Patent Publication Number: US-6334560-B1

Title: Truck box with improved operating rod

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/152,633 filed on Sep. 14, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,585. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to truck boxes, and, more particularly, to an improved operating rod for the paddle latches of the truck box which open and close the box lid. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the most popular accessories for trucks and recreational vehicles is a truck box used to store and secure a variety of tools and other items. There are a number of different types of truck boxes, including cross-over boxes, sidemount boxes, chest boxes, topmount boxes, RV boxes and others. Each truck box is typically formed of aluminum treadplate, and comprises a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and opposed end walls which are interconnected by welding to form a hollow interior. The truck box interior is closed by a top wall or lid pivotal on a hinge between an open position and a closed position, usually with the assistance of gas springs. 
     In order to lock the lid and secure the contents of the truck box, most aluminum truck boxes include a pair of paddle latches mounted at opposite ends of the front wall in position to releasably engage a corresponding pair of striker bars carried by the lid. Each paddle latch has a latch element which is pivotal between a closed position in which it engages one of the striker bars of the lid, and an open position wherein the striker bar is released to permit the lid to be opened. The latch elements of the paddle latches must be moved to the open and closed positions simultaneously, and this is achieved in most truck box designs by an operating rod extending along the front wall within the interior of the box between the two paddle latches. The operating rod is connected at its opposite ends to respective paddle latches, so that side-to-side movement of the operating rod in one direction causes the latch elements of the paddle latches to pivot to the open position whereas movement of the operating rod in the opposite direction pivots the latch elements to the closed position. 
     There are a number of deficiencies with current designs of operating rods of the type described above. In most instances, the operating rod extends linearly between the paddle latches in an exposed location within the truck box interior along its front wall. This not only detracts visually from the overall appearance of the box, but in such exposed position the operating rod can be bent or disconnected from the paddle latches when tools or other items are loaded into or unloaded from the box interior. Additionally, the operating rod reduces the usable space within the interior of the truck box. Moreover, in most truck box designs, the operating rod is supported only at its ends where it is connected to the paddle latches. As a result, the center section of the operating rod can strike the front wall of the box as the vehicle to which the box is mounted is being driven, creating noise which is unacceptable to the vehicle operator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore among the objectives of this invention to provide a truck box having an improved operating rod which is positioned to substantially avoid contact with items loaded into and unloaded from the box interior, which increases storage capacity within the truck box, and which is carried on the front wall of the box without making noise as the vehicle is operated. 
     These objectives are accomplished in a truck box comprising a front wall carrying a pair of spaced paddle latches and being formed with a channel extending at least between the paddle latches, a back wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls and a top lid pivotally mounted to the back wall, all of which are interconnected to define a hollow interior. The operating rod has a first end section connected to one paddle latch, a second end section connected to the other paddle latch, and, an offset center section which is mounted by at least one rod guide within the channel formed in the front wall. The channel substantially encloses the center section of the operating rod to protect it from contact with items loaded into and unloaded from the box interior, and the rod guide(s) support the center section to prevent vibration or other contact with the front wall during operation of the vehicle within which the truck box is mounted. 
