Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: RETRACTABLE CARGO BOX ASSEMBLY FOR A TRUCK CARGO BED
Technical Field
[0001] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to cargo boxes for use on
cargo
beds of vehicles, and in particular, to retractable cargo boxes for pickup
trucks and
other vehicles having cargo beds.
Introduction
[0002] The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything
discussed in
them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
[0003] Pickup trucks and other similar vehicles often have an open-top
cargo
area or "cargo bed" which may be used for hauling loads (e.g. construction
materials,
furniture, tools, etc.). Usually, the cargo bed is located at the rear of the
truck behind a
cab where the driver and any passengers may sit.
[0004] The cargo bed is often enclosed around its perimeter with side rail
body
panels that extend upwardly from the floor of the bed, and a similar front
body panel that
extends upwardly from the floor near the front of the bed. Often, a hinged
rear tailgate is
provided at the rear of the bed so that the bed may be enclosed around its
perimeter to
help secure cargo therein.
[0005] Cargo boxes are sometime placed within the cargo bed. These cargo
boxes can be helpful to organize and store tools, tool boxes, and other items
within the
cargo bed.
[0006] U.S. Patent No. 7,090,275 (Pero) discloses a cargo box having a
folding
first side that is configured to be placed within the rear portion of a pickup
truck, and to
be held against the tailgate of the pickup while the tailgate is closed. The
cargo box is
configured to be rolled along the bed of the pickup and rolled out of the rear
of the
pickup over the top of the tailgate when the tailgate is open and placed in a
downward
position. The cargo box contains a stopping device that prevents the device
from being
pulled too far forward out of the rear portion of the pickup truck, or being
pushed too far
into the bed portion of the pickup truck.
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Summary
[0007] According to some embodiments, there is a retractable cargo box
assembly for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The retractable cargo box assembly
includes a
cargo box. The cargo box includes a base extending laterally between a first
side and a
second side, and extending longitudinally between a front end and a rear end.
A linear
wheel assembly is mounted to the base. The linear wheel assembly includes a
plurality
of rollers aligned in a linear arrangement between the front end and the rear
end of the
base. The rollers are configured to rotatably support the cargo box on the
cargo bed of
the vehicle between a retracted position and an extended position.
[0008] Each roller may have a roller diameter, and each roller may be
spaced
apart in the linear arrangement by a separation distance that is less than the
roller
diameter.
[0009] The plurality of rollers may include at least three rollers aligned
in a linear
arrangement.
[0010] The rollers of the linear wheel assembly may be aligned along a
longitudinal axis and each roller may have a rotational axis orthogonal to the
longitudinal axis.
[0011] The linear wheel assembly may include a plurality of linear wheel
assemblies. For example, the plurality of linear wheel assemblies may include
a first
linear wheel assembly positioned below the base adjacent the first side, and a
second
linear wheel assembly positioned below the base adjacent the second side. The
retractable cargo box assembly may also include a third linear wheel assembly
positioned laterally between the first linear wheel assembly and the second
linear wheel
assembly.
[0012] The base of the cargo box may include a roller channel extrusion
having a
roller channel for receiving the linear wheel assembly therein.
[0013] The retractable cargo box assembly may include a guide securable to
the
cargo bed for guiding the cargo box between the retracted position and the
extended
position. The guide may include a guide flange for securing the cargo box and
the linear
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wheel assembly to the cargo bed. Furthermore, the guide may include a
baseplate
securable to the cargo bed, and a guide bracket securable to the baseplate and
extending upwardly therefrom. The guide bracket includes the guide flange.
[0014] The baseplate may be laterally adjustable along the cargo bed.
[0015] The cargo box may include a rail that engages the guide flange.
[0016] The guide may include a first guide along the first side of the
cargo box,
and a second guide along the second side of the cargo box.
[0017] The retractable cargo box assembly may include a retraction stop
component for restricting movement of the cargo box beyond the retracted
position. The
guide may engage the retraction stop component in the retracted position. The
retraction stop component may include a set of rear tabs protruding outwardly
from the
first and second sides of the cargo box adjacent the rear end of the cargo
box.
[0018] The retractable cargo box assembly may include an extension stop
component for restricting movement of the cargo box beyond the extended
position.
The guide may engage the extension stop component in the extended position.
The
extension stop component may include a set of front tabs protruding outwardly
from the
first and second sides of the cargo box adjacent the front end of the cargo
box.
