Abstract:
A vehicle storage/cargo box system is provided. The system includes at least one access portion, such as but not limited to a door member, for providing access to the interior of a box portion. The box portion includes a weather stripping and door arrangement that allows flat access to the load floor of the box portion. The load floor of the box portion is above the level of the access door&#39;s weather stripping flange portion. The system includes various additional access portions, including but not limited to multiple door configurations that articulate in several different manners. The system also includes various storage and support devices such as but not limited to drawers, shelves, tables, and/or the like.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/923,820, filed Apr. 17, 2007, and is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/096,465 filed on Apr. 1, 2005. The disclosure of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to storage boxes for vehicles, and more particularly to storage boxes for vehicles that provide multiple access portions and substantially flat surfaces for loading cargo into and unloading cargo out of the box portion. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Vehicle storage boxes, particularly those that are used in the bed of pickup trucks or other vehicles, typically have one or more top access doors. Because of the height of most of these types of vehicles, access to the floor of the box is somewhat limited. 
         [0004]    Recently, side access vehicle storage boxes have seen more frequent use. In such boxes, e.g., for passenger vehicles, there remains difficulty in gaining access to the load floor. In these prior constructions, the door shut face typically has a flange for mounting the weather stripping (e.g., for preventing the ingress of water into the box) and reacts against the door which is typically higher than the load floor. Because of this arrangement, loading cargo into the box and/or removing cargo from the box frequently damages the flange and/or the weather stripping or even the cargo itself. Cargo also requires lifting up and/or out to avoid these obstacles as opposed to allowing direct sliding of cargo out of the box. 
         [0005]    Also, vehicle storage boxes are often attached to or incorporated into the vehicle after the vehicle is manufactured. In some cases, vehicles are sent to another manufacturing facility after initial vehicle construction to attach the vehicle storage box to the vehicle. The vehicles are still sold as “new,” because the operation of installing the vehicle storage box is performed after the vehicle is built, but before it is sold to a consumer. This process is often called “second stage manufacturing,” which is different compared to the consumer installing the vehicle storage box after purchasing the vehicle new. There are some cases in which a group of vehicles, such as trucks or sport utility vehicles, are purchased by a single customer, such as a company; these vehicles are sometimes referred to as “fleet vehicles,” Fleet vehicles will often undergo second stage manufacturing because the vehicles are purchased for a particular purpose, such as for road construction or for use by an electrician having a significant number of tools. 
         [0006]    In many cases, it is often considered desirable to avoid second stage manufacturing. For example, some types of vehicle storage boxes used with pickup trucks are incorporated onto the frame of the vehicle, where the bed of the truck is reduced in length in relation to the frame to compensate for the placement of the storage box. This requires a gap between the cab of the truck and the bed to allow for assembly of the storage box at the second stage manufacturing plant. This is often considered undesirable because of the gap between the cab and the bed, which can lead to complications on the assembly line. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a storage box system that allows, among other things, improved access to the interior of the storage box, especially the load floor, while not sacrificing either structural integrity or water management performance. There also exists a need for a storage box which can be incorporated into a vehicle without the use of second stage manufacturing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vehicle storage box system that obviates at least one disadvantage of the prior art. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the general teachings of the present invention there is provided a vehicle storage box having multiple access portions. More specifically, the vehicle storage box of the present invention provides a side access portion, allowing access to a load floor provided in the box. Additionally, the present invention provides a vehicle storage box that also permits access from the top and rear portions of the box, as well as providing storage and support devices such as but not limited to drawers, shelves, tables, and/or the like. The access portions can be articulated in a number of directions and manners, such as lifting, swinging, sliding, and/or the like. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a weather stripping flange is provided that is adjacent to, but lower than, the load floor. This aspect provides the ability to the operator to relatively easily store and remove cargo from the load floor without contacting the weather stripping flange. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a storage box system for a vehicle, is provided, comprising: (1) a box portion; (2) a load floor portion located within the box portion operable to support a load placed thereon; and (3) a flange portion formed on a surface of box portion, wherein the flange portion is located below the load floor portion. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a storage box system for a vehicle, is provided, comprising: (1) a box portion; (2) a load floor portion located within the box portion operable to support a load placed thereon; (3) a flange portion formed on a surface of box portion, wherein the flange portion is located below the load floor portion; and (4) a door portion in operable association with a surface of the box portion. 
         [0012]    In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, a storage box system for a vehicle, is provided, comprising: (1) a box portion located on a surface of a vehicle; (2) a load floor portion located within the box portion operable to support a load placed thereon; (3) a flange portion formed on a surface of box portion, wherein the flange portion is located below the load floor portion; and (4) a door portion in operable association with a surface of the box portion, wherein the surface of the box portion is selected from the group consisting of a top surface portion, a side surface portion, a rear surface portion, and combinations thereof, wherein the door portion is operable to swing in a mode of movement selected from the group consisting of horizontally relative to the box portion, vertically relative to the box portion, slidingly along a surface of the box portion, and combinations thereof. 
