Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a cargo compartment protective liner utilized to eliminate damage to a vehicle&#39;s interior when hauling potentially messy cargo such as leaves, construction materials, or animals. The fully enclosed liner apparatus requires no modification to a vehicle to facilitate its use. The present invention generally comprises a collapsible, rigid frame designed to support six flexible panels that retain any dirt, debris, animal hair, etc., placed therein. One or more of the side or end panels may be opened to facilitate the loading and unloading of the apparatus. The flexible side and end panels are generally opaque, but two or more may be transparent to provide the driver with the sight lines required to safely operate the vehicle in which a liner apparatus has been installed. The liner apparatus is fully collapsible for ease of storage when not in use. The cargo area protective liner of the present invention is fabricated of a variety of strong, lightweight materials to provide the durability and portability required by the nature of its usage. The present invention&#39;s design is simple and straightforward, and can be economically manufactured.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/367,626 for “COLLAPSIBLE INTERIOR CARGO COMPARTMENT PROTECTIVE LINER”; Filed: Mar. 25, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to automotive accessories and, more particularly, to devices utilized to protect the interior of a minivan, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and the like from being soiled or damaged by materials carried in the cargo compartment.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Background  
           [0005]    Typically, an individual&#39;s, or family&#39;s finances do not allow for the purchase of multiple, limited use vehicles (e.g. traditional pickup trucks designed to efficiently haul cargo, but not people, or traditional two- or four-door sedans designed to efficiently accommodate people, but not cargo). Therefore, many of the most popular vehicles available in today&#39;s automotive marketplace are designed to be multi-purpose. The purchase of a multi-purpose vehicle, such as a minivan, a SUV, or the like, allows that individual/family to maximize the usefulness, or utility, of that single vehicle. A typical multi-purpose vehicle possesses a flexibly configured (e.g. removable seating surfaces) internal compartment providing the ability to transport people or various types of cargo in an equally effective manner. However, while even the transportation of people contributes to the wear and tear experienced by the interior of a vehicle, the hauling of various types of cargo often has a significantly greater detrimental effect. Particulate matter (e.g. dirt) and/or stains associated with cargo can permeate the vehicle&#39;s interior compartment and be difficult to remove (i.e. cause semi-permanent or permanent physical damage such as scratches/gouges/discolorization), thereby contributing to a rapid decline in the vehicle&#39;s resale or trade-in value  
           [0006]    The present inventor is not the first to address the issue of protecting the cargo compartment of a vehicle with a liner. A search of the prior art reveals a number of five- and six-sided liner concepts. Five-sided (i.e. open at the top) liner variations can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,671 to Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,171 to Anthony, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,602 to VanHoose, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,785 to Cantrell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,074 to Biskup, U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,078 to Smyl, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,443 to Konop et al. For use strictly in enclosed vehicles (e.g. minivans, SUVs, station wagons), a few six-sided, or fully enclosed liners have been patented.  
           [0007]    One variation on the six-sided theme is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,281 to Altmann that discloses a protective liner for covering the interior surface of the cargo area of a vehicle. The liner covers the floor, walls, and ceiling of the vehicle&#39;s cargo area. An opening is provided to allow access to the interior of the liner. The interior framework of the vehicle supports the erected liner. Fasteners attached to the interior surfaces of the vehicle are attached to corresponding fasteners on the liner. In use the device protects all interior surfaces of the vehicle cargo area from soiling and unfavorable odors.  
           [0008]    A second six-sided apparatus is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,550 to Blyth, et al. The patent discloses a van liner used to insulate the cargo area of a transport van. The liner is molded from sections of glass reinforced plastics that when locked together form a completely sealed enclosure. The unit comprises a roof panel, a floor panel, side walls, forward wall panel, and rear wall panel. The liner is assembled/disassembled for use/storage and is transferable between vehicle models.  
