Patent ID: 6702365
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A cargo bed assembly secured to and supported by a chassis of a motor vehicle, said cargo bed assembly comprising:a base extending between a front end and a back end and including at least one back support extending across said back end between a first end and a second end wherein said at least one back support is fixedly secured to the chassis; a plurality of sidewalls fixedly secured to said base and perpendicular thereto; first and second parallel and spaced apart spines fixedly secured to said at least one back support and extending toward said front end of said base, each of said spines including a top surface and opposing outer walls extending downwardly therefrom, each of said spines further including a bottom surface extending outwardly from each of said opposing outer walls and an upwardly extending flange extending from each of said bottom surfaces; an inner body panel covering said base and said plurality of sidewalls, said inner body panel including a bed resting upon said top surface of each of said first and second spines; and a brace extending between first and second brace ends fixedly secured to the chassis and supporting said base, said brace extending transversely to said first and second spines and including an unwardly open channel section defined by front and back walls, said brace further including a horizontal segment extending outwardly from each of said front and back walls and a downwardly extending flange extending from each of said horizontal segments for absorbing torsional forces received from the chassis to reduce bending and flexing at said cargo bed assembly.