Abstract:
A transformable truck bed is provided where the bed is enclosed by side walls that are removable so that a gooseneck mechanism could be used without being obstructed by the side walls. When the transformable bed is in the first position, or the base position, the insert side walls are removed. However, the base side walls are permanent and remain in place. Thus, the base side walls do enclose the bed but at a lower height than the insert side walls. In this position the transformable bed is capable of towing a trailer by using a gooseneck mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/726,262, filed Oct. 13, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to transformable truck bed where the sides that enclose the truck bed can be inserted, removed, or altered in order to accommodate transporting various objects.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In recent years, the demand for trucks having the ability to tow and haul large loads has increased greatly. As a result, many manufacturers have begun to produce vehicles which have increased amount of towing capacity. Although commercial semi-trucks typically have the highest towing capacity available, these types of trucks are often uncomfortable to ride in. One way to achieve this high towing capacity, while still having increased level of comfort is through a commercial semi-truck that has been converted to have the comfort features of a conventional light-duty pickup truck. Combining the comfort features of a light-duty pickup truck with the robustness and towing capacity of a typical commercial semi-truck has substantially achieved the goal of having a truck which is capable of towing extremely high loads. An example of this is the CXT model truck, made by International Truck and Engine Corporation.  
         [0004]     These types of trucks are capable of towing different types of trailers. In addition, these trucks can tow trailers by using various types of trailer hitches. For example, the truck can tow a trailer using a conventional trailer hitch located at the rear end of the vehicle, or a “gooseneck” type of trailer hitch which is typically attached to the bed of the pickup truck. However, it can be inconvenient for a user to purchase a truck which has the capability to accommodate a gooseneck hitch because these types of trucks often have a pickup bed with a reduced height which cannot transport cargo very easily. Typically, the truck designed for a gooseneck trailer hitch has a bed which does not have side walls, or will be equipped with short side walls which provide minimal enclosure of the pickup bed, limiting the type of cargo that can be transported.  
         [0005]     By contrast, a truck that is not equipped for use with a gooseneck trailer hitch usually has side walls of considerable height substantially enclosing the bed, which increases the ability of the user to transport cargo in the bed. In order to tow a trailer having a gooseneck hitch, such as a fifth wheel trailer, one must have a truck where there are no obstructions surrounding the connection point between the gooseneck hitch and the truck so that the trailer can rotate freely with respect to the truck when performing various driving operations, such as maneuvering a turn. When used with a gooseneck trailer hitch, the truck cannot have obstructions blocking the movement of the gooseneck hitch, such as side walls to a pickup bed. Thus, the user of these vehicles is forced to decide what type of towing mechanism and side walls to use at the time of purchase. Essentially, the user must decide whether they are going to purchase a truck that has higher side walls for transporting cargo in the bed, or a truck that is designed differently to accommodate a gooseneck mechanism. Thus, if a user wishes to tow trailers using a gooseneck mechanism as well as transport various cargo, then the user must purchase two different trucks having these capabilities.  
         [0006]     It would therefore be desirable to create a bed where the user could have the capability of attaching a trailer having a gooseneck trailer hitch, but also have sidewalls enclosing the bed when the trailer having the gooseneck trailer hitch is not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is a transformable truck bed having at least one base side wall, a bed connected to the base side wall, and at least one insert side wall operably associated with the base side wall.  
         [0008]     The insert side wall is selectively engageable with the base side wall where the insert side wall will increase the overall height of the base side wall relative to the bed.  
