Storage apparatus for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a tray (3) that receives a carrier (1) for holding items. The tray is fixed to a surface in the vehicle, the tray (3) comprises a bed (33) with an edge (34) that surrounds the carrier to restrict movement when received by the tray, and the tray has a height adjustment means (31) to allow for adjustment of height of the tray relative to the surface of the vehicle to correspond to a receiving height of the carrier. The carrier (1) comprises a base (11) with elevated sides (12) and a plurality of deployable legs (15) with at least one wheel (14) provided at a distal end of each leg for engagement with the ground when the legs are deployed.

Description

[0001] STORAGE APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a storage apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a storage apparatus that enables items carried to be stored in the vehicle, deployed from the vehicle, and transferred to a location after deployment.

[0004] Backoround

[0005] Many people increasingly rely on bulky and expensive tools and apparatus when doing manual work.

[0006] As a consequence it can be difficult for such users to attend sites for work or similar, as they may be forced to spend considerable time and effort transporting their equipment to the work site and then taking each item to the desired location for use.

[0007] The present invention overcomes this problem.

[0008] Prior Art

[0009] US 11 427 263 (DUSOLD) discloses a pick-up truck bed storage box.

[0010] US 9 415 503 (FERRAGONIO) discloses a portable toolbox having a rigid rectangular tool container with an openable top enclosure, a base, and a plurality of independently movable legs.

[0011] US 4 522 326 (TUOHY) discloses a rolling toolbox.

[0012] KR102081886 (ELK ENG) discloses a folding type of toolbox loading device for a commercial vehicle.

[0013] US2009 / 0127305 (ROPP) discloses a pick-up truck toolbox with slide-up doors.

[0014] US2014 / 0140797(HGWE) discloses a trolley for storage in a vehicle. US9849582 (CHEFF et al) discloses a rollaway storage cart with collapsible legs.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a tray that receives a carrier for holding items; wherein the tray is fixed to a surface in the vehicle, the tray comprises a bed with an edge that surrounds the carrier to restrict movement when received by the tray, and the tray has a height adjustment means to allow for adjustment of height of the tray relative to the surface of the vehicle to correspond to a receiving height of the carrier; and wherein the carrier comprises a base with elevated sides and a plurality of deployable legs; with at least one wheel provided at a distal end of each leg for engagement with the ground when the legs are deployed.

[0017] In this way the storage apparatus provides a safe and secure means of loading, transporting, and accessing items such as toolbox, tools, materials, or other items placed on the carrier that can be slid to and from the tray to retrieve or store the item(s).

[0018] Preferably the carrier is not permanently connected to the tray, so that once deployed from the tray it can be wheeled to a separate location, such as a site location, or to another vehicle.

[0019] Advantageously the base’s elevated sides on the carrier prevent sliding or rolling of objects from the base on uneven ground. The tray’s elevated edges prevents the carrier doing this within the vehicle and also prevent any item or debris within the vehicle from entering the tray so that it is always clear to receive the carrier.

[0020] The tray is secured to a surface in a vehicle, typically to the floor or a van or the flatbed of a truck so that the tray is fixed securely to the vehicle.

[0021] The tray comprises a bed that is typically flat with an edge that extends upwards so as to surround the carrier and restrict its movement when the carrier is received by the tray. Preferably the tray is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the dimensions of the carrier. The tray has a height adjustment means to allow for horizontal adjustment to alter the height of the tray relative to the surface of the vehicle. In this way the tray can be set to an optimal working height for items on the carrier relative to the vehicle surface height and may also be able to be adjusted to compensate for unlevel ground on which the legs are deployed.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment the tray is amounted on a set of brackets that are secured to the surface of the vehicle and the brackets have a selection of attachment points so that the tray can be connected to the brackets at different heights to provide the height adjustment means. For example four L-shaped brackets may be fixed to the vehicle. The L-shaped brackets may include a plurality of evenly spaced holes in a row that receive a bolt or pin and the tray is connected to the bracket by a bolt or pin that passes through one of the holes to a corresponding aperture or recess on the tray.

[0023] In some embodiments of the storage apparatus the front edge of the tray splays wider, so as to aid in insertion of the carrier into the tray by providing a larger range of angles of approach for the carrier to be effectively received when being slid onto the tray. In this way the carrier can be easily guided into the tray even when the carrier is not square to the tray.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment the tray comprises a displaceable panel at the receiving end of the tray which can be closed when the carrier is inserted to the tray and which can be open when the carrier is removed from the tray. In this way the carrier and any items on the carrier are secured within the boundary of the tray, for example during transport, so that there is no risk of erroneous deployment of the carrier and its items from the tray.

