Truck bed storage apparatus and tonneau cover

An article storage receptacle is mountable in a truck bed. A storage compartment is supported by a pivotal frame coupled to a moving unit for moving the frame and the storage compartment between a first position overlaying the truck bed to a variably selected second position elevated from the first position opening the interior of the storage compartment to access. A tonneau cover is pivotally mounted on the frame. An article carrier is carried by the tonneau cover.

BACKGROUND

Trucks are designed to carry cargo, or articles of many different sizes, shapes and numbers. However, small and/or lightweight articles placed in the bed of a truck, such articles are prone to movement during operation of the truck. In addition, articles placed in the bed of the truck are exposed to view and the environment, leading to the possibility of theft, damage, etc.

To address this concern, numerous enclosures, such as tool boxes, as well as cargo nets and other compartment dividers, have been designed to prevent movement of articles disposed within a truck bed as well as to cover and lockably secure the articles in the truck bed when not in use.

In the case of tool boxes, the tool boxes are typically mounted at the forward end of the truck bed immediately behind the cab. Such tool boxes have one or more pivotal covers or lids which may pivot upward from a horizontal pivot extending laterally across the truck bed or up from the side about a centrally located hinge extending along the longitudinal center line of the truck bed.

While such tool boxes securely retain tools and other objects within a truck bed from movement and theft, access to all interior portions of the tool box is limited, due to the size, namely height and width of most truck beds. In fact, the only practical way to access all portions of a tool box mounted in a truck bed behind the truck cab, is to climb up onto the truck bed and walk the length of the truck bed to the tool box. This becomes a tiresome task for workers who frequently access a truck mounted tool box many times each work day.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a truck bed storage apparatus which contains and secures articles from movement and theft. It would also be desirable to provide a truck bed storage receptacle which is capable of movement between a lower, storage position and a raised or elevated position facilitating easy access to all interior portion of the apparatus storage compartment. It would also be desirable to provide a truck bed storage apparatus in which the individual storage compartment(s) can be removed or to a smaller volume to enable cargo to be placed in the truck bed. It would also be desirable to provide a truck bed storage receptacle which can be incorporated with a tonneau cover.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention is an article storage apparatus mountable in a truck bed.

The article storage apparatus includes a storage compartment means supported on the truck bed and means, coupled to the storage compartment means, for moving the storage compartment means between a first, lowered storage position with respect to the truck bed and a variably selectable second position elevated from the first position to allow easier access to the interior of the storage compartment means.

The apparatus further includes pivot means for pivotally mounting the storage compartment means to the truck and to the moving means.

The storage compartment means includes a frame and a storage compartment.

The apparatus includes movement assist means, coupled to the frame, for assisting movement of the frame between the first and second positions. The movement assist means can be at least one pressurized gas cylinder coupled to the frame.

The moving means includes a rack stationarily positioned with respect to the storage compartment means and having an extensible member, a drive gear and an electric motor coupled to the drive gear for bi-directionally moving the extensible member of the stationary rack.

In another aspect the moving means is a rack coupled to the storage compartment means, the rack having an extensible member. A manually operated crank moves the rack to bi-directionally move the extensible member and the attached frame.

In another aspect the moving means is a receiver attached to the frame for receiving a lift bar to allow manual pivoting of the frame between the first and second positions.

In another aspect, the storage compartment means is a rigid or flexible walled container mounted either permanently or removably to the frame.

In another aspect, the storage compartment means is a collapsible storage compartment including a plurality of inter-engageable panels. The panels are disengagable and movable to a nesting position in the frame.

In another aspect, one or more dividers are mountable in the storage compartment to divide the storage compartment into several, smaller sections.

In another aspect, the storage compartment means includes a frame having at least one open section, and a removable storage compartment mountable in the at least one open section. Mounts are fixed on the frame or on the storage containers for releasably supporting at least one storage container in the at least one section of the frame.

In another aspect, the storage compartment means is a pair of separate storage compartment means, each independently moveably mountable above the truck bed.

