INTEGRATED EXPANDABLE CARGO SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

• US 20060022479A1
• Filed: 07/28/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Hicks, Thomas, Mulvihill, James A, Kroll, Douglas, Simpson, Tracy
• Granted Patent: US 7,121,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/37.160
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

An integrated storage system for vehicles includes an expandable container secured to and extendable from a vertical panel of the vehicle to at least one predetermined position to accommodate cargo. The container is collapsible so that it is substantially flush with the vertical panel when not in use and may be made of fabric or netting, for example. A semi-rigid end panel with a handle may be secured to the container to facilitate deploying and stowing the container. Depending on the application, the container may be removable from the vehicle to transport cargo. The storage system may be integrated into various locations including a cargo area, behind a seat or seats, in a truck bed, or in the trunk of a vehicle, for example.

Claims

1. A storage system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a vertical trim panel having a cavity;

an end panel having a handle for deploying and stowing the storage system from the vertical trim panel;

a flexible cargo retaining element having a first end secured within the cavity of the vertical trim panel and a second end secured to the end panel, the cargo retaining element extending from the cavity to the end panel to form a receptacle for receiving cargo when the end panel is deployed from the vertical trim panel, and collapsing into the cavity to be hidden from view when the end panel is stowed in the vertical trim panel.

2. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the cargo retaining element comprises a net.

3. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the cargo retaining element comprises fabric.

4. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the cargo retaining element is removably secured within the cavity and removably secured to the end panel to facilitate removal of the retaining element and any cargo from the vehicle.

5. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising:

elastomeric cords extending from the cavity to the end panel, wherein the cargo retaining element is supported from the elastomeric cords.

6. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the end panel includes at least one device for removably securing the end panel at a predetermined distance from the vertical trim panel when deployed.

7. The storage system of claim 6 further comprising:

a floor panel having a plurality of recesses disposed at varying distances from the vertical trim panel, the recesses cooperating with the at least one device of the end panel to removably secure the end panel at a selected one of the distances.

8. The storage system of claim 6 wherein the at least one device comprises a rotatable hook.

9. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the vertical trim panel is secured to a rear portion of a passenger seat.

10. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the vertical trim panel is disposed within a trunk of the vehicle.

11. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the end panel fits substantially flush with the vertical trim panel when the storage system is stowed.

12. An integrated storage system for an interior portion of a vehicle, the storage system comprising:

a flexible cargo retainer extendable from a vertical trim panel of the vehicle to form a receptacle for receiving cargo when in use, the cargo retainer being retractable within the vertical trim panel of the vehicle to be substantially hidden from view when not in use.

13. The storage system of claim 12 further comprising:

an end panel secured to the cargo retainer and having a handle to facilitate extending and retracting the cargo retainer, the end panel including at least one rotatable hook to secure the end panel to an opposing vertical trim panel when extended.

14. The storage system of claim 13 further comprising at least two elastomeric cords connecting the end panel to the vertical trim panel.

15. The storage system of claim 13 wherein the end panel is substantially flush with the vertical trim panel when the cargo retainer is retracted.

16. The storage system of claim 12 wherein the cargo retainer is removably secured to the vertical trim panel to facilitate removal from the vehicle.

17. An integrated storage system for a vehicle, the storage system comprising:

an expandable container secured to and extendable from a vertical panel of the vehicle to at least one predetermined position to accommodate cargo, the container being collapsible to be substantially flush with the vertical panel when not in use.

18. The storage system of claim 17 wherein the container includes a semi-rigid end panel having a handle to facilitate expanding and collapsing of the container.

19. The storage system of claim 18 wherein the container includes netting secured to the semi-rigid end panel.

20. The storage system of claim 18 wherein the end panel engages a device fixed to a floor panel at the at least one predetermined position to hold the container open.