Abstract:
An expandable wardrobe for location along an interior wall of a truck cab passengers pace is provided by incorporating into the cab an anchor wall having two vertical edges, the anchor wall being positionally fixed against the vehicle interior wall and providing a back wall to the wardrobe. A pair of opposed sidewalls are provided with each sidewall having two vertical edges, and each of the pair of opposed sidewalls being hingedly mounted along one vertical edge to a different vertical edge of the anchor wall, leaving one vertical edge of each of the opposed sidewalls free. A freewall is hingedly mounted between the free vertical edges of each of the pair of opposed sidewalls to enclose a variably sized space. A doorway through the free wall into the variably sized space provides access to the space.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/160,963, filed Nov. 18, 1999 which application is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to structures providing expandable storage space on vehicles and more particularly to an expandable wardrobe or closet install able in an operator&#39;s extended cab on a truck. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Truck cabs, even the now popular extended cabs, have limited interior space to accommodate driver, passengers, luggage and sleeping quarters. Many features designed to add to the comfort of driver and passengers compete for the limited available space. 
     Within the limited space available, truck cab interior layouts maximize the use of available space. The allocation of space to one use has necessarily prevented use of the same space for other purposes. For example, if space has been used for a closet or wardrobe, there is less space for a sleeping compartment or other features. In addition, it is difficult to anticipate user preferences regarding the allocation of space in the cab interior. Some drivers desire extra closet space, while others want more sleeping space. Indeed, user requirements may change from trip to trip depending on the demands of a particular journey. From one trip to the next the user may need more, or less, space. 
     Accordingly, there is need for increased flexibility in the allocation of truck interior space, which is under the control of the end user. There is a need for example, for a closet or wardrobe which can be adjusted in size depending upon demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided an expandable wardrobe for location along an interior wall of a vehicle passenger space. The expandable wardrobe comprises an anchor wall having two vertical edges, the anchor wall being positionally fixed against the vehicle interior wall and providing a back wall to the wardrobe. A pair of opposed sidewalls are provided with each sidewall having two vertical edges, and each of the pair of opposed sidewalls being hingedly mounted along one vertical edge to a different vertical edge of the anchor wall, leaving one vertical edge of each of the opposed sidewalls free. A free wall is hingedly mounted between the free vertical edges of each of the pair of opposed sidewalls to enclose a variably sized space. A doorway through the free wall into the variably sized space provides access to the space. 
     While the preferred use of the enclosed space is for a wardrobe or closet, other uses for such an enclosed space are conceivable, such as an enclosure for a temporary shower. Additional effects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description that follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the expandable wardrobe or closet of the present invention in a compressed state according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the expandable wardrobe in a compressed state illustrating an opened door in an exterior sidewall or panel; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the expandable wardrobe in an expanded state; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the expandable wardrobe in an expanded state with an opened door in a front wall or panel; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the expandable wardrobe showing one embodiment featuring an interior sidewall or panel; 
     FIGS. 6A-B are top schematic views of the expandable wardrobe in an expanded state and a compressed state; and 
     FIGS. 7A-B illustrate a garment bag adapted for use in the expandable wardrobe of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, an expandable closet or wardrobe  10 , particularly suited for employment in a sleeping compartment of a truck cab, is illustrated in a compacted state. Wardrobe  10  may be arranged in the shape of a parallelogram or rectangle, or folded essentially flat against an interior wall  16  of the truck cab depending upon the preferences of the vehicle operator or passengers and the layout of the truck interior. This is effected by attaching the four walls of the wardrobe  10  to each other by hinges running along the vertical edges of the walls, as described below. While the preferred embodiment of wardrobe  10  is employed in truck cabs, other embodiments may be adapted for use in motor homes, cabin boats, and similar vehicles and craft where interior, habitable space is at a premium. While described for use as a wardrobe  10 , the wardrobe may be configured and used for any purpose made convenient through a temporary partitioning of space, such as for a shower stall. 
