WO2003070520A1

WO2003070520A1 - Subdivider for truck bed cargo gate

Info

Publication number: WO2003070520A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/004162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph E. Ramsak
Original assignee: Loading Zone Llc
Priority date: 2002-02-16
Filing date: 2003-02-11
Publication date: 2003-08-28
Also published as: AU2003209126A1

Abstract

A subdivider for use in subdividing the width of a truck bed. The subdivider (10) includes a bracket (12) securable to a divider (114) in a truck bed. The subdivider also includes a panel (116) that is rotatably connected to the bracket. The panel serves to divide the width of the truck bed (110). In an operational position, the panel is perpendicular to the divider. In a stowed position, the panel is parallel to the divider. The panel can be locked in the operational and stowed positions. When the panel is in the operational position, it divides the width of the truck bed (110). Items hauled in the truck bed can be secured on four sides with the subdivider. A method of installing the subdivider is also provided.

Description

SUBDIVIDER FOR TRUCK BED CARGO GATE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to truck bed dividers, and more specifically to a subdivider for use with a truck bed divider.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pickup trucks are often used to carry items from one place to another. The bed of the truck allows the items to be retained within the bed while the track is moving. However, on many occasions, the items that are to be carried in the bed of the truck are not large enough to be securely retained within the truck bed by the walls of the bed without an additional securing structure.

As a result, a number of truck dividers, i.e., cargo gates, have been developed that segregate the truck bed into sections that conform closely to the size of the items placed in the track bed in order to more securely retain the items in the bed. These dividers generally include a rectangular panel or array of panels that extends across the truck bed between the sidewalls. The divider is secured to the sidewalls of the track bed to maintain the divider in a stationary position while the track is moving.

Many truck bed dividers have been developed which utilize various configurations for segregating the interior of a truck bed. However, these truck bed dividers have each been designed only to divide the truck bed in a lateral fashion to divide the length of the truck bed. Therefore, the divider will not be able to be utilized to divide a track bed in a longitudinal fashion to divide the width of the truck bed. Most items hauled in a truck bed are smaller than the width of the truck bed. This presents many problems when the owner of a pick-up track wishes to secure items having widths mat are smaller man me width of the track bed. For example, a track owner may wish to haul live, potted trees and other plants from a green house to the owner's home. With previous track dividers, an owner could divide the length of the track bed such that the potted plant would be partially secured along one or two sides (and at most three sides) by the one or more dividers and a sidewall, rear wall, or front wall of the track bed. However, the remaining sides would be unsecured such that the potted plant could travel laterally along the width of the track bed or could even tip over, damaging the plant. Similarly, when hauling grocery bags, tool buckets, small equipment, remodeling supplies such as cans of paint, boxes of shingles, and other items, a track owner who wishes to adequately secure these items cannot do so with conventional track bed dividers.

As a result, it is desirable to develop a track bed subdivider that can be used with a lateral-type divider to subdivide a truck bed longitudinally, to divide the width of the truck bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a track bed subdivider that divides the truck bed longitudinally to divide the width of the track bed.

It is another objection of the invention to provide a track bed subdivider that includes a bracket that attaches to a divider in the track bed and a panel that is received in the bracket. It is still another object of the invention to provide a track bed subdivider capable of reliably securing items having a width that is smaller than the width of the truck bed.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a truck bed subdivider that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to attach to a divider of a track bed. The present invention is a track bed subdivider for a track bed and is used to divide the width of the track bed. The subdivider includes a panel having a generally rectangular shape that extends from a bracket adapted for connection to the divider of the track bed. The panel and divider are positioned such that the panel typically extends to a front or rear wall of the track bed, or to another divider. The panel extends generally perpendicular to the divider, as well as the front and rear walls of the track bed.

To adjust the width of the truck bed area enclosed by the subdivider, the bracket is connected to the divider at any desired location along the length of the divider. Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of carrying out the present invention.

