TRAY ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tray assemblies for vehicles, in particular but not only to removable trays for utility vehicles.

Tradesmen often work from flatbed trucks or similar utility vehicles having a deck. The deck is used to carry tools or other equipment, and may or may not have side walls. In most cases the equipment must be stored and secured against theft.

Items of equipment are often stored on site while the vehicle is used to travel elsewhere on other work related business. Work vehicles of this kind may also double as personal vehicles on weekends, in which case the equipment would normally be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved tray assembly for flatbed and similar vehicles, or at least to provide an alternative to existing systems.

In one aspect the invention resides in a removable tray assembly for a vehicle, including: a tray adapted to fit on a deck of the vehicle, a transverse frame located at or towards each end of the tray, and a pair of adjustable arms for engagement with each transverse frame, wherein each arm has a downward orientation to form a support for a jack located outside the deck, and an upward orientation to form a support for a rack above the deck.

Preferably each arm has an L-shape of which one branch engages a transverse frame and the other branch forms the support for a jack, or the support for a rack, depending on the orientation.

In general terms the assembly further includes two pairs of jacks for the adjustable arms in their downwards orientation, and a pair of racks for the arms in their upwards orientation. Each jack includes an end portion for engagement with an arm, and another end portion having a wheel. Each rack includes a cross member with end portions for engagement with respective arms.

Preferably each transverse frame includes a member which extends across the tray and has end portions for engagement with a pair of arms. The transverse frames generally extend upwards from the tray to accommodate side walls on the deck.

In one embodiment the tray includes a platform with one or more storage compartments such as cupboards or drawers located below the platform.

LIST OF FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figures 1, 2, 3 show parts of a tray assembly, Figures 4, 5 show the assembly in one form including jacks, Figures 6, 7 show the assembly in another form including racks,

Figures 8, 9 show an alternative assembly including jacks, Figures 10, 11 show the alternative assembly including racks, and Figures 12, 13, 14 show selected components of the assemblies.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings it will be appreciated the invention may be implemented in various ways, and that these embodiments are described by way of example only.

Figure 1 shows part of a tray assembly which includes a tray or platform 10 and a pair of transverse frames 11. Each frame has a pair of end portions 12. The tray is sized and shaped to fit on the deck of a utility vehicle. The frames are mounted at or towards each end of the tray and include upright members 13 and cross members 14. These components are typically formed from aluminium sheet and aluminium channel sections. A range of different structures are possible, and the frames need not match, for example.

Figures 2 and 3 show adjustable components which enable the tray assembly to be raised or lowered from the deck, or to form a rack above the deck. In Figure 2 an arm 20 is shown in a downwards orientation in relation to a jack 21. In Figure 3 the arm is shown in an upward orientation in relation to part of a rack 22 with pins 24. The arm is therefore able to be used in either way, depending on user requirements. The arm typically has an L- shape with a pair of right angle branches as shown, but may take a range of shapes. Similarly the jack and the rack may be provided in many forms. Each jack preferably has a ground wheel 23.

Figure 4 shows how the tray assembly may be configured with a set of four jacks to enable mobility in relation to the deck of a vehicle. An arm 20 is engaged with each end portion 12 of a frame 11, in a downwards orientation. In this example, one branch of each arm is simply inserted into a respective end portion, and secured by a pin or screw 40. Other engagement and securing mechanisms may of course be provided. Additional braces or struts may also be provided if required. The jacks 21 engage the arms and are manually operated to raise or lower the tray as described below.

Figure 5 is an end view of a vehicle showing how the tray assembly and the jacks in Figure 4 are arranged to operate in relation to the deck of the vehicle. Arms 20 extend to form the

transverse frames beyond the side walls of the vehicle. The branches of each arm are of sufficient length and strength to enable the jacks 21 to support the assembly above ground. The uprights 13 are of sufficient height to enable the tray to rest on the deck without contact between the arms and the side walls.

Figure 6 shows how the tray assembly may be configured with a pair of racks to enable additional equipment such as ladders or pipes to be carried by the vehicle. An aπn 20 is engaged with each end portion 12 of a frame 11, in an upwards orientation. As in Figure 4, one branch of each arm is simply inserted into a respective end portion, and secured by a pin or screw 40. The racks 22 engage the arms and are secured with pins 24 as described below.

Figure 7 is an end view of a vehicle showing how the tray assembly and the racks in Figure 6 are arranged in relation to the deck of the vehicle. The racks are provided front and rear of the deck and need not have the same structure.

Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative tray assembly including various storage compartments 80 fixed below the platform 10. The compartments may be drawers or cupboards for example, and serve to raise the platform above the deck. In this example the compartments are shaped to accommodate the wheel bay of the vehicle. The assembly is shown configured with jacks in place, having just been lowered into place on the deck, or about to be raised from the deck.

Figures 10 and 11 show the alternative tray assembly in the rack configuration. The arrangement and operation are as described previously.

Figure 12 gives more detail on how a rack 22 engages the upper branch of an arm 20. In this example, pins 24 on the end of the rack fit into corresponding apertures on the arm.

. . .

- 5 -

Figure 13 gives more detail on how a transverse frame 11 engages a branch of an arm, when setting up either the jack or rack configuration. A screw 40 is tightened through an fitting in the frame to hold the arm in place.

Figure 14 shows how a jack 21 engages an arm 20. The jack may be a standard item such as a scaffold jack which is threaded into a lower end of the arm when required. A wing nut is tightened upwards against the arm to raise the jack, or unwound to lower the jack.