         [0013]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a partial perspective view of a vehicle including a storage box system, in accordance with the general teachings of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle storage box system having flat access with a hinged door member, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial cut-away view of the vehicle storage box system depicted in  FIG. 2 , wherein a flange portion for door sealing is lowered below the level of the load floor for ease of cargo loading and unloading and prevention of damage to cargo and seal flange during cargo loading and unloading, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle storage box system having flat access with a hinged door member, wherein the load floor is provided with a kick down area, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial cut-away view of the vehicle storage box system depicted in  FIG. 4 , wherein a flange portion for door sealing is lowered below the level of the load floor for ease of cargo loading and unloading and prevention of damage to cargo and seal flange during cargo loading and unloading, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including a side opening door portion, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including a top opening door portion, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including a bottom opening door portion, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including a sliding door portion, in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including a sliding table portion shown in the stowed position, in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a partial perspective of the vehicle storage box system depicted in  FIG. 10 , wherein the sliding table portion is shown in the deployed position, in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including additional storage areas in the kick down area, in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective of a vehicle storage box system having flat access including additional storage areas in a raised top portion of the box portion, in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a partial perspective view of a vehicle  10  including a storage box system  12 , in accordance with the general teachings of the present invention. System  12  is intended to be located in the bed portion  14  of vehicle  10 , although system  12  is operable to be disposed or located in any number of locations relative to vehicle  10 . Although a pickup type vehicle is shown, it should be appreciated that system  12  can be incorporated into any number of different types of vehicles. 
         [0030]    System  12  includes a box portion  16  defined by a plurality of wall and/or door portions, including but not limited to top door portion  18 , side door portion  201  and rear door portion  22 , that when properly articulated (e.g., lifted, swung (e.g., vertically, horizontally, and/or the like), slid, and/or the like), permit access to a load floor portion  24  that is operable to accept a cargo load thereon. An optional rear wall portion  26  can also be provided. Alternatively, a rear surface  28  of the cab portion  30  can serve as the rear wall of box portion  16 . 
         [0031]    A bulkhead portion  31  is also included to divide the box portion  16  from the rest of the bed portion  14  of the vehicle  10 . The bulkhead portion  31  is also removable, which will allow larger items to be stored in the bed portion  16  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0032]    In this view, optional drawer members (e.g., of varying size)  32 ,  34 ,  36 , respectively, can be incorporated into system  12  so as to provide additional storage space and organization to any contents contained within box portion  16 . Drawer members  32 ,  34 ,  36 , respectively, can be accessed in any number of ways and from any number of directions. By way of a non-limiting example, drawer members  32 ,  34 ,  36 , respectively, can be mounted on roller bearing track systems (not shown) for easy sliding purposes. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown a vehicle storage box system  100  having flat access with a hinged door member  102 , in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Although only one door member is shown, it should be appreciated that additional door members can be provided in association with system  100 . 
         [0034]    System  100  includes a box portion  104  that includes a top wall portion  106 , a front wall portion  108 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  110 , a side wall portion  112 , and a load floor portion  114 . As previously described, load floor portion  114  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0035]    Door member  102  can be contoured so as to be compatible with a vehicle&#39;s exterior contouring. Additionally, door member  102  can be provided with an optional handle member  116  to aid in manipulating door member  102 . A hinge system  118  can be provided to allow the door member to pivot, swing, slide, or otherwise move, relative to one of more of the wall portions of system  100 . 
         [0036]    By “hinge” as that term is used herein, it is meant any device or mechanism that permits movement of the door member relative to the box portion or any other portion of the vehicle storage box system, regardless of direction. By way of a non-limiting example, devices and mechanisms such as but not limited to hinges, springs, grooves, tracks, mortises, tenons, and/or the like can be employed in the present invention. 
         [0037]    By way of a non-limiting example, hinge system  118  is in operable association with top wall portion  106  so as to permit door member  102  to move in an upwardly swinging manner. However, it should be appreciated that hinge system  118  can be associated with any of the aforementioned wall portions of system  100 . 
         [0038]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a partial cut-away view of system  100  depicted in  FIG. 2 , wherein a flange portion  120  for door sealing is lowered below the level of load floor portion  114 . Flange portion  120  is in operable association with a weather stripping portion (not shown), e.g., to provide a sealing function so as to prevent the ingress of water into box portion  104 . Flange portion  120  is lower than load floor portion  114  for the intended purpose of ease of cargo loading and unloading and prevention of damage to the cargo and either flange portion  120  and/or the weather stripping portion, e.g., during cargo loading and unloading. That is, the height of flange portion  120  is lower than the height of load floor portion  114 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is shown a perspective view of a vehicle storage box system  200  having flat access with a hinged door member  202 , wherein a load floor portion  204  is provided with a kick down area  206 , in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. System  200  is similar to system  100  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Although only one door member is shown, it should be appreciated that additional door members can be provided in association with system  200 . 
         [0040]    System  200  includes a box portion  208  that includes a top wall portion  210 , a front wall portion  212 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  214 , and a side wall portion  216 . As previously described, load floor portion  204  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0041]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a partial cut-away view of system  200  depicted in  FIG. 4 , wherein a flange portion  218  for door sealing is lowered below the level of load floor portion  204 . Flange portion  218  is in operable association with a weather stripping portion (not shown), e.g., to provide a sealing function so as to prevent the ingress of water into box portion  208 . Flange portion  218  is lower than load floor portion  204  for the intended purpose of ease of cargo loading and unloading and prevention of damage to the cargo and either flange portion  218  and/or the weather stripping portion, e.g., during cargo loading and unloading. That is, the height of flange portion  218  is lower than the height of load floor portion  204 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system  300  having flat access including a side opening door member  302 , in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. System  300  is similar to system  200  depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wherein a load floor portion  304  is provided with a kick down area  306 . Although only one door member is shown, it should be appreciated that additional door members can be provided in association with system  300 . 
         [0043]    System  300  includes a box portion  308  that includes a top wall portion  310 , a front wall portion  312 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  314 , and a side wall portion  316 . As previously described, load floor portion  304  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0044]    Door member  302  can be contoured so as to be compatible with a vehicle&#39;s exterior contouring. Additionally, door member  302  can be provided with an optional handle member  318  to aid in manipulating door member  302 . A hinge system  320  can be provided to allow the door member to pivot, swing, slide, or otherwise move, relative to one of more of the wall portions of system  300 . By way of a non-limiting example, hinge system  320  is in operable association with optional rear wall portion  314  so as to permit door member  302  to move in a lateral or sideways swinging manner. It should be appreciated that hinge system  320  can be associated with any of the aforementioned wall portions of system  300 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system  400  having flat access including a top opening door portion  402 , in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. System  400  is similar to system  300  depicted in  FIG. 6 , wherein a load floor portion  404  is provided with a kick down area  406 . Although only one door member is shown, it should be appreciated that additional door members can be provided in association with system  400 . 
         [0046]    System  400  includes a box portion  408  that includes a top wall portion  410 , a front wall portion  412 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  414 , and a side wall portion  416 . As previously described, load floor portion  404  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0047]    Door member  402  can be contoured so as to be compatible with a vehicle&#39;s exterior contouring. Additionally, door member  402  can be provided with an optional handle member  418  to aid in manipulating door member  402 . A hinge system  420  can be provided to allow the door member to pivot, swing, slide, or otherwise move, relative to one of more of the wall portions of system  400 . By way of a non-limiting example, hinge system  420  is in operable association with top wall portion  410  so as to permit door member  402  to move in an upwardly swinging manner. However, it should be appreciated that hinge system  420  can be associated with any of the aforementioned wall portions of system  400 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system  500  having flat access including a bottom opening door portion  502 , in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. System  500  is similar to system  400  depicted in  FIG. 7 , wherein a load floor portion  504  is provided with a kick down area  506 . Although only one door member is shown, it should be appreciated that additional door members can be provided in association with system  500 . 
         [0049]    System  500  includes a box portion  508  that includes a top wall portion  510 , a front wall portion  512 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  514 , and a side wall portion  516 . As previously described, load floor portion  504  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0050]    Door member  502  can be contoured so as to be compatible with a vehicle&#39;s exterior contouring. Additionally, door member  502  can be provided with an optional handle member  518  to aid in manipulating door member  502 . A hinge system  520  can be provided to allow the door member to pivot, swing, slide, or otherwise move, relative to one of more of the wall portions of system  500 . By way of a non-limiting example, hinge system  520  is in operable association with kick down area  506  so as to permit door member  502  to move in a downwardly swinging manner. That is, door member  502  is operable to swing in the opposite direction of door member  402  depicted in  FIG. 7 . It should be appreciated that hinge system  520  can be associated with any of the aforementioned wall portions of system  500 . 
         [0051]    By allowing door member  502  to move in the manner described, door member  502  can be used as an assist step to access highly placed or stowed cargo. Additionally, door member  502  can also function as a ramp to permit easier ingress/egress to box portion  508  for handling heavy or awkward cargo. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is show a partial perspective of a vehicle storage box system  600  having flat access including a sliding door portion  602 , in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. System  600  is similar to system  500  depicted in  FIG. 8 , wherein a load floor portion  604  is provided with a kick down area  606 . Although only one door member is shown, it should be appreciated that additional door members can be provided in association with system  600 . 
