Abstract:
A vehicle body structure includes a storage box installed in a location within the vehicle that is originally arranged and configured to receive a rear passenger&#39;s seat. The storage box has an upper opening and a cargo cavity that extends downwardly from the upper opening below an upper surface of the vehicle floor. A storage cover overlies the upper opening of the storage box. The storage cover has first and second lids. The first lid is arranged to move between a closed position covering a forward area of the cargo cavity and an open position exposing the forward area of the cargo cavity to the side access opening. The second lid is arranged to move between a closed position covering a rearward area of the cargo cavity and an open position exposing the rearward area of the cargo cavity to the rear access opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body structure that includes a storage box. More specifically, the present invention relates to a storage box that is installed in an area within the vehicle body structure that is arranged and configured to receive a passenger seat. 
   2. Background Information 
   Most vehicles have one or two rows of seats with a storage compartment or storage area in the rear portion of the vehicle behind the last row of passenger seats. In some vehicles, such as station wagons, sport utility vehicles and vans, the storage area behind the last row of seats is a large open area. Depending on the construction of the vehicle, some vehicles have in floor storage to provide hidden cargo storage spaces that can accommodate a variety of cargo loads. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,304 to Hotary et al. discloses a rear cargo storage assembly that includes a small storage compartment within the rear floor portion of a vehicle covered by two removable lid portions. The two lid portions lay flat in a horizontal orientation to cover the small storage compartment but can be lifted up and arranged in a vertical orientation so that grocery bags and/or other cargo can be supported therebetween. 
   However, in recent years, many vehicles have been produced that are larger and have an optional third row of passenger seats. Thus, the storage compartments such as the ones disclosed in the above mentioned patent do not taken advantage of those areas of the vehicle typically used for installing passenger seats, when the additional row of passenger seats are not installed. One reason for this omission is that the portion of the floor of a vehicle body structure that is formed for receiving a seat those areas of the vehicle typically used for installing passenger seats has seat mounts such that storage is not possible when the row of seats are installed. Moreover, this floor portion of the vehicle body structure is not always flat and continuous. In other words, if the last row of passenger seats has been removed, the uneven surfaces of the floor are unsuitable for cargo without modification. 
   In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved vehicle body structure that utilizes uneven surfaces within the vehicle such that those surfaces become usable level cargo spaces. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It has been discovered that if the last row of passenger seats has been removed, there is useful space that can be converted into a storage compartment or box. In view order to take advantage of this unused space in the vehicle, the present invention was conceived. One object of the present invention is to provide a storage compartment or box that utilizes the area where an optional row of passenger seats can be installed. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a vehicle body structure is provided that basically comprises a vehicle side body, a vehicle floor, a storage box and a storage cover. The vehicle side body includes a side access opening and a rear access opening. The vehicle floor is fixedly coupled to the vehicle side body with the vehicle floor including a cargo surface. The storage box includes a plurality of walls defining an upper opening and a cargo cavity extending downwardly from the upper opening below the cargo surface of the vehicle floor. The storage cover overlies the upper opening of the storage box. The storage cover includes first and second lids with the first lid being located forwardly of the second lid in a forward to aft direction of the vehicle floor. The first lid is arranged to move between a closed position covering a forward area of the cargo cavity and an open position exposing the forward area of the cargo cavity to the side access opening. The second lid is arranged to move between a closed position covering a rearward area of the cargo cavity and an open position exposing the rearward area of the cargo cavity to the rear access opening. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle body structure is provided that basically comprises a vehicle floor, a storage box and a storage cover. The vehicle floor has a cargo surface with a primary interior flooring material overlying the cargo surface of the vehicle floor. The storage box is installed on a portion of the vehicle floor, and includes a plurality of walls defining an upper opening and a cargo cavity extending downwardly from the upper opening below the cargo surface of the vehicle floor. The storage cover overlies the upper opening of the storage box. The storage cover includes a first lid with a first vehicle interior facing surface, a second lid with a second vehicle interior facing surface, and a secondary interior flooring material overlying the first and second vehicle interior surfaces of the first and second lids with the secondary interior flooring material forming a living hinge coupling the first and second lids together. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a vehicle body structure is provided that basically comprises a vehicle side body, a vehicle floor, a row of first seats, a row of second seats, a third seat receiving recess, a cargo space, a storage box and a storage cover. The vehicle side body has a side access opening and a rear access opening. The vehicle floor is fixedly coupled to the vehicle side body with the vehicle floor including an cargo surface. The row of first seats is fixedly coupled to the vehicle floor at a first longitudinal location within the vehicle side body. The row of second seats is fixedly coupled to the vehicle floor at a second longitudinal location within the vehicle side body. The third seat receiving recess is formed in the vehicle floor that is configured to receive a row of third seats. The cargo space is located between the third seat receiving recess and the rear access opening. The storage box is installed in the third seat receiving recess. The storage box includes a plurality of walls defining an upper opening and a cargo cavity extending downwardly from the upper opening below the cargo surface of the vehicle floor. The storage box is configured to encompass substantially an entire area of the vehicle floor from the second seats to the cargo space and laterally between the vehicle side body. The storage cover overlies the upper opening of the storage box. 
   These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle that includes a vehicle body structure equipped with a storage box in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the vehicle body structure depicted in  FIG. 1 , from an elevated angle showing the rear portion of the vehicle with a rear hatch removed to reveal details of the interior of the vehicle body structure, including a storage box cover that conceals the storage box, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the vehicle depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with portions of the vehicle removed to show details of the interior of the vehicle including the second row of seats, the rearward cargo deck and the storage box, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is another perspective view, similar to  FIG. 3 , with the second row of seats removed to reveal details of the storage box cover and the rearward cargo space, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is another perspective view, similar to  FIG. 4 , with the storage box cover and the storage box removed from the vehicle body structure to show details of a portion of the vehicle floor arranged and configured to receive a third row of seats, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the storage box and storage box cover, shown removed from the vehicle, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the storage box similar to  FIG. 6 , with the storage box cover removed, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  perspective view of the storage box similar to  FIG. 6  with a rearward lid of the storage box cover fully opened, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  perspective view of the storage box similar to  FIG. 6  with a forward lid of the storage box cover fully opened, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial longitudinal cross-section of a portion of the vehicle body structure showing selected details of the vehicle body structure, the storage box and the storage box cover, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of portions of  FIG. 10 , showing details of portions of the floor of the vehicle body structure, the storage box and storage cover, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial transverse cross-section of a portion of the vehicle body structure showing selected details of the vehicle body structure, the storage box and the storage box cover, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the storage box and the storage box cover, showing the cover restriction members that restrict movement of the forward and rearward lids of the storage box cover, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a side schematic view of the storage box and the storage box cover, showing the rearward lid of the storage box cover in a partially open position and restrained from opening any further by one of the restriction members; and 
       FIG. 15  is a side schematic view of the storage box and the storage box cover, showing the forward lid of the storage box cover in a partially open position and restrained from opening any further by another one of the restriction members. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicle V is illustrated that has a vehicle body structure  10  that can accommodate three rows of passenger seats within the interior of the vehicle V in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle body structure  10  is equipped with a first row of passenger seats  11  and a second row of passenger seats  12  with the third row seat area having a storage box  14  when the third row of passenger seats is removed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. While the present invention is used with the vehicle body structure  10  that can accommodate three rows of passenger seats, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the present invention can be used in a vehicle body structure has two rows of passenger seats with the storage box  14  installed in the area of the second row of passenger seats when the second row of passenger seats are removed. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the storage box  14  is located behind the second row of seats  12  within the interior of the vehicle in the area where the third row of passenger seats would other wise be installed. The storage box  14  provides additional compartment storage space within the vehicle V. A storage box cover  17  conceals the storage box  14  and its contents, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The storage box cover  17  is flat and rests at approximately the same level as a cargo surface  18  at the rear of the vehicle V. Thus, the storage box cover  17  provides an extended flat cargo space within the vehicle V in concert with the cargo surface  18 , as is described in greater detail below. The storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  of the present invention, are described in greater detail below following a brief description of portions of the vehicle body structure  10 . Description of those portions of the vehicle body structure  10 , such as suspension and power train elements and structural components well known in the art are omitted for brevity. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the primary parts of the vehicle body structure  10  includes the storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  that are installed on a vehicle floor  19  of the vehicle V. However, in accordance with other aspects of the invention, the vehicle body structure  10  further includes a pair of vehicle side body portions  20 , a pair of side door openings  22 , a rear hatch  23 , and a rear hatch opening  24 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the vehicle floor  19  of the vehicle body structure  10  is fixedly coupled to the vehicle side body portions  20  in a manner well known in the art, for instance, welding techniques. The vehicle floor  19  is preferably formed of a sheet metal material that is molded, pressed or stamped into appropriate dimensions, but can alternatively be formed of a composite material, metal alloys, or any other material that provides the structural integrity necessary to support the elements installed within the vehicle V. The vehicle floor  19  is typically covered with an interior flooring material, such as automotive carpeting. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  lie on the vehicle floor  19  behind the second row of seats  12  and forward of the cargo surface  18 . The storage box cover  17  is at approximately the same level as the cargo surface  18  thereby increasing the available flat cargo space available within the vehicle V. Note that the second row of seats  12  has been removed in  FIG. 4  to provide greater clarity. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second row of seats  12 , the storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  have removed to expose the vehicle floor  19 . The vehicle floor  19  includes an upper surface  28  that is configured and arranged to support the first and second row of seats  11  and  12  as well as a third row of seats (not shown) when the storage box  14  is not installed. Basically, the upper surface  28  includes a first row seat area (not shown) with a first mounting portion (not shown), a second row seat area  32  with a second mounting portion  34 , a third row seat area  36  with a third mounting portion  38  and the cargo surface  18 . It should be noted that in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the third row seat area  36  and the third mounting portion  38  are not visible because the storage box  14  of the present invention is installed and is covered by the storage box cover  17 . 
   The second row seat area  32  is a contoured surface as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  having both planar and curved sections thereof. The second row seat area  32  is dimensioned for providing leg room for passengers seated in the second row of seats  12 . The second row seat area  32  can be completely planar or can have several planar sections and/or curved sections depending upon the design of the vehicle V. The second mounting portion  34  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the vehicle floor  19  is located behind and adjacent to the first row seat area (not shown). The second mounting portion  34  includes mounting hardware such as threaded bolt holes or locking pins (not shown) for supporting the second row of seats  12 . Similarly, the second row of seats  12  includes corresponding hardware for connecting the second row of seats  12  to the second mounting portion  34  in a longitudinal orientation with respect to the vehicle V. 
   The third row seat area  36  of the vehicle floor  19  includes multi-dimensional surfaces as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  10  and  11 . The third row seat area  36  can be planar or can have several planar and curved sections depending upon the design of the vehicle V. The third row seat area  36  is dimensioned for legroom for passengers seated in a third row of seats (not shown). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the third row seat area  36  includes a first section  36   a , a second section  36   b  and a third section  36   c . The first section  36   a  is generally planar in the area depicted in  FIG. 11 . The first section  36   a  is angled with respect to the second section  36   b . The section  36   c  is also angled with respect to  36   b . It should be noted from  FIG. 11  that in the depicted portion of the third row seat area  36 , the first, second and third sections  36   a ,  36   b  and  36   c  are each generally planar. However, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the second section  36   b  of the third row seat area  36  is shown with several recessed sections  36   d.    
   The third mounting portion  38  of the vehicle floor  19  is located behind and adjacent to the third row seat area  36 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the third mounting portion  38  includes a first section  38   a  and a second section  38   b . The first section  38   a  is generally planar in the area depicted in  FIG. 10 . The second section  38   b  is inclined with respect to the first section  38   a . The first section  38   a  of the third mounting portion  38  includes mounting hardware such as threaded bolt holes  40  or alternatively, locking pins (not shown) for supporting the unshown third row of seats. With the third row of seats omitted, the third row seat area  36  provide space for installation of the storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  10 . Moreover, the storage box  14  is mounted to the floor using the same mounting structure (first section  38   a  with the hole  40 ) that is used to mount the third row of seats. 
   The cargo surface  18  is located behind the third mounting portion  38 . The cargo surface  18  defines a large cargo space, as is more clearly shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  10 . In the depicted embodiment, the cargo surface  18  is a removable cover  41  that provides access to a supplemental storage compartment  42 , as indicated in  FIG. 10 . The removable cover  41  is opened by operating a latch handle  43  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ). The removable cover  41  includes a latch mechanism (not shown) connected to the latch handle  43  that allows the removable cover  41  to be opened revealing the supplemental storage compartment  42 . The removable cover  41  is preferably pivotally coupled to the vehicle floor  19  in a conventional manner (not shown). The unshown pivoting coupling to the vehicle floor  19  is preferably provided proximate a forward edge  41   a  of the removable cover  41 . Accordingly, the forward edge  41   a  is prevented from moving upwardly with the removable cover  41  in a closed position. 
