Convertible cargo bed

Abstract

A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat.

1 . A method for providing a convertible cargo deck on a utility vehicle, said method comprising:
 coupling a molded main body structure to a mounting bracket connected to a frame of the utility vehicle and to a metal undercarriage structure coupled to the frame of the utility vehicle;   rotationally transitioning a pivoting panel from a stowed position, wherein a seat side of the pivoting panel having a full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto provides a full-sized rear facing seat to a deployed position, wherein a cargo deck side of the pivoting panel provides a portion of a cargo deck.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rotationally transitioning the pivoting panel from the stowed position comprises:
 supporting a top edge of a first portion of the pivoting panel on a support bracket coupled to a grab rail connected to a frame of the utility vehicle; and   resting an edge of a second portion of the pivoting panel on a support ledge recessed along an edge of a first deck portion of the main body such that the cargo deck side of the pivoting panel is substantially coplanar with a surface of the first deck portion and the pivoting panel serves as a second deck portion to form a substantially flat cargo deck.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises mating a first connector of at least one seat back cushion with a second connector included in a back side of the main body extending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion such that the seat back cushion is removeably coupled to the back side.