Patent Publication Number: US-2022219765-A1

Title: Modular Vehicle Mounted Rack System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 63/136,516 filed Jan. 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicle mounted cargo and accessory support systems. Specifically, the disclosure relates to user configurable racks for mounting to a vehicle bed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere herein. 
     According to an embodiment, a vehicle rack system includes a first column, a crossbar, a first bracket assembly, a second column, a second bracket assembly, and an anchor. The first column has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the first column is operably coupled to the vehicle. The crossbar has a first end and a second end. The first bracket assembly couples the second end of the first column to the first end of the crossbar. The first bracket assembly has a first fastener passing into the first column through the second end of the first column, and the first bracket assembly has a second fastener passing into the crossbar through the first end of the crossbar. The second column has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the second column is operably coupled to the vehicle. The second bracket assembly couples the second end of the second column to the second end of the crossbar. At least one item selected from the group consisting of the first column, the second column, and the crossbar includes a longitudinal slot between and behind a pair of flanges. The anchor is positioned in one of the longitudinal slots and is irremovable from the longitudinal slot while the system is at an assembled configuration. The anchor is removable from the longitudinal slot while the system is at an unassembled configuration. 
     According to another embodiment, a vehicle rack system includes a plurality of elongate structural members coupled together to form a rack for use on or within a cargo area of a vehicle. At least one of the elongate structural members has an elongate pressure tight lumen for holding a fluid therein, and a nozzle allows the fluid to enter and exit the lumen. 
     According to still another embodiment, a vehicle having a rack system includes a vehicle and a plurality of elongate structural members removably coupled together to form a rack. The rack is removably coupled to the vehicle, and a first of the elongate structural members has a longitudinal slot between and behind a pair of flanges. A first anchor is positioned in the longitudinal slot of the first elongate structural member, and the first anchor is irremovable from the longitudinal slot of the first elongate structural member while the system is at an assembled configuration. The first anchor is removable from the longitudinal slot of the first elongate structural member while the system is at unassembled configuration. The first anchor is used to secure the first elongate structural member to a second of the elongate structural members. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rack system secured to a truck bed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  is perspective view of a bedrail joint bracket of the rack system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a bedrail joint bracket of the rack system of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the rack system of  FIG. 1 , in an alternate arrangement. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of supports and joints of the rack system of FIG. 
         FIG. 4B  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a hinged bracket of the rack system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  is an exploded perspective view of the hinged bracket of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an attachment plate of the rack system of FIG. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of part of the rack system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a slidable deck of the rack system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a rack system secured to a tailgate, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9B  is an exploded view of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of a support of the rack system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram depicting a method of assembling and modifying the rack system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12A-12F  illustrate various views of a hinge joint of the rack system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12G-12L  illustrate various views of a hinge joint of the rack system of  FIG. 12A , in an alternate configuration. 
         FIGS. 12M-12R  illustrate various views of a hinge joint of the rack system of  FIG. 12A , in another alternate configuration. 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a spacer of the rack system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13B  is a front view of the spacer of  FIG. 13A , with the rear of the spacer of  FIG. 13A  being a mirror image. 
         FIG. 13C  is a side view of the spacer of  FIG. 13A , with the opposite side view of the spacer of  FIG. 13A  being a mirror image. 
         FIG. 13D  is an end view of the spacer of  FIG. 13A , with the opposite end view of the spacer of  FIG. 13A  being a mirror image. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Conventional vehicle cargo areas, such as pickup truck beds and the like, provide usable but finite cargo space. Most vehicles are only provided with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices such as tie-downs mounted on a cargo area side and/or top rail to assist with securing cargo. These cargo areas are also limited in terms of the type of cargo they can safely carry. Users of these vehicles often want to carry a variety of items, some of which are not amenable to simply placing in the bed and/or attaching to a provided tie-down. The items to be carried sometimes require specialized accessory racks to prevent unwanted item displacement and/or damage during travel. Conventional solutions for these problems tend to focus on cargo racks such as vehicle roof panels. These solutions are generally inflexible and inconvenient for the user. Moreover, placing items on a vehicle roof can significantly increase the vehicle height. This can create issues when passing into/through structures with low overhangs, such as parking garages and residence garage entryways, and it can compromise vehicle aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. 
