel range of the cover between the closed and open
positions.
The cover further comprises reinforcements, and the
tool tray is positioned between the reinforcements.
The stop device of the sliding tray trunk includes two
spring-loaded handles positioned on the side walls of the
storage device, snap protrusions, a link connecting the
handles and the snap -orotrusions, and recesses provided in
one of the rails of the frame for receiving the snap
protrusions. Grasping one of the handles lifts the snap
protrusions out of the recesses so that the storage device
can slide on the rails, and releasing the handle makes the
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snap protrusions snap into the recesses when the snap
protrusions are aligned with the recesses.
The recesses are positioned at the center of the rail
and at predetermined distances from the center of the rail.
Therefore, the storage device stops sliding at the center of
the rail or at the predetermined distances from the center.
To ensure safety related to the sliding operation of
the storage device, the stop device further includes a first
protrusion fixed at the bottom wall of the storage device
near the front wall of the storage device, a first stop
fixed at the top wall of the frame near the front wall of
the frame, a second protrusion fixed at the bottom wall of
the storage device near the rear wall of the storage device,
and a second stop fixed at the top wall of the frame near
the rear wall of the frame, in the manner that the sliding
of the storage device is blocked when the first protrusion
abuts the first stop, or the second protrusion abuts the
second stop allowing the storage device to be slid in either
direction with a positive safety stop limiting travel.
The cover of the storage device has a top plate and two
side plates connected with the top plate. When the cover is
closed, the side plates are positioned near ends of the
rails, and block sliding of the storage device.
The front wall of the storage device has a pin, and the
cover of the storage device has a latch engaging with the
pin so that the cover of the storage device can be locked to
and un:Locked from the storage device.
The other features of the second embodiment is similar
to those of the first embodiment.
The advantages of the present invention are numerous in
that: (1) the user can access into the upper storage box
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outside the bed of the truck; (2) use of the space inside
the upper storage box is maximized; (3) the user can access
into the lower storage box without climbing onto the bed;
(4) although the user will still need to bend over the side
of the vehicle to access the contents of the lower box but
he/she will not have 'to reach over the lip or side of the
upper storage box because it has been pushed away; and (5)
the user can access into the trunk at either side of the
truck.
Although the present invention is briefly summarized,
the fuller unde-rstanding of the invention can be obtained by
the following drawings, detailed description and appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a vehicle on which
the sliding tray trunk of the present invention is
installed;
Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the vehicle and
the trunk showing a lower storage box, and an upper storage
box;
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the trunk with
the upper storage box locked;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the trunk;
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the trunk with
the upper storage box slid to the driver's side;
Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the trunk with
the upper storage box slid to the passenger's side;
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Fig. 7 is a top view of the trunk with the upper
storage box slid to the passenger's side;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
8-8 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the
circled portion of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a top view of the lower storage box;
Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the upper storage
box with the cover fully opened;
Fig. 12 is a top view of the upper storage box with the
cover fully opened;
Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the upper storage
box with the cover closed;
Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but with the cover
opened and the tool tray is lowered;
Fig. 15 is a rear view of the trunk with the upper
storage box slid to the driver's side, and the cover open;
Fig. 16 is a sch(ematic elevational view showing a stop
device for the sliding tray trunk;
F_g. 17 is a schematic plan view showing a safety stop
for the sliding tray trunk when the upper storage box is
centered;
Fig. 18 is a schematic plan view showing the safety
stop when the upper storage box is slid to the driver's
side;
Fig. 19 is a schematic elevational view showing the
safety stop; and
Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of a vehicle on
which the sliding tray trunk of a second embodiment is
installed;
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Fig. 21 is a rear elevational view of the vehicle and
the trunk showing a security panel connected to the frame,
and a storage device;
Fig. 22 is a front elevational view of the trunk of the
second embodiment with the storage device locked;
Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of the trunk of the
second embodiment;
Fig. 24 is a front: elevational view of the trunk of the
second embodiment with the storage device slid to the
driver's side;
Fig. 25 is- a front elevational view of the trunk of the
second embodiment with the storage device slid to the
passenger's side;
Fig. 26 is a top view of the trunk of the second
embodiment with the storage device slid to the passenger's
side;
Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
XXVII-XXVII of Fig. 22;
Fig. 28 is a detailed view of Fig. 27;
Fig. 29 is a top view of the frame;
Fig. 30 is a top view of the storage device with the
cover fully opened;
Fig. 31 is a rear view of the trunk of the second
embodirnent with the storage device slid to the driver's side,
and the cover open;
Fig. 32 is a schematic elevational view showing a stop
device for the sliding tray trunk; and
Fig. 33 is a schernatic elevational view showing the
safety stop.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
F-4g. 1 shows a pick up truck on which a sliding tray
trunk 10 of the present invention is installed. Fig. 2 shows
the trunk 10 has a loiaer storage box 12 and an upper storage
box 14. The lower storage box 12 is mounted on the sides of
the pickup truck and is suspended over the bed.
