Vehicle storage structure

Abstract

To provide a storage structure of a vehicle using a recessed part formed in a gate as a storage space for an object.SOLUTION: A vehicle storage structure comprising: a cargo bed; a gate; a hinge rotatably connecting the gate to the cargo bed; and a lid rotatably supported on the gate in a direction different from a rotation direction of the gate, wherein the gate has a first surface facing an inside of the cargo bed when the gate is closed, and a recess formed in the first surface, and the lid has a plate-shaped main body disposed to cover an opening of the recess and forming a storage space between the main body and the recess.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage structure for a vehicle, and more particularly to a storage structure for a vehicle in which a recess formed in a tailgate can be used as a storage space for items. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as trucks are provided with a tailgate that surrounds the loading platform. The tailgate is rotatably attached to the loading platform. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose technology for rotatably attaching a step for boarding and disembarking to a recess formed on the inner surface of the tailgate. The inner surface of the tailgate faces the inside of the loading platform when the tailgate is closed. The inner surface of the tailgate faces the outside of the loading platform when the tailgate is open. When the step is not in use, the step is positioned along the inner surface of the tailgate and stored in the recess. When the step is in use, the step is rotated outward with the tailgate open and tilted horizontally from the recess. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-88644 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-270848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to effectively utilize the recesses formed in the gates as storage spaces.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a storage structure for a vehicle in which a recess formed in a tailgate is utilized as a storage space for items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A vehicle storage structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cargo bed, a tailgate, a hinge that rotatably connects the tailgate to the cargo bed, and a lid that is rotatably supported on the tailgate in a direction different from the rotation direction of the tailgate. The tailgate has a first surface that faces the inside of the cargo bed when the tailgate is closed, and a recess formed in the first surface. The lid has a plate-shaped main body that is disposed to cover the opening of the recess and forms a storage space between the lid and the recess. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle storage structure of (1) above allows items to be stored in the storage space formed between the lid and the recess. Because the lid rotates in a direction different from the rotation direction of the tailgate, the lid is less likely to open accidentally due to the impact caused when the tailgate is opened or closed. By opening the lid, items stored in the storage space can be removed. When the tailgate is opened, the first surface faces the outside of the loading platform, making it easy for workers to remove stored items, making it easy to use. By using the recess formed in the tailgate as a storage space, the storage structure can be easily configured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle having a vehicle storage structure according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the vehicle storage structure shown in FIG. 1 with the cover body open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle storage structure according to the first modification. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a lid body in a storage structure for a vehicle according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A specific example of a vehicle storage structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. The size or proportion of the components shown in each drawing is depicted for the purpose of clarity of explanation and does not necessarily represent the actual dimensions or proportions. In the drawings, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "LH" indicates the left side of the vehicle, "RH" indicates the right side of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, and "LWR" indicates the bottom of the vehicle. The direction of each component in the following description will be based on the above-mentioned vehicle direction.

[0010] [Example 1] A vehicle storage structure according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 100 having the vehicle storage structure of the first embodiment, as seen from the rear. The vehicle 100 includes a cargo bed 1, a tailgate 2, and a hinge 3 that rotatably connects the tailgate 2 to the cargo bed 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the open state of the tailgate 2 is indicated by a solid line, and the closed state of the tailgate 2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle storage structure includes a lid 4 attached to a recess 20 formed in the tailgate 2. One of the features of the vehicle storage structure is that the lid 4 is supported so as to be rotatable in a direction different from the rotation direction of the tailgate 2, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0011] <Cargo bed> As shown in Fig. 1, the loading platform 1 is provided at the rear of the vehicle 100. The loading platform 1 has a tailgate 2 attached thereto.

[0012] <Tilt> The gates 2 are plate-like members installed around the periphery of the loading platform 1. The gates 2 are formed, for example, from steel plate, stainless steel plate, or hollow extrusion material of aluminum and aluminum alloy. In this example, the gates 2 are installed on three sides of the loading platform 1, on both the left and right sides and on the rear side. The gates 2 in this example include a pair of side gates 2S installed on both the left and right sides of the loading platform 1, and a rear gate 2R installed on the rear side of the loading platform 1.

