WO2007106926A1

WO2007106926A1 - Storage device

Info

Publication number: WO2007106926A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ron Leo
Original assignee: Corrosion Mitigation Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-20
Filing date: 2007-03-13
Publication date: 2007-09-27

Abstract

A storage device adapted for use and co-operation with a motor vehicle seat, said device including a primary storage container (1) shaped, sized and configured for placement on a motor vehicle seat (2) wherein said primary container is adapted for storing of objects, a secondary storage container (3) for storing of objects and to co-operate with said primary and secondary containers are nested together and a second open position where said secondary container is positioned atop said primary container, wherein said primary container is fixed to said vehicle seat with the vehicles seat belt such that movement between said first closed and said second open positions provides a variety of storage configurations and access to stored objects.

Description

"Storage Device"

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2006901418 filed on 20 March 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Introduction of the Invention

This invention relates to storage devices and in particular to a foldable compact and highly versatile storage device adapted for placement and fitting to the seat of a motor vehicle so as to enable the storage of a wide range of tools and other objects for safe and convenient transport in a motor vehicle whilst allowing ready access thereto.

Background of Invention

The storage and transportation of tools and other objects in a motor vehicle generally sees such items relegated to the boot region or spread over the back seat and wheel well of a vehicle in an uncoordinated, unsystematic and dangerous manner. In order to improve the storage facilities of a standard motor vehicle, it would be highly desirable to provide a compact versatile storage device adapted to cooperate with a vehicle seat including cooperation with the vehicle seat belt so as to allow ready fitting of the storage device to a vehicle seat and/or removal as required.

Accordingly in a first aspect the invention provides a storage device adapted for use and co-operation with a motor vehicle seat, said device including a primary storage container shaped, sized and configured for placement on a motor vehicle seat wherein said primary container is adapted for storing of objects, a secondary storage container adapted for storing of objects and to co-operate with said primary container for movement between a first closed position where said primary and secondary containers are nested together and a second open position where said secondary container is positioned atop said primary container, wherein said primary container is fixed to said vehicle seat with the vehicles seat belt, such that movement between said first closed and said second open positions provides a variety of storage configurations and access to stored objects..

In a further aspect of the invention the storage device may include a tertiary container adapted for fitting to the front of said nested primary and secondary containers and adapted for storing of objects and to move between a first closed position abutting said nested containers and a second open position on the floor of said vehicle adjacent said seat. The primary and secondary containers may be fitted together by a pivot for movement between said first and second positions. The primary and tertiary containers may be fitted together by a tertiary attachment strap and/or a hinge for movement between said first and second position.

In another aspect of the invention the secondary and tertiary containers may be located in their respective first positions by locating dowels.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the secondary container may include a secondary attachment strap to assist in locating a said first nested position by fitting to said first container and/or assisting in location in said second open position by fitting to the vehicle head rest.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be described in respect of one particularly preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures and legend where:

Figure 1 shows a device fully folded and fitted to a vehicle seat;

Figure 2 shows the component parts of the device in an exploded view.

Figure 3 shows the device with the tertiary container (phantom) in the second open position on the vehicle floor;

Figure 4 shows the device with the secondary container in the second open position.

Figure 5 shows the storage device fully unfolded.

Figure 6 shows an optional locking mechanism.

Legend:

1. Primary storage container/housing

2. Vehicle seat

3. Secondary storage container

4. Tertiary container

5. Front

6. Floor

7. Pivot

8. Tertiary Strap/Arm

9. Latch 10. Locking Assembly

11. Skirt

12. Head Rest

13. Additional container

14. Seat belt

15. Slot

16. Subordinate storage facilities

17. Knob

18. Opening / Door

19. Slot

20. Longitudinal slot

Referring to the figures, the storage device of the invention can be seen to comprise a primary storage container 1 of a generally cuboid construction and most preferably having an indented region for receipt of a second storage container 3 adapted for cooperation with the primary storage container. The primary storage container is sized and dimensioned to fit snugly on the vehicle seat 2 so as to substantially occupy the depth of the seat so as to maximise the storage capacity of the device. The primary and secondary storage containers may contain a plurality of divisions and subordinate storage facilities 16 dependent on the nature of the objects to be stored but in all respects provide a convenient stowing facility within the confines of a vehicle. The secondary storage container 3 may be adapted to cooperate with the primary storage container in a nesting arrangement where the secondary storage container is adapted to move between a first closed position effecting the nesting arrangement and a second open position where the secondary storage container can be pivotally moved via the pivot 7 to rotate about and sit atop the primary container. This configuration is detailed in figure 4 where the secondary storage container has been pivotally rotated about the pivot 7 for sitting atop the primary storage container.