           [0009]    Yet another fully enclosed apparatus is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,089 to Doolittle, III et al. which discloses a bag-like protective liner for use with vehicles possessing either a rear hatch or rear opening doors. It attaches to the opening of the rear hatch/doors and is tailored to the interior dimensions of the vehicle&#39;s cargo area. In use (i.e. the hauling of lumber, gravel, debris, etc.) the bag protects all surfaces of the cargo area including the floor, ceiling, front wall rear wall and sidewalls.  
           [0010]    Unfortunately, each of the prior, six-sided or fully enclosed apparatus falls short of the optimum configuration for an interior compartment protective liner. The Altmann and Doolittle, III et al. apparatus require the installation of liner support means on either the interior surfaces or the cargo compartment opening of the vehicle. The Blyth et al. liner is a multi-component assembly requiring a certain minimum degree of knowledge and skill to install in an efficient and timely manner.  
           [0011]    Therefore, there remains a need for an improved liner apparatus that provides a substantial degree of utility in protecting the internal compartment of multi-purpose vehicles from any cargo transported therein. An apparatus of this type should be simple to set-up/install, self-supporting to avoid the need to modify the vehicle(s) in any way (i.e. installation of support means), collapsible to allow for ease of storage, lightweight for optimum portability, and economical to manufacture to provide for widespread use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like from any cargo carried therein.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like that increases the overall utility of the vehicle to its owner while preventing interior damage detrimental to its resale or trade-in value.  
           [0014]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like that is self-supporting and simple to set-up/install.  
           [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like that is collapsible to facilitate ease of storage.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like that maximizes rearward visibility for the vehicle operator.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like that is lightweight for portability.  
           [0018]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved liner apparatus for protecting the interior cargo compartment of a minivan, a SUV, and the like that is economical to manufacture.  
           [0019]    These and other objects are accomplished by a cargo compartment protective liner utilized to eliminate damage to a vehicle&#39;s interior when hauling potentially messy cargo such as leaves, construction materials, or animals. The fully enclosed liner apparatus requires no modification whatsoever to a vehicle to facilitate its use. The present invention generally comprises a collapsible, rigid/semi-rigid frame designed to support six flexible panels that retain any dirt, debris, animal hair, etc., placed therein. One or more of the side panels may be opened to facilitate the loading and unloading of the apparatus. The flexible side and end panels are generally opaque, but two or more may be transparent to provide the driver with the sight lines required to safely operate the vehicle in which a liner apparatus has been installed.  
           [0020]    The dimensions of a particular liner apparatus may be varied to suit a wide range of vehicle applications and configurations. For example, minivans are typically equipped with removable seats to allow users to significantly vary the volume of cargo that may be transported. The dimensions, or volume, of the present invention may be varied (i.e. expanded or contracted) to accommodate any interior configuration of the user&#39;s vehicle. The liner apparatus is fully collapsible for ease of storage when not in use. The cargo area protective liner of the present invention is fabricated of a variety of strong, lightweight materials to provide the durability and portability required by the nature of its usage. The present invention&#39;s design is simple and straightforward, and can be economically manufactured. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a cargo compartment protective liner  20  according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is an end perspective view of the cargo compartment protective liner  20 , as in FIG. 1.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of the cargo compartment protective liner  20  as in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing an end panel  50  in the open position for loading/unloading.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 shows the cargo compartment protective liner  20  as configured for use in a vehicle  80  containing a front row  82  of seats and a second seating surface  84 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 shows the cargo compartment protective liner  20  as configured for use in a vehicle  80  containing only a front row  82  of seats (i.e. the vehicle  80  as in FIG. 4 after the removal of the second seating surface  84 ).  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 6 and 7 collectively illustrate a perspective view of a cargo compartment protective liner  120  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is the unitary fabric liner, and FIG. 7 shows the frame  130 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a composite drawing of a top view (at position A), left side view (at position B), front view (at position C), and right side view (at position D) of an exemplary interlocking hinge of the scissors-configured support members  132  as in FIG. 7. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    FIGS.  1 - 3  are, respectively, side, end, and isometric perspective views of a collapsible cargo compartment protective liner  20  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The collapsible cargo compartment protective liner  20  generally comprises a collapsible, rigid frame  30  that supports flexible side panels  40 , flexible end panels  50 , a flexible top panel  60 , and a flexible bottom panel  70 . The six-sided, fully enclosed configuration of the liner  20  effectively isolates the cargo contained therein from the interior compartment of the vehicle in which it is installed.  