     Wardrobe  10  is constructed from four panels or walls, including an exterior sidewall  12  and a front wall  14 . The reference to walls  12  and  14  respectively as exterior side and front walls is made with reference to their position relative to the supporting base provided by interior wall  16  of the truck cab. The interior space enclosed by the walls of wardrobe  10  is accessible by opening doors  24  and  28  mounted in doorways  22  and  26 , respectively. Doorways  22  and  26  pass through front wall  14  and exterior sidewall  12 , respectively, to the interior space enclosed by wardrobe  10 . A vent  34  may also be provided in a door to promote circulation of air. 
     In the present, preferred embodiment, wardrobe  10  is positioned in a nook formed by a shallow S-curve shaped interior wall  16 , with the position chosen to avoid interference with any other interior obstructions such as upright support posts. Pawls may extend from the bottom or top of the walls to cooperate with channels set in the deck or ceiling of the passenger space. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an optional pawl  21  may extend from the bottom sidewall  12  to act as a guide in channel  20  formed in the floor or deck  18  of the passenger space. When closed doors  24  and  28  may be held in place by magnetic catches such as catch  33  mounted behind doorway  26 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, wardrobe  10  is illustrated expanded to its maximum extent with the walls or panels positioned at right angles with respect to each adjacent wall or panel. As mentioned above, wardrobe  10  is constructed from four panels, which include a back or support wall  38 , exterior sidewall  12 , front wall  14 , and an interior sidewall  36 . In some applications, the function of back wall  38  may be filled by interior wall  16 . Four vertical hinges  44 ,  40 ,  42  and  46  are located in the interior of each of the four vertices of the enclosed space  32 , formed at the intersections of the walls  38 ,  12 ,  14 , and  36  and attach adjacent walls to each other along the vertical edges of the walls. 
     Back wall  38  may be horizontally movable along interior wall  16 , in which case a channel  52  may be provided in interior wall  16  for cooperation with a guides (not shown) extending from the face of back wall  38  facing the interior wall, preferably at or adjacent vertical hinges  46  and  44 . In other embodiments, including where interior wall  16  provides a back wall for wardrobe  10 , no channel  52  would be provided. Where interior wall  16  provides a support surface, hinges  46  and  44  would be attached directly to the interior wall, spaced from one another to match the spacing between hinges  42  and  40 . A magnetic latch  54  is set into interior wall  16  and cooperates with a magnetic latch set in interior sidewall  36  to hold wall  36  against interior wall when the wardrobe  10  is positioned in its compacted state. If interior wall  16  is flat, positioning sidewall  36  against the interior sidewall  16  will completely fold wardrobe  10 . Here, where interior wall  16  forms a gentle S-curve, positioning sidewall  36  against interior wall  16  positions wardrobe  10  in the shape of a parallelogram. 
     Partially obscured in FIG. 3 is a table or shelf brace  30 , set in a recess  70  in interior wall  16 . In FIG. 4 the shelf brace  30  is moved upwardly to a position parallel to deck  18  providing a brace for holding wardrobe  10  in an expanded position, usually with the walls forming a rectangle. Shelf  30  is preferably shaped to accommodate wardrobe  10  when expanded to enclose the maximum internal volume. 
     Backwall  38  may be horizontally movable along interior wall  16 , in which case a channel  52  may be provided in interior wall  16  for cooperation with guides  146  and  144  (shown in FIG. 6A) extending from the face of backwall  38  facing the interior wall, preferably at or adjacent vertical hinges  46  and  44 . In other embodiments, including where interior wall  16  provides a backwall for wardrobe  10  no channel  52  would be provided. Where interior wall  16  provides a support surface, hinges  46  and  44  would be attached directly to the interior wall, spaced from one another to match the spacing between hinges  42  and  40 . A magnetic latch  54  is set into interior wall  16  and cooperates with a magnetic latch set in interior sidewall  36  to hold wall  3 G against interior wall when the wardrobe  10  is positioned in its compacted state. If interior wall  16  is flat, positing sidewall  36  against the interior sidewall  16  will completely fold wardrobe  10 . Here, where interior wall  16  forms a gentle S-curve, positioning sidewall  36  against interior wall  16  positions wardrobe  10  in the shape of a parallelogram. 
