Patent Publication Number: US-2020298768-A1

Title: Reconfigurable rack

Description:
The present disclosure relates to a rack for a motor vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable rack. 
     Certain motor vehicles, such as trucks, are utilized as utility or work vehicles, while other trucks are utilized for sports purposes. Some utility vehicles such as pickup trucks have racks mounted in the bed of the truck that provide a platform for objects such as ladders or construction materials. Such pickup trucks, however, are not particularly accommodating for sports purposes. 
     Thus, while current pickup truck racks achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved type of pickup truck racks. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to several aspects, a reconfigurable rack for a motor vehicle having a cabin and a bed includes a first tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to a floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to a first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to a second side of the bed, the first side and the second side of the bed being generally parallel; a second tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the second section and the third section of the second tube being angled towards the first tube and the cabin; and a third tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the second tube being located between the first tube and the third tube, the third tube having a first position located proximal to the first tube and the second tube, the second section and the third section of the third tube being angled towards the first tube, the second tube and the cabin when the third tube is in the first position, the third tube having a second position located distal to the first tube and the second tube towards the rear of the bed, the first section and the second section of the third tube being generally parallel to the first section and the second section of the first tube when the third tube is in the second position. 
     In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the rack further includes a fourth tube with a first position, a height of the fourth tube from the floor of the bed in the first position being substantially equal to a height of the first section of the third tube from the floor when the third tube is in the second position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the fourth tube has a second position, the height of the fourth tube from the floor of the bed in the second position being substantially equal to a height of the first section of the first tube, a height of the first section of the second tube and the height of the first section of the third tube from the floor of the bed when the third tube is in the first position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rack further includes a first cross tube and a second cross tube spaced apart from the first cross tube, the first cross tube and the second cross tube connecting the first tube and the second tube. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a first end of the fourth tube is connected to the first cross tube and a second end of the fourth tube is connected to the second cross tube. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the fourth tube pivots at the connections to the first cross tube and the second cross tube between the first position and the second position of the fourth tube. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rack further includes a first cross tube and a second cross tube spaced apart from the first cross tube, the first cross tube and the second cross tube connecting the second tube and the third tube when the third tube is in the first position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rack further includes a first docking handle that attaches the second section of the third tube to the first side of the bed and a second docking handle that attaches the third section of the third tube to the second side of the bed when the third tube is in the second position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, each docking handle includes a push-pull pin mechanism with a first position and a second position, when in the first position the push-pull mechanism attaching the docking handle to a projection extending from the respective side of the bed to secure the docking handle to the side of the bed. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the push-pull mechanism in the first position attaches the respective section of the third tube to the respective docking handle. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the push-pull mechanism in the second position releases the respective section from the respective docking handle. 
     According to several aspects, a reconfigurable rack for a motor vehicle having a cabin and a bed includes a first tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the a floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to a first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to a second side of the bed, the first side and the second side of the bed being generally parallel; a second tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the second section and the third section of the second tube being angled towards the first tube and the cabin; a third tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the second tube being located between the first tube and the third tube, the third tube having a first position located proximal to the first tube and the second tube, the second section and the third section of the third tube being angled towards the first tube, the second tube and the cabin when the third tube is in the first position, the third tube having a second position located distal to the first tube and the second tube towards the rear of the bed, the first section and the second section of the third tube being generally parallel to the first section and the second section of the first tube when the third tube is in the second position; and a fourth tube with a first position and a second position, a height of the fourth tube from the floor of the bed in the first position being substantially equal to a height of the first section of the third tube from the floor when the third tube is in the second position, the height of the fourth tube from the floor of the bed in the second position being substantially equal to a height of the first section of the first tube, a height of the first section of the second tube and the height of the first section of the third tube from the floor of the bed when the third tube is in the first position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rack further includes a first cross tube and a second cross tube spaced apart from the first cross tube, the first cross tube and the second cross tube connecting the first tube and the second tube, a first end of the fourth tube being connected to the first cross tube and a second end of the fourth tube being connected to the second cross tube, and the fourth tube pivoting at the connections to the first cross tube and the second cross tube between the first position and the second position of the fourth tube. 
