Utility rack and rail system for vehicle
OwnerJerome Puchkoffinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of a rail system for use with a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, may include a plurality of side rails and stanchions securing the side rails to the vehicle. At least one hoop may be provided for connection to either the stanchions or the side rails. Each hoop may include a plurality of legs, a clamp connected to each leg, an elbow connected to each leg opposite the clamp, and a lateral cross bar connected between the elbows. The legs may be pivotable with respect to the elbows. The elbows may further include a rod pivotable between a stored and deployed position. In the deployed position, the rod may facilitate attachment of elevated rails. Additionally, bed dividers and storage lockers or boxes are disclosed for use with embodiments of a rail system as applied to a pickup truck.
Claims16
A utility rack system for use with a vehicle having a bed and bed side walls, the system comprising:
- a) a plurality of side rails;
- b) a cabin rail oriented substantially perpendicular to each of the side rails;
- c) a plurality of stanchions, wherein each stanchion extends above an upper edge of the bed side walls, wherein the side rails matingly engage the stanchions, and wherein each end of the cabin rail matingly engages one of the plurality of stanchions, wherein the side rails and the cabin rail are positioned above the bed side walls;
- d) a bed divider comprising:
- i) a cross-bed bar;
- ii) a bed divider panel projecting from a lower edge of the cross-bed bar;
- and
- iii) a plurality of bed divider clamps attached to opposing ends of the cross-bed bar, wherein each bed divider clamp circumferentially engages one of the plurality of side rails;
- and
- e) a locker top including a pair of hinges that circumferentially engage the cabin rail,
- wherein, when not in use, the locker top pivots downward and is stowed adjacent to a forwardmost bed side wall, and
- wherein, when in use, the locker top pivots with respect to the cabin rail between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the closed position, the locker top engages an upper portion of the cross-bed bar, wherein the locker top, the bed, the bed side walls, and the bed divider define an interior space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.