Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/530,452, filed on Oct. 31, 2014. The entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in the present disclosure. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The embodiments discussed herein are related to slidable conveyance assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The installation of a slidable or extendible cargo deck conveyance assembly to the cargo beds of vehicles such as pickup trucks has been common practice to facilitate the loading and unloading of freight articles on and off the bed of the vehicles. A typical conveyance assembly includes a cargo deck, configured to fit within a cargo bed, which slidably engages with a sliding or rolling mechanism that may be fixedly or slidably coupled to the cargo bed. The cargo deck is adapted to transition in a longitudinal direction relative to the cargo bed, such that the deck may be extended from or retracted into the cargo bed. When extended from the cargo bed, fuller access is provided to the cargo deck from multiple sides, a marked improvement over the limited access to the cargo bed provided by most vehicles. 
         [0004]    The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An example embodiment may include a first support channel, defined by a first support side, a second support side, and a third support side, and including a first primary support bearing and a first tertiary support bearing. The embodiment may further include a first slide channel, defined by a first slide side, a second slide side, and a third slide side, and including a first primary slide bearing and a first tertiary slide bearing. In an assembled state, the first slide channel may fit around the first support channel such that the first primary support bearing contacts the first slide side and the first primary slide bearing contacts the first support side such that the first slide channel is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the first support channel, and the first tertiary support bearing contacts the first slide channel and the first tertiary slide bearing contacts the first support channel to restrict lateral transition of the first slide channel with respect to the first support channel. 
         [0006]    Another example embodiment may include a support frame having a first support channel, defined by a first support side, a second support side, and a third support side, and including a first primary support bearing and a first tertiary support bearing, a second support channel, defined by a fourth support side, a fifth support side, a sixth support side, and including a second primary support bearing and a second tertiary support bearing, and a first support cross-member. The embodiment may further include a slide frame having a first slide channel, defined by a first slide side, a second slide side, and a third slide side, and including a first primary slide bearing and a first tertiary slide bearing, a second slide channel, defined by a fourth slide side, a fifth slide side, and a sixth slide side, and including a second primary slide bearing and a second secondary slide bearing, and a first slide cross-member. 
         [0007]    In an assembled state, the first slide channel may fit around the first support channel such that the first primary support bearing contacts the first slide side and the first primary slide bearing contacts the first support side such that the first slide channel is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the first support channel, and the first tertiary support bearing contacts the first slide channel and the first tertiary slide bearing contacts the first support channel to restrict lateral transition of the first slide channel with respect to the first support channel. In the assembled state, the second slide channel may also fit around the second support channel such that the second primary support bearing contacts the fourth slide side and the second primary slide bearing contacts the fourth support side such that the second slide channel is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the second support channel, and the second tertiary support bearing contacts the second slide channel and the second tertiary slide bearing contacts the second support channel to restrict lateral transition of the second slide channel with respect to the second support channel. The slide frame may slide along the support frame such that the first and second slide channels slide in unison. 
         [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0009]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a top view of an example support channel; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of the support channel of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the support channel of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of an example slide channel; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the slide channel of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the slide channel of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the support channel of  FIG. 1A  and the slide channel of  FIG. 2A  in an assembled state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the support channel of  FIG. 1A  and the slide channel of  FIG. 2A  in an assembled state; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of an example support frame; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of an example slide frame; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of an example slidable conveyance assembly in a partially extended state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 6A  in an unextended state; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 6A  in a fully extended state; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6D  illustrates a bottom view of the assembly of  FIG. 6A  in a fully extended state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein. 
         [0026]    Some embodiments herein are directed to conveyance assemblies that may include a slide channel and a support channel. Each of the slide and support channels may include primary and tertiary support bearings. The primary bearings may be configured to support lateral movement of the slide channel with respect to the support channel. The tertiary support bearings may be configured to provide lateral support between the slide channel and the support channel. 
         [0027]    Sliding or rolling mechanisms in some previous conveyance assemblies did not include lateral support to help to reduce and/or prevent a cargo deck coupled to the rolling mechanism from tilting in a lateral direction relative to the structure that housed the conveyance assemblies. In these and other assemblies, the sliding or rolling mechanisms may be coupled by permanently welding cross-members to secure the desired orientation of the sliding or rolling mechanisms in an installed state. In contrast, in some embodiments of the conveyance assemblies described herein, the tertiary support bearings may provide sufficient lateral support such that cross-members may be eliminated or fixed through a fastener (e.g., not welded) such that a footprint of the conveyance assemblies when disassembled may be smaller than other previous conveyance assemblies. A smaller footprint for a conveyance assembly may reduce storage, shipping, installment, manufacturing, and other costs, along with providing other benefits. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate top, side, and cross-sectional views of an example support channel  10 , arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. 
