FR2606343A1 - LOAD RETAINING NET, ESPECIALLY FOR CAR TRUNK AND THE LIKE - Google Patents

Abstract

LOAD RETAINING NET FOR MOUNTING ON THE REAR PART OF A VEHICLE COMPRISING ATTACHMENT POINTS AND DESIGNED TO BE FIXED AT THESE ATTACHMENT POINTS, IN A WAY TO SURROUND AND RETAIN LOADS PLACED IN THE REAR PART QUESTION, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT INCLUDES A MESH FABRIC 22, A CORD 24 PASSING THROUGH THE OPEN PERIPHERAL AREAS OF THE MESH FABRIC AND ATTACHMENT DEVICES 26 PLACES AT DETERMINED POINTS AT THE PERIPHERY OF MESH FABRIC FOR FIXATION FROM THE NET TO THE ATTACHMENT POINTS 12, 14, 16 IN THE REAR PART OF THE VEHICLE, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ATTACHMENT POINTS IN THIS REAR PART AS THEY DELIMIT A LOAD RECEIVING SURFACE WHEN THE NET IS ATTACHED TO THIS ATTACHMENT REAR PART, THE NET HAVING AN ELASTICITY SUCH AS THIS SURFACE CAN INCREASE FOR THE PLACEMENT OF LOADS 21 AND RETRACT ON THE LOADS TO HOLD THEM IN POSITION ON THE SURFACE.

Description

The present invention relates to a load retaining net-

  intended in particular to be mounted in the boot of a car or- at the rear of a van to hold loads such as parcels, luggage, bags, groceries, etc. The loads, in particular the shopping bags, which are placed in the trunk of a vehicle are not retained by anything which prevents their movement and their overturning during the movement of the vehicle. A method currently used to hold this baggage consists of supporting it against heavier neighboring loads. However, it often happens that there are no other heavier loads, so that the contents of the luggage fall during turns

or sudden stops.

  The object of the invention is to de'réaliser, in the trunk of a vehicle, a device ensuring the maintenance in place of the loads during the movement of the vehicle. This object is achieved according to the invention, by providing in the trunk of the vehicle attachment points to which the load retaining net can be fixed. The net consists of a mesh fabric comprising a cord preferably extending in the open areas of the fabric. Fixing devices are provided at determined locations along the periphery of the fabric, so that the net can be fixed at these attachment points. The distribution of attachment points in the trunk is such that it determines a load accommodation area which, due to the elasticity of the net, can extend for receiving loads. The net then retracts to

  keep loads in place in the trunk.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cord is

  elastic and constitutes the element which ensures the elasticity of the net.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the fabric has a rectangular outline, the surface of the fabric being larger than the area delimited by the outline. Alternatively, the attachment points are located on the floor of the trunk, so that the net tends to pull the loads down. According to another variant, the attachment points are located on the rear panel of the vehicle and on the parts of the boot which follow the outline of the wheels. According to another embodiment of the invention, the fabric has a trapezoidal shape, its smallest side being at the level of the floor

from the trunk.

  Other objects and other possibilities of application of the invention

  will be highlighted in the description given below. It goes without saying that this

  description of preferred embodiments of the invention is made only

  as an example and that a person skilled in the art can bring to the devices in question

  different modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The invention is described below in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear part of a

  pick-up truck and a load retaining net according to the invention.

  Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing

  the net attachment device attached to an attachment point.

  Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the trunk of a

  vehicle and a net according to the invention.

  Figure 4 is a perspective view showing another mode of

  production of a net according to the invention.

  Figure 5 is a perspective view of the trunk of a vehicle indicating

  the locations of the attachment points.

  Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the invention in which the boot part of a vehicle such as that of a van has a floor 10 to which are fixed four attachment points

  (of which three are represented) 12, 14, 16.

  A net 20 according to the invention is shown extending above the floor and placed on a series of loads 21 (constituted by packages). The net comprises a mesh fabric 22 of rectangular outline 24, the area of the outline being smaller than the total area of the fabric, so as to be able to take the form indicated. In this embodiment, the contour 24 is delimited by a cord which passes without interruption through the open peripheral parts of the fabric. The free ends of the cord are sewn together at one of the two opposite folded portions 25 of the net. The corners of the peripheral cord 24 have loops 26 formed by seams 2e. A carabiner 30 is attached to each loop 26 and can engage the transverse part 32 of the anchoring element 12 which constitutes the attachment pcint

on the trunk floor.

  In FIG. 3, a thread 20 ′ similar to the thread 20 but not comprising

  of folded side parts is shown in the boot of another vehicle.

