US20070222247A1 - Reconfigurable truck bed or vehicle body - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle includes a vehicle chassis which carries a bed assembly. The bed assembly includes first and second connecting arm receivers extending at an angle relative to each other. The first and second connecting arm receivers include first and second openings, respectively, which face away from the vehicle. The connecting arm receivers are for receiving connecting arms attached to a panel or an accessory.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/810,478, filed on Mar. 26, 2004, and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/460,529, filed Apr. 4, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention relates generally to vehicles which have a truck bed.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• There are many different types of vehicles used for working. Examples include pick-up trucks and flat bed trucks, although there are others. These vehicles generally include a truck bed which can carry a load, as well as be used as a work surface. Examples of these types of vehicles can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,560,666, 4,917,430, 6,170,896, and 5,267,748.
• Although these vehicles are suitable for their intended purposes, they are generally limited in their ability to provide a container volume, as well as an adjustable area work surface. In particular, they are limited in their ability to switch between providing the container volume and adjustable area work surface.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a vehicle which carries a bed assembly. The bed assembly includes a bed frame connected to a chassis of the vehicle. In accordance with the invention, the bed assembly is repeatably moveable between a box configuration and a flat bed configuration. In the box configuration, the bed assembly provides a containment volume for carrying items therein. In the flat bed configuration, the bed assembly provides an adjustable area work surface.
• These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a bed assembly, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle ofFIG. 1 with the bed assembly in a flat bed configuration.
• FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the bed assembly in the flat bed configuration with an outer rear panel extension.
• FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the bed assembly in the flat bed configuration with an intermediate rear panel extension, as well as the outer rear panel extension ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of bed assembly in the box configuration ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connecting arm receiver assembly included with the bed assembly ofFIG. 5.
• FIG. 7, which is a side view of the connecting arm receiver assembly ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the bed assembly of in the flat bed configuration ofFIG. 2, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the bed assembly ofFIG. 3, with the outer rear panel extension.
• FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the bed assembly ofFIG. 4, with the outer and intermediate rear panel extensions.
• FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having connecting arm receivers, in accordance with the invention.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective and side views, respectively, of a connecting arm receiver with an opening facing a channel of the vehicle ofFIG. 11, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle having sidewardly facing connecting arm receivers.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an vehicle having upwardly and sidewardly facing connecting arm receivers.
• FIG. 16 is a more detailed view of the upwardly and sidewardly facing connecting arm receivers ofFIG. 15.
• FIG. 17 is a side view of the vehicle ofFIG. 11 having connecting arm receivers extending through its sidewall, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 18 is a cut-away view of the rear of the vehicle ofFIG. 11 having a connecting arm receiver with a rearward facing opening.
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cap which can be inserted into a connecting arm receiver.
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an electrician's reel with a connecting arm, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a barbecue accessory having a pair of connecting arms, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a winch accessory having a connecting arm, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a container accessory having a pair of connecting arms, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a rack accessory a pair of connecting arms, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a ski and surf rack accessory having a pair of connecting arms, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a ramp accessory, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a vehicle which carries a connecting arm receiver extension, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a vehicle having connecting arm receivers with upwardly and sidewardly facing openings, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vehicle having connecting arm receivers with upwardly and sidewardly facing openings.
• FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a vehicle having vehicle bed with connecting arm receivers attached to its bottom surface.
• FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a tailgate with connecting arm receivers attached thereto.