[0013] The gate 2 is rotatably connected to the loading platform 1 by a hinge 3. The hinge 3 is attached to the base end of the gate 2. The base end of the gate 2 is the part closest to the loading platform 1. The rotation axis of the hinge 3 is parallel to the periphery of the loading platform 1. The gate 2 can be opened and closed by rotating relative to the loading platform 1. As shown in Figure 2, the gate 2 rotates approximately 180° in the vertical direction with the hinge 3 as the fulcrum. In other words, the gate 2 opens vertically. When the gate 2 is closed, it stands upright on the loading platform 1. The gate 2 opens by tilting the closed gate 2 outward from the loading platform 1. When the gate 2 is open, it is suspended from the loading platform 1.

[0014] ≪First page≫ The gate 2 has a first surface 21 and a second surface 22. The first surface 21 is the surface that faces the inside of the loading platform 1 when the gate 2 is closed. The first surface 21 faces the outside of the loading platform 1 when the gate 2 is open. The second surface 22 is the surface opposite to the first surface 21, and is the surface that faces the outside of the loading platform 1 when the gate 2 is closed.

[0015] <Concave> The gate 2 has a recess 20. The recess 20 is formed on the first surface 21. The number of recesses 20 may be one or more. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of recesses 20 are formed in the side gate 2S and the rear gate 2R. In the side gate 2S, the plurality of recesses 20 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. In the rear gate 2R, the plurality of recesses 20 are arranged at intervals in the left-to-right direction.

[0016] The recess 20 opens toward the inside of the loading platform 1 when the gate 2 is closed. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, when the gate 2 is open, the recess 20 opens toward the outside of the loading platform 1. In this example, the opening shape of the recess 20 is rectangular. The recess 20 has a bottom surface 20b (see FIG. 2).

[0017] <Lid> The lid 4 is rotatably supported relative to the gate 2. In this example, the lid 4 is attached to the rear gate 2R. More specifically, of the three recesses 20 arranged on the left and right, the lid 4 is provided in the central recess 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the lid 4 rotates in a direction different from the rotation direction of the gate 2. In FIG. 3, the gate 2 is in an open state. A rotation axis 4a that rotatably supports the lid 4 is provided perpendicular to the rotation axis of the hinge 3. The lid 4 can be opened and closed by rotating relative to the gate 2. The lid 4 rotates 90° or more left and right around the rotation axis 4a. In other words, the lid 4 opens sideways. When the lid 4 is closed, the opening of the recess 20 is covered by the lid 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lid 4 opens when the closed lid 4 is pulled outward from the recess 20. Since the direction of rotation of the gate 2 and the direction of rotation of the lid 4 are different, the lid 4 is unlikely to open by itself due to the impact when the gate 2 is opened or closed.

[0018] In this example, the rotation shaft 4a is formed in the recess 20. The rotation shaft 4a is provided on the right side of the recess 20. A bearing portion (not shown) that fits onto the rotation shaft 4a is formed in the lid body 4. The bearing portion is provided on the right side of the lid body 4. The rotation shaft 4a is fitted into the bearing portion formed in the lid body 4, so that the lid body 4 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the gate 2. The rotation shaft 4a may be provided on the left side of the recess 20. In that case, the bearing portion is provided on the left side of the lid body 4.

[0019] The bearing portion in this example is detachably attached to the rotation shaft 4a, so the cover 4 is detachable from the gate 2 and can be removed and carried around.

[0020] <Main body> The lid 4 has a plate-shaped main body 40. When the lid 4 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 40 is arranged to cover the opening of the recess 20, forming a storage space 5 between the main body 40 and the recess 20. In this example, the main body 40 is rectangular. Items can be stored in the storage space 5. In this example, tools 8 are stored in the storage space 5. Items to be stored in the storage space 5 are not particularly limited and may be items other than tools.

[0021] The main body 40 has an inner surface 401 and an outer surface 402. The inner surface 401 is the surface that faces the bottom surface 20b when the lid 4 is closed, i.e., when the main body 40 is positioned so as to cover the opening of the recess 20. The outer surface 402 is the surface opposite the inner surface 401, and is the surface that faces outward when the closed lid 4. In this example, a tool 8, which is an item to be stored, is attached to the inner surface 401.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, tools 8 can be removed by opening the lid 4. When the gate 2 is open, the first surface 21 faces outward, making it easy to open and close the lid 4. Furthermore, since the tools 8 are located in a position that makes them easy to remove when the lid 4 is open, it is easy for the worker to use. By using the recess 20 formed in the gate 2 as the storage space 5, the storage structure can be easily configured, and it is excellent in terms of ease of manufacture. In addition, the cost associated with installing the storage structure can be reduced, and weight increase is unlikely to occur.

[0023] [Fixing tool] The lid 4 may be provided with a fastener 6 for attaching an item stored in the storage space 5. As shown in FIG. 4 , the main body 40 of this example has a fastener 6 for attaching a tool 8. The fastener 6 is provided on the inner surface 401 of the main body 40. In this example, the fastener 6 is a band 61. The band 61 may be stretchable. Stretching the stretchable band 61 expands the space inside the band 61, making it easier to insert and remove the tool 8, and contracting it makes it easier to hold the tool 8 in a predetermined position in the main body 40. The fastener 6 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a clip for clamping the tool 8 or a hook for hanging the tool 8. Alternatively, a hook-and-loop fastener may be used for the fastener 6. For example, a hook-and-loop fastener made of a first sheet member having a hook surface and a second sheet member having a loop surface may be used. One of the first sheet member and the second sheet member may be a tape material, and the other may be a pair of pieces that can be attached and detached to both ends of the tape material. The pair of pieces are fixed to the inner surface 401 of the lid 4, the tool 8 is pressed by the center of the tape material, and both ends of the tape material are attached to the pieces, thereby fixing the tool 8.

[0024] [Lower wall] As shown in FIG. 2 , the main body 40 may have a lower wall 41 that protrudes from an edge farthest from the hinge 3 toward the recess 20 when the gate 2 is open and covers the opening of the recess 20. The state in which the opening of the recess 20 is covered is the state in which the lid 4 is closed. The lower wall 41 is located below the main body 40 when the gate 2 is open. The lower wall 41 prevents the tools 8 from falling when the lid 4 is opened as shown in FIG. 3 . The protrusion of the lower wall 41 from the main body 40 prevents the main body 40 from directly hitting the bottom surface 20b when the lid 4 is closed, thereby ensuring the storage space 5. The dimension by which the lower wall 41 protrudes from the inner surface 401 of the main body 40 may be such that the inner surface 401 and the bottom surface 20b are parallel when the lid 4 is closed. The lower wall 41 is located above the main body 40 when the gate 2 is closed. The lower wall 41 is not essential.

[0025] [Side wall] The main body 40 may have sidewalls 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that protrude from its side edges toward the recess 20 when covering the opening of the recess 20. The sidewalls 42 protruding from the main body 40 prevent the main body 40 from directly contacting the bottom surface 20b when the lid 4 is closed, thereby ensuring the storage space 5. In this example, the sidewalls 42 are provided on both the left and right side edges of the main body 40. From the perspective of ensuring the storage space 5, the sidewalls 42 may be provided only on the side edge farther from the pivot shaft 4a. The dimension by which the sidewalls 42 protrude from the inner surface 401 of the main body 40 may be such that the inner surface 401 and the bottom surface 20b are parallel when the lid 4 is closed. The sidewalls 42 are not essential.

[0026] [Locking mechanism] The lid 4 may have a locking mechanism (not shown). The locking mechanism keeps the lid 4 in a closed state. The locking mechanism may have, for example, a rotatable hook provided on the lid 4, a knob for operating the hook, and an engagement portion provided on the gate 2 that engages with the hook. Engagement of the hook with the engagement portion locks the lid 4, thereby keeping the lid 4 in a closed state. The rotatable hook may be provided, for example, on the inner surface 401 of the main body 40. The knob may be provided, for example, on the outer surface 402 of the main body 40, exposed to the outside of the lid 4. The engagement portion may be provided, for example, in the recess 20. The hook is rotated in conjunction with rotation of the knob, thereby engaging and disengaging the hook with the engagement portion. Engagement and disengagement of the hook with the engagement portion allows the lid 4 to be locked or unlocked. The locking mechanism is not limited to this. For example, a locking mechanism may be provided by arranging a magnet in a portion of at least one of the bottom wall 41 and the side wall 42 that comes into contact with the bottom surface 20b of the recess 20 when the lid 4 is closed. In this case, if the gate 2 is made of a magnetic material such as steel, the magnet can be used to hold the lid 4 closed. If the gate 2 is made of a non-magnetic material, a magnetic material may be attached to the bottom surface 20b. Furthermore, a handle or a finger-hook recess for opening and closing the lid 4 may be provided on the outer surface 402 of the main body 40.