[0019] Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily
skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary
embodiments.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples
of
articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification. In the
drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a truck with a retractable
cargo box
assembly shown in an extended position;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the retractable cargo box
assembly of
FIG. 1 shown in a retracted position;
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[0023] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the retractable cargo box
assembly of FIG.
1 showing linear wheel assemblies for rolling along a cargo bed of the truck;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the retractable cargo box
assembly of FIG. 1
taken along line 4-4; and
[0025] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective top view of a guide secured to the
cargo bed for
guiding the cargo box between the extended and retracted positions.
Detailed Description
[0026] Various apparatuses or processes are described below in
accordance with
example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example embodiments are not
limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one
apparatus or
process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the
apparatuses
described below. It will be understood that certain adaptations and
modifications of the
described example embodiments can be made and that the example embodiments are
illustrative and not restrictive.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated therein is a retractable
cargo box
assembly 10 configured to be mounted to a vehicle 12 that has a cargo bed 14
(e.g. a
pickup truck).
[0028] The cargo bed 14 has side rails 16 that extend upwardly from a
floor 18 of
the cargo bed 14. As shown, a tailgate 20 is coupled to the vehicle 12. In
particular, the
tailgate 20 may be hingedly coupled to a rear end of the cargo bed 14. The
tailgate 20 can
be used for closing off the rear end of the cargo bed 14. The vehicle 12 may
also include
a cab in front of the cargo bed 14 where the driver and passengers can sit.
[0029] The cargo box assembly 10 includes a cargo box 30 that is
movable between an
extended position (shown in FIG. 1) and a retracted position (shown in FIG.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-03
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2). The cargo box 30 includes a base 32 that extends laterally between two
sides 34,
and extends longitudinally between a front end 36 and a rear end 38. The cargo
box 30
may include sidewalls that define a cargo space within the sides 34, front end
36, and
rear end 38.
[0030] The base 32 and sidewalls may be assembled from extrusion profiles,
which may be made of metal such as aluminum or another suitable material. The
cargo
box 30 may also include one or more dividers 39 for sub-dividing the cargo
space. As
shown, the cargo space may have an open top. In other embodiments, the cargo
space
may be closed by a lid or top wall.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cargo box assembly 10 includes
one
or more linear wheel assemblies 40 mounted to the base 32 of the cargo box 30.
The
linear wheel assemblies 40 allow the cargo box 30 to roll along the floor 18
of the cargo
bed 14.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 3, in this embodiment each linear wheel
assembly
40 includes a plurality of rollers 42 aligned in a linear arrangement between
the front
end 36 (not shown in FIG. 3) and the rear end 38 of the cargo box 30. For
example, the
rollers 42 within each linear wheel assembly 40 may be aligned along a
respective
longitudinal axis 50, and each roller 42 may have a rotational axis 52
generally
orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 50. The rollers 42 are configured to
rotatably support
the cargo box 30 on the cargo bed 14 of the vehicle 12 as it moves between the
retracted position and the extended position.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, each linear wheel assembly 40 includes a
plurality of
rollers 42. For example, each linear wheel assembly 40 includes at least three
rollers
42, and in some embodiments there are more than three rollers 42 in each
linear wheel
assembly 40. The total number of rollers 42 may depend on the overall length
of the
cargo box 30, and may be selected based on a desired spacing between each
roller 42,
particularly to encourage smooth movement of the cargo box 30.
[0034] For example, each roller 42 has a roller diameter 44. Furthermore,
each
roller 42 may be spaced apart in linear arrangement with the other rollers 42
by a
separation distance 46 that is less than the roller diameter 44. Stated
another way, the
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rollers 42 may have a roller spacing 48 that is less than twice the roller
diameter 44. In
some cases, the roller spacing 48 may be slightly larger than the roller
diameter 44. In
some case, the roller spacing 48 may be approximately equal to the roller
diameter 44
so that the separation 46 becomes quite small.
[0035] The spacing of the rollers 42 may help support the cargo box 30
while
being rolled along the cargo bed 14. Moreover, the spacing of the rollers 42
may
encourage smooth movement, particularly while the cargo box 30 is rolled over
a gap
between the floor 18 and the tailgate 20. Having a plurality of rollers 42 may
also help
support the cargo box while hanging beyond the tailgate in a cantilever
fashion (e.g. as
shown in FIG. 1). Specifically, some of the rollers 42 may still engage the
floor 18 while
other rollers 42 hang beyond the tailgate 20.
[0036] In some embodiments, the roller diameter 44 may be 45-millimeters,
and
the roller spacing 48 may be 50-millimeters, which may provide a separation
distance
46 of approximately 5-millimeters. In other embodiments, the roller dimensions
and/or
spacing may be larger or smaller.
