Cargo drawer for a pickup truck

Abstract

The invention is directed to a cargo drawer for a pickup truck. The drawer which rolls outward from the rear end of the truck on a pair of rails in much the same manner as a desk drawer, and is designed to be sturdy and reliable, for use in any challenging environment. The drawer may be locked in place at any position along the rails. One or more handles are provided near the rear edge of the drawer, with a lever which may be pressed to release the lock. The drawer further provides a pair of folding or telescoping legs at the rear corners, to support the drawer in a fully extended position.

Claims

1. A cargo drawer system for a vehicle comprising: a pair of two part rails secured to a bed of the vehicle; a large drawer comprising a planar floor and three sidewalls extending upwardly from the floor; a plurality of rollers positioned within the rails and configured to support the drawer such that the drawer is rollable outward from a rear end of the vehicle; two pairs of mounting arms extending laterally upward from the rails and terminating in mounting bolts which secure the drawer system to upper edges of sidewalls of the vehicle bed; a lock configured to lock the drawer in place along the rails; handles provided near a rear edge of the drawer comprising a lever for releasing the lock; a pair of foldable or telescopic legs attached to rear corners of the drawer floor; and a pair of cables fixed to the lever with opposite ends of the cables terminating in pads configured to press against side surfaces of the rails when the lever is released to lock the drawer in position; wherein a dimension of the drawer is smaller than a dimension of the bed such that the drawer fits within the bed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the drawer 10, the handle 11, the rails 12, the mounting arms 13, and the mounting bolts 14.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the drawer 10, the rails 12, the mounting arms 13, and the mounting bolts 14.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the drawer 10, the handle 11, the rails 12, and the mounting arms 13.

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the drawer 10, the handle 11, the rails 12, and the mounting arms 13.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment in an extended position, displaying the drawer 10, the handle 11, the rails 12, and the mounting arms 13.

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment in an extended position, displaying the drawer 10, the handle 11, the rails 12, the mounting arms 13, and the legs 15.

(8) FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in an extended position, displaying the drawer 10, the handle 11, the rails 12, the mounting arms 13, and the legs 15.

(9) FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the lock system of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the lock system 10A, the handle 11, the lever 11A, the cables 11B, and the pads 11C.

(10) FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the lock system of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the lock system 10A, the handle 11, the lever 11A, the cables 11B, and the pads 11C.

(11) FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the lock system of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the lock system 10A, the handle 11, the lever 11A, the cables 11B, and the pads 11C.

(12) FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the lock system and the rails of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the lock system 10A, the rails 12, and the rollers 12A.

(13) FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the lock system and the rollers of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the lock system 10A, and the rollers 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a cargo drawer for a pickup truck.

(15) The invention is intended for installation as an after-market modification by the owner of a pickup truck or similar vehicle, or by a repair or customizing shop. Alternate embodiments, intended as original equipment which may be installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle, are contemplated.

(16) The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a large drawer 10, which is slightly smaller than the bed of a pickup truck or similar vehicle, and intended for installation in the bed of the pickup. Alternately, the drawer 10 may be installed in the rear cargo area of a sport utility vehicle, van, or other vehicle. The drawer 10 rolls outward from the rear end of the vehicle on a pair of two-part rails 12 in much the same manner as a desk drawer, and is designed to be sturdy and reliable, for use in any challenging environment.

(17) Rollers 12A within the rails 12 support the drawer 10, and enable the drawer 10 to travel along the rails 12. Mounting arms 13 extend upward laterally from the rails 12, terminating in mounting bolts 14 which may be used to secure the drawer 10 to the upper edges of the bed sidewalls.

(18) The drawer 10 provides a lock system 10A, which may be used to lock the drawer 10 in place at any position along the rails 12. One or more handles 11 are provided near the rear edge of the drawer 10, with a lever 11A which may be pressed to release the lock system 10A. The drawer 10 further provides a pair of folding or telescoping legs 15 at the rear corners, to support the drawer 10 in a fully extended position.

(19) The lock system 10A provides a pair of cables 11B affixed to the lever 10A. At the opposite ends of the cables 11B, terminating in pads 11C which press against the side surfaces of the rails 12 when the lever 11A is released, locking the drawer 10 in position. When the lever 11A is released, the pads 11C press the two parts of each two-part rail 12 together, preventing the rollers 12A from moving.

(20) To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may grasp the handle 11, press the lever 11A, and pull the drawer 10 backward out of the bed. The user may then release the lever 11A when the drawer 10 has reached the desired position, and lower the legs 15 to support the rear edge of the drawer 10.

(21) The drawer 10, the handle 11, the lever 11A, the rails 12, the mounting arms 13, the mounting bolts 14, and the legs 15 are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials, such as aluminum alloy and steel. The pads 11C are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such as rubber or silicone.

(22) Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

(23) While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.