LAYOUT OF A RETRACTABLE STORAGE SYSTEM INSIDE A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

Arrangement of a storage device (34) inside a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising a partition (12) located behind a driver's seat (28) between a front portion (14) of the vehicle and a rear cargo area and having, next to the driver's seat (28), a side area (30), characterized in that the storage device (34) consists of a U-shaped support hoop (36) having two lateral arms (360, 362) connected by a crossbar (364), the free ends (366, 368) of the lateral arms (360, 362) of the U being movable about a transverse axis A carried by a structural element (38) of the vehicle, such that the hoop (36) is in a stowed position in which it is arranged vertically along the partition wall (12), the U being inverted, the crossbar (364) being located above the free ends (366,368),and a usage position in which the hoop (36) is positioned horizontally to receive at least one module (56, 58). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: ARRANGEMENT OF A RETRACTABLE STORAGE DEVICE INSIDE A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement of a storage device inside a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising a partition arranged behind a driver's seat between a front part of the vehicle and a rear loading area and having, next to the driver's seat, a side area.

[0002] It is becoming increasingly common to use small motor vehicles to make deliveries, such as small parcels or mail, for example, particularly in urban areas.

[0003] It is then necessary to provide means of transporting the objects to be delivered which are practical, safe and flexible.

[0004] In order to overcome these drawbacks, the invention relates to an arrangement of a storage device inside a motor vehicle which is simple, practical, inexpensive and reliable.

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes an arrangement of the type cited above, characterized in that the storage device is constituted by a U-shaped support hoop having two lateral arms connected to each other by a transverse bar, free ends of the lateral arms of the hoop being mounted to move around a transverse axis carried by a structural element of the vehicle, so that the hoop occupies a stored position in which it is arranged vertically along the partition wall, the U being arranged upside down, the transverse bar being located above the free ends, and a use position in which the hoop is positioned horizontally to receive at least one module.

[0006] According to other characteristics of the invention:

[0007] The roll bar is arranged on either side of a passenger seat backrest, located in the lateral zone so that, in the stowed position, the lateral arms of the roll bar extend vertically on either side of the backrest and that, in the use position, the roll bar extends in a horizontal plane above a seat of the passenger seat.

[0008] The structural element on which the end of the arms of the roll bar is fixed is a passenger seat support.

[0009] The hoop includes a means for locking in the vertically stored position.

[0010] The module is a storage bin.

[0011] The arrangement comprises two storage bins arranged longitudinally one behind the other.

[0012] A bottom of the storage bin inserted inside the roll bar in the use position extends away from a passenger seat base.

[0013] The module is a board.

[0014] The arrangement comprises two modules which are a tray and a tray.

[0015] The modules comprise a peripheral rim capable of cooperating with the hoop.

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of examples of embodiments of an arrangement of a storage device with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] is a general perspective view of the arrangement of the device of storage inside a vehicle, shown in the stowed position.

[0018] [Fig.2] is a view of the arrangement of [Fig.l], shown in configuration of use.

[0019] [Fig.3] is a side view of the arrangement of [Fig.2], in which the device includes a storage bin.

[0020] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a portion of the device in the position of use.

[0021] [Fig.5] is a side view of a detail of [Fig.4] of the storage device in stowed position.

[0022] In the following description, we will take, without limitation, a longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientation indicated by the trihedron L,V,T of figures 1 to 5

[0023] Identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0024] With the exception of the specific elements of the driving position, the vehicle has a general symmetry with respect to a median longitudinal plane.

[0025] As shown in [Fig.l], a motor vehicle (not shown) comprises a passenger compartment 10 in which a transverse partition 12 separates a front portion 14 and a rear loading area (not shown). The front portion 14 is delimited by the partition 12 at the rear, a windshield 18 and a dashboard 20 at the front, side doors 22, a roof 24 and a floor 26.

[0026] The front part 14 comprises on one side a driver's seat 28 and on the other an area 30, located next to the driver's seat 28, in which there is a passenger seat 32 having a backrest 320 and a seat 322.

