The present invention relates generally to a utility rack and storage arrangement for use with a vehicle.
Pick-up trucks and sport-utility trucks are generally useful for transporting various types of equipment. However, certain types of equipment are inherently difficult to transport because of their size, shape, weight, etc. For this reason, among others, utility racks have been designed to accommodate such equipment. However, these utility racks tend to be suited for only one particular type of cargo and are often permanently fixed to the vehicle.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved utility rack for a vehicle that is easily affixed to the vehicle, easily configurable to carry a varying cargo load, and easily removable.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a utility rack for a vehicle comprising a platform, at least one support rail positioned on the platform and a plurality of storage rails connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel to the platform, and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the platform. The plurality of storage rails are further arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a utility rack for a truck bed is provided comprising an equipment box having an upper surface upwardly positioned in spaced relation to a lower surface thus defining a storage cavity therebetween. A plurality of side surfaces are generally orthogonal to the upper surface and the lower surface, and positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface forming a perimeter of the storage cavity. The lower surface is further arranged to engage a load floor of the truck bed. At least one support rail is positioned on the upper surface of the equipment box, and a plurality of storage rails are connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel with the upper surface and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the upper surface. The plurality of storage rails are further arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the equipment box may be removed from the truck bed as a single, integral unit.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to
The plurality of storage rails 34 are connected to one of the pair of support rails 32 through a slider mechanism 31. The slider mechanism 31 enables the plurality of storage rails 34 to translate along the pair of support rails 32 to a variety of predetermined positions. Each of the plurality of storage rails 34 may further be covered by a padding 36. The slider mechanism 31 allows the storage rails to squeeze together to secure exemplary items 50, 60 while padding 36 supports and protects exemplary items 50, 60. A retractable strap (not shown) could then be stretched across the width of utility rack 20 to prevent any potential vertical movement of exemplary items 50, 60.
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The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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