The present invention is also a tonneau cover mountable on a truck bed. In one aspect, the tonneau cover includes an article carrier means mounted on or carried by the cover for supporting an article on the tonneau cover.

The article carrier means may be separate support elements fixedly mounted on the external surface of the tonneau cover, and/or integral molded with the tonneau cover or the article carrier means may include a portion homogeneously formed with the cover, such as an open-ended channel formed in the cover and extending above or below the plane of the cover for receiving and supporting at least a portion of an article therein. Tiedown means may be employed for releasably securing an article in the article carrier means.

The article storage apparatus of the present invention afford many advantages over previously devised article compartments or storage apparatus devised for trucks. First, the article storage apparatus of the present invention can be conveniently mounted in a truck bed and, due to its elevatable features, can be raised to a position affording easy access to the entire interior of the storage compartment for loading and unloading articles to and from the storage compartment. A separate cover, such as a tonneau cover, is associated with the article storage means and is moveable from a first position overlaying and closing the article storage means from external access to a second position spaced from an open end of the article storage means to permit access to the interior of the article storage means. The cover not only provides protection to articles stored in the article storage means from unauthorized removal, damage and the effects of the environment, but also provides an aesthetic appearance to the truck bed by closing off the open top of the truck bed.

The cover may be a tonneau cover formed as one or two separately pivotal panels, each of which is coupled to a separate article storage means. The article carrier means uniquely carried or mounted on the tonneau affords a convenient location for mounting articles on the tonneau, which capability has not been previously provided for tonneaus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a truck bed storage apparatus or receptacle which is mountable in a truck bed and movable between a stowed, lowered position and one or more, variably selectable, elevated positions, as well as a tonneau cover having unique article carrier means for mounting articles, such as bikes, motorcycles, etc., thereon. The storage apparatus and the tonneau cover may be used together or separately.

As shown inFIG. 1, a tonneau cover40according to the present invention is embodied, by way of example only, by two separately movable portions or sections including a first section42and a second section44which are substantially mirror images of each other. It will also be understood that the features of the present invention may be applied equally to a single piece tonneau spanning the entire lateral width of the truck bed46which pivots about one of the longitudinally extending sides47or48on hinges mounted on the truck side panels30and32or pivots about one end adjacent to the rear wall of the truck cab34by means of a similar hinge connected to one end of the truck bed or the truck cab34.

The tonneau sections42and44may be constructed of any suitable material, such as metal, including steel or aluminum, for example only, as well as high strength plastics, such as reinforced fiberglass, etc.

According to the present invention, at least one and preferably two or more channel means each denoted by reference number50, are formed in the cover40. By example only, one channel means50is formed in each section42and44. Each channel means50is formed of a generally U-shaped member defined by a pair of side walls52and54which are spanned at a lower end on the section42or44by a centrally located end wall56. The width of the end wall56which defines the spacing between the side walls52and54is sized to accommodate vehicle wheels, such as motorcycle or bicycle wheels, as well as wheels on ATVs, etc.

As shown inFIG. 1, the channel means50is integrally or homogeneously formed as a one-piece part of each section42and44. This is easily accomplished when each section42and44is formed of a molded plastic. The channel50can be in a raised portion extending from a plane of the sections42and/or44or be recessed into the cover section42and44below the plane of the sections42and44as shown in phantom inFIG. 1. Alternately, the channel means50may comprise separate U-shaped members which are fixedly attached to the otherwise generally planar surface of each section42and44by means of mechanical fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts, etc., as well as adhesives, etc.

Once an article, such as a bicycle or motorcycle is mounted in one or both of the channel means50, tie down straps70may be employed to secure the article in place to one or more tie down means70, one of which is shown inFIG. 1. A plurality of tie down means70can be provided on the tonneau40, typically at longitudinally spaced locations along the longitudinal sides48of each section42and44as well as along the inside edges49of the sections42and44.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is depicted another aspect of a tonneau cover80according to the present invention. In this aspect, the tonneau cover80also includes two separately moveable tonneau covers82and84. As shown inFIGS. 2–5, each tonneau cover82and84is provided with a lock mechanism, such as a key lock mechanism86. The lock mechanism86includes a rotatable handle mounted externally on each tonneau cover82and84. The handle86is pivotally connected to two links mounted adjacent to the inside surface of each tonneau cover82and84. The links88and90extend through lock apertures in a fixed support in the truck bed.

