Truck bed with selectively actuated magnetic floor sections

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11220204-B2
Application number	US-201916684822-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2019
Priority date	Jun 7, 2016
Publication date	Jan 11, 2022
Grant date	Jan 11, 2022

Abstract

A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cargo retainer for a pick-up truck bed comprising:
a first permanent magnet creating a first magnetic field applied to objects disposed in the bed; and
a second permanent magnet creating a second magnetic field, the second permanent magnet being attached to the bed to move relative to the first permanent magnet, wherein the second permanent magnet is moved to change a level of magnetic force applied to objects in the bed.

2. The cargo retainer of claim 1 wherein the first permanent magnet is fixed to the bed and the second permanent magnet is attached to a pin that extends through an opening defined by the first permanent magnet, and wherein the second permanent magnet is rotated relative to the first permanent magnet.

3. The cargo retainer of claim 1 wherein the first and second permanent magnets each have a north pole and a south pole, the second permanent magnet being rotatable from a retention position with the north pole of the second magnet aligned with the north pole of the first magnet to a release position with the north pole of the second magnet aligned with the south pole of the first magnet.

4. The cargo retainer of claim 1 further comprising:
a handle operatively attached to the second permanent magnet and extending through an opening in the bed, wherein the handle is accessible inside the bed to rotate the second permanent magnet.

5. The cargo retainer of claim 1 further comprising:
a servo motor operatively attached to the second permanent magnet is selectively actuated to rotate the second permanent magnet.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Aghili Mohammad R
• Lucka Kevin
• Dudar Aed M
• Yang Dennis Seung-Man

Classifications

• H01F7/0252

  PM holding devices (H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60R9/00

  Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like · CPC title

• B60P7/08 Primary

  Securing to the vehicle floor or sides ({B60P7/065}, B60P7/13, B60P7/135 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60R11/06

  for tools or spare parts (for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D) · CPC title

• B60R2011/007

  using magnetic means · CPC title