Abstract:
First and second generally C-shaped housing members move in telescoping relationship between an expanded state and a collapsed state. First and second roll-out cover mechanisms are associated with the corresponding first and second housing members and positioned to avoid interfering with each other upon collapsing and expanding the housing. A first plurality of brackets is located near one end of the cargo storage area and adapted to releasably support the housing members when in the expanded state. A second plurality of brackets is located near an opposite end of the cargo area and adapted to releasably support a roll-out cover extended from each of the roll-out cover mechanisms. The roll-out covers combine to substantially completely cover the cargo storage area when the housing members are supported by the first plurality of brackets and when a distal edge periphery of the roll-out covers is supported by the second plurality of brackets.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to flexible panel covers for use in covering luggage located in a cargo storage area of a vehicle; and more particularly, to such covers that are removable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Typically, luggage covers have been formed from a flexible panel rolled around a winding shaft. Such luggage covers can be permanently or releasably affixed to a vehicle at one end of the cargo storage area. The flexible panel can be unrolled from the winding shaft to cover luggage in the cargo storage area. A rod at the distal peripheral end of the flexible panel typically cooperates with retaining members at the other end of the cargo storage area to releasably support this end of the flexible panel. A biasing force acting on the winding rod generally retains the flexible panels in a taut, substantially horizontal position covering the cargo storage area when in this position. The biasing force also serves to cause the flexible panel to retract onto the winding shaft.  
         [0003]     In certain instances, it has been desirable to selectively remove the luggage cover from its normal position and store it elsewhere. For example, in some vehicles, the rear seat folds down to increase the volume of the cargo storage area. Thus, it can be desirable to remove the luggage cover to avoid it from interfering (in its retracted panel position) with the increased cargo storage area. Once removed, the luggage cover must be stored elsewhere; typically, somewhere in the vehicle. One disadvantage associated with such luggage covers, is they tend to be fairly long which makes them difficult to conveniently store elsewhere in the vehicle. In addition, if one part of a 60/40 split fold seat is folded down, it is convenient to be able to remove the cover associated with that half to provide clear access.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a collapsible cover assembly for a cargo storage area of a vehicle includes a first and second flexible sheet panel wound on first and second winding shafts, respectively. A collapsible length housing supports the first and second winding shafts in offset axial position relative to each other to permit the first and second winding shafts to move longitudinally past each other upon moving the collapsible housing between an expanded state having a first overall length and a collapsed state having a second, lesser overall length. The first and second flexible sheet panels cooperate to substantially cover the cargo storage area when the collapsible housing is in the expanded state and when the first and second flexible sheet panels are extended from their respective winding shafts.  
         [0005]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a collapsible length cover assembly for a cargo storage area of a vehicle includes a first housing member. A second housing member is associated with the first housing member and operable to move in telescoping relationship to the first housing member between an expanded state and a collapsed state. A first roll-out cover mechanism is attached to the first housing member and a second roll-out cover mechanism is attached to the second housing member. The roll-out cover mechanisms are positioned to avoid interfering with each other upon telescoping movement of the first housing member in relation to the second housing member. Tthe first roll-out cover mechanism cooperates with the second roll-out cover mechanism to provide a combined cover for the cargo storage area when the collapsible length cover assembly is in the expanded state and when a roll-out cover is extended from each of the roll-out cover mechanisms.  
         [0006]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including a collapsible length cover mechanism for a cargo storage area of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first housing member and a second housing member associated with the first housing member and operable to move in telescoping relationship to the first housing member between an expanded state and a collapsed state. A first roll-out cover mechanism is attached to the first housing member. A second roll-out cover mechanism is attached to the second housing member and positioned to avoid interfering with the first roll-out cover mechanism upon telescoping movement of the first housing member in relation to the second housing member. A first plurality of brackets is located near one end of the cargo storage area and adapted to releasably support the first and second housing members when in the expanded state. A second plurality of brackets is located near an opposite end of the cargo area adapted to releasably support a roll-out cover extended from each of the roll-out cover mechanisms. The roll-out covers combine to cover the cargo storage area when the first and second housing members are supported by the first plurality of brackets and when a distal edge periphery of the roll-out covers are supported by the second plurality of brackets.  
