Vehicle cargo area extender and step

The vehicle cargo extender allows a user to effectively extend the bed of a vehicle to accommodate and support cargo having dimensions extending beyond an unmodified bed. The extender has a deck assembly and an arm assembly. The deck, which may be folded for easier storage, forms a floor on which cargo may rest. The arm assembly comprises an extension tube, a storage receiver tube, a crosspiece receiver tube, and a crosspiece assembly. The extension tube, when in use, is inserted into and secured within a receiver hitch. The deck is coupled with the arm assembly. The user may also attach a shelf assembly to the arm assembly to carry additional cargo. When in the stowed position, the crosspiece is coupled to the crosspiece receiver tube and may have reflectors or auxiliary taillights. The storage receiver tube and crosspiece may be nested and secured together within a receiver hitch. When in the stowed position, the arm assembly forms a step to allow the user easy access to the pickup truck bed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus used to extend the length of the cargo area of a vehicle which, when extended, allows the operator to safely carry and transport goods and materials exceeding the length of the existing cargo area, and, when not in use, is easily stowed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, vehicles such as trucks are used to carry cargo. The area for the cargo is typically located behind the truck cab. The cargo area may be open or enclosed. If enclosed, a rear door allows access to the cargo area.

One type of truck is known as a “pickup”. Pickups range in size from compact trucks with payloads of less than a 1000 pounds to full size vehicles with payloads in excess of 5000 pounds. In considering which pickup to buy, consumers typically base their decision, in part, on their usual carrying needs as well as maneuverability. Trucks with longer beds, and thus longer wheel bases are often less maneuverable than shorter bed trucks, but carry more cargo. Shorter bed trucks are more easily maneuvered, but carry less cargo. Regardless of the length of the bed, users occasionally encounter instances in which the bed is simply not long enough for the desired application such as carrying lumber or transporting all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Lumber is often sold in twelve foot lengths while the bed lengths of the most popular pickups are only six to eight. Therefore, a sizeable portion of this size lumber, if transported in a bed with these dimensions, is left unsupported. Likewise, ATVs are often transported singularly in the beds of pickups because the overall length of some pickups prohibits transporting more than one.

What is needed is a device that will permit truck operators to increase the truck's dimensional carrying capacity. The object of the present invention is to provide a truck bed extender that allows a truck operator to extend the length of a truck bed or cargo area when needed for carrying oversized cargo, and that is easily stowed in a “footstep” position when the added length is not necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a vehicle cargo area extender that comprises a deck and an arm assembly. The deck has bottom and top surfaces and is movable with respect to the vehicle. The arm assembly comprises a horizontal member, a first vertical member and a second vertical member. The horizontal member is capable of being inserted into a trailer hitch receiver. The first and second vertical members are coupled to the horizontal member. The second vertical member is capable of being inserted into the trailer hitch receiver, wherein the arm assembly may be placed in a stowed position. A crosspiece assembly has a stem for removably coupling to either the first vertical member or the second vertical member.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the deck comprises a plurality of planks coupled together.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the deck further comprises angle brackets coupled to the deck planks and removably coupled to the crosspiece.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, two or more of the planks are coupled together with hinges.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the deck may be removably coupled to the crosspiece.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the deck may be removably coupled to the crosspiece with pins.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the crosspiece further comprises a vertical base that is removably coupled to either the first vertical member or the second vertical member.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the crosspiece has lights.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the crosspiece has reflectors.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the vertical member is removably coupled to the crosspiece when the arm assembly is in the stowed position.

In accordance with still aspect of the present invention, the arm assembly in the stowed position forms a step when the arm assembly is coupled to a vehicle.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a shelf is coupled to the arm assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a removable and easily stowable extender for a vehicle cargo area. Although in the preferred embodiment, the particular vehicle described is a pickup, the invention can be used on other types of vehicles, including those with open cargo areas (such as pickups) and those with closed cargo areas (such as moving vans).

In the description that follows and in the figure descriptions, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “side”, “top” and “bottom” are used, with respect to the orientation of one standing at the rear of the truck looking toward the front.

InFIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a pickup truck13with the bed extender11of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The bed extender11is comprised of two primary assemblies: a deck assembly27, and an arm assembly35. Together, these assemblies allow a user to effectively extend the bed of a pickup truck13to accommodate and support cargo having dimensions extending beyond an unmodified vehicle bed14. The bed extender11inFIG. 1is shown with the deck assembly27in place and the tailgate10is down. InFIG. 2, there is shown the pickup truck13with the arm assembly35of the bed extender in the stowed position and the tailgate10closed. The deck assembly can be placed in the pickup bed14when not in use.

