Hidden storage box and multi-purpose utility table for light pickup trucks

A storage box system for a motor vehicle includes a folding storage box and a sliding rail assembly for translating the folding storage box between a hidden storage position below a cargo bay of the motor vehicle and a deployed position extending from a rear portion of the motor vehicle. The storage box includes at least a back and opposed sides being connected to a floor for transitioning between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. Structures are provided for retaining the opposed sides and back in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a plane defined by the floor when the folding storage box is in the unfolded configuration. The sliding rail assembly includes one or more sliding rails associated with the folding storage box floor and one or more cooperating sleeves disposed below the cargo bay for slidingly receiving the sliding rails therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to storage boxes for use with motor vehicles. In particular, the disclosure relates to a hidden storage box/utility table for use in a motor vehicle such as a light pickup truck or sport-utility vehicle (SUV). The described storage box provides supplemental storage space without occupying existing cargo space in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide storage boxes dimensioned to fit within the bed of a motor vehicle such as a pickup truck. Such boxes are typically dimensioned to fit across a longitudinal dimension of the pickup truck. While convenient, conventional truck storage boxes utilize a significant portion of the available cargo space of a pickup truck bed. Further, because conventional storage boxes are placed in the pickup truck bed, it can be difficult for a user to retrieve items stored in the boxes from the ground. Instead, the user may have to climb up into the truck bed to retrieve desired items.

To solve this and other problems, the present disclosure describes a hidden storage box for a pickup truck or other motor vehicle. Advantageously, when not in use the storage box is stored in a collapsed configuration under the motor vehicle bed. In use, the storage box is deployed at a rear of the motor vehicle. Thus, whether stored or deployed for use, the hidden storage box of the present disclosure does not occupy any existing cargo space of the vehicle, for example of the bed of a pickup truck, the rear cargo compartment of an SUV, and the like. Still more, when deployed the storage box of the disclosure may be used as a table or other work surface, further enhancing user convenience and versatility of the described device.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a hidden storage box/utility table for a motor vehicle is described. In one aspect, a storage box system for a motor vehicle is provided, including a folding storage box and a sliding rail assembly for translating the folding storage box between a hidden storage position below a cargo bay of the motor vehicle and a deployed position extending from a rear portion of the motor vehicle. The storage box includes at least a back, opposed sides, and a floor, the back and opposed sides being hingedly connected to the floor for transitioning between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. Structures such as locking hinges are provided for retaining the opposed sides and back in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a plane defined by the floor when the folding storage box is in the unfolded configuration. The sliding rail assembly includes one or more sliding rails associated with the folding storage box floor and one or more cooperating sleeves disposed below the cargo bay for slidingly receiving the sliding rails therein. The one or more cooperating sleeves may be associated with a portion of a frame of the motor vehicle disposed below the cargo bay.

In another aspect, a storage box system for a motor vehicle includes a folding storage box displaceable from a hidden storage position wherein the folding storage box is in a contracted configuration below a cargo bay of the motor vehicle end and a deployed position wherein the folding storage box is in an erected configuration forming a storage box outboard of the cargo bay. The cargo bay may be accessed by means of a tailgate. In the erected configuration, the folding storage box is disposed adjacent to the tailgate.

In yet other aspects, methods for providing supplemental storage for a motor vehicle and motor vehicles including supplemental storage in the form of the disclosed folding storage box are described.

In the following description, there are shown and described embodiments of the disclosed hidden storage box/utility table for a motor vehicle. As it should be realized, the hidden storage box/utility table is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the device as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed hidden storage box/utility table, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made toFIG. 1illustrating a motor vehicle10including a hidden storage box12according to the present disclosure. The depicted motor vehicle10is a pickup truck including a cargo area14defined by a front wall16, two opposed sidewalls18, a floor20, and a tailgate22. However, it will be appreciated that the hidden storage box12of the present disclosure can be included in any motor vehicle including a cargo area, such as a sport-utility vehicle, a hatchback, etc. Advantageously, the hidden storage box12, when placed in a hidden storage position (seeFIG. 2), is disposed below the floor20of the cargo area14. Thus, available storage/cargo volume of cargo area14is not occupied by the hidden storage box12.

A handle24is provided to allow a user to translate the hidden storage box12between the hidden storage position (FIG. 2) and a deployed position (FIG. 3; see arrow). In the depicted embodiment, the handle24includes a latching mechanism comprising a removable pin (not shown) for preventing inadvertent deployment of the hidden storage box12. However, alternative locking/latching mechanisms are known in the art and contemplated for use herein. For example, a push-pull lock (not shown) of a type well known in the art may be provided at an opposed end of the hidden storage box12relative to handle24. As is known, the user then need only push on handle24to release the push-pull lock and pull the device out to the deployed position. The user then need only push the device back to the hidden storage position to re-engage the push-pull lock. Alternatively, handle24may be associated with a latching mechanism similar to that found in cabinetry for latching cabinet doors, whereby the user simply pulls or rotates handle24to disengage a latch from a latch plate (not shown) and then pulls hidden storage box12to the deployed position. Still more, locking/latching mechanisms associated with a sliding rail assembly (see discussion infra) are known in the art. Any such latching mechanisms and other latching/locking mechanisms may be suitable, and are contemplated for use herein.

