Automotive wet trunk with drain

• US 7,118,151 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Scarfe, Julian, Cucknell, Alan, Bejin, Peter, Cauwood, Peter, Sabberton, Iain, Norris, Jamie, Mason, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B.
• Application Number:
  US11/057,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.1, 296/208, 296/38
• US Class Current: 296/37.1
• 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

Abstract

A recessed storage well is formed in the rear load floor of an automotive vehicle to provide cargo transport capabilities for wet cargo. The recessed storage well is provided with a drain to permit the flow of liquids collected within the recessed storage well to be discharged externally of the vehicle. The recessed storage well is formed from impervious material to permit the storage of wet articles of cargo without dampening the carpet covering on the rear load floor. The drain is seated in an automotive frame component by a rubber grommet that prevents the transfer of vibrational noise to the recessed storage well. The drain enables the use of a water spray in clean-up operations by allowing the collected water to drain away from the recessed storage well.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a chassis supporting a rear cargo load floor defining a generally planar surface, an improved storage compartment comprising:

a recessed well formed into said rear cargo load floor to define a recessed storage compartment below the generally planar surface of the rear cargo load floor;

a drain in flow communication with the recessed storage compartment to direct fluids accumulated in said recessed storage compartment externally of said recessed storage compartment;

wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with a plastic liner seated in said recessed well, said drain being in flow communication with said plastic liner; and

wherein said recessed well is formed of sheet metal having a hole formed therein for the passage of said drain, said drain including a drain tube supported in a rubber grommet mounted in said hole.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said drain is provided with a removable plug selectively closing an internal end of said drain tube in flow communication with said liner.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said drain tube is also supported in a rubber grommet mounted in said chassis at a location remote from said recessed well.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with a lid movable between an opened position in which access into said recessed storage compartment is enabled and a closed position in which said lid is oriented in said planar surface of said rear cargo load floor.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein said recessed storage compartment is provided with removable dividers selectively creating multiple storage compartments from said recessed storage compartment.