US 2002/0162869 A1Published application

Collapsible container for a truck bed

AssigneeSaint Technologies, Inc.

InventorJames Blair

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

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.

6 more elements

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.

4 more elements

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.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

patentgrep

Loading patent…

Abstract

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.

6 more elements