Cargo management system for vehicle

A cargo management system for a cargo area of a vehicle includes a first retention feature and a second retention feature. The first retention feature is formed in a first panel structure of the cargo area and adapted to support a first end of a support member. The second retention feature is formed in an opposing second panel structure of the cargo area and adapted to support an opposed second end of the support member. The first and second retention features are configured to inhibit movement of the support member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle while also allowing the support member to move laterally past one of the first and second retention features into a space defined by a respective panel structure.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cargo management system for a vehicle, and a vehicle including a cargo management system.

BACKGROUND

Some commercial vehicles are used for transporting cargo such as flowers, clothes, and/or luggage from one place to another. Owners of these vehicles often modify a cargo area to create extra space for storage and/or delivery of the cargo transported therein. In some examples, owners purchase ready-made kits which can be expensive. In other examples, owners build their own kits using inexpensive materials such as plywood and/or 2×4s. However, these kits are often bolted to the vehicle either permanently or semi-permanently to the walls of the vehicle and/or the floor of the vehicle. Once in place, the kits are difficult to remove or reconfigure especially when the owner is transporting different types of cargo.

These issues related to transporting cargo in vehicles, among other issues related to transporting cargo, are addressed by the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In one form, the present disclosure provides a cargo management system for a cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo management system comprises a first retention feature and a second retention feature. The first retention feature is formed in a first panel structure of the cargo area and is adapted to support a first end of a support member. The second retention feature is formed in an opposing second panel structure of the cargo area. The second retention feature is adapted to support an opposed second end of the support member. The first and second retention features are configured to inhibit movement of the support member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle while also allowing the support member to move laterally past one of the first and second retention features into a space defined by a respective panel structure.

In variations of the cargo management system of the above paragraph, which may be implemented individually or in any combination: each of the first and second retention features includes a platform and a lip extending upwardly from a distal end of the platform, the lips inhibit the support member from moving in a lateral direction of the vehicle when the support member is located on the platforms; the platform and the lip of the first retention feature are positioned between an inner panel of the first panel structure and an outer panel of the first panel structure, the platform and the lip of the second retention feature are positioned between an inner panel of the second panel structure and an outer panel of the second panel structure; the lip of the first retention feature is positioned between an inner panel of the first panel structure and an outer panel of the first panel structure, the lip of the second retention feature is positioned between an inner panel of the second panel structure and an outer panel of the second panel structure; the platform and the lip of each of the first and second retention features cooperate to form an L-shape; the platform and the lip of each of the first and second retention features are combined into a unitized part; the platform of the first retention feature extends laterally outwardly from an inner panel of the first panel structure and the platform of the second retention feature extends laterally outwardly from an inner panel of the second panel structure; a third retention feature is formed in the first panel structure and is adapted to support a first end of a cross rod, the third retention feature includes a circular opening having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion has a first diameter that is greater than a second diameter of the lower portion; a fourth retention feature is formed in the second panel structure and is aligned with the third retention feature, the fourth retention feature is adapted to support an opposed second end of the cross rod and includes a circular opening having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion has a third diameter that is greater than a fourth diameter of the lower portion; the third retention feature comprises a flange extending laterally outwardly from a surface defining the circular opening, the fourth retention feature comprises a flange extending laterally outwardly from a surface defining the circular opening of the fourth retention feature; the first retention feature includes a first opening formed in an inner panel of the first panel structure and the second retention feature includes a second opening formed in an inner panel of the second panel structure; a flange extends laterally outwardly from and around a surface defining the first opening, a flange extends laterally outwardly from and around a surface defining the second opening; the first and second openings have a shape that corresponds to a shape of the support beam member; each of the first and second retention features includes a plurality of platforms and a plurality of lips, the platforms are spaced apart from each other, each lip extends upwardly from a distal end of a respective platform; and each of the first and second retention features includes a planar platform and a lip, the planar platform having a slot formed therein, the lip extends upwardly from a distal end of the platform, the lips inhibit the support member from moving in a lateral direction of the vehicle when the support member is located on the platforms.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a cargo management system for a cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo management system comprises a plurality of first retention features and a plurality of second retention features. The first retention features are formed in a first panel structure of the cargo area. The second retention features are formed in an opposing second panel structure of the cargo area and are aligned with respective first retention features. A set of aligned first and second retention features are configured to inhibit movement of a support member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle while also allowing the support member to move laterally past one of the set of aligned first and second retention features into a space defined by a respective panel structure. Each of the first and second retention features includes a planar platform and a lip extending upwardly from a distal end of the planar platform.

In variations of the cargo management system of the above paragraph, which may be implemented individually or in any combination: the first retention features are longitudinally aligned along the first panel structure and the second retention features are longitudinally aligned along the second panel structure; a third retention feature is formed in the first panel structure and is adapted to support a first end of a cross rod, the third retention feature includes a circular opening having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion has a first diameter that is greater than a second diameter of the lower portion; and a fourth retention feature is formed in the second panel structure and is aligned with the third retention feature, the fourth retention feature is adapted to support an opposed second end of the cross rod and includes a circular opening having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion has a third diameter that is greater than a fourth diameter of the lower portion.

In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a cargo management system for a cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo management system comprises a first panel structure, an opposed second panel structure, a first retention feature, and a second retention feature. The first retention feature is formed in the first panel structure and is adapted to support a first end of a support member. The second retention feature is formed in the opposing second panel structure and is aligned with the first retention feature. The second retention feature is adapted to support an opposed second end of the support member. The first and second retention features are configured to inhibit movement of the support member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle while also allowing the support member to move laterally past one of the first and second retention features into a space defined by a respective panel structure. Each of the first and second retention features includes a planar platform and a lip extending upwardly from a distal end of the planar platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG.1, a vehicle10such as a commercial vehicle is illustrated. The vehicle10includes a vehicle body12and a pair of rear doors (not shown). The vehicle body12includes a cargo area14at a rear end thereof (i.e., behind an occupancy compartment). The cargo area14includes a cargo management system16that facilitates the securement and transport of cargo in the cargo area14. The rear doors are rotatably coupled to the vehicle body12between a closed position in which the cargo area14is enclosed and an open position in which the vehicle body12defines an opening to the cargo area14. In some forms, the vehicle may be a crossover vehicle, for example, including a single rear door that is rotatably coupled to the vehicle body between open and closed positions.

The cargo area14is defined by a first panel structure20, an opposed second panel structure22, a floor (not shown), and a vehicle roof26. The first panel structure20is located at a first side of the cargo area14(i.e., the first panel structure20defines an outer boundary of the cargo area14at the first side) and extends from the floor to the vehicle roof26. The first panel structure20includes an inner panel28and an outer panel30that define a space32therebetween. Similarly, the second panel structure22is located at a second side of the cargo area14(i.e., the second panel structure22defines an outer boundary of the cargo area14at the second side) and extends from the floor to the vehicle roof26. The second panel structure22includes an inner panel34and an outer panel36that define a space38therebetween.

With additional reference toFIGS.2and3, the cargo management system16includes a plurality retention features (i.e., first retention features40, second retention features42, third retention features44, and fourth retention features47). The first retention features40are formed in the inner panel28of the first panel structure20and are longitudinally aligned with each other along the inner panel28. Each first retention feature40includes an opening or slot46, a horizontal platform48, and a lip50. The opening46may be rectangular-shape, for example, and is formed in and extends through the inner panel28of the first panel structure20. In other forms, the opening46may be other shapes suitable to receive a plank or beam51such as an oval shape, for example. Adjacent openings46of the first retention features40are spaced apart from each other via the inner panel28that includes an aperture52formed therein. The aperture52receives tie down devices (e.g., bungee cords) that further facilitate the securement of cargo in the cargo area14.