As will be explained in more detail below, the deck assembly27forms a floor on which cargo may rest. It is the deck assembly27that is used to extend the bed14and provide additional cargo area. InFIGS. 3 and 4there is shown the deck assembly27. This assembly27is comprised of a deck comprised of deck planks29, one or more front angle brackets31, one or more rear angle brackets32, and fasteners15.

InFIG. 3, there is shown the deck assembly27. In the preferred embodiment, the width of the deck assembly27is sized so as to fit within the truck bed. If the truck bed14has wheel wells (not shown), the width can be so as to fit within the wheel wells. Additionally, as may be seen inFIG. 3, one or more of the planks29may be hingedly attached with hinges33to an adjacent plank29. In the preferred embodiment, the two center-most planks30are hingedly attached to each other. This allows the deck assembly27to be folded at the hinges33for easier storage.

The deck assembly27forms an extension of the cargo area when it is coupled with the arm assembly35. The planks29can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, welded steel, aluminum, or polycarbonate. The cross-section of the planks29can be rectangular, square, circular, or some other shape. In the preferred embodiment, the planks29are made from wood. The planks29are joined with the front angle brackets31across the respective front end of the planks29and joined with the rear angle brackets32(FIG. 4) across the rear end. In the preferred embodiment, the angle brackets31,32are made from a piece of angle polycarbonate or metal and span across the front and rear edges of a series of planks29. However, these angle brackets31need not be formed from polycarbonate, but may be formed from a variety of materials. When hinges33are employed, as shown inFIG. 3, a plurality of front and rear angle brackets31,32are present. Therefore, the front and rear angle brackets31,32only individually span across a portion of the planks,29, so as to allow the deck assembly27to be folded. The rear angle brackets32have deck attachment wings36extending from their ends. The angle brackets31,32are coupled, either directly or indirectly, to each plank29so that the planks29may be moved as a single unit. In the preferred embodiment, the central planks30are coupled to the brackets31,32with screw fasteners15, however, any conventional coupling mechanism will suffice.

When in the extended position, the deck assembly27is supported by the arm assembly35. The arm assembly has an extension, shown inFIGS. 5-6and a crosspiece, shown inFIGS. 7-9. This assembly35comprises an extension tube37, a storage receiver tube39, a crosspiece receiver tube41, and the crosspiece assembly47. In the preferred embodiment, this entire assembly35is made of powder coated steel tubing, but may be made of a variety of materials.

The extension tube37, when in use, is inserted into a receiver hitch12of the vehicle (FIGS. 1,2and12) and has a hole44to allow a pin or other attachment device to secure the extension tube37to the receiver hitch. Referring toFIGS. 5-6, the crosspiece receiver tube41is joined at the lower end42with the rear end46of the extension tube37, and extends upward from the extension tube37when the front end47of the extension tube37is inserted into the receiver hitch12so as to form a sideways “L”.

At approximately the midpoint of the extension tube37, the storage receiver tube39is attached. This tube39is attached to one side72of the extension tube37and its length runs parallel to and in the opposite direction from the crosspiece receiver tube length41. Thus, as shown inFIG. 5the storage receiver tube39depends down. When the arm assembly is in the stowed position, the insertion end40of the storage receiver tube39is inserted into the receiver hitch12and secured with a pin or other attachment device. The storage receiver tube39has internal dimensions slightly greater than the external dimensions of the crosspiece base49to allow the crosspiece base49to be inserted into and, thus, nested within the storage receiver tube39and secured with a pin or other attachment device.

InFIGS. 7-9, there is shown the crosspiece assembly47, comprising a crosspiece51and a crosspiece base49. On the rear side of each end of the crosspiece51, there are cutouts53. These cutouts53are receptacles for reflectors or auxiliary taillights. At approximately the midpoint of the crosspiece51, and on the lower side of the crosspiece51, the crosspiece base49is perpendicularly coupled to the crosspiece51. The crosspiece base49extends downward from the crosspiece51. The crosspiece base49may be inserted into the crosspiece receiver tube41. On the sides of the crosspiece base49are holes55(FIG. 8) to allow a pin or other attachment device to secure the crosspiece base49to the crosspiece receiver tube41. These holes55also allow the crosspiece base49to be secured within the storage receiver tube39(FIG. 5). The crosspiece base49and storage receiver tube39may then be secured within the receiver hitch12with a pin or other attachment device. Referring toFIG. 9, on the lower surface50of the crosspiece51, there is a cutout57to allow wiring to be inserted into the crosspiece51.

