Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a modular storage system for storing items on a trailer. The modular storage system includes a plurality of containers connected to the railing of a trailer. The containers may be modular so as to be selectively arrangeable along the railing. The containers may be connected to the outside or inside of the railing. At least one of the containers may be positioned over a wheel of the trailer and include a wheel well for housing and protecting the wheel. The containers may include lockable lids for protecting the stored items. The containers may further include one or more attachments, such as a tool rack or T-mount.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/131,414, entitled “Trailer Utility Box,” filed on Jun. 9, 2008, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a utility box, and more specifically, to a novel utility box for trailers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Tradesmen such as construction workers, plumbers, electricians, and farmers often use trucks to not only transport equipment to a job site, but also to work with or install what they transport. Therefore the truck must also function as a mobile shop, in which the truck is required to be able to store tools and small hardware items like screws, nails and fittings. 
         [0004]    To satisfy such a need, truck utility boxes have been provided for installation on truck beds. However, truck utility boxes suffer a variety of deficiencies. For example, truck utility boxes are secured to the truck bed, thereby decreasing the overall cargo space for transporting items. Further, truck utility boxes do not provide sufficient storage space for special tools or items associated with trailers to be towed by the trucks. For example, if the truck is connected to a trailer requiring special tools, the contents of the truck utility box must be removed or left unprotected on the truck bed. Further, each time the truck is connected to a different trailer, the items or tools associated with the trailers must be exchanged or left unprotected. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a trailer utility box that is capable of storing tools and various other items on or along a trailer. Further, a need exists for a trailer utility box that does not decrease the cargo space and overall transport capability of the trailer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a trailer utility box in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a trailer utility box in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial view of a trailer utility box in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates is a side view of a trailer utility box in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a trailer utility box in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a utility box having a wheel well. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is directed to a modular storage system for storing items on a trailer. An embodiment of the present invention includes a trailer having a flat bed and a railing along the sides of the flat bed. A plurality of containers having storage compartments are attached to the railing. The containers may be modular so as to be selectively arranged along the railing. The containers may be connected to the outside or inside of the railing. At least one of the containers may be positioned over a wheel of the trailer and include a wheel well for housing and protecting the wheel. The containers may include lockable lids for protecting the stored items. The containers may further include one or more attachments, such as a tool rack or T-mount. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    While the invention is described with reference to trailer utility boxes, it should be clear that the invention should not be limited to such uses or embodiments. The description herein is merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention and in no way should limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a trailer utility box  10  (“utility box  10 ”) in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the utility box  10  may include one or more containers  20  capable of being secured to a trailer  30 . The attachment of containers  20  to the trailer  30  may form a modular storage system. The containers  20  may also be attached to one another, by any appropriate means. A modular component system may be beneficial as one container  20  to as many containers  20  as desired or appropriate may be installed onto the trailer  30 . 
         [0016]    The containers  20  may be secured to the trailer  30  by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners, such as bolts, screws, and nuts, welds, adhesives, or may be frictionally attached such as by a snap fit, or the like, for example. In addition, the utility box  10  or containers  20  may be integrally formed with or separate pieces from the trailer  30 . Integrally forming the utility box  10  or containers with the trailer  30  may minimize the footprint of the utility box  10  without detracting from the appearance of the trailer  30 . The utility box  10  may be secured at any appropriate location, such as anywhere on or along the inside or outside of the trailer  30 , for example. 
         [0017]    The trailer  30  may include a cargo bed  47 . As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the utility box  10  may be secured to a railing  45  outside of the cargo bed  47  of the trailer  30 . Securing the utility box  10  on a railing  45  outside of the cargo bed  47  may provide greater storage space without decreasing the towing capacity of the trailer  30 . It is to be understood that the utility box  10  may be removably or fixedly secured to the trailer  30 . In addition, the utility box  10  may be removably or fixedly secured to the trailer  30  by any appropriate means. In a non-limiting example, the utility box  10  may be secured to the trailer  30  with fasteners, such as bolts, screws, and nuts, welds, adhesives or the like, for example. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the utility box  10  may include a variety of different sized and shaped containers  20 . The various containers  20  may store any appropriate type of items, such as tools and other items such as fuel containers, fire extinguishers, rags or towels, first aid kits, rubbish, and the like, for example. It is to be understood that the storage containers  20  may be fabricated from any suitable material including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, composites, and the like, for example. The containers  20  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as rectangular, square, circular, and the like, for example. 
         [0019]    The containers  20  may also be provided with doors or lids  50  and locks (not shown). The lids  50  may protect the contents of the container  20 . The lids  50  may be made of out any appropriate material or process, such as being made out of metal, wood, plastic or the like, such as by injection, rotational or blow molding, thermo-forming, or the like, for example. Rotational molding or rotomolding is a versatile process for creating many kinds of items, typically out of plastic. 
         [0020]    Rotational molding may utilize a heated mold that causes the material within to melt and form a puddle at the bottom of the mold cavity. The mold is then slowly rotated (usually around two perpendicular axes) causing the melted material to flow into to the mold and stick to its walls. In order to maintain even thickness throughout the part, the mold continues to rotate during the cooling phase. Rotomolding may be beneficial since it is corrosion and chemical resistant, durable, economical, and aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0021]    The locks associated with the doors or lids  50  may secure the contents within the containers  20 . The locks may be of any appropriate type of lock on the market, such as a keypad, combination lock, key lock, and the like, for example. Lockable storage compartments may be utilized for any appropriate means, such as for storing expensive power tools, personal belongings, and the like, for example. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the containers  20  may include any appropriate type of dividers or organizers  60 , such as shelves, compartments, tool organizers, removable trays or inserts, removable dividers, and the like. For example, some of the containers  20  may also contain removable toolboxes (not shown). 
