Abstract:
A modular truck rack formed from a plurality of standardized preformed parts which are used along with several other parts that can be made in varying extensions, permits the interchange of the components in every rack, and the replacement of certain others to size up or size down the same rack to fit any size truck of the same type such as a pickup. An easily removable rear bar—no tools required—permits the truck bed of a pickup truck to carry tall upright items such as a refrigerator without the necessity of dismantling the rack other than the removal of the rear bar.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This application pertains to truck racks primarily for use on pickup trucks for the carrying of sheets of plywood and various lengths of lumber.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention pertains to modular truck racks which can be manufactured at significantly lower cost due to the fact that many parts are interchangeable and can be utilized with various truck models.  
           [0003]    It is a first object of this invention to provide a modular truck rack.  
           [0004]    It is a second object to provide a truck rack that utilizes a minimum number of different diameter pipe sections.  
           [0005]    It is a third object to provide a truck rack that can be shipped knocked down in a rectangular box to reduce shipping cost.  
           [0006]    It is a fourth object of this invention to provide a truck rack that can be readily assembled at the facility of the purchaser.  
           [0007]    It is a fifth object to provide a truck rack that can be readily modified to fit both short bed and long bed pickup trucks.  
           [0008]    It is a sixth object to provide a modular truck rack that can be modified by the interchange of components to fit full-size and compact pickup trucks.  
           [0009]    Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.  
           [0010]    The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features, properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.  
           [0011]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention for a modular truck rack. The truck shown in dashed lines forms no part of the design.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the first embodiment of this invention. The right side thereof is a mirror image.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of this first embodiment.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of this first embodiment.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of this design.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of this invention for a modular truck rack. The truck shown in dashed lines forms no part of the design.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the left cab-over section. The right cab-over section is a mirror image thereof.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the connecting portion of this invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the left upper rear portion of this invention. The right upper rear is a mirror image thereof.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one front leg.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one rear leg.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a closeup view of a typical insertion pipe junction employed with this invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the left side upper portion of this invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a right side closeup perspective view of a section of the cab-over or upper portion of this invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a closeup perspective view of a segment of this invention and is related to FIG. 10.  
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    The truck rack of this invention utilizes a plurality of interchangeable preformed rack portions some of the components of which come in varying extensions, which are interconnected to each other to create a truck rack, specifically sized for the truck of the purchaser. The same variety of truck rack can be made shorter, longer, wider, or narrower as is necessary to be correctly sized to fit a specific truck. It is to be seen that there are two variables to be considered in sizing a truck rack. They are the width and length of a truck. By changing the transverse members and the interconnecting members and utilizing the same upper front portion and the same rear portion of a rack configuration,—standardized components—inventory control can be simplified, and thus costs can be reduced.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]    In FIG. 1, there is shown the modular truck rack of this invention, mounted upon a typical pickup truck. The pickup truck being shown in dashed lines is understood not to form a part of this invention. The truck rack of this invention is comprised of four portions. The first is the upper or cab-over portion. The second is to the rear portion. The third is the intermediate portion which connects the first and second portions. The fourth portion is the set of four legs and their respective mount plates for attachment to the truck.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the truck rack of this invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view thereof. The right side is a mirror image of the left side.  
         [0032]    Reference to FIG. 4 shows that this is a front elevational view, while FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment of this invention.  
         [0033]    The last view to be quickly noted is FIG. 6 which is a bottom plan view of this first embodiment. The differences between the first embodiment and the other embodiments still to be discussed will be set forth infra.  
         [0034]    The invention will best be understood by references to FIGS. 8 through 14 inclusive is which show the individual portions of this invention. Mention should be made that each of these portions is applicable to any truck size and truck model. In order to change the size of the truck rack of this invention, the changes or distinctions to be made will be the lengthening of the intermediate portion to be discussed with respect to FIG. 9 and the sizing of the transverse connectors  14  and  21  to be discussed with respect to FIG. 14. Of course, changes can be made in the standardized sections as well to achieve additional embodiments.  
