STORAGE DIVIDER WITH PARTITION WITH EXTENDABLE HINGE SECTIONS

Abstract

Storage space divider (10), comprising: a partition wall (12) including a first section (16) having a first pin (22) connected to a second section (24) having a second pin (30) by a hinge (36); and a base (14) including a plurality of sockets (46) receiving the first pin (22) and the second pin (30) and holding the partition (12) in a plurality of positions, characterized in that a receiving piece (52) shaped to receive and hold the partition (12) on the hinge (36) when the first section (16) and the second section (24) are folded together about the hinge (36).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This document relates generally to the field of automotive equipment and, more particularly, to a storage compartment divider having a divider including a first portion having a first pin connected to a second pin by a hinge and a base including a plurality of sockets receiving the first pin and the second pin and holding the divider in a plurality of positions. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many motor vehicles are equipped with relatively large storage areas or cargo beds designed to accommodate larger and bulkier items of cargo. Unfortunately, during motor vehicle operation, such as when turning or stopping, smaller items of cargo tend to shift, move, or roll over larger storage areas or cargo beds. Shifting cargo can be distracting or disruptive to the vehicle's occupants. Furthermore, fragile items such as bread, light bulbs, eggs, and the like can be damaged if a heavier item shifts into contact with it and strikes the fragile item.

[0003] To address these problems, various partitions and dividers have been developed for the cargo area of motor vehicles. Unfortunately, these dividers generally exhibit limited versatility, lacking sufficient configurability and customizability to meet the diverse needs and applications of the vehicle driver.

[0004] DE 601 07 949 T2 is known from the prior art. This describes a storage divider comprising a base, a partition, and a hinge.

[0005] US 6 503 036 B1 describes a storage space divider comprising a partition and a base, wherein the base includes bushings for positioning the partition.

[0006] Furthermore, US 5 961 171 A describes a storage space divider comprising a base, a partition and a hinge.

[0007] US 2003 / 0111503 A1 describes a storage space divider comprising a partition, a hinge and a base, wherein the base has bushings for positioning the partition.

[0008] US 6 623 059 B2 describes a storage divider comprising a base, a partition and a hinge.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved storage space divider with significantly improved configurability, which allows the divider to be customized to meet the needs of the motor vehicle driver for essentially any foreseeable application.

[0010] The problem is solved by a storage space divider having the features of claim 1. SUMMARY

[0011] In accordance with the purposes and advantages described herein, a storage divider is provided. The storage divider includes a divider having a first section with a first pin and a second section with a second pin. The first and second sections are connected by a hinge. The storage divider further includes a base having a plurality of sockets. These sockets are adapted to receive the first pin and the second pin and to hold the divider in a variety of different use positions.

[0012] The first section may include a first divider panel and a first extendable extension panel. More specifically, the first divider panel may include a first compartment, and the first extendable extension panel may slide within the first compartment. The second section may include a second divider panel and a second extendable extension panel. More specifically, the second divider panel may include a second compartment, and the second extendable extension panel may slide within the second compartment.

[0013] The hinge can connect the first divider plate to the second divider plate. Furthermore, the first pin can be attached to the first extendable extension plate. The second pin can be attached to the second extendable extension plate.

[0014] The first extendable extension plate may further include a first edge defining a first hand opening adjacent the first pin. Similarly, the second extendable extension plate may include a second edge defining a second hand opening adjacent the second pin.

[0015] The base may include a receiving piece sized and shaped to receive and retain the partition at the hinge when the first section and the second section are folded about the hinge. The base may include a ledge secured to a storage floor of the motor vehicle. The ledge may define a polygonal shape. In other embodiments, the base may include a shelf and a ledge secured to the shelf. The ledge may define a polygonal shape, and the shelf may be enclosed by the ledge.

[0016] In the following description, several preferred embodiments of the storage divider are shown and described. It should be noted that the storage divider is capable of other, different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects without departing from the storage divider as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be considered illustrative in nature and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] The attached drawings, which are included here and form part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the storage divider and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the storage divider including the base and the first and second sections of the divider. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the first section or second section of the partition. Fig. Figure 3a shows the partition folded and placed in a receiving piece provided in the base. Fig. 3b shows the divider held in the base, where it can be stored until needed. Fig. Figure 4a is a perspective view showing the divider folded into a desired configuration and inserted into two of the sockets provided in the base. Fig. 4b shows the partition wall after Fig. 4a now mounted on the base. Fig. Figures 5-7 show additional possible configurations for the divider to help demonstrate the configurability and versatility of the storage divider.

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the storage space divider, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Now we turn to the Fig. 1-7, which illustrate the storage divider 10. The storage divider 10 includes a divider, generally indicated by reference numeral 12, and a base, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.

[0020] The partition 12 includes a first section 16 comprising a first divider panel 18 and a first extendable extension panel 20. A first pin 22 is attached to the first extendable extension panel 20.

[0021] The partition 12 also includes a second section 24 comprising a second divider panel 26 and a second extendable extension panel 28. A second pin 30 is attached to the second extendable extension panel.

[0022] How best in Fig. 2, the first divider panel 18 includes a first compartment 32. The first extendable extension panel 20 is received in and slides into the first compartment 32, thereby allowing the overall length of the first section 16 of the partition wall 12 to be adjusted. As also shown in Fig. 2, the second divider panel 26 includes a second compartment 34. The second extendable extension panel 28 is received and slides into the second compartment 34, allowing the overall length of the second section 24 of the partition wall 12 to be adjusted.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 1, a hinge 36 connects the first divider plate 18 to the second divider plate 26. A first edge 38 of the first extendable extension plate 20 defines a first hand opening 40 adjacent the first pin 22. Similarly, a second edge 42 of the second extendable extension plate 28 defines a second hand opening 44 adjacent the second pin 30.

[0024] The base 14 includes a plurality of sockets 46. As will be apparent from the following description, these sockets 46 receive the first pin 22 and the second pin 30 and hold the divider 12 in a variety of positions or configurations, thereby allowing the user to customize the storage divider 10 to suit their needs for a particular application.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 includes a support 48 and a ledge 50 secured to the support. More specifically, the support 48 is enclosed by the ledge 50, which defines a polygonal shape. The base 14 may be sized and shaped to be received on a cargo area of a motor vehicle, such as within a trunk or behind the rear seat of an SUV or crossover vehicle. In other embodiments, the base 14 may simply comprise a ledge 50, which may be integrally formed with the panel of the motor vehicle lining the trunk or storage area. Alternatively, the ledge 50 may be connected directly to the panel or floor of the motor vehicle using suitable fastening devices.

[0026] How best in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the divider 12 can be easily stored in a convenient location when not in use. More specifically, the ledge 50 of the base 14 can include a receiving piece 52 shaped to receive and retain the divider 12 at the hinged end thereof when the first section 16 and the second section 24 are folded together about the hinge 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving piece 52 includes a slot. Fig. 3a shows the partition 12 while it is being aligned for insertion (note the action arrow A) into the receiving piece 52. Fig. 3b shows the partition 12 received in the receiving piece 52 and held there, where it is stowed, for example, next to a side wall S of the storage compartment on the floor F of the motor vehicle. In this stowed position, the first pin 22 and the second pin 30 are shown positioned above the first hand opening 40 and second hand opening 44 such that the partition 12 can be easily and quickly grasped by a user and removed from the receiving piece 52.

[0027] Now we turn to the Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, which illustrate how the divider 12 can be configured into a first configuration or position and secured to the base 14 where it is held in an upright position dividing the storage area or space C as desired by the user. More specifically, to configure the divider 12, one adjusts the angle of the first divider panel 18 with respect to the second divider panel 26 using the hinge 36. Additionally, one adjusts the relative length of the first section 16 of the divider 12 by extending or retracting the first extendable extension panel 20 with respect to the first divider panel 18. Similarly, one also adjusts the relative length of the second section 24 of the divider 12 by extending or retracting the second extendable extension panel 28 with respect to the second divider panel 26.When properly adjusted, the first pin 22 is aligned with a first selected socket 46 in the bar 50 of the base 14, while the second pin 30 is aligned with a second selected socket in the bar of the base, and the partition 12 is moved in the direction of action arrow B toward the base 14 until the first pin 22 and the second pin 30 are received in the desired sockets 46 (see . Fig. 4b). The first pin 22 and the second pin 30 are retained in the bushings 46 in a snug fit, so that the partition 12 is held in an upright position defining a storage space of a desired size and shape for holding a specific piece of cargo to be transported.

[0028] Fig.5-7 show three additional alternative configurations for the divider 12 when supported by the base 14. It should be appreciated that these are only four possible configurations and many more are possible by adjusting the angle between the first divider plate 18 and the second divider plate 26 at the hinge 36 and by adjusting the length of the first section 16 and second section 24 of the divider 12 by means of the first extendable extension plate 20 and second extendable extension plate 28 to align the first pin 22 and second pin 30 with any two sockets 46 in the ledge 50 of the base 14 that the user wishes to use to support the divider in position.

[0029] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the shape of the base 14 and / or the bar 50 may be changed from that illustrated in the drawing figures. More specifically, the shape is not limited to polygons and may, in fact, include curves or even form a circle. The number of sockets 46 may also be varied from that illustrated. Still further, the partition 12 may include more than the two sections 16, 24 illustrated herein.

[0030] All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when construed according to the breadth to which they are legally, equitably and fairly entitled.

Claims

[1] Storage space divider (10), comprising: a partition wall (12) including a first section (16) having a first pin (22) connected to a second section (24) having a second pin (30) by a hinge (36); and a base (14) including a plurality of sockets (46) receiving the first pin (22) and the second pin (30) and holding the partition (12) in a plurality of positions, characterized by that a receiving piece (52) which is shaped to receive and hold the partition (12) on the hinge (36) when the first section (16) and the second section (24) are folded together about the hinge (36). [2] The storage divider (10) of claim 1, wherein the first section (16) includes a first divider panel (18) and a first extendable extension panel (20). [3] The storage divider (10) of claim 2, wherein the second portion (24) includes a second divider panel (26) and a second extendable extension panel (28). [4] Storage space divider (10) according to claim 3, wherein the hinge (36) connects the first divider plate (18) to the second divider plate (26). [5] Storage divider (10) according to claim 4, wherein the first pin (22) is attached to the first extendable extension plate (20). [6] Storage divider (10) according to claim 5, wherein the second pin (30) is attached to the second extendable extension plate (28). [7] The storage divider (10) of claim 6, wherein the first divider panel (18) includes a first compartment (32) and the first extendable extension panel (20) slides in the first compartment (32). [8] The storage divider (10) of claim 7, wherein the second divider panel (26) includes a second compartment (34) and the second extendable extension panel slides in the second compartment (26). [9] The storage divider (10) of claim 8, wherein the first extendable extension panel (20) includes a first edge (38) defining a first hand opening (40) adjacent the first pin (22). [10] The storage divider (10) of claim 9, wherein the second extendable extension panel (28) includes a second edge (42) defining a second hand opening (44) adjacent the second pin (30). [11] The storage compartment divider (10) of claim 10, wherein the base (14) comprises a strip (50) secured to a storage compartment floor of a motor vehicle. [12] Storage space divider (10) according to claim 11, wherein the strip (50) defines a polygonal shape. [13] The storage divider (10) of claim 10, wherein the base (14) comprises a support (48) and a ledge (50) secured to the support (48). [14] Storage space divider (10) according to claim 13, wherein the strip (50) defines a polygonal shape. [15] Storage space divider (10) according to claim 14, wherein the support (48) is enclosed by the strip (50). [16] The storage compartment divider (10) of claim 1, wherein the base (14) comprises a strip (50) secured to a storage compartment floor of a motor vehicle. [17] Storage space divider (10) according to claim 16, wherein the strip (50) defines a polygonal shape. [18] The storage divider (10) of claim 1, wherein the base (14) includes a support (48) and a ledge (50) secured to the support (48).

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