Panel system for a vehicle

Abstract

A panel system for a vehicle comprising a cargo area, the panel system includes a panel having one or more apertures; an accessory bracket comprising a base, neck, and head; the neck and the head are configured to extend through one or more of the apertures, and then the accessory bracket is configured to be rotated relative to the panel to lock the accessory bracket to the panel.

Description

PANEL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of US 63 / 600,199 filed on November 17, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to an apparatus for securing cargo to a vehicle and more specifically to a panel system that is configured for attachment to a vehicle for securing cargo.BACKGROUND

[0003] Some vehicles, like pick-up trucks, have a bed or cargo area that may be used for storing or transporting cargo. Since the cargo area is typically a large unsecured space of the vehicle, when operating the vehicle, for example during turning, braking, and / or accelerating, cargo that is not secured or tied down may move or slide around the cargo area, which may damage the cargo and / or the cargo area. It may therefore be desirable to improve the current state of the art by having an apparatus for securing cargo in a vehicle.SUMMARY

[0004] These teachings relate to a panel system. The panel system may be configured for attachment to a vehicle. Cargo may be configured for attachment to the panel system. Accordingly, the panel system according to these teachings provides an improved solution for securing cargo in a vehicle or more specifically to the cargo area of a vehicle. The panel system according to these teachings provides a quick attaching and removal option for mounting various clamps, brackets, and or accessories to a panel or vehicle.

[0005] The panel system may include one or more panels. A panel of the panel system may be attached to one or more of any of the walls defining the cargo area of the vehicle. For example, the panel may be attached to a driver side bed wall, passenger side bed wall, the front wall of the cargo area that adjoins the passenger area of the vehicle, the tailgate, the floor of the cargo area or combination thereof.

[0006] The one or more panels of the panel system may be attached to the one or more walls of the cargo area. The one more panels may be attached via one or more fasteners. For example, the one or more fasteners may include one or more clamps, bolts, screws, or any combination thereof. The one or more panels may be attached to an inside surface of the one or more walls that define the cargo area. In some configurations, the one or more panels may be attached to a top surface of a bed wall. The top surface of a bed wall may be the surface that typically includes one or more stake holes. The one or more panels may be attached to the one or more stake holes if a vehicle is so equipped.

[0007] The one or more panels may be made of a suitable material. Suitable materials that are envisioned include, but are not limited to, metal, aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber, a composite, a 3D printed material, or any combination thereof.

[0008] The one or more panels may include one or more apertures. An aperture may be configured for connecting one or more brackets to the panel. An aperture may be configured for connecting one or more dividers, platforms, support bars, one or more other panels, or any combination thereof to a panel. The one or more apertures may be configured for attaching or securing cargo via one or more belts, lines, ropes, chains, clamps, bungees, tie downs, or a combination thereof. The one or more apertures may be formed by a suitable method such as, cutting, laser cutting, stamping, material removal, oorr aa combination thereof. In some configurations the one or more apertures may be formed in the panel during manufacture of the panel. In other configurations, the one or more apertures may be formed in a post panel forming process. The one or more panels may be one or more MOLLE panels.

[0009] The one or more apertures may have a suitable shape. For example the one or more apertures may have a round shape, a square shape, a rectangle shape, a D-shape, an Oval shape, a star shape, or combination thereof. The one or more apertures that are defined by two opposing walls having a length that are larger than two or more other opposing walls. The aperture may be defined by all walls having the same length. The aperture may be defined by three or more walls having the same length. The aperture may be defined by walls all having different lengths.

[0010] The panel system may include one or more brackets. A bracket may be configured to be attached to a panel. A bracket may be configured to engage or attach to an aperture of the panel. A bracket may be configured to attach or secure cargo to a panel. A bracket may beconfigured to attach or secure one or more other panels to the panel, a divider to the panel, a platform to the panel, a support bar to the panel, for accommodation that all.

[0011] A bracket may include a head, neck, and a base. A bracket may be made from a suitable material such as a metal, a plastic, a composite, point 3D printed material, a carbon fiber material, or any combination thereof. The bracket may be magnetic. The bracket may be nonmagnetic. The bracket may be made of a material that is sprayed with a bed coating material.

[0012] The base may be configured to support the cargo, one or more dividers, on one or more platforms, one more support bars, one or more other panels, or combination thereof. A head may be configured for attaching or securing the bracket to the panel. For example the head may be configured to engage an aperture to lock or secure a bracket to the panel. The head may have a feature that is configured to cooperate with the shape of the aperture to lock the bracket to the panel. For example, the head may have a square shape, a rectangular shape, a D shaped feature, a mushroom shaped feature, a pushpin feature, Oval shaped, or any combination thereof. The head may be magnetic. The head may be non-magnetic.

