Multi-function automotive trunk storage drawer

• US 9,321,402 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Nedelman, Marc David
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US14/160,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20150203046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.7, 296/37.1, 296/37.8, 312/333, 100/229.A, 224/539, 224/542, 623/44
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle storage drawer includes a frame and a housing slidably attached to the frame with a central aperture defining a receptacle. At least one container is selectively engaged with the receptacle. The at least one container is selectively removable from the receptacle when the housing is in an outward position. The container is selectively secured within the receptacle when the housing is in an inward position.

Claims

1. A vehicular trunk storage drawer comprising:

a housing slidably attached to a frame;

a container selectively engaged with a receptacle defined within the housing when the housing is in an inward position, and wherein the container is selectively removable from the receptacle when the housing is in an outward position, wherein the container is selectively secured in the receptacle in the inward and outward positions when a container handle is in a stowed position, wherein the container includes a plurality of bins, and wherein each of the plurality of bins is alternately and selectively received by the receptacle, wherein each bin of the plurality of bins fully occupies the receptacle when engaged with the receptacle, and wherein the frame includes an upper flange configured to secure the frame to an inner surface of a vehicle trunk; and

a locking mechanism disposed proximate the housing to selectively secure the housing in the inward position within the frame.

2. The vehicular trunk storage drawer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bins are selectively engaged in a nesting-type configuration, wherein a first bin is selectively positioned within a second bin and the second bin is selectively positioned within a third bin, and wherein the third bin is selectively disposed in the receptacle.

3. The vehicular trunk storage drawer of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bins includes a rim and at least one container handle that is operable between the stowed position proximate the rim and an upright position, wherein when at least one bin of the plurality of bins is received in the receptacle, and a hook of the at least one container handle rotates into a recess of the housing when the container handle is operated to the stowed position.

4. The vehicular trunk storage drawer of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes an inner tab positioned proximate a central aperture and wherein each of the plurality of bins includes an outer lip disposed proximate a rim of each of the plurality of bins, wherein the outer lip engages the inner tab to selectively secure each of the plurality of bins within the receptacle.

5. The vehicular trunk storage drawer of claim 2, wherein the second bin includes a selectively removable medial platform that defines upper and lower portions of an interior volume of the second bin, and wherein the first bin is selectively positioned within the upper portion, and wherein the second bin includes at least one inner wall that defines a plurality of sub-compartments within the lower portion.