Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Auxiliary article compartments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-06-19
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Auxiliary article compartments
C296S037160, C296S037200, C296S037300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247741
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stowage apparatus for a cargo area of a motor vehicle that has a cargo area floor equipped with at least one recess.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A cargo area floor of a passenger car is generally equipped with a depression in which a collapsible basket can be accommodated. The basket can be placed in the depression of the cargo area floor, and in its collapsed position terminates flush with the cargo area floor. A conventional stowage apparatus of this type is described in German Patent Publication No. DE 4432369 A1.
The present stowage apparatus has improved utilization capabilities in comparison to conventional stowage apparatus designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing objective is achieved by at least one insert frame that can be fitted into the recess of the cargo area floor and can be fastened on the vehicle side by way of an attachment mechanism. The insert frame can form the basis for a modular design in which different stowage modules for the cargo area are correspondingly made available and can be positioned in the cargo area floor. The insert frame is, in particular, fitted directly into the recess, present in the body, of the cargo area floor, and can in turn serve as receptacle for further functional inserts. The insert frame can, however, also be fitted into a depression of the cargo area floor that forms a covering part fastened at the top; the insert frame can then serve directly as a corresponding functional insert. The recess can be configured as a trough-like depression with a shaped floor, or as an opening that can be closed off by the insert frame.
In an embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the insert frame has a peripheral upper terminating rim that is configured as a protective profile covering a lining of the cargo area floor. It is thereby possible to cover cut edges of the cargo area lining, in particular of a carpet, in the region of the recess of the cargo area floor, making this embodiment particularly advantageous when the insert frame is used on the body.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the insert frame is fastened detachably in the recess of the cargo area floor. This makes it possible to replace the insert frame or to reinsert it in a different position.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the insert frame and the recess are coordinated with one another in such a way that the insert frame can be inserted into the recess in two different positions rotated 180° with respect to one another. Turning the insert frame over about a horizontal axis allows the use of the insert frame for different functional purposes, the upper side having a function different from that of the underside.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the attachment mechanism is positioned such that they secure the insert frame in both inserted positions. As a result, secure retention of the insert frame in the cargo area floor is guaranteed for both functional positions of the insert frame, with no need to provide a separate attachment mechanism.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the attachment mechanism has at least one locking pin, movable between a release position arranged in countersunk fashion in a side rim of the insert frame and a locked position projecting outward beyond the side rim, which in the locked position penetrates into a corresponding receptacle of the recess of the cargo area floor. This results in positively fitting retention of the insert frame in the recess, which can easily be disengaged by correspondingly actuating the locking pin. The positively fitting retention of this embodiment is advantageous in particular in the event of a vehicle collision, in order to prevent the insert frame from being propelled through the cargo area or the passenger compartment.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, at least one actuation element, in working engagement with the locking pin via a mechanical positive guide, is provided. The insert frame is thereby easily locked into or unlocked from the recess of the cargo area floor.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, each locking pin is held in spring-loaded fashion in its locked position, and there engages onto a countersurface of the locking pin an obliquely oriented sliding surface of a linearly movable actuation element that is movable at right angles to the locking bolt in such a way that the countersurface and the sliding surface slide along one another, positively guided by the locking pin, when a movement of the actuation element occurs. A movement of the actuation element thus necessarily results in unlocking of the locking pin. If the sliding movement is produced along an inclined plane by way of a gated guide, the locking pin can also be guided into its locked position. If only the transfer into the unlocked position is controlled by the actuation element, the locking pin is correspondingly spring-loaded in the direction of the locked position.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the actuation element can be manipulated both from an upper side and from an underside of the insert frame, and the actuation element is equipped with two sliding surfaces, arranged with mirror symmetry, of which one is allocated to operation from the upper side and the other to operation from the underside. This makes it possible to ensure unlocking of the insert frame in both insertion positions by way of a single actuation element.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the insert frame is equipped with a bottom, arranged in a trough shape, that is delimited by the peripheral side rim of the insert frame, the side rim being coordinated with the depth of the recess in such a way that with the insert frame in the turned-over position, the bottom terminates flush with the cargo area floor.
The insert frame thus constitutes, in the turned-over insertion position, a planar and flush termination with the rest of the cargo area floor.
If necessary, the insert frame can be turned over and the trough shape can be used as a receptacle for items to be stowed.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, the insert frame is equipped on its side opposite the bottom with a detachable cover, in particular with at least one pivoting lid. As a result, the open side of the insert frame can preferably also be closed off flush with the cargo area floor.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, at least one flexible planar structure, wound onto a roller-shade shaft and capable of being pulled out, is integrated into the insert frame. As a result, the insert frame can perform several functions: at least one planar structure can be utilized both to partition the cargo area and to secure cargo on the cargo area floor.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, at least one functional insert is integrated into the insert frame. A functional insert of this kind can be configured in the form of a stowage container or in the form of a mount for items to be secured in the cargo area, in particular as a bicycle mount.
In a further embodiment of the present stowage apparatus, an erectable retaining bracket arrangement, with which a net structure can be stretched out, is provided in the insert frame. The retaining bracket arrangement, which can comprise one or more retaining brackets, is folded down onto the bottom of the insert frame in the not-in-use rest position. A corresponding immobilization system, which can preferably be arranged in the region of hinge joints, is provided for the erected end position of the retaining bracket arrangement.
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patent: 2867471 (1959-01-01), Coon
patent: 4969678 (1990-11-01), Loisel
patent: 4991898 (1991-02-01), Nomura
patent: 5011208 (1991-04-01), Lewallen
patent: 5050926 (1991-09-01), Tanaka
patent: 5056846 (1991-10-01), Tanaka
patent: 5061002 (1991-10-01), Saso
patent: 5257846 (1993-11-01), Kanie et al.
patent: 5599054 (1997-02-0
Haspel Klaus
Schlecht Werner P.
Seel Holger
Baumeister & Ostler GmbH & Co.
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran B.
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