Abstract:
Disclosed is a utility truck bed comprising one or more of the following elements: (i) two worker stations located behind the cabin of the truck, each of which comprises a passenger well with a floor that is horizontally positioned below the bottom plane of the rest of the bed; (ii) a safety gate on the outside of the bed that slides horizontally to provide access to the well; (iii) a safety harness for connecting the worker to a fixed portion of the assembly; (iv) a sliding safety gate adjacent the passenger well on the inside of the bed; and (v) storage compartments positioned on the back of the truck bed, each extending longitudinally away from each worker station and positioned to provide sufficient space between each compartment to place working materials that do not fit in the storage compartments. Each storage compartment may include a closed box portion, an open box portion with guide rails to accommodate materials but allow the worker to have full view of the road behind the truck, and a safety guard to keep materials secured within the open box.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/242,348 entitled “UTILITY TRUCK BED,” filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 16, 2015 by the inventor herein, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to providing safe, functional environments on work vehicles, and more particularly to a utility truck bed configured to provide improved storage configurations and access for workers while safely positioning workers during service operations in traffic. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Road crews are frequently called upon to perform various road repair and maintenance operations in traffic conditions. Those operations typically require that a vehicle carrying signs, markers, traffic cones, and the like proceed very slowly, often in a traffic lane on the roadway, as the work crew places such signs, markers, traffic cones, etc. on the road to direct road traffic around the work zone. Such operations can be quite dangerous for the road crew who are openly exposed to passing traffic. For example, if the road crew walks behind or alongside the vehicle while pulling off and placing markers, they are directly exposed to risk of being struck by oncoming traffic. If the road crew stand on the platform of a typical work truck, they are forced to excessively bend down to be able to place such markers on the road surface. 
         [0004]    Moreover, to best ensure against the risk of being struck by oncoming traffic, road crews would be best situated by being able to both easily access markers stored on the vehicle and place those markers on the road surface, all while easily viewing their surroundings so as to be able to see oncoming traffic and take evasive action if necessary to avoid being struck by such oncoming traffic. While some prior efforts have been made to improve a vehicle-born worker&#39;s ability to place markers on the road surface while standing on a portion of the vehicle, such efforts are lacking in simultaneously providing easy access to markers and other work materials stored on the vehicle, with storage of such work materials situated on the vehicle so as to ensure that the worker maintains full visibility of their work environment, and particularly visibility of oncoming traffic. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A modified utility truck bed is disclosed for road work projects that increases efficiency while protecting highway workers. In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention, a utility truck bed is provided comprising one or more of the following elements: (i) two worker stations located behind the cabin of the truck, each of which comprises a passenger well with a floor that is horizontally positioned below the bottom plane of the rest of the bed, allowing a worker to stand in the well and easily place road signs, cones, and other markers on the road; (ii) a safety gate on the outside of the bed that slides horizontally to provide access to the well; (iii) a safety harness, such as a three-point hitch, for connecting the worker to a fixed portion of the assembly and at a location allowing the worker to easily access materials stored on the truck bed and place those materials on the road surface; (iv) a sliding safety gate adjacent the passenger well on the inside of the bed to keep road markers, tools, and other materials away from the worker; and (v) storage compartments positioned on the back of the truck bed, each extending longitudinally away from each worker station and positioned to provide sufficient space between each compartment to place working materials that do not fit in the storage compartments. Moreover, each storage compartment may include a closed box portion, an open box portion with guide rails to accommodate materials but allow the worker to have full view of the road behind the truck, and a safety guard to keep materials secured within the open box. 
         [0006]    A utility truck bed configured as above provides road work crews with one or more of the following benefits: (i) a safe environment in which to perform traffic control setups; (ii) workers are secured with a harness to restrain them while placing material; (iii) provides better visibility for the driver and worker to perform traffic control device setups; (iv) workers are provided with a safe entry and exit in dangerous work environments; (v) traffic control materials are stored in an organized fashion enabling safe and quick access; (vi) traffic control materials are secured, keeping them from shifting and injuring workers; (vii) amber warning lights may be installed in locations that will not interfere with the vision of the driver or the onboard worker; (viii) amber lights may provide proper advance warning to the public and vehicular traffic; and (ix) the system can be safely installed on an industry standard ½ ton, ¾ ton, and 1 ton truck or larger. 
