ES2532033B2 - Vehicle boot with sliding floor - Google Patents

Abstract

Trunk of vehicle with sliding floor. # Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein said trunk comprises a lower floor (3), two side walls (2), a loading edge (4), a sliding floor (9) height-adjustable, and at least one rail (8) located on the side walls (2) of the trunk (1) that guides the sliding floor (9), characterized in that the sliding floor (9) is formed by a plurality of slats ( 95) adjacent to each other. # Allows you to comfortably adjust the sliding floor (9) of a vehicle, as well as being able to be adjusted between many intermediate positions.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Vehicle boot with sliding floor

The present invention relates to a trunk of a motor vehicle comprising a sliding floor so that a user can comfortably adapt the position of said floor to their needs.

Background of the invention

Currently, the boot of a car incorporates different solutions in order to provide greater functionality to the user. In this way, they incorporate load separators, trays or roll-on to hide the load, adjustable floors in order to facilitate the actions of loading and unloading the trunk, etc.

More specifically, in the automobile field there are currently a wide variety of systems that allow the regulation of the height of a cargo floor of a trunk to adapt its height to the specific needs of a user. Specifically, said height-adjustable cargo floors allow the user to achieve different boot configurations, for example, a configuration with which a maximum boot volume is achieved, a configuration with which cargo deposition and extraction of cargo is facilitated. load in said boot, etc.

Thus, it is known from the state of the art, according to EP2454123, a device that has a height-adjustable cargo floor for a cargo compartment of a vehicle, in which the cargo floor can be arranged in different height positions , defined in the cargo compartment. According to the invention, the loading floor is also designed as a reversible loading floor so that it can be arranged in different height positions, both in non-inverted position and in inverted position. The solution allows two positions (lower and middle) but the guide elements of the floor on its sides imply adapting very uncomfortable positions for the user since it must support the full weight of the loading floor while tilting said loading floor. In addition, the average position is not stable.

Another example is known in EP2522550 where a device with an adjustable load floor in different positions is presented. By means of integrated supports in the

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Lateral coverings of a trunk of a vehicle are able to position and support the cargo floor at different heights, in addition to an inclined position so that the user has access to objects located in a lower area of the trunk. This solution allows the user to adapt the position of the cargo floor to their needs, although its positioning implies adapting awkward positions for said user, having to support the full weight of the cargo floor when he wants to move it from one position to another.

In addition, it is also known in FR2964616 a vehicle boot tray consisting of a set of slats slid from an upper position, to hide the cargo of a trunk, to a lower position, where it is hidden under a cargo floor. The invention focuses on stops or supports for the loading floor when the tray is in the lower position. It is therefore observed that a tray is only an element that allows hiding the luggage load and not being seen from the outside, not having any type of mechanical solicitation or having to support the weight of objects in the trunk.

Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle boot provided with a sliding floor that is comfortably manipulable by the user by modifying its height and position within said trunk.

Description of the invention

With the luggage compartment equipped with a sliding floor of the invention, the aforementioned inconveniences are resolved, presenting other advantages that will be described below.

The car luggage compartment according to the present invention comprises a lower floor, two side walls, a loading edge, a sliding floor height adjustable and at least one rail located on the side walls of the trunk that gtia the sliding floor, such that said sliding floor is formed by a plurality of slats adjacent to each other. Thus, the trunk comprises rails located on the sides of said trunk such that they allow the regulation of a loading floor or sliding floor formed by a plurality of slats, which are contiguous with each other, allowing at the same time a game or relative movement between them.

Unlike the background cited above, the cargo floor of the present

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The invention is not a rigid floor formed by a single piece, but it is a plurality of adjacent slats that allow the loading floor to adapt to different geometries while having the necessary rigidity to support a considerable weight of loads that the user deposits on said cargo floor. It is also important to differentiate between the aforementioned background in the state of the art comprising a tray or load separator consisting of a plurality of slats. Note that a load separator does not have any type of mechanical solicitation, so the geometry of said slats is not relevant for its design.

More specifically, the sliding floor guided by the at least one rail is adjustable between a first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor of the trunk and a second position substantially flush with the loading edge of the trunk. Thus, a user can easily regulate the cargo floor between the first position substantially adjacent to the bottom floor of the trunk, where a maximum boot volume is obtained, and the second position substantially flush to the loading edge of the trunk, where it is more comfortable for the user deposit and extract heavy objects from the trunk. The particular configuration of the loading floor formed by a plurality of slats, allows said loading floor to adopt any intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

Additionally, the rail for guiding the sliding floor comprises a first horizontal section substantially parallel to the lower floor and adjacent to said lower floor, a second horizontal section substantially parallel to said lower floor and flush with an upper end of the loading edge and a third curved section that connects the first horizontal section with the second horizontal section. More in detail, the first horizontal section substantially parallel to the lower floor is practically in contact with said lower floor, the second horizontal section substantially parallel to said lower floor is on the first section and aligned with the loading edge to facilitate the operation of introduction and load extraction in the trunk, and the third curved section links the first horizontal section with the second horizontal section and is close to a rear wall of vehicle seats. Thus, said rail has an inverted C-shape and each rail located in its respective side wall of the trunk is in the same substantially vertical plane. Specify that the loading edge means the lower edge or side of an opening of the trunk of the vehicle, which is a slight obstacle that the user must overcome to introduce and remove the cargo from the trunk.

More specifically, a rail width is greater in the third section than in the first

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horizontal section and the second horizontal section. Thus, said rail comprises a curved transition between the first horizontal section and the third section, and another curved transition between the third section and the second horizontal section. Both curved rail transitions have a wider width to allow the rotation and inclination of the slats and allow their orientation change.

In addition, the rail wraps an inner face, a side face and an outer face of a lateral end of the sliding floor near the side walls in the first horizontal section, in the third section and at least partially in the second horizontal section of said rail . The inner surface of the sliding floor is understood to mean that upper surface of the floor when it is in the first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor which, in turn, is the lower surface when said floor is in the second position substantially flush with the edge of load. The outer face of the sliding floor means that lower surface of the floor when it is in the first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor which, in turn, is the upper surface when said floor is in the second position substantially flush with the edge of load. Lateral side means the surface of the cargo floor closest to the respective side wall of the trunk.

Thus, the rail profile in the first horizontal section, in the third section and at least partially in the second horizontal section is U-shaped, wrapping the lateral end of the cargo floor. In addition, at least partially in the second horizontal section the rail profile is L-shaped, providing a sliding surface to the lateral end of the loading floor. Thus, the outer face of the lateral end of the sliding floor is free of the rail at least partially in the second horizontal section of said rail so that the user, when the floor is in the second position substantially flush with the loading edge, can lift or fold comfortably the end near the loading edge of the sliding floor and access the empty space between said sliding floor and the lower floor of the trunk.

Thus, the loading edge comprises a support surface of the sliding floor in the second position substantially flush with the loading edge of the boot. More specifically, the loading edge has a support for one end of the loading floor that allows it to be supported in said second position substantially flush with the loading edge.

As an alternative, you can also have a rail that turns the sliding floor up to

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a position very close to the loading edge so that said rail envelops the inner face and the side face of the lateral end of the sliding floor at least partially in said second position substantially flush with the loading edge. In this way, a guide rail is still available that allows the user to comfortably lift or fold down said sliding floor in the second position.

More particularly, the slats have a step-shaped profile. Thus, there is a geometry of the slats that allows linking consecutive lamas to each other and, in addition, allowing relative movement between them. In addition, said step-shaped geometry allows the loading floor to be supported without flexing in areas where there is no rail. This geometry is also beneficial for correctly transmitting the push or drag movement exerted by the user at one end of said floor to the rest of the slats of the cargo floor.

More particularly, the rails are arranged symmetrically in the trunk. In addition, said rails are attached to their respective side wall of the trunk by means of a threaded joint. Advantageously, each rail disposed in its respective side wall of the boot is formed of the same piece of injected plastic fixed to the side wall by means of a threaded bolt. Alternatively it can be fixed by means of a bolted joint.

On the other hand, the plurality of slats have a length substantially equal to the distance between the rails located symmetrically in each side wall of the trunk. Thus, the slats are long enough to rest on the two rails located on each side wall of the trunk.

In addition, the slats are joined together by at least one elastic cord that transversely crosses the plurality of slats. More particularly, said elastic cord is fixed to the two end slats of the sliding floor. The step-shaped geometry of the slat profile makes it possible to easily transmit a thrust movement between consecutive slats. That is why, to properly transmit a drag movement, it is necessary to implement elastic cords between the slats that stretch the adjacent slat, thus transmitting the movement to the complete set of slats that form the sliding floor. Advantageously, each elastic cord is fixed to the end slats of the sliding floor through a hole through the rest of the intermediate slats. This elastic cord not only allows the drag movement to be transmitted, but also allows a slight separation between adjacent slats to allow the change of

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orientation and rotation of the slats in the third curved section of the rafl.

More particularly, the sliding floor comprises a handle at each of its ends, to allow easy and comfortable handling of the sliding floor. In this way, the user can push or drag the sliding floor between the first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor of the trunk and the second position substantially flush to the loading edge of the trunk in an ergonomic way. Preferably, said handles are located on the end slats of the sliding floor.

Advantageously, the depth of the sliding floor is greater than the distance between the loading edge and an interior wall of some rear seats of the vehicle. In this way, the boot surface is completely covered by the sliding floor both in the first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor and in the second position substantially flush with the loading edge, thus preventing objects deposited on the sliding floor from being deployed to others. lower boot positions.

In addition, the plurality of slats are made of aluminum material, thus achieving an optimal compromise between rigidity and weight of the whole. This allows the user to comfortably handle the sliding floor while it is capable of withstanding high loads. Alternatively, the slats can be made of plastic materials such as Polyamides.

Thus, with the luggage compartment with sliding floor of the present invention, the following advantages are achieved:

- Greater comfort for the user since it does not have to carry the full weight of the loading floor when moving it from one position to another. Pull and push movements are more comfortable for the user than to support the loading floor;

- Provides great versatility since the user can place the sliding floor in any intermediate position between the first position adjacent to the lower floor and the second position flush with the loading edge.

- Withstand high loads of items deposited on top of the sliding floor;

- Provides the possibility of, even being the sliding floor in the second position flush to the loading edge of the trunk, conveniently access the existing useful space

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between the sliding floor and the lower floor of the trunk;

Brief description of the drawings

To better understand how much has been exposed, some drawings are combined in which, schematically and only by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of realization is represented.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the vehicle boot with a sliding floor in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle boot with a sliding floor in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a detail view of the rail that guides the sliding floor in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the slats that make up the sliding floor according to the present invention; Y

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the slats that make up the sliding floor according to the present invention.

Description of a preferred embodiment

Figure 1 shows a trunk of a motor vehicle, according to the present invention, wherein said trunk 1 comprises a lower floor 3, a loading edge 4, two side walls 2, a sliding floor 9 adjustable in height, and at least one rail 8 located on the side walls 2 of the boot 1 that guides the sliding floor 9. In turn, the sliding floor is formed by a plurality of slats 95 adjacent to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the sliding floor 9 guided by the at least one rail 8 is adjustable between a first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor 3 of the trunk 1 and a second substantially flush position to the loading edge 4 of the boot 1. Thus, the first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor 3 of the boot 1 allows a maximum volume of

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Trunk 1 and the second substantially flush position of the loading edge 4 of the trunk 1 facilitates loading and unloading of objects by a user.

More particularly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rail 8 comprises a first horizontal section 81 substantially parallel to the lower floor 3 and adjacent to said lower floor 3 of the boot 1 allowing the sliding floor 9 to rest in the lower area of boot 9 and getting a configuration of boot 1 of maximum volume. Likewise, the rail 8 comprises a second horizontal section 82 substantially parallel to said lower floor 3 and flush with an upper end of the loading edge 4. This configuration allows the user to place the sliding floor 9 in an elevated position, preferably with the floor slide 9 flush with the loading edge 4 facilitating the operation of loading and unloading of objects located in the trunk 1. Additionally, the rail 8 comprises a third curved section 83 that connects the first horizontal section 81 with the second horizontal position 82. This mode allows the sliding floor 9 to be moved comfortably between the lower position and the upper position. Advantageously, the sliding floor 9 can adapt any intermediate position between the lower position and the upper position thanks to its configuration in slats and the guide rail 8 of the sliding floor 9.

More in detail, as can be seen in Figure 1, rail 8 has an inverted C-shape, with the third section curved next to rear seats of the vehicle. Furthermore, as seen in said figure, the first horizontal section 81 and the second horizontal zone 82 of the rail 8 do not contact the loading surface 4, but the sliding floor is cantilevered in at least one area of said horizontal sections. Alternatively, the first horizontal section 81 and the second horizontal zone 82 are comprised between the third curved section 83 and the loading edge 4.

As can be seen in figure 1, a width of the rail 8 is greater in the third section 83 than in the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section 82. In this way the slats 95 that form the sliding floor 9 are allowed modify its essentially horizontal position to reverse it from the first horizontal section 81 to the second horizontal section 82.

In a preferred embodiment, as seen in Figure 3, the rail 8 wraps an inner face 91, a side face 92 and an outer face 93 of a side end of the sliding floor 9 close to the side walls 4 in the first horizontal section 81, in the

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third section 83 and at least partially in the second horizontal section 82 of said rafl 8. More in detail, rafl 8 has a U-shape that wraps the lateral end of the sliding floor 9 guiding its movement along the rail 8 making it impossible for the slats escape from said rail 8.

Advantageously, the rafl 8 wraps the inner face 91 and the side face 92 of the lateral end of the sliding floor 9 close to the side walls 4 at least partially in the third section 83 of said rail 8. Thus, the face is released outside 93 when the user has the sliding floor in the second horizontal section 82, allowing the user to lift or fold the end of the sliding floor 9 closest to the loading edge 4 to access the free space below the sliding floor 9 , in particular between said sliding floor 9 and the lower floor 3. This position in which the sliding floor 9 is partially raised by one of its ends is shown in Figures 1 and 2, where the user can comfortably move from the position of horizontal sliding floor 9 to inclined sliding floor 9, thanks to the outer face 93 being free, without any stop exerted by rail 8.

Additionally, the loading edge 4 comprises a support surface 41 of the sliding floor 9 in the second position substantially flush with the loading edge 4 of the trunk 1. Said support surface 41 is necessary to support the sliding floor 9 when the rails 8 do not they extend to the loading edge 4. As explained above, the support surface 41 wraps the inner face 91 and the side face 92 of the side end of the sliding floor 9 close to the side walls 4, so that the user it can move comfortably from the position of horizontal sliding floor 9 to inclined sliding floor 9, thanks to the fact that the outer face 93 is free.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the slats 95 have a step-shaped profile. Thus, there is a geometry of the slats that allows consecutive slats 95 to be linked together and, in addition, allow relative movement between them. In addition, said step-shaped geometry allows the sliding floor 9 to be supported without flexing in areas where there is no rail. This geometry is also beneficial for correctly transmitting to the rest of the slats 95 of the sliding floor 9 the push or drag movement exerted by the user at one of the ends of said sliding floor 9.

In a preferred embodiment, the rails 8 are arranged symmetrically on each side wall 2 of the boot 1 allowing that, in any intermediate floor position

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slide 9, this is arranged horizontally. In addition, the sliding floor 9 comprises a handle (not shown in figures) at each of the ends of the sliding floor 9 for convenient handling. Thus ^ the operation of pushing or pulling the sliding floor 9 to the desired position is facilitated to the user.

Additionally, the rails 8 are attached to their respective side wall 2 of the trunk 1 by means of a threaded joint, preferably being a bolt that passes through a single piece injected in plastic comprising the rails 8 and fixed to said bolt through a thread.

Additionally, in figure 1 it can be seen that the plurality of slats 95 have a length substantially equal to the distance between the rails 8 symmetrically located in the trunk 1. Thus, the slats 95 have a constant length that is equivalent to the separation between the rails 8 located on each side wall 2.