[0025] It is appreciated that the panel may be removable or may be hinged so as to be displaced about the hinge to open access to the tray.

[0026] In some embodiments the panel may be formed from two or more panels that can be separately displaced.

[0027] The carrier is received to and exits from the tray. The carrier comprises a base with elevated sides to provide a sided enclosure that receives and stores the items such as toolboxes. The elevated sides prevent items falling from the carrier, for example if the carrier is deployed on uneven ground.

[0028] In some embodiments of the storage apparatus the elevated sides of the carrier are higher at the front and rear of the base and have a lowered region at the sides of the carrier for easier access to items stored upon the base of the carrier.

[0029] The carrier has a plurality of deployable legs with at least one wheel provided at a distal end of each leg for engagement with the ground when the legs are deployed. In this way as the carrier is slid out from the tray the legs act to support the carrier and maintain it at a constant level so that items can be retrieved from the carrier when it is slid out from the tray in the vehicle and do not need to lean over awkwardly or bend down to retrieve the items, therefore improving health and safety when lifting items.

[0030] It is appreciated that in some embodiments the length of the legs may be adjustable.

[0031] In some embodiments at least one of the plurality of deployable legs is foldable so that it folds against the underside of the base of the carrier, being substantially parallel to the base and is deployed to be substantially orthogonal the base so that a distal end of the leg(s) is in contact with the ground. Preferably the folding legs are pivoted with respect to the lower face of the base by means of a hinge or pivot.

[0032] In some embodiments at least one of the plurality of deployable legs is collapsible. For example the collapsible leg may be telescopic.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment there are two sets of folding legs, which provide a robust and stable support for the weight of items that may be stored in the carrier in use.

[0034] In some embodiments the legs may comprise a lockable release deployment mechanism. For example a lever may be released to deploy the legs from a folded or collapsed configuration.

[0035] In some embodiments the legs may include a spring bias to encourage movement from a first position to a second position. For example from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a preferred embodiment the wheel provided on each leg is a castor wheel to permit multidirectional movement. In this way a user is aided in manoeuvring the carrier locally to access the items on the carrier, or to move the carrier to a desired location and / or to easily align the carrier with the tray for insertion.

[0036] In some embodiments at least one of the wheels at the end of the legs on the carrier may comprise a wheel-lock mechanism to prevent movement of the carrier when deployed to the desired position outside of the vehicle and in particular when on sloped ground and when the carrier is no longer in connection with the base of the tray.

[0037] In some embodiments the legs are provided with leg buffers that act to provide a barrier between the leg and the vehicle for when the legs are folded or collapsed and may engage with the vehicle during this process and / or as the carrier is pushed into tray. In this way the vehicle is protected from damage. The leg buffer may be a protective layer or portion over part of the leg or brace. For example the leg buffer may be cellular material such as resiliently deformable foam, or a silicone rubber sleeve or coating.

[0038] In preferred embodiments of the storage apparatus the carrier comprises a sliding means, so as to aid in sliding of the carrier to and from the tray.

[0039] The sliding means may comprise a plurality of fixed wheels on either the tray and / or the carrier to enable a sliding movement of the carrier to and from the tray.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment the carrier has a plurality of fixed wheels that project from the base to engage with the tray.

[0041] In another embodiment the bed of the tray may include rollers onto which the carrier is received and rolls along.

[0042] In some embodiments a lock mechanism is provided to prevent rotation of at least one of the plurality of fixed wheels or rollers, so that the carrier can be locked in position so that the sliding movement to and from the tray is stopped.

[0043] It is appreciated that in some embodiments the carrier may be connected to the tray by a removable tether so that the carrier remains connected to the tray whilst it is deployed to prevent the carrier accidentally rolling away and to enable single deployment and use.

[0044] In some embodiments the base has an upper face with a low friction surface, for example raised and lowered or resiliently deformable.

[0045] In some embodiments the carrier may be divided into sections, for example having compartments to receive separate toolboxes and accessories separately.

[0046] It is envisaged that in some embodiments a vehicle may have more than one storage apparatus. For example two storage apparatus could be provided parallel to one another in the vehicle providing two separate carriers.

