Abstract:
A truck bed extender is attached to a tail gate by mounting brackets. The mounting brackets attach to the tail gate only, and require absolutely no alterations to the truck bed. The truck bed extender may be easily removed by removing two pins or may be folded against the tail gate for minimum intrusion into the truck bed when the tail gate is closed. A telescoping back section may be adjusted for various truck bed widths. Corners of the truck bed extender are squared off to maximize use of the extended truck bed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pick-up truck bed extenders and more particularly to a truck bed extender particularly useful for both extended cab picks-ups and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) having beds. 
     Pickup trucks have become extremely popular, and currently outsell conventional autos. A high percentage (85% plus) of pick-up trucks are now made with extended cabs, or quad cabs (4 doors). As a result of the increased cab size, the space in the truck bed has been reduced accordingly. 
     Truck bed extenders have been introduced to increase the useable truck bed length. Known truck bed extenders are pivotally mounted to the truck bed, and rotate from a stored position in the truck bed to an extended position over a lowered tailgate. In the extended position, the useable space of the truck bed includes space above the lowered tailgate. When the truck bed extender is pivoted back to the stored position, the truck bed extender takes up about two feet of the already shortened truck bed. 
     Additionally, truck bed extenders must be designed to fit specific truck bed widths and other variations, and new widths and other variations may arise as new pick-up and SUV models are introduced. Known truck bed extenders therefore require multiple models for compatibility with a wide range of pick-ups and SUVs, resulting in an increase in the stock or inventory level of distributors and dealers. 
     Known truck bed extenders also have a continuous curved profile which reduce space in the extended truck bed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a truck bed extender which is attached to a tail gate by mounting brackets. The mounting brackets attach to the tail gate only, and require absolutely no alterations to the truck bed. The truck bed extender may be easily removed by removing two pins or may be folded against the tail gate for minimum intrusion into the truck bed when the tail gate is closed. A telescoping back section may be adjusted for various truck bed widths. Corners of the truck bed extender are squared off to maximize use of the extended truck bed. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a truck bed extender which is attached to the tail gate by a pair of mounting brackets. The mounting brackets hold the truck bed extender in either an open position while in use, or in a folded position when not in use. The present invention thus provides a truck bed extender requiring attachment to the tail gate only. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the truck bed extender includes a rear member having a center section and two telescoping end sections, and the width of the rear member may be adjusted to fit any truck bed by sliding end horizontal tubes of the end sections into or out of center horizontal tubes of the center member. The present invention thus provides a single truck bed extender suitable for a variety of truck bed widths thereby eliminating the need to stock a variety of truck bed extender models. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the truck bed extender may be folded against the tail gate when not in use. In such folded position, the truck bed extender takes up only about five inches of the truck bed area. The ability of the truck bed extender to fold against the tail gate further conveniently allows the use of the truck bed extender with popular tonneau covers or truck caps (also called camper shells) which are not compatible with know pivoting truck bed extenders. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the truck bed extender may be removed or installed in about 30 seconds by removing or inserting two pins holding the truck bed extender to mounts on the tail gate. The truck bed extender further has squared off rear corners to maximize the area of the extended truck bed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a truck bed extender according to the present invention folded against a closed tail gate. 
         FIG. 2  shown the truck bed extender folded against an open tail gate. 
         FIG. 3  shown the truck bed extender opened on the open tail gate. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear member of the truck bed extender. 
         FIG. 5  depicts the cooperation of a center section and an end section of the rear member of the truck bed extender. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the center section. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the cooperation of the side member with the rear member. 
         FIG. 8  shows a latch attached to the side section. 
         FIG. 9  shows details of the latch. 
         FIG. 10  is a latch pin. 
         FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 A— 10 A of  FIG. 10  of the latch pin. 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view of a mounting bracket according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  shows a two piece mounting bracket according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed view of a clamp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a method for mounting and using the truck bed extender of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
     A truck bed extender  10  according to the present invention is shown attached to a closed tail gate  18  in  FIG. 1 . The closed tail gate  18  closes a truck bed  11  formed by a floor  12  and wall  22 . The truck bed extender  10  is folded against the tail gate  18 , thereby minimizing any encroachment into the truck bed  11  and is attached to the tail gate  18  by mounting brackets  16 . The truck bed extender  10  comprises a rear section  12  (see  FIG. 4 ), and two side sections  14  (see  FIG. 7 ). In the position shown in  FIG. 1 , the rear section  12  is in a first folded position against the tail gate  18 , and the side sections  14  are in a second folded position against the rear section  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the side sections  14  are sandwiched between the rear section  12  and the tail gate  18 . 
     A second view of the truck bed extender  10 , folded against the tail gate  18 , now open, is shown in  FIG. 2 . The truck bed extender  10  may be pivoted as indicated by first arc A 1  from the first folded position which is substantially parallel to the tail gate  18  (as shown), to a first open position substantially perpendicular to the tail gate  18 . The truck bed extender  10  need not be precisely perpendicular to the tail gate  18  to be useful, but is preferably approximately perpendicular to the tail gate  18 . For example, the tail gate  18  may not open to a position exactly parallel with the floor  20 , in which instance, it may be preferable to angularly bias the truck bed extender  10  relative to the tail gate  18 . 
