U.S. patent application number 10/073094 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for collapsible storage box.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsonite Corporation. Invention is credited to King, William L..
Application Number | 20020179600 10/073094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34811535 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020179600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King, William L. |
December 5, 2002 |
Collapsible storage box
Abstract
Pick-up trucks are very popular vehicles. The versatility
provided by the truck bed in the pick-up truck is aided by
providing a truck box usually a monolithic elongated container
fastened to the truck bed that usually spans the width of the truck
bed. Each end of this type of truck box is support by laterally
flanking walls of the truck bed. However, once installed, these
boxes occupy a considerable space and usually must be removed so
that large items can be carried in the truck bed. The disclosed
collapsible truck box provides the functionality of a fixed sized
truck box but can be easily collapsed by the user to occupy a very
small portion of the truck bed space. Hinged connections between
the lid wall, back wall, front wall and bottom wall provide this
collapsing and erecting function. Preferably side walls at each end
of the truck box, with each wall including its own vertically
oriented hinge, further enhance the functionality of the disclosed
box.
Inventors: |
King, William L.; (Denver,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAMSONITE CORPORATION
11200 EAST 45TH AVENUE
DENVER
CO
80239
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsonite Corporation
|
Family ID: |
34811535 |
Appl. No.: |
10/073094 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60267277 |
Feb 8, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/16 |
Claims
1. A collapsible box comprising: a. a front wall; b. a rear wall;
c. opposing end walls; d. a bottom wall; e. wherein said walls are
operably engaged to selectively convert from an assembled condition
defining a recess to a collapsed condition for storage.
2. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom
wall is pivotally attached to said front wall.
3. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom
wall is pivotally attached to said rear wall.
4. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein there are two
opposing end walls, each defining a pivot line delineating front
and rear portions.
5. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said
plurality of said walls is oriented in a vertical orientation when
in the stored position.
6. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
lid.
7. A collapsible box as defined in claim 6, wherein: a. said lid
defines a front edge; and b. a lip is pivotally attached along said
front edge.
8. A collapsible box for use in the bed of a pick-up truck, said
box comprising: a. a front wall; b. a rear wall; C. opposing end
walls; d. a bottom wall; e. wherein said walls are operably engaged
to selectively convert from an assembled condition defining a
recess to a collapsed condition for storage.
9. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom
wall is pivotally attached to said front wall.
10. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom
wall is pivotally attached to said rear wall.
11. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein there are two
opposing end walls, each defining a pivot line delineating front
and rear portions.
12. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality
of said walls is oriented in a vertical orientation when in the
stored position.
13. A collapsible box as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
lid.
14. A collapsible box as defined in claim 13, wherein: a. said lid
defines a front edge; and b. a lip is pivotally attached along said
front edge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject invention relates to organizing structures for
the truck beds of pick-up trucks. More particularly this invention
is directed to a collapsible box that usually can be fastened to an
upstanding wall of a pick-up truck bed. Most truck bed organizing
structures, called truck boxes, tend to be large monolithic
structures made of welded aluminum or injection molded structural
foam. One problem with such boxes is that they tend to block much
of the storage space in the truck bed by occupying usually the
front two or three feet of the truck bed volume. Some truck boxes
mitigate this blocking phenomenon by providing a so-called "cross
bed" construction. A cross bed box is shallow so that it bridges
across the truck bed since it is supported on either end by a
protruding flange that rests on the upwardly facing surface of the
sides of the truck bed. In this way the space beneath the cross bed
box is freed for plywood sheets or other long, flat items. Such
cross bed boxes are consequently quite shallow, even when they are
built to project a substantial distance above the sides of the
truck. Truck bed boxes tend to be quite heavy since they must
structurally span the full width of the truck bed to keep the space
below the box unrestricted.
[0002] Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to
provide a truck box that permits a full depth box to collapse into
a narrow compact stack against one wall of the truck bed,
preferably the wall between the truck bed and the cab. It is
another object of the invention to provide a truck box with bottom
side walls and a lid that provides reasonable security and
protection for the goods within the box, yet the box includes walls
with hinged edges and surfaces that permit the truck box to
selectively collapse into a narrow space within the truck bed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible storage box
in the collapsed position and positioned against the front end of a
pick-up bed.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid of the collapsible
storage box being lifted (pivoted) up to allow erection of the box
from the collapsed condition.
[0005] FIG. 3 is another view of the lid being pivoted.
[0006] FIG. 4 shows the main compartment of the collapsible storage
box being opened during erection.
[0007] FIG. 5 shows the floor of the collapsible storage box being
moved into place for assembly forming a space for storage.
[0008] FIG. 6 shows the collapsible storage box fully erected with
the lid open.
[0009] FIG. 7 shows a golf bag being placed in the storage formed
by the fully erected storage box.
