Abstract:
A vehicle includes a body defining an interior space, and a plurality of trim panels coupled to the body within the interior space of the body and cooperating to define a cargo area therebetween. A collapsible container system is integrated into the plurality of trim panels within the cargo area. The collapsible container system is collapsible into a stowed position disposed between a first one of the plurality of trim panels and the body to conceal the collapsible storage system when not required for storing objects, and is expandable into a storage position extending at least partially across the cargo area to present at least one storage vessel for receiving and storing an object therein.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to a vehicle having an interior cargo area, and more specifically to an integrated collapsible container system for securing objects within the cargo area of the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Vehicles may include a rear cargo area that is generally defined by various trim panels attached to a body of the vehicle. The cargo area may be the rear portion of a van or a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), or the trunk of a sedan. For example, if the vehicle is an SUV, then the cargo area may be defined by an interior roof panel above, a floor surface below, sidewall panels on opposing lateral sides of the cargo area, a liftgate at the rear of the vehicle, and a backrest of a rear passenger seat. Objects placed in the cargo area are generally free to move or slide around within the cargo area, and are not restrained and/or secured except for the features of the vehicle described above that define the cargo area. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a body defining an interior space, and a plurality of trim panels coupled to the body within the interior space of the body. The plurality of trim panels cooperates to define a cargo area. A collapsible container system is integrated into the plurality of trim panels within the cargo area. The collapsible container system is collapsible into a stowed position disposed between a first one of the plurality of trim panels and the body, and is expandable into a storage position extending at least partially across the cargo area to present at least one storage vessel for receiving an object therein. 
         [0004]    An interior panel system for a vehicle is also provided. The interior panel system includes a plurality of trim panels cooperating to define a cargo area therebetween. A collapsible container system is integrated into the plurality of trim panels. The collapsible container system is collapsible into a stowed position for disposition between a first one of the plurality of trim panels and a body of the vehicle, and is expandable into a storage position extending at least partially across the cargo area between opposing lateral sides of the cargo area to present at least one storage vessel for receiving an object therein. The first one of the plurality of trim panels includes a fastening mechanism that is configured for fastening the first one of the plurality of trim panels to an adjoining one of the plurality of trim panels when the collapsible container system is disposed in the stowed position. The first one of the plurality of trim panels further includes at least one attachment mechanism that is configured for attaching the first one of the plurality of trim panels to a second one of the plurality of trim panels disposed opposite the first one of the plurality of trim panels across the cargo area to secure the collapsible container system in the storage position. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, the collapsible container system may be positioned in the storage position to provide the storage vessels to store objects, thereby preventing the objects from moving around the cargo area. When not required for storage, the collapsible container system may be folded up and positioned in the stowed position, behind one of the trim panels defining the cargo area, thereby concealing the collapsible container system out of sight and providing unfettered access to the cargo area. 
         [0006]    The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle showing a cargo area with a collapsible container system concealed in a stowed position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic cross sectional view of the vehicle showing the collapsible container system in the stowed position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  a schematic perspective view of the vehicle showing the collapsible container system expanded into a storage position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic cross sectional view of the vehicle showing the collapsible container system in the storage position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0012]    Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle is generally shown at  20 . The vehicle  20  may include but is not limited to a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a van or a sedan. The vehicle  20  includes a body  22  that defines the exterior of the vehicle  20  and an interior space  24 . An interior panel system  26  is disposed within the interior space  24  of the body  22 , and includes a plurality of trim panels  27  that are coupled to the body  22 . The trim panels  27  cooperate together to form an interior surface of the vehicle  20  that forms the boundary of a cargo area  29 . For example, the interior panel system  26  may include but is not limited to side panels, a overhead roof panel, a door panel, etc. The cargo area  29  may include but is not limited to a rearward area of an SUV or a van, or a trunk of a sedan. 
         [0013]    The vehicle  20  includes a collapsible container system  28 , which is integrated into the trim panels  27  within the cargo area  29 . The collapsible container system  28  folds-in, i.e., contracts, or folds-out, i.e., expands in an accordion-like manner between a stowed position, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and an expanded storage position, shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The collapsible container system  28  collapses into the stowed position disposed between a first one of the trim panels, hereinafter referred to as the first trim panel  30 , and the body  22  for storage when not in use. When in the stowed position between the first trim panel  30  and the body  22 , the collapsible container system  28  is concealed from sight and out of the way by the interior panel system  26 . The collapsible container system  28  expands into the storage position to extend at least partially across the cargo area  29 . When in the storage position, the collapsible container system  28  is supported by opposing lateral sides of the cargo area  29  by the interior panel system  26 , and presents at least one storage vessel  32  for receiving an object therein. 
