Stowable storage net

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a stowable storage net and a vehicle with a stowable storage net. The storage net comprises a storage area having a front, a back and two sides, the front and back being pivotally connected at one end. Means are included for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area. The storage net comprises means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface of the cargo area. The storage net further comprises a storage pouch forming the bottom of the storage net, the two sides of the storage net pivotally mounted proximally to the ends of the storage pouch and configured to fold into the storage pouch, allowing the associated net to fall easily and neatly into the pouch. The storage pouch can further comprise a zipper or other means of closure. Methods and vehicles are also disclosed.

1 . A motor vehicle comprising:
 a cargo area having opposing sides each with at least one attachment member; and   a stowable storage net comprising:   a pouch having an interior accessible from a top portion, the pouch configured to extend between the opposing sides of the cargo area;   a net having an open top and two closed sides, each closed side having a pouch end and a free end, wherein the net extends from the pouch with each pouch end movably attached inside opposing ends of the pouch such that each free end is opposite the pouch;   means for removably attaching the pouch and each closed side of the net to the opposing sides of the cargo area; and   means for closing the pouch along the top portion, wherein the closed sides of the net are configured to move to the interior of the pouch along with the net when not removably attached to the attachment member such that the top portion of the pouch can be closed with the net in the interior.   
     
     
         2 . The motor vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein each closed side of the net is reinforced with a sheath, with each sheath pivotally attached at the pouch end inside opposing ends of the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The motor vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic portion along at least a portion of a perimeter of the open top of the net. 
     
     
         4 . The motor vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the means for closing the pouch along the top portion is a zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The motor vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch includes a drain. 
     
     
         6 . The motor vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer member removably attached to opposing sides of the open top of the net and configured to maintain the open top of the net in an open position. 
     
     
         7 . The motor vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the net has a continuous bottom that lines a bottom of the pouch. 
     
     
         8 . A method of stowing a storage net when not in use, the storage net configured to extend between opposing sides of a vehicle cargo area having at least one attachment member, the method comprising:
 detaching the storage net from the opposing sides of the cargo area, wherein the storage net comprises a pouch having an interior accessible from a top portion, the pouch configured to extend between the opposing sides of the cargo area, a net having an open top and two closed sides, each closed side having a pouch end and a free end, wherein the net extends from the pouch with each pouch end moveably attached inside opposing ends of the pouch such that each free end is opposite the pouch, means for removably attaching the pouch and each closed side of the net to the opposing sides of the cargo area, and means for closing the pouch along the top portion, wherein the closed sides of the net are configured to move to the interior of the pouch along with the net when not removably attached to the attachment member such that the top portion of the pouch can be closed with the net in the interior;   pivotally rotating the sheaths inward toward the pouch until the sheaths are entirely within an interior of the pouch;   placing any net remaining outside of the interior of the pouch into the interior; and closing the pouch with the closing means.   
     
     
         9 . A stowable storage net comprising:
 a net configured to extend between two surfaces, the net having an open top and two closed sides; and   at least one connector for removably attaching each closed side of the net to the two surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . The storage net of  claim 9  further comprising a pouch having an interior accessible from a top portion, wherein each closed side of the net includes a pouch end and a free end, wherein the net extends from the pouch with each pouch end movably attached inside opposing ends of the pouch such that each free end is opposite the pouch. 
     
     
         11 . The storage net of  claim 10 , wherein the closed sides of the net are configured to move to the interior of the pouch along with the net such that the top portion of the pouch can be closed with the net in the interior. 
     
     
         12 . The storage net of  claim 11  further comprising means for closing the pouch along the top portion. 
     
     
         13 . The storage net of  claim 12 , wherein the means for closing the pouch along the top portion is a zipper. 
     
     
         14 . The storage net of  claim 10 , wherein the pouch is configured to extend between the two surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The storage net of  claim 10 , wherein each closed side of the net is reinforced with a sheath, with the sheath pivotally attached inside an end of the pouch. 
     
     
         16 . The storage net of  claim 10 , wherein the net has a continuous bottom that lines a bottom of the pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The storage net of  claim 10 , wherein the net has a bottom edge opposite the open top, wherein the bottom edge is attached on the interior of the pouch along pouch walls and below the top portion of the pouch. 
     
     
         18 . The storage net of  claim 9 , further comprising an elastic portion along at least a portion of a perimeter of the open top of the net. 
     
     
         19 . The storage net of  claim 9 , further comprising a spacer member removably attached to opposing sides of the open top of the net and configured to maintain the open top of the net in an open position.