Collapsible container for a truck bed

• US 6,543,659 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saint Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Saint Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Blair, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/848,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20020162869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 224/403, 224/404, 224/498, 224/314, 296/39.2, 296/100.16, 296/100.18, 220/9.2, 220/9.3, 220/9.4, 383/66, 383/97
• US Class Current: 224/404
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/045 Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/055 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. containers, boxes B60R9/048 takes precedence

Abstract

A collapsible container for a truck bed includes a weather resistant, flexible envelope. There are two frames engaged with two ends of the envelope, respectively, and two support members connected with each of two side walls of the envelope. The support members are pivotable relative to each other and the frames. The collapsible container may be extended for use as a container with the envelope supported by the frames and the support members to define a substantially box shaped enclosure. The collapsible container may also be folded for storing, with the frames and the support members arranged in a stacked relationship.

Claims

1. A collapsible container for a truck bed, the collapsible container comprising:

a weather resistant, flexible envelope having a collapsed state wherein the container is in a stored position and an extended state wherein the container defines a substantially box shaped enclosure, the envelope comprising a first end, a second end, a first side wall extending from the first end to the second end, a second side wall extending from the first end to the second end opposite the first side wall, each of the first and second side walls having a midpoint located at approximately half the distance between the first and second ends with the envelope in the extended state, and a bottom wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and bordered by the first and second ends;

a first frame engaged with the first end to maintain the first end in a predetermined shape in both the collapsed state and the extended state;

a second frame engaged with the second end to maintain the second end in a predetermined shape in both the collapsed state and the extended state;

a first support member connected with a length of the first side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the first support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the first support member being pivotable relative to the first frame;

a second support member connected with a length of the first side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the second support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the second support member being pivotable relative to the first support member and the second frame;

a third support member connected with a length of the second side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the third support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the third support member being pivotable relative to the first frame; and

a fourth support member connected with a length of the second side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the fourth support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the fourth support member being pivotable relative to the third support member and the second frame;

wherein in the extended state the envelope is supported by the first and second frames and the first, second, third and fourth support members to define the substantially box shaped enclosure, and in the collapsed state the envelope is folded with the first frame, the first, second, third and fourth support members, and the second frame arranged in a stacked relationship.

2. The collapsible container of claim 1 further comprising:

a first pocket connected with the length of the first side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the first pocket receiving the first support member to connect the first support member to the first side wall;

a second pocket connected with the length of the first side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the second pocket receiving the second support member to connect the second support member to the first side wall;

a third pocket connected with the length of the second side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the third pocket receiving the third support member to connect the third support member to the second side wall; and

a fourth pocket connected with the length of the second side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the fourth pocket receiving the fourth support member to connect the fourth support member to the second side wall.

3. The collapsible container of claim 1 further comprising at least one first fastener engaged with the first frame to fix the collapsible container to the truck bed.

4. The collapsible container of claim 3 further comprising at least one second fastener engaged with the second end of the envelope and connectable with the truck bed to maintain the envelope in the extended state.

5. The collapsible container of claim 1 further comprising:

a first hinge located between the first frame and the first support member;

a second hinge located between the first and second support members;

a third hinge located between the second support member and the second frame;

a fourth hinge located between the first frame and the third support member;

a fifth hinge located between the third and fourth support members; and

a sixth hinge located between the fourth support member and the second frame.

6. The collapsible container of claim 5 wherein the hinges are formed by the flexible material of the envelope, extending between the respective frames and support members.

7. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the envelope further comprises an upper wall, opposite to the bottom wall, extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and bordered by the first and second ends.

8. The collapsible container of claim 7 wherein the first frame comprises a receptacle, and at least one of the first, second, third and fourth support members together with the length of the envelope connected thereto are contained within the receptacle with the envelope in the collapsed state.

9. The collapsible container of claim 7 wherein the second frame is a U-shaped frame with an upper member of the U-shaped frame connected to the upper wall, and each leg of the U-shaped frame connected to a respective one of the side walls.

10. The collapsible container of claim 7

wherein the second end of the envelope comprises an outer perimeter defining an opening that allows access to the interior of the enclosure;

and

further comprising a flap pivotably connected with the second end to pivot between an open position that allows access to the interior of the enclosure and a closed position wherein the flap is engaged with the outer perimeter of the second end to close the opening.

11. The collapsible container of claim 10 further comprising an elastic band connected with the outer perimeter of the second end of the envelope to retain the flap in the closed position while allowing a user to selectively enlarge the outer perimeter to move the flap between the open and closed positions.

12. The collapsible container of claim 7

wherein the upper wall has a first position wherein the height of the envelope is above the height of the truck bed, and a second position wherein the height of the envelope is approximately equal to the height of the tuck bed;

and

further comprising at least one pole connected with the upper wall of the envelope to maintain the upper wall in the first position.

