Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to devices intended to aid in the transportation of goods, and more specifically to a cargo space divider for use in trucks, vans and the like that adjustably divides cargo space, creating compartments in which to store items, keeping them separated and preventing them from damage caused as a result of sliding and rolling about the cargo space. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     At one time, the pick-up truck was the working man&#39;s vehicle seen mainly on farms and construction sites. Today, however, the pick-up truck has gained a more popular status, finding its way into the driveways of a wide variety of owners ranging from accountants to doctors and lawyers. The utility of owning a vehicle that is equipped with many of the luxury features found on most passenger cars while providing the ability to haul large items is the main attraction for owning such a vehicle. There are, however, drawbacks to owning such a vehicle. One such drawback has to do with hauling smaller items that would typically be transported in an automobile trunk or in the passenger compartment. In a pick-up truck, these items tend to roll about the bed of the truck, possibly becoming damaged. For example, when groceries are placed in a truck bed, they tend to become spread about the bed as the truck is driven. Furthermore, larger objects that may tend to slide or roll about, such as lawnmowers must be constantly be tied or strapped down in order to prevent such movement. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which a pick-up truck bed can be sectioned off in order to provide a more confined storage space for transporting objects that is adjustable so as to allow for the secure transportation of a variety of objects. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, several references including cargo space dividers of varying configurations were discovered. These devices neither anticipate nor disclose any embodiment that would preclude the novelty and the utilitarian functionality of the features of the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,993, issued in the name of Wayne, discloses a truck bed divider system wherein a series of dividing walls are frictionally fit inside a truck bed in both the longitudinal and lateral directions in order to divide the space for transporting objects. The size of the compartments is adjustable in both directions, however doing so requires dividing walls of varying lengths. 
     Several patents disclose cargo area dividers for trucks and the like that incorporate the use of dividing walls to divide the space: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,850, issued in the name of Johnson; 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,972, issued in the name of Frazier et al.; 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,429, issued in the name of Giger; 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,899, issued in the name of Keys; 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,677, issued in the name of Downard, Jr.; 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,325, issued in the name of Joice-Cavanagh; and 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 2,565,997, issued in the name of Stone. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     While many of these devices incorporate the use of dividing walls capable of being variably spaced within the cargo bed, none of these patents disclose dividing walls that are adjustable in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,314, issued in the name of Tkachuk, discloses a basket-like insertion that fits inside a truck bed. 
     While several features exhibited within these references may be incorporated into this invention, alone and in combination with other elements, the present invention is sufficiently different so as to make it distinguishable over the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention consists of a cargo space divider wherein a system of dividing walls allows a cargo space, preferably a pick-up truck bed, to be sectioned off into smaller, variably sized sections in order to prevent objects transported therein from rolling or sliding about the bed. The device consists of a pair of support rails that are installed along and clamped to the sidewalls of the truck bed above the wheel wells. The rails themselves are adjustable so as to accommodate truck beds of varying sizes. The rails include a series of peg receiving apertures, spaced evenly along its length, that retain pegs that are used to support lateral sectioning walls spanning across the bed. The lateral sectioning walls are telescopically adjustable so as to fit truck beds of varying widths. Longitudinal sectioning walls attach to the lateral sectioning walls and can be adjusted to a variety of positions along the length of the lateral sectioning walls. The longitudinal sectioning walls are telescopically adjustable, allowing them to be secured to lateral sectioning walls spaced apart in varying degrees. Thus, the present invention allows for variably sized cargo space division in both the longitudinal and lateral dimensions, allowing the user to transport cargo of varying sizes without spillage or the need to tie it down. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider that allows a pick-up truck bed or the like to be sectioned-off into smaller confined spaces for transporting smaller items in a safe and secure manner. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider that incorporates the use of dividing walls that section the cargo area in both the longitudinal and lateral dimensions. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider having lateral dividing walls that are capable of being positioned variably along the length of the cargo area, spanning its width. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider having lateral dividing walls that adjust telescopically so as to allow for installation in cargo areas of varying widths. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider having longitudinal dividing walls that connect to a pair of adjacent lateral dividing walls, spanning there between. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider having longitudinal dividing walls that adjust telescopically so as to allow for connection between a pair of adjacent lateral dividing walls being of varying relative spacing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider that is easy to install and is adjustable so as to fit cargo spaces of varying size. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cargo space divider that is sturdy in both construction and installation, providing a stable load support for items carried therein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pick-up truck fit with a cargo space divider, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a pick-up truck bed cargo space fit with a cargo space divider, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a rear sectional view of a pick-up truck bed cargo space fit with a cargo space divider taken along line IIIa as shown in FIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a side sectional view of a pick-up truck bed cargo space fit with a cargo space divider taken along line IIIb as shown in FIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the locking retaining pin incorporated into the design of the cargo space divider, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a pick-up truck bed cargo space fit with a cargo space divider depicting its use in defining a single large divided space, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of a pick-up truck bed cargo space fit with a cargo space divider depicting its use in defining a pair of divided spaces, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a pick-up truck bed cargo space fit with a cargo space divider depicting its use in defining several smaller divided spaces, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       10  Pick-Up Truck  30  Divider Wall Pin Receiving 
