Vehicle sling bag rail system
AssigneeUtilimaster Corporation
InventorsTerry W. Kessler, Travis W. Elliott, Richard D. Eichstedt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle having a cargo area that includes an internal surface. A longitudinally extending bar is located within the cargo area of the vehicle. A bag configured to hang onto and slide along the longitudinally extending bar. A movable rail assembly is attached to the internal surface and includes: a rail moveable between extend and retract positions with respect to the cargo area; a bearing engageable with the rail to assist moving the rail between the extend and retract positions; and a bracket attachable to the bearing to suspend the bearing and the rail in the cargo area and away from the internal surface.
Claims18
A cargo vehicle comprising:
- a cargo area that includes an internal surface;
- a longitudinally extending bar located within the cargo area of the vehicle;
- a bag having a first opening;
- wherein the bag includes a hanger that is hangable onto and is slidable along the longitudinally extending bar;
- a movable rail assembly attached to the internal surface, the movable rail assembly comprising:
- a rail movable between extend and retract positions with respect to the cargo area;
- a bearing engageable with the rail to assist moving the rail between the extend and retract positions;
- and
- a bracket attachable to the bearing to suspend the bearing and the rail in the cargo area and away from the internal surface;
- wherein the hanger is movable along both the bar and the rail of the movable rail assembly;
- and
- wherein the rail is configured so at least a portion of the rail is movable exterior of the cargo area with the bag hanging on the rail so the bag is positionable exterior of the vehicle.
A method of distributing clothing via a delivery vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a longitudinally extending bar located within a cargo area of the delivery vehicle, and a bag that includes a hanger that hangs onto the longitudinally extending bar suspending the bag in the cargo area;
- receiving soiled laundry;
- placing the soiled laundry in the bag while the bag hangs on the bar;
- sliding the bag containing the soiled laundry along the bar and onto a movable rail of a rail assembly that also includes a bearing engageable with the rail allowing the rail to move, and a bracket attachable to the bearing to hold the bearing and the rail in the cargo area;
- moving the rail with the bag hanging thereon to an extended position so at least a portion of the rail and the bag is located exterior of the delivery vehicle;
- and
- making the soiled laundry in the bag available to be removed from the bag exterior or the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.