Abstract:
The invention comprises a combination storage unit and step for a pickup truck, comprising: a) a body, containing an interior cavity for storage of items; b) one or more doors providing access to the interior of the storage body; c) one or more step assemblies mounted to the storage body and located adjacent to one or more of the doors; d) one or more brackets to secure the storage body to the undercarriage body mounts of the pickup truck, wherein the storage unit is mounted in a location between the front axle and rear axle of the pickup truck on one of the driver side and passenger side.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle accessories. In particular, it relates to combination step and storage unit for use with a pickup truck. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pickups trucks are in widespread used in North America, both as commercial and as recreational vehicles. The advantage provided to the user of a pickup truck is the increased storage ability provided by the pickup bed, while maintaining size and performance characteristics similar to a passenger car. An associated disadvantage is the exposure of the bed to the elements, and the need to use additional equipment (tie-downs, bungie cords, ropes) to secure cargo within the bed. 
         [0003]    Past efforts to improve the storage characteristics of pickup trucks have focused on modification to either the interior cab of the truck, or the bed of the truck, generally to provide compartments for segregation and protection of stored items. An overlooked area is the space between the front and rear axles, often provided with a step or railing to assist users in climbing in to the cab of the truck. 
         [0004]    There is a need for improved storage units associated with pickup trucks. Ideally, such a storage unit can replace an existing step or rail and provide additional storage while continuing to be used as a step by the user. 
         [0005]    It is an object of this invention to partially or completely fulfill one or more of the above-mentioned needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention comprises a combination storage unit and step for a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck, comprising: a) a body, containing an interior cavity for storage of items; b) one or more doors providing access to the interior of the storage body; c) one or more step assemblies mounted to the storage body and located adjacent to one or more of the doors; d) one or more brackets to secure the storage body to the undercarriage body mounts of the pickup truck, wherein the storage unit is mounted in a location between the front axle and rear axle of the pickup truck on one of the driver side and passenger side. 
         [0007]    The body may further include dividers within the body between the doors such that each door opens in to a separate storage compartment. The body may additionally include a hinged section, preferably extending the length of the body, which can be open to allow access to the interior of the body in addition to the doors. 
         [0008]    Alternatively, the step assemblies can be omitted, leaving the body accessible by the doors and the full interior of the body available for storage. The top of the body may also be reinforced and/or treaded for use as a step. 
         [0009]    Other and further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a combination step and storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the combination step and storage unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the combination step and storage unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the combination step and storage unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section along line B-B of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A-6E  are front views of various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pickup truck with a mounted combination step and storage unit according to the present invention, and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The inventive product presented herein comprises a combination step and storage unit  10  for a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, as shown in  FIG. 1 , which is attached to the underbody chassis of the vehicle. The storage unit is mounted at a location between the front and rear axles on either or both the driver and passenger side as shown on a pickup truck  100  in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0020]    The combination step and storage unit  10  is primarily comprised of a body  20 , which is hollow to allow for storage inside the body  20 , one or more doors  40  to allow access to the interior of the body  20 , and one or more brackets  30  that secure the body  20  to the chassis of the pickup truck. The provided storage area is ideal for smaller items that are required by the user immediately upon exiting the truck, such as tools, blueprints, personal luggage, and similar items. A potential application is for use by fire and emergency services vehicles, as the storage unit  10  can contain fire extinguishers, oxygen tanks, fire axes, and similar-sized equipment in a location that is accessible immediately upon the driver and/or passengers exiting the truck. 
         [0021]    Step assemblies  50  are additionally mounted inside the body  20  to allow passengers to use the step assembly  50  to climb into the cab of the pickup truck. The steps are preferably located between the doors  40 , however, the exact location will be determined by the overall dimensions of the body relative to the position of the cab of the truck. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the body  20  is formed from a base plate  22 , a pair of end covers  24 , and a housing  26 . The housing  26  is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the shape and appearance of the pickup truck, and will typically have a larger front section which extends outward from the frame of the truck, and a smaller rear section which extends under the frame of the truck. 
         [0023]    The body  20  as shown in  FIG. 2  is formed from separate elements, however, some or all of these elements may be formed as a unitary body depending of the choice of materials and manufacturing method. The body  20  can be formed from ABS plastic, extruded aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, or any other material known and used in the automotive body parts industry. 
