Abstract:
An article containment system is provided for restricting the movement of articles positioned on a support surface of a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of panels configured to be attached to the support surface such that each of the panels is movable from a stowed position to an up position in which the panel is substantially perpendicular to the support surface; a first position maintaining element configured to hold a first panel in the up position and configured to allow the first panel to move to the stowed position; and a second position maintaining element configured to hold a second panel in the up position and configured to allow the second panel to move to the stowed position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling the location of articles in a vehicle, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for mounting on the back of the seat back of a folding seat in a vehicle. 
         [0002]    An example of an application for the invention is a collapsible set of partitions that are mounted to the back of the seat back of a folding seat in a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and other vehicles have seats that fold down flat to create storage space for articles. For example, the rear seats in a crew cab pickup truck often fold down to create a flat surface on which articles can be placed. Especially in full size pickup trucks, this flat surface can be very large. Often articles that are much smaller than the flat surface are placed on the flat surface for transport. These small articles can move significantly during transport due to the lack of constraint imposed on the articles. For example, grocery bags containing groceries can shift and/or tip over during transport, resulting in groceries being strewn about all over the flat surface. This results in the inconvenience of having to put the articles back into the grocery bags after arriving at the destination. In some cases, the articles can be broken or damaged as they move around. Also, in most vehicles there are areas surrounding the flat surface into which the small articles can fall, often resulting in the articles falling onto the ground when the truck doors are opened. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The invention recognizes that it is desirable to provide an apparatus or system to control the movement of articles placed on the surface created by the back of seat backs of folding seats in a pickup truck, sport utility vehicle, or other vehicle. The invention recognizes that it is desirable to provide such a system that can or be removed or fold flat while still mounted to the back of the seat back so that the seat back can be returned to its upright position in order for the seat to be used as a seat. 
         [0005]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to an article containment system for restricting the movement of articles positioned on a support surface of a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of panels configured to be attached to the support surface such that each of the panels is movable from a stowed position in which the panel is either substantially parallel to the support surface or removed from the support surface, and an up position in which the panel is substantially perpendicular to the support surface; a first position maintaining element configured to hold a first panel of the plurality of panels in the up position and configured to allow the first panel to move to the stowed position; and a second position maintaining element configured to hold a second panel of the plurality of panels in the up position and configured to allow the second panel to move to the stowed position. The first position maintaining element is either attached to the first panel or is configured to be attached to the support surface of the vehicle, and the second position maintaining element is either attached to the second panel or is configured to be attached to the support surface of the vehicle. 
         [0006]    Other embodiments of the invention are directed to an article containment system for restricting the movement of articles in a vehicle. The system includes a support surface configured to be attached to the vehicle; a plurality of panels configured to be attached to the support surface such that each of the panels is movable from a stowed position in which the panel is either substantially parallel to the support surface or removed from the support surface, and an up position in which the panel is substantially perpendicular to the support surface; a first position maintaining element configured to hold a first panel of the plurality of panels in the up position and configured to allow the first panel to move to the stowed position; and a second position maintaining element configured to hold a second panel of the plurality of panels in the up position and configured to allow the second panel to move to the stowed position. The first position maintaining element is attached to the support surface of the vehicle, and the second position maintaining element is attached to the support surface of the vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with one panel in the stowed position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with two panels in the stowed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with three panels in the stowed position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with four panels in the stowed position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with four panels in the stowed position and a cover in place; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing a cover storage compartment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  a perspective view of an embodiment having a cover and a trim piece; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of a panel in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of a panel in accordance with an embodiment and a connecting piece; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a panel having a telescoping feature; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a panel having a telescoping feature; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cover; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of a panel in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a partial perspective view of a panel in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a storage device for holding the panels in a stowed position; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an example of an article containment system  10  in accordance with the invention in a deployed, or in-use, position. System  10  includes a first panel  100 , a second panel  200 , a third panel  300 , and a fourth panel  400  mounted to a support surface  1  of a vehicle. Support surface  1  can be, for example, the back of a foldable seat back in a pickup truck, sport utility vehicle, or other vehicle. Other examples of a support surface to which system  10  can be attached is a cargo area in a sport utility vehicle or other vehicle. 
         [0028]    System  10  can be useful in restraining the movement of articles that are much smaller than the support surface. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2-6  show an example of the function of the containment system shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows fourth panel  400  in the stowed position. In this example, fourth panel  400  has a hinge (not shown) that attaches fourth panel  400  to support surface  1 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows third panel  300  in the stowed position overlapping fourth panel  400 . In this example, third panel  300  has a hinge (not shown) that attaches third panel  300  to support surface  1 .  FIG. 4  shows second panel  200  in the stowed position. In this example, second panel  200  has a hinge  220  that attaches second panel  200  to support surface  1 .  FIG. 5  shows first panel  100  in the stowed position. In this example, first panel  100  has a hinge  120  that attaches first panel  100  to support surface  1 . As can be seen from  FIGS. 2-5 , the panels pivot from the deployed position to the stowed position on their respective hinges such that they lay on top of each other. 
         [0031]    In this example, first panel  100  is flush with the upper surface of support surface  1  when it is in the stowed position.  FIG. 6  shows a cover  500  in place beside first panel  100  to fill in the portion of the storage recess that is not covered by first panel  100 .  FIG. 7  shows a cover recess  505  located in the bottom of the storage recess. Cover recess  505  holds cover  500  when the panels are in the deployed position. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a clip  110  that can be used to hold first panel  100  in the deployed position. Other devices and methods can be used to hold the panels in the deployed position. For example, hinge  120  can be a sprung hinge that urges first panel  100  into the deployed position. Each panel can have a similar hinge such that when first panel  100  is deployed, the remaining three panels spring into the deployed position under the force of their hinges. First panel  100  can be held in the stowed position by a friction fit in the storage recess or by some other device or method. The entire system can be recessed in support surface  1  so that cover  500  and first panel  100  are flush with the upper surface of support surface  1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows an example of a cover  500 ′ that covers all of the panels when the panels are in the stowed position. Cover  500 ′ fits into a frame  510  so that cover  500 ′ is flush with frame  510 . The entire system can be recessed in support surface  1  so that cover  500 ′ and frame  510  are flush with the upper surface of support surface  1 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show an example of a coupler system that couples the panels to each other. In this example, one end of a coupler  250  fits in a recess  230  of second panel  200  and the other end of coupler  250  fits into a recess  130  in first panel  100 . Coupler  250  can be held in recess  230  and recess  130  by, for example, a friction fit. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show examples of panels  100 ′ and  100 ″ that have telescoping members that can be deployed to extend the size of the panels. Panel  100 ′ has a telescoping panel  112  that can extend horizontally from panel  100 ′. Panel  100 ″ has a telescoping panel  113  that can extend vertically from panel  100 ″. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 13-17  show an example of an embodiment of the invention in which the panels are not attached to the support surface in the stowed position. In this embodiment, the panels are stored in a panel storage compartment  1400  attached to the body  1500  of the vehicle when the panels are not being used. 
         [0037]      FIG. 14  shows a support surface  2  (in this example, the back of a seat back of the vehicle) having a plurality of recesses  1010 ,  1020 ,  1030 ,  1040 ,  1050 ,  1060 ,  1070 ,  1080 ,  1090 . The recesses hold panels, for example panels  1100 ,  1200 , in the deployed position in order to form barriers to restrain the articles placed in the support surface. The differing sizes and locations of the recesses and having a plurality of panels of different sizes provides a plurality of different possible configurations in order to restrain articles of different sizes.  FIG. 13  shows a cover  1400  that can cover the recesses in support surface  2  when the system is not in use. Cover  1400  can be held in place by, in this example, four cover attachments  1300 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 18  shows an example of an embodiment of the invention in which the panels are attached to the support surface with hinges and each fold down into the stowed position without overlapping each other. Panel  2100  has a hinge  2120 ; panel  2200  has a hinge  2220 ; panel  2300  has a hinge  2320 ; panel  2400  has a hinge  2420 ; panel  2101  has a hinge  2121 ; panel  2201  has a hinge  2221 ; and panel  2401  has a hinge  2421 . Each panel has a recess to enable a user&#39;s finger to pry the panel up from the support surface. For example, recess  2330  is provided for panel  2300 . The hinges can be sprung hinges that urges the panels into the deployed position. The panels can be held in the stowed position by a friction fit in a storage recess or by some other device or method. Alternately, the panels can rest on top of the support surface in the stowed position. 
         [0039]    By providing a plurality of panels, this example provides a system that can form a small restrained area or a larger restrained area. 
         [0040]    The examples shown are shown on a single seat back. The system can be on one seat back or multiple seat backs. For example, a split rear seat in a pickup truck can has a separate system on each seat back. Also, an SUV can have a separate system on each seat back and another system (or systems) located on the horizontal surface of the cargo area behind the rear most seat. The telescoping panel shown in  FIG. 11  can be used to extend over a gap such as the gap between the two seats of a split rear seat set up. 
         [0041]    Although the embodiments shown show four walls being deployed to restrain articles, only one wall or only two walls or only three walls can be deployed to restrain larger articles. A surface of the vehicle, such as a door or other body surface, can be used in conjunction with the panel(s) to restrain the articles. 
         [0042]    It is noted that features of one exemplary embodiment may be combined with other embodiments. A non-exclusive example is that telescoping walls may be used with other embodiments, including any of the shown embodiments. Another non-exclusive example is that one or more of the removable walls shown in  FIGS. 14-17  can be used with other embodiments, including any of the shown embodiments. Another non-exclusive example is that the cover of  FIG. 13  can be used with other embodiments, including any of the shown embodiments. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the invention.