GB2289449A - Floor covering system for vehicle storage compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor covering system for the storage compartment of a vehicle, comprising a floor covering such as a mat adapted to be fitted to the storage compartment and having formations adapted for removably coupling one or more securing device(s) for the securing of stored items during transport. The securing devices may be vertical partitioning walls, with downwardly-projecting pegs 8 to fit removably into recesses or holes 2 in the floor covering mat 6. They may also be flexible belts, securable by screws or pegs into the floor covering. <IMAGE>

Description

Floor Covering System For Vehicle Storage Compartments This Invention relates to floor covering systems for the storage compartments of vehicles, either private or commercial.

Both private and commercial vehicles have areas designed for non passenger transport (i.e. sections designed for the carrying of objects and goods of all kinds ). These areas are typically the rear cabin / compartment in commercial vehicles ,and the boot or estate compartment in private vehicles.

There are a variety of liners and floor coverings available for both private and commercial vehicles , non of which offers secure facilities designed for the transportation of goods. For example , in private vehicles goods regularly transported might include : Tool box ; Can of oil ; Spare petrol canister ; Water container; Bags of shopping . In commercial vehicles the range of regularly transported goods is diverse , but might include : Tool box; Isolated large tools Piping ; Crates ; Boxes ; Cylinder tanks.

When the rear compartments are not filled to capacity goods have a tendency to move around , which as well as being potentially dangerous in the case of large heavy objects , causes annoyance and distraction to the driver and damage to the interior I exterior of vehicles (dents from heavy objects or damage from liquid spillage ), not to mention damage to the transported goods If shopping bags for example , are free to move across the floor of a luggage compartment, they can spill and damage their contents.

According to the present invention there is provided a floor covering system for the storage compartment of a vehicle , comprising a floor covering adapted to be fitted to the storage compartment and having formations adapted for removably coupling one or more securing device (s) for the securing of stored items during transport.

A specific embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure (1) shows an example of the sheet matting from above where holes have been used as illustrative of the integral "gripping" features.

Figure (2) shows an example of the same matting from above shaped for use in the rear of a commercial vehicle.

Figure (3) shows from above matting to be affixed to the sides of the vehicle in conjunction with the floor matting as shown in figure (2).

Figure (4) shows an example of the matting from above shaped for use in the rear of a private vehicle.

Figure (5) shows an example of the matting in perspective again based on using holes as the integral " gripping " features.

Figure (6) shows an example of a pair of wedge shaped accessory securing devices in perspective view.

Figure (7) and Figure (8) illustrate how the accessory securing devices affix to the transportation matting, thus completing the secure transportation matting system. Illustrations are in perspective view.

Figures 9a 9b and 9c show a corner securing accessory device respectively from above , below, ,and from the side in perspective. Figures 1 Oa and 1 Ob show a four corner or crucifix securing device respectively from below and in perspective from the side, with Figure 10 c representing a single Peg accessory securing device with aperture shown in plan view from the front.

Figure (11) is a perspective view from above and one side of a linear securing device to sectionalise the rear compartment e.g. making a private vehicle boot any desired size.

Figures (12) and (13) are perspective views of a curved securing device , Fig (12) from one end of a pair of the devices and Fig (13) from one side of one device.

Figure 1 4a is a perspective view of a pair of self - tapping accessory securing devices . Figure 1 4b is a top plan view of a securing wbelt device to which the devices of Fig 14a be secured.

Figures 15a and 15b are perspective views of a wheel arch protection box from below and above respectively.

Figures 1 6a, I 6b and 16e are respectively side ,top and underneath views of a moveable box accessory securing device.

Referring to the drawings, the secure transportation matting system comprises a floor mat 1 made of a suitable high friction and therefore non slip material ( e.g. recycled or manufactured or synthetic rubber or any present or future manufactured or natural material which is deemed most suitable ), with a series of integral "gripping" features 2 which for the purposes of illustration are round holes (but which could be holes of any shape and size , or equally raised dimples of any shape or size, or indeed hollows or grooves), to which accessory securing devices may be affixed to provide secure transportation of goods in both private and commercial vehicles. Examples of securing devices are shown in figures 6 and figures 916.

The matting as shown in figures 1, 2 and 4, is laid on the floor of the rear compartment of the vehicle. The diagrams are not to scale and the size of the matting will ultimately be determined by the vehicle in which it is to be used.

Thus the size may correspond to the boot of a private car, Fig 4, or the rear of a commercial type van, Fig 2. Also the thickness of the mat 6 (Fig 5) will be determined by the use to which it will be put with commercial models being thicker and more durable than private use models . Both need to be of at least a minimum thickness to allow firm safe fixing of accessory securing devices.

After the matting has been placed on the floor in the rear compartment of the vehicle, goods to be carried may be placed on top of the high grip matting for transportation . Where the article being transported requires extra security during transportation, a range of accessory securing devices may be locked into the matting as shown in Figures 7 and 8 with, in this example, the round pegs 8 being slotted into the round holes 2, until the underside of the securing device rests firmly on the mat's surface 1. The goods being transported are wedged up against the sides of the securing devices e.g. in Fig.8 sides 10 or 11, , depending on the size and shape of the object.

