Assembly for organizing a storage area of a motor vehicle

• US 6,296,289 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2000
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Floor Coverings Incorporated (Collins and Aikman Floor Coverings)
• Original Assignee: Collins & Aikman Floor Coverings Incorporated (Collins and Aikman Floor Coverings)
• Inventors: Gehring, Thomas Franz Joseph, Jankowski, Ireneusz, Havidic, Dejan, Flaman, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/629,561
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.6, 296/37.5, 296/37.1, 296/37.8, 296/37.16, 410/130, 410/132, 410/139, 410/192, 224/404, 224/539, 224/42.34
• US Class Current: 296/37.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A storage assembly is disclosed for use in a storage area of a motor vehicle. The storage assembly includes a primary support that is pivotally secured to a load floor of the storage area or the floor covering that covers the load floor. The primary support is a wall that pivots between a stowed position and a use position. Attached to the primary support is a side wall. The side wall also pivots between two positions, i.e., a collapsed position and an extended position. The side wall and the primary support define a space within the storage area that is secure for storing a small object therein without having it shift or tip over during the operation of the motor vehicle. When not desired, it folds down against the load floor and is out of the way.

Claims

1. A storage assembly for a vehicle having a storage area defined by storage area walls and a load floor having slots, said storage assembly comprising:

a primary support pivotally secured to the load floor, said primary support pivotal between a stowed position substantially aligned with the load floor and a use position extending out and away from the load floor;

a side wall pivotally secured to said primary support, said side wall pivotal between a collapsed position such that said side wall extends between and abuts the load floor and said primary support and an extended position substantially perpendicular to said primary support, said side wall including an internal face and an external face and defining a perimeter therearound; and

an engaging member extending out from a portion of said perimeter of said side wall, said engaging member acting in conjunction with the slots of the load floor to move said side wall between said collapsed position and said extended position when said primary support moves between said stowed position and said use position, respectively.

2. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said primary support includes an extension extending out therefrom past said side wall.

3. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a connecting wall connecting said extension to said primary support.

4. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a curtain connecting said connecting wall to said side wall.

5. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said curtain is flexible.

6. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said engaging member is a pin.

7. A storage assembly for a vehicle having a storage area defined by a load floor and storage area walls, said storage assembly comprising:

a primary support pivotally secured to the load floor, said primary support pivotal between a stowed position substantially aligned with the load floor and a use position extending out and away from the load floor;

a side wall pivotally secured to said primary support, said side wall pivotal between a collapsed position such that said side wall extends between and abuts the load floor and said primary support and an extended position substantially perpendicular to said primary support, said side wall including an internal face and an external face and defining a perimeter therearound; and

an engaging member extending out from a portion of said perimeter of said side wall to move said side wall between said collapsed position and said extended position when said primary support moves between said stowed position and said use position, respectively.

8. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said primary support includes an extension extending out therefrom past said side wall.

9. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a connecting wall connecting said extension to said primary support.

10. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 9 including a curtain connecting said connecting wall to said side wall.

11. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said curtain is flexible.

12. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said engaging member is a pin.

13. A storage area comprising:

a load floor defining a load floor periphery and having a slot;

a plurality of storage area walls extending around said load floor periphery;

a primary support pivotally secured to said load floor, said primary support pivotal between a stowed position substantially aligned with said load floor and a use position extending out and away from said load floor;

a side wall pivotally secured to said primary support, said side wall pivotal between a collapsed position such that said side wall extends between and abuts said load floor and said primary support and an extended position substantially perpendicular to said primary support, said side wall including an internal face and an external face and defining a side wall perimeter therearound; and

an engaging member extending out from a portion of said side wall perimeter of said side wall, said engaging member being received by said slot in said load floor to engage to move said side wall between said collapsed position and said extended position when said primary support moves between said stowed position and said use position, respectively.

14. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said primary support includes an extension extending out therefrom past said side wall.

15. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 14 including a connecting wall connecting said extension to said primary support.

16. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 15 including a curtain connecting said connecting wall to said side wall.

17. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said curtain is flexible.

18. A storage assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein each of said engaging members is a pin to be received by each of said plurality of slots.