GB2329623A - Shelf for location in vehicle boot - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf for location at various heights in the boot of a vehicle to segregate it into a variety of different sized storage spaces includes a peripheral section 3 comprising two longitudinal members 5,6 and a transverse member 7 foldable about a hinge line 11. A central section 4, which may be hinged, is supported upon a lip 9 at the inner edges of the peripheral section so as to be bodily liftable from that section. In use, the outer edges of the longitudinal members cooperate with securing means located at the desired heights on the boot wall.The securing means may comprise support ledges against which the shelf edges are retained by spring latches. The shelf may be provided with pivotable support legs 8 to provide extra support when the shelf is in its lowermost position. In another embodiment, the central section may be removably pivoted to the periperal section so as to be pivotable upwards instead of bodily liftable during use. The support legs may be replaced by an inverted box-like boot liner which serves to support the shelf in its lowermost position.

Description

SHELF FOR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN VEHICLE BOOT Passenger cars usually have a discrete space for the storage of luggage. This space, commonly called the "boot"is usually disposed at the rear of most vehicles having engines in front or underfloor. Passenger cars also frequently have a rear door, these vehicles being commonly called "hatchbacks" or "estate" cars. These same vehicles also usually have rear parcel shelves for light storage purposes or as a screen to cover the contents of the boot. There are instances when this screen or parcel shelf is removed and this can lead to the loss of storage space.

The proposed invention offers a means of providing some segregated storage space even if the boot is predominantly occupied by other objects and even if the parcel shelf is removed.

In its broadest aspect as set out in claim 1, the invention comprises a shelf for location at different heights within the boot of a vehicle, to subdivide the boot into discrete storage spaces, the sizes of which vary according to the selected height at which the shelf is located, the shelf and/or the boot wall being provided with a securing mechanism whereby the shelf is located at selected heights and secured within the boot.

Other aspects of the invention are as set out in the subordinate claims.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows a "hatchback" or "estate" car with a shelf according to the invention located in an upper position and acting as a parcel shelf or boot screen.

Figure 2 shows a "hatchback" or "estate" car with a shelf according to the invention located in a lower position allowing an alternative segregation of the storage space.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the shelf includes a pivotable hinged section, the section being shown in its raised position to allow easy access to the lower storage space.

Figures 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the invention in which the shelf comprises a central section and a peripheral section, the peripheral section being hinged to enable it to be folded and being equipped with support legs.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the peripheral section is hinged to enable it to be folded and is secured in the unfolded, operative, flat condition byabolt.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the edges of the peripheral member are received in latched supporting ledges.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the peripheral section is provided with support legs pivotable to an extended position and held there by locking flaps.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the shelf has fabric around its periphery to form a protective curtain.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the shelf has a divider wall at its front end during use which separates the boot space from the main vehicle seating space.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the shelf comprises a central section releasably pivoted by pins to a peripheral section.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the shelf includes a cover which is optionally provided with side wall sections.

Figure 13 shows a shelf according to the invention located above a boot liner with upstanding walls.

Figure 14 shows a shelf according to the invention located on an inverted boot liner.

Figures 15a - 15e show an arrangement for releasably securing a shelf, according to the invention, to an upturned boot liner.

Figure 16 shows a shelf according to the invention located upon an upturned boot liner and having a divider wall.

Figures 1 7a - I 7c show a boot liner with cavities to receive the legs of a divider wall.

Figure 18 shows an arrangement for securing a divider wall to a shelf according to the invention having at least one pivotable leg for support.

Figure 19 shows a shelf according to the invention formed of two sections longitudinally hinged together to enable the shelf to be folded for storage.

With reference to Figure 1, a shelf 1 according to the invention is shown in an upper position in which it segregates the boot 2 into two substantially equal sections 2a and 2b. The usual parcel shelf has been removed and the shelf 1 provides a robust support for heavy loads.

