The unit is a free-standing unit that can be easily installed in and easily removed from an automotive utility vehicle. The unit comprises (i) a platform which includes a hinged trap door and (ii) an underlying supportive wall. The unit is configured and sized so that when installed in the cargo-receiving area of the vehicle: (a) the unit preferably has a low profile; (b) the platform and closed trap door closely conform to the perimeter of the cargo-receiving area; (c) the unit defines a plurality of storage compartments beneath the platform; and (d) the trap door provides access to one or more of these storage compartments. In one form the platform and trap door both have a camouflaged top surface and the unit has a low profile so that its presence in the vehicle is concealed. In another form the edges of the platform abut or closely confront the interior walls and back door or tailgate and back of the seat that define the perimeter of the cargo-receiving area. Where these walls, tailgate and seat back are sloped inwardly, the unit is secured in place without need for attachment to the vehicle.

This invention relates to a free-standing storage/concealment unit adapted 
for easy installation in and easy removal from automotive vehicles having 
interior cargo-receiving areas accessible by a door or tailgate, such as 
station wagons, vans, mini-vans, sports utility vehicles, and the like. 
Many station wagons, vans, mini-vans and like utility vehicles possess flat 
cargo-receiving areas in their interiors behind the passenger seats. 
Access is gained to these areas by various closures at the back of the 
vehicle, such as doors that are hinged at the top or at one side, or 
closures involving a combination of a hinged upper door and a tailgate. 
Articles carried in these cargo-receiving areas are normally visible 
through one or more the windows in the vehicle, and thus tend to invite 
theft. Accordingly, some vehicles such as station wagons are equipped with 
a retractable horizontal shade which when unrolled and fastened in place 
can be used to cover such articles. However when used in this manner these 
shades are easily identifiable by looking through the window, and thus 
invite attention to the fact that articles may be located under them. Upon 
forced entry as by the smashing of a window or the unlocking of a front 
door of the vehicle, the shade is easily disposed of and thus affords no 
protection against rapid removal of items located in the cargo-receiving 
area. 
Some utility vehicles do not even provide convenient storage space for such 
common items as jumper cables, tow strap, tire chains, first aid kit, road 
flares, and so forth. Instead, these items are normally placed under the 
back bench seat of the vehicle which is not enclosed. Thus these articles 
can interfere with the fold-down capability of the seat, and moreover are 
free to slide out from under the seat to create an unsightly appearance 
and potentially unsafe condition in the vehicle. 
Prior efforts to provide more secure cargo storage areas in the vehicle 
have involved proposals to provide built-in storage compartments or 
alternatively, to provide various containers which are fastened in place 
by means of special brackets or other types of attachment mechanisms. 
Built-in storage compartments necessitate changes in the design and 
construction of the vehicle and thus not only add to the costs of the 
vehicle, but are of no assistance to owners of vehicles not equipped with 
such compartments. Prior approaches which involve installation of special 
brackets or other means of fastening a storage compartment to the vehicle 
not only require custom installation, but involve permanent alterations in 
the vehicle such as the drilling of holes in its interior to accommodate 
bolts, screws or other like fasteners to secure the brackets or the like 
in place. 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a unit that can be 
readily and securely installed in the vehicle without need for special 
customized attachments. 
Another object is to provide a unit which once installed in the vehicle can 
be easily removed therefrom, if desired, when the back door and/or 
tailgate is opened to provide access to the cargo-receiving area. 
A further object is to provide a unit which can be constructed so as to 
camouflage its existence in the vehicle. 
A still further object is to provide a unit which provides a convenient and 
safe storage space for such items as jumper cables, tow strap, tire 
chains, first aid kit, road flares and the like. 
Yet another object is to provide a unit having a number of still further 
advantages in addition to those referred to above. 
Pursuant to this invention the foregoing objects are achieved by providing 
a free-standing compartmentalizer unit adapted for easy installation in 
and easy removal from an automotive vehicle that has a generally flat 
cargo-receiving area, the perimeter of which is defined by (i) 
spaced-apart interior vehicular side walls, (ii) an interior vehicular 
wall of a back door or tailgate and (iii) the rear side of the back rest 
of a seat construction disposed in the vehicle in front of the 
cargo-receiving area, and wherein the walls of (i) or the walls of (ii) 
and (iii) or, most preferably the walls of (i), (ii) and (iii) are sloped 
upwardly and inwardly relative to the cargo-receiving area. The 
compartmentalizer unit is characterized by a number of interrelated 
features of construction which give rise to the many advantages which it 
possesses: 
A) The unit comprises (1) a platform (2) a hinged lid or trap door; and (3) 
a supportive wall portion. 
B) The platform has (1) an upper surface, (2) a forward edge portion, (3) a 
pair of spaced-apart outside edge portions, (4) a pair of laterally 
spaced-apart rearward edge portions, and (5) a cutaway space extending 
forwardly between the spaced-apart rearward edge portions and terminating 
at an interiorly-disposed transverse back edge. 
C) The cutaway space in the platform is defined by a pair of 
forwardly-extending inside edges of the platform and the 
interiorly-disposed transverse back edge of the platform. 
D) The lid has (1) a front edge, (2) a back edge, (3) a pair of 
spaced-apart side edges, (4) a bottom surface, and (5) a top surface. 
E) The lid is sized and shaped to fit within and substantially fill the 
cutaway space, and is hinged to the platform either (1) between or along 
the front edge of the lid and the interiorly-disposed transverse back edge 
of the platform or (2) between or along one of the side edges of the lid 
and the one of the forwardly-extending inside edges of the platform that 
is proximate thereto, so that in either case the lid can be raised to an 
open position by pivotal movement upwardly from, and can be lowered to a 
closed position by pivotal movement downwardly to, a co-planar position 
wherein the top surface of the lid is in the same flat plane as the upper 
surface of the platform. 
F) The pair of laterally spaced-apart rearward edge portions of the 
platform and the back edge of the lid form a substantially continuous back 
edge portion when the lid is disposed in the foregoing co-planar position. 
G) The foregoing wall portion is sized, shaped and adapted to support the 
platform a predetermined distance above the cargo area and provide therein 
a plurality of storage compartments when the compartmentalizer unit is 
installed in the vehicle with the wall portion below the platform. 
H) The platform and lid are shaped and sized such that when the platform is 
supported at the predetermined distance above the cargo area floor with 
the lid disposed in the co-planar position, (1) one of the spaced-apart 
side edge portions of the platform closely confronts and generally 
conforms to one of the spaced-apart interior vehicular side walls and the 
other of the spaced-apart side edge portions of the platform closely 
confronts and generally conforms to the other of the spaced-apart interior 
vehicular side walls, (2) the forward edge portion of the platform closely 
confronts and generally conforms to the rear side of the seat 
construction, and (3) the continuous back edge portion closely confronts 
and generally conforms to the interior vehicular tailgate wall whereby the 
compartmentalizer unit is removably secured in position without requiring 
attachment to the vehicle. 
Preferably, the platform and lid are shaped and sized such that when the 
platform is supported at the predetermined distance above the cargo area 
floor with the lid disposed in the co-planar position, (1) one of the 
spaced-apart side edge portions of the platform abuts and generally 
conforms to one of the spaced-apart interior vehicular side walls and the 
other of the spaced-apart side edge portions of the platform abuts and 
generally conforms to the other of the spaced-apart interior vehicular 
side walls, (2) the forward edge portion of the platform abuts and 
generally conforms to the rear side of the seat construction, and (3) the 
continuous back edge portion abuts and generally conforms to the interior 
vehicular tailgate wall. 
It will be understood that terms identifying locations such as "upper", 
"lower", "forward", "rearward", "front", "back", "side", "top", "inside", 
"outside", "upward", "downward", etc., in whatever grammatical form used, 
refer to directions or locations with respect to the vehicle and/or unit 
when properly installed in the vehicle with the lid in closed position. 
Thus, for example, the back door of the vehicle is located at the back or 
trailing end of the vehicle rather than being a "rear" door of a four-door 
vehicle, which of course is located on the side of the vehicle. Also 
hereinafter the term "unit" always refers to a compartmentalizer unit of 
this invention. 
In another of its embodiments, this invention provides a free-standing 
compartmentalizer unit adapted for easy installation in and easy removal 
from an automotive vehicle that has a generally flat cargo-receiving area, 
where the unit comprises (i) a platform including a hinged trap door 
portion and (ii) an underlying supportive wall portion. The platform and 
hinged trap door portion both have a camouflaged top surface, and the unit 
is configured and sized such that when installed within the vehicle: (a) 
the unit has a low profile; (b) the platform and closed trap door 
substantially conform to the perimeter of the cargo-receiving area and 
provide a substantially continuous flat camouflaged top surface over 
substantially the entire cargo-receiving area; (c) the unit defines a 
plurality of storage compartments beneath the platform; and (d) the trap 
door provides access to at least one, and preferably a plurality, of these 
storage compartments.

Referring to the Drawings, vehicle 10 as depicted is a station wagon type 
vehicle with a generally flat cargo-receiving area 12. The perimeter of 
area 12 is defined on each side by an interior vehicular side wall 11, an 
interior vehicular wall 13 of a back door or tailgate 14 (when closed), 
and the rear side 15 of the back rest of a seat construction 16 disposed 
in the vehicle in front of the cargo-receiving area. Either (i) the side 
walls 11,11 or (ii) back wall 13 and the rear side 15 of the back rest of 
the seat construction 16 are sloped upwardly and inwardly relative to 
cargo-receiving area 12. Preferably, walls 11,11, wall 13 and rear side 15 
are all sloped upwardly and inwardly relative to area 12. FIG. 5 
illustrates a vehicle in which protruding upper portions of wells 17,17 
for the rear wheels and an interior well and spare tire 18 are located at 
the perimeter of cargo-receiving area 12. 
In the form illustrated in the Drawings, the unit of this invention 
comprises platform 20, hinged lid or trap door 30 and wall portion 40. Lid 
30 is sized and shaped to fit into cutaway space 22 so that when the lid 
is closed, the top of platform 20 and lid 30 are co-planar so that an 
essentially flat top surface exists over the floor of the cargo-receiving 
area 12. Cutaway space 22 extends forwardly between spaced-apart rearward 
edge portions 21,21 of platform 20 and terminates at an 
interiorly-disposed transverse back edge 23. The sides of cutaway space 22 
are defined by inside (i.e., interior side) edges 24,24. Lid 30 is hinged 
to platform 20 by means of a hinge 32, which can be a single extended 
hinge such as a piano hinge (as depicted) or two or more suitably aligned 
separate hinges. Lid 30 can be hinged to the platform by disposing and 
connecting hinge 32 between (note FIG. 15A) or along (note FIG. 15B) 
transverse back edge 23 of platform 20 and the front edge 31 of lid 30 (as 
depicted) or the hinge can be disposed and connected between or along 
either interior side edge 24 of platform 20 and one of the two side edges 
33,33 of lid 30 that is adjacent to the selected side edge 24 of the 
platform. Thus the hinging may be effected at any one of loci A, B or C 
(note FIG. 5). Preferably, the hinging is effected at locus A as depicted 
for example in FIG. 4, as this arrangement enables more effective 
positioning of locking means such as lock or latch mechanism 35 described 
hereinafter. The back edge 34 of the lid when in closed position is 
co-terminal with and disposed between rearward edge portions 21,21. 
Platform 20 (together with lid 30) is sized and shaped to fit into the 
cargo-receiving area 12 of the vehicle. The outer limits of the platform 
and lid (when the lid is in closed position) are defined by a forward edge 
portion 25 of the platform, a pair of spaced-apart outside edge portions 
26,26 of the platform, the spaced-apart edge portions 21,21 of the 
platform, and the back edge 34 of the lid. 
Wall portion 40 is attached to the underside of platform 20, and is 
configured and, disposed to support the platform at a predetermined 
elevation above the floor of the cargo-receiving area 12. In the preferred 
form depicted, the wall portion is composed of four wall segments: a front 
wall segment 41, a back wall segment 42, and a pair of side wall segments 
43,43, and these are disposed so they form a rectangular storage enclosure 
44 beneath the platform. It is possible, though less preferred, to utilize 
only two spaced-apart linear wall segments which can extend either 
longitudinally or transversely relative to the vehicle, for example, by 
employing either lengthened segments 43,43 (spaced-apart longitudinally 
disposed segments), or lengthened segments 41 and 42 (spaced-apart 
transversely disposed segments). In either such case a storage area is 
provided beneath the platform. It is also possible, although again less 
preferred, to alter the shape of the enclosure by providing, for example, 
a wall portion configured as a circle, a semi-circle, an oval, a hexagon, 
or the like. Whatever its configuration, at least the storage enclosure 
defined by wall portion 40 beneath the platform is located so as to be 
accessible when lid 30 is raised to an open position. 
