Cargo box reinforcement system

Abstract

A cargo box (10) reinforcement system (20) includes an upper front panel reinforcement (22) securable to a cargo box front panel (18) and side wall panels (14, 16). The system (20) including a pair of side reinforcements (24, 26). Each side reinforcement (24, 26) is securable to one side of the pair of side panels (14, 16) of the cargo box (10). Each side reinforcement (24, 26) is secured with an end (40) of the upper front panel reinforcement (22). Also, the system (20) includes a pair of gussets (28, 30). Each gusset (28, 30) is coupled with the upper front panel reinforcement (22) and one of the pair of side reinforcements (24, 26).

Claims

1. A cargo box reinforcement system comprising: an upper front panel reinforcement securable to a cargo box front panel; a pair of side reinforcements, each side reinforcement securable to one side of the cargo box, and each side reinforcement includes an end that secures with an end of the upper front panel reinforcement; a pair of gussets, each gusset coupled with the upper front panel reinforcement and one of the side reinforcements; and a tie down on the gussets.

2. The cargo box reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein the gussets are each bolted to the upper front panel reinforcement and one of side reinforcements.

3. A vehicle cargo box comprising: a floor deck with a pair of side panels and a front wall panel that extend from the floor deck and an open end opposing the front wall panel for receiving a tailgate; and an upper front panel reinforcement on the cargo box front wall panel; a pair of side reinforcements, each side reinforcement on one of the pair of side panels of the cargo box, and each side reinforcement including an end coupled with an end of the upper front panel reinforcement; a pair of gussets, each gusset coupled with the upper front panel reinforcement and one of the pair of side reinforcements; and a tie down on each of the gussets.

4. The cargo box reinforcement system of claim 3, wherein the gussets are each bolted to the upper front panel reinforcement and one of the side reinforcements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo box with the reinforcement system.

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the reinforcement system.

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear exploded perspective view like FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Turning to FIG. 1, a vehicle cargo box is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The cargo box 10 includes a floor deck 12 with a pair of side walls 14, 16 as well as a front wall panel 18. The rear of the cargo box is illustrated as being open to receive a tailgate.

(6) A reinforcement system 20 is illustrated on the upper front wall panel 18 and side panels 14, 16. The reinforcement system 20 includes an upper panel reinforcement 22, side panel reinforcements 24, 26 as well as gussets 28, 30.

(7) The upper front panel reinforcement 22 has an elongated rail shape with a top shelf 32 and a sidewall 34. This forms a L-shaped rail that enables the upper front panel reinforcement 22 to place onto a ledge of the front upper wall panel and be welded, adhesively glued or the like to it. Generally, the upper front panel reinforcement 22 is welded to the ledge and front wall along its L-shape inside the front wall panel 18. Additionally, the rail includes ends 36, 38. The ends 36, 38 include a receiving portion 40. The receiving portions 40 receive ends of the side panel reinforcements 24, 26.

(8) The side reinforcements 24, 26 have a body 42 with a top wall 44 and a pair of extending side walls 46, 48. A U-shape is formed with the top wall or web 44 and the side walls 46, 48. The U-shape enables the side reinforcements 24, 26 to be positioned and secured onto a ledge surface and front wall of the cargo box side walls 14, 16. The top wall 44 is welded and/or adhesively glued to the ledge inside the side wall 14, 16 of cargo box. The side wall 46 is welded and/or adhesively glued to the front wall of the cargo box side wall 14, 16. Additionally, the side panel reinforcements 24, 26 include a projection 50. The projection 50 inserts into the receiving sockets of end portions 40. Thus, the reinforcements 22, 24, 26 are positioned and secured together inside the front and side wall panels 14, 16. The reinforcements 22, 24, and 26 are thus secured, welded or glued with one another and to the front panel 18 and side wall panels 14, 16.

(9) Gussets 28, 30 are positioned at the intersections, or right angles, of the upper panel reinforcement member 22 and the side panel reinforcements 24, 26 on the external wall surface of the cargo box. The gussets 28, 30 have an L-shape and are bolted with the upper panel reinforcement 22 as well as the side reinforcements 24, 26. The bolt passes through the cargo box sheet wall and both side walls 46, 48 of the body of the side reinforcements 24, 26. The gussets 28, 30 include a shelf 56 that is positioned on the external ledge of the cargo box front wall panel 18, and side wall panels 14, 16. This provides additional reinforcement when the gussets 28, 30 are secured with the upper panel reinforcement 22 and side panel reinforcements 24, 26 as seen in FIG. 1. Additionally, the sidewall 58 abuts against an external surface of a front wall of the side panels 14, 16 and the external surface of the front wall of the front panel 18. Thus, the gusset 28, 30, while having the overall L-shape, also have an L-shape in cross section.

(10) A tie down 60 is included with the gussets 28, 30. The tie down 60 has a bar shape 62. The bar shape 62 extends between the legs 64, 66 of the gussets 28, 30.

(11) The tie downs 60 provide exceptional strength in an upper front corner location of the cargo bed where tie downs are typically not provided. The tie downs 60 provide well over a 3000 lb. force capability with no deflection of the base cargo box sheet metal. This is compared with typical cargo box tie downs that provide approximately 200 to 600 lbs force capability. Typical high/low tie downs are located at the lower four corners of the cargo box just above the cargo box floor. The present reinforcement system does not require any modification to the original production of the cargo box design. The reinforcement system provides 3.5 Hz of dynamic stiffness and aids in the resolution of the load carrying and durability issues.

(12) The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.