Abstract:
Various wares are provided which alone and in combination with one another facilitate entry of a person into the cargo area of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck bed. A bumper is provided having increased access at its end portions and center, which function as steps in providing a first stepping level and a second stepping level. In combination with grab handles provided, entry of the cargo area of a vehicle is greatly facilitated, especially in the cases of vehicles having high suspension systems, and in cases of individuals of relatively short stature.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/359,813 filed on Jun. 29, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/373,257 filed on Aug. 12, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/439,929 filed on Feb. 6, 2011, the entire contents of which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Inventions presented herein relate generally to systems for increasing ease of access into cargo areas present on motorized vehicles, including pickup trucks in some embodiments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of motorized vehicles feature a cargo area, including pickup trucks having a cargo box, which is sometimes referred to as a “truckbed.” Most new pickup trucks in current manufacture are not equipped with running boards at the time of their sale. Accordingly, when users of such a vehicle deem it desirable to enter the cargo box, they typically do so by stepping atop the rear bumper of the vehicle, or onto the tailgate when the tailgate is in its opened position. A recent trend is one in which vehicle designers have raised the bodies of pickup trucks using higher overall vehicle suspensions, which has effectively raised the distance above the ground of both the pickup truck&#39;s bumper and the tailgate when in its opened position. Moreover, increased bumper and tailgate heights from the ground have rendered it increasingly difficult, and in some instances almost impossible, for individuals to enter the cargo box of some pickup trucks and other motorized vehicles featuring a bumper and/or a tailgate that swings down to a horizontal position when open. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In some embodiments there are provided a bumper attached to a vehicle, the bumper having a length dimension, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. There is a first stepping level to the bumper present at a first distance above the ground on which the vehicle rests, and there is a second stepping level to the bumper present at a second distance above the ground on which the vehicle rests, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The first stepping level has a presence at the first end portion, the middle portion and the second end portion of the bumper. The second stepping level has a presence at two separate locations along the length of the bumper, between any locations at which the first stepping level is present. 
     Grab handles are in some embodiments provided to be present at the top portion of the walls of a cargo box present on the vehicle, such grab handles may be fitted into stake pockets present on the vehicle, or alternately attached to a bed rail or grab rail, or alternately attached to a bed cap present on the vehicle. In some embodiments the grab handles feature the ability to undergo pivotal motion or retractable motion thus altering their position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of systems and methods provided in this disclosure may take physical form in certain parts or elements and arrangement of parts or elements, some embodiments of which will be described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a vehicle bumper in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side cutaway view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of components useful in providing a grab handle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  shows a side view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  shows a side view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9A  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9B  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  shows a frontal view of a combination useful in providing a grab handle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  shows a side view of a combination useful in providing a grab handle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a side view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same.  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Vehicle  3  is a pickup truck that features wheel  25 , a cargo box  5 , tailgate  7 , and a bumper  10 . In  FIG. 2 , bumper  10  itself includes a bumper center step surface  13 , bumper first end step surface  15 , bumper second end step surface  17 , a first top surface  19  and a second top surface  21 . In some embodiments, bumper  10  is configured such that bumper center step surface  13 , bumper first end step surface  15 , and bumper second end step surface  17  are co-planar. In some embodiments, bumper  10  is configured such that first top surface  19  and a second top surface  21  are co-planar. In some embodiments in which bumper  10  is configured such that bumper center step surface  13 , bumper first end step surface  15 , and bumper second end step surface  17  are all co-planar with one another, first top surface  19  and a second top surface  21  are also co-planar with one another, but on a different plane than bumper center step surface  13 , bumper first end step surface  15 , and bumper second end step surface  17 . In some embodiments, the height from the ground of first top surface  19  and a second top surface  21  is greater than the height from the ground than are bumper center step surface  13 , bumper first end step surface  15 , and bumper second end step surface  17 . Such configuration provides that first top surface  19  is elevated one-step-higher from the ground than are bumper center step surface  13  and bumper first end step surface  15 , and that second top surface  21  is elevated one-step-higher from the ground than are bumper center step surface  13  and bumper second end step surface  17 . 
     First end step surface  15  and second end step surface  17  comprise open side steps, onto which a person desirous of entering the cargo area or cargo box of a motorized vehicle can step, to gain access thereto. This is particularly useful when the tailgate of a pickup truck is in its open position, enabling a person to step on a location that is at a lesser distance from the ground upon which the vehicle rests, than the horizontal surface of the opened tailgate. However, such features also enable a person to step on them even when the tailgate is in its closed position. 
