Compartmentalized truck box

Abstract

A compartmentalized truck box for trucks that has independently sliding drawers to store tools. The drawers slide on metal rails, allowing access to the tools from the front of the truck box. The sliding drawers are secured in place with a metal shield called a protection panel. The protection panel protects the drawers from theft and damage from material loaded into the truck bed. The protection panel pivots on a hinge mounted on the top ledge of the front of the truck box. When tools are needed, the protection panel swings upward, resting on the inside of the main truck box's side compartment ledges. When finished, the protection panel swings downward, locking into the main truck box. Furthermore, the drawers in their closed position are protected inside the truck box with metal, separating them from the inside of the box; therefore, creating storage area behind the drawers for larger tools.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure is related to truck boxes used in full size and mid size Chevy, Ford, Dodge and other brand trucks. The purpose is to have storage/organization for tools and other items carried in trucks.

[0002] Truck boxes for various types of trucks are known. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,079,585; 4,946,215; 5,601,206; 5,875,948; 5,169,200; 4,770,330; 5,988,473; 5,938,264; 6,074,159; 5,419,476

THE FIELD/BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The modification of the common truck toolbox structure that many standard pickup trucks have mounted to the topside of the truck bed for storage of tools and/or other items. My invention modifies the standard truck box, allowing easier access of tools and better organization of tools or other items.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0004] Truck boxes are known for storage of tools and/or other items that mounts to the bed of a truck, allowing the owner of the truck to carry those items needed for work or other reasons. Truck boxes are commonly made of metal or hard plastic with a common lid that covers the entire truck box with a hinge to the rear, or has two lids that hinge in the center of the top portion, thus allowing access to the stored items inside the truck box. These truck boxes allow mass storage of tools/items, more specifically, one large cubic area with no separation or compartment. Thus, if a certain tool is needed, a large number of tools must be removed in order to retrieve the tool needed. My invention modifies the standard metal truck box by allowing more compartmentalized drawers for storage of smaller tools and better organization of items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] The disclosure may best be understood by referring to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0006] FIG. 1—Is an isometric view of the left side and front side of the compartmentalized truck box showing the truck box lid open, revealing the drawers, mounting brackets and storage compartment behind the drawers. The drawer internal partition panel (item 18) is shown on the right side but is removed on the left side revealing the drawers below. The drawers exterior protection panel is removed, refer to FIG. 2 for clarification.

[0007] FIG. 2—Is an isometric view of the right side and front side of the compartmentalized truck box showing the truck box lid open, revealing the front of the drawers with one drawer pulled out. The external drawer protection panel is in the up position, resting on the side storage compartment area (item 29).

[0008] FIG. 3—Is an isometric view of the front side and right side of the compartmentalized truck box with the external drawer protection panel in the down position, thus securing the drawers in the closed position. The external protection panel is locked into the main truck box (item 30). Also, shown is the internal drawer partition that separates the drawers from the storage area (item 17 & 18).

[0009] FIG. 4—Is an isometric view of the exterior front side and right side of the compartmentalized truck box with the exterior protection panel (item 15) in the locked position and the lid closed, thus making it appear to be a standard truck box with no drawers. Also shown is the push button latch (item 11) that allows the lid to open, giving access to the main storage area.

[0010] FIG. 5—Is a cross-section of the compartmentalized truck box with the lid in the open position, showing the compartment drawers from the side elevation. This view shows the drawers (item 3) in the closed position, the slide rails (item 14) and the mounting brackets (item 16). Also, this view shows the front protection panel (item 15) moving outward, then upward into open position, allowing access to the drawers. A partition panel is secured behind and above the drawers (items 17 & 18) to protect the drawers from debris and damage. Finally, this view shows the storage area behind the drawers for large items (item 7).

[0011] FIG. 6—Is a cross-section of the compartmentalized truck box with the lid closed over the drawer exterior protection panel. The exterior protection panel (item 15) is shown down in the locked position. Also shown are the drawers in the closed position with the slide rails mounted to the mounting brackets. Furthermore, the storage area behind the drawers for larger items is shown (item 7).

[0012] FIG. 7—Is a top (plan) view of the compartmentalized truck box showing the interior partition panel (item 18) covering the compartmentalized drawers. Also shown is the open area to the rear of, and between the drawers to store large tools. The small holes (item 6) on either side of the truck box are for mounting the truck box to the topside of the truck bed.

[0013] FIG. 8—Is an isometric view of the drawer (item 3) that stores tools in the compartmentalized truck box. Item 19 shows the drawers have a top ledge and item 20 shows a bottom ledge that slides into grooves on the metal rail (item 14) that allows the drawer to slide in and out. The indention on the metal rail (item 21) stops the drawer from sliding out beyond a predetermined point. There is a handle to assist in pulling the drawer outward (item 4).

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

[0014] A compartmentalized truck box made of metal that is formed to have sliding drawers across the front (FIG. 1, item 3). This truck box will mount to the top side of the bed of a standard full size or mid size pickup truck through the holes (FIG. 7, item 6) cut in the outer ledge of the top portion of the truck box (FIG. 3, item 10). The main function is to store tools and other items needed for work. The sliding drawers store small tools and/or parts, while the rear of the truck box stores the larger tools (FIG. 6, item 7).

[0015] To gain access to the interior area of the truck box, a push button (FIG. 1, item 11) is installed on either side of the outer ledge. When the push button opening device is activated, a metal rod is moved, allowing the latch that secures the lid to be released, thus opening the lid. The push button lever is secured with a locking mechanism (FIG. 1, item 12) mounted to the outer ledge on the driver's side of the truck box. The lid (FIG. 1, item 1) is secured to the rear of the truck box with a hinge (FIG. 1, item 13) that runs the length of the truck box. Also a push rod mechanical piston (FIG. 1, item 26) assists the lid in opening and keeps the lid in the open position. Once the lid is open, it allows access to the interior storage area (FIG. 5, item 7).

