CA2464233A1 - Vehicle box assembly with roll-formed panels - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front or side panel defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof. The panel has a roll-formed channel, preferably a closed tubular channel on the front panel, roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the panel. The closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong and is performed simultaneous with the roll-forming operation. The roll-formed panel is preferably provided with a generally flat shelf deformed horizontally to extend lengthwise along the panel downwardly a small distance from the top rail.

Description

VEHICLE BOX ASSEMBLY WITH
ROLL-FORMED PANELS
FIELD OF THE INVENTTON
This invention relates to a box assembly for a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, and more specifically to an improved construction of a vehicle box assembly employing roll-formed panels, and to the method of constructing the panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIOhT
The upwardly-opening box assembly associated with vehicles such as pickup trucks and the like have, for many years, employed a large plurality of stamped metal panels for defining the box. For example, in most instances the front and side panels of the box are stamped sheet steel members, and in most instances the bed of the box is also defined by one or more stamped sheetlike steel panels. Forming the box predominantly from stamped sheet steel panels, however, results in structural and economic factors which are less than desirable.
A principal disadvantage associated with using stamped sheet steel panels is the fact that such panels require use of a greater quantity of material than is optimally desired, and also ultimately results in the formed members having greater weight than desired, both of which are undesirable from the standpoint of the overall vehicle. More specifically, it is known that stamping involves forming a three-dimensional shape from a flat sheet steel of rather thin gauge, and during stamping the three-dimensional deformation of the sheet steel necessarily causes stretching of the steel, particularly at those locations which are subjected to the greatest three-dimensional deformation. This stretching can typically be in the range of from 8% to T

