Patent Publication Number: US-2002011505-A1

Title: Cargo retention system

Description:
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/358,267, filed Jul. 21, 1999, entitled “Cargo Retention System”, which is hereby incorporated by reference therein. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention generally relates to a system for retaining cargo within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a cargo retention system employing the lower anchorages provided for securing a child safety seat.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Safety considerations, and in some geographical areas, legislation, require that small children traveling in a vehicle be restrained by equipment specifically designed for this purpose. It shall be noted, however, that existing restraint systems are generally designed for improving the safety of adults traveling in the vehicle and are generally not suitable for occupants below a certain height or weight. Accordingly, the most commonly used apparatus for restraining small children in motor vehicles is a child safety seat. Today, the child safety seat is generally secured to the vehicle by way of the seat belts within the adult restraint system.  
       [0004] The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation has issued a final rule establishing a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard under 49 C.F.R. §571 and §596, requiring motor vehicle manufacturers to provide motorists with a new way of installing child restraints. In the future, vehicles will be equipped with child restraint anchorage systems that are standardized and independent of the vehicle seat belts.  
       [0005] The new independent system will have two lower anchorages and one upper anchorage. Each lower anchorage will include a rigid, round rod or bar unto which a hook or a jaw-like buckle connector may be coupled. The bars will be located at the intersection of the vehicle seat bottom and seat back. The new independent anchorage system will be required to be installed at two rear seating positions. In addition, a tether anchorage will be required at a third position. This final rule also amends the child restraint standards. The new standards require the child restraints to be equipped with means for attaching to the new independent anchorage system.  
       [0006] The New Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard further defines the geometry of the lower anchorage as including a six millimeter diameter bar having length not less than 25 millimeters but not more than 44 millimeters. In addition, the spacing between the lower anchorages, measured as the distance from the center of the length of one bar to the center of the length of the other bar, must be equal to 280 millimeters. Each of these lower anchorages must be rigidly attached to the vehicle such that they will not deform more than five millimeters when subjected to a 100 Newton force in any direction.  
       [0007] With the advent of the standardized anchorage system previously described, an excellent opportunity is presented to use the anchorage system for cargo as well. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cargo retention system for securing cargo within the passenger compartment of a vehicle during operation.  
       [0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrification system in cooperation with the cargo attachment system.  
       [0009] The present invention is intended to provide an attachment system for various cargo and cargo retention devices incorporating the lower anchorages previously described. Because the lower anchorages are specifically designed to restrain a child and a child&#39;s safety seat in a collision, the lower anchorages are excellent locations for securing cargo within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] A cargo retention system for a vehicle having a seat is described. The seat has a seat bottom with an upper surface and a seat back with a front surface. The intersection of the upper surface and the front surface defines a bight. The cargo retention system includes a first anchorage adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. A portion of the first anchorage is adapted to be positioned in the bight. A retainer releasably interconnects a vehicle accessory and the first anchorage. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011] The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following specification and by reference to the drawings which include:  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly depicting a portion of the cargo retention system of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary lower anchorage device;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cargo retention system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a latch system constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a side view of a front anchorage constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a latch system constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a latch system constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of second embodiment of the cargo retention system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the cargo  5  retention system;  
     [0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the cargo retention system of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the cargo retention system of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an electrification system constructed in accordance with the present invention; and  
     [0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a passenger side support arrangement in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0025] The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is no way intended to limit the invention, or its application, or uses.  
     [0026] With reference to the drawings, a cargo retention system is generally identified at reference numeral  10  constructed in accordance with the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention. A vehicle  12  is shown having a seat  14  intended to provide one or more seating positions for occupants of the vehicle  12 . In the preferred embodiment, a portion of the cargo retention system  10  is shown as being fixed to the vehicle floor. One skilled in the art will appreciate that it is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate the cargo retention system  10  as part of a vehicle seat or vehicle seat frame located at any one of the seating positions within the vehicle. In addition, any type of vehicle including, but not limited to, planes, trains and automobiles incorporating a child safety seat restraint system may also incorporate the cargo retention system  10  of the present invention.  
     [0027] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the seat  14  includes a generally horizontal seat bottom  16  and a seat back  18  extending generally upwardly at the rear of the seat bottom  16 . The intersection of the seat bottom  16  and the seat back  18  is generally referred to as a bight or bight line  20 . The cargo retention system  10  includes a plurality of lower anchorages  22  positioned within or projecting from the bight line  20  as shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the lower anchorage  22  includes a straight, horizontal and transversely extending striker portion  24 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the existing legislation regarding uniform child restraint anchorages defines the geometry of the striker portion  24  alone and not the complete lower anchorage  22 . Accordingly, the lower anchorage  22  shown in the drawings is merely exemplary and other designs may be suitable for use in conjunction with the cargo retention system  10  of the present invention.  
