U.S. patent application number 10/694329 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for one handed, pop-up cargo management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Intier Automotive Inc.. Invention is credited to Svenson, Richard Neal.
Application Number | 20050087530 10/694329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34522584 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050087530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svenson, Richard Neal |
April 28, 2005 |
One handed, pop-up cargo management system
Abstract
A cargo management system includes a bottom panel, a pair of top
panels hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and a plurality of
side panels hingedly connected to the bottom panel and the top
panels. A plurality of rib members may be provided to divide the
cargo management system into separate storage wells. Both the side
panels and the rib members pop-up from the bottom panel when the
cargo management system is placed from a collapsed position to a
fully deployed position. The cargo management can be easily placed
from the collapsed position to the fully deployed position by a
single hand of the user by pulling one of the top panels toward the
user.
Inventors: |
Svenson, Richard Neal;
(Northville, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER, FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
39533 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 140
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-0610
US
|
Assignee: |
Intier Automotive Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34522584 |
Appl. No.: |
10/694329 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/013 20130101;
B60R 13/011 20130101; B60R 7/02 20130101; B60R 2013/016 20130101;
B65D 11/186 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/006 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A one-handed, pop-up cargo management system, comprising: a
bottom panel; a pair of top panels hingedly connected to the bottom
panel; and a plurality of side panels hingedly connected to the
bottom panel and the pair of top panels such that the cargo
management system can be placed from a collapsed position to a
fully deployed position.
2. The cargo management system according to claim 1, further
including a plurality of rib members hingedly connected to the
bottom panel, the plurality of rib members dividing the cargo
management system into separate storage wells.
3. The cargo management system according to claim 1, wherein the
side panels are triangular in shape.
4. The cargo management system according to claim 1, wherein the
pair of top panels are hingedly connected to the bottom panel by a
living hinge.
5. The cargo management system according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of side panels are hingedly connected to the bottom panel
and the pair of top panels by a living hinge.
6. The cargo management system according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of side panels form a deployment angle of approximately
zero degrees with respect to the bottom panel when the cargo
management system is in the collapsed position.
7. The cargo management system according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of side panels form a deployment angle of approximately
ninety degrees with respect to the bottom panel when the cargo
management system is in the collapsed position.
8. The cargo management system according to claim 1, further
including a top perimeter member, a bottom perimeter member, and a
pair of side perimeter members.
9. The cargo management system according to claim 8, wherein one of
the perimeter members includes a handle.
10. A one-handed, pop-up cargo management system, comprising: a
bottom panel; a pair of top panels hingedly connected to the bottom
panel; a first pair of side panels hingedly connected to the pair
of top panels, and a first side panel hingedly connected to the
first pair of side panels and the bottom panel; and a second pair
of side panels hingedly connected to the pair of top panels, and a
second side panel hingedly connected to the second pair of side
panels and the bottom panel, wherein side panels form a first
deployment angle with respect to the bottom panel when the cargo
management system is in a collapsed position, and wherein side
panels form a second deployment angle with respect to the bottom
panel when the cargo management system is in a fully deployed
position.
11. The cargo management system according to claim 10, further
including a plurality of rib members hingedly connected to the
bottom panel, the plurality of rib members dividing the cargo
management system into separate storage wells.
12. The cargo management system according to claim 10, wherein the
side panels are triangular in shape.
13. The cargo management system according to claim 10, wherein the
first deployment angle is approximately zero degrees.
14. The cargo management system according to claim 10, wherein the
second deployment angle is approximately ninety degrees.
15. The cargo management system according to claim 10, wherein the
bottom panel forms a plurality of perimeter members.
16. The cargo management system according to claim 15, wherein one
of the plurality of perimeter members includes a handle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to application Ser. No.
10/282,598, filed Oct. 29, 2002, the entire contents of which is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle storage system,
and in particular to a cargo management system that can easily be
transported and deployed by the user for separating, controlling
and/or securing cargo and other items.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventional cargo storage devices for motor vehicles
normally employ netting affixed to an elastic cord. The location
for this conventional device directed to cargo separation, control,
and securement is normally limited to a trunk space or the rear
portion of a mini-van or sport utility vehicle (SUV). The netting
and elastic cord device however doesn't completely secure weighted
cargo that may move or roll during operation of the vehicle. In
addition, this type of conventional device lacks rigidity that may
prevent weighted cargo from moving freely in the storage area.
