Abstract: A roll-formed one-piece vehicle bed member having plural downwardly-opening channel-like ribs extending longitudinally of the bed member and terminating at front and rear edges. The ribs adjacent one end are deformed to define rib portions which slope downwardly from the top of the ribs for merger with a flat transverse edge flange. The top wall of the sloped rib portion has a center wall portion which is offset downwardly relative to side edge portions which join the center wall portion to side walls of the rib.

Abstract: A roll-formed one-piece vehicle bed member having plural downwardly-opening channel-like ribs extending longitudinally of the bed member and terminating at front and rear edges. The ribs adjacent one end are deformed to define rib portions which slope downwardly from the top of the ribs for merger with a flat transverse edge flange. The top wall of the sloped rib portion has a center wall portion which is offset downwardly relative to side edge portions which join the center wall portion to side walls of the rib.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of a one-piece floor pan by roll forming. The floor pan has a central pan portion and secondary portions positioned forwardly and rearwardly of wheelwell openings formed in the pan adjacent opposite side edges thereof. Strengthening ribs extend longitudinally throughout the entire length of the pan and terminate at the front and rear edges. The strengthening ribs also extend longitudinally of the secondary portions and terminate at front and rear edges of the wheelwell openings. The one-piece floor pan has the wheelwell openings formed therein, as by a controlled notching operation, after the pan has been roll formed from flat sheet material, and the notching operation provides a series of flanges around the periphery of the wheelwell opening, both along the longitudinal inner edge and on the front and rear edges.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly with a floor pan having strengthening ribs extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at front and rear edges thereof. The rear edge of the floor pan has a downwardly extending rear flange to reinforce the rear edge. A rear cross rail supports the floor pan along the rear edge thereof directly adjacent the rear flange. The rear cross rail has rib projections which from below nest into and are fixedly secured to the ribs of the floor pan. The rear cross rail reinforces the rear part of the floor pan by increasing the thickness of metal at the rear part, i.e. the thickness at the rear part equals the combined thicknesses of the floor pan and rear cross rail, which increase thickness exists at the corner-like rear edge of the bed.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of a one-piece floor pan by roll forming. The floor pan has a central pan portion and secondary portions positioned forwardly and rearwardly of wheelwell openings formed in the pan adjacent opposite side edges thereof. Strengthening ribs extend longitudinally throughout the entire length of the pan and terminate at the front and rear edges. The strengthening ribs also extend longitudinally of the secondary portions and terminate at front and rear edges of the wheelwell openings. The one-piece floor pan has the wheelwell openings formed therein, as by a controlled notching operation, after the pan has been roll formed from flat sheet material, and the notching operation provides a series of flanges around the periphery of the wheelwell opening, both along the longitudinal inner edge and on the front and rear edges.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of a one-piece floor pan by roll forming. The floor pan has a central pan portion and secondary portions positioned forwardly and rearwardly of wheelwell openings formed in the pan adjacent opposite side edges thereof. Strengthening ribs extend longitudinally throughout the entire length of the pan and terminate at the front and rear edges. The strengthening ribs also extend longitudinally of the secondary portions and terminate at front and rear edges of the wheelwell openings. The one-piece floor pan has the wheelwell openings formed therein, as by a controlled notching operation, after the pan has been roll formed from flat sheet material, and the notching operation provides a series of flanges around the periphery of the wheelwell opening, both along the longitudinal inner edge and on the front and rear edges.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly with a floor pan having strengthening ribs extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at front and rear edges thereof. The rear edge of the floor pan has a downwardly extending rear flange to reinforce the rear edge. A rear cross rail supports the floor pan along the rear edge thereof directly adjacent the rear flange. The rear cross rail has rib projections which from below nest into and are fixedly secured to the ribs of the floor pan. The rear cross rail reinforces the rear part of the floor pan by increasing the thickness of metal at the rear part, i.e. the thickness at the rear part equals the combined thicknesses of the floor pan and rear cross rail, which increase thickness exists at the corner-like rear edge of the bed.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan (31) by roll forming, with the floor pan (31) having strengthening ribs (34) extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge (36) of the floor pan (31) cooperates with a rear sill member (32, 32') which has rib-end defining projections (47, 99) formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs (34) on the floor pan (31) for closing off the ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions (49, 102) which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan (31) by roll forming, with the floor pan (31) having strengthening ribs (34) extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge (36) of the floor pan (31) cooperates with a rear sill member (32, 32') which has rib-end defining projections (47, 99) formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs (34) on the floor pan (31) for closing off the ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions (49, 102) which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan by roll forming, with the floor pan having strengthening ribs extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge of the floor pan cooperates with a rear sill member which has rib-end defining projections formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs on the floor pan for closing off said ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.