       11  Cargo Space Divider Apertures 
       12  Side Rails  31  Longitudinal Divider Wall 
       13  Truck Bed  32  Support Brackets 
       14  Cargo Area  33  Lower Edge 
       15  Wheel Well  40  Pin Housing 
       16  Truck Cab  41  Locking Pin Support Bracket 
       17  Tailgate  42  Pin Interior Cavity 
       20  Support Rail  45  Pin Actuator 
       21  C-Clamp Device  46  Biasing Spring 
       22  Side Rail Flange  47  Button End 
       25  Support Rail Pin Aperture  50  Ball Stop 
       26  Traversing Divider Wall  51  Ball Stop Aperture 
       27  Locking Pin Mechanism  55  Ball Stop Recess 
       29  Divided Cargo Space  56  Ball Stop Groove 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, depicted is a conventional pick-up truck  10  that has a cab  16 , bed  13 , and tailgate  17 , and is fit with the cargo space divider  11 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cargo space divider  11  is secured to the side rails  12  of the truck bed  13 , thus dividing the cargo area  14  and allowing for the securement and stabilization of smaller items during transportation. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2,  3   a  and  3   b , the cargo space divider  11  is depicted installed in a truck bed  13 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the cargo space divider  11  is secured to the side rails  12  between the wheel wells  15  and the truck cab  16 , although other placements along the entire length of the truck bed  13  are equally acceptable and effective. The placement in the preferred embodiment assumes that the placement nearest the truck cab  16  would offer the most convenience to the driver being that it is adjacent to the passenger compartment. Another factor leading to the placement of the cargo space divider  11  near the truck cab  16  is the fact that wind turbulence is slighter in that location than toward the rear of the truck bed  13 , near the tailgate  17 . 
     The cargo space divider  11  consists of a pair of support rails  20  that are attached to the side rails  12  with a plurality of C-clamp devices  21 . The C-clamp devices  21  are used to secure the support rails  20  to the side rail flange  22  located on the upper side of the side rails  12 , providing a strong and stable support for the cargo space divider  11 . Each support rail has a series of support rail pin apertures  25  along its length. The support rail pin apertures  25  are used to secure and support at least one traversing divider wall  26 , spanning the width of the truck bed  13 . The traversing divider walls  26  are secured to the support rail  20  via a locking pin mechanism  27  that works in conjunction with the support rail pin apertures  25 . The operation of the locking pin mechanism  27  will be discussed in further detail herein below. The traversing divider walls  26  are of a two-piece construction, allowing them to be adjusted telescopically so as to fit in truck beds  13  of varying widths. 
     The installation of the cargo space divider  11  creates a divided cargo space  29  that sections-off the cargo space  14 . Installation of the traversing divider walls  26  alone creates a divided cargo space  29  that spans the entire width of the truck bed  13  and is adjustable in only one dimension as defined by the position of the traversing divider walls  26  along the support rails  20 . Each traversing divider wall has a series of divider wall pin receiving apertures  30  along its length. The divider wall pin receiving apertures are used to secure and support at least one longitudinal divider wall  31 , spanning between the traversing divider walls  26 . The longitudinal divider walls  31  are secured to the traversing divider walls  26  via a locking pin mechanism  27  that works in conjunction with the divider wall pin receiving apertures  30 . This locking pin mechanism  27  is identical to the locking pin mechanism used to secure the traversing divider walls  26  to the support rails  20  and will be discussed in further detail herein below. The longitudinal divider walls also include support brackets  32  that accept the lower edge  33  of the traversing divider walls  26 , creating a more stable and secure assembly. The longitudinal divider walls  31  are of a two-piece construction, allowing them to be adjusted telescopically so as to fit in truck beds  13  of varying widths. The installation of the longitudinal divider walls  31 , spanning the distance between the traversing divider walls  26  creates a division of the divided cargo space  29  defined by the traversing divider walls  26 . The telescoping construction of the longitudinal divider walls  31  coupled with the variable placement of both the traversing divider walls  26  and the longitudinal divider walls  31  using the locking pin mechanism  27  allows for a wide variety of configurations of the cargo space divider  11  wherein a variable number of divided cargo spaces  29  having variable dimensions along both the length and width of the truck bed  13  are possible. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, depicted is the locking pin mechanism  27  used in conjunction with the cargo space divider  11 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the use of the locking pin mechanism  27  is merely the preferred method of attachment and it is realized that many conventional fastening devices could be incorporated into the design of the cargo space divider  11 , producing equally desirable results. Furthermore, as discussed previously, the locking pin mechanism  27  is used to secure the traversing divider walls  26  to the support rails  20  and also to secure the longitudinal divider walls  31  to the traversing divider walls  26 . In FIG. 4 the use of the locking pin mechanism  27  is depicted in its use securing a traversing divider wall  26  to a support rail  20  although, for all intents and purposes, its operation in both scenarios is identical. 
