Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Bracket connected to vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-26
2002-01-01
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Bracket connected to vehicle
C224S404000, C224S411000, C224S543000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06334562
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of German application 198 14 967.0, filed in Germany on Apr. 3, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a stowage device, especially for a removable arrangement in a motor vehicle, with at least one flexible receiving pocket that provides access to the interior of the pocket from one open side.
Stowage devices of this kind are described in not previously published older German patent applications 197 32 403. 7 and 197 32 404. 5. The stowage device is defined as a flexible mesh net that is closed at its edges except for a top side. The open top side thus provides access to the interior of the mesh net. The side edges of the open top side are provided with pull cords that are preferably inelastic. The cords have hanging loops on at least two opposite sides. By means of these hanging loops, the mesh net that forms a receiving pocket can be hung on retaining buttons integral with the vehicle in a trunk or cargo compartment of a motor vehicle. In a functional state positioned in the motor vehicle, in which the loops have been hung on the buttons integral with the vehicle, the inelastic pull cords and hence the side edges are under tensile stress, so that the side edges of the receiving pocket abut one another.
Hence a goal of the invention is to provide a stowage device of the species recited at the outset that permits an improved stowage of objects.
This goal is achieved with preferred embodiments of the invention by virtue of the fact that a support structure is associated with the open side, said structure spreading the open side in a functional position that exposes the interior of the pocket. In contrast to the prior art, the solution according to the invention avoids the need to spread the side edges of the open side manually before putting away an object in the receiving pocket. The solution according to the invention instead allows an extremely simple access since the supporting structure spreads the open side sufficiently so that objects can readily be inserted into the interior of the pocket or can be removed therefrom.
The solution according to the invention is especially advantageous for a stretched arrangement of the flexible receiving pocket between mounts that are integral with the vehicle in a motor vehicle, as shown in the not previously published German patent applications 197 32 403. 7 and 197 32 404. 5. A suitable object such as a suitcase or the like can be inserted with one hand into the spread receiving pocket without having to spread the side edges first using the other hand. The stowage device is advantageously designed as a mesh net similarly to the patent applications listed above. Of course, the stowage device is not limited in this way. It can also be made in similar fashion from other flexible materials such as textile or plastic flat structures. The solution according to the invention also relates to other stowage devices whose open sides are provided with side edges that are opposite one another and abut one another tightly in the resting position, so that access to the interior of the pocket is not readily provided in the resting position.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the supporting structure has at least two cross struts that are spaced apart from one another, extend between opposite side edges of the receiving pocket, and are rigid, at least in the functional position. This is an especially simple and sturdy design for spreading the open side of the receiving pocket.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the cross struts are mounted releasably on the side edges. As a result, the stowage device can be accommodated compactly in the resting position.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, each cross strut is designed to be foldable by means of at least one hinge arrangement. As a result, the open side can be opened and closed in simple fashion.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the hinge arrangement is provided with stops by means of which the hinge arrangement is secured in its functional position in a top dead center position. As a result, assurance is provided that the cross struts will not fold inadvertently, so that reliable spreading can be produced in the functional position.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the supporting structure has a supporting frame that extends between the opposite side edges and is rigid at least in the functional position. The supporting frame performs the function of the cross struts and also stabilizes the side edges of the open side itself, so that an especially stable spreading of the open side of the receiving pocket is achieved.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the supporting frame is provided with at least one hinge arrangement by means of which the supporting frame can be divided in the supporting direction. As a result, the supporting frame can be converted into a folded resting position. Similarly to the cross struts described, the supporting frame can also be positioned releasably between the opposite side edges of the receiving pocket so that it can be removed or installed as needed.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the hinge arrangement is provided with stops that hold the hinge arrangement in the functional position of the supporting frame in a top dead center position. The supporting frame also has the same advantages as far as the hinge arrangement is concerned as the (at least two) cross struts according to the embodiment described above.
A goal that forms a basis of the invention is also achieved for a stowage device in the form of a mesh net by the fact that a plurality of receiving pockets located side by side is provided in the mesh net, said pockets being designed to be open on the same side. As a result, a mesh net like that already described in the older German patent applications 197 32 403. 7 and 197 32 404. 5 is improved in that a plurality of stowage compartments is produced for different objects. This solution is especially advantageous for stowing objects that can be readily damaged (glass objects or the like) since such objects can be stowed separately.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the mesh net has a front and a rear net wall that are connected with one another both at a bottom and at their outer sides, and the two net walls are also connected continuously with one another along at least one separating line at a distance from the outer sides, from the bottom up to the side edges of the open side. As a result, the mesh net is divided into a plurality of pockets by simple means. Advantageously, the separating line is produced by suitable seams or by textile strips connected with one another, which are preferably wrapped around the upper side edges. The textile strips are preferably also sewn together. Preferably, securing devices in the form of push buttons or the like can also be provided on the separating strips that are formed. These push buttons or the like hold the mesh net together in a rolled-up position. Such a mesh net that can be rolled up is basically already disclosed in DE 197 32 403. 7 or 197 32 404. 5.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, linear pulling means run inside the side edges of the open side, said means being provided with mounting loops at at least two points spaced apart from one another, and hanging hooks are attached to the mounting loops. As a result it is possible to hang the stowage device in the form of a pocket arrangement on the upper edge area of a larger container, especially a shopping cart or the like, so that the pocket arrangement can be used in simple fashion both for shopping and also subsequently for transporting the purchased goods in a motor vehicle.
Additional advantages and features of the invention follow from the claims as well as from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 77721
Ament Eduard
Seel Holger
Baumeister & Ostler GmbH & Co.
Brevard Maerena W.
Crowell & Moring LLP
Vidovich Gregory M.
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