Abstract:
A sliding bed accessory arrangement is provided with a sliding bed accessory, such as a bed divider, that is configured to slide between and retained in several different positions within a vehicle cargo bed. The sliding bed accessory arrangement has a pair of tracks fixedly attached to opposite sides of a vehicle cargo area with a pair of mounting arrangements slideably supporting the bed accessory in the tracks. The mounting arrangements are designed so that they can be installed into the rear ends of the tracks even when very little clearance is provided between the vehicle body and the rear open ends of the tracks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a sliding bed accessory arrangement for a vehicle cargo area. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sliding bed accessory, such as a pick-up truck bed divider, which can be retained in several different positions within a pick-up truck cargo area. 
   2. Background Information 
   Pick-up trucks have increased in popularity in recent years. Some pick-up trucks are used primarily for work and others primarily for recreation. Many trucks do double-duty supporting both of these spheres of activity. Basically a pick-up truck has a storage bed in which a tailgate is pivotally mounted to side support portions of the storage bed. The explosion in the popularity of pick-up trucks and/or sport utility trucks (SUTs) has fueled a proliferation of new body configurations. Trucks are offered as standard cabs, king cabs, crew cabs, and the like. Likewise, truck interiors have been adapted to meet the needs for more comfort, more passenger capacity, and the like. 
   Recently, the cargo area of the pick-up truck has undergo a similar evolution. Typically, a standard full-sized pick-up bed is little more than a large empty volume with a few tie-down points scattered along the perimeter of its interior walls or along a bed rail. Generally speaking, bed usage may be grouped into three broad categories: hauling, securing, and separating items in the payload. Most truck users need to perform each of these tasks with some frequency. Yet the demands placed on the bed for hauling are significantly different from those needed to secure or separate items in and around the bed. Thus, various bed accessories have been offered to allow customization of the bed to suit a particular need. 
   For example, some automobile manufacturers have made track systems in which a variety of bed accessories can be easily attached. Some of the bed accessories that are currently available on the market include a bed divider, a bed extender and a tray or box. Currently, pick-up trucks are available with a track system such as the one disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0048495 to Anderson et al. Other examples of some sliding bed accessories are disclosed in the following U.S. publications: U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,807 to Bernardo; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0047703 to Bernardo. While many of these systems are at least partially effective, they are not necessarily designed to interface with the truck in an optimum manner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint. 
   In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved sliding bed accessory arrangement. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of the present invention is to provide a sliding bed accessory arrangement that is configured and arranged to slide easily among various position in a vehicle cargo area. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding bed accessory arrangement that is configured and arranged to be installed in tracks in a non-longitudinal manner when the open ends of the tracks are substantially blocked. 
   In order to achieve the above object and other objects of the present invention, a sliding bed accessory arrangement is provided that basically comprises a vehicle cargo area, a first track, a second track, a first mounting arrangement, a second mounting arrangement and a bed accessory. The vehicle cargo area includes a bed floor, a front cargo wall disposed on a forward end of the bed floor, a first side cargo wall disposed on a first lateral side of the bed floor, and a second side cargo wall disposed on a second lateral side of the bed floor. The first roller track is fixedly attached to the first side cargo wall of the vehicle cargo area. The second roller track is fixedly attached to the second side cargo wall of the vehicle cargo area in a parallel, spaced arrangement relative to the first roller track. The first mounting arrangement includes a pair of first rolling members and a first locking mechanism. The first rolling members are rollably disposed in the first roller. The first locking mechanism has a first locking member slideably disposed in the first roller track and a first hand operating member operatively coupled to the first locking member to selectively move the first locking member between a first sliding position and a first locked position in which sliding of the first locking member is prevented. The second mounting arrangement includes a pair of second rolling members and a second locking mechanism. The second rolling members are rollably disposed in the second roller track. The second locking mechanism has a second locking member slideably disposed in the second roller track and a second hand operating member operatively coupled to the second locking member to selectively move the second locking member between a second sliding position and a second locked position in which sliding of the second locking member is prevented. The bed accessory has first and second side ends rigidly attached to the first and second mounting arrangements. 