Preferably the outer limits of wall portion 40 are retracted or set back 
from the outer limits of the platform and closed lid. This enables the 
creation of a plurality of storage compartments when the unit is installed 
in the vehicle. For example, wall portion 40 in its most preferred form 
and configuration not only involves use of the four wall segments (front 
wall segment 41, back wall segment 42, and side wall segments 43,43), but 
as indicated in the Drawings these segments are all retracted or set back 
from the outer limits of platform 20 and lid 30. As best illustrated in 
FIG. 12, the unit in this form provides five storage compartments under 
the platform: rectangular enclosure 44 within the confines of the four 
wall segments; two elongated side compartments 45,45 extending 
longitudinally between the respective wall segments 43 and the vehicular 
side wall 11 proximate thereto; a front compartment 46 extending 
transversely between wall segment 41 and the rear side 15 of the back rest 
of seat construction 16; and a rear compartment 47 extending transversely 
between wall segment 42 and wall 13 of the back door or tailgate 14. 
It can thus be seen that wall portion 40 supports the platform and lid a 
predetermined height above the floor of the cargo-receiving area 12 of the 
vehicle and at the same time defines the number and location of the 
storage compartments beneath the platform. Moreover, when platform 20 is 
installed in the vehicle and when lid 30 is in closed position, forward 
edge portion 25 of the platform closely confronts, and preferably abuts, 
the rear side 15 of the back rest of a seat construction 16; each outside 
edge portion 26 of the platform closely confronts, and preferably abuts, 
the adjacent vehicle side wall 11; and the spaced-apart edge portions 
21,21 of the platform together with back edge 34 of lid 30 closely 
confront, and preferably abut, the interior vehicular wall 13 when the 
tailgate or back door 14 is likewise in closed position. Thus platform 20 
and lid 30 are shaped and sized such that when the unit has been installed 
in a vehicle in which back wall 13 and rear side 15 of seat construction 
16 are both sloped upwardly and inwardly relative to cargo-receiving area 
12 or in which walls 11, 13 and the rear side 15 are all sloped upwardly 
and inwardly relative to area 12, and in either case when the lid and the 
vehicular back door or tailgate 14 are closed, the lid--even without a 
latch or lock--cannot be raised and the unit as a whole cannot be tilted 
to gain access to items in the storage compartments. Only upon opening the 
back door or tailgate 14 can the lid be raised or, if desired, the unit 
removed from the vehicle. Thus the unit thwarts rapid thie-very of items 
located in the storage compartments, thievery which ordinarily is possible 
merely by smashing a rear car window and reaching in for items in the rear 
cargo area. This feature of the invention is made possible because the 
outer limits of the platform and lid either abut or are sufficiently close 
to the surrounding interior of the vehicle so that the unit as a whole 
cannot be tilted to reach underneath the platform, and the lid cannot be 
raised when the back door or tailgate is closed. Furthermore, the unit is 
removably secured in position without requiring attachment to the vehicle. 
This in turn means that if the full height of the cargo-receiving space is 
needed for accommodating large sized cargo, the unit can easily be removed 
from the vehicle. 
In a preferred embodiment at least one lock or latch mechanism 35 is 
disposed under lid 30 so that the lid can be locked or latched in closed 
position. This mechanism can be of any suitable type (e.g., hook and 
eyelet, spring bolt, sliding latch, latch and padlock, etc.), and 
preferably is located so that the mechanism establishes a linkage or 
connection to a back part of wall portion 40 such as wall segment 42. Note 
in this connection FIGS. 16 and 17. Because mechanism 35 is disposed under 
lid 30 it is concealed from view when the back door or tailgate 14 is 
closed and thus helps disguise the fact that valuable items may be located 
beneath the platform. Moreover to gain access to mechanism 35 it is 
necessary to open the back door or tailgate because of the fact that the 
closed lid extends very close to and preferably abuts interior vehicular 
wall 13 of the back door or tailgate. Thus by causing wall segment 42 to 
be retracted from the back outer edge of the platform and lid, not only is 
rear compartment 47 created but in addition, still greater security is 
made possible through disposition and concealment of a lock or latch 
mechanism 35 under the overhang which exists when the lid is closed. 
If the unit is to be installed in a vehicle in which only its two interior 
side walls 11,11 are sloped upwardly and inwardly relative to area 12, it 
is preferable to use a unit equipped with at least one lock or latch 
mechanism 35 disposed under lid 30 in the manner described above so that 
the lid cannot be raised unless the back door or tailgate 14 is opened and 
the lock or latch mechanism is unlocked or unlatched. 
