Abstract: A vehicle side rail is formed in cross section into a base portion which attaches to the upper edge of the vehicle side wall and a curled portion which extends upwardly and forms a curved surface above the base portion. Tie-down openings are provided through the curled portion so that tie-down cords may be attached to objects being carried in the carrying compartment.

Abstract: A protective cap for covering the sidewalls of a pickup truck bed is provided. The caps have a contour matching the contour of the sidewalls so as to provide a close fit, without the use of spacers or shims. The cap includes an elongated body with opposite forward and rearward ends and opposite inside and outside edges. Inside and outside lips are formed by bending portions of the respective inside and outside edges of the body downwardly. A notch is provided adjacent the rearward end of the body, to permit a rearward lip to be formed by bending a portion of the rearward end downwardly. The formation of the outside and rear lips closes the gap. The outside lip and rear lip are joined by a weld which fills the closed notch so as provide a continuous curved surface at the rearward corner of the body. The weld is polished to be visually indistinguishable from the outside and rear lips.

Abstract: The product and process of forming a flat mat as a liner for covering the exposed floor surface of a truck bed, the process comprising the flattening of a coiled strip of an aluminum alloy having up to 1.5% manganese therein and a thickness of from 0.063 to 0.100 inches, cutting and forming the flattened strip into a liner mat having certain dimensions rolling up the cut liner mat, heat treating the roll at 650.degree. F. for 2 hours, cooling the heat treated roll at an ambient temperature, shipping the cooled roll in roll form and unrolling the shipped roll into a flat condition for subsequent installation onto the truck bed floor surface; the product comprising the mat formed thereby having the composition and physical characteristics set forth.

Abstract: A side rail assembly (10) for attachment to the upper wall (43) of a pick-up truck (20), the assembly (10) comprising a tread plate (12) adapted to fit over the upper wall (43); a tubular, open-ended side rail (21) having a portion (22) disposed parallel to and spaced above the tread plate (12) with end portions (23) engaging the tread plate (12), the bottom wall (29) of the rail (21) split longitudinally to form a slot (30) and having an angular seat formed by shoulders (32) in the bottom wall (29); a plurality of angular and tubular spacers (33) adapted to fit in a nested manner into the shoulder seat at any location therealong and to engage the tread plate (12); and carriage bolt fasteners (34) slidingly engaged with the rail (21) by the slot (30) and insertable through the spacers (33), the tread plate (12) and the side panel wall (43 ) to fasten the assembly (10) to the side panel (11), the fasteners (34) being hidden from view.

Abstract: A running board having a series of lighting elements disposed within an enclosed cavity along the outer edge of the running board, and a mounting structure including a channel on the underside of the running board deck, which channel supports a fastener and secures the fastener against rotation by the mating engagement of a channel rib with a slot in the head of the fastener.