Storage apparatus for a truck having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration

摘要

A storage apparatus is installed in a vehicle with a flat bed and a tailgate and transforms back and forth between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The storage apparatus includes a container having a bottom panel, side walls, a lateral panel, and a top panel, a frame having a base board, side boards, support posts, slide rails, and bridge planks, and a slide member. The slide member connects the bottom panel of the container to the frame. The frame is fixed to the tailgate of the vehicle. In the collapsed configuration, the container sets on the tailgate or on the flat bed with the tailgate opened or closed. In the expanded configuration, the container cannot set on the tailgate with the tailgate closed, but the container can set on the tailgate with the tailgate opened. Opening the tailgate allows access to the storage space.

主权项

1. A storage apparatus installed in a vehicle with a flat bed and a tailgate, said storage apparatus having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, said storage apparatus comprising:
a container comprised of a bottom panel, a plurality of side walls, a lateral panel, and a top panel, said side walls being hinged to said bottom panel, said lateral panel being hinged to said bottom panel, said top panel being removeably attached to said lateral panel; a frame comprised of a base board fixedly attached to the tailgate, a plurality of side boards connected orthogonally to said base board, a pair of support posts extending orthogonally from said base board, a plurality of slide rails extending orthogonally from said base board between the support posts, and a plurality of bridge planks extending from said base board, wherein said support posts, said slide rails, and said bridge planks are planar and generally parallel with each other, and wherein each bridge plank has a folded end opposite said base board, wherein said frame further comprises:
a cross bar, holding the support posts parallel to each other, said cross bar attached to ends of the support posts opposite said base board; anda slide bar, holding said slide rails parallel to each other, said slide bar being moveable along said slide rails, wherein ends of said slide rails mount in said cross bar, opposite said base board; and a slide member having a base end and hinge end, said base end being in sliding engagement with said bottom panel of said container, said hinge end being pivotally attached to said slide bar of said frame.