Abstract:
An assembly for extending the length of a truck bed, which can increase the cargo space of the truck bed. The truck bed extension assembly of the present invention can be integrally incorporated into the side walls of the truck bed. The extension assembly substantially maintains the side-to-side useable space within the original truck bed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to accessories for trucks, and more particularly to a pick-up truck cargo bed extender. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When transporting items in a truck cargo bed, one or more of those items may be too long to fit within the bed and therefore requires extra space. The use of aftermarket or add-on extension devices to lengthen the pick-up truck cargo space is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,213 to Palmer discloses an extendable vehicle tailgate assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,511 to Webber discloses a rigid frame adapted to be coupled to opposite sidewalls of the truck bed; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,753 to DiBassie discloses extendible side braces, which bolt to the inner side of the truck bed. 
     Unfortunately, although aftermarket or add-on extension devices may be adequate to increase the length of the truck bed, some extension devices tend to be bulky and thus reduce the amount of useable space from side-to side within the cargo bed. Typically, after-market truck bed extenders, require modification to the truck bed, which may be costly, unsightly, and permanent. In some instances, truck bed extenders can obstruct a driver&#39;s ability to see safety lamps and/or taillights located near the extended portion of the cargo bed. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved truck bed extender, which can be used for extending a cargo bed of a truck to increase its useable cargo space, while being safe, attractive, and easy to operate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an assembly for extending the length of a truck bed, which can increase the cargo space of the truck bed. Advantageously, the truck bed extension assembly of the present invention can be integrally incorporated into the sidewalls of the truck bed. In this manner, the extension assembly substantially maintains the side-to-side useable space within the original truck bed. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a truck bed extension assembly is provided for extending a bed of a truck. The assembly includes a first panel and a second panel. Each panel is moveable between a first position, where each of the panels are held within the truck side walls, and a second position, where each of the panels is extended out from within the side walls. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, provided is a truck bed extension system. The system includes a truck bed, which has a front wall, a bottom wall, and oppositely facing side walls. A tailgate is hingedly coupled to a wall of the truck bed. A pair of telescopically extendable panels are included in the system. Each panel is movable between a retracted position, where the panels are disposed within each side wall, and an extended position, where each panel extends rearwardly from the side walls, approximately the distance of the lowered tailgate. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for extending a truck bed, which has a front wall, a bottom wall, and oppositely facing side walls. The method includes sliding a pair of extendable panels telescopically movable between a retracted position disposed within each side wall and an extended position extending rearwardly from the side walls; and actuating a tailgate hingedly coupled to a wall of the truck bed to form an extended bottom wall portion. 
     The present invention is advantageous in that it does not require add-on extension devices, so that the amount of useable space from side-to side within the truck bed is maintained, while the front-to-back space is increased. The truck bed extender of the present invention can be formed integrally with the truck bed, so that aftermarket modifications to the truck bed, which may be costly, unsightly, and permanent, are unnecessary. The present invention does not obstruct a driver&#39;s ability to see safety lamps and/or taillights, since the lamps and/or taillights can extend with the truck bed extender. 
     Beneficially, since the truck bed extender of the present invention can be formed integrally within the truck bed walls, the truck bed can be used in a non-extended configuration without having to remove the truck bed extender, and while maintaining the original truck bed volume and carrying capacity. 
     Other uses, advantages, and variations of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a simplified perspective view of a truck bed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is a simplified perspective view of the truck bed in a partially extended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1C is a simplified perspective view of the truck bed in a fully extended position with tailgate down in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1D is a simplified perspective view of the truck bed in a fully extended position with tailgate up in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified partial rear-view of the truck bed of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a simplified partial side-view of the truck bed of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a simplified front view of an embodiment of a slide assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4B is a simplified perspective view of the slide assembly of FIG. 4A; 
     FIG. 5A is a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a tailgate assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5B is a simplified side-view of the tailgate assembly of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified view of an embodiment of a roller device for use in the tailgate assembly of FIGS. 5A and 5B; 
     FIG. 7A is a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of the tailgate assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7B is a simplified perspective view of a control handle in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a simplified illustrations of another embodiment of the slide assembly of FIGS. 4A and 4B; and 
     FIGS. 9A-9B are illustrations of another embodiment of the truck bed extender of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1A-1D are simplified perspective illustrations of truck bed extension system  10  (hereinafter “extension system  10 ”) and the major components of truck bed extension assembly  12  (hereinafter “extension assembly  12 ”). 
