Patent Document

FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable load floor that serves as a lid for a vehicle cargo container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Motor vehicles may include cargo bins in the floor for stowing various articles. These cargo bins, however, are not without their share of limitations. One limitation of a current cargo bin is that the cargo bin lid may not serve as an actual load-supporting floor of the interior of the vehicle. Another limitation is that such cargo bins are not removable from the vehicle. Another limitation of current cargo bins is that such lids are not level and do not facilitate the retention of water, mud, etc. on a moisture-proof bin surface. Still yet, another limitation is that current cargo lid surfaces may not align with the surface of an adjacent seat back when the seat back is in its folded forward position for cargo stowage. Continuing, another limitation is that current cargo bin lids are not easily reversible, that is, having a level, moisture retaining surface on one side, and a carpeted, inclined surface on the opposite lid surface. 
     What is needed then is a device that does not suffer from the above limitations. This, in turn, will provide a reversible cargo bin lid that also functions as a vehicle interior cargo load floor having one side that is a level moisture-retaining side and another side that is inclined to match and continue the inclined surface of an adjacent, folded forward, seat back. 
     SUMMARY 
     A reversible lid of a cargo bin also functions as a cargo load floor in the rear of a vehicle. The cargo load floor may be located behind a rear passenger seat, such as a second or third row rear passenger seat, and above a spare tire that is mounted under the vehicle, for example. When the load floor or lid is in its closed position, a first flat loading surface is parallel to the ground upon which the vehicle rests. When the load floor is reversed and the opposite side of the lid, or second flat loading surface is ready for use, the second flat loading surface is inclined with respect to the ground upon which the vehicle rests. This angled second surface forms an approximately 180 degree angle with the rear surface of a folded forward rear passenger seat to create a continuous, flat loading surface to slide cargo onto the rear surface of the rear seat. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a vehicle depicting a location of an adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective rear view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the adjustable cargo load floor and underlying spare tire according to the present teachings; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the adjustable cargo load floor according to the present teachings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  10  with an open tailgate or liftgate  12  reveals a rear cargo area  14  located behind a rear passenger seat  16 , which has a rearward facing surface  18  as part of a seat back  20 . Between the seat back  20  in its upright position and the rear bumper  22 , a cargo load floor  24  resides over and is a covering for an internal cargo volume  26  located under the cargo load floor  24 . To reveal and grant access to the internal cargo volume  26 , also known as the cargo load area  26 , the cargo load floor  24  is lifted along the lifting side  28  using a handle  30  such that it may pivot along a pivoting side  32 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the cargo load floor  24  is depicted over a cargo container  34  and together, the cargo load floor  24  and cargo container  34  forms a cargo bin  36 . The cargo load floor  24  may pivot within a left bracket  38  and a right bracket  40  located at the sides of the cargo container  34  such that the cargo load floor  24  can be secured in an open position without a user holding onto the cargo load floor  24 . Although throughout the description of the invention, the cargo load floor  24  is referred to as a “floor” because it supports cargo items, it may also be referred to as a “lid” and “covering” because it is a “lid” or “cover” for the cargo container  34 . Continuing with  FIG. 2 , when the cargo load floor  24  is in its down or closed position as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the cargo load floor  24  lies adjacent to, or contacts, a rear sill  42 , which spans the rear interior area of the vehicle  10  and surrounds a rear latch  44  to which a corresponding portion of the liftgate  12  secures. The cargo load floor  24  may have an outer handle  46  molded into its rear edge. The cargo load floor  24  is equipped with an outer handle  46  that functions in two positions of the cargo load floor  24  because the cargo load floor  24  is adjustable, that is, both large flat sides each have a purpose, which will be explained. 
     The cargo load floor  24  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is a generally flat, large load surface  50 , despite and relative to the various grooves and recessions in the surface  50 . The surface  50  is not inclined relative to level ground  78  upon which the vehicle  10  may rest, thus cargo, be it cardboard boxes, bags of groceries, sports equipment, suitcases, etc. will not slide or shift in transit, as it otherwise would if such cargo were on an inclined surface. Stated another way, the surface  50  is parallel to the ground  78 . Continuing with  FIG. 2 , the flat load surface  50  has various grooves  52  or recessions to capture any water or other liquids, mud, particles of dirt, dust, etc. that may result from items transported on the cargo load floor  24 . Despite the grooves  52 , the flat load surface  50  is level and may support various types of cargo. While the grooves  52  may naturally capture liquids and debris as such falls from wet and muddy sporting equipment, for example, such grooves  52  may be utilized deliberately by a person who may push or direct such water or muddy debris directly into the grooves  52  to clear the surface  50 . The cargo load floor  24  also has a peripheral groove  54  that may act as another receptacle for liquids and debris that falls from cargo transported on the cargo load floor  24 ,. Alternatively, the peripheral groove  54  or other grooves  52  may be deliberately used as a receptacle to store small or thin personal cargo items during transport. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , the cargo load floor  24  has a peripheral protruding portion  56  or raised boss, also known as a “racetrack.” The peripheral protruding portion  56  is a raised structure that acts as an outer securing boundary of the flat load surface  50 . The peripheral protruding portion  56  acts as a retainer for items placed on the flat load surface  50 . As an example, if a cardboard box were on the flat load surface  50  within the confines of the peripheral protruding portion  56 , the box would not slide beyond an inner wall surface of the peripheral protruding portion  56 , even if the vehicle  10  were moving up or down an incline. 
