Patent Application
20250100440
None.
These teachings relate to a cargo securing system for a vehicle.
Some vehicles, like pick-up trucks, have an open-topped bed or cargo area that may be used for storing or transporting cargo. A cover, such as a tonneau cover, may be placed over the cargo area. The tonneau cover may be moved into an open position to provide access to the cargo and/or the inside of the cargo area. The tonneau cover may be moved into a closed position to conceal the cargo from view and/or to prevent fluid and/or debris from entering the cargo area.
Some vehicles have a cargo securing system to help secure a load or cargo to the vehicle. For example, some vehicles may include one or more load tie downs in the cargo area of the vehicle. A rope, chain, or strap may engage the one or more tie downs to help secure the load or cargo to or in the cargo area. Other vehicles may include a rack or platform for transporting items such as ladders and kayaks.
However, many of the current cargo securing systems cannot be quickly or easily installed. For example, a user who wishes to at least temporarily utilize a rack or platform system may be required to fixedly mount the rack or platform system to the cargo area, which may be time and labor consuming. Then, when the user desires to remove the rack or platform system, the user must disassemble the system from the vehicle, which may also be time and labor consuming.
Accordingly, improvement in this field may be desired. For example, it may be desirable to have a cargo securing system that includes a rack or platform system that can be quickly and easily installed on the vehicle and/or then taken off the vehicle.
These teachings provide a cargo securing system for a vehicle. The cargo securing system includes a rack or platform system that can be quickly and easily installed on a vehicle. The cargo securing system includes a rack or platform system that can be quickly and easily removed or disassembled from a vehicle. The cargo securing system includes a rack or platform system that can be quickly and easily installed on the vehicle and/or removed from the vehicle without the use of hand tools.
The cargo securing system includes a rack or platform that can engage and disengage one or more load tie downs that are attached to the vehicle. The cargo securing system includes a rack or platform that can engage and/or disengage one or more load tie downs without the use of hand tools.
A vehicle 10 is illustrated in
The cargo area 12 may be defined by one or a plurality of walls. The walls may include opposing side walls 16A, 16B (i.e., driver and passenger side walls respectively), a front wall 18 that is located adjacent to the passenger cab 14, and a rear wall or tailgate 20 that opposes the front wall 18. Two or more of these walls may be a single or integral wall. One or more of these walls may be split into two or more walls. For example, the tailgate, side wall, or front wall may be split into two or more walls to provide versatile access to the cargo area or passenger area of the vehicle.
The front wall 18 of the cargo area 12 may be a shared or common wall with a back wall of the passenger cab 14. Such vehicles may be a one piece or uni-body construction. In other vehicles, the front wall 18 may be a separate wall, segment, or portion of the vehicle from a rear wall of the passenger cab 14. In some configurations, the front wall 18 may provide access to the passenger cab 14 via a pass through or fold down wall or door. The cargo area 12 has a bottom or floor 22 that is surrounded by the walls 16A, 16B, 18, 20. The bottom or floor 22 is opposite a top or open end of the cargo area 12.
A tonneau cover system 24 may be positioned, located, installed, supported, or arranged on, onto, in, or over the bed or cargo area 12. The tonneau cover system 24 may include a rail system that is located or attached to the side walls 16A, 16B of the cargo area 12 (and/or on the front or back walls 18, 20); a tonneau cover 28 that is supported on or by the frame system or side rails. The cover 28 may be moveable relative to the side rails and side walls 16A, 16B between a closed position (
A cargo securing system 100 may be operatively connected to the vehicle 100 or the cargo area 12.
The cargo securing system 100 may include one or more securing rails 102A, 102B. The securing rails 102A, 102B may be the same rails that are used to support the tonneau cover 28 of the tonneau cover system 24 discussed above. Alternatively, the securing rails 102A, 102B of the cargo securing system 100 may be separate and independent from any of the side rails of the tonneau cover system 24 for supporting the tonneau cover 28. The securing rails 102A, 102B may be attached to the corresponding side walls 16A, 16B. For example, a securing rail 102A, 102B may be attached to an upper surface of the side wall 16A, 16B where one or more stake holes may be located) and/or may be attached to the inside surfaces of one or more of the side walls 16A, 16B. The one or more securing rails 102A, 102B may be one or more bed caps that are attached to the top surfaces of the side walls 16A, 16B. The or more securing rails 102A, 102B may be attached to the one or more bed caps.