         [0007]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a luggage cover according to the present invention in an expanded position;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the luggage cover of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed position;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the luggage cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the luggage cover of the above figures;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the luggage cover of the above figures in a vehicle with the flexible sheet panel in a retracted position; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the luggage cover of the above figures in a vehicle with the flexible sheet panel extended to cover a cargo storage area. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. As used herein, terms such as “first” and “second” are intended simply to distinguish between two identically named features. Thus, these terms do not connote any level of importance to the features. As used herein, the term “rod” means an elongate member and does not connote any particular cross-sectional shape to such a member.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , one embodiment of a luggage cover assembly  10  of the present invention includes a collapsible housing  12 . In this embodiment, the collapsible housing is formed from two generally C-shaped housing members  14 ,  16  that telescope with respect to each other. Each of the housing members  14 ,  16  has a roll-out cover mechanism  18  and  20 , respectively, associated therewith. Each roll-out cover mechanism  18 ,  20  includes a flexible sheet panel  22  and  24 , respectively, wound on a winding shaft  26  and  28 , respectively, and spring biased to tend to resist unwinding of the panel member  22 ,  24  as is known in the art.  
         [0017]     Mounting brackets  30  attach the first roll-out cover mechanism  18  to the first, larger generally C-shaped housing member  14  on a downwardly extending wall  15  (seen in  FIG. 4 ) near the opening of the generally C-shape. A collapsible rod member  32  is attached to the distal peripheral edge of the flexible sheet panel  22  of the first roll-out cover mechanism  18 . As with the housing  12 , the collapsible rod member  32  is formed from two telescoping rod members  34  and  36 . The smaller rod member  36  can move between an expanded (or in-use) state as seen in  FIG. 1 , and a collapsed (or storage) state as seen in  FIG. 2 . Although the rod members  34 ,  36  are illustrated herein as having a circular cross-section, the rod members  34 ,  36  could have any suitable cross-section.  
         [0018]     In the collapsed state, the smaller rod member  36  is located substantially within the larger rod member  34 . In the expanded state, the smaller rod member  36  extends outwardly from the larger rod member  34 . Detents and cooperating projections (not seen) can be included to prevent the smaller rod member  36  from coming completely out of the larger rod member  34 . A flange merriber  35  is located at a distal end of each of the rod members  34 ,  36  that operates as retaining members as discussed hereinafter.  
         [0019]     Mounting brackets  30  also attach the second roll-out cover mechanism  20  to a central wall  17  (seen in  FIG. 4 ) of the second, smaller generally C-shaped housing member  16 . The location of the mounting brackets  30  and the roll-out cover mechanisms  18 ,  20  in each housing member  14  and  16 , respectively, permits the telescoping action without the roll-out cover mechanisms  18 ,  20  interfering with each other. The winding shafts  26 ,  28  of the roll-out cover mechanisms  18  and  20 , respectively, are located in offset axial position relative to each other permitting the roll-out cover mechanisms  18 ,  20  to move longitudinally past each other upon collapsing the housing  12 .  
         [0020]     Also attached to the second housing member  16  is a detent mechanism  38 . This detent mechanism  38  includes a pin  40 , a spring  42  and a housing  44 . The pin  40  is biased by the spring  42  to selectively protrude into openings  46 ,  48  in the first, larger housing member  14 . Thus, when the pin  40  protrudes into opening  46 , the luggage cover assembly  10  is retained in the collapsed (or storage) state. Similarly, when the pin  40  protrudes into opening  48 , the luggage cover assembly  10  is retained in the expanded (or in-use) state. The pin  40  can be manually depressed in order to permit telescoping action of the first and second housing members  14  and  16 , respectively, relative to each other.  
         [0021]     An auxiliary rod member  50  is releasably associated with the distal edge periphery of the flexible panel  24  of the second roll-out cover mechanism  20 . Attached to this auxiliary rod member  50  is a series of releasable fasteners  52  that are configured substantially in the shape of hooks. Tubular spacers  54  are located on the auxiliary rod member  50  between the releasable fasteners  52  to maintain the fasteners  52  substantially equidistant from each other along the auxiliary rod member  50 . The fasteners  52  can be frictionally engaged on the smaller rod member  36  as seen in  FIGS. 1, 5  and  6 . As an alternative to frictional engagement, the fasteners  52  can simply hook onto the smaller rod member  36 , relying on the biasing force of the roll-up cover mechanism  20  to retain the hook fasteners  52  on the rod member  36 . The fasteners  52  can also be selectively removed from the smaller rod member  36  to permit the smaller rod member  36  to telescope inside the larger rod member  34  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 .  
         [0022]     To use the collapsible luggage cover assembly  10 , it is typically initially stored in a vehicle in the collapsed state as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this collapsed (or storage) state, the overall longitudinal length of the luggage cover assembly is relatively short as seen in  FIG. 2 . Thus, in the collapsed state, the luggage cover assembly  10  takes up a relatively small amount of space, making it relatively easier to store in the vehicle. The pin  40  of the detent mechanism  38  extends into the opening  46  of the first housing member  14  (seen best in  FIG. 3 ). Therefore, the detent mechanism  38  operates to retain the luggage cover assembly  10  in this collapsed state during storage.  
