Apparatus for configuring the interior space of a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus for configuring the cargo area of a vehicle includes an expansion portion or movable cover for increasing and decreasing the cargo area upon movement between a retracted position and an extended position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10 / 815,588, filed Apr. 1, 2004, titled Apparatus for Configuring the Interior Space of a Vehicle, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 476,155, filed Jun. 5, 2003, titled Apparatus for configuring the Interior Space of a Vehicle, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD [0002]The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for configuring the cargo area of a vehicle, and more particularly to an expansion portion or adjustable cover that moves between a retracted position and an extended position to decrease and increase the cargo area, respectively.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]For a variety of reasons, many consumers desire passenger vehicles that are larger, in terms of carrying capacity and / or seating capacity, than conventional sedans. The popularity of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention provides a passenger vehicle that may be configured to provide a first interior volume when an extension portion connected to the vehicle is in a retracted position, and a second, larger interior volume when the extension portion is in an extended position. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention, when incorporated into a suitable passenger vehicle, permits the consumer to increase and decrease the carrying capacity (and size) of the vehicle depending upon the consumer's current carrying and / or parking needs.

[0010]The present invention provides an expansion portion for connection to the cargo area of a vehicle which permits the user to move the expansion portion between a retracted position, wherein a relatively small cargo area is provided, and an extended position, wherein a relatively large cargo area is provided. Additionally, the present invention provides several embodiments of an adjustable cover for the cargo area of a vehicle. Depending upon the embodiment, the cover may raised and lowered to increase and decrease the vertical dimension of the cargo area, or collapsed to provide an uncovered cargo area and extended to provide covered cargo area. In other embodiments, the present invention provides movable side walls of a cargo area to either increase and decrease the lateral dimension of the cargo area, or facilitate side loading and unloading into and out of the cargo area.

Problems solved by technology

This approach is deficient because it requires consumers to select a vehicle having a capacity that satisfies the consumer's primary capacity need.

Some consumers may desire a vehicle having a very large carrying capacity, but not purchase such a vehicle because it will be difficult to park in public lots or garages, and / or difficult or impossible to park in the consumer's garage.

Thus, consumers must choose a vehicle with a cargo area that will accommodate most cargo carrying situations, but which will be unsuited for other situations.

In some circumstances, however, the cap is unnecessary and / or an impediment to loading and unloading cargo into and out of the cargo area.

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