100, and the net effect is that the thickness of the sheet steel at the stretched locations can be significantly reduced by this degree. Such significant thickness reduction hence results in areas of the sheet being of significantly reduced strength, and hence these reduced strength areas can dictate and control the design of the overall stamped part, thereby requiring initial use of a sheet thickness greater than would otherwise be required so as to compensate for the thickness reduction caused by stretching.
Stamping large sheets to define large three-dimensional panels, such as for a vehicle box assembly, also often results in undesired surface stretch marks or blemishes in the finished product. The stamping operation also typically requires that the sheet be significantly oversized relative to the finished product so as to permit trimming of the sheet around the entire peripheral edge of the finished stamped member, and this hence results in significant waste.
A further and significantly disadvantageous factor associated with use of stamped sheet steel panels for vehicle box assemblies is the cost as~~ociated with the manufacture of the required stamping tools, and the significant numbez~ of such tools required to form the different stamped panels. Since the stamped panels defining the front and side walls of the box assembly, as well as the bed, are all of rather large size, the stamping tool required to form a single panel is necessarily large and complex, and hence extremely costly to manufacture. The complexity associated with such tooling is further increased by the fact that the side and front panels typically have reinforcing channels formed along the upper edges thereof, which channels define either inverted U-shaped configurations or sometimes even a closed hollow channel, whereby the stamping tooling for such shapes involves multiple stamping steps and hence is complex and expensive.
The cost of the stamping tooling is further exacerbated by the fact that each stamped part requires its own customized stamping tooling. For example, the front panel, the right side panel and the left side panel of the bed assembly all require their own customized tooling. Further, different tooling must be provided to permit manufacture of the right and left side panels for each different bed length. Needless to say, the overall net effect is that the tooling is not or~Iy extremely costly, but the tooling also requires significant floor space in the factory, and additional Labor for operation thereof.
Several currently known constructions for vehicle box assemblies employing a significant. number of stamped sheet steel panels are illustrated by Figures 1-4. In Figure 1, a box assembly 10 as associated with a pickup truck employs right and left upright inner side panels 11 and 12, respectively, joined to an upright front panel 13. The bottom of the box assembly is closed by a generally horizontal bed Z4 which, in this conventional construction, employs a multiple-piece construction defined predominantly by a center bed panel 15 which extends throughout the full length of the bed and has a width which generally corresponds to the transverse width between the wheel well openings. The bed regions forwardly and rearwardly of the wheel vaell openings are defined by separate small bed panel sections 16 and 17 which are rigidly joined, as by welding, to the center bed panel 15 and to the adjacent upright side panels.
The rear of the bed assembly defines a conventional access opening which, in a known manner, is closed by a swingable tailgate. In this known construction of the bed assembly, each of the front panel,, right side panel, left side panel and bed are formed as stamped steel sheet members, all different, and in fact the bed in this example is formed by a plurality there five) of stamped members. The wheel well covers 18, which are also typically separate stampings, are welded to the respective side panel and to the bed during the assembly process. A box assembly having constz:uctional features similar to that illustrated by Figure 1 hence employs a large number of different stamped members, and accordingly requires large investment in tooling as well as significant factory space for production and assembly of such construction.
Figure 2 illustrates another known construction of a box assembly which is virtually identical to the box assembly of Figure 1 described above, except that the bed 14' in Figure 2 is constructed as a one-piece stamped panel having wheel well openings formed in opposite sides thereof, typically by means of a separate stamping operation, thereby eliminating the need for separate side bed panels. The construction of the box assembly of Figure 2 is in all other respects generally similar to that illustrated by Figure ~., and hence possesses generally the same structural and cost disadvantages.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is illustrated improvements with respect to a box assembly for a pickup truck, which improvements are illustrated in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5 644 721, owned by the Assignee hereof. The box assembly illustrated in Figure 3 is cor_structed generally the same as the box assembly shown in Figure 1 except that the center floor pan 1S in Figure 3 is constructed as a one-piece roll-formed member which provides improved performance and weight reduction.
Considering also the box assembly illustrated in Figure 4, this depicts another improved construction of the box assembly developed by the Assignee hereof. This improved box construction generally corresponds to the box construction of Figure 2 except that the full-sized bed member 14' is constructed as a roll-formed member, rather than as a stamped member. This roll-formed construction of the one-piece bed member, as disclosed in greater detail in Assignee's U.S. Patent No. 6 128 815, has been successfully commercially adopted and is currently in use on models of pickup trucks currently being sold.
As a known alternative construction for the box assembly illustrated by Figure 1, the side panel, the adjacent wheel well cover arid adjacent front and rear side bed panels can be formed as a one-piece stamping, a different such stamping being required for each. of the right and left sides of tree box assembly. Such, stamping, however, due to its sire and complex three-dimensional shape, requires complex and costly tooling.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved roll-formed component parts for a box assembly, such as a roll-formed front panel and/or roll-formed side panels and/or a roll-formed bed panel, which component parts provide improved characteristics with respect to construction, assembly and crust efficiencies with respect to materials, assembly and tooling, and which at the same time retain or provide improved performance characteristics with respect to the assembled box assembly.
More specifically, the improved roll-formed components of the present invention are believed to provide the assembled box assembly with improvements with respect to reduction in overall weight, reduction with respect to overall usage of material, reduction with respect to material cost, simplification with respect to required assembly, handling and manipulation, significant reduction with respect to tooling costs, and an ability to utilize the same tooling to facilitate manufacture of multiple or different sized parts.
According to the present invention, in one embodiment thereof, there is provided an improved front panel for a vehicle bed assembly, which front panel is defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration.
The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof, which direction extends transversely across the front of the box assembly. The front panel has a roll-formed channel, preferably a closed tubular channel, extending along the upper edge thereof, which channel is roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the front panel. This closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong, which seam weld can be efficiently performed simultaneous with and directly downstream of the roll-forming operation.
The improved roll-formed front panel, as aforesaid, is preferably provided with a generally flat ledge or shelf deformed horizontally from the upright front panel so as to extend transversely across the front of the box assembly. This shelf is preferably disposed downwardly a small distance from the top rail, but is also positioned upwardly a substantial distance from the lower edge of the front panel, whereby the shelf can be successfully utilized to provide additional functions associated with use of the vehicle box assemb~_y, such as accommodating the edge of a cover or divider platform.
The improved front panel, as aforesaid, is also preferably provided with one or more reinforcing ribs roll-formed therein and extending lengthwise thereof so as to provide the front panel with de4aired strength and rigidity while permitting usage of minimal thickness sheet steel.
As a desired variation, the improved roll-formed front panel, as aforesaid, can be provided with a front bed-supporting cross rail integrally and monolithically joined to the front panel along a lower horizontally extending edge thereof. The front panel and cross rail are formed as a continuous and monolithic one-piece member by being farmed during a continuous roll-forming operation, with the cross rail being farmed either generally planar with or in perpendicular relationship to the front panel during the roll-forming operation, with a 90° bend between the front panel and cross rail being formed either during the roll-forming operation or by means of a subsequent bending operation. The resultant monolithic one-piece construction eliminates the requirement that a wholly separate front cross rail be manufactured and handled, and also eliminates the necessity of having to create a series of spot welds between a lower flange on the front panel and a downwardly-turned front flange on the cross ras_1, the latter being a conventional construction.
This invention, as it relates to the front panel, also provides an improved manufacturing process for the front panel by permitting roll-forming of the front panel so as to facilitate forming of front panels of different lengths, by facilitating the simultaneous roll-forming of a closed rail or channel extending along the upper edge thereof, by facilitating seam welding of the top rail as it is formed on the roll former, prior to the panel being cut to length, and by facilitating the ability to integrally roll-form a front bed-supporting cross rail as part of the front panel.
The present invention, according to a second embodiment, relates to an improved inner side panel for a vehicle box assembly. The inner side panel is a monolithic one-piece member which is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof, and is provided with a roll-formed channel extending along the upper edge. The channel may, if desired, be seam welded along the length thereof. The roll-formed side panel is also preferably provided with a generally flat horizontal shelf roll-formed lengthwise thereof at a location spaced downwardly a small distance from the top rail. 'This shelf provides numerous possible functions, such as by permitting twa-by-fours or the like to be supported thereon so as to span across the box assembly in raised relationship from the bed, or by permitting a tonneau cover to be attached thereto in downwardly spaced relation from the exposed top rail, or by permitting a removable platform or shelf to be supported or~ and extended between the shelves defined on the opposed inner side panels. The side panel is also preferably provided with ribs or channels roll-formed therein longitudinally throughout the length thereof to provide improved strength and rigidity, and hence permit use of minimal thickness sheet steel.
The improved roll-formed side panel of the present invention, as aforesaid, can be cut to any desired length during the roll-forming operation so i:hat the same roll-forming tooling can readily accommodate side panels of different lengths. Further, by forming wheel well openings in the side panels utilizing separate stamping tooling which act on the side panels after the panels have been cut to length, the same rol:l.-forming line can be used to form not only side panels of different lengths, but can also be used to form both the right and left side panels.
The improved roll-formed inner side panel of the present invention, as aforesaid, in accordance with a variation thereof, can be integrally and monolithically formed with an adjacent portion of the floor or bed, namely that portion which defines the wheel well opening.
The bed portion and side wall panel c<~n be substantially simultaneously roll-formed to define an integral and monolithic one-piece construction, and the forming of the wheel well opening and the bending of the floor portion relative to the side wall panel can be performed after the one-piece roll-formed construction is cut to length.
Alternately, the forming of the opening and the subsequent bending of the floor portion relative to the side panel can be carried out in sequence during the roll-forming, prior to the cut-to-length operation.
The invention also relates to an improved process for forming a side panel far a vehicle=_ box which, as discussed above, is roll-formed to facilitate the forming of a top rail, a horizontal shelf and reinforcing ribs extending lengthwise of the roll-formed panel, to facilitate cutting of the roll-formed panel into any desired length, and to permit the samf=_ roll-formed tooling to be utilized for both right and left side panels as well as panels of different lengths. The method also permits simultaneous forming of multiple side panels, such as roll forming a pair o:E side panels in side-by-side relationship so as to be effectively mirror images of one another, thereby simultaneously providing right and left panels and at the same time facilitating the simultaneous stamping of the wheel well openings therein and the forming of the top rails thereon, which top rails are disposed along the outer edges of the roll-formed sheet, with the sheet during the roll-forming operation being split lengthwise thereof to facilitate the simultaneous forming of side-by-side panels.
The present invention, according to a further embodiment, comprises a monolithic, one-piece roll-formed center floor pan for disposition between the wheel wells of a vehicle box assembly. The improved floor pan has roll-formed raised channels of partial width extending along apposite side edges thereof, which raised partial channels have perpendicularly projecting edge flanges which protrude downwardly by an extent which significantly exceeds the height of the channels formed in the bed member, The edge flanges on the center floor pan abut and are welded to edge flanges associated with side panels which fill the regions disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the wheel well openings. The edge flanges on the center floor pan, at regions corresponding to the supporting cross rails, have recesses opening upwardly over part of the height thereof to accommodate the cross rails while still providing partial reinforcement in the regions of the floor pan disposed directly over the cross rails, thereby eliminating the need to provide deformations or recesses in the cross rail.
According to the present invention, there is provided an improved box assembly for a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, which box assembly employs a roll-formed bed or pan, as well as a roll-formed front panel as briefly summarized above, and which may additionally employ a roll-formed side panel, as also briefly described above. The roll-forming of the large panel members associated with the box assembly permits minimal i0 usage of material in terms of both square footage of material as well as material thickness, thereby minimizing cost and weight of the box assembly, and results in panels of substantially uniform thickness throughout the longitudinal transverse directions thereof. The use of roll-formed panels is also desirable since it permits the panels to be formed from high strength steel if desired, specifically sheet steel having a yield strength in the range of from about 50,000 psi to about 100,000 psi, which high strength steel is typically not feasible for use with large stamped panels.
Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to those familiar with constructions and processes similar to those described herein upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
BRIEb' DESCRIPTION OF THE DRZ~WINGS
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a conventional pickup truck box assembly which illustrates a first conventional construction of the assembly.
Figure 2 is a top plan view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating a second conventional COr~structioll Of the box assembly.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of a box assembly corresponding generally to Figure 1 but illustrating a known variation of the bed assembly.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspect=Lve view illustrating the box assembly of Figure 2 but illustrating a known variation of the bed assembly.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing parts associated with an improved vehicle box assembly constructed in accordance with. a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the parts of Figure 5 in an assembled condition..
Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of_ the upright front panel associated with the. box assembly of Figure 5-6.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional vieVu° of the :Front panel as taken generally along line 8-8 in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a flow diagram which c~.iagrammatically illustrates the forming equipment and process utilized for roll-forming of a panel for a vehicle box assembly according to the present invention, which panel for example may comprise a front panel or ,a side panel.
Figure 10 is a flow diagram similar to Figure ~, but which diagrammatically illustrates the simultaneous forming of two panels in side-by-side and mirror-image relationship, such as two side panels or two front panels, as the sheet steel is fed downstream along the roll forming line.
Figure I1 is a perspective view similar to Figure 7 but illustrating a modification of thE: upright front panel wherein the latter has the front. cross rail integrally and monolithically roll-formed therewith.
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a further flow diagram similar to Figure 9 but which diagrammatically illustrates a variation wherein the roll-formed paxzel has a significant lengthwise-extending part thereof rolled or formed upwardly in substantially perpendicular relationship to the main portion of the roll-formed panel, such as for forming a front panel of the type illustrated by Figure 11 or a side panel of the type illustrated by Figure 22.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the upright side panel associated with the box assembly of Figures S-6.
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 15-15 in Figure 14.
Figure 16 is a further flow diagram which diagrammatically illustrates the roll-forming of two side-by-side and mirror-image side pans~ls from a single width of steel sheet, including the foaming of the wheel well openings and the slitting of the sheet to define the two side-by-side panels.
Figure 1? is an exploded perspective view showing individual parts associated with an improved vehicle box assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the parts of Figure 1? in the assembled condition.
Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating improvements associated with the center floor pan which can be utilized in conjunction with the embodiment of Figures 1?-18.
Figure 20 is a fragmentary end elevational view illustrating the manner in which the roll-formed center pan of Figure 19 cooperates with a side pan or bed member, the latter typically being of stamped construction.
Figure 21 is a fragmentary perspective view, taken generally from one edge and viewed from below, of the bed arrangement illustrated in Figures 19--20.
Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts associated with a vehicle box assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will 1~

