Patent ID: 8388038

Claim:
A multiple use vehicle accessory configured for attachment to a vehicle, comprising: a frame that includes a first side member and a second side member wherein the first side member is spaced from the second side member in a lateral direction of the multiple use vehicle accessory, wherein the first side member carries a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture is spaced from the second aperture in a longitudinal direction of the multiple use vehicle accessory, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are both oriented in the lateral direction, wherein the frame includes a plurality of cross members that extend in the lateral direction from the first side member to the second side member and engage both the first side member and the second side member, wherein the frame includes a first end that engages both the first side member and the second side member and extends from the first side member to the second side member, wherein the first end at least partially defines a channel that extends in the lateral direction, wherein a portion of the channel is located an equal distance in the lateral direction from the lateral position of the first side member and the lateral position of the second side member, wherein the frame includes a second end that engages both the first side member and the second side member and extends from the first side member to the second side member, wherein the channel is open in a height direction of the multiple use vehicle accessory, wherein the height direction is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction.