Luggage cover device including locking means

Abstract

Title: Luggage Cover Device Comprising Locking Means The invention relates to a luggage cover device (100) comprising a cassette (110) incorporating locking means, said locking means comprising at least one bolt movable relative to the cassette (110) and having a locking end, each of said bolts being translationally driven between its locked position and its unlocked position when said master member is moved, a lug integral with said bolt, or respectively with said master member, being guided in a groove formed in said master member, or respectively said bolt. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Luggage concealing device comprising locking means Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the interior equipment of motor vehicles.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a luggage cover device intended to conceal at least part of a trunk of a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0003] Many luggage cover devices for motor vehicles are known. These luggage cover devices can notably be made using a blackout fabric. This fabric is generally mounted on a roller tube so that it can be extended or retracted as needed.

[0004] A cassette containing the roller tube is most often fixed to the bottom of the trunk, on or near the backrest of the rear seat of the vehicle. The canvas is then deployed to cover at least part of the vehicle's trunk.

[0005] Depending on the needs, the luggage cover devices can be removed from the passenger compartment in particular to offer a large storage space free of obstruction and thus facilitate the introduction of bulky objects into the trunk.

[0006] If they can be removed from the trunk, then it is necessary that the luggage cover devices be securely fixed in the passenger compartment when in use.

[0007] To achieve this, the cassette of the luggage cover devices incorporates locking means.

[0008] Classically, these locking means include a member to be manipulated by a user, said member driving a toothed wheel which acts on one or more bolts by a rack and pinion connection, as described for example in documents US10471898 and US20080173411.

[0009] The bolts can thus adopt a first position in which they come to rest in a housing in the passenger compartment, for example a cavity or a recess, to prevent the removal of the luggage cover device, and a second position in which they are disengaged from said housing to allow the removal of the luggage cover device.

[0010] Means of returning the organ to a so-called locked position may also be provided to place and maintain the bolts in their first position when the user is not manipulating the organ.

[0011] Thus, when the user wishes to remove or install the luggage cover, they manipulate the mechanism to position the bolt(s) in their second position, then remove or install the device before releasing their action on the mechanism. Once the device is installed, the bolt(s) engage in the recesses to secure the cassette to the vehicle.

[0012] However, this type of luggage cover has some disadvantages.

[0013] In particular, the locking means are fragile and may provide unpleasant haptic feedback to the user.

[0014] This is explained in particular by the presence of racks.

[0015] The use of small teeth may present a risk of breakage which is increased when The user exerts force on the cassette which limits the movement of the bolt(s) between their first and second positions.

[0016] Thus, the user can force his manipulation movement of the organ and cause a concentration of stresses which weakens, or even damages, the teeth of the rack, risking breaking them.

[0017] Furthermore, to allow its operation, the rack requires functional play.

[0018] However, depending on the force exerted by the user on the organ, it is possible that the rack may temporarily block or that a tooth may jump, resulting in a feeling of jerking for the user.

[0019] Furthermore, when a tooth skips, a misalignment occurs between the wheel and the bolt(s), which can limit the bolt(s)' travel between their first and second positions, thus making the cassette less secure in the vehicle. In addition, the misalignment may also be visible on the operating mechanism, which does not reach its extreme positions, thereby detracting from the device's appearance or encouraging the user to force the operating mechanism to its maximum position, risking damage to the locking means.

[0020] Moreover, the complexity of the parts used for the locking means can lead to manufacturing difficulties, or at the very least to high manufacturing costs, and make the assembly of the locking means and therefore of the luggage cover device long, difficult and tedious.

[0021] Furthermore, when they occur during the assembly of the devices, tooth jumps can cause poor assembly which may lead to a risk of poor locking of the device in a vehicle.

[0022] Finally, the bulk of the locking mechanisms limits the space available in the cassette for the roller and the fabric, which can lead to side panels not covered by the fabric and therefore visibility of the contents of the box. Objectives of the invention

[0023] The invention aims, in particular, to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0024] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a luggage storage device comprising locking means that are more reliable than those of the prior art.

[0025] The invention also aims to provide such a luggage cover device whose locking means are more compact compared to prior art solutions.

[0026] The invention further aims to provide such a luggage cover whose locking means are simple to manufacture, install and maintain. Description of the invention

[0027] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved through the invention, which relates to a luggage cover device comprising a cassette incorporating locking means adapted to cooperate with a housing provided for this purpose in a motor vehicle, said locking means comprising at least one bolt movable relative to the cassette and having a locking end intended to engage in said housing, the bolt or each bolt being coupled to a master member movable in rotation and actuable by actuating means, so as to move said bolt or bolts between a first position, called the locking position, and a second position, called the unlocking position, characterized in that each of said bolts is moved in translation between its locking position and its unlocking position when said master member is moved in rotation, a lug integral with said bolt,or respectively said master organ, being guided in a groove formed in said master organ, or respectively said bolt.