The platform48extends laterally outwardly from a surface defining the opening46into the space32formed between the inner panel28and the outer panel30(i.e., a proximal end of the platform48extends from the surface of the opening46away from the cargo area14). The platform48includes a planar surface. In some forms, the platform48is offset to one side of the opening46such that a gap between one side of the opening46and the platform48is greater than a gap between the other side of the opening46and the platform48.

The lip50extends upwardly from a distal end of the platform48and is located in the space32formed between the inner panel28and the outer panel30. The platform48and the lip50cooperate to form an L-shape and are combined into a unitized part. A flange (not shown) extends laterally outwardly from and substantially around a surface defining a respective opening46to improve the stiffness of the inner panel structure28surrounding the openings46.

With reference toFIG.3, the second retention features42are formed in the inner panel34of the second panel structure22and are longitudinally aligned with each other along the inner panel34. The second retention features42are aligned with respective first retention features40. Each second retention feature42includes an opening or slot56, a horizontal platform58, and a lip60. The opening56may be rectangular-shape, for example, and is formed in and extends through the inner panel34of the second panel structure22. In other forms, the opening56may be other shapes suitable to receive the plank51such as an oval shape, for example. Adjacent openings56of the second retention features42are spaced apart from each other via the inner panel34that includes an aperture62formed therein.

The platform58extends laterally outwardly from a surface of the opening56into the space38formed between the inner panel34and the outer panel36(i.e., a proximal end of the platform58extends from the surface defining the opening56away from the cargo area14). The platform58includes a planar surface. The lip60extends upwardly from a distal end of the platform58and is located in the space38formed between the inner panel34and the outer panel36. The platform58and the lip60cooperate to form an L-shape and are combined into a unitized part. A flange61extends laterally outwardly from and substantially around a surface defining a respective opening56to improve the stiffness of the inner panel34surrounding the openings56. Each of the first and second retention features40,42are manufactured by first cutting a U-shape in the inner panel28,34and subsequently bending the excess material left over from cutting the U-shape in the inner panel28,34to form the platform48,58and the lip50,60.

An optional reinforcement member63is disposed in the space38of the second panel structure22and includes a body65aand a plurality of fingers65b. The body65aextends between and is secured to the inner panel34and the outer panel36and is spaced apart from the platforms58. The body65aalso extends majority of the length of the panel structure22. The fingers65bextend from a lateral side of the body65aand are secured to (e.g., welded to) the inner panel34between the openings46. Each finger65bincludes an aperture67that is aligned with the aperture62. In this way, the stiffness of the inner panel34is improved when tie down devices (e.g., bungee cords) extend through the apertures62,67to further facilitate the securement of cargo in the cargo area14, for example.

With reference toFIGS.1,4a, and4b, the third retention features44are formed in an upper portion of the inner panel28of the first panel structure20at or near the vehicle roof26. The third retention features44are longitudinally aligned with each other along the inner panel28. Each third retention feature44is adapted to support a first end of a cross rod71and includes a circular opening70for receiving the first end of the cross rod71. A circular flange76extends laterally outwardly from and substantially around a surface defining a respective opening70to improve the stiffness of the inner panel28surrounding the opening70. The flange76is located in the space32between the inner panel28and the outer panel30.

In some examples, as shown inFIG.5, the opening70includes an upper portion72having a first diameter and a lower portion74having a second diameter. The upper portion72is located closer toward the vehicle roof26and the lower portion74is located closer toward the floor. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter and greater than a diameter of the cross rod71. The first end of the cross rod71first extends through the upper portion72and then is forced downward into the lower portion74, thereby securing the first end of the cross rod71to the lower portion74of the third retention feature44a(e.g., forming an interference fit between the first end of the cross rod71and the lower portion74). In this way, movement of the cross rod71in the longitudinal direction is inhibited. In other forms, the lower portion74includes other suitable shapes such as a V-shape with a cross-sectional area less than the upper portion. The first end of the cross rod71, in some forms, includes a cut-out (not shown) that receives the flange76and a portion of the inner panel28. In this way, movement of the cross rod70in the lateral direction is inhibited.

The fourth retention features47are formed in an upper portion of the inner panel34of the second panel structure22at or near the vehicle roof26. Each fourth retention feature47is aligned with a respective third retention feature44and is adapted to support an opposed second end of the cross rod71. The structure and function of the fourth retention features47may be similar or identical to the third retention features44,44adescribed above, and therefore, will not be described again in detail. When the cross rod71is secured to aligned third and fourth retention features, cargo such as flowers or dry cleaning, for example, may be hung or otherwise supported on the cross rod71for delivery to a customer.

With continued reference toFIGS.6a-6d, a process of assembly and disassembly of the planks51to the first and second retention features40,42of the cargo management system16may be described in detail. It should be understood that each plank51is assembled to a set of aligned first and second retention features40,42. First, as shown inFIG.6a, an assembler (not shown) inserts a first end of the plank51into the opening56of the second retention feature42at an angle such that it extends laterally outwardly past the platform58and the lip60of the second retention feature42and into the space38formed between the inner panel34and the outer panel36.

Next, as shown inFIG.6b, the assembler lifts upwardly on an opposing second end of the plank51such that the second end is aligned with the opening46of the first retention feature40and the first end of the plank51rests on the lip60of the second retention feature42. Next, as shown inFIG.6c, the assembler moves the plank51laterally toward the first retention feature40until the second end of the plank51is inserted through the opening46of the first retention feature40and between the lips50,60of the first and second retention features40,42, respectively (i.e., the plank51is not resting on either of the lips50,60). The plank51is inhibited from moving in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle10in response to the plank being inserted through the openings46,56of the first and second retention features40,42, respectively

Then, as shown inFIG.6d, the assembler lets go of the plank51such that gravity forces the plank51downwardly onto the platforms48,58of the first and second retention features40,42, respectively. The plank51is inhibited from moving in a lateral direction of the vehicle10in response to the plank51being located on the platforms48,58and between the lips50,60.

It should be understood that disassembly of the plank51from the first and second retention features40,42is carried out by following the steps above in the reverse order. Although the process was described with respect to the plank51being first inserted into the opening56of the second retention feature42, in some forms, the plank51may be first inserted into the opening46of the first retention feature40while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference toFIG.7, another retention feature142is illustrated. The retention feature142may be incorporated into the cargo management system16described above instead of, or in addition to, retention features40,42. The structure and function of the retention feature142may be similar or identical to retention features40,42, apart from any exception noted below.

The retention feature142includes an opening or slot144, a horizontal platform146, and a lip148. The platform146extends laterally outwardly from a surface defining the opening144and includes an elongated slot150formed therein. The slot150is configured to receive an attachment member (e.g., a hook) coupled to a plank. In this way, the plank is further inhibited from moving in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

With reference toFIG.8, another retention feature242is illustrated. The retention feature242may be incorporated into the cargo management system16described above instead of, or in addition to, retention features40,42,142. The structure and function of the retention feature242may be similar or identical to retention features40,42,142apart from any exception noted below.

The retention feature242includes an opening or slot244, a plurality of horizontal platforms246, and a plurality of lips248. The platforms246extend laterally outwardly from a surface defining the opening244and are spaced apart from each other. Each lip248extends upwardly from a distal end of a respective platform246. The space between two adjacent platforms246is configured to receive an attachment member (e.g., a hook) coupled to a plank. In this way, the plank is further inhibited from moving in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The cargo management system16of the present disclosure allows for sub-compartments to be constructed in the cargo area14. In some forms, a panel (not shown) is secured to two or more planks51to further construct sub-compartments in the cargo area14. The cargo management system16of the present disclosure provides for proper support of the planks51and/or the panel and cargo disposed thereon. The cargo management system16of the present disclosure also allows for the construction of the sub-compartments in the cargo area14without mechanically fastening the planks51and/or other materials such as 2×4s to the vehicle body12permanently or semi-permanently. In this way, planks51and other materials secured to the cargo management system16are conveniently assembled and disassembled to support various applications such as flower delivery, dry-cleaning delivery, or animal transport, for example.