Patent Application
20140054339
This application is related to motor vehicles. More specifically, this application is related to containment space for motor vehicles.
Tool boxes for work trucks, such as pick-up trucks, are a useful device to protect and organize tools, parts, and other goods in the bed of a truck. There are many designs, locations, and configurations of such tool boxes, but conventional tool boxes consume a significant portion of the pick-up bed space rendering the space in the pick-up bed occupied by the tool box space unusable for loading other items. A typical pick-up bed is typically approximately 8 feet long. The addition of a 2 foot wide tool box to the pick-up bed reduces the available space in the bed by 25% or more. One conventional toolbox allows sliding of tool box relative to the pick-up truck, but does not move the tool box below the plane of the pick-up bed floor, thereby obstructing the placement of items in the pick-up bed floor. Other conventional toolboxes are rigidly fixed into a position in the pick-up bed or slide along the plane of the pick-up bed floor.
Furthermore, the advent of pick-up trucks using large tires or extended suspension systems, known as monster trucks, render the height of a tool box located in the such pick-up beds to be too high above ground for an average person to reach from the ground. This then makes the contents of the tool box difficult to access from the ground.
Embodiments presented below are directed to methods and apparatuses to form an articulating containment structure, having a containment space body, for a motor vehicle that may also enclose a space in the motor vehicle. In certain embodiments, the use of an articulating containment space body for a motor vehicle may also function as an enclosurement of a space on board a motor vehicle, similar to a tailgate on a pick-up truck, sport utility vehicle (SUV), or mini-vans. Certain embodiments of this disclosure may provide an articulating containment space having the functionality of closure of a motor vehicle space similar to a tail gate as well as the added functionality of storing items in the articulating containment space. In one embodiment, the articulation of the containment space body allows the contents of the containment space to remain on the same plane relative to the earth throughout the articulation path. That is, the contents are not rotated and remain parallel to the ground while the containment space is articulated through the path. In one embodiment, the containment space may be a tool box located on a distal end of the bed of a pick-up truck or other vehicle, in which the tool box also functions as the tailgate of the pick-up bed when the tool box is articulated from a lower, or displaced, position to an upper position in the pick-up bed. In certain embodiments, the containment space may contain a variety of items, including but not limited to tailgate party devices and food and drinking items, and/or animal transport spaces. In one embodiment, the articulating containment space may be traded out from a motor vehicle to accommodate many situations, from work to party to hunting. For example, the containment space may include components for operation of the car or other devices, such as battery cells and fuel cells, that may be traded for charged battery cells or fuel cells.
In certain embodiments, a containment space may articulate up and down from the distal end of a motor vehicle giving access to vehicle while retaining the same plane of orientation for items located in the containment space from the vertical position to the horizontal position.
In certain embodiments, the end location of a motor vehicle where the closure gate is normally located is provided with a containment space body configured to form an enclosure for the vehicle and a convenient storage space for various items such as tools, beverages, foods, drinks, fuels, batteries, and/or refrigeration devices. This containment space body is not limited to containing tools, but may be used to contain food, drinks, cooking utensils, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, stereo equipment, animals, etc. It is well known to those familiar with the art of “tail gating” that pick-up tail gates are designed from the factory to be easily removable. Many vehicles have conveniently located near the tail gate electrical outlets from the pick-up trucks electrical system that can be connected to the containment space body and articulation device apparatus disclosed herein for operation of articulation methods and other electrical uses of devices incorporated into the containment space body.
In one embodiment, the containment space may articulate to a position below or above the vehicle's interior space to allow access to the vehicle's interior space, such as a pick-up bed or a mini-van trunk. Furthermore, the containment space may articulate in such a manner as to not disrupt the position of items stored inside it. In one embodiment the containment space body articulates through a path such that the containment space body is always level with the earth. In this embodiment during the articulation of the containment space, the storage box may maintain the same plane throughout the articulation, such that materials inside the containment space remain in the same relative position inside the containment space at all points along during the articulation process.
In certain embodiments, the containment space may be located on the distal end of the motor vehicle and allow access to the containment space body in both the vertical inclination as well as the horizontal inclination through various features of the containment space. For example, a tool box containment space may have a door or hatch on the back face of the distal end allowing for access to the containment space body from standing on the ground. In some embodiments where the motor vehicle is high off the ground the articulation makes this back face hatch accessible once the tool box is lowered on monster type trucks where the bed of the pick-up and tailgate a significantly high off the ground. In other embodiments the contents and items contained by the containment space can be accessed through the top through various features.
According to one embodiment, a method to form an enclosurement space with a motor vehicle storage space using an articulating containment space body is disclosed. The method may include connecting at least one articulating device assembly to a the motor vehicle; attaching the at least one articulating device assembly to the containment space body; supplying power from at least one power source to the at least one articulating device assembly; articulating a displacement motion of the containment space body relative to the motor vehicle from an enclosurement position in the motor vehicle; and/or articulating a restoration motion of the containment space to the enclosurement position in the motor vehicle.