[0028] The groove / lug cooperation allows for safe and reliable guidance of each bolt by the master member.

[0029] In addition, this groove / lug cooperation limits the risks of the bolts jamming.

[0030] Finally, such a device is simple to manufacture, assemble, maintain and functioning.

[0031] According to an advantageous aspect, the device comprises two bolts, movable in translation along the same direction and in opposite senses, and in that the master member takes the form of a movable part rotating around an axis extending transversely to the direction of movement of the bolts.

[0032] This configuration allows for effective locking of the device in the trunk of a vehicle while facilitating its handling to extract the device from the trunk.

[0033] According to an advantageous aspect, the locking means also include means for returning the bolt(s) to the locked position.

[0034] Without action from a user, the bolts cannot disengage from the recess in which they are inserted, which ensures that the device remains in position in a vehicle trunk.

[0035] According to an advantageous aspect, the return means take the form of a tension spring.

[0036] Such a tension spring is resistant to repeated handling, which makes the device more reliable over time.

[0037] According to an advantageous aspect, the locking means also include a control element of the master organ, said control element protruding at least partially out of the cassette.

[0038] This makes it easier for the user to manipulate the master organ, and therefore to move the bolts between their locking position and their unlocking position.

[0039] According to another aspect, the control element is in the form of a movable slider that translates on the cassette.

[0040] The manipulation of a slide proves to be simple and quick for the user.

[0041] Furthermore, a slider can be manipulated with a simple movement of the thumb, which facilitates still the use of the device according to the invention.

[0042] According to an advantageous aspect, the control element is coupled to the master organ by a fork cooperating with a pin fixed to the master organ.

[0043] Such an architecture allows efficient cooperation between the pawn and the master organ without risk of disengagement during manipulation.

[0044] According to another advantageous aspect, the locking means comprise two bolts each coupled to the master member.

[0045] Manipulating the control element that acts on the master member thus allows the movement of both bolts simultaneously. The ease of use of the device according to the invention is therefore increased.

[0046] According to an advantageous aspect, the bolt or each bolt has a recess forming a housing for receiving a part of the master organ.

[0047] This benefits the compactness of the locking means and therefore of the device according to the invention. Figures

[0048] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings described below.

[0049] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a schematic top perspective representation of a luggage cover device according to the invention, integrated into a motor vehicle trunk.

[0050] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a partial schematic exploded view of a luggage cover device according to the invention.

[0051] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the luggage cover device illustrating locking means in a locking configuration.

[0052] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the luggage cover device illustrating locking means in an intermediate configuration.

[0053] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the luggage cover device illustrating locking means in an unlocking configuration. Detailed description of the invention

[0054] Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a 100 luggage cover device installed in a motor vehicle.

[0055] More specifically, the device 100 is installed in a trunk of the motor vehicle, attached to the backrest of a bench seat B.

[0056] The device 100 comprises a cassette 110 and a canvas 120 intended to cover the trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0057] The cassette 110 incorporates a winder (not shown in the figures) to which the fabric 120 is connected.

[0058] When not in use, the canvas 120 is thus wound onto the roller and housed in the cassette 110 for protection.

[0059] The cassette 110 extends longitudinally between a first end 111 and a second end 112.

[0060] When the device 100 is installed in a motor vehicle, the first end 111 and the second end 112 are each received in a housing in the trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0061] To secure it and keep it in position in the vehicle, the device 100 incorporates locking means 200.

[0062] The locking means 200 are described below with reference to figures 2 to 5.

[0063] As illustrated by [Fig. 2], the locking means 200 are located at level of the first end 111.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the locking means 200 could be located at the second end 112 or at each of the first end 111 and the second end 112, in which case ad hoc linking means would be provided to connect the locking means 200 of the first end 111 with the locking means 200 of the second end 112.

[0065] In other words, the locking means 200 could either be located independently at the first end 111 or the second end 112, or both at the first end 111 and the second end 112. In the case of locking means 200 located both at the first end 111 and the second end 112, transmission means would be provided to allow the simultaneous activation of the locking means 200 of the first end 111 and the second end 112 by an action of a user on only one of the two ends.

[0066] With reference to [Fig.2], the locking means 200 include: - at least one 210 bolt; - a master organ 220; - a 230 control element, and - means of recall 240.

[0067] In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the locking means 200 comprise two bolts 210. The bolts 210 are movable by translation through the cassette 110 between a locked position (illustrated by [Fig. 3]) and an unlocked position (illustrated by [Fig. 5]). For this purpose, the cassette 110 has two windows 130, each through which a bolt 210 passes. The windows 130 are opposite each other, so that the bolts 210 are movable by translation in the same direction but in opposite directions.

