Modular truck bed floor

{
  "publication_number": "US10875583B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Modular truck bed floor",
  "abstract": "A pick-up truck bed includes a plurality of plates longer in a longitudinal direction than in a transverse direction that are assembled together along longitudinally extending edges to a laterally adjacent one of the plates. The plates each include a plurality of supporting structures longitudinally extending along a length of the plates that support the plates on transversely extending cross-members. A left-side plate defines a left wheel housing cutout, a longitudinally extending central plate includes first and second complementary interlocking features on opposite longitudinally extending sides, and a longitudinally extending right-side plate defines a right wheel housing cutout. The left-side plate includes a first interlocking feature and the right-side plate includes a second interlocking feature that each receive one of the complementary interlocking features of the central plate.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pick-up truck bed comprising: a plurality of plates longer in a longitudinal direction than in a transverse direction that are assembled together along longitudinally extending edges to a laterally adjacent one of the plates, wherein the plates each include a plurality of supporting structures longitudinally extending along a length of the plates that support the plates on transversely extending cross-members, wherein the longitudinally extending edge of a first one of the plates includes a T-shaped protrusion and the longitudinally extending edge of a second one of the plates defines a T-shaped slot that receives the T-shaped protrusion when the plates are assembled together, wherein the T-shaped protrusion extends upwardly from a longitudinal edge the first one of the plates, and the T-shape slot is defined in an elongated upstanding rib formed on the longitudinally extending edge of the second one of the plates.",
    "2. The pick-up truck bed of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending edge of a first one of the plates includes an upper flange that includes a portion of a top surface of the first plate and the longitudinally extending edge of a second one of the plates includes a lower flange that is disposed below the upper flange when the plates are assembled together.",
    "3. The pick-up truck bed of claim 1 wherein the elongated upstanding rib is one of a plurality of solid rectilinear ribs provided on a top surface of the plates.",
    "4. A truck bed comprising: a longitudinally extending left-side plate defining a left wheel housing cutout; a longitudinally extending central plate including first and second complementary interlocking features on opposite longitudinally extending sides; and a longitudinally extending right-side plate defining a right wheel housing cutout, wherein the left-side plate includes a first interlocking feature and the right-side plate includes a second interlocking feature that receive one of the complementary interlocking features of the central plate, wherein the first complementary interlocking feature and the first interlocking feature each include a T-shaped protrusion and the second complementary interlocking feature and the second interlocking feature each defines a T-shaped slot that receives the T-shaped protrusion when the plates are assembled together, wherein the T-shaped protrusion extends upwardly from a longitudinal edge of one of the plates, and the T-shape slot is defined in an elongated upstanding rib formed on the lateral edge of one of the plates.",
    "5. The truck bed of claim 4 further comprising: a plurality of supporting structures provided on lower surfaces of the left-side plate, central plate and the right-side plate.",
    "6. The truck bed of claim 4 wherein the first complementary interlocking feature and the first interlocking feature include an upper flange that includes a portion of a top surface of the first plate and the second complementary interlocking feature and the second interlocking feature include a lower flange that is disposed below the upper flange when the plates are assembled together.",
    "7. The truck bed of claim 4 wherein the elongated upstanding rib is one of a plurality of solid rectilinear ribs provided on a top surface of the plates."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates to a pick-up truck bed floor that includes a plurality of extruded sections assembled together at longitudinally extending edges.\n\nPick-up trucks include a bed that may be utilized for transporting a wide variety of types of cargo ranging from building materials to recreational equipment. Prior art pick-up truck beds are formed as sheet metal stampings that are assembled over crossbars and beams that are in-turn assembled to the frame and chassis of the truck. Sheet metal parts are generally limited to the thickness of the sheet metal blank and are locally thinned when drawn to a desired shape.\n\nSheet metal is provided at a specified gage thickness that affects the formability limits for a part. Thicker blanks are more robust and resistant to perforation and denting but add to the overall vehicle weight. Formability limits restrict floor bead shapes and depths because exceeding formability limits may result in splits. Aluminum truck beds offer substantial weight savings compared to steel truck beds but are subject to greater formability limits.\n\nThe substantial weight savings available with aluminum truck beds is reduced if additional supporting structures are required to support the bed. The weight of supporting crossbars and beams is also part of the overall weight of the truck bed. Generally, thinner gage truck bed floors require more supporting structures and require more assembly operations.\n\nThis disclosure is directed to solving the above problems and other problems as summarized below.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62D 25/2072",
    "B60N 3/048",
    "B62D 25/20",
    "B62D 25/2009",
    "B62D 33/02",
    "B62D 33/0273"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60N 3/04",
    "B62D 25/20",
    "B62D 33/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Ford Global Technologies LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Dragan B. Stojkovic",
    "Joshua Robert Hemphill",
    "Jack Marchlewski",
    "Jeffrey Gray",
    "Vincent Anthony Chimento"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-11-05",
  "publication_date": "2020-12-29",
  "grant_date": "2020-12-29",
  "priority_date": "2017-05-19",
  "application_number": "US-201816181004-A",
  "family_id": "64269861",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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}