Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TRUCK RACK
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to accessories for motor vehicles. More
particularly,
the present invention relates to a streamlined truck rack for use as an
accessory for pickup
trucks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The accessory market for motor vehicles in recent years has become a
significant
industry, and particularly for accessories provided through after-market
product
manufacturers to end consumers directly or through distributors and retail
outlets. After-
market products are typically owner-acquired and installed items, and both
ornamental
and mechanical devices, including lights and lighting devices, sound systems,
air stream
and ground effects including spoilers and fairings, wheels and tires,
mechanical
components including engine operating controllers, suspension modifying
devices, and
other electro-mechanical devices to accessorize motor vehicles from that
provided by the
original manufacturer.
Trucks have become a particularly popular segment of the motor vehicle
industry.
Trucks are used for a wide range of activities but particularly pickup trucks
with open
beds are used in construction and service industries and by individuals, which
have needs
to carry extended equipment or components in the bed of the truck. This
equipment and
components include ladders, poles, piping, lumber, and the like. Elevated
frame member
racks have been developed to facilitate the transportation and handling in
pickup trucks
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items naving tnese particular physical characteristics. Truck racks for pickup
trucks
include four corner posts that extend upwardly from the bed or sidewall of the
bed of the
pickup truck. Elongate side rails attach on each side of the bed to upper ends
of two of
the supports. The rails interconnect by transverse members. Such truck racks
provide an
elevated structure on which ladders, boards, poles, tools, and the like can be
attached and
transported.
Such truck racks are utilitarian in nature, and as such, have been
satisfactory for
handling construction and service requirements. However, with the growth in
the truck
market and the appreciation of trucks for ornamental and ordinary
transportation
purposes, such utilitarian truck racks lack the ornamental features many non-
utility
customers would seek for accessorizing a pickup truck. For example, accessory
after
market products such as ground effect fairings, airfoils, and spoilers are
often painted to
match the motor vehicle paint. However, it is impractical to customize
currently
available truck racks.
Further, pickup truck beds differ in size. Generally, pickup trucks have
either a
short bed or a long bed. However, the specific dimensions from one
manufacturer of
these short bed and long bed pickup trucks differ.
Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a truck rack for pickup
trucks that
provide not only utilitarian features but meet expected ornamental
accessorization
requirements as well. It is to such that the present invention is directed.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the need in the industry by providing a truck rack
for
a bed of a pickup truck, comprising a pair of opposing front supports and a
pair of
opposing rear supports. Each of the front and rear supports have a lower end
adapted for
fixedly connecting to a bed of a pickup truck and an opposing upper end. The
rear
supports each have a leading edge and a trailing edge defined by opposing
surfaces that
taper from a transverse spacing of the opposing surfaces to the respective
leading and
trailing edges of the rear supports. The front supports each having a trailing
edge defined
by opposing surfaces that taper from a transverse spacing of the opposing
surfaces to the
trailing edge of the front support. A pair of opposing side rails each attach
to a respective
one of the front supports and one of the rear supports. A forward,
intermediate, and rear
transverse member extend between and attach to the opposing side rails to hold
the side
rails in spaced-relation and to support articles thereon.
Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become
apparent
upon a reading of the following detailed description and claims in view of the
appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a truck rack for pickup trucks according to
the
present invention.
Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional plan view of a front support for the truck rack
shown
in Fig. 1, taken along line lA - lA.
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Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional plan view of a rear support for the truck rack
shown in
Fig. 1, taken along line 1B - 1B.
Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective, exploded and partially cut-away view of the
truck
rack illustrated in Fig. 1 to show features of the side rails and the
transverse members.
Fig. 3A is a perspective detailed view of a portion of the truck rack
illustrated in
Fig. 1 showing the comiection of a front support to a side rail.
Fig. 3B is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the truck rack
illustred in
Fig. 1 showing a connection of the front support to the side wall of the
pickup truck.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the side rail in an alternate
embodiment of the truck rack.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a side rail and front support in
an
alternate embodiment of the truck rack.
Fig. 6 is a perspective detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the side
rail for
the truck rack illustrated in Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate
like
parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view a
pickup truck
rack 10 mounted to the bed of a pickup truck 12. The pickup truck 12 includes
a truck
bed generally 14 having opposed sidewalls 16. The truck rack 10 includes a
pair of
opposing front supports 18 and a pair of rear supports 20. The front supports
18 attach to
the sidewalls 16 near the cab of the pickup truck 12. The rear supports 20
attach to the
sidewalls 16 spaced-apart from the front supports and near the tailgate of the
pickup truck
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12. The tront supports 18 and the rear supports 20 extend upwardly from the
sidewalls
16 to respective distal ends. A pair of side rails 22 attach to respective
aligned ones of
the front supports 18 and rear supports 20 on each side of the pickup txuck.