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the track bed subdivider according to the invention, showing the subdivider inside of a truck bed;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the truck bed subdivider of Fig. 1, showing the subdivider in an operational position; Fig. 3 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 2, showing the subdivider in a stowed position;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a bracket forming a part of the subdivider of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the subdivider bracket and panel, with reference to line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of the upper portion of the bracket of Fig. 5, showing a clamping mechanism for mounting the bracket to a track bed divider, showing the clamping mechanism in a release position;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the bracket and the clamping mechanism of Fig. 6, showing the clamping mechanism in a clamping position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view along lines 8-8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an alternative clamping mechanism that secures the bracket to the divider;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the bracket, panel, and a pivot ear and a tab incorporated into the subdivider of Fig. 1 , showing the panel in an operational position;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view along lines 11-11 of Fig. 10, showing the panel in an operational position; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 11, showing the panel in a stowed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a track bed subdivider is indicated generally at 10 in Fig. 1. The subdivider 10 includes a bracket 12 mat attaches to a divider 14, i.e., a gate. The subdivider 10 also includes a panel 16 that is engaged with the bracket 12.

The bracket 12 and panel 16 are formed of a rigid, lightweight material capable of handling a large amount of stress. An example of a suitable material is an injection molded plastic. The divider 14 may be a height adjustable gate as shown and described in co-pending application serial number 09/839, 193 filed April 19, 2001 , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Securing mechanisms 18, 20 for the height adjustable gate 14 are mounted to the side of side sections 22 of the gate 14, and each may be an adjustable, extendible and retractable latch mechanism as shown and described in co-pending application serial number 09/838,643 filed April 19, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the panel 16 is generally rectangular shaped and includes crisscrossed rails arranged in a grid pattern. The crisscrossed rails help to prevent any items secured by the subdivider 10 from passing through the subdivider 10. Apertures 24 formed by the crisscrossed rails accommodate odd-shaped items and reduce the overall weight and wind resistance of the subdivider 10. Preferably, the panel 16 includes a top rail 26, a bottom rail 28, and central rails 30, 32. The central rails 30, 32 are spaced between and extend parallel to the top and bottom rails 26, 28. The panel 16 also preferably includes side rails 34, 36 and a central rail 38 extending parallel to the side rails 34, 36. At the free side 40 of the panel 16, the connection between the side rail 36 and the top and bottom rails 26, 28 is curved. This provides a safety feature such that users do not encounter a sharp corner when the panel 16 pivots.

As can best be seen in Fig. 2, the bracket 12 preferably is an I-shaped bracket that includes a top arm 42, a bottom arm 44, and a vertical arm 46 that connects the top and bottom arms 42, 44. The top arm 42 preferably is generally U-shaped in cross-sectional view. The open end 48 of the U projects downwardly such that the top arm 42 can engage a top 50 of the divider 14. The bottom arm 44 also preferably is generally U-shaped in cross-sectional view except that one side wall 52 of the bottom arm 44 extends only a short distance and the other side wall 54 of the bottom arm 44 extends a greater distance to secure the bracket 12 under a bottom 56 of the divider 14. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the bracket 12 also includes spaced apart pivot ears 58 that are disposed an inner face 64 of the vertical arm 46. Preferably, three pivot ears 58 are included. At its top side 66, each pivot ear 58 includes a generally L- shaped channel 68 having a wall 70 and a slot 72 that is disposed generally perpendicular to the wall 70. Extending between the wall 70 and the slot 72 is an upwardly curved ramp 73 that lifts panel 16 as it pivots open. Referring now to Fig. 5, at the intersection of the two legs of the channel is a bore 74 that extends downwardly and is configured to receive a fastener 76 that pivotally secures the panel to the bracket of the subdivider. The fastener preferably is threaded. The bottom of bore 74 in the pivot ear 58 has complementary threads (not shown), which may be in the form of an insert nut, that engage with the threads 78 of the fastener 76.

