The present disclosure pertains to combination panel assembly including a vehicle panel and a plurality of table legs, and in particular, where the combination panel assembly is operable as an enclosure panel and as a freestanding table.
Activities and events such as tailgating, picnicking, camping, sporting events, swap meets, flea markets, craft shows, etc. often include the use of a table for food preparation and service, as a work surface, for item display or storage, etc. Participants in these activities and events may be transported in a vehicle which is also used to transport a table for use during the activity or event, which may be, for example, a folding table which can be collapsed from an upright position to a folded position for storage when not in use. During transport, the folding table consumes cargo space in the vehicle which could be used for storing or transporting other items or which could be used for passenger space. The capability to transport the folding table in the vehicle may be limited by the size of the cargo space in the vehicle and/or the availability of cargo space after other essential cargo and/or passengers are loaded to the vehicle.
Vehicle-mounted accessory tables which can be attached to a vehicle, such as tailgate-mounted and trailer hitch-mounted tables, are known. During transport, this type of vehicle-mounted accessory table and attaching hardware is typically stored in the vehicle, consuming cargo space which is then not available for storing other items or passengers. The accessory table, when mounted to the vehicle in an installed position, can block access to the truck bed and/or cargo area and/or interfere with use of the area of the vehicle to which the accessory table is attached. Accessory tables which are extendable from a portion of a vehicle, for example, tables which are extendable from a truck tailgate or cargo floor, are known. When in an extended position, this configuration of table can interfere with access to the truck bed and/or vehicle area from which the table is being extended. Because both the vehicle-mounted and extending accessory tables are necessarily attached to the vehicle during use of the table, the table can only be positioned in an area immediately adjacent to the vehicle to which the table is attached, and only in an area accessible by the vehicle itself, e.g., an area where the vehicle can be parked. Further, with the table attached and/or installed to the vehicle, the vehicle must remain in a stationary position until the table is detached from and/or restowed to the vehicle, such that the vehicle and the table cannot be used independently of each other.
Vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles (SUV), boats, include enclosure panels which are used to enclose an opening or compartment in the vehicle, such that the enclosure panels are typically not removed from the vehicle during use. Examples of such enclosure panels include floor panels positioned in a floor, trunk, storage compartment, cargo space, passenger space (to enclose a retractable seat, for example) or deck (of a boat, for example) of a vehicle, where the enclosure panel may be configured as a load bearing panel to withstand a force or load imposed on the vehicle panel without failing and/or deflecting more than a predetermined amount. Typically, the enclosure panel in its installed position in the vehicle includes a vehicle appearance surface visible to the vehicle user. The enclosure panel is typically movable relative to the vehicle structure, for example, such that the enclosure panel can be opened to access a compartment or vehicle area enclosed by the enclosure panel.
A combination vehicle panel, also referred to herein as a combination panel assembly (CPA), is described herein. The combination panel assembly includes a vehicle panel and a leg system, where the leg system is deployable in a stowed position and in a deployed position. The vehicle panel can be referred to herein as an enclosure panel, for enclosing an opening in a vehicle structure. The vehicle panel includes a first panel side defining a vehicle appearance surface, and an opposing second panel side. The leg system is attached to the second panel side and includes a plurality of legs movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The combination panel assembly is movable between a vehicle position and a table position. In the vehicle position and with the plurality of legs in the stowed position, the vehicle panel encloses a compartment opening of a vehicle compartment of a vehicle, such that in the vehicle position, the combination panel assembly is a component of the vehicle. In the table position and with the plurality of legs is in the deployed position, the combination panel assembly is fully detached from the vehicle and operable as a freestanding table including a table surface defined by the vehicle appearance surface and supported at a table height by the leg system. As such, the combination panel assembly is advantaged as being a dual purposed assembly, being operable as both a closure panel enclosing a vehicle compartment, and as a freestanding table. The leg system of the combination panel assembly, when in a stowed position, is fully contained in the vehicle compartment being enclosed by the vehicle panel of the combination panel assembly, providing the advantage of transporting a table in the vehicle without consuming any of