The side rails
22 include a forward portion 24 that extends longitudinally generally from the
front
support 18 towards the front of the pickup truck 12 and terminates at a
forward end over
a forward roof portion of the cab. The side rails 22 include a bed portion 26
generally
extending generally from the front support to rearward of the rear supports
20. The side
rails 22 interconnect by spaced-apart transverse members 28. Generally one
transverse
member 28 attaches between the side rails at each of a forward, intermediate,
and rear
portion of the side rails to maintain the side rails in spaced relation and to
provide support
for elongate equipment and supplies to be carried on the truck rack 10. Other
transverse
meinbers 28 may be attached between the side rails 22 to provide additional
intermediate
support for articles carried on the truck rack 10.
In the illustrated embodiment as shown in partial cut-away view, the truck
rack 10
comprises an internal frame generally 30 and an exterior molded orrlamental
and
areodynamic shell generally 32. The front and rear supports 18, 20 each
include
opposing base plates 34 that define threaded openings for receiving threaded
fasteners,
such as nuts welded to openings in the base plates that receive bolts, for
attaching the
front and rear supports 18, 20 to the sidewalls 16 and to the side rails 22,
as discussed
below. An elongate tubular member 36 extends between and attaches to the
opposing
base plates 34. As shown in partial cut-away view, each side rail 22 also
includes an
elongated tubular member 38. The tubular melnbers 38 define similar threaded
openings
for rigidly connecting with fasteners to the distal ends of the front and rear
supports 18,
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20. The front and rear supports 18, 20 and the side rails 22 are readily
manufactured in a
fiberglass molding operation in which molds receive the respective plates and
elongate
members and with fiberglass sheet and resin are molded to define the
particular
ornamental shell or housing surrounding the internal frame members. Such
materials are
readily painted to match the paint color of the pickup truck to which the
truck rack is
attached.
The front and rear supports 18, 20 in the illustrated embodiment are
configured
for angling relative to vertical from the sidewalls 16 to the side rail 22,
such that there is a
slight oblique tapering from the sidewalls 16 towards the opposing sidewall of
the truck
bed. This angled orientation of the front and rear supports 18, 20 towards the
opposing
front and rear supports facilitates the rigidity and strength of the truck
rack 10. The angle
of inclination is about 10 from vertical.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 1A showing a top plan view of the front support
18
taken along line 1A - 1A, the forward support 18 in the illustrated embodiment
has a
forward side 19 that is disposed closely to a back wall of the cab of the
pickup truck 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the forward side 19 is planar, but may in
alternate
embodiments conform to the shape or angle of a particular back wall of a
pickup truck
cab. A trailing side 21 however extends arcuately between a connection foot
for
connecting the front support to the sidewall 16 and an opposing connection
header for
attaching to the side rail 22. The connection footer and the connection header
each
include at least one opening 23 for receiving a threaded fastener. The
opposing sidewalls
of the front support may bow outwardly, may be substantially planar, or a
combination,
for a selected ornamental effect. Nevertheless, the front support 18 tapers
front to back
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from a transverse horizontal spacing generally designated 25 of the opposing
sidewalls to
the trailing side 21, so that the front support 18 is narrower at the rearward
or trailing side
than at the transverse horizontal spacing of the opposing sidewalls, as best
illustrated in
Fig 1A. For ornamental and aerodynamic effects, the width of the front support
18 varies
incrementally horizontally and vertically as the opposing sides taper together
to the
trailing edge and as the trailing edge arcuately curves between the header and
the footer.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 1B showing a top plan view of the rear support
20
taken along line 1B - 1B, the rear supports 20 each include a forward arcuate
edge 27 and
an opposing rearward arcuate edge 29. Each forward and rearward edge extends
between
a footer and a header, which each include openings 23 for receiving fasteners
to attach
the rear support to the side wall 16 and the side rail 22. Further, the rear
support 20 has
opposing sides that in the illustrated embodiment bow outwardly medial the
leading and
trailing edges. The opposing sides accordingly taper in opposing directions
from a
transverse spacing generally designated 31 of the opposing sides to the
forward or
leading side 27 and to the rearward or trailing side 29, respectively, and
thereby
providing both an ornamental side support but a streamlined, areodynamic
feature as
well. Other ornamental configurations are readily within the scope of the
present
invention.
