GB1582440A - Lid for a motor vehicle boot - Google Patents

Description

(54) A LID FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE BOOT (71) I, FRANK DAVID EMERY WENMAN, a British subject, of 8 Church Road, Sherbourne, Warwickshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be parti cularty described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns a lid for a motor vehicle boot, particularly a motor car, which enables the boot of a vehicle to be used for transporting small animals such as dogs or cats.

The boot of the vehicle when fitted with a conventional boot lid cannot be used for transporting animals because when the lid is closed the boot is unventilated.

According to this invention I therefore provide a lid for a motor vehicle boot which lid includes at least one air inlet to enable fresh-air to enter the boot when the lid is fitted to the boot, closed, and the vehicle is in motion.

Preferably the lid is provided with at least one air outlet arranged so that the air inside the boot is continuously rep]aced by freshair from outside.

To let a certain amount of light into the boot, the lid may be provided with a window which is preferably made from a translucent or transparent plastics material such as "Perspex" (Registered Trade Mark). An opaque cover may be provided on the lid which is movable from a position in which it covers the window to a position in which it uncovers the window to allow light to enter the boot. Preferably, the cover is hinged to the lid.

For convenience when fitting the lid to a vehicle, the lid may be provided with hinges which enable it to be readily fixed to existing hinge points on the vehicle body after the original conventional boot lid has been removed.

The or each inlet may be provided with closure means to enable the or each inlet to be closed when not in use. Such closure means may be hinged to the inside of the lid adjacent the or each inlet.

The or each inlet and the or each outlet may be provided with a grille. - Where it is desired -to carry an animal and luggage in the boot and the animal is to be kept away from the luggage, the lid may be provided with a divider which divides the boot into compartments when the lid is closed. The luggage and the animal can then be placed in separate compartments.

Two boot lids embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rear of a conventional saloon car fitted with a first boot lid according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a car fitted with an alternative boot lid according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a boot lid 1 is conveniently provided with hinges 2 which enable it to be fitted to the existing hinge points on the car body once the conventional standard boot lid has been removed. The boot lid has a pair of air inlet scoops 3 located near the leading edge of the boot lid for channelling fresh-air into the boot for the purpose of ventilation, and a pair of air outlets 4 for discharging stale air from the boot, so that the air inlet scoops 3 and the outlets 4 together form a through-flow ventilation system which keeps the air in the boot constantly fresh. Both inlet scoops 3 and outlets 4 are preferably covered by wire mesh grilles. The inlets and outlets are not near the exhaust pipe outlet in case there is a tendency for exhaust fumes to become sucked into the boot through them. A single inlet and single outlet, may be used if desired.

For certain animals, air inlet vents alone in the lid may be sufficient to enable them to be transported in the boot. However when carrying - domestic animals such as cats in the boot, the boot should not be in total darkness. In order to let a certain amount of light into the boot, a translucent or transparent "Perspex" panel (not shown) may be provided in the boot lid. An opaque flap 5 is provided on the lid to cover the "Perspex" panel. The flap 5 may be hinged to the lid or otherwise mounted. In the drawing, the flap is shown in a closed position. When an animal is being transported, the flap is fixed in an open position or removed so that the animal is not in darkness and can see out.

However, when ordinary luggage is to be transported the flap can be closed so that the luggage is out of sight and is not a temptation to thieves. The flap is fitted with a lockable catch 6. If desired, the panel may be colour tinted and may be formed from glass instead of "Perspex".

Like a conventional boot lid, the boot lid of the invention is fitted with watertight rubber seals around its edge and is provided with a lock 7 to engage the existing catch on the car body. The lock and any lid lifting handle may be taken from the boot lid originally fitted to the car.

The boot lid shown in Figure 2 has a bulge 8 to enable the boot to accommodate larger animals. Grilles 9 to admit fresh-air are incorporated into the two sides of the bulged portion. These grilles can be covered by hinged flaps (not shown) on the inside of the lid which can be folded down inside the boot when an animal is not being carried.

In addition, small air inlets 10 and outlets 11, which together form a through-flow ventilation system, and which are not intended to be closed are also provided.

In certain cases it may be possible to omit the outlets, sufficient air being able to enter and circulate in the boot by use of inlets alone.

The inlets and outlets are so positioned as to clear the rear windscreen of the vehicle when the lid is opened.

Often it may be necessary to carry an animal and luggage simultaneously in the boot. In order to provide separate compartments in the boot, the lid may be provided with a divider which divides the boot into two compartments when the lid is closed.

The animal and luggage can then be kept apart.

