Mounting system for mounting a body to a vehicle tailgate

A mounting system for mounting a body to a tailgate having first and second latch assemblies that engage a pair of striker plates. The mounting system includes a first mounting bracket having a first striker plate to engage the first latch assembly and a second mounting bracket having a second striker plate to engage the second latch assembly. The first and second mounting brackets mount the body on the tailgate when the first and the second mounting brackets are attached to the body and when the first and second striker plates are engaged with the first and second latch assemblies.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to the art of mounting bodies to vehicle tailgates.

2. Background Art

Bodies, such as workbenches which are used for mounting power tools, are, in some embodiments, portable. Such portable bodies may be employed at remote locations including, but not limited to, construction work sites. Such portable workbenches commonly include stowable legs which may be folded away for transport and which may be deployed for use at the work site. Work sites and other remote locations where such portable workbenches are employed may have uneven terrain or other conditions which may render the workbench unstable or otherwise unsuitable for its intended use. It should be understood that this problem is not unique to workbenches, but may apply to other bodies or apparatuses as well.

There has been a long felt need to provide a stable platform for such bodies. The tailgate of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, provides a relatively stable and sturdy platform. It would be advantageous if a body such as a workbench could be mounted to the tailgate of a vehicle. The present invention addresses this and other problems.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of a mounting system for mounting a body to a tailgate of a vehicle are disclosed herein. In a first embodiment, where the tailgate has a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly for engaging a pair of striker plates mounted on a tailgate when the tailgate is in an upright position, the mounting system comprises a first mounting bracket that is configured to attach to the body. The first mounting bracket has a first striker plate for engaging the first latch assembly of the tailgate. The mounting system further comprises a second mounting bracket that is configured to attach to the body. The second mounting bracket has a second striker plate for engaging the second latch assembly of the tailgate. In this first embodiment, the first and the second mounting brackets mount the body on the tailgate when the first and the second mounting brackets are attached to the body and when the first and the second striker plates are engaged with the first and the second latch assemblies.

In an implementation of the first embodiment, the first mounting bracket further includes a first brace for engaging the tailgate to stabilize the body when the body is mounted on the tailgate. In a variation of this implementation, the first brace comprises a compressible material that is disposed on a surface of the brace that engages the tailgate.

In another variation, the mounting system further comprises a second brace. The first brace and the second brace may be disposed on opposite sides of the first mounting bracket.

In another variation, the second mounting bracket further includes a third brace for engaging the tailgate to stabilize the body in cooperation with the first brace of the first mounting bracket.

In another variation, the first brace is inwardly and outwardly adjustable with respect to the first mounting bracket to permit the first brace to be tightened against the tailgate. In a further variation, the first brace includes a threaded fastener. The first mounting bracket includes a threaded opening. The threaded fastener is received within the threaded opening such that the first brace is adjustable inwardly and outwardly by turning the first brace.

In a second embodiment, a mounting system for mounting a workbench to a tailgate of a pickup truck is presented. The tailgate includes a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly for engaging a pair of striker plates mounted on a pickup truck when the tailgate is in a upright position. In this second embodiment, the mounting system comprises a first mounting bracket that is configured to attach to the workbench. The first mounting bracket has a first striker plate for engaging the first latch assembly. The mounting system further comprises a second mounting bracket that is configured to attach to the workbench. The second mounting bracket has a second striker plate for engaging the second latch assembly. The mounting system also comprises a first support member that is configured to attach to the workbench and to engage the tailgate to stabilize the workbench when the workbench is attached to the tailgate. In this second embodiment, the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket cooperate to mount the workbench on the tailgate when the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are attached to the workbench and when the first striker plate and the second striker plate are engaged with the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly.

In an implementation of the second embodiment, the first support member is removably attachable to the workbench.

In another implementation of the second embodiment, the first support member is in an interference fit with the tailgate when the first support member engages the tailgate. In a variation of this implementation, the first support member further comprises a movable member that moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The movable member is configured to engage the tailgate to create an interference fit between the first support member and the tailgate when the first support member is attached to the workbench and the movable member is in the extended position.

In another implementation of the second embodiment, the first support member comprises a clamp and the clamp is configured to engage the workbench.

In another implementation of the second embodiment, the mounting system further comprises a second support member that is configured to attach to the workbench. The second support member is further configured to engage the tailgate to stabilize the workbench in cooperation with the first support member when the workbench is attached to the tailgate.

In another implementation of the second embodiment, the workbench includes a plurality of legs that are configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. The first mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket, and the first support member are configured to avoid interfering with movement of the legs between the stowed position and the deployed position when the first mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket and the first support member are attached to the workbench.

