GB2359110A

GB2359110A - Boot lid support

Info

Publication number: GB2359110A
Application number: GB0002795A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Brian Goetze
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-09
Filing date: 2000-02-09
Publication date: 2001-08-15
Also published as: GB0002795D0

Abstract

A support is disclosed for rigidly maintaining a vehicle boot lid in a secure open position to allow safe transportation of over size objects which prevent the boot lid from being closed. In one embodiment the support comprises a telescopic strut (a) having attachment means at each end (b, a). First attachment means (figure 3) comprises a ring (1) for attaching to the lock in the boot lid and second attachment means (5) comprises a slide lock for attaching to the lock catch in the boot sill. A second embodiment comprises a frame having two horizontal members 4 spaced apart by two vertical telescopic struts 5 located at each end of the horizontal members 5. The frame may be adjusted for width as well as height. The second embodiment has identical attachment means as the first embodiment; the attachment means being located in the centre of the horizontal members. Both embodiments may be made of metal and may be coated in plastic for safety and to protect the paint work of the vehicle. A warning triangle, red flag and storage pouch may also be provided.

Description

2359110 Boot Lid Support A) Scope:

This invention relates to a mechanical device utilised to safely secure the lid of a car boot or rear door of an estate car (hereafter both referred to as 'boot lid') in a slightly open position to enable long/large items to be carried conveniently over short distances.

B) Background:

Car designs have become much more imaginative in respect of interior space and multiple seating arrangements to facilitate combinations of passenger and/or luggage. It is however a fact that on many occasions these combinations still do not provide enough space for those 'awkward' but often needed items. It is also the case that such items normally only need to be transported relatively short distances ( c. g from local DIY stores or Garden Centres to home).

In particular the following such examples are so often seen:

a) DIY: the transportation of lengths of wood, small step ladders, coving, copper piping etc would often be facilitated if an extra few centimetres in the rear luggage space of the vehicle could be gained. b) Land fill site trips: the transportation of garden rubbish, and in particular cut hedging and foliage will be greatly simplified by in some way providing increased volume in the boot for such cumbersome items. c) Garden centres: on many occasions plants be transported home if the boot lid could be left slightly open to provide that 'extra height,. d) Moving home: small tables, hi-fi units and a whole range of flumiture items could be transported easily if the boot had additional height. e) Christmas: even at the festive time of year the collection of the family Christmas tree could be simplified and made safer by securing the boot lid in a slightly open position.

The normal responses to the above are often to:

i) ii) iii) iv) V) attempt to secure the boot lid with 'a piece of string' tie the item directly to the roof of the vehicle utilise an elastic strap (Spider straps) leave the lid 'flapping' fit a roof rack which is often expensive, difficult to load and spoils the look of the car.

Page 1 Unfortunately with a number of the aforementioned solutions, the safety of the vehicle, passengers and other road users is compromised since string and /or elastic straps do not hold the boot lid securely and allows it to move up and down. This movement is often quite violent, particularly whilst driving on rough road surfaces, and often results in the string breaking and the driver suddenly losing rear visibility, or the wood, plants etc being damaged.

Q The invention:

i) Object of the invention:

The object of this invention is therefore to provide a safe, easy to use, compact, universal method of securing the boot lid in an open ( adjustable) position.

ii) Basic construction criteria:

There are two versions of the product envisaged shown and described herein as ' Product Version 1' and ' Product version 2'. The simple version ( Product version 1) is a single strut and provides approx. half the width of the boot opening to accommodate longer/larger objects. The more complex version ( Product Version 2) is basically a rectangular frame which enables nearly all of the boot opening to be utilised.

Both of the devices will therefore be constructed and supplied in the following manner:

strong ( ideally from metal) to provide a rigid link between the boot lid lock and boot lid locking device on car covered with plastic/rubberised finish to avoid damage to the paint work of the vehicle (various colours available to 'match' car) have a reflective area ( as defined within any traffic regulations) to warn following vehicles have an easily adjustable length but with a secure locking method to allow boot to be secured in a number of positions. have universal locking devices at either end to match with various makes of car complete in an easy to stow, rattle free, pouch complete with instructions for use and a warning 'hanger' to be positioned inside the vehicle as a reminder that the device is in use.

iii) Method of utilisation:

Product version 1:

One end of the boot lid support is simply hooked onto the boot lid catch (Fig 1 (a)) located at the back of the boot area ( Le the fixed end of the normal boot lock) whilst the other end is 'clicked' into the boot lid lock (Fig 1 (b)) situated on the boot lid itself The length of the Boot Lid Support is adjusted by pushing in the small knob (Fig 1 (c)), sliding the telescopic metal struts in or out and and subsequently relocating the knob in one of the holes. This locks it in place giving the desired height of boot lid.

