CARGO-RETAINING DEVICE

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securing cargo (8) in a luggage compartment (2) of a vehicle. The invention comprises a retracting device (3) for a belt or cord (4) which is fixedly arranged in the luggage compartment (2), a first locking member (5) attached to one end of the belt or cord (4) and a second locking member (6, 6') fixedly arranged in the luggage compartment (2), whereby the first locking member (5) and the second locking member (6, 6') are arranged for releasable locking to each other. The invention is characterized in that the retracting device (3) is of the type ALR ("Automatic Locking Retractor"). By means of the invention an effective, and in its construction simple, device is obtained for securing goods in a luggage compartment of a vehicle.

Description: TITLE: Cargo-retaining device TECHNICAL FIELD: The present invention relates to device for securing cargo, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. STATE OF THE ART: Motor vehicles normally comprise a luggage compartment intended for accomodating different types of luggage. Particularly when luggage compartments of private cars are concerned, problems may arise if luggage which is stored in the luggage compartment is poorly secured or is not secured at all. This may bring about that the luggage may move back and forth in the luggage compartment so that it is damaged, for instance in case of powerful applications of the brakes. Loosely secured luggage may of course also imply risks for the occupants in the vehicle. For this reason, there is a need for devices for stable securing of the cargo in a luggage compartment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: A main object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide an improved device for securing goods in a luggage compartment of a vehicle, which device furthermore is of a simple construction and may also be handled in a simple fashion. This is achieved by a device of the kind mentioned in the introduction, the characterizing features of which are evident from the appended claim 1. The invention preferably comprises a previously known retracting device of the ALR-type ( "Automatic locking retractor") with a belt which can be tightened and thereafter slackened, after which the belt is locked against extraction in the position of the belt after having been slackened. This provides effective securement of goods in a luggage compartment. Furthermore, the retracting device is provided with a locking unit which may be gripped and moved into a position where it may be locked to a locking tongue, whereby the belt is wrapped around the luggage to be secured. This provides a simple handling which permits a simple one- handed grip both when locking and releasing. Consequently, automatic retraction of the belt is prevented since the locking device is of course gripped in the hand. Furthermore, a cost-effective solution is obtained since only one locking unit is needed, while a number of locking tongues may be positioned in the luggage compartment. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING: The invention will in the following be described with reference to the enclosed drawing, which is a view from above of a luggage compartment of a private car which comprises the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: In Fig. 1, a view from above of a device according to the present invention is shown, which according to a preferred embodiment is arranged in the luggage compartment of a vehicle of conventional type, preferably a private car. The vehicle comprises a vehicle body 1 which is designed with a luggage compartment 2. A retracting device 3 is arranged inside the luggage compartment 2 , preferably behind an inner lining panel. The retracting device 3 is in itself of essentially the same type as normally is used for safety belts for the passengers of the vehicle and is arranged for the winding of a belt 4. The retracting device 3 is spring- loaded so that the belt 4 is automatically wound in when it is not in use. The belt 4 is preferably made from a textile weave or a corresponding material. The retracting device 3 is, furthermore, in a known way (not shown) firmly anchored to the vehicle body 1. In the luggage compartment 2, i.e. easily available on the outside of the inner lining panel in the luggage compartment, a first locking member in the form of a locking unit 5 is arranged. The locking unit 5 is firmly attached to the belt 4. Thereby, the inner panel of the luggage compartment 2 exhibits an inner panel with an (not shown) opening, through which the belt 4 may run. The locking unit 5 is constructed essentially in the same way as previously known attachment means for safety belts, i.e. it comprises a retaining mechanism, not shown in any greater detail, and a release button 11. The inner panel of the luggage compartment 2 is preferably designed with a recess 12 in which the locking unit 5 may adopt a rest position when it is not in use. The recess 12 is preferably designed with guiding means (not shown) which bring the locking unit 5 into a retracted position in a recess 12 when it is not in use. In this way, there is no risk that the locking unit 5 unnecessarily protrudes into the luggage compartment 2. In the luggage compartment 2 there is, moreover, arranged at least one, preferably two or three, locking members in the form of locking tongues 6. Each locking tongue 6 is arranged to interact with the locking unit 5 in such a way that the locking unit 5 may be pushed onto and locked to the locking tongue 6. For this purpose, the locking unit 5 is provided with an opening (not shown) in the form of a slit or the like. The respective locking tongues 6 are pivotally arranged around an axis 7. According to the embodiment, each locking tongue 6 is in addition resiliently suspended so that it strives to pivot towards a position where it is parallel to the inner panel of the luggage compartment 2. Each locking tongue 6 is preferably arranged in a recess 13 in the inner panel, which implies that it does not protrude so that luggage runs the risk of being damaged. A piece of goods 8, which has been placed in the luggage compartment 2, may be secured by gripping the locking unit 5, pulling out the belt 4 and placing this around the piece of goods 8. Thereafter, the belt 4 is braced by means of locking the locking unit 5 into a locking tongue 6, conveniently the locking tongue 6 which has the most suitable position seen in the light of the dimension of the piece of goods 8. In the drawing, reference numeral 9 denotes the locking unit in its clamped position, while reference numeral 10 denotes the belt in its corresponding position. In the drawing, moreover, it is shown that one of the locking tongues 6' is arranged so that it may be pivoted around an axis of rotation 7', in a direction which is mainly horizontal, contrary to the turning direction of the other locking tongues 6, which in the main is vertical. As is evident from the drawing, the locking tongue 6' is provided with an opening 14 which forms a loop. This makes it possible to secure different cargoes in the luggage compartment 2 by strapping cords, belts etc through this opening 14. The other locking tongues 6 are also preferably designed in this way. A cost-effective solution is obtained, since the locking unit 5 is anchored to the belt 4 and is mobile in such a way that it can be brought to interact with any one of a plurality of locking tongues 6, 6'. Thus, only one locking unit which may interact with several attachment points in the form of relatively cheap locking tongues 6, 6', is needed. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the retracting device 3 is of the type ALR ( "Automatic locking retractor"), which is a mechanism which in itself is previously known and therefore is not described here in greater detail. It operates on the principle that if the belt 4 is unwound to its full length and is thereafter slackened to desired length, the retracting device 3 will lock the belt 4 in this latter position, This implies that the belt 4 cannot be wound out even if it is pulled out slowly, which is the case with conventional safety belts. For this reason, the ALR-retracting device is suitable for the invention since it prevents cargo from slowly moving from its intended position in the luggage compartment 2. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but may be varied within the scope of the subsequent claims. The invention may, for instance, be applied in connection with different types of vehicles, e.g. private cars, lorries or buses. Moreover, a plurality of locking units 5 may be utilized. Furthermore, the belt 4 may be constituted of a woven textile belt, but in principle also of a wire, cord, expandable net or the like. The retracting device may either be a conventional retracting device, a retracting device of ALR-type or alternatively of ELR-type ("Emergency Locking Retractor"), which is one, in itself, known type of retracting device.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Device for securing cargo (8) in a luggage compartment (2) of a vehicle, comprising a retracting device (3) for a belt or a cord (4) which is fixedly arranged in the luggage compartment (2), a first locking member attached to one end of the belt or the cord (4) and a second locking member (6, 6') fixedly arranged in the luggage compartment (2), whereby the first locking member (5) and the second locking member (6, 6') are arranged for releasable locking to each other, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the first locking member (5), arranged on the belt or the cord (4), comprises a release mechanism. 2. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the retracting device (3) is of the type ALR, "Automatic Locking Retractor". 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises at least one additional second locking member (6, 6') arranged in the luggage compartment (2) . 4. Device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the second locking member (6, 6') is pivotally arranged around an axis of rotation (7) which constitutes an attachment point in the luggage compartment (2) . 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the second locking member (6, 6') is spring-loaded so that it strives towards a retracted position in the luggage compartment (2). 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the second locking member (6, 6') is designed with an opening (14) which forms a loop.

Inventors: MORET COCK, NYGREN HARRY, MORET, COCK, NYGREN, HARRY
Applicants: MORET COCK, NYGREN HARRY, VOLVO AB, AB VOLVO, MORET, COCK, NYGREN, HARRY
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B60R5
IPC codes: B60P7, B60R7, B60R22