         [0009]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a transformable truck bed in a first position, according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1   b  is a side view of a transformable truck bed in a first position with the base tailgate folded down, according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1   c  is a rear view of a transformable truck bed in a first position, according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a base side wall used in a transformable truck bed, according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a cap having a series of holes, used with a transformable truck bed, according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is a side view of a cap used with a transformable truck bed, according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of a cap having a rod inserted into a receiving hole and held in place by a pin, used in a transformable truck bed, according to the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5   a  is a first side view of a pin shaft assembly along with a cap having a rod for securing the cap in place, used in a transformable truck bed assembly, according to the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5   b  is a second side view of a pin shaft assembly for securing a cap to a base side wall used in a transformable truck bed assembly, according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of a transformable truck bed in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6   b  is a side view of a transformable truck bed in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6   c  is a rear view of a transformable truck bed assembly in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the insert side wall and an insert tail gate used in a transformable truck bed assembly, according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of an insert side wall used in a transformable truck bed assembly, according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9   a  is a side view of a second alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a first position, according to the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9   b  is a side view of a second alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9   c  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a first position, according to the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9   d  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly, according to the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11   a  is side view of a fourth alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a first position, according to the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11   b  is a perspective fourth view of a third alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a first position, according to the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 11   c  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly changing from a first position to a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 11   d  is a side view of a fourth alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 11   e  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a second position, according to the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 12   a  is a side view of a fifth alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a first position, according to the present invention; and  
         [0036]      FIG. 12   b  is an enlarged side view of a fifth alternate embodiment of a transformable truck bed assembly in a second position, according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0038]     Referring to FIGS  1   a - 1   c,  a truck  10  having a transformable truck bed  12  is shown in its stowed position, or first position. The truck  10  incorporating the present invention is larger in size than a conventional, light-duty pickup truck, and is used for towing extremely large loads. This type of truck  10  is typically a commercial semi-truck which incorporates various features of light-duty trucks to have the comfort level of a light-duty truck, as well as the robustness and towing capacity of a commercial semi-truck.  
         [0039]     When the transformable truck bed  12  is in the first position, it has a bed  14 , base side walls  16 , a base front wall  18 , and a base tailgate  20 . It is preferred that the base side walls  16  and the base tailgate  20  only extend a couple of inches above the bed  14  so that they do not extend to high and obstruct objects such as a trailer (not shown) being towed by a gooseneck trailer hitch (not shown) when the truck  10  is being used to tow a trailer. The base tailgate  20  connects to the base side walls  16  by a primary hinge (not shown) that is located at each end of the base tailgate  20 , connecting the tailgate  20  to the bed  14 . Therefore, the base tailgate  20  can pivot about the primary hinges, allowing the base tailgate  20  to either be in an upright position, as shown in  FIGS. 1   a  or  1   c,  or a lowered position, where the base tailgate  20  creates a flat surface with the bed  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1   b.  The primary hinge could be a pin and locator, or any other type device for allowing the base tailgate  20  to pivot relative to the bed  14 . It is preferred that the base tailgate  20  is flush with a tail end  22  of the truck  10  when the base tailgate  20  is in the first position so as to create an aesthetically pleasing surface at the rear of the vehicle  10 .  
         [0040]     As shown generally in  FIGS. 1   a - 5   b,  the base side walls  16 , have receiving chambers, or receiving holes  24 . In addition, it is preferred that the base side walls  16  have mounting holes  26  placed evenly across the length of the base side walls  16 . It is also preferred that the base side walls  16  have a convex surface that creates a wheel well  27 . A cap  28  is then placed on the base side walls  16 ; the cap  28  has what is commonly known as a class “A” surface. A class “A” surface is a high-gloss surface which is used in most automobiles to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Body sections of a vehicle such as the fenders, hood, roof, and doors commonly have a class “A” surface. The cap  28  has a class “A” surface to match with any surfaces which also have a class “A” surface. It is preferred that the cap  28  is connected to the base side walls  16  by extending bolts (not shown) or pins (not shown) through the holes  29  on the cap  28  and into the base side wall  16  through the mounting holes  26 .  
         [0041]     An alternate embodiment for attaching the cap  28  to the base side walls  16  would be to attach the cap  28  to the base side wall  16  with a typical hinge (not shown). Thus, the cap  28  could rotate about the hinge and rest against the inside of the base side wall  16 , exposing the receiving holes  24  when access to the receiving holes becomes necessary. Another embodiment of the cap  28  is shown in  FIG. 3   b  and  FIGS. 4-5   b.  In this embodiment, the cap  28  has at least one rod  30  having a hole  31  where the rod  30  can be selectively inserted into one of the receiving holes  24 . When the rod  30  is placed inside the receiving hole  24 , the rod  30  can be locked by a pin  32  which extends through a pair of apertures  33  in the receiving hole  24  and the hole  31  in the rod  30 . Access to the pin  32  is achieved underneath the wheel well  27 . As previously stated, the truck  10  incorporating the present invention is of the heavy-duty type, larger in size and capable of towing large loads. Therefore, the wheel wells  27  are also larger in size and would allow access to a pin  32  used for securing a cap  28  according to the present invention. This embodiment is not limited to using the pin  32 , other various fasteners could also be used to maintaining the position of the rod  30  in the receiving hole  24  may also be used. For example, a clevis pin or bolt attachment could be used.  