not be limiting. For example, the words '°upwardly°°, "downwardly", "rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made.
The word "upwardly°' will also be used in reference to the surfaces associated with the box assembly which project upwardly when the box assembly is in it:s normal assembled position on a vehicle. The words "front" and "rear" will be used with reference to those directions which normally connotate the front and rear of a vehicle when the box assembly is mounted thereon. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly°° will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the box assembly, or designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIOrd Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is illustrated a first embodiment of an improved vehicle box assembly 21, specifically a box assembly for a pickup truck, according to the present invention.
The box assembly 21 includes a bed or floor pan arrangement 22 which is supported on a plurality of support or. cross rails extending transversely thereunder, including a front cross rail 23 disposed adjacent the forward end of the floor, one or more generally parallel intermediate cross rails 24 disposed i:n. rearwardly spaced but generally parallel relationship beneath the floor, and a rear cross rail 25 which supportingly engages the floor beneath the rear edge thereof. .An upright front panel 26 projects upwardly from the floor adjacent the front end of the box assembly, and opposed right and left upright side panels 27 project upwardly from opposite sides of the floor and have their forward edges rigidly joined to opposite ends of the front panel 26. Only the right side side panel is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the left side panel being omitted for ~~larity of illustration, but it will be understood that the left side panel is typically substantially a mirror image of the right side panel. The floor 22 and side wall panels 27 are each rigidly joined by a hollow three-dimensional wheel well cover or housing 28 which around the edge thereof is fixedly joined to both the side wall and the floor so as to isolate the real wheel of the vehicle from the interior of the box assembly. Each upright side wall 27 also has a rear post, or upright 29 associated with the rear edge thereof to provide structural reinforcement. The rear post provides a structural connection between the inner side panel and the outer skin of the vehicle, and also provides strength to permit support for a conventional rear tailgate as associated with the box assembly.
The construction of the significant panel components of the box assembly 21 will be descrixaed hereinafter.
Referring first to the bed or floor 22, it is preferably constructed as a monolithic: one-piece roll-formed member having a series of reinforcing channels or ribs which project upwardly from the sheet and extend lengthwise so as to terminate substantially adjacent the front and rear edges of the bed, with the channels being spaced apart in the sideward or transverse direction of the bed member. The bed member 22 in this embodiment extends the full width of the box assembly so that the side edges of the bed member terminate directly adjacent the side panels 27, and the side edges of the bed member have wheel well openings 31 formed therein to accommodate the rear vehicle wheels, which wheel well openings are enclosed by the conventional wheel well covers 28, the latter typically being of a stamped construction. The rear edge of the bed 22 cooperates with the rear cross rail 25 which, in a preferred construction, can be provided with a series of sidewardly spaced upward projections which nestingly cooperate with the channels associated with the bed so as to reinforce the rear bed edge. Use of projections associated with the rear rail for nesting cooperation with the rear edge of the bed is, however, optional.
This preferred construction of th.e bed 22 is explained in greater detail in U.S. Pa.tent No. 6 128 815 owned by the Assignee hereof.
Considering now the upright front panel 2~, and referring specifically to Figures 7-8, this panel in the illustrated embodiment includes generally flat and coplanar top and bottom wall portions 32 and 33 respectively, which are vertically oriented. The top and bottom wall portions 32 and 33 axe joined by an intermediate shelf portion 34 which extends longitudinally (i.e. lengthwise) of the front panel 2&
in a generally horizontal orientation. This shelf portion 34 is formed generally as a U~shaped channel which protrudes inwardly (i.e. forwardly) away from the flat wall portions 32-33, and defines a generally horizontally-oriented bottom wall 35 which extends lengthwise across the complete width of the front panel 27 and functions as an upwardly-facing shelf.
Front panel 26 has a reinforcing rail 36 associated with and extending along the length of the upper edge thereof. This reinforcing rail 36 is preferably formed as a generally closed tubular cross section defined by a tog wall 37 which projects rearwardly from the front panel 32, which top wall is bent downwardly to define a rear wall 38 which is generally parallel with but spaced rearwardly from the front panel 32, and the rear wall 38 ~6 in turn joins to a bottom wall 39 which slopes downwardly toward the front panel 32. The bottom wall 39 terminates in an edge flange 41 which contacts and overlies the front panel 32 and is fixedly secured thereto, as by welding. In accordance with the present invention, a seam weld is preferably provided to fixedly join the flange 41 to the front wall 32, which seam weld extends lengthwise of the reinforcing rail 36 along the complete width of the front panel 26.
The lower wall portion 33 of the front panel 26 is preferably provided with a plurality, here three, of reinforcing channels or ribs 42 formed therein, which ribs are disposed in parallel and generally vertically spaced relationship, and are elongated horizontally so as to extend across the complete width of the front panel.
The lower free edge 43 of the front panel 26, as defined by the lower edge of the lower wall portion 33, is disposed so as to be positioned slightly below the elevation of the bed 22 when the box assembly is assembled, whereby the lower part of the wall portion 33, adjacent the free edge 43, defines a flange 49 which overlaps and abuts against a down-tur:~ed flange 46 associated with the front cross rail 23. The latter has in the illustrated embodiment a hat-shaped cross section 48 which includes generally horizontal top flanges, the front flange 47 of which has the downturned flange 46 associated with the front edge thereof. The abutting and overlapping flanges 46 and 49, which extend across the width of the box, are suitably fixedly joined, preferably by welding, such as by a series of spot welds or by a seam weld extending lengthwise along the flanges.
With the arrangernent illustrated by Figure 8, the bed 22 is positioned on top of and fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the flanges of the cross rail, and the front edge of the bed 22 can be positioned substantially to abut the front panel 26, with the area of contact therebetween being appropriately sealed in a conventional manner.
The front panel 26 of this invention is formed as a monolithic one-piece member which is roll-formed from sheet metal, preferably sheet steel, with the roll-forming of the front panel 26 occurring in the lengthwise direction thereof as illustrated in Figure 7, which lengthwise direction extends generally horizontally in the widthwise or transverse direction of the assembled box assembly. The roll-forming of the front panel 26 enables the shelf portion 34, the reinforcing channels 42 and the closed tubular top rail 38, as well as the longitudinal seam welding of the top rail 38, to be easily and efficiently carried out as the sheet steel is being fed into and through a roll-forming line, prior to the individual front panels 26 being cut to the desired length.
The roll-forming of the front panel 26 is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 9. The steel sheet is normally supplied in the form of a large coil 51 as provided on a coil feed rack 52 which can be positioned adjacent a cradle 53 onto which the coil 52 can be transferred for support during the manufacturing operation. The cradle 53 has conventional structure associated therewith to effect straightening of the sheet material as it is discharged therefrom in the form of a substantially continuous metal sheet 54. The sheet material is fed through a combined end shear/welder 56 which trims the leading and trailing ends of each coil and welds the trimmed trailing end of one coil to the leading trimmed end of the next coil so as to permit a i8 substantially continuous sheet 54 to be fed iota and through the subsequent manufacturing stations.
After passing through the shear/w~slder 56, the continuous steel sheet 54 moves through a notcher or punch press 57 which, in this variation of the invention, forms a small slit or notch 58 which opens transversely inwardly from one side edge 59 of the sheet. Z°he notches 58 are spaced apart lengthwise of the sheet 54 by a distance which generally corresponds to the desired cut length for individual panels. The length of the notches 58 (i.e., their transverse projection into the sheet) is selected so as to allow the portion of the sheet extending lengthwise between adjacent notches 58 to be subsequently roll-formed into the closed tubular top rail 36.
