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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/888,368, filed Feb. 6, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to storage solutions in vehicles, and more particularly, to a collapsible storage system for a vehicle storage area, such as a pickup truck bed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the past, very few cargo management or storage options have been offered to pickup truck owners. The primary of which are large steel or aluminum tool boxes that are hard mounted to the vehicle&#39;s bed close to the cab. While this system does work to create a lockable storage area for the vehicle, it does have drawbacks. 
         [0004]    Firstly, the tool boxes requires a significant amount of area in the vehicle&#39;s bed and is not easily removed for full optimization of the vehicle&#39;s cargo space. Secondly, since the tool box can not be easily moved and is located close to the truck cab at all times, accessing the storage, or tool box can be very awkward for smaller items such as grocery bags. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a novel collapsible storage system for a storage area of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck bed is provided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed at a collapsible storage system for a vehicle storage area, such as a pickup truck bed. In one embodiment, the system can be placed at any location within the truck bed and spans the width of the bed. In another embodiment, in an open, or storage, position, the system expands perpendicular to the walls of the truck bed to provide a storage system and in a collapsed position is folded so that it does not take up room in the truck bed. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the system expands parallel to the walls of the truck bed. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect of the invention, 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. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, there is provided 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a collapsible storage system in an open position in a front of a truck bed; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the collapsible storage system in the open position in a rear of the truck bed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the collapsible storage system in the open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a rail integration apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the collapsible storage system in  FIG. 1 , in a collapsed position in the front of the truck bed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the collapsible storage system in the collapsed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the system in the open position with one cover rotated 90 degrees; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the system in the open position with an attachment system designed for vehicles without an incorporated rail system; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c  are perspective views of further embodiments of a collapsible storage system; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are perspective views of a further embodiment of a collapsible storage system; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  are perspective views of yet a further embodiment of a collapsible storage system; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  are perspective views of yet another embodiment of a collapsible storage system; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 13   a  to  13   d  are schematic diagrams of yet a further embodiment of a collapsible storage system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a schematic view of a collapsible storage system for a vehicle storage area, such as a pickup truck bed, is shown. In the current figure, the storage system is shown in an open position. The storage system  10  is located in a front location of a truck bed  12  near the cab  14  of a vehicle such as pickup truck  16  and spans a width (w) of the bed  12 . The storage system can also be located in a rear location of the bed  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment, the storage system  10  can be moved to any desired location within the truck bed  12  by sliding the system  10  along guide rails, or tracks,  18  which are previously integrated on side walls  20  of the truck bed  12  of the truck  16 . 
         [0026]    As more clearly shown in  FIG. 3 , the system  10  comprises a set of lateral supports, such rods, bars, tubes, or pipes and the like,  26  which span the width of the truck bed  12 . At the ends of each pipe  26  is a rail integration apparatus  28  which is used to mount, or integrate, the system  10  with the rail system  18  on the truck  16 . A more detailed view of the rail integration apparatus  28  is provided in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]    The system  10  further includes a pair of panels  32 , preferably plastic, which are each associated with one of the pipes  26 . For the following description, the panel  32  closest to the cab  14  will be indicated as the cab, or front, panel and the panel  32  farthest away from the cab  14  will be indicated as the rear panel. 
         [0028]    In the current embodiment, each panel  32  is connected to, or mounted to, the pipe  26  in three locations  34  (two smaller end connections  34   a  and one longer middle connection  34   b ) spanning the length of the pipe  26 . These panels  32  provide a pair of relatively solid walls which serve as front and back enclosures of the storage system  10 . Depending on the design of the system, the height (h) of the panels  32  is variable but is preferably the same height as the side wall  20  of the truck bed  12  or just to the tops of the wheel wells in order to install the system  10  against the vehicle&#39;s cab  14 . 
         [0029]    The panels  32  are connected to one another with a flexible but sturdy storage compartment, such as a sheet  36 , preferably cloth or canvas, which is attached to the bottom and side edges of the panels  32  thereby creating a four (4) sided storage area. 
         [0030]    In this manner, the storage system  10  can be easily urged from the open position to a collapsed position, as will be described below with respect to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0031]    In the preferred embodiment, the sheet  36  has an elastic sewed into each end on the short sides to help keep the shape of the system  10  as well as to compensate for any slack in the sheet  36  that is required to collapse the system. In an alternative embodiment, holes are punched in the bottom portion of the sheet, either by melting or with grommets, to allow liquid to drain from the storage system if something is spilled within it. 
