Abstract:
A cargo management device and vehicle including a cargo management device having a base portion having a surface. The device also includes a support portion pivotably mounted to the base portion and being configured to receive cargo. A locking member is pivotably mounted to the support member and in sliding contact with the surface of the base portion. The support member is capable of detachable engagement with a portion of the surface. A bridge portion is associated with the support portion and is capable of being secured at a first position with respect to the support portion. The device is capable of loading and unloading cargo from a cargo compartment by an incline formed by the support portion. A method for unloading cargo is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to cargo management devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to vehicle mounted cargo management devices that reduce back strain during loading and unloading of cargo from the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Loading and unloading of cargo from vehicles, such as from the trunk of an automobile, requires manipulation of, sometimes, heavy cargo. This is particularly true for sales personnel or other professionals that carry samples, displays or other equipment in vehicles typically configured to carry passengers, such as automobiles or sport utility vehicles. The manipulations and awkward lifting positions cause strain of the back of lifting personnel and may result in injury. As shown in  FIG. 1 , unsafe manipulations of personnel  101  are typically needed to extract cargo  103  from cargo compartments  105  of vehicles  107 . In addition, additional time is required to manipulate cargo, particularly if cargo has shifted in the trunk of an automobile. Further, cargo that is repeatedly loaded and unloaded may be damaged by the manipulations required to load and unload the cargo. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a cargo management device that permits easy loading and unloading of cargo, with reduced or eliminated risk of back strain and allows for use in vehicles, such as automobiles or sport-utility vehicles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    One aspect of the present invention includes a cargo management device having a base portion having a surface. The device also includes a support portion pivotably mounted to the base portion and being configured to receive cargo. A locking member is pivotably mounted to the support portion and in sliding contact with the surface of the base portion. The locking member is capable of detachable engagement with a portion of the surface. A bridge portion is associated with the support portion and is capable of being secured at a first position with respect to the support portion. The device is capable of loading and unloading cargo from a cargo compartment by an incline formed by the support portion. 
         [0005]    Another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle capable of carrying cargo. The vehicle includes a cargo compartment and a cargo management device disposed at least partially within the cargo compartment. The device includes a base portion having a surface and a support portion pivotably mounted to the base portion and being configured to receive cargo. The device further includes a locking member pivotably mounted to the support portion and is in sliding contact with the surface. The locking member is capable of detachable engagement with a portion of the surface. A bridge portion is associated with the support portion and is capable of being secured at a first position with respect to the support portion. The device is capable of loading and unloading cargo from the cargo compartment by an incline formed by the support portion. 
         [0006]    Still another aspect of the present invention includes a method of unloading a vehicle having a cargo compartment having cargo disposed therein. The method includes providing a cargo management device having a base portion having a surface and a support portion pivotably mounted to the base portion and being configured to receive cargo. A locking member is pivotably mounted to the support portion and is in sliding contact with the surface. The locking member is capable of detachable engagement with a portion of the surface. A bridge portion is associated with the support portion and is capable of being secured at a first position with respect to the support portion. The support portion is pivoted in a direction away from the base portion. The bridge portion is pivoted into the second position, substantially parallel to the base portion and the locking member is engaged with the portion of the surface. Cargo is transported from the support portion to the bridge portion. 
         [0007]    An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention includes the ability to manage cargo in vehicles having trunks or similar recessed spaces. 
         [0008]    Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the cargo is easily loaded and unloaded from the vehicle&#39;s storage compartment. 
         [0009]    Still another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the device may be operated quickly and easily with little effort or manipulation of the device. 
