Foldaway box or cabinet

• US 4,750,773 A
• Filed: 05/18/1987
• Issued: 06/14/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C. B. Chapline, George Spector
• Original Assignee: C. B. Chapline, George Spector
• Inventors: Chapline, C. B., Spector, George
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olson, Carol L.
• Application Number:
  US07/051,280
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.6, 296/37.16, 296/37.5, 296/37.1, 312/290, 312/DIG. 33, 224/273, 224/42.42, 224/310
• US Class Current: 296/37.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/06 for tools or spare parts for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D

Abstract

A foldaway tool box for a truck bed is provided and consists of a lid and front wall hinged between side walls and rear wall of the truck bed that folds down completely for full use of the truck bed which eliminates the need for removing the tool box. In a modification the tool box is adjustable in size for holding various amounts of tools therein.

Claims

1. A foldaway tool box for a truck bed having a substantially horizontal floor, a substantially vertical rear wall and substantially vertical side walls, said tool box comprising:

(a) a first panel section hinged to said floor near said rear wall being adapted to assume a horizontal position on said floor for storage and a vertical position whereby said first panel section forms a front closure member for said tool box whose sides are formed by said side walls of said truck bed; and

(b) a second panel section hinged near top of said rear wall being adapted to assume a vertical position against said rear wall for storage and a horizontal position whereby said second panel section forms a lid member for said tool box.

2. A foldaway tool box as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably locking said second panel section in a closed position against said first panel section.

3. A foldaway tool box as recited in claim 2, whereby said releasably locking means includes a clasp and lock.

4. A foldaway tool box as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) means for slideably supporting said first panel section on said floor of said truck bed; and

(b) means for adjusting size of said second panel section in a direction away from said rear wall of said truck bed so as to change relative capacity of said tool box.

5. A foldaway tool box as recited in claim 4, wherein said slideably supporting means includes:

(a) said floor of said truck bed having at least one track running parallel between said side walls; and

(b) said first panel section having at least one slide member extending down from said hinge to ride within said at least one track and a recess formed in a front panel surface remote from said hinge.

6. A foldaway tool box as recited in claim 5, wherein said adjusting means includes:

(a) a rear segment having a slot therein, said rear segment hinged near top of said rear wall; and

(b) a front segment having a hooked end, said front segment slideable within said slot in said rear segment so that said hooked end can engage with said recess in said first panel section.

7. A foldaway tool box as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

(a) said rear segment having a transverse hole extending into said slot;

(b) said front segment having a plurality of spaced apart transverse holes whereby when said front segment slides within said slot, any one of said holes will align with said hole in said rear segment;

(c) a peg to fit through said hole in said rear segment and one of said holes in said front segment to lock said second panel seciton in any desired length; and

(d) a cord attaching free end of said peg to said rear segment preventing loss of said peg.