MULTI-CHANNEL FREIGHT RAIL

Abstract

A device comprises one or more rails extending along a side wall of a cargo area. Each rail includes an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory. The lower channel is separate from the upper channel, and both the upper and lower channels face inwards towards the cargo area.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY This disclosure relates generally to an accessory rail system and specifically to an accessory rail system in which each rail includes two distinct channels, comprising an upper channel for permanent accessories and a lower channel for temporary accessories. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART Cargo bed areas in a pickup truck can have many different configurations. Various mounting interfaces may be provided to accommodate different types of accessories, such as bed covers, crossbars, cargo trays, tie-down points, storage bins, and bag hooks. Installing and changing accessories at these mounting interfaces can be challenging. SUMMARY A device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, the following: at least one rail mounted along a side wall defining a cargo area, wherein the at least one rail comprises an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory, wherein both the upper channel and the lower channel point inwards towards the cargo area and wherein the lower channel is separate from the upper channel. In another non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the upper channel has a smaller open cross-sectional area than the open cross-sectional area of ​​the lower channel. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the first type of accessory comprises a platform cover, a crossbar or a cargo tray, and the second type of accessory comprises a lashing eye, a storage container bracket or a hook. In a further non-limiting embodiment of any device, at least one clamp has an engagement element that is received within the upper channel, and the engagement element is associated with at least one connecting piece for securing the first type of accessory to the at least one rail. In a further non-limiting embodiment of any device, the at least one rail comprises a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section toward the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section toward the cargo area, and wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section is directly mountable to the side wall of the cargo area. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the at least one rail comprises an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the upper channel is formed between the upper wall and the intermediate wall and the lower channel is formed between the lower wall and the intermediate wall. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the upper wall includes a first flange extending downwards towards the partition wall, a second flange extending downwards towards the lower wall, and a third flange extending upwards from the lower wall towards the partition wall. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the at least one rail includes a first open gap between the first flange and the second flange to provide an opening into the upper channel, and a second open gap between the second flange and the first flange to provide an opening into the lower channel. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the at least one rail with at least one fastening element is mounted on the side wall of the cargo area and includes at least one protective device associated with the at least one rail, which is movable between a first position in which the at least one fastening element is accessible and a second position in which the at least one fastening element is inaccessible. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the at least one rail comprises at least a first rail mounted on the side wall of the cargo area and a second rail mounted on an opposite side wall of the cargo area. An apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, the following: a first rail comprising a first mounting surface extending along a first side wall defining a cargo area, and a first channel section pointing in a direction opposite to the first mounting surface; a second rail comprising a second mounting surface extending along a second side wall of the cargo area, and a second channel section pointing in a direction opposite to the second mounting surface; and wherein each of the first channel section and the second channel section comprises an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory. In another non-restrictive embodiment of any device, both the upper channel and the lower channel point inwards towards the cargo area, and wherein the lower channel is separated from the upper channel. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, each of the first rail and the second rail comprises a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the first rail is directly mountable to the first side wall of the cargo area and a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the second rail is directly mountable to the second side wall of the cargo area. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, each of the first rail and the second rail comprises an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the upper channel is formed between the upper wall and the intermediate wall and the lower channel is formed between the lower wall and the intermediate wall. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things: providing a first rail and a second rail, each having an upper channel and a lower channel; mounting a rear surface of the first rail along a first side wall of a cargo area such that the upper channel and the lower channel both face the cargo area; mounting a rear surface of the second rail along a second side wall of the cargo area such that the upper channel and the lower channel both face the cargo area; installing a first type of accessory in the upper channel; and installing a second type of accessory in the lower channel. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the method includes forming each of the first rail and the second rail such that they have a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the first rail is directly mountable to the first side wall of the cargo area and a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the second rail is directly mountable to the second side wall of the cargo area. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the method includes forming each of the first rail and the second rail such that they have a partition wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, and forming the upper channel between the upper wall and the partition wall, and forming the lower channel between the lower wall and the partition wall. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the method includes forming the upper wall such that it includes a first flange extending downwards towards the partition wall, a second flange extending downwards towards the lower wall, and a third flange extending upwards from the lower wall towards the partition wall above, wherein a first open gap is provided between the first flange and the second flange to form an opening into the upper channel, and a second open gap is provided between the second flange and the first flange to form an opening into the lower channel. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the method involves forming each of the first rail and the second rail by extrusion from an aluminum material. In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the first type of accessory comprises a platform cover, a crossbar or a cargo tray, and the second type of accessory comprises a lashing eye, a storage container bracket or a hook. The embodiments, examples, and alternatives described in the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, which may include any of their various aspects or individual features, can be considered independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, provided such features are not incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory rail system in a cargo area of ​​a truck bed with a tailgate in an open position. Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an accessory rail system with a guard in an accessible position to allow rails to be attached to or detached from a side wall of the truck bed. Fig. 2B is similar to Fig. 2A, but shows the guard in an inaccessible position to prevent the rails from being detached from the side wall of the truck bed. Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an accessory rail for installation in the cargo area.Figure 3B is a sectional view of the rail from Figure 3A. Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a two-part rail with an accessory mounted inside an upper channel. Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a one-piece rail with an accessory mounted in each channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This disclosure relates in general to an accessory rail system and in particular to an accessory rail system in which each rail includes two distinct channels, comprising an upper channel for permanent, i.e., semi-permanently installed, accessories and a lower channel for temporary, i.e., quickly interchangeable, accessories. Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 10 with a cargo area 12 defined by a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 16 opposite the first side wall 14. A passenger cabin 18 is located at the front of the vehicle, and a front loading platform wall 20 extends along the rear of the passenger cabin 18 between the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16 to enclose a front end of the cargo area 12. A tailgate 22 is positioned at the rear of the vehicle 10 and is movable between an open and a closed position. The first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16 extend along the length of the cargo area 12 in a longitudinal direction, e.g., along the length of the vehicle 10. Each of the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16 includes an upper edge or top surface 24 and an inner wall surface 26 facing the cargo area 12. A loading floor surface 28 extends in a transverse direction, e.g., across the width of the vehicle 10, between the inner wall surfaces 26 of the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16. The loading floor surface 28 also extends longitudinally from the front loading wall 20 to the tailgate 22. As shown in Fig. 1, an accessory rail system 30 comprises a first rail 32, which can extend along the first side wall 14 defining the cargo area 12, and a second rail 34, which can extend along the second side wall 16. In embodiments, the first rail 32 and the second rail 34 each include at least one mounting interface 36 (Fig. 2A) for attachment to one of the respective side walls 14 and 16. In embodiments, the first rail 32 extends substantially along an entirety of the first side wall 14, and the second rail 34 extends substantially along an entirety of the second side wall 16, from the front cargo area wall 20 to just before the tailgate 22. In some implementations, each mounting interface 36 is associated with at least one connector 42. The connectors 42 fasten one of the first rail 32 and one of the second rail 34, respectively, to an associated first side wall 14 and second side wall 16. In one example, the connectors 42 include fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc.; however, other types of connectors could also be used. In implementations, at least one protective device 60 can be assigned to the first rail 32 and the second rail 34. The protective device 60 is selectively movable between a first position in which the connectors 42 are accessible and a second position in which the connectors 42 are inaccessible. An example of a protective device 60 is shown in Figures 2A-2B. In this example, the protective device 60 comprises a strip 62 which is slidably mounted within a guide rail 64 formed in each of the first rail 32 and the second rail 34. Figures 2A-2B show only the first rail 32 on the first side wall 14; it is understood that the second rail 34 on the second side wall 16 would be configured similarly. In implementations, each strip 62 includes at least one window or opening 66 such that when the strip 62 is in the accessible position, the opening 66 is aligned with the mounting interface 36 (Fig. 2A) and when the strip 62 is in the inaccessible position, the opening 66 is not aligned with the mounting interface 36 (Fig. 2B). In one example, each mounting interface 36 includes a first mounting opening 68 formed in an associated area of ​​the first rail 32 and the second rail 34, and a second mounting opening 70 (shown schematically in Fig. 1) formed in an associated area of ​​the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16. The connector 42 can be inserted through the first mounting opening 68 and the second mounting opening 70 to fasten each of the