GB2336345A - Hook arrangement in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A hook arrangement in a vehicle comprises a strap 3 with one end secured to a panel 1 of the vehicle and the other having a bar 4 secured thereto, so that the strap may be located over the edge 9 of the panel, presenting the bar for use as an element from which articles of luggage 5 may be suspended. The panel may be a pivoting glove compartment door or another displaceable panel. The strap may be extensible on a reel or with an adjustable buckle fixing and may have a return bias to take up slack and damp the luggage movements. The bar may be replaced by a hook-shaped element, a hook and fleece fastening, a grapple-type element, a press stud or other fastening.

Description

2336345 A HOOK ARRANGEMENT The present invention relates to a hook

arrangement and more particularly to a hook arrangement for use within a vehicle such as a motor car.

Within vehicles, and particularly within motor vehicles, storage and retention of bags, etc, is highly desirable both in terms of producing less clutter and ensuring articles are accessible to occupants in a vehicle, whilst avoiding spillage, etc. Provision of a hook arrangement within a vehicle is therefore highly advantageous.

Typically, such hook arrangements have been provided upon flat panels such as the vehicle door or seat rear. However, such hook arrangements can diminish the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle's interior trim as they break the surface profile and also inadequately present/support bags etc. It will be appreciated that a flat surface inherently will not allow a bag to be suspended and thus the bag will be held in a leaning configuration against that flat panel. Thus, there is a limitation in the protection given to the bag as a result of jolting or swaying as the vehicle moves or turns in use. Furthermore, a bag leaning against a flat panel is more likely to soil a panel and so again diminish the aesthetic appeal of the motor vehicle interior. Finally, it is important that the hook retains any baggage with sufficient security to ensure, as a result of normal driving and collisions, such baggage does not become detached and so dangerous to an occupant.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hook arrangement suitable for a vehicle which substantially overcomes the 5 abovementioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hook arrangement for a vehicle, the arrangement comprising a strap and a bar end secured to one end of that strap whilst another end of said strap is arranged to be secured to a displaceable panel through a mounting to allow said strap to be presented, in use, over an edge of said panel to provide the bar end as a suspensive hook fixing for baggage.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is a hook arrangement including the displaceable panel which is pivotable about an opposite pivot edge to the edge over which the strap is presented.

The strap may be arranged to be secured to one side of the panel whilst the bar end is presented as a suspensive hook fixing on the other side of that panel.

The displaceable panel, in addition to being pivotable about a pivot edge, may alternatively be axially displaceable longitudinally, vertically or downwards to present an already angularly configured panel as required in accordance with the present invention. Alternatively, the edge over which the strap is presented may be displaceable relative to the panel.

The edge may be rounded or grooved in order to accommodate the strap and so inhibit lateral movement of the strap and so the suspensive hook fixing in use.

The panel may include clips in order to secure the bar end when not in use.

The bar end typically will have expanded end elements in order to facilitate baggage retention.

The strap may be made from webbing or similar material.

The strap presented over an,edge of said panel may be extendible in order to present the suspensive hook fixing at various heights. Such extensibility of the strap may be achieved through the mounting including ratchet means to secure the strapabout said displaceable panel.

The strap may be return biased towards the mounting in order to further facilitate suspensive presentation of the hook fixing. This return bias may be achieved through the strap being made from a material having a significant elastomeric function or alternatively by providing spring or other bias within the mounting secured to the displaceable panel.

The displaceable panel may be a glove compartment lid of a motor vehicle.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a pictorial front perspective view of a hook arrangement; and Figure 2 is a pictorial rear perspective view of the hook arrangement depicted in Figure 1 when not deployed.

Refeming to Figure 1, in which a pictorial front perspective of a hook arrangement in accordance with the present invention is depicted. A displaceable panel 1, such as a motor vehicle glove compartment lid, includes the hook arrangement 2 comprising a strap 3 and a bar end 4. One end of the strap 3 is secured to the panel 1 on one side (not seen) whilst, in use, the bar end 4 is presented as a suspensive hook fitting on the other side of the panel 1. Thus, baggage 5 can be secured about the bar end 4 in its deployed suspensive fixing mode.

The panel 1 is displaceable and as illustrated can be a motor vehicle glove compartment lid. This panel 1 is displaceable in this embodiment by pivoting along an edge 6 until retained in an angular configuration relative to a perpendicular axis X-X from the edge 6. Thus, in its deployed suspensive hook fixing mode, the bar 4 is spaced from the panel 1 surface so that baggage 5, through handles 7, is normally held away from the panel 1.

