Patent Publication Number: US-6041987-A

Title: Self adjusting cargo organizer for vehicles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a cargo organizer that can be used to hold and organize the cargo in a vehicle. 
     2. Summary of the Prior Art 
     When carrying cargo, it is generally placed in the trunk or the cargo area of a vehicle. If the trunk space is not full, the cargo will shift in transit, thereby spilling cargo in the trunk. The prior art discloses various devices for organizing or holding the cargo in the trunk of a vehicle, but none provides the ability of convenient use and automatic adjustment of the device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,087 to Spickard (1987) discloses a grocery bag holder that is not adjustable and is cumbersome to assemble and use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,612 to Beaupre (1991) discloses a collapsible stand for stabilizing the grocery bags in transit that uses the ribs in the base plate to prevent it from slipping. The ribs do not provide sufficient support to hold the device and the cargo in place. U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,700 to Stannis discloses an adjustable storage system for a vehicle that requires manual adjustment and is too expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the prior art devices are either heavy, expensive in construction, or lack in aesthetic appeal. In addition to the patents discussed above, the following is the list of the prior U.S. patents known to the applicant: 
     Schoeny, U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,584; Jan. 12, 1988 
     Roberts, U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,244; June, 14 1977 
     Dottor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,348; Oct. 7, 1980 
     Richardson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,990; Jan. 17, 1972 
     November, U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,656; Oct. 3, 1976 
     Bott, U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,367; Dec. 1, 1981 
     Herlitz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,213; Sep. 10, 1985 
     Haydock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,745; Jun. 13, 1989 
     Geeves, U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,733; Dec. 5, 1989 
     Majewski, U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,056; Feb. 19, 1980 
     Cook, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,041; May 24, 1988 
     Malinowski, U.S. Pat. No.5,484,091; Jan. 16, 1996 
     Phirippidis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,999; Nov. 28, 1995 
     Haase, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,358; Apr. 9, 1996 
     Leek, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,242; May 23, 1989 
     Cesena, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,864; Oct. 8, 1991 
     Frazier, U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,972; Jun. 18, 1996 
     Khoury, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,580; Oct. 1, 1990 
     Shea, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,769; Jul. 16, 1991 
     Caruso, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,972; Feb. 28, 1995 
     Kristinsson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,116; Aug. 10, 1993 
     Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,316; May 28, 1996 
     SUMMARY OF THE OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The following are the objects and advantages of the present invention: 
     1. The device provides a mechanism that allows the organizer to automatically adjust and snug fit in the opening available in the trunk of a vehicle. 
     2. The device provides and maintains a constant pressure against the sides of the trunk that makes the device very stable. 
     3. The device can fit in the trunk in longitudinal, transverse, or diagonal directions. 
     4. The device does not require any assembly and is easy to use. 
     5. The device can be easily placed or removed from the trunk or the cargo holding area of a vehicle. 
     6. The dividers in the device are adjustable that allow the user to customize the space in the organizer. 
     7. The self-adjusting tray in the device provides additional support to the cargo and prevents the loose items spilling in the trunk. 
     8. The device can be used with or without the tray. 
     9. The modified design of the device can be used in vehicles with small trunk space. 
     10. The device is light, durable, economical in construction, and aesthetically pleasing. 
     Additional objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing drawings and their description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device and the trunk of a vehicle. The device has been shown positioned in the trunk. 
     FIG. 2A and 2B show a perspective view of the device and the exploded detail of the area where the outer support tube intersects with the vertical bend in the outer tube. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B show the perspective views of the outer and inner tubular members with springs mounted in the outer tube. 
     FIGS. 4A to 4C show the perspective views of the divider-plate with the exploded detail and a section view. 
     FIGS. 5A to 5C show the perspective views of another embodiment of the invention that consists of two tubular members and divider-plates. 
     FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention that consists of four tubular members, and divider-plates. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B show the perspective view of the outer and inner tubular members with the springs mounted in the outer tube. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B show the perspective views of the self-adjusting tray with and without the tubular frame. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B show the perspective views of the two parts of the tray. 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B show the perspective views of the wire-divider with the exploded detail. 
     
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Reference Numerals in the Drawing                                         
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       10 outer tube                                                      
  12 inner tube                                                           
  14 vertical bend                                                        
  16 horizontal bend                                                      
  18 spring                                                               
  20 outer supporting tube                                                
  22 inner supporting tube                                                
  24 hole in the tubes                                                    
  26 rubber sleeve                                                        
  28 notch in the outer tube                                              
  30 notch in the outer supporting tube                                   
  32 screw                                                                
  34 nut                                                                  
  36 divider-plate                                                        
  38 holes for the tube                                                   
  40 holes for ties                                                       
  42 knob                                                                 
  44 pocket for holding the plate                                         
  46 threaded hole                                                        
  48 taper                                                                
  50 outer tube                                                           
  52 inner tube                                                           
  54 outer supporting tube                                                
  56 inner supporting tube                                                
  58 outer tray                                                           
  60 inner tray                                                           
  62 pocket                                                               
  64 circular slot                                                        
  66 round extrusion                                                      
  68 spring                                                               
  70 positioning guide                                                    
  72 round groove                                                         
  74 wire-divider                                                         
  76 direction of vertical downward force                                 
  78 direction of vertical upward force                                   
  80 loop                                                                 
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     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Description--FIGS. 1-4C 
     The device shown in FIG. 2A is the typical embodiment of the present invention. The organizer consists of two main tubular members, outer tube 10 and inner tube 12. These tubes are bent vertically forming loops 14 (FIG. 2A) on both sides to provide height to the organizer. Each loop comprises two downwardly extending leg portions connected at the bottom of the loop. Also, the tubes are bent horizontally at 16 on both sides to determine the width of the organizer. The diameter of the inner tube 12 is such that it slides telescopically inside the outer tube 10 forming a generally rectangular framework. The outer tube 10 has two springs 18 (FIG. 3A) mounted inside the tube so that it exerts pressure on the inner tube. This pressure forces the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 12 to extend outwards along the length of the tubular members. The device has two supporting tubes; outer supporting tube 20 and the inner supporting tube 22. These tubes are bent horizontally on both sides. The diameter of the inner supporting tube 22 is such that it slides in the outer supporting tube 20. A notch 28 (FIG. 2B) is cut in the outer tube 10 and a similar notch 30 is cut in the outer supporting tube at the point were they intersect. Holes 24 (FIG. 2B) are drilled through the tubes at the intersecting points and screws 32 and nuts 34 holds the tubes in position. Similar notches are cut at other points where the tubes intersect. A rubber sleeve 26 is mounted on the sides of the device to provide better contact between the device and the sides of the trunk. 