[0010] FIG. 8 shows the fully erected storage box with the lid in
the closed position.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
[0012] FIG. 10 is a section taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment showing the box
executed in patterned aluminum sheet.
[0014] FIG. 12 is another view of the second embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 13 shows the way the side walls fold in the second
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 14 shows the side walls and bottom wall in the erected
second embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 15 shows the side walls, lid, front and back walls in
the erected second embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 16 shows the hinged lip on the lid of the second
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 17 shows positioning the bracket on the truck bed
wall.
[0020] FIG. 18 shows a pair of brackets positioned on the back wall
of the truck bed ready to receive the collapsible truck bed
box.
[0021] FIG. 19 shows the bracket positioned on the back wall of the
truck box.
[0022] FIG. 20 shows the truck box and brackets, as they would
appear installed in the truck bed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The instant invention pertains to a collapsible storage box
in general, and particularly to a collapsible storage box suitable
for use in a pick-up truck bed. While the description below focuses
on the specific use of the box in a pick-up truck bed, it is
contemplated that it could be used also in other settings, such as
in a garage, car trunk, basement, and for general storage in
virtually any location.
[0024] The first embodiment of the erected box, as shown in FIGS.
5, 6, 7 and 8 includes a front wall, a rear wall, opposing end
walls, a bottom wall and a lid. Each of the walls is made of a
lightweight, rigid material, such as plastic, metal or wood. It is
important for the material to be resistant to the weather elements,
and maintain operability (not be detrimentally affected by UV,
salt, etc.) in extreme outdoor use conditions. For the purposes of
this description, the uncollapsed or erected box is oriented so
that the bottom wall preferably rests directly or indirectly
horizontally on the truck bed support surface, the front, rear, and
end walls extend substantially vertically from the bottom wall, and
the lid rests horizontally on the top edges of the front, rear and
end walls.
[0025] The front wall is pivotally attached along a pivot line at
either end to a front edge of a respective end wall. Each of the
ends of the front wall defines a rearwardly-extending flange (see
FIGS. 4 and 5) to space the pivot line rearwardly from the back
surface of the front wall. The flange allows enough space between
the pivot line and the back surface of the front wall to allow the
bottom wall to lay against the front wall without interfering with
the folding of the end walls when the box is collapsed into its
compact condition, as described below. The bottom edge of the front
wall is pivotally attached to the front edge of the bottom wall.
Alternatively the bottom wall could be pivotally attached to the
bottom edge of the rear wall. The lock mechanism can alternatively
be located on the lid so as to interact with a mating lock
mechanism on the end wall(s). The front wall includes part of a
lock mechanism which, when engaged with the mating lock mechanism
on the front hinged lip of the lid (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7),
allows the lid to be locked closed if desired.
[0026] The rear wall is also pivotally attached at or near either
end to the rear edge of a respective end wall. The lid is pivotally
attached along a rear edge to the top edge of the rear wall. The
top edge of the rear wall can define a horizontal plane, flange or
rim, with the hinge being located at the front of the horizontal
plane, flange or rim (See FIGS. 2, 6 and 7). The rear wall in the
instant invention is positioned adjacent to and in possible contact
with the front wall of the pick-up bed. The rear wall can be
permanently fixed to the front wall of the pick-up bed by
adhesives, through-bolts, or other such types of fasteners such as
shown in FIG. 8. The rear wall can also be removably fixed to the
front wall of the pick-up bed, such as by a hook and loop type
fastener (such as with hook and loop type fastener systems) or
other removable fasteners. This would allow the box to be securely
positioned in the truck bed, or removed, as desired by the
user.
[0027] The end walls each define a vertically extending pivot line,
defined in the preferred embodiment by a hinge such as a piano
hinge, located halfway along their length from front to back. The
pivot line splits each end wall into a front section and a rear
section, and allows the front and rear sections to pivot to a
position where they are side-by-side (See FIG. 3). The hinge is
oriented on the pivot line to cause the end walls to pivot inwardly
into the interior of the box when collapsing the box from the erect
condition.
[0028] The lid includes a main body and a front lip pivotally
attached along a pivot line to the main body. The front lip bends
from right angles to the main body (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7) to
extending in-line (substantially in a common plane with) with the
lid main body (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A locking structure is
positioned midway along the length of the lip. The locking
structure works in conjunction with a first mating locking
structure on the top edge of the front wall to selectively lock the
lid when the box is in the erected condition. As mentioned before,
the lock could be positioned elsewhere, and could also be made to
work when the box is in the collapsed position. This is
accomplished by providing a second mating lock structure, for
example near the bottom edge of the front wall as shown in FIG. 3.
