Patent ID: 6543659
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B60R

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.