         [0042]     Another embodiment for connecting the cap  28  to the base side walls  16  is shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b.    FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show a pin  34  connected to a shaft  36 , the shaft  36  is connected to a common shaft  38 ; the common shaft  38  partially extends through the wheel well  27 . The pin  34 , the shaft  36 , and common shaft  38  form a pin shaft assembly  39 . The common shaft  38  has a handle (not shown) which is exposed underneath the wheel well  27  to allow access to the operator; the common shaft  38  extends through another set of apertures  40  in the receiving hole  24 . The common shaft  38  also can include additional pins similar to pin  34  for being used in conjunction with additional rods  30  on the cap  28 . Initially, when the rod  30  is first placed in the receiving hole  24 , the common shaft  38  will be in the position shown in  FIG. 5   a.  After the rod  30  is placed in the receiving hole  24 , the common shaft  38  can slide through the apertures  40  in the receiving hole  24  such that the pin  34  will be placed through the receiving hole  24  in the rod  30 . In addition, bolts (not shown) can be extended through the mounting holes  26  and into the cap  28  in order to secure the cap  28  to the base side walls  16 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 6   a - 8 , the transformable truck bed  12  is shown in its transformed position, or second position. When the transformable truck bed  12  is in the transformed position, the transformable truck bed  12  still consists of the bed  14 , base side walls  16 , the base front wall  18 , and the tail end  22 . In addition, the transformable truck bed  12  has insert side walls  44  that replace the caps  28  on top of the base side walls  16  in order to improve the load carrying capacity of the truck bed  12 . The insert side walls  44  shown in FIGS.  6   a - 8  are removable and can be used only when desired to do so by the operator. When the insert side walls  44  are installed, they rest upon the base side walls  16 , and increase the overall height of the bed  12 . The caps  28  are removed because the insert side walls  44  include extensions  42  having holes  43  that are placed into the receiving holes  24 , securing the insert side walls  44  to the base side walls  16  in the same manner as the caps  28 . It is also preferred that the receiving holes  24  are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the base side walls  16  so that the strain placed on the base side walls  16  by the insert side walls  44  via the extensions  43  is more evenly distributed about the base side walls  16 . Furthermore, the insert side walls  44  can be equipped for use with additional fasteners (not shown) which can be extended through the mounting holes  26  and into corresponding holes (not shown) in the insert side walls  44  to provide additional support for the insert side walls  44  in order to satisfy various pay load requirements.  
         [0044]     Like the caps  28 , the insert side walls  44  can have any number of applications, either for aesthetic purposes, functional purposes, or a combination of aesthetic and functional purposes. For example, the interior side of the insert side walls  44  could have cargo net  46  such that the cargo net  46  could be used to form a single storage space, or multiple storage spaces, along the base side walls  16  and the insert side walls  44 . Another application includes placing lighting units inside the insert side walls  44 , which could be connected to the vehicle&#39;s power supply, in order to provide lighting to the bed  12 , illuminating cargo, or for purely aesthetic purposes. Yet another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , includes having the interior of the insert side wall  44  as a hollow structure, such that a cavity  45  is created. The cavity  45  can then be used as extra storage. Also, the cavity  45  allows for easier access to additional fasteners (not shown) extending through the insert side wall  44  and through the mounting holes  26 , which can be used to fasten the insert side wall  44  to the base side wall  16 , to provide additional support.  
         [0045]     Moreover, when the insert side walls  44  are being used the base tailgate  20  is removed and replaced with an insert tailgate  48 . Like the base tailgate  20 , the insert tailgate  48  pivots about a set of primary hinges and is placed flush with the tail end  22 . It is preferred that the top surface of the insert tailgate  48  is the same height as the insert side walls  44  in relation to the bed  14  so that the insert tailgate  48  and the insert side walls  44  are even.  