The upper storage box 14 is slidably attached to the
lower storage box 12 with a sliding device 15 (refer to Figs.
5 and 7).
Figs. 3 and 4 show that the upper storage box 14 is
secured on top of the lower storage box 12. Except when a
user wants to access the contents in either of the upper
storage box 14 and the lower storage box 12, the upper
storage box 14 is secured to the lower storage box 12 by a
lock that is explained later referring to Fig. 15. The lock
also prevents the upper storage box 14 from rattling when
the truck moves.
Fig. 5 shows that the upper storage box 14 is slid to
the left. This corresponds to driver's side of the vehicle
and the street side. Eigs. 6 and 7 show that the upper
storage box 14 is slid to the right. This corresponds to
passenger's side of t:qe vehicle and the curbside. The
sliding distance of tfle upper storage box 14 is limited to a
predetermined distance by a stop device that is explained
later referring to Figs. 16 and 17. The predetermined
distance is chosen such that the upper storage box 14 is
rigidly supported by the lower storage box 12 even when the
upper storage box 14 is slid up to the predetermined
distance. Preferably, the predetermined distance is two
thirds of the length of the upper storage box 14.
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Figs. 8 and 9 show a mechanism for sliding the upper
storage box 14 on top of the lower storage box 12. The lower
storage box 12 has a substantially rectangular shape, and
comprises a front wall 16, a rear wall 18, two side walls 20
(refer to Figs. 5 and 6), a bottom wall 24, and a top wall
26. The top wall 26 comprises an opening 28 to allow access
into the lower storage box 12. The sliding device 15 (refer
to Figs. 5 and 7) includes two rails 30 on which the upper
storage box 14 can sl_de. The two rails 30 protrude upward
from the top wall 26 and extend parallel with the front wall
16 and the rear-wall 18.
As shown in Figs.. 9 and 10, a plurality of wheels 32
are rotatably attached on each of the rails 30, and the
upper storage box 14 slides on the lower storage box 12 by
rotation of the wheels 32. Preferably, the number of wheels
32 is twelve on each rail 30. The number of wheels may vary
with the design size of the storage trunk in order to
accommodate various vehicle sizes.
Each of the plurality of wheels 32 comprises a shaft 34
rotatably attached on one of the rails 30, and a plastic
ring 36 surrounding the shaft 34 and fixed to the shaft 34.
The plastic ring 36 provides smooth and silent sliding
movement of the upper storage box 14. Preferably, the
plastic ring 36 is made of Nylon. The wheels 32 may be
impregriated with grease. Thus, the wheels 32 are self-
lubricated, and rattles and squeaks are inhibited further.
As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the upper storage box 14
has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises a front
wall 38, a rear wall 40, two side walls 42, a bottom wall 44,
and a cover 46. The cover 46 is pivotally attached to the
rear wall 40.
