Motor vehicle storage area liner

Details Motor vehicle storage area liner Motor vehicle storage area liner

1999-03-30

2001-03-27

Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)

Land vehicles: bodies and tops

Bodies

Lining

C229S164000, C229S229000, C229S186000, C229S188000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206443

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a protective liner for protecting the cargo area and sides of a motor vehicle when carrying cargo, and more particularly, to such a liner made of disposable material that is selectively adjustable in size to fit the cargo area of different types of motor vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Minivans and sports utility vehicles are very popular. One reason for their popularity is that they can transport a large number of people and cargo. Although these vehicles provide a truck-like ride, their interiors often include leather upholstery and deep-piled carpeting which most owners want to protect.
Disposable liners have been used to protect the bed of a pick-up truck. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,874 describes a disposable liner for the bed of a pick-up truck having a pair of side flaps, a front flap, a tailgate flap, and a pair of wheel well knockouts.
One drawback with these liners is that they are not designed to be used in the interior storage area of a station wagon, minivan or a sports utility vehicle. An important functional difference between the storage areas in these types of vehicles and the bed of a pick-up truck is that the liner for a station wagon, minivan or a sports utility vehicle can be made of non-water resistant material and must have sealed bottom and side panels to prevent spillage or leakage into the storage area. Another important functional difference is that the front flap of the liner should be adjustable to conform with the back support of the rear seat so that the entire storage area may be used. A further important functional difference is that the rear flap of the liner should be adjustable to partially or completely open to allow cargo items to be easily placed or removed from the liner and at the same time, keep any loose cargo items from spilling onto the carpet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a disposable, protective liner for a station wagon, minivan or sports utility vehicle.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a liner that allows cargo to be easily placed or removed from the liner and prevents loose cargo materials from spilling or leaking onto the storage area.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a liner that has an adjustable front panel that conforms with the angle of back support on the rear seat so that all of the storage area may be utilized.
These and other objects are met by providing an inexpensive, discardable liner for the cargo area of the interior storage area of a motor vehicle. The liner is made of paper material designed to be folded into a compact manner when not in use. The liner includes a main panel with a plurality of fold lines which divide the main panel into an integrally attached bottom panel, a back panel, two side panels and a front panel. The liner includes attachment means which hold the back, front and side panels in an upright, perpendicularly aligned position relative to the bottom panel thereby forming a partially closed enclosure. Formed between the ends of the front panel and each side panel are a plurality of fold lines which enable the front panel to be selectively aligned at different angles relative to the bottom and side panels so that it may conform with the angle of the back support on the rear seat. The front panel can also be completely folded downward and extended forward so that it is longitudinally aligned with the bottom panel when the rear seat is removed or moved forward in the motor vehicle. The rear flap includes a mid-line fold line which enables its upper section to be folded downward so that cargo may be easily loaded or unloaded from the liner. The rear flap may also be completely folded downward and longitudinally aligned with the bottom panel so that the entire cargo area is protected and utilized.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4890874 (1990-01-01), Davis
patent: 5110171 (1992-05-01), Anthony
patent: 5570921 (1996-11-01), Brooker
patent: 5722710 (1998-03-01), Falciani

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Motor vehicle storage area liner does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Motor vehicle storage area liner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Motor vehicle storage area liner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2456004