The storage device may include an additional container in the form of a tertiary container 4 which is particularly adapted for fitting to the front region 5 of the nested primary and secondary containers. The tertiary storage container 4 is adapted to move between a first closed position with the tertiary container abutting the nested primary and secondary containers and a second open position where the tertiary storage container can slide downward for abutment to the vehicle's floor 6. The movement of the tertiary container can be controlled by way of a tertiary attachment strap or arm 8 which controls and limits the movement of the tertiary container so as to ensure the tertiary container in the second position sits on the floor of the vehicle but against the skirt 11 of the vehicle seat 2. In this manner, the tertiary container provides additional storage space whilst minimising intrusion into the vehicles internal spaces. As an alternative to the sliding action of the tertiary container, a pivot may be provided between the tertiary container and the primary container allowing similar movements between the first and second position, providing there are sufficient space between the front seat of the vehicle and the positioning of the storage device of a vehicle's back seat.

The tertiary container may be located a first position by a suitable latch 9 or other suitable locating means. The locating latch serves to reinforce the snug and compact folding of the container. As shown in figure 3 the same secondary attachment strap 10 can be utilised for holding the secondary storage container in the second position by cooperation with the vehicles head rest 12.

The storage device of the invention is shown in figure 5 in a perspective view in the open position with the secondary and tertiary storage containers in their second positions and a comparison of figure 1 and figure 5 shows the full range of positions demonstrating the versatility of the storage device and the manner in which the storage device can be readily accommodated in a wide range of vehicles to provide a means of storage and ready access for a range of tools and other objects within the confines of a vehicle.

Referring now to figure 6 in particular, the storage device of the invention is provided with an optional locking assembly 10 which is adapted to co-operate with slots 15 formed within the body of container 1. The locking assembly can also serve as an optional top to the primary storage container 1 and is adapted for moving from the locking to the unlocking position, by way of a side positioned knob 17.

The storage device of the invention also has the ability for fitting to vehicles with very low roofs which might otherwise inhibit access to the primary container 1 where the primary container may contain an optional side opening 18.

In use, the storage device of the invention would be conveniently placed on the rear seat 2 of a motor vehicle and held snugly in position by way of a seatbelt 14 which can be fastened around the front of the primary storage container, fitting through a convenient slot 19. The vehicle seatbelt can then be fastened in the usual manner, thereby securing the storage device in place on the rear seat. The fitting of the storage device is best accomplished with the device in the open position allowing free access and fitting of the seatbelt. The device can then be folded down into the neat and nested configuration shown in figure 1, with minimal interference to the vehicles available space on the back seat. The various range of subordinate storage facilities can be stowed with a range of items and the versatile nature and various compartments of the device allow independent and ready access to any one or a combination of the subordinate storage facilities. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the tertiary storage container 4 can be moved from the closed to the open position by release of the latch 9, thereby allowing the tertiary container to pivot by action of the tertiary arms 8 and the simultaneous sliding of the tertiary arms down the longitudinal slots 20 provided either side of the tertiary container. The movement of the tertiary container to the floor of the vehicle 6, thereby renders the additional container 13 accessible.

The further opening of the storage device as shown in figures 4 and 5, sees the secondary storage container 3 pivoted upward around the pivot 7 to sit atop the primary storage container 1. The movement as described and shown in the figures, therefore renders the front 5 of the primary storage container accessible thereby exposing the range of subordinate storage facilities within that container and also exposing the range of subordinate storage facilities found within secondary storage container 3. The locking mechanism detailed in figure 6 can also be mirrored by the sliding lock 10 shown in figure 5, which assists in the stabilising of this particular configuration of the storage device.

The device of the invention can be manufactured out of a wide range of products including plastic moldings, wood, leather, vinyl and any material capable of providing sufficient rigidity to the device.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A storage device adapted for use and co-operation with a motor vehicle seat, said device including a primary storage container shaped, sized and configured for placement on a motor vehicle seat wherein said primary container is adapted for storing of objects, a secondary storage container for storing of objects and to co-operate with said primary and secondary containers are nested together and a second open position where said secondary container is positioned atop said primary container, wherein said, primary container is fixed to said vehicle seat with the vehicles seat belt such that movement between said first closed and said second open positions provides a variety of storage configurations and access to stored objects.

2. A storage device according to claim 1, further including a tertiary container adapted for storing of objects and to move between a first closed position abutting said nested containers and a second open position on the floor of said vehicle adjacent said seat.

3. A storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said primary and secondary containers are generally cuboid in shape with said primary container including an indent sized and configured to receive said secondary container in a nested configuration wherein said nest is generally cuboid in shape.

4.. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first and second containers are pivotally connected to allow said secondary container to move between said first closed position and said second open position.

5. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.