Method for truck bed storage

Abstract

A system is provided for storing items in the bed of a pickup truck. The system includes storage bins, storage bin covers, storage bin dividers, and a removable cover. The storage bins may be divided by the storage bin dividers, and items within the storage bins may be protected from the elements, and from theft, by the storage bin covers. The removable cover may fit in between the storage bin covers and provide a flat storage surface in conjunction with the storage bin covers, that provides the full truck bed area for additional storage of larger items. The removable cover also provides for storage underneath the removable cover such that long, irregularly shaped, or valuable items may be stored securely and be protected from the elements, and from theft.

1 . A method for storing items in the bed of a pickup truck, comprising:
 Providing storage bins distributed along side walls of said bed of said pickup truck, said storage bins sized to cover at least 75% of the length of said bed extending from the back wall toward the tailgate of said pickup truck;   providing an open section in between said storage bins;   providing an open section cover, sized to cover said open section and sized to cover at least 75% of the length of said bed from said back wall toward said tailgate of said pickup truck, attached to at least one of said storage bins for selectively covering said open section;   stowing said open section cover when said open section cover is not covering said open section;   securing items on top of said open section cover and the covers of said storage bins when said open section cover is covering said open section;   providing at least one hole in said open section cover;   providing at least one hole in said covers of said storage bins;   providing a plurality of posts attached to the tailgate of said pickup truck, wherein each of said posts corresponds to one of said holes in either said open section cover or said tops of said storage bins; and   transitioning said tailgate from an open position to a closed position, forcing each of said posts to engage with each of said corresponding holes such that said open section cover cannot be removed and said storage bin tops cannot be opened when said tailgate is in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: securing said storage bins to said pickup truck bed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein mechanical fasteners are used to secure said storage bins to said pickup truck bed. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said open section cover is rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: attaching said open section cover to said storage bins. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said open section cover is rigid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: draining fluid that may enter said storage bins. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein fluid is drained through a drain hole. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: locking said open section cover to said storage bins.