     [0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower anchorage  22  further includes a pair of downwardly extending and axially spaced apart legs  26 . Each of the legs  26  includes a longitudinally extending portion  28 , an arcuate portion  30  and a vertical portion  32  terminating at a base plate  34 . As mentioned earlier, the base plate  34  is merely an exemplary structure coupled to a floor pan  36  of the vehicle  12 . Accordingly, the striker portion  24  may be coupled to the seat  14  via a mounting bracket or seat frame not shown.  
     [0030] Referring to FIG. 3, a cargo box  38  is shown in an operable position coupled to the vehicle  12  via the cargo retention system  10  of the present invention. In general, the cargo box  38  may be any number of shapes and sizes and may include solid or mesh sides. In addition, inside dividers  37  may be added to further assist the vehicle operator in organizing cargo. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the cargo box  38  may also include a pivotable top or a removable lid (not shown) for enclosing at least a portion of the cargo box  38 . In the preferred embodiment, the striker portions  24  are approximately six millimeters in diameter and at least 25 millimeters long. Each pair of lower anchorages  22  are preferably spaced apart 280 millimeters as measured from the center of each striker portion  24 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the geometry of the downwardly extending legs  26  may vary based on the geometry of the specific vehicle equipped with the lower anchorages  22  without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
     [0031] The cargo box  38  includes two longitudinally extending latches  40  spaced apart a predetermined distance  42 . Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the latches  40  includes a generally planar body  44  having a first end  46  coupled to the cargo box  38 . In addition, each of the latches  40  includes a hook  48  positioned at a second end  50 . The hook  48  includes an inner surface  49  adapted to engage the striker portion  24  of the lower anchorage  22 . A spring clasp  51  is included as an optional feature for further retaining the striker portion  24 . The spring clasp  51  is normally biased to contact the inner surface  49  thereby requiring an externally applied force to the clasp  51  if decoupling is desired.  
     [0032] The preferred embodiment of the present invention shows the striker portion  24  and a portion of the longitudinally extending portions  28  extending forwardly beyond the bight line  20 . However, it may be beneficial to provide a lower anchorage  22  having shortened longitudinally extending portions  28  such that the striker portion  24  is positioned within the bight line  20  in contact with the seat bottom  16  and the seat back  18 . Positioning the striker portion  24  within the bight line  20  offers improved comfort when an adult occupant is seated in the seating position incorporating the cargo retention system  10  of the present invention. If the striker portion  24  is positioned within the bight  20 , the seat back  18  may be marked to indicate the location of each of the lower anchorages  22  in order to assist the user.  
     [0033] One variation of the present invention includes sizing the body  44  of the latches  40  to preload the cargo box  38  against the seat  14 . Specifically, when the cargo box  38  is in the operable position as shown in FIG. 3, an outside wall  52  of the cargo box  38  contacts a front surface  54  of the seat back  18  prior to engagement of the hook  48  with the striker portion  24 . Accordingly, the cargo box  38  is biasedly loaded against both the seat bottom  16  and the seat back  18 .  
     [0034] An additional, extendable retention system  56  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. The extendable retention system  56  includes a flexible strap  58  having a first end coupled to the lower anchorage  22 . An opposite distal end of the flexible strap  58  includes a hook  60  configured to engage a lower edge  62  of the seat bottom  16 . After engaging the latches  40  with the lower anchorages  22 , the flexible strap  58  may be adjusted to impart a load on the seat bottom  16  thereby retaining the cargo box  38  as desired. An alternate embodiment of the extendable retention system  56  includes attaching the cargo box  38  to the lower anchorages  22  via the latches  40  as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the first end of the flexible strap  58  is coupled to the cargo box  38  while the distal end having the hook  60  engages the lower edge  62  of the seat bottom  16 .  
     [0035] Referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of a latch  64  may be used to detachably interconnect a variety of storage devices or cargo retention systems to the lower anchorages  22 . The latch  64  includes a generally rectangular body  66  having a width  67  terminating at a jaw-like bifurcated end  68 . The bifurcated end  68  includes a bull nose  70  and ajaw  72  spaced apart a predetermined distance  74  defining a slot  75 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the width  67  and the predetermined distance  74  are sized to closely cooperate with the striker portion  24  of the lower anchorage  22 . Specially, the width  67  may be maximized to provide an engagement length of approximately  25  millimeters to resist a torsional moment in the direction of arrow  76 . The predetermined distance  74  may be minimized while allowing slidable engagement with the striker portion  24  of the lower anchorage  22  in an attempt to further limit rotation in the direction of the arrow  76 . Furthermore, the predetermined distance  74  may be reduced such that a mild interference fit is present upon inserting the latch  64  over the striker portion  24 . Accordingly, the ends  70  and  72  will further space apart upon insertion of the striker portion  24  into the slot  75 .  