With reference to Figure 2, the shelf 1 is shown in a lower position in which it segregates the boot 2 into a lower, smaller section 2c and an upper, larger, section 2d, which itself can be further subdivided by the usual parcel shelf.

With reference to Figure 3, the shelf is shown as comprising a first section 1 a hinged to a second section ib, the first section being shown in the raised position to facilitate easy access to the space under the shelf. The hinged section 1 a can be held in a raised position by a pivoted support lc or a cord Id.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, a shelf is shown which consists of a peripheral section 3 and a removable central section 4. The peripheral section comprises two longitudinal members 5 and 6, which, in use of the shelf extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car, and a transverse member 7 which joins the longitudinal members at one end.

The longitudinal members are provided with support legs 8 extending from them which legs are operative during use of the shelf in its lowermost position to contact the floor of the boot and provide extra support. The legs may be pivotable from a first position in which they lie against the longitudinal members to a second position in which they extend from the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members may be provided with recesses of a depth equal to the thickness of the legs so that the surface of each leg is flush with the surface of the shelf when the leg is in its first position. The inner edge of the peripheral section is provided along at least part of its length with a lip 9 defined by the projecting section of a strip or strips 10 secured around that edge. The central section rests upon the lip during use of the shelf and can be removed bodily from the ledge to facilitate access to the space below the shelf.

The transverse member 7 of the peripheral section is formed in two pieces 7a and 7b around an axis of rotation 11 which is longitudinal during use of the shelf to thereby divide the peripheral section into two parts. The parts can be unfolded to a flat operative condition ready to receive the central section or to a folded storage condition in which the two parts overlie each other. The axis may lie centrally of the transverse member so that the peripheral section is foldable in half.

With reference to Figure 6, an arrangement for hinging the transverse member about the longitudinal axis of rotation is shown. The two parts 7a and 7b of the transverse member 7 are secured together by at least one hinge 12 located on the surface of the transverse member which is underneath during use. This surface carries a bolt 13 which spans the hinge line and which is operated to secure the peripheral member in the flat operative condition. The hinge 12 may be a limited travel hinge and at least one supporting leg is preferably located adjacent the hinge.

With reference to Figure 7, a shelf is shown in the operative position in which the edges of the longitudinal members 5 and 6 are received by supporting ledge members 14 located at the required height on the boot walls. The edges are retained in position by spring latches 15 located on the boot walls above the supporting ledge members.

With reference to Figure 8, a shelf is shown in which the longitudinal members 5 and 6 are provided on their undersides in use with longitudinally extending support legs 16, 17. Each support leg is pivotable from a first storage position in which it lies against the underside of its associated member to a second operative position (shown) in which it extends therefrom. Each leg is retained in the extended operative position by a pair of hinged locking flaps 18. Each locking flap is pivotable from a first storage position adjacent its associated leg to a second operative position in which it extends at right angles from the leg. The upper surface 1 8a of each locking flap engages the undersurface of its associated longitudinal member. The flaps may be held in the operative position by friction with the undersurface of the longitudinal member, or by passing beyond a locally raised section (not shown) of the undersurface.

With reference to Figure 9, a shelf is shown which is provided with a peripheral protective curtain made of fabric. The fabric 19 is stored on rollers 20 located on the underside of the peripheral section and in use is extended upwardly and secured at its free edges to the side walls of the boot and the back of the rear seats 21. The securing means carried by the free edges of the fabric, can be hook and pile fasteners (VELCRO RTM) 22 for the rear seats, and suction pads 23 attached to the fabric by rings 24 for the side walls or windows.

With reference to Figure 10, a shelf is shown in which the transverse member 7 of the peripheral section carries a divider wall 25 which separates the boot from the main vehicle space. The divider wall comprises a frame 26 provided internally with netting 27 held in place against the back of the rear seats 28 and the rear seat headrests 29 and the transverse member 7 by hooks 30 on the end of elasticated cords 31. The divider wall comprises a transverse section 26a and two legs 26b and 26c, which are slidable in grommets 32 themselves force fitted into receiving holes 32a in the transverse member.

