Abstract:
A pull-out extender includes a container that is attachable to a passenger vehicle. A foldable table-like unit is stored in the container and includes rollers which are accommodated in grooves defined in the container. Foldable and telescoping legs are attached to the table-like elements and a tent-like cover can also be attached to the vehicle above the container to cover the table-like elements when such elements are deployed. Grommets are included on the table-like elements for accommodating umbrellas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of motor vehicles, and to the particular field of accessories for motor vehicles. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Automobiles are used for a wide variety of purposes today. No longer is an automobile simply a means for traveling from one point to another. Today, automobiles can be entertainment centers with DVD players, elaborate stereo systems, video game terminals, and the like. Accordingly, the art contains many examples of accessories that are used in connection with an automobile. 
   Often, people even use their automobile as a centerpiece in a camping expedition. In such a case, the automobile may be a part of a table, or even a part of sleeping arrangements. 
   Still further, to be most successful, such an accessory should be as versatile as possible. That is, the accessory should have a plurality of uses, rather than a single use, such as merely a table, or the like. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an accessory for use on an automobile that can be used for a plurality of uses, including, but not limited to, as a table or as a bed, or the like. 
   While the truck art contains examples of bed extenders, the inventor is not aware of any device that can be easily stored in a passenger vehicle that can be converted into an extended horizontal surface for use as a work surface or as a bed or as a table, or the like. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an accessory for use on a passenger vehicle that can be converted into an extended horizontal surface for use as a work surface or as a bed or as a table, or the like. 
   To be most successful, such an accessory should be adapted for easy retrofit onto an existing vehicle whereby the accessory can be used on existing vehicles as well as factory produced vehicles. Retrofitting should be easy and inexpensive to encourage maximum use of the accessory. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an accessory for use on a passenger vehicle that is easily retrofit onto the vehicle and which can be converted into an extended horizontal surface for a plurality of uses, including, but not limited to, use as a work surface or as a bed or as a table, or the like. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide an accessory for use on an automobile that can be used as a table or as a bed, or the like. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an accessory for use on a passenger vehicle that can be converted into an extended horizontal surface for use as a work surface or as a bed or as a table, or the like. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an accessory for use on a passenger vehicle that is easily retrofit onto the vehicle and which can be converted into an extended horizontal surface for use as a work surface or as a bed or as a table, or the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by a pull-out extender that is stored in a container that is easily attached to a vehicle and which includes two table top-like elements that are hingeably connected together and which include foldable, telescoping legs. The table top-like elements are mounted on rollers that are accommodated in grooves defined in the container. Umbrella support grommets are located on the table top-like elements and a tent-like covering is also included for attachment to the vehicle above the pull-out extender. 
   Using the pull-out extender embodying the present invention will permit a passenger vehicle to include a horizontal surface that can be used as a work surface, a sleeping surface or a picnic table. The device is easily stored and deployed and is easily retrofit to an existing vehicle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pull-out extender embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a detail of a section of the pull-out extender shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a detail of a container included in the pull-out extender embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a motor vehicle having a cover for use in conjunction with the pull-out extender shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a pull-out extender system  10  that achieves the above-stated objects and overcomes the above-discussed drawbacks. System  10  comprises a passenger land vehicle  12 , such as an off-road type vehicle or the like, having a rear end  14 . 
   A container or housing unit  20  is mounted in the land vehicle  12  adjacent to rear end  14  when in use and includes a hollow housing  22  having a first surface-defining section  24 , which defines a top surface when container unit  20  is in use, and a second surface-defining section  26 , which defines a bottom surface when container unit  20  is in use. A thickness dimension  28  extends between first surface-defining section  24  and second surface-defining section  26 . Housing unit  20  further includes a first side wall  30 , a second side wall  32 , and a width dimension  34  which extends between first side wall  30  and second side wall  32 . Housing unit  20  further includes a first end wall  36  which is a rear end wall when container unit  20  is in use. The side walls  30 ,  32  and the rear end wall  36  connect first surface-defining section  24  to second surface-defining section  26 . A second end wall  38  is a front end wall when container unit  20  is in use. An inside surface, such as inside surfaces  42 – 50  is located on each of the side walls  30  and  32  and on each of the surface-defining sections  24  and  26  and on rear end wall  36  and on front wall  38 . An interior volume  54  is defined between the inside surfaces and the walls and the surface-defining sections. An opening  60  is defined through front end wall  38  and has a width dimension  62  that extends in the direction of width dimension  34  of container unit  20  and is smaller than the width dimension  34  of container unit  20 . 