     The rear section  12  is shown in the first open position and the side sections  14  are shown in a second open position in  FIG. 3 , thereby providing an extended truck bed  11   a . As can be seen, the truck bed extender  10  is attached to the mounting brackets  16 , and the mounting brackets  16  are attached to the tail gate  18 . The mounting brackets  16  are thus the only means necessary for attaching the truck bed extender  10  to a vehicle. 
     The rear member  12  is shown in  FIG. 4 , and comprises a center section  24 , and two end sections  26 . The center section  24  comprises a center vertical member  54  and at least two center horizontal members  58 . Preferably, the center section  24  includes four center horizontal members  58 . The end sections  26  comprise an end vertical member  56  and at least two end horizontal members  60 . Preferably, the end sections  26  include four end horizontal members  60 . The end horizontal members  60  are adapted to slidably engage the center horizontal members  58  to allow the width of the rear member  12  to be adjusted to fit a variety of truck bed widths. Clamps  28  are provided at ends  59  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the center horizontal members  58 . The clamps  28  allow the width of the rear member  12  to be fixed once the rear member  12  is correctly adjusted to fit the truck bed  11 . A detailed perspective view of a clamp  28  is shown in  FIG. 12  and described below. 
     The center horizontal members  58  and the end horizontal members  60  are preferably made from aluminum, the center vertical member  54  and the end vertical members  56  are preferably made from plastic. The center horizontal members  58  are preferably approximately nineteen inches long and approximately 1.25 inches in diameter. The end horizontal members  60  are preferably approximately twenty two inches long and approximately one inch in diameter. The separation of top and bottom horizontal tubes is preferably approximately twelve inches, and the top and bottom horizontal tubes are preferably offset inwardly (i.e., toward the truck bed  11 ) relative to the center tube(s). The center horizontal members  58  and the end horizontal members  60  are preferably attached to the center vertical member  54  and the end vertical member  56  respectively by pop rivets. 
     A detailed depiction of the sliding cooperation of the center section  24  and the end sections  26  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The center horizontal members  58  and the end horizontal members  60  are preferably tubes, and more preferably round tubes. The end horizontal members  60  preferably slide into the center horizontal members  58  which allows for a wide and more stable spacing of the clamps  28  on ends  59  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the center horizontal members  58 . The end horizontal members  60  insert into the center horizontal members  58  as indicated by arrows  61 . Tube guides  63  on ends of the end horizontal members  60  facilitate sliding the end horizontal members  60  through the center horizontal members  58 . Each end section  26  includes a vertical end tube  80 . A pin passageway  49  at the base of the vertical end tube  80  is provided to pivotally connect the rear member  12  to the mounting brackets  16 . 
     A detailed view of the side member  14 , and the cooperation of the side member  14  with the rear member  12 , is shown in  FIG. 7 . The side member  14  is constructed from a “U” shaped piece of material, preferably similar to the material used to construct the end horizontal members  60 . The “U” shaped piece comprises an upper arm  70 , lower arm  72 , and vertical arm  74 . The side member  14  is preferably approximately the same length as the tail gate  18  in order to fill the gap between the rear member and the truck bed side  22  (see  FIG. 3 ). The side member  14  is preferably braced by two vertical braces  76  preferably of the same material used to form the “U”. The side members  14  are preferably attached to the rear member  12  by Ts  78  which allow the side member  14  to rotate about the vertical end tube  80  of the end section  26 , which Ts  78  are preferably made from plastic. Preferably, the side members  14  are approximately seventeen inches long, and nine inches high (outside dimensions.) While the example of the present invention shown in  FIG. 7  describes side members in pivotal cooperation with the rear members, the side members may also the detachable from the rear member, wherein the side members may hook into onto receiving features and thus be detachably connected to the rear member, or be detachably connected by some other means. Any truck bed extender having foldable or detachable side members, which side members secure to mounting brackets mounted solely to a tail gate, is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
     The side member  14  swings along a second arc A 2  from a second open position approximately perpendicular to the rear member  12 , to a second folded position approximately parallel to the rear member  12 . A first clip  62  attached to the rear member  12  is provided to engage the side member  14  to hold the side member  14  in the second folded position. 
     A more detailed view of the side member  14  is shown in  FIG. 8 . A latch  50  is attached to the lower arm  72  of the side member  14 . The latch  50  cooperates with a guide  42  (see  FIG. 11 ) to secure the side member  14  in the second open position. A more detailed view of the latch  50  is shown in  FIG. 9 . A guide mouth  51  is provided to allow the guide  42  enter the latch  50 . The latch  50  includes a latch pin  52  biased downwardly (i.e., in a secured position, whereby the side member  14  is secured to the mounting bracket  16 .) 
     A side view of the latch pin  52  is shown in  FIG. 10 , and a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 A— 10 A of  FIG. 10  is shown in  FIG. 10A . The latch pin  52  is biased by in a latched position, preferably by a spring  55  attached at a lower spring end to the latch  50 , and at an upper spring end, to the latch pin  52 , wherein the spring resists pulling the latch pin upward. The latch pin  52  is substantially cylindrical in shape, and includes an increased width cap  52   a  allowing easier grasping of the latch pin  52 . The pin end  53  cooperates with the pin receptacle  43  (see  FIG. 11 ) to secure the side member  14  in the second open position. The latch pin may alternatively be conical, or have any other shape providing a grasping surface to pull the latch pin  52  upwards. 
     The mounting bracket  16  is shown in detail in  FIG. 11 . The mounting bracket  16  includes the guide  42  having a pin receptacle  43  and a ramp  41 . The guide  42  cooperates with the latch  50  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) to direct the side member  14  into the second open position. The guide  42  passes through the guide mouth  51  and the ramp  41  raises the pin end  53  until the pin end  53  is over the pin receptacle  42  and the pin receptacle  43  receives the pin end  53  (see  FIG. 10 ) to secure the side member  14  in the second open position. The ramp  41  cooperates with the latch pin  52  (see  FIG. 9 ) so that the pin end  53  rides up the ramp  41  and falls into the pin receptacle  43  when the side member  14  is moved into the second opened position. A second clip  44  may engage the vertical end tube  80  (see  FIG. 7 ) to hold the rear member  12  in the first folded position (see  FIG. 1  or  2 ). The hinge  46  and release pin  48  cooperate with the truck bed extender  10  to allow the truck bed extender  10  to be moved between the first folded position (see  FIG. 1  or  2 ) and the first open position (see  FIG. 3 ), and the truck bed extender  10  may be removed by removing the release pin  48 . While it is preferred to include a removable release pin  48 , a truck bed extender having a rear member  12  attached to brackets  16  by any rotatable means is intended to come within the scope of the present invention, for example, bolts, rivets, plastic insert, or the like, which need not provide for simple detachment of the rear member  12  from the mounting brackets  16 . The mounting bracket  16  is preferably made from stainless steel. 
     A second mounting bracket  16   a  is shown in  FIG. 11A . The mounting bracket  16   a  is two piece, with the hinge  46  on a first base  40   a , and the clip  44  and guide  42  on a second base  40   b . Alternatively, the hinge  46  and the clip  44  may be on a single base, and the guide  42  may be on a single base. In other embodiments, the rear member  12  may pivot on a piano hinge or the like, and the side members  14  may be secured to a latch  42  mounted independently or directly to the truck bed. Any truck bed extender wherein mounting brackets mounted to the tail gate are the only means necessary for attaching the truck bed extender to a vehicle, whether the mounting brackets are one piece, multi-piece, or cooperate with a hinge, is intended to come withing the scope of the present invention. 
     The clamp  28  is shown in detail in  FIG. 12 . The clamp  28  includes a clamp large Inside Diameter (ID)  36   a , and a clamp small ID  36   b  which are separated by a clamp step  30 . A clamp wall  38  includes a clamp gap  39 , and clamp screws  34   a  and  34   b  cooperate with clamp nuts  32   a  and  32   b , wherein tightening the clamp screw  34   a  causes the clamp large ID  36   a  to decrease, and thereby fix the clamp  28  to the tubing end  59  of the center section  24 , and tightening the screw  34   b  causes the clamp small ID  36   b  to decrease, and thereby fix the clamp  28  to the end horizontal member  60  (see  FIG. 5 ) and fix the width of the rear member  12 . 
     A method for mounting and using a truck bed extender is described in  FIG. 13 . The method comprises attaching mounting brackets  16  to a tail gate  18  at step  100 , removably attaching the truck bed extender  10  to the mounting brackets  16  at step  102 , rotating a rear member  12  to a first open position substantially orthogonal to the tail gate  18  at step  104 , rotating the side members  14  to a second open position substantially orthogonal to the rear member  12  at step  106 , and securing the side members  12  to the mounting brackets  16  to hold the side members  12  in the second open position at step  108 . Alternatively, the mounting brackets  16  and rear member  12  may be attached to the tail gate  18  as a single unit. 
     The method may further include aligning pin passages  49  in the truck bed extender  10  with the hinges  46  and inserting release pins  48  through the pin passages  49  and the hinges  46 , using latches  50  to secure the side members  14  to the mounting bracket  16 . The truck bed extender may be folded out of the way by releasing the latches  50  to release the side members  14  from the mounting brackets  16 , folding the side members  14  to a second folded position, and folding the rear member to a first folded position. The side members  14  may be held in the second folded position by engaging the side members  14  into the first clips  62 , and the rear member  12  may be held in the first folded position by engaging the rear member  12  into the second clips  44 . 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.