         [0023]     To prepare the luggage cover assembly  10  for use, a user presses the pin  40  of the detent mechanism  38 , pushing the pin  40  out of opening  46  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) to allow the generally C-shaped housing members  14 ,  16  to telescope outwardly relative to each other. While telescoping the collapsible housing  12  of the luggage cover assembly  10  into its expanded state, the distal end of each generally C-shaped housing members  14 ,  16  is inserted into a cooperating housing bracket  56  fixed to the vehicle  58  near one end of the cargo storage area  60  as seen in  FIG. 5 . The housing brackets  56  include recesses into which the distal ends of the collapsible housing  12  can be received and held, thereby operating as retaining members. The pin  40  of the detent mechanism  38  is moved into the opening  48  of the housing member  14  under the biasing force of the spring  42  when the collapsible luggage cover assembly  10  reaches its expanded (or in-use) state. Thus, the detent mechanism  38  serves to retain the luggage cover in its expanded state, which also retains the distal ends of the collapsible housing  12  in the housing brackets  56 .  
         [0024]     In an alternative embodiment (not seen), the distal end of each of the generally C-shaped housing members may include an end cap attached thereto. The end cap can comprise cooperating retaining members thereon and the brackets can comprise retaining members. Thus, the retaining members and the cooperating retaining members work together to selectively retain the housing of the luggage cover in position near one end of the cargo storage area. The retaining members and the cooperating retaining members can include pins and recesses, snap-in arrangements, or any other appropriate cooperating structures.  
         [0025]     Returning to  FIG. 5 , after telescoping the luggage cover assembly  10  into its expanded state, the smaller rod member  36  is telescoped out of the larger rod member  34  located at the distal edge periphery of the first flexible sheet panel  24 . Then, the hook fasteners  52  associated with the distal edge periphery of the second flexible sheet panel  22  are fit onto the extended smaller rod member  36 . With the hooks  52  attached to the smaller rod member  36 , the interior side edge peripheries of the flexible sheet panels  22  and  24  overlap slightly. In addition, the interior side edge peripheries of the flexible sheet panels  22  and  24  are positioned very close together vertically. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the upper flexible sheet panel  22  rolls off of the bottom of its winding shaft  26  and the lower flexible sheet panel  24  rolls off of the top of its winding shaft  28 . This arrangement, along with the proximity provided when attached to the telescoping rod  32 , provides close vertical proximity of the flexible sheet panels  22  and  24  along their entire interior side edge peripheries.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a user grasps the telescoping rod  32  and extends the flexible sheet panels  22 ,  24  from the roll-out cover mechanisms  18  and  20 , respectively. The flange  35  at each distal end of the telescoping rod  32  are then inserted into cooperating rod flange brackets  62  that operate as retaining members and are located near the opposite end of the cargo storage area  60 . A biasing force acting on the winding rods  26 ,  28  biases the flexible sheet panels  22 ,  24  toward their retracted position (as seen in  FIGS. 1 through 5 ). Thus, when the flexible sheet panels  22 ,  24  are in an extended position (for example, as seen in  FIG. 6 ) the biasing force of the roll-out cover mechanisms  18  and  20 , respectively, tensions the flexible cover panels  22 ,  24 , pulling them taut in a substantially horizontal orientation.  
         [0027]     To remove and store the luggage cover assembly  10 , the above-described procedure is essentially simply reversed. This may be desirable, for example, where the vehicle  58  includes a fold-down seat  64  to enlarge the cargo storage area as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . When the fold-down seat  64  is moved to its down position, the luggage cover assembly  10  in the brackets  56  as seen in  FIG. 5  becomes located in the middle of the enlarged cargo storage area  60 . Consequently, it is often desirable to remove the luggage cover assembly  10  from the brackets  56  and store it elsewhere.  
         [0028]     To facilitate storage of the luggage cover assembly  10 , its overall length is reduced by collapsing the housing  12  as is apparent from the description above. The overall longitudinal length of the luggage cover assembly  10  in its storage state is preferably less than about 75 percent of the overall longitudinal length of the luggage cover assembly  10  when in its expanded state; more preferably, less than about 60 percent; and even more preferably, less than about 55 percent. Accordingly, the luggage cover assembly  12  takes up meaningfully less space in its storage state than in its expanded state, and therefore, is easier to store.  
         [0029]     Only a small number of the many possible alternatives are described above. Many additional modifications and alternatives beyond those described above, may be envisioned by those skilled in the art. For example, the fasteners  52  which releasably associate the distal end periphery of the second flexible sheet panel  24  to the smaller rod member  36  could have a wide variety of configurations. Such variations include snaps, clips, or any other suitable snap-fit or friction fit arrangements and combinations thereof.  
         [0030]     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.