     According to several aspects, a motor vehicle includes a cabin; a bed with a floor, a first side and a second side; and a reconfigurable rack. The reconfigurable rack includes a first tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the first side and the second side of the bed being generally parallel; a second tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the second section and the third section of the second tube being angled towards the first tube and the cabin; and a third tube having a first section positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed, a second section that extends from the first section and attaches to the first side of the bed, and a third section that extends from the first section and attaches to the second side of the bed, the second tube being located between the first tube and the third tube, the third tube having a first position located proximal to the first tube and the second tube, the second section and the third section of the third tube being angled towards the first tube, the second tube and the cabin when the third tube is in the first position, the third tube having a second position located distal to the first tube and the second tube towards the rear of the bed, the first section and the second section of the third tube being generally parallel to the first section and the second section of the first tube when the third tube is in the second position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the motor vehicle further includes a fourth tube with a first position, a height of the fourth tube from the floor of the bed in the first position being substantially equal to a height of the first section of the third tube from the floor when the third tube is in the second position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the fourth tube has a second position, the height of the fourth tube from the floor of the bed in the second position being substantially equal to a height of the first section of the first tube, a height of the first section of the second tube and the height of the first section of the third tube from the floor of the bed when the third tube is in the first position. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a reconfigurable rack in one position according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is perspective view of the reconfigurable rack in another position; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the reconfigurable rack shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a docking handle for the reconfigurable rack according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side cross-sectional view of the docking handle in a locked position according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4B  is a side cross-sectional view of the docking handle in an unlocked position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there is shown a reconfigurable rack  10  for a motor vehicle, such as a pickup truck with a cabin  12  and a bed  14 . The reconfigurable rack  10  includes a first tube  16 , a second tube  24 , a third tube  26  and a fourth tube  18 .  FIG. 1B  shows the reconfigurable rack  10  in a first position, and  FIG. 1A  shows the reconfigurable rack  10  in a second position 
     The first tube  16  has a first section  16   a  positioned generally parallel to a floor of the bed  14 , a second section  16   b  that extends from the first section  16   a  and attaches to a first side  25   a  of the bed  14 , and a third section  16   c  that extends from the first section  16   a  and attaches to a second side  25   b  of the bed. One of a pair of attachment mechanisms  19  secures the second section  16   b  to the first side  25   a,  and the other attachment mechanism secures the third section to the second side  25   b.  The first side  25   a  and the second side  25   b  of the bed  14  are generally parallel. 
     The second tube  24  has a first section  24   a  positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed  14 , a second section  24   b  that extends from the first section  24   a  and attaches to the first side  25   a  of the bed  14  with one of a pair of attachment mechanisms  21 , and a third section  24   c  that extends from the first section  24   a  and attaches to the second side  25   b  of the bed  14  with the other attachment mechanism  21 . The second section  24   b  and the third section  24   c  of the second tube  24  are angled towards the first tube  16  and the cabin  12 . A pair of cross tubes  22  that are spaced apart connect the first tube  16  and the second tube  24  together. 
     The third tube  26  has a first section  26   a  positioned generally parallel to the floor of the bed  14 , a second section  26   b  that extends from the first section  26   a  and removably attaches to the first side  25   a  of the bed  14  with one of a pair of docking handles  28  in the second position ( FIG. 1A ), and a third section  26   c  that extends from the first section  26   a  and removably attaches to the second side  25   b  of the bed  14  with the other docking handle  28 . In the reconfigurable rack&#39;s second position, the third tube  26  is located distal to the first tube  16  and the second tube  24  towards the rear of the bed  14  with the second tube  24  positioned between the first tube  16  and the third tube  26 . The first section  26   b  and the second section  26   c  of the third tube  26  are generally parallel to the first section  16   b  and the second section  16   c  of the first tube  16  when the third tube  26  is in the second position. 