         [0046]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  show an alternate embodiment of the transformable truck bed  12 . In this embodiment, there is a top side wall  50  which has an angled surface  52 , and a bottom side wall  54  which also has an angled surface  56 . The top side wall  50  is connected to the bottom side wall  54  through the use of a hinge connection  58 . When the transformable truck bed  12  is in the stowed position, or first position, shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   c,  the top side wall  50  is adjacent to the bottom side wall  52 , and the angled surface  54  along with the angled surface  56  are flush to one another. The hinge  58  allows the top side wall  50  to pivot relative to the bottom side wall  54  such that the top side wall  50  can be placed in the position shown in  FIGS. 9   b  and  9   d.  Again, the angled surfaces  54  and  56  are aligned; however, once the top side wall  50  is placed in the position shown in  FIGS. 9   b  and  9   d,  the angled surfaces  54  and  56  are no longer facing one another. It should be noted that the base side wall  16  is the same height as the bottom side wall  52 , such that when the top side wall  50  pivots about the hinge  58 , the top side wall  50  will rest on both the bottom side wall  52  and the base side wall  16 .  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , another alternate embodiment is shown where the insert side walls  44  rotate about a pivot point  62 . Thus, when the transformable truck bed  12  is in the first position, or stowed position, the insert side walls  44  are in an upright position along the base front wall  18 . In this position, the insert side walls  44  are perpendicular to the bed  14 . To place the transformable truck bed  12  in the second position, the insert side walls  44  are rotated about the pivot point  62  until the insert side walls  44  contact the base side wall  16 . Thus, the insert side walls  44  are parallel to the bed  14 , and are shown in this position in phantom in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, the insert side walls  44  increase the overall height of the transforming truck bed  12 .  
         [0048]     Another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   e,  includes having the base side walls  16  connected to the insert side walls  44  via a pivot arm  64 . The pivot arm  64  is connected to the base side wall  16  at approximately the midpoint of the base side wall  16  at a first connection point  66 . Also, the pivot arm  64  is connected to the insert side wall  44  at the base of the insert side wall  44  at a second connection point  68 . The pivot arm  64  is connected to the base side walls  16  and the insert side walls  44  by any suitable means, such that the connection points  66 ,  68  may be a pin or rivet, which will allow the pivot arm  64  to rotate about the connection points  66 ,  68 . When the transformable truck bed  12  is in the stowed position, or first position, the insert side walls  44  are parallel to the base side walls  16 , such that the insert side walls  44  are of the same height as the base side walls  16 , best seen in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b.  As the insert side walls  44  are moved from the first position to the second position, the insert side walls  44  will be in a position shown in  FIG. 11   c.  As the transformable truck bed  12  is moved to the second position, shown in  FIGS. 11   d  and  11   e,  the pivot arm  64  rotates about the connection points  66 ,  68 , and the insert side wall  44  rotates until the bottom of the insert side wall  44  is flush with the top of the base side wall  16 , and the insert side wall  44  along with the base side wall  16  are in a “stacked configuration”. Therefore, the height of the sides of the transformable truck bed  12 , when it is in the second position, is the combined height of the base side wall  16  and the insert side wall  44 . By contrast, when the transformable truck bed  12  is in the first position, the width of the base side wall  16  is increased by the width of the insert side wall  44 .  
         [0049]     Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b.  In this embodiment the insert side wall  44  is comprised of a set of lockable ball bearings  70  which are used in conjunction with a first telescoping member  72  and a second telescoping member  74 . The insert side wall  44  is in the stowed position, or first position, shown in  FIG. 12   a.  The second telescoping member  74  is connected to the base side wall  16  by a common fastener (not shown), such as a screw. The first telescoping member  72  along with the ball bearings  70 , are disposed within the second telescoping member  74 . When the insert side wall  44  is to be moved from the first position in  FIG. 12   a,  to the second position shown in  FIG. 12   b,  the first telescoping member  72  is pulled out from within the second telescoping member  74  and rolls along the ball bearings  70 . Once the first telescoping member  72  is in the position shown in  FIG. 12   b,  a pin  76  is inserted through an aperture  78  in the second telescoping member  74 , which will maintain the first telescoping member  72  in the position shown in  FIG. 12   b.    FIG. 12   b  shows a single pin  76  holding the second telescoping member  74  in the second position, however, it is within the scope of the invention that multiple pins may be used for supporting the second telescoping member  74 .  
         [0050]     It is preferred that in any of the embodiments described above, where the insert side walls  44  are to be stowed in the transformable truck bed  12  when the transformable truck bed  12  is in the first position, a locking mechanism (not shown) is used to secure the insert side walls  44  in the stowed position. For example, a locking pin can extend through the pivot arm  62  and into either the insert side wall  44  or the base side wall  16  in order to prevent the pivot arm  62  from rotating about the connection points  66 ,  68  and at an undesirable time.  
         [0051]     It should be noted that all of the exterior components, i.e., the bed  14 , the base side walls  16 , the base tailgate  22 , the insert side walls  44 , and the insert tailgate  48 , can have a class “A” finish for providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, any of the parts described above can be made of either steel or composite materials. The type of material selected can be based on the type of loading requirements.  
         [0052]     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.