Truck sports rack

Provided is a sports rack configured to be mounted on a truck bed. The truck bed may have a front wall, a rear tail gate and a pair of elongate side walls extending therebetween. Each one of the side walls may have a bed rail. The sports rack comprises a front frame member, a rear frame member and a plurality of channel lengths. The front frame member is disposed adjacent the front wall and extends between the side walls. The rear frame member is disposed over the rear tail gate and also extends between the side walls. The plurality of channel lengths extends horizontally between the front and rear frame members. Each of the front and rear frame members comprises a pair of upright end plates that may be used to mount the sports rack on the bed rails.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a truck sports rack and, more particularly, to a truck sports rack that can be dissembled in pieces for shipment and quickly reassembled for such that it may be mounted on a truck.

Various types of truck racks have been developed for protecting goods or cargo carried on a truck bed of a truck. Conventional truck racks are either permanently mounted on a bed rail of a pickup truck or removably mounted on the truck using complex mounting hardware. For example, in published U.S. patent application 2003/0164621, U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,731, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,782, racks disclosed therein each require specialized mounting mechanisms that comprise several elements for mounting the rack to the bed rail of a pickup truck. Unfortunately, none of these racks are easily mountable due to the relatively large number of mounting components and the large number of fasteners to interconnect such mounting components. In addition, most of these racks are constructed of relatively heavy bar, tubing or frame members which increases the difficulty in mounting and demounting the rack from the truck. Furthermore, the overall weight of such racks may have an adverse effect on handling of the truck on which it is mounted.

In addition, many prior art truck racks are provided as a unitary structure of welded construction. Such truck racks suffer from several deficiencies that detract from their overall utility. For example, truck racks that are provided as a welded construction result in a relatively large structure. Unfortunately, such truck racks must be provided in a relatively large variety of sizes in order to accommodate the wide variety of truck bed geometries that are available from the various truck manufacturers. In addition, the cost of shipping such truck racks from the manufacturer to retailers is relatively high due to the bulkiness of such truck racks. Furthermore, the cost of storing the truck racks and displaying the truck racks is also relatively large due to the large amount of space required. Such costs are ultimately passed on to the purchaser.

As can be seen, there exists a need in the art for a sports truck rack that may be assembled from a set of components such that the sports truck rack may be shipped in pieces and re-assembled by the ultimate purchaser. Also, there exists a need in the art for a sports truck rack that is easily adaptable for mounting to a wide variety of truck beds of varying geometry. In addition, there exists a need in the art for a truck sports rack that can be readily mounted to a wide variety of pickup trucks using only a few types of mounting mechanisms. Furthermore, there exists a need in the art for a truck sports rack that is lightweight and strong such that minimal effort is required to mount and demount the rack while the rack can support heavy weight. Finally, there exists a need in the art for a truck sports rack that is of simple construction with a relatively small number of components such that the overall cost of the truck sports rack may be minimized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a truck sports rack that can be easily dissembled in pieces for shipment and re-assembled such that it may be mounted on a truck. The sports rack is assembled of a plurality of lightweight, standardized components wherein the sports rack is of modular construction such that it may be easily adapted to fit a wide variety of truck beds. In addition, such modularity lowers the overall cost of the sports rack and enhances its transportability and storability. The sports rack comprises a pair of frame members and a plurality of channel lengths extending horizontally between the frame members. Each of the frame members and the channel lengths is perforated with a plurality of lightening holes for hanging or securing various objects. The lightening holes further reduces the overall weight of the sports rack such that mounting and demounting of the sports rack may be readily facilitated with minimal effort.

The sports rack comprises a pair of frame members and a plurality of elongate channel lengths extending between the frame members. Truck beds of many trucks typically have a front wall, a rear tail gate, and a pair of elongate side walls extending therebetween with a bed rail extending about a perimeter of the truck bed. The frame members may be configured as two substantially vertically disposed frame members that are respectively secured to the side walls of the truck bed. The channel lengths and the frame members are configured as horizontal members with a generally shallow U-shaped cross section to increase stiffness and rigidity of the channel lengths. The lightening holes may be formed in each one of the channel lengths and the frame members in order to reduce the overall weight of the sports rack.

