Foldable extension deck and ramp assembly for pickup truck

{
  "publication_number": "US9738203B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Foldable extension deck and ramp assembly for pickup truck",
  "abstract": "The foldable truck bed extension deck and ramp assembly are mountable in a short-box pickup truck. The bed extension deck and ramp assembly have a comparable length to a full-size pickup truck box when deployed for use, and are jointly foldable to fit into a short-bed pickup truck with its tailgate closed when not used. The bed extension deck has a strong upper surface to resist deformation in rough use. The ramp member can be deployed with its front end matching the surface of the extension deck so that a vehicle can be driven along the ramp member and onto the deck surface without encountering any transition step.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A truck bed extension deck having a top plate, a structural frame system mounted under said top plate and a ramp storage compartment positioned under said structural frame system, said structural frame system comprising: a longitudinal channel on each side thereof; transverse flat bars extending transversely between said longitudinal channels; longitudinal flat bars extending longitudinally between said transverse flat bars; angle joiners and fasteners retaining each end of one of said longitudinal flat bars to one of said transverse flat bars; and angle clips affixed exclusively to said longitudinal flat bars and to said top plate for retaining said top plate to said structural frame system said structural frame system further having unattached connections between said top plate and said transverse flat bars such that an alignment of said transverse flat bars remains unaffected by a sagging of said top plate under load.",
    "2. The truck bed extension deck as claimed in claim 1, also having a ramp member telescopically mounted in said ramp storage compartment.",
    "3. The truck bed extension deck as claimed in claim 2, wherein said structural frame system and said ramp members are made of aluminum.",
    "4. A truck bed extension deck having a ramp member telescopically mounted inside said bed extension deck; said bed extension deck having a front segment and a rear segment; said rear segment being joined to said front segment by a first hinge such that said rear segment being foldable upwardly relative to said front segment; said ramp member having a front portion and a rear portion; said rear portion being joined to said front portion by a second hinge such that said rear portion being foldable upwardly relative to said front portion; said first hinge having an angle of articulation, and said second hinge being located within said angle of articulation when said ramp member is stowed inside said bed extension deck; said bed extension deck further having a framing system therein and a ramp storage compartment under said framing system; said ramp member being telescopically mounted in said ramp storage compartment; and said framing system comprising transverse flat bars extending there across; longitudinal flat bars extending across said transverse flat bars, and a top plate covering said longitudinal flat bars and said transverse flat bars and being affixed exclusively to said longitudinal flat bars; said framing system further having unattached connections between said top plate and said transverse flat bars such that an alignment of said transverse flat bars remains unaffected by a sagging of said top plate under load."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/743,159, filed Aug. 28, 2012.\n\nThe present invention pertains to the field of truck ramps stowed inside truck-bed liners, and more particularly, it pertains to foldable bed extension deck and ramp assemblies for use in short-box pickup trucks.\n\nModern pickup trucks have extended cabs capable of sitting five passengers comfortably. The boxes of these modern pickup trucks have a length of 6 ft.-6 in., basically. These short boxes cannot transport trail-type or mountain-type snowmobiles with lengths of 11 and 13 feet respectively, even with the tailgate in the open position. Similarly, lumber and other residential construction materials are sold in 8, 10 and 12 foot lengths. Transporting these materials in a short-box pickup truck can sometimes be a challenge. For these reasons, it is believed that modern short-box pickup trucks have created a market need for truck bed extension decks that can be used to transport material and equipment that is best transported in a conventional 8-foot truck box.\n\nConventional ramps for use with pickup trucks have a length of 8 feet. It is generally accepted that an 8-foot ramp provides an easy slope for loading a vehicle in the truck box. Short truck boxes are inherently associated with shorter ramps and a steeper climbing angle for loading sport or gardening equipment in the truck box. This inconvenience also points to a market need for truck bed extension decks that can be used to transport material and equipment that is best transported in a conventional 8-foot truck box.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60P 1/435",
    "B60P 1/431",
    "B62D 33/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60P 1/43",
    "B62D 33/08"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Michel Michaud"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-08-19",
  "publication_date": "2017-08-22",
  "grant_date": "2017-08-22",
  "priority_date": "2012-08-28",
  "application_number": "US-201313987646-A",
  "family_id": "50180668",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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