Charge dissipating fiber reinforced plastic truck bed and liner

Abstract

A truck bed or liner for installation in a pickup truck bed or cargo vehicle exhibits improved electrical charge dissipating characteristics. The preferred embodiment bed is manufactured of high density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar material containing particles of conductive material such as carbon black dispersed therethrough. In a first alternate embodiment, the bed defines a two-layer composite or sandwich. The upper layer of HDPE or similar material includes dispersed carbon black particles whereas the lower layer is free of such particles. A second alternate embodiment of the invention comprehends a bed liner for disposition in a pickup truck or the like wherein the conductive material is dispersed throughout the liner material. In a third alternate embodiment, the bed liner of the second alternate embodiment is combined with the composite conductive and non-conductive layers of the first alternate embodiment. In a fourth alternate embodiment, a bed or liner of HDPE or similar material includes an open mesh fabric or webbing which has carbon black particles dispersed therein. The mesh or webbing is secured to the upper surface of a liner made of HDPE, preferably by autogenous bonding. Additional embodiments are manufactured of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A receptacle for a cargo vehicle comprising, in combination, 
 a pair of sidewalls,    a front wall,    a bottom panel joining said sidewalls and said front wall, and    said receptacle made of a fiber reinforced plastic, at least a portion of said plastic material including dispersed electrically conductive material.    
     
     
         2 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is a vehicle bed.  
     
     
         3 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is a bed liner.  
     
     
         4 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said conductive material is carbon black.  
     
     
         5 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said plastic is a composite having a lower layer of fiberglass reinforced plastic and an upper layer of fiberglass reinforced plastic containing said dispersed electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         6 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic material including dispersed electrically conductive material exhibits a surface resistivity of 1×10 9  ohms or less.  
     
     
         7 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said plastic material including dispersed electrically conductive material exhibits a volume resistivity of 1×10 9  ohm-centimeters or less.  
     
     
         8 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said fiber is fiberglass.  
     
     
         9 . A cargo bed for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, 
 a pair of opposed sidewalls,    a front wall having ends merging with said sidewalls, and    a bottom panel merging with said front wall and said pair of sidewalls,    said bed made of a glass reinforced plastic containing dispersed electrically conductive material.    
     
     
         10 . The cargo bed for a pickup truck and the like of  claim 9  wherein said electrically conductive material is carbon black.  
     
     
         11 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 9  wherein said receptacle is a vehicle bed.  
     
     
         12 . The receptacle for a cargo vehicle of  claim 9  wherein said receptacle is a bed liner.  
     
     
         13 . The cargo bed for a pickup truck and the like of  claim 9  wherein said plastic is a composite having a lower layer of fiberglass reinforced plastic and an upper layer of fiberglass reinforced plastic and electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         14 . The cargo bed for a pickup truck and the like of  claim 9  wherein said conductive particles form a conductive matrix in said thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         15 . The cargo bed for a pickup truck and the like of  claim 9  wherein said plastic containing said electrically conductive material exhibits a surface resistivity of 1×10 9  ohms or less.  
     
     
         16 . The cargo bed for a pickup truck and the like of  claim 9  wherein said plastic containing said electrically conductive material exhibits a volume resistivity of 1×10 9  ohm-centimeters or less.  
     
     
         17 . The cargo bed for a pickup truck and the like of  claim 9  said fiber is fiberglass.