Concealable vehicle cargo area storage system

• US 10,399,501 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2018
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Flores Marin, Pamela, Valencia Cruz, Gustavo Eduardo, Pastrana Dominguez, Frederick, Nieto Gonzalez, Sandra Irais
• Primary Examiner(s): Daniels, Jason S
• Application Number:
  US15/886,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20190232875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 296 244, 296 375, 296 378, 296 3716
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0036 Luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/045 collapsible or transformable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 7/24 collapsible, e.g. with all parts detachable

Abstract

A cargo area storage system including: a foldable cover assembly including: first and second substantially rectangular panels in a parallel relationship and being pivotally connected such that the panels can fold in relation to one another to form the cover assembly into an erect configuration or to have a common plane configuration; a storage container affixed to the second panel, the storage container having one or more storage compartments, the storage container being a foldable, top open container; and where, when the first and second panels are in the erect configuration, the storage container can be made into an unfolded configuration to establish the one or more storage compartments to store one or more items, and where, when the first and second panels are in the common plane configuration, the storage container can be made into a folded configuration and concealed from the cargo area.

Claims

1. A cargo area storage system comprising:

a foldable cover assembly for selectively covering a floor of a vehicle cargo area, the cover assembly comprising;

first and second substantially rectangular panels in a parallel relationship, wherein a flexible living hinge adjacently connects the first and second panels and the living hinge extends along the width of the adjacent first and second panels; and

the first and second panels being pivotally connected such that the panels can fold in relation to one another so as to form the cover assembly into a substantially erect configuration or the panels can fold open to bring the first and second panels to have a common plane configuration that can substantially overlap the cargo area floor;

a storage container affixed to the second panel, the storage container having one or more storage compartments, the storage container being a foldable, top open container made of flexible material; and

wherein, when the first and second panels are in the substantially erect configuration, the storage container is exposed to the cargo area and can be made into an unfolded configuration to establish the one or more storage compartments to store one or more items, and wherein, when the first and second panels are in the common plane configuration, the storage container can be made into a folded configuration and concealed from the cargo area.

2. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising one or more mechanical hinges to connect the second panel to the floor of the cargo area in a pivotable manner.

3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle cargo area is generally formed behind one or more vehicle seats and between spaced interior sidewalls of a vehicle.

4. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels include a carpet layer configured to be exposed in the cargo area when the first and second panels have the common plane configuration.

5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are 90 degrees relative to the cargo area floor when in the substantially erect configuration.

6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the cargo area floor includes an elastomeric material layer.

7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the storage container includes a plurality of tethered coupling devices, each coupling device configured to operatively attach to a respective attachment point located on one or more cargo area sidewalls to maintain the storage container in the unfolded configuration.

8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein:

the storage container has two sidewalls being foldable and unfoldable relative to each other by rotation at a crease, the storage container further has a rear wall joined to the sidewalls; and

wherein, when the storage container is in the folded configuration, the sidewalls are pivoted via the crease into positions substantially parallel to and pressed against the second panel and the rear wall is substantially pressed against the substantially parallel side walls.

9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the rear wall of the storage container is reinforced by a rigid material.

10. The storage system of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more storage compartments are defined by a plurality of foldable partitions;

wherein each end of each partition is stitched at each end to an interior surface of the storage container;

wherein, when in an unfolded orientation, each partition abuts a respective corner of the storage container interior; and

wherein, when in a folded orientation, each partition has an inverse perpendicular relationship with the respective corner to create a storage compartment defined by the area between the respective corner and partition.

11. The storage system of claim 10, wherein each foldable partition is reinforced by one or more boards.

12. A vehicle comprising:

a cargo area generally formed behind one or more vehicle seats and between spaced interior sidewalls of a vehicle;

a foldable cover assembly installed in the cargo area, the cover assembly for selectively covering a floor of the cargo area, the cover assembly comprising;

first and second rigid panels in a parallel relationship, wherein a flexible living hinge adjacently connects the first and second panels and the living hinge extends along the width of the adjacent first and second panels; and

the first and second panels being pivotally connected such that the panels can fold in relation to one another so as to form the cover assembly into a substantially erect configuration or the panels can fold open to bring the first and second panels to have a common plane configuration that substantially overlaps the cargo area floor;

a storage container affixed to the second panel, the storage container having one or more storage compartments, the storage container being a foldable, top open container made of flexible material; and

wherein, when the first and second panels are in the substantially erect configuration, the storage container is exposed to the cargo area and can be made into an unfolded configuration to establish the one or more storage compartments to store one or more items, and wherein, when the first and second panels are in the common plane configuration, the storage container is in a folded configuration and concealed from the cargo area.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising one or more mechanical hinges mounted to the cargo area floor, wherein the one or more mechanical hinges connect the second panel to the cargo area floor in a pivotable manner.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first and second panels include a carpet layer configured to be exposed in the cargo area when the first and second panels have the common plane configuration.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the cargo area floor includes an elastomeric material layer.

16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the storage container includes a plurality of tethered hook devices, each hook device configured to operatively attach to a respective tie down anchor located on the respective interior vehicle sidewall to maintain the storage container in the unfolded configuration.

17. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein:

the storage container has two sidewalls being foldable and unfoldable relative to each other by rotation at a crease, the storage container further has a rear wall joined to the sidewalls; and

wherein, when the storage container is in the folded configuration, the sidewalls are pivoted via the crease into positions substantially parallel to and pressed against the second panel and the rear wall is substantially pressed against the substantially parallel side walls.

18. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein:

the one or more storage compartments are defined by a plurality of foldable partitions;

wherein each end of each partition is stitched at each end to an interior surface of the storage container;

wherein, when in an unfolded orientation, each partition abuts a respective corner of the storage container interior; and

wherein, when in a folded orientation, each partition has an inverse perpendicular relationship with the respective corner to create a storage compartment defined by the area between the respective corner and partition.