Patent ID: 8636182

Claim:
A storage device for a pickup truck having a storage bed with laterally opposed side rails, said device comprising: a first storage container with first and second sides and an upright orientation in which the first side faces laterally inward towards an interior of the storage bed and the second side faces laterally outward; a second storage container with first and second sides and an upright orientation in which the first side faces laterally inward towards an interior of the storage bed and the second side faces laterally outward; a frame with first and second mounting members configured to engage respective upper edges of the rails and first and second extensions adjacent the upper edges and extending laterally inward from respective first and second mounting members; a first lift arm having first and second ends, the first end of the first lift arm being coupled to the first extension for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and the second end of the first lift arm being coupled to the first storage container for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis; a second lift arm having first and second ends, the first end of the second lift arm being coupled to the second extension for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis and the second end of the second lift arm being coupled to the second storage container for pivotal movement about a fourth pivot axis; wherein respective second ends of the first and second lift arms are movable along first and second arcuate paths about the first and third pivot axes between stowed positions in which the first and second storage containers are disposed between the side rails and extended positions in which the first and second storage containers are disposed on and supported by the upper edges of the side rails and respective second sides are spaced laterally outwardly from the rails; and wherein the first and second storage containers are pivotable about the second and fourth pivot axes, respectively, to maintain the upright orientation of the storage containers in the stowed and extended positions; wherein the mounting members are longitudinal mounting members configured to rest on the rails of the storage bed and the frame further includes a cross member extending laterally between forward ends of the longitudinal mounting members so as to be disposed adjacent a forward end of the storage bed when the frame is secured; and further comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the lift arm and including a cam configured to provide a greater mechanical advantage in the stowed position than in the extended position.