         [0023]    In a non-limiting example, one or more of the containers  20  may be insulated for keeping items stored therein hot or cold. In another non-limiting example, the containers  20  may be refrigerated, heated, or both. It is to be understood that the utility box  10  may also be provided with a battery to operate such devices, or with a plug to connect to the battery of the towing vehicle. 
         [0024]    In another example, the container  20  may contain a reel (not shown) having a cord, cable, rope, or the like, for securing items to be transported to the trailer  30 . The reel may include a ratcheting mechanism (not shown) or a motor for operating the reel as a winch. In yet another embodiment, the reel may be provided with a hose and one of the containers  20  may contain a pump (not shown). Such a configuration may be used to dispense liquids that may be transported on the trailer  30  or stored in one of the containers  20 . 
         [0025]    In a non-limiting example, the utility box  10  may be modular in design, allowing any number of containers  20  to form the utility box  10 . Such a configuration may provide for flexibility, as various types of containers  20  may be added or removed as needed. For example, the containers  20  may be removed to accommodate oversized or heavy items to be towed on the trailer  30 . In another example, such a modular configuration allows one or all of the containers  20  to be transferred and secured to another utility box  10  that may be secured to a different trailer. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the trailer utility box  10  in an embodiment. The trailer utility box  10  may include metal cabinets or containers  20  with doors or lids  50 . The utility box  10  may further include an attachment  80 , such as a ladder or tool rack. The ladder or tool rack may be made out of any appropriate material or means, such as being injection molded, for example. In addition, a variety of containers or cabinets  20  may be utilized to form a wheel well  40 , such as by using three cabinets to form a recessed wheel well  40 . 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 3 , the utility box  10  may be integrally formed with a part of the trailer  30 . For example, the utility box  10  may be integrally formed with (or otherwise formed with) the wheel well  40  of the trailer  30 . As many trailers are supplied without wheel wells  40 , the utility box  10  may be secured to the outside of the trailer  30  not only to provide additional storage space, but also to protect the trailer wheels  52 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the container  20  may be provided as over the wheel storage. The container  20  may also include at least one lid  50 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , and as discussed above, the container  20  may also include an interior component  60 , such as a tray, divider, or the like, for example. The tray  60  may be made out of any appropriate material or process, such as metal, plastic, or the like, and made by injection or blow molding, and the like, for example. The tray  60  may be of any appropriate shape or size to fit within the container  20 . The tray  60  may be used for any appropriate purpose such as for storing small items or tools, for example. 
         [0029]    With further reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the utility box  10  may be provided with reflectors and/or lights  70 . The lights  70  may be separate from or assembled to the containers  20 . The reflectors and/or lights  70  may include, but are not limited to, tail lights, turn signal lights, brake lights, backup lights, hazard warning lights, reflectors and the like, for example. The utility box  10  may also be provided with an electrical plug (not shown). The electrical plug may connect to the electrical interface connector of the towing vehicle (not shown). Thus, the utility box  10  may be used to upgrade basic trailer models that may not have electrical systems or lighting. 
         [0030]    As an alternative, the utility box  10  may be provided with lighting (not shown) on the inside of the containers  20 . In yet another non-limiting example, the containers  20  may also be provided with external lighting (not shown). For example, external lighting located in or around the wheel well  40  may be provided to assist a person working on or around the tire  52 . Moreover, one of the containers  20  may be provided with a reel-style trouble light (not shown) for extending beyond the trailer  30  area. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates a utility box  10  that may be capable of being secured to a trailer  30  as a wheel well  40 . As shown, the utility box  10  may be provided with a lid  50  for accessing the internal compartment. The utility box  10  may also be provided with a protective lining  100  about the wheel-well surface that surrounds the tire  52 . It is to be understood that the lining  100  may be comprised of any appropriate material including, but not limited to, metal, heavy duty plastics, composites, and the like. It is also to be understood that the utility box  10  may be provided with a variety of other appropriate types of reinforcements to protect both the trailer  30  and the contents therein, and should not be limited to those discussed herein. 
         [0032]    As an alternative, the utility box  10  may also contain one or more attachments  80 . The attachments  80  may be of any appropriate shape or size and for any appropriate purpose. For example, an attachment  80  may be provided that is capable of securing tools such as rakes, shovels, brooms, hammers, and the like. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the attachment  80  may be angled with respect to the utility box  10  to accommodate tools having a variety of different lengths. 
         [0033]    Other attachments  80  may also be provided, such as a cleat, d-mount, t-mount, or the like. Such attachments  80  may allow ropes, bungee cords, and the like to be connected to the utility box  10  to secure items to the trailer  30 . Other attachments may include, but are not limited to, spare tire mounts, ladder racks, and the like, for example, it is to be understood that the attachments  80  shown and described herein are illustrative only and the embodiments should not be limited to such. 
         [0034]    Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the preferred embodiment disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.