Aerodynamic storage unit for truck bed

Abstract

An aerodynamic storage unit is designed for a truck bed with a load floor that extends between a pair of longitudinal side walls. This storage unit has an inner wall which is spaced apart from one of the pair of longitudinal side walls so that a storage space is defined between the inner wall and the side wall. The inner wall member has a lower edge located on the load floor and an upper edge which is joined to the side wall. At least a portion of the inner wall member between the upper and lower edges is outwardly inclined. At least one access opening is provided in the inner wall. A door is located in the access opening. The door has a lower edge which is connected to the inner wall using a hinge, and an upper end. The lower end of the door is closer to the load floor than the upper end of the door. The operates to open inwardly so that the storage space can be accessed through the opening when the door is opened.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An aerodynamic truck bed comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart longitudinal side walls each having an corresponding outer wall and inner wall, each of said inner walls disposed in a spaced apart relationship with said corresponding outer wall;    a generally horizontal load floor extending between said side walls;    each of said inner walls having a lower edge disposed on said load floor and an upper edge joined to said corresponding outer wall, at least a portion of each of said inner walls being outwardly inclined; and    a stowable tailgate assembly comprising a support frame mounted under said load floor and a tailgate, said tailgate having a first position wherein said tailgate is disposed in said support frame and a second position wherein said tailgate extends therefrom.    
     
     
         2 . The aerodynamic truck bed according to  claim 1 , wherein said stowable tailgate assembly further comprises a support bar pivotally attached to said tailgate, said support bar being slidably supported under said load floor by said support frame.  
     
     
         3 . The aerodynamic truck bed according to  claim 1 , further comprising an access opening defined in one of said inner walls for access to a storage space defined between said inner wall and said corresponding outer wall.  
     
     
         4 . The aerodynamic truck bed according to  claim 3 , further comprising a door disposed in said access opening.  
     
     
         5 . The aerodynamic truck bed according to  claim 4 , wherein said door has a lower end hingedly attached to said inner wall and a upper end, said lower end being closest to said load floor and said upper end being farthest from said load floor, said door operable to open inwardly, whereby when said door is opened inwardly, said storage space can be accessed through the opening.  
     
     
         6 . The aerodynamic storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said door has an inner surface, a storage bin being supported on said inner surface so that said storage bin is accessible when said door is open.  
     
     
         7 . The aerodynamic storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said outwardly inclined portion of said inner wall is inclined at least 5 degrees from vertical.  
     
     
         8 . The aerodynamic storage unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said outwardly inclined portion of said inner wall is inclined at least 10 degrees from vertical.  
     
     
         9 . An aerodynamic truck bed comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart longitudinal side walls each having an corresponding outer wall and inner wall, each of said inner walls disposed in a spaced apart relationship with said corresponding outer wall; and    a generally horizontal load floor extending between said side walls;    each of said inner walls having a lower edge disposed on said load floor and an upper edge joined to said corresponding outer wall, at least a portion of each of said inner walls being outwardly inclined.    
     
     
         10 . The aerodynamic storage unit according to  claim 9 , wherein said outwardly inclined portion of said inner wall is inclined at least 5 degrees from vertical.  
     
     
         11 . The aerodynamic storage unit according to  claim 9 , wherein said outwardly inclined portion of said inner wall is inclined at least 10 degrees from vertical.