Collapsible storage box

Abstract

Pick-up trucks are very popular vehicles. The versatility provided by the truck bed in the pick-up truck is aided by providing a truck box usually a monolithic elongated container fastened to the truck bed that usually spans the width of the truck bed. Each end of this type of truck box is support by laterally flanking walls of the truck bed. However, once installed, these boxes occupy a considerable space and usually must be removed so that large items can be carried in the truck bed. The disclosed collapsible truck box provides the functionality of a fixed sized truck box but can be easily collapsed by the user to occupy a very small portion of the truck bed space. Hinged connections between the lid wall, back wall, front wall and bottom wall provide this collapsing and erecting function. Preferably side walls at each end of the truck box, with each wall including its own vertically oriented hinge, further enhance the functionality of the disclosed box.

1 . A collapsible box comprising: 
 a. a front wall;    b. a rear wall;    c. opposing end walls;    d. a bottom wall;    e. wherein said walls are operably engaged to selectively convert from an assembled condition defining a recess to a collapsed condition for storage.    
     
     
         2 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom wall is pivotally attached to said front wall.  
     
     
         3 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom wall is pivotally attached to said rear wall.  
     
     
         4 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein there are two opposing end walls, each defining a pivot line delineating front and rear portions.  
     
     
         5 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of said walls is oriented in a vertical orientation when in the stored position.  
     
     
         6 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a lid.  
     
     
         7 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 a. said lid defines a front edge; and    b. a lip is pivotally attached along said front edge.    
     
     
         8 . A collapsible box for use in the bed of a pick-up truck, said box comprising: 
 a. a front wall;    b. a rear wall;    C. opposing end walls;    d. a bottom wall;    e. wherein said walls are operably engaged to selectively convert from an assembled condition defining a recess to a collapsed condition for storage.    
     
     
         9 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom wall is pivotally attached to said front wall.  
     
     
         10 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom wall is pivotally attached to said rear wall.  
     
     
         11 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein there are two opposing end walls, each defining a pivot line delineating front and rear portions.  
     
     
         12 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of said walls is oriented in a vertical orientation when in the stored position.  
     
     
         13 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a lid.  
     
     
         14 . A collapsible box as defined in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 a. said lid defines a front edge; and    b. a lip is pivotally attached along said front edge.