Page 2 Product Version 2:

The small knobs (Fig. 2 (d)) on the upper and lower frame sections are pushed in to allow the sections to be slid in or out in order to adjust to the boot opening width ( Fig 2). The ring in the centre of the bottom frame section is simply hooked onto the boot lid catch (Fig 2 (a)) located at the back of the boot area ( Le the fixed end of the normal boot lock) whilst the one in the middle of the top frame is 'clicked' into the boot lid lock (Fig 2 (b)) situated on the boot lid itself.

The length of the boot lid support is adjusted by pushing in the small knobs ( Fig 2 (c)), sliding the two telescopic metal struts in or out and subsequently relocating the knobs in one of the holes in each of the struts. This locks them in place giving the desired height of boot lid.

iv) Diagrammatic representation of basic construction:

The two product versions ( Product Version 1 and Product version 2) are shown in situ on a vehicle in diagrams Fig 1 and Fig 2 respectively.

Particular details of the construction and main features of the two product versions ( product Version 1 and Product Version 2) are shown in diagrams Fig. 3 & 4 respectively.

v) Accessories:

It is anticipated that both products wifi be supplied with the following accessories Red flag with easy attach loop Warning triangle 'hanger' Soft pouch for storage Simple instructions and safety information Net for securing items in boot vi) PotentiM names for products:

Boot - It Boot -Up Boot - EZE Boot - Extend GO - EZE Load & Go Page 3 Referring to Fig. 1: ( page 114) Accompanying text is in section iii) under ' Product Version 1' of orig. submission( page 2). Additional general notes for this figure are:

vehicle shown with Product 1 in situ Drawings not to scale Boot Lid Support to fit several makes of car/van/estates particular consideration to be given to safety aspects during manufacture Referring to Fig. 2: (page 214) Accompanying text is in section iii) under 'Product Version 2' of orig. submission (page 3). Additional general notes for this figure are:

vehicle shown with Product 2 in situ Drawings not to scale Boot Lid Support to fit several makes of car/vanlestates particular consideration to be given to safety aspects during manufacture Referring to Fig. 3: (page 314) 1 - Simple 'ring' for attaching to boot 'lock' 2 - Swivel joint for easy fitting 3 - Holes for adjusting length of support ( and hence height of boot lid) 4 - Telescopic metal strut 5 - Simple slide 'lock' to enable attachment to different boot lid catches Referring to Fig. 4: (page 414) 1 - Simple 'ring' for attaching to boot 'lock' 2 - Swivel joint for easy fitting 3 - Holes for adjusting length of frame sections to fit boot opening 4 - Sturdy frame sections to provide rigidity 5 - Telescopic metal struts disengage and fold flat for easy storage 6 -Simple slide 'lock' to enable attachment to different boot lid catches 7 - Holes for adjusting length of support ( and hence height of boot lid) Referring to Fig. 5: (page 314) Figure represents boot lid catch format utilised on Ford Fiesta etc Referring to Fig. 6: (page 314) Figure represents boot lid catch format utilised on Ford Escort, Vauxhall Corsa/Astra/Vectra, Renault Megane etc A. VA.1 o,Ve 4, Wtoyd 1,1,.4 A%_,ks 4 Writtle 60I1 elitu ' f /'g 6-6 tf,

Claims

viii) Claims:

1) A support utilised to rigidly secure the lid of a car boot or rear door of an estate car in a slightly open position to enable long and/or large items to be carried.

A support as claimed in claim 1 which is available in two versions.

3) A support as claimed in claim 2 which is in the form of a single vertical strut to fit in the centre of the boot opening allowing slightly restricted access to the boot.

4) A support as claimed in claim 2 which is in the form of two adjustable horizontal frames and two adjustable vertical struts giving almost total access to boot opening.

5) A support as claimed in claim 1 where the support vertical strut (s) may be extended or retracted in order to adjust the height of the boot lid.

A support as claimed in claim 4 where a sliding mechanism is included to allow the width of the support to be adjusted to fit the width of the boot opening.

7) A support as claimed in claim 1 which is made from metal, plastics material or a combination of materials in order to provide the strength and rigidity required to secure the boot lid in an open position.

8) A support as claimed in any preceding claim supplied with a warning triangle, storage pouch and red flag to attach to items being carried.

9) A support as claimed in any preceding claim available in various colours and plastic coated for safety and protection of car paint work.

10) A support as claimed in claim 1 supplied with a simple 'ring' for attaching to the boot lock.

11) A support as claimed in claim 1 supplied with a simple 'slide' lock to enable attachment to different boot lid catches.

12) A support substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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