Modular vehicle rail system for vehicle

• US 6,971,699 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Isaacson, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/707,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20050116487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.1, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 296/37.18, 296/37.13, 224/321, 224/311
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0036 Luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

A modular vehicle system for a vehicle includes one or more elongated modular members adapted to be coupled to an interior portion of a vehicle. One or more removable articles are configured for attachment to one or more of the members and a utility system provides utilities to the articles. One or more holders are positioned to align with the members and are coupled to the articles for attaching them to one or more of the members. The articles are interchangeable across multiple different vehicles, including different vehicle models and makes.

Claims

1. A method of interchanging vehicle accessories across a variety of different vehicles, including different vehicle models, comprising:

providing a first modular vehicle attachment system located in a first vehicle, said first modular vehicle attachment system configured for attachment to said first vehicle, said first vehicle being of first style and model;

locating a plurality of attachment points along said first modular vehicle attachment system;

coupling a first article to one of said plurality of attachment points;

coupling a second article to another of said plurality of attachment points;

providing a second modular vehicle attachment system located in a second vehicle, said second modular vehicle attachment system configured for attachment to said second vehicle, said second vehicle being of a second style and model and wherein said first style and model is different than said second style and model;

removing said first article from said first modular vehicle attachment system; and

attaching said first article to said second modular vehicle attachment system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first modular vehicle attachment system includes a pair of parallel rails that provide said plurality of attachment points.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said second modular vehicle attachment system includes a pair of parallel rails that provide said plurality of attachment points.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first article is selected from the group of the following:

a DVD, storage compartment, power adapters and outlets, visual display screen, or a first aid kit.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first modular vehicle system has a different length than said second modular vehicle system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first modular vehicle system further includes a plurality of articles attached to a plurality of said plurality of attachment points.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first modular vehicle system is attached to an interior panel of said first vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said interior panel constitutes a vehicle headliner.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said interior panel constitutes a side panel.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said interior panel constitutes a door panel.

11. A method for releasably attaching articles to a first modular vehicle attachment system and reattaching them to a second modular vehicle attachment system in a different vehicle model, comprising:

coupling the first modular vehicle attachment system to an interior portion of a first vehicle, said first modular vehicle attachment system configured for attachment to said first vehicle, said first vehicle being of first style and model;

providing a plurality of attachment points on the first modular vehicle attachment system;

coupling a first article to one of said plurality of attachment points on the first modular vehicle attachment system;

coupling the second modular vehicle attachment system to an interior portion of a second vehicle, said second modular vehicle attachment system configured for attachment to said second vehicle, said second vehicle being of a second style and model and wherein said first style and model is different than said second style and model;

providing a plurality of attachment points on the second modular vehicle attachment system;

detaching said first article from said one of said plurality of attachment points; and

coupling said first article to one of said plurality of attachment points on the second modular vehicle attachment system

where said first vehicle and said second vehicle are different vehicle models.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said first modular vehicle attachment system includes a pair of rails for providing said plurality of attachment points.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said first article is selected from the group of the following:

a DVD, storage compartment, power adapters and outlets, visual display screen, or a first aid kit.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said first modular vehicle attachment system is secured to an interior panel of said first vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said interior panel constitutes a vehicle headliner.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said interior panel constitutes a side panel.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said interior panel constitutes a door panel.

18. A method for providing a modular vehicle attachment system that can be utilized in a variety of different vehicles, comprising:

providing a plurality of attachment points on a first modular vehicle attachment system disposed on an interior surface of a first vehicle, said first modular vehicle attachment system configured for attachment to said first vehicle, said first vehicle being of first style and model;

securing a first component to one of said plurality of attachment points on the modular vehicle attachment system;

providing a plurality of attachment points on a second modular vehicle attachment system disposed on an interior surface of a second vehicle, said second modular vehicle attachment system configured for attachment to said second vehicle, said second vehicle being of a second style and model and wherein said first style and model is different than said second style and model;

releasing said first component from said respective attachment points on a first modular vehicle attachment system; and

reattaching said first component to said second modular vehicle attachment system.