The side rails 22 are generally elongate members, and in the illustrated
embodiment have stylized opposing curved forward and rear ends, as well as
stylized
forward portion 24 and rearward portion 26. The stylization may be varied
without
departure from the present invention.
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Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective exploded view the transverse member 28 and
the
side rails 22. The transverse members 28 are identical. The transverse member
28 is
adjustable in its length, so that the truck rack 10 can be sized to
accommodate different
widths of truck bed, depending upon the manufacturer of the pickup truck on
which the
truck rack 10 is to be installed. The transverse member 28 includes a primary
member 40
that telescopically receives a secondary member 42. Respective ends of the
primary and
secondary member each attach to a connecting plate 44 such as by welding or
other
securing mechanism. The plate 44 defines opposed openings 46 for receiving
fasteners to
attach the plate to the respective side rai122. The plate 44 in the
illustrated embodiment
includes loops 45 on opposing sides of the secondary member 42 (or primary
member 40
for the opposing plate 44) for engaging connector straps and tie-down straps
for holding
articles to the truck rack. In an alternate embodiment, eye bolts having a
loop and
threaded member can be used as fasteners for attaching the plate 44 to the
side rai122, for
similar purpose.
A distal end 48 of the primary member 40 defines spaced-apart longitudinal
slits
50 extending from the edge. The slits 50 define flexible portions of the
member at the
end, for a purpose discussed below. The primary member 40 defines a threaded
exterior
portion 52 adjacent the distal end 48.
A coupler 54 defines a passageway into which the primary member 40 extends.
The passageway is threaded from a first end towards the opposing end. The
thread does
not extend the full length of the coupler 54. The diameter of the passageway
in the
coupler 54 narrows from the cessation of the threaded portion to the opposing
open end.
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The elongate tubular member 36 and the side rail 22 include openings generally
58 for receiving threaded fasteners 60 to secure the plate 44 to the side rail
22 and thus
rigidly connect the transverse member 28 to the side rails 22.
The free end of the secondary member 42 extends through the coupler 54 and
into
the open end of the primary member 40. The overall length of the primary
member and
the telescopically received secondary member 42 adjusts to accommodate the
particular
width of the truck bed to which the truck rack 10 is attached. The coupler 54
rotates to
engage the threaded interior with the threaded portion 52. As the coupler 54
tightens
onto the threaded portion 52 of the primary member 40, the narrowing interior
wall of the
coupler 54 bears against the end portion 48. The slits 50 permit the end
portions to move
inwardly as the tapering interior wall bears upon the end of the primary
member 40. The
flexible portions bear rigidly against the outer surface of the secondary
member 42 and
thereby lock the secondary member 42 and the primary member 40 together so
that the
overall length is held sufficient to connect to the side rails 22 for the
particular
dimensions of the truck bed. It is to be appreciated that in alternate
embodiments, the
members 40, 42 secure togetller with fasteners that extend transverse to the
members
through aligned openings. The fasteners include bolts, pins, set screws, or
the like, to
lock the members 40, 42 in a selected length between the side rails 22.
Fig. 3A is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the side rail 22
showing a
bottom edge 62 and a portion of the elongate tubular member 36. The bottom
edge 62
defines a plurality of spaced-apart openings 64. The openings are preferably
threaded in
the elongate member 36 or aligned with a nut fastened to the elongate member
36 for
receiving a bolt, for securing the forward support 18 to the side rail 22. The
front support
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18 includes the plate 34 that has forward and trailing legs 66, 68. Each leg
defines the
opening 23 for receiving a threaded fastener for engagement with respective
threaded
openings 64 in the side rails 22. In an alternate embodiment, the legs 66, 68
are integral
extensions of the forward support. The rear support 20 connects in a similar
manner. In
an alternate embodiment, the rear support rigidly connects to the frame 36 for
the side rail
22 with fasteners from the frame into the plate prior to forming the shell.
Other
connection fasteners may be readily used.
Fig. 3B is a perspective exploded view detailing one mechanism for securing
the
footer to the side wall 16 of the truck bed 14. A plate 63 is received under a
lip 65 of the
side wall 16 and defines openings 67 that align with the openings 23 in the
plate 34 and
openings 69 formed in the lip. Fasteners extend through the openings in the
plate 63 and
the lip, and tighten in the openings 23 for securing the lower end of the
front or rear
supports to the side wall. Other plate and fastener configurations known in
the industry
are usable for securing the front and rear supports. Angled members may be
used to
connect the plate 34 to the side wall through stake pocket openings in the
side wall of the
truck bed.
Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective view in an alternate embodiment of the side
rail
22. In this embodiment, the side rail 22 defines a longitudinal slot 68 which
opens to a
cavity 70 within the side rail 22. The cavity 70 receives a moveable plate 72
that defines
openings 74. Fasteners such as threaded bolts extend through the openings 46
in the plate
44 and engage the opening 74 in the plate 68 for rigidly securing the
transverse member
28 to the side rail 22. In this manner, the side rail 28 may be selectively
positioned
relative to the truck bed for accommodating as necessary taller items in the
bed of the
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truck. It is to be appreciated that this alternate einbodiment may be used for
attaching the
forward, intermediate, or rear transverse member 28 as desired. Further, the
use of the
elongate slot 68 and moveable plate 70 may be readily incorporated within a
lower side
of the side rail 22 for selectively positioning the forward support 18, the
rear support 20,
and the intermediate members 28, to further accommodate differences in the
dimensions
of the truck bed to which the truck rack 10 is installed.
Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective view a portion of the side rail 22 and the
front
support 18 in an alternate embodiment of the truck rack 10 in which a support
member 80
interconnects between the side rail and the front support. The support member
80
includes opposing walls 82, 84 interconnected by a floor 86 that includes
openings that
align with the openings 23 in the header of the front support 18. The walls
define
openings 88. The support member 80 seats between the connection header of the
front
support and the side rail 22 that is received between the walls 82, 84.
Fasteners 90
extend through openings 88 and into aligned openings in the side rail 22 to
connect the
front support 18 to the side rail 22. In an alternate embodiment, the support
member 80
includes only one wall 82 to define an L-shape in cross-sectional view. The
support
member 80 conforms in cross-section to the shape of the side rail that seats
within the
support member, so in an alternate embodiment, the support member is curved
conformingly to an arcuate surface of a side rail in that embodiment.
Fig. 5 further illustrates an alternate embodiment of the front support 18, in
which
the shell 32 assembles from opposing panels 89a and 89b about the frame member
36.
The panels 89a and 89b are readily molded and joined with fasteners or
fastening
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material along mating edges such as with adhesive, bonding material, clips,
screws, or
other fasteners.
Fig. 6 illustrated in perspective detailed view an alternate embodiment of the
side
rail 90, in which a bed portion 92 includes a member 94 that telescopingly
receives a
member 96, in order to slidably position to a selected length for adjusting
the length of
the track rack to accommodate different length truck beds 14. The side walls
of the
members 94, 96 defme a plurality of spaced-apart holes 98 that align and
receive
fasteners to rigidly connect the members 94, 96. A forward end portion of the
member
96 connects to the front support 18 and the traverse member 28 as discussed
above with
respect to the side rail 22.
In an alternate embodiment, the front support 18, the rear support 20, and the
side
rails 22 are made of metal or other rigid material, and do not include the
interior frame
members 36.
With reference to Fig. 1, the truck rack 10 assembles by attaching the front
and
rear supports 18, 20 to the side walls 16 of the bed 14 with fasteners through
the openings
23 in the footer. Openings may need to be made in the side walls 16 but that
is within the
skill of a typical installer. In some installations, stakes received in stake
pockets are used
for supporting the truck rack 10. The side rails 22 attach to respective
aligned front and
rear supports 18, 20 with fasteners. With reference to Fig. 3, the front
support 18 attaches
selectively positioned along the longitudinal length of the side rail using
selected ones of
the openings 64. With reference to Fig. 2, the transverse members 28 attach
with
fasteners through the plates 44. The primary member 40 attaches while the
distal end
with the secondary member 42 is held level relative to the side rail 22. The
secondary
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member 40 moves longitudinally relative to the primary member 40 to abut the
plate 44
against the side rail 22. The secondary member 42 attaches with fasteners
through the
plate 44. The coupler 54 tightened by rotation on the threaded portion 52
secures the
primary member 40 and the secondary member 42 together. While three transverse
members 28 are illustrated, additional members may be used selectively for
supporting
articles on the truck rack. Tie-down straps connect to the loops 45 or to the
transverse
members 28 for securing articles. With reference to Fig. 4, an embodiment
having the
slot 68 in the side rails 22 permits loosening of the attachlnent plate 44 and
sliding the
transverse member 28 longitudinally relative to the side rails 22 for
accommodating
particular load requirements. For example, a large package or article may
require
extending to or above the transverse members of the truck rack. The transverse
member
is removed or moved to a selected position towards the middle or the back of
the rack as
necessary.
While the present invention has been described in detail with particular
references
to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many
modifications,
additions, and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited, may be made
thereto
without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended
claims.
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