Also shown by way of example inFIG. 2is an article carrier which, in this example, is devised for releasably mounting a bicycle on top of the tonneau cover84. The article carrier includes a channel-like support92fixedly mounted on the tonneau cover84, by fasteners, adhesive, etc. A releasable latch, not shown, is also mounted on a tonneau cover84and spaced from the support92. The latch, not shown, includes a releasable or moveable member which can be moved to an open position allowing the front fork of a bicycle frame, with the front wheel having been removed, to be inserted and then releasably held in the latch.

As shown inFIGS. 3–5, an article storage container or compartment100and200is associated with at least one or typically, both of the tonneau covers82and84. A frame member104is affixed to a rear portion of the truck bed106by suitable fastening means, such as welds, fasteners, etc. The frame member104includes a pair of legs106and108joined at one end by a cross member110. A similar frame member104is mounted at the other end of the truck bed106adjacent to a truck cab112.

As shown inFIGS. 3–5, the article container100, for example, includes a frame formed of frame members114,116,118and120. The frame members114,116,118and120are joined at ends into a polygonal or rectangular configuration. The frame members114,116,118and120are joined together by suitable means, such as welds, fasteners, attachment brackets, etc. By way of example only, the frame members114,116,118and120may have a hollow, tubular configuration.

A lift assist means122,FIG. 3, is provided on each frame member104. The assist lift means can be a pressurized gas cylinder122which is fixed at one end to one of the legs of the frame member104and is pivotally attached at an opposite end to one of the article container frame members, such as frame member114or118. The lift means122assists in elevating the frame and article container100as well as controlling its manual descent.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, brackets130and132are mounted on the frame members114and118. The brackets130and132pivotally receive one end of a second lift means134and136, which can again comprise gas assist cylinders. The other end of the lift means134and136is pivotally connected to a fixed structural member, such as a cross-rib138mounted on the inside surface of the tonneau cover84. The lift means136is similarly connected to a support rib140at the opposite end of the tonneau cover74. Struts142and144are pivotally connected on one end to the structural supports138and140, respectively, and fixed at an opposite end to the support members114and118respectively.

In this manner, the tonneau cover84is carried by the article container100and is separately pivotal with respect to the article container100. The tonneau cover84can be moved from a first or closed position shown inFIG. 2to a second or pivoted open position shown inFIG. 4. In the open position shown inFIG. 4, access is allowed to the interior of the article container100. In the closed position shown inFIG. 2, the tonneau cover84closes and provides a lockable closure over the article container100.

The frame members114and118are pivotally connected to the frame members104by pivotal links150, seeFIG. 3, which are connected between the frame members114and116and the supports104. The connection of the links150to the frame or support104defines a pivot axis about which the frame members114,116,118and120pivot between a first lower position shown inFIG. 3and a variably selectable second elevated position shown inFIG. 5. The elevated position is disposed at an angle with respect to the sidewall of the truck and affords easy access portions of the interior of the article container100. The angle of elevation is determined by the geometry of the links150, the drive means, etc, and can vary between 10 and about 90°. The drive means described hereafter allows pivoting to any angular elevated position as the user desires.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a power drive means160is mounted in the truck bed, and fixed to one of the frame members104. The power drive means160may be any means capable of providing powered pivotal movement of the article carrier113. By way of example only, the power drive means in one aspect of the present invention is a motor driven linear actuator including an extensible and retractable member162mounted in a tubular housing164. The output shaft of the drive motor, is coupled by gears, for example, to the extensible member162and bi-directionally drives the member162between elevated and retracted positions with respect to the housing164.

