Abstract:
A cargo supporting device supports cargo within a vehicle compartment in more than one position. The cargo supporting device includes at least one moveable panel having a cargo supporting surface. The moveable panel moves from a first position that is relatively distant from a cargo access point to a second position that is closer to the cargo access point. The moveable panel effectively brings one or more cargo items closer to an individual to make them more readily accessible.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/220,712, which was filed on Jul. 26, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to cargo handling in vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to a system for repositioning cargo that is positioned within a cargo compartment of a vehicle. 
     Most vehicles include a cargo-carrying portion. Passenger vehicles typically include a trunk that is enclosed at the rear of the vehicle. Pickup trucks typically include a bed, which may be open or covered by an optional cap. Sport utility vehicles and vans typically include a cargo section near the rear of the vehicle. 
     Under many circumstances, a portion or all of the cargo within a vehicle cargo-carrying portion is out of reach of an individual or in a position that makes it relatively difficult to reach. This is particularly true in a vehicle trunk that extends relatively deeply toward the front of the vehicle. It becomes difficult for an individual standing behind the rear bumper of the car to reach into the trunk or other cargo-carrying portion to reach or position one or more cargo items. 
     This problem is particularly apparent when a cargo item is relatively heavy or bulky and an individual needs to bend at an awkward position to reach it and retrieve it. The same can be said for placing such cargo within the cargo-carrying portion. 
     A variety of original equipment manufacturer and after-market devices have been proposed for handling cargo within vehicle trunks or other cargo-carrying portions. Most of these are directed toward maintaining cargo in a secured position or otherwise segregating various items. Prior to this invention, however, no one has adequately addressed the problem of placing cargo within the cargo-carrying portion in a position where access to the cargo is awkward or difficult. Similarly, no one has provided an adequate solution to the difficulties associated with retrieving such cargo. 
     This invention provides an arrangement that makes placing cargo within or retrieving cargo from any position within a cargo-carrying portion easier and more ergonomically appropriate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In general terms, this invention is a device for repositioning one or more items within a cargo-carrying portion of a vehicle. A device designed according to this invention is believed to be particularly useful within a vehicle trunk but also has application in the bed of a pickup truck or the rear portion of a van or sport utility vehicle. 
     In one example, a device designed according to this invention has a first portion that remains stationary in the cargo-carrying portion of the vehicle. A second portion preferably is a panel that is moveable relative to the first portion. The second portion preferably is moveable from a first position where it is aligned with and adjacent to the first portion into a second position where the second portion overlies the first portion. In this manner, the second portion can be brought from a position that is relatively distant from an individual outside of the vehicle to a position where it is relatively close to the individual. 
    
    
     The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle including a cargo positioning device designed according to this invention in a first position. 
     FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a second position. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the same operating position as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective, schematic illustration showing the cargo positioning device in the position also shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 schematically illustrates, in perspective view another example cargo positioning device designed according to this invention. 
     FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a feature of an example device designed according to this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A cargo supporting device  20  is useful within a vehicle  22 . In the examples of FIGS. 1 through 4, the cargo-carrying device  20  is positioned within a vehicle trunk  24  that is closed using a conventional trunk lid  26 . 
     The cargo supporting device  20  includes a moveable panel portion  30  and a stationary portion  32 . In the illustrated example, the stationary portion  32  is a panel that is placed within the trunk of the vehicle. In another example (not illustrated) the stationary portion  32  is integrated into the frame of the vehicle so that it is part of the vehicle trunk  24 . 
     The moveable panel  30  preferably includes a generally planar cargo supporting surface  36  that is capable of supporting one or more cargo items  34 . A restraining feature, which is a raised edge  38  in the illustrated example, preferably is provided along at least one edge of the moveable panel  30 . The raised edge  38  provides a stop that assists in keeping the item  34  on the panel  30  while the vehicle is in transit or while the panel  30  is moving relative to the portion  32 . 
     The illustrated example includes a motorized moving mechanism  40  for moving the panel  30  relative to the stationary portion  32 . A motorized winding mechanism  42  and a set of cables  44  and  46  operate to translate the moveable panel  30  between two positions. The motorized mechanism is shown schematically. Given this description, those skilled in the art will be able to appropriately arrange components to achieve an effective moving mechanism. 
