# US 2018/0022280 A1 · Removable article carrier for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022280 A1 - Document ID: US20180022280A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/218,633 - Filed: 2016-07-25 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Francisco Javier Ferreira Yanez; Edgardo Fabricio Ortiz Hernandez; Jose Alfredo Peregrina Loera; Carlos Alberto Caballero De Ita - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022280A1 ## CPC - B60R 5/04: arranged at rear of vehicle {(B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065)} - B60R 7/02: in separate luggage compartment {(B60R7/005 takes precedence)} - B62B 5/0003: {Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) ## Abstract An apparatus for receiving articles in a vehicle cargo area is provided. A collapsible carrier includes at least one locator projection, and a support for supporting the carrier includes a receiver for receiving the locator projection of the carrier to restrict movement of the carrier laterally while allowing the carrier to be separated from the support for removal from the vehicle cargo area. The support may be a platform adapted for raising during movement from a stowed, non-erect position in the vehicle cargo area to an erect, deployed position rearward of the non-erect position to facilitate accessing any articles in the carrier. A related method is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for receiving articles in a vehicle cargo area, comprising: a carrier including at least one locator projection; and a support for supporting the carrier, the support including a receiver for receiving the locator projection of the carrier to restrict movement of the carrier in a lateral or travel direction while allowing free separation of the carrier from the support for removal from the vehicle cargo area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a base and at least two collapsible sidewalls supported by the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further including one or more flexible barriers connecting the at least two collapsible sidewalls. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support comprises a platform for supporting the base of the carrier, the platform adapted for sliding from a non-deployed position in the vehicle cargo area to a deployed position at least partially outside the vehicle cargo area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the platform is adapted for moving from a non-erect position in the vehicle cargo area to an erect position rearward of the non-erect position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, further including legs mounted for pivoting movement relative to the support. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, further including a retainer for retaining the support in the erect position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locator projection comprises a tab depending from the carrier, and the receiver comprises an opening for receiving the tab. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes a plurality of locator projections, and the support includes a receiver for receiving the plurality of locator projections. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A vehicle including the apparatus of claim 1. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for receiving articles in a vehicle cargo area, comprising: a collapsible carrier for positioning in the vehicle cargo area for receiving the articles; and a platform for supporting the carrier, the platform adapted for raising from a non-erect position in the vehicle cargo area to an erect position rearward of the non-erect position to facilitate accessing any articles in the carrier. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further including legs mounted for pivoting movement relative to the platform for supporting the carrier. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further including a retainer for retaining the platform in the erect position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the collapsible carrier comprises a base and at least two sidewalls adapted for collapsing onto the base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further including one or more flexible barriers connecting the at least two sidewalls. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the carrier includes a locator projection and the platform includes a receiver for receiving the locator projection to restrict movement of the carrier laterally while allowing the carrier to be separated from the support for removal from the vehicle cargo area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the locator projection comprises a tab depending from the carrier, and the receiver comprises an opening in the support for receiving the tab. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A vehicle including the apparatus of claim 16. ### Claim 19 An apparatus for receiving articles in a vehicle cargo area, comprising: a collapsible carrier including at least one locator projection; and a platform for supporting the carrier, the platform including a receiver for receiving the at least one locator projection to restrict movement of the carrier in a lateral direction and a vehicle travel direction while allowing for free separation of the carrier from the platform for removal from the vehicle cargo area, the platform adapted for raising when moved from a non-erect position in the vehicle cargo area to an erect position rearward of the non-erect position to facilitate accessing articles in the carrier. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method of carrying articles using the carrier of claim 1, comprising separating the carrier from the support and positioning the carrier in a shopping cart.