Utility rack arrangement for a vehicle

A utility rack for a vehicle is provided. The utility rack includes a platform, at least one support rail positioned on the platform, and a plurality of storage rails connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel to the upper surface, and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the upper surface. The plurality of storage rails are arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a utility rack and storage arrangement for use with a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pick-up trucks and sport-utility trucks are generally useful for transporting various types of equipment. However, certain types of equipment are inherently difficult to transport because of their size, shape, weight, etc. For this reason, among others, utility racks have been designed to accommodate such equipment. However, these utility racks tend to be suited for only one particular type of cargo and are often permanently fixed to the vehicle.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved utility rack for a vehicle that is easily affixed to the vehicle, easily configurable to carry a varying cargo load, and easily removable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a utility rack for a vehicle comprising a platform, at least one support rail positioned on the platform and a plurality of storage rails connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel to the platform, and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the platform. The plurality of storage rails are further arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a utility rack for a truck bed is provided comprising an equipment box having an upper surface upwardly positioned in spaced relation to a lower surface thus defining a storage cavity therebetween. A plurality of side surfaces are generally orthogonal to the upper surface and the lower surface, and positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface forming a perimeter of the storage cavity. The lower surface is further arranged to engage a load floor of the truck bed. At least one support rail is positioned on the upper surface of the equipment box, and a plurality of storage rails are connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel with the upper surface and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the upper surface. The plurality of storage rails are further arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the equipment box may be removed from the truck bed as a single, integral unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1, a vehicle10, such as a sport utility vehicle, is shown with a utility rack20in accordance with the present invention. It should be noted, however, that utility rack20could also be installed into a trailer or other vehicles without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the utility rack20has a platform surface30, a pair of support rails32, and a plurality of storage rails34. The plurality of storage rails34are further arranged to pivot between a stowed position, shown, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 3, and a deployed position, shown, for example, inFIGS. 4 and 6. When any of the plurality of storage rails34are in the deployed position, they are arranged to receive items between them, such as, for example, a kayak50, or mountain bike60.

The plurality of storage rails34are connected to one of the pair of support rails32through a slider mechanism31. The slider mechanism31enables the plurality of storage rails34to translate along the pair of support rails32to a variety of predetermined positions. Each of the plurality of storage rails34may further be covered by a padding36. The slider mechanism31allows the storage rails to squeeze together to secure exemplary items50,60while padding36supports and protects exemplary items50,60. A retractable strap (not shown) could then be stretched across the width of utility rack20to prevent any potential vertical movement of exemplary items50,60.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the utility rack20is shown removed from the bed of the truck10. In addition to platform surface30, the utility rack further comprises a lower support surface24and a plurality of side surfaces22arranged to form a perimeter of a storage cavity26. The lower support surface24is arranged to engage a load floor of a truck bed12. The utility rack20can also be removed from the truck bed12as a single, integral unit. In accordance with a second exemplary embodiment, the platform surface30engages directly with the bed rail of the truck bed12, thereby dispensing with the need for the lower support surface24and the plurality of side surfaces22.

Referring now toFIGS. 3–5, according to an aspect of either embodiment, a portion of the plurality of storage rails34are translated to reveal a U-shaped storage rail42positioned on the platform surface30. The U-shaped storage rail42is pivotally connected to the platform surface30and arranged to pivot between a stowed position, shown, for example inFIG. 3, and a deployed position, shown, for example, inFIGS. 4 and 5. The U-shaped storage rail42is arranged to support items that are too large to be stored within the truck bed12, such as, for example, a sea kayak40. In accordance with another aspect of either embodiment, a roof support rail44is provided and attached to the vehicle roof11to further support large items such as sea kayak40.

Referring now toFIG. 7, according to a third exemplary embodiment, an equipment tray28is shown extended from the storage cavity26. The equipment tray28may be accessed by lowering the tailgate14and sliding the equipment tray28out, away from the storage cavity26. The equipment tray28allows a user (not shown) to store and access items (not shown) within the storage cavity26without having to reach beneath platform surface30. Referring now toFIG. 8, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, the storage cavity26is arranged to support multiple equipment trays28and28′.