GB2505662A

GB2505662A - Vehicle load floor apparatus with attachment member

Info

Publication number: GB2505662A
Application number: GB201215896A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Domenico Cosenza; Richard Beeson
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-06
Filing date: 2012-09-06
Publication date: 2014-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-06
Also published as: GB2505662B; GB201215896D0

Abstract

A vehicle load floor apparatus comprises a load floor 20 which is pivotable about an edge region 28A of the load floor between an open and a closed configuration and an attachment member (10, Fig 3) for coupling the load floor to the vehicle when in the closed configuration. The attachment member is disposed proximal to the edge region of the load floor and projects from a surface of the load floor. The attachment member comprises an engagement region 18 which is adapted to selectively engage with a load floor attachment location 32 when the load floor is pivoted towards a closed configuration and disengage from said load floor attachment location when the load floor is pivoted toward an open configuration.

Description

VEHICLE LOADFLOOR APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle loadfloor apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vehicle loadfloor apparatus for removably securing a loadfloor in the rear storage compartment, trunk or boot of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The trunk" or boot" area of many modern vehicles is typically provided with a generally flat board (often referred to as a "loadfloor") which rests on supports I components of the chassis in order to provide a relatively flat trunk floor. This provides a stable surface for carrying loads such as luggage, animals etc. in the trunk. The underside of the loadfloor is also typically contoured to f it snugly with items such as the spare wheel, jack, first aid kit etc. stored below. Such loadfloors must therefore be removable in order to allow the user to easily obtain access to the storage area below. This is typically achieved by providing clips at the front edge of the loadfloor which secure the loadfloor to the interior carpet or other fixings. However, a problem with such arrangements is that it can be difficult for the user to engage the loadfloor with the fixings, especially when the trunk is relatively deep.

The user standing at the rear of the vehicle often finds it difficult to see the fixings clearly enough and can also struggle with manoeuvring the loadfloor accurately.

Another problem with known loadfloor arrangements is that they are often designed to engage with fixings provided on the interior of the loadfloor area. This reduces the useable space within the loadfloor area which is undesirable.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle loadfloor apparatus comprising a loadfloor being pivotable about an edge region thereof between an open and a closed configuration and an attachment member for coupling the loadfloor to the vehicle when in the closed configuration. The attachment member is disposed proximal to the edge region and projects from a surface of the loadfloor and comprises an engagement region adapted to selectively engage with a loadfloor attachment location when the loadfloor is pivoted toward a closed configuration and disengage said loadfloor attachment location when the loadfloor is pivoted toward an open configuration.

The attachment member only couples the loadfloor to the vehicle when in the closed position, and when elevated into the open position the detachment of the member from the loadfloor attachment location facilitates decoupling of the loadfloor from the vehicle.

The above-described apparatus allows the loadfloor to be installed and removed from the boot or trunk with relative ease and without reducing the useable space of the boot or trunk.

The engagement region may be adapted to clamp against or bite into the loadfloor attachment location when the loadfloor is pivoted toward the closed configuration.

This clamping/biting engagement helps retain the loadfloor securely in position within the loadfloor area, and so prevents rattle of the loadfloor when the vehicle is in motion.

The engagement region may be adapted to exert a clamping force at the attachment location when the loadfloor is in the closed configuration such that the clamping force has a component opposite to a contact force exerted by the underside of the loadfloor on the vehicle. Typically, the contact force that the loadfloor exerts on the vehicle will be directed vertically downward where the vehicle in which the loadfloor is installed is on flat, level ground. In this case, at least a component of the clamping force exerted by the engagement region of the attachment member acts upwardly at the loadfloor attachment location, i.e. in the opposite direction to the contact force, such that the edge region of the loadfloor is held in place. The exact direction of the contact force will change depending on the orientation of the vehicle, however, there will always be a component of the clamping force which directed opposite to the contact force when the loadfloor is in the closed configuration.

By way of example, the clamping force may be applied by means of the weight of the loadfloor acting about a pivot axis of the loadfloor.

The engagement region may be adapted such that, when the loadfloor is pivoted towards the closed configuration, said component of the clamping force and said contact force are exerted on opposite faces of a substantially planar member which defines, at least in part, the loadfloor attachment location.

The attachment member may project from the underside of the loadfloor.

The attachment member may further comprise a shank portion projecting downwardly from the loadfloor and an extension portion projecting generally longitudinally along the loadfloor.

