US 7,488,021 B1 · Configurable pivoting cage cargo retainer

Abstract

A pivoting cage cargo is formed of opposing gate assemblies mounted on the rearwardmost D-pillar of a pick-up truck and movable from a folded, collapsed storage position against the respective side walls of the cargo box into multiple selectable operative configurations. The pivoting cage cargo retainer can be positioned in two different transversely extending positions that span the cargo bed when the gate assemblies are connected together. In one transverse position, the coupled gate assemblies cooperate with a lowered tailgate to provide a bed extension function. The other transverse position spans across the cargo bed to provide a divider function. Each gate assembly is also positionable into a storage container configuration that defines a small cargo retention area adjacent the side wall for the retention of small objects, such as grocery bags. A latching mechanism retains the gate assembly next to the side wall.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a pick-up truck having a frame including a pair of opposing upright D-pillars, a cargo bed defined by opposing lateral upright side walls and a floor extending transversely between the side walls, and a tailgate pivotally supported between said side walls for movement between an upright closed position and a lowered open position, the improvement comprising:

a pivoting cage apparatus pivotally connected to one of said D-pillars and being positionable in a storage position against said side wall adjacent said one D-pillar, said cage structure being pivotally movable into a container storage position in which said pivoting cage apparatus extends inwardly from said one D-pillar toward the opposing D-pillar, then rearwardly and outwardly to said adjacent side wall to define an enclosed storage area bounded by said pivoting cage apparatus and said adjacent side wall.

A pivoting cage cargo retainer for use in a vehicle having a cargo bed defined by opposing longitudinally extending side walls, first and second upright D-pillar frame members adjacent respective said side walls, and a tailgate pivotally mounted to said cargo bed between said D-pillars for movement between a raised closed position and a lowered open position, comprising:

a first gate assembly including an outer panel pivotally mounted on said first D-pillar for pivotal movement relative to said first D-pillar;
a middle panel connected to said outer panel for pivotal movement relative thereto;
and an inner panel connected to said middle panel for pivotal movement relative thereto, said first gate assembly being positionable into a storage configuration wherein said outer panel extends inwardly from said first D-pillar toward said second D-pillar, said middle panel extending rearwardly from said outer panel, and said inner panel extending outwardly to said adjacent side wall to define an enclosed storage area bounded by said first gate assembly and said adjacent side wall.

A cargo retainer for use on a pick-up truck having a cargo bed on which is pivotally mounted a tailgate movable between a raised closed position and a lowered open position, said cargo bed having a pair of opposing side walls separated by a horizontal floor extending therebetween, said cargo bed including a first and second opposing upright D-pillars located at a rear portion of said cargo bed, comprising:

first and second gate assemblies formed from at least two upright panels hingedly connected together for movement between a storage position against at least one of said side walls and first and second deployed positions extending transversely between said D-pillars, said first deployed position extending transversely across said cargo bed, said second deployed position extending transversely across said tailgate lowered into said open position, each of said gate assemblies being further positionable into a side storage configuration enclosing a storage area bounded by the respective said gate assembly and the corresponding said side wall.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Configurable pivoting cage cargo retainer

Life of this patent

Configurable pivoting cage cargo retainer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20