After passing through the natche:r 57, the continuous notched sheet 54 progressively moves through a roll mill 61 which progressively reforms the steel sheet so that, while the steel sheet is substantially flat when entering the leading end of the roll mill 61, the steel sheet is suitably formed so as to have the finished cross section of the fror_t panel 26 (as shown in Figure 8) when leaving the discharge end of the mill 61. The progressive reforming of the steel sheet as it passes through the mill 61 is diagrammatically illustrated by the progressive decreasing width of the steel sheet as it moves longitudinally through the mill..
Upon leaving the roll mill &1 the continuous but deformed steel sheet 62 has the cross section of the front panel 26 substantially as illustrated by Figure 8, and this continuous deformed steel sheet 62 is then fed into and through a seam welder 63 which effects creation of a continuous seam weld between the flange 41 and the top wall panel 32 so as to effect fired closure of the tubular reinforcing rail 36, which rail extends along the edge of the deformed sheet 62 between t:he notches 58. In this respect the notch 58 is preferabl;r initially sized such that the closed or blind end of the notch 58 is positioned adjacent and preferably just. slightly past the lower free edge of the flange ~l after the reinforcing rail 36 has been roll-formed and welded in place.
The continuous metal sheet 62 is continuously fed from the welder 63 into and through a trot-off press 64 which cuts the deformed steel sheet 62 at desired spaced distances corresponding to the desired length of the finished front panel 26. In the present illustration this distance corresponds to the spacing between the notches 58, so that the cut-off occurs in alignment with the notch 58. Due to prior creation oj= the hatch 58 and its extension through the reinforced top rail 36, the cut-off which takes place at the press 64 hence effectively occurs only through that portion of the sheet which is effectively of single thickne:~s, namely that portion of the front panel 26 which extends dawnwardly from the flange 41 as illustrated in Figure 8. The individually cut roll-formed panels 26 discharged from the cut-off press 64 can then be moved away from the press, such as by a conveyer 65, for subsequent handling as desired.
As an alternative and preferable ~_~oll-forming method, the present invention desirabl~,r permits a pair of identical franc panels 26 to be simult<~.neausly roll-farmed in side-by-side relationship so as to permit more efficient and economical manufacture. Such side-by-side roll-forming of the front panel 26 is :illustrated in Figure 10 which generally corresponds i~a the process illustrated by Figure 9, described aba~re, except that the coil 51 utilized in the Figure 10 process is necessarily of greater width so as to accommodate the simultaneous forming of two front panels 26 positioned sidewardly adjacent one another, with the front panels being disposed substantially as mirror images relative to the longitudinally extending centerline of the continuous sheet 54. In addition, the notcher 57 will form virtually identical and aligned notches 58 which project inwardly from both side edges 59 of the sheet, and the roll-former 61 will effectively progressively effect the desired reforming of the sheet 54 in a symmetrical manner relative to the longitudinally extending centerline of the sheet, with the end result being that reinforcing rails 36 are formed along the opposite sides of the sheet. Further, the seam welder 63 is effective far creating a pair of seam welds, one associated with each of the formed rails 36 and, after passing through the seam welder 63, the formed sheet preferably then passes through a slitter 66 which, as illustrated, is preferably disposed upstream of the cut-off press 64. The slitter 66 creates a continuous longitudinal cut line 67 generally along the centerline of the continuous sheet.
The longitudinally slit sheet then passes through the press 64 which effects cutting of the continuous sheet at the desired length corresponding to the aligned pair of notches 58, and thence discharges a pair of finished front panels 26 in s. side-by-side relationship.
Referring now to Figures 11-12, there is illustrated a combined front panel and cross rail arrangement 71 which is formed as a one-piece monolithic roll-formed construction, and which provides a desirable replacement for the two-piece construction illustrated by Figure 8.
More specifically, the one-piece construction il includes a front panel 26 which is identical to the panel 26 shown in Figure 7 as described above, and which. in acldition has a front cross rail 72 integrally and monolithically joined thereto. In this respect the f;rant crass rail 72 as illustrated has a hat-shaped or channel-shaped cross section 73 provided with front alld rear top flanges 74 and 75, respectively, which provides supportive contact with the underside of the floor or bed. In this construction, however, the front edge of the front flange 74 is integrally and monolithically joined at corner ?6 to the lower edge of the lower wall portion 33 associated with the front panel 26. This one-piece construction 71 hence enables the conventional use of two separate pieces (i.e., a separate front panel and a separate front cross rail) to be replaced by a single piece, thereby facilitating the manufacture, handling and assembly, and accordingly improving overall box assembly economics.
The front panel/cross rail construction 71, is preferably formed by roll-forming, and such is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 13 which generally corresponds to the process depicted in Figure 9 described above, but which is 'modified so as to permit the cross rail 72 to be roll-formed as an integral and monolithic part of the roll-formed front panel 26.
In the arrangement diagrammatically depicted in Figure 13, the front panel 26 of the one-piece construction 71 is roll-formed in a manner identical to that as described with respect to Figure 9 above.
However, the sheet 54 as fed into and through the notcher 57 is also provided with slots or notches 58°
which open inwardly from the opposite side edge 59°.
which notches 58' are longitudinally spaced apart and generally transversely aligned with the opposed notches 58. The notches 58' have a length which is sized so as to compensate for the width of the cross rail 72.
During feeding of the notched sheet 54 into and through the roll-former 6I, the roll-former effects progressive roll-forming of the flat sheet 54 so as to create the desired configuration of the center portion of the sheet and with the edge portions of the sheet being suitably roll-formed so as to define the reinforcing rail 36 along one edge and the cross rail 72 along the other edge. The formed sheet exiting the roll-former 61 can again pass through the welder 63 which effects seam welding along the reinforcing rail 36 as described above; and in addition the cross rail section 72 which extends along the other longitudinal edge of the formed sheet can be fed into a former 77 which effects creation of the corner 76 so that the crass rail 72 hence extends generally perpendicularly with respect to the front panel 2~. The former 77 may constitute either a bending press or a roll-former, and if the latter, then such can be incorporated as a part of the principal roll-farmer ~~.
The deformed sheet ~2' is fed into the cut:-off press 64 then cuts the deformed sheet 62' into the desired lengths, which cut occurs generally along the line defined by the aligned notches 58 arid 58', thereby defining the finished roll-formed member 71. The presence of the notches 58 and 58' hence permits the cut-off at the press 64 to occur principally through only the single thickness of the panel 26, and hence does not require cutting through either the top rail 36 or the cross rail 72.
While the invention as illustrated and described above relates to the use of cross rails having a generally channel or hat-shaped cross section, it will be appreciated that other known cross rail configurations, such as ~-shaped or C-shaped cross rails, can also be utilized and will perform in generally the same manner as described above. For example, the crass rail 72 roll-formed as an integral part of the front panel 26 can be Z- or C-shaped in cross section, with the top l.eg of the 2 or C having its free edge joined at the corner 76.
The one-piece panel construction 71 of Figures 11-12 can also be roll formed with a pair of identical such panels being simultaneously formed and. positioned in side-by-side relationship, substantially as described above relative to Figure 10. ~dhen roll-formed in this side-by-side relationship, the cross rails 72 will preferably be positioned innermost of the sheet so as to be disposed generally directly adjacent and on opposite sides of the long~.tudinally extending centerline of the sheet. In additions as illustrated in. Figure Z_0, a further elongate notch 60 projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the sheet centerline will preferably be aligned with each pair of side notches 58, which notch 60 will extend transversely on opposite sides of t:he centerline by a distance so as to project up to a point at or slightly past the corner 76. Th.e feeding of the steel sheet through the main roll formuer results in the forming of the two side-by-side panels 76 with the channels 72 being generally coplanar with the panels 26.
The roll-formed sheet is then severed longitudinally along the centerline by the slitter, and then passes through a subsequent rolling stage, such as depicted at 77 in Figure 13, which will effect rolling so as to effect creation of the corners 76 so that the cross channels 72 both protrude upwardly in generally perpendicular relation relative to the adjacent panels 26. Thereafter the rolled sheet passes through the cut-off press which effects transverse cutting of the remainder of the sheet which extends between the notches 58 and the notch 60.

