GB2479907A

GB2479907A - Cargo management system

Info

Publication number: GB2479907A
Application number: GB1007098A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Parker
Original assignee: ZAMNA Ltd
Current assignee: ZAMNA Ltd
Priority date: 2010-04-29
Filing date: 2010-04-29
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Also published as: GB201007098D0

Abstract

A vehicle with a cargo bay has an opening (13) formed in a wall or door. The opening has a retention means (16) fitted across it for the purpose of containing and/or securing long items (such as carpet rolls or timber) that would otherwise not fit in the cargo bay. The retention means (16) is flexible webbing which stretches to allow the items to project the vehicle. The aperture (13) can have a closure flap.

Description

CARGO MNAGENT SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a cargo management system.

In the transport of large and elongate items it is common to find that a vehicle cargo bay is insufficient to enclose the entire item. For example, if a roll of carpet or length of timber is loaded into a small van or the like then it is often necessary to leave one or both doors open, secured so far as is possible (e.g. by cord between the door handles), with the roll/timber protruding from the rear of the vehicle.

Figure 1 illustrates the current scenario described above.

The main problems associated with this practice are that the vehicle remains unlocked (cannot be left unattended) and the item itself is not particularly well secured.

The present invention seeks to address the problems identified above, namely by providing a cargo management system comprising a vehicle with a cargo bay wherein an aperture is formed in a wall of the cargo bay, further including a retention means fitted across the aperture for securing items to be located through the aperture.

In a preferred form the aperture is closable, i.e. a (hinged) panel is locatable over the aperture when not in use.

Preferably the retention means is a web, e.g. a lattice of flexible straps that extends across the aperture. The webbing may be resilient/flexible to generally retain items and to hold an item in place that passes through the aperture; because it is too long to fit inside the cargo bay.

The webbing element can be integrated into the vehicle bodywork or fitted to a frame or similar mechanism to enable attachment into the aperture. The retention means as a whole is generally intended to be removable for as necessary.

It will be appreciated that the invention is embodied by a vehicle including a walled cargo bay, wherein there is an aperture through a wall of the cargo bay and a retention means provided at least Partially across said aperture.

A cargo management system according to the invention will be herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: -

Figure 1 shows a view of a prior art transport

vehicle, without the invention fitted, Figure 2 shows a rear view of a transport vehicle, similar to Figure 1, but with the invention installed.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of a vehicle with items held by the cargo management system of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates requirements for a basic form of the invention, namely a vehicle 10, Preferably with a cargo bay accessible by two rear doors 11 and 12. In the illustrated embodiment an opening/aperture 13 is provided through a panel of the door, below a window 14. The removed panel may become a hinged flap 15 that can cover opening 13, to be locked closed.

A series of webbing/straps 16 are arranged across opening 13 to provide a retention means that Is effectively a flexible wall structure, in place of a solid panel.

According to Figure 3 item C can be pushed against the webbing 16 which will deform to allow the load to be accommodated within defined tolerances. Items C are securely held by the webbing that may stretch therearound. In some cases, additional strapping or other types of securing mechanisms may be used inside the vehicle to prevent any movement of the item. Particularly, elongate items may pass through the web lattice 16 and be further secured inside the vehicle. Tension of the webbing is adjustable to manage the size of a load to be contained and adjust the amount of pressure exerted on the cargo itself. Webbing can be removable for cleaning/replacement when worn etc. and to enable easy installation into the aperture during the vehicle's assembly process As illustrated the opening 13 is integrated into the vehicle structure as an alternate to the standard panel. In the illustration, the device is fitted low on a door and large enough to permit cargo items therethrough but not large enough to permit a person to enter the vehicle 10. The illustrated embodiment shows about 20-25% of the surface area of one door dedicated to the opening 13. However, it will be appreciated that any proportion could be assigned to incorporating the invention. Furthermore, the invention could be incorporated into one of both doors of a vehicle or any other panel part in communication with a cargo bay.

Alternative forms of webbing or flexible sheet are possible to provide an expandable closure for long items protruding out of a cargo bay. Webbing can be integrated into the vehicle bodywork or mounted on a frame to enable attachment over the aperture.

It is within the scope of the invention to retrofit existing vehicles with a cargo management system as generally described. For example, a panel can be mechanically cut to an appropriate dimension and fitted across with webbing from the inside. The removed panel could be fashioned into a hinged flap or new pre-moulded cover unit could be incorporated. In such a case the method of retrofitting may utilise an installation kit that provides webbing and a closure to cover the opening cut into the vehicle bodywork.

Retrofitting existing vehicles could considerably increase the utility of such vehicles and, indeed, the use of generally smaller vehicles with the capacity to take larger items is more economical.

Alternatively, the aperture will be formed during the vehicle's manufacturing process and the webbing fitted as an integral part of the assembly. It is envisaged that this invention offers attractive additional functionality which buyers will want to see in their new vehicle.

Claims

What We Claim Is: 1. A cargo management system comprising a vehicle with a cargo bay wherein an aperture is formed in a wall of the cargo bay, further including a retention means fitted across the aperture.
2. The cargo management system of claim 1 wherein the retention means is suitable for securing items to be located through the aperture and/or for providing a flexible barrier for items to abut against.
3. The cargo management system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the retention means is removable.
4. The cargo management system of any preceding claim wherein the retention means is webbing.
5. The cargo management system of any preceding claim wherein a cover is provided to close over the aperture when not in use.
6. A method of retrofitting a vehicle for extended cargo capacity including the steps of forming an aperture in a wall of a cargo bay of the vehicle and installing a retention means across said aperture.
7. The method of retrofitting a vehicle according to claim 6 wherein the retention means is suitable for enclosing items protruding through the aperture and/or securing items further extending through the retention means.
8. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle using the method according to claim 6 or 7 including a retention means for installation across the aperture once formed and a closure means to lockably cover the aperture.
9. A vehicle including a walled cargo bay, wherein there is an aperture through a wall of the cargo bay and a retention means provided at least partially across said aperture.
10. A vehicle with a cargo management system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures 2 and 3.