         [0035]    Therefore, the discussion will now commence with FIG. 8 which depicts the left cab-over or upper portion. It should first be noted that all junctions not discussed as being a tapered end of a tubular member disposed within a bore of another tubular member—per the discussion supra of FIG. 13, should be deemed to be welded joints some of which have been designated  27 . For ease and convenience many weld joints have been omitted from the drawings and will not be specifically discussed.  
         [0036]    The discussion commences with the first portion, the first element of which is seen to be a main J-shaped tube  12 , which is horizontally disposed and inwardly facing. Here, the left such tube is designated  12 L. The shape is conformed by reference to FIG. 14. At approximately 1⅛ inches inwardly along the length of upper front tube  12 L, and angularly welded thereto, is the upper arch section  15 , and more specifically the first arch member  16 . One end of first arch member  16  is welded at weld  27  on tube  12 L. The distal end of member  16  is welded or otherwise connected to inverted J-shaped second arch member  17 , at the upper end thereof.  
         [0037]    Spaced inwardly from the rear end of horizontally disposed  12 L and welded thereto is arch support  18 , a narrow tubular member. Member  18  is disposed in a vertical disposition and is welded or otherwise attached to the terminus of the upper end of the member  17 .  
         [0038]    A short transverse tubular section  12 , as noted in FIG. 8 by the dotted circle  19  will be discussed infra in connection with FIG. 14. The junction of the first arch member  16  and second arch member  17  is found at approximately the same location as the junction and arch support  18  to section  17 . Therefore, the discussion will now commence with FIG. 8 which depicts the left cab-over or upper portion. This portion is seen to be a main J-shaped tube.  
         [0039]    Disposed in alignment with arch support  18  is an upper vertical member  20 . Upper vertical member  20 , which is tubular includes an upper tapered segment  20 T which is disposed within a suitable bore in member  12 L, 180 degrees opposed from arch support  18  in a downward disposition. Upper vertical member  20  is a tubular member and has an opening at its lower end  20 X. Spaced up slightly from the lower end is through bore  29  for receipt of pin  30 . Upper end  20 T, which is tapered to a narrower cross section is disposed within a bore 12 B on the underside of upper front tube  12 L on what would be the underside of said tube.  
         [0040]    Upper vertical member  20  also includes a pair of aligned bores,  20 B in a rearward disposition for the receipt of the first and second upper horizontal tubes  22  and  24 . Each of these has a forward tapered end  22 T and  24 T which are inserted into their respective opening in upper vertical tube  20 .  
         [0041]    The lower end of inverted J-shaped member  17  is welded to the top surface of the first upper horizontal tube  22 , adjacent the rear edge thereof. A short connector narrow tube  26  is welded in place vertically between the two larger diameter tubes  22  and  24 , preferably in vertical alignment with J-shaped member  17 .  
         [0042]    An optional flat gusset  25  maybe welded at the junction of tube  12 , here  12 L and upper vertical tube  20 .  
         [0043]    For ease of construction and for ease of understanding in the discussion herein, all “narrow” and all “wide” tubing will each be of uniform diameter where shown in the figures and as discussed.  
         [0044]    The next portion to be considered is the rear portion  31 , as seen in FIG. 10. The first section seen is the fancy bar  32 , which for weight purposes may be tubular. It is of the narrow dimension and includes a first vertical segment  32 A, which is integrated into a rearwardly disposed arcuate section  32 B, which in turn is integral to a horizontal section  32 C, which in turn is integrated into a terminal sidewardly disposed U-shaped segment  32 D. The terminus of segment  32 D is welded to the rear main support  38 , here  38 R for right side. The weld point is on the rear face of this wide vertically disposed tubular member, at slightly above the midpoint in the elevation.  
         [0045]    At the lower end of rear main support tube  38  is a through bore  29  for receipt of a pin  30 . The upper end of this support tube has a tapered area  38 T which is inserted in a bore  33 B of rear transition tube  33 , here  33 R is horizontally disposed. An opening  39  is seen for the ultimate insertion of rear transverse member  58  during the assembly of the truck rack  10 .  