     Thus, provided in some embodiments is a vehicle bumper having a length dimension, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. Bumper first end step surface  15 , bumper center step surface  13  and bumper second end step surface  17  in some embodiments collectively define a first stepping level present at a first distance from the ground (and substantially parallel thereto) on which the vehicle rests. Bumper first end step surface  15  is present at the first end portion of the bumper and, as with all step surfaces referred to in this disclosure, is large enough to accommodate a foot or the footwear of a person. Bumper second end step surface  17  is present at the second end portion of the bumper. Bumper center step surface  13  is present at any selected location along the length of bumper  10  that is between bumper first end step surface  15  and bumper second end step surface  17 . First top surface  19  and second top surface  21  in some embodiments collectively define a second stepping level present at a second distance from the ground on which the vehicle rests that is greater than the distance said first stepping level is from the ground. The second stepping level is present in two separate locations along the length of the bumper, between any location at which the first stepping level is present at the first end portion, such as at  15 , and any location at which the first stepping level is present at the second end portion, such as  17 . Bumper center step surface  13  is present along the length of the bumper at a location that is between the first top surface  19  and the second top surface  21 , there being a discontinuity in the second stepping level at the location of bumper center step surface, as shown. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of rear bumper  10 , in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, and describes one possible construct for the bumper shown and described in relation to  FIG. 1 . Bumper  10  may be herein referred to as a “side step bumper.” 
     The bumper  10  of  FIG. 2  is in some embodiments fabricated from ten pieces of planar stock material ( 203 ,  205 ,  207 ,  209 ,  211 ,  213 ,  215 ,  217 ,  219 , and  221 ) each shaped substantially as a rectangular solid, which stock material is selected from the group consisting of metals, metallic alloys, composite materials, polymers, polymer alloys, and mixtures comprising two or more than two polymers, as such are known in the automotive arts as being useful in providing a bumper for a vehicle. In some embodiments, the stock materials selected comprise flat surfaces, such as in the cases when metallic sheet or plate stock is selected, as known in the art. In some embodiments, the stock materials selected may also comprise shapes such as angles, channels, beams or tubes, as known by those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, there is a base plate  203  and a second plate  205 , each of which are essentially planar sheets of stock material (including steel) having any desired or selected thickness (typically between 2 millimeters and 30 millimeters) which are joined along their length dimension to intersect at an angle of 90 degrees, such as by a weld. In some embodiments, first left panel  207 , left front panel  215 , first right panel  209 , second left panel  211 , right front panel  217 , and second right panel  213  are each attached to base plate  203  such that they form a substantially perpendicular angle therewith, using conventional fastening means, including welds. In some embodiments, first left panel  207 , left front panel  215 , first right panel  209  are attached to left top panel  219  such that they form a substantially perpendicular angle therewith, using conventional fastening means, including welds. For some embodiments, top left panel  219  is attached to second plate  205  such that its surface is substantially parallel to the surface of base plate  203 , using conventional fastening means, including welds. As evident from  FIG. 2 , when viewed from an overhead perspective it would be seen that first left panel  207 , first right panel  209 , second left panel  211 , and second right panel  213  each intersect second plate  205  at an angle. Suitable angles of intersections for these elements with second plate  205  are any angle in the range of between 30 degrees and 150 degrees, including all degrees of angle and ranges of degrees of angles therebetween. For various embodiments, the physical dimensions of left top panel  219  and right top panel  221  are readily adjustable by engineering or design personnel to accommodate the angle of intersection selected for first left panel  207 , first right panel  209 , second left panel  211 , and second right panel  213  with second plate  205 , so that a completely closed box structure results. That is, such that first left panel  207 , first right panel  209 , left front panel  215 , left top panel  219  a portion of base plate  203  and a portion of second plate  205  collectively constitute the walls of an enclosure having the shape of a hollow three-dimensional trapezoid, or trapezoidal prism. Similarly, in some embodiments second left panel  211 , second right panel  213 , right front panel  217 , right top panel  221 , a portion of base plate  203  and a portion of second plate  205  collectively constitute the walls of an enclosure having the shape of a hollow trapezoid. In some embodiments bumper  10  is provided as having been made of singular construction, i.e., as a one-piece article (unitary construction) made by a plastic injection moulding process, metal stamping or casting, forging, etc. 
       FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, including those shown and described with reference to  FIG. 2 , illustrating the respective locations of cargo box  5 , wheel  25 , bumper second end step surface  17 , second right panel  213 , second top surface  21 , and optional rung  23 . Rung  23  when selected to be present in some embodiments comprises a loop of metal or metallic alloy that is attached to the bumper of the vehicle, such as bumper  10 , sufficiently to enable a person to step on rung  23  when entering or accessing cargo box  5 . Also shown are grab handle  29 , insert  41  and stake pocket  31 . 
     In  FIG. 4  is shown a perspective view of the rear portion of a motorized vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In  FIG. 4 , vehicle  3  features a cargo box  5  that is open to the surroundings, which as is typical, includes a floor portion that is surrounded by three walls and is bound on one end by tailgate  7  that can be selectively opened and closed. Disposed along the top portions of two of the opposite walls of cargo box  5  are a plurality of stake pockets  31 , as are known in the art. Stake pockets are basically holes atop the opposite walls of a cargo box  5  into which vehicle owners or operators can insert items such as wooden stakes, for any desired purpose, which often relates to the positional stabilization of cargo present in cargo box  5  during vehicle travel through additional use of wires, cords, tie-downs, etc. Bumper  33  is present and in some embodiments is a conventional bumper. In other embodiments bumper  33  has the configuration as was shown and described with reference to bumper  10 . Also shown in  FIG. 4  are grab handles  27  and  29  according to the disclosure, illustrated in a useful position of theirs, each being present in stake holes  31  (not labeled) that are disposed approximately at the rear corners of the cargo box. Such location enables a person standing on the ground to grasp grab handle  27  or  29 , put their foot on bumper  33  and lift themselves up onto the vehicle to gain access to cargo box  5 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side cutaway view of the rear portion of a vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, including embodiments shown and described concerning  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 5  are shown the respective locations of cargo box  5 , wheel  25 , stake pocket  31 , bumper  33 , grab handle  29  and insert  41 . Insert  41  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 , which is an exploded view of components useful in providing a grab handle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Insert  41  is in some embodiments a plastic insert that is dimensioned sufficiently to be inserted into a stake pocket  31  and provide a snug fit against the inner walls or features present inside stake pocket  31 . Insert  41  includes a hole  43  disposed through it to a depth sufficient to maintain rod  39  in a substantially stationary position therein. Rod  39  in some embodiments is a solid bar or rod of steel, in others it is a hollow tube; however, rod  39  can be comprised of any metal or metallic alloy, composite material, polymer, polymer alloy, or polymer mixture. In some embodiments, rod  39  includes at least one hole disposed therethrough whose axis is substantially perpendicular and in some embodiments perpendicular to the length dimension of rod  39 , to enable pins, rods or any other suitable ware to be inserted therethrough to maintain rod  39  at any desired location within insert  41  when the assembly of  FIG. 6  is disposed in a stake pocket  31 . Such feature enables the grab handle in some embodiments to be selectively lockable. Handle  37  functions as a grip being akin to handle bar grips made of rubber or other soft polymer as found on bicycles and like employments and is dimensioned to have a hole that enables it to be slid over the end portion of rod  39  as shown in  FIG. 6  in order to provide a good solid grip for the grab handle. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side cutaway view of the rear portion of a vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In  FIG. 7  are shown the respective locations of cargo box  5 , wheel  25 , stake pocket  31 , bumper  33 , grab handle  29  and insert  41 . In some embodiments, grab handles  27 ,  29  include a pivot point  45 , at which the grab handles can be bent down as shown by the dotted arrow in  FIG. 7  versus the embodiments illustrated by  FIG. 5 . Pivot point  45  is achieved using any means or hardware known in the art for providing such a pivot on a rod  39  which also provides for its being lockable in the vertical position illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments a metallic sleeve or tube having dimension sufficiently slightly greater than the outer dimension of rod  39  is slid over rod  39  at the pivot point  45  to lock the pivot point and prevent the rod  39  from pivoting, when the sleeve is so located. To unlock the pivot point, the sleeve is slid off from the pivot point. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a side cutaway view of the rear portion of a vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. In  FIG. 8A  are shown the respective locations of cargo box  5 , wheel  25 , stake pocket  31 , bumper  33 , grab handle  29  and insert  41 . In some embodiments, rod  39  can be pushed downwardly through insert  41  (as shown in  FIG. 8B ), in embodiments for which hole  43  passes completely through insert  41 . Appropriate dimensioning of hole  43 , choice of material from which insert  41  is constructed, and appropriate dimensioning of the outer diameter of rod  39  provides in some embodiments for an interference fit between insert  41  and rod  39  to exist that is sufficient to provide rod  39  to be maintained at any position along its possible travel within insert  41 . Rod  39  is in some embodiments maintained in the position depicted in  FIG. 8A  using any conventional hardwares known by those of ordinary skill in the art, including without limitation clamps, pins, and bolts present in a bore through rod  39  at any selected location, which bore has an axis that is perpendicular to the longest length dimension of rod  39 . Removal of such pin, etc. from said bore enables grab handle  29  to go from its position of  FIG. 8A  to its position shown in  FIG. 8B , either by gravity or with added force from a user. 
