CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAVING VEHICLE LOAD FLOOR WITH CARGO CAGE
A cargo management system for a vehicle includes a substantially rigid load floor panel pivotally connected along a first edge to a base to provide a load floor substantially flush with a vehicle floor when stowed, and pivotally connected along an opposite edge to a rigid grid that may be deployed in a first position above and generally parallel to the base, and a second position generally transverse to the base to extend above any vehicle seats and generally separate a cargo area from a passenger area. The cargo management system may also include a secondary door, panel, or other device to cover a storage well or compartment of the base and to support additional cargo when the load floor panel is deployed.
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The present invention relates to systems and methods for storing and/or securing vehicle cargo.
2. BACKGROUND ARTVarious systems have been developed to provide flexible configurations for vehicle interiors to accommodate a varying number of passengers in addition to cargo of different shapes and sizes. Reconfigurable seating options often provide for a significant increase in the area available to transport cargo when needed. However, cargo restraint or management systems are typically not provided for this reconfigurable space. Various types of OEM and after-market accessories have been developed for use in organizing and securing cargo. However, currently available cargo management, organization, and/or restraint systems may also occupy significant space when not in use, may be removed from the vehicle so that they are not available when needed, or may interfere with loading or unloading bulky or heavy cargo. In addition, such systems are often not aesthetically pleasing to consumers, particularly when not being used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention includes a cargo management system for a vehicle having a substantially rigid load floor panel pivotally connected along a first edge to a base to provide a load floor substantially flush with a vehicle floor when stowed, and pivotally connected along an opposite edge to a rigid grid that may be deployed in a first position above and generally parallel to the base, and a second position generally transverse to the base to extend above any vehicle seats to generally separate a cargo area from a passenger area. The cargo management system may also include a secondary door, panel, or other device to cover a storage well or compartment of the base when the load floor panel is deployed to support additional cargo and/or cover cargo stored in the base.
Various embodiments of the present invention include a rigid grid that pivots nearly 360 degrees about the rigid load floor panel to provide a third position in contact with the rigid load floor panel and exposed to the cargo area to secure cargo via auxiliary hooks, straps, cords, and the like. The rigid grid preferably includes sufficient open space so as not to significantly impair driver visibility through any side or rear windows when in the fully deployed position extending above any vehicle seats while also having sufficient strength to function as a shelf and/or hanger to accommodate various types and sizes of cargo and to separate cargo from the passenger space. Embodiments also include a load floor panel and/or secondary panel having holes or slots to engage one or more cargo management devices adapted to receive and secure particular types of cargo. Similarly, the load floor panel and/or secondary panel or cover may include integrated foldable supports that may be selectively extended to secure cargo when the load floor panel and/or secondary panel are opened.
The present invention provides a number of advantages. For example, the present invention provides flexible, integrated cargo storage that is aesthetically pleasing and may be substantially hidden from view and out of the way when not in use. The cargo system of the present invention can accommodate and secure varying types and sizes of cargo. The invention provides a substantially flush load floor when stowed to facilitate loading and unloading of bulky and/or heavy cargo while effectively separating the cargo area from the passenger area when fully deployed. In either the partially or fully deployed positions, the invention creates a cargo cage or space that may be used to transport pets or animals, for example. The rigid grid of the present invention also provides a configuration to accommodate large cargo to resist sliding even if unsecured, while offering numerous tie down points to secure cargo with straps, cords, hooks, and the like. The invention may also be adapted using integrated or add-on modules to secure particular types of cargo, such as golf clubs or scuba tanks, for example.
The above advantages and other advantages and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the present invention as illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce embodiments of the present invention that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present invention may be desired for particular applications or implementations.
Referring now to
A closeout cover, indicated generally by reference numerals 24, 24′ cooperates with base 40 and/or vehicle floor 42 to conceal cargo stored in the storage compartment in the vehicle floor and to provide a secondary load floor when load floor panel 14 is in the deployed position as illustrated. In the embodiment of
As also shown in the embodiment of
As shown in
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that division or separation of cargo area 48 and passenger area 46 is relative to the position and number of cargo management devices employed in a particular vehicle. Although the representative applications for the embodiments illustrated show a cargo management system of the present invention located behind the last row of seats, the invention may be located anywhere in the vehicle and/or at multiple locations to provide maximum flexibility. For example, a cargo management system having a folding panel with a cargo cage portion may be located between rows of removable or folding seats.