         [0007]    In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention, a utility truck bed is provided having a horizontal truck bed platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; a well extending downward from the horizontal truck bed platform, the well having a front side wall, a rear side wall, an interior side wall extending between the front side wall and the rear side wall, and a well floor attached to a bottom edge of the front, rear, and interior side walls, wherein the front side wall and rear side wall of the well extend parallel to the front edge and the rear edge, respectively, of the truck bed platform; a first storage compartment on the top surface of the truck bed platform positioned inward from the first side of the truck bed platform a distance at least equal to a length of the front and rear side walls of the well; and a second storage compartment on the top surface of the truck bed platform positioned between the first storage compartment and the first side edge of the truck bed platform, and between the well and the rear edge of the truck bed platform, the second storage compartment having a height dimension that is shorter than a height dimension of the first storage compartment. 
         [0008]    In accordance with further aspects of an embodiment of the invention, a utility truck bed is provided having a horizontal truck bed platform configured for retrofit attachment to a vehicle frame; a first well extending downward from the horizontal truck bed platform and opening to a first side edge of the truck bed platform, the first well having a first well floor positioned at a height below the horizontal truck bed platform; a second well extending downward from the horizontal truck bed platform and opening to a second side edge of the truck bed platform, the second well having a second well floor positioned at a height below the horizontal truck bed platform; a first storage compartment on the truck bed platform positioned inward from the first side edge of the truck bed platform; a second storage compartment on the truck bed platform positioned between the first storage compartment and the first side edge of the truck bed platform, the second storage compartment having a height dimension that is shorter than a height dimension of the first storage compartment; a third storage compartment on the truck bed platform positioned inward from the second side edge of the truck bed platform; and a fourth storage compartment on the truck bed platform positioned between the third storage compartment and the second side edge of the truck bed platform, the fourth storage compartment having a height dimension that is shorter than a height dimension of the third storage compartment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utility truck bed in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1  in accordance with further aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  provides perspective top and bottom views of a platform of the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  provides interior and exterior side perspective views of a first storage compartment for use with the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  provides front and rear perspective views of a well for use with the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a storage compartment for use with the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  provides front and rear perspective views of a headboard for use with the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  provides perspective views of the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1  in accordance with still further aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  provides a perspective view of the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1  in accordance with still further aspects of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a rear view the utility truck bed of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The following description is of a particular embodiment of the invention, set out to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, and is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utility truck bed (shown generally at  100 ) in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention. Utility truck bed  100  comprises a planar floor forming a top platform  102  of the flat bed. Manhole assemblies formed by passenger wells  104  are provided on opposite sides of top platform  102  and adjacent a front end of utility truck bed  100 , which manhole assemblies  104  extend downward from top platform  102 . Thus, a worker may stand within one of manhole assemblies  104 , allowing them to both easily access materials positioned on top platform  102 , and to place such materials on the road surface adjacent the vehicle. 
         [0022]    In order to provide storage of such work materials, storage lockers  106 , such as boxes sized to hold road signs, are positioned on top platform  102 . Storage lockers  106  extend longitudinally toward the back end of utility truck bed  100 , with a back face of each storage locker  106  being aligned with the back end of utility truck bed  100 . Moreover, storage lockers  106  are positioned inward from an outer side edge of utility truck bed  100 . Importantly, such positioning of storage lockers  106  with respect to manhole assemblies  104  allows a worker positioned in a manhole assembly  104  to view the side and rear environment around the vehicle, providing a clear line of sight to oncoming traffic and thus allowing a worker who is positioned in a manhole assembly  104  to take evasive action if necessary to avoid oncoming traffic. 
         [0023]    Storage boxes  108  are preferably positioned between the outer side edge of top platform  102  and the outer wall of each storage locker  106 . Each storage box  108  includes a number of separate compartments formed by a plurality of vertical walls  108   a  that may be used to carry stands and other equipment. A tailgate  110  is preferably mounted between storage lockers  106  and is configured to swing downward to allow access to top platform  102  from the rear of utility truck bed  100 . Additional storage compartments may be provided, including one or more side-facing storage boxes  120  which may be accessed from a side of top platform  102 , and a rear-facing storage box  122  which may be accessed from the rear of top platform  102 . Each of side-facing storage boxes  120  and rear-facing storage box  122  are preferably mounted to the underside of the flat bed. Side-facing storage boxes  120  are preferably sized and configured to receive overlays, and rear-facing storage box  122  is preferably sized and configured to receive paddle signs. 
         [0024]    Taillight and mud flap mounting assemblies  124  extending downward from an underside of the flat bed. Each taillight and mud flap mounting assembly  124  preferably includes a rear facing taillight that is electrically connected to the vehicle&#39;s electrical system, and provides a mounting surface for mud flaps. 
