Removable box tarpaulin for a vehicle

This invention relates to a novel containment device which can be removably placed in the rear interior of a vehicle and used for containing sundry items. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel flexible box tarpaulin which can be detachably installed in a vehicle and used to haul cargo without soiling the interior of the vehicle. A removable container for positioning in the interior of a vehicle which comprises: (a) a web-like member which forms an enclosure; (b) at least two securing members which removably secure the web-like member in an erect position to appropriate locations on the interior of the vehicle; and (c) a closable opening in the web-like member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel containment device which can be removably placed in the rear interior of a vehicle and used for containing sundry items. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel flexible box tarpaulin which can be detachably installed in a vehicle and used to haul cargo without soiling the interior of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many owners of vehicles use the rear compartments of their vehicles for hauling various types of cargo including garbage, yard trimmings, camping equipment, sports equipment and the like. Frequently, such materials are dirty and soil the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle owner must then clean the interior of the vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,281, Altmann et al., discloses a protective liner for covering and protecting the interior surfaces of an enclosed or partially enclosed cargo area of a vehicle. The protective liner is held in place by fittings which are permanently installed in the interior of the vehicle. The liner has a floor, walls, a roof, and possible a gate and/or rear cover. An opening is provided in the liner to allow easy access to the interior cargo area located within the liner. The opening of the liner may be closed by attaching the gate and/or rear cover. A major disadvantage of the Altmann et al. protective liner is that the fittings which hold the liner are screwed into the interior walls of the vehicle and when removed leave unsightly and permanent holes. This can detract from the appearance of the interior of the vehicle and also the resale value of the vehicle. Also, the set positions of the permanent fittings reduce flexibility and versatility because they dictate the size and position of the liner.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is directed to a removable container for positioning in the interior of a vehicle which comprises: (a) a web-like member which forms an enclosure; (b) at least two securing members which can be removably secured to appropriate locations in the interior of the vehicle without damaging the interior and secure the web-like member in an erect position to the interior of the vehicle; and (c) a closable opening in the web-like member.

The web-like member can comprise a top panel, a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, a front panel and a rear panel. The web-like member can be formed of flexible fabric.

The removable securing devices can be suction cups. The web-like member can be secured to the suction cups by cords. The cords can be elastic.

The elastic cords can be secured to the web-like member by detachable fastening means. The elastic cords can be secured to grommets in the web-like member.

The rear panel can extend from the bottom panel of the container and can be moved to close the interior of the container. The rear panel can be removably secured in an upright position to the side panels of the container by one or more removable cords.

The web-like member can be formed in a general cuboid shape, and the horizontal adjacent edges of the pair of side panels and the top and bottom panels can overlap to form horizontal overlapping strips. Grommets can be located in the overlapping strips.

The design and construction of the box tarpaulin provides a unique way for enabling a vehicle owner to removably line the interior rear compartment of a vehicle with a standard polyethylene tarpaulin configured in the form of a box, with a rear opening for enabling the vehicle owner to load garbage, yard trimmings, sports gear such as golf clubs, golf carts, hockey equipment and the like into the vehicle without soiling the interior of the vehicle. Such vehicles can include, but are not limited to mini-vans, SUV's, station wagons, hatchbacks and the like. The removable box tarpaulin according to the invention provides a simple and affordable alternative to using small towable trailers attached to the rear of the vehicle. Garbage, yard trimmings, leaves and the like can be loaded into the box tarpaulin in the rear end of the vehicle and carted away to a disposal site in a clean, quick and easy manner. The removable box tarpaulin is relatively inexpensive and if need be can be disposed of after a few uses.

Referring to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates an isometric view of a vehicle with the removable box tarpaulin installed in the rear interior thereof and the rear door of the vehicle open. As seen inFIG. 1, the vehicle2is shown in dotted line configuration. The rear hatch-like door20is shown in an upright open position. The removable flexible box tarpaulin4is shown installed in the interior of the rear area of the vehicle2with an opening in the rear side to permit cargo to be placed in the interior of the box tarpaulin4. The removable box tarpaulin4is constructed of a rear flap6, extending from the base of the rear opening, a top panel8, a pair of parallel side panels10and a bottom panel12. The removable box tarpaulin4also has a front panel13but this is not visible inFIG. 1. The removable box tarpaulin4is equipped with a series of grommets14which are spatially deployed at various locations around the periphery of the box tarpaulin4, including the sides of the rear flap6and the four overlap edges20on the top and bottom side edges of the tarpaulin4.

