Vehicle cargo compartment liner

• US 6,682,118 B2
• Filed: 10/13/1999
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Neocon International Incorporated (EXCO Technologies Limited)
• Original Assignee: Neocon International Incorporated (EXCO Technologies Limited)
• Inventors: Ryan, Patrick T.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/417,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20020000733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 296/39.1, 296/37.16, 296/37.5, 296/37.1, 296/39.2
• US Class Current: 296/39.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/06 for tools or spare parts for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/01 Liners for load platforms or load compartments

Abstract

An organizer liner is provided for use in a vehicle cargo compartment. The liner has a flexible bottom preferably conforming generally to the shape of the cargo compartment floor, and one or more of rear, side and front rigid elements, preferably at least some of which generally conform to walls of the cargo compartment. The rigid elements preferably include storage means such as cup holders, trays, bins, insulated coolers, soda or water/milk jug holders, storage boxes with or without lids, or storage wells. Optional partition dividers may be provided. The dividers may include at least one long reinforced divider between opposite walls of the liner, and optionally at least one short divider between the long divider and a wall of the liner, or between two long dividers.

Claims

1. A vehicle cargo organizer system, for a cargo compartment of a vehicle, the cargo compartment comprising a floor and at least two walls, the system comprising a liner, generally flexible in any direction, configured to cover and generally conform to the shape of at least a substantial portion of the cargo compartment floor, such that said liner may be folded readily in any direction to facilitate insertion into a confined space such as the cargo compartment, further comprising at least one storage element of substantially greater rigidity secured to said liner, thereby providing said system with substantially greater rigidity at least adjacent each said storage element, each said storage element providing generally rigid means for retaining cargo.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one said storage element spans a substantial portion of said liner, to thereby provide substantially greater rigidity to the overall system once installed.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one said storage element is arranged adjacent at least one edge of the liner to form at least a partial wall, at least a portion of each such wall generally conforming in shape to a wall of the cargo compartment.

4. A system according to claim 1, comprising at least two said storage elements substantially spaced apart from each other, and at least one generally rigid element extending between said at least two storage elements, each said generally rigid element thereby providing increased rigidity between said storage elements.

5. A system according to claim 4, comprising at least two said generally rigid elements which are dividers, providing at least one additional storage area between them.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising at least one removable subdividing means extending between said dividers to thereby create additional storage areas.

7. A system according to claim 4, wherein at least two said spaced apart storage elements are adjacent opposite edges of said liner.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said means for retaining cargo is selected from the group consisting of a cup holder, a tray, a bin, an insulated cooler, a beverage container holder, a storage compartment with a lid, a storage compartment without a lid, and a storage well.