• FIG. 32 is a more detailed perspective view of the tailgate ofFIG. 31, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 33 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tailgate, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 34 is a rear view of a vehicle having a connecting arm receiver assembly with upwardly, sidewardly and rearwardly facing openings, in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 35 is a rear view of another embodiment of a vehicle having a connecting arm receiver assembly with upwardly, sidewardly and rearwardly facing openings.
• FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a vehicle having upwardly, sidewardly and rearwardly facing openings.
• FIGS. 37 and 38 are views of different embodiments of connecting assemblies, in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of avehicle100 having avehicle chassis102 and acab101. It should be noted thatvehicle100 can be of many different types, but here it is embodied as a truck.Vehicle chassis102 generally provides support for the various components included withvehicle100, such as its engine andrear wheels300 and301. In accordance with the invention,vehicle100 includes abed assembly105 having abed frame106 which defines awork surface113.Bed assembly105 can be carried byvehicle100 in many different ways, but herebed assembly105 is carried onvehicle chassis102 rearward ofcab101. It should be noted thatbed assembly105 can be included withvehicle100 during its manufacture or afterwards as an after-market accessory.
• It should also be noted thatbed frame106 can be included withvehicle chassis102, so they are separate components. However, in this embodiment,bed frame106 is attached tovehicle chassis102. It should also be noted thatvehicle100 can include astorage box104 used to store items.Storage box104 generally includes an upwardly facing opening, which can be covered, if desired.Storage box104 can be positioned at many different locations. In this embodiment,storage box104 is positioned so it is carried bybed assembly105.
• InFIG. 1,bed assembly105 is shown as being in a box configuration wherein it includesside panels108 and109 extending upwardly frombed frame106 andwork surface113. In this way,panels108 and109 extend at a non-zero angle relative towork surface113. In this embodiment,side panel108 is positioned on the driver side ofvehicle100 andside panel109 is positioned on the passenger side.Bed assembly105 also includes arear panel107 extending upwardly frombed frame106 andwork surface113 and betweenside panels108 and109. It should be noted thatpanels107,108 and109 can be engaged withbed frame106 in many different ways. However,panels107,108 and109 are generally slidingly engaged withbed frame106 to facilitate their engagement with and disengagement frombed frame106.
• In the box configuration,panels107,108 and109 provideflat bed assembly105 with acontainer volume112 for containing items.Container volume112 is bounded bypanels107,108 and109, as well ascab101 andwork surface113. It should be noted thatpanels107,108 and109 are shown as having openings extending therethrough. However, they are generally covered with a covering material to facilitate their use in containing items withincontainer volume112. It should also be noted thatbed assembly105 can be moved from the box configuration to a flat bed configuration, as will be discussed in more detail presently.
• FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view ofvehicle100 withbed assembly105 in the flat bed configuration.Bed assembly105 is in the flat bed configuration whenside panels108 and109 extend outwardly frombed frame106, as well as the driver and passenger sides, respectively, ofvehicle100. In the flat bed configuration,side panels108 and109 extend parallel towork surface113 so thatwork surface113 is extended outwardly through the driver and passenger sides ofvehicle100. In this way,panels108 and109 increase the surface ofwork surface113. It should be noted, however, thatside panels108 and109 can extend at a non-zero angle relative towork surface113, if desired. For example,side panels108 and/or109 can extend outwardly and upwardly fromwork surface113. In another example, side panels can extend outwardly and downwardly fromwork surface113.
• In accordance with the invention,bed assembly105 is repeatably moveable between the box and flat bed configurations ofFIGS. 1 and 2.Bed assembly105 is repeatably moveable between the box and flat bed configurations becausepanels107,108 and109 are repeatably moveable relative tobed frame106. For example, to movebed assembly105 from the flat bed configuration to the box configuration,panels108 and109 are slidingly disengaged frombed frame106.Panels108 and109 are then rotated upwardly, so they extend perpendicular towork surface113, and then slidingly engaged withbed frame106, as shown inFIG. 1. If desired,rear panel107 can also be slidingly engaged withbed frame106.
• To movebed assembly105 from the box configuration to the flat bed configuration,panels108 and109 are slidingly disengaged frombed frame106 by moving them upwardly therefrom.Panels108 and109 are rotated sideways so they extend parallel withwork surface113, and then slidingly engaged withbed frame106, as shown inFIG. 2. In this way,side panels108 and109 increase the area of workingsurface113. It should be noted thatwork surface113 can also be increased by having one or more panels extending rearwardly frombed frame106, as will be discussed in more detail presently.
• FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view ofbed assembly105 with arear panel extension110. In this embodiment,rear panel extension110 extends betweenside panels108 and109 and rearwardly frombed frame106. In this way,rear panel extension110 increases the area ofwork surface113. It should be noted thatrear panel extension110 is repeatably removeable relative tobed frame106 because it is slidingly engaged therewith. It should also be noted thatside panels108 and109 are shown here as being in the flat bed configuration. However, they can be in the box configuration, if desired.
• FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view ofbed assembly105 with arear panel extension111, as well asrear panel extension110. In this embodiment,rear panel extension111 is positioned betweenrear panel extension110 andbed frame106. In this way,rear panel extensions110 and111 are outer and intermediate rear panel extensions, respectively.Rear panel extensions110 and111 are used to increase the area ofwork surface113 rearwardly ofbed frame106.Rear panel extension111 is repeatably removeable from the position betweenrear panel extension110 andbed frame106 and a position away frombed frame106 andextension110.
• It should be noted thatwork surface113 is shown as having openings extending through it inFIGS. 1-4. However,work surface113 is generally covered with a covering material to facilitate its use to hold items and operate as a work surface. It should also be noted thatbed assembly105 can have many different configurations, one of which will be discussed in more detail presently.
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment ofbed assembly105 in the box configuration, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment,bed assembly105 includesbed frame106, which is attachable tochassis102 as discussed above.Bed frame106 includeslongitudinal frame members115 and116, andtransverse frame members117 and118 extending between them.Longitudinal frame members115 and116 terminate at rearwardly facingopenings115aand116a,respectively, which are proximate to a rear103 of vehicle100 (FIG. 1). Opposed ends offrame members115 and116 terminate proximate tocab101.Frame members115 and116 are spaced apart from each other so they can receive a pair of connecting arms.
• In this embodiment,transverse frame members117 and118 extend perpendicular betweenlongitudinal frame members115 and116.Frame member117 is positioned proximate to ends115aand116aandframe member118 is positioned proximate to their opposed ends nearcab101.Frame members115 and116 are parallel to each other andframe members117 and118 are parallel to each other.Frame members115 and116 are perpendicular to framemembers117 and118 so thatbed frame106 has a rectangular shape.
• As mentioned above,vehicle100 includesstorage box104 carried bybed assembly105. In this embodiment,storage box104 is carried bybed frame106.Storage box104 can be carried bybed frame106 at many different locations. In this embodiment, however,storage box104 is positioned betweenframe members115 and116 and proximate to framemember117. In this way,storage box104 is positioned proximate to rear103 ofvehicle100.
• In accordance with the invention,bed frame106 includes connectingarm receivers120,121,122 and123 extending outwardly fromlongitudinal frame member115. In this embodiment, connectingarm receivers120,121,122 and123 are spaced apart from each other along the length oflongitudinal frame member115.Connecting arm receivers120,121,122 and123 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular tolongitudinal frame member115.Connecting arm receiver120 is positioned proximate to end115aand connectingarm receiver123 is positioned proximate to its opposed end.Connecting arm receivers121 and122 are positioned between connectingarm receivers120 and123.
• Further,bed assembly105 includes connectingarm receivers124,125,126 and127 extending outwardly fromlongitudinal frame member116. In this embodiment, connectingarm receivers124,125,126 and127 are spaced apart from each other along the length oflongitudinal frame member116.Connecting arm receivers124,125,126 and127 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular tolongitudinal frame member116.Connecting arm receiver124 is positioned proximate to end116aand connectingarm receiver127 is positioned proximate to its opposed end.Connecting arm receivers125 and126 are positioned between connectingarm receivers124 and127.
• In accordance with the invention,bed assembly105 includes connectingarm receivers130,131,132 and133 attached to connectingarm receivers120,121,122 and123, respectively, so they extend downwardly and perpendicular therefrom. Further,bed assembly105 includes connectingarm receivers134,135,136 and137 attached to connectingarm receivers124,125,126 and127, respectively, so they extend downwardly and perpendicular therefrom.
• It should be noted that the connecting arm receivers can be attached together in many different ways. For example, they can be welded together or they can be formed as a single integral piece, as will be discussed in more detail presently. It should also be noted that two or more connecting arm receivers connected together forms a connecting arm receiver assembly. One example of a connecting arm assembly is connectingarm assembly350, which includes connectingarm receivers124 and134 attached together.Connecting arm assembly350 is shown in more detail inFIGS. 6 and 7.
• In accordance with the invention, two or more connecting arm receivers are connected together so they can receive connecting arms extending in different directions. For example, in one embodiment, a connecting arm receiver assembly includes an outwardly facing opening for receiving a horizontally extending connecting arm and an upwardly facing opening for receiving a vertically extending connecting arm.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of connectingarm receivers124 and134 attached together, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, connectingarm receivers124 and134 includeopenings128 and129, respectively, extending therethrough. As mentioned above, connectingarm receivers124 and134 extend perpendicular to each other so thatopenings128 and129 are perpendicular to each other. This is shown in more detail inFIG. 7, which is a side view of connectingarm receivers124 and134 attached together. Here,reference lines124aand134aextend parallel to connectingarm receivers124 and134, respectively. Since connectingarm receivers124 and124 are perpendicular to each other,reference lines124aand134aintersect at an angle Θ that is ninety degrees.
• It should be noted that angle Θ can have other values, but ninety degrees is shown here for illustrative purposes. If angle Θ is less than ninety degrees, thenpanel109 is tilted, when engaged with connectingarm receiver134, relative to workingsurface113 so it extends outwardly and upwardly fromsurface113 at a non-zero angle. If angle Θ is greater than ninety degrees, thenpanel109 is tilted, when engaged with connectingarm receiver134, relative to workingsurface113 so it extends outwardly and downwardly fromsurface113 at a non-zero angle.
• It should also be noted that the other connecting arm receivers included withbed assembly105 typically have corresponding openings the same or similar to those shown inFIG. 6. However, details of these openings are not shown for simplicity. It should also be noted that opening128 is for receiving a connecting arm attached topanel109 whenpanel109 is in the flat bed configuration. In this way, opening128 operates as an outwardly facing opening. Further, opening129 is for receiving connecting arms attached topanels107 and/or109 whenpanels107 and109 are in the box configuration. In this way, opening129 operates as an upwardly facing opening. The connecting arms attached topanels107,108 and109 will be discussed in more detail presently.
• Connecting arm receivers120-123 are for connecting toside panel108 and connecting arm receivers124-127 are for connecting toside panel109 whenpanels108 and109 are in the flat bed configuration. Further, connecting arm receivers130-133 are for connecting toside panel108 and connecting arm receivers134-137 are for connecting toside panel109 whenpanels108 and109 are in the box configuration. It should be noted that connectingarm receivers130 and134 can also be used to connect torear panel107 whenrear panel107 is in the box configuration. The connecting arm receivers ofbed frame106 can be connected topanels107,108 and/or109 in many different ways, one of which will be discussed in more detail presently.
• InFIG. 5,side panel108 includes connectingarms140,141,142 and143 extending downwardly therefrom. Connectingarms140,141,142 and143 are for extending into the upwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers130,131,132 and133 whenpanel108 is in the box configuration. It should be noted that connectingarms140,141,142 and143 slidingly engage connectingarm receivers130,131,132 and133, respectively, whenpanel108 is in the box configuration. In this way,side panel108 is slidingly engaged withbed frame106.
• Further,side panel109 includes connectingarms144,145,146 and147 extending downwardly therefrom. Connectingarms144,145,146 and147 are for extending into the upwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers134,135,136 and137 whenpanel109 is in the box configuration. It should be noted that connectingarms144,145,146 and147 slidingly engage connectingarm receivers134,135,136 and137, respectively, whenpanel109 is in the box configuration. In this way,side panel109 is slidingly engaged withbed frame106.
• Rear panel107 includes connectingarms148 and149 extending downwardly therefrom. Connectingarms148 and149 are for extending into the upwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers130 and134 whenrear panel107 is in the box configuration. It should be noted that connectingarms148 and149 slidingly engage connectingarm receivers130 and134, respectively, whenpanel107 is in the box configuration. In this way,rear panel107 is slidingly engaged withbed frame106.
• The upwardly facing opening of connectingarm receiver130 can be dimensioned to receive both connectingarms140 and148. Further, the upwardly facing opening of connectingarm receiver134 can be dimensioned to receive both connectingarms144 and149. In this way,bed assembly105 is in the box configuration, as shown inFIG. 1, and providescontainment volume112.
• FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view ofbed assembly105 in the flat bed configuration, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, connectingarms140,141,142 and143 are received by the outwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers120,121,122 and123, respectively, andpanel108 is held on the flat bed configuration. It should be noted that connectingarms140,141,142 and143 slidingly engage connectingarm receivers120,121,122 and123, respectively, whenpanel108 is in the flat bed configuration.
• Further, connectingarms144,145,146 and147 are received by the outwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers124,125,126 and127, respectively, andpanel109 is held on the flat bed configuration. It should be noted that connectingarms144,145,146 and147 slidingly engage connectingarm receivers124,125,126 and127, respectively, whenpanel108 is in the flat bed configuration. In this way,bed assembly105 is in the flat bed configuration, as shown inFIG. 2. If desired, connectingarms148 and149 ofrear panel107 can be inserted into the upwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers130 and134.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view ofbed assembly105 havingrear extension110. In this embodiment, a pair of connectingarms150 and151 extend away frompanel110. Connectingarms150 and151 are sized and shaped and spaced apart from each other to be received by rearwardly facingopenings115aand116aat the ends offrame members115 and116, respectively. Connectingarms150 and151 can be extended intoframe members115 and116 a distance so thatrear extension110 is positioned proximate to framemember117. In this way,bed assembly105 is in the flat bed configuration shown inFIG. 3. It should be noted, however, thatrear panel110 can be spaced apart fromframe assembly106 so thatrear panel111 can be positioned therebetween, as will be discussed in more detail presently.
• FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view ofbed assembly105 withrear panels110 and111. In this embodiment, connectingarms150 and151 are inserted into the rearwardly facingopenings115aand116a.However, connectingarms150 and151 are inserted intoopenings115aand116aso thatrear panel110 is spaced fromframe member117 andrear panel extension111 can be positioned therebetween. In this embodiment, a pair ofbrackets152 and153 are carried byrear panel extension111 and face downwardly so that they engage connectingarms150 and151, respectively. In this way,rear panels110 and111 increase the area ofwork surface113, as shown inFIG. 4.
• FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of avehicle200 having avehicle bed201 and avehicle bumper400 and atrailer hitch401. In this embodiment,vehicle bed201 includes opposedsidewalls203 and204 extending upwardly from abed floor202.Sidewalls203 and204 extend along the driver and passenger sides, respectively, ofvehicle200. In accordance with the invention,longitudinal frame members115 and116 extend throughvehicle bed201 so rearwardly facing openings are proximate to rear103 ofvehicle100. Further, connectingarm receivers120,121,122 and123 extend throughsidewall203 and connectingarm receivers124,125,126 and127 extend throughsidewall204. It should be noted thatlongitudinal frame members115 and116 are positioned below connecting arm receivers120-127. This allows the connecting arm receivers engaged withframe members115 and116 to be positioned below the connecting arm receivers engaged with connecting arm receivers120-127. The rearwardly facing openings oflongitudinal frame members115 and116 are positioned abovevehicle bumper400 andtrailer hitch401.
• It should also be noted that the outwardly facing openings of connecting arm receivers120-123 face outwardly from achannel209, which extends throughsidewall203. A channel also extends throughsidewall204, as shown inFIG. 15.Channel209 is useful to strengthen the engagement between the connecting arms that connecting arm receivers120-123 are engaged with, as will be discussed in more detail presently.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective and side views, respectively, of connectingarm receiver124 with opening128 facingchannel209, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment,sidewall203 includes a connectingarm support surface209awhich extends proximate toopening128. Areference line209bextends perpendicular to connectingarm support surface209aand perpendicular toreference line124a.Connectingarm support surface209ais positioned to engage the connecting arm inserted intoopening128 and provides support for it.
• FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of avehicle216 havingvehicle bed201. In this embodiment, sidewalls203 and204 terminate belowvehicle bed201 so thatsurface209ais below it. A table211 supports avice210 and has a connecting arm (not shown) engaged with connectingarm receiver123 and a table212 has a connecting arm (not shown) engaged with connectingarm receiver121.
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of avehicle217 having connectingarm receivers124 and134 extending throughchannel209 ofsidewall204. In this embodiment, connectingarm receiver134 extends throughsidewall204, as shown inFIG. 16, so that opening129 faces upwardly throughupper surface209a.Connecting arm receiver124 extends perpendicular to connectingarm134, so that opening128 is perpendicular toopening129. In this way, a connecting arm of an accessory can extend perpendicular or parallel to surface209a.In accordance with the invention, the connecting arm is supported by connectingarm support surface209awhen it extends throughopening128. The accessory can be of many different types, several of which will be discussed in more detail presently.
• FIG. 17 is a side view ofvehicle200 shown inFIG. 11. In this embodiment,vehicle200 includes connectingarms220 and221 extending throughsidewall203. Connectingarms220 and/or221 can be used to engage a connecting arm of an accessory, such as the accessories discussed in more detail above. In this embodiment, connectingarm receivers220 and221 are the same or similar to the connecting arm receivers discussed above and they can be connected tobed frame106 and/orvehicle chassis102.
• FIG. 18 is a cut-away side view ofvehicle200 showing connectingarm receiver220 extending therethrough so its opening for receiving a connecting arm faces rearwardly. It should be noted that connectingarm receiver220 can be positioned at many different orientations relative tovehicle body129, as indicated by the dashed lines. It should also be noted that acap225, as shown inFIG. 19, can be inserted into connectingarm receiver220 when it is not in use.Cap225 generally includes ahead portion226 to facilitate its engagement withvehicle body129.
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an electrician'sreel250, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, reel250 includes a connectingarm260 attached to areel support arm255 through a mountingplate256. Mounting plate is positioned to limit the distance that connectingarm260 can be inserted into a connecting arm receiver by engaging a sidewall, such assidewalls203 and204.Connecting arm260 can be engaged with many of the other connecting arm receivers discussed above, such as connectingarm receiver134 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of abarbecue accessory251 having connectingarms260 and261 extending outwardly therefrom mountingplates256 and257, respectively.
• FIG. 22 is a perspective view of awinch accessory252 having connectingarm260 extending outwardly therefrom. In this embodiment, connectingarm260 is rotatable, as indicated by the movement arrow, so thatwinch accessory252 is rotatable relative to the vehicle it is attached to. This is useful so thatwinch accessory252 can be aligned relative to a pull direction to reduce the amount of torque betweenwinch accessory252 and the vehicle.
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view of acontainer accessory253 having connectingarms260 and261 extending outwardly therefrom.Container accessory253 is useful for containing one or more items.
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of arack accessory270 having connectingarms260 and261 extending outwardly therefrom.Rack accessory270 includeshooks273 and274 or other supports.Rack accessory270 can also include straps or other securing mechanisms for securing items to it.
• FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a ski andsurf rack accessory271 having connectingarms260 and261 extending outwardly therefrom.Accessory271 is useful for supporting and transporting objects such as snow skis, snow boards, water skis, and/or surf boards.
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of aramp accessory272.Ramp accessory272 has vertically extending connectingarms260 and261 which extend downwardly therefrom for supporting one end oframp accessory272 in connecting arm receivers while another end rests on the ground. This is useful for facilitating loading of a wheeled vehicle or other object ontovehicle bed201.Ramp accessory272 also includes horizontally extending connectingarms275 and276 which facilitate its use as a table.
• FIG. 27 is a perspective view of avehicle280 withvehicle bed201 havingbed floor202 extending betweenopposed sidewalls203 and204. In accordance with the invention, connectingarm receiver extensions281 and282 are positioned onfloor202 proximate to sidewall204. In this embodiment, connectingarm receiver extensions281 and282 include outwardly facingopenings283 and284, respectively. In accordance with the invention, connectingarm receiver extensions281 and282 extend frombed floor202 so thatopenings283 and284 are positioned at a level abovesidewall204. In this way,openings283 and284 can be used to receive connecting arms which extends oversidewall204. The connecting arms are typically connected to an accessory, several of which are discussed in more detail above.
• FIG. 28 is a perspective view of avehicle285 withvehicle bed201 havingbed floor202 extending betweensidewalls203 and204. In accordance with the invention, connectingarm receivers124 and127 are positioned so that their corresponding outwardly facing openings are positioned belowsidewall204. In this way, the openings of connectingarm receivers124 and127 can be used to receive connecting arms which extend belowsidewall204. In this embodiment, connectingarm receiver134 is attached to connectingarm receiver124 so it extends upwardly through an upper surface ofsidewall204. Further, connectingarm receiver137 is attached to connectingarm receiver127 so it extends upwardly through an upper surface ofsidewall204. In this way, connectingarm receivers134 and137 can be used to receive vertically extending connecting arms.
• In accordance with the invention, a connectingarm receiver assembly360 can be engaged with the upwardly facing openings of connectingarm receivers134 and137. One embodiment of a connecting arm receiver assembly is shown inFIG. 28 and denoted as connectingarm receiver assembly360. In this embodiment, connectingarm receiver assembly360 includes a downwardly extending connectingarm361 attached to one end of asidewardly extending arm362. A downwardly extending connectingarm363 has one of its ends attached to the opposed end of sidewardly extending connectingarm362. A sidewardly extending connectingarm receiver364 extends sidewardly from the opposed end of downwardly extending connectingarm363. Sidewardly extending connectingarm receiver364 includes a sidewardly facing opening366 which faces away from downwardly extending connectingarm361.
• In accordance with the invention, downwardly extending connectingarm361 is engaged with an upwardly facing opening of a connecting arm receiver, such as connectingarm receivers134 and137. Downwardly extending connectingarms361 and363 are spaced apart from each other by sidewardly extending connectingarm362 so that there is anopening365 between them.Opening365 is for receiving sidewardly204 when downwardly extending connectingarm361 is engaged with the upwardly facing opening. Hence, sidewardly facingopening366 is positioned at a location intermediate to the upper and lower portions ofsidewall204. In this way, a sidewardly facing opening for receiving a connecting arm is provided without having a connecting arm receiver extend through a sidewall ofvehicle285.
• There can be many other connecting assemblies that can be used to engage connectingarm receivers134 and137, several examples of which are shown inFIGS. 37 and 38. InFIG. 37, a connectingarm assembly370 includes alongitudinally extending arm362 witharms361,363 and364 positioned at opposed ends of it.Arm362 extends longitudinally so it operates as a platform which extends along the upper surface ofsidewall204. In this way, two sidewardly facingopenings366 are provided at opposed ends ofarm362.
