Abstract:
A vehicular floor panel ( 20 ) for attachment to a floor pan ( 16 ) of an automotive vehicle ( 12 ) is provided. The floor panel ( 20 ) is a reversible floorboard having a first surface ( 22 ) and a second surface ( 24 ) that is opposite to the first surface ( 22 ). This first surface ( 22 ) has a fabric covering ( 26 ) attached thereon. Additionally, the second surface ( 24 ) has at least one mounting device ( 28, 34, 36 ) integrated thereon for securing an item to the floor panel ( 20 ). The floor panel ( 20 ) also includes at least one fastener ( 54, 60 ) for selectively coupling the panel ( 20 ) to the floor pan ( 16 ) of the automotive vehicle ( 12 ) thereby permitting access to either the first surface ( 22 ) or the second surface ( 24 ) of the floor panel ( 20 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to floor pans of automotive vehicles, and more particularly to a vehicular floor panel for selectively securing a variety of objects to the vehicle and for also providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     Automotive manufacturers are well known for producing vehicles with carpeted flooring in the passenger cabins and the cargo areas of the vehicles. Typically, this carpeted flooring is beneficial because it provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the occupants of the vehicle. Moreover, the carpeted flooring in the cargo areas can include mounting devices for securing various types of cargo to the vehicle. 
     A drawback of typical carpeted flooring is that it is comprised of a fabric that is not sufficiently durable for resisting wear and damage. In particular, the carpeted flooring of the cargo areas can experience substantial wear and damage as a result of having cargo frequently placed in those areas of the vehicle. 
     A proposed solution requires that a protective mat or covering is placed over the carpeted flooring. The protective mat is intended to reduce or distribute the amount of force applied to the carpeted flooring. However, the cargo can still sandwich the carpeting between the protective mat and the floor pan. As a result, the fabric of the carpeting can still be subjected to a substantial amount of loading from the cargo. In this regard, the carpeted flooring can still be subject to wear or damage. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a vehicular floor panel that selectively resists wear and damage yet also provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance when desired. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a vehicular floor panel for attachment to a floor pan of an automotive vehicle. The floor panel is a reversible floorboard having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. This first surface has a fabric covering attached thereon. Additionally, the second surface has at least one mounting device integrated thereon for securing an item to the floor panel. The floor panel also includes at least one fastener for selectively coupling the panel to the floor pan of the automotive vehicle thereby permitting access to either the first surface or the second surface of the floor panel. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that a vehicular floor panel is provided that includes a first surface with a fabric attached thereon, which has an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the occupants of the vehicle. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that a vehicular floor panel is provided that has a second surface with at least one mounting device integrated thereon for allowing a variety of items to be secured to the vehicle. 
    
    
     Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo area of a vehicle having a flooring assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flooring assembly shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first surface of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second surface of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary mounting device for securing an item to the second surface of a second surface of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a magnified view of another exemplary mounting device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a storage device for attachment to a vehicular floor panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a storage device having rails for attachment to the exemplary mounting device shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating attachment of the storage device shown in FIG. 8 to the second surface of the vehicular floor panel; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the storage device mounted to the vehicular floor panel by way of the exemplary mounting device shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the storage device shown in FIG. 10 being secured in position at a point along the longitudinal axis of the exemplary mounting device; 
     FIG. 12A is a partially cutaway view of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG. 1, with a pair of cam latch mechanisms. 
     FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG. 12A, illustrating attachment of the vehicular floor panel to a floor pan; 
     FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG. 12B, illustrating the cam latch mechanisms securing the vehicular floor panel to the floor pan; 
     FIG. 13A is a partially cutaway view of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG. 1, with a pair of spring-loaded latch mechanisms, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, 
     FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG. 13A, illustrating attachment of the vehicular floor panel to a floor pan; and 
     FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular floor panel shown in FIG. 13B, illustrating the spring-loaded latch mechanisms securing the vehicular floor panel to the floor pan. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views. The present invention is particularly suited for a cargo area of a vehicle. However, it is understood that the present invention may suited for various other sections of the vehicle as desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cargo area  10  of a vehicle  12  according to one embodiment of the invention. This cargo area  10  can be utilized for transporting a variety of items. 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, the cargo area  10  includes a flooring assembly  14  that is intended to selectively allow items to be secured to the vehicle  12  and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance when desired. 