As can be seen in Figs. 6-8, opposite the top pivot ear 58, the bracket 12 also includes a clamping mechanism 80 for releaseably securing the bracket 12 to the top of the divider 14. Preferably, the clamping mechanism 80 is a cam-actuated assembly, which includes a quick-release lever arm 82 and two generally U-shaped brackets 84, 86 that are disposed on an outer face 88 of the top arm 42. The brackets receive a rod 90, onto which the lever arm 82 is pivotally mounted. Underneath the lever arm 82 and on the outer face 88 of the top arm 42, the cam-actuated assembly 80 also includes a tongue 92 formed from three slits 94 in the outer face 88. Rotation of the lever arm 82 toward the top arm 42, as is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8, depresses the tongue 92 and clamps the bracket 12 to the divider 14. Two generally U-shaped ribs 96 extend upwardly and outwardly from the top and sides of the top arm 42. The ribs 96 provide resistance when the lever arm 82 is rotated toward the top arm 42. As is shown in Fig. 9, the bracket 12 can alternatively be releaseably secured to the top of the divider 14 using a thumb screw fastener 98 instead of a clamping mechanism 80. The pivot ears 58 of the bracket 12 engage with tabs 100 that extend outwardly from one side of the side rail 34 as is shown in Figs. 10 to 12. Preferably, one tab 100 extends from the top, bottom, and middle of the side rail 34, with the top tab 100 preferably extending at the same height as the top rail 26. Each tab 100 includes a bore 102 therethrough, which receives the fastener 76. The fastener 76 is subsequently received in the bore 74 of the bracket pivot ear 58. Each tab 100 also includes a detent 104 that is received in the slot 72 on the pivot ear 58 to lock the panel 16 in an operational position, in which the subdivider 10 is perpendicular to the divider 14, as is shown in Figs 10 and 11. In the operational position, the free end of the panel 16 can extend toward a front wall 106 or a rear wall 108 of a truck bed 110, or it can extend toward another divider 14 to divide the width of the track bed 110.

As is shown in Fig. 12, when the detent 104 engages the wall 70 of the pivot ear 58, the wall 70 opposes further rotation of the panel 16. To move the panel 16 from the operational to the stowed position, the panel 16 is lifted, as is indicated by the two upward arrows in Fig. 10, to raise the detent 104 above the slot 72 such that movement is not opposed by the slot 72. The panel 16 can be rotated down the ramp 73 until the detent 104 engages the wall 70. To move the panel 16 back into the operational position, the panel 16 is pivoted, and the ramp 73 lifts the panel 16. The detent 104 then drops into slot 72 to lock the panel 16 in place. Referring back to Fig. 1 , in a preferred method, the subdivider 10 is positioned within the truck bed 110 that includes the divider 14, which engages with sidewalls 112 of the truck bed 110. To install the subdivider 10 in the operational position, the subdivider 10 is positioned perpendicular to the divider 14 and parallel to the sidewalls 110, as best shown in Fig. 2. In this position, the subdivider 10 divides the width of the truck bed 110. The top arm 42 of the bracket 12 is placed over the top 50 of the divider 14. The short wall 54 of the bottom arm 44 of the bracket 12 is slid under the bottom 56 of the divider 14. The lever arm 82 of the cam-actuated assembly 80 is rotated toward the top arm 42 to secure the bracket 12 against the top 50 of the divider 14. If the detent 104 on the tab 100 is not already disposed in the slot 72 of the pivot ear 58 of the bracket 12, the panel 16 rotated and is lifted by the ramp. Once the panel 16 is perpendicular to the divider 14, the detent 104 of the tab 100 drops under its own weight into slot 72. With the detent 104 in the slot 72, movement of the panel 16 is opposed such that, for example, pressure from a hauled item will not move the panel 16. Therefore, the hauled item is secured within the track bed 110. Items can then be placed in the subcompartment formed by the subdivider 10 and the divider 14 and a sidewall 112 or other wall of the track bed 110.

To stow the subdivider 10, the panel 16 is lifted, as is shown by the two upward arrows in Fig. 10, such that the detent 104 is raised above the slot 72 of the pivot ear 58. The panel 16 is rotated until it is parallel to the divider 14 as is shown in Fig. 3. As the panel 16 is being rotated, the panel 16 is lowered down the ramp 73 until the detent 104 engages the wall 70 of the pivot ear 58 of the bracket 12. The wall 70 and ramp 73 prevents movement such that the panel 16 will not rotate when, for example, the track turns a corner.

While the previous description discloses the best mode of currently practicing the present invention, other alternative structures and configurations may also be used. For example, the number of rails of the panel 16 can be varied as can the number of pivot ears 58 and corresponding tabs 100. The rails of the panel 16 can also be formed in patterns other than a grid pattern. The panel 16 can also be constructed from stractures other than rails.