Modularity of the sports rack is provided by the channel lengths which may be sized (i.e., provided in varying lengths) to be compatible with a specific truck bed geometry (i.e. truck bed length). The frame members span across the truck bed so as to be generally parallel with the front wall and rear tail gate. Each one of the frame members comprises a pair of uprights, a pair of corner pieces and a cross channel. The corner pieces interconnect the cross channel to the uprights such that each one of the frame assemblies exhibits a generally trapezoidally-shaped configuration. Modularity of the sports rack is also provided by the cross channels which may also be sized to be compatible with a specific truck bed geometry (i.e. truck bed width).

The frame members and the channel lengths may be fabricated from any material such as metal including aluminum, steel or stainless steel. However, other materials such as graphite composite materials and polymeric material (i.e., plastics) may also be used. The sports rack may comprise a pair of accessory brackets secured to each of the cross channels. A roller bar may be supported by the accessory brackets such that the sports rack may be used to transport various items such as sporting goods and construction equipment.

Each of the uprights, the cross channels, and the channel lengths is configured as a substantially flat elongate panel having side flanges extending from opposing edges to form a shallow U-shaped configuration. The corner pieces may be provided in a curved configuration in order to provide a smooth load path between the uprights and the cross channels as well as to improve the overall aesthetics of the sports rack. End plates on each end of the corner pieces may include corner piece end plate holes. Each of the uprights and the cross channels also include a pair of end plates at opposing ends with holes formed therethrough. Mechanical fasteners may be extended through the holes in order to interconnect the cross channels, corner pieces and uprights.

Many pickup trucks typically feature stake holes formed through top surfaces of the bed rails. The sports rack of the present invention exploits this feature by providing a stake mount extending downwardly from the end plate of each one of the uprights. By simply inserting the stake mount into a corresponding one of the stake holes, the sports rack may be mounted to the truck. In an additional mechanism for mounting the sports rack, a C-shaped bracket may be used to clamp the upright end plates to the bed rail. The bracket may include a lower clamp member and an upper clamp member which may be bolted together using a bolt or screw that passes through the upper clamp member and which is threadably engaged to a threaded hole in the lower clamp member. Clamping of the upright end plate and bed rail between the upper and lower clamp members may be performed by tightening the bolt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sports rack10for a truck100such as a pickup truck100as shown inFIG. 8. As will become apparent in the description that follows, the rack has a modular construction allowing its fitment to a wide variety of trucks100having truck beds102of varying geometry. Furthermore, the rack is relatively lightweight such that it may be easily assembled, mounted on and demounted from the truck100. The truck bed102may have a front wall104, a rear tail gate108, and a pair of elongate side walls106extending therebetween. The front wall104and side walls106may each include a bed rail110extending along a perimeter of the truck bed102. The sports rack10may be mounted on the side bed rails110of the pickup truck100by various mechanisms that will be described in detail below.

The sports rack10comprises a pair of frame members14and a plurality of elongate channel lengths12extending between the frame members14. The frame members14may be configured as two parallel substantially vertically disposed frame members14including a front frame member14aand a rear frame member14b. The front frame member may be disposed upon and removably secured to the side bed rails110of the truck bed102. The rear frame member14bmay similarly be disposed upon and removably secured to the side bed rails110although the frame members14may be disposed anywhere along the truck bed102. The channel lengths12are configured as horizontal members with a generally shallow U-shaped cross section to increase stiffness and rigidity of the channel lengths12. Likewise, the frame members14may also be configured with a generally shallow U-shaped cross section.

