Abstract:
Systems associated with a motor vehicle for facilitating the loading, unloading and carriage of cargo. A preferred embodiment includes a frame securely mounted to a floor associated with a cargo carrying area of a motor vehicle. The frame further included a plurality of rollers rotatably attached to the frame. A deck is supported by the rollers and can slide along the rollers from a stowed position within a motor vehicles cargo carrying area to an extended position with respect to said cargo carrying area. In another embodiment, the deck can be slidably secured to the frame by rails mounted to the deck. The cargo-carrying system of the present invention is generally designed for use in the bed of a pick-up truck, or cargo area of an SUV or Van, and to better facilitate the loading and unloading of heavy materials. The present invention can also provide a working platform and can further include the deployment of side extension wings for extending the surface area of the deck. Additional hardware can be optionally associated with the system including: locking mechanisms, stopping mechanisms, metallic outer layers for the deck, support legs to support the deck when it is extended.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to a Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/279,201, filed Mar. 27, 2001, entitled “Prosled.” 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is generally related to cargo carrying equipment. More particularly the present invention is related to cargo carrying equipment adapted for use with motor vehicles in a manner that facilitates loading and unloading activities. The present invention is also related to materials useful for manufacturing cargo-carrying equipment useful for motor vehicle applications. The present invention is also related to a slidable deck for use with a motor vehicle to facilitate the loading, carriage and unloading of cargo.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Every day, many people encounter difficulty with the loading and unloading into and out of motor vehicles tools, materials or equipment needed for work or recreation. In the construction industry, for example, many workers&#39; most teediest chore involves the pushing, pulling and tugging required to get tools, toolboxes and sheet of hard-to-handle wood, brick or sacks of concrete situated within and/or retrieved from the back of a pickup truck bed. Workers often encounter smashed fingers, splinters, cuts, sprains and bruises from trying to maneuver themselves, tools or materials within or about the back of a truck or utility vehicle. At the end of the day, workers will again find themselves forced to repeat the process of loading tools and materials into a motor vehicle&#39;s cargo area and again encountering the hazards associated with such effort. Most people tire from crawling in and out of truck beds or cargo vans on their hands and knees to get tools, materials or equipment into or out of their vehicles.  
           [0004]    There is a need to better facilitate the loading and unloading of tools, equipment or materials into and out of motor vehicles. Although some means well known in the art provide for carrying cargo, there still seems to be a lack of utility in the prior art associated with carrying and handling cargo, particularly when used with motor vehicles. Furthermore, most prior art alternatives provide industrial solutions that are not practical for most common household or small business uses. A few examples of prior art cargo carrying and handling solutions include: ramps associated with moving vans, hydraulic-actuated lifts; dump trucks beds, and flat beds adapted for use with pickup trucks.  
           [0005]    Bed liners are a popular means for providing a carrying medium integrated with the back of pickup truck beds. Bed liners are well known in the general consumer market for carrying lighter cargo loads and also providing protection to paint and metal associated with the bed of a pickup. Another benefit associated with truck bed liners can be found with the durable plastic materials utilized to manufacture them. Materials are typically vinyl-based and add little weight to a vehicle&#39;s overall curb weight. Truck bed liners however, are nothing more than a protective liner for truck beds and do little to relieve workers from manual effort associated With loading material into or unloading material from, for example, the back of a truck bed.  
           [0006]    What is needed are means for facilitating the loading and unloading of cargo onto and out of a motor vehicle with relative ease, while still facilitating the safe carriage of cargo within a motor vehicle. The present inventor has recognized the shortcomings of the prior art and now presents novel means for facilitating the loading and unloading of tools, materials and equipment to/from motor vehicles.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention addresses the need for cargo carrying systems integratable with motor vehicles. The present invention is capable of, among other things, facilitating the loading and unloading of tools, materials and equipment associated with the use of motor vehicles while also facilitating the safe carriage of cargo within a motor vehicle.  
           [0008]    In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a system that can be associated with a motor vehicle is described for facilitating the loading, unloading and carriage of cargo.  