     The locking pin mechanism  27  consists of an elongated pin housing  40  that is attached to a locking pin support bracket  41 . The locking pin support bracket  41  is used to secure the locking pin mechanism  27  to the traversing divider wall  26 . The pin housing  40  forms a pin interior cavity  42  that houses an elongated pin actuator  45 . The pin actuator  45  is supported in the pin interior cavity  42  by a biasing spring  46  that maintains the button end  47  of the pin actuator  45  in a position protruding from the pin interior cavity  42 . A ball stop  50  is also supported inside the pin interior cavity  42 . A circular ball stop aperture  51  located on the side of the pin housing and having a diameter smaller than that of the ball stop  50  allows the ball stop  50  to protrude from the exterior of the pin housing. The pin actuator  45  is machined so as to have a ball stop recess  55  that serves as a cam against the ball stop  50 . In the normal position, i.e. when the pin actuator  45  is at rest in the extended position created by the biasing spring  46 , the ball stop  50  is biased so as to protrude from the ball stop aperture  51 . As the pin actuator  45  is operated against the biasing spring  46 , the ball stop recess  55  meets the ball stop  50 , releasing it to enter the pin housing  40 . 
     The locking pin mechanism  27  is used to secure the traversing divider wall  26  to the support rail  20  by inserting the pin housing into the support rail pin aperture  25 . The tolerance between the outside diameter of the pin housing  40  and the inside diameter of the support rail pin aperture  25  is close, such that an interference is created between the ball stop  50  and the support rail pin aperture  25  when the ball stop  50  is protruding from the ball stop aperture  51 . Thus, in order to insert the pin housing  40  into the support rail pin aperture  25 , the button end  47  must be depressed so that the ball stop  50  enters the ball stop aperture  51 , relieving the interference between the ball stop  50  and the support rail pin aperture  25 . Once the pin housing is inserted into the support rail pin aperture  25 , the button end  47  is released, releasing the pin actuator  45  from the biasing spring  46 . A ball stop groove  56 , machined along the interior of the support rail pin aperture  25 , receives the ball stop  50  as it is biased by the pin actuator  45  and protrudes from the ball stop aperture  51 . In doing so, an interference fit is created that secures the locking pin mechanism  27  in the support rail pin aperture  25 , thus securing the traversing divider wall  26  to the support rail  20 . 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention and as shown in FIG. 5, the cargo space divider  11  is depicted creating a single, large divided cargo space  29  that spans the entire width of the truck bed  13 . The support rails  20  are secured to the side rails  12  via the C-clamp devices  21  and a traversing divider wall  26  is secured to the support rails  20  by the locking pin mechanism  27 , thus defining the divided cargo space  29 . The size of the divided cargo space  29  can be adjusted by moving the traversing divider wall  26  along the length of the support rails  20 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, the cargo space divider  11  is depicted creating a pair of large divided cargo spaces  29  within the truck bed  13 . The support rails  20  are secured to the side rails  12  via the C-clamp devices  21  and a pair of traversing divider walls  26  are secured to the support rails  20  by the locking pin mechanism  27 . A longitudinal divider wall  31  is secured to the traversing divider walls  26 , the support brackets  32  accepting the lower edge  33  of the traversing divider walls  26  and the locking pin mechanisms  27  attach to the divider wall pin receiving apertures  30 , thus defining the divided cargo spaces  29 . The size of the divided cargo spaces  29  can be adjusted by moving the traversing divider wall  26  along the length of the support rails  20  and by moving the longitudinal divider wall  31  along the length of the traversing divider walls  26 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, the cargo space divider  11  is depicted creating a four divided cargo spaces  29  within the truck bed  13 . The support rails  20  are secured to the side rails  12  via the C-clamp devices  21  and a pair of traversing divider walls  26  are secured to the support rails  20  by the locking pin mechanism  27 . Longitudinal divider walls  31  are secured to the traversing divider walls  26 , the support brackets  32  accepting the lower edge  33  of the traversing divider walls  26  and the locking pin mechanisms  27  attach to the divider wall pin receiving apertures  30 , thus defining the divided cargo spaces  29 . The size of the divided cargo spaces  29  can be adjusted by moving the traversing divider wall  26  along the length of the support rails  20  and by moving the longitudinal divider wall  31  along the length of the traversing divider walls  26 . 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown, illustrated, and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in this field that various modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is for this reason that the scope of the invention is set forth in and is to be limited only by the following claims.

Technology Category: b