     Some prior art aftermarket truck bed racks utilize several vertical or substantially vertical supports on each side of the truck bed. Laterally-extending beams (or “crossbars”) extend between upper ends of at least some of the opposing pairs of vertical supports. In some cases, longitudinally-extending beams extend along the upper ends of the vertical supports. The beams are typically placed slightly above a height of the roof of the truck cab so that items can be supported above the roof line. However, these configurations are generally unable to accommodate taller items, such as motorcycles, in the truck bed. Because the beams of the conventional bed racks are made integrally with each other and/or the truck bed (e.g., via welding), they cannot be removed without removal of the entire rack. These types of truck bed racks are intended to be permanent and are not easily removed or modified. As a result, they are quite inflexible. Examples of these prior art support rack configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,440,520 (Rohr et al), U.S. Pat. No. 9,586,629 (Leitner), and U.S. Pat. No. 10,549,700 (Leff Yaffe et al). 
     There is a need for a user-friendly system which overcomes these or other issues, such as a system which is relatively more adjustable and/or configurable, while also being relatively more resistant to adverse forces experienced while the vehicle is in the field or on the move. 
     The modular and user-reconfigurable rack system of the present disclosure may allow the user to configure channeled members to create structures of different heights and lengths for cargo management and organization upon or within a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system may include sets of vertical framing members, horizontal framing members extending along the length of the truck bed, and horizontal framing members extending along the width of the truck bed. Each framing member may have an external profile with one or more longitudinal slot situated between and behind flange surfaces to provide anchor/clamping surfaces. Some or all of the framing members may be releasably secured with bracket members and/or reinforcing plates that may provide a rigid structural connection with the strength to withstand dynamic loads. 
     Embodiments of the system of the present disclosure may provide a series of hollow spaces (or “lumens”) within one or more of the framing members. These lumens may provide internal chambers within which one or more fluids (i.e., liquid and/or gas) may be stored. 
     The resulting structure may be installed upon or within and affixed to a vehicle (e.g., to or within a bed of a pickup truck) and may be compatible with other components such as bed covers, “tonneau” covers, “soft toppers”, caps, or hard tops. This may be accomplished with no permanent modifications to the original equipment of the vehicle. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be installed without the use of welding. 
     Accessories such as, but not limited to, cargo mounting points, modular plates, toolboxes, tie down rings, cargo pods, gas tanks, water tanks, roof top tents, bike carriers, kayak or canoe carriers, ladders, tools, axes, shovels, hi-lifts, spare tires, etc., can be modularly arranged along the channels of any of the frame members. The accessories may be arranged in a variety of directions, locations, and/or orientations, allowing the user to readily adjust or change the configuration of the disclosed system to better suit their needs. 
     The above and still further features and advantages of the present disclosure may become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments thereof, particularly in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. 
       FIGS. 1 through 13D  illustrate an embodiment  200  of a modular vehicle mounted cargo and accessory support system (or “rack system”) which may be user installable and configurable. The rack system  200  may allow the user to configure channeled members to create structures of different heights and lengths for cargo management and organization upon and/or within a vehicle (e.g., upon or within a truck bed  50 ). The rack system  200  includes a plurality of supports  205 , which may include one or more vertically arranged columns  210 L,  210 R,  250 L, and  250 R, one or more horizontal crossbars  220 F and  220 R arranged along the width of the truck bed  50 , and one or more framing members  230 L,  230 R,  240 L and  240 R extending horizontally along the length of the truck bed  50 . Each of these columns, crossbars, and framing members may be assembled together to form the rack system  200  as a structure that is selectively (i.e., removably) secured to the truck bed  50  via any appropriate fasteners (e.g., brackets and threaded bolts). 