While the bracket 12 is disclosed as an I-shaped bracket, it is also contemplated that the bracket 12 may have another shape, such as an L-shaped bracket.

Further, the particular structures utilized to secure the panel 16 to the bracket 12 may comprise any functional equivalents of the tabs 100 and pivot ears 58.

For example, the structure used to secure the bracket 12 against the panel 16 could include hinges and other pivot mechanisms.

The invention has been shown and described as including detents 104 and an L-shaped channel 68 to oppose movement of the panel 16. It should be understood that any other stractures that can be used to oppose movement could be employed. For example, a catch and a groove or a lever and an indentation could be used to oppose movement of the panel 16.

The particular clamping mechanism 80 used to secure the bracket 12 to the divider 14 may comprise any functional equivalents of the cam-actuated assembly 80. For example, the clamping mechanism 80 can be could be any other clamp that could join, grip, support, or compress the bracket to the divider.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A track bed subdivider adapted to be positioned within a truck bed, the track bed including a divider that is configured to divide the length of the track bed, the subdivider comprising: a panel; and a bracket that is configured to engage the divider, wherein the panel is attachable to the bracket, and wherein, when the panel extends outwardly from the divider, the panel divides the width of the track bed.

2. The subdivider of claim 1 wherein the panel comprises: a plurality of crisscrossed rails; and tabs that extend from a side of the panel and that attach the bracket to the panel.

3. The subdivider of claim 1 wherein the panel is rotatably attachable to the bracket.

4. The subdivider of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises an I-shaped bracket including: a top arm; a bottom arm; and a vertical arm that extends between the top and bottom arm.

5. The subdivider of claim 4 wherein the top arm is securable to a top rail of the divider and the bottom arm is securable to a bottom rail of the divider.

6. The subdivider of claim 1 wherein the bracket includes a pivot mechanism and the panel includes a complementary pivot mechanism that is received in the pivot mechanism of the bracket.

7. The subdivider of claim 6 wherein the pivot mechanism on the bracket comprises a pivot ear and the complementary pivot mechanism on the panel comprises a tab.

8. The subdivider of claim 7 wherein one of the tab and the pivot ear includes a channel and the other of the tab and the pivot ear includes a detent that can be received in the channel to oppose movement of the panel when the detent is received in the channel.

9. The subdivider of claim 8 wherein the one of the tab or the pivot ear that includes the channel further comprises: a slot and a wall disposed generally pe endicular to the slot; and a ramp that is angled downwardly from the slot to the wall, wherein the detent moves along the ramp when the panel is pivoting.

10. The subdivider of claim 1 wherein the panel is selectively positionable in an operational position in which the panel extends outwardly from the divider and in a stowed position that is substantially parallel to the divider.

11. The subdivider of claim 1 further comprising a clamping mechanism that clamps the bracket to the divider.

12. The subdivider of claim 11 includes an I-shaped bracket including a top arm, wherein the clamping mechanism clamps the top arm of the bracket to the divider.

13. The subdivider of claim 11 wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a cam-actuated assembly.

14. The subdivider of claim 13 wherein the cam-actuated assembly comprises: a three-sided base; a tongue, disposed on one of the sides of the base; and a lever arm that is pivotably mounted to the same side of the base, wherein rotation of the lever arm toward the bracket depresses the tongue and clamps the bracket to the divider.

15. A method for installing a truck bed subdivider in a track bed including a divider that is configured to divide the length of the truck bed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a track bed subdivider including a bracket that is attached to a panel; and rotatably attaching the panel to the bracket.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: securing the panel to the bracket in one of an operational position in which the panel is perpendicular to the divider and a stowed position in which the panel is parallel to the divider.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising, when the panel is in one of the operational position and the stowed position, opposing movement of the panel by receiving, in a channel on a pivot mechanism on the bracket, a detent on a complementary pivot mechanism on the panel.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of attaching the bracket to the divider comprises clamping a top arm of the bracket to a top rail of the divider.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of clamping comprises rotating a lever arm of a cam-actuated assembly toward the top arm of the bracket.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of rotatably attaching the panel to the bracket comprises attaching a pivot mechanism on the bracket to a complementary pivot mechanism on the panel.