     When the reconfigurable rack  10  is in the first position ( FIG. 1B ), the second section  26   b  of the third tube  26  is removably attached to one of the attachment mechanisms  21 , and the third section  26   c  of the third tube is removably attached to the other attachment mechanism  21 . Further, the second section  26   b  and the third section  26   c  of the third tube  26  are angled towards the first tube  16 , the second tube  24  and the cabin  12 . Further, a pair of cross tubes  27  that are spaced apart connect the third tube  26  and the second tube  24  together in the first position. 
     The fourth tube  18  is generally parallel to the floor of the bed  14 , and the ends of fourth tube  18  attach to the respective cross tubes  22  with respective connectors  20 , enabling the fourth tube  18  to pivot about the connection between the connectors  20  and the cross tubes  22 . The fourth tube  18  has a first position in which it is pivoted upwards ( FIG. 1A ) and a second position in which it is pivoted downwards ( FIG. 1B ). Note that the first position and the second position of the fourth tube  18  does not necessarily coincide with the first position and the second position of the reconfigurable rack  10 . The height of the fourth tube  18  from the floor of the bed in its first position substantially equal to a height of the first section  26   a  of the third tube  26  from the floor when the third tube is in the second position of the reconfigurable rack  10 . When the fourth tube  18  is in its second position, the height of the fourth tube  18  from the floor of the bed  14  is substantially equal to the height of the first section  16   a  of the first tube  16 , the height of the first section  24   a  of the second tube  24  and the height of the first section  26   a  of the third tube  26  from the floor of the bed  14  when the reconfigurable rack  10  is in the first position ( FIG. 1B ). 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B , details of the docking handles  28  are shown. As described previously, the docking handles attach the third tube  26  to the first side  25   a  and the second side  25   b  of the bed  14  towards the rear of the bed  14  with the reconfigurable rack  10  is in the second position. 
     Each docking handle  28  includes a plate  32  that rests on the respective sides  25   a,    25   b  of the bed  14 . The docking handle  28  further includes handle portions  34  and  36  that enable a user to grasp the docking handle  28 . Positioned between the handle portions  34  and  36  is an opening  30  into which the ends of the respective sections  26   b,    26   c  of the third tube  26  are placed. 
     A push-pull pin mechanism  38  positioned in an opening  39  is utilized to secure the docking handle  28  to the bed  14  with an extension  40  and the third tube  26  to the docking handles  28 . The extension  40  is secured to the bed  14  with a screw, pin or rivet  42  that extends through one of two openings  44 ,  46 . To attach the docking handle  28  to the respective side of the bed  14 , the docking handle  28  is placed over the extension  40  such that the extension  40  extends into an opening  41  of the docking handle  28 . The docking handle is pushed in the direction  50  ( FIG. 4B ) to secure the docking handle  28  to the extension  40  with the push pull mechanism  38 . The push pull mechanism  38  is pushed in further in the direction  50  to secure the respective ends of the second section  26   b  and the third section  26   c  of the third tube to the docking handles  28 . Reversing the procedure releases the third tube  26  from the docking handles  28  and the docking handles  28  from the bed  14 . 
     A reconfigurable rack of the present disclosure offers several advantages. These include, but are not limited to, enabling a user to utilize the motor vehicle in various configurations. For example, when the reconfigurable rack  10  is in the second position, the vehicle can be employed to transport, for example, a ladder and/or panels or a surfboard on top of the reconfigurable rack  10 . And when the reconfigurable rack  10  is in the first position, objects in the bed  14  can rest on top of the reconfigurable rack  10 . Further, the reconfigurable rack  10  in the first position provides a sportier appearance to the vehicle. 
     The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.