• FIG. 38 is a side view of a connectingassembly380 which includes a longitudinally extendingplatform381 with connectingarms382 and383 extending downwardly therefrom and spaced apart from each other. Connectingarms382 and383 are spaced apart from each other so they can be inserted into connectingarm receivers134 and137, respectively. It should be noted, however, that connectingarms382 and383 can be inserted into connectingarm receivers137 and134, respectively, if desired. In accordance with the invention, connectingassembly380 includes horizontally facingconnector receivers384 and385 for receiving the connecting arms of an accessory.
• FIG. 29 is a perspective view of avehicle285, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment,vehicle285 includes connectingarm receivers124 and134 attached together to form a connectingarm receiver assembly350, wherein connectingarm receiver134 extends upwardly from connectingarm receiver124 and between its ends, as indicated by anarrow219.Connecting arm receivers124 and134 both extend throughsidewall204 ofvehicle285.Connecting arm receiver124 provides an outwardly facing opening for receiving a horizontally extending connecting arm. Further, connectingarm receiver125 provides an upwardly facing opening for receiving a vertically extending connecting arm. It should be noted that connectingarm receivers124 and125 can be separate elements attached together, such as by welding, or they can be formed as a single integral piece.
• FIG. 30 is a perspective view of avehicle286 havingvehicle bed201 withbed floor202. In accordance with the invention, connectingarm receivers122 and123 are attached to a bottom surface ofvehicle bed201 so they are positioned betweenbed201 andrear tire300. In this way, connectingarms122 and123 are positioned on one side of areference line204 andrear tire300 is positioned on the opposed side ofreference line204. Hence, connectingarm receivers124 and127 are positioned aboverear tire300 and belowvehicle bed201.
• FIG. 31 is a perspective view of avehicle290 havingfloor202 extending betweenopposed sidewalls203 and204. In accordance with the invention,vehicle290 includes atailgate291, shown in more detail inFIG. 32, which carries connectingarm receivers292 and293.Connecting arm receivers292 and293 are positioned so that their outwardly facing openings face rearwardly whentailgate291 is lowered and faces upwardly whentailgate290 is raised.Tailgate291 is repeatably moveable between raised and lowered positions.Tailgate291 is perpendicular tofloor202 when in the raised position andtailgate291 is in the parallel position when in the lowered position. It should be noted that connectingarm receivers292 and293 are shown as being attached to the exterior oftailgate291. However, in other embodiments, connectingarm receivers292 and293 can extend throughtailgate291.
• FIG. 33 is a perspective view of another tailgate, embodied astailgate294. In this embodiment,tailgate294 includes connectingarm receiver292, which extends perpendicular to connectingarm receivers292 and293 ofFIG. 32. It should be noted thattailgate294 can replacetailgate291 ofvehicle290.
• FIG. 34 is a rear view of avehicle285, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment,vehicle285 includesvehicle bed201. In accordance with the invention,longitudinal frame members115 and116 extend throughvehicle bed201 so thatopenings115aand116aface rearwardly.Connecting arm receivers120 and124 also extend throughvehicle bed201 in a direction perpendicular tolongitudinal frame members115 and116.Connecting arm receivers120 and124 provide side facing openings for receiving connecting arms. Further, connectingarm receivers130 and134 extend downwardly and away from connectingarm receivers124 and125, respectively. It should be noted that connectingarm receivers120 and130 can be attached together, and connectingarm receiver124 can be attached tolongitudinal frame member115. Further, connectingarm receivers124 and134 can be attached together, and connectingarm receiver120 can be attached tolongitudinal frame member116. As indicated by anarrow219, connectingarm receivers124 and134 are connected together and connectingarm receiver124 is connected tolongitudinal frame member116 to form a connectingarm receiver assembly352.
• FIG. 35 is a rear view ofvehicle288 havinglongitudinal frame members115,116 and117. In this embodiment,frame members115,116 and117 extend throughvehicle bed203 and provide corresponding rearwardly facing openings.Longitudinal frame members115,116 and117 extend below connectingarm receivers124 and125. In some embodiments connectingarm receivers124 and125 can be connected to framemembers115,116 and/or117. However, they are shown as being unconnected in this embodiment.
• FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of avehicle290, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment,vehicle290 includesvehicle bed201 withlongitudinal frame members115 and116 extending therethrough.Longitudinal frame member117 extends throughvehicle bed201 at a location belowframe members115 and116.Frame member117 can be used to engage a trailer hitch, if desired, or a connecting arm of an accessory.
• In this embodiment, a connectingarm receiver220 extends throughsidewall203 and connectingarm receiver123 extends belowsidewall203. It should be noted that connectingarm receiver123 does not extend throughsidewall203.Connecting arm receivers123 and220 can be used to engage a pair of connecting arms of an accessory, so that the accessory extends away fromsidewall203.
• In this embodiment,channel209 extends through the upper portion ofsidewall203. Further, connectingarm receivers123 and133 extend throughchannel209, as shown in more detail inFIG. 16.
• In this embodiment,storage box104 extends throughvehicle bed201 and is positioned betweensidewalls203 and204.Storage box104 is positioned betweenlongitudinal frame members115 and116, and abovelongitudinal frame member117.
• The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A vehicle having a vehicle bumper and a rear tire, comprising:

