Abstract:
A truck bed weighting system that does not interfere with the use of the bed for entry, exit or storage including an elongated canvas-like carrier mounted by loops to tie-down points on the bed side walls so the carrier sits longitudinally in the bed against the side walls. This carrier is designed to receive and hold a plurality of standard sand or other particulate sacks; e.g., 26″ or 31″. 
     A line of three canvases are provided in 70″, 78″ and 96″ lengths to accommodate the many varieties of truck bed lengths. 
     In the off season, these carriers can be emptied of the sacks and utilized to store tools or other items in an out of the way position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Many pick-ups and cargo vehicles have poor traction over many surfaces because of rear wheel only drive systems, weight distribution and other reasons, necessitating the user to add weights in some fashion in or near the truck bed or even on the rear drive wheels. Except for the wheel mounted weighting systems, the prior weighting arrangements take up too much bed space, impede ingress and egress to the bed and are cumbersome to use. 
     The following patents were uncovered in a preliminary patent search on this product: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Inventor 
                 Pat. No. 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Raynor 
                 4,796,914 
                 Jan. 10, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 Heltenburg 
                 5,494,315 
                 Feb. 27, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 Hall 
                 5,897,138 
                 Apr. 27, 1999 
               
               
                   
                 Desmarais 
                 6,283,527 
                 Sep. 4, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 Watkins 
                 7,523,961 
                 Apr. 28, 2009 
               
               
                   
                 Kokladas 
                 7,717,486 
                 May 18, 2010 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION PUBLICATIONS 
     
         
         Gibson Pub. No. US 2007/0018444 Pub. Date: Jan. 25, 2007 
         Clements Pub. No. US 2008/0309059 Pub. Date: Dec. 18, 2008 
       
