IP Library Granted Patent US 6,959,846
Granted Patent B2
US 6,959,846 · App. 10/284,038 · Granted Nov 1, 2005

Motor vehicle box and pickup truck

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,959,846
App. No.
10/284,038
Granted
Nov 1, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A motor vehicle box and a pickup truck having a motor vehicle box provided in the pickup truck bed are provided. The motor vehicle box includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall constructed to form a container having an opening wherein the container has an exterior side and an interior side; a lid constructed to cover the opening, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to at least one of the plurality of walls; and a latch mechanism comprising a latch member constructed and arranged to move between a first position and second position. The first position is provided for holding the lid in place covering the opening. The second position is provided for releasing the lid. The latch mechanism includes an exterior latch release mechanism and an interior latch release mechanism. The exterior latch release mechanism extends to the exterior side of the container and is constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered. The interior latch release mechanism is provided within the interior side of the container and is constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered. The interior latch release mechanism allows someone, such as a small child, who becomes trapped in the box to release himself or herself from the box by using the interior latch release mechanism.

Claims (19)

1. A motor vehicle box comprising:

(a) a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall constructed to form a container having an opening wherein the container has an exterior side and an interior side;

(b) a lid constructed to cover the opening, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls; and

(c) a latch mechanism comprising a latch member constructed and arranged to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being provided for holding the lid in place covering the opening and the second position being provided for releasing the lid, wherein the latch mechanism comprises:

(i) an exterior latch release mechanism that extends to the exterior side of the container and constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered; and

(ii) an interior latch release mechanism provided within the interior side of the container and constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered, the interior latch release mechanism comprising a lever arm, a line, and a handle, wherein pulling the handle causes the lever arm to move in a downward direction and move the latch member from the first position to the second position;

(d) wherein the motor vehicle box is constructed to fit in a pickup truck bed.

2. A motor vehicle box according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior latch release mechanism comprises a button accessible from the exterior side of the container, that, when depressed, causes the latch member to move to the second position.

3. A motor vehicle box according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior latch release mechanism comprises a lever accessible from the exterior side of the container, that, when depressed, causes the latch member to move to the second position.

4. A motor vehicle box according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior latch release mechanism comprises a knob accessible from the exterior side of the container, that, when turned, causes the latch member to move to the second position.

5. A pickup truck having a bed comprising a bed floor, a left bed sidewall, a right bed sidewall, and a motor vehicle box attached to the pickup truck in the pickup truck bed, wherein the motor vehicle box comprises:

(a) a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall constructed to form a container having an opening wherein the container has an exterior side and an interior side;

(b) a lid constructed to cover the opening, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls; and

(c) a latch mechanism comprising a latch member constructed and arranged to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being provided for holding the lid in place covering the opening and the second position being provided for releasing the lid, wherein the latch mechanism comprises:

(i) an exterior latch release mechanism that extends to the exterior side of the container and constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered; and

(ii) an interior latch release mechanism provided within the interior side of the container and constructed to move the latch member to the second position with triggered, the interior latch release mechanism comprising a lever arm, a line, and a handle, wherein pulling the handle causes the lever arm to move in a downward direction and move the latch member from the first position to the second position.

6. A pickup truck according to claim 5 , wherein the exterior latch release mechanism comprises a button accessible from the exterior side of the container, that, when depressed, causes the latch member to move to the second position.

7. A pickup truck according to claim 5 , wherein the exterior latch release mechanism comprises a lever accessible from the exterior side of the container, that, when depressed, causes the latch member to move to the second position.

8. A pickup truck according to claim 5 , wherein the exterior latch release mechanism comprises a knob accessible from the exterior side of the container, that, when turned, causes the latch member to move to the second position.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2011
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: LUND, INC.; LUND INTERNATINAL, INC.; BELMOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 026205/0422 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 25, 2008
From: LUND, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020403/0930 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2008
From: LUND INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; LUND INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: LUND, INC.
Reel/Frame 020317/0743 →