         [0032]    As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the system  10  also includes a set, preferably two, of covers  38 . The covers  38  are preferably manufactured from blow-moulding plastic and are attached to one of the pipes  26 , preferably the forward pipe, at locations  40  where the panel connections  34  do not cover. The covers  38  are preferably made from a sturdy material such that an individual can also sit on or rest an object on the cover  38  when the truck is parked. Cup holders  39  can also be installed in the top surface of the covers  38  and used when the system  10  is in the open position. 
         [0033]    The location  40  serves as a pivot point thereby creating a hinge allowing the cover  38  to be opened to allow access to the storage area and closed to prevent access to the storage area or to restrict the content from falling out during travel. The system  10  also preferably includes a locking mechanism  41  that allows the storage area to be secured during travel when the cover is closed. In the current embodiment, the locking mechanism  41  is located on the rear panel  32 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the cover  38  includes a mating portion  42  which snaps onto the rear pipe  26  (in the closed position) where the panel locations  34  do not cover. 
         [0034]    Nets  44  can be installed to the underside of the covers  38  to create additional storage for smaller objects. 
         [0035]    In a preferred embodiment, a cut plastic sheet, thermoformed or blow moulded, can be placed in the bottom of the system, atop the sheet  36 , to help maintain a predetermined distance between the two panels  32  and to create a solid load floor that helps to disperse the weight of the contents in the storage area to all areas of the storage system  10 . 
         [0036]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , an exploded view of a first embodiment of the rail integrating apparatus  28  is shown. The rail integrating apparatus  28  integrates with the existing rail system  18  so that the system  10  can be moved back and forth along the rail allowing the user to determine the required location for the system. An advantage of the current system  10  is that the system can move along the rails/track  18  without interference from the wheel wells of the truck bed  12  as the system  10  can be rotated about the pipes  26  to avoid the wheels. In this manner, the system  10  can be moved from the front of the bed to the rear of the bed and vice versa without having to detach the system  10  from the truck  16 . 
         [0037]    The rail integrating apparatus  28  is integrated to the track  18  via a track insert piece  50 . A bolt  52  is inserted through the insert piece  50 , a washer  54 , a locking apparatus, seen in the current embodiment as a first female threaded hand-knob, or nut,  56  and a stabilizing apparatus, including a second female threaded hand-knob, or nut,  58  and a sleeve  60  which is sized to close the gap between the inside diameter of the pipe  26  and the outside diameter of the bolt  52 . The rail integration apparatus is installed at the four (4) connection points, at each end of the pipes, and provides the apparatus for attaching the storage system to the truck and for the storage system to slide within the truck bed  12 . 
         [0038]    In operation, one purpose of the first hand-knob  56  is to tighten the bolt  52  to the vehicle&#39;s track  18  using the track insert piece  50  and the washer  54  to spread out the force while the second hand-knob  58  pushes up against the sleeve  60  in order to stabilize the entire system  10  on the bolt  52 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  provides a schematic view of the system in a collapsed position in the truck bed while  FIG. 6  provides a schematic view of the system in the collapsed position. As the sheet  36  is flexible, in the collapsed position, the sheet  36  is simply folded, allowing the two panels  32  to be moved and placed adjacent to each other. 
         [0040]    To collapse the system, the outside or first hand-knob  56  is loosened on the pipe  26  connected to the rear panel  32 . The bottom thermoformed sheet (if present) is then lifted up and laid against the cab panel  32 . The rear panel  32  and rail integration apparatus  28  are then pulled away from the cab  14  to the position shown in  FIG. 7 . This is possible because of the slack in the sheet  36 , as discussed earlier. 
         [0041]    This creates enough space for the covers  38  to swing down 90 degrees, into the storage area and rest flush with the sheet that was lifted earlier (if present). Otherwise, the covers  38  rest against the cab panel  32 . Finally, the rear pipe and panel  32  are pushed toward the cab panel  32  until the rear panel is flush against the covers  38  which are now hanging vertical inside the storage area. The outside hand-knob  56  on both sides of the rear pipe are then tightened against the track  18  to keep the rear panel from further movement. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a collapsible storage system  10 . The collapsible storage system  10  is almost identical to the storage system with the difference being a different integration apparatus for mounting the system to the truck. In this embodiment, the integration apparatus  62  is designed for trucks in which there is no existing rail or track system. The mounting system attaches directly to the body of the vehicle either under or on top of the exterior walls  20  of the truck  16 . 
         [0043]    Turning to  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c , perspective views of further embodiments of a storage system is shown. In each of these embodiments, the storage system  100  includes a pair of panels  102  acting as front and rear walls to the system  100 . Semi-rigid portions  104  are provide as side walls with each portion  104  including a crease line  106  so that the system is collapsible in order to move the system between the open position and closed positions. Each system  100  further includes a pair of pipes  108  having integration apparatus  110  located at each end of the pipes to mount the system  100  to the vehicle. 