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Referring back to Figs. 8 and 9, the bottom wall 44 has
two recesses 48 for receiving the wheels 32 of the lower
storage box 12. Each of the recesses 48 has a horizontal
wall 50 that contacts the wheels 32 such that the wheels 32
can roll on the horizontal wall 50 when the upper storage
box 14 slides, a vertic:al wall 52 that extends downward from
the horizontal wall 50, a horizontal flange 54 that extends
horizontally from the vertical wall 52 toward the rail 30.
The horizontal flange 54 prevents the upper storage box 14
from being lifted upward from the lower storage box 12. The
recess 48 further has a vertical flange 56 that extends
downward from the horizontal wall 50, and is oppositely
positioned with the vertical wall 52 such that the recess 48
substantially surrounds the wheel 32. In this way, the upper
storage box 14 is properly guided when it is slid. The
wheels 32 provide smooth movement of the upper storage box
14. The clearances or tolerances between the wheels 32 and
the vertical wall 52 and the horizontal flange 54 are made
as small as possible, thereby minimizing lateral or vertical
movement of the upper storage box 14 in relation to the
lower storage box 12. The wheels 32 and the recesses 48
rigidly support the upper storage box 14 even when the upper
storage box 14 is slid to the fully opened position.
Fig. 14 and 15 show that two gas-operated springs 58
are installed between the cover 46 and the side walls 42 of
the upper storage box 14 to facilitate opening and closing
of the cover 46.
A tool tray 60 is pivotally attached under the cover 46.
The tool tray 60 provides a storage space for frequently
used tools. The tool tray 60 pivots downward when the cover
46 is opened, and becomes and remains horizontal during the
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full travel range of the cover 46 between the closed and
open position. This p_Lvoting of the tool tray 60 may be
guided and limited by a wire, a rope or a hinge.
The cover 46 further has reinforcements 62 to
strengt:hen the cover 46. The tool tray 60 is positioned
betweeri the reinforcernents 62.
Fig. 16 shows that the stop device of the trunk 10
includes two spring-loaded handles 64 positioned on the side
walls 42 of the upper storage box 14, a plurality of snap
protrusions 66, a linlc 68 connecting the handles 64 and the
snap pr.otrusion-s 66, and a plurality of recesses 70 provided
in one of the rails 30 of the lower storage box 12 for
receiving the snap prot:rusions 66. The handles 64 are
spring-loaded by springs 72.
In order to slide the upper storage box 14, the user
grasps and lifts the handle 64 on either side of the truck.
Then the link 68 lifts the snap protrusions 66 out of the
recesses 70 so that the upper storage box 14 can slide on
the rails 30. When the user releases the handle 64, by the
returning force of the springs 72, the link 68 forces the
snap pr_otrusions 66 down, and the snap protrusions 66 snap
into the recesses 70 as soon as the snap protrusions 66 are
aligned with the recesses 70, and the sliding stops. The
recesses 70 are positioned at the center of the rail 30 and
at predetermined distances from the center of the rail 30.
In this way, the upper storage box 14 stops sliding at the
center of the rail 30 or at the predetermined distances from
the center of the rail 30. The predetermined distances
correspond to being slid one-half open or full opened. Even
if the cover 46 was inadvertently left open and the driver
moved the vehicle causing the upper storage box 14 to slide
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in either direction, the sliding would stop when the snap
protrusions 66 snap irlto the nearest recesses 70.
Figs. 17 - 19 show a safety stop that prevents the
upper storage box 14 from separating from the lower storage
box 12 and falling to the ground. The safety stop includes a
first protrusion 74 fixed at the bottom wall 44 of the upper
storage box 14 near the front wall 38 of the upper storage
box 14, a first stop 76 fixed at the top wall 26 of the
lower storage box 12 rlear the front wall 16 of the lower
storage box 12, a second protrusion 78 fixed at the bottom
wall 44 of the upper storage box 14 near the rear wall 40 of
the upper storage box 14, and a second stop 80 fixed at the
top wall 26 of the lower storage box 12 near the rear wall
18 of the lower storage box 12. In this way, the sliding of
the upper slide box 14 is blocked when the first protrusion
74 abuts the first stop 76 in case that the upper storage
box 14 is slid to the driver side as shown in Figs. 18 and
19, or when the second protrusion 78 abuts the second stop
80 in case that the upper storage box 14 is slid to the
passenger side. The protrusions 74, 78 and stops 76, 80 are
positioned to prevent the upper storage box 14 from sliding
further than the fully opened position of the stop device.
