The present invention is related to a cargo retention net system for a motor vehicle and, in particular, to a multi-functional cargo retention net system for a motor vehicle.
Motor vehicles that have a passenger compartment with a luggage compartment behind a row of passenger seats are well known. In addition, the luggage compartment has a floor and can have a cargo net that allows for restraining of luggage, groceries, and the like within the luggage compartment. However, in some instances a vertical divider between the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment is desirable, and even though vertical dividers are known, such systems function only as a vertical divider or are part of a complex two-panel system. Therefore, a simple multi-functional cargo retention net system that allows a user of a motor vehicle to use a single cargo net to extend vertically and separate the luggage compartment from the passenger compartment in the motor vehicle or extend horizontally across the floor of the luggage compartment would be desirable.
A motor vehicle having a multi-functional cargo retention net system is provided. The system can include a motor vehicle with a cargo storage compartment, also known as a luggage compartment, that is separated from a passenger compartment by a row of passenger seats. The cargo storage compartment has a floor, a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls that extend upwardly from the floor, and a rear door that may or may not have a window. In addition, the cargo storage compartment has a cargo net with a first end that is attached at a central attachment position spaced apart from the floor and behind the row of passenger seats.
The pair of spaced-apart sidewalls of the cargo storage compartment can have a top attachment position that is located vertically above the central attachment position and a back attachment position that is located horizontally and spaced apart from the central attachment position. The cargo net has a second end that is operable to selectively attach to the top attachment position and the back attachment position.
When the second end of the cargo net is attached to the top attachment position, a generally vertical cargo net that can serve of afford a division or divider between the cargo storage compartment and the seating area of the motor vehicle is provided. In the alternative, when the second end of the cargo net is attached to the back attachment position, the cargo net can serve as a shelf as it extends generally horizontal across the cargo storage compartment. In addition, the motor vehicle can have a rear window and the generally horizontal cargo net can be out of a line-of-sight between a driver of the motor vehicle and the rear window and/or out of a line-of-sight between a rear view mirror and the rear window. In some instances, the central attachment position can be part of a cargo net retraction system that may or may not have a spring that applies tension on the cargo net when the second end is selectively attached to the top attachment position and the back attachment position.
A process for using a motor vehicle cargo retention net in a multi-functional manner is also provided. The process includes providing the motor vehicle with the multi-functional cargo retention net system described above and attaching the second end of the cargo net to the vertical attachment structure in order to provide a vertical divider between the cargo storage compartment and the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. In addition, the process includes attaching the second end of the cargo net to the horizontal attachment structure in order to provide a horizontal retention net extending over the floor of the cargo storage compartment which can secure components, packages, etc., within the cargo storage compartment and optionally be used as a shelf on which one or more items can be placed on.
The present invention provides a multi-functional cargo retention net system for a motor vehicle. As such, the present invention has utility as a component for a motor vehicle.
A motor vehicle having a cargo storage compartment behind a passenger compartment and a row of passenger seats can be included and the cargo storage compartment can have a floor with a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls extending upwardly from the floor. A cargo net can also be included and have a first end attached at a central attachment position that is spaced apart from the floor and typically directly located behind the row of passenger seats. The cargo net also has a second end that is spaced apart from the first end.
The cargo storage compartment can also have at least two attachment positions for the second end of the cargo net to attach thereto such that the cargo net extends in a generally vertical orientation or a generally horizontal orientation. In particular, the pair of spaced-apart sidewalls can have a top or vertical attachment position that is located vertically above the central attachment position and a back, rearward, or horizontal attachment position located generally horizontal to and spaced apart from the central attachment position. With the top and back attachment positions, the second end of the cargo net can be selectively attached at or to either position and a generally vertical divider between the cargo storage compartment and the passenger compartment or a generally horizontal cargo net extending over the cargo storage compartment can be provided. In this manner, a single cargo net can be used to provide a vertical divider between different areas or portions of a motor vehicle, or in the alternative, to hold components, groceries, etc. on the floor of the cargo storage compartment. In addition, the cargo net can serve as a generally horizontal shelf when the second end of the net is attached to the back attachment position.
Turning now to
Each of the sidewalls 130 can have a central attachment position 132, a top or vertical attachment position 134, and a back or horizontal attachment position 136. It is appreciated that even though only one sidewall 130, central attachment position 132, top attachment position 134 and back attachment position 136 is shown in the figure, a corresponding sidewall, central attachment position, etc., is present on an opposite side of the cargo storage compartment 100 as is known to those skilled in the art.
Also included in the system 10 is a cargo net 150 having a first end 152 and a second end 154. It is appreciated that the second end 154 can be spaced apart from the first end 152 when the first end 152 is held at a fixed location and a force is applied to the second end 154 in a direction away from the first end 152. In some instances, the central attachment position 132 can be a fixed attachment position in which the first end 152 is permanently attached at this location, however this is not required. It is appreciated that the term “permanently attached” refers to attachment of the first end 152 to the sidewalls 130 using an attachment, fastener, and the like which requires the use of a hand tool or some other process that is typically performed by a mechanic. Stated differently, such a permanent attachment is one not typically operable for an owner of the vehicle to be able to remove the first end 152 of the cargo net 150 from the central attachment position 132. In the alternative to a permanent attachment, the attachment position or structure 132 can be a releasable attachment position in which a snap, hook-and-loop fastener, tongue-and-groove structure, U-shaped flange for accepting a rod, and the like is present and a typical owner of the motor vehicle MV can releasably attach the first end 152 to the central position 132 and remove it therefrom when desired.
As shown in
It is appreciated that the physical dimensions of the cargo net 150 are such that extension of the net and attachment of the second end 154 to the top attachment position 134 and/or the back attachment position 136 provides a generally taut net. As such, when the cargo net 150 is in its generally horizontal orientation as shown in
Turning now to
The central attachment position 132 and/or cargo net 150 can have a cargo net retraction system 180 as illustrated in
Turning to
A process for using a cargo retention net in a multi-functional manner includes providing a motor vehicle with a cargo net and attachment positions as disclosed above and selectively attaching the second end 154 of the cargo net 150 to the top attachment position or structure 134 and the back or horizontal attachment position or structure 136. Stated differently, depending upon the desired function of the cargo net 150, the net 150 can be used as a vertical divider between a cargo storage compartment and a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, as a shelf for holding one or more components and/or as a retaining net for holding one or more components, packages, etc. in a secure location on a floor of the cargo storage compartment. As such, a single cargo net can be used in a multi-functional manner.
It is appreciated from the teachings above that specific embodiments of the multi-functional cargo retention net system have been described but that the scope of the invention is not limited by the embodiments. In addition, one skilled in the art will be aware of changes, alterations, etc. based on the teachings herein that fall within the scope of the invention. As such, the scope of the invention is provided by the claims and all equivalents thereof.