The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 20, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2003
Robert D. Durand, Lancaster, PA (US);
Robert D. Durand, Lancaster, PA (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A storage box for a pickup truck or similar vehicle is formed from a combination of metallic and composite materials. The storage box includes an internal storage box frame that is formed from a plurality of metallic tubular components that are secured together, such as by magnetic pulse welding techniques. The metallic tubular pieces can be formed from steel, aluminum, and the like, or any combination thereof. The storage box further includes one or more panels that are formed from composite materials, such as urethane, that are secured to the metallic storage box frame. The composite panels may secured to the metallic storage frame box by molding the composite material directly about the metallic storage box frame. Alternatively, the composite panels may be formed as separate pieces that are connected to the metallic storage box frame. The combination of the internal metallic storage box frame and the external composite storage box panels provides a relatively light weight storage box that is resistant to dents and other deformations during use.