Package-retaining accessory for vehicle cargo area

• US 5,628,442 A
• Filed: 08/12/1994
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carolyn L. Wayne Revocable Living Trust
• Original Assignee: Mark Wayne
• Inventors: Wayne, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/290,005
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 224/42.46 R, 224/273, 224/279, 224/318, 224/42.42, 220/403, 220/404, 220/523, 220/532, 220/533, 220/9.1, 220/9.2, 220/9.3, 220/290-292, 220/335, 220/334, 296/37.6, 296/39.1, 296/39.2, 383/38, 383/78, 383/81, 383/33, 383/62, 383/117, 383/86, 383/22, 190/19, 206/561
• US Class Current: 224/543
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/005 Nets or elastic pockets tensioned against walls or backrests

Abstract

A package-retaining accessory for the cargo area of vehicle includes a package-retaining closure that is attachable to a wall or a divider of the cargo area. The accessory is comprised of a collapsible fabric material or a rigid material. The top portion in the fabric embodiment is supported in an upright position either by a pair of extension lines or by a plurality of brackets. The brackets may be fixedly attached to the wall or may be pivotably attached so that the bracket may be moved from an extended, closure supporting position to a folded position where the closure is relaxed. A retractable, foldable top is provided with fasteners to tie it in either an open position or a closed position.

Claims

1. In combination with a pick up truck having a truck bed, a package-retaining accessory, said accessory comprising:

a package-retaining body, said body comprising a base, a top, a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of side walls, said walls defining a package-retaining area, said top being movable from a first rolled up, position to a second, extended and covering position, said body further including a first set of fasteners to maintain said top in said rolled up position and a second set of fasteners to maintain said top in said extended and covering position; and

means for attaching said body to the truck bed.

2. The package-retaining accessory of claim 1, wherein the truck bed includes a plurality of wall surfaces, said back wall of said body being adapted to be positioned against one of said wall surfaces.

3. The package-retaining accessory of claim 2 wherein said wall surfaces are defined by a cargo bed liner.

4. The package-retaining accessory of claim 2 wherein said wall surfaces are defined by a cargo area divider.

5. The package-retaining accessory of claim 2 wherein said body further includes a bracket connected to one of said wall surfaces of said truck bed.

6. The package-retaining accessory of claim 5 wherein said body includes top opening, said top opening including top opening former.

7. The package-retaining accessory of claim 6 wherein said bracket is pivotably attached to said one wall surface whereby said bracket may be reversibly moved from a first position supporting said former to a second position wherein said former s not supported.

8. The package-retaining accessory of claim 6 wherein said bracket includes a first arm and a second arm, said arms being interconnected perpendicularly to one another.

9. The package-retaining accessory of claim 8 wherein each of said arms has a former support end, said end defining support-receiving slot.

10. The package-retaining accessory of claim 8 wherein said first arm includes a first face for cooperating with a first wall surface and said second arm includes a second face for cooperating with a second wall surface.

11. The package-retaining accessory of claim 2 wherein said means for attaching comprises an extension line adapted for securing to the truck bed.

12. The package-retaining accessory of claim 1 wherein said body has an interior space defined therein, said accessory further including a liner removably positionable therein.

13. The package-retaining accessory of claim 1 wherein said body has an interior space defined therein, said accessory including a divider wall disposed therein.

14. The invention as defined in claim 1 and in which said attaching means comprises at least one loop attached to said package-retaining body and hooks adapted to be attached to the truck bed.

15. The package-retaining accessory of claim 1 and including dividing means for subdividing said area into two or more sections.

16. The package-retaining accessory as defined in claim 1 and in which said body is formed of a loose woven fabric material.

17. The package-retaining accessory as defined in claim 1 and in which said body is formed of netting.

18. In combination with a cargo restraint system for the bed of a pick up truck a package-retaining accessory, said accessory comprising:

a package retaining body movable between a collapsed closed position and an open position, said body comprising a base, a top, a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of side walls, said walls defining a package-retaining area,

said body being formed of a net material,

means for attaching said body to the bed of said pick-up truck, and

said attaching means including an extension line attached to said front wall, said extension line interconnecting said body and said vehicle to enable said front wall to be pulled away from said back wall to open said package-retaining area.

19. The package-retaining accessory of claim 18 further including dividing means for subdividing said area into two or more sections.

20. The package-retaining accessory of claim 18 further including a clamp removably attached to one of said walls for receiving an end of said extension line.

21. The invention as defined in claim 18 and in which said attaching means comprises at least on loop attached to said package-retaining body and hooks adapted to be attached to the truck bed.