Abstract:
An improved truck bed seating apparatus, wherein a frame is removably attached to a truck bed for supporting seating thereon, and wherein the design allows for easy removal and installation of the frame assembly and provides for a minimal use of space when the apparatus is removed.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application entitled TRUCK BED SEATING APPARATUS, filed Mar. 16, 2006, having assigned Ser. No. 60/783,166, filed on behalf of inventor Carey Hyde. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to auxiliary seating structures for use in pickup trucks, and more specifically, to a truck bed seating apparatus removably mounted to a truck bed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One of the primary reasons for the increased popularity of the pick-up truck is the versatility of the vehicle due to its unique design. The open pickup truck bed provides the owner with many capabilities not afforded owners of cars or sport utility vehicles (SUV&#39;s), capabilities including the ability to move relatively large quantities of materials, the ability to move those materials in a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, as well as the ability to store items outside of the passenger compartment. 
         [0004]    Because of this versatility, pick-up trucks have quickly evolved from strictly work vehicles to family recreational vehicles. Several examples of family recreational activities wherein pickup trucks are often used include camping, fishing, off-roading, hunting, and outdoor sporting events. 
         [0005]    To further enjoy the benefits of a pickup truck, owners sometimes use the bed of the truck as a type of auxiliary passenger compartment. As new technology has developed, and as the use of pickup trucks has spread, an increasing number of owners have expanded upon the notion of using the pickup truck bed as an auxiliary passenger compartment and have installed seats in the pickup truck bed. 
         [0006]    Such installation of seats in a pickup truck bed, although simple in concept, however, is difficult in application, as the seating apparatus should preferably meet several specifications. First, the seating apparatus should be comfortable. Second, the seating apparatus should be quickly and easily removable to maintain the functionality of the truck bed when seating is not desired. Third, the seating apparatus must be securely fastened to the truck bed. Fourth, the seating apparatus should have minimal penetrations into the metal of the truck bed, as surface breaches can be source points for rust and corrosion. Fifth, the seating apparatus should have adjustable or modifiable seating arrangements. Sixth, the seating apparatus should have installation points located as near to the center of the truck bed as possible to minimize the detrimental effects on the seating apparatus during an accident, and also to minimize the potential for deformation of interior truck sidewalls during use of the seating apparatus. And finally, the seating apparatus should include secure seat belt attachment points. 
         [0007]    Various attempts have been made to provide pickup truck bed seats that satisfy the foregoing desired specifications, but each such attempt is disadvantageous relative to the present invention in that none satisfy the specifications listed above. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a truck bed seating apparatus that overcomes the limitations of the prior art, namely, that satisfies the need to have an apparatus that is comfortable, is quickly and easily removable, is securely fastened to the truck bed, has minimal penetrations into the metal of the truck bed, has adjustable or modifiable seating arrangements, has installation points located as near to the center of the truck bed as possible and has secure seat belt attachment points. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This invention expands on the inherent versatility of a pickup truck by providing a modular design seating apparatus that enables a truck owner to quickly and securely attach or detach a removable 2 nd  or 3 rd  row passenger seating assembly to a cargo bed support structure. 
         [0009]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by satisfying the desired specifications for truck bed seats, wherein the present invention functions to provide a comfortable, readily removable, and secure seating apparatus that has minimal penetrations into the truck bed, has adjustable seating arrangements, has points of installation located near the truck bed centerline and has secure seat belt attachment points. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention is a modular system having two main parts: a seating assembly and a base frame including a receiver assembly. Another embodiment that is further described herein has three main parts, wherein the base frame and the receiver assembly are individual component members. Other embodiments are also described, wherein variations to the base frame mounting brackets enable attachment to an UTILI-TRACK bed system, and to composite resin beds. 
         [0011]    In the preferred embodiment, the base frame is removably attached to the floor of the truck bed by a plurality of bolts that extend from the truck bed support rail underneath the bed, through related apertures in the truck bed, and up through the base frame, wherein the bolts may be, for example, T-handle screws. This configuration provides a secure assembly upon which the seating assembly attaches. 
