Vehicle cargo organizer assembly

Claim 1

In a motor vehicle having at least one seat, door means closing a generally rectangular rear access opening having top, bottom and side edges, a rear cargo compartment having a cargo floor extending from a location behind the rearmost seat to said access opening, at least a portion of said cargo floor spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance from said rear access opening having three or more longitudinally extending, equally spaced, substantially parallel forward cargo skid slat members fixedly secured thereto; each said forward cargo skid member having a generally flat rectangularly shaped cross-section, an equal number of identical, substantially parallel, equally spaced aft cargo skid slat members, each said aft cargo skid slat member having front and rear ends and normally extending longitudinally on said cargo floor said predetermined distance, each said aft cargo skid slat member aligned with an associated forward cargo skid slat member with its rear end adjacent said rear access opening bottom edge and its front edge juxtaposed an associated aligned forward cargo skid member rear edge, such that each said rear cargo skid slat member normally functions in association with its aligned forward cargo skid slat member to facilitate the movement of cargo into and out of said compartment rear access opening, hinge means pivotally supporting the rear end of each said aft cargo slat member at respective points on said floor such that said aft cargo skid slat members pivot about a common transverse axis, a transverse cross-rail interconnecting the front ends of each said aft cargo skid slat member, said cross-rail having a single flexible tie member connected at each end thereof, each said tie member having a loop formed at its free end, said aft cargo skid slat members and said cross rail defining a rack operable for pivotal movement about said transverse axis in an upward direction from said cargo floor, wherein each said tie member loop is adapted to be removably secured to its associated bracket member, said tie members holding said rack in a raised position with each said aft cargo skid slat member defining a predetermined acute angle with said cargo floor, whereby a cargo receiving space is provided between adjacent raised aft cargo skid slat members and said cross rail, said aft cargo skid slat members and said cross-rail together with said door means in its closed position operative to maintain cargo placed in said cargo receiving spaces in an upright position on said cargo floor during operation of the vehicle.