IP Library Granted Patent US 6,983,968
Granted Patent B2
US 6,983,968 · App. 10/700,165 · Granted Jan 10, 2006

Headache rack for pickup trucks

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,983,968
App. No.
10/700,165
Granted
Jan 10, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The headache rack for pickup trucks that supports and secures loads being transported while protecting the rear window from damage and the passengers seated in the cab from harm. The headache rack is adjustable in height in order to accommodate pickup trucks having varying cab heights. Further, the headache rack is provided with internal wiring pathways to safely run wiring from any lights mounted on the uppermost surface of the rack to the pickup truck's electrical system.

Claims (28)

1. A headache rack for a pickup truck comprising:

a rack frame including an upper frame section;

a lower frame section including at least two bar members extending horizontally across the lower frame section and a pair of upstanding members positioned inwardly from the ends of the bar members; and

a pair of tubular members attached to the upstanding members of the lower frame section,

the upper frame section mating with the tubular members in a telescoping manner in order to adjust the height of the rack to accommodate pickup trucks of different heights; and

a rack mounting provided on the frame for mounting the frame to a pickup truck.

2. The headache rack of claim 1 wherein the upper frame section includes a pair of upstanding members, the upstanding members of the upper frame section mating with the tubular members in a telescoping manner in order to adjust the height of the rack.

3. The headache rack of claim 2 wherein a plurality of pairs of holes are provided on the tubular members and a plurality of holes are provided on the upstanding members of the upper frame section.

4. The headache rack of claim 3 further comprising fasteners, each fastener mating with one of the pairs of holes on a respective tubular member and with one of the holes on a respective upstanding member of the upper frame section in order to lock the rack in the desired height.

5. A headache rack for a pickup truck comprising:

a rack frame including a lower frame section, a pair of tubular members mounted to the lower frame section, and an upper frame section mating with the tubular members,

the lower frame section includes a lower tubular member extending horizontally across the section and a pair of upstanding members positioned inwardly from the ends of the lower tubular member,

the frame including internal wiring pathways for running wiring from any electrical devices mounted on the rack to a power source in order to protect the wiring from the elements, the wiring pathways provided through the upper frame section, the tubular members, and the upstanding members and the lower tubular member of the lower frame section; and

a rack mounting provided on the frame for mounting the frame to a pickup truck.

6. The headache rack of claim 5 further including at least one access hole through which the wiring may enter the rack.

7. The headache rack of claim 5 further including at least one access hole through which the wiring may exit the rack.

8. The headache rack of claim 5 further includes a plurality of snap bushings installed internally to protect the wiring.

9. The headache rack of claim 5 wherein the upper frame section includes an upper tubular member and a pair of upstanding members, the wiring pathways provided through the upper tubular member and upstanding members of the upper frame section, the tubular members, and the lower frame section.

10. The headache rack of claim 9 wherein each upstanding member of the upper frame section has an upper end, each upper end provided with a closure to further protect any wiring from the elements.

11. The headache rack of claim 5 wherein the upper frame section includes an upper tubular member having at least one access hole through which the wiring may enter the rack.

12. The headache rack of claim 5 wherein the lower tubular member of the lower frame section having at least one access hole through which the wiring may exit the rack.

13. A headache rack for a pickup truck comprising:

a rack frame including an upper frame section and a lower frame section,

the lower frame section including at least two bar members extending horizontally across the lower frame section and a pair of upstanding members positioned inwardly from the ends of the bar members,

a pair of tubular members attached to the upstanding members of the lower frame section,

the upper frame section mating with the tubular members in a telescoping manner in order to adjust the height of the rack to accommodate pickup trucks of different heights;

internal wiring pathways for running wiring from any electrical devices mounted on the rack to a power source in order to protect the wiring from the elements, the wiring pathways provided through the upper frame section, the tubular members, and the lower frame section; and

a rack mounting provided on the frame for mounting the frame to a pickup truck.

Assignments (11)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 063958, FRAME 0740 Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 071649/0699 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 064126, FRAME 0396 Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 071649/0774 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 064205, FRAME 0636 Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WILLA FINCO II SARL
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 071649/0887 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2023
From: WERNER CO.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064126/0396 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2023
From: WERNER CO.
To: WILLA FINCO II SARL (FORMERLY TRITON V LUXCO 95 SARL)
Reel/Frame 064205/0636 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT R/F 043328/0001 Recorded Jun 12, 2023
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: KNAACK LLC; WERNER CO.; WERNER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 063957/0231 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2023
From: WERNER CO.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063958/0740 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 10, 2019
From: KNAACK LLC
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 048848/0363 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jul 25, 2017
From: KNAACK LLC; WERNER CO.; WERNER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT IN RESPECT OF THE TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT
Reel/Frame 043328/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jul 25, 2017
From: KNAACK LLC; WERNER CO.; WERNER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT IN RESPECT OF THE ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT
Reel/Frame 043327/0956 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL Recorded Jul 24, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: KNAACK LLC
Reel/Frame 043319/0113 →