         [0030]    The frame  30  includes long horizontal support members  31 , short horizontal support members  32 , and vertical support members  33 . Each support member  31 ,  32 ,  33  is preferably fabricated of a rigid, lightweight, commercially available metal (e.g. aluminum) or plastic (e.g fiberglass, PVC) and typically incorporates a telescoping design to provide for the adjustment of its length. Locking devices  34  located on the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  may be engaged to maintain each member  31 ,  32 ,  33  at the appropriate length. The support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  may be detachably attached at right angles in order to establish the erect, three-dimensional form of the liner  20 . Alternatively, the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  may be pivotally attached (e.g.  10  hinges with locking capabilities) to create a collapsible frame configuration. In its erect form, the frame  30  is self-supporting—there is no need to derive any additional support for the liner  20  via one or more connections to the interior compartment of a vehicle.  
         [0031]    In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, certain support members (i.e. the vertical support members  33 , and in some instances the short horizontal support members  32 ) may be spring-loaded to more completely utilize the vehicle&#39;s available cargo volume by extending to contact appropriate, or available, interior surfaces. Thereby automatically establishing the maximum possible length of each support member and the maximum possible volume for the liner  20 .  
         [0032]    The side panels  40  are slidably attached to the long horizontal support members  31  and the vertical support members  33 . The end panels  50  are slidably attached to the short horizontal support members  32  and the vertical support members  33 . The configurations of the side and end panels  40 ,  50  provide for their expansion or contraction to match the lengths of the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33 .  
         [0033]    The side panels  40  and the end panels  50  are generally opaque, but portions of two or more may be transparent to provide the driver with the rearward sight lines required to safely operate a vehicle in which a liner  20  is installed. When sight lines through the upper part of the liner  20  are required, the upper sections  42 ,  52  of the side and end panels  40 ,  50  may be fabricated of commercially available mesh-like or transparent plastic materials. The opaque, lower sections  44 ,  54  may be fabricated of commercially available materials such as nylon or canvas. When a mesh-like material is utilized for the upper panel sections  42 ,  52  and rearward sight lines are not required, opaque panels/flaps (not shown in the Figures) may be provided to cover the mesh panel sections to more completely retain the cargo held within the liner  20 . The materials utilized for the side and end panels  40 ,  50  are lightweight, durable, impervious to liquids, and easy to clean. Alternatively, the materials may also possess a degree of elasticity in order to maximize the volume of cargo that may be loaded into the liner  20  (i.e. to extend beyond the dimensions of the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  to more completely fill the available cargo volume within the vehicle).  
         [0034]    The top panel  60  and the bottom panel  70  are slidably attached to the long horizontal support members  31  and the short horizontal support members  32 . The configurations of the top and bottom panels  60 ,  70  provide for their expansion or contraction to match the lengths of the horizontal support members  31 ,  32 . The top panel  60  and bottom panel  70  are generally fabricated of the same commercially available materials as those utilized for the opaque, lower sections  44 ,  54  of the side and end panels  40 ,  50 .  
         [0035]    Alternative embodiments of the present invention incorporate panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70  that, in addition to being slidably attached, are removably attached to the various support members  31 ,  32 ,  33 . Moreover, the panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70  may be removably attached along either the inside or outside of the frame  30  and its various support members  31 ,  32 ,  33 .  
