Abstract:
The present invention is a multi-purpose secondary truck bed. An inner leaf assembly slides along or within an outer leaf assembly, permitting adjustment of the overall length of the secondary truck bed. The inner leaf and outer leaf assemblies also slide up and down legs, allowing height adjustment for the inner leaf and outer leaf assemblies. Fasteners passed through fastening apertures in lateral edges of the inner leaf and the outer leaf maintain the length. Fasteners passed through fastening apertures in the legs and the inner leaf and outer leaf assemblies maintain the height.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/020,265 filed Jul. 2, 2014. The above application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more specifically to a removable, multi-purpose, removable secondary truck bed. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Truck secondary beds are fixed decks or a fixed deck with drawers. These decks allow efficient use of truck bed space by allowing multiple levels of storage. This permits users to stack multiple levels of smaller items, such as construction materials like pipes or toolboxes, without the items becoming damaged or disorganized. 
         [0006]    Prior art secondary beds are permanently installed by bolting them to the truck structure. Many of these beds are heavy and specifically manufactured to the dimensions of a particular truck make and model. They are not easily removed from the truck and have no utility outside of the truck. Once removed, the prior art beds cannot be reused in a truck bed having different dimensions from the original installation. If the new truck has a shorter bed or lower roof, then the secondary truck bed will not fit. If the new truck has a longer bed or higher roof, then the secondary truck bed will not make efficient use of the space. 
         [0007]    There is an unmet need in the art for secondary beds capable of adjustment to multiple trucks sizes. 
         [0008]    There is a further unmet need in the art for secondary beds that have utility outside of the truck. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a secondary truck bed system including an inner leaf assembly, an outer leaf assembly, a plurality of legs and a plurality of removable fasteners. The inner leaf assembly includes an inner leaf having an inner leaf front edge, an inner leaf back edge and a plurality of inner leaf lateral edges. Each of the inner leaf lateral edges has at least one fastening aperture. A plurality of inner leaf rails connect to the plurality of inner leaf lateral edges. A front support connects to the inner leaf front edge. The front support has a plurality of front leg channels. Each of the front leg channels has at least one fastening aperture. The outer leaf assembly includes an outer leaf having an outer leaf front edge, an outer leaf back edge and a plurality of outer leaf lateral edges. Each of the outer leaf lateral edges has at least one fastening aperture. A plurality of outer leaf rails connect to the plurality of outer leaf lateral edges. A rear support connects to the outer leaf back edge. The rear support has a plurality of rear leg channels. Each of the rear leg channels has at least one fastening aperture. Each of the plurality of legs includes a plurality of paired fastening apertures. The plurality of outer leaf lateral edges are slidably connected to the plurality of inner leaf lateral edges. At least one of the plurality of removable fasteners extends through the fastening aperture in the plurality of inner leaf lateral edges and through the fastening aperture in the plurality of outer leaf lateral edges. Each of the plurality of front leg channels are slidably connected to one of the plurality of legs. Each of the plurality of rear leg channels are slidably connected to one of the plurality of legs. At least one of the plurality of removable fasteners extends through the fastening aperture in each of the plurality of front leg channels and through two of the plurality of paired fastening apertures in one of the plurality of legs. At least one of the plurality of removable fasteners extends through the fastening aperture in each of the plurality of front leg channels and through two of the plurality of paired fastening apertures in one of the plurality of legs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  illustrate perspective and enlarged views of an exemplary embodiment of a secondary truck bed system. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   g  illustrate front, top, top perspective, bottom, bottom perspective and enlarged views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an inner leaf assembly. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   j  illustrate side, top, top perspective, partial top perspective, side, partial top, partial front, side, partial top and partial front views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an inner leaf. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate top and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an inner leaf rail. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate front, back perspective, top, front perspective and enlarged views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a front support. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a front support tab. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an inner leaf cross member. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of another embodiment of an inner leaf cross member. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an inner leaf support. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  illustrate top, back, top perspective and partial top perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an outer leaf assembly. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   m  illustrate side, top, top perspective, detail, detail, partial front, side, partial top, partial top, partial front, side, partial top and partial top views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an outer leaf. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  illustrate top and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of an outer leaf rail. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 13   a - 13   e  illustrate front, back perspective, top, back and front perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a rear support. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a rear support tab. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 15   a - 15   c  illustrate right side, left side and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a leg. 
       
    
    
     TERMS OF ART 
       [0025]    As used herein, the term “fastening aperture” means an aperture in a component that is capable of receiving a fastener. 
         [0026]    As used herein, the term “leaf” means a substantially planar panel. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  illustrate perspective and enlarged views of an exemplary embodiment of a secondary truck bed system  200 . Secondary truck bed system  200  includes an inner leaf assembly  10 , an outer leaf assembly  70  and a plurality of legs  110 . Inner leaf assembly  10  telescopes into and out of outer leaf assembly  70  to adjust the overall length of secondary truck bed system  200 . Fasteners  120  removably passing through fastening apertures  130  in inner leaf assembly  10  and outer leaf assembly  70  prevent accidental expansion or retraction. Inner leaf assembly  10  and outer leaf assembly  70  slide up and down legs  110  to adjust the height of inner leaf assembly  10  and outer leaf assembly  70 . Fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130  in inner leaf assembly  10 , outer leaf assembly  70  and legs  110  maintain the selected height. Fasteners  120  may be threaded or unthreaded pins, dowels, bolts or screws. Fastening apertures  130  may be circular or elongated. 
         [0028]    Various embodiments of secondary truck bed system  200  have length ranging from a maximum fully extended length of approximately 10 feet to a minimum fully contracted length of approximately one foot. Elements of secondary truck bed system  200  may comprise materials such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, fiberglass, polymers, metal, wood, composite or any combination thereof. Components of secondary truck bed system  200  attach by means of fasteners  120  and fastener apertures  130 , adhesives, welding, soldering or any other attachment means known in the art. 
         [0029]    Secondary truck bed system  200  is secured to a truck structure by at least four removable tie-downs  140 , which connect secondary truck bed system  200  to tie-down points in the truck bed. Because secondary truck bed system  200  is not bolted to the truck structure, it is easily removed from the truck. Once removed, secondary truck bed system  200  can be placed in another truck or used for another purpose, such as a table, bench or sleeping platform. The term truck may include other vehicles, such as, but not limited to, vans, sport utility vehicles or trailers. 
         [0030]    Certain embodiments may also include a manual crank or electric motor connected to the appropriate section of secondary truck bed system  200  for adjusting the overall length of secondary truck bed system  200  and/or the height of inner leaf assembly  10  and outer leaf assembly  70 . Certain embodiments of secondary truck bed system  200  may also include optional removable deck dividers  150  that can be set in different locations on inner leaf assembly  10  and/or outer leaf assembly  70  to hold items from sliding around. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   g  illustrate front, top, top perspective, bottom, bottom perspective and enlarged views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of inner leaf assembly  10 . Inner leaf assembly  10  includes inner leaf  20  having an inner leaf front edge  21 , an inner leaf back edge  22 , two inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b,  two inner leaf segments  24   a  and  24   b,  two inner leaf segment edges  25   a  and  25   b  and optional stabilization channels  26 . Inner leaf assembly  10  also includes a plurality of inner leaf rails  30 , a front support  40 , at least one inner leaf cross member  50  and at least one inner leaf support  60 . 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment, inner leaf rails  30  attach to the top of inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b.  In other embodiments, inner leaf rails  30  may attach to the bottom of inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b.  Front support  40  attaches to inner leaf front edge  21 . Inner leaf cross member  50  extends across the bottom of inner leaf  20 , between inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b.  Optionally, inner leaf support  60  attaches to a medial section of inner leaf cross member  50 . This configuration provides reinforcement for increased durability and load capacity. In the exemplary embodiment, the medial section of inner leaf cross member  50  is sandwiched between two inner leaf supports  60 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   j  illustrate side, top, top perspective, partial top perspective, side, partial top, partial front, side, partial top and partial front views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of inner leaf  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, inner leaf  20  is made up of two inner leaf segments  24   a  and  24   b  connected along inner leaf segment edges  25   a  and  25   b  by fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . Together, inner leaf segment edges  25   a  and  25   b  make up a stabilization channel  26 . While the exemplary embodiment includes three stabilization channels  26 , other embodiments may include between zero and seven stabilization channels  26  extending longitudinally along to upper surface of inner leaf  20 . 