         [0012]    According to the preferred embodiment, the seating apparatus is preferably constructed with attachment members located underneath the seat, wherein the attachment members are preferably bolted onto the base frame at designated points to attach the seating assembly to the base frame. Further, a plurality of integrally formed tabs or bosses are defined along the base frame in order to secure the seat belts, also, thereto. 
         [0013]    In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, shock absorbers are installed between the seating apparatus and base frame to reduce the transmission of vibrational energy to the user as well as reduce noise transmissions from the assembly. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shock absorbers are rubber bushings, but any means of absorbing shock are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus. 
         [0015]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus wherein the seating arrangement can be modified to increase user comfort. 
         [0016]    Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus wherein the use of shock absorbers increases user comfort. 
         [0017]    Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus wherein the base frame and seating apparatus are readily and quickly removable. 
         [0018]    Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus wherein once the seating apparatus and base frame are removed, minimal components remain permanently installed, thereby maximizing the usage of the truck bed. 
         [0019]    A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus that can be adaptively secured to essentially any truck bed, including composite resin beds. 
         [0020]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus that can be secured to an UTILI-TRACK bed system. 
         [0021]    Still a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus wherein the number of penetrations into the truck bed are minimized. 
         [0022]    Yet still a further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an improved truck bed seating apparatus wherein the center-line of the apparatus is either at or in close proximity to the truck bed center-line. 
         [0023]    Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a secure seat belt assembly and attachment. 
         [0024]    Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is that the design does not require touch or contact with any interior sidewalls of the truck bed, thereby avoiding limitations on the use of other truck accessories 
         [0025]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective elevation view of a truck bed seating apparatus, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of the truck bed seating apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is front view of the truck bed seating apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the truck bed seating apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the apparatus installed in a truck bed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a close-up, cutaway end view of a receiver assembly, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing the receiver assembly attached to a truck bed and to a base frame; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the truck bed seating apparatus, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a rear, overhead perspective view of a truck bed seating apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a partial, overhead view of a truck bed seating apparatus of the present invention, according to an alternate embodiment, showing the base frame secured to an UTILI-TRACK bed system; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a cutaway, side view of a UTILI-TRACK mounting stud, according to the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
       [0036]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0038]    In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of initial illustration,  FIG. 2  shows alternate truck bed seating assembly  100 , generally comprising base frame  20 , seat assembly  30 , removably attached thereto, and receiver assembly  40 . According to this first alternate embodiment, base frame  20  provides the structure upon which seat assembly  30  is mounted, and is composed of a plurality of members assembled in a plane. More specifically, and referring now to  FIG. 1 , base frame  20  is defined by rear member  102   a,  aligned parallel to front member  102   b,  wherein both rear member  102   a  and front member  102   b  are aligned perpendicular to truck bed sidewalls upon installation, as shown in further detail in  FIG. 4 . Although according to the presently described embodiment, base frame  20  is constructed from a plurality of members, it is anticipated that base frame  20  may also be of unitary construction. Further, while steel is the preferred construction material, it is anticipated that the members of base frame  20  may be constructed of other suitable materials. 
         [0039]    In order to accommodate installation within a truck bed, rear member  102   a  and front member  102   b  are shorter in length than the cross-width, or diameter of the truck bed, wherein an optimum relationship for the presently described embodiment exists if rear member  102   a  and front member  102   b  are each approximately 8 inches shorter than the interior cross-width or diameter of the truck bed, thereby providing for a 4 inch clearance between either side of frame  20  and the truck bed sidewall. This length differential allows for the maximum area for various seating arrangements, while minimizing the weight of frame  20 , though it is anticipated that various lengths may be used for any or all of the embodiments described herein without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]    Frame  20  is further defined by parallel support members  104   a - d,  wherein members  104   a - d  are aligned normal to both rear member  102   a  and front member  102   b.  Members  104   a - d  may also be independently formed and bolted to  102   a,b,  wherein any means of attachment is anticipated and intended to be within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the location at which members  104   a - d  are shown welded to members  102   a,b  is not intended to be limiting, as the locations are variable based upon user preference. Further, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , optional member  150  may be included for additional structural support, as well as for support of further optional items, such as, for exemplary purposes only, a console or storage bin. 
