Mounting and storage system affixed to the floor of a vehicle trunk and method for mounting a device thereon

• US 8,905,276 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Havis, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Havis, Inc.
• Inventors: Bernert, Joseph, Enama, David, Sundy, Mark P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Safavi, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/329,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20130153523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 224/311, 224/321, 224/549, 224/281, 224/282, 224/547, 224/548, 224/553, 224/554, 248/320
• US Class Current: 224/281
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0036 Luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49817 with other than ancillary treating or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Vehicle trunk mounting systems and methods are disclosed. A mounting system comprises a frame adapted to be secured within the trunk and a platform adapted to support a device thereon. The frame comprises a hinge portion and a guide portion. The platform is movably secured within the frame. The frame is rotatable around the hinge portion between a first position in which the platform is substantially horizontal and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright. The platform is slidable within the guide portion when the frame is in the first position. A mounting method comprises mounting the device on the platform, slidably repositioning the platform within the frame, and rotating the frame between the first position and the second position.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a device in a trunk of a vehicle comprising:

the trunk of the vehicle;

a frame adapted to be secured within the trunk, the frame comprising a hinge portion and a guide portion, the hinge portion of the frame being mounted to a floor of the trunk; and

a platform adapted to support the device thereon, the platform movably secured within the frame,

wherein the frame is rotatable around the hinge portion between a first position in which the platform is substantially parallel with the floor of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright, and

the platform is slidable within the guide portion when the frame is in the first position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

the platform is slidable between a first position in which the platform is positioned near a front of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is positioned near a rear of the trunk.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein

the frame is rotatable only when the platform is slidably positioned in the second position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform is positioned adjacent a rear wall of the trunk when the frame is in the second position.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein substantially all of the floor of the trunk is exposed to a user when the frame is in the second position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform is removable from the frame without disassembly of the frame.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a latch portion, the latch operable to release the frame from the trunk of the vehicle when the frame is secured within the trunk.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a mechanical catch adapted to secure the frame in place when the frame is in the second position.

9. A method for mounting a device in a trunk of a vehicle comprising:

mounting the device on a platform, the platform movably secured within a frame, the frame secured within the trunk of the vehicle;

slidably repositioning the platform within the frame; and

rotating the frame around a hinge portion mounted to a floor of the trunk between a first position in which the platform is substantially parallel with the floor of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the repositioning step comprises:

slidably repositioning the platform between a first position in which the platform is positioned near a front of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is positioned near a rear of the trunk.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the rotating step comprises:

rotating the frame such that in the second position, the platform is positioned adjacent a rear wall of the trunk.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotating step comprises:

rotating the frame such that in the second position, substantially all of the floor of the trunk is exposed to a user.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

removing the platform from the frame without disassembly of the frame.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

releasing the frame from the trunk of the vehicle by operating a latch portion on the frame.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:

securing the frame in the second position with a mechanical catch provided on the frame.

16. A system for mounting a device in a trunk of a vehicle comprising:

the trunk of the vehicle;

a frame adapted to be secured within the trunk, the frame comprising a hinge portion mounted to a floor of the trunk; and

a platform adapted to support the device thereon, the platform movably secured within the frame such that the platform is removable from the frame without disassembly of the frame,

wherein the frame is rotatable around the hinge portion between a first position in which the platform is substantially parallel with the floor of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the platform is positioned adjacent a rear wall of the trunk when the frame is in the second position.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein substantially all of the floor of the trunk is exposed to a user when the frame is in the second position.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the frame comprises a mechanical catch adapted to secure the frame in place when the frame is in the second position.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein when the frame is in the second position, the platform blocks access between an opening of the trunk and the device supported on the platform.

21. A system for mounting a device in a trunk of a vehicle comprising:

the trunk of the vehicle;

a frame adapted to be secured within the trunk, the frame comprising a hinge portion mounted to a floor of the trunk; and

a platform adapted to support the device thereon, the platform movably secured within the frame,

wherein the frame is rotatable around the hinge portion between a first position in which the platform is substantially parallel with the floor of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright, and

wherein the frame comprises a latch portion, the latch operable to release the frame from the trunk of the vehicle when the frame is secured within the trunk.

22. A system for mounting a device in a trunk of a vehicle comprising:

the trunk of the vehicle;

a frame adapted to be secured within the trunk, the frame comprising a hinge portion mounted to a floor of the trunk; and

a platform adapted to support the device thereon, the platform movably secured within the frame,

wherein the frame is rotatable around the hinge portion between a first position in which the platform is substantially parallel with the floor of the trunk and a second position in which the platform is substantially upright, and

wherein the frame comprises a locking portion configured to prevent an unauthorized user from rotating the frame from the second position to the first position.