Receptacle for use in vehicle luggage space

Abstract: The receptacle (1) is reversible from a normal position (Figure 1), in which its load-bearing base (8) is substantially flush with the floor (3) around a well (2) and its rigid load-bearing walls (9-12) rest on the bottom of the well, and an inverted position (Figure 2), in which the base (8) rests on the bottom of the well (2). The interior of the receptacle (1) has wipe-clean surfaces (16,17).

Description: This invention relates to a receptacle for use in the luggage space of a vehicle such as an estate car or hatchback. Objects which are carried loose in the luggage space of a vehicle can move about in the space during use of the vehicle. Furthermore if they are dirty they may contaminate the luggage space, which is usually provided with a soft trim that is not easy to clean. Objects may be carried in a container which can be secured in the luggage space, but such a container takes up valuable space when not in use, even if it is collapsible. If a well is provided in the floor of the luggage space, dirt and debris can accumulate in the well. Furthermore, with estate cars the luggage space is frequently not concealed and, hence, articles left in the luggage space are on full display when the vehicle is left unoccupied and, therefore, may be more susceptible to theft in comparison with articles left in enclosed luggage spaces. What is desired is a receptacle which overcomes or mitigates the shortcomings of conventional luggage spaces in such vehicles. DE 196 16 963 A discloses a reversible receptacle in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. The present invention provides a reversible receptacle as set forth in claim 1. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the luggage space of a vehicle, with a reversible receptacle in its normal position; Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, but with the reversible receptacle in its inverted position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle; Figure 4 is a section on line IV-IV in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded section through a corner of the receptacle, on an enlarged sale; and Figures 6 to 8 are diagrammatic elevations of the receptacle, sequentially showing how it is inverted. The reversible receptacle 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 fits in a well 2 in the floor 3 of the luggage space in a vehicle, both in its normal position (Figure 1) and in its inverted position (Figure 2). The well 2 is rectangular in plan, with two longer sides 4 extending transversely of the vehicle and two shorter sides 6. The bottom 7 of the well is formed by the metal underfloor of the vehicle body. Although the bottom 7 is shown in Figures 6 to 8 as being level, it will in practice not be perfectly flat and the inverted receptacle will often be supported only by the peripheral edge regions of the bottom. The receptacle 1 has a rigid load-bearing base 8 and rigid load-bearing walls 9,10,11,12 projecting downwards from the base 8 and constituting a closed perimeter. In the normal position (Figures 1 and 6) the base 8 is approximately flush with the floor 3, the long walls 9 and 11 are next to but spaced from the long sides 4 of the wall 2, the short walls 10 and 12 are close to the short sides 6 of the well, and the ends of the walls 9-12 rest on the bottom 7. In the inverted position (Figures 2 and 8), the receptacle 1 having been turned through 180° about an axis transverse to the vehicle, the base 8 rests on the bottom 7, the long walls 9 and 11 are spaced from the opposite long sides 4 of the well, the short walls 10 and 12 are close to the same short sides 6, and the ends of the walls 9-12 are approximately flush with the floor 3. Thus, in the normal position the base 8 of the receptacle forms a continuation of the luggage-supporting floor 3 and covers the well 2. In the inverted position the receptacle 1 constitutes a tray which can be used for carrying loose objects. The base 8 is a composite laminate comprising a honeycomb structure 13 (with hexagonal, triangular, square, or random cells, for example) sandwiched between upper and lower skins 14. In the preferred embodiment the skins 14 are made of polypropylene and are reinforced with fibres of glass or other suitable material, and the honeycomb structure 13 is made of polypropylene. The walls 9-12 are constituted by hollow polypropylene injection mouldings which are pressed and ultrasonically welded to the base 8. The underside 16 of the base 8 and the inner sides 17 of walls 9-12 have smooth non-absorbent wipe-clean surfaces. The mouldings 9-12 are shaped to provide a rounded transition 18 between wall and base, for ease of cleaning. The outside of the base is constituted by a soft trim cover 19 matching the luggage floor 3, e.g. of woven or non-woven textile material. The short walls 10 and 12 are provided with locating recesses 21 for releasable engagement with complementary locating spring catches 22 provided on the short sides 6 of the well 2. The recesses 21 are at mid-height of the receptacle 1 so that they are engageable with the catches 22 both in the normal position and in the inverted position. Hook-like guide lugs 23 project forwards and upwards from beneath the front edge of the base 8 and engage under abutment pins 24 fixed in the front long side 4 of the well 2, thereby forming a separable hinge which helps to retain the receptacle 1 in the well 2. The base 8 includes a handle formation 26 accessible from the outside of the base, to facilitate lifting of the receptacle 1 for the purpose of either inverting it or stowing objects under it. To invert the receptacle 1 the rear end of the base 8 is lifted by means of the handle formation 26, the receptacle pivoting upwards about the hinge (23,24) as indicated by the arrow 27 in Figure 6. Then, as the receptacle is pulled upwards, it is also pulled rearwards as indicated by the arrows 28 in Figure 7, separating the lugs 23 from the pins 24. Finally, the completely inverted receptacle is fitted into the well 2, the lugs 23 being accommodated in a recess 29 in the rear side 4 of the well and the opposite end of the receptacle being dropped into the well as indicated by the arrow 31. To return the receptacle to the normal position the above-described actions are reversed. Manipulation of the receptacle at or near its inverted position is facilitated by handle formations 32 on the long walls 9 and 11. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, the locating recess 21 may be provided on the side of the well 2 and the locating spring clip 22 may be provided on the wall of the receptacle 1. The rear wall 9 (for example) may be open in the middle (or omitted) to facilitate insertion of objects into the well 2 when the receptacle 1 is tilted up from its normal position. The receptacle described above is light in weight but has sufficient strength to withstand the anticipated weight of luggage carried in the vehicle. The receptacle (both in its normal position and in its inverted position) prevents soiling of the well, and the interior of the receptacle can easily be wiped clean if it has been used to carry dirty objects. In the normal position the receptacle provides a soft-trimmed upper surface which blends into the surrounding floor trim, the only obvious sign of an additional feature being the handle formation in the base. In the inverted position the receptacle provides a considerable extra volume of storage space, particularly for wet or soiled items, e.g. clothing or footwear.