the interior cargo space of the vehicle. Further, the combination panel assembly provides advantages of convenience and cost savings to the vehicle user, by having a deployable table in the vehicle at all times, such that the table is available for use to the vehicle user without any advance planning and without having to load a separate table into the vehicle from another location, or incur the cost of acquiring a separate table. Additionally, as compared to known vehicle-mounted accessory tables, such as hitch-mounted or tailgate-mounted accessory tables which can only be used when the vehicle is in a parked condition, which can only be located where the vehicle is parked, and which must be stored when not in use, consuming cargo space of the vehicle, the combination panel assembly disclosed here provides numerous advantages including the capability of capability to fully detach the combination panel assembly from the vehicle and to deploy the table as a freestanding table in any location to which the combination panel assembly can be transported away from the vehicle, such that when the combination panel assembly is in use as a table, the vehicle and the table are independent and detached from each other, such that each can be used independent of the other. Further, the combination panel assembly is lightweight, such that it can be transported manually, and in an illustrative example, has a leg system which is adjustable to various leg lengths, to advantageously provide a table having various table heights adjustable for different use conditions, described further herein.
In one example, the combination vehicle panel, also referred to herein as a combination panel assembly, includes a multilayer panel and a leg system including a plurality of legs, the plurality of legs operable as table legs in the deployed position. The leg system is attached to the vehicle panel and configured such that the legs are selectively moveable relative to the table, between a stowed position and a deployed position is described herein. In an illustrative example, the vehicle panel and the leg system comprise a vehicle panel assembly configured to enclose an opening to an interior compartment in a vehicle, such that in a vehicle position, e.g., when installed to a vehicle to enclose a vehicle compartment and/or vehicle opening, an appearance outer layer of the vehicle panel defines an appearance surface of the vehicle, and the legs are in a stowed position such that the legs are contained within the interior compartment of the vehicle and/or recessed into or otherwise retained to the multilayer panel. The combination panel assembly is removable from the vehicle to a table position, e.g., can be fully detached from the vehicle such that the combination panel assembly can be moved to a location which is distanced from the vehicle location, also referred to herein as a table position, and such that when the legs of the combination panel assembly are deployed from a stored to a deployed position, the combination panel assembly forms a table which is freestanding from the vehicle. In one example, the vehicle panel is a multilayer panel including a core member and an appearance layer attached to the core member. In one example, the vehicle panel is a load bearing panel, such as a floor panel configured to enclose an interior compartment located in a vehicle floor, and to withstand a load applied to the vehicle panel with a limited amount of deflection.
In an illustrative example, the vehicle panel has opposing appearance and attachment outer layers. The appearance outer layer can be made of a textile material, a carpeting material, a protective polymeric coating such as a thermosetting polyurethane-based coating or a polyvinyl-based material, a thermoset polyurea coating, or a laminate structure which can include a wood veneer. The appearance outer layer, in one example, can include one or more decorative elements including, by way of non-limiting example, a decal, embossment, etching, etc. which is applied to the appearance layer. By way of example, the decorative element can be in the form and/or shape of a pattern, image, logo, etc. applied to the appearance layer. The table legs are attached to the attachment outer layer of the vehicle panel and are pivotable, e.g., foldable, between a stowed position and a deployed position. In one example, the table legs are telescoping, such that the leg length is adjustable between a compacted length and a fully extended length.
With the legs in the stowed position, the combination panel assembly is configured to enclose an opening to an interior compartment by positioning the vehicle panel in the opening, in a vehicle installed position, such that the appearance outer layer is outwardly facing in the opening and the attachment outer layer faces inwardly to the compartment. The vehicle installed position can also be referred to herein as a vehicle position. In a table position, the combination panel assembly is removed from the opening and from the vehicle to a position exterior of the vehicle, such that, in the table position, the combination panel assembly is fully detached from and distanced from the vehicle. In the table position, and with the legs deployed from the stowed position to the deployed position, the combination panel assembly is operable as a freestanding table comprising the vehicle panel and the leg system including the plurality of legs.