In such circumstances, the baggage 5 is in relative suspension within the footwell space of a motor vehicle. The baggage 5 will then readily adapt to the motion of the vehicle in order to conveniently retain objects within the baggage 5 such as take-away meals, bottles or other items. Alternatively, the baggage 5 could constitute a waste bin located within the motor vehicle secured to the bar 4 or the hook arrangement could provide mountings for discretionary items such as a picnw tray, etc.

It will be appreciated that the displaceable panel 1 in accordance with the present invention must present an angular or displaced configuration to the perpendicular X-X in use in order to achieve the necessary suspensive hook fixing of the bar 4. Thus, as an alternative to pivotal displacement about the edge 6, it will be appreciated that with the panel 1 already presenting such an angular configuration may be displaced into an operational, in use state through simple lateral or vertical or downward movement, ie. retaining their angular configuration without displaceable pivot. Of most importance with regard to the panel 1 is that in its deployed, in use, positional state, fixings 8 are used to ensure that the panel 1, as so deployed, is in a relatively strong and robust condition to withstand loadings placed upon it from the baggage 5.

In its deployed state, the strap 3 is presented over an edge 9 of the panel 1. Typically, this edge 9 will be configured in order to present the strap 3 with the bar end 4 appropriately spaced from the panel 1 and suspended. Thus, the edge 9 may be rounded or have a more angular crosssection in order to achieve the desired presentation of the strap 3 and bar 4 to constitute the suspensive hook fixing for the baggage 5. Furthermore, the edge 9 could be arranged to include means to prevent lateral movement of the strap 3, thus the edge 9 may include a ridging or groove or recess in order to limit such lateral movement of the strap 3 with the strap 3 located in or about ridging, etc.

Figure 2 illustrates the hook arrangement in a non-operative state. In this state the hook arrangement is hidden from view and so does not diminish the appearance of the panel and so the vehicle interior. Thus, the bar end 4 is secure in clips 10 whilst the strap 3 is retracted or simply located adjacent its mounting 11 behind the panel 1. In order to deploy the hook arrangement 2, the panel is displaced, the bar end 4 is detached from the clips 10 and moved in the direction of arrow head A (Figure 1) to present the bar end 4 as the suspensive hook fixing on the other side of the panel 1.

The mounting 11 must be sufficiently rigid to retain and present the hook arrangement appropriately within the panel 1. Thus, an appropriately strong mounting 11 must be used ie. brackets or adhesive or fusion bonding.

It will be appreciated that it is provision of the edge 9 in a displaced orientation that allows the strap 3, when deployed, to present the bar end 4 as a suspensive hook, ie. displaced from the panel 1. Thus, the edge 9 must overhang a free space below. As indicated above, this overhang for the edge 9 can be achieved by an angular configuration for the panel 1. However, alternatively, and as appreciated by those skilled in the art, it will be understood that the edge 9 could be independently displaceable from the panel 1 in order to provide the overhang of a free space below whilst allowing the strap 3 to be presented thereover to achieve the suspensive hook fixing of the bar 4. In such an embodiment, the edge 9 would be a separate component within the panel 1 secured upon appropriate rails or rods to allow displacement from the panel 1 whilst retaining adequate strength to support and retain the baggage 5 secured to the bar end 4.

1 -8- In order to retain the baggage 5 it will be appreciated that the bar end 4 will generally include expanded portions at its respective ends to provide slip resistance to disengagement of baggage handles 7. However, and alternatively, the bar end 4 could include clips to retain the baggage 5 or, possibly, friction or entwinement straps to retain the baggage 5.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that one of the major objectives of hook arrangements within a motor vehicle is to ensure adequate retention of baggage 5 against adverse motor vehicle movements. Thus, as indicated in Figure 1, it is possible to present the baggage 5 in a suspended situation which allows the baggage 5 to move as per a pendulum with the bar end 4 about the strap 31edge, 9. However, in alternative situations such as where the baggage 5 has significant weight, it may be more desirable to have the baggage 5 standing upon a surface with the hook arrangement 2 ensuring that the baggage 5 does not topple rather than retaining its weight. Thus, it is desirable to allow the strap 3 to be extensible in order that the height of the bar end 4 can be adjusted to accommodate different baggage 5 heights. This extensibility for the strap 3 could be achieved through having the strap retained about a reel appropriately released against a ratchet to the desired length and retractable when the hook arrangement is no longer required. Alternatively, a strap 3 could simply be retained upon an appropriate -gbuckle arrangement to achieve the desired length and so presentation of the bar end 4 required.

