Vehicle mounted storage unit

• US 20040079778A1
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Larry G. Wilkens
• Original Assignee: Larry G. Wilkens
• Inventors: Wilkens, Larry G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,889,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/509
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/065 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. trunks

Abstract

The vehicle mounted storage unit includes a support bracket that is clamped to a vehicle'"'"'s spare tire and wheel rack on the outside of a vehicle by the fasteners that clamp the wheel to the rack. A storage unit frame is attached to the support bracket by a mechanical fastener. A pair of spaced apart left upper door panel post receiving tubes are mounted on the unit frame. A pair of spaced apart right upper door panel post receiving tubes are also mounted on the storage unit frame. The posts are positioned to minimize the space required for the door panel panels. Side curtain hangers are also secured to the storage unit frame. An inner pan is attached to the unit frame. An outer pan is pivotally connected to the unit frame. The two pans cooperate to encase the unit frame and vehicle components supported by the unit frame.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted storage unit comprising:

a storage unit frame adapted to be clamped to a vehicle;

a pair of spaced apart left upper door panel post receiving tubes mounted on the storage unit frame and adapted to receive and retain a pair of left upper door panel posts; and

a pair of spaced apart right upper door panel post receiving tubes mounted on the storage unit frame and adapted to receive and retain a pair of left upper door panel posts.

2. A vehicle mounted storage unit comprising:

a support bracket assembly including a mounting plate with at least two apertures that match a bolt pattern on a vehicle spare wheel, a bar with one end fixed to the mounting plate and having another end with a threaded bore with a threaded bore axis in alignment with a wheel passage through the vehicle spare wheel, and wherein the mounting plate is adapted to be clamped to a spare wheel carrier assembly positioned between the vehicle spare wheel and the spare wheel carrier assembly;

a storage unit frame having a mounting aperture, and a single mounting bolt that passes through the mounting aperture, screws into the threaded bore in the support bracket assembly, and wherein the single mounting bolt forces the storage unit frame toward the mounting plate;

a first left upper door panel post receiving passage in the storage unit frame adapted to receive a first upper left door panel post and a second left door upper door panel post receiving passage in the storage unit frame adapted to receive a second left upper door panel post; and

a first right upper door panel post receiving passage in the storage unit frame adapted to receive a first upper right door panel post and a second right upper door panel post receiving passage in the storage unit frame adapted to receive a second right upper door panel post.