     A first operating position is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 where the moveable panel  30  is aligned with and adjacent to one edge of the stationary portion  32 . In this position, the portions  30  and  32  form a generally continuous cargo supporting surface. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the panel  30  is in a second operating position where the panel  30  is generally parallel with and positioned above the stationary portion  32 . As can be appreciated from the drawings, the stationary portion  32  is more proximate to the portion of the opening of the trunk  24  that is typically assessed by an individual when in the second operating position. In other words, the stationary portion  32  preferably is closest to the rear bumper of the vehicle while the moveable panel  30  is repositionable from a position above the stationary portion  32  (i.e., close to the rear bumper of the vehicle) into a position that is more deeply positioned within the recess of the trunk  24 . 
     By moving the panel between the first and second portions, cargo items  34  are more easily placed deep into the trunk  24  or retrieved from the trunk. The panel  30  effectively translates and lifts the cargo item  34  toward an individual positioned behind the vehicle  22 . 
     The preferred arrangement includes a set of tracks that guide the moveable panel  30  in a direction of movement schematically shown by the arrows  50 . The stationary portion  32  preferably includes at least two tracks  52  and  54  to assist guiding support elements (not shown in FIGS. 1-4) of the moveable panel  30  between the two operating positions. In the illustrated example, the tracks  52  and  54  include recesses formed in the stationary portion  32  so that the support members of the moveable panel  30  ride at least partially within the recesses and appropriately configured tracks positioned below the support surface of the stationary portion  32 . Corresponding tracks  56  and  58  preferably are provided beneath the first location of the moveable panel portion  30  as seen in FIG.  4 . The tracks  56  and  58  in one example are attached directly to the vehicle body structure within the trunk  24 . 
     FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a preferred track arrangement. Two example track portions are shown for an embodiment that would include four tracks (two for front support members and two for rear support members of the moveable panel  30 ). In the example of FIG. 6, the track portions  54  and  56  are joined by a transition portion  59 , which assists in guiding the moveable panel  30  from a lowered position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) to a raised position above the stationary portion  32  (shown in FIGS.  2  and  4 ). Another track having sections  54 ′ and  56 ′ includes a transition portion  59 ′. 
     As can be appreciated from the illustration in FIG. 6, the transition portion  59  preferably is positioned forward of the transition portion  59 ′. The moveable panel  30  preferably includes rearwardly positioned supports  60  and forwardly positioned supports  62 . Because the rearward supports  60  effectively trail behind the second set of support  62  as the panel  30  moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4, there is a different location of the transition portions  59  and  59 ′. The location of each relative to the other preferably is timed to provide stable movement of the panel  32 . Having such an arrangement allows for the cargo supporting surface  36  of the moveable panel  30  to remain level or horizontal throughout the travel between the first and second positions of the panel  30 . By raising the forward and rearward edges of the panel at the same time (i.e., using the track portions  59  and  59 ′) the cargo is maintained more stably on the panel support surface  36 . 
     As indicated above, the panel  30  preferably is moveable using a motorized mechanism  40 . An operator switch  66 , which is illustrated on the interior of the trunk  24  for example, preferably allows an individual to operate the motorized mechanism to adjust the position of the panel  30  as desired. The motorized mechanism  40  preferably moves the panel into either of the positions illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 or any intermediate position as needed by an individual user. 
     In the event that the motorized mechanism is not operating or an individual does not desire to utilize it, one or more assisting straps  68  preferably are provided for manually pulling the panel  30  from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG.  4 . 
     While the preceding description focuses on an arrangement where the cargo supporting device  20  is positioned within a trunk of a passenger vehicle, a cargo supporting device designed according to this invention is not so limited. FIG. 5 illustrates an example where the device  20  is within a bed  70  of a pickup truck vehicle  22 ′. In this instance, the moveable panel  30  is positioned closer to the cab portion of the truck while the stationary portion  32  is within the rear most portion of the bed  70 . 
     Given this description, those skilled in the art will be able to choose from among appropriately sized components to realize tracks and appropriate support members to achieve the positioning and movement of the moveable panel  30  within a vehicle cargo-carrying portion to suit the needs of a particular vehicle. 
     The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.