It will be appreciated that vehicle motions can create displacements both upwards and downwards, thus it is desirable to provide within the strap 3 a degree of return bias towards the mounting 11. Such return bias will be against the weight of the baggage 5 and so achieve more measured control of suspension of the baggage 5. In such circumstances the return bias provided within the strap 3 ensures that the baggage 5, rather than simply sag hanging on the bar end 4, is held in a more active suspension with the result that vehicle motion induced jostling is damped more rapidly or sympathetically to reduce violent jolting and so handle 7 failure. Such return bias can be provided within the strap 3 through the material from which the strap is made, ie. elastomeric coefficient or through providing a spring return bias within the mounting 11.

As indicated above, the hook arrangement 2 may be provided within the glove compartment lid of a motor vehicle or with regard to other panels within a motor vehicle. Thus, as an alternative, a panel 1 could be provided within the rear seat squab which divides a luggage area from the passenger cabin such that upon displacement of such a panel the hook arrangement 2 could be deployed so that shopping retained is not spilled by ensuring that the baggage 5 remains upright.

It will be appreciated that several hook arrangements 2 could be provided with regard to the same panel 1 and within several different panels within a vehicle. Furthermore, panels could be provided above the door jam of a vehicle in order to provide a coat hook thereabouts.

Furthermore, two or more hook arrangements 2 could be provided within a panel such as a glove compartment lid in order to provide appropriate mountings of such features as picnic trays or temporary work surfaces for reviewing maps, etc, within a motor vehicle. In such circumstances, it will be appreciated that the overhang of the edge 9 is less paramount in terms of achieved preferred performance and so the bar end 4 may be substantially in contact with the panel 1. In such circumstances, the panel 1 must still be displaceable to allow the bar 4 to be deployed over an edge.

Presentation of the bar end 4 as a suspensive hook fixing depends upon the desired usage of the hook arrangement 2. Thus, the panel 1 may be arranged to be displaceable to varying angular configurations from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal with inherently different presentations of the bar end 4 as a suspensive hook fixing. It will be appreciated that these different angular configurations allowable for the panel 1 will generally have different properties in terms of strength and objectives with regard to securing baggage 5 or any apparatus or articles.

1 Although the terms "bar end 4" and "bar" have been used above, it will be appreciated that the bar 4 need not be a lateral bar element on the end of the strap 3, but can be any appropriate means to secure baggage 5 or other items. Thus, an actual hook-shaped element or a hook and fleece (Velcro (RTM)) element or a grapple type element could be used when secured to the strap 3. Furthermore, the bar end 4 could comprise a reciprocal element in a two-part fastener arrangement such as a press stud in order to allow mounting of a picnic tray, etc.

The hook arrangement is deployed from a hidden, inoperative, position 10 to an operational position through displacing the panel 1 and presenting the strap 3 over an edge 9 of that panel. It will be appreciated, in some embodiments, that the panel 1 may, after deployment of the hook arrangement, be returned to its original position before displacement or return its displaced position.

Claims (15)

1. A hook arrangement for a vehicle, the arrangement comprising a strap and a bar secured to one end of said strap, whilst said other end of said strap is arranged to be secured to a panel through a mounting in order to allow said strap to be presented in use over a displaced edge of said panel to provide the bar as a suspensive hook fixing within a vehicle.

2. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arrangement includes a panel having a displaceable edge.

3. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the strap is arranged to be secured to one side of the panel whilst the bar is provided as the suspensive hook fixing on the other side of said panel and spaced therefrom.

4. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said panel is pivotable to provide said displaced edge.

5. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the displaced edge includes a ridge or groove in order to substantially accommodate the strap and so effectively prohibit lateral movement of the strap along that edge.

6. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the panel includes clip means to secure the bar end to the panel when not in use.

A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein said panel is a glove compartment lid of a motor vehicle.

8. A hook arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bar has expanded end portions to facilitate retention of articles upon that bar end when deployed as the suspensive hook fixing within a vehicle.

9. A hook arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strap is made from a webbing material.

10. A hook arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strap is extendable from the mounting to vary the height of presentation of the bar as the suspensive hook fixm'g.

11. A hook arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strap is presented within the arrangement with a return bias to facilitate correct orientation of the bar when deployed as a suspensive hook fixing.

12. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the strap is provided with a return bias through the material from which the strap is made having an appropriate elastomeric response.

13. A hook arrangement as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the strap is provided with a return bias through a spring return in the mounting for that strap upon the panel.

14. A hook arrangement as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing.

15. A motor vehicle including a hook arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.