first rail 32 and the second rail 34 to an associated area of ​​the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16. As shown in Fig. 2A, when the strip 62 is in the accessible position, the opening 66 is aligned with the first mounting opening 68 and the second mounting opening 70. As shown in Fig. 2B, when the strip 62 is in the inaccessible position, the opening 66 is not aligned with the first mounting opening 68 and the second mounting opening 70. The protective device 60 is only one example of a device that can be used to prevent the rails from being removed from the vehicle. Further details regarding protective devices can be found in application number 18 / 786,500, filed on 28 July 2024, which was assigned to the same assignee as the present application and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Figures 3A-B show an example of a rail 32, 34. In this example, the rail comprises a rail body 72 which includes an upper channel 74 and a lower channel 76. In some implementations, the rail body 72 comprises a one-piece, extruded aluminium part (see Fig. 3A-B and Fig. 5). In some implementations, the rail body 72 is formed from two parts 72a, 72b which are attached to one another (see Fig. 4). In this example, the components can be made of rolled steel. In some implementations, the upper channel 74 has a smaller open cross-sectional area than the open cross-sectional area of ​​the lower channel 76 (see Fig. 3B). In one example, the upper channel 74 and the lower channel 76 would always have different sizes and / or shapes, so that there would be no confusion during installation. In some implementations, one or more accessories 38 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) can be selectively mounted within the upper channel 74 and the lower channel 76. In some implementations, the upper channel 74 is used to install large, high-mounted, and long-lasting cargo bed accessories. Examples of such accessories include bed covers, crossbars, cargo trays, ladder racks, container brackets, etc. In some implementations, the lower channel 76 is used for all other types of cargo rail accessories. Examples of such accessories include tie-down points, bag hooks, MOLLE plates, bike racks, safety cables, additional storage containers, etc. In some implementations, the rail body 72 includes a base wall section 78 with an upper wall 80 extending from one end of the base wall section 78 towards the cargo area, and a lower wall 82 extending from an opposite end of the base wall section 78 towards the cargo area. In one example, a rearward-facing surface 84 of the base wall section 78 can be mounted directly on the inner surface of the side wall 14, 16 of the cargo area 12. In some implementations, the rail body 72 includes an intermediate wall 86 extending from the base wall section 78 towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall 80 and the lower wall 82. The upper channel 74 is formed between the upper wall 80 and the intermediate wall 86, and the lower channel 76 is formed between the lower wall 82 and the intermediate wall 86. In some implementations, the upper wall 80 includes a first flange 88 extending downwards towards the partition wall 86, a second flange 90 extending downwards towards the lower wall 82, and a third flange 92 extending upwards from the lower wall 82 towards the partition wall 86. In some implementations, a first open gap 94 is provided between the first flange 88 and the second flange 90 to provide an opening into the upper channel 74, and a second open gap 96 is provided between the second flange 90 and the third flange 92 to provide an opening into the lower channel 76. Fig. 4 shows an example of the rail body 72, which consists of two parts 72a, 72b. The parts can be secured to each other separately, or the connectors 42, which attach the rails 32, 34 to the side walls 14, 16, can be used to secure the parts to each other. In implementations, the opening 68 in the rail body, which receives the connector 42, can either be located in the lower channel 76, as shown in Fig. 4-5, or can be located in the upper channel 74, as shown in Fig. 2A-2B. In the example shown in Fig. 4, a trifold cover 98 is depicted installed in the upper channel 74. In this example, one or more clamps 100 have an engagement element 102 that is received within the upper channel 74, and the engagement element 102 has a channel 104 that receives the first flange 88. The clamp 100 has a body section 106 that extends upward to be connected to a bracket 108, which couples the clamp 100 to the trifold cover 98. A threaded fastening element 110 extends from the body section 106 through the bracket 108 and is covered by a top seal 112. The bracket 108 includes a support flange 114 for the cover 98, and an associated bolt 116 is accommodated within a bracket channel 118 to hold the cover 98 in place.An additional seal 120 is positioned between the upper surface of the wall 14 and a mounting flange 122. Fig. 5 shows an example of the rail body 72, which is included as a single part. In this example, instead of a triple-folded cover, a sliding cover 124 is installed in the upper channel 74. The mounting structure of this cover 124 is similar to that shown in Fig. 4, but instead of a support flange 114 and a channel 118, the bracket 108 includes a sliding guide rail 126 that receives an edge 128 of the cover 124. Fig. 5 also shows an additional accessory 38 installed in the lower channel 76. In this example, the accessory 38 comprises a hook 130, which has a base body 132 sliding into the channel 76 and an arm 134 extending outwards into the cargo area. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the hook 130 is easily accessible because the upper and lower channels are separate. This allows the accessories in the lower channel 76 to be changed / replaced quickly and efficiently. The disclosed rail body allows for the separation of specific cargo rail functions, such as fixed versus adjustable. Furthermore, the disclosed rail configuration enables full utilization and flexibility of the lower channel by allowing fixed, e.g., semi-permanent, applications to be moved to the upper channel. Increased functionality is also achieved because each guide rail can be used simultaneously. The installation of fixed cargo bed accessories is further simplified by providing a unique and dedicated interface on the upper channel. The preceding description is exemplary and not limiting. Variations and modifications of the disclosed examples may be apparent to a person skilled in the art, which do not necessarily deviate from the core of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted to the present disclosure can only be determined by reading the following patent claims. According to the present invention, a device is provided comprising: at least one rail mounted along a side wall defining a cargo area, wherein the at least one rail includes an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory, both the upper channel and the lower channel radiating inwards towards the cargo area, and wherein the lower channel is separated from the upper channel. According to one embodiment, the upper channel has a smaller open cross-sectional area than the open cross-sectional area of ​​the lower channel. According to one embodiment, the first type of accessory comprises a platform cover, a crossbar or a cargo tray, and the second type of accessory comprises a lashing eye, a storage container bracket or a hook. According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by at least one clamp having an engagement element that is received within the upper channel, and wherein the engagement element is associated with at least one connecting piece for securing the first type of accessory to the at least one rail. According to one embodiment, the at least one rail comprises a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, and wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section can be mounted directly to the side wall of the cargo area. According to one embodiment, the at least one rail comprises an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the upper channel is formed between the upper wall and the intermediate wall and the lower channel is formed between the lower wall and the intermediate wall. According to one embodiment, the upper wall includes a first flange extending downwards towards the partition wall, a second flange extending downwards towards the lower wall, and a third flange extending upwards from the lower wall towards the partition wall. According to one embodiment, the at least one rail includes a first open gap between the first flange and the second flange to provide an opening into the upper channel, and a second open gap between the second flange and the first flange to provide an opening into the lower channel. According to one embodiment, the at least one rail is mounted on the side wall of the cargo area with at least one fastening element and includes at least one protective device that is associated with the at least one rail, which is movable between a first position in which the at least one fastening element is accessible and a second position in which the at least one fastening element is inaccessible. According to one embodiment, the at least one rail comprises at least a first rail mounted on the side wall of the cargo area and a second rail mounted on an opposite side wall of the cargo area. According to the present invention, a device is provided comprising: a first rail having a first mounting surface extending along a first side wall defining a cargo area, and a first channel section pointing in the opposite direction to the first mounting surface; a second rail having a second mounting surface extending along a second side wall of the cargo area, and a second channel section pointing in the opposite direction to the second mounting surface; and wherein each of the first channel section and the second channel section comprises an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory. According to one embodiment, both the upper channel and the lower channel point inwards towards the cargo area, and the lower channel is separated from the upper channel. According to one embodiment, each of the first rail and the second rail comprises a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the first rail is directly mountable to the first side wall of the cargo area and a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the second rail is directly mountable to the second side wall of the cargo area. According to one embodiment, each of the first rail and the second rail comprises an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the upper channel is formed between the upper wall and the intermediate wall and the lower channel is formed between the lower wall and the intermediate wall.According to the present invention, a method comprises the following: providing a first rail and a second rail, each having an upper channel and a lower channel; mounting a rear surface of the first rail along a first side wall of a cargo area such that the upper channel and the lower channel both face the cargo area; mounting a rear surface of the second rail along a second side wall of the cargo area such that the upper channel and the lower channel both face the cargo area; installing a first type of accessory in the upper channel; and installing a second type of accessory in the lower channel. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes forming each of the first rail and the second rail such that they have a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the first rail can be mounted directly to the first side wall of the cargo area and a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the second rail can be mounted directly to the second side wall of the cargo area. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes forming each of the first rail and the second rail such that they have an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, and forming the upper channel between the upper wall and the intermediate wall and forming the lower channel between the lower wall and the intermediate wall. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes forming the upper wall such that it includes a first flange extending downwards towards the partition wall, a second flange extending downwards towards the lower wall, and a third flange extending upwards from the lower wall towards the partition wall, wherein a first open gap is provided between the first flange and the second flange to form an opening into the upper channel, and a second open gap is provided between the second flange and the first flange to form an opening into the lower channel. In one aspect of the invention, the method involves forming each of the first rail and the second rail by extrusion from an aluminum material. In one aspect of the invention, the first type of accessory comprises a platform cover, a crossbar or a cargo tray, and the second type of accessory comprises a lashing eye, a storage container bracket or a hook.

