Sliding storage compartment

• US 7,204,538 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, LLC
• Inventors: Terlep, Michael R. Jr., Bradley, Robert R., Duncan, Gary L., Warlick, Arthur G. III
• Primary Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US11/288,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.1, 296/37.6, 224/400, 224/402, 224/403, 224/404, 224/488, 224/495, 224/510, 224/511, 224/518, 224/517, 224/539, 224/554, 224/566, 224/571, 224/519, 224/520
• US Class Current: 296/37.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/36 Auxiliary arrangements; Arrangements of living accommodation toilet or washing arrangements B60R15/00; Details
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/065 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. trunks

Abstract

The invention provides a moveable storage compartment designed for camper trailers that provides for top access even when the camper is in use and is folded out and over the top of the compartment. The storage compartment'"'"'s unique design and placement on a sliding track allow the user to move the compartment to either side of the trailer in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line running along the length of the trailer. Furthermore, the compartment has one or more lids that allow either side to be accessed depending upon on which side of the trailer access is desired. At least one lid of the compartment may easily convert for use as a table if desired.

Claims

1. A storage compartment comprising:

a compartment having one or more openings on a top of the compartment, the compartment being moveable with a slide mechanism from a first position to a second position in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line running along a length of a vehicle on which the compartment is installed, the vehicle having a frame;

at least one lid covering the openings; and

wherein the slide mechanism attaches the storage compartment to the frame of the vehicle.

2. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is slidably moveable with the slide mechanism.

3. The storage compartment of claim 2, wherein the slide mechanism comprises:

a first member attached to the compartment; and

a second member slidably mounted on the first member and attached to the vehicle to connect the storage compartment to the vehicle.

4. The storage compartment of claim 3, the first member comprising a track, and the second member comprising a slide rail.

5. The storage compartment of claim 4, wherein the track is attached to the frame of the vehicle.

6. The storage compartment of claim 3, wherein the storage compartment is removably attached to the slide mechanism.

7. The storage compartment of claim 4, further comprising a fastener that restricts movement of the storage compartment relative to the vehicle.

8. The storage compartment of claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism that locks the storage compartment in position with respect to the vehicle.

9. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the openings is covered by a lid and the lid is hingedly attached to the compartment.

10. The storage compartment of claim 9, wherein at least one of the lids can be pivoted at least 180 degrees.

11. The storage compartment of claim 10, further comprising a support that retains the lid in a pivoted position.

12. The storage compartment of claim 10, wherein the lid includes a raised perimeter and cup holders on the undersides thereof.

13. A method of storing and accessing materials in a storage compartment, the method comprising:

attaching the storage compartment to a vehicle by means of a slide mechanism;

moving the storage compartment from a first position to a second position in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line running along a length of the vehicle, the vehicle having a frame,

wherein the slide mechanism removably attaches the storage compartment to the frame of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, after moving the storage compartment to the second position, opening a first lid of the storage compartment.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

opening a first lid of the storage compartment; and

pivoting the first lid about 180 degrees.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, after the pivoting, supporting the first lid in the pivoted position.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising moving the storage compartment from the second position to a third position in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line running along a length of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, after moving the storage compartment to the third position, opening a second lid of the storage compartment.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising retaining the storage compartment in one of the first or the second positions.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising locking the storage compartment in one of the first or the second positions.