IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,871,904
Granted Patent B2
US 6,871,904 · App. 10/604,152 · Granted Mar 29, 2005

Composite pickup box for automotive vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,871,904
App. No.
10/604,152
Granted
Mar 29, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle is constructed of extruded floor beams combined with extruded wall sections and extruded corner sections. An outer skin is attached to the wall sections in such manner as to cover the exterior portions of the wall sections and corner sections.

Claims (13)

1. A composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a floor comprising a plurality of extruded beams, with each of said beams having a plurality of downward opening channels;

a plurality of wall sections, with each of said wall sections comprising a unitary extrusion having a plurality of outward opening channels, with each of said wall sections being permanently joined to said floor; and

an unitary outer skin attached to said plurality of wall sections so as to cover said plurality of outward opening channels.

2. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said floor and said wall sections comprise extruded metal.

3. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said wall sections are welded to said floor.

4. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said wall sections are adhesively bonded to said floor.

5. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein said floor and said wall sections comprise extruded aluminum, with said wall sections being welded to said floor.

6. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said floor and said wall sections comprise extruded plastic.

7. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein said floor and said wall sections comprise extruded, fiber-filled resin.

8. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of extruded corner posts extending vertically from said floor at a plurality of corners of said pickup box, with at least two of said wall sections being joined to said corner posts.

9. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein each of said corner posts comprises an outwardly directed closed quadrant and an inwardly directed open quadrant, with said at least two wall sections being joined to oute surfaces of said inwardly directed quadrants.

10. The composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein said at least two wall sections are welded to outer surfaces of inwardly directed quadrants of said corner posts such that said welding is not visible from the interior of said pickup box.