Abstract:
An adjustable array of gates and partitions for vehicles, particularly pickup truck beds, that enables succinct partitioned areas for a more organized load. A partition apparatus extends from between the two sides of a truck bed and may be moved forward or backward, including over wheel wells, through the use of rails. In addition, telescoping panels secured perpendicularly from the partition apparatus offers additional partition capabilities as the telescoping panels move from side to side through the use of additional rails.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to partitioning a portion of a vehicle or any other compartment that needs to be divided. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automobiles are varied in form and function. Some automobiles are built for speed, others are built for fuel economy, and still others are built for hauling large loads. Whether fast, economical, or haulers, all automobiles benefit from having some sense of organization. A fast automobile requires organization to properly align its minimalist parts and structure to achieve a desired speed. An economical automobile requires organization to provide adequate room for occupants and luggage, but not guzzle gas. A hauling automobile requires organization so that everything being hauled does not simply become disorganized and damaged. 
     Traditionally, pickup trucks have been used for many typical hauling activities. In the simplest form of organization, a toolbox is frequently installed in the bed of pickup to allow carpenters and others to carry their tools to and from jobs in an organized fashion. The toolbox leaves a large portion of the pickup truck bed untouched, and thus, that untouched portion can be easily used to store items that the user does not want to confuse with tools. 
     As pickup trucks have become more generally accepted for even everyday use by the average homeowner, the need for organization beyond typical job use has emerged. For example, if the user wants to carry a bicycle in a pickup truck, as well as garbage for the dump, as well as bags of mulch from the hardware store, there emerges the need for a way to partition a pickup truck bed depending upon the relative size and shape of the items being stored therein. Even for carpenters and other tradesmen, partitioning the bed of pickup trucks is not enough, but there exists a need for a variable partitioning method that is fully adjustable for the various sizes of loads to be partitioned. 
     Further, there is a need for a partitioning system that is particularly designed with the pickup truck bed in mind. A pickup truck bed is unique compared to a conventional drawer, for example, because a pickup truck bed is subject to inertia and swaying motion while the pickup truck is moving. Moreover, a pickup truck bed has wheel wells that intrude into the usable space of the pickup truck bed itself. 
     Although there are multiple compartment dividers already in existence, they have inherent limitations that ultimately restrict their usefulness. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,807 issued to Bernardo on Oct. 7, 2003, is a truck bed cargo barrier, primarily used to stabilize cargo both longitudinally and laterally. Bernardo&#39;s device uses a track system on the sides of the pickup truck bed; however, Bernardo&#39;s device does not anticipate that an extendable swinging gate or door might be needed, as does the present invention. Bernardo&#39;s device does not recognize that there is added protection required for a unit carried in the bed of a pickup truck. Merely dividing the bed of a pickup truck and using bungie cords is not stable protection for a unit carried in the bed of a pickup truck. Additionally, Bernardo&#39;s device, unlike the present invention, does not have a locking piece that positions the gate in Bernardo&#39;s device along a rail system—and without a locking piece, Bernardo&#39;s device cannot effective restrain a unit carried in the bed of a pickup truck from movement during transportation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,043 issued to Earle et al. on Feb. 25, 2003, is an adjustable cargo gate system for a flatbed. Earle et al.&#39;s device uses a plurality or series of tracks positioned along the bottom of the truck bed in addition to a gate. Unlike the present invention, Earle et al&#39;s device does not contemplate mounting along tracks on the side rails of a bed of a pickup truck. The only stability provided by Earle et al.&#39;s device is along the floor of the bed of a pickup truck; and the present invention has much more than merely tracks along the floor of the bed of a pickup truck. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,821 issued to Snyder on Feb. 10, 2004, shows an adjustable cargo area organizer system witch a first divider that spans the bed of a pickup truck from side to side, and the first divider is abutted up against the two side walls of the pickup truck bed. Slots on the front and the backside of the first divider receive dividing members that slide into place. Thus, with Snyder&#39;s device, a user is able to partition the bed of a pickup truck. Unlike the present invention, Snyder&#39;s device does not employ side rails to easily position the first divider towards the front and rear of the bed of a pickup truck. Further, unlike the present invention, Snyder&#39;s device does not allow for the first divider to clear wheel wells. Moreover, unlike the present invention, Snyder&#39;s device does not contemplate and means for stability from the floor of the bed of a pickup truck in case a unit presses hard against the first divider. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,850 issued to Johnson on Dec. 24, 1996, shows a truck bed cargo divider that has a panel that is roughly the same dimensions as the tailgate on a pickup truck. A track mounted on the sidewalls of the bed of the pickup truck allows the panel to ride the length of the bed of the pickup truck. Cut out areas allow the panel to move past the wheel wells of the pickup truck, and doors attached to the panel are adapted to close off the cut out areas when not obstructed by the wheel wells. Locking bolts on each side of the panel engage slots in the sidewalls of the pickup truck and the floor of the pickup truck. Unlike the present invention, Johnson&#39;s device does not drop down to allow insertion of heavy items into the pickup truck bed. Further, unlike the present invention, Johnson&#39;s invention does not have two panels that are mounted roughly perpendicular to one another to securely hold a unit by sliding both front and rear as well as left and right in a pickup truck bed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,479 issued to Bott on Dec. 1, 1992, shows a cargo restraint system that is mounted to a floor of a pickup truck bed. Unlike the present invention, Bott&#39;s device does not have mounting to sidewalls of the pickup truck, and further, does not have any adaptation for clearing the wheel wells of a pickup truck. Moreover, Bott&#39;s device does not have any adaptation for securing a unit held on one side of device so that the unit will not move and/or be tossed about. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D380,706 issued to Gardner on Jul. 8, 1997, shows a truck bed insert that is a panel mounted from left to right across the bed of a pickup truck. Gardner&#39;s device appears to be mounted to tracks along the floor of the pickup truck bed, and Gardner&#39;s device is also secured to ropes that are attached to each rear corner of the pickup truck. Unlike the present invention, Gardner&#39;s device is not wide enough to span the entire width of a pickup truck bed—from left to right—because Gardner&#39;s device is short to avoid contacting the wheel wells of a pickup truck. Further, unlike the present invention, Gardner&#39;s device does not have any mounting means to a sidewall track of the pickup truck. Moreover, unlike the present invention, Gardner&#39;s device does not have a plurality of panels for securely holding a unit in the bed of the pickup truck. Also, Gardner is meant to retrieve items from a cargo bay. 
     Thus, there is a need for device that allows secure but readily accessible placement of cargo in the bed of a pickup truck. A user does not want to merely rely on bungee cords and straps to secure items, but the user needs compartmentalized storage. Further, the user needs compartmentalized storage that can shift so that the size of compartments can vary as desired. 
     Moreover, the user needs a device that is fully capable of collapsing in the event that large and/or heavy items are loaded into the bed of a pickup truck—the problem being that a large and/or heavy item needs to be freely loaded in the bed of a pickup truck without obstructions, and once in, the large and/or heavy item needs to be secured. Currently, should a large and/or heavy item need to be loaded in the bed of a pickup truck, any partition or compartmentalized storage and securing system needs to be removed and reinstalled once the large and/or heavy item has been loaded. Not only is such an operation time consuming, but such an operation is enough of an impediment that the user might tend to avoid the entire use of any partition or compartmentalized storage and securing system altogether. 
     In short, there is a need for a fully adjustable device for securing items in the bed of a pickup truck that can easily be moved out of the way when loading large and/or heavy objects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In short, the present invention allows the bed of a pickup truck to be divided into up to 3 distinct sections. Two panels slide along the bed of the pickup truck to allow a user to change the size and number of sections in the bed of the pickup truck. 
     The present invention is an adjustable mid-gate that allows the user to secure certain items in a truck bed and compartmentalize them as desired. The present invention has a set of support rails on either side of the truck bed. A gate moves forward and rearward within the truck bed, and along the support rails. The present invention has a locking device such as a locking hole to lock the gate into position at various positions in the truck bed. 
