Abstract:
The present invention provides a cargo storage device for a vehicle having a passenger space and an end gate including a back end situated adjacent a rearward-most seat, at least one pair of sidewalls extending from the back end and having a plurality of storage units therein, a floor situated between the sidewalls and reconfigurable between a lowered position and a raised position, a door situated in the floor and pivotally operable between a closed position and an opened position, an organizational bin situated beneath the floor and having a plurality of dividers therein, and wherein at least two opposing storage units have identical tracks thereon.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to storage devices, and more specifically, to a cargo storage device with a reconfigurable floor and an organizational bin for a sport utility type vehicle. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     In many vehicles, and particularly sport utility type vehicles, cargo storage devices are lacking. The storage areas in these types of vehicles are usually defined by the floor, the back of the last row of seats, the side quarter panels, and the end gate of the vehicle. Because these types of vehicles do not have trunks or generally any other type of secured storage space, the operators needs are not accommodated in terms of security, versatility, and accessibility for stored items. For instance, items that stay in the vehicle such as jumper cables, tire jack, etc. get mixed in with other items like groceries, luggage, and valuables such as purses, laptops, etc. Because the storage space is generally open, there is no security for the valuables, accessibility to stored items is difficult as everything is mixed together, and as these items cannot be stacked upon each other, the storage space is not maximized. 
     In recent years, the demand for these types of vehicles has increased, attributable in part to their ability to carry more cargo than passenger cars. Efforts have thus been made to provide maximum passenger carrying capability while also being able to provide enhanced cargo carrying capability when desired by the vehicle operator. For example, flanges have been incorporated to support luggage, but this arrangement completely depends on the size of the luggage the operator wants to carry. Storage units have also been used, via use of shelf-like structures to partition the storage area. However, these units can be large and cumbersome, take up a significant amount of usable storage space available to the operator, and are in a number of movable parts such that they do not lend themselves well to being time-efficient or easy to use. Security is also an issue with stored items, as when a shelf-like structure is used to separate and keep stored items organized, the items are still visible from outside of the vehicle. 
     There continues to be a need to enhance the cargo carrying capabilities for these types of vehicles by increasing the functionability of the storage devices such that they are secure, accessible, versatile, and simple to use. As such, it would be beneficial to have a cargo storage device that incorporates a secured place to hold valuables, some sort of arrangement to divide storage space so items that are transported and items that remain in the vehicle can be separate, and versatility such that the device can be reconfigurable so as to always maximize available storage space as well as accommodate the operators needs and be easy for the operator to use. 
     It is therefore desired to have a cargo storage device with a reconfigurable floor to accommodate the users needs and maximize storage space and an organizational bin for secured storage of valuable items. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a cargo storage device for a vehicle that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Accordingly, the present invention advantageously provides a cargo storage device for a vehicle having a passenger space and an end gate including a back end situated adjacent a rearward-most seat, at least one pair of sidewalls extending from the back end and having a plurality of storage units therein, a floor situated between the sidewalls and reconfigurable between a lowered position and a raised position, a door situated in the floor and pivotally operable between a closed position and an opened position, an organizational bin situated beneath the floor and having a plurality of dividers therein, and wherein at least two opposing storage units have identical tracks thereon. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that the cargo storage device has a reconfigurable floor, such that it can be raised from its lowered position by being slid along tracks on both sides of the cargo storage device and repositioned to a raised position, while still providing access to the organizational bin when the reconfigurable floor is in either the lowered or raised position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo storage device in a lowered floor position according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a partial perspective detailed view of the track system of the cargo storage device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cargo storage device in a lowered floor position with an opened door providing access to an organizational bin according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cargo storage device in a transitional floor position according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cargo storage device in a raised floor position according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle  10  having a passenger space  12 , an end gate  14 , and a cargo storage device  16  is shown. The vehicle  10  is a sport utility type vehicle, and as such, the cargo storage device  16  is accessible via the passenger compartment  12  as well as the opened end gate  14  of the vehicle  10 . 
     The cargo storage device  16  has a back end  18  which is substantially rectangular shaped that extends substantially the width of the vehicle  10 . The back end  18  of the cargo storage device  16  rests just behind a rearward-most backseat (not shown) of the vehicle  10  and is substantially the same height such that the cargo storage device  16  is accessible from the rearward-most seat in the passenger space  12  of the vehicle  10 . 
     The cargo storage device  16  has left and right sidewalls  20  and  22 , respectively. The sidewalls  20  and  22  of the cargo storage device  16  are, in fact, incorporated to be the rear sidewalls of the vehicle  10 . As such, the sidewalls  20  and  22  extend from the back end  18  of the cargo storage device  16  to the end of the vehicle  10 . The sidewalls  20  and  22  of the cargo storage device  16  are a predetermined height greater than the height of the back end  18  of the cargo storage device  16 . There are cut-out portions  24  in the sidewalls  20  and  22  such that the top of the sidewalls  20  and  22  are substantially unshaped. 
