Collapsible storage apparatus for vehicle cargo compartments

• US 6,676,185 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2003
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Original Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Inventors: Gehring, Thomas F. J., Jankowski, Ireneusz, Havidic, Dejan, Flaman, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLE, PATRICIA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/465,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20030214144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 208 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.1, 296/37.5, 296/37.8, 296/37.14, 296/37.16, 410/121, 410/129, 410/140, 410/94, 224/42.32, 224/42.33, 224/42.34, 224/42.39, 224/42.4, 224/925, 224/539, 224/540, 224/549, 224/495, 224/496, 224/497, 224/498, 224/499, 220/4.08, 220/4.28, 220/6, 220/531
• US Class Current: 296/37.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. A pair or partition panels are pivotally attached to the base surface in adjacent spaced apart relationship and are movable between a closed position in face-to-face relation with the base and an open position substantially transverse to the base surface and the rear panel. A handle is connected to the pair of partitions panels that is configured to be grasped by a user to move the partition panels in tandem from the closed position to the open position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing items within a vehicle compartment, wherein the vehicle component includes a floor, the apparatus comprising:

a base configured to be disposed on a vehicle floor and having an exposed surface;

a rear panel pivotally attached to the base and comprising opposite front and rear sides and opposite first and second end portions, wherein the rear panel is pivotable about a first axis between a closed position wherein the front side is in overlying, face-to-face relation with the base surface and an open position wherein the rear panel is disposed substantially transverse to the base surface;

a pair of partition panels pivotably attached to the base surface in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, wherein each partition panel is movable about respective second and third axes that are transverse to the first axis between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the base surface and an operative position disposed substantially transverse to the base surface and to the rear panel; and

a handle connected to the pair of partition panels that is configured to be grasped by a user and to move the partition panels in tandem from the stored positions to the operative positions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition panels are movably connected together via a member, and wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition panels and handle are flush mounted within the base when the partition panels are in respective stored position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear panel overlies one or more of the partition panels when the partition panels are in respective stored positions.