Abstract:
A floor panel for a vehicle compartment, the panel comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the panel is adapted to be disposed in the vehicle compartment with a selected one of said surfaces uppermost. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to floor panels for vehicle compartments.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In many vehicles, particularly automobiles, it is known to provide vehicle compartments with a suitable trim, for example carpet, to reduce noise, for aesthetic reasons and for comfort of occupants of the compartment if appropriate. However, with use such trim can become soiled or damaged, particularly in load carrying compartments, for example car boots. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,612 discloses a lining for a load bed of an open-bodied truck, but such a lining is simply intended to cover the exposed metal surfaces of the load bed. German Gebrauchsmuster number DE 29909851 U discloses adapting a vehicle compartment to carry bicycles, but is not generally applicable to other loads.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    An aim of the present invention is to provide a new or improved floor panel.  
           [0006]    According to one aspect of the invention we provide a floor panel for a vehicle compartment, the panel comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the panel is adapted to be disposed in the vehicle compartment with a selected one of said surfaces uppermost.  
           [0007]    One of said surfaces may comprise carpet.  
           [0008]    One of said surfaces may comprise a durable surface, preferably comprising a durable polymer.  
           [0009]    One of said surfaces may be provided with a plurality of bearing means disposed to project above said surface when said surface is uppermost.  
           [0010]    According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a floor panel for a vehicle compartment, wherein the panel comprises a surface and a plurality of bearing means disposed to project above said surface.  
           [0011]    The bearing means may comprise a plurality of rollers.  
           [0012]    Each of said plurality of rollers may have an axis of rotation, each axis of rotation being generally parallel and wherein said axes of rotation may be disposed such that a load is introduced into the compartment in a direction generally transverse to said axes.  
           [0013]    Releasable locking means may be provided to prevent or restrain rotation of said bearing means.  
           [0014]    The locking means comprises a locking surface which is moveable into engagement with a surface of the bearing means.  
           [0015]    The panel may be adapted to extend across the whole width of the vehicle compartment.  
           [0016]    The panel may extend across a part of the vehicle compartment.  
           [0017]    The panel may be adapted to engage support means provided in the vehicle compartment.  
           [0018]    The panel may be symmetrical.  
           [0019]    The panel may comprise anchor means to engage load restraint means.  
           [0020]    The anchor means may comprise D-rings.  
           [0021]    A surface of the panel may comprise ridges.  
           [0022]    Where the panel comprises bearing means, the bearing means may be provided such that they project above the upper sin-face of said ridges.  
           [0023]    According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a vehicle comprising a vehicle compartment wherein there is provided a panel according to the first or second aspects of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a panel according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention being disposed in the compartment of a vehicle according to the third aspect of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a panel according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention being disposed in a vehicle compartment of a vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a side view of a vehicle compartment provided with the floor panel of FIG. 2.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view on a larger scale of part of the panel of FIG. 2.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a similar view to FIG. 4 showing an alternative configuration of part of the panel of FIG. 2.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of part of the panel of FIG. 2.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is an exploded partially cut-away view on a larger scale of part of FIG. 6.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a panel according to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, again disposed in a vehicle compartment of a vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a section through the panel of FIG. 8 disposed in the vehicle compartment, and  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is a view in more detail of part of FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a rear part of a vehicle is shown at  10  comprising a vehicle compartment  11  having a forward wall  11   a,  side walls  11   b,    11   c,  a rear wall  11   d  and a floor part  11   e.  A floor panel according to a first embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention is shown at  12 . The panel comprises a first surface  13 , in the present example comprising a yielding surface such as carpet, and a second surface  14  uppermost, comprising a durable, preferably liquid-resistant surface comprising for example a suitable durable polymer based material bonded or laminated to the underside of the first surface  13 . By “durable” we preferably mean a scratch-resistant and liquid resistant material, also preferably a washable and substantially rigid material. The surface  14  comprises a raised edge part  15  extending around the periphery of the panel  12  and a plurality of elongate ridge parts  16  disposed such that when the panel  12  is disposed in the vehicle compartment  11 , the ridges  16  extend in a direction from the rear wall  11   d  towards the front wall  11   a.  The periphery of the panel  12  is shaped to have a forward part  17   a,  side parts  17   b,    17   c,  and a rearward part  17   d  to engage the compartment walls  11   a,    11   b,    11   c,    11   d  respectively to hold the panel  12  in place within the vehicle compartment  11 . The panel is symmetrical about an axis generally shown at A such that the panel  12  may be located in the vehicle compartment  11  with either the first surface  13  or second surface  14  uppermost.  