    
     The Raynor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,914, shows a liquid based ballast system that appears to encompass the entire floor panel. 
     The Heltenburg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,315, shows a wheel well sand containing structure over each of the rear wheel wells. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to ameliorate the problems noted above in truck bed weighting systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a truck bed weighting system is provided that does not interfere with the use of the bed for entry, exit or storage including an elongated canvas-like carrier mounted by loops to the down points on the bed side walls so the carrier sits longitudinally in the bed against the side walls. This carrier is designed to receive and hold a plurality of standard sand or other particulate sacks; e.g., 26″ or 31″. 
     A line of three canvases are provided in 70″, 78″ and 96″ lengths to accommodate the many varieties of truck bed lengths. 
     In the off season, these carriers can be emptied of the sacks and utilized to store tools or other items in an out of the way position. 
     Another advantage in this weighting system is that it can be packaged, shipped and displayed in small poly bags. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that it uses OEM anchor points already installed in the truck bed side walls. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the carrier in an empty condition, can be installed in the truck bed and thereafter loaded with the weight sacks, so the user only has to handle at one time, the weight of only one sack, rather than two or three if the sacks are loaded into the carrier prior to loading and attaching the carrier into the bed side wall. 
     A further advantage of the present carrier is because of its flexibility and because it carries more than one weight sack, it can be draped over the wheel cover if the wheel cover projects upwardly a sufficient distance. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the 70″ version of the present truck bed weighting system shown in a fragmented truck bed; 
         FIG. 2  is a 78″ version of the present truck bed weighting system shown installed in a fragmented truck bed similar to the  FIG. 1  depiction, and; 
         FIG. 3  is a 96″ version of the present truck bed weighting system shown installed in a longer truck bed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Viewing  FIG. 1 , a 70 inch version of the present truck bed weighting system is illustrated designated generally with the reference number  10  shown installed into an exemplary fragmented short truck bed  12  including a bottom platform panel  13 , a side wall panel  14 , and a rear gate panel  16 . The truck side wall panel  14  includes a plurality of vertical struts  17  defining supports for anchor hook assemblies  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 , and  22  that are OEM installed anchor points. It should be understood, however, that the anchor points or hook assemblies  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22  could also be a user-installed item. The floor  13  of the bed also includes a conventional wheel cover  24  that projects upwardly from the floor platform panel  13  adjacent the side wall assembly  14 . Of course, it should be understood that the representation in  FIG. 1  of the truck bed weighting system  10  shown in the right side of the truck bed, that a similar assembly would be mounted typically on the left side of the truck bed. 
     The truck bed weighting system  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a semi-cylindrical carrier assembly  30  consisting of canvas portion  31  that is 70″ in axial length and canvas end caps  32  and  33  sewn onto the ends thereof to enclose a cylindrical shape into which particulate weighting sacks  36  and  37  are inserted after the installation of the carrier assembly  30  into the truck bed  12 . 
     The cylindrical portion  31  is hemmed at  40  and  41  leaving an opening  42  approximately 8 inches in width as designated in the drawings. The exemplary canvas for the semi-cylindrical portion  31  and the end caps  32  and  33  is 12-14 oz. minimum weight canvas. 
     The carrier assembly  30  is held in position in the truck bed by five polypropylene straps  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  and  54 , each having end loops to which 3-3½ inch heavy duty spring bolt snaps  56 ,  57 ,  58 ,  59  and  60  are attached. Similar snaps  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64  and  65  are attached to the other end of the straps  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  and  54 . The snaps  56  to  60  and  61  to  65  are attached by the user to the anchors  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22  respectively to hold the carrier assembly  30  in position. 
     After the carrier assembly  30  is attached in an empty condition into the truck bed  12  utilizing the tie-down anchors  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22 . Note that the straps  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  and  54  are spaced 17 inches apart and that the end straps  50  and  54  are spaced 1 inch inside the end caps  32  and  33 . 
     After assembly and attachment of the carrier assembly  30  into the bed of the truck, particulate sacks  36  and  37  are placed inside the opening  42  in the carrier assembly  30  and slid to the appropriate positions shown in  FIG. 1  extending substantially the entire length of the carrier assembly  30 . The particulate sacks  36  and  37  are each 31 inches in length and 70 lbs. each resulting in a total added weight of 140 lbs. to the truck bed weighting system  10 . The straps  50  to  54  are preferably one inch wide with polypropylene webbing with a minimum 600 lb. strength, attached with a 120 lb. weight polyester thread. Of course, the specific construction of the straps is only exemplary and other straps could, of course, be substituted. And furthermore, while the carrier  30  is depicted as being a canvas material, it could be an elastomeric material as well, although it would preferably be woven. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which a truck bed weighting system  110  is illustrated having a length of 78 inches and a diameter of 10 inches, the diameter being the same as in the  FIG. 1  embodiment. In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, the carrier  130  is designed to hold three 26 inch 60 lb. particulate sacks totaling 180 lbs. The present truck bed weighting system is illustrated designated generally with the reference number  110  shown installed into an exemplary fragmented short truck bed  112  including a bottom platform panel  113 , a side wall panel  114 , and a rear gate panel  116 . The truck side panel  114  includes a plurality of vertical struts  117  defining supports for anchor hook assemblies  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121 , and  122  that are OEM installed anchor points. It should be understood, however, that the anchor points or hook assemblies  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121  and  122  could also be a user-installed item. The floor  113  of the bed also includes a conventional wheel cover  124  that projects upwardly from the floor platform  113  adjacent the side wall assembly  114 . Of course, it should be understood that the representation in  FIG. 2  of the truck bed weighting system  110  shown in the right side of the truck bed, that a similar assembly would be mounted typically on the left side of the truck bed. 