         [0044]    Each of the embodiments includes a different style of cover  112 , however the functionality and parts are basically the same in each embodiment. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 9   c , the system  100  is shown in a semi-collapsed state. 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  11   a  and  11   b , embodiments illustrating the storage system installed within a van are shown. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , the storage system  120  includes a pair of pipes  122 , or load bars, which span a width of the rear of the vehicle and are mounted at each end to the sides of the van. In this embodiment, the ends are mounted along a rail so that the pipes can be slid back and forth in order to open and close the storage system  120 . The storage system  120  includes a storage area defined by the netting  124  attached to the pipes  122 . The netting  124  provides a flexible storage area and is capable of being collapsed when the storage system  120  is not in use. Covers  126  are pivotable about one of the pipes  122  and are used to enclose the storage area so that the contents are unable to fall out during travel. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , a second embodiment of a collapsible storage system for a van is shown. The storage system  140  includes a pair of pipes, or load bars,  144  which are held in place by a vehicle interface  146 . The van preferably includes a plurality of vehicle interfaces  146  so that the user can determine the height level at which the storage system  140  is located. In these embodiments, the walls of the storage system are preferably provided by a single net  148  which is collapsible when required. A set of covers  150  is provided over the nets  148  to protect the contents from falling during transportation. 
         [0049]    The system of  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  further includes an extra storage system  162  located on the covers  150  of the system  140 . In this embodiment, the extra storage area is locked by a release hatch  152 . When the user wishes to access the extra storage area  162 , after disengaging the release hatch  152 , a handle  153  is used to pull up a pair of side walls  164 . 
         [0050]    The extra storage area is defined at two ends by the pair of walls  164 . As shown in  FIG. 11   a , the walls  164  are located within the covers  150  and open up vertically (from a horizontal position) to provide the extra storage space  162 . Further side walls  166  are preferably provided via dividers  168 , seen as flexible nets. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b , yet a further embodiment of a storage system for a truck is shown. The system  170  includes a set of covers  172 , each of the covers including a handle  174  in order to make it easier for a user to access the contents of the storage system  170 . The storage system  170  further comprises a bag  176 , serving as the storage area or the walls of the storage area that is preferably manufactured from a weather/UV resistant material. 
         [0052]    As with the previous embodiment, the system  170  also includes a pair of poles, or pipes,  178  which are mounted to rails or tracks  180  within a truck using an integration apparatus  182 . In an alternative embodiment, an optional attachment system, or integration apparatus, can also be included with the system  10  for installation in vehicles that do not have an integrated track system. In one alternate embodiment, the optional system includes a metallic plate, hard mounted to the vehicle&#39;s bed wall, with a hole drilled in one end to accept the stationary bolt for the pipe closest to the vehicle&#39;s cab or the forward end and a slot at the other end to accept the sliding pipe necessary to make the system collapsible. 
         [0053]    Turning to  FIGS. 13   a  to  13   d , yet a further embodiment of a collapsible storage system is shown.  FIG. 13   a  shows the storage system  200  in an open position. The collapsible storage system  200  includes a storage area  202 , which is seen as a flexible bag. The storage area, or compartment,  202  is enclosed by a cover  204  which serves to keep the contents inside the storage system  200  during transportation. The cover  204  preferably includes a locking mechanism so that the contents of the storage system  200  can be protected from theft. 
         [0054]    The storage system  200  also includes a truck integration apparatus  206  which allows the storage system to be mounted to a wall  20  of the truck  16 . In this embodiment, the storage system is mounted in a front to back direction within the truck bed and collapses parallel to the wall of the truck. As shown in  FIG. 13   b , the cover  204  is preferably cantilevered, via beam  208 , with respect to the truck wall. In order to collapse the system  200 , the beam  208  is moved so that it is located under the cover  204  and the cover  204  is moved towards the wall of the truck, in the direction of arrow  210  ( FIG. 13   c ). 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 13   d , in the collapsed position, the cover  204  is parallel to the bag  202  and rests against the wall of the truck (not shown) in order to minimize the space required to store the storage system when not in use. 
         [0056]    In an alternative embodiment, the system further includes apparatus for securing the system to the vehicle when the system is in either the open and/or closed positions so that the system does not move about in the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. 
         [0057]    Preferred and exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those embodiments can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It is expected that skilled persons will employ such variations as appropriate, and it is expected that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
         [0058]    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing statement, some specific examples of possible variations can include the following, though others can be apparent to those knowledgeable in the field of the invention. 
         [0059]    Further variations can be apparent or become apparent to those knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and are within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.