Removable deck/platform apparatus with storage access for sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and mini vans

• US 6,241,137 B1
• Filed: 04/13/1998
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caven W. Corr
• Original Assignee: Caven W. Corr
• Inventors: Corr, Caven W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/059,510
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 224/539, 224/542, 224/42.33, 224/42.32, 224/404, 296/37.1, 296/37.6, 296/24.1, 220/23.8
• US Class Current: 224/542
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/00 Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like

Abstract

A removable deck/platform apparatus for the cargo area of sport/utility vehicles, pickup trucks, mini vans and/or other similar vehicles. The deck/platform apparatus is formed of forward and aft deck members each with integrally molded depending enclosures that serve as storage compartments and as elevating supports for the respective deck. The two deck members may be placed end-to end to form a larger deck/platform that generally conforms to the interior boundaries of the vehicle cargo area when the rear seats are reclined and stowed and may serve as a sleeping deck for supporting two adults. The storage compartments elevate the deck portions above the floor of the cargo area to define a large under-deck storage area for storing personal articles out of view. The storage compartments are provided with hinged lids for easy access from the top of the deck. One of the storage compartments of the forward deck is thermally insulated to serve as a cooler. The forward and aft deck members may also be installed in the cargo area of a vehicle individually or stacked, one on the other, as the situation or needs of the user warrant.

Claims

1. A removable deck/platform storage system for selective removable installation in the cargo area of a vehicle, comprising:

a forward deck member having a generally rectangular flat deck portion with laterally opposed sides and opposed front and rear ends, a pair of generally rectangular storage compartments, each disposed near a respective one of said laterally opposed sides and having a lower portion depending from an underside of said forward deck member deck portion sized and shaped to be received on a floor surface of the vehicle cargo area for supporting said forward deck member deck portion a distance horizontally above said floor surface;

an aft deck member having a generally rectangular flat deck portion with laterally opposed sides and opposed front and rear ends, a pair of generally rectangular storage compartments, each disposed near a respective one of said laterally opposed sides and having a lower portion depending from an underside of said aft deck member deck portion sized and shaped to be received on a floor surface of the vehicle cargo area to support said aft deck member deck portion a distance horizontally above said floor surface;

a lid disposed at an upper end of each said storage compartment for enclosing each respective said storage compartment, each of said lids being generally flush with a top surface of said deck portions in a closed position;

said depending storage compartments having an exterior sized and shaped to support said deck portions in a horizontal plane a distance above the floor of the cargo area floor to define a below-deck storage area therebetween for storing items therein concealed from view and an above-deck storage area above said deck portions;

said generally rectangular storage compartments having an interior sized and shaped to provide additional storage space for storage of smaller items and

said forward deck member and said aft deck member sized to be selectively received in said vehicle cargo area in stacked relation one supported atop the other, wherein;

said depending storage compartments of the lowermost one of said forward or aft deck member support said lowermost deck member deck portion horizontally a distance above the floor of the cargo area floor to define a below-deck storage area therebetween for storing items therein concealed from view; and

said depending storage compartments of the uppermost one of said forward or aft deck member are engaged on a top surface of said lowermost deck member and support said uppermost deck member deck portion a distance above said top surface of said lowermost deck member in generally parallel vertically spaced relation to define a below-deck storage area therebetween for storing items therein concealed from view and an above-deck storage area above said uppermost deck portion.

2. The removable deck/platform storage system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third generally rectangular storage compartment disposed near said forward deck member deck portion front end and having a lower portion depending from an underside of its said deck portion sized and shaped to be received on a floor surface of the vehicle cargo area to additionally support said deck portion a distance horizontally above said floor surface; and

a lid disposed at an open top end of said third storage compartment for enclosing said third storage compartment, and being generally flush with a top surface of its said deck portion in a closed position and accessible from said above-deck area.

3. The removable deck/platform apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

said third storage compartment is thermally insulated to serve as a cooler for storing beverages and perishable food items therein.

4. The removable deck/platform storage system according to claim 1, wherein

said forward deck member and said aft deck member are sized to be received in said vehicle cargo area in end-to end relation with said front end of said aft deck member deck portion abutting said rear end of said forward deck member deck portion in a horizontal plane to form a deck of sufficient size to accommodate two adults in a prone sleeping position.