     One or more of the supports  205  (e.g., component  210 L,  210 R,  220 F,  220 R,  230 L,  230 R,  240 L,  240 R,  250 L, and/or  250 R) may have one or more channels providing mounting points for accessories (e.g., cargo mounting points, modular plates, toolboxes, tie down rings, cargo pods, gas tanks, water tanks, roof top tents, bike carriers, kayak or canoe carriers, ladders, tools, axes, shovels, hi-lifts, spare tires, et cetera). In some embodiments, the supports  205  may have the profile shown in  FIG. 10 , and it may be particularly desirable for each of the supports  205  to have one or more channels. The supports  205  may be sold at a standardized length, and the end user may cut the supports  205  to desired lengths using a hand saw, power saw, or other appropriate tool. Or the supports  205  may be provided at varying lengths such that no cutting is necessary. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , one or more of the supports  205  may have a profile  400  with a plurality of continuous longitudinal slots (or “channels”)  410  defined between and behind a plurality of flange projections  420 . These channels  410  and flange projections  420  may work in conjunction to provide anchor or clamping surfaces (i.e., to act as mounting points for other supports  205 ,  205 ′ and/or accessories). As such, many of the fasteners (e.g., threaded bolts) described herein may be selectively secured within this combination of channel  410  and flange  420 . The supports  205  may also include one or more internally threaded bores  430 . Additional features of the supports  205  and the profile  400  are discussed further below. 
     The system  200  may be selectively coupled to the vehicle (e.g., the truck bed  50 ) via one or more bedrail joint brackets  330 L,  330 R ( FIGS. 2A and 3 ) and appropriate fasteners. The bedrail joint brackets  330 L,  330 R may include a main bracket  332 , an adjustable backing plate  334 , one or more fasteners  336 , and a reinforcement plate  338 . The main bracket  332  may be coupled to both a respective column  210 L,  210 R,  250 L, or  250 R (e.g., at an angle) and the adjustable backing plate  334 . The user may tighten the fasteners  336  (e.g., one or more bolts) when the bedrail joint bracket is in the desired position, thus bringing the backing plate  334  closer to the main bracket  332 . In this way, a portion of the truck bed  50  may be sandwiched between the backing plate  334  and the main bracket  332 , effectively clamping the bedrail joint brackets  330 L,  330 R and their attached supports  205  to the vehicle. Each of these brackets  330 L,  330 R may be further braced by a reinforcement plate  338 . The reinforcement plates  338  may have a notch  339  shaped to fit and abut the brackets  330 L,  330 R, which may strengthen the brackets  330 L,  330 R against transverse forces experienced thereon. The reinforcement plates  338  may be secured to the supports  205  by being releasably coupled to both a respective column  210 L,  210 R,  250 L,  250 R and one of the framing members  230 L,  230 R. 
     In embodiments, an alternate or additional method of securing the system  200  to the vehicle bed  50  may include one or more bedrail brackets  330 ′, as depicted in  FIG. 2B . These bedrail brackets  330 ′ may include a main bracket  332 ′ having a column portion  332 A′ and a vehicle portion  332 B′, an angled plate  334 ′, a plurality of fasteners  336 ′, and a spacer  338 ′. The main bracket  332 ′ may be secured (e.g., indirectly) to one of the columns  210 L,  210 R,  250 L,  250 R via apertures located in the column portion  332 A′, and secured (e.g., directly) to the vehicle bed  50  via apertures located in the vehicle portion  332 B′. The angled plate  334 ′ may be one of a plurality of angled plates  334 ′ from which the user may select from when assembling the system  200 . For example, the angled plate  334 ′ may be a plate or other device which may allow the column  210 L,  210 R,  250 L, or  250 R to extend at an angle (e.g., ninety degrees, one-hundred-eighty degrees, forty-five degrees, thirty degrees, etc.) from the bracket  332 ′ when coupled thereto. 