         [0046]    Spaced rearwardly of the opening  39  and on the same face of the tube  33  is a throughbore  29  for the insertion of a pin  30 . A narrow vertically disposed tube  34  is welded in position between horizontal tube  33  and segment  32 C of the fancy bar  32 . Tube  33  may be sealed off at one or both ends or left open as may be desired.  
         [0047]    A first spaced wide tube  35  has the second terminus of fancy bar  32  welded onto its top surface per FIG. 10. Tube  35  includes a bore facing inwardly, unnumbered here but similar to bores  29  and a pin  30 , is shown disposed in such unseen bore. A tapered end  35 T is rearwardly directed and disposed in bore  38 B of wide tube  38 , said bore  38 B having a forwardly disposition.  
         [0048]    A second spaced wide tube  36  is spaced below tube  35  and also includes a bore  29  also for receipt of a pin  30 . Its tapered end  36 T is disposed in a bore  38 B in tube  38 . The two spaced wide tubes  35  and  36  are disposed in a parallel relationship.  
         [0049]    Shown in FIG. 10 is a small vertical tube  37 , interposed at the forwardly disposed ends of the two tubes  35  and  36 . It is also shown to be in vertical alignment with segment  32 A of fancy bar  32 . As an aside it may be mentioned that fancy bar  32  maybe either a solid bar or a tubular member referred to as a bar. Tube  37  may be a separate tube welded into place or it may be preferably an extension of segment  32 A, placed through a pair of aligned bores in the respective parallel spaced wide tubes  35  and  36 , which bores are designated  40  and  41  respectively. If tube  37  is a separate location welded in a place member then the bores and pins which pass through tubes  35  and  36  can be eliminated. Of course, for pins or bolts  30  to pass through an extension of segment  32 A, though bores—not seen—must be pre-drilled through the proper location in extended downwardly disposed tube  37  that would fit into opening  41 .  
         [0050]    The third portion to be discussed is the intermediate portion  51  which is seen by itself in FIG. 9. This portion is comprised of two interconnected spaced, equal in length and parallel, tubes  52  and  53 . Each tube  52  and  53  has a tapered end at the distal and proximal ends thereof, and which are designated,  52 T 1 , 52 T 2 ,  53 T 1  and  53 T 2  respectively. Each tapered end includes a bore  29 . Tubes  52  and  53  are in vertical alignment, and are connected to each other by a pair of spaced vertically disposed similar narrow tubular or bar members  54 .  
         [0051]    From FIG. 1 it is seen that one set of the tapered ends of pipe  52  fit into openings  35 X and  36 X respectively of the rear portion, on both the left and right side of the rack  10 . The other set of tapered ends fit into the openings  22 X and  23 X respectively of the upper front cab-over portion. Reference to FIG. 1 teaches the reader that the lengthening or shortening of the intermediate portions two tubes, when used with the standardized front and rear portions, permits a truck rack to be made to fit varying length pickup trucks.  
         [0052]    While the intermediate portion dictates the overall length of the rack  10  the width thereof is dictated by the extension of front tube  14 , intermediate transverse tube  21 , toward the front and rear transverse tube  58 . Each of tubes  14 , 21  and  58  include a pair of oppositely tapered ends, one such of each tube  14  and  21  being visible in FIG. 14.  
         [0053]    In FIG. 14, a bottom plan view, the presence of the short transverse tube  19  which is welded to tube  12 L is seen. Transverse tube  19  is also seen in FIGS. 1 and 8. The third transverse tube  58  which has a pair of tapered ends, not seen, is disposed within the bores  39  of the two respective rear portions  31  per FIG. 10.  
         [0054]    It is seen that the lateral extension of the three transverse members  14 ,  21 , and  58  define the overall width of the truck rack of this invention. By adjusting the fixed extension to be smaller or greater, a modular truck rack to fit various width pickup trucks can be achieved.  