Considering now the inner upright. side panel 27 (Figures 5-6) of the box assembly 21, this side panel 27 is also preferably formed as a monolithic one-piece member which is roll-formed in the ler.~gthwise or longitudinal direction (i.e., the front-to-back direction of the assembled box). The construction of the roll-formed side panel 2~i is explained below with reference to Figures 14 and 15.
The side panel 27 includes a mair.~, generally flat, upright wall portioxl 82 which extends gexierally vertically and joins to a longitudinally-extending shelf portion 82 which is deformed outwardly relative to the wall portion 81. Shelf portion 82 as illustrated by Figure 15 has a generally inwardly-opening channel-shaped cross section including a generally he>rizontal bottom wall 83, the upper surface of which functions as a shelf.
Bottom wall 83 in turn joins to an upxv_ght rear. wall 84, the latter joining to an inwardly sloped top wall 85.
A generally vertically oriented intermediate side wall portion 86 projects upwardly from the sloped top wall 85, and a top reinforcing rail 87 is joined to the upper edge of the intermediate wall portion 8~ and extends lengthwise along the upper extremity of the side panel 27.
The top reinforcing channel 87 is defined by generally parallel and spaced inner anal outer upright side walls 88 and 89 respectively, the: latter being joined by a top wall 91 extending ther~ebetween. The lower edge of outer side wall 89 joins to an inwardly sloped bottom wall 92 which in turn joins to an upper edge of the intermediate side wall portion 86. The illustrated construction results in th.e wall portions 85, 8& and 92 defining a shallow outwardly-opening channel cross section which extends generally vertically between the top rail 87 and the shelf portion 82. In addition, the top rail 87 has a generally downwardly opening U- or channel-shaped cross section, such open channel shape being conventionally associated with the inner side panel of the bed assembly. If desired, however, the top rail 87 can be formed as a closed hollow tube such as associated with the front panel 26 as described above.
Side panel 27 is preferably provided with a plurality, here three, of reinforcing ribs or channels 93 which are deformed outwardly from the main wall.
portion 82. The channels 93 extend lengthwise (i.e.
horizontally) throughout the length of the panel 81 and are disposed in generally parallel and. vertically spaced relationship. The panel 81 terminates. in a lower lengthwise-extending free edge 94, with the lower portion of the panel 91 in the vicinity of the: free edge 94 functioning generally as a securing flange 95 for permitting fixed securement, as by welding, to an adjacent flange associated with the floor. or bed 22.
The panel assembly 27 also has a conventional wheel well opening 96 formed thereinf which wheel well opening opens upwardly from the lower free edge 94. The upper edge 97 of the wheel well opening is ~>referably disposed at an elevation which is disposed at least slightly downwardly from the horizontal shelf 8.3. The wheel well opening 96 is preferably surrouncLed by a flat edge region 98 which is effectively defined by the exposed face of the flat side wall 81, and which requires flattening of the reinforcing channel; 93 over a small distance extending away from the edge of the wheel well opening 96. The edge of the wheel well opening can be provided with securing flanges (not shown) bent transversely outwardly (i.e. toward trLe outer vehicle skin), if necessary or desired, for welded attachment to the wheel well cover. The opposite ends of the side panel 27 are also preferably provided with a plurality of flanges 99 which are bent to project transversely outwardly so that the front flanges provide securement to the front panel 26 and to the front filler panel in a conventional manner, and the rear flanges permit securement to the rear upright.
The side panel 27 is preferably longitudinally roll-formed as a one-piece monolithic member utilizing a roll-forming process which substantially corresponds to that utilized for roll-forming the front panel 26, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure' 9. In ~.~oll-forming the side panel 27, however, the notches 58 (Figure 9) formed in the continuous sheet for defining the length of the finished side panel 27 will normally be of greater width so that, when the panels are transversely cut and separated from the continuous sheet, the end edges of the panel will have :sufficient excess length so as to permit a subsequent cutting and/or trimming and/or forming operation to Yae carried out thereon to permit creation of the securing flanges 99.
In addition, after the panels 27 have been cut to length and discharged from the cut-off press associated with the roll-former, the roll-formed panels w_L11 then :be subsequently processed so as to permit creation of the wheel well opening 96 and farmation of the flattened edge region 98. These operations can be carried out in one or more stamping and pressing stations wH~ich will preferably permit tr~e edge region 98 to be initially created by flattening of the reinforcing channels 93 over the desired length, followed by cutting out of the wheel well opening 96, which cut-out wile typica:Lly be shaped and sized so as to permit forming of wheel-well-housing attaching flanges if desired.

