Patent ID: 7862097

Claim:
A combination storage and tread unit for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an elongated housing adapted to be installed in the vehicle beneath pivoted seating so as to extend transversely of the vehicle, said housing having a tread pad at one end adapted to serve as a step facilitating access to an area of the vehicle behind the seating when the seating is pivoted forwardly away from a normal, occupant-supporting position and a tread pad at an opposite end adapted to serve as a step facilitating access to an area of the vehicle behind the seating when the seating is pivoted forwardly away from a normal, occupant-supporting position, said housing having first and second module-receiving compartments each comprising a downwardly dished, pan-shaped module holder integrally formed of said housing, said first and second module-receiving compartments disposed between said tread pads and spaced apart lengthwise, a cover for each one of said first and second module-receiving compartments to close each one of said first and second module-receiving compartments, wherein said module holder of each one of said first and second module-receiving compartments comprises a flat, generally horizontal bottom wall, generally upwardly extending side, front and rear walls, and a continuous, laterally outwardly extending, generally horizontal ledge along upper edge portions of the side, front and rear walls supporting side, front and rear edge portions of the associated cover, and wherein said tread pads and said module holders are integral parts of, and of one piece with, said housing.