         [0055]    The discussion now moves to the leg members. One of the mirror image front legs  65  is seen in FIG. 11, namely the right one  65 R, and one of the mirror image rear legs  68  is seen in FIG. 12, namely  68 R. Both the front and rear legs are tubular lengths each with a single bend therein at about the midpoint along the length thereof Each of  85  and  68  has a tapered upper end  65 T and  68 T first section respectively, a straight second section, and an angular third open end, each third end being attached to a mount plate  70  for the front and  75  at the rear for their lower ends respectively. Reference may also be made to FIG. 14 which illustrates the interlocking of both front legs with the transverse central tube, and to FIG. 5 which depicts both rear legs  68  and the transverse member  58  that interconnect thereto. In these two figures, an optional reinforcement gusset  25  is seen at two locations in each figure which gussets cannot be seen from the side elevational views.  
         [0056]    Mount plates are used to attach the front and back legs to the truck bed. See FIG. 1. Front mount plate here  70 R, with the left unit being  70 L, has a vertical section  71  and a horizontal section  72 . These plates are bolted or welded to the truck bed side  96 &#39;s top wall  96 T at the choice of the customer. The rear mount plate  75  is of similar configuration and has a vertical section  76  and a top section  77 , and is attached in like manner at the user&#39;s option. The legs are preferably welded or otherwise attached to the mount plate by the vendor to assure proper angular alignment with the mount plate.  
         [0057]    Tubular sections could be added to the front and rear mount plates sized for the receipt of the front and rear legs, and such is contemplated by this invention. However, for stability a permanent welded attachment of the legs to the respective mount plates as noted is suggested.  
         [0058]    In FIG. 13, is a typical unspecified diagram used to illustrate the interconnection  100  of the tapered section of one tube  101  with another tube. Tube  100  has a tapered end  102  which is seen ready to engage the bottom opening  104 X of tube  104 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 15 is a closeup view of a portion of the forward end this invention to illustrate in detail the placement of the pins  30  in bores  29  at certain strategic locations where a tapered end interconnects with an open end of a wide tubing takes place. Pins  30  are threaded on an end and receive a conventional nut thereon.  
         [0060]    In FIG. 16 an optional but preferred mode of attachment of the rear transverse member  58  is depicted. Rather than utilize a conventional threaded bolt with a nut, which requires the use of a hand tool for nut removal, a D-connector is employed instead. This connector is made offshore and is available from RWN Supply of Shingle Springs, Calif. The connector  80  employs a non-threaded bolt  81  with a wire-like member attachment that attaches to the bolt adjacent the head thereon while the tail end hangs free. After the bolt is inserted into its locale, the spring wire segment  82  is overlaid onto the pin  81 &#39;s end  83  and is retained in position by friction. By employing this type of connector the user can readily change from the ability to carry plywood and other lumber to carrying an upright refrigerator in the truck bed. No interference is made due to the location of the intermediate tube  21  out of the way adjacent the truck cab.  
         [0061]    It is seen that in this invention there are a few mirror image components. The discussion of one of the two mirror images is deemed to be adequate such that to discuss the other mirror image member need transpire. Thus the mount plates, the front legs  65  and the rear legs  68 , long bar  12  and the rear transverse tube  33 , are all either left or right-hand versions of the respective component.  
         [0062]    It is seen that I have provided an apparatus that can employ a finite number of standardized parts to put forth truck racks suitable to all sizes of trucks from the tiniest old Datsun pickup to the new Toyota Tundra® or Ford 150. By having a plurality of interlocking components, the truck racks of this invention can be shipped knocked down, by commercial delivery service such as United Parcel Service. The ability to ship in a smaller box not only saves on freight but permits the retailer to carry a larger inventory in a smaller space. This statement can be safely made because the typical truck rack is shipped preformed, requiring two or more people to handle, since it is shipped fully assembled with all tubing wrapped in foam sheets to keep the tubing paint free from injury.  
         [0063]    Thus the modular truck rack of this invention fills a long felt need for a high quality, low price, easily shipped truck rack that can be sent to a rancher in the wilds of North Dakota or the swamps of mid Florida where a dealer might be hundreds of miles away.  
         [0064]    Since certain changes may be made in the above described apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.