Patent ID: 11933095
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC B  E | IPC E

Claim 14:
15. A cargo storage system for a vehicle, the cargo storage system comprising:
a storage assembly including a storage unit and a floor door, the storage unit defining a storage cavity and an opening, and the floor door defining an opening; and
a clip assembly including a first clip and a second clip,
wherein the first clip includes an integrally formed body comprising a base section and a support section, the support section having a main surface and a pair of arm extensions extending from opposing edges of the main surface to define a receiving region, the main surface including a pair of stops extending perpendicular from the main surface, the arm extensions each defining a guiding ramp and a securing cavity,
wherein the base section of the first clip extends from the support section to a free end and is configured for insertion into an opening of the storage unit, the base section comprising protrusions disposed on an outer wall thereof, the protrusions being configured to deflect from an at-rest position as the base section passes through the opening of the storage unit, and the protrusions being configured to return toward the at-rest position when the base section is inserted into the opening so that the protrusions engage the storage unit and secure the first clip to the storage unit,
wherein the second clip includes an integrally formed body comprising a lower section and an upper section, the lower section comprising a first wall and a second wall connected by opposing sidewalls, the lower section further includes knobs extending from the sidewalls thereof, the upper section including a stem that extends from the first wall to a widened end, wherein the stem and the widened end are configured to be inserted into the opening of the floor door to secure the second clip to the floor door,
wherein the securing cavities are configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the knobs of the second clip, and the receiving region is configured to receive at least a portion of the second clip, and
wherein the second clip is configured to be hingedly connected to the first clip by the knobs such that the second clip and the floor door can pivot relative to the first clip and the storage unit, and
wherein the first clip further includes stops disposed adjacent each arm extension, the stops extend continuously from the arm extensions and the main surface;
wherein the stops taper from adjacent the main surface to distal ends of the stops;
wherein each of the sidewalls of the second clip defines a stop-receiving region that is configured to receive and/or engage the stop of the first clip, and
wherein the stop-receiving regions are configured to receive the stops when the clip assembly approaches an open position.