     FIG. 4A shows a plate 36 that divides the available space in the organizer. The plates can be moved and positioned anywhere along the straight portion of the tubes. The plate has four holes 38 drilled near each corner. The position and diameter of the holes is such that the plate slides on the tubes 10 and 12. At the top of the plate are two threaded holes 46 (FIG. 4C). The knob 42, that is also threaded, fits in these holes. The bottom end of the knob is tapered so that the side of the taper 48 rests against the outer surface of the tube, exerting pressure on the tube 10 or 12 at an angle. The pockets 44 are provided so that the plate can be gripped. The small holes 40 can be used to connect the rubber ties. 
     Description--FIGS. 5A-5C 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5A. It consists of two tubes 10 and 12. As shown, it is similar to the organizer discussed earlier, except it does not have the support tubes, holes, and notches to mount the supporting tubular members. 
     Description--FIGS. 6-7B 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this device the width of the organizer that engages with the sides of the trunk is smaller than the organizer shown in FIG. 2. The length of the organizer at the back is smaller than the length in the front. These features enable the organizer to fit in smaller trunks. It consists of two tubular members 50 and 52 that are bent horizontally 16 (FIG. 6) and vertically 14 to form an enclosure. The supporting tubes 54, 56 are bent horizontally and mounted as shown in FIG. 6. The outer tube 50 has two springs 18 (FIG. 7A) mounted inside the tube so that it exerts pressure on the inner tube. This pressure forces the outer tube 50 and the inner tube 52 to extend outwards along the length of the tubular members. The divider plates 36, vertical and horizontal bends 14, 16, rubber sleeve 26, the notches 28, 30 (FIG. 2B), and screws and nuts 32, 34 stay the same as described earlier. 
     Description--FIGS. 8A-10B 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8A. It consists of a tubular frame and two trays, the outer tray 58 and the inner tray 60. The inner tray 60 slides inside the outer tray 58 along the length of the tray. The outer tray 58 has a circular slot 64 on the sidewalls and the inner tray has a round extrusion 66. The diameter of the round extrusion 66 is such that it slides inside and along the slot 64. Springs 68 are mounted inside the slot on both sides. These springs exert outward pressure on the trays so that they rest against the tubular members. The pockets 62 are cut to allow easy handling of the trays. The space in the organizer is adjusted with the wire-dividers 74 that slide along the tubes and can be positioned anywhere in the tray. The positioning guide 70 (FIG. 8B) and the round groove 72 cut in it aligns the trays with the tube. The wire divider 74 loops around the tubes (FIG. 10B) and is bent as shown in FIG. 10A. The tension in the spring and the frictional force between the wire at the loops and the tube provides the grip that prevents the divider from moving sideways. To loosen the grip, force is applied inwards 76, 78 in the direction of arrows, between the top and bottom wire. This force tends to unwind the loop 80, therefore loosening the grip. 
     From the foregoing description it will be seen that the invention is one that is well adapted to attain all the ends and objectives hereinbefore set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent in the structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the appended claims. In as many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     Operation 
     To place the organizer in the cargo space, like the trunk of a car, hold the device by the sides where the rubber sleeves 26 have been mounted and then press the two sliding members 10 and 12 inside along the direction of the tubes. This shortens the length of the organizer. Now, place the organizer in the trunk and release it slowly till the rubber sleeves 26 touch the sides of the trunk enclosure (FIG. 1). To adjust the partitions, loosen the knobs 42 by turning them counter-clockwise and then move the plates 36 sideways. Turn the knob 42 in clockwise direction to lock the plates 36 in position. To remove the organizer from the trunk, hold the organizer by its sides and press it inwards in order to shorten the length of the organizer and then remove it from the trunk enclosure. 
     If the organizer is used with the trays 58 and 60, the organizer is placed or removed from the trunk as discussed in the previous section. However, to adjust the partitions, hold the top and bottom of the wire divider 74 with the hand and apply force vertically 76, 78 by gripping the wires. The force unwinds the loops 80 and loosens the grip between the wire loops and the tube. Move the wire divider 74 sideways and release it. The tension in the wire loop automatically locks the divider in position. 
     Conclusion 
     From the description, it is evident that the invention provides a self-adjusting, economical, convenient, stable, and aesthetically pleasing cargo organizer for a vehicle of any size. Furthermore, the organizer has additional advantages in that 
     the organizer automatically expands to fit in the cargo enclosure. If the organizer includes the trays, they will automatically adjust and stay snug fit in the tubular frame. Also, the tray can be used with or without the tubular frame. 
     the organizer is stable because the pressuring mechanism provides sufficient force against the walls of the enclosure that prevents it from sliding or becoming loose even when the vehicle starts, stops, or makes a turn. 
     the plate or wire dividers can be adjusted to customize the space in the organizer.