DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] Before beginning the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, several general comments can be made about the applicability and the scope thereof. First, hinges are referred to for coupling an extension panel and wings to a tailgate, and in the illustrations, two, spaced-apart hinges are used for each component. The number of hinges, and the type of hinges and their location may be variously embodied without departing from the invention's intended scope. For example, hinges similar to piano hinges can be used if desired for either the panel or the side wings.

[0023] Second, reference is made in this application to the use of the extension system for sports utility trucks, but the invention has equal applicability for current pick-up trucks which have only a single row of seating and where it is still desired to provide an elongate cargo bed for the transportation of items such as furniture, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.

[0024] Third, the particular materials used for constructing the extension system of the present invention can be selected from those commonly used for constructing vehicle body parts (hardened steel being the most common), but since the panel and the wings are not load bearing, plastic materials, aluminum and other lighter weight materials can be employed.

[0025] Fourth, again referring to the hinges, it is preferred that they be placed on inner surfaces of folding components so that they are not exposed to the exterior of the truck, a feature which enhances the appearance of the cargo extension system and prevents inadvertent damage to the hinges.

[0026] Sixth, the tie-down system is illustrated in connection with the sports utility truck used in FIGS. 1-3, but other types of trucks, ranging from pick-up trucks to large commercial flatbed trucks will benefit from the use of the channels and recessed tie-down cords described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. Furthermore, the cords may be arranged in a direction other than longitudinal of the vehicle axis for certain applications (such as in flatbed trucks) and the precise way of coupling the cords to the vehicle can be varied. In the present invention, the illustrations show hooks and eyelets so that the cords may be removed. However, the cords can be permanently fastened (preferably rotatably) at each end so that they will not become misplaced or inadvertently come loose during loading or transportation.

[0027] Proceeding now to the description of FIG. 1, an extension system 10 of the invention includes a main panel 12, a right-side wing 14 and a left-side wing (which, although not shown, is a mirror-image of the right-side wing 14). Extension system 10 is used with a vehicle 20 having a cargo floor 16 and a fold-down tailgate 18. Tailgate 18, as previously mentioned, pivots about its lower edge into a deployed position. In such deployed position, extension system 10 will extend the cargo floor 16 by approximately the height of the tailgate 18.

[0028] Main panel 10, which preferably spans the entire width and height of the tailgate, preferably includes coupling two hinges 22 (only one is shown). The hinges 22, define a common first axis 24 and function to allow pivotal movement of the main panel 12 from a stored position (see FIG. 2) to a deployed position (see FIG. 1). The hinges 22 are preferably located near a first edge 26 of the main panel 12 and a second edge 28 of the fold-down tailgate 18. A third edge on the fold-down tailgate 18 is pivotally connected to the cargo floor 16 with conventional hinges (not shown). The hinges 22 preferably extend from a first inner surface 32 of the main panel 12 and from a second inner surface 34 of the fold-down tailgate 18. In this manner, the hinges 22 are hidden from view when the vehicle is observed from a distance as the extension system 10 is articulated into its stored position (with the fold-down tailgate 18 in an open or a closed position). In the preferred embodiment, hinges 22 allow pivotal movement of the main panel 12 by 90 degrees. In alternative embodiments, hinges 22 may allow pivotal movement within a lesser or greater range.

[0029] Wings 14, which span the entire depth of the folddown tailgate 18, include a pair of spaced-apart side hinges 36. Side hinges 36 define a common second axis 38 and a common third axis (not shown), and function to allow pivotal movement of the wings 14 from a stored position (shown in FIG. 3) to a deployed position. Side hinges 36 are preferably located near a fourth edge 40 on the wings and a fifth edge 42 on the main panel 12. Like hinges 22, the hinges 36 preferably extend from a third surface 44 of the wing 14 and from the first surface 32 of the main panel 12. In this manner, side hinges 36 are hidden when the vehicle is observed from a distance when the extension system 10 is articulated into a stored position.

[0030] Wings 14 are preferably provided with a notched section 46 along a sixth edge 48. The notched section 46 engages a corresponding section 50 of the vehicle bed when the wing 14 is pivoted into its deployed position. At the same time, a seventh edge 52 on the wing 14 engages an eighth edge 54 on the fold-down tailgate 18 to increase the cargo volume of the vehicle.

[0031] Referring next to FIG. 4, the tie-down system 56 of the invention includes a cargo floor 58 having recessed channels 60, tie-down devices 62 and tie-down cords 64. Although the tie-down system 56 of the invention has been specifically designed for SUT vehicle 20, it may be used on any surface of a vehicle, including the interior floor and the exterior ceiling of a van-like vehicle.

[0032] The recessed channels 60 function to allow the permanent placement of the tie-down devices 62 and the tie-down cord 64, yet provide a relatively smooth and vertically uninterrupted surface for the cargo floor 58. This allows sliding movement of cargo into and out of the vehicle 20. In the preferred embodiment, cargo floor 58 includes three recessed channels 60 which are parallel to each other and run longitudinally of the vehicle axis. In alternative embodiments, cargo floor 58 may include more or less than the three recessed channels 60 or may include recessed channels 60 running in different directions. The recessed channels 60 are preferably designed with a channel width “A” just greater than a device width “B” of the cords 64 and with a channel depth “C” just deeper than the cords 64. The recessed channel is preferably formed as an integral part of the cargo floor 58, but it may be formed as an independent part and fastened to the cargo floor 58 with bolts, screws, adhesives or welds.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the tie-down device 62 is preferably fastened to the recessed channel 60 by bolts 66. Alternatively, the tie-down device 62 may be fastened to the recessed channel 60 with other suitable devices such as screws or adhesives, or may alternatively be formed as an integral part of the recessed channel. The tie-down device 62 functions to provide an anchor for the tie-down cord 64. For this reason, the tie-down device 62 includes an eyelet section 68 allowing for the removable connection of the tie-down cord 64. The tie-down device 62 is preferably formed from conventional materials, such as hardened steel or plastic.

[0034] The tie-down cord 64 functions to hold cargo against the cargo floor 58 during transportation. Cord 64 is preferably made from an elastic material, commonly known as bungee cord. Cord 64 preferably also includes a connector 70 at each end to temporarily or permanently connect with the eyelet section 68 of the tie-down device 62. The tie-down cord 64 is also preferably designed to fit within the recessed channel 60 in a relaxed or in a slightly taut state while still having sufficient elasticity to fit around large items.

[0035] The tie-down system 56 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes drainage ports 72 preferably located at opposite ends of each recessed channel 60, the ports 72 functioning to drain liquids from the cargo floor 58. The ports 72 may be connected to a drainage outlet (not shown) by drainage pipes (not shown). Furthermore, they may be covered when they are not needed, for example by elastomeric plugs. The tie-down system 56 may alternately include one or more drainage ports 72 intermediate the ends of channel 60.

[0036] While the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a single preferred embodiment, the invention is not to be limited by such description but is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims which follow.