     The flooring assembly  14  includes a floor pan  16 , which is an integral component of the vehicle  12 . This floor pan  16  has a recess  18  integrally formed therein for receiving a vehicular floor panel  20 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the vehicular floor panel  20  is a reversible floorboard that has a first surface  22  (as shown in FIG. 3) and a second surface  24  (as shown in FIG.  4 ). The floor panel  20  may be selectively secured to the floor pan  16  so as to expose either the first surface  22  or the second surface  24  to the passenger cabin. The attachment of the vehicular floor panel  20  to the floor pan  16  is detailed in the description for FIGS. 12A-13C. 
     The first surface  22  of the floor panel  20  has a fabric  26  attached thereon for providing a visually attractive appearance to occupants of the vehicle  12  when the first surface  22  is exposed to the passenger cabin. This fabric  26  preferably is a continuous piece of carpeting. However, it is understood that the first surface  22  may instead include various other materials that are cosmetically appealing. 
     The second surface  24  of the floor panel  20  includes one or more mounting devices and is intended to permit various items to be secured to the vehicle  12  when the second surface  24  is exposed to the passenger cabin. In this regard, the second surface  24  is comprised of a fixed durable plastic material that can resist wear and damage. However, it is understood that the second surface  24  can be comprised of various other suitable materials as desired. 
     Referring now primarily to FIG. 5, these mounting devices include one or more stretchable cords  28  integrated within and extending from the second surface  24  of the vehicular floor panel  20 . Each cord  28  is intended to wrap and stretch around an item in order to secure that item to the vehicular floor panel  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the second surface  24  includes one or more attachment loops  30  integrally formed therein for allowing the cords  28  to be tied thereto. These attachment loops  30  are integral parts of one end of the floor panel  20 . However, it is understood that a separate loop member or ring member may be in-mold mounted or otherwise fixedly attached to the second surface  24 . Moreover, these cords  28  may be attached to other suitable portions of the second surface  24  as desired. 
     Furthermore, each cord  28  includes a hook  32  that is intended to allow the cord  28  when stretched to attach to a bar  34  that is integrally formed within the second surface  24 . This bar  34  preferably is comprised of metal and is in-mold mounted to the floor panel  20 . However, it is understood that the bar  34  may be comprised of other suitable materials and may be integral parts of the reversible floorboard as desired. As a result, the cord  28  can be utilized for securing the item to the floor panel  20 . 
     It is also understood that the bars  34  may be utilized for allowing fasteners of specialized cargo accessories to attach those components to the floor panel  20 . These specialized cargo accessories and their fasteners are detailed in the description for FIG.  8 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4, and  6 , other mounting devices integrated with the second surface  24  of the reversible floorboard include one or more tracking slots  36 . These slots  36  are intended to receive the hooks  32  of the stretchable cords  28  or a variety of opposing male fasteners, e.g. rails, extending from specialized cargo accessories (as detailed in the description for FIG.  8 ). 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, each slot  36  is integrally formed within the floor panel  20  beneath the second surface  24 . Specifically, the slot  36  is partially defined by opposing retention ledges  38  extending from the second surface  24  of the vehicular floor panel  20 . These ledges  38  are aligned with the second surface  24  so as to provide the second surface  24  with a smooth, uninterrupted surface. 