         [0029]    The support channel  10  may be defined by first, second, and third sides  11 ,  12 ,  13 . The second and third sides  12 ,  13  may extend orthogonally from the first side  11 , such that the support channel  10  may be substantially rectangular. A first flange  14   a  may extend from the second side  12 , away from the third side  13 . A second flange  14   b  may extend from the third side  13 , away from the second side  12 . 
         [0030]    The support channel  10  may include first, second, and third fastener tabs  18   a,    18   b,  and  18   c,  referred to herein as “fastener tabs  18 ,” coupled to the first side  11 . The fastener tabs  18  may be configured to receive fasteners to couple the fastener tabs  18  with support cross-members to facilitate the assembly of a support frame, described in further detail below. 
         [0031]    The support channel  10  may include a primary support bearing  15  operably coupled to the second and third sides  12 ,  13  of the support channel  10 . The support channel  10  may include a tertiary support bearing  17  operably coupled to the third fastener tab  18   c.  The tertiary support bearing  17  may extend through openings  11   o,    12   o  defined, respectively, along the first side  11  and the second side  12 . The primary and tertiary support bearings  15 ,  17  may be configured to contact, respectively, a first side  21  and a first flange  24   a  of a slide channel  20  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ), described in further detail below. 
         [0032]    The support channel  10  may also include a catch member  19  configured to engage with a stop member  29  of the slide channel  20  ( FIGS. 2A-2C ) to help to reduce and/or prevent overextension of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 , described in further detail below. 
         [0033]    The support channel  10  may be formed from any type or a combination of types of materials. In some embodiments, the support channel  10  may be formed from steel. In particular, the support channel  10  may be formed by roll-forming steel. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate bottom, side, and cross-sectional views of the slide channel  20 , arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. 
         [0035]    The slide channel  20  may include a first side  21 , a second side  22 , and a third side  23 . The second and third sides  22 ,  23  may extend orthogonally from the first side  21 , such that the slide channel  20  may be substantially rectangular. A first flange  24   a  may extend from the second side  22  toward the third side  23 . A second flange  24   b  may extend from the third side  23  toward the second side  22 . 
         [0036]    The slide channel  20  may include a primary slide bearing  25  operably coupled to the first side  21  of the slide channel  20 . The slide channel  20  may include first and second secondary slide bearings  26   a,    26   b,  referred to herein as “secondary slide bearings  26 ,” operably coupled to the second and third sides  22 ,  23 , respectively, of the slide channel  20 . The slide channel  20  may also include a tertiary slide bearing  27  operably coupled to the third side  23  of the slide channel  20 . The primary slide bearing  25  may be configured to contact the first side  11  of the support channel  10 . The secondary slide bearings  26  may be configured to contact the first and second flanges  14   a,    14   b  of the support channel  10 . The tertiary slide bearing  27  may be configured to contact the third side  13  of the support channel  10 . 
         [0037]    The slide channel  20  may further include a stop member  29 , disposed along the first side  21 . The stop member  29  may be configured to contact the catch member  19  of the support channel  10  to help to reduce and/or prevent overextension of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 , described in further detail below. 
         [0038]    The slide channel  20  may be formed from any type or a combination of types of materials. In some embodiments, the slide channel  20  may be formed from steel. In particular, the slide channel  20  may be formed by roll-forming steel. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate cross-sectional views of the support channel  10  of  FIGS. 1A-1C  and the slide channel  20  of  FIGS. 2A-2C  in an assembled state, arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. More particularly,  FIG. 3A  illustrates the interactions of the primary and tertiary support bearings  15 ,  17  with the slide channel  20 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates the interactions of the primary, secondary, and tertiary slide bearings  25 ,  26 ,  27  with the support channel  10 . In the assembled state, the primary and tertiary support bearing  15 ,  17  and the primary, secondary, and tertiary slide bearings  25 ,  26 ,  27  may be located at opposite ends of, respectively, the support and slide channels  10 ,  20 . Accordingly, the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may illustrate opposite ends of the support and slide channels  10 ,  20  in the assembled state. 
         [0040]    In the assembled state, the support channel  10  may be at least partially enclosed by the slide channel  20 , the respective second sides  12 ,  22 , and the third sides  13 ,  23  of the support and slide channels  10 ,  20  may be adjacent to one another, and the first and second flanges  24   a,    24   b  of the slide channel  20  may overlap with the first and second flanges  14   a,    14   b  of the support channel  10 . The first and second flanges  14   a,    14   b  of the support channel  10  may extend orthogonally to define a width equal to approximately the length of the first side  21  of the slide channel  20 . The first and second flanges  24   a,    24   b  of the slide channel  20  may extend orthogonally to define a space equal to approximately the length of the first side  11  of the support channel  10 . Accordingly, longitudinal movement of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10  may be substantially restricted by the respective flanges  14   a,    14   b,    24   a,    24   b.    