     Additionally, the present invention has a sliding wheel well panel so that the gate of the present invention can slide over a wheel well. On the front of the present invention is a lock for the gate such that the user is able to secure the gate into position along one surface of the truck bed—the floor of the truck bed, such that a gate stop secures the gate to the floor of the truck bed. The gate stop enables the present invention to be locked into position along the bottom edge of the gate. A locking handle along a top edge of the gate secures the present invention to the set of support rails on the sides of the truck bed. 
     It is an object of the present invention to enable the consumer to compartmentalize the bed of a pickup truck and to provide storage space for small items, which may need to be confined within a specific portion of a truck bed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention installed in a truck bed. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the present invention installed with the position over the wheel well panel. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the partition apparatus collapsed against the at least one front support rail. 
         FIG. 4  is a view according to line  4 - 4  on  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a view of  FIG. 4  showing the locked position. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view showing the parts of the present invention without the truck bed. 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmented view of the second mechanism of the telescoping panel. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of the present invention with the dashed lines indicating the recessed wheel well partitions. 
         FIG. 10  is an additional environmental view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the first mechanism in a locked position. 
         FIG. 12  is an additional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the first mechanism in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 13  is an additional environmental view of the present invention collapsed against the pickup truck bed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the overall present invention array  5  will be placed on the floor of a conventional pickup truck bed  6 . However, additional embodiments of the present invention may include installation within conventional aspects of other vehicles such as the trunks of cars. Regarding the preferred embodiment relating to pickup truck beds as seen in the present invention array  5  of  FIG. 1 , we see that a typical pickup truck has a tailgate  8 , which serves as the end point of the pickup truck. The present invention serves to develop compartments ranging in size and scope to cater to the unique load needs of the user. As we see in  FIG. 1 , a number of elements of the present invention array  5  go into creating the compartmentalized nature of the present invention. 
     The present invention, as seen in  FIG. 1 , is compromised of a rail  9 , which is secured to the bottom of the pickup bed  6  via conventional means. The preferred embodiment of the present invention places the rail  9  at the center of the pickup bed  6 . The rail  9  extends from the back of the pickup truck to the front of the tailgate  8 . A planar, partition apparatus  10  slides along the rail  9  on the bottom of the pickup truck bed  6  in order to create a partition effect in the pickup truck bed  6 . The partition apparatus  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a hard surface, although it is contemplated that a flexible material also may be used for those occasions where a load is uneven and needs to be stuffed into a partitioned area. The partition apparatus  10  of the preferred embodiment is recessed on the bottom surface of the pickup bed  6  so that the partition apparatus  10  will slide over the rail  9 . 
     Because typical pickup trucks and vehicles possess wheel wells  7  on each side of the vehicle, the partition apparatus  10  of the present invention has wheel well partitions  11  located on the right and left sides. The wheel well partitions  11  can recess into the partitioned area so that the partition apparatus  10  can travel over the wheel wells  7 . This effectively allows the partition apparatus  10  to slide over the wheel wells  7 . In  FIG. 2 , we see a view of how the partition apparatus  10  may be slid over the wheel well  7  through the use of the wheel well partitions  11 . The preferred embodiment of  FIG. 2  depicts that the wheel well partitions  11  slide inward into a housing area of the partition apparatus  10 . The view of  FIG. 3  additionally demonstrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as the partition apparatus  10  is set into a stored and collapsed position against the cab end of a pickup truck. The position of  FIG. 3  is used when there is no need for compartmentalized use of the pickup truck bed  6 . 
     In addition, in  FIG. 1  we see that along the sides of the overall present invention array  5  are two side rails  14 . The side rails  14  of the preferred embodiment are mounted to the sides of the pickup truck bed  6  and support the partition apparatus  10  near the top surface of the partition apparatus  10 . The effect of the side rails  14  allow greater stability in both movement and locked positions for the partition apparatus  10 . Specifically, it is preferred that the partition apparatus  10  attaches to the left wall  110  and right wall  120  via roller wheels  23 , piston  100 , piston spring  16 , cylinder  18 , linkage  15  and center circular locking disc  17 . This aspect is best viewed in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . 
