FR3059283A1 - DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF AN OBJECT IN A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for limiting the movements of an object in a vehicle such as a car. This device comprises: a support (1,1a, 10) having at least one hole (2,11); - At least one retaining bar (4, 4a, 14) adapted to be inserted into the hole (2, 11) and to stay there; wherein the retaining bar (14) has an upper portion (15) and a lower T-shaped portion (16), characterized in that the larger side of the upper portion (15) of the retaining bar ( 14) has a larger dimension than the width of a hole (11) while the smaller side of the upper part (16) is smaller than the width of the hole (11). The invention also relates to the use of the device, to a method of limiting the movements of an object and to a method of transporting an object.

Description

Holder (s): FRARIN LAURENT.

Agent (s): DANIEL STONA - MERVELIX.

(54) DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF AN OBJECT IN A VEHICLE.

FR 3 059 283 - A1 _ The invention relates to a device for limiting the movement of an object in a vehicle such as a car.

This device includes:

- a support (1,1a, 10) having at least one hole (2,11);

- at least one retaining bar (4, 4a, 14) able to fit into the hole (2,11) and to be held there;

in which the retaining bar (14) has an upper part (15) and a lower T-shaped part (16), characterized in that the larger side of the upper part (15) of the retaining bar ( 14) has a dimension greater than the width of a hole (11) while the smaller side of the upper part (16) is less than the width of the hole (11).

The invention also relates to the use of the device, to a method of limiting the movements of an object and to a method of transporting an object.

DEVICE FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT OF AN OBJECT IN A VEHICLE

The invention relates to a device for limiting the movements or for keeping an object in place in a vehicle such as a car, as well as methods making use of this device.

Invention background

When you place an object such as a bottle in the trunk of a car, this object the object may overturn, hit one of the walls of the trunk and be damaged when the car takes a turn, climbs or go down a hill.

Summary of the invention

The major aim of the invention is to secure the transport of an object or of several objects in a vehicle.

This object is achieved by means of a device allowing a holding in place or, at least a limitation, of the movements of the object or objects in the vehicle.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device comprising:

- A support having a lower face and an upper face, the latter comprising at least one hole; and

- At least one retaining bar capable of inserting itself at least partially into the hole and of staying there.

The invention also relates to a method for limiting the movements of an object to be transported by a vehicle, this method comprising the following steps:

a device according to the invention is placed in the vehicle having dimensions suitable for the location where it is placed, the object is placed on the upper face of the device and

- at least one retaining bar is fixed as close as possible to the object.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method of transporting an object which comprises the following steps:

a device according to the invention is placed in the vehicle having dimensions suitable for the location where it is placed, the object is placed on the upper face of the device and

- at least one retaining bar is fixed as close as possible to the object,

- the vehicle is driven to the place of destination of the object and,

- the object is removed from its location then the retaining bar or bars are removed or lowered, these operations being able to be reversed;

if necessary, the retaining bar or bars are introduced into elongated recesses.

The device and methods according to the invention therefore make it possible to protect objects by preventing them from overturning or colliding with the walls of the vehicle.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which schematically represent:

- Figure 1: a device according to the invention;

- Figures 2a, 2b and 2c: a front view, a left view and a bottom view of the support of the device of Figure 1;

- Figures 3a and 3b: a front view and a bottom view of a retaining bar of the device of the figure;

- Figures 4 and 5: a front view and a left in section of a variant of the support of a device according to the invention;

Figure 6: a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 7: a detail of the support of the device of Figure 6, in right section view;

- Figure 8: a detail of a variant of the support of the device of Figure 6, in right section view;

- Figures 9, 10 and 11: a front view, from the right and from above of an elongated cover for a groove in the support of the device of Figure 7;

- Figures 12 and 13: a front view and a left view of a T-shaped piece forming the lower part of a retaining bar of the device according to the invention;

- Figures 14, 15 and 16: a front view, from above and from the right of the upper part of a retaining bar of the device according to the invention; and Figures 17 to 21: diagrams explaining the use of the device according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Device according to the invention

In Figures 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a and 3b is shown a first embodiment of the invention.

It is therefore a device for limiting the movements of objects which comprises a support, such as a plate 1, the size of which is generally adapted to the location - usually the trunk - in which the support is intended to be square. In other words, this plate has in principle substantially the same surface as the bottom of the trunk. It is rectangular in FIG. 1, but it could be different, for example polygonal, circular, oblong, etc. so as to be in line with the shape of the trunk.

As can be seen in the figures, the plate 1 has a lower face intended to rest on the bottom of the trunk and an upper face 3 which has holes 2 preferably extending perpendicular to this upper face.

The holes 2 can be arranged in columns and arranged so as to form a grid.

Retaining bars 4, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1, are provided for partially inserting into the holes 2.

The holes 2 can be circular, like the cross section of the retaining bar 4, the diameter of which is provided to make a fairly tight adjustment, so that the retaining bar 4 can be manually inserted into a hole 2 and that - it stays there alone. It goes without saying that the depth of the holes 2 must be large enough so that the retaining bars can be held firmly.

As can be seen in FIG. 2a, the holes 2 are preferably through because this makes it possible to prevent dirt or other undesirable elements from accumulating there.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b, a variant 4a of the retaining bar 4 can be seen, the lower end of which is provided with a shoulder 5 forming a stud or stud 6 intended to be inserted inside a hole 2, the shoulder then abuts against the upper face of the plate

1.

Of course, it is also possible to provide a thread at the lower end of a retaining bar and a thread in a hole cooperating with the thread to fix the bar.

According to an advantageous variant shown in Figure 4, the plate has, in addition to the holes 2, elongated recesses 7 whose role is to accommodate a retaining bar 4 or 4a throughout the length and preferably also throughout the thickness (or diameter) thereof, so that it does not protrude from the upper face of the plate la.

These elongated recesses can be arranged along one side of the plate 1a and they preferably have a length greater than that of the retaining bars to allow a user to remove using a finger a retaining bar 4 or 4a of plate la.

The width of the elongated recesses 7 is preferably provided to be slightly less than the diameter of the retaining bars 4 or 4a, so that the introduction of these can be done by forcing slightly, so that each retaining bar 4, 4a remains in place in its elongated recess 7.

As can be seen in Figure 5, it is desirable to provide that the recesses 7 open on the underside of the plate, to avoid, as for the holes 2, the accumulation of dirt.

In addition, it is preferable to provide that the recesses 7 narrow on the lower part of the plate 1a. Such a reduction in the width of the elongated recesses 7 forms rounded lower longitudinal edges 8 which prevent the retaining bars 4 or 4a from passing through the plate 1a. This is particularly useful when it is desired to transport the plate 1 + retaining bar 4 assembly: it suffices to place each retaining bar 4 in an elongated recess 7. Thus, even if the adjustment between a retaining bar 4 and its elongated recess 7 is not tight, the user can be sure that if he transports the plate 1 horizontally, there is no risk of dropping a retaining bar 4 or 4a by involuntarily pressing on it because it cannot cross the plate.

In Figure 6 is shown a second embodiment of the invention.

In this second embodiment, the circular holes 2 of the previous embodiment have been elongated to form grooves 11, preferably arranged parallel to each other and parallel to one side of the plate 10, which is rectangular in FIG. 6 .

As can best be seen in FIG. 7, the grooves 11 have a clearance 13 on each of their longitudinal sides.

Returning to FIG. 6, it can be seen that retaining bars 14 formed by an upper part 15 and a lower part 16 in the form of a T are at least partially - in general completely - inserted in the grooves 11 and provided for cooperate with them. For this, each branch of the T is inserted into a clearance 13 inside which it can slide longitudinally.

The lower part 16 can be assembled with the upper part 15 for example by screwing.

Transverse end clearances 19 may also be provided on the transverse sides of the grooves 11.

The grooves 11 preferably pass through the plate 10.

In Figure 8 is shown a plate whose groove 11 has recesses 13 closed in their lower part by a plate or elongated cover 19. In Figures 9, 10 and 11, it can be seen that this elongated cover 19 has a light 20 having substantially the same dimension as a groove 11.

The T-shaped lower part 16 of a retaining bar 14 is visible in detail in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Preferably, the end 21 forming the branches of the T has a circular cross section, which allows it to turn on itself easily when it is inside a clearance 13.

As can be seen in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the cross section of the upper part 15 of a retaining bar 14 present is neither circular nor square and it has a dimension greater than another. In FIGS. 14 to 16, this cross section is rectangular, not square. Alternatively, it could be oblong or ellipsoidal.

The largest side of the upper part 15 has a dimension greater than the width of a groove 11 while the smaller side of the upper part 16 is less than the width of the groove 11, so that, as is can see it by returning to figure 6, the retaining bar 14 can be completely inserted in a groove

11. In this retracted position, the retaining bar 14 does not protrude relative to the upper face of the plate 10.

Uses and method of limiting movement

The device according to the invention can be used to limit the movements of an object to be transported by a vehicle. For that :

- We choose a device according to the invention having suitable dimensions for the location - usually the trunk - in which we want to place;

the device according to the invention is placed in the intended location;

the object is placed on the upper face of the device and

- there is at least one retaining bar as close as possible to the object, in order to limit its movements as much as possible.

The tests carried out by the inventor have shown that it generally suffices for two retaining bars to hold the object in place, if the latter is placed in a corner of the trunk.

In the unusual case where the object takes the form of a three-sided grip, it can even be blocked with a single retaining bar.

On the other hand, if you wish for example that the object is kept in the middle of the trunk, you can surround it with four or more retaining bars.

The surrounding of the object by the retaining bars is done differently, depending on whether a device is used according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the invention.