[0013] The panel system may include one or more support bars. A support bar may be configured to extend between two or more panels. The two more panels may be in opposing relationship to one another, next to one another, or both. The one or more support bars may be configured to support one or more platforms, movable platforms, one or more additional panels, or a combination thereof. A support bar may be made from a suitable material such as a plastic, metal, aluminum, a composite, a 3D printed material, a carbon fiber material, or combination thereof. A support bar may be an extrusion.

[0014] The panel system may include one or more platforms. The one more platforms may be stationary. A stationary platform means that the platform is configured to remain in place or secured after the platform is attached to the one or more panels. A movable platform means that the platform is configured to be moved, roll, extend, or combination that are out. Accordingly a stationary platform may be securely attached to the one or more support bars, brackets, panels, cargo area, or combination thereof. A movable platform may include one or more bearings, rollers, or features that enable the platform to move or extend.

[0015] The panel system may include one or more dividers. The one or more dividers may be configured to divide the cargo area into two or more compartments. A divider may be configured to connect to two or more opposing or adjacent panels. A divider may be made from a suitablematerial such as a metal, and aluminum, a carbon fiber material, plastic material, a wood material, a 3D printed material, or combination thereof.

[0016] The panel system according to these teachings provides a bracket that can be quickly and easily attached and detached from the one or more panels. As described herein, a bracket may be attached and secured to the one or more panels via a twisting or turning motion. During or after the twisting or turning of the accessory bracket in the aperture of the panel, the bracket may be securely attached to the panel and restrict or prevent removal there from. The bracket may be turned in a clockwise configuration or a clockwise configuration to lock or unlock the bracket from the panel.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle comprising the panel system according to these teachings.

[0018] Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0019] Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a close up of a panel of the panel system.

[0021] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of an accessory bracket.

[0022] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of an accessory bracket.

[0023] Fig. 4C is a side view of an accessory bracket.

[0024] Fig. 5 A is a rear view of an accessory bracket engaging a panel of the panel system.

[0025] Fig. 5B is a rear view of an accessory bracket engaging a panel of the panel system.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0028] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0030] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.

[0031] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the panel system installed in a cargo area of a vehicle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] A vehicle 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The vehicle 10 comprises a bed or cargo area 12 and a passenger area or cab 14. The illustrated vehicle 10 is a pickup truck. However, the vehicle may be any other suitable vehicle that may find use having such a cover, such as a utility vehicle, boat, trailer, ATV, UTV, semi-truck, dump truck, camper, etc.

[0033] The cargo area 12 may be defined by one or a plurality of walls. The cargo area 12 may include: two opposing and spaced-apart side walls 16a, 16b, a front wall 18 that is located adjacent to the passenger cab 14, a rear wall or tailgate 20 that opposes the front wall 18, and a bottom wall or floor 22 that is surrounded by the aforementioned walls 16, 18, 20. Two or more of the walls may be a single, combined, or integral wall. One or more of these walls may be split into two or more walls. For example, the tailgate, side wall, or front wall may be split into two or more walls to provide versatile access to the cargo area or passenger area of the vehicle. One or more of these aforementioned walls 16a, 16, 18, 20, 22 may be referred to herein as a wall or bed wall.

[0034] The front wall 18 of the cargo area 12 may be a shared or common wall with a back wall of the passenger cab 14. Such vehicles may be a one piece or uni-body construction. In other vehicles, the front wall 18 may be a separate wall, segment, or portion of the vehicle from a rear wall of the passenger cab 14. In some configurations, the front wall 18 may provide access to the passenger cab 14 via a pass through or fold down wall or door.

[0035] A cover 24 is placed over the cargo area 12. The illustrated cover 24 is a folding tonneau cover. However, the cover 24 may be a rolling tonneau cover, a cap or topper, a tent, or any combination thereof.

[0036] A panel system 100 is configured for attachment to the vehicle 10. The panel system 100 is configured to not interfere or obstruct operation of the cover 24. For example, the cover 24 may be opened, closed, moved, repositioned, etc. without the panel system 100 obstructing or limiting operation of the cover 24.