         [0036]    The panel  12  may thus be located in the vehicle compartment  11  to protect the compartment floor  11   e,  with a desired surface  13 ,  14  uppermost depending what it is desired to place in the vehicle compartment  11 . Where it is desired to place a relatively light and/or clean load in the compartment  11 , the surface  13  with carpet may be placed uppermost. If a heavy or dirty load is intended to be used, the panel may be removed from the compartment  11 , rotated about axis A as shown in FIG. 1 such that surface  14  is uppermost and replaced in the compartment  11 . The ridges  16  are oriented to assist loads being pushed or slid into the compartment  11 , whilst the ridge  15  retains any spillage or detritus from the load.  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the panel  12  is shown. The same reference numerals are used in FIG. 2 as in FIG. 1 for the same parts. In the second embodiment, however, in addition to ridges  16 , the second surface  14  is provided with additional ridge parts  18  having rotatable bearing means, in the present example comprising rollers  19 . The rollers  19  are disposed such that they project above the tipper surface of the additional ridge parts  18  and are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis S extending generally transverse to the ridges  18 . A manually operable looking means  20  may be provided to stop rotation of the rollers  19  if desired.  
         [0038]    As seen in FIG. 4, when it is desired to place a load  21  in the vehicle compartment  11 , the panel  12  is disposed in the compartment  11  such that the durable second surface  14  is uppermost. The locking means  20  is activated such that the rollers  19  are able to rotate and the load  21  placed in a rearward part of the compartment  11 . The load  11  can then be pushed in a forward direction by virtue of engagement with the rollers  19  until the load is in a desired position. The manually operable braking control  20  may then be operated to lock the rollers  19  to prevent rotation. The surface  14  may be provided with anchor means, in the present example D-rings  22 , which for example engage straps or restraining means to hold the load  21  in position.  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the locking means  20  is shown in more detail. As best seen in FIG. 6, the surface  14  is provided with ridges  16  and with a recessed area  23  to receive a further ridge part  18 . Each roller  19  comprises a central cylindrical portion  19   a,  at either end of which and co-axial therewith with are end cylindrical portions  19   b.  The recessed area  23  is provided with indents  24  each having an elongate central part  24   a  to receive the central cylindrical portion  19   a  of a corresponding one of the rollers  19 , and side portions  24   b  adapted to receive the cylindrical end portions  19   b  such that the central cylindrical portion  19   a  is spaced from the floor of the central part  24   a.    
         [0040]    In the present example, six rollers  19  and corresponding indents  24  are provided in each further ridge part  18 , although any number may be provided as desired. The recess  23  is further provided with end connection means  25  and central connection means  26  to receive fasteners  27 . The further ridge part  18  is provided by a cover plate  28  provided with a plurality of apertures  29  each corresponding to an indent  24  and through which a corresponding roller  19  passes. Adjacent each aperture  29  is an upstanding ridge put  30 , defining a downwardly opening part cylindrical portion  31 , such that when the cover plate  28  is located over the recess  23  each side portion  24   b  and corresponding part cylindrical portion  31  define a cylindrical recess to receive a cylindrical end portions  19   b  of a roller  19 . The cover plate  28  is further provided with a plurality of fastening holes  32  such that each fastening hole  32  corresponds to an end connection means  25  or a central connection means  26  and through which a fastener  27  is passed.  
         [0041]    Disposed between the recess  23  and the cover plate  28  is a braking element  33 . The braking element  33  comprises a plurality of apertures  34  each corresponding to a roller  19 . Adjacent each aperture  34  is a looking surface  35  adapted to engage a roller  19 . A plurality of elongate slots  36  are provided which receive the upstanding connection means  26  such that the braking element  33  is able to move in the direction of the slots relative to the engagement means  26 . At the end of the braking element  33  nearest a manual engagable handle  38  is a part circular recess  37 . As seen in FIG. 7, the locking means  20  comprises a manually engagable handle  38 , part received in a circular recess  39  in the cover plate  28 . The handle  38  has a rod part  38   a  which passes through an aperture  39   a  in the cover plate  28  and is keyed by lugs  40  to a cam element  41 . The cam element  41  is of generally circular cross-section, but is offset from the axis of rotation of the handle  38 . A first circular ratchet gear  42  is provided on the upper surface of the cam element  41 , and engages a corresponding second circular ratchet gear  43  disposed on the underside of cover plate  28  concentric with the aperture  39   a.  A resilient biasing means, in the present example a coil compression spring  44  engages a channel  45  of the recess  23  and a lower cylindrical part  46  of the cam element  41 , and thus acts to urge the cam element in an upward direction such that the first ratchet gear  42  and second ratchet gear  43  are engaged.  