     According to another embodiment, the retention ledges extend upward from the second surface  24  of the vehicular floor panel  20 . These retention ledges are integral parts of an injection molded floor panel  20 . However, it is understood that the retention ledges may instead comprise one or more pieces that are separate components from the floor panel  20  and are fixedly attached to the floor panel  20 . Moreover, the slots  36  may have other suitable constructions as desired. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a storage device  40  as an exemplary specialized cargo accessory for attachment to the second surface  24  of the vehicular panel  20 . This storage device  40  includes four walls  42  adjoined together at their sides and a bottom plate  44  attached to the bottom of the walls. These walls  42  and the bottom plate  44  collectively define a receptacle  46  for containing various items and permitting convenient transport of those items. It is understood that this storage device  40  may have various other suitable constructions as desired. Additionally, this storage device  40  includes one or more handles  66  for allowing an individual to carry the storage device  40 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom plate  44  of the storage device  40  includes two rails  48  extending downwardly therefrom. These rails  48  preferably are integral parts of an injection molded storage device. However, in an alternative embodiment, the rails  48  may instead be separate pieces that are attached to the bottom plate  44 . Moreover, in yet another embodiment, the storage device  40  may have female fasteners extending downwardly therefrom as desired. 
     As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rails  48  are intended to be inserted into the tracking slots  36  formed within the second surface  24  of the vehicular floor panel  20 . As a result, the opposing retention ledges  38  of the slot  36  secure the storage device  40  to the floor panel  20  in every direction except for along the longitudinal axis of the slot. 
     In addition, as best shown in FIG. 11, the stretchable cords  28  can be wrapped around the storage device  40  for reducing or even preventing movement of the storage device  40  along the axis of the slots  36 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12A-13C, the floor pan  16  and the vehicular floor panel  20  include attachment mechanisms for attaching the panel  20  to the floor pan  16  and selectively exposing either the first surface  22  or the second surface  24  to the passenger cabin. 
     Specifically, the floor pan  16  includes one or more openings  50 ,  50 ″ on opposing sides of the recess  18 . These openings  50 ,  50 ″ are intended to receive male fasteners extending from the vehicular floor panel  20  for the purpose of securing the floor panel  20  to the floor pan  16 . However, it is understood that the floor pan  16  may instead include the male fasteners for attachment to female fasteners formed in the floor panel  20 . In addition, although three openings  50 ,  50 ″ are shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that less or more than three openings  50 ,  50 ″ can be utilized in any combination thereof as desired. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12A-12C, there are shown exemplary male fasteners extending from the vehicular floor panel  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention. These fasteners include one or more fixed tabs  52  extending from a first side of the panel  20  and one or more cam latch mechanisms  54  extending from a second side of the panel  20  that is opposite to the first side of the panel  20 . Each cam latch mechanism  54  includes a retractable tab  56  that can be selectively retracted into and extended from the panel  20  by rotating a knob  58 . However, various other suitable latch mechanisms may be utilized as exemplified in the description for FIGS. 13A-13C. 
     As shown in FIG. 12B, attaching the vehicular floor panel  20  to the floor pan  16  initially requires that the first side of the panel  20  is placed within the recess  18  of the floor pan  16  and that the fixed tab  52  of the floor panel  20  is inserted into the opening  50  formed within the floor pan  16 . Also, the cam latch mechanisms  54  are retracted inward so as to place the retractable tabs  56  within the panel  20 . Then, the second side is lowered into the recess  18  thereby placing the entire panel  20  within the recess  18 . Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, a user may turn the knobs  58  of each cam latch mechanism  54  and extend the retractable tabs  56  into the openings  50 ″ in the floor pan  16  so as to secure the panel  20  to the floor pan  16 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 13A-13C, the vehicular floor panel  20  may utilize a spring-loaded latch mechanism  60  according to another embodiment of the invention. The spring-loaded latch mechanism  60  includes a retractable tab  56  and a spring  62  for biasing the retractable tab  56  outward from the vehicular floor panel  20 . The retractable tab  56  also includes a retractor arm  64  for allowing an individual to force the tab  56  to retract into the floor panel  20 . 
     This floor panel  20  may be secured to the floor pan  16  by first inserting the rigid fixed tab  52  on the first side of the floor panel  20  into the opening  50  of the floor pan  16 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 13B, the spring-loaded latch mechanisms  60  are retracted into the second side of the floor panel  20 . Thereafter, the second side of the floor panel  20  is lowered into the recess  18  so as to place the entire floor panel  20  within the recess  18 . Then, the user releases the spring-loaded latch mechanisms  60  and allows the springs  62  to force the retractable tabs  56  into the openings  50 ″ of the floor pan  16 . 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.