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US 9,845,117 B2Granted
Adjustable support structure for vehicle cargo bed extension
OwnerBarry Whitefordinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for adjustable support of an extension of a vehicle cargo bed. The apparatus provides a range of horizontal, vertical, diagonal and angular adjustment of a vehicle cargo bed extension deck so as to accommodate a wide variety of differently designed and dimensioned vehicles and provides other features promoting reliability and safety while minimizing unwanted vibration during use.
Claims19
An apparatus for horizontally extending a cargo bed structure, the apparatus including:
- a support structure including, a first portion that is designed for attaching to a hitch of a vehicle;
- and including
- a second portion that is designed for attaching to a first side of a hinge, and a third portion that is designed for attaching to an opposite side of said hinge;
- said third portion is designed to support a deck;
- said deck is designed to horizontally extend a floor of a cargo bed of said vehicle;
- and wherein
- said support structure is designed to adjust a vertical elevation of said hinge so that a vertical elevation of said deck is proximately equal to that of a vertical elevation of said floor of said cargo bed of said vehicle;
- and wherein
- said hinge is designed to support a substantial load of 500 pounds or greater upon said third portion while said third portion is attached to said hinge, and wherein said hinge is designed to orient and lock said third portion into different angles of orientation, and wherein said angles of orientation are adjustable and lockable via a link that attaches said third portion to said second portion of said support structure.
6 more elements
A method for horizontally extending a cargo bed structure, the method including the steps of:
- providing a support structure including, a first portion that is attached to a hitch of a vehicle;
- and including
- a second portion that is attached to a first side of a hinge, and a third portion that is attached to an opposite side of said hinge;
- said third portion is designed to support a deck;
- said deck is designed to horizontally extend a floor of a cargo bed of said vehicle;
- and wherein
- said support structure is designed to adjust a vertical elevation of said hinge so that a vertical elevation of said deck is to be proximately equal to that of a vertical elevation of said floor of said cargo bed of said vehicle;
- and wherein
- said hinge is designed to support a substantial load of 500 pounds or greater upon said third portion while said third portion is attached to said hinge, and wherein said hinge is designed to orient and lock said third portion into different angles of orientation, and wherein said angles of orientation are adjustable and lockable via a link that attaches said third portion to said second portion of said support structure.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.