   These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
       FIG. 1  is a rear side perspective view of a vehicle (pick-up truck) having a sliding bed accessory arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of the vehicle illustrated in  FIG. 1  having a pair of roller tracks that are used in the sliding bed accessory arrangement in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial top perspective view of a portion of the cargo area with a divider installed in the roller tracks in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the sliding bed accessory arrangement disposed in the vehicle bed (shown in phantom lines) in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial perspective view of one end of the sliding bed accessory arrangement in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a transverse cross sectional view of the sliding bed accessory arrangement as viewed along section line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 4  with the vehicle bed removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view of the sliding bed accessory arrangement as viewed along section line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 6  with the vehicle bed removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 8  is a partial cross sectional view of the sliding bed accessory arrangement as viewed along section line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional view of the sliding bed accessory arrangement as viewed along section line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the cargo area showing an initial installation step of installing the mounting arrangements into the roller tracks in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the cargo area showing a subsequent installation step from  FIG. 10  for installing the mounting arrangements into the roller tracks in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the cargo area showing a subsequent installation step from  FIG. 11  for installing the mounting arrangements into the roller tracks in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 13–16  are a partial perspective views of a portion of the cargo area showing a final installation step for installing the mounting arrangements into the roller tracks in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1–4 , a vehicle or pick-up truck  10  is illustrated that has a truck bed or vehicle cargo area  12  with a sliding bed accessory arrangement  14  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the sliding bed accessory arrangement  14  of the present invention can be utilized in any of a variety of vehicles having a vehicle cargo area, such as vans and the like. 
   The vehicle cargo area  12  of the vehicle  10  basically has a bed floor  16 , a front cargo wall  18 , a pair of side cargo walls  21  and  22 , and a rear tailgate  24 . The front cargo wall  18  is disposed on a forward end of the bed floor  16  and interconnects the forward ends of the side cargo walls  21  and  22 . The first side cargo wall  21  is disposed on a first lateral side of the bed floor  16 , while the second side cargo wall  22  is disposed on a second lateral side of the bed floor  16 . The tailgate  24  is pivotally coupled to the rearward ends of the side cargo walls  21  and  22 . The vehicle cargo area  12  of the vehicle  10  is a relatively conventional structure that is well known in the art. Since vehicle cargo areas of pick-up trucks are well known in the art, the vehicle cargo area  12  will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 3–9 , the sliding bed accessory arrangement  14  basically has a pair of roller tracks  32 , a first mounting arrangement  33 , a second mounting arrangement  34 , and a sliding bed accessory or bed extender  35 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that other sliding bed accessories can be mounted in accordance with the present invention. A first one of the tracks  32  is fixedly attached to the first side cargo wall  21  of the vehicle cargo area  12 , while a second one of the tracks  32  is fixedly attached to the second side cargo wall  22  of the vehicle cargo area  12  in a parallel, spaced arrangement relative to the first one of the tracks. The sliding bed accessory or bed extender  35  is slideably supported on the roller tracks  32  by the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 2–5  and  8 , both of the roller tracks  32  have generally transverse C-shaped cross sections that open towards each other. The roller tracks  32  are preferably constructed of a hard rigid material such as metal. The roller tracks  32  are structurally identical to each other, but mounted as mirror images of each other. The first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  are slideably mounted within the roller tracks  32 , as explained below. Since the roller tracks  32  are structurally identical to each other, only one of the roller tracks  32  will be discussed and/or illustrated in detail. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 9–12 , the roller track  32  has a mounting flange  32   a , an upper track portion  32   b , a lower track portion  32   c , a rear wall portion  32   d  and a pair of retaining lips  32   e . The roller track  32  is a channel shaped member with the retaining lips  32   e  being turned inwardly to define a longitudinal slot or opening  36 . The roller tracks  32  are fixedly attached to the first and second side cargo walls  21  and  22  of the vehicle cargo area  12  by a plurality of fasteners  38 . 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 2 and 3  and to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , in this particular vehicle  10 , the roller tracks  32  extend substantially the entire lengths of the first and second side cargo walls  21  and  22  of the vehicle cargo area  12 . The roller tracks  32  have rear open ends located near rearward end abutments (taillight housing) of the first side cargo wall  21  and front open ends located near from the front cargo wall  18 . The rearward end abutments of the cargo walls  21  and  22  are arranged so that the rear open ends of the roller tracks  32  are at least partial blocked, which prevents the mounting arrangements  33  and  34  from being installed longitudinally into the rear open ends of the roller tracks  32 . Moreover, the spacings between the front open ends of the roller tracks  32  and the front cargo wall  18  are too close to each other so that the mounting arrangements  33  and  34  can not be installed longitudinally into the front open ends of the roller tracks  32 . 
   Basically, as seen in  FIGS. 6–8 , the first mounting arrangement  33  basically includes a mounting bracket  41 , a pair of rollers or wheels  42 , a locking mechanism  43 , and a sliding member  44 . The second mounting arrangement  34  has generally the same construction as the first mounting arrangement  33 . In particular, the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  are constructed of the identical parts, except for the mounting brackets  41 , which are mirror images of each other. Thus, the identical parts of the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  will be given the same reference numbers. Moreover, it will be apparent from this disclosure that the descriptions and illustrations of the first mounting arrangement  33  apply to the second mounting arrangement  34 . 