In the third embodiment, a workbench system for use with a tailgate of a pickup truck is disclosed. The tailgate has a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly spaced apart from the first latch assembly. The first and the second latch assemblies are configured to respectively engage with first and second spaced apart striker plates that are mounted on the pickup truck when the tailgate is an upright position. In this third embodiment, the workbench system comprises a workbench that is configured to support tools which can be removably mounted to the workbench. The workbench system further comprises a first mounting bracket that is attached to the workbench. The first mounting bracket has a first striker plate for engaging the first latch assembly of the tailgate. The workbench system further comprises a second mounting bracket that is attached to the workbench. The second mounting bracket has a second striker plate for engaging the second latch assembly of the tailgate. The second mounting bracket is spaced apart from the first mounting bracket by a distance that corresponds to the distance between the first and the second latch assemblies. The workbench system further comprises a support member that is attached to the workbench and that is configured to engage the tailgate to stabilize the workbench when the workbench is attached to the tailgate. In this third embodiment, the first and the second mounting brackets mount the workbench on the tailgate when the first and the second striker plates are engaged the first and the second latch assemblies.

In an implementation of the third embodiment, the first mounting bracket includes a first brace for engaging the tailgate to stabilize the workbench in cooperation with the support member when the workbench is mounted on the tailgate. In a variation of this implementation, the second mounting bracket includes a third brace for engaging the tailgate to cooperate with the support member and the first brace to stabilize the workbench when the workbench is mounted on the tailgate.

In another implementation of the third embodiment, the workbench includes a plurality of legs that are configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position and wherein the first mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket, and the support member are configured to avoid interfering with movement of the legs between the stowed position and the deployed position.

In another implementation of the third embodiment, the support member is removably attached to the workbench. In a variation of this implementation, the support member comprises a clamp for removably attaching the support member to the workbench and wherein the support member further comprises a movable member that moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The movable member is configured to engage the tailgate and create an interference fit between the support member and the tailgate when the movable member is in the extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Portable workbenches are frequently brought to construction work sites and other locations for use at the jobsite to support heavy equipment such as power saws, power drills, and any other type of equipment commonly used in construction and home repairs. In many instances, the ground or other support surface available to support the workbench is uneven. This, in turn, could cause the workbench to wobble and provide an unstable platform on which to operate power equipment. In view of the cost of such equipment, the wobble and resulting instability may be an unacceptable condition. It is therefore desirable to provide a more stable platform from which to operate power equipment.

Construction contractors and other persons engaged in construction and home repair frequently drive vehicles such as pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles which have tailgates. When the tailgate is open or down, it provides a platform that is substantially horizontal and which is also relatively stable and wobble-free. Accordingly, it would be desirable to mount the workbench to the tailgate of a vehicle to provide a stable platform from which to operate power equipment. Embodiments of the mounting system disclosed herein address this and other problems.

In one embodiment, the mounting system includes first and second mounting brackets which are configured to be attached to an underside of a portable workbench. The first and second mounting brackets each include a striker plate that is configured to engage a latch mechanism on the tailgate of a pick-up truck or sport utility vehicle. When the striker plate of the mounting bracket engages the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism closes around the striker plate and secures the mounting bracket to the tailgate. The first and second mounting brackets are spaced-apart along the underside of the workbench and are positioned such that their respective striker plates are positioned to engage the two latch assemblies of the tailgate.

With the first and second mounting brackets affixed to the underside of the workbench, the workbench may be placed on the tailgate such that the respective first and second striker members of the first and second mounting brackets engage the latch assemblies of the tailgate with the result that the mounting brackets and the workbench are secured to the tailgate. The workbench may be released from the tailgate by pulling on the handle that is used to open the tailgate.

Each mounting bracket includes two braces disposed on an underside of the mounting bracket. The pair of braces are inwardly and outwardly adjustable such that each brace can protrude from the first and second mounting brackets by a desired amount. When the first and second mounting brackets are attached to the workbench, and when the workbench is attached to the tailgate, the pair of braces attached to the underside of each mounting bracket are adjusted to engage an upper surface of the tailgate in an interference fit to prevent the first and second bracket from pivoting with respect to the tailgate about its striker plate.

In another embodiment, the mounting system may further include support members to provide added stability to the workbench. Such support members may be mounted at or near a center portion of the workbench to help the workbench resist the torque exerted by heavy equipment attached to the workbench. In some embodiments, first and second support members may be removably attached to opposite sides of the workbench. In other embodiments, additional pairs of support members may be attached to the workbench to provide added stability. In some embodiments, the support members may comprise a lever operated clamp which alternately extends and retracts a movable member having an end that is configured to engage the tailgate in an interference fit. A greater understanding of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be gained through a review of the illustrations accompanying this disclosure together with the detailed description that follows.