A control box166, mounted at an easily accessible location in the truck bed, provides manually operable control signals by an up/down switch to control the direction of extension or retraction of the member162and thereby the movement of the article container100and attached tonneau cover84between the first storage position shown inFIG. 2and any of the elevated second positions shown inFIG. 5. A link168is coupled at one end to the member162and at another end to the article carrier frame member118. The link168transmits extension and retraction movements of the member162to pivotal movement of the frame member118. Due to the rigid interconnected structure of the article frame members114,116,118and120, such pivotal movement of the frame member118simultaneously causes pivotal movement of the entire frame container100.

Referring now toFIGS. 7–16, the article container100, by way of example only, is formed of a plurality of releasable interconnected panels including first and second elongated side panels174and176, each of which are hingedly coupled, by a suitable hinge, to the frame members116and120, a pair of opposed end panels180and182and a bottom panel184. As shown inFIG. 3, a pair of overcenter links186and188are pivotally connected at one end to the end walls180and182and at another end to the frame members114or118. The links186and188control extension and collapsing movements of the end panels180and182.FIG. 3depicts the extended, article storing position of the side panels174and178.

Although the various panels174,178,180,182and184may be fixedly interconnected to form a rigid, non-changeable article container100, according to one aspect of the present invention, the article container100is collapsible to a smaller volume, as shown inFIG. 15, for storage directly beneath the tonneau cover84so as to open up larger portions of the interior truck bed beneath the tonneau cover84for article storage. As such, adjoining edges of the side panels174and178, the end panels180and182and the bottom panel184are provided with releasable interconnecting portions, such as channels, steps, etc. This enables the side panels174and178and the end panels180and182to be disposed in a generally perpendicularly extending downward position from the frame members114166,118and120. The bottom panel184may be inserted through the frame assembly and secured within complementary portions of lower ends of the side walls174and178and the end panels180and182to form a rigid structure for the article container100as shown inFIG. 7.

However, when it is desired to reduce the volume of the article container100, with the article container100pivoted to the second, extended position, the bottom panel184is separated from the side panels174and178and the end panels180and182and stored on top of the frame assembly as shown inFIG. 17, or on the ground or in the truck bed. Next, as also shown inFIG. 7, the end panels180and182are pivoted 180° from their normal storage position about hinges on the frame. The side panels174and178are then pivoted 90° to a position generally in line with the plane of the frame members114,116,118and120as shown inFIG. 8. The end panels182and184are next pivoted downward to overlay the side panels174and178as shown inFIG. 9. The bottom panel184is then remounted over the nested end panels180and182as shown inFIG. 10. The tonneau cover84may then be lowered over the frame members114,116,118and120in close proximity to the nested article container100as shown inFIG. 11. This minimizes the amount of vertical height between the bottom of the nested or collapsed article container100and the truck bed so as to provide additional storage space on the truck bed, even though the tonneau cover84is in the lowered position.

Another aspect of the article container100is the provision of divider means on the bottom panel184. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 12, one or more dividers190and192, with two being shown by example only, are pivotally carried by the bottom panel184. The dividers190and192, which are in the form of small rigid, flexible or mesh panels, which may include carrying handles194to facilitate deployment, can be hinged to the bottom panel184for movement between a collapsed position shown inFIG. 5wherein the panels190and192closely overlay the bottom panel184and a second, deployed position at an angle, such as perpendicular, to the bottom panel184as shown inFIG. 12. The dividers190and192thus divide the overall storage compartment into a plurality of sections. This facilitates each section receiving small articles and prevents such articles from large amounts of movement during operation of the truck.

The number of dividers and, thereby, the number of separate sections formed in the article container100can be varied as desired.

Further, instead of providing the one or more dividers190and192hinged to the bottom panel184, it is also possible to provide separate dividers190and192which can be stored in other locations, and then inserted into the formed storage container100and held in position by means of aligned slots in the side panels174and178, for example.