     It may be common for the user to cut or trim (e.g., with a hacksaw) portions of the system  200  (e.g., the supports  205 ,  205 ′ thereof) to better fit their particular vehicle or cargo task needs. This may have the unintended effect of creating supports  205 ,  205 ′ that have end portions which are not conducive to coupling together with other supports  205 ,  205 ′ or the joints  300 . As such, parts like the spacer  338 ′ may be necessary to ensure a better coupling between the parts of the system  200 . The spacer  338 ′ may be a shim or other part which may provide a surface which may be flatter or more even than another support  205 ,  205 ′ surface (e.g., a surface which is left uneven after being cut or trimmed. The spacer  338 ′ may alternately or additionally serve the purpose of closing the gap between a support  205 ,  205 ′ and a joint  300  when it is found that the dimensions of the support  205 ,  205 ′ are slightly off. In this manner, one or more spacers  338 ′ may be used to close the gap and ensure a better fit. Here, in  FIG. 2B , the spacer  338 ′ may be sandwiched between the angled plate  334 ′ and the column  250 L to complete the coupling therebetween. In some embodiments, one or more of the spacers  338 ′ may be a gasket. 
     The system  200  may have additional joints  300  connecting and/or reinforcing the supports  205 ,  205 ′. For example, as detailed in  FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B , the system  200  may have one or more bracket members  310  that may couple (e.g., temporarily with fasteners such as bolts or screws) the vertical columns  210 L,  210 R,  250 L, and  250 R to respective crossbars  220 F,  220 R. In embodiments, the bracket members  310  may include one or more end plates, gaskets, or spacers  312  which function similarly to the above-described spacer  338 ′. That is, the end plates (or “gaskets” or “spacers”)  312  may serve as a flat surface to interface with between the bracket and the supports  205 ,  205 ′. A user may also use one or more of the end plates  312  to change the effective length of a support  205 ,  205 ′, which may be important in cases where a support  205 ,  205 ′ is too short to reach a bracket member  310  or other joint  300 . In still more embodiments, the end plates  312  may be configured to act as a seal to preclude the fluids stored within the profile  400  (as discussed further below) from undesirably leaking. The end plate  312  is further shown in  FIGS. 13A-13D . 
     One or more of the various joints  300  of the system  200  may be strengthened with reinforcing plates  320  that may provide a rigid structural connection. The plates  320  may be selectively secured (e.g., via fasteners) to an associated bracket  310 , column  210 L,  210 R,  250 L,  250 R, crossbar  220 R,  220 F, and/or framing member  230 L,  230 R,  240 L,  240 R. In some embodiments, the plates  320  have a seat  322  which accepts and supports a respective bracket  310 . The plates  320  may also include additional tie-down points  324  for supporting one or more cargo ties. With these plates  320 , the joints  300  may withstand relatively greater loads and forces, such as racking forces which may otherwise undesirably act upon the system  200 , while providing further utility to the system  200 . 
     In embodiments, the joints  300  may alternately or additionally include hinged bracket  340  ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ). These hinged brackets  340  may include corresponding protrusions  342  which may rotate about an axle  344 , each of these protrusions having a plurality of apertures  346 . These apertures  346  may be arranged along the protrusions  342  at various desired angles, and one or more pins  348  may be used to hold the protrusions  342  in place. In this manner, the hinged brackets  340  may be readily adjusted to a desired angle. Embodiments of the hinged brackets  340  may have any suitable number and/or arrangement of apertures  346  as desired (e.g., one aperture every sixty degrees, one aperture every thirty degrees for a portion of the protrusion  342 , et cetera). These hinged brackets  340  may utilize the channels of the supports  205  to releasably couple thereto, thus creating a system where a user may couple the brackets  340  in many different locations along the supports as desired. These hinged brackets  340  may increase the flexibility and customization of the system  200  by allowing the user to not only add supports  205  as desired at any location along the support  205  channels, but also at various angles to create a structure that suits the task at hand. In embodiments, the hinged joint  340  may include an end plate  312 ′ (further shown in  FIGS. 13A-13D ), which is similar to the end plate  312  in function. The artisan would understand that the hinged brackets  340  may be substituted for any other joint  300  described herein as desired to create a connection that is adjustable (i.e., by modifying the angle thereof) by the user. The hinged joint  340  is further shown in  FIGS. 12A-12R . 