In one example, the multilayer panel includes a compression molded core member interposed between the appearance outer layer forming a first side of the vehicle panel, and the attachment outer layer forming a second side of the vehicle panel, where the core layer is configured as a load bearing layer such that the multilayer panel can withstand a minimum knee loading requirement. In one example, the vehicle panel is a load bearing panel having a load capacity such that deflection of the vehicle panel in the direction a minimum knee load (KL) of at least 250 pounds is applied as a point load to a central portion of the vehicle panel is applied does not exceed 25 mm during loading, and/or such that the permanent deflection of the vehicle panel after loading to 250 pounds knee load does not exceed 10 mm. In one example, the vehicle panel is a vehicle floor panel configured to withstand bending and deflection forces and loads imposed by items which may be place on the floor panel, which may include vehicle users standing, sitting or kneeling on the floor panel, or items placed on the exposed surface of the floor panel, which can include personal items of the vehicle user such as luggage, sporting goods, groceries, furniture, etc., and can further include industrial items such as tools and equipment, wherein in an illustrative example, the vehicle panel has a distributed load capacity of 400 pounds or greater.
In an illustrative example, the core layer can be made of a cellular material which provides the load bearing strength using a lightweight material, such that the combination panel assembly including the lightweight core member which is readily transportable as a portable table to a location which may be distanced from the vehicle. In an illustrative example, the vehicle panel is a panel configured as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/943026, published as US Publication No. 2018/0290418 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. In one example, the combination vehicle panel, including the vehicle panel and leg assemblies, has a total weight of less than 20 pounds, such that the combination vehicle panel is easily removed from the vehicle and manually transported a distance from the vehicle. The combination vehicle panel has a total weight of less than 15 pounds in one example. In a preferred example, the combination vehicle panel has a total weight of less than 12 pounds.
In an illustrative example, the combination vehicle panel is configured as a floor panel to enclose an opening in a vehicle, such as an opening in a load floor or wall of a cargo area of a vehicle. At least one interior compartment may be accessible through the opening, such that with the floor panel positioned in the opening, the floor panel encloses the interior compartment away from an exterior compartment of the vehicle, where the exterior compartment can be, for example, the cargo area and/or passenger area of the vehicle.
The panel can include one or more trim elements attached thereto, including, for example, a closure trim element, such as a bezel element, can be included to enclose and/or encapsulate a perimeter edge of the vehicle panel, to provide a decorative and/or functional table edge. In one example, a sealant layer can be applied to the appearance layer, and a decorative element such as a decal, painted element, etc. can be positioned between the appearance layer and sealant layer. The panel assembly can include a handle for removing the combination panel assembly from the vehicle and/or for conveniently carrying the combination panel assembly to a location distant from the vehicle.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the present teachings, as defined in the appended claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The components of the disclosed embodiments, as described and illustrated herein, may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments thereof. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments can be practiced without some of these details. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, certain technical material that is understood in the related art has not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Furthermore, the disclosure, as illustrated and described herein, may be practiced in the absence of an element that is not specifically disclosed herein.
