Patent Application
20120187013
1. Field
The embodiments relate to vehicle storage boxes, and in particular to an apparatus, method and system for vehicle storage box lid organizers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vehicle storage boxes are used by many tradesmen, business owners and homeowners for various tasks. Many times a person using a vehicle box, such as a pickup truck box, stores tools and accessories in the box. Since the box is attached to the bed of the vehicle, even though the box may be enclosed, the tools and accessories, et al., may move around inside the box. This leads to disorganization of the items in the box, possible damage, possible spillage of items, such as paint, etc. With the movement of the articles inside a vehicle box due to the motion of the vehicle, time is often wasted by a user trying to locate specific items, especially small items (e.g., nails, screws, small hand tools, etc.
One embodiment of the invention includes a vehicle box lid organizer. The vehicle box lid organizer including an organizer comprising a fold out portion and a stationary portion. The stationary portion including a plurality of pockets. An organizer exterior portion is configured for coupling to an inner portion of the vehicle box lid. A plurality of fastening elements are coupled to the organizer exterior portion and the inner portion of the vehicle box lid. The fastening elements secure the organizer to the inner portion of the vehicle box lid.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a system including a truck box lid organizer assembly removably connected to a truck box lid. The truck box lid organizer includes at least one storage pocket. The truck box lid organizer is connected to an inner portion of the truck box lid via a means for fastening.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of organizing a vehicle box. The method includes providing a vehicle box organizer including: a fold out portion and a stationary portion, the stationary portion including a plurality of pockets; an organizer exterior portion configured for coupling to an inner portion of a vehicle box lid; and a plurality of organizer fastening elements coupled to the organizer exterior portion. The method further includes attaching a plurality of vehicle box lid fastening elements to an interior of a vehicle box lid. The method also includes connecting the plurality of organizer fastening elements to the plurality of vehicle box lid fastening elements to attach the organizer to the vehicle box lid, and placing an assortment of objects into the plurality of pockets.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of vehicle storage box organizers, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of vehicle storage box organizers and devices for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
One embodiment of the invention provides a vehicle box lid organizer including an organizer comprising a fold out portion and a stationary portion. The stationary portion including a plurality of pockets. An organizer exterior portion is configured for coupling to an inner portion of the vehicle box lid. A plurality of fastening elements are each coupled to the organizer exterior portion and the inner portion of the vehicle box lid. The fastening elements secure the organizer to the inner portion of the vehicle box lid
In one embodiment of the invention the extension portion 420 includes holders 425. In one example, the holders 425 are one or more pockets configured for holding accessories, such as pencils, small tools, etc. On another example, the extension portions 420 with holders 425 are collapsible and fold inward between the flap portion 120 and the fold out portion 110 when the lid organizer is placed in a closed state.
In one embodiment of the invention the stationary portion 405 includes one or more pockets 410. In one example, if more than one pocket, the pockets 410 are the same size. In one example, if more than one pocket, the pockets 410 may be sized in a variety of shapes and sizes in order to accommodate various tools, papers, workmen accessories, hardware, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the pockets 410 are formed from additional material with stitching separating each adjacent pocket from one another.
In one embodiment of the invention the fold out portion 110 of the lid organizer 105 includes a tray portion 430 that may be substantially parallel to the truck box storage portion 140 when the fold out portion 110 is folded out away from the stationary portion 405 when the vehicle lid 155 is in the open state. In one embodiment of the invention, the tray portion 430 is reinforced with a material, such as hardened plastic, a metal or metal alloy, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the fold out portion 110 includes a hidden inner compartment 440. In one example, the inner compartment 440 is enclosed using a fastening means, such as a zipper, hook and loop connecting fasteners, etc.
In one example, the vehicle box lid organizer 100 elements are made of a nylon material and/or a canvas material. In another example, the lid organizer 105 may include elements made of hardened plastic, polymer materials, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle box lid 150 may vary in size. In one example, the left and right sides of the vehicle box lid 150 may range from 16 inches-24 inches, preferably between 16 inches-18 inches; and the front and rear sides of the vehicle box lid 150 may range from 40 inches-60 inches, preferably between 40 inches-48 inches across. It should be noted that the lid organizer 105 may he customized and fit according to necessity and desire of the user.
In one embodiment of the invention, the lid organizer 105 includes reinforcement coupling portions around the perimeter and corner or joining portions of the stationary portion 405 and the fold out portion 110. In one example, the reinforcement coupling portions are made of a material, such as canvas, synthetic leather, leather, nylon, metal or metal alloy, etc. In one example, the reinforcement coupling portions are connected to the lid organizer 105 walls by stitching. In other examples, the reinforcement coupling portions are attached through other fastening means, such as rivets, screws, nuts/bolts, heat welding, adhesives, etc.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