         [0010]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an elevational cross-section of personnel lifting cargo into or out of a vehicle using a known method. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a cargo manipulation device in a retracted position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a cargo manipulation device in an extended position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a cargo manipulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an elevational side view of a cargo manipulation device in a retracted position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an elevational side view of a cargo manipulation device in an extended position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a vehicle and cargo manipulation system in a retracted position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a vehicle and cargo manipulation system in an extended position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a vehicle and cargo manipulation system in an extended position according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates an elevational cross-section of personnel lifting cargo into or out of a vehicle using an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a cargo manipulation device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position. The device  200  is positioned in a location requiring manipulation of cargo  103  (see  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 ) or other device, such as the trunk of an automobile or sport utility vehicle. The device  200  includes a base portion  201  and support portion  203 . The support portion  203  is pivotably mounted to the base portion  201  by a hinge  205 . The present invention is not limited to a hinge  205  and may include any connection between the base portion  201  and support portion  203  that provides relative pivoting motion. A bridge portion  207  is associated with the support portion  203  and attachable in order to provide unloading of the cargo. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the bridge portion  207  is pivotably mounted to support portion  203  by a hinge  209 . The present invention is not limited to a hinge  209  and may include any connection between the support portion  203  and bridge portion  207  that provides relative pivoting motion. The bridge portion  207  pivots from an extended position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) approximately horizontal and substantially parallel to the base portion  201  to a retracted position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) approximately vertical and substantially perpendicular to the base portion  201 . In other embodiments, bridge portion  207  may be slidably or fixedly engaged/disengaged with support portion  203 , if desired, or if bridge portion  207  is too large to maintained in a retracted position (see  FIG. 2 ). A ramp connector  219  is attached to one end of bridge portion  207 . Ramp connector  219  is an optional structure that may include any structure onto which ramp members  301  may be attached. The ramp connector  219  may include features, devices or other structures suitable for detachable engagement of ramp members  301  or other devices useful for unloading cargo from the device  200 . Although only a single ramp member  301  is shown, any number of ramp members  301  may be utilized, as desired. In one embodiment of the invention, ramp connector  219  may include integral ramp members  301 , which may be stored and within ramp connector  219  and deployed, such as by telescoping mechanical action, from the ramp connector  219  to the desired location for which the cargo  103  is to be loaded. In another embodiment, the ramp members  301  may be omitted, wherein cargo  103  may be removed directly from bridge portion  207 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the base portion  201  further includes a stop  213  to detachably engage a locking member  215 , which is pivotably attached to the support portion  203  at hinge  217 . The present invention is not limited to a hinge  217  and may include any connection between the support portion  203  and locking member  215  that provides relative pivoting motion. Locking member  215  is preferably capable of sliding contact with base portion  201 . Sliding contact is not limited to constant contact, but includes relative motion of at least a portion of the locking member  215  adjacent or in contact with the base portion  201 . The stop  213  is mounted on the base portion  201  at a location arranged and disposed to provide the desired angle for the support portion  203  with respect to the base portion  201 . The desired angle is dependent upon the application, cargo  103  and/or the depth of the storage or cargo compartment  105  or cargo area. In addition, stop  213  may have any geometry and any structure that provides a detachable engagement of the locking member  215 . The stop  213 , when engaged (see e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) reacts to force applied along locking member  215 , as a result of the load applied to the support portion  203  (e.g., from weight of cargo). 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows cargo manipulation device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention in an extended position. The device  200  is positioned in a location requiring manipulation of cargo  103 , such as the trunk or cargo area of an automobile or sport utility vehicle. The device  200  includes a base portion  201 , support portion  203  and locking member  215  substantially as shown and described in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment of the invention, locking member  215  is in engagement with stop  213 . In addition, ramp member  301  has been connected to ramp connector  219  via ramp member joint  303 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein the device  200  is in a partially retracted position. In this embodiment, one end of a spring  403  may be affixed to the bridge portion  207  and the opposite end of the spring  403  may be affixed to the support portion  203  in a manner to provide engagement and positioning of the bridge portion  207  at the desired angles to the support portion. In particular, the spring  403  may be arranged to hold the bridge portion  207  in the retracted position and, upon operation of the device  200 , holds the bridge portion  207  in the extended position. In addition, one or more springs  401  may be attached at one end to the locking portion  215  and at the other end to the base portion  201  to provide positive positioning of the locking portion  215  during extension of the device. Ramp members  301  are optional components that may include a sturdy rectangular, tube, channel or otherwise elongated geometry that connects at the end of the bridge portion  207  opposite the support portion  203  to the ground, or other location onto which the movement of cargo  103  is desired. A ramp removal cord  405  may be included to assist the operator in installing and removing the ramp members  301 . A ramp member joint  303  secures the ramp member  301  to the ramp connector  219 . Also shown in  FIG. 4  is a disengagement cord  407 , which passes through disengagement block  409  and attaches to locking member  215 . Pulling or otherwise placing disengagement cord  407  in tension provides a force urging the locking member  215  out of engagement with stop  213  when retraction of device  200  is desired. The present invention is not limited to a disengagement cord  407  and may include any device that is capable of disengaging the locking member  215  from stop  213 . In addition, disengagement of locking member  215  from stop  213  may be achieved manually by an operator. 
         [0026]    Although  FIGS. 3 and 4  show a single ramp member  301 , a plurality of ramp members  301  may also be used. While not required, latches, loops, handles or other structure may be incorporated into the device  200  for ease of handling. In addition, cargo stop  211  may be affixed to the support portion  203  in order to guide and/or retain cargo  103  in position, particularly during loading and/or transportation of the cargo  103 . Likewise, springs or other force providing devices may be arranged and disposed along and connecting the support portion  203 , bridge portion  207 , locking member  215  and the base portion  201 . In addition, base portion  201  may additionally include risers, blocks, feet, or other support structure to accommodate floor level variations between installation locations. In addition, a protective covering, such as carpeting, fabric, insulation, polymeric material or other protective material, may be applied on one or more of the ramp member  301 , bridge portion  207 , support portion  203 , base portion  201  and/or locking member  215  to prevent damage to the surface of the cargo  103  or the vehicle  107  (see e.g.,  FIG. 7 ) or compartment  105 . Latches, hooks, or other mechanical devices may be incorporated into device  200  to hold the ramp member  301 , bridge portion  207 , support portion  203 , base portion  201  and/or locking member  215  in place when moved or handled. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show side views of the device  200  in a retracted position ( FIG. 5 ) and an extended position ( FIG. 6 ). The base portion  201  is preferably positioned on the floor of a vehicle cargo compartment  105  ( FIG. 7 ) or other support structure. In one embodiment, the base portion  201  is disposed in the trunk of an automobile or other passenger vehicle. In operation, one end of the locking member  215  pivots away from the support portion  203  moves along an adjacent surface, preferably in sliding contact, with base portion  201 , over and/or in contact with stop  213 . Extension may be achieved by manual or other force provided to bridge portion  207  urging the bridge portion  207  to pivot about hinge  209 . The invention is not limited to operating the device  200  by pivoting the bridge portion  207  and may include manually or remotely pivoting the support portion  203  or the locking member  215 . In one embodiment, the pivoting of bridge portion  207  results in the pivoting of support portion  203  and locking member  215 . As shown, the locking member  215  and support portion  203  move and pivot about their respective hinges  217 , 215  until the locking member  215  engages stop  213 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the locking member  215  is retained in engagement against stop  213  by weight of the support portion  203  and any cargo  103  thereon. The locking member  215  remains in the extended position until the locking member  215  is disengaged from the stop  213 . Disengagement may be provided by direct, manual movement of the locking member  215  from the stop  213 . Alternatively, a rope, wire or mechanical linkage may be affixed to the locking member  215  to apply a force to disengage the locking member  215  from stop  213 . In one example, a disengagement cord  407  ( FIG. 4 ) is utilized to disengage the locking member  215  from stop  213 . Once the locking member  215  is disengaged, the locking member  215  slides or otherwise moves along base portion  201  until the support potion  203  is pivoted to a position substantially adjacent to the base portion  201 . Prior to retraction, the ramp portions  301  may be removed or retracted. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a cargo manipulation device  200  according to the present invention installed in a vehicle  107  having a cargo compartment  105 . As shown, device  200  is in the retracted position with cargo  103  resting upon the support portion  203 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows the cargo manipulation device in  FIG. 7  in an extended position according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, ramp members  301  have been installed and attached to bridge portion  207  to permit rolling or sliding of the cargo  103  from the cargo compartment  105  to the ground or other desired location. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows the cargo manipulation device  200  in  FIG. 7  in an extended position according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the cargo  103  may be rolled or slid from the cargo compartment  105  to a location on bridge portion  207 , wherein the cargo  103  may be removed from vehicle  107 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 10  personnel  101  lifting cargo  103  using a cargo manipulation device  200  according to an embodiment of the invention in a manner that reduces or eliminates back strain during the extraction or loading of cargo  103  into cargo compartment  105  of vehicle  107 . As shown, safe lifting techniques may be utilized, wherein cargo  103  may be moved or otherwise transported manually with reduced injury to personnel  101 . In addition, reduced time is required to manipulate cargo  103 , and cargo  103  is substantially prevented from shifting when loaded onto the cargo manipulation device  200 . 
         [0032]    While  FIGS. 7-9  show installation of the device  200  in a passenger vehicle  107 , the device may be installed in any location requiring lifting of cargo  103  or components from a position within a compartment or from a horizontal position to an inclined position. While not so limited, the device  200  may be utilized in cargo compartments  105  of vehicles  107  such as automobiles, sport utility vehicles, water vehicles, aircraft or any other vehicle capable of transporting cargo  103 . In addition, the device  200  may be utilized in stationary locations, such as storage areas of homes or businesses, closets, file shelves or any other location requiring lifting or manipulation of heavy components. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.