         [0036]    One or more of the side or end panels  40 ,  50  may be opened to facilitate the loading and unloading of the liner  20 . FIG. 3 shows the opening of upper end panel  52  and lower end panel  54  for this purpose. With the liner  20  positioned in a vehicle (see the liner  20  shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5), the open panels  52 ,  54  may serve to protect the top and bottom edges, or jambs, of the vehicle&#39;s hatchway/doorway. Additionally, panels or flaps (not shown in the Figures) attached to the vertical support members  33  positioned at either side of the liner&#39;s opening may be provided to open outward to protect the vertical edges/jambs of the vehicle&#39;s hatchway/doorway. The panels  52 ,  54  (and the panels/flaps not shown in the Figures) may incorporate integral magnets, or the like for temporary, detachable attachment to the vehicle to create a seal preventing the ingress of cargo-related particulate matter to the vehicle&#39;s interior during the loading/unloading process.  
         [0037]    The following steps represent a typical method for erecting the first embodiment of the protective liner from a fully collapsed condition. The first step is the establishment of the desired length for each of the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33 . This is accomplished by loosening the locking device  34 , that has been holding the support member  31 ,  32 ,  33  in its fully collapsed condition (i.e. its shortest overall length wherein one end is completely nested, or retracted, into the second end), extending the support member  31 ,  32 ,  33  to the desired length, and then tightening the locking device  34 . In a typical configuration, each set of support members are adjusted to the same length (e.g. all of the long horizontal support members  31  are adjusted to length “A”, all of the short horizontal support members  32  are adjusted to length “B”, and all of the vertical support members  33  are adjusted to length “C”).  
         [0038]    The second step is the establishment of the connections between the ends of the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33 . Specifically, each end of a long horizontal support member  31  is attached, typically at a right angle, to an end of a vertical support member  33 . The two planar assemblies created by the attachment of the long horizontal support members  31  to the vertical support members  33  are then connected, to form the completed box-like configuration of the protective liner  20 , by attaching each end of a short horizontal support member  32 , again typically at a right angle, to an end of a vertical support member  33 .  
         [0039]    The final step is the adjustment of the panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70  to enclose the volume established by the connections between the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33 . The side, top, and bottom panels  40 ,  60 ,  70 , respectively, are adjusted to match the established lengths of the long horizontal support members  31  and the vertical support members  33 . Simultaneously, the end, top, and bottom panels  50 ,  60 ,  70 , respectively, are adjusted to match the established lengths of the short horizontal support members  32  and the vertical support members  33 . Each of the panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70  may be equipped with, for example, VELCRO® closures along each edge for detachable connection to a matching closure on an adjoining panel to complete the erect, sealed configuration of the protective liner  20 .  
         [0040]    To return the protective liner  20  to its fully collapsed state, the sequence outlined above is simply reversed.  
         [0041]    Alternative embodiments of the present invention incorporate means to lower the side, end, and top panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 , respectively, once the loading of the liner  20  is complete. Lowering the upper portion of the liner  20 , such that the top panel  60  rests on the top surface of the cargo contained within, serves to prevent the cargo from shifting during transportation and, to the extent afforded by the height of the top surface of the cargo, removes the liner  20  from the vehicle operator&#39;s field of view.  
         [0042]    With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the dimensions and resulting volume of the liner  20  may be varied to suit a wide range of vehicle applications and configurations. A typical minivan is equipped with removable seats to allow users to significantly vary the configuration of its interior compartment. With all seating surfaces installed, the minivan maximizes its utility with respect to the transportation of people. With all but the front two seats removed, its utility with respect to hauling cargo is maximized. Most minivans also provide some sort of intermediate configuration providing for the transportation of up to four people along with a reasonable volume of cargo. FIG. 4 generally shows just such a vehicle  80  set up in the aforementioned intermediate configuration.  
         [0043]    The intermediate configuration provides a front row  82  of seats, a second seating surface  84  (i.e. either two individual seats, as in the front row, or bench-style seating), and a moderately sized cargo compartment  86 . The dimensions of the liner  20  are matched to the available cargo compartment by adjusting the lengths of the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  (see FIG. 3). Once the panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70  (see FIGS.  1 - 3 ) are expanded/contracted to match the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  (and the liner  20  is appropriately positioned within the vehicle), the loading process may commence.  
