Patent Abstract:
A securing bracket for mounting a bed slide in a vehicle storage area is disclosed. The bed slide-mounting bracket is characterized by a body with a protrusion. The protrusion is formed comprising a cavity sufficient to affix the bed slide-mounting bracket to the vehicle storage area using pre-existing vehicle hardware.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to an apparatus for increasing access to vehicle storage areas, and more particularly, to a bed slide secured to a vehicle storage area using pre-existing mounting points within the vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Vehicles that are used for transporting equipment, supplies, or other items within enclosed areas can hold more items than are easily accessible. For instance, if a person fills a canopy or toneau covered pickup bed with tools, those tools near the tailgate are more accessible than the tools near the front of the bed (e.g., behind the cab of the truck). Other types of storage areas associated with other vehicles suffer from similar shortcomings. 
   One solution to the problem of accessing items in a vehicle storage area is the use of a bed slide. The term bed slide is meant to include any extendable platform used in the storage area of a vehicle to facilitate access of otherwise hard to reach locations. 
   Conventional techniques for mounting bed slides result in undesirable modifications of the storage area by drilling holes in the floor of the vehicle storage area for the insertion of bolts or other fastening devices as shown in  FIG. 1 . This method of fastening the bed slide requires additional hardware as well as defaces and possibly damages the integrity of the vehicle storage area. Additionally, the practice of drilling holes from the topside of the vehicle storage area can result in damage to vehicle components that are located directly beneath the vehicle storage area. These important components may include fuel lines and/or spare tires. 
     FIG. 1  demonstrates how conventional bed slides are fastened to the vehicle storage area. Traditionally, a bed slide base  120  of a bed slide  100  is affixed to the storage area of the vehicle by fasteners  140 . In order to install the fasteners  140 , holes are drilled in the floor of the storage area and the fasteners  140  are installed. The traditional fastener-hole mounting system is also a disadvantage if the bed slide is subsequently removed. The installation procedure leaves holes in the storage area of the vehicle upon removal of the bed slide. 
   With the advent of the Ultimate Utility Vehicle (UUV), further problems for the conventional method of mounting bed slides are introduced. The term UUV is meant to include any vehicle, such as the Chevrolet® Avalanche® or the Cadillac® Escalade® EXT®, or any other vehicle which enables a user to change the body configuration to allow the bed storage area to be either open or closed to the passenger/cab area. With increased access between the storage area and the passenger/cab area, there is an increased concern of injury resulting from the conventional bed slide entering the passenger compartment in a collision. Conventional bed slide systems do not provide a sufficient momentum stop to prevent the bed slide platform  110  from sliding into the front of the passenger/cab area of the vehicle in the event of a severe collision.  FIG. 1  demonstrates that the conventional method for stopping the forward motion of a bed slide is either a pin  130  from a latch mechanism or a bolt (not shown). In the event of a head on collision, the pin  130  or bolt is easily bent or sheared thereby allowing the bed slide platform  110  to continue forward into the passenger/cab area of the vehicle. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a bed slide and techniques for attaching a bed slide to the storage area of a vehicle are presented. In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus is presented comprising a mounting bracket with a protrusion that accommodates being connected to the storage area of the vehicle using the vehicle&#39;s pre-existing hardware. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Like reference numerals refer to similar elements in the figures of the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art bed slide. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket in association with an embodiment of pre-existing vehicle hardware, 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket assembled and affixed to a bed slide in a vehicle storage space. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bed slide-securing bracket assembled to an embodiment of a bed slide and affixed to the cargo area of a UUV. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bed slide base. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a bed slide platform. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an assembled bed slide platform and base. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Embodiments of the invention are generally drawn to a bed slide as well as apparatuses for securing a bed slide to the storage area of a vehicle using pre-existing vehicle mounting points. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. 
   Example Overall Structure 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an example bed slide-securing bracket. In accordance with the example of  FIG. 2 , the bed slide-securing bracket includes a main body  200  with an upper  210  and a lower  240  portion. The lower portion  240  of the body  200  further comprises a hole  250  sufficiently large to facilitate connection to a fastener to secure the bed slide base  400  to the main body  200  of the bracket. The illustrated example also depicts a protruding portion  220  extending from the distal end  270  of the body  200 . The protrusion portion  220  of the bracket forms an approximately 90-degree elbow that terminates with a substantially flat piece. The substantially flat piece contains an orifice  230  sufficiently sized to receive the pre-existing hardware of a vehicle storage area tie-down. 
