Abstract:
A vehicle sliding floor extension having a composite/plastic sliding extension plate attached to a truck bed or SUV rear compartment by a base plate having molded rails of metal, plastic, or composite to facilitate the controlled movement of the extension plate, the movement of the extension plate being manually or motor actuated. The durable deck surface has a plurality of holes drilled or formed to accommodate the positioning of modular partitions for containing or restraining items being transported. Motorization is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to truck beds and SUV rear compartments and attachable deck extensions therefore, and more particularly, to a composite/plastic sliding extension plate attached to a truck bed or SUV rear compartment by a base plate having molded rails of metal, plastic, or composite to facilitate the controlled movement of the extension plate, the movement of the extension plate being manually or motor actuated. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The present invention relates to motor vehicles specifically relating to an improvement in the utility of the cargo area of such vehicles. With the proliferation of compact, mid-size, full-size pickup trucks with short beds and recent developments of hybrid vehicles capable of being converted from pickups to closed rear compartment configurations, limitation is placed on the ability of vehicle owners to effectively haul longer items typically accommodated by longer beds (e.g., a 4 foot×8 foot sheet of plywood.) 
     Owners of hybrid pickup/SUV vehicles, find difficulty in accessing the enclosed rear deck even with the tailgate down and with one or more top panels removed. Additionally, designers of these vehicles choose lining materials for the floor and walls of these compartments which have high coefficients of friction so that contents tend to remain stationary by reason of their “adhesion” to the surface. Added to the awkward access to such compartments, the difficulty in sliding something over this high friction surface dramatically decreases the utility of the vehicle. Simple activities such as grocery shopping are made difficult if not impossible by a person of small stature and even larger, stronger users have trouble reaching and moving items. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 6,312,034 B1 to Coleman et al, (2001) discloses a “drop-in” bed liner/deck extension which addresses a number of the difficulties described and while extension is provided, the attachment methods described, do not allow for safe transport of heavier items for which the vehicle is designed (typically 1000 lbs for a half-ton pickup) nor does it describe any motor means for moving the extension when it may be so loaded and while a braking means is therein described, it does not provide for braking at any point of extension, relying as it does upon a series of holes into which a brake pin is inserted. 
     Concerning the proliferation of multiple purpose vehicles such as SUVs, vans and station wagons, the rear cargo area is subjected to a divers range of uses by consumers such as hauling groceries, luggage, golf clubs, and other valuable and sometimes fragile items. A problem faces by owners of such vehicles is how to restrain smaller items or compartmentalize the space to keep items separate. An additional problem is the discomfort and potential for back injury associated with the necessity of leaning into the cargo area for loading and unloading of heavy cargo items. 
     The present invention addresses these problems and while it shares in common with U.S. Pat. No.6,312,034 B1to Coleman et al the use of interlocking rails between a base member and a sliding extension member, it differs in the attachment, motorization, braking, and construction of these components and presents a modular “L” bracket design allowing for the creation of storage/containment areas anywhere over the surface of the bed extension. Additionally, the present invention is, by reason of its fixture to the vehicle as a bolt-on insert to the rear deck, more substantial in its capacity to safely manage heavy loads. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a base mounting platform is affixed to the bed/deck of a motor vehicle (i.e., pickup truck, SUV or hybrid, etc.) and a slideable bed extension attached by interlocking rails molded or otherwise formed between the base and the bed extension, is provided along with a motorized means of moving the bed extension and a braking means for retaining it in a chosen position and a series of attachable partitions to form compartments by which items being transported may be contained or constrained. 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are; 
     1. To provide a vehicle bed floor with an integrated sliding bed extension to increase the utility of shorter beds for hauling longer items; 
     2. To have the bed extension available to facilitate ease of loading and unloading of items stored within the vehicle cargo area. 
     3. To provide a two piece interlocking base/bed extension to be firmly affixed to the existing vehicle bed or deck which is simple in its operation as well as its manufacture. 
     4. To provide a durable deck surface on the bed extension which has a plurality of holes drilled or formed to accommodate the positioning of modular partitions for containing or restraining items being transported. 
