Attachment for converting a vehicle into an expandible vehicle

Abstract

An attachment is provided for converting a vehicle, such as a compact car, into an expandable vehicle having an enlarged expandable usable volume, the attachment replaces a removed body portion of a standard type vehicle, such as the rear body panel of an automobile or a side body panel of a van, and is pivotally connected to the balance of the vehicle by an accordian folding hood to define an original enclosed usable volume in the collapsed position of the hood. The attachment comprises an extension shell whose volume is bisected by a diagonal extending through the pivot axis for the extension shell. The diagonal defines the confronting edges of the extension shell with the balance of the vehicle in the collapsed position of the hood. The extension shell in the collapsed position of the hood defines a half volume for the enclosed usable volume which when pivotally rotated about the pivot axis through an angle of 90.degree. describes an arch for the diagonal which defines a path of travel for the accordion hood to create a new expanded enclosed usable volume having an increased headroom and a total enclosed volume greater than twice that of the original enclosed volume. Many variations in this basic arrangement are described to provide a variety of configurations of cubical or rectangular volumes. The removed body portion, such as the standard rear window panel from a hatchback car, is reconnected to the extension shell to serve both its normal function in the collapsed position of the hood and as access to the expanded volume in the expanded position of the hood.