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

The patent is about a vehicle that can change its interior volume to increase or decrease its carrying capacity based on the consumer's needs. It has a part that can be extended to create a larger cargo area, and it also has a movable cover for the cargo area that can be raised or lowered to change the vertical dimension and can also be extended to provide covered cargo area. The vehicle also has movable side walls to increase or decrease the lateral dimension of the cargo area or make it easier to load and unload items. This allows the vehicle to be more flexible and efficient in carrying different types of goods.

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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