Vehicle utility deck and storage

Abstract

A vehicle utility deck and storage system provides improved storage for bedded vehicles. In one embodiment, the deck system ( 104 a ) is positioned within the bed ( 108 ) of a pickup ( 102 ). The system ( 104 a ) includes a deck ( 114 a ) that substantially matches the dimensions and contours of the bed ( 108 ) and support legs ( 122 ) for supporting the deck system ( 104 a ) on the surface of the bed ( 108 ). The system ( 104 a ) further includes a number of removable storage bins ( 124 ) that can be accessed via hinged hatches ( 116 a ).

1 . An apparatus for use in enhancing the utility of a bed area of a motorized vehicle, comprising:
 secondary surface structure defining a secondary surface dimensioned to generally correspond to at least a portion of a primary bed surface of said motorized vehicle;   support structure, separate from bed of said motorized vehicle, for supporting said secondary surface structure in a raised, separated position in relation to said primary bed surface so that at least one storage space is defined between said secondary surface structure and said primary bed surface; and   access structure, supportably associated with said support structure, defining a plurality of access ports for accessing storage spaces so as to introduce or remove storage items in relation to said plurality of storage spaces.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said motorized vehicle comprises a pickup truck and said secondary surface structure is dimensioned to be received substantially in a bed of said pickup truck. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is effective to be securely received within a bed of said motorized vehicle without modification of said vehicle for the purpose of securing said support structure thereto. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said access structure defines a first access port extending through said secondary surface. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said support structure includes a hinged cover movable between a first position to allow access to said storage space and a second position to substantially enclose said storage space. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said cover is hinged to pivot about an axis generally extending from front-to-back in relation to said primary bed surface of said motorized vehicle so as to facilitate access to said storage base from a side of said vehicle. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said access structure defines a rear hatch for accessing said storage space from a rear opening disposed between said secondary surface structure and said primary bed surface. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said secondary surface structure is disposed beneath a sop of a side wall of said bed area of said vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . A motorized vehicle, comprising:
 a cargo bed having a bed surface;   at least one removable storage bin depending from said bed surface; and   access structure defining an access port extending through said bed surface for accessing said storage bin.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said bed surface is a secondary surface disposed in a raised, separated position in relation to a primary bed surface of said vehicle, said vehicle being a pickup truck, and said secondary surface is dimensioned to be received substantially in a bed of said pickup truck. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said secondary surface is effective to be securely received within a bed of said motorized vehicle without modification of said vehicle for the purpose of securing said secondary surface thereto. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said access structure defines a first access port extending through said secondary surface. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said access structure includes a hinged cover movable between a first position to allow access to said storage bin and a second position to substantially enclose said storage bin. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said access structure defines multiple access ports for accessing multiple storage bins. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said access structure defines a rear hatch for accessing storage space from a rear opening disposed between said secondary surface structure and said primary bed surface. 
   
   
       16 . A method for use in enhancing the utility of a bed area of a motorized vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 providing a secondary surface structure defining a secondary surface dimensioned to generally correspond to a primary bed surface of said motorized vehicle; and   disposing said secondary surface structure in said bed area of said motorized vehicle so that said secondary surface is supported on said primary bed surface in a raised, separated position in relation to said primary bed surface.   
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said step of providing comprises providing a first portion of said secondary surface structure and providing a second, separate portion of said secondary surface structure, and said step of disposing comprises placing said first portion of said secondary surface structure in said bed area of said motorized vehicle, placing said second portion of said secondary surface structure into said bed area of said motorized vehicle, and attaching said first and second portions of said secondary surface structure. 
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of securing said secondary surface structure to a bed of said motorized vehicle free from modification of said motorized vehicle for the purpose of securing said secondary surface structure thereto. 
   
   
       19 . A method of using a motorized vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 providing a secondary surface structure defining a secondary surface dimensioned to generally correspond to a primary bed surface of said motorized vehicle, wherein said secondary surface is disposed in a raised, separated position in relation to said primary bed surface;   opening a cover to expose an opening extending through said secondary surface;   inserting a first storage bin through said opening into said storage space, where said first storage bin is supported above said primary bed surface proximate to said opening; and   closing said cover to substantially enclose said first storage bin.   
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of locking said cover in a closed position. 
   
   
       21 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of removing said first storage bin from opening and inserting a second storage bin, different from said first storage bin into said opening. 
   
   
       22 . A storage system for a bedded truck comprising:
 a bed surface including a first number of openings defining a corresponding number of storage spaces; and   a second number of storage bins, said storage bins being dimensioned to be supportably received within said openings of said bed surface, wherein said second number is greater than said first number.   
   
   
       23 . A storage bin for use in a storage system of a bedded truck, said storage system including a bed surface defining an opening covered by a moveable hatch, and support structure disposed about said opening beneath said hatch, said storage bin comprising:
 a body portion for receiving storage items therein; and   flange structure extending about at least a portion of the periphery of said body, said flange structure being dimensioned so as to be supportably received on said support structure   
   
   
       24 . The storage bin of  claim 23 , further comprising support handles interconnected to said body, said support handles being movable between a collapsed configuration when said storage bin is disposed within said opening of said bed surface and an extended configuration for gripping by a user.