a vehicle bed; and

a first connecting arm receiver attached to the bottom of the vehicle bed, the first connecting arm receiver being positioned above the rear tire and away from the vehicle bumper.

2. The vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the first connecting arm receiver extends transversely to the vehicle bed and has a sidewardly facing opening.

3. The vehicle ofclaim 2, further a second connecting arm receiver attached to the first connecting arm receiver.

4. The vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the connecting arm receiver extends longitudinally to the vehicle bed and has a rearwardly facing opening.

5. The vehicle ofclaim 3, wherein the rearwardly facing opening is positioned above the vehicle bumper.

6. The vehicle ofclaim 3, further including a trailer hitch, wherein the rearwardly facing opening is positioned above the trailer hitch.

7. The vehicle ofclaim 5, further including another connecting arm receiver extending longitudinally to the vehicle bed and having a rearwardly facing opening positioned above the trailer hitch.

8. A vehicle having a vehicle bumper, comprising:

a vehicle bed;

a first longitudinally extending connecting arm receiver extending through the vehicle bed and having a rearward facing opening;

wherein the rearward opening of the first longitudinally extending connecting arm is positioned above the vehicle bumper.

9. The vehicle ofclaim 8, further including a trailer hitch receiver positioned below the first longitudinally extending connecting arm receiver.

10. The vehicle ofclaim 8, further including a second longitudinally extending connecting arm receiver which extends through the vehicle bed and has a rearward facing opening.

11. The vehicle ofclaim 8, further including a second longitudinally extending connecting arm receiver which is attached to the bottom of the vehicle bed.

12. The vehicle ofclaim 8, further including a horizontally extending connecting arm receiver attached to the first longitudinally extending connecting arm receiver.

13. The vehicle ofclaim 11, wherein the horizontally extending connecting arm receiver includes a sidewardly facing opening.

14. The vehicle ofclaim 11, further including an upwardly extending connecting arm receiver having an upwardly extending opening, the upwardly extending connecting arm receiver being attached to the horizontally extending connecting arm receiver.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a bed frame having a longitudinal frame member with a rearwardly facing opening; and

a connecting arm receiver assembly attached to the longitudinal frame member, the connecting arm receiver assembly including two or more connecting arm receivers attached together;

wherein the connecting arm receivers extend at non-zero angles relative to each other.

16. The vehicle ofclaim 15, wherein the vehicle includes a sidewall through which the connecting arm receiver assembly extends.

17. The vehicle ofclaim 15, wherein a portion of the connecting arm receiver assembly extends through a sidewall of the vehicle and another portion extends below the sidewall.

18. The vehicle ofclaim 15, wherein the connecting arm receiver assembly includes vertically and horizontally extending connecting arm receivers.

19. The vehicle ofclaim 18, wherein the vertically extending connecting arm receiver extends upwardly through a sidewall of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle ofclaim 15, wherein the connecting arm receiver assembly includes openings which face different directions.

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