Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load bearer accommodation – Load bearer abutment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-14
2001-05-22
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load bearer accommodation
Load bearer abutment
C410S118000, C410S121000, C410S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234733
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to cargo retaining systems, and, more specifically, to a collapsible cargo retaining system used on carpeted surfaces of an automotive vehicle.
BACKGROUND ART
For many individuals, automobiles are utilized to transport more than just adults, children and soccer equipment. A multitude of items, such as groceries, automobile safety equipment, toys, first aid equipment and/or other sporting goods, typically can be found in an automobile. However, many of these items can be damaged and/or cause damage to the interior of an automobile by sliding around uncontrollably during driving and thus striking the interior portions of the automobile cargo area.
In an attempt to remedy this problem, several devices have been proposed. Examples of such devices may be found by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,656 to November, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,745 to Haydock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,733 to Geeves, U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,922 to Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,205 to Behlman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,690 to Adkinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,358 to Haase, U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,170 to Rasmussen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,921 to Brooker, U.K. Patent No. 2,197,274 to Dudley, U.K. Patent No. 2,229,982 to Svendsen and German Patent No. 3,742,540 to Heinrich. In general, however, these designs are disadvantageous. For example, many do not provide adequate means for securing the actual device within the cargo area. Thus, they do not restrict the overall movement of the storage device in the cargo area, which in turn would not restrict the overall movement of the cargo. In addition, many of the designs are limited in configuration to generally rectangular or parallelogramical shapes, and thus may not provide the best constraint for the widest array of cargo. Also, many of these devices are bulky and expensive to manufacture.
It is readily apparent that an improved and affordable cargo retaining device is needed that is releasably adherable to carpet, provides the ability to be shaped in a multitude of configurations and can be easily folded to a compact unit when not in use. It is, therefore, to the provision of such improvements that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a foldable automobile cargo retaining device used to store and retain loose items such as groceries, toys or safety equipment from free movement in the trunk space or cargo area of a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. The cargo-retaining device is formed using two or more, preferably four, polyethylene, corrugated cardboard or plastic panels, or other similar material, pivotably joined together to form a an L-, triangular or rectangular shape with no top or bottom panel.
In a preferred embodiment, the panels are formed from one piece of generally elongated material having prepressed fold lines to define the panels. A connecting flap is formed proximal to one end of the material by including an additional prepressed fold line proximal to that end. Hook and loop fastener, or other similar fastening means, is sewn or glued to the connecting flap for adhering to one of the panels to form the desired configuration or to the side of the trunk or cargo area, thereby providing an additional means for securing the device in the desired position and shape. In an alternate embodiment, a second connecting flap having hook and loop fastener, or other similar fastening means, may be formed distal to the first connecting flap for providing additional means for connecting or securing the device. In a preferred embodiment, the panels are encased with carpet material glued or sewn around the panels to provide additional padding for the cargo, to provide additional points of connection for the hook and loop fasteners on the connecting flap and to add to the esthetical appeal of the device.
In using the preferred four-panel embodiment, the panels may be folded in a generally rectangular shape with the hook and loop fastener of the connecting flap proximal to the first panel adhering to the fourth panel to secure the device in the generally rectangular shape. Alternatively, the hook and loop fastener of the connecting flap may be adhered to a multitude of locations along the carpet covering of the four panels or to the side of the cargo area to form a plurality of shapes and sizes. For instance, the four panels may be folded to form an “L” shape, “U” shape, triangular shape or other suitable shape to conform to the shape of the cargo or the cargo area. Hook and loop fastener, or other similar fastening means, is lined on the bottom edge of the four panels for attaching the device to the carpet of an automobile trunk or cargo area, thereby restricting movement of the device. Articles can then be secured inside of the device to ensure restricted mobility of said articles. When not in use, the rectangle can be folded into a compact unit for convenient storage.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible cargo retaining system having a multitude of fold lines giving it the versatility to conform to a plurality of shapes and sizes, thus capable of restraining large, and/or irregular shaped cargo.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible cargo retaining system made from corrugated panels covered with carpet material to reduce shock to the articles retained if a sudden change in direction is encountered.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible cargo retaining system that assists in reducing driver distractions and damage to the vehicle cargo area from the movement of loose items in the cargo area.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible cargo retaining system covered with carpet material to provide an esthetically pleasing device.
A feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible cargo retaining system that is lightweight and can be folded into a compact unit for easy storage when not in use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3986656 (1976-10-01), November
patent: 4838745 (1989-06-01), Haydock
patent: 4842460 (1989-06-01), Schlesch
patent: 4884733 (1989-12-01), Geeves
patent: 4941784 (1990-07-01), Flament
patent: 4951867 (1990-08-01), McManus
patent: 5065922 (1991-11-01), Harris
patent: 5215205 (1993-06-01), Behlman
patent: 5230690 (1993-07-01), Adkinson
patent: 5505358 (1996-04-01), Haase
patent: 5518170 (1996-05-01), Rasmussen
patent: 5570921 (1996-11-01), Brooker
patent: 5662305 (1997-09-01), Shimamura et al.
patent: 5709512 (1998-01-01), Smith
patent: 5865580 (1999-02-01), Lawrence
patent: 6089803 (2000-07-01), Holland
patent: 6109847 (2000-08-01), Patel et al.
patent: 3742540 (1989-06-01), None
patent: 408930 (1991-01-01), None
patent: 2197274 (1988-05-01), None
patent: 2229982 (1990-10-01), None
Gordon Stephen T.
Technoprop Colton LLC
LandOfFree
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