EP2188150A1

EP2188150A1 - Device for holding objects

Info

Publication number: EP2188150A1
Application number: EP08787738A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Teppo Korhonen
Original assignee: Lumelko Oy
Current assignee: Lumelko Oy
Priority date: 2007-08-17
Filing date: 2008-08-15
Publication date: 2010-05-26
Also published as: FI20075579A; EP2188150A4; FI20075579A0; RU100974U1; WO2009024648A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for holding objects in place in the cargo compartments of cars or similar. The device comprises divider means (11, 12, 13) for limiting the movement of objects in the cargo compartment and attachment means (14, 15, 16), for attaching the divider means to the walls of the cargo compartment in a detachable manner. According to the invention, the divider means comprise a first and a second rigid elongated divider element, the length of which can be separately adjusted and both of which are attached rotatably to a third rigid divider element, so that the third elongated divider element can be attached in an essentially vertical position to the first wall of the cargo compartment, with the aid of bidirectionally pivoted attachment means comprising Velcro surfaces and the first and second divider elements can then be attached, with the aid of the attachment means, to the walls adjacent to the first wall of the cargo compartment. The invention achieves practical means for safely transporting objects particularly of a difficult shape in the felt-surfaced cargo compartments of cars.

Description

Device for Holding Objects

The present invention relates to devices for holding objects, in place in the cargo compartments of cars and in other corresponding spaces, particularly in spaces, in which objects would be otherwise free to move unfavourably during transport.

A device for dividing the cargo compartment of a car into two parts is known from application publication WO 99/54171. The device comprises a divider grid, which can be attached, for example, to the roof of the trunk, in such a way that it can be turned against the roof in a spring-loaded manner when it is not necessary to divide the cargo compartment.

Arrangements for dividing a cargo compartment into two parts horizontally, so that objects can be stored better on top of each other, is known from GB publication 616583 and WO publication 02/02371.

A device for dividing a cargo compartment into several blocks of a predefined shape to facilitate the transportation of objects is known from FR publication 2859678.

A device that can be attached to the floor of the cargo compartment with the aid of

Velcro surfaces is known from US publication 5601271. The advantage of this solution is that several such partitions can be stacked on top of each other when not in use.

A set of compartments, which can be placed in a cargo compartment to hold in place objects transported in it, is known from GB publication 2220617.

A common problem is all of the solutions referred to above is that their adaptability is small. In addition, they take up space and are heavy.

Publications US 5697742, US 4737056, US 4473331, EP 1182082, US 5971082. US 6238154, and US 7044699 disclose devices intended for the cargo compartments pickup trucks, or trucks, for holding objects in place. These solutions require special attachment points in the cargo compartment, to which the device can be attached, or else the devices should be tensioned between the walls of the compartment. Thus their adaptability is limited and they are rather difficult to install and move from one vehicle to another. In particular, they are not very suitable for ordinary passenger cars and everyday use.

The invention is intended to create a more practical device for holding objects in place in the cargo compartment of a vehicle, especially a car, during transport. The invention is particularly intended to create an easily attached, adaptable, and removable device, with the aid of which objects can be transported safely.

The invention is based on the idea of compartmentalizing the cargo compartment with the aid of elongated divider elements that move relative to each other, but which can be joined to each other, in such a way that the ends of the divider elements are attached to the walls of the cargo compartment. Thus, a 'framework' is formed in the cargo compartment, which limits the movement of the objects between the interior and correspondingly the exterior of the compartment.

Thus the device according to the invention for holding objects in place in the cargo compartments of cars and the like comprises divider means for limiting the movability of objects in the cargo compartment and attachment means for detachably attaching the divider means to the walls of the compartment, the divider means comprising at least two elongated divider elements arranged to be able to be moved relative to each other, the length of which can be separately adjusted, and which can be correspondingly attached to the different walls of the compartment with the aid of the said attachment means.

A particularly preferable solution for use in a passenger car is one, in which the divider means comprise of a first and a second rigid elongated divider element, the lengths of which can be separately adjusted, and both of which are attached rotatably to a third rigid divider element, whereby the third elongated divider element can be secured essentially vertically to the first wall of the cargo compartment, with the aid of attachment means, and the first and second divider elements are can be secured with the aid of attachment means to the walls adjacent to the first wall of the compartment. The attachment means comprise surfaces located at the end of each divider element and Velcro-type surfaces, which are located on the flat surfaces aligned against the walls of the compartment at the end of each divider element, so that the flat surfaces located at the ends of the first and second divider elements are bidirectionally pivoted to the divider elements.

More specifically, the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the other Claims.

Considerable advantages are gained with the aid of the invention. With the aid of it, even difficultly shaped objects, such as plants, floor lamps, and even balls, can be held securely in place during transport. Because the length of the divider elements can be adjusted, it can be adapted separately for each object to be transported. By selecting the angle between the divider elements suitably, it is possible to obtain a good support for many differently shaped objects, without the device or the compartmentalization achieved with the aid of it taking up space from the rest of the cargo compartment. Thanks to the detachable attachment means, it is easy to get the device according to the invention ready for use, while the mutual movement of the divider elements allows it to be reduced to a small size for storage.

The device can also comprise several divider elements. For example, by using one vertical and three horizontal divider elements, it is possible to create a device, which can be attached simultaneously to the floor and side walls of the cargo compartment, as well as to the rear of the back of the back seat, at the same time compartmentalizing the compartment into three parts (seen from above). The adjusting possibilities allow the size of the compartments to be adjusted relatively freely as desired.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is no need for special counter-pieces in the walls of the trunk, as nearly all car cargo compartments are covered at the factory with a felt-type covering, to which the Velcro strips can be attached. In addition, the device needs to be placed in tension, as the strips attached to the felt also withstand tension. Thus, the device can be placed at such an angle that it delimits only a precisely defined part of the compartment. This is not possible with any of the aforementioned known devices comprising divider elements. A two-way pivot, for example a ball joint, for its part ensures that the device will attach securely even to sloping surfaces, such as the sloping surface of a wheel arch in the trunk of a car, or the back rest of the rear seat.

In the following, the invention is examined in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure Ia shows a side cross-section of a device according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figure Ib shows as top view the device according to Figure Ia,

Figure 2 shows the device according to Figures Ia and Ib in the operating position in a cargo compartment,

Figures 3a - 3e show the length-adjustment mechanism of the arms of the device, according to one embodiment, and

Figures 4a - 4c show the locking mechanism of the arms of the device to the central tube, according to one embodiment.

With reference to Figures Ia and Ib, according to one embodiment the device comprises a first rigid arm 11 and a second rigid arm 12 (the first and second divider elements), which at one end are pivoted rotatably with the aid of one-directional pivoting 19 to a rigid central tube 13 (the third divider element). In this case, tubes act as the bodies of the arms 11, 12, and 13. The reference number 11' and 12' are used to mark the length- adjustment elements of the divider elements, which in this example case are pins or similar, with the aid of which it is possible to lock the position, relative to each other, of two telescoping perforated tubes. The first and the second arm can also be preferably moved parallel to the central tube 13, in order to select a suitable height position. At the other ends of the horizontal arms 11, 12 are attachment elements 14, 15, respectively. In this case, flat plates, one surface of which is equipped with Velcro strips 14', 15' (hook side), act as the attachment elements. Between the body tubes and attachment elements of the first and second arm 11, 12 are two-directional (ball) pivots 17, 18, respectively. These are intended to permit the flat plates to tilt in such a way that the best possible adhesion is achieved with the walls of the cargo compartment. Also the centre tube 13 is preferably telescopic, in which case its length too can be adjusted. At the lower end of the central tube there is also an attachment element 16, which comprises a Velcro surface 16'.

The use of Velcro-type (hook-and-loop-type) surfaces is based on the observation that the trunks of cars are nearly all covered with a felt fabric, which this provides a good adhesion surface for Velcro strips. When the device is used, the central tube is placed at a suitable location on the 'floor' of the trunk, after which the length of the first and the second arms is adjusted suitably and they are attached to the vertical walls of the trunk. After this (or already before this), the object to be transported can be placed in the trunk compartment formed (to be formed) for it. This invention is also suitable for other corresponding spaces.

Alternatively, magnetic surfaces, which are suitable, for example for vans, in which the rear space often has an internal metal surface, can be used as the attachment elements.

The attachment elements can also be hooks, pins, catches, or similar, which are attached to separate counter-pieces arranged on the walls of the cargo compartment.

The divider elements of the device can be, for example, of metal, plastic, or wood. The length adjustment of the elements can be achieved in many different ways. Tubes that move inside each other (a telescopic arm) have, however, been observed to be advantageous, as they can be stored in a small space and their operation is simple. One skilled in the art will understand that many solutions, for example, those known in connection with camera tripods and similar, can be used in connection with the invention.

According to one preferred embodiment, in the divider element there is an inner tube and an outer tube, which go at least partly into each other. In the inner tube there are, in a limited sector (seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tube) recesses, or even an entire saw-tooth zone, whereas in the inner surface of the outer tube there is toothing, such as a tooth, loop, or similar. The tooth or similar is arranged, in connection with the rotation of the inner tube, to enter a recess in the inner tube and thus lock the tubes to each other longitudinally. In another rotation position, the tooth is out of the saw-tooth zone, which permits the longitudinal movement of the tubes. The tooth can be suitably spring-loaded against the body of the outer tube, for example, with the aid of a cut in the outer tube and additionally the spring characteristic of the tube material. It can be understood that a corresponding functionality can be achieved by equipping the inner tube with a tooth and the outer tube with grooves. The example of an adjustment and locking solution described above, based on the rotation of tubes inside each other, permits the precise adjustment of one or more divider elements of the device, even when using only one hand. This is a significant advantage, as particularly the trunks of cars are often deep and when reaching into the trunk the other hand is needed to maintain position, i.e. to hold onto the car for support.

Figure 2a shows a device 10, comprising a central tube and two divider elements rotatable relative to each other, placed in a trunk 20.

Figure 2b shows a device 10b, according to a preferred embodiment, placed in a trunk 20. In the device, there is an additional fourth divider element, which can be similar to the first and second divider elements, and also attached to the vertical central tube. If desired, the fourth divider element can also continue as a single piece from the first or second divider element at an angle of 180 degrees. Though this increases the size of the device in storage, on the other hand it accelerates installation.

Figure 3 a shows the principle of a length-adjustment mechanism suitable for a horizontal arm. In the arm there is an outer tube 31 and an inner tube 3 Ib. In the inner tube there is toothing 34 and in the outer tube a spring-loaded locking element 33, arranged to operate in conjunction with the toothing. Figure 3b shows a longitudinal cross-section of the inner tube. Figure 3d shows a longitudinal cross-section of the outer tube, in which can be seen the protrusion of the locking element into the tube, where it can grip the toothing of the inner tube. Figure 3 c shows the locking element 33 from above, and Figure 3e from the side.

According to one embodiment, the horizontal arms too are joined to the central tube with the aid of the toothing/groove solution ('rotating-drawing-rotating-locking' solution) described above. In that case, there is a member in the central tube for this purpose, which is arranged to operate together with counter-elements in the arms, in order to adjust and lock the height position of the arms.

Figure 4a shows an embodiment, in which, in the central tube 41a, preferably on its outer surface, is a locking element 43, which can be released, and which is arranged to lock the horizontal arms, in such a way that they cannot become detached over the upper end of the central tube. Central sleeves or similar of the horizontal tubes can be fitted to the central tube from this end, so that they fit under the protrusion of the locking element. With the aid of the size of the central sleeves, it is possible to adjust the height position of the horizontal arms. By pressing the locking element 43 in, the sleeves can travel over it and then away from around the central tube.

According to another embodiment, the locking element 43 is fitted to the tube the other way round, to that the central sleeves remain resting on top of the locking element, thus locking the arms at a standard position in the vertical direction, relative to the central tube 43. In the central tube there can also be several locking elements for several different height levels, or, for example, separately for each horizontal arm.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Device for holding objects in place in the cargo compartments of cars or similar, which device comprises - divider means (11, 12, 13) for limiting the movement of objects in the cargo compartment, - attachment means (14, 15, 16), for attaching the divider means to the walls of the cargo compartment in a detachable manner, wherein - the divider means comprise a first and a second rigid elongated divider element (11, 12), the lengths of which can be separately adjusted and both of which are attached rotatably to a third rigid divider element (13), so that the third elongated divider element (13) can be attached to the first wall of the cargo compartment in an essentially vertical position with the aid of the attachment means (16), and the first and second divider element (11, 12) can be attached, with the aid of the attachment means (14, 15), to the walls adjacent to the first wall of the cargo compartment, characterized in that the attachment means comprise flat surfaces at ends of each divider element (11, 12, 13) and Velcro-type surfaces (14', 15', 16') located on surfaces of flat surfaces facing the walls of the cargo compartment at the end of the divider elements, the flat surfaces located at the ends of the first and second divider elements being bidirectionally pivoted to the divider elements.

2. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the length of at least one, preferably at least two of the said elongated divider elements can be adjusted with the aid of a telescopic construction.

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the divider element comprises at least two tubes inside each other, in one of which toothing or similar is arranged and in the other is a locking element, which is arranged to operate in conjunction with the said toothing, so that the length of the divider element can be adjusted by moving the tubes longitudinally relative to each other and further can be locked in a specific position with the aid of the joint operation, of said toothing and locking elements.

4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that said toothing and locking elements are arranged on limited sectors of the tube, so that the tubes can be moved relative to each other by first of all rotating them around their longitudinal axis relative to each other and can further be locked relative to each other by rotating said sectors aligned with each other.

5. Use of a device according to any of the above Claims attached to the cargo compartment of a car, for holding in place objects to be transported.

6. Use according to Claim 5 in a felt-surfaced cargo compartment.