[0047] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

[0048] Brief Description of Figures

[0049] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a storage apparatus according to the present invention, with the carrier displaced from the tray;

[0050] Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus as shown in Figure 1 ;

[0051] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1 , with carrier in the tray;

[0052] Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus as shown in Figure 3;

[0053] Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

[0054] Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; with one of the legs folded;

[0055] Figure 8 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus as shown in Figure 7;

[0056] Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus as shown in Figure 3;

[0057] Figure 10 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus shown in Figure 1 , with the carrier partly in the tray; and

[0058] Figure 1 1 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the storage apparatus as shown in Figure 10.

[0059] Detailed Description of Figures

[0060] With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a storage apparatus 99 for a vehicle (not shown) that provides portability for items (not shown).

[0061] The storage apparatus 99 for a vehicle comprises: a tray 3 that receives a carrier 1 for holding items (not shown).

[0062] The tray 3 is fixed to a surface in the vehicle (not shown) by four L-shaped brackets 31.

[0063] The tray 3 comprises a bed 33 with an edge 34 that surrounds the carrier 1 to restrict movement when received by the tray 3.

[0064] The tray 3 has a height adjustment means to allow for adjustment of height of the tray 3 relative to the surface of the vehicle to correspond to a receiving height of the carrier 1.

[0065] The height adjustment means are a plurality of holes 35 on the L-shaped brackets 31 that enable the tray 3 to be connected to the brackets 31 at various different heights. The carrier 1 comprises a base 11 with elevated sides 12 and a plurality of deployable legs 17. In the pictured embodiment a castor wheel 14 is provided at a distal end of each leg for engagement with the ground when the legs are deployed.

[0066] In the pictured embodiment the carrier has two sets of legs 17. Each set of legs 17 has two leg members 15 with a castor wheel 14 at a distal end of each leg member 15.

[0067] The pair of leg members 15 are joined by two support bars 19A, 19B. A first support bar 19A is adjacent the underside of the base 11. A second support bar 19B is arranged towards a distal end of the leg members 15.

[0068] The first support bar 19A includes a pivot 20 to enable the leg members 15 to pivot with respect to the base 1 1 .

[0069] A brace 16 extends from the support bar 19B to the base 11 . The brace 16 is formed from two parts 16A, 16B. The brace 16 connects to an underside of the base 1 1 by a pivot 61 C and to the support bar 61 A by a pivot. The brace 16 also has a pivot 16B between the two brace parts 16A, 16B.

[0070] The central hinge pivot 61 B allows the two parts 16A, 16B to fold so that the leg members 15 can be folded up against the underside of the base 11 , as shown for example in Figure 8.

[0071] The brace allows the carrier 1 and more particularly the sets of legs 17 to support a heavier load in use.

[0072] The two sets of legs 17 are spaced apart with one set proximate a first end, and the other set towards a second end. In the pictured embodiment both sets of legs 17 include a brace 16.

[0073] The sets of legs 17 include protective leg buffers 17A on the leading side, opposed to the bracing sections. The leg buffers 17A protect the leg members 15 and vehicle where they engage with the vehicle and / or the tray. The leg buffer 17A is typically a protective layer or portion to prevent scratching or denting. For example the leg buffer may be a rubber or silicone layer. In this way both sets of legs 17 are arranged to fold up against the underside of the base 11 within its footprint.

[0074] In the pictured embodiment 99 both sets of legs 17 are arranged to fold in the same direction. In this way the sets of legs 17 are adapted to fold when pushed against the tray 3 in use such that the carrier 1 may be slid into the tray 3 when required.

[0075] It may be envisaged with the pictured embodiment that the bracing sections 16 may be spring loaded or biased, so as to require the user to urge the central hinge 16B to fold the legs 15 as required.

[0076] The base 11 has elevated sides 12, extending orthogonally from a flat plate forming the base 11 of the carrier 1 for receipt of the item(s) such as a toolbox. Advantageously the elevated sides prevent sliding or rolling of objects from the base 1 1 on uneven ground.

[0077] The sides 12 are higher at the first and second ends of the base, namely the front and rear and the sides 12 are lower in a mid-region to allow easier access to the items since they do not need to be lifted over the first and second ends with the higher sides.

[0078] The base 11 thereby comprises a shallow tray for receipt of items, which may be envisaged to be easily lifted in and out of the base centrally where the sides 12 are lower.

[0079] On the outside face of the sides of the carrier 1 there are provided four fixed wheels 13, which extend below the legs when the sets of legs 17 are in a folded position. These fixed wheels 13 enable the carrier 1 to be slid to and from the tray 3.