[0037] While each linear wheel assembly 40 includes a plurality of rollers
42,
there may also be a plurality of linear wheel assemblies 40 mounted to the
base 32 of
the cargo box 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there may be a pair of
linear wheel
assemblies, which may include a first linear wheel assembly 40a positioned
below the
base 32 adjacent a first side 34a of the cargo box 30, and a second linear
wheel
assembly 40b positioned below the base 32 adjacent a second side 34b of the
cargo
box 30. There may also be a third linear wheel assembly 40c positioned
laterally
between the first linear wheel assembly 40a and the second linear wheel
assembly 40b.
[0038] In other embodiments, there may be a greater or fewer number of
linear
wheel assemblies.
[0039] Referring still to FIG. 4, the base 32 of the cargo box 30 may
include one
or more roller channels 60 for receiving the linear wheel assemblies 40a, 40b,
40c.
Each roller channel 60 may be defined by a roller channel extrusion 62, which
may be
secured to other extrusion profiles used to assemble the cargo box 30. The
rollers 42
may have axles 64 secured to the roller channel extrusions 62.
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[0040] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cargo box assembly 10 may
include one or more guides 70a, 70b securable to the cargo bed 14 for guiding
the
cargo box 30 between the retracted position and the extended position. As
shown in
FIG. 4, there may be a first guide 70a on the first side 34a of the cargo box
30, and a
second guide 70b on the second side 34b of the cargo box 30, Construction of
the
guides 70a, 70b will be described below with reference to the first guide 70a.
The
second guide 70b may have a similar configuration as the first guide 70a.
[0041] The guide 70a may include a guide flange 72 for securing or holding
down
the cargo box 30 and the linear wheel assemblies 40 against the cargo bed 14.
For
example, the cargo box 30 may include a rail 74 and the guide flange 72 may
overhang
and engage the rail 74 (or another bearing surface on the cargo box 30). In
some
cases, the guide flange 72 may include a low-friction clip 73 or other low-
friction
member to facilitate sliding movement of the guide 70a along the rail 74. The
low-friction
clip 73 may be made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene,
polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, or other low-friction materials. The guide
flange 72 and
the rail 74 may cooperate to help support the cargo box 30 while hanging
beyond the
tailgate 20 in the extended position.
[0042] As shown, the guide 70a may include a baseplate 76 securable to the
cargo bed 14 (e.g. the floor 18), and a guide bracket 78 securable to the
baseplate 76.
The guide bracket 78 extends upwardly from the baseplate 76 and includes the
guide
flange 72, which overhangs the rail 74 (or another bearing surface on the
cargo box 30).
[0043] In some embodiments, the baseplate 76 may be laterally adjustable
along
the cargo bed 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the baseplate 76 may
include one
or more lateral slots 80 for receiving screws, bolts, or other fasteners to
mount the guide
70a to the cargo bed 14. The lateral slots 80 may allow the baseplate 76 to be
shifted
laterally to a desired position, and then secured in place using the
fasteners. In some
cases, the lateral slots may help to position bolt heads and other fasteners
within
valleys along the floor 18 of the cargo bed 14.
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[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, washers or spacers (e.g., shims and the like)
may be
placed between the baseplate 76 and the floor 18. This may help level the base
plate
along the floor 18, particularly when the floor is undulated with ridges and
valleys.
[0045] In some embodiments, the guide bracket 78 may be configured to
provide
an adjustable height. For example, the guide bracket 78 may include a lower
angle
bracket 82 that is secured to the baseplate 76, and an upper angle bracket 84
that
includes the guide flange 72. The lower angle bracket 82 and/or the upper
angle bracket
84 may include one or more vertical slots 86 for receiving screws, bolts, or
other
fasteners to secure the angle brackets 82, 84 together. The vertical slots 86
allow the
upper angle bracket 84 to be shifted vertically to a desired position, and
then secured in
place using the fasteners.
[0046] Providing the guide 70a with adjustable lateral and vertical
positions can
help facilitate the use of the cargo box assembly 10 with cargo beds and
tailgates
having different shapes, sizes, and configurations.
[0047] In some embodiments, the cargo box assembly 10 may include one or
more stop components for restricting movement of the cargo box 30. For
example, in
FIG. 5, there is a retraction stop component 90 for restricting movement of
the cargo
box 30 beyond the retracted position. The retraction stop component 90 may
include
one or more rear tabs protruding outwardly from the first and/or second sides
34a, 34b
of the cargo box 30 adjacent the rear end of the cargo box 30. In use, the
guide 70a
may engage the retraction stop component 90 in the retracted position, which
may
restrict or prevent further movement of the cargo box 30 into the cargo bed
14.