         [0025]    A bumper hitch assembly  126  is positioned at the back end of the truck bed providing both a rear-facing bumper and connector for receiving a trailer or other towed equipment. Likewise, a headboard assembly  118  is positioned at the forward end of the flat bed and is positioned to back against the back of the cab of the vehicle. Various movable members may also be provided to selectively allow or block access to different areas of the flat bed, including side bars  112  that slide in a longitudinal direction into and out of storage boxes  108  to allow or block access into or out of manhole assembly  104 , interior restraint bar  114  which may be slidably mounted to an interior side of each storage locker  106  and allow longitudinal sliding to allow or block access to the central storage area of the flat bed (which central storage area may be sized and configured to hold, by way of non-limiting example, traffic cones), and a manhole bar  116  that may be pivotably mounted to an end of the side frame of the flat bed so as to provide additional controlled access into or out of manhole assembly  104 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of utility truck bed  100  with a worker positioned in manhole assembly  104 . To further protect the worker, such as while the vehicle is moving outside of setup operations, a restraint system (shown generally at  130 ) may be attached to headboard assembly  118  that extends over the worker&#39;s body. In certain configurations, restraint system  130  may particularly comprise a 3-point safety restraint similar in configuration to a standard seatbelt in a vehicle. In other configurations, such restraint system  130  may particularly comprise a 4-point safety restraint. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the various storage areas positioned on top platform  102  of truck bed  100  are easily accessed by a worker standing in manhole assembly  104 , with the lower level of the bottom of manhole assembly  104  allowing the worker to easily place equipment on the road surface without leaving manhole assembly  104 . 
         [0027]    Optionally, a video monitoring system  140  may be provided in the form of one or more video cameras positioned on the top surface of each storage locker  106 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 10  provides a rear view of truck bed  100  showing all of the above-described elements as viewed from the back of truck bed  100 . 
         [0029]    Next,  FIG. 3  provides top and bottom perspective views of flatbed platform  102 . The top face of platform  102  is preferably formed of 11 gauge diamond trade plate steel. Both the front  103   b  and rear  103   a  edges of platform  102  are preferably formed of 11 gauge steel. Likewise, side edges  103   c  of platform  102  are preferably formed of 11 gauge steel. A lid  105  is positioned to cover each manhole assembly  104 , and is pivotably mounted so as to pivot upward to allow open access to manhole assembly  104 . Additionally, a removable pin  117  may be provided to lock manhole bar  116  in its closed position, and may be removed when a user wishes to enter or exit from manhole assembly  104 . A door  123  is provided in rear  103   a  edge of platform  102  that provides access to rear-facing storage box  122 . 
         [0030]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , bumper hitch assembly  126  may include a hitch receiver  127  for connection to a pulled vehicle, and loops  128  for receiving hitch chains from such a pulled vehicle, each of which extend from a box tube bumper  129 . 
         [0031]    As noted above, taillight and mud flap mounting assembly  124  extends downward from an underside of platform  102 , and forms a box  135  housing a vehicle taillight, a vehicle reverse light, and a vehicle flasher light. Additionally, cutouts  141  may be provided in side edges  103   c  configured to receive marker lights. 
         [0032]    As shown in the bottom view of flatbed platform  102  of  FIG. 3 , flat bed frame rails  150  extending longitudinally along the underside of platform  102 , generally parallel to side edges  103   c.  Channels  152  preferably extend downward from a back end of each frame rail  150 , which channels  152  support box tube bumper  129 . Gussets  154  may be welded to the truck vehicle frame and may be attached to channels  152  to provide additional structural support to increase towing capacity. 
         [0033]    Manhole frame channel members  156  are also attached to an underside of flatbed platform  102  and form a support frame for manhole assembly  104 . Pads  158  may be provided on an interior face of one or more of manhole frame channel members  156  so as to provide a protective cushion for workers standing in the manhole assembly. Further, channel cross members  160  are attached to the underside of flatbed platform  102 , and extend laterally in a direction generally perpendicular to flat bed frame rails  150  and side edges  103   c  to complete a frame assembly for supporting flatbed platform  102 . Importantly, such frame assembly of bed  100  is configured for direct mounting onto the frame of a standard vehicle, such as a pick-up truck. Thus, by removing the existing bed of the pick-up truck, bed  100  may be positioned in its place allowing easy retrofit onto existing vehicles, and even transplanting from one vehicle to another. 
         [0034]    As mentioned above, storage box  122  extends longitudinally along the underside of flatbed platform  102 , and is preferably additionally supported by reinforcement strips  164  extending between parallel pairs of flat bed frame rails  150  and below an underside of storage box  122 . 
