초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an adjustable rack apparatus that increases the storage, protection, accessibility, security, safety, and organization potential for items packed, for example, utility vehicle beds. The adjustable rack apparatus may be used in conjunction with a storage box that is e

The present invention relates to an adjustable rack apparatus that increases the storage, protection, accessibility, security, safety, and organization potential for items packed, for example, utility vehicle beds. The adjustable rack apparatus may be used in conjunction with a storage box that is either fixed to, separate from, or separable from, the adjustable rack. The adjustable rack apparatus comprises a frame, a fixed length rotatable arm, a variable length arm, and an adjustable storage rack. Level substantially vertical movement of the adjustable storage rack is achieved by proper positioning of the fixed length rotatable arms and the variable length arms relative to each other and the frame and the adjustable storage rack. Changing the length of the variable length arm causes movement of the fixed length rotatable arm and level substantially vertical movement of the storage rack.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus comprising a single fixed frame connecting a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the rack apparatus, a fixed length rotatable arm comprising an upper support arm and a lower support arm, a variable length arm, a storage box, and a s

1. A substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus comprising a single fixed frame connecting a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the rack apparatus, a fixed length rotatable arm comprising an upper support arm and a lower support arm, a variable length arm, a storage box, and a storage rack with a railing component, wherein a second end of either the upper support arm or the lower support arm and a bottom end of the variable length arm connect to the frame on the first lateral side or the second lateral side of the rack apparatus, and a first end of the upper support arm attaches to a top railing of the railing component, insert wherein the top railing encircles all or substantially all of the perimeter of the storage rack, and wherein the storage rack includes a substantially level surface in both a lowered configuration and an elevated configuration, and during motion. 2. The substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixed length rotatable arm provides movable connection to the storage rack and to the variable length arm. 3. The substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus of claim 1, wherein the variable length arm is a gas shock that is rotatably connected at a top end to either the upper support arm or the lower support arm. 4. The substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixed length rotatable arm, the variable length arm, and the frame are provided in a substantially triangular configuration relative to the frame, and the second end of either the upper support arm or the lower support arm and the bottom end of the variable length arm connect to the frame in a substantially vertical alignment. 5. The substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage rack comprises two components each of which is substantially the mirror image of the other. 6. The substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus of claim 1, wherein the railing component comprises a perforated or partially open wall between an upward-facing surface of the storage rack and the top railing. 7. The substantially vertically adjustable rack apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage rack comprises one or more cross members. 8. A rack apparatus comprising a fixed length rotatable arm comprising an upper support arm and a lower support arm, a storage box, and a fixed frame connecting a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the rack apparatus with an adjustable storage rack, wherein the adjustable storage rack has a railing component and a substantially vertically movable level surface and is located between the first lateral side and the second lateral side and is movably connected to the frame on both the first lateral side and the second lateral side by a second end of either the upper support arm or the lower support arm and a bottom end of a variable length arm and wherein a first end of the upper support arm attaches to a top railing of the railing component, wherein the top railing encircles all or substantially all of the perimeter of the storage rack, and wherein either the upper support arm or the lower support arm is also movably connected to a top end of the variable length arm. 9. The rack apparatus of claim 8, wherein the variable length arm is a gas shock. 10. The rack apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the upper support arm and the lower support arm has a hole for movable connection to the storage rack. 11. The rack apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fixed length rotatable arm, the variable length arm and the frame are provided in a substantially triangular configuration relative to the frame, and the second end of either the upper support arm or the lower support arm and the bottom end of the variable length arm connect to the frame in a substantially vertical alignment. 12. The rack apparatus of claim 11, wherein the storage rack is not directly connected to the frame. 13. The rack apparatus of claim 8, wherein the storage rack comprises one or more cross members. 14. A method of using a rack apparatus comprising: adjusting the rack apparatus in a substantially vertical manner relative to a fixed frame that connects a first lateral side of the rack apparatus and a second lateral side of the rack apparatus to raise or lower a storage rack with a railing component;causing rotation of a fixed length rotatable arm comprising an upper support arm and a lower support arm, wherein either the upper support arm or the lower support arm is attached at a second end to the frame, and the upper support arm is attached at a first end to a top railing of the railing component, wherein the top railing encircles all or substantially all of the perimeter of the storage rack;increasing or decreasing the length of a variable length arm that is attached at a bottom end to the frame and at a top end to either the upper support arm or the lower support arm;maintaining a substantially level surface as part of the storage rack; andlocating a storage box under the storage rack. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: rotating the first end of the upper support arm and a first end of the lower support arm at two separate points of connection to the storage rack. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: opening a lid of the storage box when the storage rack is elevated. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: locking the storage rack to the storage box when the storage rack is lowered. 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: assembling the storage rack from two components each of which is substantially the mirror image of the other. 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: connecting the second end of either the upper support arm or the lower support arm and the bottom end of the variable length arm to the frame in a substantially vertical alignment.