A sliding rail assembly26allows translating the hidden storage box12between the storage position and the deployed positions. One or more sliding rails28are secured to and support the hidden storage box12(seeFIG. 4A). In the depicted embodiment two sliding rails28are provided, although it will be appreciated that in accordance with the dimensions and/or weight of the hidden storage box12, more or fewer sliding rails28may be provided. The sliding rails28are slidingly received in cooperating sleeves30disposed below the cargo area14floor20(seeFIG. 6). In the depicted embodiment, cooperating sleeves30are associated with a portion of the motor vehicle10frame32that is disposed below cargo area14(seeFIG. 6).

In the depicted embodiment, the sliding rail assembly26is an under-mount drawer slide-type mechanism of a type well known in the art, including under-mounted sliding rails28attached to the hidden storage box12, and cooperating sleeves30disposed below cargo area14. Each cooperating sleeve30includes bearings or rollers (not shown) to ensure smooth operation. However, it will be appreciated that alternatives can be readily implemented. For example, side-mounted rails (not shown), a center-mounted rail (not shown), and others are contemplated. As another alternative, the rollers/bearings may be associated with rails28rather than with cooperating sleeves30. As is also known, such mechanisms may include stops and/or hold-in mechanisms (not shown) to retain the hidden storage box12in the hidden storage position or the deployed position as desired, and/or to prevent inadvertent full removal of hidden storage box12from cooperating sleeves30. Such mechanisms are well known to the skilled artisan, for example in the cabinetry and/or drawer slide arts, and require no further description herein.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A, a panel defining the back36of the hidden storage box12in the deployed position defines a substantially planar top surface disposed at a rear of the motor vehicle10. It will be appreciated that in this deployed but folded configuration the hidden storage box12can be readily used as a utility table or work surface, adding to the convenience to the user. The hidden storage box12further includes opposed panels defining opposed sides38(SeeFIG. 4B). Back36and opposed sides38are hingedly connected to a floor40that is supported by sliding rails28(seeFIGS. 4B and 6). By unfolding back36and opposed sides38(see arrows A, B, C ofFIG. 4B) a storage box12partial structure is defined.

In the depicted embodiment, when the hidden storage box12is in the deployed and unfolded configuration, the motor vehicle10tailgate22provides a fourth side for hidden storage box12, completing the box structure. In embodiments, after the hidden storage box12is in the deployed and unfolded configuration, it can be translated towards the motor vehicle10slightly so that the tailgate22serves as a fourth wall of the hidden storage box12. The hidden storage box12can then be secured by a pin or similar device (not shown) to one or both of the sliding rails28by engaging the pin to a hole or slot (not shown) in the sliding rail28. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the sliding rail(s)28may include a spring-loaded pin (not shown) which engages a cooperating aperture or slot (not shown) in the hidden storage box12when the hidden storage box12is translated slightly towards the tailgate22to line up the hole with the pin in the sliding rail28. In these embodiments, at least the edges of opposed sides38may be covered, lined, or coated with a suitable protective material (not shown) to prevent cosmetic or other damage to the tailgate22. Example materials could include rubber, plastics, other protective polymers, and the like.

It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, an additional hinged panel (not shown) may be provided to define that fourth hidden storage box12side. Still more, yet another panel (not shown) hingedly connected to back36or to one of opposed sides28may be included to provide a top (not shown) for the unfolded storage box12. As still yet another alternative embodiment, a flexible “shade-type” cover may be provided for the storage box12, which deploys from back36or one of opposed sides38. The caveat is that the entire box structure must be capable of folding to a substantially planar configuration as shown inFIG. 4Afor storage as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

In the depicted embodiments, opposed sides38and back36each include locking hinges42of a type well known in the art, which retain the back and sides in the needed substantially vertical configuration relative to the horizontal floor40to define the unfolded box structure (that is, opposed sides38and back36are held in a substantially perpendicular orientation to a plane defined by floor40). In alternative embodiments, additional or alternative structures for preserving contact between the edges of opposed sides38and back36and/or for retaining a substantially upright configuration of opposed sides38and back36may be provided. For example, the edges of opposed sides38and back36may include cooperating cylindrical barrel structures (not shown), which mesh on adjoining edges of a side38and back36and which are secured by a pin or clip (not shown). Alternatively, a cable, chain, or elastic band (not shown) may be attached to one of back36or side38, adapted to be secured to a tie-down fitting or eye-bolt (not shown) on the other of back36or side38by a pin, clip, hook, or link (not shown).

Still further, angled edge clips (not shown) may be provided, the edge clips being configured to secure adjoining top edges of a side38and back36one to the other. Still yet further, an edge of opposed sides38may include or have attached thereto channels or recesses (not shown) configured to receive adjoining edges of back38therein. The user then need only raise back36to the upright position, and then raise edges38to the upright position whereby the edge of back36fits into an adjoining channel in or on side38. Of course, the reverse configuration is contemplated, that is, opposed edges of back36may include or have attached thereto channels or recesses (not shown) configured to receive adjoining edges of opposed sides38therein. Any such mechanisms and other mechanisms for securing panel edges one to another may be suitable, and are contemplated for use herein.

In summary, numerous benefits are provided by the described hidden storage box12. As should be appreciated, additional storage is afforded the user of the motor vehicle10, without occupying existing cargo space in the vehicle cargo area. When not deployed, the hidden storage box12does not alter the appearance of the motor vehicle10, unlike a conventional rear hitch-mounted apparatus or conventional storage boxes for installing in the vehicle cargo area. Thus, a convenient, useful, and attractive feature is added for the motor vehicle10user.