Referring back to Figs. 13 - 15, the cover 46 of the
upper storage box 14 has a top plate 82, a front plate 84
and two side plates 86 connected with the top plate 82 and
the front plate 84. When the cover 46 is closed, the side
plates 86 are positioned near ends of the rails 30, and
block sliding of the upper storage box 14. Fig. 3 shows this
state. The cover 46 cari be closed only when the upper
storage box 14 is centered on the lower storage box 12.
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Fig. 15 shows that the cover 46 of the upper storage
box 14 has one or more latches or locks 88 (refer to Fig.
12) on its front plate 84, and the front wall 38 of the
upper storage box 14 has one or more pins 90 engaging with
the latches 88 so that the cover 46 of the upper storage box
14 can be locked to and unlocked from the upper storage box
14. A commercially available rotary latch can be used as the
latch 88.
With the above trunk, the necessity of climbing onto
the bed of the vehicle and reaching over the higher side of
the top portion- of the trunk is eliminated. The trunk allows
for increased and segregated storage in the upper sliding
storage box of the trurik. The trunk allows making use of
full space inside the upper storage box since the user can
access into the lower storage box without passing through
the upper storage box. Since the upper storage box can be
pulled out over either side of the vehicle, all contents
stored in the upper storage box can be easily reached with
no need to walk around to the far side of the vehicle, and
the user can choose street or curbside access depending on
the user's preference and working conditions. Sliding away
of the upper storage box either toward or away from user
allows easy access to contents stored in the lower storage
box from either side of the vehicle. Sliding the upper
storage box allows thf= user to access the contents of the
lower storage box wit:zout reaching over the additional
height of the upper storage box thus allowing further reach
into the middle of the lower storage box. Access to the
lower storage box is improved particularly on vehicles with
higher bed sides. The trunk allows for separation of small
tools and equipment from large and/or bulky items. The trunk
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also facilitates access to the stored contents even when the
vehicle bed is filled with items.
The upper storag-a box will slide off either side of the
vehicle allowing the user to stand directly in front of and
over items stored wit'nout having to reach over and across
the bed of the carrying vehicle. The sliding of the storage
box allows access to items stored opposite the user's
position without requiring the user to walk around to the
other side of the vehicle to access items on that side of
the storage tray. Because no access to the lower storage box
is required through the upper storage box, the use of
storage space in the upper storage box can be maximized, and
the upper storage box can be organized to fit any manner of
trade or hobby as the user may wish through the user of
dividers, additional trays, removable trays, mounting
points, etc. Because -::here is no need to reach through the
top portion of the trurlk to get to the contents of the lower
portiori of the trunk, a permanent bottom is allowed on the
upper storage box across the entire length thereof. This
full bottom along the entire length may be used for
attaching permanent mounting brackets for small tools.
While the sliding tray trunk illustrated in the
drawinqs are shown with the upper storage box moves side by
side with respect to the vehicle, the sliding tray trunk can
be installed in any direction so that the upper storage box
can move in any direction including front-to-rear direction
with respect to the vehicle.
Figs. 20 through 33 show a second embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 20 shows a pick up truck on which a sliding tray
trunk 110 of the second embodiment is installed. Fig. 21
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shows the trunk 110 has a frame with a deployable security
panel 112 and a storaqe device 14. The frame 126 with the
security panel 112 is mounted on the sides of the pickup
truck and the security panel 112 is deployed over the bed.