In the position or configuration illustrated in
In another optional configuration, grid 16 may be secured to underside 82 of load floor panel 14 along first edge 90, with load floor panel 14 secured to the back of seat 44 or held in an open position by lateral latches, hooks, straps, or other devices, such as represented generally by device 32. This configuration secures grid 16 in a generally vertical position transverse or perpendicular to the vehicle floor to provide a variety of options and anchor points for securing cargo as described above. Similarly, depending upon the particular application and seating configuration, grid 16 may also be secured to the top side of load floor panel 14 similar to the configuration of
As also shown in
As can be seen by the various representative embodiments illustrated and described with reference to the Figures, the present invention provides flexible, integrated cargo storage that is aesthetically pleasing and may be substantially hidden from view and out of the way when not in use. The cargo system of the present invention can accommodate and secure varying types and sizes of cargo. The invention provides a substantially flush load floor when stowed to facilitate loading and unloading of bulky and/or heavy cargo while effectively separating the cargo area from the passenger area when deployed. In either the partially or fully deployed positions, the invention creates a cargo cage or space that may be used to transport pets or animals, for example. The rigid grid of the present invention also provides a configuration to accommodate large cargo to resist sliding even if unsecured, while offering numerous anchor or tie-down points to secure cargo with straps, cords, hooks, and the like. The invention may also be adapted using integrated or add-on modules to secure particular types of cargo, such as golf clubs or scuba tanks, for example.
While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A cargo management system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a load floor panel pivotally connected by a first edge to a base to be substantially flush with the base when stowed;
- a rigid grid pivotally connected to a second edge of the load floor panel, the grid cooperating with the load floor panel from a stowed position beneath the load floor panel substantially hidden from view to be deployable to at least a first position above and generally parallel to the base and a second position generally transverse to the base extending in a direction of the load floor panel to separate a cargo area from a passenger area of the vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the rigid grid pivots about the load floor panel to be deployable to a third position exposed to the cargo area with a second edge of the grid contacting the vehicle floor.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the third position is generally parallel to the base.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the third position is generally transverse to the base.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
- a close-out cover that cooperates with the base to conceal cargo stored in the base and to provide a secondary load floor when the load floor panel is deployed.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the close-out cover is pivotally connected to the base.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein at least one of the close-out cover and the load floor panel includes at least one cargo management device that extends into the cargo area to secure cargo.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one cargo management device comprises a pair of foldable extensions integrated with an underside of at least one of the close-out cover and the load floor panel.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the rigid grid pivots substantially one revolution about the load floor panel to expose the grid to the cargo area when the load floor panel is deployed to either a first position generally perpendicular to the vehicle floor or a second position generally parallel to the vehicle floor.
10. A cargo management system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a first load floor panel pivotably connected along a first edge to a vehicle floor component, the first load floor panel having a stowed position substantially flush with a vehicle floor and covering a cargo storage space in the vehicle floor and a deployed position extending upward from the vehicle floor;
- a rigid grid connected alone its first edge to a second edge of the first load floor panel to pivot about the second edge between a first position in contact with an underside surface of the first load floor panel, a second position generally parallel to and above the vehicle floor to provide a horizontal surface to provide storage space for cargo on the horizontal surface and contain cargo below the horizontal surface, and a third position extending from the first load floor panel upward toward a roof of the vehicle to substantially separate a cargo space from a passenger space of the vehicle; and
- a second load floor panel pivotably connected along a first edge to the vehicle floor component to provide access to the cargo storage space and to provide a secondary load floor when the first load floor panel is in a deployed position.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the second load floor panel comprises at least two panels connected to pivot along axes generally transverse to a pivot axis of the first load floor panel.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the load floor panels includes a cargo management device connected to the underside surface.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the cargo management device is integrated with at least one of the load floor panels.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the rigid grid includes a second edge opposite the first edge connectable to the first edge of the first load floor panel.
15. A cargo management device for use in a vehicle having a cargo storage compartment in a vehicle floor, the cargo management device comprising:
- a base having sides for extending at least partially into the storage compartment and an opening to provide access to the storage compartment; and
- a foldable panel having a solid portion with a first edge connected to pivot about an edge of the base between a stowed position generally parallel with the base and covering the opening, and a deployed position providing access to the storage compartment extending upward from the base, the foldable panel including a rigid perforated portion foldable to contact either side of the solid portion along an axis generally parallel to the first edge of the foldable panel, the perforated portion being positionable between at least a stowed position substantially hidden from view beneath the solid portion, a horizontal position to support cargo and contain cargo beneath the perforated portion, and a generally vertical position extending away from the base.
16. The device of claim 15 further comprising a close-out panel for covering the opening in the base when the solid portion of the foldable panel is in the deployed position.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the close-out panel is pivotally connected to the base.
18. The device of claim 15 wherein the foldable panel includes at least one cargo securing device extendable from the solid portion to secure cargo.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 24, 2004
Publication Date: May 25, 2006
Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION (Southfield, MI)
Inventors: Aaron DeLong (Oxford, MI), Gerald Krause (Utica, MI), Frank Violet (Troy, MI), John Applin (Fenton, MI)
Application Number: 10/904,720
International Classification: B60R 11/00 (20060101);