In certain embodiments, the displacement or restoration articulation does not substantially change an orientation of material stored inside the containment space body as the containment space is articulated; articulating a restoration motion of the containment space to the enclosurement position in the motor vehicle encloses a portion of the motor vehicle storage space; the power source comprises at least electrical power; the power source comprises at least hydraulic power; the power source comprises human power; the power source comprises at least power from a mechanical device, including at least one of a pulley, a lever, a gear, a spring, and a wheel.
In certain embodiments, the method may also include articulating the containment space along a path such that the containment space horizontal plane remains parallel relative to the earth's ground throughout the articulation; articulating the containment space body to a position below a bottom of the motor vehicle storage space; powering the motor vehicle from a power source stored within the containment space body; supplying power to the at least one articulating device assembly from a power source from the motor vehicle; refrigerating the containment space; lowering the containment space from the enclosure position and removing the containment space from the motor vehicle; interchanging containment space bodies; and/or moving a surface of at least a portion of the containment space body.
According to another embodiment, an apparatus may include a storage unit configured to be docked to a space on board a motor vehicle and an articulating assembly connected to the motor vehicle and configured to articulate the storage unit relative to the motor vehicle.
In certain embodiments, the storage unit may include an energy source configured to provide energy to actuate the articulating assembly and move the storage unit relative to the motor vehicle; the storage unit may include electrical connections configured to be connected to an electrical power system of the motor vehicle; the storage unit may include hydraulic connections configured to be connected to a hydraulic power system of the motor vehicle; the storage unit may include at least one mechanism that allows the passage of materials at least from inside the storage unit to the outside of storage unit; the storage unit may include at least one of an access door, a hatch, and a window to the interior of the storage unit; the storage unit may be configured to extend out of the a containment space body surrounding the storage unit upon pulling the storage unit; the storage unit may include an electrical battery; the storage unit may include a fuel cell; the storage unit may include a sealed vessel; the storage unit may include electrical outlets and the electrical outlets are connected electrically to an electrical power supply; the storage unit may include electrical devices connected to an electrical system of the motor vehicle; and/or the storage unit may include insulation.
In certain embodiments, the apparatus may also include at least one of a caster and a wheel on a bottom face of the storage unit.
According to yet another embodiment, a method to articulate containment space bodies for motor vehicles is disclosed. The method may include connecting at least one powered articulating assembly to the motor vehicle; connecting the at least one powered articulating assembly to at least one power source; supplying power from the at least one power source to the articulating assembly; engaging the containment space body with the articulating assembly; and/or articulating the containment space body relative to the motor vehicle.
In certain embodiments, the containment space body is articulated on a path such that the horizontal axis of the containment space largely may remain parallel to the earth's horizon; the containment space body forming an enclosurement space aboard the motor vehicle; and/or the motor vehicle storage space enclosurement device may include an articulating containment space body.
In certain embodiments, the method may also include changing a plurality of interchangeable containment space bodies configured to engage, connect, and/or operate with the articulating assembly attached to the motor vehicle.
In certain embodiments, a cover enclosurement device is connected to the motor vehicle storage space and an articulating containment space body may form a further enclosurement with motor vehicles cover enclosurement device.
In certain embodiments, the method of connecting devices such as video screen devices to an outward face of the containment space body; connecting aerodynamic surface members to the containment space body; connecting video cameras to the containment space body; connecting proximity sensors to the containment space body; and/or connecting lights to the containment space body, and incorporating the transmission of input and output information and data between the motor vehicle, the internet and these connected devices.
In certain embodiments, the method may include attaching to the containment space body's outer surface removable structural images, in which the structural image includes a functional securing member and the securing mechanism is located on an inner surface of containment surface. The structural images may comprise trademarks, advertisements, signatures, icons, words, emblems, insignia, or ornaments to the articulating containment space. In some embodiments, these attached images are removable and different structural images maybe interchanged, attached, and secured to the containment space. One illustrative example of a structural image attachment means comprises a plate containing the image of an animal on the outward face of the image plate attached to the outward face of a containment space body, in which the plate has on its inner-facing face connected to a bolt that penetrates the containment space body. The bolt attached to the image plate is secured with an attachment means on the inside of the containment space body to functionally connect and maintain the structural images position to the containment space body.
According to a further embodiment, an articulation apparatus a containment space body of a motor vehicle in a plane level to the Earth's horizontal plane is disclosed. The apparatus may include a gear mechanism connected to a shaft, wherein the shaft is connected to at least two lifting arm members, wherein the at least two lifting arm members are configured to allow rotation relative to a pivot mechanism and the at least two lifting arm members, wherein the pivot mechanisms are connected to two sides of the containment space body above a center of gravity of the containment space; and/or an electrical motor connected to an electrical power source and the articulation apparatus.