The storage device 14 is slidably attached to the frame
126 with a sliding device 215 (refer to Figs. 26 and 29).
Figs. 22 and 23 show that the storage device 14 is
secured on top of the frame 126. Except when a user wants to
access the contents iri either of the storage device 14 and
below the frame 126, the storage device 14 is secured to the
frame 126 by a lock that is explained later referring to
Fig. 31. The lock also prevents the storage device 14 from
rattling when the truc;k. moves.
Fig. 24 shows that the storage device 14 is slid to the
left. This corresponds to driver's side of the vehicle and
the street side. Figs. 25 shows that the storage device 14
is slid to the right. This corresponds to passenger's side
of the vehicle and the curbside. The sliding distance of the
storage device 14 is limited to a predetermined distance by
a stop device that is explained later referring to Figs. 25
and 17. The predetermi_ned distance is chosen such that the
storage device 14 is rigidly supported by the frame 126 even
when the storage device 14 is slid up to the predetermined
distance. Preferably, the predetermined distance is two
thirds of the length of the storage device 14.
Figs. 27 and 28 shows a mechanism for sliding the
storage device 14 on top of the frame 126 referring to Fig.
9 in part. The frame 126 has a security panel 112 and an
openincl 128 (refer to F'igs. 26 and 29) to allow access into
the space below the frame 126. The sliding device 215 (refer
to Figs. 26 and 29) iricludes two rails 30 on which the
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storage device 14 can slide. The two rails 30 protrude
upward from the frame 126 and extend along the direction of
the front plate 84. A security panel 112 is connected to the
frame 126 by a hinge 111. The security panel 112 includes a
latch 117 to lock the security panel 112 in the up position
to a latch receiver 119 and a seal 115 which rimmed the
securit:y panel 112. The security panel 112 can be deployed
in dowri and locked position by a set of braces and struts
113. The seal 115, preferably a rubber gasket, helps to make
the space enclosed by the frame 126, the security panel 112,
and the truck bed resistant to undesirable weather
conditi_ons. The set of braces and struts 113 consists of a
top knee strut 121, a bottom knee strut 123, and a locking
slide 125. One end of top knee strut 121 is pivotally
attached to the bottorn of frame 126, and the other end of
the top knee strut 121 is pivotally attached to the one end
of the bottom knee strut 123, and the other end of bottom
knee strut 123 is pivotally attached to the security panel
112, eriabling the security panel 112 to open or close.
As shown in Fig. 2.9, a plurality of wheels 32 are
rotatably attached on each of the rails 30, and the storage
device 14 slides on the frame 126 by rotation of the wheels
32 referring to Fig. 9 in part. Preferably, the number of
wheels 32 is twelve on each rail 30. The number of wheels
may vary with the design size of the storage trunk in order
to accommodate various vehicle sizes.
Each of the plurality of wheels 32 comprises a shaft 34
rotatably attached on one of the rails 30, and a plastic
ring 36 surrounding t::ze shaft 34 and fixed to the shaft 34.
The plastic ring 36 provides smooth and silent sliding
movement of the storage device 14. Preferably, the plastic
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ring 36 is made of Nylon. The wheels 32 may be impregnated
with grease. Thus, the wheels 32 are self-lubricated, and
rattles and squeaks are inhibited further.
As shown in Figs. 11 and 30, the storage device 14 has
a substantially rectangular shape and comprises a front wall
38, a rear wall 40, two side walls 42, a bottom wall 44, and
a cover 46. The cover 46 is pivotally attached to the rear
wall 40.
