Collapsible box for attachment to vehicles

Abstract

Briefly stated, a container of the present invention comprises a body, a top and a hinge assembly, the body comprising a front, a back, a bottom, a first side and a second side. The front, back, first side and second side are all pivotally connected together to define an open box, the box being selectively movable between a first position in which the box is formed and a second position in which said box is collapsed. The hinge assembly has a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly. The first pivot assembly is connected to the top and the second pivot assembly is connected to the body, such that the hinge assembly enables the top to be positioned substantially flat against the body when the box is in the collapsed position. The said front, back, bottom and sides of the container are foldable relative to the top to lie substantially flat against said top when the body is in its collapsed position.

1 . A container comprising a body, a top and a hinge assembly, the body comprising a front, a back, a bottom, a first side and a second side, wherein each of said front, back, first side and second side are pivotally connected together to define an open box, the box being selectively movable between a first position in which the box is formed and a second position in which said box is collapsed, the hinge assembly having a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly, the first pivot assembly being connected to the top and the second pivot assembly being connected to the body, the hinge assembly enabling the top to be positioned substantially flat against the body when the box is in the collapsed position.  
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said front, back, bottom and sides are foldable relative to said top to lie substantially flat against said top when the body is in its collapsed position.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket to which the body is pivotally connected by said second pivot assembly, the bracket being capable of attachment to a mounting surface.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the bracket comprises an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being angled relative to the lower end to define a bend in the bracket, the upper end being capable of attachment to the mounting surface.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  further comprising a brace, the brace being capable of attachment to the bracket and further being capable of placement behind the mounting surface such that the brace will hold the bracket to the mounting surface.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the mounting surface is a vehicle rack, and the bracket is configured for attachment to the rack.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  further comprising a universal mount, said universal mount capable of attachment to a variety of vehicle racks, said bracket being capable of attachment to the universal mount.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a lug connected to said bracket, the lug extending upwardly from the bracket, the first and second pivot assemblies being connected to the lug at spaced apart positions on said lug; the connections of said first and second pivot assemblies defining first and second pivot points.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a third pivot assembly and a fourth pivot assembly, such that the third pivot assembly is attached to the lug and the fourth pivot assembly is attached to the container top.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the third pivot assembly is attached to the lug between the second pivot assembly and the bracket.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the length between the third and fourth pivot assemblies is such that the fourth pivot assembly must contact the lug when placing the top over the body of the container.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the first hinge assembly end is attached to the bracket in proximity to the bend.  
   
   
       13 . A container comprising a body, a top and a bracket, the bracket comprising an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being angled relative to the lower end to define a bend in the bracket, the upper end being capable of attachment to a mounting surface, wherein the bracket is pivotally connected to the container.  
   
   
       14 . A container comprising a front, a back, a bottom, a first side and a second side, wherein each of said top, front, back, first side and second side are pivotally connected together to define an open box, the box being selectively movable between a first position in which the box is formed and a second position in which said box is collapsed, the body further comprising a lip, the lip being formed along an edge of and extending angularly away from one of said front, back or bottom, the lip thereby elevating the pivot point of the one of said front, back or bottom, such that the container is substantially flat when the box is in the collapsed position.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 14  further comprising a top, the top being pivotally connected to the body and capable of laying substantially flat against the box.