Patent Publication Number: US-2023139937-A1

Title: Reconfigurable divider system for a pickup truck cargo box

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The subject disclosure relates to the art of vehicles and, more particularly, to a reconfigurable divider for a pickup truck cargo box. 
     Pickup trucks include a cargo bed or box that is exposed to ambient. That is, access to the cargo box is typically unrestricted. Certain users will add a cap or shell to the cargo box. The cap creates a secure area in the cargo box. Other uses may employ a cargo box cover. The cargo box cover may be a soft cover that attaches to the cargo box with snaps and/or hook and loop fasteners, or a hard cover that may include a lock. 
     While effective at protecting items in the cargo box, the cap imposes a height restriction for items stored in the cargo box. That is, the items must fit under the cap. Similarly, soft, and hard covers impose height restrictions on items stored in the cargo box. Further, the soft cover may be readily removed by unauthorized persons wanting access to the cargo box. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a cargo box with a system to protect contents while, at the same time, providing flexibility for storing and transporting contents of various sizes. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one non-limiting example, a cargo box for a pickup truck having a divider system includes a first member selectively supported in the cargo box, and a second member selectively supported in the cargo box adjacent the first member. The first and second members are configured to establish one of a first configuration in which the cargo box is fully enclosed and a second configuration in which the cargo box includes a first portion that is fully exposed and a second portion that is fully enclosed. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the cargo box includes a bed, a forward wall, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall and a tail gate pivotally mounted relative to the bed, wherein the tail gate is selectively opened to expose the bed in both the first configuration and the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first side wall includes a first rail that extends between the forward wall and the tail gate and the second side wall include a second rail that extends between the forward wall and the tail gate, wherein each of the first member and the second member is received in the first and second rails in the first configuration and the first member is slidingly received in the first and second rails in the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first side wall includes a first channel that extends substantially perpendicularly to the bed and the second wall includes a second channel that extends substantially perpendicularly to the bed, the second member being received between the first channel and the second channel in the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein each of the first channel and the second channel are formed in corresponding ones of the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the second member includes a first side surface section supporting a first guide pin element and a second guide pin element, and a second side surface section supporting s third guide pin element and a fourth guide pin element. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first and second guide pin elements are arranged in the first rail and the third and fourth guide pin elements are arranged in the second rail when the second member is in the first configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first guide pin element is arranged in the first rail and the second guide pin element is arranged in the first channel and the third guide pin element is arranged in the second rail and the fourth guide pin element is arranged in the second channel when the second member is in the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein a first lock member arranged on the first side wall adjacent the tail gate and a second lock member arranged on the second side wall adjacent the tail gate. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first member includes a first side supporting a first lock receiver and a first guide pin and a second side supporting a second lock receiver and a second guide pin, wherein the first and second lock receivers are configured to interact with corresponding ones of the first and second lock members to constrain the first member to the cargo box. 
     In another non-limiting example, a pickup truck includes a passenger compartment, a cargo box operatively connected to the passenger compartment, and a divider system selectively positionable in the cargo box. The divider system includes a first member and a second member. The first and second members are configured to establish one of a first configuration in which the cargo box is fully enclosed and a second configuration in which the cargo box includes a first portion that is fully exposed and a second portion that is fully enclosed. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the cargo box includes a bed, a forward wall, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall and a tail gate pivotally mounted relative to the bed, wherein the tail gate is selectively opened to expose the bed in both the first configuration and the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first side wall includes a first rail that extends between the forward wall and the tail gate and the second side wall include a second rail that extends between the forward wall and the tail gate, wherein each of the first member and the second member is received in the first and second rails in the first configuration and the first member is slidingly received in the first and second rails in the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first side wall includes a first channel that extends substantially perpendicularly to the bed and the second wall includes a second channel that extends substantially perpendicularly to the bed, the second member being received between the first channel and the second channel in the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein each of the first channel and the second channel are formed in corresponding ones of the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the second member includes a first side surface section supporting a first guide pin element and a second guide pin element, and a second side surface section supporting s third guide pin element and a fourth guide pin element. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first and second guide pin elements are arranged in the first rail and the third and fourth guide pin elements are arranged in the second rail when the second member is in the first configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first guide pin element is arranged in the first rail and the second guide pin element is arranged in the first channel and the third guide pin element is arranged in the second rail and the fourth guide pin element is arranged in the second channel when the second member is in the second configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein a first lock member arranged on the first side wall adjacent the tail gate and a second lock member arranged on the second side wall adjacent the tail gate. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first member includes a first side supporting a first lock receiver and a first guide pin and a second side supporting a second lock receiver and a second guide pin, wherein the first and second lock receivers are configured to interact with corresponding ones of the first and second lock members to constrain the first member to the cargo box. 
