Automobile trunk contained grocery bag holder

Claim 2

A collapsible grocery bag holder for installation in an automobile luggage compartment comprising, in combination: a rectangular, generally flat and flexible base member in the form of a floor mat, said floor mat having an elevated ridge, extending completely around and unbroken within the perimeter of said floor mat, for the containment of spillage ocuring therein, said containment ridge being at least equal in height and in width respectively, as the thickness of the said floor mat; a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending side wall members spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the combined width of said side wall members, and wherein the opposed said side wall members are pivotally attached to said floor mat by means of living hinges, said living hinges, being located between the top of the longitudinal extending sections of the said containment ridge and the bottom of said side wall members, said side wall members thereby being foldable over said floor mat into a generally flat unit, and wherein said side wall members are provided with a series of open ended correspondingly positioned slots, said slots extending upwardly from approximately midway of said side wall members and through the top edges thereof; a plurality of dividers of relatively rigid material and similarly shaped, for slidable fit by a downward movement into said correspondingly positioned slots provided on said side wall members, said dividers transversely bridging the respective side wall members, forming compartments for the reception therein of filled bags of groceries; and having the opposite ends of each such divider exhibiting in cross section an "H" shaped configuration, formed of two opposed pairs of winged-like sections spaced apart at least the thickness of said side wall members by a centrally located membrane, said membrane approximating dimensionally in length and in width, as the said slots, for slidable fit therein, for supporting said dividers in a suspended position extending no lower than approximately half the depth of said side wall members, leaving the lower portion of said collapsible grocery bag holder unobstructed for accommodating overly stuffed bags of groceries; and wherein the opposed said winged sections straddlingly engage, in the immediate area of said slots, their respective said side wall members, thereby preventing lateral movement thereof, and securing said side wall members in an upright, vertical operative position.

Claim 3

The collapsible grocery bag holder as defined in claim 1 wherein each said side wall member is provided on its outer wall, with a series of protrusions, each in the immediate area of the lower terminating end ofthe said slots, and wherein the outer winged section, at the longitudinal extremities of the said dividers extend lower than the inner winged section and related membrane, said extended portion being provided with an aperture, and wherein the inner lower wall of said extension is tapered downward and outwardly; thus as the divider is inserted and nears its downward limit, the tapered end of said extension pressure slips over the said protrusion, and allows the said aperture to automatically snap-fittingly engage the same, locking the said dividers in their operative positions and preventing accidental lift-off thereof, as the grocery bags are removed.

Claim 4

The collapsible grocery bag holder as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one or more of the said dividers are each provided with two living hinges, having axes extending parallel to one another and transversely to the longitudinal dimension of such dividers, said living hinges being spaced apart approximately one third the dimensional length of sid divider, and said at least one or more of said dividers are thereby foldable into a "U" shape, and wherein the ends thereof are insertable into said corresponding slots on either one of the two said side wall members, forming comparatively smaller compartments, for supporting such items as milk cartons, beverage bottles and the like.

Claim 5

The collapsible grocery bag holder as defined in claim 1 wherein the two sections of the said containment ridge which transverse and intersect the two longitudinally extending sections thereof, are each provided with a superimposed elevation, extending longitudinally thereon approximately centrally of the dimensional length of said transverse ridge section and approximating in height and width the thickness of the said side wall members and the width of the said slots respectively, and wherein said transverse ridge section and said elevation thereon are aligned with the related said slots on the two said side wall members, for frictionally engaging approximately half of the open-ended portion of said slots, thereby detachably securing the opposed said side wall members in a folded down non-operative position, thus preventing flapping or rattling thereof while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim 6

The collapsible grocery bag holder as defined in claim 2 wherein two similarly shaped one-piece devices are provided for releasably securing said collapsible grocery bag holder in a fixed position within the automobile luggage compartment, each said device having upper and lower flanges, offset intermediately by a vertical web, said web approximating in height the thickness of said floor mat for slidably fit under each said device, and wherein the opposite ends of said upper flange are shaped with small walls forming an enclosure approximating in length, the width of said floor mat, and wherein each said device is fastened, with the said upper flanges inwardly directed toward and opposed to one another, to the floor of the luggage compartment with bolts or metal screws, through two or more apertures provided on said lower flange, said devices being spaced apart a distance approximating the length of said floor mat, measured between said vertical webs, thus with said devices so secured, one end of the said floor mat is slid into its related said device, the opposite end is curled upon its self, clearing its related device and then released thereunder, thus employing the flexibility of said floor mat to facilitate installation and removal of said collapsible grocery bag holder from the automobile luggage compartment.

Claim 7

A collapsible grocery bag holder for installation in an automobile luggage compatment comprising, in combination: a rectangular, generally flat and flexible base member in the form of a floor mat, said floor mat having an elevated ridge, extending completely around and unbroken within the perimeter of said floor mat, for the containment of spillage occurring therein, said containment ridge being at least equal in height and in width, respectively, as the thickness of the said floor mat; a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending side wall members spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the combined width of said side wall members, and wherein the opposed side wall members are pivotally attached to said floor mat by hinge rods enclosed by an alternate series of hinge sections attached to the bottom of each said side wall member and hinge sections attached to said floor mat, said hinge sections which are attached to said floor mat are aligned and located within said containment ridge and close to the longitudinal sections of said containment ridge, said side wall members thereby being foldable over said floor mat into a generally flat unit, and wherein said side wall members are provided with a series of open ended correspondingly positioned slots, said slots extending upwardly from approximately midway of said side wall members and through the top edges thereof; a plurality of dividers of relatively rigid material and similarly shaped, for slidable fit by a downward movement into said correspondingly positioned slots provided on said side wall members, said dividers transversely bridging the respective side wall members, forming compartments for the reception therein of filled bags of groceries; and having the opposite ends of each such divider exhibiting in cross section an "H" shaped configuration, formed of two opposed pairs of winged-like sections spaced apart at least the thickness of said side wall members by a centrally located membrane, said membrane approximating dimensionally in length and in width, as the said slots, for slidable fit therein, for supporting said dividers in a suspended position extending no lower than approximately half the depth of said side wall members, leaving the lower portion of said collapsible grocery bag holder unobstructed for accommodating overly stuffed bags of groceries; and wherein the opposed said winged sections straddingly engage, in the immediate area of said slots, their respective said side wall members in an upright, vertical operative position; and wherein one of said side wall members is releasable from said floor mat by the withdrawal of its associated hinge rod thereby allowing both of said side wall members with said dividers in place, as an assembled unit, to be pivoted upwardly on the other hinge rod associated with the other of said side wall members to an upright position and exposing said floor mat and readily leaving a major portion of the luggage compartment unobstructed.

Claim 8

A collapsible grocery bag holder for installation in an automobile luggage compatment comprising, in combination: a rectangular, generally flat and flexible base member in the form of a floor mat, said floor mat having an elevated ridge, extending completely around and unbroken within the perimeter of said floor mat, for the containment of spillage occurring therein, said containment ridge being at least equal in height and in width, respectively, as the thickness of the said floor mat; a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending side wall members spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the combined width of said side wall members, and wherein the opposed side wall members are pivotally attached to said floor mat by hinge rods enclosed by an alternate series of hinge sections attached to the bottom of each said side wall member and hinge sections attached to said floor mat, said hinge sections which are attached to said floor mat are aligned and located within said containment ridge and close to the longitudinal sections of said containment ridge, said side wall members thereby being foldable over said floor mat into a generally flat unit, and wherein said side wall members are provided with a series of open ended correspondingly positioned slots, said slots extending upwardly from approximately midway of said side wall members and through the top edges thereof; a plurality of dividers of relatively rigid material and similarly shaped, for slidable fit by a downward movement into said correspondingly positioned slots provided on said side wall members, said dividers transversely bridging the respective side wall members, forming compartments for the reception therein of filled bags of groceries; and having the opposite ends of each such divider exhibiting in cross section an "H" shaped configuration, formed of two opposed pairs of winged-like sections spaced apart at least the thickness of said side wall members by a centrally located membrane, said membrane approximating dimensionally in length and in width, as the said slots, for slidable fit therein, for supporting said dividers in a suspended position extending no lower than approximately half the depth of said side wall members, leaving the lower portion of said collapsible grocery bag holder unobstructed for accommodating overly stuffed bags of groceries; and wherein the opposed said winged sections straddingly engage, in the immediate area of said slots, their respective said side wall members in an upright, vertical operative position; and wherein one of said side wall members is releasable from said floor mat by the withdrawal of its associated hinge rod thereby allowing both of said side wall members with said dividers in place, as an assembled unit, to be pivoted upwardly on the other hinge rod associated with the other of said side wall members to an upright position and exposing said floor mat and readily leaving a major portion of the luggage compartment unobstructed.