     The left and right sidewalls  20  and  22  of the cargo storage device  16  each have a left and right inner side  26  and  28 , respectively. The inner sides  26  and  28  of the sidewalls  20  and  22  of the cargo storage device  16  each have a first storage unit  30 , a second storage unit  32 , and a pivot peg  31 . 
     The first storage units  30  are substantially rectangular shaped and are a predetermined width of the sidewalls  20  and  22 . The first storage units  30  are a predetermined height less than the height of the sidewalls  20  and  22  and are a predetermined length less than the length of the sidewalls  20  and  22 . The first storage units  30  each have upper surfaces  34 . The first storage units  30  each also have openings  36  therein for easy access to stored items in the units  30 . The openings  36  are substantially rectangular shaped and extend a predetermined length of the units  30 . The openings  36  are a predetermined height and are situated a predetermined height below the upper surfaces  34  of the units  30 . 
     The second storage units  32  are also substantially rectangular shaped and are a predetermined length of the sidewalls  20  and  22 . Each of the second storage units  32  extends a predetermined width beyond the width of the sidewalls  20  and  22 . The second storage units  32  are a predetermined height less than the height of the sidewalls  20  and  22  and each have upper surfaces  37  such that the upper surfaces  37  of the second storage units  32  are flush with the upper surfaces  34  of the first storage units  30 . 
     The upper surfaces  37  of the second storage units  32  each have opening lids  38  that are substantially rectangular shaped and extend substantially the length and width of the upper surfaces  37  of the units  32 . The lids  38  each have notches  40  so the operator can open the lids  38  to access the storage space within the storage units  32 . An extra feature of the first and second storage units  30  and  32  is the possibility of incorporating a 12-volt power supply outlet (not shown) for providing electricity to the back seat or the rear of the vehicle  10 . 
     The second storage units  32  each have inner sides  33  with repositioning track systems  42  thereon. The track systems  42  are identical on each side of the cargo storage device  16 . The track systems  42  each have horizontal tracks  44  and substantially diagonal tracks  46 . The horizontal tracks  44  extend substantially the length of the inner sides  33  of the second units  32  and are a predetermined height below the upper surfaces  37  of the units  32 . 
     The horizontal tracks  44  and the substantially diagonal tracks  46  are integrated, and as such, the substantially diagonal tracks  46  extend from the horizontal tracks  44  downward and forward, toward the back end  18  of the cargo storage device  16 . A more detailed view of the track systems  42  can be seen in FIG.  1 A. At the points of integration of the tracks  44  and  46 , there are repositioning notches  45  that are a predetermined height above the horizontal tracks  44  and extend a predetermined length beyond the diagonal tracks  46 . These notches  45  also extend a predetermined length forward over the horizontal tracks  44  such that the horizontal tracks  44  have a thicker transition area  47  near the integration points. The tracks  44  and  46 , the repositioning notches  45 , and the transition area  47  of the track systems  42  have a predetermined depth. 
     The pivot pegs  31  are at a predetermined height on the sidewalls  20  and  22 . The pivot pegs  31  extend outward from the sidewalls  20  and  22  a predetermined distance. The pivot pegs  31  serve to guide the reconfigurable floor as described below. 
     The cargo storage device  16  has a reconfigurable floor  48 . The reconfigurable floor  48  is substantially rectangular shaped and extends from the storage units  30  and  32  of the left sidewall  20  to the storage units  30  and  32  of the right sidewall  22 . The reconfigurable floor  48  extends substantially the length of the cargo storage device  16  and is a predetermined thickness. The reconfigurable floor  48  has a security key lock (not shown) to engage when the floor  48  is in the lowered position. There are also tie-down hooks (not shown) to allow for the security of stored items. 
     The floor  48  has a pivotable door  50  therein. The door  50  is substantially rectangular shaped and extends substantially the length and width of the reconfigurable floor  48 . The door  50  is a predetermined thickness. The door  50  is pivotable via hinges, as known in the art, and is supported by small lips that form supportive ledges along the sides of the reconfigurable floor  48 . There is a sliding latch (not shown) that may be slid to lock the door  50  in place in the reconfigurable floor  48 . This may be accomplished by using a wedge that slides down, pushing two rods apart which act as the pins at their ends. Another option is to have the latch slide a pin on a wheel that, when rotated, slides the two rods inward or outward, or any other commonly used latching method as known in the art. The door  50  also has rubber strips  52 , or the like, on its surface to reduce the sliding and rattling of items placed upon it. The door  50  has a handle  54  therein in order to move it in various positions. 
