Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct – Wraparound
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-29
2001-02-06
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct
Wraparound
C410S117000, C410S118000, C410S129000, C410S142000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183177
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for securing cargo in a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for securing various kinds of luggage in a cargo or luggage compartment in a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Motor vehicles, e.g. passenger cars, normally comprise a luggage compartment which is intended for storing various kinds of luggage. In connection with conventional motor vehicles, there is a risk that luggage which is stored in the luggage compartment may be poorly secured or that it is not secured at all. This can result in the luggage moving back and forth in the luggage compartment so that it is damaged, which can occur, for example, in the case of sudden braking.
Naturally, loosely secured luggage can also entail risks for those traveling in the vehicle. For this reason, there is a need for devices which stably secure various kinds of cargo in a luggage compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and to provide an improved device for securing cargo in a cargo compartment of a vehicle, which device preferably has a simple construction which holds the luggage securely and which can be handled in a simple manner.
In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects have now been accomplished by apparatus for securing cargo in the cargo compartment of a vehicle comprising a retracting device mounted in the cargo compartment, a flexible band retractably attached to the retracting device whereby the flexible band can be withdrawn from the retracting device and retracted into the retracting device, a first locking element comprising an elongated bar affixed to the flexible band, and a second locking element comprising at least one recess disposed in the cargo compartment whereby the elongated bar can be releasably locked in the at least one recess for securing the cargo with the flexible band in the cargo compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated bar is affixed to the flexible band in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of retraction of the flexible band with respect to the retracting device.
In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the retracting device is substantially vertically disposed within the cargo compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one recess is also substantially vertically disposed within the cargo compartment.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the cargo compartment includes a sill, and the at least one recess is disposed within the sill.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the at least one recess comprises a substantially cylindrical groove including an opening and a vertical slot extending along the cylindrical groove.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the retracting device is an automatic locking retractor.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the cargo compartment includes at least one panel including an aperture, and the retracting device is disposed on one side of the panel and the flexible band extends through the aperture into the cargo compartment.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the elongated bar is telescopically retractable and extendable with respect to the flexible band.
The present invention thus comprises a net or band-shaped element which is retractable on a retracting device which in turn is fixedly mounted within the luggage compartment. The present invention further comprises a first locking element arranged on the band-shaped element and a second locking element arranged relative to the luggage compartment, with the first locking element and the second locking element being arranged for releasable locking with respect to each other. The present invention is based on the first locking element being a bar and the second locking element being at least one recess, where the bar is arranged to at least partially cooperate with the recess upon locking.
In a preferred embodiment, the recess is an essentially vertical groove in a sill structure in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. The bar can be moved down into this groove when securing the net or band-shaped element.
The present invention is preferably used together with a previously known retracting device of the ALR-kind (“automatic locking retractor”) with a band which can be stretched and then slackened, following which the band is secured from being removed from the position of the band subsequent to its being slackened. This contributes to an efficient securing of a load in a luggage compartment.
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AB Volvo
Gordon Stephen T.
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
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