Cargo containment system for a vehicle

A cargo container configured to fit in a passenger vehicle is disclosed. Embodiments of the container is configured with attachments for attaching to the lip of the opening of a trunk or a hatchback, thereby sealing a substantial portion of the area of the opening. The sealing configuration effectively prevents contamination of the vehicle during loading of the container. Embodiments of the container may also include a lip configured to drape over the bumper of the vehicle during loading. Once loaded, the container may be closed and secured.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a cargo container for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Home owners, do-it-yourselfers, farmers, ranchers, and the like commonly have a need to transport cargo in a vehicle. Cargo, such as mulch, dirt, hay, bagged shavings, camping and hunting equipment, etc. can be difficult and messy to transport in an everyday use vehicle. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that allows such cargo to be conveniently contained and transported in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or in the trunk of a passenger car without damaging or dirtying the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of a cargo container100for a car or SUV. The apparatus100comprises a pouch101, a lip102, and an opening103. The pouch includes a top panel101T (shown inFIG. 1A) and a bottom panel101B (shown inFIG. 1C). The pouch may also include one or more side panels (not shown). The pouch101and lip102can be made of a waterproof, foldable material, such as polyethylene, vinyl, or weather-treated canvas, for example. Other materials will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure. The pouch101is configured to install into the cargo area of an SUV or into the trunk of a passenger vehicle such that the volume of the pouch can expand to fill a substantial portion of the cargo area. The lip102is configured so that when the pouch is so installed, the lip can hang over the bumper of the vehicle, thereby keeping the bumper clean and directing cargo into the pouch portion when loading or unloading. According to some embodiments, the lip102may be configured with a weighting material104. The weighting material may comprise sand, metal, or other material sewn into one or more pockets within the lip102. The weighting material104serves to keep the lip weighted during use, preventing the lip from being blown away from the bumper by wind or being snagged as cargo is loaded into the pouch.

The edge105of the opening103is configured with a plurality of clips106that are adapted to clip to the vehicle into which the apparatus is installed. As explained in more detail below, the clips106can be configured to attach to the jamb or gasket of the SUV hatchback or trunk lid. An example clip106is illustrated in more detail inFIG. 1B. The clips106can be sewn into the fabric of the pouch101or may be attached using rivets, hook and loop material, snaps, or the like. Alternatively, the clips106may be unattached to the pouch and may simply be used to clip the pouch to the vehicle. In such an embodiment, the pouch101may include a pocket for storing the clips when they are not in use.

According to some embodiments, the opening103of the pouch may be configured with gathers, elastic, a draw string, or the like so that the size of the opening can be adjusted to fit the circumference of different vehicles. For example, elastic may be sewn into the edge105of the opening103.

According to some embodiments, the pouch101and/or lip102may include straps for securing the pouch closed once it is loaded with cargo. When closed, the lip102essentially becomes a lid for the pouch101. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1A includes compression straps107aand107baffixed to the lip102and the top panel101T. Once the pouch101is loaded, a buckle107ccan be attached to a receiver107dand straps107a/107bcan be tightened to secure the load and prevent debris from escaping. Other securing components, such as bungees, strings, or the like can be used instead or in addition.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the top panel101T is configured with a expansion attachment108. The expansion attachment108may be one or more straps109, bungee cords, or the like that can be sewn into, or otherwise affixed to the top panel101T. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap109is secured to the top panel101T via loops110that are sewn or glued to the top panel. The strap(s)109may include hooks111configured to attach to the hanger hooks or front seat headrests of a vehicle, such as an SUV or hatchback car when the cargo container100is contained within the cargo compartment of the vehicle. The expansion attachment108serves to keep the pouch “open,” i.e., to keep the top panel101T elevated for easy cargo loading. The use of the support attachment is illustrated inFIG. 4, discussed below.

According to some embodiments, the bottom panel101B may include reinforcing structures112sewn into the panel. The reinforcing structures112help to keep the bottom panel101B lying upon the bottom of the vehicle and also provide structural stability to the bottom panel. The reinforcing structures112may be a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic or Styrofoam. The reinforcing structures112may be sewn into pockets in the bottom panel101B. Alternatively, the bottom panel101B may be constructed as a two-ply material and the reinforcing structures112may be sewn into, or otherwise affixed, between the plies. According to some embodiments, the reinforcing structures112are configured as multiple units so that the cargo container100can be easily folded when not in use.

FIG. 2Ashows the cargo container100installed in the cargo compartment of an SUV200and configured for loading. As illustrated, the pouch101fills a substantial area of the cargo compartment and the lip102drapes over the bumper202of the SUV. The reinforcing structures and weighting material are omitted for clarity. Side panels101S are illustrated inFIG. 2A, though it should be noted that embodiments of a cargo container100that do not include side panels are also contemplated. In such embodiments, the pouch is configured more as an envelope. The clips106secure the edge105of the pouch101to the jamb203of the cargo compartment at various locations about the circumference of the opening of the cargo compartment.

Once the cargo container100is loaded, the clips can be detached from the jamb203and the lip can be folded to cover the opening of the pouch, essentially becoming a lid for the pouch. Straps, if included, can be engaged to secure the cargo container closed. The cargo container100is thereby converted to its transport configuration.

FIG. 2B shows the cargo container100installed in the trunk211of a passenger car210. Again, the clips106secure the edge105of the pouch101to the jamb213of the trunk.

FIG. 3shows an SUV200with its rear passenger door301open so that the pouch101is visible. The rear seat302is folded down, as is common with SUVs, to increase the volume of the cargo compartment. The expansion attachment108is attached to the hanger hook (not visible) on each side of the cargo compartment. As apparent inFIG. 3, the expansion attachment could alternatively attach to the front seat headrests303. Generally, any of the panels of the pouch101may include one or more expansion attachments configured to attach to any structure within the cargo compartment to keep the pouch expanded.

Several advantages of the disclosed cargo container will be apparent based on the disclosure. One advantage is that when the cargo container is being loaded or unloaded, the container substantially seals off the inside of the vehicle, thereby insuring that all the load is contained within the container. Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the door opening to the cargo area of the SUV (FIG. 2A) and of the trunk of the car (FIG. 2B) each has a certain area. According to some embodiments, the cargo container100may effectively seal off up to 100% of the opening area. According to some embodiments, the container seals off up to 98% or 95% of the opening area. According to some embodiments, the cargo container100may seal off up to 90%, 85%, 80%, or 75% of the opening area. Once loaded and closed, the cargo container can substantially conform to the shape of the load.

The cargo container can be kept neatly folded and stored in the vehicle to use when needed. It is quickly installed and attached so that supplies and materials can be loaded into the vehicle. Once unloaded, the container can be removed from the vehicle, leaving the vehicle completely clean and debris free. The container can be shaken out, folded, and kept until needed again. If it is soiled, it can be turned inside out and hosed down. The cargo container can also be used to keep cargo dry and contained for transport in the back of a pickup truck or trailer. The cargo container can be sized to fit various types of vehicles.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.