GB1583401A - Vehicle load constrainers - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VEHICLE LOAD CONSTRAINERS (71) We, CHRYSLER UNITED KING DOM LIMITED, a British Company, of Bowater House, 68 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LX, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement : This invention relates to vehicle load constrainers and is particularly, although not exclusively applicable to carriers for carry-cots".

The invention provides a vehicle load con strainer comprising a rectangular frame to receive a load to be constrained, the frame having legs at the corners thereof to support the frame on a load receiving surface of a vehicle, each leg comprising a V-shaped member having an apex spaced from the corner of the frame and limbs connected to the frame to either side of the corner, and means to anchor the frame to the load receiving surface of the vehicle.

The anchor means may comprise a plurality of straps secured to the frame and having anchorages for attachment to the vehicle.

In the case where the load intended to be constrained is a "carry-cot", an open mesh cover may be provided to extend over the frame and means may be provided to secure the cover to the frame to prevent the "carry-cot" from lifting out of the frame.

For example the cover may have elongate members attached to the cover along opposed sides thereof and the frame may have downwardly open clip devices spaced around the outer periphery of the frame to receive and hold the members.

The following is a description of a specific embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of another part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

In a motor vehicle, a protective structure 10 for a "carry-cot" 10a occupied by an infant comprises a rectangular light alloy frame 11 supported at each corner by Vshaped legs 12, the apices 13 of which when in use rest upon the luggage carrying floor or a part adjacent thereto in a vehicle such that the frame 11 is spaced parallel to the floor.

The free end 14 of each limb 14a of each leg 12 is horizontally semi-flattened or formed in arcuate section and bent horizontally outwards of the V such that they extend at ninety degrees to each other and are secured to the underside of the frame adjacent each corner thereof by screws 16 passing vertically through holes in the frame 11 and ends 14 and retained therein by nuts 17 which may be wing nuts to facilitate removal of the legs from the frame for storage when the structure is not in use.

In a motor vehicle having a "Hatch" back and split rear seat back squabs that are independently forwardly pivotable for stowage purposes, one of the rear seat back squabs is folded forwardly to provide a flat extension to the luggage carrying floor behind the rear seats.

The structure 10 is located longitudinally in the vehicle adjacent the side thereof such that the front pair of legs are resting on the back of the horizontal seat back squab and the rear pair of legs are resting on the luggage floor. The structure is secured to the vehicle by three transverse downwardly and outwardly extending strap assemblies 18 one end of each assembly being attached to the adjacent long side of the frame and the other end of each strip assembly being attached to a slotted plate 19 having a hole engaged by a bolt secured on the one side to strengthened attachment points on the body side structure or adjacent thereto and on the other to the luggage floor which also may comprise attachment points for the optional fitment of a child's safety belt.

The strap assembly 18 comprises an upper portion 20 and lower portion 21, the upper portion having one end looped around the frame and the other end looped through an aperture in a buckle 22 such that the two strap ends overlie each other and the middle part of the strap portion and the whole is secured together by stitching. The bottom end of the lower portion passes through slot 23 in plate 19 and is then stitched together to form a closed loop.

The other end of the lower portion is passed through the aperture in the buckle adjacent the looped end of strap portion 20 around a transverse bar slidable along the aperture then out of the aperture on the same side of entry and extends towards plate 19 to provide sufficient length to facilitate rapid means of adjustment in a manner known per se.

Three metal clips 24 of a section as shown in Figure 2 are riveted at spaced apart locations on each long side of the frame such that the extended upper hooked ends 25 of the clips are outwardly of the frame. A similar shaped clip 26 of spring steel is interposed between each clip 24 and the frame and the end 27 of the extended leg of clip 26 is arcuately formed and spaced from the frame and the underside of the hooked end 25 of clip 24 to permit movement of end 27 away from the frame.

A rectangular flexible diaphragm 28 of nylon net or other suitable material has the two opposite long sides formed into a loop each of which encircles and retains a length of metal rod or tubing 29 extending the length of the diaphragm which has three apertures 30 along the marginal edge of each long side at spaced apart locations corresponding to the spacing of the clips 24 and 26 along the frame 11. The width of the diaphragm is slightly larger than the width of the frame 11.

With the stowage structure 10 secured to the vehicle as previously described, the " carry-cot " and the other rod 29 is engaged placed on the vehicle floor within the frame. One of the metal rods 29 is engaged under the extended legs of the spring clips 26 which releasably retains the rod.

The diaphragm is then extended across the frame 11 and hence the open face of the "carry-cot" and the other rod 29 is engaged under the legs of the corresponding spring clips on the other side of the frame in a similar manner to the first operation, the aperture 30 in the marginal edge of each long side of the diaphragm being in register with the clips 24, 26 on the frame.

