Multi-tiered rear cargo area storage system

• US 8,814,245 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Welch, Ryan, Huebner, Annette Lynn, Sakarian, Artur, Hellman, Kristin Ann, Greiner, Josh
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US14/102,781
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.3, 296/24.33, 296/24.4, 296/24.44, 296/37.1, 296/37.5, 296/37.8, 296/37.14, 296/37.15, 296/37.16, 296/63, 224/275, 297/188.04
• US Class Current: 296/37.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/04 arranged at rear of vehicle B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A multi-tier vehicular storage system comprises a medial platform operable between lower and upper positions. A rear seat is configured to horizontally receive the medial platform in the upper position. A bottom bin is disposed below and behind the rear seat and at least partially covered by the medial platform in the lower position. An upper bin coupled with the rear seat and rotationally operable between stowed and accessible positions.

Claims

1. A multi-tier vehicular storage system comprising:

a medial platform operable between lower and upper positions;

a rear seat configured to horizontally receive the medial platform in the upper position;

a bottom bin disposed below and behind the rear seat and at least partially covered by the medial platform in the lower position; and

an upper bin coupled with the rear seat and rotationally operable between stowed and accessible positions.

2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the bottom bin includes a front container and a rear container having a lid, and wherein the front container is covered by the medial platform in the lower position.

3. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a medial platform frame hingedly coupled to at least one edge of the medial platform and extending to the bottom bin, wherein the medial platform frame rotates about the bottom bin to operate the medial platform between the upper and lower positions, and wherein the medial platform is substantially horizontal in the upper and lower positions.

4. The storage system of claim 3, further comprising:

a retractable net operable between a retracted position proximate a sidewall of a vehicle, and an extended position across a rear storage area of the vehicle, wherein the retractable net is configured to define a medial tier boundary proximate the at least one edge of the medial platform in the upper position.

5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the rear seat includes at least two operable seat sections, and wherein each operable seat section includes a corresponding medial platform, bottom bin and upper bin.

6. The storage system of claim 5, wherein the rear seat includes three operable seat sections.

7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the upper bin includes an operable lid, and wherein the rear seat includes a top portion defining a recess that receives the upper bin in the stowed position, and wherein the upper bin is hingedly coupled to the rear seat proximate a lower edge of the recess.

8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the rear seat includes a headrest having a rear surface, and wherein a hook operable between open and closed positions is coupled to the headrest proximate the rear surface.

9. A vehicular rear-compartment storage system comprising:

an operable frame having a platform;

a rear seat having a retainer for horizontally receiving the platform when the frame is in an upper position;

a bottom bin having an upper lip configured to receive the platform when the frame is in a lower position; and

an upper bin attached to the rear seat and rotatable between stowed and accessible positions.

10. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the bottom bin includes a front container and a rear container having a lid, and wherein the front container is covered by the platform when the frame is in the lower position.

11. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the frame is hingedly coupled to at least one edge of the platform and extends to the bottom bin, and wherein the frame rotates about the bottom bin between the upper and lower positions, and wherein the platform is substantially horizontal when the frame is in the upper and lower positions.

12. The storage system of claim 11, further comprising:

a retractable net operable between a retracted position proximate a sidewall of a vehicle, and an extended position across a rear storage area of the vehicle, wherein the retractable net in the extended position is configured to define a platform boundary proximate the at least one edge of the platform disposed in the upper position.

13. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the rear seat includes at least two operable seat sections, and wherein each operable seat section includes a corresponding platform, bottom bin and upper bin.

14. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the upper bin includes an operable lid, and wherein the rear seat includes a top portion defining a recess that receives the upper bin in the stowed position, and wherein the upper bin is hingedly coupled to the rear seat proximate a lower edge of the recess.

15. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the rear seat includes a headrest having a rear surface, and wherein a hook operable between open and closed positions is coupled to the headrest proximate the rear surface.

16. The storage system of claim 13, wherein the rear seat includes three distinct seating sections.

17. A multi-tier vehicular storage system comprising:

a bottom bin;

a medial platform having an operable frame attached to the bottom bin, wherein the medial platform at least partially encloses the bottom bin when the frame is in a lower position;

a rear seat configured to horizontally receive the medial platform when the frame is in the upper position; and

a stowable upper bin operable between stowed and accessible positions.

18. The storage system of claim 17, wherein the operable frame is hingedly coupled to at least one edge of the medial platform and extends to the bottom bin, and wherein the operable frame rotates about the bottom bin between the upper and lower positions, and wherein the medial platform is substantially horizontal when the frame is in the upper position and the lower position.

19. The storage system of claim 18, further comprising a retractable net operable between a retracted position proximate a sidewall of a vehicle, and an extended position across a rear storage area of the vehicle, wherein the retractable net in the extended position is configured to define a platform boundary proximate the at least one edge of the medial platform disposed in the upper position.

20. The storage system of claim 17, wherein the rear seat includes at least two operable seat sections, and wherein each operable seat section includes a corresponding medial platform, bottom bin and stowable upper bin.