In one of its preferred forms, the unit is configured such that each 
storage compartment is accessible upon opening the lid, except for a front 
compartment extending transversely between wall segment 41 and the rear 
side 15 of the back rest of seat construction 16, such as front 
compartment 46. Such front compartment accessible only by lowering the 
back rest of the proximate seat. Each of the storage compartments 
schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 is thus secure against rapid unwanted 
access as by a thief, yet is readily accessible to the user of the unit. 
Although the unit can be of any suitable height, it is preferred to provide 
and utilize a unit having a low profile--e.g., a height in the range of 
about 6 to about 10 inches and with the height of the storage compartments 
in the range of about 5 to about 9 inches as this helps conceal the 
existence of the unit in the vehicle. And yet, this height is quite 
satisfactory for storing a great variety of items, such as jumper cables, 
tow strap, first aid kit, road flares, flashlight, rain gear, work boots 
and other articles normally carried in these vehicles. At the same time 
there is also ample room for small packages from shopping, purses, 
cameras, binoculars, and other valuables, all of which can be carried out 
of sight and with increased safety and security. 
There are still additional advantages of providing a low-profile unit 
dimensioned as just described. One such advantage is that in the case of 
some vehicles in which the jack compartment is located in one interior 
side of the vehicle, such compartment remains accessible even after the 
unit has been installed. Further, in the case of some vehicles having 
pull-out shade of nylon or like fabric to cover cargo, the shade remains 
accessible and available for use with the unit in place, should such use 
be desired. 
The unit provides still another functional advantage in that it serves as 
an elevated platform for carrying larger sized articles such as large 
packages from shopping, large boxed or crated objects, a lawn mower, a 
child's wagon or tricycle, etc. Thus the unit is ergonomically 
advantageous as it serves as an elevated platform onto which heavier 
articles can be placed and from which such articles can be removed with 
less back strain because of the more desirable elevation above ground 
level that the unit provides. 
In another preferred embodiment the tops of both the platform and the lid 
are camouflaged so as render it less likely that a passer-by will perceive 
the existence of the unit in the parked vehicle. While various methods of 
effecting a camouflage effect may be used, one especially preferred way is 
to cover the tops of the platform and lid with carpeting of the same 
general color and texture of carpeting used in the vehicle (note FIG. 6). 
This carpeting can be affixed in place by any suitable method such as by 
use of adhesive, carpet pins, or the like. Carpeting offers the advantage 
of providing good concealment for the two slits (again note FIG. 6) needed 
to permit raising and lowering of the lid. Another preferred way of 
effecting a camouflage effect is to affix to the tops of the platform and 
lid a continuous thin covering of material that matches in appearance the 
normal surface of the cargo-receiving area, again with the material slit 
to permit the lid to be raised and lowered. 
As illustrated for example by FIGS. 3 and 5, the outer perimeter of the 
platform usually can be and preferably is configured to conform to the 
inner configuration of the vehicle in which the unit is to be employed and 
at the height at which the platform will be held above the floor of the 
cargo-receiving area by the wall portion. Preferably, such conformation 
will be as close as can be arranged without at the same time rendering it 
difficult to install and remove the unit from the particular vehicle. 
Some vehicles currently use a cargo net to secure items in the cargo area. 
These vehicles have recessed fold-down hooks 19 (note FIGS. 13A and 13B) 
in the cargo floor area. Fasteners such as illustrated in FIG. 14 can be 
used to advantage in these vehicles. These fasteners are composed of a 
turnbuckle 50 fitted at its lower end with hook 52 and at its upper end 
with a fold-down hook 55 similar or identical in configuration to hook 19. 
So as not to interfere with the overall flat top surface of the unit, an 
apertured recess 27 for each respective fastener is provided in the top of 
platform 20 and these recesses are located so as to be directly over each 
hook 19 in the vehicle floor when the unit is in place in the vehicle. 
These fasteners in effect are adjustable extensions of hooks 19 already 
present in the vehicle. Thus when the fastener is installed as depicted 
and its hook 52 is engaged with its respective hook 19 and is rotatably 
tightened, hook 55 can be used in the same way as hook 19 for fastening 
the cargo net in place. It will be seen that this construction, whether or 
not used with a net, detachably secures the unit in place. In addition, 
this construction further adds to the camouflage effect that disguises the 
presence of the unit in the vehicle. 
The unit can include a floor section (not shown) should this be desired. 
However in most cases it is unnecessary to include a floor section as the 
floor of the cargo-receiving area of the vehicle serves the purpose just 
as well. 
The unit can be fabricated from any suitable material by any appropriate 
method of fabrication. For example, the units can be fabricated from wood 
or suitable light weight metal, plastic or composite materials having 
appropriate structural strength. One very suitable construction material 
is ABS especially when molded in ribbed form. FIG. 11 illustrates one of 
the numerous ways in which separate wall portions and platforms can be 
joined together, and once joined the parts can be bonded together with 
adhesives or by means of staples, nails, screws or other conventional 
fasteners. Alternatively, the unit may be molded as an integral unit so 
that only the lid would be separately attached by means of one or more 
hinges 32. Still another alternative is to provide wall portion 40 as one 
separate part, and platform 20 with lid 30 hinged thereto as another 
separate part whereby installation is effected by placing the wall portion 
in a suitable desired position on the floor of the cargo-receiving area, 
and then placing or detachably-attaching the platform and hinged lid in 
proper position thereon. 
It should be apparent from the above description and accompanying Drawings 
that the units of this invention possess and can provide a number of 
advantages and beneficial features. Some of these are as follows: 
a) Easily accessible storage compartments are provided. 
b) Because of the low profile of the unit and close conformity between the 
top of the unit and the space in which the unit is installed, the unit 
does not significantly affect the utility of the conventional 
cargo-receiving space in the vehicle. 
c) Because of the low profile, camouflage effect if used and close 
conformity between the top of the unit and the space in which the unit is 
installed, the fact that the unit is in place is not readily apparent. 
d) Since items stored in the compartments are out of sight, likelihood of 
theft is reduced. 
e) Since access to the stored items in a parked and locked vehicle for the 
purpose of theft requires much more than merely reaching through a smashed 
window to remove the items, likelihood of theft is reduced. 
f) In sudden stops unsecured items in a vehicle can become flying objects, 
whereas the unit enables items to be stored safely and securely, thus 
contributing to the safety of the occupants of the vehicle. 
g) The unit enhances the utility of the cargo space in the vehicle by 
enabling many items to be carried at a lower level, and larger or bulky 
items to be carried at an upper level. 
h) Because of its low profile, the unit serves as a raised platform of a 
height that reduces back strain when placing heavy objects onto the top of 
the unit and when removing such objects from the vehicle. 
i) The unit can be made from strong, light weight materials and thereby 
serve its functions without adversely affecting the handling or operating 
efficiency of the vehicle. 
j) The unit is easy to install and remove since in vehicles with cargo 
spaces of conventional design, the unit can be slipped in place or removed 
in a matter of seconds. 
k) Because of its low profile the unit while in place enables long items 
(lumber, piping, etc.) to be carried in vehicles equipped with a seat that 
folds down forward of the normal cargo space. 
l) In vehicles equipped with hooks for fastening cargo nets over cargo in 
the utility space, the unit can be designed and equipped to enable the 
unit to be detachably attached to the vehicle by making use of such hooks 
even though they are covered by the unit, and to enable the cargo nets to 
be used, if desired. 
m) The unit does not prevent access to the spare tire or jack, no matter 
where these are located, since even in cases where the unit covers the 
storage areas of these items, the unit can be easily removed in a matter 
of seconds. 
n) A plurality of storage compartments are provided, and these can be of 
different shapes so that long articles such as umbrellas, clothes hanging 
bars, long-handled ice-scrapers, fishing rods, golf clubs, baseball bats, 
hockey sticks, etc. can be stored in elongated storage compartments while 
smaller items can be carried in a storage compartment of lesser length and 
width. 
o) Items in a forward storage compartment can be accessed from inside the 
vehicle simply by folding down a seat back rest, and thus the occupants 
need not exit the vehicle to open the back door or tailgate to gain access 
to such items. 
p) The unit is not permanently attached to the vehicle and thus no 
alteration of vehicle design and manufacture is required and no permanent 
damage to the vehicular interior such as holes for screws or bolts is 
required. 
q) The unit is configured to cooperate with and take full advantage of the 
interior configuration of the vehicle storage space to make available all 
of the foregoing advantages and beneficial features while at the same time 
requiring no alteration of any kind in the vehicle itself. 
This invention is susceptible to considerable variation in its practice. 
Therefore the foregoing description is not intended to limit, and should 
not be construed as limiting, the invention to the particular forms of the 
invention described with reference to the Drawings. Rather, what is 
intended to be covered is as set forth in the ensuing claims and the 
equivalents thereof permitted as a matter of law.