         [0035]    Next, and with reference to  FIG. 4 , storage lockers  106  are formed having side, top, and bottom walls preferably formed from  16  gauge sheet metal. Each end of each storage locker  106  preferably has a box tube frame  172  forming a generally rectangular opening, and a door  174  hingedly connected to such frame  172  at each end. A panel  176  having a cutout is provided at the top of frame  172  above door  174 , with an opening through which an amber flashing safety light may be seen when such light is powered. The interior-facing side walls of each storage locker  106  are fitted with slide rails  178  that may extend outward from a front end of each locker  106 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , extending such slide rails  178  forward from each locker  106  provides a fence to separate a central storage area of flatbed  100  from each manhole assembly  104 , thus preventing materials transported in such central storage area from inadvertently moving into a manhole assembly  104 . 
         [0036]    Next, and with reference to  FIG. 4 , positioned adjacent the exterior sidewalls of each storage locker  106  are storage boxes  108 . Storage boxes  108  include separate compartments  180 , formed by a plurality of vertical walls  108   a,  and sized and configured to hold various road signs. A bar  182  may be pivotably attached to each storage box  108  and positioned to swing from a position adjacent a side of storage box  108  to a position overtop of storage box  108  so as to hold contents of storage box  108 , such as various road signs, in place. Bar  182  is preferably spring loaded so as to hold its position overtop of storage box  108  through movement of the vehicle. A chain  183  and chain latch  184  may also be provided to latch the bar in place. Further, a stop  186  may be provided on a front wall of storage box  108  to limit downward travel of bar  182 . Likewise, a door stop  188  may be provided on the front wall of storage box  108  to stop opening movement of the door  174  of storage locker  106 . Finally, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , slide bar  112  is preferably extensible from a compartment at the outer edge of storage box  108 . 
         [0037]    Next,  FIG. 5  shows front and rear perspective views of manhole assembly  104 . Each manhole assembly  104  includes a  16  gauge double layer door  190  hingedly connected to the frame of manhole assembly  104 . When door  190  is closed, manhole assembly  104  may serve as a storage box. Manhole assembly  104  includes 14 gauge steel sidewalls  192 , and an expanded metal floor  194 . The bottom of each manhole assembly  104  is supported by box tube expanded metal supports  196 . Optionally, an angle iron step  198  may be provided on an interior of manhole assembly  104  positioned in a corner of the manhole and aiding a worker in exiting the manhole through the open top. The entire manhole assembly is preferably joined to channels  156  ( FIG. 3 ) with threaded connectors, such as screws, bolts, or the like extending through holes  200  and into channels  156 . 
         [0038]    Next,  FIG. 6  shows a top perspective view of storage box  120 , including an 11 gauge door  202  accessible from a side of truck bed  100  to provide access to the interior of box  120 , 16 gauge walls  204 , and 11 gauge channels  206  for mounting storage box  120  to the bottom of truck bed  100 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows front and back perspective views of headboard assembly  118 . Headboard assembly  118  includes channel members  212  forming an exterior frame and vertical box tube supports  214  forming central vertical supports of the frame. A section of 14 gauge sheet metal provides a first panel  216  to protect the cab of the vehicle, and a section of expanded metal at cab window height forms a second panel  218 . Connection tabs  220  are attached to center supports  214  and are configured to mount the headboard assembly  118  to the truck bed. 
         [0040]    Headboard assembly  118  may include latches  222  each configured to receive an end of a side bar  112  when in its extended position, as well as a rest and latch  224  for the lid  105  of manhole assembly  104  when in its raised, open position. Further, headboard assembly  118  may include a latch  226  configured to receive an end of restraint bar  114  when in its extended position. Cutouts  228  may also be provided along the top, rear portion of headboard assembly  118 , through which rear-facing floodlights may shine, and cutouts  230  may be provided along the top, front portion of headboard assembly  118 , through which flashers (such as flashing amber caution lights) may shine. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 8 and 9  provide optional configurations for truck bed  100 . For instance, truck bed  100  may include a conveyor  240  positioned between storage lockers  106  and configured to move items longitudinally along truck bed  100  from a rear of the truck bed  100  towards manhole assembly  104 , thus allowing a worker in manhole assembly  104  easier access to items stored towards the back end of truck bed  100 . Likewise, storage lockers  106  and storage boxes  108  may be removably mounted on truck bed  100 . With removal of these items, truck bed  100  may easily be converted into a stake truck configuration through attachment of stake sections  250  around the perimeter of truck bed  100 . Optionally, and as shown in  FIG. 9 , a single storage locker  106  and storage box  108  may be removed, thus providing a dual use vehicle serving partially as a stake truck and partially as a mobile traffic control setup station as described above. 
         [0000]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein.