AU2004200426A1 - Retaining device - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 Revised 5/99 AUSTRALIA- Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Garry John Jarvis Actual Inventors: Garry John Jarvis Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, of Level 3, 303 Coronation Drive, Milton, Queensland, 4064, Australia.

Invention Title: "Retaining Device" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2003900514 filed 6 February 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Q \Opcr\PMT2004\fcb 2004\12178922 jarvis cap 37.doc 6/2/04 -1-

TITLE

"RETAINING DEVICE" FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a device for retaining items in position in a motor vehicle, particularly in a luggage compartment. More particularly the invention relates to a reusable device for positioning in a luggage compartment to retain items, especially loose items, in position and to resist travel induced displacement of those items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Luggage compartments are essential components of cars and provide the capacity to transport items such as luggage, groceries, tools and any other articles that may be required. Such a compartment may be the boot of a sedan or the rear space of a station wagon or panel van.

While some items are easily and stably packed because of their size and/or shape, the majority of articles require careful positioning and restraint. Commonly this is an awkward procedure which may, in certain cases, be impossible without considered and often complex steps.

A good representative example of the present problems arises in the transport of groceries. Typically, groceries are packed in a supermarket in to plastic bags which hold a wide range of containers and articles such as bottles made of both plastic and glass, boxes, plastic wrapped items, fruit and vegetables. A common problem arises when such items are transported in the boot of a vehicle with subsequent displacement or tipping of bags to spill contents into the compartment. The best outcome of such an event may be noise associated with rolling of items in the rear of the vehicle during travel as well as the need to repack the items when being transferred from the boot compartment. More seriously, containers and, especially, glass containers may be broken during such activities with discharge of their contents into the boot compartment and subsequent staining and odours arising from putrefaction of items such as milk and meat produce. A risk also arises to anyone opening the boot in order to remove the items and either unknowingly contacting broken glass with resultant lacerations or injuring themselves when attempting to clean the area. There is also a risk of bruising and damage to food items such as fruit.

-2- Displacement of heavy items such as boxes of drinks may also cause crushing and destruction of other more fragile items such as crockery.

Various devices such as nets have been developed and designed for resilient restraint of items. The nets may be fixedly or removably attached to a fitting in the boot and are opened to receive items or alternatively stretched over items when positioned on the boot floor. The nets are engaged in position to hold the items in place during travel.

Unfortunately these devices are awkward to use and often provide a significant amount of give which allows items to move relative to each other and to the boot floor. A person using such an item may find it restrictive especially in light of the fact that it is limited in application to its attachment region or fitting.

It would be of advantage to provide a device for restraining one or more loose items in the luggage compartment of a vehicle in an easy and effective manner especially if such a device could be relocatably removed from its contact points with the compartment perimeter or floor.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers.

In one form, the invention resides in an article retainer for use in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle, the article retainer comprising: a first barrier member; a second barrier member connected to the first barrier member; and floor engaging means connected with one or both of the barrier members; wherein: the floor engaging means is releasibly engageable with a floor or wall of a luggage compartment.

-3- Preferably, the first barrier member is a panel member. The panel member may be perforate or alternatively, have an unbroken surface. Alternatively the first barrier member may be a net material. The net material may be supported by a frame. The first barrier member may be formed as a substantially rectangular shape.

The second barrier member may be formed as a panel member. The second barrier member may be perforate or alternatively have an unbroken surface. The second barrier member may be formed as a substantially rectangular panel. The second barrier member may be formed of a net material. The net material may be supported by a frame.

The second barrier member may be fixed to the first barrier member at a preselected angle. Preferably, the second barrier member is hingedly connected to the first barrier member.

The barrier members are preferably adapted to stand substantially vertically during use. The barrier members may be hingedly connected along adjacent upright edges.

The barrier members may be formed of any suitable material. The preferred material is a polymer such as PVC, polyethylene, kevlar or similar. The barrier member may be transparent. The barrier member may be formed from a high visibility colour such as yellow or red.

The floor engagement means is preferably at least one foot. The foot may be substantially perpendicular to at least one of the barrier members. Preferably, each of the barrier members has a foot. Each foot may be formed with a substantially planar configuration. The feet may be perforate or alternatively unbroken. Preferably, each barrier member has a corresponding perpendicular foot which extends outwardly when in operative position. Each foot is preferably formed integrally with its corresponding barrier member. The foot may be formed by a plurality of spaced fingers.