With the roll-forming of the side panel 27 and its being cut-to-length prior to forming of the wheel well opening therein, it will be appreciated that the same roll-formed member can be used to permit forming of both the right and left side panels, and that the length can be varied by suitable adjustment of th.e forming line so as to permit forming of side panels suitable for different-length boxes.
In addition, the side panel 27 and specifically the roll-forming thereof can also be carried out so as to permit the simultaneous roll-forming of two side-by-side panels utilizing the same process illustrated and explained above with respect to Figure 10.
As a further alternative, the simultaneous roll-forming of a pair of side-by-side side panels can also be carried out by the process diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 16 which utilizes many of the same reference numerals utilized in Figure 1a for de;~ignating the corresponding parts.
More specifically, the roll-formf~r 61 in Figure 16 progressively deforms the flat continuous sheet 54 such that the deformed sheet 62 departing t he roll former has a configuration corresponding to a pair of side-by-side oriented side panels 27 disposed with their lower free edges 94 extending generally along the longitudinal centerline 113 of the formed sheet 62. The welder 63 can be provided if any closed welding of the top rail is desired, or can be eliminated if an open top rail a_s provided. The farmed sheet 62 can then be fed into and through a stamping press 111, which press can be of a multiple stage construction so that it effects punching out of a large opening 112 which is positioned generally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal centerline 113 of the formed sheet 62, which opening 112 on opposite sides of the centerline creates formation of an opening corresponding to the wheel well 96 which is to be formed in each side panel. The press 111 can also effect flattening of the reinforcing channels 93 adjacent the edges of the opening, and the forming of additional edge flanges at the opening if desired. The opening 112 is obviously formed at the desired location with respect to the programmed length of the side panels, and at programmed lengths corresponding to th.e individual side panels.
Following forming of the opening 112 in the formed sheet &2 and the downward movement of the sheet 62 away from the forming press 111, the sheet ~2 is then fed through the slitter 66 which creates a longitudinal cut generally along the centerline 113 so as to effect a separation of the formed sheet &2. The longitudinally slit sheet 62 is then fed into the cut-off press ~4 which effects the desired transverse cutting of the formed sheet, such as generally in alignment with each opposed pair of notches 58, whereby a pair of roll-formed side panels 27 having wheel well openings formed therein are thus discharged from the cut-off press. In this situation the side-by-side forming of a pair of side panels 27 which are effectively mirror images of one another hence automatically creates the desired right and left side panels for the box assembly.
Referring n.ow to Figures 17-18, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a box assembly 121, particularly for a pickup truck, according to the present invention.
The box assembly 121 again includes a floor or bed 122 supported on a plurality of underlying cross rails such as a front rail 123, plural intermediate rails 124 and a rear rail 125. An. upright front panel 126 projects upwardly adjacent a front edge of the bed 122, and a side panel 127 projects upwardly adjacent each side of the bed, with a wheel well housing 128 cooperating between each side panel 127 and the respective side of the bed 122. The rear edge of the side panel cooperates with an upright or post 129.
In the box assembly 121, the bed 122 is defined by multiple bed sections, including a main center bed section 131 which extends lengthwise throughout the full length of the bed but has a width which is sized so as to extend generally only between the wheel wells, whereby the center bed section 131 has a generally rectangular profile in plan view. The opposite sides of the bed are in. turn completed by front and rear side bed portions 132 and 133, respectively, which are disposed respectively forwardly and rearwardly of the wheel well cover 128, and extend sidewardly from the side wall :127 to the center bed portion 131.
In this variation of the box assembly, the side panel 127, the wheel well cover 128 and the bed panel portions 132-133 are all preferably formed as a monolithic one-piece construction 135 which is conventionally referred to as a quarter panel, which one-piece construction 135 can be formed as a stamped member.
Such stamped quarter panel, such as depicted by Figure 3, is known. In the present invention, however, this one-piece quarter panel 135 is also preferably provided with a shelf portion 136 formed therein at a location directly above the wheel well cover 128, which shelf portion defines a generally flat bottom wall 137 which faces upwardly and extends horizontally throughout the length of the side panel 127 so as to effectively merge with. a similar horizontal shelf 35 which is associated with the front panel 126.