     The truck bed weighting system  110  as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes a semi-cylindrical canvas portion  131  that is 78 inches in axial length and canvas end caps  132  and  133  sewn onto the ends thereof to enclose a cylindrical shape into which particulate weighting sacks  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c  are inserted after the installation of the carrier assembly  130  into the truck bed  112 . The carrier assembly  130  includes a semi-cylindrical canvas portion  131  with end caps  132  and  133 . 
     The cylindrical portion  131  is hemmed at  140  and  141  leaving an opening  142  approximately 8 inches in width as designated in the drawings. The exemplary canvas for the semi-cylindrical portion  131  and the end caps  132  and  133  is 12-14 oz. minimum weight canvas. 
     The carrier assembly  130  is held in position in the truck bed by five polypropylene straps  150 ,  151 ,  152 ,  153  and  154 , each having end loops to which 3-3½ inch heavy duty spring bolt snaps  156 ,  157 ,  158 ,  159  and  160  are attached. Similar snaps  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164  and  165  are attached to the other end of the straps  150 ,  151 ,  152 ,  153  and  154 . The snaps  156  to  160  and  161  to  165  are attached to the anchors  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121  and  122  respectively to hold the carrier assembly  130  in position. 
     After the carrier assembly  130  is attached in an empty condition into the truck bed  112  utilizing the tie-down anchors  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121  and  122 . Note that the straps  150 ,  151 ,  152 ,  153  and  154  are spaced 18 inches apart and that the end straps  150  and  154  are spaced 3 inches inside the end caps  132  and  133 . 
     After assembly and attachment of the carrier assembly  130  into the bed of the truck, particulate sacks  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c  are placed inside the opening  142  in the carrier assembly  130  and slid to the appropriate positions shown in  FIG. 2  extending substantially the entire length of the carrier assembly  130 . The particulate sacks  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c  are each 26 inches in length and 60 lbs. each resulting in a total added weight of 180 lbs. to the truck bed weighting system  110 . The straps  150  to  154  are preferably one inch wide with polypropylene webbing with a minimum 600 lb. strength, attached with a 120 lb. weight polyester thread. Of course, the specific construction of the straps is only exemplary and other straps could, of course, be substituted. And furthermore, while the carrier  130  is depicted as being a canvas material, it could be an elastomeric material as well, although it would preferably be woven. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated depicting a truck bed weighting system  210  having a length of 96 inches, a diameter of 10 inches that is designed to hold three 31 inch standard particulate sacks each weighing 70 lbs. for a total added weight of 210 lbs. The present truck bed weighting system is illustrated designated generally with the reference number  210  shown installed into an exemplary fragmented short truck bed  212  including a bottom platform panel  213 , a side wall panel  214 , and a rear gate panel  216 . The truck side panel  214  includes a plurality of vertical struts  217  defining supports for anchor hook assemblies  218 ,  219 ,  220 ,  221 , and  222  that are OEM installed anchor points. It should be understood, however, that the anchor points or hook assemblies  218 ,  219 ,  220 ,  221  and  222  could also be a user-installed item. The floor  213  of the bed also includes a conventional wheel cover  224  that projects upwardly from the floor platform  213  adjacent the side wall assembly  214 . Of course, it should be understood that the representation in  FIG. 3  of the truck bed weighting system  210  shown in the right side of the truck bed, that a similar assembly would be mounted typically on the left side of the truck bed. 
     The truck bed weighting system  210  as shown in  FIG. 3 , includes a semi-cylindrical canvas portion  231  that is 96 inches in axial length and canvas end caps  232  and  233  sewn onto the ends thereof to enclose a cylindrical shape into which particulate weighting sacks  236   a ,  236   b  and  236   c  are inserted after the installation of the carrier assembly  230  into the truck bed  212 . The carrier assembly  230  includes a semi-cylindrical canvas portion  231  with end caps  232  and  233 . 
     The cylindrical portion  231  is hemmed at  240  and  241  leaving an opening  242  approximately 8 inches in width as designated in the drawings. The exemplary canvas for the semi-cylindrical portion  231  and the end caps  232  and  233  is 12-14 oz. minimum weight canvas. 
     The carrier assembly  230  is held in position in the truck bed by five polypropylene straps  250 ,  251 ,  252 ,  253  and  254 , each having end loops to which 3-3½ inch heavy duty spring bolt snaps  256 ,  257 ,  258 ,  259  and  260  are attached. Similar snaps  261 ,  262 ,  263 ,  264  and  265  are attached to the other end of the straps  250 ,  251 ,  252 ,  253  and  254 . The snaps  256  to  260  and  261  to  265  are attached to the anchors  218 ,  219 ,  220 ,  221  and  222  respectively to hold the carrier assembly  130  in position. 
     After the carrier assembly  230  is attached in an empty condition into the truck bed  212  utilizing the tie-down anchors  218 ,  219 ,  220 ,  221  and  222 . Note that the straps  250 ,  251 ,  252 ,  253  and  254  are spaced 22.5 inches apart and that the end straps  250  and  254  are spaced 3 inches inside the end caps  232  and  233 . 
     After assembly and attachment of the carrier assembly  230  into the bed of the truck, particulate sacks  236   a ,  236   b  and  236   c  are placed inside the opening  242  in the carrier assembly  230  and slid to the appropriate positions shown in  FIG. 3  extending substantially the entire length of the carrier assembly  230 . The particulate sacks  236   a ,  236   b  and  236   c  are each 31 inches in length and 70 lbs. resulting in a total added weight of 210 lbs. to the truck bed weighting system  210 . The straps  250  to  254  are preferably one inch wide with polypropylene webbing with a minimum 600 lb. strength, attached with a 120 lb. weight polyester thread. Of course, the specific construction of the straps is only exemplary and other straps could, of course, be substituted. And furthermore, while the carrier  230  is depicted as being a canvas material, it could be an elastomeric material as well, although it would preferably be woven.