Abstract:
A removable storage tray frame ( 20 ) which is insertable into a storage compartment ( 16 ) in the floor ( 14 ) of a vehicle ( 10 ) is provided. The storage tray frame ( 20 ) has at least one door ( 24 ) which is capable of being rotated from a first horizontal position to a second generally vertical position. The door ( 24 ) is capable of being inserted into a pair of slots ( 28 ) formed in the storage tray frame ( 20 ) to act as a divider of the storage compartment ( 16 ).

Description:
This application is a 371 of PCT/US00/18822 filed Jul. 7, 2000 which claims benefit of Provisional No. 60/142,711 filed Jul. 7, 1999. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a flexible cargo storage area is disclosed which increases user customization and flexibility by virtue of its simplicity and aesthetic cleanliness. 
     In one embodiment of the current invention, a removable storage tray which is insertable into a storage compartment in the floor of a vehicle is provided. The storage tray has at least one door which is capable of being rotated from a first horizontal position to a second generally vertical position. The door is capable of being inserted into a pair of slots formed in the storage tray to act as a divider of the storage compartment. 
     In a second embodiment of the current invention, the storage tray has a plurality of dividers which form a number of trays in the removable storage tray assembly. A plurality of lids are provided which serve as dividers of the compartmentalized storage compartment. 
     In a third embodiment of the current invention, hinges are provided which allow for easy rotation of the doors. A pin type hinge is provided which allows for the insertion of the doors into corresponding slots. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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 in which: 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are rear perspective views of a cargo storage system utilized in the cargo area and made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the cargo storage system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are an alternate embodiment of the cargo storage system of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show the insertion of one of the doors of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the hinge mechanism of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cargo area  10  of the present invention is shown to include a removable storage tray frame  20  which can be nested in a recessed portion of the vehicle floor  14  and can act as a cover for access to a storage compartment  16  below the removable tray frame  20  (for example for storing a spare tire). The removable tray frame  20  incorporates support ribs  23  around a peripheral portion  22  to enable the user to partition the storage tray frame  20  in a variety of ways by utilizing one or more lids  24  and  26 . The lids  24  and  26  in the preferred embodiment also act as a cover for the storage tray when horizontally positioned over the tray frame  20 . The tray frame  20  itself can incorporate fixed storage portions or bins, such as a peripheral edge bin  39  to secure emergency use equipment or tools. Further, the lids  24  and  26  themselves which are used as dividers can also incorporate reflective surfaces for use as hazard triangles or warning devices during road side emergencies. Tie down loops and anchorages are also provided within the storage tray and throughout the remainder of the vehicle cargo area to secure ropes, bungee cords, or cargo nets which are used to hold cargo items being transported. 
     The vehicle floor  14  of the cargo area  10  defines a storage compartment  16  having a bottom  17 . The storage compartment  16  further defines a storage compartment ledge  18  for receivably accepting a storage compartment lip  21 . Defined within the peripheral portion  22  are a plurality of receiving slots  28  for receiving the first and second lids  24  and  26 . Each lid has a mechanism which allows the operator to gain easy access to the storage area  16 . Optionally, each lid  24  and  26  has a cut out  29  which enable a operator to lift and rotate the lids. These lids function to section off the storage compartment  16  into definable areas to reduce the amount of movement of items placed within the storage compartment  16 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the storage compartment  16  of the current invention. Shown is the relationship of the removable tray frame  20 , removable tray lip  21  and the storage compartments ledge  18 . As is shown, the storage compartment  16  is recessed into the vehicle floor  14  and the removable tray frame  20  is positioned so that it is flush with the optional carpet  30  covering the cargo area  10 . Further shown is the receiving slot  28  for receivably engaging the engagement surfaces  27  of the lids  24  and  26 . The lids  24  and  26  can optionally have a layer of carpet  30 . It is envisioned that the lids  24  and  26  have a thickness which will not allow rattling due to road vibration when the lids are placed within the slots  28 . 
     FIGS. 4 through 7 show the use of one embodiment of the current invention. As is shown, the lids  24  and  26  have handles  32  and  33  which function to latch close the removable storage tray frame  20 . As is shown in FIG. 5, the lid  24  is rotatable about a pivot point  35  to allow for access to a portion of the removable tray frame  20 . When the lid is removed from its horizontal position, the lid is slidable into one of a plurality of receiving slots  28 . As is best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the lids  24  and  26  are capable of being slid and frictionally engage the slots  28  at the engagement surface  27 . In their fully stored position, the lids  24  and  26  can optionally engage the bottom  17  of the storage compartment  16 . These lids function to provide dividers in the now open storage compartment. 
     As is best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, each lid  24  and  26  preferably has a disengagable hinge mechanism  36  at its pivot point  35 . The hinge mechanism  36  is formed by a pin  38  and a pin receiving portion  37  disposed on the removable storage compartment lids  24  and  26 . 
     To open the lid  24 , the handle  32  is used to unlatch the lid from a latch mechanism  34 . The lid  24  is rotated about the hinge point  35  on the pin  38  until the pin receiving portion  37  can be disengaged. Upon disengagement, the door can be slid along a surface  38  of the peripheral portion  22  and slid into the receiving slot  28 . The engagement portions  27  engage the surfaces of the engagement slot  28  and allow the lid to be dropped in. Other types of hinge assemblies which allow for the detachable rotation of the lids  24  and  26  are envisioned. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes may be made if not thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.