Claims

Device comprising: at least one rail mounted along a side wall defining a cargo area, wherein the at least one rail comprises an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory, wherein both the upper channel and the lower channel point inwards towards the cargo area and wherein the lower channel is separate from the upper channel. Device according to claim 1, wherein the upper channel has a smaller open cross-sectional area than an open cross-sectional area of ​​the lower channel. Device according to claim 1, comprising at least one clamp having an engagement element which is received within the upper channel, and wherein the engagement element is associated with at least one connecting piece to secure the first type of accessory to the at least one rail, and wherein optionally the first type of accessory comprises a platform cover, a crossbar or a cargo tray, and wherein the second type of accessory comprises a lashing eye, a storage container bracket or a hook. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rail comprises a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, and wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section can be mounted directly on the side wall of the cargo area. Device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one rail comprises an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a point spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, and wherein the upper channel is formed between the upper wall and the intermediate wall and the lower channel is formed between the lower wall and the intermediate wall. Device according to claim 5, wherein the upper wall includes a first flange extending downwards towards the partition wall, a second flange extending downwards towards the lower wall, and a third flange extending upwards from the lower wall towards the partition wall. Device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one rail includes a first open gap between the first flange and the second flange to provide an opening into the upper channel, and a second open gap between the second flange and the first flange to provide an opening into the lower channel. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rail is mounted on the side wall of the cargo area with at least one fastening element and includes at least one protective device associated with the at least one rail, which is movable between a first position in which the at least one fastening element is accessible and a second position in which the at least one fastening element is inaccessible, and wherein optionally the at least one rail comprises at least a first rail mounted on the side wall of the cargo area and a second rail mounted on an opposite side wall of the cargo area. Device comprising: a first rail having a first mounting surface extending along a first side wall defining a cargo area, and a first channel section pointing in the opposite direction to the first mounting surface; a second rail having a second mounting surface extending along a second side wall of the cargo area, and a second channel section pointing in the opposite direction to the second mounting surface; and wherein each of the first channel section and the second channel section comprises an upper channel for a first type of accessory and a lower channel for a second type of accessory. Device according to claim 9, wherein both the upper channel and the lower channel point inwards towards the cargo area and wherein the lower channel is separated from the upper channel. Device according to claim 9, wherein each of the first rail and the second rail comprises a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, and wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the first rail is directly mountable to the first side wall of the cargo area and a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the second rail is directly mountable to the second side wall of the cargo area, and wherein each of the first rail and the second rail comprises an intermediate wall extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a location spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall.and wherein the upper channel is formed between the upper wall and the partition wall and the lower channel is formed between the lower wall and the partition wall. Method comprising: providing a first rail and a second rail, each having an upper channel and a lower channel; mounting a rear face of the first rail along a first side wall of a cargo area such that the upper channel and the lower channel both face the cargo area; mounting a rear face of the second rail along a second side wall of the cargo area such that the upper channel and the lower channel both face the cargo area; installing a first type of accessory in the upper channel; and installing a second type of accessory in the lower channel. The method of claim 12, comprising forming each of the first rail and the second rail such that they have a base wall section with an upper wall extending from one end of the base wall section towards the cargo area and a lower wall extending from an opposite end of the base wall section towards the cargo area, and wherein a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the first rail is directly mountable to the first side wall of the cargo area and a rearward-facing surface of the base wall section of the second rail is directly mountable to the second side wall of the cargo area. The method of claim 13, comprising forming each of the first rail and the second rail such that they have a partition extending from the base wall section towards the cargo area at a location spaced apart from the upper wall and the lower wall, and forming the upper channel between the upper wall and the partition, and forming the lower channel between the lower wall and the partition, and optionally forming the upper wall such that it includes a first flange extending downwards towards the partition, a second flange extending downwards towards the lower wall, and a third flange extending upwards from the lower wall towards the partition, and wherein a first open gap is provided between the first flange and the second flange to form an opening into the upper channel.and a second open gap is provided between the second flange and the first flange to form an opening into the lower channel. Method according to claim 12, comprising forming each of the first rail and the second rail by extrusion from an aluminum material.

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