# US 10,246,138 B2 · Latch mechanism for an openable box side of a pickup truck > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,138 B2 - Document ID: US10246138B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/272,812 - Filed: 2016-09-22 - Published: 2018-03-22 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-22 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi; S. M. Iskander Farooq; Mohammed Omar Faruque - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246138B2 ## CPC - B62D 33/037: Latching means therefor - B62D 33/027: movable - B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)} - E05B 83/16: Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets - E05B 83/22: for luggage compartments at the side of the vehicle, e.g. of buses or camper vans - E05B 85/04: Strikers - E05B 2063/0026: {Elongated, e.g. stud-like, striker entering into an opening in which movable detent means engage the elongated striker} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract A vehicle includes a box extending from a cab and including a floor and a first sidewall attached to a headboard, via a hinge assembly, disposed normal to the floor and sidewall. The hinge assembly is configured to allow the first sidewall to rotate away from the floor at the headboard. The vehicle also includes a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a pin having an end and a shaft attached to the first sidewall and a receiver having a plate hingedly connected to the receiver. Upon rotation of the first sidewall toward the floor, the end fits into the receiver and the plate locks the shaft to secure the first sidewall to the floor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bed for a truck comprising: a first side extending perpendicular from a floor and including a hinge that attaches the first side to a headboard, the first side being configured to rotate away from the floor via the hinge such that a bottom edge of the first side and an edge of the floor are spaced apart; and a latch mechanism including a pin attached to a first end of the first side and a receiver configured to receive the pin attached to a cross member support for the floor, wherein the receiver secures the pin such that the latch mechanism is configured to lock the first side to the floor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bed of claim 1 further comprising first and second seals disposed on the bottom edge of the first side and the edge of the floor, wherein the first and second seals are configured to compress when the first side is locked to the floor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bed of claim 1 further comprising a second latch mechanism interconnecting the first side and a tailgate such that, when the first side is locked, the second latch mechanism is configured to secure the tailgate to the first side. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bed of claim 1, wherein the receiver further includes a plate having two legs configured to engage the pin along a shaft and pull an end of the pin to lock the pin within the receiver. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The bed of claim 4, wherein the plate is secured to the cross member support via a pin and clip assembly that extends through a hole defined on the plate and the cross member support. ### Claim 6 A vehicle comprising: a box extending from a cab and including a floor and a first sidewall attached to a headboard, via a hinge assembly, disposed normal to the floor and sidewall, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to allow the first sidewall to rotate away from the floor at the headboard; and a latch mechanism including a pin having an end and a shaft attached to the first sidewall and a receiver having a plate hingedly connected to the receiver such that upon rotation of the first sidewall toward the floor, the end fits into the receiver and the plate locks the shaft to secure the first sidewall to the floor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the end of the pin defines a spherical shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the hinge assembly includes first and second hinges interconnecting the first sidewall and the headboard at upper and lower portions of the first sidewall and headboard, wherein the first and second hinges effectuate rotation of the first sidewall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the hinge assembly further includes a hinge check disposed between the first and second hinges at a middle portion of the headboard, the hinge check being configured to limit an angle of rotation of the first sidewall from the headboard. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the hinge assembly further includes a spacer disposed at the middle portion and in-line with the hinge check to control a distance between the first and second hinges.