With respect toFIG. 1, a workbench20is supported on a ground surface proximate a pick-up truck22. The arrangement illustrated inFIG. 1may be a typical construction worksite. Workbench20includes four foldable legs24. InFIG. 1, foldable legs24are illustrated in an extended position to support a working surface26in a position to secure power equipment. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the ground beneath foldable legs24is uneven, thus causing workbench20to wobble.

Pick-up truck22includes a bed portion28to receive cargo, and first and second walls30,32, and tailgate34to provide an open box configuration to secure said cargo when tailgate34is in an upright position. InFIG. 1, tailgate34is illustrated in a lowered position. While in the lowered position, an upper surface35of tailgate34is substantially parallel with bed portion28and provides a heavy-duty load-bearing surface.

Tailgate34includes first and second latch mechanisms36,38which, as explained below, are configured to engage tailgate first and second striker plates40,42. When tailgate34is in an upright position, first and second latch mechanisms36,38engage tailgate first and second striker plates40,42. This engagement secures tailgate34in an upright position, thus closing the bed portion28to form the open box configuration for securing cargo and other items stored in bed portion28.

A mounting system44is affixed to an underside of workbench20and is configured to permit workbench20to be attached to tailgate34. Mounting system44includes first and second mounting brackets46,48. First and second mounting brackets46,48respectively include first and second striker plates50,52protruding outward from first and second mounting brackets46,48in a manner such that when first and second mounting brackets46,48are attached to workbench20, first and second striker plates50,52mimic tailgate first and second striker plates40,42. Configured in this manner, mounting system44is configured to engage first and second latch mechanisms36,38.

As illustrated in phantom lines, folding legs24are configured to fold with respect to working surface26such that, when folded, foldable legs24are tucked-in substantially adjacent an underside of working surface26and are substantially parallel to working surface26. First and second mounting brackets46,48are configured to avoid obstructing foldable legs24as they move between an extended and a folded position. Workbench20may continue to be used as a stand-alone workbench supported by a floor or ground surface using foldable legs24or, as desired, may be mounted to tailgate34to provide a substantially wobble-free workbench surface for mounting power tools or other items.

With respect toFIGS. 2-4, the engagement and disengagement of first striker plate50with first latch mechanism is illustrated. As workbench20(not shown inFIGS. 2-4) is lowered into position over tailgate34, first striker plate50is lowered into engagement with first latch mechanism36. When first striker plate50applies a force to a triggering member54, a latching member56extends and clamps down on top of an upper surface of first striker plate50. (SeeFIG. 3.) When a handle58is pulled, first latch mechanism36(and also second latch mechanism38) are triggered causing latching member56to retract and permit first striker plate50to be withdrawn from first latch mechanism36.

With respect toFIG. 5, an underside of first mounting bracket46is illustrated. A first wall portion60extends downwardly from a central body portion62. First striker plate50protrudes outwardly from first wall portion60in a direction generally parallel to central body portion62. First wall portion60permits first striker plate50to be positioned in a location that is spaced apart from central body portion62to allow an underside64of central body portion62to rest in close proximity to an upper surface35of tailgate34when first striker plate50engages first latch mechanism36. First and second braces66,68protrude downwardly from central body portion62. First and second braces66,68respectively include an engagement portion70,72and a fastening portion74,76. Engagement portions70,72are attached to fastening portions74,76respectively, and comprise a resilient, compressible material including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, and composite materials. Fastening portions74,76comprise a threaded fastener configured to be received within threaded openings78,80(seeFIG. 11) defined within central body portion62. Configured in this manner, first and second braces66,68may vary the distance between underside64and engagement portions70,72of first and second braces66,68by rotating first and second braces66,68either clockwise or counter-clockwise. In this manner, first and second braces66,68are adjustable and permit first and second braces66,68to be positioned to create an interference fit between first mounting bracket46and tailgate34.

A central axis82runs through first mounting bracket46in a longitudinal direction. First and second braces66,68are spaced apart laterally from central axis82, first brace66being disposed on one side of central axis82and second brace68being disposed on the opposite side of axis82. First striker plate50is aligned such that central axis82runs laterally through a center of striker plate50. Configured in this manner, first and second braces66,68are configured and positioned to prevent first mounting bracket46from wobbling with respect to tailgate34by providing stabilization on opposite side of first striker plate50, about which first mounting46would otherwise pivot.

