US 4,770,458 A · Utility rack for pickup truck

Abstract

A utility rack for a pickup truck includes front and rear stanchions, each generally in the shape of an inverted "U", and left and right side rails extending between hinges at the upper corners of the stanchions. The front stanchion is permanently mounted at the front of the truck bed. The rear stanchion is movable between an extended position at the rear of the truck bed and a proximate position just behind the front stanchion. The side rails collapse vertically into a "V" (seen from the side) as the rear stanchion is moved to its proximate position, giving the rack an overall appearance of an "M". When the rack is fully collapsed, it looks like an "I". In one version, a second pair of rails extends over the cab, vertically rotating on a second pair of hinges on the front stanchion. A cross member joins the front ends of these rails. In another version, the side rails are not mounted onto the stanchions by hinges, but by removable brackets; and the rails collapse horizontally rather than vertically. The over-cab rails are continuations of the side rails. The over-cab cross member can be divided in the middle, and its component parts swung horizontally along side the side rails. In all versions, the stanchions and cross members can be telescoped to fit differing widths of truck bed.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A utility rack for a pickup truck, the truck having a cab and a bed disposed rearward of the cab, the bed having a floor, a lateral front wall, right and left longitudinal side walls, and a rear tailgate, said rack comprising:

(a) a tubular front stanchion shaped generally in the form of an inverted "U", and having right and left legs extending downward from a cross member;
(b) means for mounting the right and left legs of the front stanchion to the floor respectively adjacent the intersection of the front wall with the right and left side walls;
(c) a tubular rear stanchion shaped generally in the form of an inverted "U", and having right and left legs extending downward from a cross member;
(d) means for detachably mounting the right and left legs of the rear stanchion to the floor respectively adjacent the intersection of the tailgate with the right and left side walls, thereby mounting the rear stanchion in an extended position;
(e) means for detachably mounting the right and left legs of the rear stanchion to the floor respectively adjacent, but behind, the right and left legs of the front stanchion, thereby mounting the rear stanchion in a proximate position;
(f) right and left longitudinal side rails;
and
(g) means for mounting said right and left side rails to the cross members of said stanchions.

5 more elements

(a) a tubular front stanchion shaped generally in the form of an inverted "U", and having right and left legs, each rising vertically from the floor until adjacent the gunwale of the respective side wall, then bowing outboard over the gunwale, then inclining inboard to a point adjacent the outboard upper portion of the cab, where it joins a cross member, which includes a telescoping member;
(b) a tubular rear stanchion of substantially the same size, shape, and construction as the front stanchion;
(c) right and left front mounting plates, the bottom side of each being bolted to the floor of the bed adjacent the intersection of the front wall with the respective side wall and the top side of each including two mounting members, on of which is welded to the respective leg of the front stanchion, and the other of which is adjacent, but behind, the first mounting member, and which penetrates, and is bolted to, the respective leg of the rear stanchion when the rear stanchion is in its proximate position;
(d) right and left front brackets, each of which is bolted to the respective leg of the front stanchion and is vertically pinned to the respective side wall through the gunwale thereof;
(e) right and left rear mounting plates, the bottom side of each being bolted to the floor of the bed adjacent the intersection of the tailgate with the respective side wall and the top side of each including a mounting member which penetrates, and is bolted to, the respective leg of the rear stanchion when the rear stanchion is in its extended position;
(f) right and left rear brackets, each of which is bolted to the respective leg of the rear stanchion and is vertically pinned to the respective side wall through the gunwale thereof;
(g) right and left longitudinal side rails,
each being substantially in the vertical plane defined by the respective front and rear mounting plates,
each including a front member, a rear member, a side hinge joining the front member and the rear member, and lock means for releasably locking said side hinge, and
each defining smooth upper surfaces common to their respective front members, rear members, side hinges, and lock means;
and
(h) means for mounting said right and left side rails to the cross members of said stanchions.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Utility rack for pickup truck

Life of this patent

Utility rack for pickup truck

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16