Collapsible storage container

Abstract

A collapsible container includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls. At least two of the side walls include a rigid first segment and a rigid second segment coupled to the first segment by a pivot to permit the side wall to fold so that the first segment and second segment form an acute angle or are parallel when the container is collapsed. The collapsible container can be configured in a storage configuration for containing objects or a collapsed configuration occupying less volume than the storage configuration for stowing the container.

1 . A storage assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle structure;   a storage compartment formed in the vehicle structure;   a container attachment member coupled to the vehicle structure; and   a removable storage container having a plurality of walls and configurable between a rigid storage configuration in which the plurality of walls are upright and define an opening, and a collapsed configuration in which the plurality of walls are folded to a substantially horizontal position; and wherein the removable storage container is movable between a stowed position in which the removable storage container is in the collapsed configuration and contained in the storage compartment, a retained position in which the removable storage container is in the rigid storage configuration with the container attachment member engaging the removable storage container, and a released position in which the removable storage container is in the storage configuration with the container attachment member disengaged from the removable storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of walls include a rigid upper segment and a rigid lower segment configured to maintain the wall in an upright orientation in the storage configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The storage assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of walls includes an opposing pair of inwardly folding side walls and an opposing pair of outwardly folding side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The storage assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the removable storage container has a first height in the collapsed configuration and a second height in the storage configuration, with the first height being less than the second height. 
     
     
         5 . The storage assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the second height is less than or equal to a height of the storage compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The storage assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the removable storage container has a first width in the collapsed configuration and a second width in the storage configuration, with the first width being equal to the second width. 
     
     
         7 . The storage assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first width is less than a width of the storage compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The storage assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the upper segment and lower segment of the pair of inwardly folding walls each have a height in the storage configuration that is less than the first width. 
     
     
         9 . The storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the removable storage container is portable when in the released position. 
     
     
         10 . The storage assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a lid. 
     
     
         11 . The storage assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lid overlies the opening of the removable storage container when in the released position. 
     
     
         12 . The storage assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lid is contained in the storage compartment when the removable storage container is in the stowed position. 
     
     
         13 . The storage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the storage compartment is spaced apart from the container attachment member. 
     
     
         14 . A storage assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a storage compartment formed in the vehicle; and   a removable storage container configured for use in the vehicle and external to the vehicle comprising:
 four walls, each wall configurable between an upright configuration defining an interior and an opening, and a collapsed configuration in which the interior is undefined, wherein the storage compartment is configured to store the removable storage container in the collapsed configuration and to contain the removable storage container in the upright configuration. 
   
     
     
         15 . The storage assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each wall includes a rigid upper segment and a rigid lower segment forming a single planar surface in the upright configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The storage assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each wall folds to a substantially horizontal position. 
     
     
         17 . The storage assembly of  claim 16 , wherein an opposing pair of the four walls folds inwardly and another opposing pair of the four walls folds outwardly. 
     
     
         18 . The storage assembly of  claim 14  further comprising at least one container attachment member configured to releasably retain the removable storage container in the storage compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The storage assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a lid configured to overlay the opening of the removable storage container when in the upright position. 
     
     
         20 . The storage assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the lid is stored in the storage compartment when the removable storage container is in the collapsed configuration.