US4288011A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable container
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-01-22
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Granted: 1981-09-08
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Expires: 1999-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable container primarily for use as a tool or utility box for pickup trucks. The adjustable container is formed of two telescopically engaging sections, each of which includes a pivoted top closure member, integrally molded side and bottom supports and an inner shelf support. With the exception of the interfitting parts of each section, the two sections are preferably identical. The bottom supports are hollow and serve as a reservoir to hold liquids that may spill within the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Grossman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D21/00; B65D21/08; B65D21/086; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/06; B60R9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
An adjustable container adapted to fit between the side panels of pickup trucks, said container comprising first and second sections, said first section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, an open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon one of said side panels, and a first telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said second section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, an open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon the other one of said side panels, and a second telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said first telescoping means adapted to be slidable within said second telescoping means whereby said longitudinal dimension of said container is adjustable by the relative movement of said first and second telescoping means, each of said sections including a closure means to cover said open top wall, each closure means on each section being operable from a closed to an open position regardless of the relative positions of said first and second telescoping means wherein said bottom support means is adapted to space said bottom walls from said pickup truck bed and to slide upon said bed as said container is adjusted whereby bottom support is provided for said container regardless of the relative positions of said first and second telescoping means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
An adjustable container adapted to fit between the side panels of pickup trucks, said container comprising first and second sections, said first section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, an open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon one of said side panels, and a first telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said second section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, an open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon the other one of said side panels, and a second telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said first telescoping means adapted to be slidable within said second telescoping means whereby said longitudinal dimension of said container is adjustable by the relative movement of said first and second telescoping means, each of said sections including a closure means to cover said open top wall, each closure means on each section being operable from a closed to an open position regardless of the relative positions of said first and second telescoping means wherein said bottom support means is adapted to space said bottom walls from said pickup truck bed and to slide upon said bed as said container is adjusted whereby bottom support is provided for said container regardless of the relative positions of said first and second telescoping means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The adjustable container of claim 1 wherein each of said bottom support means includes a leg integrally formed with said bottom wall, said leg being hollow and said bottom wall having an opening communicating with said hollow portion of said leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The adjustable container of claim 2 wherein said bottom wall has a recessed portion surrounding the periphery of said bortom wall opening and an apertured plate adapted to fit in said recessed portion and in said bottom wall opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adjustable container of claim 3 wherein said bottom wall is downwardly inclined between said closed end wall and said bottom wall opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The adjustable container of claim 1 wherein each of the side walls of at least one section have longitudinal recesses therein to form an interior shelf support, said shelf support including an upper surface normal to the side walls, and a tray including a flange means thereon adapted to slidably move along said shelf support upper surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The adjustable container of claim 5 wherein said shelf support upper surface includes an upwardly stepped portion which acts as a stop for the slidable tray.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The adjustable container of claim 5 wherein each of said bottom support means is a leg integrally formed with said bottom wall, said leg being hollow and said bottom wall having an opening communicating with said hollow portion of said leg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adjustable container of claim 7 wherein said bottom wall is downwardly inclined between said closed end wall and said bottom wall opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The adjustable container of claim 1 wherein said first telescoping means is a first flange means extending from said open end wall of said first section along the longitudinal axis of said container and said second telescoping means is a second flange means extending from said open end wall of said second section along the longitudinal axis of said container, said second flange means being of greater longitudinal dimension than said first flange means and being spaced inwardly from said container walls to fit within said flange means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The adjustable container of claim 9 including a sealing means on said first flange means, said sealing means including a resilient element extending therefrom and in contact with said second flange means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The adjustable container of claim 9 wherein each of the side walls of at least one section have longitudinal recesses therein to form an interior shelf support, said shelf support including an upper surface normal to the side walls, and a tray including a flange means thereon adapted to slide upon said shelf support upper surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The adjustable container of claim 11 wherein said shelf support upper surface includes an upwardly stepped portion which acts as a stop for the slidable tray.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The adjustable container of claim 11 wherein said open top wall includes an upwardly extending flange surrounding the top wall opening and a closure member is pivotally connected thereto to close said opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The adjustable container of claim 13 wherein a resilient means is attached to said upwardly extending flange to bias said closure member to its open position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The adjustable container of claim 2 including leg extension means adapted to be placed on said integrally formed legs to increase the height dimension of said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
263 words
An adjustable container adapted to fit between the side panels of pickup trucks, said container comprising first and second sections, said first section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, an open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon one of said side panels, and a first telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said second section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, and open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon the other one of said side panels, and a second telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said first telescoping means adapted to be slidable within said second telescoping means whereby the longitudinal dimension of said container is adjustable by the relative movement of said first and second telescoping means, each of said bottom support means is a hollow leg connected to said bottom wall, said bottom wall of each section having an opening communicating with said hollow portion of said leg and said bottom wall of each section being downwardly inclined between said closed end wall and said bottom wall opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
263 words
An adjustable container adapted to fit between the side panels of pickup trucks, said container comprising first and second sections, said first section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, an open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon one of said side panels, and a first telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said second section having a bottom wall, an open top wall, a closed end wall, and open end wall, first and second longitudinal side walls, a bottom support means connected to said bottom wall and adapted to rest upon the pickup truck bed, an upper support means formed by said side walls and said closed end wall and adapted to rest upon the other one of said side panels, and a second telescoping means connected to said open end wall, said first telescoping means adapted to be slidable within said second telescoping means whereby the longitudinal dimension of said container is adjustable by the relative movement of said first and second telescoping means, each of said bottom support means is a hollow leg connected to said bottom wall, said bottom wall of each section having an opening communicating with said hollow portion of said leg and said bottom wall of each section being downwardly inclined between said closed end wall and said bottom wall opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |