GB2436821A

GB2436821A - Vehicle load space resisting load movement

Info

Publication number: GB2436821A
Application number: GB0705302A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Mitchell; Bhavesh Champaneri
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-07
Filing date: 2007-03-20
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-20
Also published as: GB2436821B; GB0705302D0

Abstract

A vehicle loading space comprises a load space floor having a contoured upper surface. The contoured upper surface comprises a plurality of laterally-extending ridges. The ridges provide a means for inhibiting uncontrolled movement in either the forward or the rearward direction, to a greater extent than in the opposite direction, of a load resting on the load space floor by angling the front and rear faces of the ridges by differing gradients.

Description

2436821

VEHICLE LOADING SPACE

This invention relates to a vehicle loading space having a contoured load space floor, and particularly to a vehicle loading space wherein the contoured load space floor 5 provides a means for reducing uncontrolled forwards and rearwards movement of a load.

Vehicles are commonly designed to include a section for carrying people (e.g. the driver and perhaps one or more passengers), and a section for carrying 10 cargo/luggage. The section of a vehicle that is intended to carry cargo may be called the vehicle "loading space". In a family vehicle the loading space could be a rear boot section that is enclosed on all sides. Equally, however, the loading space of a vehicle such as a "pick-up" could be open at the back, thereby allowing larger loads to be transported.

15

When the cargo in the loading space is smaller than the floor area of the loading space (which is commonly the case), the cargo may move around in the loading space as the vehicle changes speed or direction. This uncontrolled movement can cause damage to the cargo, the vehicle or both. Therefore, to prevent or reduce this 20 uncontrolled movement, it can be necessary to anchor the cargo to the floor of the loading space, e.g. by tying it down with ropes/tape and so on. This measure can be time consuming and also inconvenient, especially if the need was not envisaged in advance and there are no readily available means for anchoring the cargo. Even where there is an available means for anchoring or restraining the cargo, the force of 25 the cargo on the restraining/anchoring means as the vehicle moves may still cause damage to the vehicle, especially when the cargo is heavy.

It would therefore be desirable to have a loading space in a vehicle that is capable of preventing or at least reducing the uncontrolled (free) movement of the cargo being 30 transported therein.

Accordingly, this invention aims to reduce or alleviate some of the problems or disadvantages associated with the prior art.

2

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a vehicle loading space comprising a load space floor having a contoured upper surface, wherein the contoured upper surface comprises a plurality of laterally-extending ridges, said ridges providing a means for inhibiting forwards and rearwards movement of a load 5 resting on the load space floor.

As noted above, the "vehicle loading space" may be a boot of a car, e.g. of an estate, hatchback or saloon car. Equally, the loading space may be the rear compartment or other load-carrying space of a lorry or van; or the open-topped section of a "pick-up" 10 vehicle or sports utility vehicle, such as a "4x4".

The "load space floor" simply refers to the base of the loading space, i.e. the surface on which cargo or luggage is placed for transportation.

15 The upper surface of the load space floor is the surface that is in contact with any cargo placed inside the loading space of the vehicle. This surface can be contoured in any manner, provided that it has more than one (i.e. a plurality) of laterally-extending ridges. A "laterally-extending ridge" may be any raised section of the surface that is elongate and the long axis of which is directed laterally relative to the 20 vehicle, e.g. from left to right. By "elongate" or "laterally-extending", it is meant that the lateral width of the ridge (length from left to right) is longer than the depth of the ridge in the forward-rearward direction relative to the vehicle.

The ridge need not extend across the entire width of the loading space of the vehicle. 25 For example, at any particular position along the load space floor there may be a single ridge that extends part-way across the lateral width of the floor. Alternatively, at any position along the load space floor there may be more than one (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5) separate ridges that are laterally-extending, but do not join up to form a single ridge. Preferably, however, at least one of the laterally-extending ridges extends 30 across the entire width of the load space floor. More preferably, all of the laterally-extending ridges extend across the entire width of the load space floor.

A "ridge" may also be called a "rib", "raised section" or other equivalent wording that refers to an elongate raised section as described herein.

3

The highest part of said ridge or rib may be flat (e.g. parallel with the ground), or may form a curved peak or a sharp point (such as a triangular cross-section). Preferably the ridge has a flat top/upper surface.

5

Ridges are bounded on either side (i.e. the forward and rearward sides) by sections of the load space floor of lower height. These lower surfaces may conveniently be referred to as troughs. By "trough" it is meant the lowest point between adjacent ridges. Preferably the troughs have a flat bottom surface, although they may form a 10 point or a curved surface, such as a concave surface.

The ridges and troughs may have the same depth; i.e. width in the forward-rearward direction (transverse to the lateral direction) of the vehicle. Alternatively, however, the ridges may be less deep (i.e. narrower) than the troughs or may be deeper (i.e. 15 wider) than the troughs. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the depth of all of the ridges and/or all of the troughs is not identical within the same loading space.

The depth of a ridge refers to the top or upper surface of the ridge. Therefore, in 20 embodiments when the contour of the ridge is curved (e.g. convex) or forms a pinnacle/point (such as a ridge of triangular cross-section), the depth of the ridge may be considered to be negligible. In such circumstances, the depth of the ridge is typically less than 10 mm, less than 5 mm, less than 2 mm or even less than 1 mm. Where the ridge has a flat top surface, the ridge may have any appropriate depth, for 25 instance, the depth may be selected according to the size of the vehicle loading space or the size or shape of the typical load to be transported. Thus, the ridges may have a depth of up to 30 cm, preferably up to 20 cm, up to 18 cm, up to 16 cm, up to 14 cm, up to 12 cm, up to 10 cm or up to 5 cm.

30 The depth of the troughs is likewise determined by the width of the lowest surface of the trough, and is independently chosen from the above-mentioned ridge depths. Preferably, the depth of the troughs is approximately the same as the depth of the ridges.

4

The load space floor may also be "stepped", e.g. having further flat surfaces intermediate in height between the ridges and the troughs. Thus, a section of the load space floor in the forward-rearward direction may have the contour: ridge -intermediate surface - trough - intermediate surface - ridge. An intermediate 5 surface may make it easier for the load to slide in the direction of the intermediate surface. Therefore, the profile: ridge - intermediate surface - trough - ridge (from the front to the back of the loading space) may make it easier for the load to slide in the forward direction than in the rearward direction.

10 The height of a ridge is determined by the height differential between the lowest surface/point of a trough and the highest surface/point of a ridge. This height can be selected on the basis of the type or size of the vehicle or its intended use, and in theory can be any practical height. Typically, the height of a ridge is less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, more preferably less than 3 cm and still more preferably

15 less than 2 cm. A ridge may even have a height of less than 15 mm, less than 12 mm, less than 10 mm or less than 6 mm.

The contour of the upper surface of the load space floor is thus defined by the ridges and troughs, as well as the surfaces that connect each ridge to its adjacent trough.

20 These connecting surfaces are conveniently referred to herein as the "forward face" and "rearward face" of a ridge. That is, the forward face of a ridge is the face closest to the front of the vehicle and the rearward face of a ridge is the face on the rear side of the ridge.

25 Preferably, the shape of the forward and rearward faces of each ridge are also designed to reduce uncontrolled/free movement of a load in the forward and rearward directions. In one embodiment, the forward and rearward faces are shaped such that uncontrolled movement in either the forward or the rearward direction is inhibited to a greater extent than in the opposite direction. Hence, in one

30 embodiment, uncontrolled movement of the load in the forward direction is inhibited to a greater extent than in the rearward direction. In another embodiment, uncontrolled movement of the load in the rearward direction is inhibited to a greater extent than in the forward direction. This arrangement can assist in either the loading or unloading of the cargo, as may be considered necessary. In a preferred

5

embodiment, the faces are designed to inhibit movement in the rearward direction to a greater extent than in the forward direction.

The angle of either face of a ridge may be between 0° and 90°, between 30° and 90°, 5 between 45° and 90°, or between 60° and 90°. Alternatively, the angle of a face may vary from the bottom to the top of a ridge, e.g. the face may be concave or convex.

To inhibit uncontrolled movement of the load in one direction more than in the other direction, the gradients of the forward and rearward faces may be different from one 10 another. For example, by having a steeper gradient along the forward face, uncontrolled movement in the rearward direction is hindered to a greater extent than in the forward direction. The angle of the face providing the greatest inhibition of uncontrolled movement is 90° (i.e. the face is approximately vertical). In a preferred embodiment, the forward face is vertical. In another preferred embodiment, both the 15 forward and rearward faces are vertical.

The upper surface of the load space floor may be further contoured or textured as desired. For example, a textured surface may also help to prevent uncontrolled movement of the load being transported. For example, all or part of the surface may 20 be bobbled, dimpled or roughened to increase the friction between the load and the floor surface. Another method of increasing the friction between the load and the floor surface is to cover at least part of the upper surface of the floor with a layer of material having a high coefficient of friction, e.g. rubber. Such textured and/or contoured surfaces can be employed to inhibit uncontrolled movement of the cargo in 25 either or both of the forward-rearward direction and the lateral direction (i.e. from side to side). For example, either the forward or rearward face of the ridge and/or the top of the ridge may be textured to inhibit movement. Preferably, the load space floor is textured to inhibit uncontrolled movement of a load in both the forward-rearward direction and from side to side.

30

Typically, the loading space of a vehicle is further defined by the presence of lateral sidewalls or panels; i.e. at the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle. Where such walls or panels are present, the inner surface (i.e. the surface facing into the loading

6

space) defines the lateral extent (width) of the load space floor. These surfaces ultimately control the possible movement of the cargo from side to side.

The inner surface of the side panels may also be contoured, e.g. in a similar manner 5 to that of the load space floor. Preferably, the contour of the load space floor is continued on the inner surface of the side panels, over at least a part of that surface. For example, the laterally-extending ridges and troughs on the load space floor preferably continue in an approximately vertical direction (depending on the orientation of the side panel) up the inner surface of the side panel. Thus, the ridges 10 on the inner surface of the side panel(s) may be upwardly-extending (or vertically-extending). One or both side panels may have such a contoured surface. Preferably both side panels are contoured. These ridges serve a similar purpose to those on the load space floor, helping to inhibit forward and rearward movement of a load that is in contact with either or both of the side panels.

15

Equally, the inner surface of the side panels may be formed from or covered by a material having a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or a plastics material. Such coating can not only aid in inhibiting forward-rearward movement of a load in contact therewith, but may also help to protect the sides of the vehicle from being 20 scratched or otherwise damaged by movement of the load.

The loading space may be further defined by the presence of a closure member, e.g. a rear bar, flap, door etc. In certain embodiments the rear closure member is not movable. However, preferably it is movable between an open and a closed position. 25 In the open position it is easier to load cargo into the loading space, and in the closed position, cargo is prevented from falling from the rear of the vehicle.

Accordingly, the rear closure member is movable between: a closed position in which the closure member forms a rear wall, the inner surface of said rear wall 30 defining the rearward end of the loading space floor; and an open position in which the closure member does not form a rear wall defining said rearward end of the loading space floor.

7

Preferably, the rear closure member is mounted to the vehicle by way of one or more hinges. For example, it may be hinged laterally, such as to either the left- or right-hand side of the vehicle; or it may be hinged at the top or at the bottom of the vehicle. Alternatively, the closure member may be sectioned such that part of it may be fixed, 5 and part may be hinged. Preferably, the closure member is hinged at the bottom, e.g. at the edge abutting the load space floor, such that the closure member opens downwards and rearwards in relation to the loading space and the vehicle. This construction can aid with the loading and unloading of the loading space.

10 The closure member when fully open is preferably approximately horizontal, such that the inner surface of the closure member when closed forms an upwardly facing surface when the closure member is open. More preferably, this upwardly-facing (inner) surface of the closure member becomes an extension of the load space floor (i.e. it is substantially at the same height and gradient as the load space floor).

15

Still more preferably, the inner surface of the rear closure member is contoured. These contours preferably comprise at least one laterally-extending ridge, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more laterally-extending ridges.

20 Accordingly, when the rear closure member is in the open position, a load or cargo positioned thereon is inhibited from uncontrolled forward or rearward movement. The contour of the inner surface of the rear closure member is preferably profiled similarly to the upper surface of the load space floor, such that movement in one direction may be inhibited to a greater extent than movement in another direction. Equally, the

25 inner surface of the rear closure member may be textured, covered or coated in a material having a high coefficient of friction, to inhibit free movement of a load resting thereon, and/or to protect the body of the vehicle from damage.

The invention also relates to vehicles having a loading space as described herein; for

30 example, estate cars, saloon cars, hatchback cars, convertible cars, pick-ups, vans, trucks and lorries. Preferably, the vehicle is a pick-up vehicle.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

8

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pick-up vehicle having a loading space according to the invention.

5 Figure 2 is a profile view of a load space floor: (A) a load space floor having ridges with vertical sides; and (B) a load space floor having ridges with sides at 120°.

Referring to Figure 1, a pick-up vehicle 1 has a loading space 2. The upper surface of the load space floor 3 has a series of laterally-extending ridges 4, separated by 10 troughs 5. The ridges 4 extend across the entire width of the load space floor. The load space floor 3 is defined by left- and right-hand side panels 6, 7, respectively. A rear closure member (not shown) may be positioned at the rearward side 8 of the loading space.

15 Figure 2(A) and (B) show the upper surfaces of two different embodiments of a load space floor 3 in profile. In Figure 2(A) the load space floor 3 comprises a series of ridges 9 having flat upper surfaces, and troughs 10 having flat bottom surfaces. Adjacent ridges 9 and troughs 10 are connected by forward faces 11 and rearward faces 12, which are of the same gradient and are approximately vertical (i.e. there is 20 a 90° angle between the floor of the troughs 10 and the forward faces 11, and between the troughs 10 and the rearward faces 12).

In the embodiment of Figure 2(B), the forward faces 11 and the rearward faces 12 are again at approximately the same gradient and are at an angle of approximately 25 60° (i.e. 120° outside angle, as indicated) to the floor of the troughs 10.

In the embodiments of Figure 2, sliding movement of a load positioned on the load space floor of Figure 2(B) in the direction of arrow C is relatively easier than the same sliding movement of a load positioned on the load space floor of Figure 2(A).

30

By constructing a load space floor having forward faces 11 and rearward faces 12 at different gradients from each other, sliding movement of a load in the rearward direction may be made relatively easier than in the forward direction, or vice versa.

9

Claims

1. A vehicle loading space (2) comprising a load space floor (3) having a 5 contoured upper surface, wherein the contoured upper surface comprises a plurality of laterally-extending ridges (4; 9), wherein said ridges provide a means for inhibiting uncontrolled movement in either the forward or the rearward direction, to a greater extent than in the opposite direction, of a load resting on the load space floor (3).

10

2. The vehicle loading space of Claim 1, wherein one or more of said laterally-extending ridges (4; 9) extends the entire width of the load space floor (3).

3. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, wherein all of said laterally-

15 extending ridges (4; 9) extend the entire width of the load space floor (3).

4. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, which further comprises left- (6) and right- (7) side panels, the inner surface of said side panels defining the lateral width of the load space floor (3).

20

5. The vehicle loading space of Claim 4, wherein at least a part of the inner surface of said side panels (6, 7) is contoured.

6. The vehicle loading space of Claim 5, wherein the contoured inner surface of

25 said side panels (6, 7) comprises a plurality of upwardly-extending ridges.

7. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, which further comprises a rear closure member.

30

8. The vehicle loading space of Claim 7, wherein the rear closure member is movable between:

a closed position in which the closure member forms a rear wall of the vehicle loading space (2), the inner surface of said rear wall defining the rearward end (8) of the loading space floor (3); and

10

an open position in which the closure member does not form a rear wall defining said rearward end of the loading space floor.

9. The vehicle loading space of Claim 8, wherein the rear closure member is 5 hinged along the edge (8) abutting the load space floor (3), such that in the open position the inner surface of the closure member forms an extension of said load space floor.

10. The vehicle loading space of any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the inner surface 10 of said rear closure member is contoured, the contoured inner surface comprising at least one laterally-extending ridge.

11. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, wherein said ridges (4; 9) are flanked by at least one trough (5; 10), and the height difference between

15 said ridges and said at least one trough is at least 5 mm.

12. The vehicle loading space of Claim 11, wherein the height difference between said ridges (4; 9) and said troughs (5; 10) is between 5 and 15 mm.

20

13. The vehicle loading space of Claim 12, wherein the height difference between said ridges (4; 9) and said troughs (5; 10) is between 7 and 12 mm.

14. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, wherein said ridges (4; 9) are profiled to inhibit rearwards movement of a load to a greater extent than

25 forwards movement of said load.

15. The vehicle loading space of Claim 14, wherein said ridges (4; 9) have an upper surface defined by a forward face (11) and a rearward face (12), said forward face having a steeper gradient than said rearward face.

30

16.

The vehicle of Claim 15, which is an open-backed vehicle, e.g. a pick-up vehicle.

16. The vehicle loading space of Claim 15, wherein the forward face (11) is approximately vertical.

17. A vehicle having a loading space (2) according to any preceding claim.

11

The vehicle of Claim 17, which is an open-backed vehicle, e.g. a pick-up vehicle (1).

A vehicle loading space substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the description and/or the accompanying drawings.

12-

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

A vehicle loading space comprising a load space floor having a contoured upper surface, wherein the contoured upper surface comprises a plurality of laterally-extending ridges each having a forward face and a rearward face, wherein said forward and rearward faces of the ridges are provided with different gradients in order to be capable of inhibiting uncontrolled movement in either the forward or the rearward direction, to a greater extent than in the opposite direction, of a load resting on the load space floor.

The vehicle loading space of Claim 1, wherein one or more of said laterally-extending ridges extends the entire width of the load space floor.

The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, wherein all of said laterally-extending ridges extend the entire width of the load space floor.

The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, which further comprises left- and right- side panels, the inner surface of said side panels defining the lateral width of the load space floor.

The vehicle loading space of Claim 4, wherein at least a part of the inner surface of said side panels is contoured.

The vehicle loading space of Claim 5, wherein the contoured inner surface of said side panels comprises a plurality of upwardly-extending ridges.

The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, which further comprises a rear closure member.

The vehicle loading space of Claim 7, wherein the rear closure member is movable between:

a dosed position in which the closure member forms a rear wall of the vehicle loading space, the inner surface of said rear wall defining the rearward end of the loading space floor; and an open position in which the closure member does not form a rear 5 wall defining said rearward end of the loading space floor.

9. The vehicle loading space of Claim 8, wherein the rear closure member is hinged along the edge abutting the load space floor, such that in the open position the inner surface of the closure member forms an extension of said 10 load space floor.

• •

• • • ••• ♦ •• • » • • •• •

• ••

• •••

I

• ••• • ♦ i

15

10. The vehicle loading space of any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the inner surface of said rear closure member is contoured, the contoured inner surface comprising at least one laterally-extending ridge.

11. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, wherein said ridges are flanked by at least one trough, and the height difference between said ridges and said at least one trough is at least 5 mm.

20 12. The vehicle loading space of Claim 11, wherein the height difference between said ridges and said troughs is between 5 and 15 mm.

13. The vehicle loading space of Claim 12, wherein the height difference between said ridges and said troughs is between 7 and 12 mm.

25

14. The vehicle loading space of any preceding claim, wherein said ridges are profiled to inhibit rearwards movement of a load to a greater extent than forwards movement of said load.

30 15. A vehicle having a loading space according to any preceding claim.