Claim 9

A collapsible grocery bag holder for installation in an automobile luggage compartment comprising, in combination: a rectangular, generally flat and flexible base member in the form of a floor mat, said floor mat having an elevated ridge, extending completely around and unbroken within the perimeter of said floor mat, for the containment of spillage occurring therein, said containment ridge being at least equal in height and in width, respectively, as the thickness of the said floor mat; a pair of parallel and longitudinal extending side wall members spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the combined width of said side wall members, and wherein the bottom of each said side wall members is substantially cylindrically shaped for snap-fitting engagement into one or more slotted hinge elements integrally molded to each of the longitudinally extending sections of said containment ridge thereby allowing pivotal movement of said side wall members from a vertical position to a horizontal folded down position over said floor mat, and said side wall members are provided with a series of open ended correspondingly positioned slots, said slots extending upwardly from approximately midway of said side wall members and through the top edges thereof; a plurality of dividers of relatively rigid material and similarly shaped, for slidable fit by a downward movement into said correspondingly positioned slots provided on said side wall members, said dividers transversely bridging the respective side wall members, forming compartments for the reception therein of filled bags of groceries; and having the opposite ends of each such divider exhibiting in cross section an "H" shaped configuration, formed of two opposed pairs of wing-like sections spaced apart at least the thickness of said side wall members by a centrally located membrane, said membrane approximating dimensionally in length and in width, as the said slots, for slidable fit therein, for supporting said dividers in a suspended position extending no lower than approximately half the depth of said side wall members, leaving the lower portion of said collapsible grocery bag holder unobstructed for accommodating overly stuffed bags of groceries; and wherein the opposed said winged sections straddingly engage, in the immediate area of said slots, their respective said side wall members, thereby preventing lateral movement thereof, and securing said side wall members in an upright, vertical operative position; and wherein said side wall members with said dividers in place, as an assembled unit, being readily detachable from said floor mat for placement in a less obstructive location within the luggage compartment to accommodate, when necessary, extra bulky cargo.

Claim 10

A collapsible grocery bag holder for installation in an automobile luggage compartment comprising, in combination: a rectangular, generally flat and flexible base member in the form of a floor mat, said floor mat having an elevated ridge, extending completely around and unbroken within the perimeter of said floor mat, for the containment of spillage occurring therein, said containment ridge being at least equal in height and in width, respectively, as the thickness of the said floor mat; a pair of parallel and longitudinal extending side wall members spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the combined width of said side wall members, and wherein the bottom of each said side wall members is substantially cylindrically shaped for snap-fitting engagement into one or more slotted hinge elements integrally molded to each of the longitudinally extending sections of said containment ridge thereby allowing pivotal movement of said side wall members from a vertical position to a horizontal folded down position over said floor mat, and said side wall members are provided with a series of open ended correspondingly positioned slots, said slots extending upwardly from approximately midway of said side wall members and through the top edges thereof; a plurality of dividers of relatively rigid material and similarly shaped, for slidable fit by a downward movement into said correspondingly positioned slots provided on said side wall members, said dividers transversely bridging the respective side wall members, forming compartments for the reception therein of filled bags of groceries; and having the opposite ends of each such divider exhibiting in cross section an "H" shaped configuration, formed of two opposed pairs of wing-like sections spaced apart at least the thickness of said side wall members by a centrally located membrane, said membrane approximating dimensionally in length and in width, as the said slots, for slidable fit therein, for supporting said dividers in a suspended position extending no lower than approximately half the depth of said side wall members, leaving the lower portion of said collapsible grocery bag holder unobstructed for accommodating overly stuffed bags of groceries; and wherein the opposed said winged sections straddingly engage, in the immediate area of said slots, their respective said side wall members, thereby preventing lateral movement thereof, and securing said side wall members in an upright, vertical operative position; and wherein said side wall members with said dividers in place, as an assembled unit, being readily detachable from said floor mat for placement in a less obstructive location within the luggage compartment to accommodate, when necessary, extra bulky cargo.