The attachment member may also comprise a return portion projecting upwardly from the extension portion and wherein the engagement region is defined by the return portion.

Alternatively, the return portion may adjoin the shank portion directly with no extension portion inbetween. For example, the shank portion and the return portion may both extend longitudinally and meet each other at an angle, forming a V-shape or the like.

In one embodiment, the attachment member is of radiussed form.

The attachment member may be fixed to said surface of the loadfloor. Alternatively, the attachment member may be formed integrally with the loadfloor.

In one embodiment, the attachment member is a hook.

The edge region of the loadfloor adjacent the attachment member may be profiled to provide a surface which abuts against a first supporting surface of the vehicle when the loadfloor is in a closed configuration and which slides into abutment with a second supporting surface of the vehicle when the loadfloor is in an open configuration, thereby moving a pivot axis of the vehicle loadfloor away from the first supporting surface as the vehicle loadfloor is actuated from its closed configuration to its open configuration.

It is particularly beneficial if a portion of the hook facing the underside of the loadfloor has a radiussed profile so that, as the pivot axis of the loadfloor is moved away from the first supporting surface and the engagement region disengages the loadfloor attachment location, the radiussed profile clears that region of the vehicle which defines the first supporting surface. At the same time, the radiussed profile ensures that the hook remains in close proximity to the region of the vehicle which defines the first supporting surface as the loadfloor is opened, thereby helping to maintain the edge of the loadfloor in abutment with the first and second supporting surfaces during opening and closing.

The movement of the loadfloor pivot axis provided by the above apparatus allows the loadfloor to be easily removed from engagement with the vehicle when the loadfloor is actuated towards the open configuration whilst facilitating secure engagement of the attachment hook within the vehicle when the loadfloor is actuated towards the closed configuration.

The attachment location may comprise a part of the vehicle chassis or internal fixings of the vehicle.

The second supporting surface may comprise a substantially flat planar member. The first supporting surface may comprise a substantially flat surface inclined at an angle to the second supporting surface.

The first supporting surface may comprise an angled profile of a P-beam of the vehicle.

The second supporting surface may comprise a web extending from the P-beam of the vehicle.

The first and second supporting surfaces may further comprise a carpet or other covering.

The resilience of the carpet or covering aids the aforementioned biting or clamping action.

The return portion may be adapted to bite into a portion of the F-beam when in its engaged position.

A plurality of said attachment members may be provided at spaced apart locations proximal to the edge region of the loadfloor. In one embodiment there are two hooks. The two hooks may be disposed at spaced apart locations along the edge of the loadiloor and may, optionally, be disposed at opposite ends of the edge of the loadfloor.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle provided with a vehicle loadfloor apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. Preferred and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention may be incorporated alone, or in appropriate combination, within the second aspect of the invention also.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an attachment hook of a vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a transverse view of the attachment hook of Figure 1 mounted to the front end of a vehicle loadfloor; Figure 3 is a transverse view of the apparatus of Figure 2 in engagement with the structure of a vehicle, where the loadfloor is in a closed configuration; Figure 4 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 2 in engagement with the structure of a vehicle, where the loadfloor is in an open configuration; Figure 5 is an illustration of the loadfloor actuating between the closed configuration of Figure 3 and the open configuration of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a further transverse illustration of the loadfloor in an open configuration where a loadfloor seat and storage well are illustrated; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the loadfloor of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the attachment hook of the apparatus of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the loadfloor when pivoted towards a partially closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description the term front" refers to components toward the front of the vehicle and the term "rear" refers to components towards the rear of the vehicle. The terms "forward" and rearward" shall be construed accordingly.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle loadfloor apparatus for a vehicle includes a loadfloor board 20 (referred to as the loadfloor), and a pair of attachment members in the form of two attachment hooks (only one of which, labelled 10, is shown) which couple the loadfloor 20 to the vehicle. The attachment hook lOis of radiussed form and can generally be considered to divide into three primary sections: a shank portion 14, an extension portion 16 and a return portion 18, each section being delineated in Figure 1 by corresponding dashed lines. The shank portion 14 of the hook 10 defines an attachment foot 12 of the hook by which means the hook 10 can be secured to the loadfloor 20 via a securing hole 21 provided in the shank portion 14. The shank portion 14 extends downwardly from the attachment foot 12 to connect with the extension portion 16 which extends generally longitudinally beneath the loadfloor 20. The return portion 18 of the hook projects upwardly from the extension portion 16 and defines an engagement region of the hook which is engageable with the underside of the loadfoor, as described in further detail below. The hook 10 typically takes the form of a single moulded plastics member (e.g. formed from ABS plastic).