     As such, in FIG. 2 the door  50  is in an opened position. The door  50  is maintainable in the opened vertical position, if desired, to help haul and store items. As seen here, when the door  50  is opened, there is access to an organizational bin  56 . The organizational bin  56  is substantially rectangular shaped and extends substantially the length and width of the door  50 . The organizational bin  56  is a predetermined depth, and is located such that it is entirely beneath the floor  48 . 
     The bin  56  has a plurality of dividers  58  that slide into side slots (not shown), as known in the art. The dividers  58  are removable and reconfigurable to fit the operators needs. Also, the bin  56  has storage slots (not shown) nearest to the end gate  14  in which the dividers  58  can be stacked and stored, if desired, so that they are out of the way. The organizational bin  56  has a thin rubber mat (not shown) on the bottom to prevent sliding, scratching, or rattling of stored items. The bin  56  also has a drain and plug (not shown) for easy cleaning. Another feature the bin  56  has are holes (not shown) that could be used for installing a CD changer, or the like. 
     As mentioned, the floor  48  of the cargo storage device  16  is reconfigurable to fit the operators storage needs. In FIG. 1, the floor  48  is in a lowered position and the door  50  is closed. In such a position, valuables could be stored in the bin  56  and the door  50  can be locked for security. More items could then be stored on the floor  48  such that they are accessible via the passenger space  12  or by the opening of the end gate  14 . Items can also be stored in any or all of the side storage units  30  and  32  in this position. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the floor  48  is in a lowered position and the door  50  is opened providing access to the organizational bin  56 . In this position, the door  50  can remain in a vertical position for storing larger items in the bin  56 . Access to any or all of the side storage units  30  and  32  is available for other stored items in this position. Access to the stored items is available via the passenger space  12  or by the opening of the end gate  14 . 
     The reconfiguration of the floor  48  is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, the door  50  is closed and in a locked position within the floor  48 . As such, when the handle  54  is pulled upward, the floor  48  raises as does the door  50 . Upon this action, the floor  48  clears the pivot pegs  31  on the sidewalls  20  and  22 . 
     The mechanics behind the raising floor  48  are standard sliding pegs on the floor  48  that slide along the repositioning track systems  42 . The sliding pegs may have caps on their ends to prevent them from coming out of the tracks  44  and  46 , the repositioning notches  45 , and the transition area  47  of the track systems  42 . Moreover, the geometry of the sidewalls  20  and  22  of the cargo storage device  16  will reduce side-to-side movement. 
     After the floor  48  is lifted, it is slid, via the sliding pegs, along the substantially diagonal tracks  46 . Once this motion begins, the pivot pegs  31  on the sidewalls  20  and  22  are engaged by the floor  48  and serve as guides for the floor  48  the entire way up the diagonal tracks  46 . At the end of the diagonal tracks  46 , the sliding pegs of the floor  48  are brought into the repositioning notches  45  of the track systems  42 . Here, the pivot pegs  31  act as pivot points as the floor  48  is brought to a horizontal position. Upon this action, the sliding pegs of the floor  48  fall into the transition area  47  of the horizontal tracks  44 . 
     The floor  48  is then slid along the horizontal tracks  44  until it reaches the end of the tracks  44  near the back end  18  in which it will preferably fall into a locked position against the back end  18  of the cargo storage device  16 . This locking could be accomplished through locking notches (not shown) in the bottom of the floor  48  that mate with the pivot points of the tracks  44  and  46  when the floor  48  is fully slid horizontally against the back end  18  of the cargo storage device  16 . The raised floor  48  can go back to its lowered position in the same manner, but in reverse order. 
     Here in FIG. 4, in the raised floor  48  position, larger items can be stored in the organizational bin  56 . In this position, the larger items in the bin  56  are covered by the floor  48  so that they remain secure. The raised floor  48  is positioned such that it is flush with both the upper surfaces  34  of the first storage units  30  as well as the upper surfaces  37  of the second storage units  32 . As such, items can be stored on the floor  48  and be level so as to not tip over or fall. Also because of the flushness, access to the second units  32  via the lids  38  is still available, as is the openings  36  of the first units  30  to store more items. Here, items can be reached via opening the end gate  14 , or items on the floor  48  can be accessed via the passenger space  12  of the vehicle  10 . 
     Most all parts of the cargo storage device  16  are made of plastics, through injection molding. An alternative for the reconfigurable floor  48  and its door  50 , without departing from the scope of the present invention, could be structural foam, as this material is also strong, durable, and lightweight. 
     While only one embodiment of the cargo storage device of the present invention has been described, others may be possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.