Convertible Tilting Cargo Bed With Tailgate
AssigneeStealth Manufacturing LLC
InventorDonald Wayne Thurmon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible cargo bed for a utility vehicle can be easily converted, without tools, between passenger-seating, cargo-storage, and cargo-loading configurations. The hinged cargo bed floor and tailgate convert to a folding seat assembly that can be latched and carry passengers when not hauling cargo. A seat cushion is secured to the seating surface of the hinged floor panel and is not cargo-facing when the bed is storing cargo. The fully-functioning tailgate secures cargo in the interior of the cargo bed and can be unlatched to provide an open-bed. The convertible cargo bed can be tilted to dump cargo.
Claims21
A convertible cargo bed comprising:
- a frame;
- a base panel fixed to the frame;
- a first folding panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;
- a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at the first edge;
- a second folding panel including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface;
- and
- a second pivot joint connecting the first folding panel and the second folding panel at the second edge of the first folding panel;
- wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively positionable in a closed-bed position in which the convertible cargo bed has an interior for storing cargo;
- wherein in the closed-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in a first plane and the second folding panel lies in a second plane transverse to the first plane;
- and
- wherein in the closed-bed position both the top surface of the first folding panel and the inner surface of the second folding panel face the interior of the convertible cargo bed.
A utility vehicle comprising:
- a utility vehicle chassis;
- a convertible cargo bed attachment device attached to the chassis;
- a convertible cargo bed comprising:
- a frame;
- a base panel fixed to the frame;
- a mounting bracket;
- a first folding panel including a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface;
- a first pivot joint connecting the base panel and the first folding panel at the first edge;
- a second folding panel including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface;
- and
- a second pivot joint connecting the first folding panel and the second folding panel at the second edge of the first folding panel;
- wherein the mounting bracket is fixed to the frame, the base panel, or a combination thereof;
- wherein the convertible cargo bed is selectively positionable in a closed-bed position in which the convertible cargo bed has an interior for storing cargo;
- wherein in the closed-bed position the first folding panel is substantially coplanar with the base panel in a first plane and the second folding panel lies in a second plane transverse to the first plane;
- wherein in the closed-bed position both the top surface of the first folding panel and the inner surface of the second folding panel face the interior of the convertible cargo bed;
- and
- wherein the mounting bracket is attached to the convertible cargo bed attachment device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.