Abstract:
A Collapsible Organizer for in-Vehicle Storage. The organizer provides the driver with a large, stable container for food, drinks and other items. The organizer is attachable to a seat in a vehicle either by hanging from the seat back, or alternatively, by engaging the existing seat belts. The organizer is comprised of a set of movable panels and elements that allow the organizer to be collapsed into a very compact package. The organizer is also easily expandable when desired for use, without the need for tools. The organizer has built-in handles to allow the user to easily remove the organizer from a vehicle and then carry the organizer while the drinks or other items are being held in the organizer. In addition to its ability to safely hold food and drinks, the organizer provides a generous storage area that can be used to store childrens&#39; toys, personal carry items, and portable electronic devices. Finally, the organizer is lightweight, durable, and preferably be made primarily from plastic.

Description:
[0001]    This application is filed within one year of, and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/072,897, filed Oct. 30, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to vehicle accessories and, more specifically, to a Collapsible Organizer for in-Vehicle Storage. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Most fast food restaurants offer drive-through service. If the driver is only purchasing a single meal, this can be a very convenient way to have a meal when a sit-down meal is not possible. Problems arise, however, when the driver is purchasing meals for several people. In that case, the driver must determine a way to safely restrain multiple drinks and food containers within a moving car. The seats are not level, there&#39;s no easy way to strap things down, and furthermore, there is no easy way to tote the meals out of the car and into the house upon arrival. A number of prior inventors have attempted to address this issue. 
         [0006]    Mankey, U.S. Pat. No. D368,889 for “Car Caddy” depicts the design for a non-collapsible storage accessory for vehicles that is fairly small in size and limited in its capacity. 
         [0007]    Catenacci, U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,088 for “Collapsible Vehicle Storage Container” discloses a collapsible box for attaching to the flat area underneath a seat bottom. While it does collapse, it does not provide convenient and handy storage for food and beverages that is attachable to a vehicle passenger seat. 
         [0008]    Weisbrodt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,401 is a device that attaches to the passenger seat, but only provides very limited storage capacity, and is not collapsible. 
         [0009]    Goings, U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,445 describes a “Car Seat Tray” that creates a level surface on a seat bottom, and upon which drinks and other items can be held. The Goings device is also very limited in its storage capacity, and is not collapsible. 
         [0010]    What is needed, then, is a storage container for attaching to, or resting upon, a vehicle seat that has substantial storage capacity, and is further collapsible so that it can be stored underneath the vehicle seat when not in use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Collapsible Organizer for in-Vehicle Storage. The organizer should provide the driver with a large, stable container for food, drinks and other items. The organizer should be attachable to a seat in a vehicle either by hanging from the seat back, or alternatively, by engaging the existing seat belts. The organizer should be comprised of a set of movable panels and elements that allows the organizer to be collapsed into a very compact package. The organizer should be easily expandable when desired for use, without the need for tools. The organizer should be lightweight, durable, and preferably be made primarily from plastic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Collapsible Organizer of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway side view of the organizer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the organizer of  FIGS. 1 and 2  attached to a conventional car seat; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded side view of the organizer of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer of  FIGS. 1-4  in a collapsed position; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer of  FIGS. 1-5A / 5 B in a first stage of expansion position; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer of  FIGS. 1-6A / 6 B in a second stage of expansion position; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer of  FIGS. 1-7A / 7 B in a concurrent second stage of expansion position; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer of  FIGS. 1-8A / 8 B in a fully expanded position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the collapsible organizer of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the upper surface of the base of the organizer of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the organizer of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the organizer of  FIG. 13  in a partially-flattened state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Collapsible Organizer for in-Vehicle Storage. 
         [0027]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 . 1    FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Collapsible Organizer  10  of the present invention. This depiction is conceptual in nature and is only provided to give the reader a general idea of the arrangement of major components of the device  10 ; further detail is provided below in connection with other drawing figures.  1  As used throughout this disclosure, element numbers enclosed in square brackets [ ] indicates that the referenced element is not shown in the instant drawing figure, but rather is displayed elsewhere in another drawing figure. 
         [0028]    The great value of the organizer  10  is that it provides a large chamber  11  in addition to be able to hold several large drink cups. These features are provided even though the device  10  can be collapsed so that it can be slid underneath most automobile seats (or otherwise stored in a small space). 
         [0029]    The organizer  10  is preferably formed from individual molded plastic pieces that are assembled to form the final structure. The base  12  is molded in a single piece. Front panel  16 A, side panels  16 B and  16 C and rear panel  16 D extend upwardly from the base  12 . As will be discussed further below, the panels  16 A- 16 D are pivotally attached to the base  12 , so that they can fold down for storage. This pivotal functionality could be accomplished by a variety of known (and potentially heretofor unknown) pivotal connections, including (but not limited to) hinges, straps and the like. 
         [0030]    An upper rim element  14  stabilizes the top edges of the four panels  16 A- 16 D, and also provides a mounting location for other elements in the organizer  10 , such as the cup holder element  18 .  FIG. 2  provides additional detail regarding this novel design. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway side view of the organizer  10  of  FIG. 1 . The base  12  is shown here to comprise a bottom portion  20  and two side portions  22 A,  22 D (the other two side portions are not shown). A of spill trough  24  (aligned with the apertures in the cup holder element  18 ) is formed in the bottom portion  20  of the base  12 . The front and rear panels  16 A and  16 D extend upwardly from the side portions  22 A,  22 D (likewise for the non-depicted side panels [ 16 B,  16 C] and side portions [ 22 B,  22 C]). 
         [0032]    Handle  26  is pivotally attached to the upper rim element  14 . The handle  26  can be flipped up (as shown) so that the user can carry their items conveniently to and from the vehicle. Stabilizing arm  28  is also pivotally attached to the upper rim element  14 . The stabilizing arm is interchangeable with a headrest arm [ 32 ], depending upon whether the user prefers to attach the organizer  10  to the seat with a seatbelt, or by handing from the headrest. In  FIG. 3 , we can see the operation of the stabilizing arm  28 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  attached to a conventional car seat  8 . As shown here, the seat bottom  4  is not level. In most cases, this would result in dumping of food, or spillage of drinks placed in the organizer  10 . Here, the stabilizing arm  28  can be rotated down (clockwise in this view) so that is braces against the seat  8 , such that the bottom portion  20  is held level. The stabilizing arm  28  also has an integrated belt retainer or belt “catch”  30 . The belt retainer is molded into or within the stabilizing arm  28  so that the user can thread the seatbelt  6  (usually the lap belt) therethrough. This will hold the organizer  10  securely to the seat  8 , while the stabilizing arm  28  maintains the organizer  10  in a level position.  FIG. 4  depicts an alternate arrangement for attaching the organizer  10 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded side view of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 . In this configuration, the stabilizing arm [ 28 ] has been replaced with the headrest arm  32 . As can be imagined, the headrest arm  32  is designed to hang from the vehicle seat&#39;s headrest  2 . It does this by looping the U-shaped element  34  at the top of the headrest arm  32  over the headrest  2 . The U-shaped element  34  is pivotally attached to an arm element  36  by hinges  36  that allow the U-shaped element  34  to adjust for the angle of the top of the seat. The pivot attachment assemblies  40  attach the arm element  38  to the upper rim element  14 , and also allows it to be rotated into the desired angular position and then cinched or locked in place. In this embodiment, a rod and knob arrangement has been used. If we now turn to  FIGS. 5A-9B , we can examine the steps to convert the organizer  10  from a collapsed state to a fully assembled/expanded state. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  in a collapsed position. Here, the side panels  16 A,  16 B,  16 C and  16 D are folded flat atop the base  12  by operation of the pivotal attachments between the side panels  16 A,  16 B,  16 C and  16 D and the base  12 . This ability to flatten the organizer  10  (by operation of the foldable side panels) has not been seen in prior devices, and is considered to be a primary functional benefit of the organizer  10 . 
         [0036]    The upper rim element  14  has been slid down so that is encircles the base  12 . The arm  28  and handle  26  have also been folded flat. In this position, the organizer can be stored in very small spaces. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1-5A / 5 B in a first stage of expansion position. To commence expansion, the arm  28  must first be rotated (counter-clockwise in this view). The arm  28  is released by first loosening the pivot attachment assembly  40 . There are panel slots  17 A,  17 B,  17 C and  17 D formed around the periphery of the upper rim element  14 . Each side panel (e.g. [ 16 A]) is captured within the corresponding panel slot (e.g.  17 A). These slots  17 A- 17 D serve at least three functions: first, when the organizer  10  is in its collapsed condition as shown here, the side panels  16 A- 16 D (which are attached by hinges to the base  12 ) will restrain the upper rim element  14  from travelling up. This will keep the organizer in a nicely compact condition. Secondly, as the upper rim element  14  is lifted up by the user (shown sequentially in subsequent Figures), the upper rim element will impart upward (unfolding) force on all of the side elements  16 A- 16 D. This will cause the side elements  16 A- 16 D to flip up (i.e. rotating around their hinged attachment to the base  12 . Finally, when the organizer  10  is fully expanded (as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ), the slots  17 A- 17 D will hold the side panels  16 A- 16 D in their erect (vertical) positions. It should be understood that the stages of expansion described below are merely for the purpose of understanding how the different elements interact. In fact, as the upper rim element  14  is pulled up, all four side panels  16 A- 16 D will be forced to become erect. Because the slots  17 A and  17 D are slightly recessed below the level of slots  17 B and  17 C, panels  16 B and  16 C will be forced upwardly slightly before panels  16 A and  16 D (and the panels  16 A- 16 D will fold flat in the opposite order). 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1-6A / 6 B in a second stage of expansion position. The side panels  16 B,  16 C are flipped up around the hinged attachment to the side portions (not shown) until they are vertical. The user can achieve this stage of expansion by holding the upper rim element  14  and sliding it upwardly (increasing the distance between the base  12  and the element  14 ). As the upper rim element  14  is raised, the element  14  will force the side panels  16 B and  16 C to flip up. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , there are grooves  44  formed in the top surface of the upper rim element  14 , that correspond to the fingers  42  extending from the ends of the top edge of each side panel  16 A- 16 D. The fingers  42  will be held within the grooves  44  when the side panels  16 A- 16 D are fully erected and the upper rim portion  14  is slid to its upper position. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1-7A / 7 B in a concurrent second stage of expansion position. Here, the stabilizer arm  28  has been rotated down into its desired position to level the base  12  (although the arm  28  does not have to be placed in this position in order to complete the expansion of the organizer  10 ). The front and back side panels  16 A and  16 D have been flipped up into their vertical position, and the upper rim element  14  has begun being slid upwardly in direction “U.” Each side panel  16 A- 16 D has a locking tab  31  extending outwardly from it. These tabs  31  will lock the upper rim element  14  in its upper position once the organizer has been fully expanded. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are top and side views, respectively, of the organizer  10  of  FIGS. 1-8A / 8 B in a fully expanded position. As shown here, the fingers  42  reside in the grooves  44 , which prevents the side panels  16 A- 16 D from folding down, or from permitting the upper rim element  14  from being overextended in its travel past the tops of the panels  16 A- 16 D. The tabs  31  have popped out and are locking the upper rim element  14  in place at the top of its travel, thereby stabilizing the entire structure. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the collapsible organizer  10  of the present invention. The depicted design is essentially the same as that previously-described, with some fine tuning to certain elements in the structure. 
         [0043]    The base  12  in this version has a upright sidewall  13  surrounding the central flat portion of the base  12 . The sidewall  13  is provided for a number of reasons: to add strength and stiffness to the base  12 ; to create a “berm” or “trough” to capture liquids or solid objects to prevent them from falling off of the base  12 ; and finally, to assist in aligning the base  12  with the upper rim element  14  when the organizer is collapsed into a flattened state (i.e. the sidewall  13  fits into the upper rim element  14 . 
         [0044]    The cup holder element  18 A shown here, only has a pair of apertures to hold drink cups (in contrast to the three apertures shown in the prior-discussed version). Furthermore, a pair of straw holes  19 A,  19 B have been provided so that the user can store his or her drinking straws next to their drink in the organizer  10 . The straw holes  19 A,  19 B are non-circular in shape (i.e. oval-shaped) so that straws of a variety of diameters can be placed into the holes  19 A,  19 B, and thereafter held fairly securely. 
         [0045]    The stabilizing arm [ 28 ] that was attached to the upper rim element  14  has been replaced with a stabilizing leg  28 A, which has virtually the same purpose—to compensate with the inclination/shape of the car seat so that the base  12  can be held level in the vehicle (so that drinks do not spill). In order to improve the ease of adjustability, there are a pair of pivot attachment assemblies  40 A,  40 B, rather than just one single one [ 40 ]. As should be apparent, the leg  28 A can be pivotally adjusted so that it extends downward (until it rests on the car seat surface and props the base  12  up on its end to keep the organizer  10  level). 
         [0046]    Finally (for this view), the belt retainer  30 A has been relocated to the base  12  in order to simplify the structure of the organizer  10 . It, like the prior-described belt retainer [ 30 ] is provided so that the user can run the seatbelt through it to secure the organizer  10  to the car seat. 
         [0047]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the upper surface of the base  12  of the organizer of  FIG. 10 . Juxtaposed beneath the cup holder element [ 18 A], on the upper surface of the base  12 , is a series of ridges to assist in holding any drink cups or straws placed into the organizer  10 . There are a pair of circular cup rests  23 A,  23 B, which provide a non-slip surface for the base of the drink cup. There are also a pair of straw rest cups  21 A,  21 B into which the user inserts the lower end of the straws. This will maintain the straws in an upright condition in the organizer  10 . The outer dam ridge  25  is intended to contain any liquid from the drink cups (e.g. from spillage or condensation) from leaking out onto the rest of the upper surface of the base  12 . The bottom surface  27  of the base  12  has a texture embossed or attached to it. This texture aids in preventing the organizer from sliding around on the vehicle seat while the user is driving. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 12 and 13  depict the organizer  10  in the expanded (erected) and collapsed positions, respectively. The pair of handles  26 A,  26 B are laying flat in  FIG. 12 , and are pivoted up to an upright position (for carrying) in  FIG. 13 . The sidewalls  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D are vertical in  FIG. 12  (the expanded position), and laying flat in  FIG. 12  (the collapsed position). Also, in  FIG. 13 , the stabilizing leg  28 A has been pivoted so that it is no longer extending down, but rather is generally parallel with the bottom of the base  12 . 
         [0049]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.