Referring back to Figs. 27 and 9, the bottom wall 44
has two recesses 48 for receiving the wheels 32 of the frame
12. Each of the-recesses 48 has a horizontal wall 50 that
contacts the wheels 32 such that the wheels 32 can roll on
the horizontal wall 50 when the storage device 14 slides, a
vertical wall 52 that extends downward from the horizontal
wall 50, a horizontal flange 54 that extends horizontally
from the vertical wall 52 toward the rail 30. The horizontal
flange 54 prevents the storage device 14 from being lifted
upward from the frame 12. The recess 48 further has a
vertical flange 56 that extends downward from the horizontal
wall 50, and is oppositely positioned with the vertical wall
52 such that the recess 48 substantially surrounds the wheel
32. In this way, the storage device 14 is properly guided
when it is slid. The wheels 32 provide smooth movement of
the storage device 14. The clearances or tolerances between
the wheels 32 and the vertical wall 52 and the horizontal
flange 54 are made as small as possible, thereby minimizing
lateral or vertical movement of the storage device 14 in
relation to the frame 126. The wheels 32 and the recesses 48
rigidly support the storage device 14 even when the storage
device 14 is slid to the fully opened position.
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Fig. 14 and 31 show that two gas-operated springs 58
are installed between the cover 46 and the side walls 42 of
the storage device 14 to facilitate opening and closing of
the cover 46.
A t:ool tray 60 is pivotally attached under the cover 46.
The tool tray 60 provides a storage space for frequently
used tools. The tool tray 60 pivots downward when the cover
46 is opened, and becomes and remains horizontal during the
full travel range of the cover 46 between the closed and
open position. This pivoting of the tool tray 60 may be
guided and limi-ted by a wire, a rope or a hinge.
The cover 46 further has reinforcements 62 to
strengthen the cover 46. The tool tray 60 is positioned
betweeri the reinforcernents 62.
Fig. 32 shows that the stop device of the trunk
includes two spring-loaded handles 64 positioned on the side
walls 42 of the storage device 14, a plurality of snap
protrusions 66, a linis 68 connecting the handles 64 and the
snap protrusions 66, and a plurality of recesses 70 provided
in one of the rails 30 of the frame 126 for receiving the
snap protrusions 66. 'rhe handles 64 are spring-loaded by
springs 72.
In order to slide the storage device 14, the user
grasps and lifts the :_qandle 64 on either side of the truck.
Then the link 68 lifts the snap protrusions 66 out of the
recesses 70 so that the storage device 14 can slide on the
rails 30. When the user releases the handle 64, by the
returning force of the springs 72, the link 68 forces the
snap protrusions 66 down, and the snap protrusions 66 snap
into the recesses 70 as soon as the snap protrusions 66 are
aligned with the recesses 70, and the sliding stops. The
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recesses 70 are positioned at the center of the rail 30 and
at predetermined distances from the center of the rail 30.
In this way, the storage device 14 stops sliding at the
center of the rail 30 or at the predetermined distances from
the center of the rail 30. The predetermined distances
correspond to being slid one-half open or full opened. Even
if the cover 46 was inadvertently left open and the driver
moved the vehicle causing the storage device 14 to slide in
either direction, the sliding would stop when the snap
protrusions 66 snap irito the nearest recesses 70.
Figs. 17, 18, and 33 show a safety stop that prevents
the storage device 14 from separating from the frame 126 and
falling to the ground. The safety stop includes a first
protrusion 74 fixed at the bottom wall 44 of the storage
device 14 near the front wall 38 of the storage device 14, a
first stop 76 fixed at the top of the frame 126, a second
protrusion 78 fixed at the bottom wall 44 of the storage
device 14, and a secorid stop 80 fixed at the top of the
frame 126. In this way, the sliding of the upper slide box
14 is blocked when the first protrusion 74 abuts the first
stop 76 in case that the storage device 14 is slid to the
driver side as shown wn Figs. 18 and 33, or when the second
protrusion 78 abuts the second stop 80 in case that the
storage device 14 is slid to the passenger side. The
protrusions 74, 78 and stops 76, 80 are positioned to
prevent the storage device 14 from sliding further than the
fully opened position of the stop device.
Although the invention has been described in
considerable detail, other versions are possible by
converting the aforementioned construction. Therefore, the
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scope of the inventiori shall not be limited by the
specification specified above.
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