Further, the netting only provides a single barrier for separating
cargo because the netting may only stretch from a first side of the
storage area to a second side of the storage area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The inventor of the present invention has recognized the
problems associated with conventional vehicle storage systems and
has developed a one-handed, pop-up cargo management system that is
easily transportable, deployed and collapsed by the user.
Specifically, the cargo management system comprises a
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the cargo management
system according to the invention when in a collapsed position;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the cargo management
system of the invention when in a partially deployed position;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the cargo management
system of the invention when in another partially deployed
position;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the cargo management
system when in a fully deployed position;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cargo management system
of the invention when being transported by the user; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cargo management system
of the invention as used in a vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the cargo management system, shown generally at
10, when in a fully collapsed position. In general, the cargo
management system 10 is preferably made of lightweight, rigid
plastic material, such as a thermoplastic composite (TPC) or the
like. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo management system 10
is light in weight (approximately 10 lbs.) to allow the user to
selectively position the cargo management system 10 within a
vehicle 60, as shown in FIG. 6. It will be appreciated that the
invention is not limited by the type of rigid, lightweight
material, and that the invention can be practiced with any suitable
lightweight, rigid material that can allow the user to easily
transport the cargo management system 10. For decorative purposes,
a decorative carpet or other trim may be applied over the one or
more outer surfaces of the cargo management system 10. When in the
fully collapsed position shown in FIG. 1, the cargo management
system 10 may be stowed away in a compact, collapsible, "thin stack
form" in or outside of the vehicle. For example, the cargo
management system 10 when in the collapsed position can be stowed
within any "dead storage space" of the vehicle, such as a trunk
space in a rear portion of a vehicle, or under a bench style seat,
such as a rear seat, a third row seat, or the like. In addition,
the cargo management system 10, can be easily transported by the
user when in the collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0015] Referring back to FIG. 1, the cargo management system 10
includes a top perimeter member 12, a pair of side perimeter
members 14, 16, and a bottom perimeter member 18. A opening or
handle 18a is formed in the bottom perimeter member 18 includes a
cutout or handle 18a large enough to allow the user to easily
transport the cargo management system 10, as shown in FIG. 5. The
cargo management system 10 includes a pair of top panels 20, 22
that are hingedly connected to the top perimeter member 12 and
bottom perimeter member 18, respectively, by the use of a live or
living hinge 21, 23, respectively. Each top panel 20, 22 include a
semi-hemispherical cutout 24a, 24b, respectively, that are
positioned in a mirror symmetric relationship with each other. One
of the cutouts 24a, 24b includes an insert 25 mounted therein. The
insert 25 may include indicia 25a thereon to provide instructions
to the user on how to use the cargo management system 10.
Preferably, the insert 25 has a thickness somewhat less than the
thickness of the top panel 20, 22 in which the insert 25 is mounted
such that the user can position one or more fingers behind the
insert 25 and pull the top panel 20, 22 in which the insert 25 is
mounted toward the user, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the cargo
management system 10 can be deployed with using one hand of the
user, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0016] Referring back to FIG. 1, each top panel 20, 22 may include
one or more raised portions 20a, 22a, respectively, to provide
structural rigidity to the top panel 20, 22, as well as protect the
top panel 20, 22 when an article (not shown) is placed on the top
panel 20, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, each top panel 20, 22
includes five (5) raised portions 20a, 22a, respectively. However,
it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited by the
number of raised portions 20a, 22a, and that the invention can be
practiced with any desirable number of raised portions 20a, 22a. As
seen in FIG. 1, the top panels 20, 22 are substantially aligned
with each other to form a substantially continuous, flush outer
surface when the cargo management system 10 is in the collapsed
position.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the cargo management system 10 in a partially
deployed position. As seen in FIG. 2, the cargo management system
10 includes a plurality of triangular-shaped side panels 26, 27,
28, 29 and a pair of optional triangular-shaped rib members 30, 31.
The side panels 26, 27 are hingedly connected to the top panel 20
by live or living hinges 32, 33, respectively. Similarly, the side
panels 28, 29 are hingedly connected to the top panel 20 by live or
living hinges 34, 35, respectively. In addition, the side panel 26
is hingedly connected to the side panel 28 by a live or living
hinge 36 and the side panel 27 is hingedly connected to the side
panel 29 by a live or living hinge 37. Further, the optional rib
members 30, 31 are hingedly connected to the top panels 20, 22 by a
live or living hinges 38, 39, respectively, and are hingedly
connected to each other by a live or living hinge 40. As seen in
FIG. 2, the side panels 26, 28 and the optional rib members 30, 31
are angled toward the side panels 27, 29 when the cargo management
system 10 is in the partially deployed position shown in FIG.