[0027] A modular storage device 34 is arranged in the zone 30.

[0028] In the embodiment described here, the storage device 34 is constituted by a U-shaped hoop 36 comprising two lateral arms 360 and 362 connected to each other by a transverse bar 364 and each having an end 366 and 368. The ends 366 and 368 of the lateral arms 360 and 362 are each pivotally mounted around a transverse axis A.

[0029] As shown in [Fig.4], each transverse axis A is carried here by seat side supports 38. However, in another embodiment of the vehicle, not shown, the transverse axes A can be carried, depending on the architecture of the vehicle, by any structural element of the vehicle such as the partition wall 12, a floor element, or a wall or door element of the vehicle.

[0030] The arms 360 and 362 of the arch 36 are thus arranged on either side of the backrest 320 of the seat 32.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the arch 36 can thus occupy two configurations. In a first configuration, it occupies a storage position in which it extends along a transverse vertical plane at a distance from the dividing wall 12. The backrest 320 is then arranged inside the U formed by the arch 36.

[0032] The arch 36 can also occupy a second configuration of use in which it extends along a horizontal plane, above the seat base 322 of the seat 32, and at a distance from the dashboard 20 (approximately 20 millimeters).

[0033] The hoop 36 is mounted sufficiently tightly on the supports 38 of the seat 32 to avoid any untimely movement and any vibration which could generate noise during driving.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the storage device 34 comprises a locking means 40 for locking the arch 36 in the vertically stored position. The vertical locking means 40 consists of a first female part 46, carried by a structural element 44 of the vehicle independent of the seat 32 and a second male part 42 carried by the end 366 of the arm 362. The structural element 44 is a crosspiece connecting two center pillars located on either side of the partition 12.

[0035] In another embodiment, not shown, the device comprises two locks arranged on each side of the seat. It could then be envisaged that the locks are then synchronized so as to avoid twisting the arch in the event that the unlocking of one of the locks is forgotten.

[0036] The male part 42 is constituted by a steel ring 420, of substantially rectangular shape arranged in a perpendicular plane on an external lateral face 361 of the arm 362.

[0037] The female part 46 is formed by a bridge 48 having lateral flanges 480 connected by a front face 482, oriented along a transverse plane. The female part 46 also has a cavity 50 formed by a first cylindrical cavity 502 whose bases 504 open into the flanges 480 of the bridge 48. The cylindrical cavity 502 is extended by a second cavity 506 opening into the front face 482 and into the flanges 480 so as to form in its lower part a rectilinear ramp 508, the second cavity 506 thus forming a drain.

[0038] The female part 46 also comprises a locking lever 52 having an upper end 520 located outside and directly above the bridge 48 and a lower end 522 located in the cavity 50 in front of the cylindrical cavity 502. The lower end 522 is beveled. The lever 52 is mounted to rotate about a transverse axis B between a position in which it blocks access to the cylindrical cavity 502 and at least one position in which it is retracted. Return means, not shown, make it possible to maintain the lever 52 in its first locking position.

[0039] Thus, when a user wishes to lock the hoop 36 in its vertically stored position, he slides the female part 42 of the locking means 40 against the ramp 508 of the drain 506 and against the beveled end 522 of the lever 52, against the return means, which pivots the lever 52 and allows the passage of the female part 42 into the cylindrical cavity 502. Once the female part 42 is inserted, the lever 52 returns to its locking position under the effect of the return means.

[0040] To proceed with the unlocking and move the hoop 36 into its horizontal position of use, it is then necessary to press on the upper part 520 of the lever 52, in order to move the end into a retracted position allowing the passage of the female part 42 towards the outside of the drain. Once the female part 42 has come out, the lever 52 returns to its locking position under the effect of the return means.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end 368 of the arm 362 of the hoop 36 has a flat face 369 provided with a pad 54 intended to come into contact with the separation wall 12 when the hoop 36 is in the position of use in order to form a stop limiting its travel. The pad 54, which may be made of an elastomer type material for example, also makes it possible to dampen vibrations during rolling.