[0037] Figs. 2A and 2B each illustrates a cargo area 12. In Fig. 2A, a panel 102 of the panel system 100 is attached to the side wall 16a and another panel 102 is attached to the front wall 18. In some configurations, a single panel may be attached to both of the side and front walls 16a, 18. In Fig. 2A, the panel 102 covers an entire part of the side wall 16a and front wall 18. In some configurations, a panel 102 may only cover part of the wall, such as the example illustrated in Fig. 2B. Of course, a panel may also, or may instead be attached to the other side wall 16band / or the tailgate and / or the floor 22. The panel 102 may be attached to the bed wall of the cargo area via one or more fasteners. In some configurations, the panel 102 may be attached to a top surface of a bed wall, for example where one or more stake pockets may be located. In some configurations, a panel 102 may be permanently attached to a bed wall of the cargo area. In some configurations, a panel 102 may be integrated or might be the inside surface of the bed wall.

[0038] Fig. 3 illustrates part of the panel 102. The panel 102 includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures may be one or more accessory bracket mounting apertures 104. One or more accessory brackets (Figs. 4A-4C) may be configured to be attached to the one or more apertures or more specifically to the one or more accessory bracket mounting aperture 104. An accessory bracket mounting apertures 104 may have a generally square or rectangular shape, with two or more substantially planar sides or surfaces. Other shapes may be considered for the one or more accessory bracket mounting apertures, including but not limited to oval, round, triangular, hexagonal, etc.

[0039] The apertures may be one or more securing aperture 106. One or more securing devices may be attached to the one or more apertures or more specifically to the one or more securing apertures 106. A securing aperture 106 may have a generally round or oval shape. Other shapes may be considered for the one or more securing apertures, including but not limited to square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, D-shape, etc. The one or more securing devices that may engage the one or more securing apertures 106 may include one or more ropes, chains, tie down straps, hook and loop fasteners, cords, bungee cord, etc.

[0040] The accessory bracket mounting apertures 104 and the securing apertures 106 may be arranged in any arrangement, pattern, repeating pattern, rows, diagonals, and / or even randomly on the panel 102. For example, the one or more accessory bracket mounting apertures 104 may be arranged in one or more consecutive or alternating rows, columns, or both. For example, the one or more securing apertures 106 may be arranged in one or more consecutive or alternating rows, columns, or both. The one or more accessory bracket mounting apertures 104 and the one or more securing apertures 106 may be arranged in an alternating or repeating pattern. Any of the rows or columns may be linear, diagonal, random, or a combination thereof.

[0041] Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an accessory bracket 108. The accessory bracket 108 comprises a base 110, a neck 112, and a head 114.

[0042] The base 110 may include a generally C- or U-shaped cross section. The base 1 10 may include a pair of opposing side walls 116a, 116b. The base 110 may include a bottom wall 118 (Fig. 4B) or the base 110 may be free of a bottom wall (Fig. 4A).

[0043] The head 114 may be a rectangular shape comprising a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. In other configurations, the head 114 may have a mushroom or D-shape feature.

[0044] Figs. 5 A and 5B illustrate an accessory bracket 108 engaging an accessory bracket mounting aperture 104 of a panel 102. To attach the accessory bracket 108 to the panel 102, the head 114 of the accessory bracket 108 is oriented and aligned with the aperture 104. Referring to Fig. 4C, the head 114 and the neck 112 of the accessory bracket 108 are configured to be passed through the aperture 104 until the panel 102 is between the inner surface 120 of the head 114 and the inner surface 122 of the base 110. The accessory bracket 108 is then rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that the accessory bracket 108 is locked in place. This may occur because the inner surface 120 of the head 114 and / or the inner surface 122 of the base 110 includes a sloped or inclined surface that cams against one or both corresponding surfaces of the panel 102 to lock the accessory bracket 108 to the panel 102. Additionally or alternatively, the locking may take place as a result of the short sides of the head 114 engaging the long edges of the aperture 104 thereby preventing separation or removal of the bracket 108 from the panel 102. The accessory bracket 108 may be rotated or turned more than 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees to lock and unlock the bracket from the panel.

[0045] To remove the accessory bracket 108 from the panel 102, the bracket 108 can be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that the geometry of the head 114 is substantially aligned with the geometry of the aperture 104 thereby allowing the head 114 and the neck 112 to be removed from the aperture 104.

[0046] Fig. 6 illustrates a cargo area 12 of a vehicle. A panel 102 of the panel system is attached to the side walls 16a, 16b and another panel 102 is attached to the front wall 18. In some configurations, a single panel may be attached to both of the side and front walls 16a, 16b and 18. One or more accessory brackets are attached to each of the opposing panels 102 at walls 16a, 16b. For example, the bottom accessory bracket 108 may include the bottom wall 118 (Fig. 4 A) to support the divider 124 and the top accessory bracket 108’ may be free of the bottom wall 118 (Fig. 4B). The accessory brackets 108 may be configured to receive, support, and maintain a position of a divider 124. The divider 124 may function to divide the cargo area 12 into two ormore sections. Because the one or more accessory brackets 108 can be arranged in virtually any location on the panels 102, the divider 124 can be provided anywhere near the front or rear walls of the cargo area 12 and / or close to or elected from the bottom or floor 22 of the cargo area 12.