2.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows the cargo management system 10 in another
partially deployed position. As seen in FIG. 3, the side panels 27,
29 are hingedly connected to a triangular-shaped side panel 41. The
side panel 41 is hingedly connected to a bottom panel 45.
Similarly, the side panels 26, 28 are hingedly connected to a
triangular-shaped side panel 42. The side panel 42 is hingedly
connected to the bottom panel 45. Likewise, the pair of rib members
30, 31 are hingedly connected to a triangular-shaped rib member 43.
The rib member 43 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 45. It
should be noted that the bottom panel 45 may constitute the entire
bottom of the cargo management system 10. Thus, the bottom panel 45
may be integrally formed with the top perimeter member 12, the pair
of side perimeter members 14, 16, and the bottom perimeter member
18. The side panels 41, 42 and the rib member 43 are hingedly
connected to the bottom panel 45 by live or living hinges, 46, 47,
48, respectively. The side panel 41 is hingedly connected to the
side panels 27, 29 by live or living hinges 49, 50. Similarly, the
side panel 42 is hingedly connected to the side panels 26, 28 by
live or living hinges 51, 52. Likewise, the rib member 43 is
hingedly connected to the rib members 30, 31 by live or living
hinges 53, 54.
[0019] As seen in FIGS. 1-4, the live hinge connections allow the
side panels 26, 27, 28, 29, 41, 42 and the rib members 30, 31, 43
to form a deployment angle, .theta., of approximately zero (0)
degrees with respect to the bottom panel 45 and are substantially
parallel to the bottom panel 45 when the cargo management system 10
is in a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 1. As best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the side panels 26, 28 fold over the side panel 42
and the side panels 27, 29 fold over the side panel 41 when the
cargo management system 10 is in the collapsed position. Similarly,
the rib members 30, 31 fold over the rib member 43 when the cargo
management system 10 is in the collapsed position.
[0020] The live hinge connections also allow the side panels 26,
27, 28, 29, 41, 42 and the rib members 30, 31, 43 to form a
deployment angle, .theta., of approximately ninety (90) degrees
with respect to the bottom panel 45 and are substantially
perpendicular to the bottom panel 45 when the cargo management
system 10 is in a fully deployed position, as shown in FIG. 4. In
other words, the side panels 26, 27, 28, 29, 41, 42 and the
optional rib members 30, 31, 43 pop-up from the bottom panel 45
when the user pulls the top panel 22 when the cargo management
system 10 is in the collapsed position (FIG. 1) to place the cargo
management system 10 in the fully deployed position (FIG. 4).
[0021] The live hinge connections described above can be realized
by using a one-sided tape of a type well-known in the art. However,
it will be appreciated that the live hinge connections described
above can be achieved by any appropriate means well known in the
art. For example, the live hinge connections 21, 23 can be formed
by decreasing the thickness along the junction between the top
panels 20, 22 and the top perimeter member 12 and the bottom
perimeter member 18, respectively. Thus, an alternate embodiment of
the cargo management system 10 may include live hinge connections
without the use of the one-sided tape. The live hinge connections
may also be replaced with other means well-known in the art for
hingedly connecting the various panels of the cargo management
system 10, such as a piano-type hinge, door-type hinge, or the
like.
[0022] As seen in FIG. 4, the rib members 30, 31, 43 divide the
cargo management system 10 into one or more individual storage
wells 55 of varying size when the cargo management system 10 is in
the fully deployed position. Preferably, the storage wells 55 are
suitably sized so as to provide enough space to store goods of
interest, such as a six-pack of beverages 56, a can of paint 57, a
bag of groceries 58, a water container 59, or the like. It will be
appreciated that the storage wells 55 can be suitably sized by
including additional rib members to provide additional storage
wells 55 or no rib members to provide a single storage well 55 that
occupies the maximum amount of space.
[0023] As seen in FIG. 6 and described above, the cargo management
system 10 of the invention can easily be transported to the vehicle
60 and deployed by the user for separating, controlling and/or
securing cargo and other items in the vehicle 60. Once the items
are removed from the cargo management system 10, the cargo
management system 10 can be easily stored by placing the cargo
management system 10 in the collapsed position.
[0024] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be
construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
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