   It should be understood from the drawings and description herein that the supplemental storage compartment  42  is an optional feature of the vehicle V. Further, in an alternate embodiment the cargo surface  18  can be a non-movably fixed portion of the vehicle floor  19 . In the alternate embodiment there is no supplemental storage compartment  42  and no removable cover  41 . 
   The cargo surface  18  is accessed through the rear hatch opening  24  when the rear hatch  23  is in an open position. The cargo surface  18  can also be accessed via the door openings  22 . 
   A detailed description of the storage box  14  and storage box cover  17  is now provided, with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 15 . The storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  are shown removed from the vehicle V in  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  9 . Further, the storage box  14  is shown without the storage box cover  17  in  FIG. 7 . 
   The storage box  14  of the present invention is installed on top of the third row seat area  36  via the third mounting portion  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  10 ,  11  and  12 . The storage box  14  is designed to conform to the shape of the third row seat area  36  such that the storage box cover  17  is maintained level with the cargo surface  18 , thereby extending the flat cargo space within the vehicle V. Specifically, the storage box cover  17  and the cargo surface  18  form a generally planar surface upon which to place cargo with the storage box cover  17  closed. 
   Referring specifically to  FIGS. 6–10 , the storage box  14  is preferably a one-piece, unitary member molded form a rigid plastic material. Alternatively, the storage box  14  is formed of any of a variety of materials, such as metal, molded plastic or composite materials. The storage box  14  basically includes two opposing side walls  44 , a front wall  46 , a back wall  48 , a lower wall  50 , a forward peripheral ridge  52   a  and a rearward peripheral ridge  52   b . The two opposing side walls  44 , the front wall  46  and the back wall  48  define a cargo cavity  53  having an upper opening  54  that can receive cargo placed therein. Two divider walls  55  and  56  are also formed in the storage box  14  to partition the cargo space within the storage box  14  into three smaller compartments. Specifically, the divider wall  55  divides the cargo space within the storage box  14  into a forward cargo section  53   a  and a rearward cargo section  53   b  (see  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 ). The divider wall  56  divides the forward cargo section  53   a  into two smaller areas. In the depicted embodiment, the divider walls  55  and  56  are fixed portions within the storage box  14 . However in an alternative embodiment, the divider walls  55  and  56  can be removable. In any event, the storage box  14  is preferably divided into a plurality of discrete storage spaces. 
   The two opposing side walls  44  of the storage box  14  have generally the same shape. As indicated in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , the two opposing side walls  44  have a deep portion  44   a  and a shallow portion  44   b  to conform to the differing depths of the third row seat area  36  and third mounting portion  38 . The front wall  46  is generally planar but includes at least one recessed portion  46   a  to accommodate the irregular shape(s) of the third row seat area  36 . Similarly, the back wall  48  is contoured to accommodate irregular shapes of the third mounting portion  38 . 
   The lower wall  50  of the storage box  14  is also formed with contours in order to complement and generally conform to the shape of the first, second and third sections  36   a ,  36   b  and  36   c  and the first and second sections  38   a  and  38   b  that all define of the third row seat area  36 . In other words, the lower wall  50  is formed with lower wall sections  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d  and  50   e  that make it possible for the storage box  14  to rest evenly and securely on the third row seat area  36 . Specifically, the lower wall section  50   a  is dimensioned to lie evenly over the first section  36   a  of the third row seat area  36 . The lower wall section  50   b  is dimensioned to lie evenly over the second section  36   b  of the third row seat area  36 . The lower wall section  50   c  is dimensioned to lie evenly over the third section  36   c  of the third row seat area  36 . The lower wall section  50   d  is dimensioned to lie evenly over the first section  38   a  of the third mounting portion  38 . And finally, the lower wall section  50   e  is dimensioned to lie evenly over the second section  38   b  of the third mounting portion  38 . 
   The forward peripheral ridge  52   a  of the storage box  14  extends along the top of the front wall  46  between the two opposing side walls  44  of the storage box  14 . The forward peripheral ridge  52   a  is formed with and fixedly attached to a forward portion of the two opposing side walls  44  and an upper edge of the front wall  46 . As more clearly seen in  FIG. 11 , the forward peripheral ridge  52   a  is formed with a recess  58  that restricts movement of the storage box cover  17 . 
   The rearward peripheral ridge  52   b  is integrally formed with the walls of the storage box  14  and extends rearward relative to the vehicle V. The rearward peripheral ridge  52   b  extends under the forward edge  41   a  of the removable cover  41 . 
   The storage box  14  is separable from the vehicle floor  19  as a modular unit. The storage box  14  is releasably attached to the vehicle floor  19  by bolts  59  that extend through the bolt holes  40  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). By removing the bolts  59 , the storage box  14  can be removed from the vehicle V. 
   The storage box cover  17  is installed atop the storage box  14  covering the upper opening  54  of the storage box  14  as shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 . In a closed position shown in  FIG. 6 , the storage box cover  17  contacts and rests on the two side walls  44 , the recess  58  of the peripheral ridge  52  and the back wall  48 . In an alternative embodiment, the storage box cover  17  can additionally contact and rest on the divider walls  54  and  55 , depending on the height of the divider walls  54  and  55 . Forward movement of the storage box cover  17  is restricted by the recess  58  formed on the peripheral ridge  52 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 , the storage box cover  17  includes a forward opening first lid  60 , a rearward opening second lid  62 , and a living hinge  64 . The storage box cover  17  also includes first and second restriction members  66  and  68 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15 . The first and second lids  60  and  62  are separable from the vehicle floor  19  and the storage box  14  as a single unit. 
   With specific reference to  FIGS. 11 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 , the first lid  60  is made of rigid planar material or member  70  such as plywood, molded plastic or a composite material of sufficient strength to support heavy cargo placed thereon. The rigid planar member  70  is further covered with a carpeting material  72  that is glued or otherwise fixedly attached thereto. The carpeting material  72  is one of a variety of interior flooring materials that can be used to cover the rigid planar member  70 . 
   The first lid  60  includes an inner surface  60   a  that covers the forward cargo section  53   a  and an outer surface  60   b  that is provided with a pair of strap handles  73 . The first lid  60  opens to expose the forward cargo section  53   a  by pivoting about the living hinge  64 . The first lid  60  can pivot about the living hinge  64  and pivot axis A (see  FIG. 6 ) approximately 180 degrees from a closed position shown in  FIG. 6  to an open position shown in  FIG. 9 . The first lid  60  can lie flat atop the second lid  62  when fully opened, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The first lid  60  is oriented such that the forward cargo section  53   a  is easily accessed from the second row of seats  12  and the side door openings  22 , as indicated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   The second lid  62  is also made of a rigid planar material  74  such as plywood, molded plastic or a composite material of sufficient strength to support heavy cargo placed thereon. The rigid planar material  74  is further covered with the carpeting material  72  that is glued or otherwise fixedly attached thereto. The second lid  62  includes an inner surface  62   a  that covers the rearward cargo section  53   b  and an outer surface  62   b  that includes at least one strap handle  75 . The second lid  62  opens to expose the rearward cargo section  53   b  by pivoting about the living hinge  64 . The second lid  62  can pivot about the living hinge  64  and pivot axis A ( FIG. 6 ) approximately 180 degrees from a closed position shown in  FIG. 6  to an open position shown in  FIG. 8 . The second lid  62  can lie flat atop the first lid  60  when fully opened, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The second lid  62  is oriented such that the rearward cargo section  53   b  is easily accessed from the rear hatch opening  24 , as indicated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   Side to side movement of the storage box cover  17  is restricted by the side body portions  20 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . Rearward movement of the storage box cover  17  is restricted by the forward edge  41   a  of the removable cover  41 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . As was mentioned above, forward movement of the storage box cover  17  is restricted by the peripheral ridge  52  on the recess  58 . 
   It should be understood from the drawings and description herein that the carpeting material  72  forms the living hinge  64  that connects the first and second lids  60  and  62 . However, it should also be understood from the drawings and description herein that the living hinge  64  can be formed by any of a variety of interior flooring materials that have flexibility and durability sufficient to support the first and second lids  60  and  62  and serve as a hinge therebetween. 
   With specific reference now to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15 , the first restriction member  66  is an elongated flexible member that has first and second ends and is preferably made of rope or other flexible material with sufficient strength to restrict movement of the first lid  60 . The first end of the first restriction member  66  is removably attached to a connector  80  fixed to the first lid  60  proximate a forward edge thereof, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The second end of the first restriction member  66  is removably attached to a fastener  81  fixed to the storage box  14  to restrict movement of the first lid  60 . With the first restriction member  66  attached to both the storage box  14  and the first lid  60 , the first lid  60  is restricted to movement of less than 180 degrees of the fully open position, and preferably to approximately 100 degrees about the living hinge  64  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The first lid  60  remains in a generally vertical orientation with the first restriction member  66  attached thereby making closing the first lid  60  easier. It should be understood from the drawings and description herein that the first restriction member  66  has been detached from the first lid  60  in  FIG. 9 . 
   The second restriction member  68  is an elongated flexible member that has first and second ends and is preferably made of rope or other flexible material with sufficient strength to restrict movement of the second lid  62 . The first end of the first restriction member  68  is removably attached to a connector  82  that is fixed to the second lid  62  proximate a forward edge thereof, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The second end of the second restriction member  68  is removably attached to a fastener  83  fixed to the storage box  14  to restrict movement of the second lid  62 . With the second restriction member  68  attached to both the storage box  14  and the second lid  62 , the second lid  62  is restricted to movement of less than 180 degrees, and preferably to approximately 100 degrees about the living hinge  64  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The second lid  62  remains in a generally vertical orientation with the second restriction member  68  attached thereby making closing the second lid  62  easier. It should be understood from the drawings and description herein that the second restriction member  68  has been detached from the second lid  62  in  FIG. 8 . 
   The storage box cover  17  is removable as a unit from the storage box  14 . The living hinge  64  connects the first and second lids  60  and  62 , but is not connected to the storage box  14 . Alternatively, the living hinge  64  can be attached to the storage box  14  by an adhesive, by mechanical fasteners or by VELCRO™. In another embodiment, the living hinge  64  can be replaced with a mechanical hinge device (not shown). 
   Further, the first and second restriction members  66  and  68  are removably attached to the storage box cover  17 . Once the first and second restriction members  66  and  68  are detached from the storage box cover, the storage box cover  17  can be lifted from the storage box  14 . With the storage box cover  17  removed, the storage box  14  is more easily removed 
   As should be understood from the drawings and the above description of the present invention, the storage box  14  and storage box cover  17  provide two levels of storage for the vehicle V. First, the storage cavity within the storage box  14  provides a covered storage compartment suitable for small items that not accessed often or are to be concealed from view. Since the forward cargo section  53   a  and the rearward cargo section  53   b  of the cargo cavity  53  are positioned below the storage box cover  17 , there is additional storage space below the surface of the vehicle floor  19 . Items stored in the cargo cavity  53  of the storage box  14  are hidden from view due to the presence of the storage box cover  17 . 
   Second, the storage box cover  17  is level with the lid  42  of the cargo surface  18  thereby extending the level of the vehicle floor  19  and increasing overall usable cargo space of the vehicle V. Since multi-dimensional or uneven surfaces the third row seat area  36  and the third mounting portion  38  of the vehicle floor  19  are covered by the storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17 , it is possible to place larger object in the extended storage space atop the lid  42  and the storage box cover  17  without the problems associated with loading items on uneven surfaces. 
   While the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings is directed to a storage box installed over an area designed to fit a third row of seats within a vehicle, it should be understood from the drawings and description herein that the storage box  14  of the present invention can be installed to fit in any area of a vehicle having uneven surfaces. For instance, the storage box  14  can alternatively be installed in over the second row seat area  32  and the second mounting portion  34  of the vehicle floor  19 . Further, the storage box  14  can be installed over any area of a vehicle floor having uneven or multi-dimensional surfaces. For example, the lower wall  50  of the storage box  14  can be modified to include contours and surface features to compliment any multi-dimensional surface within a vehicle. 
   Further, the storage box  14  and the storage box cover  17  are not limited to use in SUV, such as that depicted in the drawings. The present invention is installable in vans or passenger vehicles that have uneven surfaces that can serve as extended cargo space. The storage box  14  can be formed with any of a variety of contours such that the side walls and bottom wall conform to uneven surface(s) on a vehicle floor. With the storage box cover  17  installed on such a storage box, amount the cargo storage area is increased as well as the cargo deck is increased. 
   As used herein, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, fore, aft, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the present invention. Moreover, terms that are expressed as “means-plus function” in the claims should include any structure that can be utilized to carry out the function of that part of the present invention. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
   While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.