   A first groove  70  is defined on the inside surface of first side wall  30 . First groove  70  includes a linear portion  72 , which extends from adjacent to the inside surface of rear end wall  36  toward front end wall  38 , and an arcuate section  74  located adjacent to front end wall  38 . The first groove  70  is located adjacent to the inside surface of second surface-defining section  26 . 
   A second groove  80  is defined on the inside surface of second side wall  32 . Second groove  80  includes a linear portion  82 , which extends from adjacent to the inside surface of rear end wall  36  toward front end wall  38 , and an arcuate section  84 , that is identical to arcuate section  74  and is located adjacent to front end wall  38 . Second groove  80  is located adjacent to the inside surface of second surface-defining section  26 . 
   The arcuate sections  74 ,  84  of the first and second grooves  70 ,  80  are identical and are convex with respect to opening  60  defined through front end wall  38  to curve from the linear portion  72 ,  82  of each groove  70 ,  80  toward the front end wall  38  then toward the first surface-defining section and then toward the rear end wall  36 . Each arcuate section  74 ,  84  of the grooves  70 ,  80  further includes a linear section, such as linear section  88  of arcuate section  84 , that is located adjacent to the inside surface of first surface-defining section  24  and extends toward front end wall  38 . 
   Two fastener-accommodating holes, such as hole  90 , are defined through first surface-defining section  24  and are used to attach unit  20  to vehicle  12 . Additional fastener-accommodating holes can be included if suitable as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
   A support surface unit  100  includes a first support surface element  102 , which has a first surface-defining section  104  that defines a top surface when support surface unit  100  is in a use condition as shown in  FIG. 1 , a second surface-defining section  106 , which defines a bottom surface when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition, a first end  108  which is a rear end when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition, and a second end  110  which is a front end when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition. First end  108  of the first support surface element  102  is located adjacent to front end wall  38  of container unit  20  when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition and second end  110  of first support surface element  102  is located adjacent to front end wall  38  of container unit  20  when support surface unit  100  is in a stored condition. 
   A first side wall  112  connects first surface-defining section  104  of the first support surface element  102  to second surface-defining section  106  of the first support surface element  102  and is located adjacent to the inside surface of first side wall  30  of container unit  20 . A second side wall  114  connects first surface-defining section  104  of the first support surface element  102  to second surface-defining section  106  of the first support surface element  102  and is located adjacent to the inside surface of second side wall  32  of container unit  20 . 
   A first roller element  120  is mounted on first side wall  112  of the first support surface element  102  adjacent to rear end  108  of the first support surface element  102 . First roller element  120  is sized to be rollably received in groove  70 . A second roller element  122  is mounted on second side wall  114  of the first support surface element  102  adjacent to rear end  108 . Second roller element  122  is sized to be rollably received in groove  80 . The roller elements  120 ,  122  are located in the linear sections  72 ,  82  of the grooves  70 ,  80  when the first support surface element  102  is in the stored condition and are located in the linear section  88  of the arcuate sections  74 ,  84  of the grooves  70 ,  80  when the first support surface element  102  is in the use condition. 
   First support surface element  102  has a width dimension  126  which extends between first side wall  112  and second side wall  114 . Width dimension  126  of the first support surface element  102  is smaller than width dimension  62  of opening  60  defined through the front end wall  38  of container unit  20  so support surface unit  100  can slide through the opening  60  as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teaching of the present disclosure. 
   Three support leg elements, such as leg element  130 , are connected to second surface-defining section  106 . An umbrella-accommodating hole  132  is defined through the first support surface element  102 . 
   A hinge unit  134  is located on second end wall  110  of the first support surface element  102 , and wheel units  136  and  138  are mounted on second surface-defining section  106  to assist in moving unit  100  as will be understood from the teaching of the present disclosure. The grooves  70 ,  80  and rollers  120 ,  122  are sized and located so the leg elements  130  will not interfere with movement of unit  100 . 
