Cargo system with concealable rack for a motor vehicle

Provided are a cargo system for supporting cargo on a vehicle, and a vehicle provided with the cargo system. The cargo system includes a plurality of racks to be arranged at different positions along a length of the vehicle comprising. The racks include a frame assembly configured to cooperate with an internal structure of the vehicle. A rack arm is adjustable relative to the frame assembly, and a coupling system couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of different positions. The different positions include at least: (a) a recessed position relative to a body panel of the vehicle, and (b) a deployed position extending vertically above the body panel of the vehicle for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle. A rack support cooperates with the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates generally to cargo management and, more specifically, to an apparatus that is deployable from a concealed state to support cargo being transported by the motor vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

Oversized cargo such as ladders, sheets of wood or other building materials, for example, can be conveniently transported atop a cargo rack provided to a vehicle. Conventional cargo racks for such a purpose are typically secured in a fixed position on the roof of the vehicle. The oversized cargo can be rested on the cargo rack, and optionally secured in place using ratcheting tie-down straps, for example. Although conventional cargo racks are easy to load and unload, they remain exposed on the exterior of the vehicle at all times, giving the vehicle an unsightly appearance even when they are not being used to support oversized cargo.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the subject application involves a cargo system for supporting cargo on a vehicle. The cargo system includes a plurality of racks to be arranged at different positions along a length of the vehicle comprising. The racks include a frame assembly configured to cooperate with an internal structure of the vehicle. A rack arm is adjustable relative to the frame assembly, and a coupling system couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of different positions. The different positions include at least: (a) a recessed position relative to a body panel of the vehicle, and (b) a deployed position extending vertically above the body panel of the vehicle for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle. A rack support cooperates with the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo.

According to another aspect, the subject application involves a vehicle that includes a set of ground-engaging wheels, and a body formed from a plurality of body panels. The body has a length extending in a longitudinal direction parallel with a driving direction of the vehicle and a width extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. A cargo system is installed on the vehicle to support cargo. The cargo system includes at least a first rack and a second rack arranged at different positions along the length of the vehicle. The first and second racks each include a frame assembly coupled to an internal structure of the vehicle, and a rack arm adjustably coupled to the frame assembly by a coupling system. The coupling system couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions, including at least: (i) a recessed position relative to at least one of the body panels of the vehicle, and (ii) a deployed position where the rack arm extends vertically above the at least one of the body panels of the vehicle for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle. A rack support is coupled to the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of”, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.

To transport cargo as desired and maintain an aesthetically-pleasing appearance of a vehicle, the present disclosure is directed toward a cargo system with at least one concealable rack, and a vehicle including such a cargo system. The rack, in a deployed state, includes a rack support that is supported by a rack arm and maintained at an elevation vertically above the portion of the vehicle where the cargo is to be supported while the vehicle is underway, traveling over a public roadway. When not in use, the rack can be adjusted to a stowed state, where at least a portion of the rack arm that was exposed while the rack was in the deployed state is concealed from view behind a body panel of the vehicle. A portion, or an entirety of the rack support can optionally also be concealed from view behind the same, or a different body panel of the vehicle while the rack is in the stowed state. With the one or more racks in the stowed state, the vehicle can appear to be devoid of the cargo system. Further, aerodynamic drag that would otherwise be attributed to portions of the rack being exposed to the elements while the vehicle is underway can be avoided by concealing such portions of the rack behind the body panel of the vehicle while the rack is in the stowed state.

With reference to the drawings,FIG. 1shows a vehicle10equipped with an embodiment of a cargo system12comprising at least one, and optionally a plurality of concealable racks, referred to generally at14and specifically at14A,14B,14C inFIG. 1. The vehicle is shown inFIG. 1and described herein as a pickup truck such as a Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, etc.; Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 2500, etc.; RAM 1500, 2500, 2500, etc.; compact pickup trucks, and other such vehicles, for example. However, the present disclosure is not so limited. Instead, embodiments of the present cargo system12can be compatible with any vehicle other than pickup truck such as a minivan, sedan, station wagon, or any other vehicle that can be driven over public roadways to carry cargo. For the sake of brevity and to clearly describe the present cargo system12, however, the embodiment of the vehicle10shown in the drawings is a pickup truck that includes a truck bed16arranged behind a passenger cab18in which a driver and optionally other occupants of the vehicle sit. The cargo system12is described herein as supporting cargo at an elevation vertically above a roof20of the passenger cab18, but embodiments of the cargo system12can optionally support the cargo at an elevation that is vertically below a top of the roof20. For example, the cargo can be supported at an elevation vertically above the truck bed16, but below the elevation of the roof20.

In addition to the roof20, the body of the vehicle10also includes a plurality of body panels that collectively form the exterior skin of the vehicle10. The body panels can include, for example, a front fender22, a hood24, a rear fender26, sides27of the truck bed16, and other body panels. Side bed caps29can extend between the sides27of the truck bed16and respective fenders26to enclose a top of an interior space38(FIGS. 5A-5C) between the sides27of the truck bed16and the respective fenders26. The vehicle's body has a length extending in a longitudinal direction along an axis32that is generally parallel with a straight-line driving direction (e.g., when the vehicle is being driven forward, in a straight line) of the vehicle10. The vehicle's body has a width extending along an axis34that extends transversely to the longitudinal direction.

The front fender22and the rear fender26each define a wheel well28in which at least one ground-engaging wheel30of a wheel set is received. At least one, and optionally a plurality of the wheels30is driven by a motor such as an internal combustion engine, a diesel engine, or an electric engine, for example, that is concealed from view by the hood24, while the hood24is closed.

The embodiment of the cargo system12shown inFIG. 1includes a plurality (e.g., three) concealable racks14A,14B,14C. The forward rack14A is arranged to support the cargo at a location forward of the passenger cab18. The mid rack14B is arranged to support the cargo at a location rearward of the passenger cab, adjacent to a bulkhead defining a forward wall of the truck bed16. The rear rack14C is arranged to support the cargo at a location rearward of the passenger cab, adjacent to a tailgate36defining a rear wall of the truck bed16. The tailgate36can be opened and closed to selectively grant access to an interior of the truck bed16. Although the embodiment of the cargo system12shown inFIG. 1includes a plurality of concealable racks14arranged along a driver's side of the vehicle10, the present disclosure is not so limited. Instead, the vehicle10can include one concealable rack14. For example, the cargo system12can include just the forward rack14A, just the mid rack14B, or just the rear rack14C, to support the cargo in conjunction with another cargo support structure such as a roof rack (not shown) installed on the roof20of the vehicle10. According to alternate embodiments described below, at least one concealable rack14can be provided to the driver's side of the vehicle10and at least one concealable rack14can be provided to a passenger's side of the vehicle10.

Each concealable rack14includes a frame assembly40(FIGS. 5B and 5C) configured to cooperate with an internal structure42of the vehicle10. Examples of the internal structure42can include a structural member of the vehicle10that affords the vehicle10its functional rigidity for applications such as towing a trailer. According to alternate embodiments, the internal structure42can include an internal surface of a body panel, which primarily serves an aesthetic role on the vehicle10. The frame assembly40can include a rail, a track, a sleeve in which at least a portion of a rack arm44of the rack14is received while the rack14is in the stowed state, or any other structure that can couple the rack arm44to the vehicle10in an adjustable manner. In other words, the frame assembly40is securely coupled to the internal structure42of the vehicle. The rack arm44is configured to cooperate with (e.g., fit within, travel along, etc.) the frame assembly to allow the rack arm44to be at least partially received within the body of the vehicle10while the rack14is in the stowed state, and to protrude vertically above the body of the vehicle10while the rack14is in the deployed state.

For example, the rack arm44shown inFIG. 1can be a linear structure formed from a metal, metal alloy or other suitably-strong material to support the cargo loads imparted on the rack14. The rack arm44can be formed from tubing having a round or oval cross-sectional shape, or can be formed from so-called square tubing having a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape. Embodiments of the rack arm44formed from tubing can define a hollow interior passage to afford the rack arm44a suitable rigidity, yet minimize the weight of the rack arm44to allow manual adjustment of the rack arm44between a recessed position and a deployed position, as described below. Other embodiments of the rack arm44can be formed from as a solid member.

A rack support46cooperates with the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo. For the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the rack support46forms an approximate right angle with the rack arm44and extends inwardly (e.g., toward the passenger's side of the vehicle10) from the driver's side of the vehicle10, toward a central region of the truck bed16while the rack14is in the deployed state. A rack14provided to the passenger's side of the vehicle10can include a rack support46that extends inwardly (e.g., toward the driver's side of the vehicle10) from the passenger's side of the vehicle10, toward a central region of the truck bed16while the rack14is in the deployed state.

A coupling system48(FIG. 5B) couples the rack arm44to the frame assembly40so the rack arm44can be adjusted to a plurality of different positions relative to the frame assembly40. As shown inFIGS. 5Bthe coupling system48includes a flange formed about a periphery of the rack arm44, a plurality of pins protruding from the rack arm44, or any other suitable structure that can selectively engage the frame assembly40at different locations. According to other embodiments, the coupling system48can be formed from the close proximity of opposing surfaces of the rack arm44and the frame assembly40. For example, a rack arm44formed from round tubing can be received within a circular sleeve of the frame assembly40. The sleeve can have an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the rack arm44. Such adjustment allows the rack arm44to be telescopically received and adjusted to different positions within the sleeve to adjust the rack14between the stowed state and the deployed state. One or more surfaces of the frame assembly40can optionally be provided with padding or another suitable sound-inhibiting material. Such a material can at least partially dissipate sounds that would otherwise occur if the rack arm44or another portion of the rack14were to vibrate against, or make contact with the portion(s) of the frame assembly40without the material while the vehicle10is underway. According to other embodiments, the rack arm44or other portion(s) of the rack14can be secured by a tether or within a sleeve while in the stowed state to at least partially mitigate noises caused by the rack arm44or other portion of the rack14vibrating or making contact with portions of the frame assembly40or vehicle10. Thus, noises such as rattling by the rack caused by the road or other terrain over which the vehicle10is traveling can be at least partially mitigated while the rack is in the stowed state.

To deploy the rack14to the deployed state, the rack arm44is adjusted relative to the frame assembly40to at least partially, and optionally fully extend from the interior space38(FIGS. 5A-5C) in the upward direction. Fully adjusted, the rack arm44supports the rack support46at the elevation where the cargo is to be supported. With the rack arm44fully adjusted, the coupling system48can engage the frame assembly40and/or a portion of the vehicle10other than the frame assembly40(e.g., side bed cap29of the truck bed16) and maintain the rack arm44at a fixed, extended position. A locking mechanism can optionally be engaged to interfere with the ability of the rack arm44to be adjusted from the fixed, extended position.

To adjust the rack from the deployed state to the stowed state, an optional locking mechanism can be disengaged to permit adjustment of the coupling system to release the rack arm44, or at least adjustment of the rack arm44relative to the frame assembly40. For the embodiment ofFIG. 1, wherein the rack support46is in a fixed orientation relative to the rack arm44, adjustment of the rack arm44can optionally align the rack support46with an elongate aperture50formed in a portion of the vehicle10that is to receive the rack support46. InFIG. 1, the aperture50is formed in the front fender22and the side bed cap29on the driver's side of the vehicle10. Thus, the orientation of the rack support46is pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the rack arm44approximately 90° in the direction of arrow52from the orientation in which the rack support46supports cargo. Pivotal adjustment of the rack support46can optionally span an arch in a plane in which the rack support46is located in the deployed state. The rack arm44can then be lowered relative to the vehicle10and at least partially, and optionally fully recessed within the interior space38, with the rack support46and the rack arm44entering the interior space38through the aperture50.

With the rack14in the stowed state, the rack arm44is adjusted to be mostly, and optionally fully recessed within the interior space38to be hidden from view by at least one body panel of the vehicle10. The rack support46can also be at least partially, and optionally fully received within the interior space38. To be hidden from view, the recessed portion of the rack arm44and/or the rack support46is not viewable by an observer viewing an exterior of the vehicle10from a distance. Although a portion of the frame assembly40, or even a portion of the rack14may be viewed from beneath the vehicle or by looking down into the aperture50from above, the body panels of the vehicle10shield portions, and optionally an entirety of the rack14from view when the vehicle10is observed from the side. In other words, the vehicle10can appear as being devoid of the rack14while the rack14is in the deployed state14.

