US Patent 10137841 Automotive vehicle with expandable underseat storage compartment

An automotive vehicle has an expandable underseat storage compartment. An elongated seat support member supports a row of vehicle seats and has a middle portion and right and left end pedestals. A front panel assembly extends laterally across the vehicle in front of the right and left end pedestals and is movable between retracted and extended positions position wherein when the front panel assembly is in the extended position the storage space of the storage compartment is larger than when the front panel assembly is in the retracted position.