13. The collapsible container of claim 12 further comprising a zipper having two sets of mating teeth connected with the upper wall, the zipper having an open state wherein the two sets of mating teeth are spaced from each other with the upper wall in the first position, and a closed state wherein the two sets of mating teeth are engaged to retain the upper wall in the second position.

14. A collapsible container for a truck bed, the collapsible container comprising:

a weather resistant, flexible envelope having a collapsed state wherein the container is in a stored position and an extended state wherein the container defines a substantially box shaped enclosure, the envelope comprising a first end, a second end, a first side wall extending from the first end to the second end, a second side wall extending from the first end to the second end opposite the first side wall, and a bottom wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and bordered by the first and second ends;

a first frame engaged with the first end to maintain the first end in a predetermined shape in both the collapsed state and the extended state;

a second frame engaged with the second end to maintain the second end in a predetermined shape in both the collapsed state and the extended state;

at least one first support member connected with a length of the first side wall that is less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the first support member being pivotable relative to the first and second frames; and

at least one second support member connected with a length of the second side wall that is less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the second support member being pivotable relative to the first and second frames;

wherein in the extended state the envelope is supported by the first and second frames and the first and second support members to define the substantially box shaped enclosure, and in the collapsed state the envelope is folded with the first frame, the first and the second support members, and the second frame arranged in a stacked relationship.

15. The collapsible container of claim 14 further comprising

a first pocket connected with the length of the first side wall, the first pocket receiving the first support member to connect the first support member to the first side wall; and

a second pocket connected with the length of the second side wall, the second pocket receiving the second support member to connect the second support member to the second side wall.

16. The collapsible container of claim 14 wherein the envelope further comprises an upper wall, opposite to the bottom wall, extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and bordered by the first and second ends.

17. The collapsible container of claim 14

wherein the second end of the envelope comprises an outer perimeter defining an opening that allows access to the interior of the enclosure;

and

further comprising a flap pivotably connected with the second end to pivot between an open position that allows access to the interior of the enclosure and a closed position wherein the flap is engaged with the outer perimeter of the second end to close the opening.

18. The collapsible container of claim 14 further comprising at least one first fastener engaged with the first frame to fix the collapsible container to the truck bed.

19. The collapsible container of claim 18 further comprising at least one second fastener engaged with the second end of the envelope and connectable with the truck bed to maintain the envelope in the extended state.

20. A collapsible container for a truck bed, the collapsible container comprising:

a weather resistant, flexible envelope having a collapsed state wherein the container is in a stored position and an extended state wherein the container defines a substantially box shaped enclosure, the envelope comprising a first end, a second end, the second end having an outer perimeter to define an opening that allows access to the interior of the enclosure, a first side wall extending from the first end to the second end, a second side wall extending from the first end to the second end opposite the first side wall, each of the first and second side walls having a midpoint located at approximately half the distance between the first and second ends with the envelope in the extended state, a bottom wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and bordered by the first and second ends, and an upper wall, opposite to the bottom wall, extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and bordered by the first and second ends;

a first frame engaged with the first end to maintain the first end in a predetermined shape in both the collapsed state and the extended state;

a second frame engaged with the second end to maintain the second end in a predetermined shape in both the collapsed state and the extended state;

a first support member connected with a length of the first side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the first support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the first support member being pivotable relative to the first frame;

a second support member connected with a length of the first side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the second support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the second support member being pivotable relative to the first support member and the second frame;

a third support member connected with a length of the second side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the third support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the third support member being pivotable relative to the first frame;

a fourth support member connected with a length of the second side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the fourth support member extending less than half the distance between the first and second ends with envelope in the extended state, the fourth support member being pivotable relative to the third support member and the second frame;

a first pocket connected with the length of the first side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the first pocket receiving the first support member to connect the first support member to the first side wall;

a second pocket connected with the length of the first side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the first side wall, the second pocket receiving the second support member to connect the second support member to the first side wall;

a third pocket connected with the length of the second side wall extending from the first end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the third pocket receiving the third support member to connect the third support member to the second side wall;

a fourth pocket connected with the length of the second side wall extending from the second end toward the midpoint of the second side wall, the fourth pocket receiving the fourth support member to connect the fourth support member to the second side wall;

at least one first fastener engaged with the first frame to fix the collapsible container to the truck bed;

at least one second fastener engaged with the second end of the envelope and connectable with the truck bed to maintain the envelope in the extended state;

a flap pivotably connected with the second end of the envelope to pivot between an open position that allows access to the interior of the enclosure and a closed position wherein the flap is engaged with the outer perimeter of the second end to close the opening; and

wherein in the extended state the envelope is supported by the first and second frames and the first, second, third and fourth support members to define the substantially box shaped enclosure, and in the collapsed state the envelope is folded with the first frame, the first, second, third and fourth support members, and the second frame arranged in a stacked relationship.