  In this embodiment, two attachment points 32 and 34 are located on the interior surface of the rear panel 36 of the vehicle to which the two rear hooks 30 of the net are to be attached. The other attachment points 37 are located on the parts of the trunk which follow the outline of the wheels (one of which

  is shown in 38) for the attachment of the two front hooks 30 of the net.

  The attachment points located on the parts of the boot 38 which follow the outline of the wheels can be constituted by holes made in the area 39 of the

  welding of the parts in question at a certain distance from the boot floor.

  In the device of FIG. 3, the net tends to push the luggage towards the

  bottom, like the net shown in Figure 1.

  Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the net according to the invention. The net 40 has the shape of a trapezoid whose short side is at the floor of the trunk. The attachment points 42 are located on the inner wall of the rear panel 43 in an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the effect of retaining the net on the luggage 44 tends to apply them against the back panel. This result is obtained by placing the lower attachment points 50 closer to the floor 46 of the trunk 48 (see FIG. 5) in the zone 52 of the welding of the parts 54 which follow the

wheel outline.

  The fabric of the net according to the invention and of the folded-down portions 25 is preferably made of a synthetic material of stable black color (for example

  example of "nylon") to avoid leaching of colored ions.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the cord can comprise a core constituted by a polyester thread and an envelope constituted

  by polypropylene with multiple filaments of stable black color or "nylon".

  These materials must also be able to withstand strong

  traction and at low temperatures.

  All the elements constituting the load retaining net according to the invention must resist the action of fire. The flammability standards are the same as for automobiles, trucks and similar devices; by

  for example, the burn rate should be less than about 10 cm per minute.

  In addition, all the constituent elements in question must be d: level 4 to 5 for discoloration, so as to avoid traces of fro + zement

or alteration of color.

  Used in a van, the net according to the invention must retain

  items up to a ton shock.

  Although the invention has been described in the case of particular embodiments, it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make various improvements or modifications to it. For example, the elasticity of the net may be due

  instead of the cord, as in the cases described above

  above. The invention can also be used for similar applications: for example, the net can be mounted across the rear wall of vans so as to prevent their contents from falling when the rear door is opened. The device can also be installed in the loading box of light trucks where it is mounted on the inside of the box

  to make retaining nets forming pockets.

  It remains to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but that it encompasses all of the

variants.

Claims (10)

  1- Load retaining net intended to be mounted on the rear part of a vehicle comprising attachment points and designed to be fixed to these attachment points, so as to surround and retain loads placed in the part rear in question, characterized in that it comprises a mesh fabric (22), a cord (24) passing through the open peripheral zones of the mesh fabric and fastening devices <26) placed at points determined at the periphery of the mesh fabric for fixing the net to the attachment points (12, 14, 16) in the rear part of the vehicle, the distribution of the attachment points in this rear part being such that they delimit a receiving surface of the load when the net is attached to this rear part, the net having an elasticity such that said surface can increase for the placement of the loads (21) and retract on the loads to keep them in position on said surface.   2- net according to claim 1, characterized in that the cord (24   is elastic and ensures the elasticity of the net.   3- Net according to one of claims 1 or 2, character er. this cue the   cord is continuous over the entire periphery of the mesh fabric, the fastening devices comprising loops (26) formed by the cord (24) to said determined locations.   4- net according to claim 1, characterized in that the cord and the fabric have a stable coloring.   - Net according to claim 1, characterized in that the cord and the fire resistant fabric.   6- net according to claim 1, characterized in that the mesh fabric has a rectangular outline, the surface of the fabric being larger   than the area bounded by the outline.   7- A net according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear part of the vehicle consists of a trunk, the mesh fabric having a trapezoid-shaped outline, the smallest side of which is at the level of the boot floor.   8- Net according to claim 7, characterized in that the attachment pcirnts comprise two attachment points located on the stop panel of the   trunk and two anchor points located in the floor.   9- Net according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the   attachment points include two anchor points (32, 34) located in a rear panel of the rear part of the vehicles and two anchor points (3 ?:   each located on the part that follows the outline of the wheels.   10- net according to claim 6, characterized in that the attachment points are constituted by four anchor points (12, 14, 16) located on   the floor (10) of the rear part of the vehicle.   11- Load retaining net designed to be mounted in the boot of a vehicle comprising a rear panel, parts along the outline of the wheels and a floor and attachment points arranged in the boot, characterized in that it comprises a substantially rectangular mesh fabric (22), an elastic cord <24) passing through the open peripheral portions of the mesh fabric, fasteners (26) located at the four corners of the mesh fabric designed to be attached at these points of attachment in the boot, the distribution of these attachment points being such that it gives a surface for receiving loads when the net is attached to the attachment points and the cord being elastic, so that the surface can increase for receiving loads and the fabric can retract on them to hold them in position on the surface in question.