阅读说明：本技术 车辆存储装置 (Vehicle storage device ) 是由 D·W·惠特曼 于 2019-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种车辆存储装置,包括多个平面面板和多个铰链,该多个铰链将多个平面面板中的每一个枢转地连接到多个平面面板中的每一个的相邻一个。(A vehicle storage arrangement includes a plurality of planar panels and a plurality of hinges pivotally connecting each of the plurality of planar panels to an adjacent one of each of the plurality of planar panels.)

1. A vehicle storage device comprising:

A plurality of planar panels; and

A plurality of hinges pivotally connecting each of the plurality of planar panels to an adjacent one of each of the plurality of planar panels.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnets.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within a body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels, the planar panel being adjacent to one of the plurality of hinges connecting the corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels to an adjacent one of the plurality of planar panels.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least a first pair of the plurality of magnets is embedded within one of the plurality of planar panels and a second pair of the plurality of magnets is embedded within an adjacent one of the plurality of panels, the adjacent panel being hinged to the one of the plurality of planar panels.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels a predetermined distance from an edge of the plurality of planar panels hinged to an adjacent one of the plurality of planar panels.

7. the apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of panels forms a rectangular planar panel, and wherein each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels adjacent a corner of the rectangular shaped one of the plurality of planar panels.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a textured surface on at least one side of each of the plurality of planar panels.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of hinges biases the plurality of planar panels to a flat configuration.

10. the apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hook and loop fasteners positioned on one side of each of the plurality of planar panels.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle storage device for a vehicle cargo area.

introduction to the design reside in

the present introduction generally presents the background of the present disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this introduction, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and the like are ubiquitous and used to transport people. These vehicles are also used to transport a wide variety of cargo. To transport cargo, these vehicles typically include specialized cargo storage areas, such as luggage, beds, and other similar payload spaces. These cargo storage areas typically include utility space for storing items such as spare tires, emergency and maintenance equipment, tools, and the like. Cargo storage areas are used to store and transport a wide variety of items, including child care equipment, large luggage, school and utility bags, groceries, and other items. Since cargo storage spaces are often a highly desirable feature of vehicles, they are often designed as open pocket-shaped areas in order to maximize storage capacity.

However, while large pocketed cargo spaces are suitable and preferred for providing the largest cargo area, these pocketed spaces present problems in securing and removing cargo from the vehicle during transport. Because open cargo storage areas generally do not provide a suitable means of securing the cargo, the cargo may slide, roll, tumble, or otherwise move around during transport. The movement of unsecured cargo increases the risk of the cargo being damaged or destroyed. The risk of such damage or destruction is particularly high for fragile and special care products, such as groceries, liquids, etc. The movement of unsecured cargo also moves the cargo to an inconvenient location, such as the front of a cargo storage area, making it inconvenient to remove items from the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

In an exemplary aspect, a vehicle storage device includes a plurality of planar panels and a plurality of hinges pivotally connecting each of the plurality of planar panels to an adjacent one of each of the planar panels.

in another exemplary aspect, the apparatus includes a plurality of magnets.

In another exemplary aspect, each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels.

In another exemplary aspect, each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels, adjacent to one of the plurality of hinges that connects the corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels to an adjacent one of the plurality of planar panels.

in another exemplary aspect, at least a first pair of the plurality of magnets is embedded within one of the plurality of planar panels and a second pair of the plurality of magnets is embedded within an adjacent one of the plurality of panels that is hinged to the one of the plurality of planar panels.

In another exemplary aspect, each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels a predetermined distance from an edge of the plurality of planar panels hinged to an adjacent one of the plurality of planar panels.

In another exemplary aspect, each of the plurality of panels forms a rectangular planar panel, and each of the plurality of magnets is embedded within the body of a corresponding one of the plurality of planar panels, adjacent a corner of the rectangular panel of the plurality of planar panels.

In another exemplary aspect, the apparatus includes a textured surface on at least one side of each of the plurality of planar panels.

In another exemplary aspect, each of the plurality of hinges biases the plurality of planar panels to a flat configuration.

In another exemplary aspect, the apparatus includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners positioned on one side of each of the plurality of planar panels.

further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the detailed description, including the claims and the exemplary embodiments, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo area of a vehicle including an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle storage device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle storage device;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle storage device in a first configuration;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle storage device of FIG. 3A in a second configuration;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle storage device of FIG. 3A in a third configuration;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a vehicle cargo area including the vehicle storage device of FIG. 1 in a first configuration;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a vehicle cargo area including the vehicle storage device of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a vehicle cargo area including the vehicle storage device of FIG. 1 in a third configuration; and is

Fig. 4D is a perspective view of a vehicle cargo area including the vehicle storage device of fig. 1 in a fourth configuration.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to a few examples of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left side, right side, upward, above, over, below, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components throughout the several figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo area 102 of a vehicle 100 including an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle storage device 104.

