Patent ID: 6042169
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A unitary thermoplastic bedliner for use in the cargo bed of a truck, the bedliner comprising:a bottom wall;a first side wall which extends upwardly from the bottom wall, the first side wall having an upper edge;a first side lip which extends sidewardly outwardly from the upper edge of the first side wall;a first wheel well cover which extends from the first side wall to the bottom wall, the first wheel well cover extending from a position elevated on the first side wall to a position on the bottom wall spaced inwardly from the first side wall, the first wheel well cover assisting in maintaining the first side wall in an upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall;a second side wall which is spaced approximately parallel to the first side wall, the second side wall having an upper edge;a second side lip which extends sidewardly outwardly from the upper edge of the second side wall;a second wheel well cover which extends from the second side wall to the bottom wall, the second wheel well cover extending from a position elevated on the second side wall to a position on the bottom wall spaced inwardly from the second side wall, the second wheel well cover assisting in maintaining the second side wall in an upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall;a front wall which extends upwardly from the bottom wall, the front wall having an upper edge, and the front wall being positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall;a front lip which extends frontwardly from the upper edge of the front wall;portions of the front wall which define two vertically extending slots which extend below the level of the front wall upper edge, one slot being positioned between portions of the front wall and the first side wall, and one slot being positioned between the portions of the front wall and the second side wall, such that the first side wall upper edge is not continuous with the front wall upper edge, and the second side wall upper edge is not continuous with the front wall upper edge, the first side wall and the second side wall thereby defining portions which are bendable outwardly from the front wall, thereby permitting increased nestability of one bedliner within a like bedliner, wherein each side lip extends continuously with a portion of the front lip along the upper edge of the front wall, and wherein the slots extend through the front lip, to permit the upper portions of the side walls and the side lips to be pivoted inwardly to close the slot when the bedliner is installed within a truck bed.