[0048] Furthermore, the retraction stop component 90 may be positioned
along
the floor 18 of the cargo bed 14 so that once the tailgate 20 has been closed,
the cargo
box 32 is adjacent the tailgate 20 (e.g. pressing against the tailgate). This
may help
secure the cargo box 30 while driving and reduce or inhibit unintentional
movement.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the cargo box assembly 10 may include an
extension
stop component 92 for restricting movement of the cargo box 30 beyond the
extended
position. The extension stop component 92 may include one or more front tabs
protruding outwardly from the first and/or second sides 34a, 34b of the cargo
box 30
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adjacent the front end of the cargo box 30. In use, the guide 70a may engage
the
extension stop component 92 in the extended position, which may restrict or
prevent
further movement of the cargo box 30 outward from the cargo bed 14.
[0050] The retraction stop component 90 and the extension stop component 92
may be made of rubber, plastics, or other suitable materials, and may be
secured to the
rails 74 or other portions of the cargo box 30 using bolts, screws, or other
fasteners.
[0051] In various embodiments, some or all of the structural members as
generally described herein may be made of a metal, such as steel or aluminum,
For
example, some or all of the structural members may be manufactured as extruded
aluminum components. In other embodiments, some or all of the structural
members
may be made of other suitable materials (e.g. rigid plastics, composites,
etc.). In
general, use of extruded components can enable easy assembly/disassembly, and
can
help reduce shipping size.
[0052] In some embodiments, the cargo box assembly 10 may include a modular
set of components. For example, the cargo box 30 may be assembled from various
extrusions or other modular structural members. The modular structural members
may
include: deck extrusions that assemble to form the base 32; roller channel
extrusions 62
that form part of the base 32 and house the linear wheel assemblies 40;
sidewall
extrusions that assemble to form sidewalls along the sides 34, front end 36,
and rear
end 38 of the cargo box 30; corner brackets that secure ends of the sidewalls
together;
divider extrusions for providing one or more lateral or longitudinal dividers
39 within the
cargo box 30; and other hardware such as the baseplate 76 and angle brackets
82, 84
that form the guides 70 for securing the cargo box 30 to the cargo bed 14.
[0053] Some of the modular structural members may interlock together using
edges and/or channels that fit together. Some of the modular structural
members may
be predrilled for assembly using fasteners such as screws, bolts, and nuts.
Some of the
modular structural members may be assembled using self-drilling screws such as
wafer
head TEKTm screws.
[0054] The modular set of components may allow customized sizing of the
cargo
box for trucks and vehicles having different shapes and sizes.
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[0055] In general, the cargo box assembly 10 is mounted between the side
rails
16 of the cargo bed 14. In some cases, the cargo box assembly 10 may be sized
to
span substantially the entire width between the side rails 16, or a portion
thereof.
Furthermore, the cargo box assembly 10 may be sized to span substantially the
entire
length and/or height of the cargo bed 14, or a portion thereof.
[0056] While the illustrated embodiment shows one cargo box assembly 10
within
the cargo bed 14, there may be a plurality of cargo box assemblies 10 mounted
to the
cargo bed 14.
[0057] In some embodiments, some or all of the structural members of the
cargo
box assembly 10 may undergo a finishing process. For example, structural
members
may be anodized, powder coated, and/or provided with polished finish. Such
finishes
may tend to provide for a complete and polished appearance, and may further
protect
the cargo box assembly 10 from weather and other effects. Such finishes may
also help
provide smooth gliding surfaces for movement of the cargo box 30.
[0058] In some embodiments, the cargo box assembly 10 could also be used
for
various loading and unloading operations, and may be used to transport or
store objects
(e.g. tools and toolboxes) in a generally secure manner.
[0059] In some embodiments, the various structural members of the cargo box
assembly 10 (e.g. the base 32, sidewalls, roller channel extrusions 62, rails
74, etc.) can
be flat-packed so as to facilitate shipping (e.g. using shipping cartons of
configurations
that are volumetrically efficient). Once at the desired destination (e.g. a
dealer, a
distributor, a consumer), the structural members can be easily assembled so as
to
provide the completed cargo box assembly 10.
[0060] While the above description provides examples of one or more
apparatus,
methods, or systems, it will be appreciated that other apparatus, methods, or
systems
may be within the scope of the claims as interpreted by one of skill in the
art.