[0068] Each bolt 210 has a linking end 211 by which it is connected to the master member 220, and a locking end 212 intended to engage in a recess of the housing of the motor vehicle to keep the device 100 installed in the trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0069] At its connecting end 211, the bolt carries a lug 213 by which it cooperates with the master organ 220, as described below.

[0070] The master member 220 is mounted movably between a first position in which it positions each bolt 210 in its locking position, and a second position in which it positions each bolt 210 in its unlocking position.

[0071] More specifically, the master member 220 is mounted to rotate freely in the cassette 100 around an axis of rotation R, transverse to the translational movement of the bolt or each bolt 210. In other words, to move from its first position to its second position, or vice versa, the master member 220 performs a rotation around the axis of rotation R.

[0072] The master member 220 has a flat shape, for example a wheel or roller shape as illustrated in [Fig. 2], and is guided in rotation by a shaft 140 on which the master member 220 is mounted. The master member 220 is held in position on the shaft 140 by a stop 145.

[0073] To enable connection with the bolt or each bolt 210, the master member 220 has a groove 221 intended to cooperate with the lug 213 of the bolt or each bolt 210.

[0074] More specifically, the master organ 220 has as many grooves 221 as there are bolts 210.

[0075] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the master member 220 has two grooves 221, each designed to cooperate with the lug 213 of one of the bolts 210. Each groove 221 forms a track designed to receive the lug 213 of a bolt 210 to drive said bolt 210 in movement

[0076] According to the embodiment illustrated by figures 2 to 5, each groove 221 forms an elliptical track intended to receive the lug 213 of a bolt 210 to drive said bolt 210 in movement.

[0077] More specifically, each groove 221 has an internal portion 222 and an external portion 223 that exert force on the lug 213 of the bolt 210 to move the latter. The internal portion 222 is located radially inside the groove 221 and the external portion 223 is located radially outside the groove 221.

[0078] When the master member 220 is actuated in a first direction of rotation, the internal portion 222 of the groove 221 causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 220 to move away from the cassette 110, while when the master member 220 is actuated in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, the external portion 223 of the groove 221 causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 220 to move closer to the cassette 110.

[0079] In other words, the passage of the master member 220 from its second position to its first position causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 210 to move away from the cassette 110, i.e. the bolt 210 to move into the unlocked position and, conversely, the passage of the master member 220 from its first position to the second position causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 210 to move closer to the cassette 110, i.e. the bolt 210 to move into the locked position.

[0080] Alternatively, the groove 221 may have a circular shape, a complex shape, for example a succession of different radii or an alternation of curves and straight lines, a rectilinear shape, or even a progressive shape.

[0081] The control element 230 is in the form of a movable slider that translates on the cassette 110.

[0082] For this purpose, as illustrated by [Fig.2], the cassette has a notch 150 in which the control element 230 is at least partially received. The notch 150 thus forms a guide for the movement of the control element 230.

[0083] The control element 230 protrudes at least partially from the cassette 110. For this purpose, the control element 230 has an upper part positioned partly in notch 150 and located outside cassette 110, and a lower part located in cassette 110.

[0084] The control element 230 is coupled to the master organ 220 by its lower part.

[0085] More particularly, the lower part is in the form of a fork 231 intended to cooperate with a pin 224 attached to the master member 220. The fork 231 is, in this case, a two-pronged fork.

[0086] The movement of the control element 230, in particular of the fork 231, induces, by its cooperation with the pin 224, the movement of the master member 220 from its locking position to its unlocking position, or vice versa.

[0087] The presence of the fork 231 allows cooperation with the pin 224 to be maintained despite the rotational movement of the master organ 220, and therefore of the pin 224.

[0088] To secure the retention of the device 100 in the motor vehicle, and as described previously, the locking means 200 also include retraction means 240.

[0089] The return means 240 allow the return of the master organ 220 to its first position.

[0090] As illustrated by figures 2 to 5, the return means 240 take the form of a tension spring.

[0091] The tension spring is attached on one side to the cassette 110 and on the other side to the control element 230.

[0092] The recall means 240 therefore act on the control element 230.

[0093] In more detail, when the master member 220 is in its first position, the tension spring forming the return means 240 is in a relaxed configuration, or is at least weakly stressed, and when the master member 220 is in its second position, the tension spring forming the return means 240 is in a tensed configuration and then seeks to recover its relaxed configuration to reposition the master member 220 in its first position via the control element 230.

[0094] With reference to figures 2 to 5, the bolt or each bolt 210 has a recess 214 forming a housing for receiving at least part of the master member 220.

