Truck bed liner

Abstract

A one-piece truck bed liner is disclosed having its side walls formed in longitudinally extending stepped panels with riser and tread portions thereby defining substantially continuous horizontally disposed side rails for resisting bending stresses, cargo impact and frictional forces. The liner bottom and front walls are in ribbed form, connected by a transverse bend portion free of ribs, in a manner to avoid cargo impact to the bend area. The ribs in the liner front wall and the liner bottom wall adjacent the bend portion are formed shallower than in the main portion of the bottom wall section. The liner bottom wall ribs define passages having larger open cross-sectional areas than the front wall ribs for optimum venting air flow and strength to resist cargo bending stresses. The liner has border portions structured to conform with the truck bed tail gate access opening to avoid the entrance of foreign matter between the liner and truck bed while providing a custom appearance.

I claim: 
     
       1. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a molded plastic one-piece liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall being in simulated shingle form including a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous stepped panels,   each panel including an upwardly and inwardly inclined riser portion and an angularly disposed tread portion extending outwardly from the upper terminus of its associated riser portion, the juncture of each panel riser and tread portion defining a longitudinally extending substantially continuous side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that the stepped panels providing strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   said liner side walls and bottom wall defining a rearward substantially rectangular opening providing access for receiving material to be transported;   said liner bottom wall being in ribbed form, including a plurality of longitudinally extending adjacent inverted U-shaped ribs, said ribs extending rearwardly to a bottom wall border portion free of said ribs;   said stepped panels extending rearwardly to side wall border portions free of said stepped panels;   each side wall lowermost riser portion having its lower terminus integral with its associated longitudinally extending bend portion;   said longitudinally extending bend portions having a predetermined radius of curvature;   said liner side wall border portions joined to said bottom wall border portion by fillet portions having a predetermined radius of curvature substantially less than said bend portions radius of curvature, whereby said border fillet portions closely conform with their associated truck bed access opening corners obviating the entrance of foreign matter between the liner and the truck bed.   
     
     
       2. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a molded plastic one-piece liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall being in simulated shingle form including a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous stepped panels,   each panel including an upwardly and inwardly inclined riser portion and an angularly disposed tread portion extending outwardly from the upper terminus of its associated riser portion, the juncture of each panel riser and tread portion defining a longitudinally extending substantially continuous side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that the stepped panels providing strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   said liner bottom wall and front wall integrally joined by a transverse bend portion;   said liner bottom wall, and front wall being in ribbed form including a plurality of closely adjacent inverted U-shaped ribs;   each said rib located in a given longitudinally extending vertical plane defining a first bottom wall rib segment, a second bottom wall step-down tangent rib segment and a third front wall rib segment;   said liner second and third rib segments stopping short of said transverse bend portion;   said second and third rib segments defining passages having predetermined equal open cross-sectional areas;   the arrangement characterized in each said first bottom wall rib segment passage cross-sectional area substantially greater than each said second and third rib segment cross-sectional areas providing optimum venting air and fluid flow between the liner bottom wall and the truck bed floor.   
     
     
       3. The protective liner as set forth in claim 2, with the truck bed front wall upper end having a ledge formed with a return bend flange extending rearwardly from the truck bed front wall, wherein: said liner front wall upper end terminating in a series of rearwardly and upwardly extending steps formed for receiving various return bend flange shapes enabling the liner to conform in a universal manner to a plurality of cargo bed front wall designs.   
     
     
       4. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward cargo access opening, said liner comprising: a molded plastic one-piece liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall, said liner bottom wall and front wall integrally joined by a transverse bend portion;   each said liner side wall being in simulated shingle form including a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous stepped panels, such that each panel defines a longitudinally extending substantially continuous side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that said side wall stepped panels provide strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   said liner bottom wall and front wall being in ribbed form, including a plurality of longitudinally extending adjacent inverted U-shaped ribs;   each said inverted U-shaped rib located in a given longitudinally extending vertical plane defining a first bottom wall rib segment, a second bottom wall tangent rib segment, and a third front wall rib segment;   each said liner bottom wall first rib segment having a height greater than each said second and third rib segments;   each said second and third rib segments extending to said transverse bend portion free of rib segments, whereby cargo supported on said bottom wall first rib segments and contacting said third front wall rib segments having the corners of each cargo maintained in spaced, non-contacting relation to said transverse bend portion.   
     
     
       5. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a molded plastic one-piece liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall being in simulated shingle form including a plurality of longitudinally extending continuous stepped panels such that each panel defines a longitudinally extending continuous side rail;   said liner characterized in that said side wall stepped panels provide strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending continuous panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   said liner side walls and bottom wall including rearward end border portions defining an opening providing an access for receiving material to be transported;   the stepped panels extending to said side wall border portions free of the stepped panels;   the lowermost riser portion of each liner side wall having its lower terminus integral with its associated longitudinally extending bend portion;   said longitudinally extending bend portions having a predetermined radius of curvature; and   said liner side wall and bottom wall border portions joined by border fillet portions having a predetermined radius of curvature substantially less than said bend portions radius of curvature, whereby said border fillet portions closely conform with their associated truck bed access opening corners obviating the entrance of foreign matter between the liner and the truck bed.   
     
     
       6. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, opposed side walls, wheel wells on each truck bed sidewall and top ledges at the upper edge of each bed side wall, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a molded plastic one-piece liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall being in simulated shingle form including a plurality of longitudinally extending continuous stepped panels,   each stepped panel defining a longitudinally extending continuous side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that the stepped panels providing strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending continuous panel said rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   each said stepped panel including an upwardly and inwardly inclined riser portion and an angularly disposed tread portion extending outwardly from the upper terminus of its associated riser portion, the juncture of each panel riser and tread portion defining its longitudinally extending continuous side rail;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall having a well for receiving the associated truck bed wheel well;   each said liner side wall having its uppermost stepped panel formed with its tread portion in substantial coincidence with the top of its associated well;   a flange portion extending outwardly from the upper terminus of each said liner side wall overlying its associated truck bed top ledge;   each liner side wall tread portion defining a flexing juncture permitting limited bending of the side wall compensating for differential spacing between a truck bed top ledge and floor.   
     