The grommets may be of rubber or plastics material such as nylon. If made of plastics material each grommet is slotted at 33 to facilitate compliance for the force fit. The divider wall is not necessarily mounted on the transverse member but may be mounted at any position along the longitudinal members, for example at the rear end during use.

In an alternative embodiment the divider wall can be in the form of a closed loop within which the netting is located.

With reference to Figure 11, a shelf is shown in which the central section 4 of the shelf is removably pivoted to the peripheral section 3. Each longitudinally extending edge of the central section is provided with a projecting pin 33 which is received in a slot 34 in the opposite edge of the corresponding longitudinal member 5 or 6. The pin is moved into and out of the slot via an entry groove 35 on the surface of the longitudinal member which is uppermost during use of the shelf.

With reference to Figure 12, a shelf is shown having a cover 36 secured in place at the edges of the peripheral section by an elasticated grip or securing cords (not shown).

The cover may be provided at the edges with a protective screen 37 formed by vertical sections of material held in place in use by securing strips 38. The cover may also be provided with a longitudinal opening 39 to allow easy access to the central section.

The opening may be closed by a suitable closure means 40 such as a sliding clasp fastener or a hook and pile fastener (VELCRO RTM).

With reference to Figure 13, a shelf 1 according to the invention is shown together with a box-like boot liner 41. The boot liner in normal use is located in the boot to form an open topped receptacle for storage purposes. It may be provided with a hinged fourth wall (not shown) located in use adjacent the rear door of the vehicle.

With reference to Figure 14, the shelf 1 is shown located upon an upturned boot liner and in use the assembly is located in the boot of a vehicle, the walls of the upturned boot liner contacting the floor of the boot and providing extra support for the shelf when it is in its lowermost position. Preferably the surface of the boot liner contacting the shelf when it is located as described with reference to Figure 14 is of a smaller area than the sheW With reference to Figures 1 spa - 15e, an arrangement is shown for securing the shelf to the upturned boot liner. The arrangement comprises male protrusions 42 on the shelf which are received by slots 43 around the edge of the boot liner. Alternative securing means such as proprietary quarter turn fasteners and/or latches or catches or snap fit fasteners can be used.

With reference to Figure 16, an arrangement comprising an upturned boot liner 41 carrying a shelf 1 according to the invention and provided with a vertical divider wall 42 located at the front end of the shelf during use is shown. The divider wall 42 has a pair of legs 43 joined at their upper ends by a cross member 44 and includes a net 45.

The lower ends of the legs can be received, for extra securement, in cavities 46 at the edges of the boot liner, as shown in Figures 17a -17c. The boot liner may be provided with four cavities 46 as shown so that a second vertical divider wall, located during use at the rear of the shelf, can be used. This arrangement provides a space within the boot defined by the front and rear divider walls and the sides of the boot. The legs of a divider wall may include a telescopic adjustment 47 to allow the height of the divider to be adjusted. The, or each, divider wall can be rotatably mounted about one leg upon the boot liner. In this fashion access to the space between the divider walls is facilitated either from the rear of the vehicle or the body of the vehicle. Access into the body of the vehicle beyond the boot, from the boot, is also facilitated.

Figure 16 shows a specific arrangement for rotatably mounting a divider wall. It comprises one leg 43a rotatably received within a cavity in the boot liner. The other leg 43b is provided with a telescopic latch 48 which can be moved to release the leg from the shelf. When this is done the divider wall is free to be rotated about the leg 43a.

With reference to Figure 18, a shelf having a divider wall, the legs 43 of which are received within slotted grommets 48, is shown. The lower ends of each leg 43 is provided with a shallow slot 49 and is received within a slot 50 in the support leg 8.

The slot 50 extends only partway down the leg 8 to leave a bridge portion 51 which is received in the slot 49. In this way the leg 43 is held firmly against rotation.