The locking structure on the pivoting lip aligns with this second
mating lock structure when the box is in its collapsed or stored
position as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
[0029] In operation, the box is easily converted from the collapsed
condition to the assembled condition. In the collapsed position and
the assembled position the back wall remains in relatively the same
position. The other walls pivot and move with respect to the back
wall between the collapsed and assembled position.
[0030] In the collapsed position (see FIG. 1), the bottom wall is
folded upwardly along its pivot line with the front wall to lay
against the rear side of the front wall (see FIG. 4). The
combination of the front and bottom walls lay adjacent to but not
in contact with the front surface of the rear wall. The combination
of the front wall and bottom wall is able to be in such a position
because the end walls each bend inwardly along their respective
center pivot lines (see FIG. 3). As mentioned above, the flange on
either end of the front wall spaces the pivot line between the
front wall and each end wall rearwardly to allow for the folded
position of the bottom wall against the front wall without
interfering with the end walls. Because each end wall is folded,
the front portion and rear portion of each lay against each
other.
[0031] As referenced earlier, the bottom wall could also pivotably
attach to the bottom edge of the rear wall. However, pivotally
attaching the bottom wall to the bottom edge of the front wall adds
L-beam structure to the front wall, and also allows the user to
more easily use one hand to collapse the front panel while keeping
the bottom wall from undesirably falling down.
[0032] In the collapsed position, the front wall, bottom wall, and
folded end walls are all stacked against the front surface of the
rear wall. In this position these parts are under the rim formed
along the top edge of the rear wall. The rim is dimensioned to
receive these folded parts underneath it. The lid then folds
downwardly over the other parts to encase them between the rear
wall, rim and lid. The lid defines flanges extending downwardly
from the side edges to somewhat envelope the folded parts when in
the collapsed position. When folded down in the collapsed position,
the lip on the lid extends in a common plane with the lid and helps
cover the bottom edge of the front wall. The lip also adds L-beam
structure to stiffen the lid in the uncollapsed or horizontal
position. A second mating lock structure, like that used to engage
the lock or locks on the lid when the box is erected, could be
provided at or near the bottom edge of the front wall, so that the
lip on the lid could be secured to hold the box in the collapsed
position.
[0033] To convert the collapsed truck box to the assembled truck
box, the lid, after unlocking the lock from the second mating lock
structure, if provided, is pivoted upwardly out of the way, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The front wall and bottom wall, still in
their stacked configuration, are moved away from the rear wall, as
shown in FIG. 4. This causes the end walls each to unfold along
their pivot lines into substantially straight walls. See FIGS. 5
and 6. The bottom wall is then pivoted away from the front wall and
into its horizontal position. In its horizontal position, the
bottom wall mechanically interferes with and blocks the inward
bending of the end walls about their pivot lines, thus keeping the
box from accidentally collapsing. See FIG. 5. If the bottom wall is
pivotally attached to the rear wall then these steps would be
slightly altered accordingly.
[0034] The truck box is now in its assembled position and ready to
receive any articles that fit into the recess formed by the walls.
The lid closes over the top of the open box, and contacts the top
edges of the front wall and both end walls to help keep out dirt
and weather. The pivotal lip can now be turned down to embrace the
top, front surface of the front wall, and the lock can be actuated
to keep the lid closed and secure the articles placed in the
box.
[0035] As shown, the instant invention can be utilized as a carrier
inside of a pick-up bed. The truck box can be positioned against,
and preferably affixed to, the front wall of the pick-up bed, and
when in the collapsed position it takes up approximately 3-4 inches
of space. When in the open position, the box extends rearwardly to
about the front end of the wheel wells inside the truck bed
(depending on the size of the truck bed and the truck box). A
wheel, (not shown) could be provided near the juncture of the front
wall and each of the side walls to help support the front wall when
it is moved between its collapsed and expanded positions. Such
wheels could also help the box ride over the initial sloping
surfaces of the protruding wheel wells at the corners of the
erected truck box.
[0036] Each of the walls is approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch in
thickness if made of injection molded polymers or the like. The
overall depth and width of the truck box is generally dictated by
the height of the back wall of the truck box. The truck box is
generally as tall as the front wall of the truck bed. Depth is
defined as the distance from the closed lid to the bottom wall.
Width is defined as the distance from the front wall to the back
wall. Length is defined as the distance between the end walls.
Assuming that the lid needs to cover the width of the truck box in
the assembled condition, and the lid needs to extend generally
vertically when in the collapsed position, the width and height of
the truck box is dictated by the height of the back wall. If these
two assumptions are not required, then the truck box can be
virtually any size when in the assembled condition and still
collapse to a significantly smaller size when not in use.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a section view through the truck box when in the
assembled condition. FIG. 10 is a section view through the truck
box when in the collapsed condition.
[0038] The truck box can include other features and still function
in the intended manner. For instance, the bottom wall could be
attached along its rear edge to the bottom edge of the rear wall.