[0042] As shown in [Fig. 3], the arch 36 in the position of use is capable of receiving modules which are here two substantially parallelepiped storage bins 56 and 58 arranged longitudinally, one behind the other. The bins 56, 58 have vertical lateral walls respectively 560, 580, carrying an external peripheral rim respectively 562, 582 and a bottom wall respectively 564, 584.

[0043] Thus, the edges 562,582 are able to rest on an upper face 363 of the arch 36 so as to be held during rolling. The bottom walls 564,584 of the trays 56,58 are then at a distance from the seat 322 so as not to damage it.

[0044] The trays 56 and 58 occupy the entire length of the arch 36, which prevents them from moving while the vehicle is moving.

[0045] In another embodiment, not shown, the seat 322 of the seat 32 is folded against the backrest 320. The storage device 34 can then occupy its vertical storage position as its horizontal use position. Thus, when the storage device 34 is used, the absence of a seat under the hoop 36 has the advantage of allowing the use of taller storage bins, which increases the available loading volume.

[0046] The storage device according to the invention thus has numerous advantages.

[0047] The locking means 40 allowing the storage device to be kept in the stowed position, the tight mounting of the hoop 36 allowing it to be kept in the horizontal position and the stop 369,54 allowing the end of travel and the filtration of vibrations, are independent of each other, which has the advantage of ensuring easy maintenance of the device.

[0048] In an embodiment not shown, the trays 56, 58 are replaced by a tray occupying all the space available between the branches of the arch 32, which makes it possible to place a laptop computer there, for example.

[0049] In another embodiment, not shown, the device comprises a tray and a tray arranged one behind the other.

[0050] The storage device has the advantage of allowing the space available inside the vehicle to be practically and securely optimized when the passenger seat is not in use. The storage device is also not bulky when it is in the stowed position and the passenger seat is occupied.

[0051] The storage device according to the invention has the advantage of being modular, the user being able to choose the changing module that he wishes to use according to his needs: two bins, one tray or the combination of one bin and one tray.

[0052] The storage device is easily accessible from the passenger side door, which has the advantage of increasing user safety, the vehicle being most often parked on the right side of the road.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising an interior arrangement, the vehicle comprising a partition wall (12) arranged behind a driver's seat (28) between a front part (14) of the vehicle and a rear loading area and having, next to the driver's seat (28), a lateral area (30), characterized in that the storage device (34) is constituted by a U-shaped support hoop (36) having two lateral arms (360,362) connected to each other by a transverse bar (364), free ends (366,368) of the lateral arms (360,362) of the U being mounted to move about a transverse axis A carried by a structural element (38) of the vehicle, so that the hoop (36) occupies a stowed position in which it is arranged vertically along the partition wall (12), the U being arranged upside down, the transverse bar (364) being located above the free ends (366,368),and a position of use in which the arch (36) is positioned horizontally to receive at least one module (56,58) and in which a bottom (562, 582) of the storage module (56,58) extends at a distance from a seat (322) of the passenger seat (32).,

2. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the hoop (36) is arranged on either side of a backrest (320) of the passenger seat (32), located in the lateral zone (30) so that, in the stowed position, the lateral arms (360, 362) of the hoop (36) extend vertically on either side of the backrest (320) and that, in the position of use, the hoop (36) extends in a horizontal plane above a seat (322) of the passenger seat (32).

3. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the structural element (38) on which the end (366,368) of the arms (360,362) of the arch (36) is fixed is a support (38) for the passenger seat (32).

4. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roll bar (36) comprises a locking means (40) in the vertically stowed position.

5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module is a storage bin (56, 58).

6. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two storage bins (56, 58) arranged longitudinally one behind the other.

7. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module is a platform.

8. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two modules which are a tray (56,58) and a platform.

9. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (56, 58) comprise a peripheral rim capable of cooperating with the hoop (36).

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