Patent ID: 8727426

Claim:
An expandable vehicle system comprising: a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels; wherein the first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment; an extension unit having a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body; wherein the second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment; wherein the first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface; wherein the first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment; wherein the first body defines an opening and has a closure panel that is movable between a closed position and an open position; wherein the closure panel closes the opening to at least partially enclose the first interior compartment when in the closed position; wherein the closure panel permits access to the first interior compartment through the opening when in the open position; wherein the closure panel and the second body are cooperatively configured such that the closure panel mates to the second body to at least partially enclose the second interior compartment when the closure panel is in the open position; and wherein one of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface is configured to be at least partially openable to receive the other of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface and to close around the other of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface when the other of the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface is received.