     One aspect of this invention is predicated upon the concept of constructing an operating rod which is substantially hidden from view and protected within the interior of the box, except at its ends which connect to the paddle latches. The center section is angularly offset from the opposed end sections of the operating rod and enclosed within the channel formed along the front wall of the box. The first end section of the operating rod has a linear portion, substantially parallel but offset from the center section, which is received within a mounting block associated with the latch element of one of the paddle latches and secured in place thereto by a set screw. The second end section of the operating rod is mounted by a spring clip to the latch element of the other paddle latch. In response to pivotal movement of one of the latch elements upon opening or closing of the top lid, the operating rod is moved in a side-to-side direction to simultaneously pivot the other latch element in the same direction. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, the center section of the operating rod is mounted within the channel in the front wall of the box by one or more rod guides. Each rod guide has a central throughbore which slidably receives the operating rod, and a guide body which is press fit or otherwise secured within the channel in the front wall. These rod guides not only maintain the operating rod in position within the channel, but prevent contact between the operating rod and the front wall of the box during operation of the vehicle within which the box is mounted so as to reduce noise. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of one type of truck box with which the operating rod of this invention can be utilized; 
     FIG. 2 is a view of the operating rod herein; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view in partial cross section of the interior of the truck box depicting the front wall with the operating rod connected at each end to a paddle latch; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the paddle latches shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the other paddle latch illustrated in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is an end view of FIG. 5, depicting the paddle latch, operating rod and the rod guide which mounts the operating rod; and 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except with the paddle latches in the open position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the Figs., the truck box  10  of this invention comprises a front wall  12 , bottom wall  14 , opposed end walls  16 ,  18 , a top wall or lid  20  and a back wall (not shown). Each of the walls  12 - 20  are preferably formed of aluminum tread plate, and are interconnected by welding to form a hollow interior. For purposes of illustration and the present discussion, a single lid, cross-over box is depicted in the Figs. with the operating rod  22  of this invention. It is contemplated that other types of truck boxes could be employed with operating rod  22 , including sidemount boxes, chest boxes, topmount boxes, trailer boxes, RV boxes and the like. 
     A pair of paddle latches  24  and  26  are mounted to the front wall  12  and spaced from one another as best shown in FIGS. 1,  4  and  8 . The paddle latches  24 ,  26  are commercially available units, and the detailed construction of same forms no part of this invention. For purposes of the present discussion, paddle latch  26  includes a latch body  28  carried by the front wall  12  which is mounted by a pivot pin  30  to a latch element  32  having an upper hook end  34  and a lower end  36 . The upper hook end  34  of latch element  32  is releasably engageable with a striker  38  mounted by one or more screws  39  to the underside of the top lid  20 . The lower end  36  of latch element  32  carries a mounting block  40  having a central bore  42  and a transversely oriented set screw  44 , the purposes of which will be discussed in detail below. 
     The paddle latch  24  is similar to paddle latch  26 , and same references numbers are used to described the common elements thereof with the addition of a “′” in the structure of paddle latch  24 . The primary difference between paddle latches  24 ,  26  is the manner in which the operating rod  22  is attached thereto as described below. As best seen in FIG. 6, the lower end  36 ′ of paddle latch  24  is formed with a bore to receive one end of the operating rod  22  which is held in place by a spring clip  46 . Additionally, the hook end  34 ′ of latch element  32 ′ associated with paddle latch  24  is positioned to receive the striker  38 ′ mounted to the underside of top lid  20 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the structured details of operating rod  22  are depicted. Preferably, the operating rod is formed of one quarter inch diameter 1020 cold rolled steel rod, coated with clear zinc to enhance corrosion resistance. Smaller diameter rods may also be utilized depending upon latch force requirements. The operating rod  22  comprises a first end section  48 , a second end section  50  and an offset, center section  54  extending therebetween. The first end section  48  includes a linear portion  54 , oriented substantially parallel to the center section  52  and connected to the center section  52  by an angled portion  56 . In the presently preferred embodiment the angled portion  56  of first end section  48  extends at approximately a 45° angle between the linear portion  54  and center section  52 . The second end section  50  comprises an angled portion  58  connected at one end to the center section  52  and at the opposite end to an intermediate portion  60 . The intermediate portion  60 , in turn, is connected to an extension  62 . The angled portion  58  of second end section  50  is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the intermediate portion  60  as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The linear portion  54  and angled portion  56  of first end section  48 , the center section  52 , and, the angled portion  58  and intermediate portion  60  of second end section  50 , are all contained within a common plane with the intermediate portion  60 , linear portion  54  and center section  52  all being substantially parallel to one another. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension  62  of second end section  50  is angularly offset from the remainder of the operating rod  22 . Such extension  62  has a longitudinal axis  64  which is preferably oriented at an angle of about 54° with respect to the angled portion  58  of second end section  50 , and, hence, relative to the plane which contains the remaining elements of operating rod  22 , as noted above. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 4-8, the manner in which the operating rod  22  is mounted to the truck box  10  is shown in detail. In the presently preferred embodiment, the linear portion  54  of first end section  48  extends through the central bore  42  of the mounting block  40  carried by the latch element  32  of paddle latch  26 . The linear portion  54  is held in place by tightening down the set screw  44  within the central bore  42 . The second end section  50  of operating rod  22  is mounted to the latch element  32 ′ of paddle latch  24  by the spring clip  46 . As best seen in FIG. 6, the extension  62  of second end section  50  is received within the bore formed in the lower end  36 ′ of paddle latch  24 . Once in position, the spring clip  46  retains the extension  62  within the lower end  36 ′ of latch element  32 ′ in preparation for opening and closing of the lid  20  as described below. 