[0047] With additional reference to Fig. 7, a platform 126 can be attached to the accessory brackets 108 attached to the opposing panels 102. The platform 126 may further divide the cargo area 12 into additional sections. The platform 126 is supported on one or more support bars 128 that engage opposing accessory brackets 108 attached to the opposing panels 102. The platform 126 may include one or more of the panels 102 for attaching additional accessory brackets thereto.

[0048] In Fig. 8, the panel system is free of the divider 124 illustrated in Fig. 7. The support bars 128 can be attached directly to the bed walls 16a, 16b. The support bars 128 can be attached via the accessory brackets 108 or via another attaching member. One or more accessory brackets can be attached to the panels 102 of the platform 126.

[0049] In Fig. 9, the platform 126 is supported on the support bars 128 that are attached to the inside surfaces of the opposing side walls 16a, 16b, without any panels attached thereto. Instead, the accessory brackets 108 or a variation thereof may be attached to the side walls 16a, 16b.

[0050] Figs. 10 and 11 illustrates panels 102 attached to the side walls 16a, 16b and the front wall 18. The system 100 includes a moveable platform 130 made of panels 102 that can be moved into and out of the cargo area 12. The moveable platform 130 may be supported on support bars 128 that are attached to accessory brackets 108 attached to the opposing panels 102.

[0051] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

[0052] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that isdisclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0053] Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

[0054] The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a motor” does not limit the teachings to a single motor. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a motor” may include “one or more motors.”

[0055] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

[0056] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0057] The invention illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0058] Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components,regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and / or modified with any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may be or not be specifically illustrated or described herein.

[0059] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0060] Listing Of Reference Numerals

[0061] 10 vehicle

[0062] 12 cargo area

[0063] 14 passenger area

[0064] 16 side walls

[0065] 18 front wall

[0066] 20 tailgate

[0067] 22 floor

[0068] 24 cover

[0069] 100 panel system

[0070] 102 panel

[0071] 104 accessory bracket mounting apertures

[0072] 106 securing aperture

[0073] 108 accessory bracket

[0074] 110 base

[0075] 112 neck

[0076] 114 head

[0077] 116 side wall of base 110

[0078] 118 bottom wall of base

[0079] 120 inner surface of the head 114

[0080] 122 inner surface of the base 110.

[0081] 124 divider

[0082] 126 platform

[0083] 128 support bars

[0084] 130 moveable platform

Claims

CLAIMS1) A panel system for a vehicle comprising a cargo area, the panel system comprises: a panel having one or more apertures; an accessory bracket comprising a base, neck, and head; wherein the neck and the head are configured to extend through one or more of the apertures, and then the accessory bracket is configured to be rotated relative to the panel to lock the accessory bracket to the panel.2) The panel system according to claim 1, wherein the accessory bracket is configured to be rotated more than about 90 degrees to lock the accessory bracket to the panel.3) The panel system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accessory bracket is configured to be rotated less than about 90 degrees to lock the accessory bracket to the panel.4) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the panel is configured to be attached to a side wall of the cargo area.5) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more apertures have a substantially rectangular shape.6) The panel system according to claim 5 or any one the previous claims, wherein the head has a substantially rectangular shape.7) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the panel system comprises one or more support bars.8) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the panel system comprises a platform.9) The panel system according to claim 8 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the platform comprises a panel having one or more apertures that are configured to be engaged by one or more accessory brackets.10) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the panel system comprises a moveable platform.11) The panel system according to claim 10 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the movable platform comprises a panel having one or more apertures that are configured to be engaged by one or more accessory brackets.12) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the panel system comprises one or more dividers that are supported by two or more accessory brackets that are attached to two or more opposing panels.13) The panel system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more apertures comprises accessory bracket mounting apertures and securing apertures.14) The panel system according to claim 13 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the securing apertures have a size that is smaller than the one or more accessory bracket mounting apertures, wherein the one or more brackets are configured to engage the one or more accessory bracket mounting apertures.15) The panel system according to claim 14 or any one of the previous claims, wherein a plurality of accessory bracket mounting apertures are arranged in a row and a plurality of the securing apertures are arranged in a row.

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