NESTABLE CARGO BOX FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
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1. A method of shipping a cargo carrier for a vehicle, comprising:
- creating a package containing a base portion nested with a lid portion such that an outer surface of one of the portions faces the inner surface of the other portion, and also containing one or more clamp devices configured to mount the base portion above a vehicle, and components of one or more hinge assemblies; and
shipping the package,wherein the base portion is configured to be connected to the lid portion after the step of shipping using the one or more hinge assemblies, to form a cargo box having inner surfaces of the base and lid portions facing each other when the box is closed and that opens by pivoting the lid portion away from the base portion.
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Abstract
Vehicle rack system with a nestable cargo box, including a kit for constructing the cargo box, and methods of making, packaging, shipping, supplying, and assembling the cargo box. The cargo box may include a base portion and a lid portion that can be arranged in (1) a shipping configuration where the base and lid portions are not operatively connected to each other and one of the portions is inverted and nested in the other portion and (2) an operative configuration in which the base and the lid portions are operatively connected to each other to form a box that can be pivoted open and fastened shut.
32 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of shipping a cargo carrier for a vehicle, comprising:
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creating a package containing a base portion nested with a lid portion such that an outer surface of one of the portions faces the inner surface of the other portion, and also containing one or more clamp devices configured to mount the base portion above a vehicle, and components of one or more hinge assemblies; and shipping the package, wherein the base portion is configured to be connected to the lid portion after the step of shipping using the one or more hinge assemblies, to form a cargo box having inner surfaces of the base and lid portions facing each other when the box is closed and that opens by pivoting the lid portion away from the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of assembling a top carrier for a vehicle, comprising:
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receiving a base portion and a lid portion each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the base portion and the lid portion being arranged in a nested configuration having the outer surface of one of the portions facing the inner surface of the other portion; connecting the base portion to the lid portion using one or more hinge assemblies, to form a cargo box having the inner surfaces of the base and lid portions facing each other when the box is closed and that opens by pivoting the lid portion away from the base portion; and mounting the cargo box above a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A kit for constructing a top carrier for a vehicle, comprising:
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a base portion including a lower shell; a lid portion including an upper shell; one or more clamp devices configured to mount the base portion above a vehicle; and components of a plurality of hinge assemblies; wherein the lower shell and the upper shell each have an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the lower shell and the upper shell are nested in the kit with the outer surface of one of the shells facing the inner surface of the other shell, and wherein the base portion and the lid portion are configured to be connected to each other with the hinge assemblies, to form a cargo box having the inner surfaces facing each other when the cargo box is closed and that opens by pivoting the lid portion away from the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification