Soft Side Collapsible Storage Bin

Abstract

Disclosed is a collapsible storage bin for use in a motor vehicle. In particular instances, the collapsible storage bin can have a generally planar lower rigid member and a generally planar upper rigid member oppositely disposed from said lower rigid member. The upper rigid member can have a recess for placement of an item and an opening providing access to a collapsible storage bin underneath the upper rigid member. A collapsible support brace pivotally attached to and adjoining the upper rigid member to the lower rigid member is included. The support brace is operable to move between an extended upright position and a collapsed down position, the extended upright position defining a spaced apart relationship between the lower rigid member and the upper rigid member. A flexible sidewall is included and is attached to the upper rigid member and defines a side surface of the collapsible storage bin underneath the upper rigid member when the collapsible support brace is in the extended upright position. The flexible sidewall extends completely around the storage bin volume.

1 . A collapsible storage bin for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
 a generally planar lower rigid member and a generally planar upper rigid member oppositely disposed from said lower rigid member;   said upper rigid member having a recess for placement of an item and an opening providing access to a collapsible storage bin volume underneath said upper rigid member;   a collapsible support brace pivotally attached to and adjoining said upper rigid member and said lower rigid member;   said support structure operable to move between an extended upright position and a collapsed down position, said extended upright position defining a spaced apart relationship between said lower rigid member and said upper rigid member; and   a flexible sidewall attached to said upper rigid member and defining a side surface of said collapsible storage bin volume underneath said upper rigid member when said support structure is in said extended upright position, said flexible sidewall extending completely around said storage bin volume.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid movably attached to said upper rigid member proximate said opening, said lid movable between a closed position where said lid covers said opening and an open position where said lid uncovers said opening. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible support brace is moved between said extended upright position and said collapsed down position manually by an occupant of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible support brace is moved between said extended upright position and said collapsed down position by power provided by said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible support brace is a collapsible X-frame support brace. 
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 5 , wherein said lower rigid member and said upper rigid member have a slot where said X-frame support brace attaches to said members, said slot operable to allow said X-frame with said attached upper rigid member to move between said extended upright position and said collapsed down position. 
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 5 , wherein said collapsible X-frame support structure has a lock operable to maintain said support structure in said extended upright position. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible support structure is a collapsible corner support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sidewalls are made from cargo net. 
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sidewalls are made from plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said upper rigid member is in the form of a tray. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said recess is dimensioned to hold a bottom portion of a beverage container. 
     
     
         13 . A collapsible storage bin for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
 a lower rigid member attached to an interior floor of said motor vehicle;   an upper rigid member oppositely disposed from said lower rigid member and having a recess for placement of an item and an opening providing access to a collapsible storage bin underneath said upper rigid member;   a lid movably attached to said upper rigid member proximate said opening, said lid movable from a closed position where said lid covers said opening and an open position where said lid uncovers said opening;   a collapsible support brace in the form of a collapsible X-frame pivotally attached to and adjoining said upper rigid member and said lower rigid member, said X-frame operable to move between an extended open position and a collapsed closed position;   a flexible sidewall attached to said upper rigid member defining side surfaces of said collapsible storage bin underneath said upper rigid member when said collapsible X-frame is in said extend upright position, said flexible sidewall extending completely around said storage bin volume.   
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said collapsible X-frame support brace has a lock operable to releasably lock said support structure in said extended upright position. 
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said collapsible X-frame support brace is moved between said extended open position and said collapsed closed position manually by an occupant of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said collapsible X-frame support brace is moved between said extended open position and said collapsed closed position by power provided by said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible sidewalls are made from cargo net. 
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible sidewalls are made from plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The invention of  claim 13 , wherein said upper rigid member is in the form of a tray. 
     
     
         20 . A combination beverage container holder and collapsible storage bin for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
 a generally planar lower rigid member attached to an interior floor of said motor vehicle;   a generally planar upper rigid member oppositely disposed from said lower rigid member and having a recess for placement of a beverage container and an opening providing access to a collapsible storage bin underneath said upper rigid member;   a lid movably attached to said upper rigid member proximate said opening, said lid movable from a closed position where said lid covers said opening and an open position where said lid uncovers said opening;   a collapsible support brace in the form of a collapsible X-frame pivotally attached to and adjoining said upper rigid member and said lower rigid member, said X-frame operable to move between an extended upright position and a collapsed closed position;   a flexible sidewall attached to said upper rigid member defining side surfaces of said collapsible storage bin underneath said upper rigid member when said collapsible X-frame is in said extend upright position, said flexible sidewall extending completely around said collapsible storage bin; and   a lock operable to releasably lock said X-frame in said extended upright position.