The one or more securing rails may be made from a suitable material such as aluminum, plastic, metal, a composite, or combination thereof. The one or more securing rails may be an extrusion, a plastic injection molded part, a stamped part, a 3D printed part, or a combination that out. The one or more securing rails may be made from one or more materials.
The cargo securing system 100 may include one or more load tie downs 104. One or more of the load tie downs 104, or tie downs 104 for short, may be operatively connected to one or both of the securing rails 102A, 102B. The tie downs 104 may be attached to the securing rails 102A, 102B such that the tie downs 104 do not interfere with operation of the tonneau cover system 24. In other words, attachment of the one or more tie downs 104 to one or both of the securing rails 102A, 102B does not interfere with or prohibit the moving of the tonneau cover 24 between the closed and open positions.
The one or more load tie downs may be made from a suitable material such as aluminum, plastic, metal, a composite, or combination thereof. The one or more load tie downs may be an extrusion, a plastic injection molded part, a stamped part, a 3D printed part, or a combination that out. The one or more load tie downs may be made from one or more materials. For example, the load tie down may be made entirely of a single material, or the load tied out may be made of two materials for example the handle may be made of metal and the body and operates may be made of a plastic or nylon material.
The securing rail 102 may include a generally horizontal portion 106 and a downwardly turned part or flange or vertical portion 108. In vehicle position, the generally horizontal portion 106 may be positioned on or attached to a top surface of a side wall of the cargo area. The generally vertical portion 108 may be engaged by one or more clamps to secure the securing rail 102 to the bed wall. The generally vertical portion 108 may include one or more ribs or grooves that extend along a length of the vertical portion. These ribs or grooves may be arranged horizontally and may assist with attaching the securing rail to the bed wall via the one or more clamps. In some configurations, one or both of the horizontal and the vertical portions 106, 108 may be secured to the bed wall via one or more fasteners such as screws, bolts, and/or adhesives. In some configurations, the vertical portion may be omitted and the securing rail 102 may be attached by other methods, such as with one or more fasteners extending from the back or B-side of the horizontal portion 106 that may engage the top surface of the side wall 16 of the cargo area. In some configurations, the horizontal portion 106 and/or the securing rail 102 may be attached to the bed cap which is typically located on the upper surface of the bed wall. In some configurations, the securing rail 102 may be the bed cap.
The horizontal portion 106 may include an engagement slot 110. The engagement slot 110 may extend at least partially or entirely along a length of the securing rail 102. In some configurations, the engagement slot 110 may be part of the bed cap. In some configurations, the engagement slot 110 may be directly attached to the top surface of the bed wall and or incorporated into the material of the bed wall itself.
The engagement slot 110 may have a generally C- or U-shaped cross section. The engagement slot 110 may be defined by a pair of opposing walls 112 that project upwardly from the horizontal portion 106. The engagement slot 110 may include a pair of opposing inwardly turned fingers 113 at an upper end of the opposing walls 112. The engagement slot 110 may be engaged by one or more tie downs 104.
With additional reference to
To attach the tie down 104 to the securing rail 102, the securing plates 122 may be inserted into the engagement slot 110 of the securing rail 102 through an open end 128 of the slot 110. The tie down 104 can then be moved along a length of the securing rail 102 or slot 110 into any desired location along a length of the slot 110, between the passenger area or cab of the vehicle and the tailgate for example. After the tie down 104 is in its desired location, the tightening part 126 may then be tightened, which will close a gap defined between the moveable securing plate 122 and bottom of the base 114 thereby capturing or sandwiching the inwardly turned parts 113 of the opposing walls 112 of the slot 110 therebetween. Thereafter, the tie down 104 may be secured to the securing rail 102 and restricted from moving. An operator or user may tie or attach a rope, cord, cable, or strap to the handle part 118 to secure cargo in the bed or cargo area of the vehicle.
