Cargo cover device comprising locking means

Abstract

The invention relates to a cargo cover device (100) comprising a casing (110) incorporating locking means, said locking means comprising at least one bolt movable relative to the casing (110) and having a locking end, each of said bolts being driven in translation between a locking position and an unlocking position when a master member is moved, wherein a lug solidly connected to either the bolt or the master member is guided in a groove formed in the master member or bolt, respectively.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Luggage concealment device comprising locking means

[0003] Field of invention

[0004]

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

[0005]

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

[0006] State of the art

[0007]

[0003] Many luggage cover devices are known for motor vehicles. These luggage cover devices can in particular be made using a concealing fabric. This fabric is generally mounted on a roller tube so that it can be deployed or rolled up as required.

[0008]

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

[0009]

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

[0010]

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

[0011]

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

[0012]

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

[0013]

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

[0014]

[0010] Means for returning the member to a so-called locking position may also be provided to place and maintain the bolts in their first position when the user is not handling the member.

[0011] Thus, when the user wishes to remove or install the luggage cover, he handles the member to position the or each bolt in its second position and then removes or installs the device before releasing its action on the member. When the device is installed, the bolt(s) are housed in the cells to secure the cassette to the vehicle.

[0015]

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

[0016]

[0013] More particularly, the locking means are fragile and may present unpleasant haptic feedback for the user.

[0017]

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

[0018]

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

[0019]

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

[0020] / Z77 / 7 Furthermore, to enable its operation, the rack requires functional play.

[0021]

[0018] However, depending on the force exerted by the user on the member, it is possible that the rack may temporarily block or that a tooth may jump, causing the user to feel a jolt.

[0022]

[0019] Furthermore, when a tooth jump occurs, there results an offset between the wheel and the bolt(s), which can result in a limitation of the travel of the bolt(s) between their first and second position, making it less secure to secure the cassette in the vehicle. Furthermore, the offset can also be visible on the handling member which does not reach its extreme positions, thus degrading the aesthetics of the device or encouraging the user to force the handling member to move it as far as possible at the risk of damaging the locking means.

[0023]

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

[0024]

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

[0022] Finally, the size of the locking means limits the space available in the cassette for the reel and the canvas, which can lead to side strips without cover by the canvas and therefore visibility of the contents of the trunk.

[0025] Objectives of the invention

[0026]

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

[0027]

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

[0028]

[0025] The invention also aims to provide such a luggage cover device whose compactness of the locking means is increased compared to the solutions of the prior art.

[0029]

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

[0030] Statement of the invention

[0031]

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

[0032]

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

[0033]

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

[0034]

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

[0035]

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

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

[0036]

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

[0037]

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

[0038]

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

[0039]

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

[0040]

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

[0041]

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

[0039] According to another aspect, the control element is in the form of a slide that can move in translation on the cassette.

[0042]

[0040] The handling of a slider is simple and quick for the user.

[0043]

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

[0044]

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

[0045]

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

[0046]

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

[0047]

[0045] Manipulation of the control element which acts on the master member thus allows the movement of both bolts at the same time. The simplicity of use of the device according to the invention is then increased.

[0048]

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

[0049]

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

[0050]

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings described below.

[0051]

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

[0052]

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

[0053]

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

[0054]

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

[0055]

[0053] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the luggage cover device illustrating locking means in an unlocking configuration.

[0056]

[0054] Detailed description of the invention

[0057]

[0055] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a luggage cover device 100 installed in a motor vehicle.

[0058]

[0056] More specifically, the device 100 is installed in a trunk of the motor vehicle, attached to the back of a bench seat B.

[0059]

[0057] The device 100 comprises a cassette 110 and a canvas 120 intended to cover the trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0060]

[0058] The cassette 110 incorporates a winder (not shown in the figures) to which the canvas 120 is connected.

[0061]

[0059] When not in use, the canvas 120 is thus wound onto the reel and housed in the cassette 110 for protection.

[0062]

[0060] The cassette 110 extends longitudinally between a first end 111 and a second end 112.

[0063]

[0061] When the device 100 is installed in a motor vehicle, the first end 111 and the second end 112 are each received in a housing in the trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0064]

[0062] To secure it and keep it in position in the vehicle, the device 100 incorporates locking means 200.

[0065]

[0063] The locking means 200 are described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0064] As illustrated in Figure 2, the locking means 200 are located at the first end 11 1.

[0066]

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, the locking means 200 could be located at the second end 112 or at each of the first end 111 and the second end 112, in which case ad hoc connecting means would be provided to connect the locking means 200 of the first end 111 with the locking means 200 of the second end 112.