     The cargo load surface  24  employs the grooves  52 , peripheral groove  54 , the peripheral protruding portion  56 , and the outer handle  46  within a single part. That is, the cargo load surface  24  may be manufactured as a single, plastic blow-molded part, such as from polypropylene. By making the cargo load surface  24  from a blow-molding process, the cargo load surface  24  remains lightweight so that it may be lifted with one hand by a user to gain access to the cargo volume  26 . Additionally, the cargo load surface  24  may be made quickly and relatively inexpensively, as opposed to a multiple piece cargo floor, which may be heavy or have part interfaces that may permit water or mud to become trapped, possibly causing mold, mildew, etc. and become unsightly. Another advantage of a one piece cargo load surface  24  manufactured as a blow-molded plastic part is that it may be easily removed from the vehicle to wash and clean, such as outside with a garden hose or inside in a large sink. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 3 , the cargo load surface  24  is depicted behind a fold-down rear passenger seat  16 . While the rearward facing surface  18  of the rear passenger seat  16  is at an angle to the ground and the cargo load floor  24  when the seat  16  is folded forward, the flat load surface  50  of the cargo load floor  24  is parallel to the ground, or level assuming the vehicle  10  is resting on level ground.  FIG. 3  also depicts the cargo container  34  with internal cargo volume  26 . More specifically,  FIG. 3  generally depicts how the cargo load floor  24  pivots at a rear bracket  38  of the cargo container  34  and how the cargo container  34  is situated relative to the general floor  58  inside the vehicle  10 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cargo container  34  is slightly recessed within the rear floor  58  of the vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a position of the cargo load floor  24  relative to the seat back  20  of the rear passenger seat  16 , and more specifically, the peripheral protruding portion  56  of the cargo load floor  24  relative to the rearward facing surface  18  of the seat  16 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective rear view of the adjustable cargo load floor  24  in an upright position. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the cargo load floor  24  of the cargo bin  36  exhibits grooves  52 , peripheral groove  54 , peripheral protruding portion  56 , and outer handle  46 . Additionally, a locking tab  60  is located at each corner of the cargo load floor  24  opposite to the left bracket  38  and right bracket  40 . Such locking tabs  60  lock or secure within a hole  62  in a left front bracket  64  and a right front bracket  66  of the cargo load floor  24 . Although the locking tabs  60  lodge within the holes  62  of the brackets  64 ,  66  to secure the cargo load floor  24  from opening during normal vehicle movement, such as when the vehicle  10  is being driven, the tabs  60  may be easily dislodged by a user who lifts the cargo load floor  24  with one hand in order to secure the cargo load floor  24  in its raised position. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 5 , the cargo container  34  of the cargo bin  36  exhibits a front edge  68  that has two levels. The upper edge  70  and lower edge  72  are at such different heights or levels so that a user may place his or her hand within a cavity formed by the lower edge  72  of the cargo container  34  and the front edge  74  of the cargo load floor  24 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 6 , the cargo bin  36  is depicted in an open configuration to reveal the internal cargo volume  26 . The internal cargo volume  26  may be used to store a variety of items wile in transit, such as groceries, sports equipment, tools, safety equipment, etc. Because the cargo container  34  may be manufactured from an injection molded polypropylene, it may also be easily cleaned with water, either while the cargo container  34  is installed within the floor  58  of the rear cargo area  14  or when it is removed from the vehicle  10 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the cargo load floor  24  is depicted in the reverse position from that depicted in  FIG. 6 . That is, the cargo load floor  24  is affixed to the left bracket  38  and right bracket  40  using the locking tabs  60  such that the cargo load floor  24  is in its reversed or flipped position such that the grooves  52  are facing downward, or into he interior cargo volume  26  and with the flat surface  76  facing the rear cargo volume  14 . In  FIG. 7 , the cargo load floor  24  and the rear passenger seat  16  are depicted in upright positions. When in upright positions, full access is available to the interior cargo volume  26  of the cargo container  34 .  FIG. 8 , being a side view, depicts a spatial relationship between the cargo load floor  24  and rear passenger seat  16 ; that is, there is minimal space between the left and right brackets  38 ,  40  and the rear passenger seat  16 . The side view of  FIG. 8  also depicts a relationship between the cargo bin  36  and a spare tire  80 . Of course, the vehicle  10  does not have to be equipped with a spare tire  80  mounted under the rear cargo volume  14 , such a spare tire may be stored in other area of the vehicle  10 . However, the vehicle  10  may be equipped with the cargo bin  36  as depicted and a spare tire  80  as depicted to fully take advantage of stowage options onboard the vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view depicting the cargo load floor  24  in its downward position, or that position that covers the cargo volume  26  under the cargo load floor  24  and within the cargo container  34 .  FIG. 9  also depicts another advantage of the cargo load floor  24 . As depicted, the flat surface  76  of the cargo load floor  24  continues the plane or surface from the rearward facing surface  18  of the rear passenger seat  16 . Together, the rearward facing surface  18  of the rear passenger seat  16  and the flat surface  76  of the cargo load floor  24  form an angle of 180 degrees, but variations of plus or minus five degrees may be expected. The advantage of such a relationship of surface  18 ,  76  is that a box or other cargo may be pushed into the rear of the vehicle  10  without being hindered by a load floor that is mismatched in height with an edge of the folded forward sat back surface. 
     The peripheral protruding portion  56  forms a tight or snug fit with the interior walls of the cargo container  34  when the flat, inclined surface  76  of the cargo container forms an angle that is 180 degrees or approximately 180 degrees with the rear surface of the rear passenger seat. Regardless of which surface of the cargo load floor  24  faces upwardly, or away from the cargo container volume  26 , the cargo container  34  resides partially within the interior floor of the vehicle to secure the entire cargo bin  36  during motion of the vehicle  10 . 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: b