         [0014]    The collapsible container system  28  includes a flexible exterior  34  that allows the collapsible container system  28  to expand and contract. The flexible exterior  34  defines opposing lateral side walls  36  and a bottom wall  38 . The opposing lateral side walls  36  extend across the cargo area  29 , with the bottom wall  38  extending between the opposing lateral side walls  36 . The bottom wall  38  of the flexible exterior  34  rests upon and is supported by a floor  40  of the cargo area  29  when disposed in the storage position. Preferably and as shown, the collapsible container system  28  includes at least one divider  42  disposed vertically and extending between the opposing lateral side walls  36  to define a plurality of segregated storage vessels  32 . The container system may include any number of dividers  42  to form any number of storage vessels  32 . Furthermore, the dividers  42  may be arranged to define storage vessels  32  of different sizes. 
         [0015]    As shown, the collapsible container system  28  is configured to expand and contract across a width of the vehicle  20 , i.e., approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle  20 , such that the opposing lateral side walls  36  also extend across the width of the vehicle  20 . However, it should be appreciated that the collapsible container system  28  may be configured differently than shown and described herein to expand and contract along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle  20 . 
         [0016]    As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the collapsible container system  28 , and more specifically a first end  44  of the flexible exterior  34 , is attached to the first trim panel  30 . The first end  44  may be attached to the first trim panel  30  with a hook and loop type attachment system, by an adhesive bond, through mechanically interlocking features, or by some other manner that secures the flexible exterior  34  of the collapsible container system  28  to the first trim panel  30 . A second end  46  of the flexible exterior  34  is attached to the body  22  and/or one of the trim panels  27  in such a way so that when the first trim panel  30  is removed from the stowed position, the first end  44  of the flexible exterior  34  travels with the first trim panel  30 , and the second end  46  of the flexible exterior  34  remains in place. Similar to the first end  44  of the flexible exterior  34 , the second end  46  of the flexible exterior  34  may be attached to the body  22  and/or one of the trim panels  27  in any suitable manner, such as with, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastener, mechanically interlocking features, or an adhesive bond. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first trim panel  30  includes a fastening mechanism  48  that fastens the first trim panel  30  to an adjoining one of the plurality of trim panels, hereinafter referred to as the adjoining trim panel  50 , when the collapsible container system  28  is disposed in the stowed position. The fastening mechanism  48  may be configured in any manner suitable to releasably attach the first trim panel  30  to the adjoining trim panel  50  when the first trim panel  30  and the collapsible container system  28  are disposed in the stowed position. For example, the fastening mechanism  48  may include but is not limited to a latch having an arm that is rotatable to engage a back side of the adjoining trim panel  50 . Alternatively, the fastening mechanism may include a hook and loop type fastening system. It should be appreciated that the fastening mechanism  48  may include a plurality of devices spaced across the first trim panel  30  to secure the entire periphery of the first trim panel  30  relative to all adjoining trim panels  50 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first trim panel  30  may further include at least one attachment mechanism  58  that attaches the first trim panel  30  to a second one of the plurality of trim panels, hereinafter referred to as the second trim panel  60 . The second trim panel  60  is disposed opposite the first trim panel  30  across the cargo area  29 . The attachment mechanism  58  attaches the first trim panel  30  relative to the second trim panel  60  to secure the collapsible container system  28  in the expanded storage position. The attachment mechanism  58  may be configured in any manner suitable to releasably attach the first trim panel  30  to the second trim panel  60  when the first trim panel  30  and the collapsible container system  28  are disposed in the storage position. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , the attachment mechanism  58  may include but is not limited to a detent  62  disposed on the first trim panel  30  and configured for interlocking engagement with an aperture  64  defined by the second trim panel  60 . It should be appreciated that the attachment mechanism  58  may include a plurality of devices spaced across the first trim panel  30  and/or the second trim panel  60  to secure the entire periphery of the first trim panel  30  relative to the second trim panel  60 . Alternatively, the second trim panel  60  may be removed from position adjacent one or more other trim panels  27 , with the first trim panel  30  configured to fit within the void left by the removal of the second trim panel  60  and with the attachment mechanism  58  configured to secure the first trim panel  30  to the trim panels  27  adjacent the second trim panel  60 . 
         [0019]    The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. 
         [0020]    While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims.