Pickup Truck Bed Slider and Method of Operation

Abstract

A slide which slides along a retainer attached to the bed of a pickup truck. The slide has a rearward end proximate the tail gate and a forward end proximate the cab of the truck. The rearward end preferably has gripping features allowing a user to easily grasp the slide and pull it rearward within the fixed retainer. The slide's forward end has an upstanding foot which engages cargo within the bed and propels it toward the tailgate. Two or more such devices can be installed in parallel and used simultaneously to unload cargo.

1 . A method of moving cargo within the bed of a pickup truck, said bed being bounded by a front wall, a tail gate, and a deck, with a plurality of parallel ribs on said deck forming a plurality of voids therebetween, comprising:
 a. providing a retainer attached to said pickup truck, with said retainer extending along substantially all of a length of said bed of said pickup truck, said retainer having a forward portion proximate said front wall and a rearward portion proximate said tail gate;   b. providing a slide slidably engaged with said retainer and movable between a forward position and a rearward position, said slide including
 i. a first end having a foot protruding upward, 
 ii. a second end having a handle portion, 
 iii. wherein when said slide rests in said forward position said slide has a length sufficient so that said foot lies proximate said front wall of said bed and said handle portion lies proximate said tail gate of said bed, with said slide being engaged to said retainer along substantially all of said length of said slide; 
   c. providing a piece of cargo lying between said foot and said tail gate; and   d. pulling said handle portion in a rearward direction in order to move said slide and said foot rearward, thereby moving said piece of cargo rearward.   
     
     
         2 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said retainer is entirely contained within said voids between said parallel ribs in said bed so that no portion of said retainer protrudes above said parallel ribs. 
     
     
         3 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said slide is engaged with said retainer by an overhang in said retainer. 
     
     
         4 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said slide is engaged with said retainer by an overhang in said slide. 
     
     
         5 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said handle portion of said slide includes a gripping feature. 
     
     
         6 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said handle portion includes a pivot joint allowing said handle portion to pivot upward with respect to said slide. 
     
     
         7 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said foot includes a pivot joint allowing said foot to be folded down. 
     
     
         8 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer is attached to said bed by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . A cargo moving method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer is attached to said bed by adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . A method of moving cargo within the bed of a pickup truck, said bed being bounded by a front wall, a tail gate, and a deck, with a plurality of parallel ribs on said deck forming a plurality avoids therebetween, comprising:
 a. providing a retainer attached to said pickup truck, with said retainer extending along substantially all of a length of said bed of said pickup truck, said retainer having a forward portion proximate said front wall and a rearward portion proximate said tail gate;   b. providing a slide lying above said retainer, said slidably engaged with said retainer and movable between a forward position and a rearward position, said slide including
 i. a first end having a foot protruding upward, 
 ii. a second end having a handle portion, 
 iii. wherein when said slide rests in said forward position said slide has a length sufficient so that said foot lies proximate said front wall of said bed and said handle portion lies proximate said tail gate of said bed, with said slide being engaged to said retainer along substantially all of said length of said slide; 
   c. providing a piece of cargo lying between said foot and said tail gate; and   d. pulling said handle portion in a rearward direction in order to move said slide and said foot rearward, thereby moving said piece of cargo rearward.   
     
     
         11 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10  wherein said retainer is entirely contained within said voids between said parallel ribs in said bed liner so that no portion of said retainer protrudes above said parallel ribs. 
     
     
         12 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said slide is engaged with said retainer by an overhang in said retainer. 
     
     
         13 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said slide is engaged with said retainer by an overhang in said slide. 
     
     
         14 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said handle portion of said slide includes a gripping feature. 
     
     
         15 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said handle portion includes a pivot joint allowing said handle portion to pivot upward with respect to said slide. 
     
     
         16 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said retainer is attached to said bed liner by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         17 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 10 , wherein:
 a. said retainer includes a vertically extended upright with an expanded top;   b. said slide includes a pair of overhangs with a gap therebetween, wherein said gap is wide enough to allow the passage or said upright therebetween but narrow enough to prevent the passage of said expanded cop therebetween.   
     
     
         18 . A. method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 17  wherein said retainer is entirely contained within said voids between said parallel ribs in said bed liner so that no portion of said retainer protrudes above said parallel ribs. 
     
     
         19 . A method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said retainer includes a base and said overhangs are positioned to rest on top of said base. 
     
     
         20 . method of moving cargo as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said handle portion of said slide includes a gripping feature.