Further, the rear wall could be a little taller than the front
wall, with the top edges of the end walls tapered to allow the lid
to slant downwardly and drain any liquid toward the front wall. To
further enhance the weatherproof capabilities, the edges that mate
when in the assembled condition, as well as the hinges, can be
sealed by some manner such as by weather stripping or other such
suitable treatment.
[0039] Since the truck box can be attached to the front or side
walls of the truck bed, it can be elevated a couple of inches above
the truck bed to allow for storing things, such as long 2.times.4s,
under the truck box. Further, the instant invention is believed to
be the only such truck box with at least a floor, front wall and a
lid that does not require fastening to the floor of the truck
bed.
[0040] All pivot lines can be defined by piano hinges (continuous),
or can be discrete hinges, living hinges, or any type of connection
that allows the relative pivoting motion of two planar members with
respect to one another. The piano hinge structure is preferred
because it provides some structural rigidity to the storage box
when in the assembled condition.
[0041] The instant invention has many advantages. There are no
obtrusions on the floor of the truck box. The truck box folds to a
collapsed position when desired by the user, and is in a vertical
orientation when collapsed to avoid collecting water when not in
use.
[0042] Alternatively, the end walls of the instant invention could
be eliminated so the side walls of the truck box could be used to
keep objects in the truck box when in the erected position. In this
embodiment, at least one hinged link (brace) would need to be
positioned to connect the front and rear walls. Since it is hinged
it would allow the front and rear walls to collapse together.
Likewise, the floor panel could be removed to use the bottom of the
truck bed if desired.
[0043] FIGS. 11, etc. show an alternative embodiment of the
invention. Here, rather than using injection molded plastic or the
like to construct the various walls, panels and hinges, these are
made from metal, preferably from the common aluminum sheet used for
similar truck boxes having fixed and thus non-expandable shapes.
The structures and functions are essentially identical with that
shown in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a side wall of the
second embodiment in a partially expanded or collapsed position.
The front wall includes a flange that embraces the upper edge of
the bottom wall, which is contained within the flange and the side
flange in this partially collapsed position. These and other
flanges are formed using a conventional metal brake, although die
stamping could be used to form the flanges along the edges and
other structurally enhancing ribs and the like in the major faces
of the panels thus shaped. The side wall has a vertical flange
carried by one of the mutually hinged portions of the side wall.
This vertical flange helps stabilize the side wall in its fully
erect position. Thus, the user's goods stored within the box will
not tend to bow the side wall out thanks to this vertical flange
which back stops the piano hinge positioned on the outside thereof.
FIG. 14 shows the bottom wall now in its deployed position within
the fully erected box. Note that this bottom wall has flanges
around each side edge and along the edge furthest away from the
side edge opposite its edge hinged to the front wall. FIG. 15 shows
the lid of this embodiment with the pivotal lip in its opened
position. Ideally the hinge connecting the pivotal lip with the
rest of the lid is integrally formed with the sheet metal. In FIG.
16 the pivotal lip is in its closed position where the lock
structure can engage the first mating lock mechanism (not shown) in
a manner similar to that shown with regard to the first embodiment.
This pivotal lip is preferably executed in a distinctive color or
pattern so that the box can be customized or carry unique branding
logos or trademarks.
[0044] As mentioned before, attaching the collapsible box structure
to the side (in this case the front wall) of the truck box is an
important step. Here a U-shaped bracket engages the front and back
surface of that truck box wall and spans the lip connecting
therebetween. FIG. 18 shows these brackets positioned. Each bracket
preferably has a large setscrew, which can be tightened towards the
track box wall to engage below its lip, thus holding the bracket in
place on the bed wall and thus holding the box in the truck bed.
The bracket also has protruding bolts, which engage corresponding
holes in the back wall of the truck box. These brackets can be
first positioned at an appropriate location along the truck box
wall. Then the truck box itself can be partially expanded so that
nuts matching the protruding bolts can be fastened once the bolts
are passed through appropriately provided holes through the box's
back wall. Alternatively the brackets can be pre-positioned on the
back wall of the truck box as shown in FIG. 19. The resulting
collapsible truck box is fastened to the truck bed by the front
wall as shown in FIG. 20.
[0045] As mentioned previously, this bracket mounting system
permits a properly rugged box to be suspended above the bottom wall
of the truck box. In this way construction materials or lumber as
represented by the element shown can pass below the bottom wall of
even the fully expanded and erected truck box, giving extra
versatility so that the truck box can expand over and can remain
expanded or erected even though long elements being carried in the
truck bed extend into thus occupied space. As mentioned before
wheels may be provided near the juncture between the front wall and
the side walls to further support and aid in moving the truck box
from its collapsed to its fully erect position.
[0046] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various other
changes in the form and details may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *