Patent ID: 8113563

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: a body including a first side wall and a second side wall, with the first side wall and the second side wall extending along a longitudinal axis and spaced opposite each other to define a cargo area therebetween; wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each define an upper edge; and a cargo rack attached to and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and pivotably moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the cargo rack includes a crossbar portion that is vertically spaced above the upper edges of the first side wall and the second side wall when in the deployed position, and wherein the cargo rack is concealed to provide uninterrupted access to the cargo area when in the stowed position; wherein the cargo rack includes a first extension attached to the crossbar portion and the first side wall, and a second extension attached to the crossbar portion and the second side wall; wherein the first extension includes a mounting end spaced from the crossbar portion and pivotably mounted to the first side wall at a first connection point, and wherein the second extension includes a mounted end spaced from the crossbar portion and pivotably mounted to the second side wall at a second connection point; wherein the body defines a passenger compartment having a roof surface disposed at an elevation, wherein the crossbar portion is disposed at an elevation substantially equal to the elevation of the roof surface when the cargo rack is in the deployed position; wherein the body defines a bed extending between the first side wall and the second side wall and defining a lower vertical surface of the cargo area; wherein the bed defines a trough extending below the lower vertical surface of the bed for receiving the crossbar portion therein such that the crossbar portion is disposed equal to or below the lower vertical surface of the bed when in the stowed position; and a cover extending across the trough and rotatably mounted to the bed for rotation between an open position exposing the trough and a closed position covering the trough.