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A multi-functional cargo lid for a vehicle is provided that functions as a floor for a main storage area, a lid for a storage well, and as an elevated shelf. The cargo lid includes a first panel pivotally connected to a cargo lining behind a rear seat of the vehicle and a second panel pivotally conn

A multi-functional cargo lid for a vehicle is provided that functions as a floor for a main storage area, a lid for a storage well, and as an elevated shelf. The cargo lid includes a first panel pivotally connected to a cargo lining behind a rear seat of the vehicle and a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel. When the cargo lid is in a first configuration the first and second panels are substantially horizontal and are flush with a floor of the vehicle. When the cargo lid is in a second configuration the first panel is substantially vertical and the second panel is elevated above the floor but remains substantially horizontal. A side latching device that pivots from each rear sidewall of the vehicle is adapted to receive and horizontally secure the second panel thereby securing the cargo lid in the second configuration.

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What is claimed is: 1. A cargo lid for a vehicle comprising: a first panel pivotally connected to a cargo lining behind a rear seat of the vehicle; and a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel, wherein, when the cargo lid is in a first configuration, the first and second panels are in

What is claimed is: 1. A cargo lid for a vehicle comprising: a first panel pivotally connected to a cargo lining behind a rear seat of the vehicle; and a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel, wherein, when the cargo lid is in a first configuration, the first and second panels are in a first substantially horizontal orientation flush with a floor of the vehicle, wherein, when the cargo lid is in a second configuration, the first panel is in a substantially vertical orientation and the second panel is in a second substantially horizontal orientation, where the second substantial horizontal orientation is elevated above the floor, and wherein a side latching device pivotally extending from each rear sidewall of the vehicle is adapted to receive a side edge of the second panel to secure the second panel in the second substantially horizontal orientation, thereby securing the cargo lid in the second configuration. 2. The cargo lid of claim 1, wherein when the cargo lid is in a third configuration, the first and second panels are in a substantially vertical orientation and are generally parallel to the rear seat. 3. The cargo lid of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises a forward edge and a rearward edge, the second panel comprises a forward edge, a rearward edge, and two side edges, the forward edge of the first panel is pivotally connected to the cargo lining, the forward edge of the second panel is pivotally connected to the rearward edge of the first panel, and each side edge of the second panel defines a side notch in a manner such that the side notch aligns with the side latching device when the cargo lid is moved between the first configuration and the second configuration to facilitate reconfiguration of the cargo lid. 4. A cargo lid in combination with a side latching device for a vehicle comprising: a first panel pivotally connected to a vehicle floor behind a rear seat of the vehicle; and a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel, the second panel including two side edges, each side edge having a downwardly extending lip; the side latching device comprising a latch arm pivotally attached to a sidewall of the vehicle and movable from a stored position to an operating position such that the latch arm is generally parallel with the floor of the vehicle when in the operating position, the latch arm having a first and a second latch hook extending in an upward direction from a top surface of the latch arm, wherein, when the cargo lid is in a first configuration, the first and second panels are in a first substantially horizontal orientation flush with the floor, wherein, when the cargo lid is in a second configuration, the first panel is in a substantially vertical orientation and the second panel is elevated above the floor in a second substantially horizontal orientation, and wherein, when the cargo lid is in the second configuration, the latch arm is in the operating position and the lip is received by the first and second latch hooks to secure the second panel in the second substantially horizontal orientation thereby securing the cargo lid in the second configuration. 5. The combination of claim 4, wherein, when the cargo lid is in a third configuration, the first and second panels are in a substantially vertical orientation and are generally parallel to the rear seat. 6. The combination of claim 4, wherein the side latching device further includes a hub, the hub having a face that defines an opening adapted to receive the latch arm when the latch arm is in the stored position, a proximal end of the latch arm is pivotally attached to a bottom of the hub opening, and the first latch hook is located at a distal end of the latch arm and the second latch hook is located between the proximal end and the distal end. 7. The combination of claim 4, wherein the first panel comprises a forward edge and a rearward edge, the second panel comprises a forward edge, a rearward edge, and two side edges, the forward edge of the first panel is pivotally connected to a cargo lining, the forward edge of the second panel is pivotally connected to the rearward edge of the first panel, and each