   The illustrated embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket shown in  FIG. 2  may be comprised of metal, polymer, a composite, or other similar materials or combinations of materials that are structurally adequate to support a bed slide 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an example bed slide-securing bracket.  FIG. 3  illustrates alternative embodiments for providing holes  255  sufficiently large to facilitate connection to a fastener. In  FIG. 3 , there are two horizontal holes  255  located in the lower portion  245  of the body  205 . Additionally,  FIG. 3  demonstrates that a number of different methods may be used to attach the protrusion  225  to the distal end  275  of the body  205 . The protrusion  225  may be welded to the body  205  as demonstrated in  FIG. 3 , it may form an integral part of the body  205  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or the protrusion  225  may be connected to the body  205  by any number of fasteners. 
   Additionally,  FIG. 3  also illustrates an alternative embodiment for providing an orifice  235  sufficiently sized to receive the pre-existing hardware of a vehicle storage area tie-down. As demonstrated in  FIG. 3 , the orifice  235  may be completely contained by the material making up the protrusion  225 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an example bed slide-securing bracket in association with an example of pre-existing hardware from the storage area of a vehicle. The demonstrated example of the pre-existing hardware comprises a fastening device  310 , a washer  320 , a tie-down loop  350 , and a tie-down flange  330  with a hole  340  in the center. The bed slide-securing bracket is designed to work with any storage area hardware that includes a fastening device  310 . 
     FIG. 5  demonstrates an additional embodiment of an example bed slide-securing bracket. The embodiment demonstrated in  FIG. 5  also comprises a body  500  with an upper  510  and lower portion  540 . However, the lower portion  540  is substantially smaller than that demonstrated in  FIG. 2  to allow for only a single fastener. The reduced size of the lower portion  540  also allows the bed slide-securing bracket to be secured to the side of the bed slide frame  400  rather than the front. This embodiment adds the ability to secure the bed slide frame  400  to a number of additional mounting points such as the rear of a UUV bed near the tailgate. Additionally, those of skill in the art will recognize that any number of fasteners may be used without varying from the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8  demonstrates an embodiment of a bed slide base  800  that is possible with the above-mentioned bed slide-securing bracket. The demonstrated embodiment includes two bottom rails  860  positioned substantially parallel to each other. Joining the bottom rails is a number of cross supports  880 . The cross supports  880  strengthen the bottom rails  860  and keep the bed slide base  800  substantially square. On the side of each bottom rail  860  located beneath the top securing rail  840  is attached a number of bearings  820 . 
     FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the top section of a bed slide. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the top section is preferably composed of a platform  910  which sits upon and is fastened to a platform base  940 . On each side of the platform base  940  is located a slide rail  930  which when assembled is allowed to slide on the bearings  820  of the bed slide base  800 . Covering the slide rail  930  and fitting under the outer edge of the platform  910  is the side guards  920 . The side guards  920  protect any cargo that is placed on the platform  910  from rubbing or catching on the top securing rail  840 . 
   Example Implementation and Operation 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bed slide-securing bracket implemented in connection with pre-existing vehicle hardware. In accordance with the illustrated example implementation of  FIG. 6 , the bracket is assembled and affixed to a bed slide base  400  in a vehicle storage space. For ease of explanation only, the description will be developed within the context of installing a bed slide  100  into a Chevrolet® Avalanche® or similar vehicle. 
   As demonstrated in  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket utilizes the pre-existing vehicle hardware to attach the bracket and bed slide to the vehicle. In order to facilitate the attachment, the tie-down screw(s)  310  (or other vehicle hardware) is loosened from the side of the vehicle storage area. For an embodiment of the open ended bracket displayed in  FIG. 2 , the tie-down screw(s)  310  need only be loosened enough to slide the protrusion  220  under the tie-down screw(s)  310 . For an embodiment of the closed ended bracket, the entire tie-down screw(s)  310  must be removed. 
   With the tie-down screw(s)  310  loosened, the open-ended protrusion  220  is slid under the washer  320  and under the tie-down screw  310 . Alternatively, if the closed ended embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket is used, the removed tie-down screw  310  and washer  320  are inserted into the protrusion hole  230 . 
   Once the protrusion  220  of the bracket is in contact with the tie-down screw  310 , the tie-down screw  310  is lightly tightened to the pre-existing mounting point. This allows the bracket to be lightly secured to the bed or storage area of the vehicle while still allowing for some movement of the body of the bracket  200 . 
   With the bracket lightly secured to the vehicle storage area, the holes (not shown) in the front of the bed slide base  400  can be aligned with the hole(s)  250  in the lower body  240  of the bracket. The bed slide base  400  can be attached to the bed slide-securing bracket by inserting a fastening device  410  through the hole(s)  250  and securing it with a securing device  420 ,  430 . To complete the installation, the tie-down screw  310  is then tightened. 
   Due to the shape of the bracket, a barrier is formed preventing the bed slide from extending forward into the cab/passenger area of the vehicle. The distance between the hole(s)  250  in the lower portion  240  of the body  200  and the top portion  210  of the body  200  is greater than the distance from the holes (not shown) in the bed slide base  400  and the bottom of the bottom rail  460 . The inequality in height creates a stop(s)  450  at the end of the bed slide base  400 . In the event of a collision, the bed slide will only slide forward on the base  400  until it comes in contact with the stop(s)  450  thus increasing safety. 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bed slide-securing bracket assembled to an embodiment of a bed slide and affixed to the cargo area of a UUV. As demonstrated in  FIG. 7 , the bed slide base  400  may be secured at the factory-installed tie-down  300 .  FIG. 7  also demonstrates how an alternative embodiment of the bed slide-securing bracket can be installed on the side of the bed slide base  400  near the rear of the vehicle storage area. Once installed, there are only original holes in the storage area of the vehicle since the only securing devices attached to the bed slide base were subsequently attached to the pre-existing hardware at the factory mounting points rather than through the floor of the vehicle storage area. 
     FIG. 7  also demonstrates an additional advantage of one embodiment of a bed slide-securing bracket. As demonstrated in  FIG. 7 , with the bed slide securely fastened to the storage area of the vehicle, the factory-installed tie-down  300  is still useable. By only utilizing the tie-down screw  310  to attach the bracket, there is little or no limitation on the motion of the factory-installed tie-down  300 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a modified bed slide attached to a UUV by a bed slide-securing bracket  550 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the bottom rail  860  of the bed slide base  800  is fastened to the bed of a UUV using only a bed slide-securing bracket  550  and the pre-existing hardware. With the base  800  securely attached to the UUV, the top of the bed slide may be inserted. The slide rail  930  is slid between the top of the bearings  820  and the bottom of the top-securing rail  840 . As demonstrated in  FIG. 10 , the side guards  920  extend above and around the top-securing rail  840  thereby protecting anything that may be on the platform  910  from being damaged. 
   The unique method of mounting the bed slide base  800  to the UUV using only pre-existing hardware allows the bottom of the platform base  940 , and consequently the platform  910  to extend further down towards the bottom of the bed. This configuration is advantageous because it allows for additional space between the platform  910  and a toneau cover. This added space allows the user to store objects that have a higher profile than those objects allowed by conventional bed slides. 
   ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
   According to one embodiment of the bed slide bracket, the bed slide bracket forms an integral part of the bed slide base  400 . This embodiment eliminates the need for additional securing devices  410  to join the bracket to the bed slide base  400 . This embodiment also allows for securing a bed slide base  400  using only the vehicle hardware located at pre-existing mounting points, thereby avoiding the previously mentioned shortcomings of conventional installation methods. 
   In an additional embodiment of the modified bed slide, a bearing may be attached to the upper portion of the slide rail  930 . This additional bearing will act as a leveler for the platform  910  by providing a force opposite that caused by any load on the platform  910 . 
   Attached as an appendix are detailed illustrations of one embodiment of a bedslide as described herein. Other embodiments can also be provided without deviating from the scope of the invention as claimed below. 
   Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
   In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1