         [0041]    Referencing  FIG. 3A , the primary support bearing  15  may contact the first side  21  of the slide channel  20  to facilitate longitudinal movement of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 . The tertiary support bearing  17  may contact the first flange  24   a  of the slide channel  20  to help to reduce and/or prevent lateral movement of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 . 
         [0042]    Referencing  FIG. 3B , the primary slide bearing  25  may contact the first side  11  of the support channel  10  to facilitate longitudinal movement of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 . The secondary slide bearings  26  may contact the first and second flanges  14   a,    14   b  of the support channel  10  to further facilitate longitudinal movement of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10  and to help to reduce and/or prevent accidental or other disassembly of the slide channel  20  from the support channel  10 . The tertiary slide bearing  27  may contact the third side  13  of the support channel  10  to help to reduce and/or prevent lateral movement of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 . 
         [0043]    In the example embodiment, the roll-formed manufacture of the support and slide channels  10 ,  20  may allow for smoother longitudinal transition of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10 . For example, the roll-formed manufacture may reduce or eliminate mil that may form in the slide channel  20  when the slide channel  20  is manufactured using other methods. The substantially rectangular shapes of the support and slide channels  10 ,  20  may facilitate smooth contact between the support and slide bearings  15 ,  17 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  and the support and slide channels  10 ,  20 , further promoting smooth translation of the slide channel  20  with respect to the support channel  10  and thereby reducing wear on the support or slide bearings  15 ,  17 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 . Alternately or additionally, the stop member  29  may contact the catch member  19  as the slide channel  20  slides along the support channel  10  to help to reduce and/or prevent overextension and/or accidental disassembly. 
         [0044]    Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the support channel  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and the slide channel  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The proportions and dimensions of the support channel  10  and/or slide channel  20  may vary. Accordingly, the dimensions or locations of the support or slide bearings  15 ,  17 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  may vary. Furthermore, the number of support or slide bearings  15 ,  17 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  provided on the support and slide channels  10 ,  20  may vary. In these and other embodiments, the catch and stop members  19 ,  29  may be removable to allow disassembly of the slide channel  20  from the support channel  10 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of an example support frame  200 , arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The support frame  200  may include first and second support channels  110   a  and  110   b,  referred to herein as “support channel(s)  110 .” The support channels  110  may substantially embody the support channel  10  described according to  FIGS. 1A-1C . The support frame  200  may further include first, second, and third support cross-members  130   a,    130   b,    130   c,  referred to herein as “support cross-member(s)  130 .” The first support cross-member  130   a  may be coupled to the first and second support channels  110   a,    110   b  at the respective first fastener tabs  18   a.  The second support cross-member  130   b  may be coupled to the respective second fastener tabs  18   b  of the first and second support channels  110   a,    110   b.  The third support cross-member  130   c  may be coupled to the first and second support channels  110   a,    110   b  at the respective third fastener tabs  18   c.  The support cross-members  130  may be configured to receive fasteners to facilitate fixation of the support frame  200  to a structure, such as a cargo space inside of a vehicle or other storage space. In other embodiments, the support cross-members  130  may couple to the support channels  110  using other fastener devices. In these and other embodiments, the support cross-members  130  may not be welded to the support channels  110 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of an example slide frame  300 , arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The slide frame  300  may include first and second slide channels  120   a  and  120   b,  referred to herein as “slide channel(s)  120 .” The slide channels  120  may substantially embody the slide channel  20  described according to  FIGS. 2A-2C . Each of the first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  may include first, second, and third fastener tabs  28   a,    28   b,    28   c,  referred to herein as “fastener tab(s)  28 ,” coupled to the second or third side  22 ,  23 . The slide frame  300  may further include first, second, third, and fourth slide cross-members  140   a,    140   b,    140   c,    140   d  referred to herein as “slide cross-member(s)  140 .” The first slide cross-member  140   a  may be coupled to the first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  at the respective first fastener tabs  28   a.  The second slide cross-member  140   b  may be coupled to the first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  at the respective second fastener tabs  28   b.  The third slide cross-member  140   c  may be coupled to the first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  at the respective third fastener tabs  28   c.  The fourth slide cross-member  140   d  may be coupled to the first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  at the respective proximal ends. The slide cross-members  140  may be configured to receive fasteners to facilitate fixation of an apparatus, such as a container, drawer, or shelf, to the slide frame  300 . In other embodiments, the slide cross-members  140  may couple to the slide channels  120  using other fastener devices. In these and other embodiments, the slide cross-members  140  may not be welded to the slide channels  120 . The slide frame  300  may be configured to support a latch mechanism, described in further detail below. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6D , the slide frame  300  may slidably engage with the support frame  200  to form a slidable conveyance assembly  100  (referred to herein as the “assembly  100 ”). The support frame  200  may be configured to be fixed to a structure, such as a cargo space inside of a vehicle or other storage space. The slide frame  300  may be configured to slide with respect to the support frame  200  in a longitudinal direction relative to the cargo space. Furthermore, the slide frame  300  may be configured to support any apparatus, such as a container, drawer, and/or a shelf. The apparatus supported thereon may therefore be transitioned in and out of the structure by transitioning the slide frame  300 . 