The foot may be releasibly engageable with a carpet lining of the luggage compartment. The foot may be releasibly engageable through a hook type fastener for releasibly engaging loops of the carpet. The hook fastener may be applied in at least one strip located along a longitudinal axis of the foot. Preferably, the hook fastener is applied as two parallel spaced strips.

The foot may be releasibly applied to a surface of the luggage compartment or to a material lining of the luggage compartment, in suitable fashion. For example, the foot may be engageable with the floor or a lining of the floor through a channel and groove type arrangement or through the use of clips or even nuts and bolts.

The loose article retainer may include three or more barrier members, each additional barrier member connected to an adjacent barrier member, preferably hingedly.

The additional barrier members may also cooperate with a releasable floor engaging means which may extend to a respective foot formed integrally with each of the additional barrier members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a loose article retainer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Figure 1 there is seen a lower perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a loose article retainer 10 of the present invention. The loose article retainer 10 comprises a first barrier member in the form of a first panel 11 and a second barrier member in the form of second panel 12. The two panel members 11, 12 are relatively rotatably connected through hinge 13 located along adjacent vertical walls 14, respectively. The relative angle between panel members 11, 12 can be adjusted by a user by simple rotation of one or both of the panel members. This provides great utility in use as the device may be adjusted to fit conveniently into a corner or along an inlet or create a triangular enclosure using a wall of a luggage compartment as the third wall of the triangle.

The upper edges 16, 17 respectively of the first panel 11 and second panel 12 define the top most point of the loose article retainer 10 when in operation. The height may be formed as required and as suitable for the specific purpose. For example, a relatively low wall may be used when the aim is to simply restrain items from sliding in a luggage compartment. Alternatively, it may be wished to provide a somewhat higher wall to restrain items and to provide a support wall for articles such as packed plastic grocery bags so that a substantially vertical orientation may be kept in items packed within the shelves. The height of the walls may be varied or even variable if required.

Each of the panels 11, 12 has as a corresponding foot 18, 19 respectively.

The feet 18, 19 are formed to extend unilaterally from the panels 11, 12 and preferably at right angles so that they may be located substantially horizontally while retaining the panels 11, 12 in a vertical orientation.

While the feet are shown as extending outwardly in operation, it is clear that other feet may be formed to extend either side of the barriers. Alternatively the feet may be disposed internally of the walls in operation.

The barriers and feet are shown as panel members and with an unbroken surface. Clearly different configurations may be used. For example, the barriers may be formed as nets suspended or supported by an outer frame with the frames being rotatable relative to each other. The feet may be formed separately from the barrier but in a preferred format are formed integrally therewith. The barrier and/or feet may be formed as one or more fingers or a picket-like arrangement. The aim is to provide a strong, durable and relatively light loose article retainer so that a person of any age and physical capacity may use it easily.

It is preferred that a polymeric substance is used as they are usually light and hard wearing. The device may be formed as a transparent or alternatively opaque item. It may be preferred to provide a highly visible colour so that the position and operation of the device is facilitated particularly in conditions of low light such as in a garage or car park in the evenings.

Each of the feet 18, 19 is provided with two parallel spaced strips of a hook type fastener 20, 21. A fastener, such as Velcro T M may be suitably applied to cooperatively and releasibly engage carpet lining of a luggage compartment of a vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, a corresponding, co-operating strip or strips of material may be located on and fixed to the floor.

In operation the loose article retainer is fixed into the luggage compartment of a vehicle in a suitable position. For example, it may be placed in relationship with a corner of a boot of a car to form a square or rectangular enclosure to receive an article or articles. Alternatively, the angle between the components may be altered to provide a triangular barrier along one or more walls of the luggage compartment. The loose article retainer may be configured as a straight line to provide a simple fence like barrier located as required in the luggage compartment of a vehicle. This may serve to secure long narrow -6articles in position. Those articles may, for example, be fluorescent bulbs, water pipes, dowelling or similar.

The method of releasably fixing the loose article retainer to the floor of a luggage component may be varied as required. For example, fixed slides may be fixed in the floor to receive the foot of the article. Alternatively clamping members may be used wherein the clamping members are engageable with one or more apertures in the floor of a vehicle. This may extend the operating capacity of the article to vehicles such as utilities which may not have a carpet or other similar material overing.

