Automotive wet trunk with drain

• US 20050248173A1
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Scarfe, Julian, Cucknell, Alan, Bejin, Peter, Cauwood, Peter, Sabberton, Iain, Norris, Jamie, Mason, Neil
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/37.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/04 arranged at rear of vehicle B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065

Abstract

A recessed storage well is formed in the rear load floor of an automotive vehicle to provide cargo transport capabilities for wet cargo. The recessed storage well is provided with a drain to permit the flow of liquids collected within the recessed storage well to be discharged externally of the vehicle. The recessed storage well is formed from impervious material to permit the storage of wet articles of cargo without dampening the carpet covering on the rear load floor. The drain is seated in an automotive frame component by a rubber grommet that prevents the transfer of vibrational noise to the recessed storage well. The drain enables the use of a water spray in clean-up operations by allowing the collected water to drain away from the recessed storage well.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a chassis supporting a rear cargo load floor defining a generally planar surface, an improved storage compartment comprising:

a recessed well formed into said rear cargo load floor to define a recessed storage compartment below the generally planar surface of the rear cargo load floor; and

a drain in flow communication with the recessed storage compartment to direct fluids accumulated in said recessed storage compartment externally of said recessed storage compartment.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with a plastic liner seated in said recessed well, said drain being in flow communication with said plastic liner.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said recessed well is formed of sheet metal having a hole formed therein for the passage of said drain, said drain including a drain tube supported in a rubber grommet mounted in said hole.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein said drain is provided with a removable plug selectively closing an internal end of said drain tube in flow communication with said liner.

5. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein said drain tube is also supported in a rubber grommet mounted in said chassis at a location remote from said recessed well.

6. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with a lid movable between an opened position in which access into said recessed storage compartment is enabled and a closed position in which said lid is oriented in said planar surface of said rear cargo load floor.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with removable dividers selectively creating multiple storage compartments from said recessed storage compartment.

8. A wet trunk forming a storage compartment recessed below a floor surface supported by a vehicle chassis, comprising:

a plastic liner having a hole formed therein; and

a drain supported in said hole in flow communication with said plastic liner for the removal of any liquid accumulated in said plastic liner externally of said plastic liner.

9. The wet trunk of claim 8 wherein said plastic liner is supported in a recessed well formed of sheet metal, said drain passing through an opening formed in said recessed well.

10. The wet trunk of claim 9 wherein said drain includes a drain tube supported in a rubber grommet mounted in said opening in said recessed well.

11. The wet trunk of claim 10 wherein said drain is provided with a removable plug selectively closing an internal end of said drain tube in flow communication with said liner.

12. The wet trunk of claim 10 further comprising:

a lid movable between an opened position in which access into said recessed storage compartment is enabled and a closed position in which said lid is oriented in said floor surface.

13. The wet trunk of claim 12 wherein said plastic liner is provided with removable dividers selectively creating multiple storage compartments.

14. The wet trunk of claim 10 wherein said floor surface is located in a rear cargo area supported by said vehicle chassis.

15. In a storage compartment recessed into a rear cargo load floor of an automobile, the improvement comprising:

a drain tube supported in flow communication with said storage compartment for the removal of any liquid accumulated within said recessed storage compartment externally of said storage compartment.

16. The storage compartment of claim 15 wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with a plastic liner, said drain being in flow communication with said plastic liner.

17. The storage compartment of claim 16 wherein said plastic liner is supported in a recessed well formed of sheet metal and having a hole therein for the passage of said drain to said plastic liner, said drain including a drain tube supported in a rubber grommet mounted in said hole.

18. The storage compartment of claim 17 wherein said drain is provided with a removable plug selectively closing an internal end of said drain tube in flow communication with said plastic liner.

19. The storage compartment of claim 18 further comprising:

a lid movable between an opened position in which access into said recessed storage compartment is enabled and a closed position in which said lid is oriented in said planar surface of said rear cargo load floor.

20. The storage compartment of claim 19 further comprising:

removable dividers selectively creating multiple storage compartments within said plastic liner.