         [0041]    Receiver assembly  40  has two flat planar surfaces normal to each other, wherein one flat planar surface sits flush with the truck bed B and the other flat planar surface acts as a backstop to secure frame  20 . Thus, to attach and secure frame  20  to truck bed  162 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , receiver assembly  40  is first secured to truck bed B via plurality of bolts  172 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and related plurality of nuts  112 . Thereafter, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , frame  20  is removably attached to receiver assembly  40  via engagement members  106   a  and  106   b  and related cotter pins  152 . Apertures  130   a,b  are defined through receiver assembly  40  in order to facilitate passage of engagement members  106   a,b,  respectively, therethrough for lockable engagement with cotter pins  152 . It should be noted that other means of preventing the disengagement of engagement members  106   a,b  from receiver assembly  40  are also anticipated, in addition to and/or in lieu of cotter pins  152  and considered within the scope of this invention. 
         [0042]    Base frame  20  further comprises aperture  132  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), wherein T-handle bolt  124  extends therethrough in order to further secure base frame  20  to truck bed B. As shown in  FIG. 3 , T-handle bolt  124  is inserted through frame  20  and truck bed B and secured via nut  126 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when installed, T-handle bolt  124  is also engaged with a truck bed receiving assembly, or anchor plate (not shown) located on the underside of truck bed B. 
         [0043]    According to the presently described embodiment, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , seat  118  of seat assembly  30  is attached to base frame  20  via securing members  116   a - d,  wherein securing members  116   a - b  are attached to parallel support member  104   a,  and securing members  116   c - d  are attached to parallel support member  104   b  at attachment points  120   a - d,  respectively. In this described first alternate embodiment of the present invention, securing members  116   a - d  are constructed from “U”-shaped hardened steel, however other shapes and materials could be utilized, as appropriate. The “U” shape facilitates a parallel overlay installation positioning for securing members  116   a - d  relative to support members  104   a - b,  thereby providing for a strong, double-sided attachment for each securing member  116   a - d.  Other shapes and configurations could be utilized for securing members  116   a - d  and/or same could be integrally defined on the base of seat  118 . Thus, it should be recognized by one skilled in the art that the method of attachment of seat assembly  30  to base frame  20  could be alternately accomplished via any appropriate bracket or adaptor device of suitable strength. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , to provide additional rider comfort, rubber bushings  180   a - d  may be inserted between seat  118  and securing members  116   a - d,  respectively, in order to provide additional vibrational absorption, although the shock absorbers on the truck provide some degree of comfort. Further, although rubber bushings  180   a - d  are described, any means of absorbing shock, such as, for exemplary purposes, springs, hydraulics, or any other suitable resilient component is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0045]    Now, referring to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , truck bed seating assembly  200  is comprised of base frame  220  and seating assembly  230 . Preferred base frame  220  is preferably of one-piece welded steel construction, and is preferably rectangularly shaped, as defined by rear member  202   a,  front member  202   b,  first side member  204   a,  and second side member  204   d.  Also preferably, inner cross-support members  204   b  and  204   c  extend from rear member  202   a  and front member  202   b,  between first side member  204   a  and second side member  204   d.  Further, and also preferably, central cross-support member  250  also extends from between rear member  202   a  and front member  202   b,  preferably in a central location between inner cross-support members  204   b  and  204   c.  Although other arrangements could be effective, this preferred configuration for base frame  220  facilitates easy and secure placement of seating assembly  230  thereon, as more fully explained herein. 