In another embodiment, a double sided adhesive tape may be used with the tape being replaced as required. It is clear to a skilled addressee that many different forms of attachment may be used.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the loose article retainer may be formed with three or more barrier members. While such a device becomes increasingly complex to use, it may be of assistance in certain specific circumstances where three or more walls may be used to provide a more complex perimeter to the enclosure formed by the device.

In yet another embodiment, one or more of the barrier members may be formed as a telescopic member thereby giving variation in the length of that member allowing positioning of the second arrow member in a range of different positions relative to a fixed wall of the luggage compartment.

Location of the feet in an outwardly direction from the panel members is preferred as it provides greater stability and reinforcement capacity when articles are located on an opposite side of the barrier member. As those articles tend to move during vehicle travel, the feet will provide an opposite action to resist that tendency. However, inward directed feet may be used if desired. The loose article retainer may be formed with handgrips to facilitate use. The handgrips may be apertures formed in the barrier.

The advantages of the present invention are readily apparent. The articles may be easily and securely fixed in a luggage compartment thereby obviating the risk of damage to the articles or a person in the vicinity. The quick release capacity of the present item allows for its ready positioning and alternation of the space enclosed by the device. It may simply be fixed to a corner of a larger object thereby providing a check to movement of that object. Storage of the device is also clearly simple as it may be folded flat and put in an inconspicuous position in the luggage compartment for subsequent ease of use. The device is relatively cheap to produce, light weight and long lasting thereby providing a considerable advantage to a consumer.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the art will therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (34)

1. A article retainer for use in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle, the article retainer comprising: a first barrier member; a second barrier member connected to the first barrier member; and floor engaging means connected to one or both of the barrier members; wherein; the floor engaging means is releasably engageable with a floor or wall of the luggage compartment.

2. The article retainer of claim 1, wherein the first barrier member is a panel member.

3. The article retainer of claim 2, wherein the panel member is perforate.

4. The article retainer of claim 3, wherein the panel member is a net material.

The article retainer of claim 4, wherein the net material is supported by a frame.

6. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first barrier member is formed as a substantially rectangular shape.

7. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second barrier member is formed as a panel member.

8. The article retainer of claim 7, wherein the second barrier member is perforate.

9. The article retainer of claim 8, wherein the second barrier member is formed of a net material.

The article retainer of claim 9, wherein the net material is supported by a frame.

11. The article retainer of claim 10, wherein the second barrier member is formed as a substantially rectangular panel.

12. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier members are fixed to each other at a set angle.

13. The article retainer of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second barrier member is hingedly connected to the first barrier member.

14. The article retainer of claim 13, wherein the barrier members are hingedly connected along adjacent upright edges.

The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier members are adapted to stand substantially vertically during use.

16. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier members are formed from one or more of polyvinylchloride, polyethylene and kevlar.

17. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier members are transparent.

18. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier members are formed from a high visibility colour.

19. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor engagement means includes at least one foot.

The article retainer of claim 19, wherein the at least one foot is substantially perpendicular to at least one of the barrier members.

21. The article retainer of either claim 19 or claim 20, wherein each of the barrier members has a respective foot.

22. The article retainer of claim 21, wherein each of the feet has a substantially planar configuration.

23. The article retainer of claim 22, wherein the feet are perforate.

24. The article retainer of claim 21, wherein each of the feet extends outwardly in relation to an article retaining space when in operative position.

The article retainer of any one of claim 19 to claim 24, wherein each foot is formed integrally with its corresponding barrier member.

26. The article retainer of any one of claim 19 to claim 25, wherein at least one foot is formed by a plurality of spaced fingers.

27. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article retainer is releasably engageable with a carpet lining of the luggage compartment.

28. The article retainer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor engaging means includes a hook-type fastener adapted to releasably engage loops of the carpet.

29. The article retainer of claim 28, wherein the hook-type fastener is applied in at least one strip located along a longitudinal axis of at least one foot.

The article retainer of claim 29, wherein the hook-type fastener is applied as two parallel spaced strips.

31. The article retainer of any one of claim 1 to claim 27, wherein the engagement means further comprises a channel and groove-type arrangement.

32. The article retainer of any one of claim 1 to claim 27, wherein the engagement means further includes one or more clips for releasable engagement with the floor.

33. The article retainer of claim 1 further comprising one or more additional barrier members.

34. An article retainer substantially as described herein with reference to FIG. 1. DATED this sixth day of February 2004. Garry John Jarvis by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the Applicants