Whilst the embodiment described hereinbefore relates to a particular installation in a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally suitable for installation in other ways in other vehicles for example, in vehicles of the Estate car (station wagon) type, the structure may be located transversely of the vehicle on the load carrying floor behind the rear seat and secured to the floor by four strap assemblies located on the frame in any desired position. Alternatively a bridging member may be secured at its ends to the apices of each pair of support legs such that the member extends parallel to each short side of the frame to make the structure suitable for location on a rear seat extending transversely in a vehicle.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the structure may be of steel or the legs welded to the frame and the disposition and number of clips and securing straps may be varied to suit a particular installation requirement.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A vehicle load constrainer comprising a rectangular frame to receive a load to be constrained, the frame having legs at the corners thereof to support the frame on a load receiving surface of a vehicle, each leg comprising a V-shaped member having an apex spaced from the corner of the frame and limbs connected to the frame to either side of the corner, and means to anchor the frame to the load receiving surface of the vehicle.

2. A load constrainer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anchor means comprise a plurality of straps secured to the frame and having anchorages for attachment to the vehicle.

3. A load constrainer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the load intended to be constrained is a " carry-cot ".

4. A load con strainer as claimed in claim 3 wherein an open mesh cover is provided to extend over the frame and means are provided to secure the cover to the frame to prevent the "carry-cot" from lifting out of the frame.

5. A load constrainer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover has elongate members attached to the cover along opposed sides thereof and the frame has downwardly open clip devices spaced around the outer periphery of the frame to receive and hold the members.

6. A "carry-cot" constrainer for use in a vehicle substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The strap assembly 18 comprises an upper portion 20 and lower portion 21, the upper portion having one end looped around the frame and the other end looped through an aperture in a buckle 22 such that the two strap ends overlie each other and the middle part of the strap portion and the whole is secured together by stitching. The bottom end of the lower portion passes through slot 23 in plate 19 and is then stitched together to form a closed loop. The other end of the lower portion is passed through the aperture in the buckle adjacent the looped end of strap portion 20 around a transverse bar slidable along the aperture then out of the aperture on the same side of entry and extends towards plate 19 to provide sufficient length to facilitate rapid means of adjustment in a manner known per se. Three metal clips 24 of a section as shown in Figure 2 are riveted at spaced apart locations on each long side of the frame such that the extended upper hooked ends 25 of the clips are outwardly of the frame. A similar shaped clip 26 of spring steel is interposed between each clip 24 and the frame and the end 27 of the extended leg of clip 26 is arcuately formed and spaced from the frame and the underside of the hooked end 25 of clip 24 to permit movement of end 27 away from the frame. A rectangular flexible diaphragm 28 of nylon net or other suitable material has the two opposite long sides formed into a loop each of which encircles and retains a length of metal rod or tubing 29 extending the length of the diaphragm which has three apertures 30 along the marginal edge of each long side at spaced apart locations corresponding to the spacing of the clips 24 and 26 along the frame 11. The width of the diaphragm is slightly larger than the width of the frame 11. With the stowage structure 10 secured to the vehicle as previously described, the " carry-cot " and the other rod 29 is engaged placed on the vehicle floor within the frame. One of the metal rods 29 is engaged under the extended legs of the spring clips 26 which releasably retains the rod. The diaphragm is then extended across the frame 11 and hence the open face of the "carry-cot" and the other rod 29 is engaged under the legs of the corresponding spring clips on the other side of the frame in a similar manner to the first operation, the aperture 30 in the marginal edge of each long side of the diaphragm being in register with the clips 24, 26 on the frame. Whilst the embodiment described hereinbefore relates to a particular installation in a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally suitable for installation in other ways in other vehicles for example, in vehicles of the Estate car (station wagon) type, the structure may be located transversely of the vehicle on the load carrying floor behind the rear seat and secured to the floor by four strap assemblies located on the frame in any desired position. Alternatively a bridging member may be secured at its ends to the apices of each pair of support legs such that the member extends parallel to each short side of the frame to make the structure suitable for location on a rear seat extending transversely in a vehicle. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the structure may be of steel or the legs welded to the frame and the disposition and number of clips and securing straps may be varied to suit a particular installation requirement. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A vehicle load constrainer comprising a rectangular frame to receive a load to be constrained, the frame having legs at the corners thereof to support the frame on a load receiving surface of a vehicle, each leg comprising a V-shaped member having an apex spaced from the corner of the frame and limbs connected to the frame to either side of the corner, and means to anchor the frame to the load receiving surface of the vehicle.

2. A load constrainer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anchor means comprise a plurality of straps secured to the frame and having anchorages for attachment to the vehicle.

3. A load constrainer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the load intended to be constrained is a " carry-cot ".

4. A load con strainer as claimed in claim 3 wherein an open mesh cover is provided to extend over the frame and means are provided to secure the cover to the frame to prevent the "carry-cot" from lifting out of the frame.

5. A load constrainer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover has elongate members attached to the cover along opposed sides thereof and the frame has downwardly open clip devices spaced around the outer periphery of the frame to receive and hold the members.

6. A "carry-cot" constrainer for use in a vehicle substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.