     Door  24  may be opened to gain access to interior space  32  through doorway  22  in front wall  14 . Rods  58  positioned in the interior space  32  may be raised to brace the position of wardrobe  10  in its expanded state. A special garment bag  50  adapted for use with wardrobe  10  hangs from the interior face  51  of exterior wall  12 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an exterior face  80  of interior sidewall  36  pivoted away from interior wall  16 . An alternative rest position for a shelf brace  56 , nestled in a recess  60  into sidewall  36 , is illustrated. A magnetic catch  55  is positioned along the vertical edge of sidewall  36  distal to the pivot support anchored along interior wall  16  and in a position to cooperate with magnetic latch  54  which is set in the interior wall  16 . By anchored it is meant that the pivot point may be positionally fixed or that it can move along the interior wall  16  (in some embodiments) but not away from the wall. 
     FIGS. 6A-B illustrate schematically the positioning of the walls (including a distinct backwall  38 ) of wardrobe  10  along side and attached to an S-curve shaped interior wall  16 . Wardrobe  10  is positioned to avoid impingement on a vertical post  62  which is part of the interior support structure of an extended sleeper cab attached to the back of a truck cab. Opposed walls of wardrobe  10  are parallel in all positions, implying that sidewalls  12  and  36  are of equal width and that front wall  14  is equal in width to backwall  38 , or that hinges  46  and  44  are mounted on wall  16  equidistant to the spacing between hinges  42  and  40 . The wardrobe  10  may even be connected to interior wall  16  at only either of the pivots associated with hinges  44  or  46 . 
     In the present embodiment, backwall  38  is mounted to interior wall  16  adjacent hinges  46  and  44 . In an alternative embodiment guides extending from the backwall  16  may cooperate with a channel in interior wall  16  allowing wardrobe  10  to be repositioned along the wall. The remaining three walls may be pulled outwardly from interior wall  16  to bring sidewalls  12  and  36  to positions perpendicular to the backwall  38 , as illustrated in FIG.  6 A. Shelf  30  may then be positioned as a brace between interior wall  16  and interior sidewall  36 . Rod  58  may be positioned between two walls to lock the wardrobe  10  in its expanded state. A garment bag  50  is illustrated hung from sidewall  12  inside the enclosed space with a hanger rod  64  folded out and attached to the opposite sidewall  36 . When wardrobe  10  is collapsed, rod  64  rotates about a vertical axis and individual hangers  65  rotate on the rod under the influence of the sidewalls and each other. Table  30  is lowered on hinges into a recess  70 . Doors  24  and  28  are illustrated folded outwardly to show clearance from post  62 . 
     FIGS. 6A-B illustrate schematically the positioning of the walls (including a distinct backwall  38 ) of wardrobe  10  along side and attached to an Scurve shaped interior wall  16 . Wardrobe  10  is positioned to avoid impingement on a vertical post  62  which is part of the interior support structure of an extended sleeper cab attached to the back of a truck cab. Opposed walls of wardrobe  10  are parallel in all positions, implying that sidewalls  12  and  36  are of equal width and that front wall  14  is equal in width to backwall  38 , or that hinges  46  and  44  are mounted on wall  16  equidistant to the spacing between hinges  42  and  40 . The wardrobe  10  may even be connected to interior wall  16  at only either of the pivots associated with hinges  44  or  46 . Guides  144  and  146  may be provided extending inwardly from hinges  44  and  46  respectively, engaging channel  52  and thereby allowing backwall  38  to be moved along the interior wall  16 . 
     FIGS. 7A-B better illustrate garment bag  50 , illustrating that rod  64  can be both twisted in the directions indicated by the double headed arrow A, but lowered and raised as indicated by the double headed arrow B. 
     The present invention provides for easy user configuration of a space enclosure in the cramped confines of the interior of a truck cab. Configurations are possible which occupy no more space than the minimum space required to store the structure, and an expanded form particularly useful as a closet. 
     While the invention is shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is not limited to the specific details, application, representative devices, and illustrated examples in this description.