Advantageously, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the slats 95 are joined together by at least one elastic cord 10 that transversely crosses the plurality of slats 95. In addition, said elastic cord 10 is fixed to the two slats 95 ends of the sliding floor 9. This point is especially advantageous for transmitting to the complete set of the sliding floor 9 the pushing or stretching movements that the user exerts on said sliding floor 9. If the slats 95 are not attached, they would only transmit a movement of thrust between them. On the other hand, when the user introduced a pulling movement on a strip 95, they would be separated without transmitting the movement to the rest of the slats 9. Preferably, three elastic cords 10 are located equidistant between them that cross the plurality of slats 95 through holes in said slats 95 and are fixed on the two end slats of the sliding floor 9. With said elastic cords 10 relative movement between adjacent slats 95 is allowed, including a slight separation between them to allow turns or inclinations of the sliding floor 9.

Additionally, the depth of the sliding floor 9 is greater than the distance between the loading edge 4 and the interior wall of the rear seats of the vehicle. As mentioned above, the present invention seeks to have a completely flat loading surface, without cavities at any of its ends. That is why, as can be seen in Figure 1, the depth of the sliding floor is at least equal to the distance between the loading edge 4 and the rear wall of the rear seats of the vehicle.

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Preferably, the plurality of slats 95 are made of aluminum material. Thus, the assembly has a correct balance between rigidity to support the weight of loads located above the sliding floor 9 and a reduced weight of the sliding floor 9 so that the user can handle it comfortably.

Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident to one skilled in the art that the described reinforcing element is susceptible of numerous variations and modifications, and that all the mentioned details can be substituted by others technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Numerical references

1- trunk

2- side wall

3- lower floor

4- loading edge 41- support surface

8- rail

81- first horizontal section

82- second horizontal section

83- third curved section

9- sliding floor

91- inner face

92- side face

93- outer face 95- plank

10- elastic cord

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle, where said trunk comprises a lower floor (3), two side walls (2), a loading edge (4), a sliding floor (9) adjustable in height, and at minus a rail (8) located on the side walls (2) of the trunk (1) that guides the sliding floor (9), characterized in that the sliding floor (9) is formed by a plurality of adjacent and adjacent slats (95) between yes. 2. Boot (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding floor (9) guided by the at least one rail (8) is adjustable between a first position substantially adjacent to the lower floor (3) of the trunk (1) ) and a second position substantially flush with the loading edge (4) of the boot (1). 3. Boot (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail (8) for guiding the sliding floor (9) comprises a first horizontal section (81) substantially parallel to the lower floor (3) and adjacent to said lower floor (3), a second horizontal section (82) substantially parallel to said lower floor (3) and flush with an upper end of the loading edge (4) and a third curved section (83) connecting the first horizontal section ( 81) with the second horizontal section (82). 4. Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that a width of the rail (8) is greater in the third section (83) than in the first horizontal section (81) and the second horizontal section (82). 5. Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the rail (8) wraps an inner face (91), a side face (92) and an outer face (93) of a lateral end of the sliding floor ( 9) next to the side walls (4) in the first horizontal section (81), in the third section (83) and at least partially in the second horizontal section (82) of said rail (8). 6. Luggage compartment (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading edge (4) comprises a support surface (41) of the sliding floor (9) in the second position substantially flush with the loading edge (4) of the trunk (1). 7. Luggage compartment (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the slats (95) have a step-shaped profile. 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 8. Luggage compartment (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the rails (8) are arranged symmetrically in the trunk. 9. Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the rails (8) are connected to their respective side wall (2) of the trunk (1) by means of a threaded joint. 10. Luggage compartment (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of slats (95) have a length substantially equal to the distance between the rails (8) located symmetrically on each side wall (2) of the trunk (1) ). 11. Luggage compartment (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the slats (95) are joined together by at least one elastic cord (10) that transversely crosses the plurality of lamas (95). 12. Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that the elastic cord (10) is fixed to the two slats (95) ends of the sliding floor (9). 13. Trunk (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding floor (9) comprises a handle at each of its ends. 14. Luggage compartment (1) of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the depth of the sliding floor (9) is greater than the distance between the loading edge (4) and an interior wall of rear seats of the vehicle. 15. Boot (1) of a car according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of slats (95) are made of aluminum material.