The boot lid according to the invention may be supplied together with a rubber mat to cover the floor of the boot and separate covers for any exposed electrical wiring or the car battery if this is located in the boot.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A lid for a motor vehicle boot which lid includes at least one air inlet to enable fresh-air to enter the boot when the lid is fitted to the boot, closed, and the vehicle is in motion.

2. A lid, according to Claim 1, in which the lid is provided with at least one air outlet arranged so that the air inside the boot is continuously replaced by fresh-air from outside.

3. A lid, according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the lid is provided with a window to let a certain amount of light into the boot.

4. A lid, according to Claim 3, in which the window is made from a translucent or transparent plastics material.

5. A lid, according to Claim 3 or 4, in which an opaque cover is provided on the lid which is movable from a position in which it covers the window to a position in which it uncovers the window to allow light to enter the boot.

6. A lid, according to Claim 5, in which the cover is hinged to the lid.

7. A lid, according to any preceding Claim, in which the lid is provided with hinges which enable it to be readily fixed to existing hinge points on the vehicle body after the original conventional boot lid has been removed.

8. A lid, according to any preceding Claim, in which the or each air inlet may be provided with closure means to enable the or each inlet to be closed when not in use.

9. A lid, according to claim 8, in which the closure means comprises a panel hinged to the lid adjacent the or each inlet.

10. A lid, according to any preceding Claim and in the case where the lid is provided with at least one air outlet, in which the or each inlet and the or each outlet is covered with a grille.

11. A lid, according to any preceding Claim, in which the lid is provided with a divider which divides the boot into compartments when the lid is closed.

12. A lid for a motor vehicle boot, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. or otherwise mounted. In the drawing, the flap is shown in a closed position. When an animal is being transported, the flap is fixed in an open position or removed so that the animal is not in darkness and can see out. However, when ordinary luggage is to be transported the flap can be closed so that the luggage is out of sight and is not a temptation to thieves. The flap is fitted with a lockable catch 6. If desired, the panel may be colour tinted and may be formed from glass instead of "Perspex". Like a conventional boot lid, the boot lid of the invention is fitted with watertight rubber seals around its edge and is provided with a lock 7 to engage the existing catch on the car body. The lock and any lid lifting handle may be taken from the boot lid originally fitted to the car. The boot lid shown in Figure 2 has a bulge 8 to enable the boot to accommodate larger animals. Grilles 9 to admit fresh-air are incorporated into the two sides of the bulged portion. These grilles can be covered by hinged flaps (not shown) on the inside of the lid which can be folded down inside the boot when an animal is not being carried. In addition, small air inlets 10 and outlets 11, which together form a through-flow ventilation system, and which are not intended to be closed are also provided. In certain cases it may be possible to omit the outlets, sufficient air being able to enter and circulate in the boot by use of inlets alone. The inlets and outlets are so positioned as to clear the rear windscreen of the vehicle when the lid is opened. Often it may be necessary to carry an animal and luggage simultaneously in the boot. In order to provide separate compartments in the boot, the lid may be provided with a divider which divides the boot into two compartments when the lid is closed. The animal and luggage can then be kept apart. The boot lid according to the invention may be supplied together with a rubber mat to cover the floor of the boot and separate covers for any exposed electrical wiring or the car battery if this is located in the boot. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. A lid for a motor vehicle boot which lid includes at least one air inlet to enable fresh-air to enter the boot when the lid is fitted to the boot, closed, and the vehicle is in motion.

2. A lid, according to Claim 1, in which the lid is provided with at least one air outlet arranged so that the air inside the boot is continuously replaced by fresh-air from outside.

3. A lid, according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the lid is provided with a window to let a certain amount of light into the boot.

4. A lid, according to Claim 3, in which the window is made from a translucent or transparent plastics material.

5. A lid, according to Claim 3 or 4, in which an opaque cover is provided on the lid which is movable from a position in which it covers the window to a position in which it uncovers the window to allow light to enter the boot.

6. A lid, according to Claim 5, in which the cover is hinged to the lid.

7. A lid, according to any preceding Claim, in which the lid is provided with hinges which enable it to be readily fixed to existing hinge points on the vehicle body after the original conventional boot lid has been removed.

8. A lid, according to any preceding Claim, in which the or each air inlet may be provided with closure means to enable the or each inlet to be closed when not in use.

9. A lid, according to claim 8, in which the closure means comprises a panel hinged to the lid adjacent the or each inlet.

10. A lid, according to any preceding Claim and in the case where the lid is provided with at least one air outlet, in which the or each inlet and the or each outlet is covered with a grille.

11. A lid, according to any preceding Claim, in which the lid is provided with a divider which divides the boot into compartments when the lid is closed.

12. A lid for a motor vehicle boot, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.