FIGS. 2A-2Dshow an alternate embodiment of a rack14that includes a rack support46that is pivotally coupled to the rack arm44, and includes a cover54. Pivotal adjustment of the rack support46allows the aperture50through which the rack support46and rack arm44are recessed into the interior space to have a smaller footprint than the elongate embodiment of the aperture50described with reference toFIG. 1. The rack14is shown in the deployed state inFIG. 2A. To place the rack14in the stowed state shown inFIG. 2D, the rack support46is pivoted downward about a hinge56, shown in broken lines inFIGS. 2A-2D, in the direction indicated by arrow58. For example, the rack support46can be oriented substantially orthogonal (e.g., ±15°) to, or at another suitable angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the rack arm44in the deployed state. The rack support46is pivoted about the hinge56in the direction of arrow58such that a distal end of the rack support46travels along an arch in a plane of the rack arm44, downwardly toward the vehicle10, and approaches the rack arm44. Fully adjusted, the rack support46can optionally abut against, or be arranged parallel with the rack arm44as shown inFIG. 2B. The rack arm44, and the adjacent rack support46following pivotal adjustment about the hinge56, can then be lowered relative to the vehicle10in the direction indicated by arrow60inFIGS. 2B and 2C, and at least partially, and optionally fully inserted into the interior space38through the aperture50.

The cover54can be coupled to the rack support46and/or the rack arm44to be adjusted to a plurality of positions as a result of the pivotal adjustment of the rack support46about the hinge56. For example, with the rack support46positioned to support cargo while the rack14is in the deployed state, a major plane of the cover54can be vertically oriented, with an externally-exposed surface facing laterally outward, generally away from a driver's side of the vehicle10as shown inFIG. 2A. The externally-exposed surface includes the surface of the cover54that is exposed externally of the body of the vehicle10while the rack14is in the stowed state as described below. As a result of pivotally adjusting the rack support46to the orientation shown inFIG. 2B, the externally-exposed surface of the cover54can be adjusted so the major plane of the cover54is substantially horizontal. With the rack14in the stowed state, as shown inFIG. 2D, the rack arm is fully received within the interior space38, and the cover54is positioned approximately flush with at least a portion of the body panel or other surface at least partially defining the aperture50.

At least the externally-exposed surface of the cover54can be formed from the same material as, or from a different material from the neighboring body panel (e.g., fender, side bed cap29of truck bed, etc.) or other surface defining at least a portion of the aperture50. The externally-exposed surface can be painted, molded, or otherwise provided with a color that matches, or at least closely resembles the neighboring body panel or other surface defining at least a portion of the aperture50. The flush arrangement of the externally-exposed surface of the cover54relative to the neighboring body panel or other surface provides the body of the vehicle10with a continuous appearance, as if the rack14were absent, when the vehicle equipped with the rack14in the stowed state is viewed from afar.

FIGS. 3 and 4A-4Dshow other embodiments of the rack14installed on the vehicle10. The embodiments of the rack14shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A-4Dare similar to those inFIGS. 2A-2D, but the orientation of at least one rack support46is pivotally adjusted in at least two planes. For example, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A-4D, to adjust the rack14from the deployed state to the stowed state, the rack support46can be pivotally adjusted as follows:

(i) From a substantially horizontal orientation (shown in broken lines referred to as46A inFIG. 3) in which the rack support supports cargo to another substantially horizontal orientation (shown in broken lines46B inFIG. 3) that is approximately 90° about the rack arm44from the original horizontal orientation46A. The rack support46moves in a direction (indicated at62inFIGS. 3 and 4A) spanning an arch in the horizontal plane in which the rack support46is located while the rack14is in the deployed state.

(ii) From the adjusted horizontal orientation46B, the rack support46is pivoted about the hinge56in the direction of arrow64(FIGS. 3 and 4B) such that a distal end of the rack support46travels along an arch in a plane of the rack arm44, downwardly toward the vehicle10, and approaches the rack arm44. Fully adjusted, the rack support46can optionally abut against, or be arranged parallel with the rack arm44as shown inFIG. 4C. The rack arm44, and the adjacent rack support46that has been pivotally adjusted about the hinge56, can then be lowered relative to the vehicle10in the direction indicated by arrow66inFIGS. 3 and 4C, and at least partially, and optionally fully inserted into the interior space38through the aperture50. Again, the rack14in the stowed state can be provided with the cover54that provides the body of the vehicle10with a continuous appearance, as if the rack14were absent, when the vehicle equipped with the rack14in the stowed state is viewed from afar, as shown inFIG. 4D.