As shown in Figure 2, the attachment hook 10 is secured to the underside of the loadfloor towards the front edge thereof. The loadfloor 20 may be formed of, for example, polyurethane and glass fibre. Attachment of the hook 10 to the loadfloor 20 is provided by a nut 23 and bolt 22 arrangement. The nut 23 is provided with a plurality of teeth 25 (only one of which is shown). During assembly of the apparatus, the bolt 23 is pushed through the loadfloor 20 such that the teeth 25 grip into the loadfloor 20 to secure it thereto. From the other side of the loadfloor 20, the nut 22 is then pushed through the securing hole 21 of the attachment foot 12 such that it mates with the bolt 23. The nut 22 is then screwed onto the bolt 23 in order to tightly secure the attachment hook 10 to the loadfloor 20.

The front edge of the loadfloor board 20 has a chamfered edge 24 and a recessed surface 26 which fit snuggly with a corresponding loadfloor seat or other profile of the vehicle (described subsequently). A carpet or similar covering 28 covers the upper surface of the loadfloor 20 and wraps around the front edge of the board, at 28A and 28B, to further facilitate snug engagement with the loadfloor seat.

During normal use of the vehicle trunk, the loadfloor 20 remains in the closed configuration depicted in Figure 3. In this configuration, the portion of the carpet 28A covering the chamfered front edge 24 rests against a corresponding inclined portion 30A of a carpet 30 attached to the vehicle interior, while the portion of the carpet 28B underneath the front edge of the loadfloor 20 rests on a corresponding flat portion 30B of the vehicle carpet.

In the embodiment shown, the vehicle carpet 30 is supported by a P-beam having a head region 32 and a rearward projection 34. This portion of the trunk does not necessarily need to be load supporting; indeed, as shown in Figure 7, load support may be provided by further areas of the loadfloor seat such as rails 35 or other profiles of a trunk storage well 37.

In the closed configuration, the return portion 18 of the attachment hook 10 defines an engagement region of the hook which bites" into, or clamps against, the underside of the P-beam head 32 under the weight of the loadfloor 20 acting around a pivot axis 36. The clamping force therefore has a force component which acts in opposition to a contact force exerted by the underside of the loadfloor on the vehicle. The resilient nature of the carpet 30 on the vehicle and the covering 28 of the loadfloor 20 facilitates the aforementioned biting action, which securely holds the loadfloor 20 in place within the loadfloor seat and therefore helps to prevent movement and rattle of the loadfloor 20 during use of the vehicle.

With reference to Figure 4, in order to remove the loadfloor 20 from the trunk of the vehicle, the user simply lifts the rear of the loadfloor 20 by way of a suitable handle (not shown). This causes the attachment hook 10 to pivot around the pivot axis 36 to disengage the engagement region 18 from the underside of the P-beam head, the radiussed form of the hook 10 being such that it clears the rear of the P-beam projection 34 in so doing. As illustrated in Figure 5, as the loadfloor 20 is hinged open, the carpet portion 28A covering the chamfered front edge slides down the portion 30A of the carpet and the portion 2GB underneath the front edge of the loadfloor board 20 slides rearward and upwards away from the corresponding portion 30B of the vehicle carpet. This causes the pivot axis 36 to move rearward and upwards as the loadfloor 20 is moved towards the open configuration, as illustrated in Figure 5.

It will be appreciated that, as both of the attachments hooks of the pair are identical, they operate in the same way as the loadfloor 20 is opened and closed.

With the loadfloor in the open configuration shown in Figure 4, the user can gain easy access to the storage well 37 before simply closing the loadfloor 20 again. Alternatively, if the user wishes to remove the loadfloor 20 he can do so by simply pulling it away from the vehicle. If the user has chosen to remove the loadfloor 20 he can replace it very simply by placing the surfaces 28A and 30B back into approximate engagement with one another and then closing the loadfloor 20.

The arrangement described above allows the user to easily see where the loadfloor is to be placed, and also provides a relatively large catchment zone (for the attachment hooks 10) which allows the user to place the loadfloor in the required position easily.

Furthermore, the attachment hooks are low cost components which are less fragile and hence less likely to break than the fixings used in existing systems.

Another advantage of the above described invention is that there is no reduction in the usable space within the loadfloor area. This is because the attachment hooks 10 and corresponding attachment location on the P-beam are provided below the loadfloor without the need for pins or other brackets mounted on the interior of the loadfloor area. This also has the associated advantage of maintaining a flat upper loadfloor surface i.e. there is no need for plastic pins, hooks or other attachments projecting from the upper surface or sides of the loadfloor.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing, without departing from the scope of the invention.

By way of example, rather than engaging with a P-beam of the vehicle, the attachment hooks 10 may alternatively engage with any suitable portion of the vehicle such as side trims, brackets etc. One way of achieving this is to move the attachment hooks 10 outward from the positions shown in the described embodiments towards the longitudinal edges of the loadfloor. This will allow the attachment hooks to engage with features provided on the side trims of the vehicle such as plastic securing prongs.

In the embodiment described above, the loadfloor forms the floor of a vehicle trunk.

However, the apparatus could alternatively form the floor of any other vehicle compartment in which easy, and relatively regular, removal and replacement of the floor is desired.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus comprising a loadfloor being pivotable about an edge region thereof between an open and a closed configuration, an attachment member for coupling the loadfloor to the vehicle when in the closed configuration, the attachment member being disposed proximal to the edge region and projecting from a surface of the loadfloor and comprising an engagement region adapted to selectively engage with a loadfloor attachment location when the loadfloor is pivoted towards a closed configuration and disengage said loadfloor attachment location when the loadfloor is pivoted towards an open configuration.
2. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engagement region is adapted to clamp against a portion of the loadfloor attachment location when the loadfloor is pivoted towards the closed configuration.
3. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the engagement region is adapted to exert a clamping force at the attachment location when the loadfloor is in the closed configuration such that the clamping force has a component opposite to a contact force exerted by the underside of the loadfloor on the vehicle.
4. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the clamping force is applied by means of the weight of the loadfloor acting about a pivot axis of the loadfloor.
5. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, the engagement region being adapted such that, when the loadfloor is pivoted towards the closed configuration, said component of the clamping force and said contact force are exerted on opposite faces of a substantially planar member which defines, at least in part, the loadfloor attachment location.
6. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment member projects from the underside of the loadfloor.
7. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the attachment member further comprises a shank portion projecting downwardly from the loadfloor and an extension portion projecting longitudinally along the loadfloor.
8. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the attachment member further comprises a return portion projecting upwardly from the extension portion and wherein the engagement region is provided on said return portion.
9. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment member is of radiussed form.
10. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein, the attachment member is fixed to said surface of the loadfloor.
11. A vehicle loadfloor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the attachment member is formed integrally with the loadfloor.
12. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment member is a hook.
13. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the edge region of the loadfloor adjacent the attachment member is profiled to provide a surface which abuts against a first supporting surface of the vehicle when the loadfloor is in a closed configuration and which slides into abutment with a second supporting surface of the vehicle when the loadfloor is in an open configuration, thereby moving a pivot axis of the loadfloor away from the first supporting surface as the loadfloor is actuated from its closed configuration to its open configuration.
14. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second supporting surface comprises a substantially flat planar member.
15. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first supporting surface comprises a substantially flat surface inclined at an angle to the second supporting surface.
16. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first supporting surface comprises an angled profile of a P-beam of the vehicle.
17. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the second supporting surface comprises a projection extending from a P-beam of the vehicle.
18. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the engagement region is adapted to clamp against a portion of the P-beam when in its engaged position.
19. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the first and second supporting surfaces further comprise a carpet or other covering.
20. A vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of said attachment members are provided at spaced apart locations proximal to the edge region of the loadfloor.
21. A vehicle loadiloor apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the loadfloor attachment location comprises a portion of the vehicle chassis.
22. A vehicle loadiloor apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the loadfloor attachment location comprises internal fixings of the vehicle.
23. A vehicle comprising the vehicle loadfloor apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 22.
24. A vehicle loadiloor apparatus substantially as hereinbetore described with reference to, or as illustrated in, any of Figures 1 to 9.
25. A vehicle comprising a loadfloor apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as illustrated in, any of Figures 1 to 9.