[0027] [Variation 1] In the above-described first embodiment, the fastener 6 is provided on the lid 4, but as shown in FIG. 5, the fastener 6 may be provided on the recess 20. FIG. 5 shows the state in which the gate 2 is open and the lid 4 is closed. In this example, a band 61 is provided on the bottom surface 20b of the recess 20 as the fastener 6. The main body 40 shown in FIG. 5 does not have a lower wall 41. The fastener 6 may be provided on at least one of the lid 4 and the recess 20, or may be provided on both the lid 4 and the recess 20.

[0028] [Variation 2] As shown in FIG. 6 , the main body 40 may be a plate having only a hole 7 to which a fastener 6 can be hooked. The hole 7 opens on the inner surface 401. In this example, a plurality of holes 7 are formed in the main body 40. The holes 7 are blind holes. Hooks 62 are attached to the holes 7 as fasteners 6. The hooks 62 are detachably attached by inserting them into the holes 7. The number and positions of the holes 7 and the number and positions of the hooks 62 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6 . With the gate 2 open, a tool (not shown) can be attached to the main body 40 by hooking it on the hook 62. If the gate 2 is closed while the tool is still hooked on the hook 62, the tool may come off the hook 62. Therefore, the tool may be removed from the hook 62 before closing the gate 2. Alternatively, a carabiner may be provided instead of the hook 62, and a ring may be attached to the tool. By fitting the ring to the carabiner, the movement of tools etc. within the storage space 5 cannot be restricted, but the tools etc. can be connected to the main body 40.

[0029] [Variation 3] Although not shown here, the main body 40 may have an upper wall portion that protrudes toward the recess 20 from an edge portion closer to the hinge 3 when the gate 2 is open and covers the opening of the recess 20. The upper wall portion is located above the main body 40 when the gate 2 is open. The upper wall portion is located below the main body 40 when the gate 2 is closed. The protrusion of the upper wall portion from the main body 40 prevents the main body 40 from directly contacting the bottom surface 20b when the lid 4 is closed, thereby ensuring the storage space 5. The dimension by which the upper wall portion protrudes from the inner surface 401 of the main body 40 may be such that the inner surface 401 and the bottom surface 20b are parallel when the lid 4 is closed. If the main body 40 has the lower wall portion 41, left and right sidewall portions 42, and upper wall portion described above, sealing members may be provided on the surfaces of these walls that contact the bottom surface 20b. The sealing members may be, for example, O-rings or flat packings. The provision of the sealing member makes it possible to prevent rainwater and the like from entering the storage space 5 when the lid 4 is closed.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the lid body 4 is attached to the recess 20 formed in the rear gate 2R, but the lid body 4 may be attached to the recess 20 formed in the side gate 2S. The lid body 4 may be attached to multiple recesses 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 Cargo bed 2 tilt, 2R rear tilt, 2S side tilt 20 recess, 20b bottom surface 21 1st page, 22 2nd page 3 Hinge 4 Lid 4a Rotating shaft 40 Main body, 41 Lower wall, 42 Side wall 401 inner surface, 402 outer surface 5. Storage space 6 Fixtures 61 Band, 62 Hook 7 holes 8 Tools 100 vehicles

Claims

[Claim 1] The loading platform and With aori, a hinge that rotatably connects the tailgate to the loading platform; a cover supported so as to be rotatable relative to the gate in a direction different from the rotation direction of the gate, The above-mentioned tilt a first surface facing the inside of the loading platform when the gate is closed; a recess formed in the first surface, The lid body is a plate-shaped main body portion that is disposed so as to cover the opening of the recess and forms a storage space between the main body portion and the recess; Vehicle storage structure.

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