   Once the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  are installed, the second mounting arrangement  34  is the mirror image of the first mounting arrangement  33  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  slideably support the opposite side ends of the sliding divider  35  within the roller tracks  32 . As will be explained in further detail below, the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  provide for easily moving the sliding divider  35  along the longitudinal length of the vehicle cargo area  12 . Moreover, the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  are configured and arranged to lock the sliding divider  35  in plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of the vehicle cargo area  12 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the mounting bracket  41  preferably is a substantially T-shaped member that includes a first rigid bracket portion  51  and a second rigid bracket portion  52 . The first and second rigid bracket portions  51  and  52  are fixedly coupled together as an integral member. The first rigid bracket portion  51  is preferably a flat metal plate that is configured and arranged to face the roller track  32 . In particular, the first rigid bracket portion  51  rotatably supports the rollers  42  via a pair of attachment pins or bolts  53 . Accordingly, the mounting bracket  41  is movably supported on the roller track  32  for longitudinal movement along the roller track  32  via the rollers  42 . Moreover, the first rigid bracket portion  51  has a vertical open ended slot  54  that extends from its lower edge for receiving a portion of the locking mechanism  43  therein. More specifically, the locking mechanism  43  is retained in the open ended slot  54  by the roller track  32  when the first mounting arrangement  33  is mounted on the roller track  32  as can be seen in  FIG. 6 . 
   The sliding member  44  is positioned between the mounting bracket  41  and the rollers  42  to overlie surface of the first rigid bracket portion  51  that faces the roller track  32 . The sliding member  44  is preferably made of a material having a low coefficient of friction relative to the metal of the first rigid bracket portion  51  of the mounting bracket  41  so that that the sliding divider  35  moves smoothly among a plurality of positions within the vehicle cargo area  12 . For example, the sliding member  44  is constructed as a fiberglass reinforced nylon insert. Basically, the sliding member  44  has a plate shaped portion  44   a  and a pair of projections  44   b  with holes that the pins or bolts  53  pass through. Preferably, the plate shaped portion  44   a  of the sliding member  44  has an overall shape that is generally identical to the overall shape of the first rigid bracket portion  51 , but slightly smaller. The projections  44   b  are sized to be received in the slots  36  and maintain the rollers  42  at a predetermined spacing from the plate shaped portion  44   a.    
   The second rigid bracket portion  52  is preferably a channel shape member having a generally C-shaped transverse cross section. The second rigid bracket portion  52  is preferably a channel member that is rigidly coupled to the first rigid bracket portion  51  such that the second rigid bracket portion  52  extends substantially perpendicularly to the first rigid bracket portion  51 . The second rigid bracket portion  52  has an elongated slot  55  that receives a fastener or mounting bolt  56  for securing a first side end of the sliding divider  35  thereto. The elongated slot  55  is configured and arranged to allow for lateral adjustment of the mounting bracket  41  relative to the sliding divider  35 . The second rigid bracket portion  52  constitutes a support section of the mounting bracket  41  that extends inwardly from the first rigid bracket portion  51  such that the side ends of the sliding divider  35  are adjustably coupled to the mounting brackets  41  for lateral adjustment relative to the first and second cargo walls  21  and  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second rigid bracket portion  52  is preferably mounted midway between the rollers  42  such that the sliding divider  35  is also disposed midway between the rollers  42 . Thus, the sliding divider  35  is balanced between the rollers  42  at each end. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the rollers  42  are preferably constructed of a hard rigid material such that a smoothly roll within the roller tracks  32 . As previously mentioned, the rollers  42  are rotatably mounted to the mounting brackets  41  by the pins  53 . The rollers  42  can be constructed of any suitable materials such as a hard plastic or a metal roller as need and/or desired. For example, the rollers  42  are preferably sealed rubber wheels that are made of a steel center tube surrounded by a nylon ring that is coated with a hard rubber. Preferably, the rollers  42  are identical. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  8 , the locking mechanism  43  preferably includes a knob  61  with a threaded shaft  62  and an anchor plate or locking member  63 . The locking member  63  is preferably a rectangularly shaped member that is configured and arranged such that when the locking member  63  is received in the roller track  32 , the first locking member  63  will not rotate relative to the roller track  32 . The locking member  63  has a threaded bore that threadedly receives the threaded shaft  62  of the knob  61 . Thus, the knob  61  constitutes a hand operating member that is rotatable to move the locking member  63  between a sliding or unlocked position and a locked position. More specifically, rotation of the knob  61  causes the threaded shaft  62  to be threaded into or out of the threaded hole of the locking member  63  such that the locking member  63  is moved transversally relative to the roller track  32  in response to the rotation of the knob  61 . In the locking position, the locking member  61  is configured and arranged to frictionally engage the interior surfaces of the lips  32   e  of the roller track  32 . In the sliding or unlocked position, the knob  61  is rotated such that the locking member  63  is moved transversally away from the retaining lips  32   e  of the roller track  32  such that the first mounting arrangement  33  can move longitudinally along the roller track  32  via the rollers  42 . 