           [0009]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a frame can be securely mounted to a floor associated with a cargo carrying area of a motor vehicle. The frame further includes a plurality of rollers rotatably attached to the frame. A deck for carrying cargo is generally supported by the rollers and can slide along the rollers from a stowed position within a motor vehicles cargo carrying area to an extended position with respect to the cargo carrying area.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a deck can be slidably secured to the frame by rails mounted to the deck. The system can include a frame securely mounted to a floor associated with a cargo carrying area of a motor vehicle, a plurality of rollers rotatably attached to the frame, and a deck slidably secured by the frame.  
           [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, during use the deck can slide along a frame and on the plurality of rollers associated with the frame, from a stowed position to an extended position with respect to a cargo carrying area within a motor vehicle to thereby facilitate the loading, carrying and unloading of cargo. The cargo-carrying system of the present invention can be designed for use in the bed of a pick-up truck and cargo areas of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) or van, as well as other possible civilian, military, industrial and commercial motor vehicle adaptations and applications that can be appreciated by those skilled in the art.  
           [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a deck can provide a working platform and can further include side extensions wings for providing more work area useful at onsite construction projects. For example, the present invention can also provide a working surface that can extend to greater than 32 square feet when used within an eight foot long pick-up truck bed applications (8′×4′), but can also be adjusted to larger or smaller geometries, depending on the application (e.g., shorter applications can include a smaller cargo area associated with the rear of an SUV or van).  
           [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, side extensions wings or wings can be attached or hinged on the edge or outer edges of the deck in order to provide larger workspaces or useable work areas for material layout and fabrication operations.  
           [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the present system can carry heavy loads, loads that can exceed 1500 pounds in some applications. Accordingly, additional hardware (e.g., power tools) can be mounted to the deck.  
           [0015]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electrical power source can be provided as a component integrated with a load bearing, slidable deck.  
           [0016]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a movable (rolling) platform (deck) designed to facilitate the loading and unloading of heavy or light weight tool, equipment and/or materials in any truck or utility vehicle. The present invention can be adapted to fits into both long (8 ft) and short (6 ft) bed trucks, and can be adapted to fit into opening in vans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and other utility vehicles of various sizes.  
           [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system can be easily installed and can be removed for use in alternative vehicles.  
           [0018]    In accordance with other aspect of the present invention, lightweight, virtually indestructible materials can be used to create a movable work platform that will fit into any motor vehicle adapted for carrying cargo (e.g., trucks, vans, utility vehicles, etc.). Materials can include honeycomb construction for the deck, and the inclusion of metallic outer layers disposed on the top and/or bottom surfaces of the deck. Hardware, such as the frame, can be constructed using metal or aluminum.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The summarized and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a sliding deck system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, installed within a truck bed;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is an illustration of system components for a deck assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3A is an illustration of system components for a roller assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3B is an illustration of unassembled system components for a roller assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view of upper and lower unit sections in interacting assembly attached to the floor of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is an illustration from underneath the system where an assembled sliding deck unit and components are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is an illustration of extensions attachable to the left and right of a deck near the head portion (front) of a deck and the incorporation and use of support legs located near the head portion of the deck, in accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is an illustration of combination toolbox and worktable apparatuses securely mounted to the deck of the present invention in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is an illustration of a van adapted to that takes advantage of the present invention at a rear cargo area and a side slider-door area in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]    Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally referred to by numeral  100  includes a sliding deck  110  and a plurality of rollers  120  attached to a frame  130 . The frame  130  (and associated rollers  120 ) is securely mountable to a bed  140  or floor associated with a motor vehicle  150 .  
         [0030]    The present invention preferably utilizes a roller system (i.e., rollers  120  and frame  130 ) in its design rather than a captured track system (i.e., not shown, but known in the art as used in smaller form with many file cabinets and dresser drawers) because a roller system facilitates ease of weight movement and can reduce the possibility of jamming due to dirt, rocks, ice or other objects. It is generally more difficult to jam a roller system. The uniquely designed roller system can thus support the deck  110  of the present invention and a significant load borne by the deck  110 , thus allowing for ease of use and maximizing load capacity. A roller system can distribute the weight of the deck evenly, which can enable the use of lightweight, durable deck systems.  