     As shown in FIG. 1A, the major components of extension system  10  include truck bed  14 , bumper  16 , safety lamps (also known as taillights)  18 , and tailgate handle  20 . Truck bed  14  includes a front wall  17 , and bottom wall  19 , inwardly facing, opposed internal walls  22  and outwardly facing external walls  24 . Internal walls  22  and corresponding outwardly facing external walls  24 , in combination form side walls  23  and  25 . Internal walls  22  and external walls  24  define a hollow portion  26 , typically formed between the walls during the fabrication of truck bed  14 . As described in greater detail below, in an embodiment of the present invention, hollow portion  26  houses a portion of extension assembly  12 . Truck bed  14  can be formed of metal or other similarly rigid structural material, using well-known molding, pressing, and machining techniques commonly used in the fabrication of trucks and automobiles. 
     As shown in FIG. 1B, extension assembly  12  includes extension panels  28  and  30  and tailgate assembly  32 . The description of extension panels  28  and  30  is directed to only one side of extension assembly  12  (e.g. side wall  23 ), with reference to the other side, only when necessary to describe a feature of the invention, since it is understood that the other extension panel is structurally and functionally the same. 
     Extension panel  28  slidingly fits into side wall  23  as illustrated in FIG.  1 C. In accordance with the present invention, extension panel  28  is slidable within side wall  23 , such that panel  28  is removably insertable and housed in hollow portion  26 . Each extension panel  28  and  30  may be formed having a shape, which corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of hollow portion  26 . It should be understood that extension panel  28  is intended to be custom designed to fit any truck bed, thus dimensions of panel  28  can vary. For example, the length of extension panel  28  depends upon the make and model of truck bed  14 . In one embodiment, the length of panel  28  is approximately the length of tailgate assembly  32 . However, since extension panel  28  is inserted into hollow portion  26 , the length of the extension panel is not so long as to interfere or obstruct wheel well  33 . 
     Extension panel  28  includes a distal end towards front wall  17  and a proximal end toward tailgate assembly  32 . On the proximal end of extension panel  28  is mounted at least one safety lamp  18 . Safety lamp  18  extends out with extension panel  28 . Since safety lamp  18  can extend as the extension panel  28  extends, the safety lamp is not obstructed so that its effectiveness is not diminished. 
     In one embodiment, extension panel  28  can be a hollow panel, which is formed by welding, riveting or similarly joining to separate panels. Alternatively, extension panel  28  can be formed as a single hollow panel either by molding or extruding or similar fabrication techniques. Extension panel  28  can be made of strong lightweight material, such as sheetmetal, polyurea, urethane fiberglass mix, carbon fiber, and aluminum. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, extension panel  28  is coupled to a slide assembly  50 . Slide assembly  50  can be any linear motion system which can provide linear movement of extension panel  28 . In one embodiment, slide assembly  50  rides along a track  52  to permit extension panel  28  to move between a retracted position, where extension panel  28  is housed within side wall  23 , and an extended position, where extension panel  28  is extended rearwardly. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of one type of slide assembly  50  in accordance with the present invention. In this example, slide assembly  50  includes a pair of rollers  51  which can be made to engage track  52 . In one embodiment, slide assembly  50  is mounted to a bottom portion of extension panel  28 . Track  52  can be diamond shape to engage more than one surface of the pair of rollers  51 . In this manner, extension panel  28  should be free from binding as it moves along track  52 . Track  52  extends along the length of extension panel  28  such that slide assembly  50  mounted to panel  28  engages track  52  during the entire movement of panel  28 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of slide assemblies  102  can be mounted to the internal walls and external walls of side walls  23  and  25 . For example, two slide assemblies can be mounted on oppositely facing panels at the top and bottom of side wall  23 . In this example, slide assemblies  102  are mounted such that rollers  104  are recessed within the oppositely facing panels. Track  106  can be mounted to corresponding positions on extension panel  28 . Accordingly, as extension panel  28  is made to move between a retracted position and an extended position, extension panel  28  can be supported to ride along ride along slide assemblies  102 . 