Importantly, a plurality of lightening holes30may be formed in each one of the channel lengths12and the frame members14in order to reduce the overall weight of the sports rack10. The channel lengths12may be disposed to extend in a direction generally parallel to the side walls106of the truck bed102. Modularity of the sports rack10is provided by the channel lengths12which may be sized to be compatible with specific truck bed102geometry (i.e. length). The frame members14may be disposed to span across the truck bed102so as to be generally parallel with the front wall104and rear tail gate108. As shown inFIG. 1, each of the frame members14comprises a pair of uprights16, a pair of corner pieces20and a cross channel18. The corner pieces20interconnect the cross channel18to the uprights16such that each one of the frame assemblies exhibits a generally arch-shaped or trapezoidally-shaped configuration. Modularity of the sports rack10is also provided by the cross channels18which may also be sized to be compatible with specific truck bed102geometry (i.e. width).

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the channel lengths12include four side channel lengths12aand two top channel lengths12b. More specifically, each one of opposing sides of the sports rack10includes two side channel lengths12aextending between the uprights16. A top of the sports rack10includes two top channel lengths12bextending between the cross channels18. It will be appreciated that the quantity of the channel lengths12may be altered according to specific requirements without exceeding the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, the sports rack10may include only one of the side channel lengths12aat each one of opposing sides of the sports rack10. The sports rack10may also include only two of the top channel lengths12b.

Preferably, the frame members14and the channel lengths12are fabricated from metal such as aluminum, steel or stainless steel. However, other materials such as graphite composite materials and polymeric material (i.e., plastics) may also be used for fabricating the frame members14and the channel lengths12. To avoid the risk of harm to persons and/or property, all of the frame members14and all of the channel lengths12may be fully radiused in order to remove otherwise sharp edges. The sports rack10further may comprise a pair of accessory brackets600secured to or formed with each of the cross channels18. A roller bar602having two ends may be supported by the accessory brackets600. The roller bar602may be used to transport sporting items such as kayaks, surfboards, windsurfers and canoes. The roller bar602may also be used to transport construction equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, lumber and piping. The apertures30may additionally be used to mount various accessories.

FIGS. 2,3,4and5are, respectively, the side view, rear/front view, top view and bottom view of the sports rack10. Each of the uprights16, the cross channels18, and the channel lengths12is configured as a substantially flat elongate panel with two side flanges extending from opposing edges of the panel to form the above-mentioned shallow U-shaped configuration. The elongate panel is perforated with a plurality of the lightening holes30to reduce weight. In addition, the lightening holes30provide attachment points from which various objects may be hung or secured. Preferably, the frame member14width is greater than that of the channel lengths12in order to provide sufficient support thereof. Because the width of the frame members14is greater than that of the channel lengths12, the lightening holes30formed on the frame members14may be sized to be proportionally larger than those formed on the channel lengths12in this embodiment. However, it is contemplated that the lightening holes30may be provided in any number of shapes and sizes.

As shown inFIG. 2, opposing ends of each one of the side channel lengths12amay be connected to the sides of corresponding ones of the uprights16. Ends one of the top channel lengths12bmay be connected to the sides of the cross channels18, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. Referring toFIG. 3which illustrates the front/rear view of the sport rack10, upper ends of the uprights16are generally inclined towards each other in order to form the generally arch shape or trapezoidal shape of the frame members14wherein tops of the frame members14are sized to be generally narrower than bottoms of the frame members14.

As mentioned above, the corner pieces20are used to interconnect the cross channel18to the uprights16.FIG. 6shows a perspective view of a corner piece20. As shown, the corner piece20is preferably curved to provide a smooth load path between the uprights16and the cross channels18. In addition, the curved configuration of the corner piece20may improve the overall aesthetics of the sports rack10. In the embodiment shownFIG. 6, the corner piece20includes an end plate400at each end thereof. Each end plate400is perforated with at least one corner piece end plate hole402. It will be appreciated that different configurations can also be applied to the corner pieces20without exceeding the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, each of the corner pieces20may comprises a plurality of curved bars or tubing terminating in perforated end plates.