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like components throughout the several figures, the elements shown in
A combination panel assembly 100 including a vehicle panel 10 and a leg system 110, and example methods 230, 235 for making the vehicle panel 10 and combination panel assembly 100 are provided herein. The combination panel assembly (CPA) 100 can be referred to herein as a CPA 100, and/or as a combination vehicle panel 100. The vehicle panel 10 can be referred to herein as an enclosure panel 10. As shown in
In the vehicle position, the CPA 100 is installed to a vehicle opening 96 of a vehicle compartment 98, with the vehicle panel 10 in the vehicle position enclosing the opening 96 such that the appearance surface 60 is facing outward from the compartment 98 and the leg system 110 in the stowed position is contained within the compartment 98, as shown in
The CPA 100 is advantaged as being a dual purposed assembly, being operable as both an enclosure panel 10 enclosing an opening 96 of a vehicle compartment 98, and as a freestanding table. The leg system 110 of the CPA 100, when in the stowed position, is fully contained in the vehicle compartment 98 being enclosed by the vehicle panel 10 of the CPA 100, providing the advantage of transporting a portable and deployable table in the vehicle 300 without consuming any of the interior space 302 of the vehicle 300. Further, the CPA 100 provides advantages of convenience and cost savings to the vehicle user, by having a deployable freestanding table in the vehicle 300 at all times, such that the freestanding table is available for use to the vehicle user without any advance planning and without having to load a separate (non-CPA or conventional folding) table into the interior space 302 of the vehicle 300 from another location, and without having to incur the cost of acquiring the separate conventional table. Additionally, as compared to known vehicle-mounted (non-freestanding) accessory tables such as hitch-mounted or tailgate-mounted accessory tables which must be stored when not in use, consuming cargo space of the vehicle, which must be attached to the vehicle for support, which can only be used when the vehicle is in a parked condition, and which can only be used where the vehicle is located, the CPA 100 disclosed here provides numerous advantages including the ability to fully detach the CPA 100 from the vehicle 300 and to deploy the CPA 100 as a freestanding table in any location, including a location which may be remote from the vehicle 300, such that when the CPA 100 is in use as the freestanding table, the vehicle 300 and the freestanding table are detached from each other, each performing its respective function as a vehicle 300 and freestanding table independently, including the ability to move independently of the other. As described further herein, the CPA 100 can include a lightweight core 50, such that the freestanding table is lightweight and manually portable. In an illustrative example, the leg system 110 of the CPA 100 includes a plurality of leg segments 112, 114 such that the legs 102 are advantageously adjustable between a compressed leg length CL and an extended leg length EL, such that the freestanding table can be adjusted to various tabletop heights TH for different use conditions, e.g., as a children's play table, a dining table, a work table, etc. and for use with chairs of various seat heights SH, such as beach chairs, dining chairs, bar stools, etc., and such that the legs 102 can be adjusted to the compressed leg length CL for compact storage.
The CPA 100, in a vehicle position, is installed to a vehicle portion 200 of the vehicle 300, as shown in
Referring to
In a non-limiting example shown in the figures, the compartment peripheral surface 92 is defined by a load floor of the vehicle 300, the load floor 92 of the vehicle 300 including at least one interior compartment 98 which is accessible via an opening 96 in the load floor 92. The interior compartment 98 has a compartment depth CD and can be configured, for example, for storage of a spare tire for the vehicle 300, luggage, a stowed seat of the vehicle 300, etc. The vehicle panel 10 of the CPA 100 is configured to enclose the opening 96 in the vehicle load floor 92 when the vehicle panel 10 is installed in the opening 96 with the leg system 110 in a stowed position, as further described herein and shown in
In an illustrative example, the vehicle panel 10 has opposing appearance and attachment sides 12, 14. The appearance side 12 includes an appearance outer layer 60 which can be made of a textile material, a carpeting material 68, a protective polymeric coating 70 such as a thermosetting polyurethane-based coating or a polyvinyl-based material, a thermoset polyurea coating, or a laminate structure 80 which can, in an illustrative example, include a wood veneer. The appearance outer layer 60, in one example, can include one or more decorative elements 78 including, by way of non-limiting example, a decal, embossment, etching, etc. which is applied to the appearance layer 60. By way of example, the decorative element 78 can be in the form and/or shape of a pattern, image, logo, etc. applied to, molded in, and/or integral to the appearance layer 60.