         [0048]    The slide channels  120  of the slide frame  300  may be slidably engaged with the support channels  110  of the support frame  200  in an assembled state that substantially embodies the slidable engagement of the assembled state of the slide channel  20  with the support channel  10  described according to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Accordingly, the slide channels  120  may slide with respect to the support channels  110  by way of the primary and tertiary support bearings against the slide channels  120  and the primary, secondary, and tertiary slide bearings against the support channels  110 . The first slide channel  120   a  may slide with respect to the first support channel  110   a  and the second slide channel  120   b  may slide with respect to the second support channel  110   b.  As a result, the slide frame  300  may slidably transition in a longitudinal direction along the support frame  200  between an unextended state ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ) and an extended state ( FIGS. 6C and 6D ), with little to no lateral movement relative to the support frame  200 . 
         [0049]    The assembly  100  may further include a latch mechanism  150 . The latch mechanism  150  may include a first latch member  151  having first, second, and third corners  151   a,    151   b,    151   c,  a second latch member  152  having first and second ends  152   a,    152   b,  a latch rod  153  having first and second ends  153   a,    153   b,  and a latch handle  154  at the first end  153   a  of the latch rod  153 . The first corner  151   a  may be rotatably engaged with a first tab  155   a  disposed on the first slide cross-member  140   a.  The second corner  151   b  may be rotatably engaged with a second tab  155   b  disposed on the second end  153   b  of the latch rod  153 . The third corner  151   c  may be rotatably engaged with the first end  152   a  of the second latch member  152 . The latch rod  153  may be manipulated by the latch handle  154  to transition the latch mechanism  150  between an engaged state and an unengaged state. In the engaged state, the second latch member  152  may transition laterally towards the first slide channel  120   a;  in the unengaged state, the second latch member  152  may transition laterally away from the first slide channel  120   a.    
         [0050]    The latch mechanism  150  may be configured to secure the slide frame  300  with respect to the support frame  200  such that slidable movement of the slide frame  300  with respect to the support frame  200  is restricted at certain points. In some embodiments, the first slide channel  120   a  may include a first slot configured to receive the second end  152   b  of the second latch member  152 . The first support channel  110   a  may include one or more slots configured to align with the first slot of the first slide channel  120   a  as the slide frame  300  slides with respect to the support frame  200 . Accordingly, at certain points along the slidable transition of the slide frame  300 , the first slot of the first slide channel  120   a  may align with one of the one or more slots of the first support channel  110   a,  whereupon the latch mechanism  150  may be transitioned into the engaged state, such that the second latch member  152  extends through the slots of both the first support and slide channels  110   a,    120   a,  thereby securing the slide frame  300  with respect to the support frame  200 . 
         [0051]    Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the assembly  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6D  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the support and slide frames  200 ,  300  may include fewer or more support and slide cross-members  130 ,  140 , respectively, than those illustrated. Alternately or additionally, the support and slide cross-members  130 ,  140  may be disposed along the support and slide channels  110 ,  120  at different locations than those illustrated. In other embodiments, the assembly  100  may not include any support or slide cross-members  130 ,  140 . In these and other embodiments, an apparatus supported by the assembly  100 , such as a drawer or shelf, may be coupled to both first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  of the slide frame  300  such that the first and second slide channels  120   a,    120   b  slide along the first and second support channels  110   a,    110   b  in unison. Alternately or additionally, in some embodiments, the assembly  100  may not include the latch mechanism  150 , or may include more than one latch mechanism  150 , or may include a different type of latch mechanism  150  than that discussed and/or illustrated above. 
         [0052]    Alternately or additionally, the assembly  100  may include fewer or more support and slide channels  110 ,  120 . For example, in some embodiments, the assembly  100  may include a single support channel  110  and a single slide channel  120 . Alternately or additionally, the assembly  100  may include three or more support channels  110  and a corresponding slide channel  120  for each support channel  110  provided. In these and other embodiments, the number of support and slide channels  110 ,  120  provided may vary based on the required width of the assembly  100 , the apparatus supported by the assembly  100 , and/or the weight of the cargo to be supported by the assembly  100 , among other factors. 
         [0053]    From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Technology Category: 7