         [0053]    System  600  includes a box portion  608  that includes a top wall portion  610 , a front wall portion  612 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  614 , and a side wall portion  616 . As previously described, load floor portion  604  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0054]    Door member  602  can be contoured so as to be compatible with a vehicle&#39;s exterior contouring. Additionally, door member  602  can be provided with an optional handle member  618  to aid in manipulating door member  602 . A hinge system  620  can be provided to allow the door member to pivot, swing, slide, or otherwise move, relative to one of more of the wall portions of system  600 . By way of a non-limiting example, hinge system  620  is in operable association with front wall portion  612 , optional rear wall portion  616 , or both, so as to permit door member  602  to slide in an up and down manner. By way of a non-limiting example, hinge system  620  can include at least one spring member that allows door member  602  to slide or glide upwardly (e.g., along track or groove members formed on or in front wall portion  612 , optional rear wall portion  616 , or both) such that door member  602  can be positioned (e.g., temporarily) on top wall portion  610  in order to allow access to the contents of box portion  608 . It should be appreciated that hinge system  620  can be associated with any of the aforementioned wall portions of system  600 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is shown a vehicle storage box system  700  having flat access including a sliding table portion  702 , in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The door member is not shown for purposes of clarity; however, it would normally be associated with one of the wall portions previously described. System  700  is similar to system  600  depicted in  FIG. 9 , wherein a load floor portion  704  is provided with a kick down area  706 . 
         [0056]    System  700  includes a box portion  708  that includes a top wall portion  710 , a front wall portion  712 , an optional rear bulkhead portion or rear wall portion  714 , and a side wall portion  716 . As previously described, load floor portion  704  is operable to support a cargo load placed thereon. 
         [0057]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 10 , table portion  702  is shown in the stowed position, i.e., it is recessed in box portion  708  in proximity to load floor portion  704 . Referring specifically, to  FIG. 11 , table portion  702  is shown in the deployed position, i.e., it is pulled outwardly from box portion  708 . A pair of optional leg members  718 ,  720 , respectively, can be selectively deployed to provide support for any loads placed upon the top surface  722  of table portion  702 . Table portion  702  can be associated with a track or roller system  724  that permits table portion  702  to be easily and quickly deployed and/or stowed. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a perspective of a vehicle storage box system  800  having flat access including additional storage areas  802 ,  804 , respectively, in the kick down areas  806 ,  808 , respectively, in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Although several storage portions  810 ,  812 ,  814 ,  816 , respectively, are shown, it should appreciated that either less than or more than this number can be employed in the practice of the present invention. Furthermore, only one of kick down areas  806 ,  808 , respectively, can include additional storage areas  802 ,  804 , respectively, as opposed to both sides, if so desired. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a perspective of a vehicle storage box system  900  having flat access including an additional storage area  902  in a raised top wall portion  904  of the box portion  906 , in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention. Although several storage portions  908 ,  910 , respectively, are shown, it should appreciated that either less than or more than this number can be employed in the practice of the present invention. Furthermore, although only one additional storage area is shown, additional storage areas can be provided as well, e.g., on the opposite side of top wall portion  904 , if so desired. 
         [0060]    Any of the previously described door members can be equipped with optional locking systems (e.g., latch, clasp, hook mechanisms, and/or the like) to secure the door members to their adjacent or abutting wall portions, so as to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of the box portions. 
         [0061]    The bulkhead portion  31  of the first embodiment or the rear bulkhead portions  110 ,  214 ,  314 ,  414 ,  514 ,  614 ,  714  of the other embodiments are removable such that larger items can be stored in the bed portion  14  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0062]    The storage box system  12 , 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 ,  900  can be manufactured into the vehicle  10  at the time of initial construction, avoiding any type of second stage manufacturing. Integrating the storage box system  12 , 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900  of the present invention at the time of initial construction of the vehicle  10  will reduce the potential for assembly line complexity, and eliminate the need for provide space between the bed portion  14  and the cab portion  30  to accommodate the storage box system  12 , 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 . 
         [0063]    As mentioned above, the door portions  18 , 20 , 22 , 102 , 202 , 302 ,  402 , 502 , 602 , can have the same contour as the rest of the exterior of the vehicle  10 , but can also have what is commonly known as a “Class A” finish, in which a high-gloss paint is applied. 
         [0064]    It should be appreciated that any of the aforementioned features of the previously described embodiments can be combined together in any number of combinations and are not limited to use with the specific embodiments in which they were initially described or discussed. 
         [0065]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.