Similar to the corner pieces20, each of the uprights16and the cross channels18also comprise a pair of end plates at opposing ends thereof. In this manner, the uprights16and the cross channels18may be bolted together to form the frame members14as shown inFIG. 7.FIG. 7also shows the connection between one of the uprights16and one of the side channel lengths12a. As shown, each end of the side channel length12aalso comprises an end plate perforated with two holes, while a corresponding side panel of the upright16is also perforated with at least two holes aligned with the holes of the end plate of the side channel length12asuch that the side channel length12amay be bolted to the upright16. It should be noted that the uprights16may be connected to the cross channels18by any suitable means including, but not limited to, a combination of bolts and nuts, or a combination of bolts that engage threaded bosses that are fastened to the corner pieces20.

Various types of mounting mechanisms can be applied to mount the sports rack10to the truck100. Many pickup trucks typically include the feature of stake holes formed through top surfaces of the bed rails110. Taking advantage of this feature, a simple mounting mechanism can be provided for mounting the sport rack10to the bed rails110. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, a stake mount210is bolted to the end plate200of each one of the uprights16. By simply inserting the stake mount210into a corresponding one of the stake holes formed in the bed rail110, the sports rack10may be mounted to the truck100as shown inFIG. 8with minimal use of installation tools or fastening hardware. As shown inFIG. 8, the sports rack10may be mounted to the truck100with the frame members14located adjacent the front wall104and the rear tail gate108of the truck bed102. The side channel lengths12bare generally positioned over the side walls106of the truck bed102. When the sports rack10is mounted over the truck bed102as shown inFIG. 8, a canopy or tent may be applied thereon in order to further secure goods or cargo carried in the truck bed102as well as to provide some degree of protection from the elements of weather.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate an additional mechanism for mounting the sports rack10to the truck100. As shown, upright end plates200of each one of the uprights16may be placed on the top surfaces of the bed rails110. The upright end plate200may further includes a flange or lip202projecting generally outwardly and generally perpendicularly from the upright end plate200. Such lip202may provide additional stiffness to the upright end plate200. The lip202may extend continuously along the upright end plate200. Preferably, a rubber gasket204may be interposed between each one of the upright end plates200and the bed rails110to act as an interface between the upright end plate200and the bed rail110. In this regard, the rubber gaskets204may prevent rubbing of the bed rails110which would otherwise abrade or scrape the bed rail110finish (i.e. paint). When the upright end plates200are positioned on the bed rail110, a C-shaped bracket206may be used to clamp the upright end plate200to the bed rail110.

As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the C-shaped bracket206may include a lower clamp member206aand an upper clamp member206bwhich may be bolted together using a bolt or screw that passes through the upper clamp member206band which is threadably engaged to a threaded hole in the lower clamp member206a. Clamping of the upright end plate200and bed rail110between the upper and lower clamp members206amay be performed by tightening the bolt in order to cause relative axial movement between the upper and lower clamp members206a. Compressive force is thereby applied to sandwich the upright end plate200to the bed rails110to prevent axial movement of the sports rack10relative to the truck bed102while frictional forces prevent lateral movement thereof.

Alternatively, mounting of the sports rack10to the truck bed102may be achieved by including upright end plate holes208in each one of the upright end plates200.FIG. 10shows the upright end plate200of each one of the uprights end plate202being perforated with four of the upright end plate holes208. The top surface of the bed rail110may be drilled to provide plural holes formed therethrough and positioned complementary to the upright end plate holes208. In this manner, the sports rack10may be positioned such that the upright end plate holes208may be aligned with the holes formed through the top surface of the bed rail110. Mechanical fasteners may then be used to secure the sports rack10to the bed rail110of the truck100.

This description of the various embodiments of the present invention is presented to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and other inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.