     [0036] Based on the aforementioned geometry of latch  64 , it will be appreciated that the latch  64  may be utilized with or without a retractable pin or clip  78 . Notwithstanding the fact that the latch  64  will function properly without additional hardware, many manufacturers may wish to include the retractable pin or clip  78  to further resist withdrawal of the latch  64  from the lower anchorage  22  during vehicle operation.  
     [0037] Referring to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of the latch system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is depicted at reference numeral  80 . The latch system  80  includes a generally “C” shaped body  82  having a first wall  84  and a second wall  86  interconnected by an end wall  88 . The latch system  80  further includes a slidable pin  90  operable in a deployed position and a retracted position. The latch system  80  also includes a spring means (not shown) for biasing the slidable pin  90  into the deployed position thereby interconnecting the first wall  84  with the second wall  86 . The third embodiment of the latch system  80  also includes a button  92  interconnected to the slidable pin  90  whereupon axial movement of the button  92  forces the slidable pin  90  from its normally deployed position to the retracted position. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the latch embodiments previously described are merely exemplary and that a variety of clips and retainers may be utilized to interconnect the cargo retention system  10  to the lower anchorage  22 .  
     [0038] In FIG. 8, a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted at reference numeral  93 . In this embodiment it is shown that the cargo retention system  10  may be utilized to secure cargo behind the vehicle seat  14 . Specifically, a tie-down strap  94 , having two hooks  96  interconnected by an elastic center section  98 , may be utilized to secure cargo located, behind the vehicle seat  14 . As shown in the figure, the tie-down strap  94  may be interconnected to the lower anchorage  22  at any convenient location including the vertical portion  32  or the transversely disposed striker portion  24 .  
     [0039] Referring to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the cargo retention system is identified at  99 . The system  99  provides an opportunity for securing cargo behind the passenger seat  14 . For example, a beverage cooler  100  is shown resting on the floor pan  36  behind the vehicle seat  14 . The beverage cooler  100  includes at least one latch  101  interconnected to at least one lower anchorage  22 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the latch embodiments previously described may be implemented to prevent the beverage cooler  100  from translating along the floor pan  36  while operating the vehicle  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the latch  101  extends into the bight  20  to engage the striker portion  24 .  
     [0040] With specific reference to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the cargo retention system  102  includes a cargo net  106  for securing loose items inside of the vehicle  12 . The system  102  includes a plurality of attachment mechanisms  104  releasably interconnecting the cargo net  106  and the lower anchorages  22 . The cargo net  106  is preferably constructed from an elastic material capable of conforming to a variety of exterior configurations. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the attachment mechanisms  104  may include rigid body latches as shown or flexible straps as earlier described.  
     [0041] A fifth embodiment of the cargo retention system  108  is shown at FIG. 11 to include a play table  110  operatively associated with the seat  14  to provide a substantially level playing surface  112  for a child or other occupant. The play table  110  includes a pair of longitudinally extending attachment mechanisms  114  releasably coupled to the striker portion  24  of the lower anchorages  22 . As mentioned earlier, it is within the scope of the present invention for the attachment mechanisms  114  to include spring clips, hooks, and other devices capable of releasably grasping the striker portion  24  of the lower anchorage  22 .  
     [0042] Referring to FIG. 12, an electrification system  116  may be incorporated for use with the cargo retention system  10 . In general, the electrification system  116  functions by providing remote access to vehicle power through points adjacent to or located at the lower anchorages  22 . In the embodiment depicted at FIG. 12, a male power connector  118  extends from the body of a latch previously described. A female power connector  120  is located adjacent the striker portion  24  to facilitate the supply of power to an electrical appliance such as a radio, a child&#39;s toy, a television or other entertainment device. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the interconnection of the male power connector  118  with the female power connector  120  is simply and efficiently accomplished at the same time that the latch engages the striker portion  24  of the lower anchorage  22 .  
     [0043] Another embodiment of the electrification system  116  includes supplying positive potential electrical energy to one of the lower anchorages  1522  within the cargo retention system  10 . A separate lower anchorage  22  is electrically connected to ground. Accordingly, once a device such as an electronic child safety seat (not shown) is coupled to the electrified lower anchorages, the circuit will be complete without requiring any additional cords or connections.  
     [0044] A passenger side support arrangement  122  is illustrated at FIG. 13 including a compressible pillow  124  releasably coupled to the lower anchorages  22  via an attachment mechanism  126 . The attachment mechanism  126  includes a plurality of elastic bands  130  each having one end fixed to the pillow  124  and an opposite end terminating at a hook  128 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the pillow  124  may be located in a variety of positions and the center location shown is merely exemplary.  
     [0045] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.