         [0031]    The present invention can be taught in detail as upper and lower unit stages. Referring to FIG. 2, the upper unit stage  200  of the present invention will now be described. A decking panel  210  can be formed from a honeycomb plastic material  212  (as shown from the cutout view). The deck  210  can also be made of plastic panels or panels formed of other durable plastic or composite materials known in the art. Decks  210  can include an internal honeycomb construction  212  and flat outer upper surface  205  and flat outer lower surface (not shown, but similar in construction to upper surface  205 ), and each surface (lower and upper  205 ) can be configured with smooth and/or adhesive qualities (i.e., rubber, sandpaper, or textured) in order to promote/reduce gliding (i.e., on upper surface  205 ) or prevent sliding or shifting of cargo during motor vehicle movement.  
         [0032]    I-beam supports hardware serving as deck rails  220  can be secured to the lower surface (not shown) of the deck  210  by adhesive  207  or mechanical means known in the art. For example, the deck rails  115  can be secured onto the lower surface of the deck by pressure sensitive adhesive  207  (as shown), bolts, screws, rivets and/or any combination of means known in the mechanical and manufacturing arts. Adhesives  207 , however, can preclude the need for extensive drilling, tapping or bolting of hardware to a motor vehicles cargo bed or floor.  
         [0033]    A durable plastic honeycomb design, when incorporated into the present invention, can act as a continuous I-beam with a flexible strength of over 1500 psi. The deck  210  can include an aluminum surfaces or skins  235  and  240  on either or both of the upper  215  and lower (not shown) surfaces of the deck  210 . The deck  210  can also include molded edges  215  for further protection and added durability/integrity.  
         [0034]    Additional area can be provided to the deck  210  with attachable extension wings  235  that can be mounted on the outer edge of the deck as shown in the Figure. Handles  230 ,  232  can be strategically placed for hand safety and optimal operation of the deck &#39;s  210  locking mechanism  260  described in more detail in FIG. 5 below. Handles can be take the form of holes  230  formed into the deck, or as a handle attachment  232  that spans most of the length of the leading end of the deck as shown in the Figure.  
         [0035]    Materials for the deck  210  and associated hardware should take into consideration rust, temperature and physical use. For example, materials for a deck can preferably be rustproof, flame retardant, UV resistant, highly durable and unaffected by temperature variations. When used, an aluminum skin ( 235  and  240 ) can also be covered with a material layer  250  to provide resistance to marring and can also provide the aluminum surface area with graphics. The material layer  250  can be made of polypropylene. The material layer  250  can also be used to prevent or promote cargo sliding along the top surface of the deck. The entire panel is then configured as the sliding deck as illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 3, the deck assembly can be slidably secured to a roller assembly  300  that is mounted to a vehicle via a frame consisting of roller assembly rails  305  and slats  335 . The deck  210  can be secured by its deck rails  220  via roller assembly rails  305  and supported by rollers  315  mounted to the roller assembly rails  305 . It should be appreciated, however, that deck  210  may be allowed to glide freely over rollers  315  in an outwardly and inwardly motion with respect to the cargo area of the motor vehicle. For safety reason that will become apparent after further teaching of the present invention, however, a preferred embodiment of the present invention would include securing the deck to rails  305  in order to slidably secure the deck to the frame provided by roller assembly rails  305  and mounting slats  335 , which are securely mounted to the bed or floor of a vehicle for use as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0037]    The sliding deck  210  of the present invention is a horizontally moveable about the rollers  315  and slidably secured by the frame provided by the roller assembly rails  305  and slats  335 , with load support being provided by the rollers  315  and security being provided by the vehicle-mounted roller assembly rails  305 . The rollers  315  are attached to the roller assembly rails  305  in a manner that facilitates rotational movement of the rollers, which in turn enables movement of the slidable deck  210  in an outward and inward, horizontal motion with respect to a vehicle&#39;s storage compartment (i.e., a truck bed). A square, or “box”, tube frame can be used for the slats  225  to allow the resulting frame formed from the roller assembly rails  305  and slats  335  to be bolted down to the floor of any motor vehicle, such as a truck&#39;s bed. The I-beam frame  220 , rails  305  and slats  335  can all be formed from aluminum extruded material or can be formed from metal.