   The sliding divider  35  preferably includes a main grid member  71  and a top bar  72 . The main grid member  71  is configured and arranged to substantially divide the vehicle cargo area  12  into front and rear sections. In other words, the main grid member  71  is preferably configured and arranged so as to span substantially completely between the first and second cargo walls  21  and  22  as seen in  FIG. 4 . In the preferred embodiment, the main grid member  71  has a trapezoid shape. The top bar  72  is fixed mounted to the top end of the main grid member  71  via a center mounting bolt  73  and the mounting bolts  56  (only one shown in  FIG. 5 ) that are used to mount the mounting brackets  41  to the ends of the sliding divider  35 . 
   Referring now  FIGS. 13–16 , installation of the sliding bed accessory arrangement  14  will now be discussed. First, the roller tracks  32  are mounted to the first and second side cargo walls  21  and  22 , respectively, as previously seen in  FIG. 2 . As seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  12 , the next step is to install the top bar  72  to the main grid member  71 . The top bar  72  is first coupled to the main grid member  71  via the center one of the mounting bolts  73 . The center mounting bolt  73  is preferably not completely tightened. Next, the first and second mounting brackets  41  and  44  are installed onto the opposite side ends of the main grid member  71  via the mounting bolts  56 . The mounting bolts  56  should not be completely tightened at this point of time since lateral adjustments of mounting brackets  41  may be needed as will become apparent in the later installation steps. 
   Now, the divider  35  is placed into the vehicle cargo area  12  by first tilting the divider  35  at an angle to insert one end of the divider  35  into the vehicle cargo area  12  at an angle. Then, the other end is angled and tilted into the vehicle cargo area  12  until the entire divider  35  and the mounting brackets  41  and  44  are located in the vehicle cargo area  12  beneath the roller tracks  32 . Once the entire assembly is located in the vehicle cargo area  12 , the assembly is rotated until the divider  35  is substantially parallel to the bed floor  16  with the locking mechanisms  43  facing towards the floor  16 . 
   Now, the top rollers  32  that are opposite the locking mechanisms  43  are inserted into the rear open end of the roller tracks  32  as best seen in  FIG. 13 . To do this, hold the assembly horizontally and place the top rollers  32  into the roller tracks  32  and then start to slide the assembly forward towards the front of the vehicle  10 . Then rotate the assembly down to align the other or rear end rollers  42  with the roller tracks  32 , as seen in  FIG. 14 . Once the rear end rollers  42  are located in the roller tracks  32 , then the locking mechanisms  43  can be inserted into the open ended slots  54  of the mounting brackets  41 . In particular, the shaft portions  62  of the knob  61  are inserted into the open ended slots  54 . The knobs  61  are then rotated until the locking members  63  are oriented so as to be able to be inserted into the roller tracks  32 . With the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  of the divider  35  partially installed to the rear ends of the roller tracks  32 , the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  are moved forwardly within the roller tracks  32  such that the locking members  63  move into the open ends of the roller tracks  32 . Thus, the shaft portions  62  of the knob  61  are now retained in the open ended slots  54  by the roller tracks  32 . 
   Now, the lateral alignments of the first and second mounting members  33  and  34  can be adjusted by bolts  56 . In particular, for initial adjustment, tighten the knob  61  so that the locking members  63  grip the roller tracks  32  to secure the mounting brackets  41  and  44  to the roller tracks  32 , respectively. Then, loosen the knobs  61  and slide the divider  35  back and forth in the tracks to make sure that it slides freely. Now, tighten the bolts  56  so as to lock the relative locations of the first and second mounting arrangements  33  and  34  relative to the divider  35 . The center bolt  73  is also then secured. The sliding motion of the divider  35  then should be checked and the lateral adjustment can be readjusted as need and/or desired. Accordingly, now the divider  35  can be moved to the desired location and locked in the place by turning knobs  61 . In particular, turning knobs  61  clockwise will tighten the locking members  63  against the roller tracks  32 . 
   As used herein to describe the above embodiment, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the present invention. Moreover, terms that are expressed as “means-plus function” in the claims should include any structure that can be utilized to carry out the function of that part of the present invention. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
   While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.