Automotive storage net

Abstract

A storage net useful in the storage area of a motor vehicle is disclosed. 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. A mechanism is included for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area. Further, the storage net comprises a mechanism for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface or to the stowage area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage net, comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back being pivotally connected at one end and each having edges distal from the one end, and each of the front and back edges having a length extending between the two sides;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area, comprising two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein one of the elastic members extends the length of one of the front and back edges, wherein the elastic member extending the length comprises elastic cord, and wherein the other elastic member comprises an elastic band attached to and spaced from a flexible, substantially inelastic strap.[., and wherein.]..Iadd.;   means for drawing .Iaddend.the front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more than a predetermined distance in any direction.   
     
     
       2. A storage net, comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back being pivotally connected at one end and each having edges distal from the one end, and each of the front and back edges having a length extending between the two sides;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area, comprising two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein the elastic members extend the length of the front and back edges, wherein the elastic members comprise an elastic band attached to and spaced from a flexible, substantially inelastic strap.[., and wherein.]..Iadd.;   means for drawing .Iaddend.the front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more than a predetermined distance in any direction. .[.3. A storage net, comprising:   a storage area having a front, a back and two sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end, each of the two sides extending in a transverse direction and being open;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area;   means for providing a predetermined amount of transverse elasticity to the storage area; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction..].4. A storage net, comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end, each of the two sides extending in a transverse direction:   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area;   means for providing a predetermined amount of transverse elasticity to the storage area, wherein the transverse elasticity providing means comprises an elastic member attached to each of the two sides, and wherein the elastic member comprises one of elastic cord and a portion of elastic cord attached to and spaced from a braided, substantially inelastic cord; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction. 5. The storage net as defined in claim 4 wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means 
     
     
        comprises an elastic member attached to the one end. 6. The storage net as defined in claim 4 wherein the front and back each have edges distal from the one end and wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means comprises two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein the .Iadd.storage net further comprises means for drawing the .Iaddend.front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed 
     
     
        items from inadvertently escaping therebetween. 7. The storage net as defined in claim 6 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein one of the elastic members 
     
     
        extends the length of one of the front and back edges. 8. The storage net as defined in claim 6 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein the elastic members 
     
     
        extend the length of the front and back edges. 9. The storage net as 
     
     
        defined in claim 8 wherein the elastic members comprise elastic cord. 10. The storage net as defined in claim .[.5.]. .Iadd.6.Iaddend., further comprising a spacer member removably attached to, and extending between the front and back edges. .[.11. The storage net as defined in claim 4 
     
     
        wherein each of the two sides is closed..].12. The storage net as defined in claim 4 wherein the front and back are formed of a lightweight, woven 
     
     
        mesh netting. 13. The storage net as defined in claim 4, further 
     
     
        comprising a handle attached to the storage area. 14. A storage net, comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface, wherein the attaching means comprises loops attached to the storage area, and hooks adapted to be attached to the desired surface;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction. 15. The storage net as defined in claim 14 wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means 
     
     
        comprises an elastic member attached to the one end. 16. The storage net as defined in claim 14 wherein the front and back each have edges distal from the one end and wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means comprises two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein the .Iadd.storage net further comprises means for drawing the .Iaddend.front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed 
     
     
        items from inadvertently escaping therebetween. 17. The storage net as defined in claim 16 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein one of the elastic members 
     
     
        extends the length of one of the front and back edges. 18. The storage net as defined in claim 16 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein the elastic members 
     
     
        extend the length of the front and back edges. 19. The storage net as defined in claim 18 wherein the elastic members comprise elastic cord. 
     
     
            The storage net as defined in claim .[.18.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend., further comprising a spacer member removably attached to, and extending between the front and back edges. .[.21. The storage net as defined in claim 14 wherein each of the two sides is open..]..[.22. The storage net 
     
     
        as defined in claim 14 wherein each of the two sides is closed..].23. The storage net as defined in claim 14 wherein the front and back are formed 
     
     
        of a lightweight, woven mesh netting. 24. The storage net as defined in 
     
     
        claim 14, further comprising a handle attached to the storage area. 25. A storage net, comprising: a woven mesh, nylon netting storage area having a front, a back and two sides, the sides being closed to define an envelope-like storage area, the front and back being pivotally connected at one end and each having edges distal from the one end;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area, the longitudinal elasticity providing means comprising two elastic members, one member .[.being.]. attached to.Iadd., and extending the length of .Iaddend.the front edge and the other member .[.being.]. attached to.Iadd., and extending the length of .Iaddend.the back edge.Iadd., wherein one of the elastic members comprises elastic cord, and wherein the other elastic member is substantially inelastic.Iaddend.;   means for providing a predetermined amount of transverse elasticity to the storage area, the transverse elasticity providing means comprising an elastic member attached to each of the two sides; .[.and.].   .Iadd.means for drawing the front and back edges together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween; and .Iaddend.   means for attaching the storage area to a desired surface;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more than a predetermined distance in any direction .[.and wherein the front and back edges draw together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items   
     