         [0046]    In the preferred configuration of base frame  220 , rear member  202   a  preferably defines bed wall  301  and frame wall  302 , wherein bed wall  301  and frame wall  302  define the preferred “L”-shaped cross-section of rear member  202   a.  Again, although other configurations could be effective, this preferred configuration for rear member  202   a  facilitates secure attachment of base frame  220  to a truck bed B, while also facilitating secure attachment of seatbelt assembly  400  to base frame  220 , as seen in  FIG. 7 . Preferably, fastening apertures  270   a  and  270   b  are defined through bed wall  301  to enable passage of fasteners  272  therethrough, as further described hereinbelow. Additionally, similarly to previously described alternate embodiment  100 , front member  202   b  of preferred base frame  220  further comprises aperture  232 , wherein T-handle bolt  124  extends therethrough in order to further secure base frame  220  to truck bed B. 
         [0047]    Also according to the preferred configuration of base frame  220 , each first side member  204   a,  second side member  204   d,  and inner cross-support member  204   b  and  204   c  preferably includes a preferably integrally formed tab or boss  303 , preferably defined at a location therealong in order to facilitate secure attachment of seatbelt assembly  400  to base frame  220 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0048]    According to the preferred embodiment, seating assembly  230  includes seat  218 , wherein the preferred configuration for seat  218  includes plurality of user-selectable back apertures  402   a - c  and arm apertures  404   a - b.  The dimensions of back apertures  402   a - c  and arm apertures  404   a - b  are preferably such that portions of seatbelt assembly  400  can pass therethrough, wherein preferably, seatbelt assembly  400  is a racing style configuration, comprising dual-member shoulder harness  408   a  and  408   b  and cooperating lap members  410   a  and  410   b.  Accordingly, the preferred arrangement of seatbelt assembly  400  relative to seat  218  is defined by dual-member shoulder harness  408   a  and  408   b  extending through one of the plurality of user-selectable back apertures  402   a - c,  by lap member  410   a  extending through arm aperture  404   a,  and by lap member  410   b  extending through arm aperture  404   b.  Preferably, lap members  410   a  and  410   b  are secured to base frame  220  via bosses  303 , and preferably, dual-member shoulder harness  408   a  and  408   b  is secured to base frame  220  via frame wall  302 . 
         [0049]    The aforementioned preferred configuration for attachment of seatbelt assembly  400  to base frame  220  has been professionally and independently tested for confirmation of static load performance, and for evaluation relative to federal standards. Specifically, testing via application of 5000 lb. force to each boss  303 , for a total of 10,000 lb., and application of a load of 1000 lb. in the opposite direction, to the back of seat  218 , showed no failure for any of the attachment points along base frame  220  for seat  218  via securing members  116   a - d,  and no failure of bosses  303 . 
         [0050]    According to the preferred embodiment, and similarly to previously described alternate embodiment  100 , seat  218  of seat assembly  230  is attached to base frame  220  via securing members  116   a - d,  wherein securing members  116   a - b  are attached to parallel support member  204   a,  and securing members  116   c - d  are attached to parallel support member  204   b,  at attachment points  220   a - d,  respectively. As previously described, securing members  116   a - d  are preferably constructed from “U”-shaped hardened steel in order to facilitate overlay installation positioning relative to support members  204   a - b,  but, again, as previously noted, other shapes and configurations could alternately be utilized, either with or without shock absorbing characteristics. 
         [0051]    The preferred configuration for truck bed seating apparatus  200  enables quick and easy removal from a truck bed B, whereupon only two bolts  502  and  504  remain in truck bed B when truck bed seating apparatus  200  is not installed for use therein. 
         [0052]    Alternate installation configurations are intended, wherein, for example, in lieu of bolts  502  and  504 , UTILI-TRACK adaptors, or mounting studs  600  can be utilized to enable installation of truck bed seating apparatus  200  in an UTILI-TRACK equipped truck bed, as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . In such an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , rear member  202   a  and front member  202   b  of base frame  220  both define bed wall  301  and frame wall  302 , wherein bed wall  301  and frame wall  302  define the preferred “L”-shaped cross-section of rear member  202   a  and front member  202   b,  similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 . This configuration facilitates secure attachment of base frame  220  to the UTILI-TRACK bed system, wherein any suitable cap or nut may be utilized for fixing the final installed placement of mounting stud  600  relative to the UTILI-TRACK bed system. 
         [0053]    Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.