Referring now toFIG. 13, there is depicted a modification to the article storage container100in which the storage container300is formed of opposed side panels302and304, opposed end panels306and308and a bottom panel310which are interconnected into a solid, rigid article storage container as well as being able to be easily collapsed and nested together in a reduced volume, nested position, similar to that shown inFIG. 12.

The side panels302and304include opposed u-shaped inward facing channels310and an upward facing bottom channel312. The end panels306and308similarly include opposed end channels314and an upward facing bottom channel316. Preferably, all of the side panels302and304and the end panels306and308are handedly coupled to one of the frame members114,116,118and120so as to be pivotal from a downward extending position shown inFIG. 13and a 90° nested position.

First, starting from the nested position, the side panels302and304are pivoted 90° to the extended position shown inFIG. 13. The end panels306and308are then pivoted 90° from the nested position about the respective hinges until the channels314engage the channels310in the side panels302and304. This forms a four-sided, rigid structure. The bottom panel310can then be inserted through the open end of the article container300until the U-shaped peripheral flange320seats in the bottom channels312and316of the side panels302and304and the end panels306and308.

Collapsing of the container300to the nested position is effected in an opposite manner by first removing the bottom panel310and then alternatingly pivoting upward the end panels306and308and the side panels302and304.

It will be understood that the article compartments or containers associated with each separate tonneau cover82and84may be identical. However, by example only, a different article carrier200shown inFIGS. 14–17is associated with the tonneau cover82. The article carrier200includes similar elements as the article container100, such as a frame formed of interconnected frame members114,116,118and120. Lift assist means may be associated with the article frame members114and116and the article support104to facilitate pivotal movement of the entire frame between a first, lowered position shown inFIG. 2and a pivotal, extended or elevated position shown inFIG. 14. The tonneau cover82is pivotally coupled to the frame by the same struts and lift means described above for the article container100.

In this aspect of the invention, the article container200includes a manually operated moving or elevating means in the form of a jack screw202seen inFIG. 14. An extensible or elevatable and retractable portion of the jack screw202is fixed by means of a bracket204to the frame member118. A crank206rotates a gear housed within the jack screw202to linearly extend and retract the extensible portion208of the jack screw202relative to a fixed portion of the jack screw202mounted on the one of the frame supports104. In this manner, the article container200can be pivoted from a first storage position shown inFIG. 1to a second pivotally elevated position shown inFIG. 14. As the jack screw202cannot slip from any position, the article container200can remain in any pivoted angle.

As shown inFIG. 14, the tonneau cover82may be manually pivoted with respect to the frame members114,116,118and120from a first position closely overlaying the open portion of the article container200and a second elevated position opening the interior of the article container200to access.

In this aspect of the invention, the article storage container includes one or more cross members, with three cross members210,212and214being depicted by way of example only inFIGS. 14–16. The space in between the cross members210,212, and214and the frame members114and116may be identical, of variable width, etc. The cross members210,212, and214divide the overall length of the storage compartment between the opposed frame members114and118into separate sections. Each section, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, is devised for receiving, either fixedly or, preferably, releasably, a separate article storage container, with four article storage containers220,224,226, and228being depicted by way of example only. The storage containers220,224,226and228may be rigid walled containers, coolers, flexible or mesh-nets or containers, duffel bags, etc. The article containers220,224,226,228can be open ended or provided with a cover or lid.

Mounting members are provided on the cross members210,212,214and the frame members114and116for releasably supporting the containers220,224,226and228in the article storage compartment200.

For example, as shown inFIG. 15, the article container220is formed as a tub with a peripheral edge flange230adjacent an open end. A pair of flanges232, only one of which is shown inFIG. 20, are fixed to the frame members116and118, by welding or fasteners. The flanges232extend inward beyond the innermost extent of the frame members116and118and act as supports for the flange230on the article container220. Similar flanges234and236may be provided at other spaced locations along the frame members116and118to support other flanged article containers226and228.

