Abstract:
A cargo lid retention device and method for holding a cargo lid in an open position, wherein the retention device includes a fixed hook member, a removable hook member, and a tether. The fixed hook member defines a receptacle that releasably receives the fixed hook member. The receptacle includes an upstanding rim and a resilient fastener which cooperate to hold the removable hook member against undesired movement. The removable hook member is secured to the tether which, in turn, is secured to the cargo lid. The tether cooperates with the removable hook member when the removable hook member is secured to a remote support to maintain the cargo lid in the open position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a constant concern for automobile designers to maximize the storage space for the users of automobiles. It is also increasingly desirable to install accessory devices that permit the user to easily store and access cargo. 
     In automobiles it is, in general, known to provide a recessed well that is covered by a closure. Typically, such closures are used to conceal spare tires and intermittently used accessory devices. As such, the closures are normally closed during operation of the automobile. 
     However, in sport utility vehicles, vans and minivans, there is an opportunity to provide a storage space behind the third-row seating. Such a storage space will necessarily be shallow and small in front-to-back dimensions, and not overly useful for storage of large items. However, such a space may be useful for storage of small articles and optionally used items. A cover for such a small storage space will normally be closed and will not permit access to the storage space. 
     Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a method and device to gain and maintain access to a small storage space in such vehicles. There further exists a need in the art for a method and device to maintain the closure of a small storage spaced in an open position during operation of the vehicle to maximize the available storage space in such vehicles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed toward a method and device to gain and maintain access to a small storage space in such vehicles. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a method and device to maintain a cargo lid in an open position during operation of the vehicle to maximize the available storage space in such vehicles. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a cargo lid has a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface having a retention device secured thereto. The retention device includes a fixed hook member, a removable hook member, and a tether. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, the lower surface of the cargo lid defines a recess in which the fixed hook member is received. The recess includes an upper portion extending from an edge of the lower surface and an enlarged lower portion. The fixed hook member includes an upper hook portion and a lower body member. The lower body member is received within the enlarged lower portion of the cargo lid recess. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, the lower body member defines a receptacle that is adapted to releasably receive the removable hook member. The receptacle includes an upstanding rim that surrounds a resilient fastener. The removable hook member is releasably received by the fastener and surrounded by the upstanding rim such that the removable hook member is retained against movement in at least two directions. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, the removable hook member includes a first substantially straight portion and a curved second portion. The first portion has a first end defining an opening that the tether is secured to and a second end from which the curved portion integrally extends. The first portion is secured to the fastener at a location intermediate the first and second ends. 
     In accordance with a method of the present invention, when the removable hook is secured to a remote support, the removable hook and tether cooperate to retain the cargo lid in an open position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is schematically illustrates a rear end of a vehicle incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a combination grocery hook and cargo lid hook storage device according to the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with a removable hook of the combination grocery hook and cargo lid hook storage device shown in a removed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawing figures, a storage space at a rear of a vehicle  8  is shown to be associated with a rear cargo lid  10 . In FIG. 1, the cargo lid  10  is shown in an open position, it being considered apparent that the cargo lid  10  could be pivoted to a closed position wherein the cargo lid  10  covers the storage space provided by the cargo lining. Preferably, the cargo lid  10  has an upper surface that is substantially flush with the surrounding vehicle floor when the cargo lid  10  is in the closed position. When the cargo lid  10  is in the open position, as depicted in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the cargo lid  10  faces toward the adjacent seat, and generally perpendicular to the vehicle floor. Similarly, when the cargo lid  10  is in the closed position the lower surface of the cargo lid  10  is facing toward the storage space and cooperates with the cargo lining  12  to define an enclosed space. When the cargo lid  10  is in the open position, the lower surface of the cargo lid  10  faces toward the rear of the vehicle and generally perpendicular to the vehicle floor. 
     The storage space of the cargo lining  12  may be designed to receive small items to permit the cargo lid  10  to remain in the closed position during operation of the vehicle. Additionally, the storage space may be specially designed to receive an optional accessory device, such as a tonneau cover. Insofar as the design of the cargo lining  12  and the use of the storage space, especially its use for receipt of an optional accessory device, is not the subject of the present invention, the configuration and use of such cargo lining  12  and associated storage space will not be described in detail hereinafter. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the lower surface of the cargo lid  10  has a plurality of hooks  14  secured thereto. The hooks  14  are designed to receive and support bags, such as plastic grocery bags, therefrom. However, if the cargo lid  10  is maintained in the open position without further support while the vehicle  8  is operated, vibrations normally occurring during driving may cause the cargo lid  10  to move from the open position toward the closed position, possibly damaging the items contained within the suspended bags. As will be described hereinafter, the combination grocery hook and cargo lid hook storage device  16  of the present invention, hereinafter referred to as a retention device  16 , is specially adapted to maintain the cargo lid  10  in the open position during use of the vehicle. 
     With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the retention device  16  includes a fixed grocery hook  18 , a removable hook  20 , and a tether  22 . As illustrated, the fixed grocery hook  18  is disposed within a recess  24  in the lower surface of the cargo lid  10 , and includes an upper hook member  26  and a lower body member  28 . The recess  24  in the lower surface of the cargo lid  10  includes a channel portion extending from the edge of the cargo lid  10 , and an enlarged, generally bulbous or oval-shaped lower recessed portion. 
     The lower body member  28 , which is affixed to the cargo lid  10  within the enlarged lower recessed portion, has a peripheral shape that generally matches the shape of the lower recessed portion so as to be snugly received therein. The upper hook member  26  is aligned with the channel in the cargo lid  10  and is spaced away from a surface defining the channel to facilitate placement of bags or other articles over the upper hook member  26 . The lower body member  28  is generally oval, and includes an upstanding rim  30  that defines a recess or receptacle for receipt of the removable hook  20 . As will be apparent from the following description, the upstanding rim  30  assists in properly orienting, positioning, and securely retaining the removable hook  20  within the lower body member  28 . 
     A fastener  32  is provided by the lower body member  28  and surrounded by the upstanding rim  30 . The fastener  32  in the preferred and illustrated embodiment is a resilient clip, such as a spring clip, that is integrally formed with the lower body member  28  and includes a pair of arms that extend outwardly from a base surface  35  of the lower member  28  (FIG.  3 ). Alternatively, the fastener may be a separate clip that is attached to the lower body member  28 . The fastener  32  is adapted to releasably or snap-fittingly receive the removable hook  20  such that the removable hook may be securely yet releasably received within the space surrounded by the upstanding rim  30  in the lower body member  28 . Essentially, the arms of the resilient fastener  32  elastically deform outwardly when the removable hook  20  is pushed or inserted therebetween. One or both of the fastener arms may include inwardly directed tabs or detents (not shown) to more positively secure the removable hook  20  thereto. 
     The resilient fastener  32  cooperates with the upstanding rim  30 , which surrounds the removable hook  20 , to define a receptacle  33  that is operable to receive and retain the hook  20  against vibrational influences during operation of the vehicle. More specifically, the resilient fastener  32  secures the removable hook in one direction (i.e., horizontally when the cargo lid  10  a is in the closed position), while the upstanding rim  30  secures the removable hook in another direction (horizontally laterally or side-to side when the cargo lid  10 ,is in the closed position). As such, noise created by rattling of the removable hook  20  is prevented during use of the vehicle  8 . 
     The removable hook  20  is generally J-shaped, and includes a substantially straight first portion  34  and a curved or arcuate second portion  36 . The first portion  34  includes a first end  38  and a second end, the first end  38  having an opening  40  formed therein that is adapted to receive an end of the tether or rope  22 . The second end has the curved or arcuate second portion  36  integrally extending therefrom. The first portion  34  is adapted for releasable securement to the resilient fastener  32  at a location intermediate the first and second ends, as illustrated. The curved second portion  36  is adapted to be secured around an upstanding post of a headrest on an adjacent seat, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, and described more fully hereinafter. 
     The tether  22  has, in addition to the first end secured to the removable hook  20 , a second or opposite end secured to a mount  41 . In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, a central latch assembly  42  of the cargo lid  10  provides the mount. The first and second ends of the tether  22  may simply be knotted to prevent their unintended removal from the removable hook  20  and the mount  41 . 
     When in the storage position, which will typically be the case when the cargo lid  10  is in the closed position, the removable hook  20  is received in the accommodating receptacle  33  provided by the body member  28  of the fixed grocery hook  18  while the tether  22  extends from the removable hook  20  and connects the removable hook  20  to the mount  41 . As noted above, the removable hook  20  is securely received against vibrational forces while in the storage position. When the cargo lid  10  is opened to the position shown in FIG. 1, the removable hook is readily available and accessible to the user. Therefore, if it is desired to hold the cargo lid  10  in the open position, the removable hook  20  may simply be withdrawn or snapped out of the receptacle  33  and the curved or hooked-end of the removable hook is placed around, and thereby removably secured to, the support post of the vertically adjacent headrest (FIG.  1 ). The tether  22 , which, in the illustrated and preferred embodiment is secured to the mount  41  at or near a widthwise midpoint of the cargo lid  10 , cooperates with the removable hook  20  to maintain the cargo lid  10  in the open position. As will be apparent, the length of the tether  22  is predetermined and selected such that the cargo lid  10  is retained in the desired vertical orientation, which is preferably generally perpendicular to the vehicle floor. 
     While the cargo lid  10  is retained in the open, generally vertical position by use of the removable hook  20  and tether  22 , items may be placed on the hooks  14 ,  26  available on the now-rearwardly facing lower surface of the cargo lid  10 . The retention device  16  provided by the present invention maintains the cargo lid  10  in the open position during use of the vehicle  8 , and prevents the lid  10  from unintentionally closing, as otherwise may occur during normal driving. 
     While the present invention has been described with particularity herein, the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, it is considered apparent that the present invention is capable of numerous modifications, rearrangements and substitutions of parts without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be defined by the claims appended hereto.