With respect toFIG. 6, an exploded view is illustrates a portion of workbench20, first mounting bracket46and mounting bracket fasteners84. In the illustrated embodiment, workbench20includes a pair of mounting apertures86which are configured to align with mounting apertures88defined within central body portion62. When first mounting bracket46is disposed against an underside of workbench20such that mounting apertures88align with mounting apertures86, mounting bracket fasteners84may fasten first mounting bracket46to workbench20in a threaded engagement. First mounting bracket46may be attached to the underside of workbench20using other mechanisms including, but not limited to, rivets and welds or any other method or mechanism effective to secure mounting bracket46to workbench20.

With respect toFIG. 7, first and second mounting brackets46,48have been affixed to an underside of workbench20(shown in phantom lines) and have been spaced apart along an underside of workbench20by a distance that corresponds with the distance between first and second latch mechanisms36,38. Workbench20has been aligned over tailgate34such that first and second striker plates50,52are respectively aligned with first and second latch mechanisms36,38. Workbench20may then be lowered onto tailgate34until first and second striker plates50,52engage first and second latch mechanisms36,38.

With respect toFIG. 8, workbench20ofFIG. 7has been positioned over tailgate34and the first and second striker plates50,52are engaged with, and secured by first and second latch mechanisms36,38. A power tool may be mounted to workbench20and positioned for usage by an operator.FIG. 8illustrates how foldable legs24do not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the connection between workbench20and tailgate34.

With respect toFIGS. 9-11, the assembly of workbench20to tailgate34has been illustrated with working surface26illustrated in phantom lines. Additionally, central body portion62and63of first and second mounting brackets46,48have been illustrated in phantom lines for the purpose of illustrating engagement between first and second braces66,68and upper surface of tailgate35and also engagement between third and fourth braces67,69of second mounting bracket48with upper surface35. In this view, first, second, third, and fourth braces66,68,67, and69can be adjusted in an upward and downward direction with respect to upper surface35to stabilize working surface26with respect to tailgate34. The spaced apart relationship between underside64of first mounting bracket46and upper surface35of tailgate34permits the user to use his thumb and forefinger to rotate first and second braces66,68inwardly and outwardly with respect to central body portion62to provide an interference fit that stabilizes working surface26.

With respect toFIG. 11, a cross-section has been taken along the line11-11ofFIG. 8to illustrate a longitudinal view of first mounting bracket46. In this view, fastening portions74,76of first and second braces66,68are illustrated in threaded engagement with threaded openings78,80defined within central body portion62. With first and second braces66,68in an extended position (as indicated in phantom), engagement portions70,72engage upper surface35of tailgate34. By using a resilient compressible material with engagement portion70,72, first and second braces66,68can be tightened to an interference fit and provide lateral stability to workbench20.

With respect toFIG. 12, mounting system44further includes first and second support members92,94. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second support members92,94comprise clamps which are attached proximate a longitudinally centralized portion of workbench20to provide further lateral stability to the central portion of workbench20.

With respect toFIGS. 13 and 14, operation of first and second support members92,94is illustrated. First support member92comprises a handle96pivotally attached to a base member98. Base member98includes a pivot100about which handle96pivots between an upper and lower position. First support member92further includes a first movable member102. First movable member102slidably engages base member98and is configured to move up and down in a piston-cylinder arrangement with respect to a lower portion of base member98. Handle96is connected to first movable member102through a first linkage104. First linkage104converts the rotational motion of handle96as it arcs from its upper position to its lower position to straight line motion of first movable member102moving first movable member102from a raised position to a lowered position as handle96swings downward. First linkage104is pivotally connected to both handle96and first movable member102. As handle96moves from the raised position (as illustrated inFIG. 13), to the lowered position (as illustrated inFIG. 14), first movable member102moves downward with respect to base member98and engage supper surface35of tailgate34.

Base member98is attached to workbench engaging member106. Workbench engaging member106includes a projection108that is configured to engage a channel110formed in workbench20. Projection108may be inserted into channel110at an end of workbench20and slid along channel110to a central location with respect to workbench20. Once positioned in a central location, a threaded fastener112disposed within a cylindrical channel114defined in workbench engaging member106is tightened causing workbench engagement member106to move outwardly away from workbench20which, in turn, causes inwardly disposed surfaces of projection108to engage an internal surface of channel110and, through an interference fit therebetween, secure first support member92to workbench20. With first support member92secured to one side of workbench20and second support member94secured to an opposite side of workbench20, when the respective handles are moved into the lowered position, the respective movable members engage upper surface35of tailgate34and provide added stability to essential portion of workbench20.

While two separate support members (first and second support members92,94) are illustrated, it should be understood that a single clamp may be secured to workbench20to provide added stabilization. Additionally, several pairs of support members similar to first and second support members92,94may also be employed at various locations laterally along workbench20to provide even further stability.