IP Library Granted Patent US 12691811
Granted Patent B2
US 12691811 · App. 18/744,380 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Side-rail modular, lightweight load-carrying panels and racks

Inventors: Nicholas Niemeyer (Des Moines, IA); James P. Elwell, II (Grimes, IA); Reid Sears (Des Moines, IA); Justin Black (Des Moines, IA)
Assignee: Putco, Inc.
B60P7/0815B60P7/0823B62D33/0273
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691811
App. No.
18/744,380
Filed
Jun 14, 2024
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3734
USPC
224/400
Abstract

A pickup full of gear doesn't have to be a jumbled mess. A modular, lightweight load-carrying system is custom engineered to fit directly onto a tailgate using the existing OEM mounting points of the vehicle. The rack systems allow drivers of the vehicle to keep gear organized, easily accessible, and secure.

Claims (40)

1 . A load carrying panel for mounting objects to, comprising:

a mounting panel comprising mounting slits, wherein the mounting slits extend along the mounting panel from a connecting portion to a distance of not less than 0.2 inches from an end of the mounting panel;

an angled panel attached to the mounting panel via the connecting portion, wherein an acute angle formed between the angled panel and the mounting panel is forty-five degrees, between forty-five degrees and seventy-five degrees, or seventy-five degrees;

a plurality of apertures disposed on the angled panel such that a plurality of intervals and a median are disposed between the plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged in a plurality of rows;

a top portion; and

a fillet between the top portion and the angled panel.

2 . The load carrying panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rows comprise two rows.

3 . The load carrying panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are rectangular.

4 . A load carrying panel for mounting objects to, comprising:

a mounting panel comprising mounting slits;

an angled panel attached to the mounting panel via a connecting portion;

a plurality of apertures disposed on the angled panel such that a plurality of intervals and a median are disposed between the plurality of apertures;

a top portion; and

a fillet between the top portion and the angled panel

wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged in a plurality of rows;

wherein an acute angle formed between the angled panel and the mounting panel is forty-five degrees, between forty-five degrees and seventy-five degrees, or seventy-five degrees;

wherein the mounting slits extend along the mounting panel from the connecting portion to a distance of not less than 0.2 inches from an end of the mounting panel; and

wherein the mounting slits comprises six mounting slits.

5 . A system for a modular load carrying panel assembly, comprising:

a load carrying panel comprising:

a mounting panel comprising mounting slits;

an angled panel attached to the mounting panel via a connecting portion;

a PALS grid disposed on the angled panel; and

a railing comprising:

a pair of first mounting apertures that extend through the railing from a top of the railing to a bottom of the railing;

a pair of T-shaped channels positioned on a top of the railing; and

a channel extending through the railing from a first distal end to a second distal end, wherein the channel comprises a T-shaped channel.

6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising second mounting apertures that extend into both a first a-side of the railing and a second side of the railing.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the channel comprising a T-shaped channel is positioned on the bottom of the railing.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the channel comprising a T-shaped channel is disposed in a center of the railing on the bottom, the railing further comprising a pair of through-channels extending through the railing from the first distal end to the second distal end.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the second mounting apertures extend into the pair of through-channels.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a top portion comprising a fillet on the load carrying panel.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein an angle formed between the angled panel and the mounting panel is forty-five degrees, between forty-five degrees and seventy-five degrees, or seventy-five degrees.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the load carrying panel is fixedly attached to the railing via screws or nuts and bolts.

13 . A method for attaching the system of claim 5 , to a vehicle, comprising:

connecting the mounting panel to the railing via screws or nuts and bolts through the mounting slits and the pair of T-shaped channels; and

fastening the modular load carrying assembly to a vehicle via the channel.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modular load carrying assembly is fastened to a top of sidewalls of the vehicle.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modular load carrying assembly is fastened to a bed of the vehicle.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modular load carrying assembly is fastened to an interior of sidewalls of the vehicle, wherein a plurality of modular load carrying assemblies are fastened to the interior of the sidewalls of the vehicle so as to create shelving with a kit.