As may be seen inFIGS. 7 and 9, at either end, and extending laterally from the top of the crosspiece51, are crosspiece attachment wings52. Each crosspiece attachment wing52has a crosspiece attachment wing hole54(FIG. 9) that allows the deck attachment wing36(FIG. 4) to be removably coupled to the crosspiece47through the deck attachment wing hole38.

InFIGS. 11 and 12there is shown a shelf assembly59which may, at the option of the user, be used to carry additional cargo. This assembly59is comprised of a frame62, a shelf60, a shelf base tube, and a shelf collar68. The frame62is made of angle iron. The shelf60can be made of metal mesh. Supports in the form of cross-pieces can be used beneath the shelf. The collar68is coupled to one side of the frame. The base tube (not shown) depends from the shelf. As may be seen inFIG. 11, the shelf assembly is intended to be placed below the deck assembly27and is secured in position by simultaneously sliding the shelf collar68around the crosspiece receiver tube41while bearing on the extension tube37. A pin or other suitable coupling device may be inserted through the holes (not shown) in the frame cross-pieces and into corresponding holes in the extension tube37. Although in the preferred embodiment the shelf60is made from a metal grate, this shelf60need not be made of metal or be a grate. Rather, the shelf60may be solid and be formed from any suitable material such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, or polycarbonate.

The operation and use of the pickup truck bed extender11of the preferred embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1-2,15-17.

The deck assembly27, when stowed, may serve as the floor of the bed14. If provided with hinges, it can be folded. Cargo can be placed on the floor assembly and the tailgate10. The arm can be in a stowed position (FIG. 10) or an extended or use position (FIGS. 11-12).FIGS. 10-12show the receiver hitch12in cross-section. The arm assembly is stowed by inserting the storage receiver tube39in the truck receiver hitch12(seeFIG. 10). The crosspiece receiver tube41extends to the rear. Next the crosspiece assembly47is mounted to the extension tube. The crosspiece base49is inserted into the storage receiver tube39so that one of the crosspiece base holes55aligns with the storage receiver tube hole. A pin is then inserted through the receiver tube holes, the crosspiece base holes, the receiver hitch12holes, and secured with a retaining device such as wire. The arm35and crosspiece47form a step (seeFIG. 2) for accessing the cargo area.

When the user desires to transport oversized cargo, the arm35and crosspiece47assemblies may be removed from the pickup's13receiver hitch12and disconnected from one another. Next, the end70of the receiver tube37is inserted into the pickup's13receiver hitch12so that the receiver tube hole44aligns with the receiver hitch hole. A pin is inserted through the receiver hitch12hole, and through the receiver tube hole44. If the user desires to use the shelf assembly59, this may be secured in position by simultaneously sliding the shelf collar68around the crosspiece receiver tube41while inserting the shelf base tube into the storage receiver tube39. A pin or other suitable coupling device may be inserted through the holes (not shown) in the shelf base tube and into corresponding holes43in the storage receiver tube39to firmly secure the shelf assembly59to the arm assembly35. InFIG. 12, only a few boards29are shown for illustrative purposes, it being understood that boards extend all the way across the crosspiece51.

The crosspiece assembly47is then connected to the arm assembly35by inserting the crosspiece base49into the crosspiece receiver tube41so that one of the crosspiece base holes55aligns with one of the crosspiece receiver tube holes43. The height of the crosspiece51can be adjusted so as to be level with the bed. The crosspiece47and arm35assemblies are then connected by inserting a pin through the crosspiece receiver tube hole43, through the crosspiece base hole55and securing both assemblies with a retaining device. The pickup's13tailgate10is then lowered, if not already lowered, to allow the deck assembly27to be placed so that it rests on the upper surface of the crosspiece51. The deck assembly27and crosspiece are removably coupled by inserting a retaining device such as a pin through the angle bracket hole38and crosspiece wing hole54. The cargo may then be placed on top of the deck assembly27.

Thus, the crosspiece assembly is received by both of the arm assembly's vertical members. One vertical member39receives the crosspiece assembly in the stowed position, while the other vertical member41receives the crosspiece assembly in the extended position.

Wires extend down from the crosspiece assembly; these are connected to the vehicle's lighting system. Once set up, the arm assembly35may block other motorists' views of the truck's tail lights. The arm assembly35is provided with side reflectors56as well as lights53that function as tail lights, showing turns, brakes and during low light (night) conditions. The use of the deck assembly and arm assembly and lowered tailgate may shield the vehicle's tail lights. Thus, the lights53on the crosspiece serve as tail lights for the vehicle.

The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.