With the device according to the first embodiment of the invention, it suffices to remove, if necessary, the retaining bars 4,4a from their elongated recesses 7, then to insert them in the holes 2 of the upper face of the plate 1 or surrounding it as closely as possible to the object.

realization, illustrated are, as groove 11 is there, figure 17, the figures of on

With the device according to the second embodiment of the invention, Figures 17 to 21 are carried out as follows:

- at the start, the retaining bars fully pressed into the plate 10 can be seen in Figures 6 and 17;

- The user introduces a finger in the in order to take out the retaining bar which as symbolized by the arrow F on the to arrive at the visible situation on and 19;

- then, it optionally moves the retaining bar 14 by sliding the end 21 of the T-shaped part 16 in the clearance 13 of the groove 11, as symbolized by the arrows H1 and H2, until the retaining bar 14 is located as close as possible to the object;

- Then it rotates the upper part 15 around its longitudinal axis, preferably 90 degrees, as symbolized by the arrow G, so that its widest dimension is placed across the groove 11 and prevents the part upper 15, and therefore the retaining bar 14, to return to this groove, as can be seen in FIGS. 20 and 21;

- moreover, if the lower part 16 is targeted in the upper part 15, the rotation of these parts relative to each other - if it is carried out in the appropriate direction - tightens, the upper face of the plate 10 being taken in a vice between the end 21 of the T-piece and the bottom of the upper part 15, as can be seen in FIG. 21; it follows that the retaining bar 14 ίο is maintained in the extended position at the location chosen by the user as being the best for blocking or limiting the movements of the object as much as possible;

- The user can then repeat these operations with other retaining bars 14, until the object is surrounded by a sufficient number of retaining bars 14; its movements are then restricted as much as possible in all directions.

Transport

Once the object is sufficiently surrounded, it can be transported from one place to another by the vehicle.

Of course, the device according to the invention can be used to secure and transport several objects at the same time.

The plate 1,1a or 10 being in place in the trunk, it can remain there and be used for other transport by stabilizing other objects as indicated above.

The user can remove it from the trunk to clean it.

In addition, if the holes, circular 2 or drawn in the form of a groove 11, as well as the elongated recesses 7 pass through the plate 1,1a or 10 from its upper face to its lower face, the cleaning of this plate is facilitated.

Materials

The device according to the invention can be made of various materials, such as wood, plastics, etc.

the subjects

Preferably, it is produced in plastic, because its production can then be done by molding and its cost price can remain low.

It can be sold as a kit comprising (FIGS. 1 to 3) a support 1 specially designed for a given vehicle and retaining bars 4 or 4a.

It can also be sold in the form of a plate containing the retaining bars 4 or 4a present in the elongated recesses 7.

Finally, it can also be placed on the market in the form of a plate 10 containing retaining bars 14 all in the retracted position.

The device according to the invention can be manufactured in different colors, in order to allow buyers to choose the color which they like most or which matches best with the vehicle or with the interior of the trunk. It can be provided in part or in whole with a coating in order to make it more resistant to wear, to corrosion, to modify its color or to match it in its location.

It can be used in any vehicle, for example passenger vehicles, utility or professional vehicles, trailers, delivery trucks, caterers, delivery tricycles, etc.

Claims (6)

Claims 1. - Device for limiting the movement of an object in a vehicle, comprising: - a support (1,1a, 10) having a lower face and an upper face, the latter comprising at least one hole (2,11); - at least one retaining bar (4,4a, 14) able to insert at least partially into the hole (2,11) and to be held there; in which the hole (11) is a groove having on each longitudinal side a clearance (13), the retaining bar (14) being able to be inserted in this groove (11) and comprising an upper part (15) and a lower part (16) in the shape of a T, the end (21) of which forms the branches of the T is capable of fitting into the recesses (13) of the groove (11), in which, in cross section, the upper part (15) of the retaining bar (14) has a dimension greater than another, characterized in that, in cross section, the largest side of the upper part (15) of the retaining bar (14) has a dimension greater than the width of a groove (11) while the smaller side of the upper part (16) is less than the width of the groove (11), so that the retaining bar (14) can be completely inserted into a groove (11). 2. - Device according to claim 1, wherein the groove (11) is through and its lower side is closed by an elongated cover (19). 3. - Device according to claim 2, wherein the elongated cover (19) comprises a lumen (20) extending longitudinally. 4. - Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 3 in a vehicle to limit the movements of an object to be transported by this vehicle. 5. - Method for limiting the movements of an object to be transported by a vehicle, comprising the following steps: - a device according to one of claims 1 to 3 is placed in the vehicle having dimensions suitable for the location where it is placed, - the object is placed on the upper face of the device and - there is at least one retaining bar (4,4a, 14) as close as possible to the object. 6. - Method of transporting an object, comprising the following steps: - a device according to one of claims 1 to 3 is placed in the vehicle having dimensions suitable for the location where it is placed, - the object is placed on the upper face of the device and - there is at least one retaining bar (4,4a, 14) as close as possible to the object, - the vehicle is driven to the place of destination of the object, - The object is removed from its location then the retaining bar (s) (4,4a, 14) is removed or lowered, these operations being able to be reversed; if necessary, the retaining bar (s) (4,4a) is introduced into one or more elongated recesses (7). 1/5