[0016] The exterior protection panel (FIG. 3, item 15) secures the compartmental drawers (FIG. 2, item 3) in place while not in use and also protects the drawers from any weather conditions, theft and any damage from material being loaded into the truck bed. This protection panel has a continuous hinge (FIG. 3, item 9) across the top that allows the panel to rotate upwardly 270 degrees from the closed position to the open position, resting on the inside storage area (FIG. 5, item 15). With the Protection panel open, access to the compartmentalized drawer is allowed. The protection panel in the closed position is secured with a keyed locking mechanism (FIG. 4, item 30) that penetrates through the main truck box, thus locking in place.

[0017] The compartmental drawers are protected from damage and debris with a horizontal metal interior partition panel over the top (FIG. 1, item 18) and a vertical metal partition (FIG. 1, item 17) to the rear and side of the drawers. Item 18 and item 17 are welded together before installation, thus providing complete protections for the drawers and allows a welding surface for the mounting brackets (FIG. 5, item 16) which holds the compartmental drawers in place. The mounting brackets (FIG. 5, item 16) is welded between the base of the truck box (FIG. 5, item 22) and the under side of the top metal partition panel (FIG. 5, item 18).

[0018] The metal compartmental drawers (FIG. 8, item 3) have metal lip on the top and middle side of the drawers (FIG. 8, item 19 & 20) that slide in a metal rail (FIG. 8, item 14), which is secured to mounting bracket (FIG. 6, item 16). The metal lip (FIG. 8, item 19 & item 20) slides in the top and bottom of the metal slide rail (FIG. 8, item 14), which keeps the drawer from slipping off track or tipping out when the drawer is extended out. Also, the metal slide rails have an indention (FIG. 8, item 21) that stops the drawer at a predetermined point, keeping the drawer from extending to far. A handle (FIG. 8, item 4) is installed on the front of the drawers to assist in pulling out the drawer.

[0019] A storage area for larger tools and/or other items is located to the rear of the compartmental drawers (FIG. 6, item 7), between the metal partition panel (FIG. 6, item 17) and the rear of the truck box (FIG. 6, item 23). Also tools and/or other material could be stored on the top of the horizontal metal partition panel (FIG. 1, item 18) that protects the drawers from debris and damage.

Compartmentalized Truck Box

Keyed Notes Description

[0020] 1. The truck box lid

[0021] 2. The truck box lower left side

[0022] 3. The truck box compartmental drawers that slide

[0023] 4. Handle to assist in pulling out the drawer

[0024] 5. Inside portion of the sliding drawer

[0025] 6. Pre-cut holes for mounting truck box to truck

[0026] 7. Rear storage area for larger, bulky items

[0027] 8. Under side of the truck box lid

[0028] 9. Continuous hinge across top of the exterior protection panel, allows it to pivot upwardly

[0029] 10. Top portion of truck box that is secured to the top portion of a pickup's bed

[0030] 11. Push button to operate the truck box lid, to gain access to the interior storage area

[0031] 12. Keyed locking mechanism that secures the truck box lid in the closed position

[0032] 13. Hinge that secures the rear of the lid to the truck box, allowing it to pivot up and down

[0033] 14. Metal slide rails that allow the drawer to slide in and out

[0034] 15. Protection panel that secures the drawers in place

[0035] 16. Metal mounting brackets that the metal drawer slides through

[0036] 17. Metal vertical partition panel that separates the storage area from the sliding drawer area

[0037] 18. Metal horizontal partition panel that protects the drawers from debris and damage

[0038] 19. Top metal lip that slides in a metal groove on the metal slide

[0039] 20. Bottom metal lip that slides in a metal groove on the metal slide

[0040] 21. Metal indention that stops the drawer from sliding out beyond a specified point

[0041] 22. Base (bottom) of the interior area of the truck box

[0042] 23. Rear (back) portion of the truck box

[0043] 24. The truck box lower right side

Compartmentalized Truck Box

Keyed Notes Description Continued

[0044] 25. The front of the truck box

[0045] 26. A mechanical air piston that assisting in the opening of the lid and keeps the lid open

[0046] 27. A metal stabilization bracket that makes the truck box rigid

[0047] 28. Storage compartment area for smaller items/tool

[0048] 29. Vertical side of the small compartment area

[0049] 30. The lock that secures the external protection panel to the main truck box

[0050] 31. Hole in the main truck box that the external protection panel lock penetrates through

Claims

1. Compartmental drawers that are mounted above each other and across the front of, and within a truck box that allow access to said drawers through the front of said truck box.

2. Said drawers, are protected by a steel exterior protection panel that covers to entire front of the truck box, securing the drawers in place.

3. Said protection panel has a keyed locking mechanism secured to the panel, this lock penetrates through the main truck box structure, securing said panel in the closed position.

4. A continuous hinge is secured to the top portion of said protection panel, allowing the panel to rotate upwardly from the closed position, 270 degrees, to the open position.

5. Each of said drawers slide outwardly on metal rails that slide within a mounting bracket, which is secured to the main truck box.

6. As said drawers are in the closed position, a vertical metal partition panel separates the drawers from the main truck box storage area, and

7. A metal horizontal partition panel protects the top area of said drawers in the closed position, thus with claim 6, isolates the drawers from the interior portion of the truck box.