Apparatus for carrying cargo

Abstract

The present disclosure reveals and claims an apparatus for attaching to a vehicle for carrying cargo. The apparatus includes a base and at least one wing having retracted and extended positions. The apparatus occupies a smaller volume when the wing is retracted than when the wing is extended.

1  A cargo carrying apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a. a base defining a planar carrying surface;    b. a wing moveably connected to said base;    c. wherein said wing has an extended and a retracted position;    d. wherein said apparatus is configured to carry cargo when in said extended position;    e. wherein said apparatus occupies a smaller volume when said wing is in said retracted position than when said wing is in said extended position.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a second wing moveably connected to said base and opposite said first wing, wherein said first and second wings are on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis of said apparatus.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second wings each comprise 
 a. an inner section proximate to said base and    b. an outer section moveably attached to said inner section and separated from said base by said inner section in said extended position.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein for at least one of said first and second wings, said outer section resides within said inner section in said retracted position.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein for at least one of said first and second wings, said inner section resides within said outer section in said retracted position.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said first and second wings further includes a hinge for moveably attaching said inner section to said outer section.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a locking mechanism for locking at least one of said first and second wings in said retracted position.  
   
   
       8 . A cargo carrying apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a. a base;    b. a first wing moveably connected to said base;    c. a second wing moveably connected to said base and opposite said first wing;    d. wherein each of said first and second wings has an extended and a retracted position; and    e. wherein said apparatus is configured to be extendable substantially perpendicular to the length of the vehicle.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second wings are substantially coplanar with said base in said extended position.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second wings are transverse to said base in said retracted position.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second wings are coplanar to said base in a partially retracted position.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus occupies a smaller volume when at least one of said first and second wings is in said retracted position than when both of said first and second wings are in said extended position.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second wings each comprise 
 a. an inner section proximate to said base and    b. an outer section moveably attached to said inner section and separated from said base by said inner section in said extended position.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein for at least one of said first and second wings, said outer section resides within said inner section in said retracted position.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein for at least one of said first and second wings, said inner section resides within said outer section in said retracted position.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said first and second wings further includes a hinge for moveably attaching said inner section to said outer section.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said base includes a locking mechanism for locking at least one of said first and second wings in said retracted position.  
   
   
       18 . A cargo carrying apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a. a base;    b. a first wing moveably connected to said base and having an extended position, a partially retracted position and a retracted position;    c. wherein said base is fully accessible in said partially retracted position; and    d. wherein said apparatus occupies a smaller volume when said first wing is in said retracted position than when said first wing is in said extended position.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said first wing is transverse to said base in said retracted position.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said first wing is coplanar to said base in a partially retracted position.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said first wing is transverse to said base in said retracted position.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further including a second wing moveably connected to said base and opposite said first wing.