     Other forms of joints  300  may include attachment plates  350 , such as that shown in  FIG. 6 . These attachment plates  350  may span two or more supports  205 ,  205 ′ while having a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners. The user may arrange one or more attachment plates  350  where the two or more supports  205 ,  205 ′ meet and secure the plate  350  thereto. Thus, these two or more supports  205 ,  205 ′ may be reliably coupled together and/or reinforced by the attachment plate  350 . In  FIG. 6 , an attachment plate  350  is used to secure the framing member  230 R to the column  250 R. 
       FIG. 7  shows yet another example of joints  300  in the form of anchors  360  and braces  370 . The anchors  360  may comprise fasteners such as threaded bolts which may allow any one support  205 ,  205 ′ to couple to another support  205 ,  205 ′ via the channels  410  and flanges  420  of the profile  400  and nuts  365  ( FIG. 10 ). These mounting points or anchors  360  further allow a user to change the shape, size, and/or arrangement of the rack system  200  as desired. For example, the user may wish to change the exact location of the framing members  240 L and  240 R to make room for a tall object in the truck bed  50 . Here, they may readily decouple the members  240 L,  240 R from the crossbars  220 F,  220 R, and recouple the members  240 L,  240 R thereto at a different location, or even remove the members  240 L,  240 R altogether. In embodiments, the anchors  360  may alternately or additionally be used to secure other accessories (e.g., tie down points, cargo pods, etc.) at a desirably location along the supports  205 ,  205 ′. 
     The braces  370  may comprise a square (or other) bracket with which fasteners may be used. Like the anchors  360 , the braces  370  may facilitate coupling any one support  205 ,  205 ′ to another. The braces  370  may differ therefrom by adding additional strength or reinforcement to the bond between the supports  205 ,  205 ′ by resisting undesirable forces acting thereupon. Like the anchors  360 , the braces  370  may be used to install and/or reinstall the supports  205 ,  205 ′ at various locations along the other supports  205 ,  205 ′. 
     The rack system  200  can include additional user-installable plates, joints, and components to create substructures, such as a slidable deck area shown in  FIG. 8  having a slide  390  and a deck  395 . The deck  395  may selectively extend and retract from the slide  390  to change between a use configuration and a storage configuration, respectively. The artisan would recognize that the system  200  may include as many of the joints  300  as is desired, such that the user may reconfigure and adjust the system  200  to their needs. In some embodiments, one or more of the joints  300  are manufactured from  6061  billet aluminum. 
     Other embodiments of substructures may include additional supports  205 ′ (that are substantially similar in form/function to the supports  205 ) and/or hinged components that may allow for dynamic cargo placement, such as on top of other cargo. For example, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a second set of columns  210 L′,  210 R′,  240 L′,  240 R′, crossbars  220 F′,  220 R′, and framing members  230 L′,  230 R′ may be joined to the first set of supports  205  via one or more hinged brackets  340  and/or bracket members  310 . This may create a mechanism for lifting the supports  205 ′ to gain access to the cargo on the first level. Still more embodiments of substructures may be additional support member  205  extrusions, that extends towards the outer perimeter of the vehicle. These extrusions may create mounting points for hammocks, hanging pots, tools, or other suitable accessories and may be selectively securable back within the perimeter of the vehicle when not in use. 
     In some embodiments, the system  200  may have alternate or additional structural supports  205  that reside above or below the supports  205 , and/or within compartments of the vehicle itself. For example,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict a series of channels  260  embedded within a tailgate  60  of the truck bed  50 , which may facilitate attachment of additional compartments for storage, additional slide out mechanisms, or cargo mounting points. The channels  260  may, for example, be secured to the tailgate  60  by being arranged between a plate  265  and a pocket  70  of the tailgate  60 . 
     As noted above, the supports  205 ,  205 ′ may be pressurized or filled with a liquid and/or gas. And to store multiple fluids and provide additional stability/rigidity, the profile  400  ( FIG. 10 ) may have a centrally located wall  440  that separates the middle of the profile  400  into chambers  450  and  460 . The chambers  450 ,  460  may be internally located in the profile  400  and capable of being pressurized and sealed to contain whichever contents are placed inside. For example, one or both the chambers of a particular profile  400  may be filled with pressurized air that may be usable in a vehicle tire. In these instances, the chamber  450 ,  460  with the pressurized air may be tapped and its contents routed to a vehicle tire when that tire experiences a flat and loses its original air. Likewise, the chambers  450 ,  460  may be filled with potable water which may be used as desired by the user. The artisan would understand that any suitable fluids or combination of fluids may be stored inside the chambers  450 ,  460 . 
     The chambers  450 ,  460  may selectively contain fluids at high pressures (e.g., up to 150 PSI). The user may access the fluids in the chambers  450 ,  460  through, for example, one of the brackets  310  via taps  380  ( FIG. 4B ) (e.g., a combination of a cork gasket, a spigot, a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure fitting, etc.) associated with the support  205  and the bracket  310 . Each tap  380  may include other components such as an internal check valve assembly, and/or support for pneumatic fittings (e.g., Schrader or Presta valves), such as by including a ¼-NPT threaded hole. In still more embodiments, each tap  380  may be configured to link and/or seal to another support  205  and the chambers  450 ,  460  therein, thus creating a network of chambers  450 ,  460  throughout a plurality of support  205  profiles  400 . This expanded capacity may be desirable for users who wish to hold a larger volume of fluid, or who wish to accomplish a task requiring this greater capacity. In embodiments, a separate tap  380  may be provided for each of the chambers  450  and  460  such that the user may independently access the fluid stored in either chamber  450 ,  460  as desired. 
     In still further embodiments, the chambers  450 ,  460  may alternately or additionally be used to route cabling or wire to create electrical connections at any desired mounting point of the system  200 . Routing electrical wiring in this way may allow powered connections to be created while hiding those connections inside the chambers  450 ,  460 , while providing little to no obstruction to the use of the channels  410  for mounting options. 
     Embodiments of the supports  205 ,  205 ′ may be fabricated from a light, strong material such as an extruded aluminum alloy. The selected material may have characteristics suitable for maintaining safe storage of whatever fluid is being stored in the chambers  450 ,  460 . In embodiments where the supports  205 ,  205 ′ are fabricated from an aluminum alloy, the user may readily shorten and modify one or more support  205 ,  205 ′ dimensions (e.g., with a saw or other cutting tool) while still maintaining their functionality. Some of the supports  205 ,  205 ′ may be alternately or additionally constructed with other materials, such as bent sheet metal components, while minimally affecting the primary advantages of the system  200 . 
     In summary, the rack system  200  may employ supports  205 ,  205 ′ having a profile  400  and reinforced joints  300  to facilitate an effective modular system that may relatively withstand better the forces such a storage system may experience, while providing a customizable cargo structure that a user may readily modify to suit their purposes. One of the advantages of the rack system  200  over the prior art may be the ease of assembly and disassembly of the system  200  by users in the field. Because the system  200  does not rely on permanent securing methods like welding, and instead uses temporary securing devices such as bolt or screw fasteners, the system  200  may be readily taken apart and put back together as desired. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a method  500  for assembling and modifying embodiments of the rack system  200  on a vehicle (e.g., a bed  50  thereof). First, at step  502 , the user may secure one or more columns  210 L,  210 R,  250 L,  250 R to the bed  50  via the brackets (e.g., bedrail brackets  330 L,  330 R,  330 L′,  330 R′. Then, at step  504 , one or more crossbars  220 F,  220 R may be attached to the columns  210 L,  210 R,  250 L,  250 R via the bracket members  310 . At step  506 , one or more framing members  230 L,  230 R,  24 L,  240 R may be attached to the columns  210 L,  210 R,  250 L,  250 R and/or the crossbars  220 F,  220 R using a plate  350 , an anchor  360 , a brace  370 , or a combination thereof. One or more further supports  205 ′ (e.g., columns  210 L′,  210 R′,  240 L′,  240 R′, crossbars  220 F′,  220 R′, and framing members  230 L′,  230 R′) may secured to the supports  205  via hinged joints  340  and/or bracket members  310 , at step  508 . 
     The user may decide that the current configuration of the rack system  200  is insufficient, or the cargo task at hand may change. Thus, the user, at step  510 , may decide to remove one or more of the supports  205 ,  205 ′. For instance, the user may detach one or more of the framing members  240 L,  240 R from the crossbars  220 F,  220 R. Then, at step  512 , the user may reattach (e.g., using the plates  350 , anchors  360 , and/or braces  370 ) the previously detached support  205 ,  205 ′ at a different location along the supports  205 ,  205 ′. Continuing the earlier example, the user may reattach (e.g., using anchors  360  and braces  370 ) the one or more framing members  240 L,  240 R to the crossbars  220 F,  220 R where they previously were not located. 
     At step  514 , the user may fill one or more of the chambers  450 ,  460  of the various support  205 ,  205 ′ profiles  400  with a fluid, such as pressurized air for filling vehicle tires or potable water. Using the one or more taps  380 , at step  516 , the user may then drain at least some of the fluid in the chambers  450 ,  460  to accomplish a task such as filling the air in a flat vehicle tire. 
     The artisan would understand the steps of method  500  may be readily added to, omitted, and/or modified as is suitable to encompass the embodiments of the rack system described herein. For example, the step of adding anchors  360  to allow for the securement of accessories to system  2000  may be added to the method  500 . As another example, the step of removing a support  205 ,  205 ′ to better suit a new cargo task may be added to the method  500 . 
     The artisan would understand that the embodiments of the rack system  200  may allow users to create structures for any suitable vehicle, such pickup beds, SUV&#39;s, side by side recreational vehicles, and other similar vehicles, in an array of configurations to meet the end user needs for cargo organization. The artisan would also understand that components of the system  200 , such as the joints  300 , may vary in design to allow for different widths and configurations of vehicles. For example, the system  200  may be modified such that will create the system may be assembled over the top of a “tonneau” cover or other soft topper product (i.e., the system  200  may effectively extend over the outer limits of a “tonneau” cover, and may be secured thusly with little to no interference). 
     Having described embodiments of a modular vehicle mounted cargo rack system, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes may be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, as has been described, the rack system concepts disclosed herein may serve to minimize traditional cargo system issues, and in so doing, provide a rack system that is relatively more flexible. Moreover, the rack system concepts disclosed herein may provide for a system that is more reliable and may provide further functionalities in addition to retaining cargo, such a fluid storage within the cargo rack supports. 
     The artisan will understand that the rack system embodiments disclosed herein may include or have associated therewith electronics (e.g., wires, taillights, floodlights, gas pressure level sensors, et cetera). The electronics may be used to control and/or modify the operation of the various rack systems (e.g., to provide illumination, to output an alert in response to a sensor detection, et cetera). In some example embodiments, processor or processors used may be configured through particularly configured hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and/or through execution of software to allow the various electronics to function in accordance with the disclosure herein. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be completed in the specific order described.