     
       7. The protective liner as set forth in claim 6, with the truck bed front wall having a top ledge formed with a return bend flange extending rearwardly from the truck bed front wall, wherein: said liner front wall upper end terminating in a series of rearwardly and upwardly extending steps formed for receiving the return bend flange shapes. .Iadd.   
     
     
       8.  A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall including a plurality of vertically spaced panels;   each panel including a longitudinally extending side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that the panels providing strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   each said panel including a riser portion and a tread portion extending from the upper terminus of its associated riser portion, the juncture of each panel riser and tread portion defining its longitudinally extending side rail; and   each liner side wall tread portion defining a flexing juncture permitting limited bending of the side wall. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       9.  A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, opposed side walls, wheel wells on each truck bed side wall and top ledges at the upper edge of each bed side wall, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall including a plurality of vertically spaced panels;   each panel including a longitudinally extending side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that the panels providing strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   each said panel including a riser portion and a tread portion extending from the upper terminus of its associated riser portion, the juncture of each panel riser and tread portion defining its longitudinally extending side rail;   each said liner side wall having a well for receiving the associated truck bed wheel well;   a flange portion extending outwardly from the upper terminus of each said liner side wall overlying its associated truck bed top ledge; and   each liner side wall tread portion defining a flexing juncture permitting limited bending of the side wall. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward cargo access opening, said liner comprising:   a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall and a front wall;   said liner bottom wall and front wall integrally joined by a transverse bend portion;   said liner bottom wall including a plurality of longitudinally extending first rib-like segments and said front wall including a plurality of second rib-like segments; and   said transverse bend portion being free of any rib segments whereby cargo supported on said bottom wall first rib-like segments and in juxtaposed relation to said second front wall rib-like segments being maintained in spaced, non-contacting relation to said transverse bend portion for preventing the corners of such cargo from gouging or damaging the transverse bend portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward cargo access opening, said liner comprising:   a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall, a front wall, and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall, said liner bottom wall and front wall integrally joined by a transverse bend portion;   each said liner side wall including a plurality of panels, such that each panel defines a longitudinally extending side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that said side wall panels provide strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side rails being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   said liner bottom wall including a plurality of longitudinally extending first rib-like segments and said front wall including a plurality of second rib-like segments; and   said transverse bend portion being free of rib segments whereby cargo supported on said bottom wall first rib-like segments and in juxtaposed relation to said second front wall rib-like segments being maintained in spaced, non-contacting relation to said transverse bend portion for preventing the corners of such cargo from gouging or damaging the   
     
     
        transverse bend portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall and a front wall;   said liner bottom wall and front wall integrally joined by a transverse curved bend portion;   said liner bottom wall and front wall being in ribbed form including a plurality of adjacent ribs;   each said rib located in a given longitudinally extending vertical plane defining a first bottom wall rib segment and a second front wall rib segment;   said liner first and second rib segments stopping short of said transverse bend portion, and said first bottom wall rib segment connected to said transverse bond portion by a step-down portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising:   a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall and bottom wall including a plurality of rib-like segments;   said liner side walls and bottom wall including rearward end border portions which are free of rib-like segments, and the rib-like segments extending to said border portions;   said longitudinally extending bend portions having a predetermined radius of curvature; and   said liner side wall and bottom wall border portions joined by border fillet portions having a predetermined radius of curvature whereby said border fillet portions closely conform with their associated truck bed access opening corners obviating the entrance of foreign matter between   
     
     
        the liner and the truck bed. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14.  A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck bed side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall including a plurality of panels such that each panel defines a longitudinally extending side rail;   said liner side walls and bottom wall including rearward end planar border portions;   said longitudinally extending bend portions having a predetermined radius of curvature; and   said liner side wall and bottom wall border portions joined by border fillet portions having a predetermined radius of curvature less than said bend portions radius of curvature whereby said border fillet portions closely conform with their associated truck bed access opening corners obviating the entrance of foreign matter between the liner and the truck   
     
     
        bed. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15.  A protective liner for a truck bed structure having a floor, a front wall, and opposed side walls, the truck side walls and floor forming a rearward access opening, said liner comprising: a liner member adapted to be inserted in the truck bed, said liner member having a bottom wall and opposed side walls;   longitudinally extending bend portions connecting each said liner side wall with said liner bottom wall;   each said liner side wall including a plurality of panels;   each panel including a riser portion and a tread portion extending from the upper terminus of its associated riser portion, the juncture of each panel riser and tread portion defining a longitudinally extending side rail;   said liner side walls characterized in that the panels providing strength to resist longitudinal bending stresses while the longitudinally extending panel side walls being operative to absorb cargo impact and frictional forces;   said liner side walls and bottom wall defining a rearward substantially rectangular opening providing access for receiving material to be transported;   said liner bottom wall including a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, said ribs extending rearwardly to a bottom wall border portion free of said ribs;   said panels extending rearwardly to side wall border portions free of said panels;   each side wall lowermost riser portion having its lower terminus integral with its associated longitudinally extending bend portion;   said longitudinally extending bend portions having a predetermined radius of curvature;   said liner side wall border portions joined to said bottom wall border portion by fillet portions having a predetermined radius of curvature whereby said border fillet portions closely conform with their associated truck bed access opening corners obviating the entrance of foreign matter between the liner and the truck bed. .Iaddend.