Interlocking Cargo Bed Liner Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cargo bed liners for vehicles lack effective protection against impact and abrasion damage, and often compromise cargo retention due to inadequate attachment locations and limited tie-down options, with many solutions being difficult to install, transport, and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A cargo bed liner system featuring interlocking rigid floor panels suspended above the cargo bed using suspension rails, with apertures and anchors for secure cargo retention, providing a durable impact barrier and versatile tie-down options while minimizing abrasion damage and facilitating easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If spray-on cargo bed liners are used to provide protection, then a coating is applied to the cargo bed surface, but impact protection is minimal and damage transmits directly to the cargo bed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidimpact barrier effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo bed liner is divided into multiple separate floor panels that can be individually positioned and secured. This segmentation allows each panel to independently absorb and distribute impact forces, preventing direct transmission to the cargo bed while maintaining protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liner panels are elevated above the cargo bed surface using support structures and fastening systems, creating a dimensional gap between the protective barrier and the cargo bed. This elevation allows impact forces to be dissipated through the support structures rather than transmitted directly to the cargo bed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pre-formed polymeric liners are used to protect the cargo bed, then protection is provided, but the liners are difficult to transport and store and prone to cracking and warping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo bed protectionVSAvoidtransport and storage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liner system is divided into multiple smaller floor panels that can be easily transported, stored, and installed. Each panel is manageable in size and can be separated for storage, eliminating the transportation and storage difficulties associated with large pre-formed liners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liner panels are constructed from rigid materials with controlled dimensional stability parameters that prevent cracking and warping. The rigid construction with appropriate fastening systems maintains structural integrity during transport and storage while providing effective protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If factory-provided tie-down apertures are used for cargo retention, then securing mechanisms are available, but they are elevated from the floor which prevents vertically downward securing force application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetie-down optionsVSAvoidcargo retention effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tie-down apertures are positioned at floor level within the liner panels rather than elevated above the floor. This repositioning in the vertical dimension allows for effective vertically downward securing force application while maintaining versatile tie-down options throughout the cargo bed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If cargo bed liners are directly affixed to the cargo bed to provide protection, then protection is provided, but removal is difficult and ongoing abrasion damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo bed protectionVSAvoidliner removal and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The liner system uses separate floor panels that can be individually removed and reinstalled. This segmentation makes maintenance and cleaning convenient while the protective function remains intact when panels are properly positioned and secured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Fastening systems and support structures serve as intermediaries between the liner panels and the cargo bed, providing secure attachment while allowing for easy removal and reinstallation. This intermediary system prevents direct permanent affixation, facilitating maintenance while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10647267B2Vehicle bed liner and cargo management system

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 BRIGGS JEFFREY MARK

AI summary

A cargo bed liner for protecting a cargo bed of a vehicle. Plural rigid floor panels are interconnected to form a cargo liner platform suspended above the cargo bed by suspension rails to disperse impacts and otherwise to protect the cargo bed. The floor panels are interlocked by tabs projecting from at least some of the panels. The floor panels are fixed to the suspension rails by locking slots in combination with locking studs. The suspension rails are fixed to the cargo bed in retention of the cargo liner platform. Anchors with extendable and retractable clamping members and registration members are selectively retained relative to apertures of an array of paired apertures in the platform for permitting secure and adjustable retention and transport of cargo. The clamping and registration members have outer surfaces separated by a distance less than a longitudinal dimension of apertures within the array of apertures.