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 4, a horizontal cross sectional view of an assembled system (both upper  200  and lower  300  units attached to a motor vehicle) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown. Because the angled aluminum rails  420  are supported and secured by, for example, the bed  425  of a pickup truck via box tubing  430 , the bottom edge of the I-beams rails  410  associated with the deck  405  can be captured by the bottom edge of the roller assembly rails  420  of the lower unit stage  300 . The connection of the upper  200  and lower  300  unit stages as described herein via aluminum I-beams  410  and rails  420  create a sort of cantilevered rail unit. A thin strip of Teflon tape  415  can be placed between the capturing edges of the aluminum edges/surfaces to relieve friction build-up between the rail/I-beam interface of the upper  200  and lower  300  unit stages. The deck  405  can be surfaced with aluminum layers  403  for added stability and subsequent layers of protective material  507  can be placed on the upper surface of the deck  405  for protection and operational purposes (e.g., nonslip or nonskid surface). The deck  405  is usually in continuous contact at its lower surface with rollers  450 , where direct weight-bearing support to the deck  405  and its load is provided.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a full assembly of the present invention is shown. A lower surface planar view of the present invention is shown. The front area  503  of the deck  505  can have oval hand cutouts  510  formed through it for providing manual control over the deck&#39;s  505  movement with respect to the rollers  507  and associated mechanics described herein. The oval hand cutouts  510  can provide safety to the user of the invention in that hand operation is always from the top of the deck  505 , away from the moving parts of the mechanical assembly (e.g., roller  507 , locking mechanism  520 ) located underneath the deck. It should be appreciated that a handle assembly  232  as shown in FIG. 2 can also be used in addition to, or in place of, hand cutouts  510 .  
         [0040]    A position locking mechanism  520  can also be located along the right or left side of the support I-beam  515  underneath the deck  505 . The locking mechanism  520  can be provided as a cable, angled steel bar or rod  525  and spring assembly  530  located on the I-beam  515  and deck  505  underside. The locking mechanism  520  would be in fixed attachment to the I-beam  515  and can allow the cable, bar or rod  525  to pass through holes in the I-beam  515  and capture holes formed at various intervals in the fixed angle support rails  530 . The position locking mechanism  520  can be located near the end  535  of the I-beam  515 , opposite the front end  503  of the deck  505 , and can be controlled by the control rod  525  and handle accessible either through a hand cutout  527 , or on the lower surface of the deck  505  near its front area  503 . The locking mechanism  520  can also allow the user to stop forward movement of the deck  505  into a vehicle at various points of deck extension.  
         [0041]    The deck  505  can preferably extend up to approximately 70% of its length where it can still be capable of bearing loads exceeding 1500 pounds. An effective yet simple stopping mechanism  540  can preclude the possibility of overextending the deck  505  by limiting its overall extension length. A stopping mechanism  540  can prevent the deck  505  from sliding outward from its stowed position within the vehicle it is mounted to when the deck  505  reaches 70% extension, or outward travel. The stopping mechanism  540  can take the form of bolts mounted on the either or both sides of the angled (bed) rails and the I-beams in such a manner than when a first set of bolts  545  fixed on the I-beam  515  comes into contact with a second set of bolts  540  fixed on the angled rails  550 , the decks  505  movement is halted. Thus, the bolts  540 ,  545  act as a final stop for the deck  505  at, for example, 70% extension.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 10, extensions  610 ,  620  (e.g., similar to extension wings  235  shown in FIG. 2) can be attached to left and right of the deck  605  near the head portion (front) of the deck  605 . Another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 includes use of support legs  640 ,  650  located again near the head portion  630  of the deck  605 . The support legs  640 ,  650  can either be secured by the extensions  610 ,  620  respectively as shown in FIG. 6, or the support legs can be integrated with or fastened underneath the head of the deck itself. Fastening of the deck extensions  610 ,  620  and support legs  640 ,  650  to the deck  605 , or of support legs  640 ,  650  to the deck extensions  610 ,  620  can be facilitated by mechanical means and methods well known in the art. For example, the extensions  610 ,  620  can be hinged to the deck  605 , or can be slid into a grove (not shown) associated with the edge of the deck  605 . Leg extensions  640  and  650  can be fastened to the deck  605  or deck extension  610 ,  620  also using a hinge (not shown) and can also be lock in to a storage position using fastening means known in the art (e.g., locks, pins, bolts, screws).  