         [0034]    Alternate embodiments may utilize an integrated inner leaf  20  without segments or segment edges. While inner leaf segments  24   a  and  24   b  have a pierced grating configuration, other embodiments of inner leaf segments  24   a  and  24   b  have a substantially solid construction. 
         [0035]    In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3   g  and  3   j , inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  have a substantially P-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Inner leaf rails  30  attach to the top outer surface of inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . Part of inner leaf cross member  50  extends along the upright segment and into the open throat of the P-shaped cross-section for increased stability and support. 
         [0036]    In other embodiments, inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  have a substantially flat configuration and slide along outer leaf assembly  70 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate top and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of inner leaf rail  30 . In the exemplary embodiment, inner leaf rail  30  is a polymer bar attached to the top of inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b . Polymer used to manufacture inner leaf rail  30  includes, but is not limited to, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In other embodiments, inner leaf rail  30  may include rotating elements such as, but not limited to, rollers, wheels, or bearings. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate front, back perspective, top, front perspective and enlarged views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of front support  40 . Front support  40  includes front leg channels  41   a  and  41   b,  and at least one support handle  42 . Front leg channels  41   a  and  41   b  are substantially C-shaped channels located on the outermost lateral edges of front support  40 . Each of front leg channels  41   a  and  41   b  includes at least one fastening aperture  130  to allow fasteners  120  to pass through fastening apertures  130  in legs  110 . In the exemplary embodiment, a front support tab  45  closes each of front leg channels  41   a  and  41   b . Support handle  42  extends above front support  40  to provide an easily gripped handle for manipulating secondary truck bed system  200 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of front support tab  45 . Front support tabs  45  include a fastening aperture  130  to allow fasteners  120  to pass through fastening apertures  130  in legs  110 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of inner leaf cross member  50 . Inner leaf cross member  50  extends across the bottom of inner leaf  20 , between inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b.  Optional cross cutaways  51  accommodate embodiments of secondary truck bed system  200  utilizing stabilization channels  26 . Optionally, at least one inner leaf support  60  attaches to a medial section of inner leaf cross member  50  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of another embodiment of inner leaf cross member  50 . This embodiment is substantially identical to the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , but does not include fastening apertures  130 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of inner leaf support  60 . Optionally, at least one inner leaf support  60  attaches to a medial section of inner leaf cross member  50  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . This configuration provides reinforcement for increased durability and load capacity. In certain embodiments, the medial section of inner leaf cross member  50  is sandwiched between two inner leaf supports  60  for even more durability and load capacity. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  illustrate top, back, top perspective and partial top perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of outer leaf assembly  70 . Outer leaf assembly  70  includes an outer leaf  80  having an outer leaf front edge  81 , outer leaf back edge  82 , two outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b,  two optional outer leaf segments  84   a  and  84   b,  two optional outer leaf segment edges  85   a  and  85   b,  at least one optional stabilization projection  86  and optional outer leaf lip  87 . Outer leaf assembly  70  also includes two outer leaf rails  90  and a rear support  100 . 
