Abstract A rack is disclosed which is adapted to be installed in combination with a shell in the bed of a pickup truck. The rack comprises two opposed sets of upright posts. Each set of posts is adapted to extend in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall of the truck and outside of the sidewall. The upper portion of the rack is completed by a pair of horizontal side members extending along the top of the posts and a plurality of horizontal cross members extending between the side members. Each set of posts is supported by a base plate which is disposed horizontally along the bottom of the posts and extends inwardly from the plane of the posts to the sidewall of the truck bed. The inward portion of the base plate is fastened to the top of one of the sidewalls. The rack provides a clearance so that a shell may be mounted over the truck bed within the rack, and the rack is supported entirely by the sidewalls of the truck bed.
A combination rack and shell assembly for installation in the bed of a pickup truck, which comprises: two opposed sets of upright posts, each set extending upwardly in a plane generally parallel to one of the sidewalls of the truck and outside of the sidewall; a pair of horizontal side members each extending along the top of one of the sets of posts and supported thereby; a plurality of horizontal cross members extending between the side members; a pair of base plates each disposed horizontally along and fixedly attached to the bottom of one of the sets of posts and extending inwardly from the plane of the posts to the sidewall of the truck bed so that the base plates can be slidably moved on the top of the sidewalls; a shell having a boxlike shape with an open bottom supported on the sidewalls of the truck bed, the shell having a pair of inwardly extending flanges each of which extends along the side of the shell at the bottom thereof, each flange longitudinally contiguous with the inward portion of one of the base plates, each flange being slidably movable with respect to the adjacent base plate and with respect to the sidewall, so that the shell can be removed without disturbing the base plates, and so that the base plate and attached post can be removed without disturbing the shell; and means for fastening the inward portions of each of the base plates and the flanges to the top of one of the sidewalls to prevent any sliding movement thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
A combination rack and shell assembly for installation in the bed of a pickup truck, which comprises: two opposed sets of upright posts, each set extending upwardly in a plane generally parallel to one of the sidewalls of the truck and outside of the sidewall; a pair of horizontal side members each extending along the top of one of the sets of posts and supported thereby; a plurality of horizontal cross members extending between the side members; a pair of base plates each disposed horizontally along and fixedly attached to the bottom of one of the sets of posts and extending inwardly from the plane of the posts to the sidewall of the truck bed so that the base plates can be slidably moved on the top of the sidewalls; a shell having a boxlike shape with an open bottom supported on the sidewalls of the truck bed, the shell having a pair of inwardly extending flanges each of which extends along the side of the shell at the bottom thereof, each flange longitudinally contiguous with the inward portion of one of the base plates, each flange being slidably movable with respect to the adjacent base plate and with respect to the sidewall, so that the shell can be removed without disturbing the base plates, and so that the base plate and attached post can be removed without disturbing the shell; and means for fastening the inward portions of each of the base plates and the flanges to the top of one of the sidewalls to prevent any sliding movement thereof.