       FIG. 9A  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Shown in this view are the respective locations of cargo box  5 , tailgate  7 , bumper  33 , and wheel  25 . The pickup bed includes the features of first bed rail  47  (sometimes referred to in the art as a “grab rail”) and second bed rail  49  (sometimes referred to in the art as a “grab rail”) disposed along the top portion or edge of two wall portions of cargo box  5  as shown. Bed rails  47 ,  49  are typically attached to the pickup bed using means and wares known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further provided are first grab handle  27  and second grab handle  29 , each being attached directly to the respective bed rails  47  and  49  using any means or wares known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 9B  shows a perspective view of the rear portion of a vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Shown in this view are the respective locations of cargo box  5 , tailgate  7 , bumper  10 , and wheel  25 . The pickup bed includes the features of first bed rail  47  and second bed rail  49  disposed along the top portion or edge of two wall portions of cargo box  5  as shown. Rod  39  of grab handle that is attached to bed rail  49  is shown in its vertical position, but can be folded down as indicated by the dashed arrow to be parallel with bed rail  49 .  FIG. 10A  shows a frontal perspective view of a combination useful in providing a grab handle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Shown is tube-shaped bed rail  49  and u-shaped channel stock  53  having two wall portions and a floor portion, with rod  39  attached to one of its side walls. Bolt, shaft, or pin  55  is disposed through the walls of channel stock  53  and bed rail  49  as shown therein. Such an arrangement provides a sturdy method for the grab handle to be pivotally mounted to the bed rail.  FIG. 10B  shows a side perspective view of a combination useful in providing a grab handle in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The bottom portion of u-shaped channel  53  which extends below bed rail  49  also limits the rotation of the grab handle to the vertical or near-vertical position when placed in the upright position as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
       FIG. 11  shows a side perspective view of the rear portion of vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, showing the respective locations of cargo box  5 , wheel  25 , tail gate  7  and bumper  33 . Also shown is pickup bed cap  51 , which is essentially a protective cover attached to and fitted along the top of the side walls of cargo box  5 . Pickup bed caps are typically made from polymeric materials, but are in some cases made from metallic alloys suitable for mounting pickup bed rails, tool boxes or other equipment. In  FIG. 11  grab handle  29  is depicted as being attached directly to pickup bed cap  51 , such as by welds or other conventional attachment means or wares known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 12  shows a side perspective view of the rear portion of vehicle  3  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, showing the respective locations of cargo box  5 , wheel  25 , tail gate  7 , bumper  33 , and pickup bed cap  51 . Also depicted is grab handle  29  attached directly to pickup bed cap  51 , such as by welds or other conventional attachment means or wares known to those skilled in the art. Grab handle  29  in some embodiments includes a pivot point  45 , at which the grab handle can be bent down as shown by the dotted arrow in  FIG. 12  versus the embodiments illustrated by  FIG. 11 . Pivot point  45  is achieved using any means or hardware known in the art for providing such a pivot on a rod  39  which also provides for its being lockable in the vertical position illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     Consideration must be given to the fact that although this invention has been described and disclosed in relation to certain preferred embodiments, equivalent modifications and alterations thereof may become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in this art after reading and understanding the teachings of this specification, drawings, and the claims appended hereto. The present disclosure includes subject matter defined by any combinations of any one or more of the features provided in this disclosure with any one or more of any other features provided in this disclosure. These combinations include the incorporation of the features and/or limitations of any dependent claim, singly or in combination with features and/or limitations of any one or more of the other dependent claims, with features and/or limitations of any one or more of the independent claims, with the remaining dependent claims in their original text being read and applied to any independent claims so modified. These combinations also include combination of the features and/or limitations of one or more of the independent claims with features and/or limitations of another independent claims to arrive at a modified independent claim, with the remaining dependent claims in their original text or as modified per the foregoing, being read and applied to any independent claim so modified. The present invention has been disclosed and claimed with the intent to cover modifications and alterations that achieve substantially the same result as herein taught using substantially the same or similar structures, being limited only by the scope of the claims which follow.