     An important aspect of this invention involves the configuration of operating rod  22 , and the manner in which it is carried by the front wall  12  of truck box  10 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the front wall  12  is formed with a roll-over channel  66  having a generally inverted U-shape defined by an outer side wall  68 , inner side wall  70 , a top wall  72  and an open bottom  74 . See FIG.  7 . The term “outer” refers to the outside of the truck box  10 , whereas “inner” refers to the truck box interior. The angled portions  56 ,  58  of first and second end sections  48 ,  50 , respectively, extend from the paddle latches  24  and  26  so that the center section  52  of operating rod  22  is located within the roll-over channel  66  formed in the front wall  12  of truck box  10 . In this position, the center section  52 , and, hence, the majority of the operating rod  22 , is hidden from view and protected from contact with items which are loaded into or unloaded from the interior of the truck box  10 . This provides a significant advantage over other designs in which the operating rod extends linearly between the paddle latches  24 ,  26  thus exposing such operating rods to damage by contact with items placed in the truck box, necessitating use of a rod guard that uses up valuable storage space and creates a visually unacceptable appearance. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, the center section  52  of operating rod  22  is retained in place within the roll-over channel  66  by a pair of rod guides  76  and  78 . One embodiment of the rod guides  76 ,  78  suitable for use in this invention is depicted in FIG. 7, although it is contemplated that a variety of other rod guides could be employed. For purposes of the present discussion, each rod guide  76  and  78  comprises a body  80  having opposed sides each formed with space recesses defining outwardly extending fins  82 . Each rod guide  76  and  78  is inserted into the roll-over channel  66  through the open bottom  74  such that the fins  82  on opposite sides of the rod guide body  80  engage the outer side wall  68  and inner side wall  70  of the channel  66 . The angulation of fins  82  tends to prevent dislodgement of the rod guides  76  and  78  from the channel  66 . The center section  52  of the operating rod  22  is received within a throughbore formed in each rod guide  76  and  78 , which is larger in diameter than the center section  52  so as to permit relative movement therebetween. 
     The paddle latches  24  and  26 , and operating rod  22 , function as follows. In the closed position of top lid  20 , shown in FIGS. 4-7, the upper hook ends  34 ,  34 ′ of latch elements  32 ,  32 ′ engage respective strikers  38 ,  38 ′. When one of the paddle latches  24  or  26  is operated, an internal spring (not shown) causes the respective latch element  32  or  32 ′ to pivot from the closed or locked position shown in FIG. 4 to the open or unlocked position shown in FIG.  8 . Pivotal motion of one of the latch elements  32  or  32 ′ causes the operating rod  22  to move to the right as shown by the arrow  84  in FIGS. 4 and 8, thus pivoting the other latch element  32  and  32 ′ to an unlocked position. Once the strikers  38  and  38 ′ are disengaged by the latch elements  32 ,  32 ′, the top lid  20  of truck box  10  can be opened. When it is desired to close and secure the top lid  20 , the operating rod  22  is moved to the left in the position depicted in FIG.  4 . 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.