FIGS. 5A-5Cshow additional embodiments of the rack14provided to a vehicle10. According to the present embodiments, the rack14is configured to allow passage of a portion of the rack arm44through the aperture50in a first orientation, and to interfere with passage of the rack arm44through the aperture50in a second orientation. As shown inFIG. 5A, the rack arm44can have a rectangular cross-sectional shape having different length and width dimensions. The rack14, in the deployed state as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5C, includes a rack arm44that extends across and beyond the aperture50, to rest atop the side bed cap29. The portions of the rail arm44that extend beyond the aperture50maintain the rack arm's deployed position above the side bed cap29. To place the rack14in the stowed state, the rack support46is pivoted in a downward direction about the hinge56or other pivot point, generally toward the rack arm44in the direction of arrow64as described above. The rack arm44is pivoted approximately 90° in the direction indicated generally by arrow66to align the cross-sectional shape of the rack arm44with the aperture50. At least a portion of the aligned rack arm can be inserted into the interior space38through the aperture50.

Rather than being supported by a portion of the rack14, the cover54of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 5A-5Cis separately adjustable to cover the aperture50once the rack14has been returned to the stowed state. For example, the cover54can be a separate, standalone structure that is manually inserted, at least partially, into the aperture50to provide the body with the continuous appearance as described above. According to alternate embodiments, the cover54can be slidable, along a track provided to the side bed cap29. Regardless of the configuration of the cover54, the externally-exposed surface of the cover54can match, or closely resemble the finish of the neighboring body panel(s).

To return the rack14to the deployed state, the rail arm44can be at least partially retrieved from the interior space38through the aperture as shown inFIG. 5B. Once sufficiently retrieved, the rack arm44is pivoted about 90° to again cause the rack arm44to extend beyond the dimensions of the side bed cap29.

FIG. 6shows other embodiments of the rack that include a rack arm44having a support notch68. The rack arm44of the present embodiments is formed from square tubing, and is at least partially receivable within the interior space38as described herein. In the stowed state, the rack support46is arranged with a longitudinal axis thereof arranged parallel with a longitudinal axis of the rack arm44. The arrangement of the rack support46for the rack14in the stowed state is shown in broken lines46C inFIG. 6. To convert the rack14to the deployed state, the rack support46is pivoted upward about a hinge56in the direction indicated by arrow70. Upon reaching a substantially-horizontal orientation, the rack support46is moved laterally, in the direction indicated by arrow72, to be seated in the support notch68. A bottom surface of the rack support46rests on a substantially-horizontal floor of the L-shaped support notch68to improve the stability and the load-capacity of the rack support46with the rack14in the deployed state.

The embodiments described above include one or more racks14arranged along a driver's side of the vehicle10. However, as noted above, one or more racks14can be arranged along the driver's side of the vehicle10, along the passenger's side of the vehicle10, or both the driver's side and the passenger's side of the vehicle10. For example, opposing racks14A,14B can be arranged at similar locations along the axis32(FIG. 1), but on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle10as shown inFIG. 7. The rack support46of each rack14A,14B can be sufficient such that the rack support46provided to the racks14A,14B meet, or are closely arranged to each other at a location between the lateral sides of the vehicle10. The opposing distal ends of the rack supports46can be coupled together for added support (e.g., a sleeve can extends over a portion of each opposing distal end of the rack supports46), to enhance the load-carrying capacity of the racks14A,14B. Although the rack supports46described and shown herein include a distal flange72that extends upward adjacent to the distal end of the rack supports46, embodiments of the rack support46can include a top, cargo contacting surface that is planar. Such embodiments can collectively form a planar surface spanning a width of the vehicle between the opposing racks14A,14B for carrying wide cargo such as 4 ft.×8 ft. sheets of plywood, for example.

Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above devices and methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.