With reference to Figure 19, a shelf according to the invention is shown having legs 8 and comprising two sections 52a and 52b hinged about a fold line 53 which is longitudinal during use of the shelf.. Means such as locking bolts are provided to maintain the shelf in its unfolded flat operative condition.

When the shelf comprises a peripheral section and a pivotable or bodily movable central section, the central section may be foldable along a hinge line extending longitudinally or transversely during use of the shelf so as to enable the central section to be folded for storage purposes and unfolded for use. When unfolded for use, if the hinge line lies longitudinally, then locking means such as bolts are provided to keep the central section rigid. When the hing line extends transversely during use' the locking means are not needed.

The shelf may be made from plastics or wood which may be laminated. In key bending areas, notably around the inner and outer edges of the peripheral section, the shelf may be stiffened by locally thickened regions.

Claims (73)

1. A shelf for location at different heights within the boot of a vehicle to subdivide the boot into discrete storage spaces, the sizes of which vary according to the selected height at which the shelf is located, the shelf and /or boot wall being provided with a securing mechanism whereby the shelf is located at selected heights and secured within the boot.

2. A shelf as claimed in claim 1 in which the securing mechanism comprises an edge region on the shelf and a supporting ledge and spring latch which can be located on the boot wall at the desired height, the edge region of the shelf being secured releasably between the spring latch and the ledge.

3. A shelf as claimed in claim 2 where each side of the shelf; which in use lies longitudinally in the car, is provided with an edge region and each edge region is associated with a ledge and spring latch arrangement on the opposing boot wall.

4. A shelf as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the shelf is provided with at least one support leg pivotable downwardly when the shelf is in use from a first position against the shelf to a second extended position in which it engages the boot floor and provides extra support for the shelf

5. A shelf as claimed in claim 4 in which the, or each, leg is received in the first position in a recess in the undersurface of the shelf in use, the depth of the recess equalling the thickness of the leg so that the surface of the leg is flush with the surface of the shelf when the leg is in said first position.

6. A shelf as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5 in which the axis, about which the, or each, leg pivots, lies in use in a direction longitudinally of the vehicle.

7. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 4,5,or 6 in which each leg is secured in the second, extended position by at least one hinged locking flap which is pivotable from a storage position adjacent its associated leg to an operative position in which it extends at right angles from the leg and one edge of it contacts the adjacent surface of the shelf which is the undersurface during use.

8. A shelf as claimed in claim 7 in which the locking flap is held in its operative position by friction with the undersurface of the shelf.

9. A shelf as claimed in claim 7 in which the locking flap is held in its operative position by being forced past a locally raised area on the undersurface of the shelf.

10. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim in which the shelf is provided with means to bridge any gap between itself and the side walls of the boot and/or the back of the rear seats.

11. A shelf as claimed in claim 10 in which the bridging means comprises at least one roll of fabric located at the edges of the surface of the shelf which is the undersurface during use, the free edge of each roll of fabric being provided with securing means to secure it to the boot wall or the back of the rear seats.

12. A shelf as claimed in claim 10 in which the bridging means comprises at least one sheet of naturally springing convoluted rubber or plastics material located at the edges of the shelf; the free edge of each sheet being provided with means to secure it to the boot wall or the back of the rear seats.

13. A shelf as claimed in claims 11 or 12 in which the securing means for securing the free edge of the bridging means to the boot wall comprises at least one suction pad attached to the free edge by an attachment ring.

14. A shelf as claimed in claims 11 or 12 in which the securing means for securing the free edge of the bridging means to the back of the rear seats comprises a hook and pile fastener (VELCRO RTM).

15. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 in which the shelf includes a section pivotable upwardly in use to facilitate access to the space below the shelf

16. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 in which the shelf includes a section movable bodily upwards in use to facilitate access to the space below the shelf.

17. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 in which the shelf does not include sections which are upwardly bodily movable or upwardly pivotable in use to facilitate access to the space below.

18. A shelf as claimed in claim 15 in which the shelf includes a peripheral section and a central section which is pivotable upwardly when the shelf is in use to facilitate access to the space below the shelf.

19. A shelf as claimed in claim 16 in which the shelf includes a peripheral section and a central section which is bodily movable upward when the shelf in use to facilitate access to the space below the shelf.

20. A shelf; as in Claims 15-19, which has a pivotable support rod, attached either to the movable central section or the peripheral members, or an attachment cord, the supporting rod or cord enabling the central section to be held, hands free, in its open elevated position.

21. A shelf as claimed in claim 17 which comprise two sections hinged together along an axis lying longitudinally of the vehicle during use.

22. A shelf as claimed in claim 21 in which the axis lies centrally of the shelf so that the shelf is foldable in half

23. A shelf as claimed in claim in claim 21 in which locking means are provided to maintain the shelf in the unfolded flat operative condition.

24. A shelf as claimed in claim 23 in which the locking means is one or more locking bolts.

25. A shelf as claimed in claims 18 or 19 in which the central section is foldable along an axis which in use of the shelf lies longitudinally of the vehicle and is provided with locking means to hold it in its flat operative state.

26. A shelf as claimed in claim 25 in which the locking means comprises one or more locking bolts.

27. A shelf as claimed in claims 18 or 19 in which the central section is foldable along an axis which during use of the shelf lies transversely of the vehicle.

28. A shelf as claimed in claims 18 or 19 or in any of claims 24 to 26 in which the peripheral section comprises a pair of longitudinal members which extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when in use and a transverse member which joins the longitudinal members at one end, the transverse member lying near the back of the rear seats when the shelf is in use.

29. A shelf as claimed in claim 28 in which the peripheral section is foldable after removal of the central section about an axis passing through the transverse member, the axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the car when the shelf is in use.

30. A shelf as claimed in claim 28 in which the axis passes through the centre line of the peripheral section, thus enabling the shelf to be folded into two equal halves.

31. A shelf as claimed in claim 29 or 30 in which the axis is defined by at least one hinge and a bolt is provided adjacent the hinge to secure the peripheral section and thus the shelf in its unfolded operative flat state.

32. A shelf as claimed in claim 18 or in any of claims 24 to 31 when dependant on claim 18 in which the edges of the central section which lie longitudinally during use of the shelf are each provided with a projecting pin and the opposing edges of the peripheral section are provided with slots, each of which releasably receives a pin via an entry groove in the surface of the peripheral section adjacent the slotted edge, whereby the central section is releasably pivotably mounted on the peripheral section.

33. A shelf as claimed in claim 19 or in any of claims 24 to 30 when dependant on claim 19 in which at least the edges of the peripheral section which lie longitudinally when the shelf is in use are provided with a projecting lip and the corresponding edges of the central section are received upon the lip whereby the central section is bodily movably mounted upon the peripheral section.

34. A shelf as claimed in claim 33 in which the lip is formed by strips of material secured to and projecting from the surface of the peripheral section which is the undersurface during use.

35. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim including a divider wall which extends vertically during use of the shelf.

36. A shelf as claimed in claim 35 in which the divider wall is mounted at the front of the shelf during use.

37. A shelf as claimed in claim 35 in which the divider wall is mounted at the rear of the shelf during use.

38. A shelf as claimed in claim 345in which there are two divider walls, one mounted at the front of the shelf during use and one mounted at the rear of the shelf during use.

39. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 35 to 38 in which the divider wall is a loop frame containing netting and is secured by elasticated cords or rubber bands carrying hooks to the back of the rear seats, the headrests of the rear seats, and the forward end of the shelf.

40. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 35 to 38 in which the divider wall comprises two legs joined at one end by a bar with netting strung between the legs, the legs being mounted on the shelf.

41. A shelf as claimed in claim 40 when dependent upon claim 18 or claim 19 in which the peripheral section is provided with holes into which grommets are force fitted and the legs are frictionally received within the grommets.

42. A shelf as in claim 41 in which the grommets are of plastics material and are slotted to enhance a compression fit in the holes.

43. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim in which the shelf is provided with a cover secured in place at the edges of the shelf.

44. A shelf as claimed in claim 43 in which the cover is secured by an elasticated grip.

45. A shelf as claimed in claim 43 in which the cover is secured by cords.

46. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 43 to 45 in which the cover is provided with a longitudinal opening to allow access to the shelf beneath.

47. A shelf as claimed in claim 46 in which the opening is closable by a sliding clasp fastener.

48. A shelf as claimed in claim 46 in which the opening is closed by a hook and pile type fastener (VELCRO RTM).

49. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 43 to 48 in which a protective screen is secured to the cover at its edges.

50. A shelf as claimed in claim 49 in which the protective screen comprises sections of fabric secured at one edge to the cover and securable at their free edges to the walls of the boot or the rear of the back seat by securing straps.

51. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 1 - 3 and any of claims 10 - 50 when not dependent on any of claims 4 - 9 in combination with a boot liner comprising a base and at least 3 upstanding walls, the boot liner in use being releasably secured to the surface of the shelf which is the undersurface during use in such a way that the walls project downwardly and engage the boot floor to provide extra support for the shelf when it is in its lowermost position.

52. A shelf as claimed in claim 51 in which the base of the boot liner is of a smaller area than the shelf.

53. A shelf as claimed in claims 51 or 52 in which the means to releasably secure the shelf to the boot liner comprises male protrusions around the edges of the shelf which are received by slots around the edges of the base of the boot liner.

54. A shelf as claimed in claims 51 or 52 in which the means to releasably secure the shelf to the boot liner comprises quarter turn fasteners.

55. A shelf as claimed in claims 51 or 52 in which the means to releasably secure the shelf to the boot liner comprises snap fit fasteners.

56. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 51 to 55 in which a divider wall, which is vertical during use of the shelf; is mounted on the shelf.

57. A shelf as claimed in claim 56 in which there is a single divider wall and it is mounted at the front end of the shelf during use.

58. A shelf as claimed in claim 56 in which there is a single divider wall and it is mounted at the rear end of the shelf during use.

59. A shelf as claimed in claim 56 in which there are two divider walls, one mounted at the front end and one mounted at the rear during use of the shelf.

60. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 56 to 59 in which the, or each, divider wall comprises a pair of legs joined at their upper end during use by a cross member and a net carried between the legs.

61. A shelf as claimed in claim 60 in which the front and rear of the edges of the base of the boot liner are provided with cavities for receiving the lower ends of the legs of a divider wall.

62. A shelf as claimed in claim 61 in which a first leg of the, or each, divider wall is rotatably received within a cavity whilst the second leg is provided with a telescopic latch to release it from the shelf; thereby enabling the divider wall to be rotated about the first leg.

63. A shelf as claimed in any of claims 60 to 62 in which each leg of a divider wall is telescopic so that its height is adjustable.

64 A shelf as claimed in any of claims 40 to 50 when dependent upon claim 4 in which the end of each leg of the divider wall is slotted and is received by a section of the support leg that is provided with a slot extending only partway down the support leg, the bridge portion formed at the end of the slot in the support leg being received by the slot at the end of the divider wall leg.

65. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim made from plastics or plastic composites.

66. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim made from wood.

67. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim which is of laminated construction.

68. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim which is thickened for extra strength in high stress areas.

69. A shelf substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3, Figures 4, 5,6 and 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figures 13 and 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, Figures 1 7a and 17b, Figure 18, or Figure 19 of the accompanying drawing.

70. A shelf as claimed in any preceding claim when located in the boot of a vehicle.

71. A shelf as claimed in any of claim 1 to 59 in combination with the boot of a vehicle modified to receive the shelf.

72. A method of subdividing the boot of a vehicle into spaces the size of which can be varied comprising locating one or more securing mechanisms at the desire height or height within the boot and locating a shelf on the or each securing mechanism.

73. A method as claimed in claim 71 in which the shelf is as claimed in any of claims 1 to 70.