The article container224is in the form of a soft sided, flexible walled container. At least one or a pair of loops240are formed on the container224at opposite ends as shown inFIG. 16. Similarly, elongated loops242are formed along the opposed side edges of the container224. The loops240receive rods244and246. The rods244and246are removably mounted in supports248fixed to the frame members116and118. Handles250may be fixed to the rods246to facilitate insertion and removal of the article container224from the container220.

FIG. 17depicts a conventional insulated cooler forming the article container228. The cooler228includes at least one and preferably a pair of outwardly extending end projections252. The end projections252are adapted to be supported on flanges236on the frame members116and118.

Instead of the various mounts of flanges described above for removably receiving the various containers220,224,226and228, it will be understood that the individual containers220,224,226and228can be provided with outwardly extending hooks or flanges which removably mount over the frame members114,116,118and120.

In addition, the container or cooler228can be replaced by an electrically powered refrigerator type cooler which operates off the 12 volt electrical system of the truck. An electrical outlet connected to the vehicle battery system can be provided in the truck bed for receiving an electrical cord or conductor extending to such a cooler mounted in the frame of the article container200. Alternately, power from the motor can be hardwired to the cooler.

A dome light attached to the inside surface of either tonneau cover82or84can also be hardwired to the vehicle battery or provided with its own battery to provide light into the interior of the containers when the storage compartment is in the elevated position shown inFIG. 4or5.

FIG. 18depicts yet another aspect of the present invention in which an article storage container360also includes a frame assembly362which is pivotally mounted by means of pivot364to the truck side wall or bed.

In this aspect, an extensible, telescoping tube assembly366is provided with telescopingly mounted tube sections368, one end of which is pivotally mounted to the truck bed and a second section370which telescopes within or outside of the first tube368. The second tube370is pivotally connected at pivot point372to a flange374coupled to one of the frame members of the frame362.

A plurality of apertures376are formed in the telescoping ends of the tube368and370.

Although the article container360can be moved upward or downward by any of the drive means described above, including an electric motor driven rack, a hand cranked rack, in this aspect, the moving means includes a tubular sleeve380mounted to one of the frame members of the frame362. The sleeve380is sized to removably receive a tilt arm or bar382. In this manner, the tilt arm382when inserted in the sleeve380, can be used to manually pivot the entire frame362upward to the elevated position or to control the downward pivotal movement of the frame362by gravity to the lowered position. In both upward and downward pivotal movements, the telescoping tube assembly366controls movement of the frame362. When the frame362is in a desired angular position, either full up, full down, or in any angular position therebetween, as long as the apertures376are aligned, a lock pin384can be inserted through the aligned apertures to lock the article container360in the desired position relative to the truck bed.

As shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, another aspect of a storage receptacle or container includes a frame464formed of four interconnected frame members or rails466,468,470and472. The ends of the rails466,468,470and472are secured together into a generally polygonal form, with the illustrated rectangular form being an example only, by suitable means consistent with the material used to form the rails466,468,470and472. When metal rails are employed, the ends of the rails466,468,470and472may be secured together by fasteners, welds, etc. Similar fasteners and heat or sonic welding may be employed in the case of plastic rails466,468,470and472. A pair of legs474and476depend respectively from the rails470and472at a position spaced from the rail468.

The rails466,468,470and472form a box-like structure which can receive, in one aspect of the storage container, a plurality of rigid panels.

Referring again toFIGS. 19 and 20, there is depicted a unique storage container elevating and lowering means500or mechanism which easily moves the storage container from a storage position shown inFIG. 19wherein the storage container underlies the tonneau cover when the tonneau cover is in the lowered position and an extended, angularly disposed position with respect to the adjacent truck side panel460, as shown inFIG. 20, to provide easy access to the interior of the storage container. The elevating means500is secured to the inner surface of the truck side panel460by means of mounting brackets502.