An operator may move or reposition the location of one or more of the tie downs 104 by simply loosening the tightening part 126 so that the gap defined between the bottom surface of the base 114 and the moveable securing plate 122 is enlarged thereby allowing the tie down 104 to be moved along a length of the slot 110 to a desired location. Then the tightening parts 126 may be re-tightened to capture the inwardly turned fingers 113 of the engagement slot 110 between the plate 122 and the bottom of the base 114.
The cargo securing system may include any number of tie downs 104 on one or both sides of the securing rails 102.
With additional reference to
The latch 136 comprises a pin or axle 140 about which the finger 138 is configured to be moved, pivoted, or rotated about to move the finger between the latched and unlatched positions The pin or axle may be made of a plastic or metal material.
The latch 136 comprises a spring or bias member 142. The spring or bias member 142 is configured to move and maintain the finger 138 (and a button 144) in a latched position when the latch 136 is in steady state. The spring or bias member may be a piece of spring metal, steel, plastic, a spring, a coil spring, a torsion spring, or a combination thereof.
The latch 136 comprises a button 144 that is configured to be moved or depressed by a user. The button 144 is moved into contact with the upper part 147 of the finger 138 to move the finger 138 and the spring or bias member 142 from the latched position (
As has been discussed, the steady state position of the finger 138 is in the latched position (
During installation of a support foot 132 onto a tie down 104, a user may vertically lower the support foot 132 onto the tie down 104. The support foot 132 can be lowered on to the tie down 104 until a leading end or surface 148 of the finger 138 contacts the handle 118 of the tie down 104, which will cause the finger 138 to move, roll, or rotate about the axle 140 into the unlatched position. This movement of the finger 138 into the unlatched position will allow the support foot 132 to be further lowered onto the tie down 104. After the support foot 132 is in its lowered position, the user may release the button 144, which will cause the spring or bias 142 member to move the finger 138 (and the button 144) into the latched position such that the finger 138 will at least partially surround the handle 118 of the tie down 104 thereby preventing any vertical movement of the support foot 132 relative to the tie down 104.
Thereafter, should a user desire to remove the support foot 132 from the tie down 104, the user may depress the button 144 which will cause the finger 138 to rotate about the axle 140 to disengage the finger 138 from the handle 118. This will allow the support foot 132 to be vertically removed and separated from the tie down 104.
The support foot 132 include a lock 150. The lock 150 may include a tumbler or latch that can be rotated by a key to lock the button 144 and/or the finger 138 to prevent the finger 138 from rotating into the unlatched position. This will allow a user to securely lock the support foot 132 onto the tie down 104 and prevent any unintended removal or separation therefrom.
The cross member 134 may include an engagement slot 162. With additional reference to
The cross member 134 may include only one engagement slot 162. Alternatively as illustrated in the figures, the cross member 134 may include two engagement slots 162. This may allow for the cross member 134 to be attached to a support foot 132 in one or even two configurations (i.e., attaching a top side of the cross member 134 to the support foot 132 or rotating the support member and attaching a bottom side of the cross member 134 to the support foot 132). Additionally or alternatively, having two engagement slots 162 may allow for the cross member to be used to attach other components to a top side of the cross member during use (e.g., a tie down according to these teachings).
The one or more cross members may be made from a suitable material such as aluminum, plastic, metal, a composite, or combination thereof. The one or more cross members may be an extrusion, a plastic injection molded part, a stamped part, a 3D printed part, or a combination that out. The one or more cross members may be made from one or more materials.