[0080] The fixed wheels 13 are provided as a pair towards a front end of the carrier 1 and a pair at a rear region of the carrier 1 .

[0081] The front fixed wheels are provided at the front end of the carrier 1 and are located behind the pivots 61 C of the front legs 17, such that when pushed against the tray edge (when the panel 32 is displaced) the legs will begin folding before the fixed wheels 13 contact the tray 3. This allows the carrier 1 to be slid onto the tray 3, and thereby provides a sliding means for the carrier 1 when on the tray 3.

[0082] The tray 3 has a rectangular footprint, slightly larger than the footprint of the carrier 1 to allow the carrier 1 to be easily received.

[0083] The tray 2 has a flatbed 33, with an orthogonally extending edge 34.

[0084] This edge 34 is higher than the sides 12 of the carrier 1 so that the carrier is fully contained. The rear portion of the edge 34 is higher than the front edge from which the carrier 1 is received and deployed.

[0085] The front edge which as a displaceable front panel 32 splays wider, so as to aid in insertion of the carrier 1 into the tray 3. This provides a larger range of angles of approach for the carrier 1 when being slid onto the tray 3.

[0086] The front panel 32 is hinged allowing it to be displaced to gain access to the entrance for the carrier 1 onto the tray 3. The panel 32 is hinged at a hinge along its bottom edge, namely with the bed 33. In use this panel 32 is opened to open the front edge, and left hanging below the bed 33 as shown in Figure 10, so as to allow the sets of legs 17 to fold up and / or provide a surface to push the sets of legs 17 against when the carrier 1 is being slid onto the tray 3.

[0087] The tray 3 further comprises four supports 31 , being L-shaped metal brackets. The supports 31 are located on the outer surfaces of the edges, proximate the corners.

[0088] To ensure the storage apparatus 99 is suitable for all models of vehicle with suitable space, such as a van, the tray has been designed with a simple adjustment mechanism. The brackets 31 have a plurality of apertures 35 along one arm 31 A.

[0089] The brackets 31 are fixed to the floor of the vehicle by the second arm 31 B and an index plunger 36 is used to fix the tray to the correct height (see Figure 10).

[0090] The Figures do not show a fixing hole on the second arm 31 B of the bracket, but it is appreciated that this may be provided or created to aid attachment to some vehicles. For example the second arm 31 B may be secured to, screwed into, or sitting upon, the vehicle loading area in use. The position of the tray 3 can then be adjusted with respect to the vehicle.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment the height of the edges 34 of the tray 2 at the higher rear end may be 67cm from the bed 33 and the lower height of the edges 34 at the mid and front region of the tray 3 may be 57cm from the bed.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment when the sets of legs 17 are collapsed the carrier 1 may be around 19cm high. Preferably the carrier is 150cm long and 50cm wide.

[0093] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1 . A storage apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a tray that receives a carrier for holding items; wherein the tray is fixed to a surface in the vehicle, the tray comprises a bed with an edge that surrounds the carrier to restrict movement when received by the tray, and the tray has a height adjustment means to allow for adjustment of height of the tray relative to the surface of the vehicle to correspond to a receiving height of the carrier; and wherein the carrier comprises a base with elevated sides and a plurality of deployable legs with at least one wheel provided at a distal end of each leg for engagement with the ground when the legs are deployed.

2. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of deployable legs is foldable.

3. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one of the plurality of deployable legs is collapsible.

4. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the wheels is a castor wheel.

5. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim including a wheel lock for locking one or more wheel.

6. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the carrier has a sliding means to enable the carrier to slide into and slide out from the tray.

7. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 6 wherein the sliding means includes a plurality of rollers or fixed wheels.

8. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 7 including a lock mechanism to prevent rotation of at least one of the plurality of rollers or fixed wheels.

9. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the carrier has two sets of folding legs.

10. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the legs are connected to a lower face of the carrier at a pivot.1 1 . A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the elevated sides of the carrier are higher at a front and at a rear of the carrier.

12. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein a receiving end of the tray splays wider, to aid with insertion of the carrier into the tray, providing an increased range of angles of approach at which the carrier can be received to the tray.

13. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the tray comprises a displaceable panel at the receiving end of the tray.

14. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the base of the carrier has an upper face with a low friction surface.

15. A storage apparatus for a vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the carrier is connected to the tray by a removable tether so that the carrier remains connected to the tray whilst it is deployed.

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