   A second support surface element  150  has a first surface-defining section  152  that is a top surface when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition, a second surface-defining section  154  which is a bottom surface when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition, a first end  156  which is a rear end when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition, and a second end  158  which is a front end when support surface unit  100  is in the use condition. First end  156  is located adjacent to second end  110  of the first support surface element  102  and second end  158  of the second support surface element  150  is spaced apart from second end  110  of the first support surface element  102 . First end  156  of the second support surface element  150  is located adjacent to front end wall  38  of container unit  20  when second support surface unit  100  is in the stored condition and second end  158  of second support surface element  150  is located adjacent to the inside surface of rear end wall  36  of container unit  20  when second support surface  150  is in the stored condition inside container unit  20 . First surface-defining section  152  of the second support surface element  150  is in abutting contact with first surface-defining section  104  of the first support surface element  102  when support surface unit  100  is in the stored condition. 
   A first side wall  160  connects first surface-defining section  152  of the second support surface element  150  to second surface-defining section  154  of the second support surface element  150  and is located adjacent to the inside surface of first side wall  30  of container unit  20  when unit  100  is in the stored condition, a second side wall  162  connects first surface-defining section  152  of the second support surface element  150  to second surface-defining section  154  of the second support surface element  150  and is located adjacent to the inside surface of second side wall  32  of container unit  20  when unit  100  is in the stored condition. 
   Second support surface element  150  has a width dimension  166  which extends between first side wall  160  and second side wall  162 . Width dimension  166  of the second support surface element  150  is equal to width dimension  126  of the first support surface element  102 . 
   Two support leg elements,  170  and  172 , are connected to second surface-defining section  154  of the second support surface element  150 . Leg elements  170  and  172  are identical to each other and to the leg elements  130  on the first support surface element  102 . An umbrella-accommodating hole  176  is defined through the second support surface element  150 . Umbrella-accommodating hole  176  is congruent with umbrella-accommodating hole  132  in the first support surface element  102  when support surface unit  100  is in the stored condition. 
   A hinge unit  180  is located on first end wall  156  of second support surface element  150 . Hinge unit  180  on the second support surface element  150  is hingeably connected to hinge unit  134  on first support surface element  102 . As indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 1 , second support surface element  150  moves between a stored condition, which is congruent with first support surface element  102 , and a use condition, which is co-planar with the first support surface element  102 . 
   Each support leg element includes a mounting bracket  190  fixed to the second surface-defining section of an associated support element of the first and second support elements, a hinge element  192  mounted on the mounting bracket  190 , a first hollow section  194  having proximal end  196  pivotally attached to the hinge element  192  on the mounting bracket  190  associated therewith, a distal end  198  spaced apart from the proximal end  96 , and a bore  200  defined between the proximal end  196  and the distal end  198 . Each support leg element further includes a second section  202  telescopingly received in the bore  200  of the first section. The second section  202  of each support leg has a proximal end  204  slidably attached to the first section of the support leg element, a distal end  206 , and a lock element  208  associated with the first and second sections of each support leg element. Each support leg element is pivotally movable between a stored position located adjacent to the second surface-defining section of the associated support element and a deployed position extending away from the associated support surface element. 
   System  10  further includes a cover unit  210  mounted on passenger land vehicle  12  superadjacent to container unit  20  when container unit  20  is mounted in the land vehicle  12 . Cover unit  210  includes a plurality of legs, such as leg  212 , which are movable between a stored condition and a deployed condition, with the deployed condition being shown in  FIG. 5  in solid lines, and which rest on a supporting surface, such as the ground, in the deployed condition. Cover unit  210  covers unit  10  so unit  10  can be used as a sleeping area or the like. 
   Use of system  10  will be understood from the teaching of the foregoing disclosure and thus will not be presented in detail. However, system  10  is stored in container  20  and is pulled out as indicated by arrow  220  in  FIG. 1  for use. Once unit  100  is fully out of container  20 , the second support surface element  150  is rotated off the first support surface element  102  as indicated by arrow  222 . The support legs are then deployed as indicated by arrow  224 . Movement of rollers  120  and  122  in grooves  70  and  80  assist in the movement indicated by arrow  220  and hinge units  134  and  180  assist in the movement indicated by arrow  222 , while the pivotal connection of each support leg to the associated support surface element assists in the movement indicated by arrow  224 . Replacement of system  10  into a stored condition reverses the just-described process. If desired, cover unit  210  can be deployed as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.