To attach a cross member 134 to a support foot 132, the securing plates 154 may be inserted into the engagement slot 162 of the cross member 134 through an open end 168 of the slot 162. The cross member 134 can then be moved laterally until both of the plates 154 engage the slot 162. After the cross member 134 is in its desired cross-car position, the tightening part 160 may then be tightened, which will close a gap defined between the moveable securing plate 154 and the stationary securing plate 156 thereby capturing or sandwiching the inwardly turned parts 166 of the opposing walls 164 of the slot 162 therebetween. Thereafter, the cross member 134 may be secured to the support foot 132 and restricted from moving. An end cap 170 (
Referring back to
As discussed above, the cargo securing system 100 according to these teachings provides a user or operator with the versatility of having an elevated rack or platform system 130 that can be quickly and easily attached and detached from the cargo area of the vehicle.
It should be understood that while the cross member is illustrated as extending across the cargo area (e.g., between opposing side walls 16A, 16B of the cargo area), a cross member 134 may instead be provided on only one side of the cargo area. For exampe, referring to
Referring to
Referring to the previous figures, the cargo securing system 100 comprises two securing rails 102A, 102B. A first rail 102A of the two securing rails is attached to the first wall 16A of the cargo area 12, and a second rail 102B of the two securing rails is attached to the second wall 16B of the cargo area 12. The cargo securing system 100 comprises two tie downs 104, 104. A first tie down 104A is attached to the first rail 102A, and a second tie down 104B is attached to the second rail 102B. The cargo securing system 100 comprises two support feet 132A, 132B. A first support foot 132A is attached to the first tie down 104A, and a second support foot 132B is attached to the second tie down 104B. The cargo securing system 100 comprises a cross member 134 to connect to the two support feet 132A, 132B and extend across the cargo area 12. The first support foot 132A comprises a latch 136 that is configured to engage the first tie down 104A to attach the first support foot 132A to the first tie down 104A.
The first tie down 104A a base 114, two upright portions 116, and a handle 118 extending between the two upright portions 116, the latch 136 comprises a finger 138 that engages the handle 118. The first tie down 104 comprises a gap G defined between the handle 118 and the base 114. The first tie down 104A comprises a securing part 120 that is configured to engage an engagement slot 110 in the first rail 102A. The securing part 120 comprises a moveable securing plate 122 that is configured to be moved to sandwich a region 112, 113 of the engagement slot 110 between the moveable securing plate 122 and the base 114 of the first tie down 104A. The finger 138 is configured to pivot or rotate about an axle 140 to move the finger 138 between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein in the latched position, the finger 138 engages the handle 118 of the first tie down 104A. The latch 136 comprises a button 144 and movement or depression of the button 144 causes the finger 138 to move into the unlatched position where the finger 138 disengages the handle 118 of the first tie down 104A. The latch 136 comprises a spring or bias member 142 that is configured to move the finger 138 into the latched position after the button is released. The first support foot 132A comprises a lock 150 for locking a position of the finger 138. The first support foot 132A has an L- or T-shape. The first support foot 132A has a securing part 152 configured to engage an engagement slot 162 in the cross member 134. The securing part 152 of the first support foot 132A comprises a stationary securing plate 156 and a moveable securing plate 154 that is configured to be moved relative to the stationary securing plate 154 to sandwich a region 164, 166 of the engagement slot 162 of the cross member 134 between the moveable securing plate 154 and the stationary securing plate 156. The engagement slot 162 comprises a pair of opposing walls 164 and a pair of inwardly turned fingers 166 to define a cross section having a C- or U-shape. The cross member 134 when installed between the two support feet is free from interfering with operation of a tonneau cover (i.e., allows the tonneau cover to move between the open and closed configuration or position without interfering with movement of the cover). The finger 138 of the latch 126 is configured to engage the handle 118 of the first tie down 104A without use of hand tools or tightening any fasteners.
It is understood that the following method steps can be performed in virtually any order. Moreover, one or more of the following method steps can be combined with other steps; can be omitted or eliminated; can be repeated; and/or can separated into individual or additional steps.
The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.
Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.
Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.
The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a latch” does not limit the teachings to a single latch. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a latch” may include “one or more laches.”
While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and/or modified with any of the elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may be not be specifically illustrated or described herein.
The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.