As to the front panel 12E>, it is preferably a monolithic one-piece roll-formed panel. which is identical to either the panel 26 (Figures '7-8) or panel '71 (Figures 11-12) described above, whereby furthErr description thereof is believed unnecessary.
With respect to the center bed panel 131, it is preferably defined by a monolithic one-piece member which is roll-formed in a longitudinal direction from sheet steel. The bed member 131, in transverse cross section, is defined by a plurality of generally parallel and sidewardly spaced raised channels or :ribs 141 which alternate with intermediate valleys o:r depressions 142.
Each raised channel 141 is defined by a generally flat top wall which joins through downward:ly sloped and appropriately rounded side walls 144 to generally i=lat base walls 145 which define the bottoms of the valleys or depressions 142. The base walls 145 are adapted to be supportingly engaged on and fixedly joined, as by spot welding, to the top flanges associated with the underlying support rails 123-125.
As illustrated by Figures 19-21, the center bed panel 131, along each of the longitudinally extending side edges thereof, is provided with a roll-formed edge channel 146 which in shape and sire g~anerally corresponds to one of the raised channels 141 exc~~pt that the edge channel 146 effectively constitutes only one-half of one of the channels 141. The top wall 143' of the edge channel 146, which top ~,vall 143' is approximately one-half the width of the top wall 143, is provided with a tightly rounded corner or bend 147 which projects downwardly and joins to a downwardly cantilevered edge flange 148, the latter terminating at a lower free edge 149. The edge flange 148 projects downwardly in approximately perpendicular (i.e. vertical) relationship from the top wall 143', and the flangE~ 148 has a height as measured from the top wall 143° to the bottom edge 149 which is substantially greater than the height defined between the upper surface of wall 143 and the lower surface of base 145. The significantly greater height of this flange 148 provides two function; in that it provides increased stiffening strength in the longitudinal direction of the bed mem)aer, particularly at the edge joint, and it also facilitates welding of this flange 148 to an adjacent similar flange 156 (Figure 20) provided on the adjacent side bed portions 132 and 133.
According to the present invention the flange 148 associated with each side of the center bed member 131, as well as each flange 156 associated with each side bed portion 132-133, is provided with an upwardly opening recess 157 (Figure 19) formed therein at a location corresponding to each of the cross rails 123-125. The recess 157 is longitudinally elongated so as to comfortably accommodate therein the top flanges associated with the cross rail, as illustrated in Figure 19, but at the same time the upward cut-out defined by the recess 157 preferably terminates short of the corner 147 so as to permit at least a small downward extent of the flange 148 to remain and define the upper edge of the recess 157 and hence still provide some reinforcement for the edge of the bed member where it is positioned directly over the cross rail. The provision of the special edge channel 146 and its downward flange 248, and the provision of the rail-accommodating recess 157 in the flange 148, hence provide for increased reinforcement of the edge of the bed member, at the same time facilitating attachment to the adjacent side bed sections, and further eliminating the need to provide clearance recesses in the cross rails, the latter being a conventional practice.
As illustrated by Figure 20, the side bed portions 132-133 as associated with the one-piece quarter panel 135 are also preferably provided with edge channels 155 formed along the inner longitudinally extending edges thereof, which edge channels 155 are formed during stamping of the quarter panel 135, but:. which in cross section generally correspond to the edge channel 146 associated with the center bed section 131q whereby when assembled the adjacent edge channels 146 and 155 as shown in Figure 20 hence effectively provide a size and appearance generally similar to that associated with the channels 141 defined by the center bed panel 131.
As illustrated by Figure 21, the side bed sections associated with the quarter panel, such as depicted by the side bed section 133, can have a flange 158 associated therewith if desired in the event that the side panels are formed separately from the wheel well housing.
A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated by Figure 22. The vehicle box assernb~ly 161 illustrated in exploded view in Figure 22, when assembled, will have the same appearance as shown by Figure 18. The box 161 of Figure 22 utilizes many of the same constructional features utilized in the box assembly of Figures 17-~18, and hence corresponding parts thereof are identified by the same reference numerals and will not be separately discussed.
The principal difference between the box assembly 161 of Figure 22 and the box assembly 121 of Figures 17-18 is the fact that the box assembly 121 utilizes a one-piece press-formed quarter panel 135 for defining side panel 127, wheel well housing 128 and side bed portions 132-133. 1n contrast, the be;d 161 of Figure 22 utilizes a two-piece construction for defining these same functional member:a° namely a monolithic cne-piece roll-formed pane7_ member 162 which defines both the side panel 127'' and the side quarter bed portion 132°-133', and a ~aeparate one-piece wheel well housing 128 which is typic<~.lly of a one-piece stamped construction.
The upright side panel 127' defined by the roll-formed member 162 is identical to the side panel 27 discussed above relative to Figures 1~:-15. The side bed portion 132'-133' defined by the member 162 are roll=
formed in the longitudinal direction so as to be provided with one or more upwardly projecting reinforcing ribs or channels extending longitudinally thereof, and are additionally provided with a securing flange 156 extending along the free edge thereof.
The one-piece roll-formed member 152 can be roll-formed utilizing a process which substantially corresponds to that illustrated by Figure 9 so as to permit roll-forming of the side panel 127' and the floor section 132'-133' as a generally flat member, then cut to the desired length, with the out-to-length roll-formed panel then being subjected to a separate punching operation to effect forming of a wheel well opening 163 therein, which wheel well opening will include a first portion 164 intended to project upwardly into the side wall portion 127, and a further opening portion 165 intended to project into the bed panel portion 132'-133'.
Preferably after forming of the opening 163, then the generally flat roll-formed panel member can then be subjected to a further forming operation, such as in a bending press, to permit bending of the corner or bend 166 so as to cause the floor portion 132'-133' to project in generally perpendicular relationship to the side panel 127°.
Alternatively, the roll-formed member 162 can be roll-formed using a process similar t~a that illustrated by Figure 13, with the notches 58 associated with one side edge of the continuous sheet 54 :being sized to accommodate the reinforcing rail along the upper edge of the side panel 127°, and the notches 58° provided on the other edge of the sheet material 54 being sized to accommodate the width of the roll-formed bed portion 132'-133'. The roll-formed member 162, in a generally flat condition, will hence exit the roll-former 61 (Figure 13) and, at the bending or roll-forming device 77, the bed section 132'-133' can be bent or roll-formed upwardly to define the corner 166 and hence create a generally perpendicular relationship between the side panel 127' and the contiguous bed portions 132'-133'.
Using this latter roll-forming process, then 'the opening 163 for the wheel well will preferably be stamped into the roll-formed bed at an in-line station located downstream of the roll-former 61 but upstream of the former 77.
With the box assembly 161 illustrated by Figure 22, all of the critical panels including the front panel, the side panel and the floor panels are all effectively roll-formed so as to provide economies with respect to material usage, finished box assembly weight, part manufacture, and assembly of the box. The wheel well housing 123 is the only principal stamped component, which component is welded in a conventional manner around the edges of the wheel well opening 163 formed in the shaped one-piece roll-formed quarter panel 162.
When roll-forming panels for the box assembly in accordance with the present invention, it will be recognized that the width of the flat steel sheets as provided in the coil, will substantially correspond to the width of the finished panel if flattened out into a planar condition, whereby trimming of the sheet or of the finished panel is generally unnecessary, and minimal usage of sheet material is achieved. further, the roll-forming of the critical panels effectively eliminates or at least greatly minimizes stretching (i.e., thickness reduction) of the sheet during shaping of the panel, whereby a steel sheet of reduced thickness can hence be initially utilized to permit forming of the panel, particularly in comparison to stamped panels, and the resulting roll-formed panels are substantially of uniform thickness throughout. This hence minimizes the finished weight of the panel, reduces material costs, and greatly simplifies required tooling which significantly reduces tooling costs, and at the same time provides tooling having a significantly greater degree of flexibility. As to the actual design of the roll-former, it will be appreciated that the design of roll-formers involves the application of conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the roll-forming art, whereby further description and explanation of the roll-former is believed unnecessary.
The roll-forming of the principal panels such as the side and front wall panels as well as the floor panels associated with the box assembly, as described above, is also advantageous inasmuch as this enables the panels to be more readily formed using high strength steel sheets, particularly steel sheets having a yield strength in the range of from 50,OG0 psi to about lOG,000 psi. High strength steel sheets can be more readily shaped and deformed by roll-forming so as to pro~ride panels having the desired three-dimensional contour, specifically permitting use of deeper draws or formations than is typical with stamping, thereby additionally providing design opportunity to utilize thinner materials and provide greater weight reduction while also providing more severe (i.e. deeper) three-dimen~>ional shapes.
It will be appreciated that roll-formed panels for use in a truck box, such as disclosed herein, can be and typically are provided with various attachment flanges.
For example, flanges are typically provided on the edge of either the fror_t panel or the side panel for permitting securement at the front corners of the box assembly, and are also provided around the wheel well opening when a separate wheel well housing is utilized.
Such flanges can be formed, trimmed and shaped as desired utilizing conventional pressing and shaping dies, whereby further detailed description relative to such flanges is believed unnecessary.
In the improved box assembly of this invention, the provision of the lengthwise shelf on the front panel, and the lengthwise shelves on the side panels, which front and side shelves horizontally align and communicate with one another at the front corners of the box, hence provide a support platform which extends around three sides of the bed at an elevation above the wheel well housings, but below the top rails of the front and side panels. This support platform hence can be used to permit attachment of a cover such as a tonneau cover or cap, or permit the ends of raised cross supports to be supported on the side shelves at any location therealong, or permit a horizontal divider platform (such as a plywood sheets to be supported thereon so as to divide the cargo compartment of the box into upper and lower compartments.

The overall assembly of the box utilizing the improved panels of this ~_nvention is, for the most part, conventional whereby further descripticnn thereof is believed unnecessary.
Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detai:L for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (25)

1. A vehicle box assembly, such as for a pickup truck, having a horizontally extending floor, a pair of inner upright side wall panels fixed relative to said floor adjacent opposite sides thereof and projecting upwardly therefrom, and an upright front wall panel fixed relative to said floor and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent a front side thereof, the front wall panel having opposite ends thereof fixedly interconnected to respective front ends of said side wall panels, comprising the improvement wherein said front panel is a monolithic one-piece panel which is roll-formed from sheet steel and has a tubular top rail roll-formed along substantially the entire upper edge of said front wall panel.

2. A box assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the tubular top rail of said front wall panel is seam welded along the length thereof.

3. A box assembly according to Claim 1, wherein each said side wall panel is a monolithic one-piece member which is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof, which lengthwise direction extends in a front-to-back direction when the box assembly is mounted on a vehicle.

4. A box assembly according to Claim 3, wherein at least one of said front and side wall panels has a narrow upwardly-oriented shelf formed thereon and accessible from the interior of the box assembly, said shelf extending horizontally throughout the length of said one wall panel.

5. A box assembly according to Claim 3, wherein.
each of said front and side wall panels has a narrow upwardly-oriented shelf formed thereon and accessible from the interior of the box assembly, each said shelf extending throughout the length of the respective wall panel, and all of said shelves being generally at the same elevation and merging together at front corners of said box assembly.

6. A box assembly according to Claim 3, wherein said floor comprises a monolithic one-piece roll-formed metal pan which extends longitudinally between front and rear edges of said floor and which extends sidewardly between said side wall panels.

7. A box assembly according to Claim 1, wherein said front panel has an upwardly-facing shelf roll-formed longitudinally of the panel throughout the length thereof in downwardly spaced relationship from said top rail.

8. A box assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the front panel has one or more reinforcing ribs roll-formed therein so as to extend longitudinally throughout the length of the front panel in a generally horizontal orientation.

9. A box assembly according to claim 7, wherein said side panel has a generally upwardly-oriented shelf formed therein at an elevation above a wheel well housing which joins to said side wall panel, said shelf extending lengthwise throughout substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said side wall panel.

10. A box assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the side wall panel and an adjacent side portion of the floor together with a wheel well housing are formed as a monolithic one-piece stamped quarter panel, and the floor includes a roll-formed center wall panel positioned generally between the wheel well housings and joined to side edges of the side portions of said floor.

11. A box assembly according to Claim 1, wherein a cross rail is integrally and monolithically joined to a lower edge of the front wall panel and protrudes forwardly therefrom for disposition beneath a front end of said floor, said front panel and said cross rail being roll-formed as a single constructional member.

12. A method of forming an upright front wall panel for a vehicle box assembly, such as a box assembly for a pickup truck, comprising:
feeding a flat, wide and substantially continuous steel sheet into and through a rolling mill;
deforming the flat and wide steel sheet as it passes through the rolling mill to define a large panel having a channel-like top rail monolithically joined thereto and defined along one edge of the continuous sheet; and transversely severing the continuous sheet to define a front wall panel of defined length.

13. A method according to Claim 12, including roll-forming the channel-like rail to define a generally closed but hollow tube which extends lengthwise along the edge of the continuous sheet.

14. A method according to Claim 12, including forming a generally upwardly-oriented narrow shelf which is disposed downwardly from the rail and which extends lengthwise along the continuous sheet as it is fed through the rolling mill.

15. A method according to Claim 14, including forming a plurality of reinforcing ribs which are roll-formed into the large panel at a location spaced downwardly from said shelf with said reinforcing ribs being roll-formed so as to extend lengthwise of the continuous sheet prior to severing of the front wall panel.

16. A method according to Claim 12, including forming a cross rail integrally and monolithically joined to said large panel at an edge thereof opposite from said top rail during passage of said continuous sheet through said rolling mill with said cross rail being oriented so as to protrude generally perpendicularly forwardly from said front wall panel.

17. A method according to Claim 16, including forming a generally upwardly-oriented narrow shelf which is disposed downwardly from said top rail and which extends lengthwise along the continuous sheet as it is fed through the roiling mill.

18. A method according to Claim 16, including roll-forming the channel-like top rail to define a generally closed but hollow tube which extends lengthwise along the edge of the continuous sheet.

19. A method according to Claim 12, including the step of forming transverse notches which are formed inwardly from one edge of the sheet through a selected distance less than the width of said sheet and at lengthwise spaced intervals which generally correspond to the length of the front wall panel, and the roll-formed top rail extending longitudinally along the continuous sheet between an adjacent pair of said notches.

20. A method of forming an upright side wall panel for a vehicle box assembly, such as for a pickup truck, comprising the steps of:
feeding a flat, wide and substantially continuous steel sheet into and through a rolling mill;
deforming the flat and wide steel sheet as it passes through the rolling mill to define a large panel having a channel-like top rail defined along one edge of the panel with said channel-like top rail being defined along one edge of the continuous deformed sheet;
transversely severing the continuous deformed sheet to define side panels of predetermined lengths; and forming a wheel well opening in the sheet with said wheel well opening extending upwardly from a side edge of the sheet which is opposite from the channel-like top rail.

21. A method according to Claim 20, including forming notches in said continuous sheet at intervals spaced therealong and corresponding generally to the length of the severed side panels, said notches opening inwardly from said one edge and extending only partially across the width of the sheet; and severing said continuous sheet substantially in alignment with the notches to define said side panels of predetermined length.

22. A method according to Claim 20, including the step of forming a generally upwardly-oriented narrow shelf which is disposed downwardly from the top rail and which extends lengthwise along the continuous sheet as it is fed into and through the rolling mill.

23. A method according to Claim 20, including the step of:
forming a side portion of a floor simultaneous with the forming of the side wall panel as the sheet progressively moves through the rolling mill so that the side portion of the floor panel is integrally and monolithically joined to an edge of said side panel which is opposite from said channel-like top rail; and defining a substantially 90° bend or corner between said side panel and the side portion of the floor so that said floor side portion projects generally in perpendicular relationship to said side panel and the resulting monolithic one-piece roll-formed construction has a generally L-shaped cross section.

24. A process for forming an upright wall panel for a vehicle box assembly, such as for a pickup truck, comprising the steps of:
providing a coil of wide, flat, thin sheet steel;
providing a roll mill for acting an the sheet steel and effecting progressive three-dimensional deforming thereof across the cross section thereof;
feeding the substantially continuous steel sheet from the coil into and through a notching press to form in the steel sheet pairs of opposed notches which open inwardly in generally aligned relationship from opposite side edges of the sheet and which are spaced lengthwise of the sheet at a predetermined distance corresponding generally to the desired cut length of the sheet;
then feeding the substantially continuous and notched steel sheet into and through the roll mill to effect progressive three-dimensional deforming of the steel sheet in the longitudinal direction thereof with the longitudinal deforming of the sheet being substantially symmetrical on opposite sides of the longitudinally extending centerline of the sheet;
roll-forming a channel-like rail along each edge of the sheet as it passes through the roll mill so that the deformed sheet exiting the roll mill has channel-like rails which extend lengthwise thereof between adjacent notches and which are substantially identical but mirror images of one another;
then slitting the deformed sheet lengthwise along the longitudinally centerline so that the continuous sheet, downstream of the slitter, has deformed right and left continuous sheet portions which are both three-dimensionally deformed and substantially constitute mirror images of one another; and then transversely severing the continuous sheet, downstream of the slitter, generally in alignment with an opposed pair of said notches so as to effect creation of a pair of longitudinally roll-formed panels which are substantially identically sized and have substantially identical channel-like reinforcing rails extending along a longitudinally extending edge thereof.

25. A method according to Claim 24, including the step of forming a large opening through the deformed sheet, upstream of the slitter, which opening is centered relative to the longitudinally extending centerline of the sheet so that one-half of the opening will be present in each formed panel so as to function as a wheel well opening.