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US 6,672,640 B2Granted
Collapsible storage apparatus for vehicle cargo compartments
AssigneeCollins & Aikman Products Co.
InventorsThomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes an elongate planar panel pivotally attached to a vehicle floor and movable between a stored position in face-to-face contacting relation with the floor and an operative position in spaced-apart, face-to-face relation with the floor such that the panel can serve the function of a table and/or shelf.
Claims4
An apparatus for storing items within a vehicle compartment, wherein the vehicle compartment includes a floor, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongate planar panel comprising opposite first and second elongated edge portions, opposite first and second end portions, and a planar handle portion extending outwardly from the first elongated edge portion in co-planar relationship with the elongated planar panel, wherein the handle portion is configured to be grasped by a user and to move the panel between stored and operative positions;
- a planar first leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the first leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the first elongated edge portion adjacent the first end portion, and wherein the first leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- a planar second leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the first leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the second elongated edge portion adjacent the first end portion, and wherein the second leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- a planar third leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the third leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the first elongated edge portion adjacent the second end portion, and wherein the third leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- a planar fourth leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the fourth leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the second elongated edge portion adjacent the second end portion, and wherein the fourth leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- wherein the elongate panel is movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the floor and in contacting relation with the first, second, third and fourth leg members, and an operative position in spaced-apart, face-to-face relation with the floor such that the vend can serve the function of a table and/or shelf.
3 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a compartment comprising a floor;
- and
- an apparatus for storing items within the compartment, comprising:
- an elongate planar panel comprising opposite first and second elongated edge portions, opposite first and second end portions, and a planar handle portion extending outwardly from the first elongated edge portion in co-planar relationship with the elongated planar panel, wherein the handle portion is configured to be grasped by a user and to move the panel between stored and operative positions;
- a planar first leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the first leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the first elongated edge portion adjacent the first end portion, and wherein the first leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- a planar second leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the second leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the second elongated edge portion adjacent the first end portion, and wherein the second leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- a planar third leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the third leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the first elongated edge portion adjacent the second end portion, and wherein the third leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- a planar fourth leg member comprising opposite proximal and distal ends, wherein the fourth leg member proximal end is pivotally connected to the second elongated edge portion adjacent the second end portion, and wherein the fourth leg member distal end is pivotally attached to the floor;
- wherein the elongate panel is movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the floor and in contacting relation with the first, second, third and fourth leg members, and an operative position in spaced-apart, face-to-face relation with the floor such that the panel can serve the function of a table and/or shelf.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.