     The present invention also includes at least one telescoping panel  13  located onto a side of the partition apparatus  10 .  FIG. 1  depicts the use of one telescoping panel  13  positioned perpendicularly between the partition apparatus  10  and the cab side of the pickup bed  6 . While this is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, additional telescoping panels  13  can be used at both the cab end of the truck and also onto the tailgate. On one end of the telescoping panel  13  is a flanged-locking member  21 . The flanged-locking member  21  is seen in  FIG. 1  and better viewed in  FIG. 6 . The flanged-locking member  21  of the preferred embodiment is positioned in an area where it will fit within the space that is provided by at least one front support rail  12 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one support rail  12  as we see in  FIG. 1 . These at least one front support rails  12  are mounted to the back of the pickup via conventional means. The support item such as the flanged member  20  as seen in  FIG. 7  fits within the width of the flanged-locking members  21  and ultimately allow the telescoping panel  13  to be locked into position using a means of securement as the holes  22  of the preferred embodiment in the at least one front support rails  12  allow a locking element such as a locking pin  19  as seen in  FIG. 7  to be secured through the holes  22  of the at least one front support rails  12  and into the flanged member  20 . 
     The partition apparatus  10  can be locked into place using conventional locking means. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . The locking means of this embodiment as seen in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  include a locking handle  24 , which is connected to a locking cylinder  25 . The locking cylinder  25  extends from side to side and locks a set of roller wheels  23  into position by moving the locking handle  24 . When locking handle  24  is depressed as shown in  FIG. 11 , the locking cylinder  25  rolls along the gear  26 . When the gear  26  is caused to roll by the locking cylinder  25 , the gears  26  causes the knurled cylinders  27  to move along the gears  26 . The springs  28  are located along the knurled cylinders  27  and as shown in  FIG. 11 , when the knurled cylinders  27  moves along the gears  26 , the knurled cylinders  27  are pushed toward the roller wheels  23 . As the knurled cylinders  27  are pushed toward the roller wheels  23 , the springs  28  are extended. When the partition apparatus  10  is locked into place, the partition apparatus  10  and telescoping panel  13  are prevented from moving. The telescoping panel  13  also may be secured to the rail  9 , although that is not necessary. In  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , roller wheels  23  are shown allowing telescoping panel  13  to slide along mid rails  29 . It should be noted that mid rails  29  are positioned on partition apparatus  10 . In addition, a first mechanism is configured to adjust the length of the telescoping panel  13 . The first mechanism is preferably roller wheels  23 , knurled cylinders  27 , gears  26 , springs  28 , locking cylinder  25  and locking handle  24 . A second mechanism is in communication with the telescoping panel  13  and the at least one front support rail  12 . The second mechanism is preferably locking pin  19 , holes  22 , flanged member  20 , flanged-locking member  21  and at least one front support rail  12 . 
     However, as mentioned above, the at least one front support rail  12  allow the telescoping panel  13  to move from side to side so that a specific compartment size may be made, depending on the specific needs of the user. Rollers wheels  23  as seen in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  on the top surface of the telescoping panel  13  also may be used to allow for a more side-to-side movement of various created partitions. 
     A means to lock the partition apparatus  10  also is contemplated by the present invention. The means to lock in the preferred embodiment is comprised of a set of roller wheels  23  that will move along the side rails  14 . The position of the roller wheels  23  will be controlled by linkage as depicted in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . This linkage  15  will be moved in the preferred embodiment by a center circular locking disc  17 , which will move the plurality of linkage  15 . The linkage  15  will control a pistons  100 . The pistons  100  will compress piston springs  16  within cylinders  18  to lock into place. This will allow the partition apparatus as well as the telescoping panel  13  to be locked into position. 
       FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  depict additional views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 13 , we see the partition apparatus  10  rolled toward the back of the bed  6  such that a telescoping panel  13  has been folded against, via conventional means, partition apparatus  10 . In addition, partition apparatus  10  is no longer connected to side rails  14 , as roller wheels  23  have been conventionally detached from side rails  14 . Thus, bed  6  is able to be used in the case that the utility of the present invention is not desired, as  FIG. 13  shows the present invention laid flat and disabled. 
     It should be understood the present invention is not merely the embodiment(s) described above, but can be any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.