In one example, the vehicle panel 10 is formed as a multilayer panel including a compression molded core member 50 interposed between the appearance outer layer 60 forming the appearance side 12 of the vehicle panel 10, and the attachment outer layer 70 forming the attachment side 14 of the vehicle panel 10. In one example, the vehicle panel 10 is a load bearing panel including a core member 50 configured as a load bearing member such that the multilayer vehicle panel 10 can withstand a minimum knee loading requirement. In one example, the vehicle panel 10 is a load bearing panel having a load capacity such that deflection of the vehicle panel in the direction a minimum knee load (KL) of at least 250 pounds is applied as a point load to a central portion of the vehicle panel 10 (see
In an illustrative example, the core layer 50 can be made of a cellular material which provides the load bearing strength using a lightweight material, such that the combination panel assembly 100 including the lightweight core member 50 is readily transportable as a portable freestanding table to a location which may be distanced from the vehicle 300. In an illustrative example, the vehicle panel 10 is a multilayer panel configured as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/943026, published as U.S. Publication No. 2018/0290418 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. In one example, the combination vehicle panel 100, including the vehicle panel 10 and leg system 110, has a total weight of less than 20 pounds, such that the combination vehicle panel is easily removed from the vehicle 300 and manually transported a distance from the vehicle 300. In one example, the combination vehicle panel 100 has a total weight of less than 15 pounds. In a preferred example, the combination vehicle panel 100 has a total weight of less than 12 pounds. The example of a multilayer panel as described in U.S. Publication No. 2018/0290418 A1 is non-limiting, and other configurations of lightweight vehicle panels 10, including, for examples, vehicle panels 10 comprising a core made of a foam material or a cellular material, molded panels made of a polymeric material, laminate panels, or panels made of other lightweight materials, including metal and/or organic materials such as wood or wood composites, can be included in the CPA 100 described herein.
The vehicle panel 10 can include one or more trim elements 30 attached thereto, including, for example, a closure trim element 40, such as a bezel element 42, can be included to enclose and/or encapsulate the perimeter edge 16 of the vehicle panel 10, to provide a decorative and/or functional table edge of the tabletop of the freestanding table. In one example, a sealant layer 28 can be applied to the appearance layer 60, and a decorative element 78 such as a decal, painted element, etc. can be positioned between the appearance layer 60 and sealant layer 28. The CPA 100 and/or the vehicle panel 10 can include a handle opening 18 and/or a handle 32 for removing the combination panel assembly 100 from the vehicle 300 and/or for conveniently carrying the combination panel assembly 100 to a location distant from the vehicle 300.
In an illustrative example, the vehicle panel 10 can be configured as a multilayer panel including a core member 50 and a cover layer 52, wherein the cover layer 52 can be configured as an appearance layer 60 defining an appearance surface of the vehicle panel 10. The appearance layer 60 defines an appearance surface of the vehicle 300, where the appearance surface is visible a vehicle user. In a non-limiting example, the appearance layer 60 can be made of a carpet material 68, suitable for use as a floor covering of the floor panel 10 and for use as a table surface. In another example, the appearance layer 60 can be a laminate material 80, such as a wood or metal laminate, which may be coated with a protective coating 28, to provide a decorative appearance surface protected for use in vehicle panel and table surface applications. In another example, the appearance layer 60 can be made of a polyurea material to provide an appearance surface which is resistive to abrasion and chemical attack and suitable for use as a work surface in the vehicle 300 and/or as a table surface. When the CPA 100 is deployed as a freestanding table, as shown in
The first side 12 of the vehicle panel 10, also referred to as the appearance side, can includes an appearance layer 60 made of one of a laminate material, a textile material 68, or a polymer coating material such that the first side 12 can be decorative and/or configured to coordinate with and/or correspond with other appearance materials forming appearance surfaces of the vehicle. In the example shown in
The second side 14 of the vehicle panel 10 defines the attachment surface to which the leg system 110 is attached, and can be made of a scrim material, or other textile material. In one example, the second side 14 of the vehicle panel 10 can include a cover layer 54 which can be configured as an appearance layer 70.
