Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a device configured to attach to the end of a truck bed. The device can be conveniently used to support and/or secure objects to the truck that are longer than the truck bed. In some embodiments the device enables transport of objects that are longer than a truck bed without interfering with trailers being towed by the truck. A method of securing a wheeled vehicle to a truck bed is also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/962,992, filed Aug. 2, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a truck bed extender and a method of using the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Transporting objects in a pickup truck, which are longer than the bed of the truck, can be challenging. Typically, the tailgate of the truck is left in the open position to support the object and to enable the object to fit level into the bed. 
         [0004]    Transporting objects with the tailgate in the open position can be problematic. Tailgates are not typically designed to support a large amount of weight, and they typically are not configured to lock securely in an open position. When the tailgate of a truck is in the open position, the end portions of the tailgate can, in some towing configurations, limit the effective turning radius of the vehicle and trailer combination. In other words, in some towing situations a tailgate in an open position and the trailer towed behind the truck can run into each other if the driver makes a sharp turn. The present disclosure provides a device and method that facilitates transporting objects in a truck where the objects are longer than a truck bed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present disclosure provides a device configured to attach to the end of the truck bed. The device can be conveniently used to support and/or secure objects to the truck that are longer than the truck bed. In some embodiments the device enables transport of objects that are longer than a truck bed without interfering with trailers being towed by the truck. A method of securing a wheeled vehicle to a truck bed is also provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an upper right rear perspective view of an embodiment of the bed extender according to the present disclosure attached to a vehicle and a ramp; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is depicts an enlarged portion of  FIG. 1  with the ramp removed; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an upper left rear perspective view of the bed extender shown in  FIG. 1  with the tie down straps removed; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a lower left rear perspective view of the bed extender shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an upper left side perspective view of a second embodiment of the bed extender according to the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the bed extender of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the bed extender of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the bed extender of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a hitch bracket of the bed extender of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is perspective view of a bed support of the bed extender of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a bed plate of the bed extender of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bed extender  12  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown attached to a truck bed  10  and a ramp  20 . In the depicted embodiment the truck bed  10  is of a pickup truck with the tailgate removed. The bed extender is posited adjacent the rear of the truck bed  10  and above the receiver  16 . In the depicted embodiment, bed extender  12  rests on the hitch  18  and is held laterally against the truck bed  10  via straps  14 ,  15 . The ramp  20  is shown connected to the bed extender  12  such that objects can be conveniently loaded and unloaded into the truck bed  10 . For example, in the depicted configuration a motorcycle can be rolled into and out of the tuck bed  10 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bed extender  12  includes a table portion  22  (also referred to herein as a bed plate) connected to a hitch mounting assembly  24 . In the depicted embodiment, the table portion  22  includes a pair of arms  26 ,  27  configured to rest over the back edge  28  of the truck bed  10  and a pair of bumpers  30 ,  31  configured to abut against the back edge  28  of the truck bed  10 . In the depicted embodiment the arms  26 ,  27  are generally horizontal, and the bumpers  30 ,  31  are generally vertical. The table  22  includes a pair of attachment holes  32 ,  33  that can be used to engage straps  14 ,  15  that pull the bed extender  12  laterally against the truck bed  10 . In the depicted embodiment the loading edge  34  includes a curved over lip portion  36 . Though in the depicted embodiment the table portion  22  of the bed extender  12  is trapezoidal in shape with the longest edge adjacent the edge  28  of the truck bed  10 , it should be appreciated that many other shapes and configurations are possible. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the hitch mounting assembly  24  of the bed extender  12  is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment, the hitch mounting assembly  24  includes a first vertical support member  38  (also referred to herein as a bed support) connected to the table  22  and a second vertical support member  40  configured to connect to a portion of the hitch  18 . In the depicted embodiment, the first vertical support member  38  includes an upper end  48  with opposed flanges  42  that each have slots  44  configured to receive bolts  46  ( FIG. 4 ). The slots  44  enable the lateral position of the hitch mounting assembly  24  and the table  22  to be adjusted. The lower end  50  of the first vertical support member  38  includes through holes  52 ,  53  that are configured to receive bolts  54  that attach the first vertical support member  38  to the second vertical support member  40 . 
         [0020]    In the depicted embodiment, the second vertical support member  40  (also referred to herein as a hitch bracket) is sized such that the table  22  can be supported in a generally horizontal position. The upper portion of the second vertical support member  40  can include a plurality of holes  56  to enable the level of the table  22  to be adjusted as desired. In other words, the plurality of holes  56  enables vertical adjustment and the slots  44  enable a lateral adjustment. In the depicted embodiment the second vertical support member  40  telescopes from the first vertical support member  38 . 