If for example a box shaped object is being transported an accessory securing device such as that illustrated in Fig.9a and 9b maybe be deemed appropriate.

In this case the comer of the box would be secured against the inside 15 of the comer accessory securing device, with another such device placed around the diagonally opposite comer of the box, thus preventing its movement.

If four boxes were being carried, use of the device illustrated in Figs 1 Oa and 1 Ob may be suitable for affixing where the corners of the four boxes meet in the middle, with securing devices as per Fig 9 being placed on the outside comer of each of the boxes, firmly locking them in position.

The single Peg accessory securing device, Fig 10 c ,allows ultimate flexibility in securing articles of irregular shape. The stem, 31, abuts the object, and allows for the use of additional securing by threading string / rope through the aperture , 32, and around the object to be secured, linked by a series of the peg accessory securing devices.

Where a cylinder is being carried1 for example, welding equipment, in order to prevent it from rolling around the rear compartment, a pair of accessory securing devices such as those illustrated in Figs 12 and 13 may be appropriate, with the curved face, 20, of the device being fixed up against the curve of the cylindrical tank, one at each side. The securing device 29 is elongate with the same arcuate section along its length.

A straight line securing device may be used for example to sectionalise the boot of a private car. The device, Fig 11, , stabilised by an integral T-Bar at the back to prevent it from being pushed over by the movement of heavy articles when for example the vehicle turns a corner. Uses might be for securing shopping preventing the contents of the bags being spilled in the boot or damaged from such mobility during transportation.

A securing "strap" accessory 27, in the form of a flexible belt, such as illustrated in figure 1 4b may be used to stretch over the top of articles for security. Two self tapping devices, 22 Fig 1 4a , are fixed into the matting 1 on either side of the article ,and the strap goes across the top of the article. Free ends of the strap 27 can be secured over the ends 23 of the self - tapping devices through apertures 26 in the strap. The series of holes in the strap, 26, allow a variety of different objects to be secured tightly. The devices 22 in this example are screw-threaded (24) but they could be secured in other ways e.g.

with a push snap fit.

Figures 1 5a and 1 Sb show a wheel arch cover 28 which can be secured on the base matting, 1, around the space cut for the vehicle wheel arch ,3, to provide protection for the exposed arch. Pegs 8 can be inserted into the sockets 2 with a push friction fit.

Figures 1 6a 16b and 16c illustrate a moveable box 30 with pegs 8 for insertion into sockets 2, which may be utilised for carrying odd items e.g. rags, screen cleaner, ice scraper, de-icer, oil can etc. In other words it provides secure transportation of all manner of small lose carried goods and may be secured at the most convenient place on the matting in the same way as all the other securing devices i.e. by slotting the securing projections 8 into the integral "gripping" features 2 of the base matting 1.

Claims (21)

1) A floor covering system for the storage compartment of a vehicle, comprising a floor covering adapted to be fitted to the storage compartment and having formations adapted for removably coupling one or more securing device(s) for the securing of stored items during transport.

2) A system according to claim 1, comprising at least one such securing device removably coupled to the floor covering.

3) A system according to claim 2, in which the securing device is a partition extending upwardly from the floor covering.

4) A system according to claim 3, in which the partition has formations which co-operate with formations on the floor covering removably to secure the partition rigidly thereto.

5) A system according to claim 3 or 4, in which the partition is horizontally elongate in use.

6) A system according to claim 5, in which the partition has an arcuate profile in section.

7) A system according to claim 5, in which the partition is L-shaped in plan view.

8) A system according to claim 5, in which the partition is cruciform in plan view.

9) A system according to claim 4, in which the partition's formations are downward projections spaced horizontally along its underside.

10) A system according to claim 2, in which the securing device comprises a flexible elongate member and means for connecting the member at at least two horizontally separate points to the floor covering, and capable in use of embracing one or more stored item and holding it on to the floor covering.

CLAIMS....

11) A system according to claim 10, in which the flexible elongate member is a belt with apertures, and the connecting means comprise at least two pegs for insertion through corresponding aperture and into co-operating formations in the floor covering.

12) A system according to any preceding claim, in which the floor covering is a high friction, non-slip matting.

13) A system according to any preceding claim, in which the floor covering is tailored, with an irregular periphery, to fit into the sides of the storage compartment of a specific vehicle.

14) A system according to any preceding claim, in which the floor covering has integral side portions for securing to the side walls of the storage compartment.

15) A system according to any preceding claim, in which the floor covering formations comprise a horizontal array in two dimensions of recesses or projections all of which have the same shape and size.

16) A system according to claim 15, in which the formations have a regular geometric horizontal sectional shape.

17) A system according to any preceding claim, in which the floor covering formations comprise a regular or an irregular array of recesses or projections.

18) A floor covering substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19) A floor covering system comprising a tailored floor covering and at least one securing device, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20) A floor covering system according to Claim 2, where the securing device is in the form of a vertical peg.

21) A floor covering system according to claim 20, where the peg securing device has an aperture.