     The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an upper left rear view of a pickup truck including a cargo box having a reconfigurable divider system, in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  2    depicts an upper right rear view of a cargo box of the pickup truck of  FIG.  1    showing the reconfigurable divider system in a first configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  3    depicts an upper right partially cut away rear view of a cargo box of the pickup truck of  FIG.  1    showing the reconfigurable divider system in a second configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  4    depicts a divider support rail mounted to a side wall of the cargo box of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with a nonlimiting example; 
         FIG.  5    is a glass side view of a first member of the reconfigurable divider system being installed into the cargo box of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  6    is a right rear view of a second member of the reconfigurable divider system being installed into the cargo box of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates the second member being shifted into a first configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  8    depicts the second member arranged in a second configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a lock member for securing the first member of the reconfigurable divider system to the cargo box, in accordance with a non-limiting example; 
         FIG.  10    depicts a rear view of the cargo box of  FIG.  1    illustrating a rotatable locking tab on the second member passing into a lock receiving opening on the first member, in accordance with a non-limiting example; and 
         FIG.  11    depicts the rotatable tab member of  FIG.  10    rotated to a locking configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     A pickup truck, in accordance with a non-limiting example, is indicated generally at  10  in  FIG.  1   . Pickup truck  10  includes a body  12  supported on a frame (not shown) that defines a passenger compartment  14  and a cargo box  16 . Body  12  is also supported by a plurality of wheels  18 . In a non-limiting example, cargo box  16  includes a lower surface or bed  24 ,  FIG.  2   , that is surrounded by a forward wall  26 , a first side wall  28 , a second side wall  30 , and a tail gate  32 . In a non-limiting example, a divider system  40  is positioned in bed  24 . In a non-limiting example, divider system is supported by first side wall  28  and second side wall  30 . 
     As will become more fully evident herein, divider system  40  may be arranged in a first configuration “A” ( FIG.  2   ), in which cargo box  16  is fully enclosed and in a second configuration “B” ( FIG.  3   ) in which a first or forward portion of cargo box  16  is exposed and a second or rear portion of cargo box  16  is fully enclosed. Divider system  40  may also be arranged in a third configuration (not shown) in which cargo box  16  is fully exposed. In the third configuration, divider system  40  is not installed in cargo box  16 . Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3    and with continued reference to  FIG.  1   , divider system  40  includes a first member  44  and a second member  46 . 
     In a non-limiting example, first member  44  includes a first end  52 , a second end  54 , a first side  56  and a second side  58  ( FIG.  5   ). First member  44  is shown to include an outer or upper surface  60  provided with a plurality of compartments, one of which is indicated at  64 . At least one of the plurality of compartments  64  is provided with a retainer or net  66 . First member  44  is selectively supported in cargo box  16  between a first rail  70  mounted to first side wall  28  and a second rail  72  ( FIG.  1   ) mounted to second side wall  30  as will be detailed more fully herein. In a non-limiting example, first end  52  is shown to include a lock element  74  ( FIG.  5   ) which, as will be detailed herein, secures second member  46  to first member  44  in cargo box  16 . 
     Reference will now follow to  FIG.  4    in describing first rail  70  with an understanding that second rail  72  includes similar structure. First rail  70  includes a first terminal end  78  and a second terminal end  80 . First rail  70  also includes an upper surface  82  and a lower surface  84 . Upper surface  82  includes a first opening or gap  88  and lower surface  84  includes a second opening or gap  90 . First opening  88  and second opening  90  provide access for structure on first member  44  and second member  46  to a guide track  92  extending between upper surface  82  and lower surface  84 . 
     In a non-limiting example illustrated in  FIG.  5   , first member  44  includes a first guide pin  95  extending from first side  56  adjacent first end  52  and a second guide pin  96  extending from second side  58  adjacent to first end  52 . First member  44  also includes a first lock receiver  98  arranged at second end  54  at first side  56  and a second lock receiver  100  ( FIG.  10   ) arranged at second side  58  at second end  54 . Each lock receiver  98 ,  100  includes an opening  102  such as shown on first lock receiver  98  in  FIG.  5   . In a non-limiting example, first guide pin  95  may be guided into guide track  92  via first opening  88 . Similarly, the second guide pin  96  may be guided in to second rail  72 . At this point, first member  44  may be rotated and supported at second end  54  as will be detailed herein. 
     In a non-limiting example shown in  FIG.  6   , second member  46  includes a first end portion  107 , a second end portion  109 , a first side surface section  112 , and a second side surface section  114 . First side surface section  112  supports a first guide pin element  118  and a second guide pin element  119 . Second side surface section  114  supports a third guide pin element  122  and a fourth guide pin element  123 . In the first configuration, first guide pin element  118  is fitted into first rail  70  and third guide pin element  122  is fitted into second rail  72 . Second member  46  may then be rotated such that second guide pin element  119  passes into first rail  70  via second opening  90  and fourth guide pin element  123  passes into second rail  72  in a similar manner as shown in  FIG.  7   . Thus, repositioning second member  46  may readily transition divider system  40  between the first configuration and the second configuration. 
     In a non-limiting example depicted in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , in the second or fully enclosed configuration, second guide pin element  119  is position in a first channel  126  formed on first side wall  28  as shown in  FIG.  6   . Similarly, fourth guide pin element  123  is fitted into a second channel  127  formed on second side wall  30  ( FIG.  6   ). At this point, second member  46  may be shifted toward bed  24  so that first guide pin element  118  passes through first opening  88  into first rail  70  and third guide pin element  122  passes into second rail  72  in a similar manner. With this configuration, a rear portion (not separately labeled) of cargo box  16  is fully exposed while a forward portion (also not separately labeled) of cargo box  16  is accessible only by opening tail gate  32 . 
     In a non-limiting example, first member  44  may be secured to first side wall  28  and second side wall  30 . That is, first side wall  28  may support a first lock member  130  and second side wall  30  may support a second lock member  132 . First lock me member  130  second lock member  130 ,  132  may take the form of threaded fasteners or bolts and are positioned near tail gate  32  so as to provide easy access to a user. That is, a user may open tail gate  32  to access first and second lock members  130  and  132 . First lock member  130  and second lock members  132  may be engaged by corresponding ones of first and second lock receiver  98  and  100  to secure first member  44  to first side wall  28  and second side wall  30 . When secured, both first member  44  and second member  46  may not be removed without accessing tail gate  32 . 
     In a non-limiting example, first end portion  107  of second member  46  includes a locking tab  134  and a lock opening  140 . In first configuration “A” locking tab  134  registers with lock element  74 . A locking member (not shown) may pass through locking tab  134  and lock element  74  to join first member  44  with second member  46 . In second configuration “B” lock element  74  aligns with lock opening  140  as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  10   . A locking member  144  is passed through lock element  74  and engages with lock opening  140  to join first member  44  to second member  46  in the second configuration ‘B” as shown in  FIG.  11   . 
     At this point, it should be understood that the non-limiting examples described herein can provide users with a number of options for configurating and reconfiguring a pickup truck cargo box. The divider system may be set up in the first configuration, the second configuration, or simply omitted in order to provide various, readily reconfigurable storage options. Further, the first and second members may be made from plastic or other light weight materials to reduce an overall load in the cargo box. 
     While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.