     Examples of other slide assemblies and linear motion systems suitable for use with the present invention are well known by one of ordinary skill in the art and are generally commercially available. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5A,  5 B, and  7 A, in a non-extended configuration, tailgate assembly  32 , operates primarily as a conventional tailgate. Tailgate assembly  32  includes a first tailgate  34  and a second tailgate  36 . First tailgate  34  can be pivotally coupled to a wall of the truck bed, such as bottom wall  19 , using conventional pivoting means  21 , such as a hinge. First tailgate  34  is generally rectangular shaped and formed of sheet metal or other similar rigid material. First tailgate  34  has an internal side  56 , an external side  58 , two side edges  60  therebetween, a top edge  64 , and a bottom edge  65 . 
     In one embodiment, two channels  66  and  68  are formed internal to first tailgate  34 . Channels  66  and  68  extend from bottom edge  65  to top edge  64 . Channels  66  and  68  are configured to receive a roller device  70 . A cap  73  (FIG. 6) can be placed over channels  66  and  68  to protect the components and the user. 
     In one embodiment, second tailgate  36  is generally rectangular in structure with a hollow interior. Second tailgate  36  is slidingly coupled to first tailgate  34  via roller device  70 . As best understood with reference to FIG. 6, roller device  70  includes a pair of rollers  71 , having an axle  72  therebetween. A connector member  74  is rotatably coupled to axle  72  at one end and attached to second tailgate  36  at the other end. Second tailgate  36  can be manually manipulated to slide relative to first tailgate  34 . As illustrated in FIG. 5B, bottom edge  76  of second tailgate  34  reaches top edge  64  of first tailgate  34  once second tailgate  36  is fully extended. Connector member  74  rotates a second tailgate  36  is lifted to rotate to an upright orientation and provide a closure. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, shown is a latch means  80 , which primarily controls operation of tailgate assembly  32 . Latch means  80  can be formed on the internal side  56  of first tailgate  34 . Latch means  80  is operable through a central rotatable capstan  83  connected to symmetrically opposed rods  82  extended outwards therefrom towards each side edge  60 . Each rod  82  is spring-loaded and mateable within a latch slot  86  formed on opposed internal surfaces of extension panels  28  and  30  near the tailgate end of the truck bed  14  (see FIGS.  1 B and  1 C). As shown in FIG. 7B, capstan  83  is actuable through a handle  84 . Handle  84  is rotatable in one orientation for extending the spring-loaded rods  82  for mating within latch slots  86  to thereby secure first tailgate  34  to extension panels  28  and  30 . Handle  83  is rotatable in another orientation for retracting the spring-loaded rods  82  from latch slots  86  and thereby release first tailgate  34  from extension panels  28  and  30 . 
     In operation, as best understood with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, extension system  10  is engaged using latch means  80  (FIG.  7 A). When rods  82  are engaged with extension panels  28  and  30 , rotation or opening of tailgate assembly  32  causes each panel  28  and  30  to slide out from its housed position within hollow portion  26  (FIG.  1 B). Extension panels  28  and  30  continue to extend in the direction of arrow  42  until tailgate assembly  32  has been fully opened (FIG.  1 C). Since first tailgate  34  of tailgate assembly  32  is hingedly coupled to bottom wall  19  of truck bed  14 , first tailgate  34  provides a floor  46  between the extended panels  28  and  30 . In this embodiment, second tailgate  36  can be further extended with respect to first tailgate  34  (FIG. 1C) to provide a closure when rotated to an upright position (FIG.  1 D). 
     FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The description of extension panels  28  and  30  is directed to only one side of extension assembly  12  (e.g. side wall  23 ), with reference to the other side, only when necessary to describe a feature of the invention, since it is understood that the other extension panel is structurally and functionally the same. In accordance with the alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, extension panel  28  includes an internal portion  110  and an external portion  112 . Internal portion  110  of extension panel  28  is slidable within side wall  23 , such that panel  28  is removably insertable and housed in hollow portion  26  (FIG.  1 A). External portion  112  remains outside of hollow portion  26 . External portion  112  may be formed having a shape, color and other features which correspond to the shape, color and other features of side wall  23 , such that in the retracted position, external portion  112  completes the external appearance of side wall  23 . 
     In this alternative embodiment, the movement of internal portion  110  within side wall  23  can be facilitated using side mounted slide assemblies, such as those described in FIG.  8 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The description of the invention given above is provided for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting. The invention is set forth in the following claims.