In certain embodiments, the articulation apparatus may be configured to move the containment space body between an enclosurement position and an extended position; and/or the gear mechanism may be configured to move the containment space body below a bottom of the motor vehicle in the extended position.
Items as defined herein are any states and combinations of states of matter that can be confined within a space. States of matter include liquids, gases, solids, and plasmas.
Docking station herein is defined to be a position wherein the containment space body is normally located when the motor vehicle is moving.
A containment space body as defined herein is any assembly that forms a space where items, like liquids, gases, or solids may be held within the assembly's containment space.
Articulation as defined herein as any movement in any direction of the motor vehicle.
“Forming an Enclosurement” as defined herein is the method of forming at least a partially closed space that may contain items. A formed enclosurement herein does not necessarily have to be air tight. For example, a tail gate on a pick-up truck may form an enclosurement, but the top of the pick-up bed is open and still the enclosurement formed by closing a tail gate on the back of the pick-up at least contains some items within the pick-up bed.
A motor vehicle storage space is defined herein as any cavity on board a motor vehicle that constitutes a free space aboard the motor vehicle. This includes but is not limited to, trunks, frunk, pick-up beds, passenger spaces, and other storage and cargo spaces on board motor vehicles.
Proximity sensors as defined herein are sensors that alert or inform a motor vehicle operator, computer, or internet connected device that the motor vehicle is nearing an object.
A visual image as defined herein is any work of art, trademark, advertisement, signature, icon, words, emblem, insignia, or ornament.
A frunk is defined herein as storage space located on the front of a motor vehicle.
A trunk is defined herein as a storage space located at the rear of a motor vehicle.
An aerodynamic surface is herein defined as any surface that affects the coefficient of drag of air.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
As used herein, “a” or “an” means one or more. Unless otherwise indicated, the singular contains the plural and the plural contains the singular. Where the disclosure refers to “perforations” it should be understood to mean “one or more perforations.”
Referring to
The dimensions of storage unit 101 can vary as applicable. One factor that can affect the dimensions of storage unit 101 is the dimensions of the particular cargo carrying area to be enclosed and equipped with a storage unit 101 as described herein. In one embodiment, the dimensions of storage unit 101 should generally correspond so its width and height and extend sufficiently to enclose the space of the particular cargo carrying area to adequately provide an enclosed area. The depth of the storage unit 101 can vary depending on the particular containment space required for a variety of purposes.
Moreover, the storage unit 101 can have a variety of docking positions. For example, a docking station does not necessarily have to configure the outward facing portion of storage unit 101 even with the body of the motor vehicle, thereby reducing the space occupied by the storage unit inside the motor vehicle storage space. Storage unit 101 can be made of any of a variety of durable materials, including plastics, metals, and/or a combination thereof. Furthermore, storage unit 101 can be of any design, such as one or more storage areas, doors, shape, color, etc. Moreover, the containment space body can be of any general geometrical shape, including but not limited to a rectangles, cylinders, attached aerodynamic surfaces, curves, and any combination of shapes and surfaces.
In
The plane may be maintained through one of many ways known to those familiar with the art of mechanical design. In one embodiment, the storage space may be maintained level and parallel to the earth's horizon with the connection of arms 107 of the articulation device assembly to storage space 101. A pivot connection 108 shown on
As shown in
One embodiment of the articulation assembly is shown in
Referring to
Turning now to
In one embodiment, the containment space described above may be used with pick-up bed closure covers, such as those manufactured by Tonneau Covers of Ocala Fla., such that a pick-up may maintain the functionality of a pick-up bed closure cover while also having access to the articulating tool box 101 shown
Although the above discussion discloses the use of the containment space body 101 for tools, parts, food stuffs, entertainment devices, it is understood that the containment space body 101 can contain batteries to form a large battery storage system, contain liquid fuels like natural gas, cryogenic fluids like liquid natural gas, to power the motor vehicle 110, and any other forms of matter including, but not limited to, cameras, position sensors, audio speakers, display screens, etc. The containment space body 101 and articulation device assembly can then be used to quickly unload and disengage a fuel source containment space body 101, such as a large battery pack, and quickly engage a fully-charged new containment space body battery pack and articulated it to the docking position shown in
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, devices, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, devices, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. For example, there are many means and methods that can be combined to articulate the containment space, including but not limited to spring forces, hydraulic forces, electrical forces, gravity, human force, and any combination of these and still be encompassed by the methods of this disclosure.
This application claims benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/692,130 filed on Aug. 22, 2012, and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FORM AN ARTICULATING CONTAINMENT SPACE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61692130 | Aug 2012 | US |