         [0042]    When it is desired to lock the rollers  19  to prevent them from rotation, the handle  28  is turned in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The cam element  41  is turned in a clockwise direction and inclined surfaces  42   a,    43   b  of the ratchet gear  42  and upper ratchet gear  43  respectively slide over one another against the resistance of the coil compression spring  44 . The cam element  41  engages the part circular face  37  of the braking element  33 , urging the braking element  33  to the right as seen in FIG. 6 such that the locking surfaces  35  each engage the corresponding roller  19 . The friction between the rollers  19  and the locking surfaces  35  thus prevent rotation of the rollers  19 . Upstanding edges  42   b,    43   b  of the first ratchet gear  42  and second ratchet gear  43  respectively engage, thus preventing anti-clockwise movement of the cam element  41 .  
         [0043]    When it is required to release the brake element  33 , the handle  38  is depressed against the resistance of the coil compression spring  44  disengaging the first ratchet gear  42  and second ratchet gear  43  and permitting the cam element  41  to rotate anti-clockwise as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 such that the brake element  33  is permitted to move to the left and disengage the brake surfaces  35  from the respective rollers  19 .  
         [0044]    Although the bearing means  19  are shown in the present example in a floor panel having a pair of surfaces either which may be selected to be uppermost, in a second aspect of the invention it will be apparent that such bearing means could be provided in a floor panel where only the surface provided with the rollers  19  is intended to be uppermost. Such a panel may be removable, or may be permanently or semi-permanently fixed in place in the vehicle compartment.  
         [0045]    As seen in FIG. 5, the rollers  19  may be provided with a surface having toothed projections  19   a  to engage a load. The bearing means may alternatively comprises spherical or part-spherical elements mounted for rotation, or may be of any other desired shape as appropriate.  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIGS.  8  to  10 , a vehicle  110  is shown having a vehicle compartment  111  which is not symmetrical about the centre line of the vehicle, unlike the compartment  11  of FIGS.  1  to  3 . The compartment  111  comprises side walls  111   b,    111   c,  a rearward wall  111   d  and a floor  111   e.  It will be apparent that the side walls  111   b,    111   c  are of different configuration and so it would not be possible to provide a reversible panel which engages the side walls  111   b,    111   c.  According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 8, a panel  112  is provided wherein the width of the panel  112  is less than the width of the vehicle compartment  111 , and wherein the panel  112  is symmetrical about axis C. As in the panels of FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel  112  is provided with a first surface  113  comprising a carpet or like material, and a durable surface  111  provided with a raised periphery  115  and a plurality of ridges  116 .  
         [0047]    Provided in the floor  111   e  of the compartment  111  is a support means  117  shaped to receive the floor panel  112 . The support means  117  comprises a lip part  118  to receive an edge part  119  provided on the panel  112 . The lip part  118  may be provided on an edge part of a deeper recess, for example a well for a spare wheel, or the support means  117  may be only sufficiently deep to receive the panel  112  such that whichever surface is uppermost is generally at the same height as the side parts of the compartment floor  111   e.  In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the panel  112  is preferably provided with edge parts  115  on both surfaces  113  and  114  of the panel  112 . The edge parts  115  rest on the lip part  118  in load bearing relation thereto such that the carpet of surface  113  is not crushed or spoiled by transmitting load from the panel  112  to the lip part  118 . In this configuration, load restraint means comprising D-rings  119  are provided on the floor  111   e  of the compartment  111 . It will be apparent that the panel  112  may be provided with bearing means or any other feature described herein with reference to the first and second embodiments.  
         [0048]    Although the floor panels  12 ,  112  described herein have been shown as being located in the boot of an automobile, it will be apparent that panels according to the present invention may be used, for example in the foot wells of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, or a loading carrying compartment of any other vehicle as desired.  
         [0049]    Although as described, the panel  12 ,  112  has been stated to comprise a polymer based material to provide the durable side, bonded/laminated to the carpet side, the panel may of course have any suitable structure as desired to provide an appropriate strength panel. The durable surface and carpet may be bonded to a core panel or armature of suitable rigidity, for example a steel plate, or any other structure may be used as desired.  
         [0050]    In the present specification “comprise” means “includes or consists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.  
         [0051]    The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.  
         [0052]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.