[0095] This benefits the compactness of the locking means 200 since the master organ 220 takes part in the bolts 210.

[0096] The use of the 100 luggage cover device is now described with reference to figures 3 to 5.

[0097] Figure 3 illustrates the locking means 200 in a rest configuration, i.e. without user actions.

[0098] In this configuration, the master organ 220 is in its first position under the effect of the return means 240.

[0099] The cooperation between the groove 221 and the lug 213 of each bolt 210 keeps the locking end 212 of the bolts 210 away from the cassette 110, i.e. the bolt 210 is kept in the locked position.

[0100] When the luggage cover device 100 is already installed in a motor vehicle trunk, the locking end 212 of each bolt 210 is engaged in a recess so as to prevent the removal of the luggage cover device 100.

[0101] Inserting the 100 luggage cover device into a motor vehicle trunk, or removing it from the trunk, is carried out as follows.

[0102] The user grasps the cassette 110 with one hand and then with his other hand operates the locking means 200.

[0103] More specifically, the user manipulates the control element 230 with his thumb while holding the cassette 110 with the rest of his hand.

[0104] By sliding the control element 230 into the notch 150, the tension spring forming the return means 240 is tensioned and the fork 231 which cooperates with the pin 224 of the master member 220 causes the master member 220 to move from its first position (illustrated by [Fig.3]) to its second position (illustrated by [Fig.5]).

[0105] By the cooperation between the lug 213 of each bolt 210 and the groove 221 with which it cooperates, each bolt 210 is moved so that the locking end 212 approaches the case 110. Each bolt 210 thus passes from its locking position to its unlocking position.

[0106] The bolts 210 thus no longer protrude out of the cassette 110, or almost, and the device 100 can be inserted into the housings of the motor vehicle provided for this purpose or, on the contrary, extracted from them.

[0107] When the user releases their action on the control element 230, the return means 240 tend to recover their relaxed configuration, which causes the control element 230 to move, which then causes, via the fork 231, the master member 220 to move to its second position.

[0108] Consequently, by the cooperation between the lug 213 and the groove 221 with which said lug 213 cooperates, each bolt 210 is moved so as to move the locking end 212 away from the cassette 110. Each bolt 210 thus passes from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0109] An intermediate position of the master organ 220 is illustrated by [Fig.4] which shows an intermediate configuration of the locking means 200.

[0110] The 100 luggage cover device just described offers ease of use since the cooperation between each lug 213 and the groove 221 in which it is housed allows smooth and jerk-free movement of each bolt 210 while preventing them from jamming in case of overly abrupt handling of the control element 230.

[0111] Furthermore, gentle movement also avoids a risk of degradation premature locking of the 200 locking means by removing the locking of the 210 bolts.

[0112] According to a variant not illustrated by the figures, and without distorting the spirit of the invention, the master organ 220 could carry the lug(s) 213 and each bolt 210 would carry a groove 221 intended to cooperate with a lug 213.

[0113] According to another variant not illustrated, the master organ 220 could adopt a cylindrical shape in which case the grooves 221 would have a spiral shape.

[0114] According to yet another variant not illustrated, the pin 224 would be carried by the control element 230 in which case the master organ 220 would be provided with an oblong light in which the pin 224 would be received.

Claims

Demands

1. Luggage cover device (100) comprising a cassette (110) incorporating locking means (200) adapted to cooperate with a housing provided for this purpose in a motor vehicle, said locking means (200) comprising at least one bolt (210) movable relative to the cassette (110) and having a locking end (212) intended to engage in said housing, the bolt or bolts (210) being coupled to a master member (220) movable for rotation and actuable by actuating means, so as to move said bolts between a first position, referred to as the locking position, and a second position, referred to as the unlocking position, characterized in that each of said bolts (210) is moved in translation between its locking position and its unlocking position when said master member (220) is moved in rotation, a lug (213) integral with said bolt (210), or respectively said master organ (220),being guided in a groove (221) formed in said master member (220), or respectively said bolt (210).

2. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two bolts (210), movable in translation in the same direction and in opposite directions, and in that the master member (220) takes the form of a movable part rotating about an axis (R) extending transversely to the direction of movement of the bolts (210).

3. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (200) also include means for returning (240) to the locking position of the bolt(s) (210).

4. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the return means (240) take the form of a tension spring.

5. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (200) also comprise a control element (230) of the master member (220), said control element (230) protruding at least partially out of the cassette (110).

6. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control element (230) is in the form of a movable slider with translation on the cassette (110).

7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control element (230) is coupled to the master member (220) by a fork (231) cooperating with a pin (224) integral with the master member (220).

8. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt or each bolt (210) has a recess (214) forming a housing for receiving a part of the master member (220).

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