The box tarpaulin4, which is preferably constructed of a strong flexible material, is held in an upright hollow box-like configuration by having the front and rear grommets14at the two top overlapping edges20secured respectively to the opposing middle side windows25, or rear side windows21and the rear window24of the rear door22by four suction cups16, which are secured to the respective grommets14by four elastic cords18. When loading cargo into the box tarpaulin4, the rear flap6is draped downwardly and away from the rear bumper of the vehicle2, thereby protecting it from becoming stained or damaged by cargo that might be loaded into and removed from the box tarpaulin4.

FIG. 2illustrates an isometric view of the vehicle with the removable box tarpaulin installed in the interior of the vehicle with the rear door closed. The middle side windows25are shown in dotted lines. The suction cups can be fastened to the middle side windows25when a larger box tarpaulin4is used and larger loads are handled. As seen inFIG. 2, the rear door22of the vehicle2has been lowered into a closed position. The box tarpaulin4, which now contains the cargo that has been loaded into the interior of the box tarpaulin4, is held inside the box tarpaulin4by the rear flap6, which has been raised into an upwardly position and tied with cord, wire or twine to adjacent grommets14to thereby close the rear opening of the box tarpaulin4. When the rear door22is dropped into a closed position, the pair of suction cups16that are secured to the rear window24are also in most cases lowered somewhat, depending of course on the size of the cargo that is held in the box tarpaulin4, and hence the top face8of the box tarpaulin4can droop and rest at a lower elevation so that there is a sight line through the rear window24and the driver of the vehicle2can see out the rear window24via the rear view mirror (not shown).

FIG. 3illustrates a detailed isometric view of a corner of the removable box tarpaulin4connected to the interior of a side window21of the vehicle. As seen inFIG. 3, a top corner of the top overlap edge20is held in an upright position by connecting the suction cup16to side window21by an elastic cord18which at the lower end is secured to a grommet14. The cord18need not necessarily be elastic but it is preferred to provide flexibility. A suitable elastic cord18can be a cord with hooks at each end such as that known in the trade as a “bungee” cord, but any type of connecting member can be used. It will also be understood that while grommets14are shown in the drawings, such grommets are not necessarily the only way that the elastic cord18can be secured to a suitable location on the box tarpaulin14. For example, instead of a cord18secured through a grommet, the cord can be secured to the box tarpaulin by a snap mechanism such as a “crocodile” clamp which is available in the marketplace. As far as suction cups are concerned, while they are preferred because of their ease of removable attachment to windows, it will be understood that any type of fastening means that can be removably secured to the interior of the vehicle can be used. In general, any appropriate mechanism for removably securing the box tarpaulin4to the interior of the vehicle2is appropriate for purposes of the invention.

FIG. 4illustrates a perspective view of the box tarpaulin4assembled in an upright configuration with a rear flap6extending from the base of the rear opening. As seen inFIG. 4, the box tarpaulin4in an upright position includes a pair of parallel opposing panels faces10, a top panel8, a bottom panel12and a front panel13, which is positioned as a forward side in the rear compartment of the vehicle. The rear flap6is shown extending from the bottom panel12and when the rear opening is open can be draped over the rear bumper of the vehicle or moved into an upright position and secured to the two sides10by ties or the like to close the rear opening. The top panel8, the pair of side panels10, and the bottom panel12are joined together in a manner such that parallel horizontal overlapping strips20are created on the upper and lower edges of the two sides10of the box tarpaulin4. A series of grommets14are secured at spatial locations in the overlapping strips20so that there are several positions on the box tarpaulin4that can be used for securing the box tarpaulin4to the vehicle. The grommets14that are fitted into the lower overlapping strips permit the user to install the box tarpaulin4in an inverted position, if the occasion requires this. These features provides flexibility to the invention and enables it to accommodate different sizes of cargo and different sizes of vehicles. Further grommets14are spatially positioned in the peripheries of the rear flap6and enable the flap6to be tied in an upright position to the sides10and top8by suitable tying means. In most applications, the upper four exterior grommets14are connected to four respective elastic cords18which at their distal ends are connected to four suction cups16. The other grommets14, positioned in the bottom overlapping edges20and the rear flap6, can be used as needed to fasten additional cords or the like to accommodate exceptional situations, and enable the user to invert the box tarpaulin4if required. The rear flap6can be secured into an upright position by using string, twine, rope or some other suitable removable fastening mechanism. If the owner of the vehicle wishes to remove the box tarpaulin4in a loaded condition from the vehicle, the edges20and grommets14are also useful in enabling an appropriate grip to be gained on the edges of the box tarpaulin4.

FIG. 5illustrates a plan view of a partially assembled box tarpaulin in unfolded condition. As seen inFIG. 5, the rear flap6, the pair of side panels10, the top panel8, the bottom panel12and the front panel13of the box tarpaulin4are fastened together by appropriate stitching, heat welding, or some other suitable securing mechanism such as adhesive. The upright box tarpaulin4is then formed by erecting the pair of side panels10and the front panel13into a vertical position and then securing those adjacent edges and panels by sewing or gluing the top panel8to the respective panels. The rear flap6as discussed previously is not stitched to the other faces and remains in a free position.

FIG. 6is a plan view of an unassembled box tarpaulin before the components are joined together. As seen inFIG. 6, the top panel8, the first side panel10, the bottom panel12and the second side panel10are typically formed of one piece of fabric and are joined together at the location of the dotted lines in order to form the overlapping edges20, which are illustrated in .1,2,3and4. The front panel13and the rear flap6are typically formed of separate pieces of material and are joined to the bottom panel12and the other panels along the dotted lines shown inFIG. 6. The solid lines shown inFIG. 6are typically fold lines, and the dotted lines shown inFIG. 6are typically seam lines. It will be understood, however, that the components of the box tarpaulin can all be separate pieces if required.

To construct the box tarpaulin, tarpaulin material is seamed together to create a box shape with an open rear side and a flap extending from the base of the open side. As one means of removably fastening the erect box tarpaulin inside the rear interior of the vehicle, four suction cups attached to “bungee” cords are first hooked onto grommets at the top two front and top two back corners of the tarpaulin box. The four suction cups are then removably adhered to the front side windows and hatchback windows of the vehicle and hold the box tarpaulin in an erect open rear side manner inside the rear compartment of the vehicle.

When removably installed in the rear interior of the vehicle, the box tarpaulin creates a light protective flexible collapsible “box” or container which covers the sides, front and bottom of the interior rear portion of the vehicle. The box tarpaulin also protects the sensitive ceiling of the vehicle particularly when dealing with branches and other unwieldy cargo. This enables a person to transport virtually any cargo without worry about damaging or soiling the inside of the vehicle. The rear flap drapes over the rear bumper of the vehicle and ensures protection during loading and unloading of the box tarpaulin. During transport of the cargo, the rear flap is tied with string or cord in an upwardly position to close the rear opening and thereby prevent the cargo from spilling out the rear opening of the box tarpaulin. Once the cargo has been safely transported to the destination or disposal site, the box tarpaulin is easily swept out of hosed off, and folded for compact storage.

The box tarpaulin has a large number of applications and among other things can be used to readily transport:yard trimmingsfirewoodrenovation materialshousehold wastetopsoilbark mulchbedding plants; andrecreation and sports gear.

The box tarpaulin is preferably constructed of tough water and tear resistant material such as polyethylene fabric and is fitted around its periphery with 18 metal grommets which provide flexibility in installing the box tarpaulin inside the rear end of the vehicle. The box tarpaulin attaches to the interior windows of the vehicle by any number of suitable means but suction cups connected to grommets in the fabric by elastic bungee cords are preferred.

For all-purpose use, and to fit most vehicles on the road, the box tarpaulin 4 is typically 3 ft., 6 in. high, 3 ft., 10 in. wide, and 4 ft. deep. While this size fits the rear interior of most vehicles, it will be understood that the size and shape of the box tarpaulin can be changed as required to accommodate appropriate locations and conditions. Since the box tarpaulin4is typically constructed of flexible collapsible fabric such as polyethylene fabric or film, the box tarpaulin4can act somewhat like a collapsible bag when not supported and can fold to conform to the size of the cargo that is contained in the box tarpaulin4. If one or more of the grommets14are accidentally torn away, additional grommets can be installed or other mechanisms for securing the elastic cords18to the box tarpaulin can be used, such as clamps, hooks and the like.

It will be understood that the rear flap6, when draped over the rear bumper of the vehicle2, can be used somewhat as a funnel or conveyor in cases when the owner wishes to unload pea gravel, or other types of cargo from the interior of the box tarpaulin4. In appropriate cases, the free end of the rear flap6can be fitted into the opening of a suitable receptacle such as a garbage can or bin and serves as a sluiceway for directing the load contents into the garbage can or bin. The rear flap6can also be folded to the interior of the box tarpaulin4to act as a double floor. When the rear flap6is raised to a vertical position, it is typically held in place by using appropriate twine, such as polyethylene or polypropylene twine, to secure matching grommets14on the flap6and the two sides10together. An advantage of the removable suction cups16is that they can be removably fastened at any appropriate location in the interior of the vehicle, particularly the windows, and do not leave permanent marks. There is therefore no need to drive screws or other fastening mechanism into the interior body of the vehicle, thereby destroying the appearance of the interior of the vehicle.

After cargo has been loaded into the interior of the box tarpaulin4through the rear opening, the suction cups16can be released from the appropriate windows of the vehicle, and depending on size of load, the top face8of the box tarpaulin can collapse over the top of the cargo, thereby leaving a line of sight for the driver of the vehicle through the rear window24.