Modular storage apparatus

• US 7,243,969 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurie A. Miller, Miller F. Todd
• Original Assignee: Laurie A. Miller, Miller F. Todd
• Inventors: Miller, Laurie A., Miller, F. Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDON, STEPHEN T
• Application Number:
  US11/065,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20060186771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.15, 296/37.6, 296/37.8, 296/37.16, 296/24.43, 410/46, 410/77, 410/80, 224/403, 224/404, 224/539
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

A modular storage apparatus having a base member comprised of an outer shell and an interior support frame. The outer shell has a bottom surface configured to attach to the tie down bolts of a rear seating support of a typical Sports Utility Vehicle. A top surface may be reversibly inset within lateral support walls to serve as a base for cargo contained in various attachments. One or more compartments contained within the outer shell may be actuated between an open and closed position by sliding each compartment along an opposing pair of interior support frame members. The outer shell, in combination with moveable magnets and threaded engagement means, provides support for various cargo containing attachment members.

Claims

1. A modular storage apparatus comprising

a first outer wall and second outer wall

where each outer wall has a front end and a rear end, where said first outer wall and said second outer wall are joined, at their rear end, with a rear wall so that the combination of said first outer wall, said second outer wall, and said rear wall forms a partial receptacle;

one or more interior wall members

arranged between said first outer wall and said second outer wall where each interior wall member extends in substantially parallel fashion, from said rear wall to the front end of each outer wall;

a bottom surface

attached to said first outer wall, said second outer wall, said rear wall, and said interior member, where said bottom surface is configured to align with, and attach to, a vehicle attachment means;

a top surface

configured to align with said first outer wall, said second outer wall, and said rear wall so as to form an enclosure there between and reversibly attach thereto;

one or more compartments

where each compartment has a front end and a rear end and each fits between an opposing pair of one of said one or more interior wall members and is actuated between an closed position, where the rear end of said compartment is in proximity with said rear wall and the front end of said compartment aligns with said first outer wall, said second outer wall, said bottom surface, and said top surface to form an enclosure there between, and a open position, where the rear end of said compartment is in proximity with said front end of said first outer wall and said second outer wall and said compartment front end extends so as to expose the interior of said compartment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

at least one magnet

having a flat bottom surface, a flat top surface, and a central aperture, where said magnet may be juxtaposed with said top surface and arranged to support an attachment member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 where said first outer wall, said second outer wall, and said rear wall stand approximately three inches in height.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 where said top surface fits within the shape defined by an interior surface of said first outer wall, an interior surface of said second outer wall, and an interior surface of said rear wall and rests upon a top contour of said interior wall members.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 where said first outer wall, said second outer wall, and said rear wall, stand approximately three inches in height, where each said interior wall member stands approximately two inches in height, and said top surface has a thickness of approximately one half inch.