[0067]

[0066] In other words, the locking means 200 could either be located independently at the first end 111 or the second end 112, or at both the first end 111 and the second end 112. In the case of locking means 200 located at both the first end 111 and the second end 112, transmission means would be provided to allow the simultaneous activation of the locking means 200 of the first end 111 and the second end 112 by an action of a user on only one of the two ends.

[0068]

[0067] With reference to Figure 2, the locking means 200 comprise:

[0069] - at least one 210 bolt;

[0070] - a master organ 220;

[0071] - a control element 230, and

[0072] - recall means 240.

[0073]

[0068] In the example illustrated by Figures 2 to 5, the locking means 200 comprise two bolts 210. The bolts 210 are movable in translation through the cassette 110 between a locking position (illustrated by Figure 3) and an unlocking position (illustrated by Figure 5). For this, the cassette 110 has two windows 130 each crossed by a bolt 210. The windows 130 are opposite each other so that the bolts 210 are movable in translation in an identical direction but in an opposite direction.

[0074]

[0069] Each bolt 210 has a connecting end 21 1 by which it is connected to the master member 220, and a locking end 212 intended to engage in a cell of the housing of the motor vehicle to keep the device 100 installed in the trunk of the motor vehicle.

[0075]

[0070] At its connecting end 211, the bolt carries a lug 213 by which it cooperates with the master member 220, as described below.

[0071] The master member 220 is mounted to move between a first position in which it positions each bolt 210 in its locking position, and a second position in which it positions each bolt 210 in its unlocking position.

[0076]

[0072] More precisely, the master member 220 is mounted to rotate in the cassette 100 around an axis of rotation R, transverse to the translational movement of the or each bolt 210. In other words, to move from its first position to its second position, or vice versa, the master member 220 rotates around the axis of rotation R.

[0077]

[0073] The master member 220 is in a flat shape, for example a wheel or roller shape as illustrated in FIG. 2, and is guided in rotation by a barrel 140 on which the master member 220 is placed. The master member 220 is held in position on the barrel 140 by a stop 145.

[0078]

[0074] To enable connection with the or each bolt 210, the master member 220 has a groove 221 intended to cooperate with the lug 213 of the or each bolt 210.

[0079]

[0075] More particularly, the master member 220 has as many grooves 221 as there are bolts 210.

[0080]

[0076] In the example illustrated by FIG. 2, the master member 220 has two grooves 221 each intended to cooperate with the lug 213 of one of the bolts 210. Each groove 221 forms a track intended to receive the lug 213 of a bolt 210 to drive said bolt 210 in movement.

[0081] / Z77 / 7 According to the embodiment illustrated by figures 2 to 5, each groove 221 forms an elliptical track intended to receive the lug 213 of a bolt 210 to drive said bolt 210 in movement.

[0082] / Z77 More specifically, each groove 221 has an internal portion 222 and an external portion 223 which exert a force on the lug 213 of the bolt 210 to move the latter. The internal portion 222 is located radially inside the groove 221 and the external portion 223 is located radially outside the groove 221.

[0083] / Z7Z9; When the master member 220 is actuated in a first direction of rotation, the internal portion 222 of the groove 221 causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 220 to move away from the cassette 110, whereas, when the master member 220 is actuated in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, the external portion 223 of the groove 221 causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 220 to move towards the cassette 110.

[0084]

[0080] In other words, the passage of the master member 220 from its second position to its first position causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 210 to move away from the cassette 110, i.e. the passage of the bolt 210 into the unlocking position and, conversely, the passage of the master member 220 from its first position to the second position causes the locking end 212 of the bolt 210 to move closer to the cassette 110, i.e. the passage of the bolt 210 into the locking position.

[0085]

[0081] Alternatively, the groove 221 may have a circular shape, a complex shape, for example a succession of different radii or an alternation of curves and straight lines, a rectilinear shape, or even a progressive shape.

[0086]

[0082] The control element 230 is in the form of a slide movable in translation on the cassette 110.

[0087]

[0083] For this, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cassette has a notch 150 in which the control element 230 is at least partially received. The notch 150 thus forms a guide for the movement of the control element 230.

[0088]

[0084] The control element 230 protrudes at least partially from the cassette 110. For this purpose, the control element 230 has an upper part positioned partly in the notch 150 and located outside the cassette 110, and a lower part located in the cassette 110.

[0089]

[0085] The control element 230 is coupled to the master member 220 by its lower part.

[0086] More particularly, the lower part is in the form of a fork 231 intended to cooperate with a pin 224 secured to the master member 220. The fork 231 is, in this case, a two-pronged fork.

[0090]

[0087] The movement of the control element 230, in particular of the fork 231, induces, by its cooperation with the pin 224, the movement of the master member 220 from its locking position to its unlocking position, or vice versa.

[0091]

[0088] The presence of the fork 231 makes it possible to maintain cooperation with the pin 224 despite the rotational movement of the master member 220, and therefore of the pin 224.

[0092]

[0089] To secure the holding in position of the device 100 in the motor vehicle, and as described previously, the locking means 200 also comprise return means 240.

[0093]

[0090] The return means 240 allow the master member 220 to be returned to its first position.

[0094]

[0091] As illustrated by Figures 2 to 5, the return means 240 take the form of a tension spring.

[0095]

[0092] The tension spring is secured on the one hand to the cassette 110 and on the other hand to the control element 230.

[0093] The return means 240 therefore act on the control element 230.

[0096]

[0094] In more detail, when the master member 220 is in its first position, the tension spring forming the return means 240 is in a relaxed configuration, or is at least slightly stressed and, when the master member 220 is in its second position, the tension spring forming the return means 240 is in a stretched configuration and then seeks to recover its relaxed configuration to reposition the master member 220 in its first position via the control element 230.

[0097]

[0095] With reference to figures 2 to 5, the or each bolt 210 has a recess 214 forming a housing for receiving at least part of the master member 220.

[0098]

[0096] This benefits the compactness of the locking means 200 since the master member 220 partially takes place in the bolts 210.

[0099]

[0097] The use of the luggage cover device 100 is now described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0100]

[0098] Figure 3 illustrates the locking means 200 in a rest configuration, i.e. without user actions.

[0101]

[0099] In this configuration, the master member 220 is in its first position under the effect of the return means 240.

[0102]

[0100] The cooperation between the groove 221 and the lug 213 of each bolt 210 keeps the locking end 212 of the bolts 210 away from the cassette 110, that is to say that the bolt 210 is kept in the locking position.

[0103]

[0101] When the luggage cover device 100 is already installed in a motor vehicle trunk, the locking end 212 of each bolt 210 is engaged in a cell so as to prevent the luggage cover device 100 from being removed.

[0104]

[0102] The insertion of the luggage cover device 100 into a motor vehicle trunk, or its removal from the trunk, is carried out as follows.

[0105]

[0103] The user grasps the cassette 110 with one hand and then with his other hand activates the locking means 200.

[0106]

[0104] More specifically, the user manipulates the control element 230 using his thumb while holding the cassette 110 with the rest of his hand.

[0107]

[0105] By sliding the control element 230 into the notch 150, the tension spring forming the return means 240 is stretched and the fork 231 which cooperates with the pin 224 of the master member 220 causes the master member 220 to move from its first position (illustrated in FIG. 3) to its second position (illustrated in FIG. 5).

[0106] By the cooperation between the lug 213 of each bolt 210 and the groove 221 with which it cooperates, each bolt 210 is moved so that the locking end 212 approaches the box 110. Each bolt 210 thus passes from its locking position to its unlocking position.

[0108]

[0107] The bolts 210 thus no longer protrude from the cassette 110, or almost, and the device 100 can be inserted into the housings of the motor vehicle provided for this purpose or, on the contrary, be extracted therefrom.

[0109]

[0108] When the user releases his action on the control element 230, the return means 240 tend to recover their relaxed configuration, which causes the movement of the control element 230 which then causes, via the fork 231, the movement of the master member 220 to its second position.

[0110]

[0109] Consequently, by the cooperation between the lug 213 and the groove 221 with which said lug 213 cooperates, each bolt 210 is moved so as to move the locking end 212 away from the cassette 110. Each bolt 210 thus passes from its unlocking position to its locking position.

[0111]

[0110] An intermediate position of the master member 220 is illustrated by FIG. 4 which shows an intermediate configuration of the locking means 200.

[0112]

[0111] The luggage cover device 100 which has just been described offers comfort of use since the cooperation between each lug 213 and the groove 221 in which it is housed allows a smooth and jolt-free movement of each bolt 210 while avoiding their blocking in the event of excessively sharp handling of the control element 230.

[0113]

[0112] Furthermore, the gentle movement also avoids a risk of premature degradation of the locking means 200 by removing the blocking of the bolts 210.

[0114]

[0113] According to a variant not illustrated by the figures, and without distorting the spirit of the invention, the master member 220 could carry the lug(s) 213 and each bolt 210 would carry a groove 221 intended to cooperate with a lug 213.

[0115]

[0114] According to another variant not illustrated, the master member 220 could adopt a cylindrical shape in which case the grooves 221 would have a spiral shape.

[0116]

[0115] According to yet another variant not illustrated, the pin 224 would be carried by the control element 230 in which case the master member 220 would be provided with an oblong slot in which the pin 224 would be received.

Claims

CLAIMS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Images