IP Library Granted Patent US 11,413,944
Granted Patent B2
US 11,413,944 · App. 16/849,142 · Granted Aug 16, 2022

Cargo management system

Inventors: Jim Thomas, III (Southfield, MI); Scott Dearing (Walled Lake, MI)
Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
B60J11/06B29C48/0021B29C48/0022B60P7/0815B29L2031/3005
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 11,413,944
App. No.
16/849,142
Granted
Aug 16, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cargo management system for a vehicle cargo box includes a utility rail and a utility track cover. The utility rail is configured to be installed to the cargo box. The utility track cover is configured to be removably disposed over the utility rail. The utility track cover has a base, a guide rail and a stopper. The guide rail extends along a longitudinal length of the base. The stopper is defined by the guide rail. The stopper is integrally connected to the base at a first contact point and a second contact point between the stopper and the base. The first and second contact points are spaced from one another.

Claims (43)

1. A cargo management system for a vehicle cargo box comprising:

a utility rail configured to be installed to the cargo box; and

a utility track cover configured to be removably disposed over the utility rail, the utility track cover having

a base,

a guide rail extending along a longitudinal length of the base, and

a stopper defined by the guide rail, the stopper being integrally connected to the base at a first contact point and a second contact point between the stopper and the base, the first and second contact points being spaced from one another.

2. The cargo management system according to claim 1 , wherein

the first contact point of the stopper being aligned with a contact point between the guide rail and the base along the longitudinal length of the base.

3. The cargo management system according to claim 2 , wherein

the base having a side edge spaced from the guide rail, the stopper extending between the guide rail and the side edge.

4. The cargo management system according to claim 3 , wherein

the second contact point of the stopper being disposed adjacent to the side edge.

5. The cargo management system according to claim 1 , wherein

the stopper is formed with the guide rail and the base by plastic extrusion of the utility track cover.

6. The cargo management system according to claim 5 , wherein

the first contact point of the stopper is formed by plastic extrusion of the utility track cover.

7. The cargo management system according to claim 6 , wherein

the second contact point of the stopper is welded to the base.

8. The cargo management system according to claim 1 , wherein

the utility cover includes another guide rail extending along the longitudinal length of the base, the utility track cover further having another stopper defined by the another guide rail, the another stopper being integrally connected to the base at a third contact point and a fourth contact point, the third and fourth contact points being spaced from one another.

9. The cargo management system according to claim 8 , wherein

the third contact point of the another stopper is formed by plastic extrusion of the utility track cover, the fourth contact point of the another stopper is welded to the base.

10. A method of forming a utility track cover for a cargo management system, the method comprising:

using plastic extrusion to form a base and a guide rail having an extension that protrudes from the base and that extends along a longitudinal length of the base;

cutting an end portion of the guide rail;

applying force to an edge of the end portion such that the end portion contacts the base; and

welding the edge of the end portion to the base.

11. A vehicle comprising the cargo management system according to claim 1 , wherein

the stopper is disposed on a vehicle rear facing side of the utility track cover that is positioned closer to the vehicle's rear end than to the vehicle's front end.

12. A utility track cover for a vehicle cargo management system, comprising:

a base;

a guide rail extending along a longitudinal length of the base; and

a stopper defined by the guide rail, the stopper, the base, the guide rail together being a one-piece member integrally formed by plastic extrusion.

13. The utility track cover according to claim 12 , wherein

the base, the guide rail and the stopper are made of polyvinyl chloride.

14. The utility track cover according to claim 13 , wherein

the stopper is integrally connected to the base at a first contact point and a second contact point between the stopper and the base, the first and second contact points being spaced from one another.

15. The utility track cover according to claim 14 , wherein

the first contact point of the stopper is formed by plastic extrusion with the base, the second contact point of the stopper is welded to the base.

16. The utility track cover according to claim 15 , further comprising

another guide rail extending along the longitudinal length of the base, and another stopper defined by the another guide rail, the another stopper being integrally connected to the base at a third contact point and a fourth contact point between the another stopper and the base, the third and fourth contact points being spaced from one another.

17. The utility track cover according to claim 16 , wherein

the third contact point of the another stopper is formed by plastic extrusion with the base, the fourth contact point of the another stopper is welded to the base.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2023
From: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 062815/0756 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2020
From: THOMAS, JIM, III; DEARING, SCOTT
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 052403/0661 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210323392A1 · Oct 21, 2021