         [0044]    In FIG. 5, the vehicle  80  is configured to maximize its utility with respect to hauling cargo (i.e. the second seating surface  84  shown in FIG. 4 is not present). Only the front row  82  of seats is present. The configuration provides the largest possible interior cargo compartment  86 . Accordingly, the dimensions of the support members  31 ,  32 ,  33  and the associated panels  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70  may be adjusted to suit the larger cargo compartment. The protective liner  20  may be supplied in a variety of standardized dimensions, or volumes to accommodate interior configurations of a variety of standard vehicle types. Alternatively, the protective liner  20  can be custom manufactured with specific dimensions (i.e. the dimensions can be expanded or contracted) for specific vehicles.  
         [0045]    As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the collapsible cargo compartment protective liner  120  comprises a unitary fabric shell (shown in FIG. 6) including integral flexible side panels  140  formed of mesh fabric, flexible end panels  150  and a bottom panel  190  all formed of solid Nylon fabric, a flexible top panel  160  of solid Nylon fabric, a flexible back panel  170  of solid Nylon fabric, and opposing front panels  180  formed partly of mesh fabric and partly of solid Nylon fabric as shown. All panels are sewn together in a unitary configuration. A plurality of snap fasteners  24  are spaced about the bottom panel  190  and front panels  180  to allow secure closure of the latter. The fabric shell folds about a frame  130  as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7A illustrates the assembled frame  130 , which includes a pair of upper and lower horizontal support members  131  and scissors-configured support members  132 . FIG. 7B is a front view of the horizontal support members  131  which incorporate the telescoping design, as discussed above, for the purpose of adjusting the length of the present invention. The scissors-configured support members  132  incorporate interlocking hinges (discussed below with regard to FIG. 8) which couple to the horizontal support members  131 . Each scissors-configured support member  131  comprises a pair of rigid support members pivoted together at their mid-sections. FIG. 7C is a cross-section taken along the lines A-A of FIG. 7A which illustrates the adjustable operation of the frame  130 . Varying the position (i.e. the degree to which they are opened or closed) of the scissors-configured support members  132  serves to establish the width and height of protective liner  120 . Varying the telescoping extent of the horizontal support members  131  adjusts the length of the protective liner  20 . As stated above with regard to liner  20 , each of the telescoping horizontal support members  131  may include a locking device to maintain a selected length. In addition, each of the telescoping support members  131  may be spring-loaded to automatically extend to a maximum allowable dimension defined by an internal dimension of a cargo compartment in which said protective liner is installed. The frame  130  may also be configured to fold in half once reduced to its fully collapsed state to further minimize the overall size of the present invention for storage.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 is a composite drawing of a top view (at position A), left side view (at position B), front view (at position C), and right side view (at position D) of an exemplary interlocking hinge of the scissors-configured support members  132  as in FIG. 7. Each interlocking hinge comprises a bracket  150  with integrally formed receptacle for insertion of an end of a corresponding horizontal support member  131 . The scissors-configured support members  132  are pivotally attached at each bracket  150  by pivot pins as shown, and thereby pivotally couple the scissors-configured support members  132  to the inserted horizontal support members  131 .  
         [0047]    As is readily perceived in the foregoing description, the design of the protective liners  20 ,  120  are simple and straightforward, and may be economically manufactured. The flexible design (i.e. dimensions/volume, configuration) of the liners  20 ,  120  allow for a myriad of uses in the transportation of various types and amounts of cargo. The protective liners  20 ,  120  may be set up within the vehicle  80 , or it may be erected outside of the vehicle  80  prior to its installation within the interior compartment. In its collapsed form, the liners  20 ,  120  measure approximately 48″×12″×12″ providing for easy storage.  
         [0048]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.