The mounting brackets102, which are welded or secured by means of fasteners to the inner surface of the side panel460each have an aperture extending therethrough which receives a tubular drive shaft504which rotatable extends between the apertures in the mounting brackets502. A drive arm506is fixed, such as by welding, for example, to each opposite end of the drive shaft504and has a generally angular or bent shape to dispose an opposite end508in a position for pivotal attachment by means of a pivot pin509to a lower end of one of the legs472or474on the frame464. The end508of the drive arm506is slotted so as to enable the end of the side legs472or474pivotally mounted therein to easily pivot during rotation of the drive shaft504and the drive arms506.

A second pair of drive arms510and512are respectively associated with the end rails470and472of the frame464. One end of each drive arm510and512is fixedly secured to a shaft520on which is fixed a rotatable drive gear514and516, respectively. The shaft520is rotatably mounted in one leg of one mounting bracket502. The other end of each drive arm510and512carries a pin522which rides in a slot524in each end rail470or472. The pin522allows relative movement between the end of the drive arms510and512and the associated end rails470and472while still transmitting lifting force to move the frame464from the lowered, stored position shown inFIG. 19, and the elevated, access or open position shown inFIG. 20.

The drive mechanism of the present invention includes a drive gear522fixedly mounted on the drive shaft504and an idler gear524rotatably mounted about a shaft526rotatably carried in one leg of one of the mounting brackets502. The idler gear524musingly engages the drive gear522and the driven gear520to transmit rotation of the drive shaft504to the driven gear516and thereby to the drive arms510. At the same time, rotation of the drive shaft504causes pivotal movement of the lower drive arms506which effect a pivotal elevating movement of the legs472and474on the frame464.

Rotation of the drive shaft504may be implemented by a number of different means. For one, a hand crank could be inserted into a suitably formed recess in one end of the drive shaft504or the stub shaft520carrying the drive gear514and rotated in either direction to effect bidirectional pivotal movement of the frame464between the lowered and elevated positions.

In the manual crank mode of operation for rotating the drive shaft504, a lock means can optionally be provided to lock the elevating means in the fully elevated position.

In a motor driven, powered aspect a motor output shaft, not shown, can carry a worm gear which engages the drive gear514, the idler gear524or the drive shaft504. The worm gear will avoid any back drive and automatically retain the elevating means in any angular position without movement or play.

One or more up and down switches may be used to rotate the drive shaft504in the desired direction to elevate or lower the storage container462. In addition, a remote switch, such as the switch typically carried on a key fob may be used to generate a short range radio frequency signal which is received by a suitable receiver unit, not shown, mounted on the motor, which is used to generate a signal to activate the motor through connection to the vehicle electrical system, to lower or elevate the frame462and the container464as described above.

As shown in theFIG. 20, the drive shaft504is rotated at a direction to elevate the storage container and the frame464from the lowered position shown inFIG. 19to the fully elevated, accessible position shown inFIG. 20. During this pivotal movement, the ends of the upper drive arms510and512which are slidably connected by the pins522and the slots524to the end rails470and472, respectively, traverse the length of the slots524from an outer end to an inner end during the initial angular movement of the frame464from the fully lowered position toward the elevated position.

As the drive shaft504continues to rotate in the direction to elevate the frame464, the pins522in the ends of the upper drive arms510and512will reverse direction and slide back along the slots524toward the opposite end of the slots524until the pins522are disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the slots524. In this position, it should be noted that the lower drive arms506and508, due to their angular or curved shape, wrap around the outer upper surface of the truck side panel460, preferably without coming into contact with the exterior surface of the side panel460. However, the lower drive arms506and508are moved to a position which places the side rails466and468in an easily accessible position adjacent the upper edge of the side panel460allowing free and easy access to the contents of the storage container462supported by the frame464without requiring the user to climb into the truck bed as is previously required in prior truck bed mounted storage containers.

In another aspect of the invention, a biasing means, such as a spring or a gas assist shock, not shown, may be mounted between one or more of the rails of the frame464and opposed portions of the tonneau cover to assist in pivotal upward movement of the tonneau cover relative to the frame464to open the open end of the frame464and container462to access. Suitable hinges may be employed to mount the gas assist shock to the frame rails and the tonneau cover.