         [0044]    In the exemplary embodiment, outer leaf rails  90  attach to the bottom inner surface of outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . In other embodiments, outer leaf rails  90  attach to an upper or bottom surface of outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . Rear support  100  attaches to outer leaf back edge  82 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   m  illustrate side, top, top perspective, detail, detail, partial front, side, partial top, partial top, partial front, side, partial top and partial top views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of outer leaf  80 . In the exemplary embodiment, outer leaf  80  is made up of two outer leaf segments  84   a  and  84   b  connected along outer leaf segment edges  85   a  and  85   b  by fasteners  130  passing through fastening apertures  130 . Together, outer leaf segment edges  85   a  and  85   b  make up a stabilization projection  86 . When secondary truck bed system  200  is assembled, stabilization projection  86  is slidably received by stabilization channel  26 . While the exemplary embodiment includes three stabilization projections  86 , other embodiments may include between zero and seven stabilization projections  86  extending longitudinally along the lower surface of outer leaf  80 . 
         [0046]    Alternate embodiments may utilize an integrated outer leaf  80  without segments or segment edges. While outer leaf segments  84   a  and  84   b  have a pierced grating configuration, other embodiments of outer leaf segments  84   a  and  84   b  have a substantially solid construction. Certain embodiments of outer leaf  80  include optional outer leaf lip  87  extending between an upper surface of outer leaf  80  and an upper surface of inner leaf  20 . Outer leaf lip  87  descends at an angle of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 60 degrees to provide a smooth incline between outer leaf  80  and inner leaf  20 . 
         [0047]    As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 11   f  and  11   j , outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  have a partially open rectangular cross-sectional configuration. Outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  slidably receive inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b.  In the exemplary embodiment, inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  nest within outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b.  Outer leaf rails  90  attach to the bottom inner surfaces of outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . 
         [0048]    In alternate embodiments, both outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  and inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  have a substantially flat configuration. In such configurations, inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  are supported by and slide along outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b.  Fasteners  120  through fastening apertures  130  in both outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  and inner leaf lateral edges  23   a  and  23   b  maintain secondary truck bed system  200  at a desired length. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  illustrate top and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of outer leaf rail  90 . In the exemplary embodiment, outer leaf rail  90  is a polymer bar attached to the bottom inner surface of outer leaf lateral edges  83   a  and  83   b  by means of fasteners  120  passing through fastening apertures  130 . Polymer used to manufacture outer leaf rail  90  includes, but is not limited to UHMWPE. In other embodiments, outer leaf rail  90  may include rotating elements such as, but not limited to, rollers, wheels, or bearings. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 13   a - 13   e  illustrate front, back perspective, top, back and front perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of rear support  100 . Rear support  100  includes rear leg channels  101   a  and  101   b.  Rear leg channels  101   a  and  101   b  are substantially C-shaped channels located on the outermost lateral edges of rear support  100 . Each of rear leg channels  101   a  and  101   b  is includes at least one fastening aperture  130  to allow fasteners  120  to pass through fastening apertures  130  in legs  110 . In the exemplary embodiment, a rear support tab  105  closes each of rear leg channels  101   a  and  101   b.    
         [0051]      FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  illustrate front and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of rear support tab  105 . Rear support tabs  105  include a fastening aperture  130  to allow fasteners  120  to pass through fastening apertures  130  in legs  110 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 15   a - 15   c  illustrate right side, left side and perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of leg  110 . Leg  110  has a maximum length of approximately 120 inches and a minimum length of approximately 4 inches. While the exemplary embodiment shows seven pairs of fastening apertures  130  spaced apart approximately 4.3 inches in leg  110 , other embodiments may include approximately two pairs of fastening apertures  130  to approximately 120 pairs of fastening apertures  130  spaced apart approximately one inch to approximately twelve inches. 
         [0053]    Legs  110  can be removed completely to lower inner leaf assembly  10  and outer leaf assembly  70  to the ground, or to allow disassembly for easier shipping. Certain embodiments of legs  110  may include permanent or removable wheels, such as, but not limited to, casters, to enable easy movement of secondary truck bed system  200 . 
         [0054]    It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, procedures and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. 
         [0055]    It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, not all instances of a part are labeled, particularly for multiple identical parts.