Patent ID: 6283526
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
In combination with a pickup truck bed (12) having side panels (15a, 15b) and a lower bed floor (16), a cargo (C) and tool (T) storage and transport system comprising:a lower storage drawer (20), said drawer extending substantially the length of said pickup truck bed and being near the bed floor,said drawer being supported by a pair of rails (30a, 30b),said rails being supported by plural slats (40a,b,c,d) which extend between said side panels (15a, 15b),wherein said cargo elements(C) are supported at an upper level of said truck bed and wherein tool elements (T) are contained within said lower drawer to enable said tools to be accessed without disturbing the upper cargo,the combined pickup truck bed system further including a shelf (17) positioned over said slats for support of said cargo (C),the pickup truck system further including at least two roller assemblies (50a, 50b) positioned beneath said slats (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d),said roller assemblies riding on said rails (30a, 30b), said roller assemblies providing means whereby said drawer (20) may be pulled to an extended position,wherein said drawer (20) includes a rotatable support leg (18) at one end thereof to permit support of said drawer in an extended position,wherein said roller assemblies include two rollers (51, 52) and means(55) for supporting a lower flexible rod (60a) which is attached to said lower drawer (20),wherein said roller assemblies (50a, 50b) and flexible rods (60a, 60b) which support the lower drawer (20) result in optimal transport and storage of tools (T) in said drawer and wherein said drawer may move laterally during transport to reduce strain on said roller assemblies.