Modules for cargo area of pickup truck
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsWilliam J. Kistler, Santiago Bonilla Véliz, Srinath Vijayakumar, Ed Wilson, Keith Daugherty, Dawn Piechocki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure relates to various modules for use relative to a cargo area of a pickup truck. The modules are configured to provide the cargo area with additional functionality, such as providing a storage compartment or a support for one or more electronic components. The cargo area can be customized by mounting specific modules at one of a number of predetermined locations within the cargo area.
Claims14
A pickup truck, comprising:
- a cargo area including a bed, a first side wall extending along a first side of the bed, and a second side wall extending along a second side of the bed opposite the first side, wherein an inner surface of the first side wall facing the bed includes a first opening configured to receive a first module, and wherein an inner surface of the second side wall facing the bed includes a second opening configured to receive a second module, wherein the second opening is sized and shaped substantially the same as the first opening;
- a first module configured to be mounted relative to the first opening, wherein the first module includes:
- a bin including an upper wall, a back wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall is spaced-apart below a bottom of an opening of the bin,
- a door selectively moveable between an open position in which the bin is accessible and a closed position in which the door closes the bin;
- and
- an intermediate wall selectively removable from the bin and configured such that, when present in the bin, the intermediate wall is spaced-apart from the bottom wall and is configured to support objects above the bottom wall, wherein the intermediate wall is configured to fit into the bin by insertion in one direction only;
- and
- a second module configured to be mounted relative to the second opening and providing different functionality than the first module.
A storage compartment configured to be mounted relative to an opening in an inner surface of a side wall of a cargo area of a pickup truck, comprising:
- a bin including an upper wall, a back wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall is spaced-apart below a bottom of an opening of the bin;
- a door selectively moveable between an open position in which the bin is accessible and a closed position in which the door closes the bin;
- an intermediate wall selectively removable from the bin and configured such that, when present in the bin, the intermediate wall is spaced-apart from the bottom wall and is configured to support objects above the bottom wall;
- at least one drainage opening oriented along an axis non-perpendicular to a plane containing a bed of the cargo area;
- and
- a knob selectively moveable to hold the door in the closed position.
A panel configured to support at least one electronic component and configured to be mounted relative to an opening in an inner surface of a side wall of a cargo area of a pickup truck, comprising:
- a first wall;
- a second wall inclined relative to the first wall;
- a light supported on the first wall;
- an electrical outlet supported on the second wall;
- and
- wherein the light and the electrical outlet are spaced-apart from the inner surface of the side wall in a direction opposite a bed of the cargo area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.