         [0024]    To secure the body  20  to the truck, brackets  30  are used. Preferably, although not necessary depending on the materials used and the design of the body, an additional stiffening plate  32  is located between each bracket  30  and body  20  to reinforce the body  20  at the mounting point. The position and number of the brackets  30  is determined by the body mount position of the pickup truck, based on manufacturer, model type and model year. The brackets  30  are bolted or otherwise secured to the frame of the truck, thereby securing the body to the truck. As shown in  FIG. 2 , there are four brackets, one at either end, and two on either side of the midpoint. Other truck types will require different positioning, for example, the extended-cab version of the Chevrolet Silverado only requires three brackets, with one at either end and one approximately at the midpoint. As a result, the step assemblies  50  should be positioned so as to assist persons entering the vehicle cab, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0025]    Access to the interior of body  20  for storage is provided by one or more doors  40 . The number, size and position of the doors can be varied based on the overall size of the body and the aesthetic preference of the user. Each door  40  is coupled to the body  20  by a door frame  42 . The door panel  44  is coupled to the door frame  42  by a hinge  46 , preferably a piano-style hinge to maximize door clearance and available space. The door panel  44  is further provided with a clasp or lock  62  to close and secure the door panel within the door frame  42 . Optionally, a gasket assembly  48  can be provided as part of the door frame to protect against fluid and debris from entering into the body  20  through the door  40  during normal use of the truck. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the door frames  42  are secured to the body  20  by a set of screws, however, alternative methods, such as welding, bolting and/or adhesives, can be used. 
         [0027]    In between the doors  40 , a step assembly  50  is mounted to the body  20 . The step assembly  50  is dimensioned to allow a user to place their foot inside the step assembly  50  for assistance in climbing in to the cab of the truck. The step assembly  50  can be approximately a half-foot size, as shown, to provide a step up without sacrificing storage space within the body  20 . The interior of the step assembly  50  may be crenellated or treaded to provide an improved gripping surface for the user. 
         [0028]    In operation, the user can access the interior of the body  20  through opening the doors  40  as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As seen in the cross section in  FIG. 5 , step assembly  50  partially extends into the body  20 , allow for items to be stored in the space behind the step assembly  50 , increasing the overall storage capacity available. 
         [0029]    Also, the number of doors  40  and step assemblies  50 , as well as the overall shape of the body  20  can be modified to reflect the styling of the pickup truck and the available space between the axles. Several alternative embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 6A-6E , including a rear body extension  72  ( FIG. 6A ), an attached front mudflap  70  ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ), a rear light  80  ( FIG. 6B ), a three-door, two-step embodiment as described above herein ( FIG. 6C ), a two-door, one-step short-body embodiment ( FIG. 6D ), and a 3-door embodiment with no steps ( FIG. 6E ). If the step assemblies  50  are omitted, as an alternative, the top surface of the body  20  can be treaded and/or reinforced for use as a step. Other functional and/or aesthetic features, such as running lights around the perimeter of the body and/or doors, can also be added as desired. 
         [0030]    While the interior of the body  20  is shown as a single cavity, additional features can be incorporated to provide enhanced support for stowed items. For example, dividers  52 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , can be placed between the doors  40  to separate the interior of the body  20  into multiple discrete storage areas. As another example, hooks or loops can be provided inside the body to enable the use of bungie cords or tie-downs to secure loose items inside the body  20 . 
         [0031]    As an alternative embodiment, the doors  40  can be replaced by making the front face of the body  20  c hinged, to allow the entire front to fold down to enable the storage of items which are longer than the space provided by the doors  40 . As another alternative variant shown in  FIG. 8 . a part  82  of the top section of the body  20  can be hinged to open up the top surface to enable storage of long items (tent poles, fishing rods, hockey sticks, etc.). 
         [0032]    While the above combination step and storage unit has been presented in the context of pickup trucks the method is equally applicable to similar vehicles such as jeeps, Hummers, sport-utility vehicles (SUV) and other “crossover” vehicles and more generally to any twin axle passenger vehicle. 
         [0033]    This concludes the description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow.