A storage device configured to be arranged in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A storage device (1, 100) configured to be arranged in a luggage compartment (201) of a motor vehicle (200), comprising: - a bearing plane (2) adapted to be inserted in a substantially horizontal position inside the luggage compartment (201); - a support element (3) operatively coupled below the bearing plane (2) in a position substantially orthogonal to such a bearing plane (2) so as to keep the aforesaid bearing plane (2) spaced with respect to the bottom (201a) of the luggage compartment (201). Such a support element (3) is configured to be moved along the bearing plane (2) according to a movement direction (Y) orthogonal to the direction of travel (X) of the motor vehicle (200) when the storage device (1) is inserted in the luggage compartment (201).

Description

[0001] A STORAGE DEVICE CONFIGURED TO BE ARRANGED IN A LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention relates to a storage device configured to be arranged in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0004] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle provided with a luggage compartment in which the aforesaid storage device is present.

[0005] It is known that motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars, are provided in the rear with a luggage compartment which is accessible from the rear part of the same motor vehicles by means of a rear door.

[0006] Usually, such a luggage compartment is a completely empty space delimited by a bottom, side walls and a top, the latter defined by the body of the motor vehicle itself, as well as by the back of the rear seats, and is closable by the aforesaid rear door.

[0007] Some motor vehicles are additionally or alternatively provided with a front luggage compartment accessible by means of the front bonnet of the motor vehicle itself.

[0008] Although the presence of the aforesaid luggage compartment is widely appreciated, as it allows storing an appreciable amount of objects therein, it does have one major drawback in that it is not possible to arrange such objects therein in a tidy and well compartmentalised manner.

[0009] Consequently, this leads to some significant disadvantages, which are explained below.

[0010] The first disadvantage relates to the fact that it is not easy to optimally and tidily arrange the various objects within the empty space defined by the luggage compartment.

[0011] This results in a non-ideal ratio between the volumes occupied by the objects stored inside the luggage compartment and the potential interior space thereof. Furthermore, still disadvantageously, the fact that the space of the luggage compartment is completely empty results in possible accidental movement of the objects arranged therein during the motion of the motor vehicle. This can cause possible damage to objects and to the motor vehicle itself.

[0012] Furthermore, in a normal use, the objects of often different shapes and sizes are stacked on top of each other, which can create a further problem: fragile objects cannot be placed below the other heavier objects, as there is a risk that they will break under the effect of the weight of those above.

[0013] Still disadvantageously, the fact of having to arrange the various objects in a completely untidy manner, and especially arranging one object straddling the other, results in the difficulty of being able to remove an object from the luggage compartment which was inserted first with respect to the objects inserted subsequently.

[0014] This occurs in many contexts, first and foremost in the work or sports context where various work tools or sports equipment, such as golf clubs and electric carriages for transporting such golf clubs, must be arranged in a tidy and safe manner.

[0015] Although some structures for dividing the luggage compartment are known, such as grates for dogs or animals in general, they do not allow luggage or objects in general to be organised effectively, as they only serve the purpose of reserving an exclusive space for the aforesaid animals.

[0016] There are also structures similar to boxes which allow objects to be contained therein, but do not solve the problem of easy accessibility to the objects, and furthermore do not allow the dimensions of the volumes obtained by dividing the luggage compartment to be varied. In fact, the internal volumes of such boxes are fixed and there is no possibility of inserting objects of larger dimensions therein.

[0017] The present invention intends to overcome such drawbacks.

[0018] In particular, it is the aim of the invention to propose a storage device which can be inserted in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle and which allows to precisely define a plurality of compartments which are well separated from each other, so as to tidily arrange objects inside such a luggage compartment. A further aim of the invention is to propose a storage device which allows optimal utilisation of the space of the luggage compartment.

[0019] It is further an aim of the invention to propose a storage device which allows an object to be removed from the luggage compartment from among a plurality of objects, regardless of the order in which such objects were previously inserted. Furthermore, it is an aim of the invention to make a storage device which allows even fragile objects to be separated and protected from any damage, thus facilitating the transport thereof.

[0020] Last but not least, an aim of the invention is to make a storage device which allows the subdivision of the luggage compartment to be suitably varied so as to adapt it to specific needs and to the particular objects to be inserted therein. Such aims are achieved by the storage device of the invention in accordance with the features set forth in claim 1 .

[0021] Further features of the invention are given in the claims dependent on claim 1 . A motor vehicle comprising a storage device of the invention in the luggage compartment thereof is also part of the invention.

[0022] Advantageously, according to a particular embodiment of the storage device of the invention, it is configured to be universally adapted to most of the luggage compartments, front or rear, of the multitude of passenger cars present on the market, for example: SUV, sedan, station wagon, spider or other known models.

[0023] Furthermore, still advantageously, the particular structure of the storage device of the invention allows it to be easily and quickly inserted in the luggage compartment of a passenger car.

[0024] Furthermore, the storage device of the invention, when removed from the luggage compartment, occupies limited space and is therefore easily stowed away even in tight spaces.

[0025] The aims and advantages will be better highlighted during the description of some preferred embodiments of the invention which are given below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings where:

[0026] - Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of a first implementation example of the storage device according to the invention;

[0027] - Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a second embodiment of a first implementation example of the storage device according to the invention;

[0028] - Figure 3a depicts a top view of an element of the storage device of Figure 1 in a first operating position;

[0029] - Figure 3b depicts a perspective view of the same element of Figure 3a in a first intermediate position switching between the first operating position and a second operating position;

[0030] - Figure 3c depicts a perspective view of the same element of Figures 3a and 3b in a second intermediate position switching between the first operating position and the second operating position;

[0031] - Figure 3d depicts a front view of the same element of Figures 3a, 3b and 3c in the second operating position;

[0032] - Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a detail of the storage device of Figure 1 ;

[0033] - Figure 5 depicts a front view of a detail of the storage device in a third embodiment of such a first implementation example according to the invention;

[0034] - Figure 6 depicts a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of such a first implementation example of the storage device according to the invention;

[0035] - Figure 7 depicts a bottom view of an element of the storage device of Figure 6;

[0036] - Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of such a first implementation example of the storage device according to the invention;

[0037] - Figure 9 depicts a perspective view of an element of the storage device of Figure 8;

[0038] - Figure 10 depicts a perspective view of a second implementation example of the storage device according to the invention;

[0039] - Figure 11 depicts a perspective view of a first detail of the storage device of Figure 10;

[0040] - Figure 12 depicts a sectional perspective view of a second detail of the storage device of Figure 10.

[0041] The storage device according to a first implementation example of the invention is depicted in Figures 1 and 2, where it is collectively referred to with 1.

[0042] Such a storage device 1 is configured to be arranged in a luggage compartment 201 of a motor vehicle 200, visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0043] According to the invention, such a storage device 1 comprises a bearing plane 2, clearly visible in Figures 1 , 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, adapted to be inserted in a substantially horizontal position inside the luggage compartment 201, and a support element 3, clearly visible in Figures 1 , 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8, operatively coupled below such a bearing plane 2 in a substantially orthogonal position to the bearing plane 2 itself. The presence of such a support element 3 makes it possible, on the one hand, to keep the bearing plane 2 spaced with respect to the bottom 201a, visible in Figures 1 and 2, of the luggage compartment 201 and, on the other hand, to subdivide the space below such a bearing plane 2 into at least two distinct housings.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the invention, such a support element 3 is configured to be moved along the bearing plane 2 according to a movement direction Y, orthogonal to the direction of travel X of the motor vehicle 200, when the storage device 1 is inserted in the luggage compartment 201.

[0045] Advantageously, such a latter feature allows the volume of the aforesaid two housings to be varied based on requirements and in particular based on the size of the objects to be stored.

[0046] It is emphasised that the support element 3 is configured to be moved along the bearing plane 2; it is therefore understood that such a support element 3 is configured to actuate a relative movement with respect to the bearing plane 2. In particular, with regard to the support element 3, it is configured to define a vertical wall 31, visible in Figures 1 , 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8, coupled with the bearing plane 2 so that the movement direction Y is orthogonal to the extension plane of the same vertical wall 31.

[0047] As regards the bearing plane 2, it has, according to the preferred embodiment of such a first implementation example, a substantially rectangular shape. According to such an embodiment, therefore, the support element 3 is operatively coupled to the bearing plane 2 so that the movement direction Y is parallel to the long sides 2a of the bearing plane 2 of substantially rectangular shape.

[0048] Furthermore, to make the displacement of the support element 3 with respect to the bearing plane 2 feasible, these are operatively connected by displacement means 4, visible in Figures 1 , 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

[0049] According to the preferred embodiment of such a first implementation example, the bearing plane 2 comprises two flat structural elements 22 and 23, visible in Figures 1 , 2, 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, 4, 5, 8 and 9, rotatably connected to each other by coupling means 5, visible in Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 5, so that the two flat structural elements 22 and 23 can pass from a folded position, visible in Figure 3d, according to which said two flat structural elements 22 and 23 face each other at their major surfaces 22a and 23a, to an extended position, visible in Figure 3a, according to which said major surfaces 22a and 23a are both lying on the same plane ir1, so as to define said bearing plane 2. Clearly, it is also possible to pass from the extended position to the folded position.

[0050] Such a configuration, advantageously, facilitates the insertion and removal of the storage device 1 of the invention into and from the luggage compartment 201

[0051] Furthermore, such a configuration advantageously allows, once the storage device 1 has been removed from the luggage compartment 201, to store it in a limited space.

[0052] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, such coupling means 5 comprise one or more hinge elements 51, as depicted in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c.

[0053] Alternatively, such coupling means 5 could be one or more mating elements 52, as depicted in Figure 5.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the storage device 1 according to the aforesaid first embodiment example, each of the two flat structural elements 22 and 23 comprises a solid rigid panel 7.

[0055] It is not excluded, however, that alternatively, each of the aforesaid two flat structural elements 22 and 23 comprises a rigid perimeter profile 8, depicted in Figures 8 and 9, where such a flat structural element 22 and 23 further comprises a deformable sheet-like element 9, which can be associated with the relative rigid perimeter profile 8, so as to define the bearing plane 2.

[0056] Still alternatively, as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the bearing plane 2 could comprise a single flat structural element 21.

[0057] Also in this case, such a single flat structural element 21 could be defined by a solid rigid panel 7 or by the combination of a rigid perimeter profile 8 and a relative deformable sheet-like element 9.

[0058] Furthermore, in addition to the aforesaid support element 3 which is movable with respect to the bearing plane 2, further support elements 3 could be provided, both movable and fixedly coupled below the same bearing plane 2. As regards the displacement means 4, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, they are made by means of one or more slits 41, clearly visible in Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4, 8 and 9 defined parallel to each other, on the bearing plane 2 along the movement direction Y and corresponding pins 42, visible in Figures 4, 5 and 8, applied to the support element 3 or support elements 3 and slidably inserted along a relative slit 41.

[0059] Furthermore, such displacement means 4 comprise locking elements 43, clearly visible in Figure 4, configured to stabilise the position of the pins 42 and the relative support elements 3 along the aforesaid slits 41.

[0060] Alternatively, such displacement means 4 could be made by means of grooves 44, depicted in Figures 6 and 7, made orthogonal to the movement direction Y along the lower surface of such a bearing plane 2, so that the position of one or more of such support elements 3 with respect to the bearing plane 2 can be discretely varied.

[0061] According to the preferred embodiment of the first implementation example of the invention, such support elements 3 are made from a rigid panel 32, visible in Figures 1 , 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

[0062] A second implementation example of the invention is depicted in Figures 10 to 12 where it is indicated overall with 100 and where the features and elements in common with the previous first implementation example are indicated with the same numerical reference.

[0063] In particular, the storage device 100 according to such a second implementation example has all the features of the first embodiment described above, with the difference that the bearing plane is defined by:

[0064] - at least two telescopic longitudinal bars 24 arranged parallel to each other;

[0065] - at least two telescopic crosspieces 25, each operatively associated at each of the two ends 25a thereof with one of the telescopic longitudinal bars 24;

[0066] - first coupling means 26, clearly visible in Figure 11 , arranged between each of the ends 25a of the telescopic crosspieces 25 and the telescopic longitudinal bars 24;

[0067] - one or more flexible strips 27 configured to be wrapped around the telescopic longitudinal bars 24 or the telescopic crosspieces 25, so as to define the bearing surface of the bearing plane 2, as depicted in Figures 10 and 12.

[0068] In particular, such first coupling means 26 are configured to allow the linear displacement and / or rotation and locking of each of the telescopic crosspiece elements 25 along the longitudinal extension of the telescopic longitudinal bars 24

[0069] Advantageously, such a particular configuration of the storage device 100 according to the aforesaid second implementation example makes it possible to adapt the structure of the same storage device 100 to most of the luggage compartments 201 of the multitude of motor vehicles 200, in particular passenger cars, present on the market.

[0070] In other words, such a particular configuration makes it possible to obtain an essentially universal type of storage device 100.

[0071] According to the preferred embodiment of such a second implementation example, the support element 3 or support elements 3 also comprise, each: - at least two telescopic posts 33, each operatively associated at an end 33a thereof with one of the telescopic longitudinal bars 24 or one of the telescopic crosspieces 25;

[0072] - second coupling means 34, clearly visible in Figure 11 , arranged between the aforesaid ends 33a of each of the telescopic posts 33 and the telescopic longitudinal bars 24 or the telescopic crosspieces 25.

[0073] In particular, the second coupling means 34 are also configured to allow the linear displacement and / or rotation and locking of each of the telescopic posts 33 along the longitudinal extension of the telescopic longitudinal bars 24 or the telescopic crosspieces 25.

[0074] Furthermore, such features of the support elements 3 also contribute to making the storage device 100, according to the aforesaid second implementation example, of a universal type, and therefore adaptable to a multiplicity of luggage compartments 201 of most motor vehicles 200 on the market.

[0075] According to the preferred embodiment of such a second implementation example, the first and second coupling means 26 and 34 comprise one-, two- or three-way joints.

[0076] It is not excluded that, according to embodiment variants of such a second implementation example, the first and second coupling means 26 and 34 can be of a different type as long as they allow the mutual position of the various telescopic longitudinal bars 24, telescopic crosspieces 25 and telescopic posts 33 to be varied.

[0077] As mentioned above, the motor vehicle 200 provided with a luggage compartment 201, accessible by means of a rear door 202 is also part of the invention, where a storage device 1, 100 according to the first implementation example or according to the second implementation example is inserted inside such a luggage compartment 201, including the possible variants described.

[0078] Based on the above, it is clear that the storage device according to the invention reaches all the preset aims.

[0079] In particular, the aim of the invention to propose a storage device which can be inserted in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle and which allows to precisely define a plurality of compartments which are well separated from each other, so as to tidily arrange objects inside such a luggage compartment, is achieved. Furthermore, the aim of the invention to propose a storage device which allows optimal utilisation of the space of the luggage compartment is also achieved. The aim of the invention to propose a storage device which allows an object to be removed from the luggage compartment from among a plurality of objects, regardless of the order in which such objects were previously inserted, is also achieved.

[0080] Furthermore, the aim of the invention to make a storage device which allows even fragile objects to be separated and protected from any damage, thus facilitating the transport thereof, is achieved.

[0081] Finally, the aim of the invention to make a storage device which allows the subdivision of the luggage compartment to be suitably varied so as to adapt it to specific needs and to the particular objects to be inserted therein is achieved.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) A storage device (1 , 100) configured to be arranged in a luggage compartment (201 ) of a motor vehicle (200), characterised in that it comprises:- a bearing plane (2) adapted to be inserted in a substantially horizontal position inside said luggage compartment (201 );- a support element (3) operatively coupled below said bearing plane (2) in a position substantially orthogonal to said bearing plane (2) so as to keep said bearing plane (2) spaced with respect to the bottom (201a) of said luggage compartment (201), said support element (3) being configured to be moved along said bearing plane (2) according to a movement direction (Y) orthogonal to the direction of travel (X) of said motor vehicle (200) when said storage device (1 ) is inserted in said luggage compartment (201).2) A storage device (1 , 100) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said support element (3) defines a vertical wall (31 ) coupled to said bearing plane (2) so that said movement direction (Y) is orthogonal to the extension plane of said vertical wall (31 ).3) A storage device (1 , 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bearing plane (2) has a substantially rectangular shape, said support element (3) being operatively coupled to said bearing plane (2) so that said movement direction (Y) is parallel to the long sides (2a) of said bearing plane (2) of substantially rectangular shape.4) A storage device (1 , 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support element (3) is operatively connected to said bearing plane (2) by displacement means (4).5) A storage device (1 , 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bearing plane (2) comprises a single flat structural element (21 ).6) A storage device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said bearing plane (2) comprises two flat structural elements (22, 23) rotatably connected to each other by coupling means (5) so that said two flat structural elements (22, 23) can pass from a folded position, according to which said two flat structural elements (22, 23) face each other at their major surfaces (22a, 23a), to an extended position, according to which said major surfaces (22a, 23a) both lie on the same plane (TT1 ), SO asto define said bearing plane (2), and vice versa.7) A storage device (1 ) according to claim 6, characterised in that said coupling means (5) comprise one or more hinge elements (51 ).8) A storage device (1 ) according to claim 6, characterised in that said coupling means (5) comprise one or more mating elements (52).9) A storage device (1 ) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that each of said one or more flat structural elements (21 , 22, 23) comprises a solid rigid panel (7).10) A storage device (1 ) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that said one or more flat structural elements (21 , 22, 23) comprises a rigid perimeter profile (8), said flat structural element (21 , 22, 23) further comprising a deformable sheet-like element (9) which can be associated with said rigid perimeter profile (8) so as to define said bearing plane (2).11 ) A storage device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising two or more of said support elements (3), each operatively associated with said bearing plane (2) so as to be movable along said movement direction (Y).12) A storage device (1 ) according to claim 4, characterised in that said displacement means (4) comprise:- one or more slits (41 ) defined on said bearing plane (2) along said movement direction (Y);- corresponding pins (42) applied to said one or more support elements (3) and slidingly inserted along said slits (41 );- locking elements (43) configured to stabilise the position of said support elements (3) and the respective pins along said slits (41 ).13) A storage device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said support elements (3) comprises a rigid panel (32).14) A storage device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said bearing plane (2) is defined by:- at least two telescopic longitudinal bars (24) arranged parallel to each other;- at least two telescopic crosspieces (25), each operatively associated at each of the two ends (25a) thereof with one of said telescopic longitudinal bars (24);- first coupling means (26) arranged between each of said ends (25a) of said telescopic crosspieces (25) and said telescopic longitudinal bars (24), said first coupling means (26) being configured to allow the linear displacement and / or rotation and locking of each of said telescopic crosspiece elements (25) along the longitudinal extension of said telescopic longitudinal bars (24);- one or more flexible strips (27) configured to be wrapped around said telescopic longitudinal bars (24) or said telescopic crosspieces (25) so as to define the bearing surface of said bearing plane (2).15) A storage device (100) according to claim 14, characterised in that said one or more support elements (3) each comprise:- at least two telescopic posts (33), each operatively associated at an end (33a) thereof with one of said telescopic longitudinal bars (24) or one of said telescopic crosspieces (25);- second coupling means (34) arranged between said end (33a) of each of said telescopic posts (33) and said telescopic longitudinal bars (24) or said telescopic crosspieces (25), said second coupling means (34) being configured to allow the linear displacement and / or rotation and locking of each of said telescopic posts (33) along the longitudinal extension of said telescopic longitudinal bars (24) or said telescopic crosspieces (25).16) A storage device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first and second coupling means (26, 34) comprise one-, two- or three-way joints.17) A motor vehicle (200) provided with a luggage compartment (201 ) accessible by means of a rear door (202), characterised in that a storage device (1 , 100) according to any one of the preceding claims is inserted inside said luggage compartment (201 ).

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