Cab compartment storage system

• US 5,915,777 A
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Original Assignee: Textron Automotive Company Inc. (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Gignac, Christopher T., Juzwiak, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brevard, Maerena W.
• Application Number:
  US08/977,582
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 224/547, 224/542, 224/543, 224/545, 211/88.01, 211/70.6, 211/64, 296/3, 296/8, 296/37.8, 296/37.13, 296/37.16, 296/146.7, 296/39.1, 220/482, 220/481
• US Class Current: 296/37.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/103 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/12 of receptacles for cigarettes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A cab compartment storage system has a modular, unitary support structure including a rear compartment trim panel connected to the back of a pick-up passenger compartment and at least one support rod with opposite ends connected to the rear compartment trim panel and wherein the support rod is spaced forwardly of the rear compartment panel between the opposite connected ends thereof to be placed on the pick-up compartment at the same time that the trim panel is connected in place; and wherein at least one upwardly open end container is connected on the support rod to depend from the support rod for providing article stowage within the cab storage compartment at a point closely proximate to the backs of a seating system located forwardly thereof within the passenger compartment.

Claims

1. In a vehicular compartment having a seating system therein, the combination of:

a wall closing the back of the passenger compartment and disposed behind the seating system,

a trim panel supported on said wall for concealing said wall;

at least one support rod having opposite ends fixedly connected to said trim panel and wherein the support rod is spaced forwardly of said trim panel between the opposite connected ends thereof; and

an upwardly open end container configured to lift on and off said support rod and to depend from said support rod for providing article stowage within the passenger compartment accessible by a passenger occupying the seating system within the passenger compartment.

2. In the combination of claim 1, a second horizontally directed support rod on said trim panel located vertically with respect to said at least one support rod;

said second horizontally directed support rod having opposite ends connected to said trim rear panel for forming a support across the width thereof and wherein said one open end container is connected to depend from one of the support rods and a second upwardly open end container connected to be lift on and off said other of the support rods and to depend therefrom at a point spaced vertically of said one upwardly open ended container.

3. In the combination of claim 1, a plurality of said upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater depth than the other of the upwardly open end containers.

4. In the combination of claim 1, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

each of said plurality of upwardly open end containers being a rigid container.

5. In the combination of claim 1, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater volume than the other of said plurality of upwardly open end containers.

6. In the combination of claim 1, said wall configured as the rear wall of a pickup passenger compartment.

7. In the vehicular compartment storage system of claim 1, a connector on said upwardly open end container formed as a hook having a surface configuration conforming to the outer shape of said support rod.

8. In the vehicular compartment storage system of claim 1, said upwardly open end container having solid surface walls and a solid surface bottom.

9. In the vehicular compartment storage system of claim 1, said upwardly open end container having walls and a bottom;

openings in said walls and said bottom for fluid drainage and for air circulation through the interior of said upwardly open end container.

10. In the vehicular compartment storage system of claim 7, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater depth than the other of said upwardly open end containers.

11. In the vehicular compartment storage system of claim 7, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

each of said plurality of upwardly open containers being a rigid container.

12. In the vehicular compartment storage system of claim 7, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater volume than the other of said plurality of upwardly open end containers.

13. In a vehicle cab including a seating system within a passenger compartment, the combination of a wall enclosing part of said passenger compartment:

a trim panel covering said wall and connected to said wall for providing an interior finish on said wall; and

at least one support rod having opposite ends fixedly connected to said trim panel and wherein the support rod is spaced forwardly of said trim panel between the opposite connected ends thereof; and

an upwardly open end container connected to lift on and off said support rod and to depend from said support rod for providing article stowage within the passenger compartment accessible by a passenger without departing from the seating system within the passenger compartment.

14. In the combination of claim 13, a second horizontally directed support rod on said trim panel located vertically with respect to said at least one support rod;

said second horizontally directed support rod having opposite ends fixedly connected to said trim rear panel for forming a support across the width thereof and wherein said one open end container is connected to depend from one of the support rods and a second upwardly open end container connected to be lift on and off said other of the support rods and to depend therefrom at a point spaced vertically of said one upwardly open ended container.

15. In the combination of claim 13, a plurality of said upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater depth than the other of the upwardly open end containers.

16. In the combination of claim 13, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

each of said plurality of upwardly open end containers being a rigid container.

17. In the combination of claim 13, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater volume than the other of said plurality of upwardly open end containers.

18. In the combination of claim 13, a connector on said upwardly open end container formed as a hook having a surface configuration conforming to the outer shape of said support rod.

19. In the combination of claim 13, said upwardly open end container having solid surface walls and a solid surface bottom.

20. In the combination of claim 13, said upwardly open end container having walls and a bottom;

openings in said walls and said bottom for fluid drainage and for air circulation through the interior of said upwardly open end container.

21. In the combination of claim 20, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater depth than the other of said upwardly open end containers.

22. In the combination of claim 20, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

each of said plurality of upwardly open containers being a rigid container.

23. In the combination of claim 20, a plurality of upwardly open end containers supported on said support rod;

one of said plurality of upwardly open end containers having a greater volume than the other of said plurality of upwardly open end containers.