# US 2008/0185862 A1 · Collapsible storage system for vehicle storage area

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- Number: US 2008/0185862 A1
- Document ID: US20080185862A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/026,954
- Filed: 2008-02-06
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06
- Assignees: Exco Automotive Solutions Canada, Inc.
- Inventors: Christopher Francis TARRANT; Robin MUNROE; Gerry PIKE; Ian SAUNDERS
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185862A1

## CPC

- B60R 9/00: Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

There is provided a collapsible storage system for a storage area of a vehicle comprising a pair of panels; a flexible sheet, connecting said pair of panels; wherein said panels can be moved between open and collapsed positions by extending and folding the sheet respectively.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A collapsible storage system for a storage area of a vehicle comprising:
a pair of panels;
a flexible sheet, connecting said pair of panels;
wherein said panels can be moved between open and collapsed positions by extending and folding the sheet respectively.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The collapsible storage system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a pickup truck.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The collapsible storage system of claim 2 wherein the storage area is a pickup truck bed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The collapsible storage system of claim 3 further comprising:
a pair of lateral supports, extending a width of the pickup truck; and
an integration apparatus, mounted on each end of the pair of lateral supports, for mounting the storage system to the pickup truck;
wherein each one of the pair of panels is attached to one of the pair of lateral supports.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The collapsible storage system of claim 4 wherein the integration apparatus is a rail integration apparatus for mounting with an existing rail system within the pickup truck.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The collapsible storage system of claim 5 wherein the rail integration apparatus comprises:
a track insert piece for insertion in the existing rail system;
a bolt, located within the track insert piece; and
a locking apparatus, attached to the bolt, for locking the storage system to the rail system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The collapsible storage system of claim 6 wherein the rail integration apparatus further comprises a stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing the storage system within the truck.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The collapsible storage system of claim 6 wherein the locking apparatus is released, the lateral supports are able to be moved in order to move the storage system between the open and closed positions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The collapsible storage system of claim 7 wherein the stabilizing apparatus comprises:
a sleeve, located around the bolt; and
a threaded hand-knob;
wherein the hand-knob is tightened to push the sleeve against the bolt to stabilize the system.

### Claim 10 (depends on 4)

The collapsible storage system of claim 4 further comprising a set of covers for protecting the contents of the storage system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The collapsible storage system of claim 10 wherein the cover comprises cup holders.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The collapsible storage system of claim 1 further including nets for defining separate storage locations within the storage system.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The collapsible storage system of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet is made from cloth or canvas.

### Claim 14

A collapsible storage system for a storage area of a vehicle comprising:
a pair of panels;
a foldable sheet, connecting said pair of panels;
wherein said panels can be moved between open and collapsed positions by extending and folding the sheet respectively.

### Claim 15 (depends on 2)

The storage system of claim 2 wherein the panels are moved in a direction which is parallel to a cab of the pick up truck.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The storage system of claim 2 wherein the panels are moved in a direction which is perpendicular to a cab of the pickup truck.

### Claim 17

A collapsible storage system comprising:
a truck integration apparatus;
a cover;
a flexible storage compartment, located under the cover;
a support structure, connected to the truck integration apparatus and for supporting the cover;
wherein the cover can be pivoted about the support structure between open and closed positions.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The collapsible storage system of claim 17 wherein the system is collapsible about the truck integration apparatus.