Claims: A reversible receptacle (1) for fitting in a well (2) in the floor (3) of a luggage space in a vehicle, the receptacle (1) having a load-bearing base portion (8) and rigid load-bearing walls (9-12) projecting downwards from the underside of the base portion (8), the receptacle ( I ) being reversible from a normal position, in which the base portion (8) is substantially flush with the floor (3) of the luggage space and the walls (9-12) rest on the bottom (7) of the well (2), to an inverted position, in which the base portion (8) rests on the bottom (7) of the well (2), characterised in that the walls (9-12) are provided with locating means for releasable engagement with complementary locating means on sidewalls of the well (2), the locating means being provided at mid-height of the receptacle (1) so that the locating means are engageable with the complementary locating means both in the normal position and in the inverted position of the receptacle. A reversible receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the underside (16) of the base portion (8) has a non-absorbent and/or smooth surface. A reversible receptacle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the outside of the base portion (8) is constituted by a soft trim cover (19). A reversible receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inside of each wall (9-12) has a non-absorbent surface. A reversible receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the walls (9-12) constitute a closed perimeter. A reversible receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base portion (8) comprises a honeycomb structure (13) between upper and lower skins (14) which preferably contain reinforcing fibres. A reversible receptacle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the locating means comprise recesses (21). A reversible receptacle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the locating means comprise resiliently displaceable elements (22). A reversible receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base portion (8) includes a handle formation (26) accessible from the outside of the base portion. A reversible receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one of the walls (9-12) is provided with a handle formation (32) accessible when the receptacle (1) is in its inverted position. A reversible receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, including guide lugs (23) projecting out from beneath one edge of the base portion, for engagement with abutments in the well to form a separable hinge.

Inventors: GODSELL DAVID, GWINNUTT NICK, PATERSON CRAIG, GODSELL, DAVID, GWINNUTT, NICK, PATERSON, CRAIG
Applicants: NISSAN EUROP TECHNOLOGY CT LTD, NISSAN EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60R7
IPC codes: B60R7