Externally mounted container holder for automotive vehicle

Abstract

A container holder for an automotive vehicle includes a relief space configured within an exterior portion of a load-carrying automotive structure, such as a pickup truck box rail, and a generally cup-shaped insert extending within the relief space and supported by the load-carrying structure. Because the present container holder is mounted externally in the vehicle, it is readily accessible to personnel outside the vehicle's passenger compartment, such as people working on the ground around a vehicle.

1 . A container holder for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
 a relief space configured within an exterior portion of a load-carrying automotive structure; and   a generally cup-shaped insert extending within said relief space and supported by said load-carrying structure.   
   
   
       2 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion comprises an upper surface of an automotive bumper, with said relief space comprising a port formed in said upper surface for accepting said insert. 
   
   
       3 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion comprises a trim cover of an automotive load box rail, with said relief space comprising a port formed in said trim cover and said load box rail for accepting said insert. 
   
   
       4 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion comprises a trim cover of a pickup truck box rail, with said relief space comprising a port formed in said trim cover for accepting said insert. 
   
   
       5 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising an integral cover for sealingly closing the cup-shaped insert when a container is not present within the insert. 
   
   
       6 . A container holder according to  claim 5 , wherein said cover is self-closing. 
   
   
       7 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of integral tabs for locking the insert into the relief space. 
   
   
       8 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion comprises an upper portion of a pickup box rail. 
   
   
       9 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion of a load-carrying automotive structure and said generally cup-shaped insert comprise one piece. 
   
   
       10 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one container retention tab mounted to an inner surface of said cup-shaped insert. 
   
   
       11 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally cup-shaped insert is oblong. 
   
   
       12 . A container holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said generally cup-shaped insert has a port formed in a lower wall thereof. 
   
   
       13 . A container holder for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
 a relief space configured within a generally horizontal upper surface of an exterior portion of an automotive body structure; and   a generally cup-shaped insert extending within said relief space and fastened to said body structure.   
   
   
       14 . A container holder according to  claim 13 , wherein said generally cup-shaped insert is one-piece with said load-bearing structure. 
   
   
       15 . A container holder according to  claim 13 , wherein at least a side wall of said generally cup-shaped insert is thermally insulated. 
   
   
       16 . An automotive vehicle, comprising:
 a load carrying structure having a generally horizontal upper surface;   a relief space configured within said load carrying structure, with said relief space extending downwardly from a port formed in said generally horizontal upper surface; and   a generally cup-shaped container holder attached to said load carrying structure and extending downwardly through said port and into said relief space from said generally horizontal upper surface.   
   
   
       17 . An automotive vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein said load carrying structure comprises a pickup truck box, and said generally horizontal upper surface comprises a portion of a rail circumscribing said pickup truck box. 
   
   
       18 . An automotive vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein said load carrying structure comprises a vehicular bumper, and said generally horizontal upper surface comprises a portion of said bumper. 
   
   
       19 . An automotive vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein said load carrying structure has at least one associated closure panel, with said container holder being accessible whether said closure panel is in a closed position or in an open position. 
   
   
       20 . A container holder according to  claim 16 , further comprising a threaded cover for sealingly closing the cup-shaped container holder when a container is not present within the insert.