     5. To provide motorization whereby the bed extension can be moved even while heavily laden. 
     6. To provide a braking means by which the bed extension can be locked in any position of deployment. 
     7. To provide support skids interposed between the base and the bed extension, which ride over the face of the lowered tail gate as the extension is moved across it. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a base for attachment to the bed of a pickup truck, SUV etc, and an interlocking, slideable deck attached thereto. Both the base and the bed are made of plastic, composite or other durable material. The base is fixed to the vehicle in secure fashion and provides a support for the deck. Motor and braking apparatus are affixed between the base and the deck providing means for moving and controlling the extension of the bed beyond the limits of the existing vehicle bed and tailgate. Holes and other attachment/location means are provided along with multiple modular partitions for securing items against movement while they are being transported. The configuration of the attachment holes in a grid pattern allows for multiple arrangements of the partitions to secure and/or contain a large variety of transported items. The deck surface is textured to decrease friction against loads being carried so that, once the load is unbound or unrestrained, it can easily slide over the deck surface facilitating the management of bulky heavy articles in a manner consistent with the overall intention of the invention. The deck is interlocked with the base by a plurality of grooves and rails in the shape of a “T” or other suitable shape. Between each rail set is a fixed slide attached to the bottom side of the deck. These slides act to support and guide the deck as it is slid out over the tailgate. The deck and thus the slides would ideally be manufactured from durable, slippery plastic material to provide maximum ease of use with minimum friction. A stop or bumper is fitted to one or more of the base rails to stop the deck from sliding out too far and possibly separating dangerously from the base. In a first embodiment, the deck is moved back and forth being driven by a motor means attached to an endless chain and attachment pad. In a further embodiment, the endless chain would be replaced by an endless wire rope with a pad attached and in a further embodiment a worm drive moves the deck. In the latter embodiment, no braking mechanism is required as the worm drive acts as a brake whenever it ceases to move. Braking in other embodiments can be accomplished using a pawl and ratchet track wherein the pawl is engaged and disengaged from the track by activation through a grip handle release common to prior art ratchet installations. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view partially in section, of a typical SUV/pickup/hybrid vehicle showing the invention installed in the bed compartment of the vehicle. This end view shows the relative positions of the base unit and the deck extension unit. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partially in section, of a typical SUV/pickup/hybrid vehicle showing the invention installed in the bed compartment of the vehicle. The view shows the relative positions of the base unit and the deck extension unit. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view partially in section of the invention, showing the relative positions of the tail gate of a vehicle and the bed extension unit. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view partially in section of the invention, showing the relative positions of the tail gate of a vehicle and the bed extension unit as the unit is deployed to its maximum extension. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention showing partition sections in place and showing an example of an alternative securing point for object in the truck bed. 
     FIG. 6 is and isometric view of a modular partition unit. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the invention showing the general arrangement and relative positions of the components of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric enlargement of a ratchet/pawl locking component. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the invention showing the direction of deployment of the deck unit. 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view enlargement of a chain drive unit for moving the deck unit. 
     FIG. 11 is and isometric view of a cable drive unit for moving the bed. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view (not to scale) of a worm drive unit for moving the bed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the invention is designated overall by the numeral  10 . In FIG. 1 bed extension unit  10  is fitted to the bed of vehicle  60 . Tailgate  61  is in the down/open position. Deck  16  generally overlies base  32  riding upon T rails  33  and  33 ′ in channels  20 . Skids  37  add support to deck  16 . Safety stop  38  prevents deck  16  from being over extended (see also FIGS.  3  and  4 ). 
     Referring now to FIG. 2 in which tailgate  61  is in the open position and bed extension unit  10  is fitted to the bed of vehicle  60 . Arrow  100  denotes the limits of reach before the deployment of deck  16  and arrow  101  denotes the now extended scope of reach. 
     In FIG. 3, deck  16  is in its retracted position and peg holes  14  are visible. Bumper stop  38  is positioned to catch stop  38   b  which attaches to deck  16 . 
     In FIG. 4, arrows  104  denote the extendable length of truck bed  62  beyond tailgate  61 . Stop  30   b  prevents any further extension. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, peg holes  14  permit the insertion of pegs  15   a,b,c  to locate and fix partitions  15  on deck  16 . Holes  15   d,e,f  allow for further partition units to be joined to partitions  15 . D-ring  14   a  is an example of alternative attachment points used to fix objects to bed  16 . 
     In FIG. 7, bolts  36  fix base  32  to the vehicle. “T” tracks  33  and  33 ′ slot into slots  20  and  20 ′. Rib  35   b  slideably fits into slot  35 . Notched track  34  engages ratchet unit  30  to act as a brake for deck  16 . Raised pattern  12  decrease frictional surface area of deck  16 . Ratchet release handle  18  doubles as a handle to manually operate deck  16  if necessary. Chain drive unit  40  has sprockets  41  and  41 ′ which are driven by motor  43 . 
     In FIG. 8, ratchet unit  30  comprises control arm  30   c  which turns cam block  30   b  to disengage pawl  30   a  from track  34  (FIG. 7) 
     In FIG. 9, arrows  102  denote the directions in which deck  16  can move. 
     In FIG. 10, attachment point  42   a  is moved in the direction of arrows  102  to move bed  16 . Motor  43  drives cog  41 ′, chain  42  and cog  41 . 
     In FIG. 11 drive unit  80  motor  43  drives pulleys  81  and  81 ′ and cable  82  which is attached to attachment point  42   a  and moves in the direction of arrows  102 . 
     FIG. 12 presents a worm-drive method for moving deck  16  which is fixed to attachment point  42   a . As reversible motor  98  turns gears  97  and  97   a , thrust bearing  95  and  96  position screw shaft  91 / 92  within bracket  94  in housing  93  and motor mount  99  holds motor  98  in position. Attachment point  42   a  is fixed to deck  16  which travels in the direction of arrows  102  in response to the linear movement of screw shaft  91 / 92 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     It should be noted that the embodiments of the VEHICLE SLIDING FLOOR EXTENSION presented herein in detail for exemplary purposes is subject to variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Due to the fact that a variation of embodiments may be derived within the scope of the inventive concepts herein taught, and numerous modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiment herein presented in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it should be understood that the details herein included in the detailed description of the present invention are to interpreted as illustrative in nature and not in a limiting sense. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.