The cargo area 102 of the vehicle 100 includes a load floor (not shown) upon which the vehicle storage devices 104 are positioned. In this configuration, the vehicle storage device 104 forms a flat surface upon which an article may be positioned. In this manner and in this configuration, the vehicle storage device 104 may serve the same function as the cargo area load floor and be positioned within the cargo area 102 without reducing the volume of the cargo area 102 and without interfering with anything positioned within the cargo area 102. This is in stark contrast to conventional vehicle storage devices, which require a supply of items located within the vehicle cargo area, and which can take up valuable cargo volume and remove it from and back to the vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment, vehicle storage device 104 includes a plurality of planar panels 106 that are pivotally attached to one another along respective adjacent edges by a plurality of hinges 108.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle storage device 200 is shown. The vehicle storage device 200 includes a plurality of planar panels 202 pivotally attached along adjacent edges by hinges 204. The planar panel 202 may be formed of a substantially rigid material that maintains a planar configuration. A coating 206 of flexible material is molded onto the planar panel 202 and a portion of the coating 206 forms the pivot hinge 204. Alternatively, the flexible material coating 206 may comprise a fabric that may serve as the outer surface of the planar panels 202 and may also bridge the gap between adjacent edges of the planar panels 202 and thereby form a hinge between the planar panels 202.

In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle storage device 200 may further include a plurality of magnets 208 embedded within the plurality of panels 202. The plurality of magnets 208 may be positioned adjacent to edges of the plurality of panels 202. Preferably, as described with reference to fig. 3A-3C, each magnet 208 is positioned a predetermined distance from the respective adjacent panel edge such that they align as the panels pivot about the hinge 204.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle storage device 300 in a first configuration. The vehicle storage device 300 has substantially the same configuration as the vehicle storage device 200 of fig. 2. The only difference is that the vehicle storage device 200 of fig. 2 includes two planar panels 202 and a single hinge 204, while the vehicle storage device 300 of fig. 3A-3C includes five planar panels 302 and four hinges 304. It should be understood that the vehicle storage device of the present disclosure may include any number of planar panels and hinges, without limitation.

Fig. 3A shows the vehicle storage device 300 in a first configuration in a flat configuration. In this first flat configuration, the vehicle storage device 300 may be positioned in the cargo area of the vehicle and used as a load floor without reducing the volume of the cargo area and without interfering with anything positioned within the cargo area.

Fig. 3B shows the vehicle storage device 300 in a second configuration. Two of the plurality of planar panels 302 pivot about hinges 304 to form two legs of a triangle, wherein the third leg of the triangle may be formed by a load floor (not shown) of a cargo area in the vehicle. In this configuration, the bottom edges 306 of the two planar panels 302 contact the cargo area load floor, and friction between the edges 306 and the underlying load floor may establish a rigid structure that ensures that this configuration is maintained. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the planar panel 302 may have a textured surface that interacts with the surface of the underlying load floor to improve friction. In this manner, the vehicle storage device 300 may be easily configured to provide a barrier to objects placed within the vehicle cargo area.

fig. 3C shows a vehicle storage apparatus 300 in yet another configuration. In this configuration, the two planar panels 302 pivot about the hinge 304 until their opposing faces contact each other. Magnets 308 embedded in each planar panel 302 are placed in close proximity such that the magnetic field between the respective magnet pairs 308 operates to hold the planar panels 302 securely together. To ensure alignment of magnets 308 when opposing faces of planar panel 302 are positioned against each panel, magnets 308 are positioned within each panel a predetermined distance from the respective edges of planar panel 302.

Fig. 4A-4D illustrate a vehicle cargo area 400, in which vehicle storage devices 402 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure are located in the vehicle cargo area 400. Each of fig. 4A through 4D illustrates a different configuration of the vehicle storage device 402. It should be appreciated that the vehicle storage device 402 may be configured in any number of configurations without limitation. Fig. 4A shows the vehicle storage device 402 in a fully flat configuration. In this configuration, the vehicle storage device 402 may form a load floor of the vehicle cargo area 400, and the vehicle storage device 402 does not occupy any significant volume of the vehicle cargo area 400. In other words, the overall capacity of the vehicle cargo area 400 remains unchanged even though the vehicle storage device 402 is located within the vehicle cargo area 400.

Fig. 4B illustrates another configuration of a vehicle storage device 402 located within the vehicle cargo area 400. In this configuration, the two planar panels of the vehicle storage device 402 have been pivoted about the abutment hinge so that the planar panels abut one another. In this configuration, the vehicle storage device 402 forms a wall within the vehicle cargo area 400 that may then be used to control the positioning of objects placed within the vehicle cargo area 400.

Fig. 4C illustrates yet another configuration of a vehicle storage device 402 located within the vehicle cargo area 400. In this configuration, two pairs of planar panels pivot about respective adjacent hinges. In this manner, the vehicle storage device 402 forms two spaced apart walls that divide the load floor of the vehicle cargo area 400 into three regions. The object may then be selectively positioned on different sides of the wall, thereby separating and controlling the positioning of the object within the vehicle cargo area 400. Fig. 4D illustrates the vehicle cargo area 402, wherein the vehicle storage device 402 has the same configuration as fig. 4C, wherein the vehicle storage device 402 in fig. 4D has been repositioned within the vehicle cargo area 400. Thus, it should be appreciated that the vehicle storage device may have any number of different configurations and may be easily moved about the vehicle cargo area 400 and positioned within the vehicle cargo area 400.

The description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent from the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.