Nestable cargo box for a vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle rack system with a nestable cargo box, including a kit for constructing the cargo box, and methods of making, packaging, shipping, supplying, and assembling the cargo box. The cargo box may include a base portion and a lid portion that can be arranged in (1) a shipping configuration where the base and lid portions are not operatively connected to each other and one of the portions is inverted and nested in the other portion and (2) an operative configuration in which the base and the lid portions are operatively connected to each other to form a box that can be pivoted open and fastened shut.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 390,103, filed Oct. 5, 2010; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 454,403, filed Mar. 18, 2011. Each of these provisional patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER MATERIALS[0002]This application incorporates herein by reference each of the following patent documents in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,098; U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,470; U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,436; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007 / 0194185; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010 / 0084447 A1; and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2011 / 094724 A1.INTRODUCTION[0003]Cargo boxes are vehicle top carriers that provide an enclosed storage space above the vehicle. As fuel becomes more expensive, vehicles have become smaller and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a vehicle rack system with a nestable cargo box. The cargo box can be constructed using a kit and has a base and lid that can be arranged in a shipping configuration where the parts are not connected and a more operative configuration where they are connected. The base and lid are connected by snap-fit connections that mount a hinge assembly, latch assembly, strut assembly, or combination thereof. The technical effect of this invention is a versatile and easy-to-use vehicle rack system with a cargo box that can be conveniently and quickly assembled and disassembled.

Problems solved by technology

However, cargo boxes are expensive to ship.

The costs can mount when a cargo box needs to be shipped from a factory to a distribution center, from the distribution center to a retailer, and then on to a consumer.

Constructing a cargo box with less or lighter material can reduce manufacturing and shipping costs, but may produce an inferior product that is less robust.

Also, the more difficult aspects of assembly, such as mounting the struts inside the enclosure to both the lid and the base, are of no concern to the consumer.

However, complete assembly of the cargo box in the factory produces a bulky product that is expensive to ship.

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