Folding sidewall assembly for truck beds

Abstract

A pickup truck modification wherein the truck bed is effectively extended laterally by providing opposing, hingedly attached sidewalls. The sidewalls may be selectively positioned vertically or horizontally, and, when positioned horizontally, allow for positioning relatively wide loads. The truck bed is effectively widened as the sidewalls are laterally positioned in weight bearing relation by abutment members which depend from the sidewalls. Loads wider than the truck bed, but not substantially exceeding the additional width created by the laterally extended sidewalls, may be placed on the truck bed with the excess portion of the load supported by the sidewalls. When used in combination with an extendable ramp assembly, loading and unloading of bulky loads is greatly facilitated.

1 . A cargo bed assembly for loading multiple recreational vehicles onto a standard pickup truck comprising: 
 a main platform having a floor;    rear and opposing sidewalls mounted proximate to said floor and having portions extending upwardly from the periphery of said floor when in an upright position, each of said opposing sidewalls hingedly attached to said main platform for movement between the upright position and a horizontal position, said upper portion substantially coplanar with said floor when in said horizontal position;    a plurality of hinge assemblies for attaching said sidewalls to opposing sides of said main platform, each of said hinge assemblies pivotable between an open position and a right angle position, each of said hinge assemblies having a first hinge plate fixedly secured to one of said sides of said main platform and a second hinge plate fixedly secured to one of said sidewalls;    a stop member extending from each of said second hinge plates, said stop members extending perpendicularly from said second hinge plate and having a substantially triangular profile including an abutment surface;    a ramp assembly stored within said main platform assembly, said ramp assembly including means to prevent vertical deflection of said floor.    
   
   
       2 . The bed assembly of  claim 1  wherein said stop member allows for positioning of said sidewalls in weight bearing relation when in the horizontal position.  
   
   
       3 . The bed assembly of  claim 2  wherein said hinge assembly includes a first locking means releasably attached to said stop member, said locking means securing said hinge assembly in the right angle position.  
   
   
       4 . The bed assembly of  claim 1  wherein a second locking means secures said opposing sidewalls in the upright position.  
   
   
       5 . A cargo bed assembly for a truck comprising: 
 a main platform having a floor;    rear and opposing sidewalls mounted proximate to said floor and having portions extending upwardly from the periphery of said floor when in an upright position, each of said sidewalls including an interior surface portion and each of said opposing sidewalls hingedly attached to said main platform for movement between the upright position and a horizontal position, said interior surface portions substantially coplanar with said floor when in said horizontal position;    a plurality of hinge assemblies for attaching said sidewalls to opposing sides of said main platform, each of said hinge assemblies pivotable between an open position and a right angle position, said hinge assemblies including a first hinge plate fixedly secured to one of said sides of said main platform and a second hinge plate fixedly secured to one of said sidewalls;    a stop member extending from said second hinge plate, said stop member including an abutment surface;    wherein said abutment surface abuts said first hinge plate when said hinge assembly is in the right angle position;    said hinge assembly including a locking means releasably attached to said stop member, said locking means securing said hinge assembly in the right angle position, said locking means including a retention member extending therefrom; and,    an extendable ramp assembly stowable within said main platform beneath said floor, said ramp assembly including an extendable ramp portion having a tailgate bridge, said ramp portion, said hinge plate, said tailgate bridge, and said sidewalls cooperating to selectively provide a substantially continuous surface for loading said cargo bed.    
   
   
       6 . The bed assembly of  claim 5  wherein said stop member extends perpendicularly from said second hinge plate and has a substantially triangular profile, said stop member allowing positioning of said one of said sidewalls in weight bearing relation when in the horizontal position.  
   
   
       7 . The bed assembly of  claim 5  wherein said hinge assembly includes a first locking means releasably attached to said stop member, said locking means securing said hinge assembly in the right angle position.  
   
   
       8 . The bed assembly of  claim 7  wherein a second locking means secures said opposing sidewalls in the upright position.  
   
   
       10 . A cargo bed assembly for a truck comprising: 
 a main platform having a floor;    rear and opposing sidewalls mounted proximate to said floor and having portions extending upwardly from the periphery of said floor when in an upright position, each of said sidewalls including an interior surface portion and each of said opposing sidewalls hingedly attached to said main platform for movement between the upright position and a horizontal position, said interior surface portions substantially coplanar with said floor when in said horizontal position;    a plurality of hinge assemblies for attaching said sidewalls to opposing sides of said main platform, each of said hinge assemblies pivotable between an open position and a right angle position, said hinge assemblies including a first hinge plate fixedly secured to one of said sides of said main platform and a second hinge plate fixedly secured to one of said sidewalls;    a stop member extending from said second hinge plate, said stop member including an abutment surface;    wherein said abutment surface abuts said first hinge plate when said hinge assembly is in the right angle position;    said hinge assembly including a locking means releasably attached to said stop member, said locking means securing said hinge assembly in the right angle position, said locking means including a retention member extending therefrom.    
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10  including an extendable ramp assembly stowable within said main platform beneath said floor, said ramp assembly including an extendable ramp portion having a tailgate bridge, said ramp portion, said hinge plate, said tailgate bridge, and said sidewalls cooperating to selectively provide a substantially continuous surface for loading said cargo bed.