side edge of the second panel defines a side notch such that the side notch aligns with the side latching device when the cargo lid is moved between the first configuration and second configuration to facilitate reconfiguration of the cargo lid. 8. A vehicle comprising: a multi-configurable cargo lid pivotally attached to a vehicle floor behind a rear seat of the vehicle, the cargo lid having a first panel and a second panel; a cargo area behind the rear seat of the vehicle, the cargo area comprising a main storage area defined above the cargo lid and between each rear side wall of the vehicle and a storage well defined below the cargo lid and between each rear side wall of the vehicle; a side latching device including a latch arm vertically extending from each rear side wall of the vehicle, the latch arm being movable between a stored position and an operating position, wherein when in the operating position, the latch arms extend toward one another; wherein when the cargo lid is in a first configuration the first and second panels are in a first substantially horizontal orientation flush with the floor, wherein when the cargo lid is in a second configuration the first panel is in a substantially vertical orientation and the second panel is elevated above the floor in a second substantially horizontal orientation, and wherein when the cargo lid is in the second configuration, the latch arms are in the operating position and are adapted to receive the second panel to secure the second panel in the second substantially horizontal orientation thereby securing the cargo lid in the second configuration. 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein when the cargo lid is in a third configuration, the first and second panels are in the substantially vertical orientation and are generally parallel to the rear seat. 10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the side latching device further includes a hub, the hub having a face that defines an opening adapted to receive the latch arm when the latch arm is in the stored position, the latch arm includes a first latch hook and a second latch hook extending in an upward direction from a top surface of the latch arm, the first latch hook is located at a distal end of the latch arm and the second latch hook is located between a proximal end and the distal end of the latch arm, and the proximal end of the latch arm is pivotally attached to a bottom of the hub opening. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first panel comprises a forward edge and a rearward edge, the second panel comprises a forward edge, a rearward edge, and two side edges, the forward edge of the first panel is pivotally connected to a cargo lining, the forward edge of the second panel is pivotally connected to the rearward edge of the first panel, each side edge of the second panel defines a side notch such that the side notch aligns with the side latching device when the cargo lid is moved between the first configuration and the second configuration facilitating reconfiguration of the cargo lid. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the storage well defines an access opening having a perimeter, the perimeter comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a lid latching device located on the rear portion of the perimeter, wherein a latching mechanism is located near the rearward edge of the second panel, wherein the rearward edge of the second panel defines a notch, and wherein the latching mechanism on the second panel and the notch cooperate with the lid latching device on the perimeter to thereby secure the cargo lid in the first configuration. 13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the perimeter further includes two side edges, a protruding portion located on each side edge of the perimeter, and each side notch cooperates with the protruding portion in a manner such that when the cargo lid is in the floor configuration the side notch is aligned with the protruding portion. 14. A method for reconfiguring a cargo lid having a first panel and a second panel for a vehicle from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration being defined as a floor configuration and the second configuration being defined as a shelf configuration, comprising the steps of: moving a pair of latch arms from a stored position to an operating position; pivoting the cargo lid upwardly past the latch arms; pivoting the second panel downwardly relative to the first panel; and resting the second panel on the latch arms. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the latch arms include a first latch hook at a distal end of the latch arm and a second latch hook between a proximal end and the distal end of the latch arm, and a side edge of the second panel includes a downwardly extending lip, the method further comprising the step of: engaging the lip with the first latch hook and the second latch hook to secure the cargo lid in the second configuration. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein when the cargo lid is in the first configuration the first and second panels are in a first substantially horizontal orientation flush with a floor of the vehicle and when the cargo lid is in the second configuration the first panel is in a substantially vertical orientation and the second panel is in a second substantially horizontal orientation, where the second substantial horizontal orientation is elevated above the floor. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a side latching device is affixed to each sidewall of the vehicle and includes a hub, the hub having a face that defines an opening adapted to receive the latch arms when the latch arms are in the stored position.