         [0043]    The support legs can also be adjustable as shown by knobs  650  in FIG. 6. Adjustment of leg length can be useful where terrain around the work area is uneven. Leg length can also be adjusted using pins or locking means well known in the art. As well known in the art, a knob  650  as shown integrated with leg extension  640  in FIG. 10 can be inserted into a plurality of adjustment holes (i.e., not shown) associated with the upper and lower portions of the leg extensions.  
         [0044]    Also shown in FIG. 6 are a storage container  660  and a tool  670  secured to the deck  605 . The storage container  660  can be a toolbox, material storage container, or cooler. The tool  670  shown in a saw, but it should be appreciated that many other tools and containers can be secured to the deck  605  and benefit from the advantaged of the present invention.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 illustrates another application of the present invention whereby a combination toolbox/worktable  710  is securely mounted to the deck  705 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 8, yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein a van  800  is adapted to that takes advantage of the present invention at two locations, a rear cargo area  820  and a side slider-door  830 .  
         [0047]    It should be appreciated that the present invention would be a useful adaptation for vehicles modified for the disabled. The side deck  850  in FIG. 8 can be modified to tilt downward towards the curb  855  or earth in order to enable ramp access to the vehicle  800 . Tilting action of the deck  850  can be achieved by means known in the art, but especially given the teachings of the present invention. For example, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 5, bolts can be secured to the I-beam and angled rails to stop the deck from sliding beyond, for example, a 70% extension. In a ramp application, however, bolts or metal hooks (not shown) can be located at the outermost extension ends of the respective I-beams and angled rails in order to achieve full extension of the side deck  850  in order to enable angular rotation of head end of the deck towards the ground.  
         [0048]    It should be appreciated that electrical hook-ups or power connections can be integrated with the present invention&#39;s deck to provide power for electric tools or equipment. Power can be provided to the present invention&#39;s outlets via job site power outlets, power generation units or batteries. The availability of power connection on the present invention reduced the need for multiple extensions cords to the work area provided by the Present invention.  
         [0049]    Computer generated graphics printed on an impact resistant can be easily installed on the deck&#39;s upper surface for purposes of advertising or design. A mat having a high-resolution photographic quality graphics can be provided in a variety of colors and designs. Application might include a company logo and name, college logo, favorite sports team, or any aesthetic image of choice. The mat, with graphics, is lightweight, durable, flame retardant, waterproof, and resistant to heat, impact, chemicals and abrasion. The mat with custom or standard graphics can be ordered at time of purchase of the present invention or at a later date.  
         [0050]    As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention can be included and/or utilized with a wide variety of accessories including extension wings, tool boxes, compartment boxes, loading ramps, dump buckets/tubs, ski boxes, rifles boxes, fishing boxes, bungee/tow cords eyelets/rings and tie downs.  
         [0051]    The present invention can facilitate easier handling of materials used in manufacturing, construction, and cargo handling as well as in simple personal use for home maintenance activities and shopping. Any project that requires the full and easy access to the bed of a pickup truck, van, SUV or other utility vehicle can benefit from use of the present invention. Loading concrete blocks or sack of cement, plywood sheets, firewood, furnishings and other heavy and/or bulky materials can now be carried out with ease using the present invention. In commercial applications, workers will encounter ease of handling materials and thereby provide efficient and rapid movement from task to task with minimal energy waste or loss of time. The Present invention, once installed onto a motor vehicle, should be capable of supporting loads exceeding approximately 1500 pounds. The present invention, fully assembled and ready to install, can weigh approximately 180 pounds. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such values are exemplary only and are not to be considered as limiting features of the present invention.  
         [0052]    The foregoing detailed description of the invention is provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. Even so, the detailed description of the invention should not be construed to unduly limit the present invention, as those of ordinary skill in the art may make modifications and variations in the embodiments herein discussed without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.