     
        from inadvertently escaping therebetween.].. 26. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end and each having edges distal from the one end, each of the front and back edges having a length extending between the two sides;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area, comprising two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein one of the elastic members extends the length of one of the front and back edges, wherein the elastic member extending the length comprises elastic cord, and wherein the other elastic member comprises an elastic band attached to and spaced from a flexible, substantially inelastic strap.[.wherein.]..Iadd.;   means for drawing .Iaddend.the front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to the stowage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction. 27. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back being pivotally connected at one end and each having edges distal from the one end, and each of the front and back edges having a length extending between the two sides;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area, comprising two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein the elastic members extend the length of the front and back edges, wherein the elastic members comprise an elastic band attached to and spaced from a flexible, substantially inelastic strap.[., and.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.   .[.wherein.]. .Iadd.means for drawing .Iaddend.the front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to the stowage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more than a predetermined distance in any direction. .[.28. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising:   a storage area having a front, a back and two sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end, each of the two sides extending in a transverse direction and being open;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area;   means for providing a predetermined amount of transverse elasticity to the storage area; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to the stowage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction..].29. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end, each of the two sides extending in a transverse direction;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area;   means for providing a predetermined amount of transverse elasticity to the storage area, wherein the transverse elasticity providing means comprises an elastic member attached to each of the two sides, and wherein the elastic member comprises one of elastic cord and a portion of elastic cord attached to and spaced from a braided, substantially inelastic cord; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to the stowage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction. 30. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 29 wherein the front and back are formed of a woven mesh, 
     
     
        nylon netting. 31. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 29, the storage 
     
     
        net further comprising a handle attached to the storage area. 32. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 29 wherein the longitudinal elasticity 
     
     
        providing means comprises an elastic member attached to the one end. 33. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 29 wherein the front and hack each have edges distal from the one end and wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means comprises two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein the .Iadd.storage net further comprises means for drawing the .Iaddend.front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to 
     
     
        prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween. 34. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 33 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein one of the elastic members extends the length of one of the front and back edges. 
     
     
            The motor vehicle as defined in claim 33 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein the 
     
     
        elastic members extend the length of the front and back edges. 36. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 35 wherein the elastic members comprise elastic cord. .[.37. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 29 wherein each 
     
     
        of the two sides is closed..].38. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to the stowage area, wherein the attaching means comprises loops attached to the storage area, and hooks adapted to be attached to the stowage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction. 39. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 38 wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means 
     
     
        comprises an elastic member attached to the one end. 40. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 38 wherein the front and back each have edges distal from the one end and wherein the longitudinal elasticity providing means comprises two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge, wherein the .Iadd.storage net further comprises means for drawing the .Iaddend.front and back edges .[.draw.]. together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed 
     
     
        items from inadvertently escaping therebetween. 41. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 40 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein one of the elastic members 
     
     
        extends the length of one of the front and back edges. 42. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 40 wherein each of the front and back edges has a length extending between the two sides, and wherein the elastic 
     
     
        members extend the length of the front and back edges. 43. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 42 wherein the elastic members comprise 
     
     
        elastic cord. 44. The motor vehicle as defined in claim .[.450.]. .Iadd.40.Iaddend., further comprising a spacer member removably attached to, and extending between the front and back edges. .[.45. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 38 wherein each of the two sides is open..]..[.46. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 38 wherein each of 
     
     
        the two sides is closed..].47. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 38 
     
     
        wherein the front and back are formed of a woven mesh, nylon netting. 48. The motor vehicle as defined in claim 38, the storage net further 
     
     
        comprising a handle attached to the storage area. 49. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising: a woven mesh, nylon netting storage area having a front, a back and two sides, the sides being closed to define an envelope-like storage area, the front and back being pivotally connected at one end and each having edges distal from the one end;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area, the longitudinal elasticity providing means comprising two elastic members, one member being attached to the front edge and the other member being attached to the back edge;   means for providing a predetermined amount of transverse elasticity to the storage area, the transverse elasticity providing means comprising an elastic member attached to each of the two sides; .[.and.].   .Iadd.means for drawing the front and back edges together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items from inadvertently escaping therebetween; and .Iaddend.   means for attaching the storage area to the stowage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more than a predetermined distance in any direction .[.and wherein the front and back edges draw together firmly enough as to prevent the stowed items   
     
     
        from inadvertently escaping therebetween.].. 50. A storage net, comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to a desired surface, wherein the attaching means comprises loops adapted to be attached to the desired surface, and hooks attached to the storage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more   
     
     
        than a predetermined distance in any direction. 51. A motor vehicle having a stowage area and a storage net disposed in the stowage area, the storage net comprising: a storage area having a front, a back and two .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.sides, the front and back extending in a longitudinal direction and being pivotally connected at one end;   means for providing a predetermined amount of longitudinal elasticity to the storage area; and   means for removably attaching the storage area to the stowage area, wherein the attaching means comprises loops adapted to be attached to the stowage area, and hooks attached to the storage area;   wherein items stowed in the storage area are prevented from moving more than a predetermined distance in any direction.