The CPA 100 and/or the vehicle panel 10 can include one or more trim elements 30. In a non-limiting example shown in
The vehicle panel 10 can be configured as a load bearing vehicle panel, including, for example, a multilayer structure configured such that the vehicle panel 10 has a load bearing capacity to withstand a minimum knee loading requirement and/or support a minimum load distribution. In one example, the vehicle panel 10 is a load bearing panel having a load capacity such that deflection of the vehicle panel in the direction a minimum knee load (KL) of at least 250 pounds is applied as a point load to a central portion of the vehicle panel is applied does not exceed 25 mm during loading, preferably does not exceed 15 mm during loading, more preferably, does not exceed 10 mm during loading. In one example, the vehicle panel 10 has a load capacity such that the permanent deflection of the vehicle panel after loading to 250 pounds knee load does not exceed 10 mm, and in an illustrative example, does not exceed 5 mm. In one example, the vehicle panel 10 is a vehicle floor panel 10 configured to withstand bending and deflection forces and loads imposed by items which may be place on the floor panel 10, which may include vehicle users standing, sitting or kneeling on the floor panel 10, or items placed on the exposed surface of the floor panel 10, which can include personal items of the vehicle user such as luggage, sporting goods, groceries, furniture, etc., and can further include industrial items such as tools and equipment, wherein in an illustrative example, the vehicle panel 10 has a distributed load capacity of 400 pounds or greater.
As shown in the figures, the CPA 100 includes a leg system 110 including a plurality of legs 102, which are operable, in a deployed position as shown in
As illustrated by the figures, the leg receivers 130 can be attached to the vehicle panel 10 by fasteners 132, which can be, for example, screws, rivets, studs, clips, pins, etc. The example is non-limiting, such that the leg receivers 130 can be attached by any means suitable to retain the leg receivers 130 to the vehicle panel 10, including adhesives, welding including plastic welding, etc. In an illustrative example shown in
As shown in
In an illustrative example shown in
As illustrated in the figures, the leg 102 is operatively connected to the leg receiver 130 by a connection between the leg connection interface 104 of the leg 102 and a receiver connection interface 124 defined by the leg receiver 130. In a non-limiting example shown in
In a non-limiting example shown in
In a non-limiting example, one or more leg retainers can be included in the CPA 100, to retain legs 102 to the attachment side 14 of the vehicle panel 10 in the stowed position, for example, where the legs 102 are selectively detachable from the leg receivers 130, via a threaded connection, detent connection, press fit connection, locking pin connection, spring plunger connection, retractable button connection, or similar connection interface from which the leg 102 is selectively detachable from the leg receiver 130 in the stowed position. In an illustrative example, the leg retainer can be operatively attached to or integral to the vehicle panel 10, configured as a clip, slot, groove, magnetic attachment, loop, elastic attachment, net, pocket, sleeve or other type retainer, by which the detached leg 102 can be retained to the vehicle panel 10 in the stowed position during transport of the CPA 100 and/or when the CPA 100 is in the vehicle position, such that the legs 102 retained by the leg retainer to the attachment side 14 of the vehicle panel 10 are contained in the vehicle compartment 98 when the CPA 100 is in the vehicle position.
Referring now to
As used herein, the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are interchangeable and indicate that at least one of an item is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters, quantities, or conditions in this disclosure, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “approximately” whether or not “about” or “approximately” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” and “approximately” indicate that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (e.g., with some approach to exactness in the value; reasonably close to the value; nearly; essentially). If the imprecision provided by “about” or “approximately” is not otherwise understood with this meaning, then “about” and “approximately” as used herein indicate at least variations that may arise from methods of measuring and using such parameters. Further, the terminology “substantially” also refers to a slight imprecision of a condition (e.g., with some approach to exactness of the condition; approximately or reasonably close to the condition; nearly; essentially). In addition, disclosed numerical ranges include disclosure of all values and further divided ranges within the entire disclosed range. Each value within a range and the endpoints of a range are all disclosed as separate embodiments. The terms “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated items, but do not preclude the presence of other items. As used in this disclosure, the term “or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items.
The above features and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention described herein, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/110,346, filed Nov. 6, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63110346 | Nov 2020 | US |