         [0021]    In the depicted embodiment the lower end of the second vertical support member  40  extends over a portion of the neck portion of the hitch  18  that is forward of the ball  58  ( FIG. 2 ). The depicted configuration enables the bed extender  12  to be used even when the truck is used to tow a trailer (not shown). It should be appreciated that many other configurations for connecting the second vertical support member  40  to the vehicle are also possible. For example, the second vertical support member  40  could be configured to be received within the receiver  16  in place of the hitch  18 . Such an embodiment could be used when the operator does not desire to use the vehicle for towing while using the bed extender  12 . 
         [0022]    The bed extender  12  can be used to transport a variety of different objects in a truck bed (e.g., motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, couches, lumber, etc.). In the context of transporting a motorcycle, the device is used by securing it to the receiver of the truck, strapping it to the truck bed such that the table portion abuts the edge of the truck bed, connecting a ramp to the loading edge of the table, and rolling a motorcycle into the truck bed such that the front or the back wheel rests on the table portion of the bed extender. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-11 , an alternative embodiment of the bed extender is described. The depicted alternative embodiment includes many of the same or similar features to the above-described embodiment. For efficiency the present description will focus on the differences between the depicted embodiments. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , and  11 , the bed extender  60  includes a table portion  62  (also referred to herein as a bed plate) connected to a hitch mounting assembly  64 . In the depicted embodiment, the table portion  62  includes a flange  66  configured to rest over the back edge  28  of the truck bed  10  and a pair of bumpers  68 ,  70  configured to abut against the back edge  28  of the truck bed  10 . In the depicted embodiment the flange  66  is generally horizontal, and the bumpers  68 ,  70  are generally vertical. In the depicted embodiment, the location of the bumpers  68 ,  70  relative to the table portion  62  is adjustable. For application where the greater extension is desired, the bumpers  68 ,  70  are mounted to the table portion  62  at a location that is relatively closer to the front edge  72  of the bed extender  60 . For application where less extension is desired, the bumpers  68 ,  70  are mounted to the table portion  62  at a location that is relatively further from the front edge  72  of the bed extender  60 . In the depicted embodiment the bumpers  68 ,  78  are bolted through the table portion  62 . 
         [0025]    In addition, table portion  62  also has a different shape than the table portion  22 . Also, the side edges  74 ,  76  of table  62  are bent downward like the end edge of both table  22  and table  62 . In both of the depicted embodiments the front edge (the edge configured to rest on the truck bed) is longer than the rear edge (the edge configured to extend rearward from the truck). In both depicted embodiments the length of the front edge is substantially less than the width of the truck bed. In the depicted embodiment the length of the front edge is less than seventy-five percent of the width of the truck bed. In the depicted embodiment, the length of the front edge is between 10 to 60 inches and the length of the rear edge is between 6 to 48 inches. More preferably, the length of the front edge is between 15 to 36 inches and the length of the rear edge is between 12 to 18 inches. In the depicted embodiment the side edges  74 ,  76  are angled (tapered) towards the rear edge of the table. The shape of the table according to the depicted embodiment avoids contact between the bed extenders and any trailer being towed by the truck, even when the truck takes relatively tight turns. Despite the general similarities in the shapes of the tables  22  and  62 , it should be appreciated that many other alternative table configurations are also possible. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , and  10 , the bed extender  60  includes a hitch mounting assembly  64  including a first vertical support member  80  connected to the table  62  and a second vertical support member  82  configured to connect to a portion of the hitch  18 . In the depicted embodiment, the first vertical support member  80  includes an upper end with opposed flanges  84 ,  86  that each have slots  88  configured to receive bolts. The slots enable the lateral position of the hitch mounting assembly and the table  62  to be adjusted. The lower end of the first vertical support member  80  includes through holes that are configured to receive bolts that attach the first vertical support member to the second vertical support member  82 . In the depicted embodiment the first vertical support member is formed by bending a single piece of metal. It should be appreciated that many alternative configurations and forming processes are also possible. 
         [0027]    In the depicted embodiment, the second vertical support member  82  is sized such that the table  62  can be supported in a generally horizontal position. The upper portion of the second vertical support member  82  can include a plurality of holes  89  to enable the level of the table  62  to be adjusted as desired. In the depicted embodiment the second vertical support member  82  telescopes from the first vertical support member  80 . The second vertical support member  82  also includes a notch  90  that can be used as a visual reference for the height adjustment of the table  62 . In some embodiments the notch  90  is configured to be aligned with numbers that are stamped into the first vertical member  80 . 
         [0028]    It should be appreciated that the bed extenders according to the present disclosure can be used to transport a variety of different objects in a truck bed (e.g., motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, couches, lumber, etc.). In the context of transporting a motorcycle, the device is used by securing it to the receiver of the truck, strapping it to the truck bed such that the table portion abuts the edge of the truck bed, connecting a ramp to the loading edge of the table, and rolling a motorcycle into the truck bed such that the front or the back wheel rests on the table portion of the bed extender. 
         [0029]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.