IP Library Granted Patent US 7,445,188
Granted Patent B2
US 7,445,188 · App. 10/389,193 · Granted Nov 4, 2008

Modular system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,445,188
App. No.
10/389,193
Granted
Nov 4, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising a hanger bracket adapted to be secured to the vehicle. A second hanger bracket member is slidably connected with a first hanger bracket. A platform member extends transverse to the second hanger bracket member. An extension is slidably disposed on the platform. The extension defines a first groove thereon. The extension defines a second groove thereon. A top deck panel is disposed adjacent the first platform extension section and is disposed in the first groove. A bottom deck panel is disposed adjacent the second platform extension section and is disposed in the second groove. The modular system can provide many functions in the vehicle such as, luggage racks, HVAC ducting, wiring raceways, lighting, advertising panels, and window blinds.

Claims (81)

1. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle, a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member slidably connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely with respect to said telescopic member, said platform member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a platform extension slidably disposed about said upper surface and said lower surface of said platform member such that said platform extension is configured to receive said platform member therein,

wherein said platform extension is adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member.

2. A modular system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said platform extension comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section.

3. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle, a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member slidably connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely with respect to said telescopic member, said platform member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a platform extension slidably disposed about said upper surface and said lower surface of said platform member such that said platform extension is configured to receive said platform member therein,

wherein said platform extension is adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member,

wherein said platform extension comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section, and

further comprising a top deck panel adjacent said first platform extension section.

4. A modular system as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a bottom deck panel adjacent said second platform extension section.

5. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said top deck panel, bottom deck panel and extension define a duct therebetween.

6. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising first and second extensions slidably disposed on said platform.

7. A modular system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said top deck and said bottom deck panels extend between said first and said second extensions and wherein said first and said second extensions, said top deck panel and said bottom deck panel define a duct therebetween.

8. A modular system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said extension defines a cavity therein.

9. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle, a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member slidably connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely with respect to said telescopic member, said platform member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a platform extension slidably disposed about said upper surface and said lower surface of said platform member such that said platform extension is configured to receive said platform member therein,

wherein said platform extension is adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member,

wherein said platform extension comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section,

wherein said extension defines a cavity therein, and wherein a light fixture is disposed in said cavity.

10. A modular system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cavity includes an opening for allowing light to pass through said opening.

11. A modular system as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a lens covering said cavity for directing the light passing through said opening.

12. A modular system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said end wall includes a recess and a hole between said recess and said cavity for allowing light to pass from said cavity to said recess.

13. A modular system as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a trim strip for disposition in said recess.

14. A modular system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said end wall defines a grab handle.

15. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a groove adjacent said first platform extension section, said top deck panel disposed in said groove.

16. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a groove adjacent said second platform extension section, said bottom deck panel disposed in said groove.

17. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle, a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member slidably connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely with respect to said telescopic member, said platform member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a platform extension slidably disposed about said upper surface and said lower surface of said platform member such that said platform extension is configured to receive said platform member therein,

wherein said platform extension is adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member, wherein said platform extension comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section,

wherein said extension defines a cavity therein, and

further comprising a roller blind in said cavity.

18. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said extension member further comprises a hinge.

19. A modular system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said hinge defines a groove for receiving said bottom deck panel.

20. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle, a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member slidably connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely with respect to said telescopic member, said platform member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a platform extension slidably disposed about said upper surface and said lower surface of said platform member such that said platform extension is configured to receive said platform member therein,

wherein said platform extension is adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member,

wherein said platform extension comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section, and

further comprising a luggage retainer connected to said extension.

21. A modular system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said luggage retainer comprises at least one support post disposed on said extension and at least one retainer cable supported by said support post.

22. A modular system as set forth in claim 21 wherein first platform extension section includes a hole for receiving said support post.

23. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle, a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member slidably connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely with respect to said telescopic member, said platform member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a platform extension slidably disposed about said upper surface and said lower surface of said platform member such that said platform extension is configured to receive said platform member therein,

wherein said platform extension is adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member,

wherein said platform extension comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section, and further comprising an end wall including a seat thereon, and a seal disposed in said seat.

24. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a connector operatively associated with the vehicle and a panel extending between said top deck panel and said connector.

25. A modular system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said top deck panel, said panel extending between said top deck panel and said connector, and said connector define a duct.

26. A modular system as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a service module disposed in said bottom deck panel.

27. A modular system for use in a vehicle comprising;

a hanger bracket comprising a mounting member adapted to be secured to the vehicle a first hanger bracket member pivotally secured to said mounting member and a second hanger bracket member connected with said first hanger bracket member, said second hanger bracket member comprising a telescopic member and a platform member extending transversely to and in two directions from said telescopic member; and

a pair of platform extensions slidably disposed about said platform member, such that said pair of platform extensions are configured to receive said platform member therein

wherein said platform extensions are adapted to extend outwardly from said platform member in opposite directions.

28. A modular system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said platform member includes an upper surface and a lower surface.

29. A modular system as set forth in claim 28 wherein each of said platform extensions comprises a first platform extension section adjacent said upper surface of said platform member a second platform extension section adjacent said lower surface of said platform member and an end wall interconnecting said first platform extension section and said second platform extension section.

30. A modular system a s set forth in claim 29 further comprising a top deck panel adjacent said first platform extension section.

31. A modular system as set forth in claim 30 further comprising a bottom deck panel adjacent said second platform extension section.

32. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 wherein said top deck panel, bottom deck panel and extension define a duct therebetween.

33. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 further comprising first and second extensions slidably disposed on said platform.

34. A modular system as set forth in claim 33 wherein said top deck and said bottom deck panels extend between said first and said second extensions and wherein said first and said second extensions, said top deck panel and said bottom deck panel define a duct therebetween.

35. A modular system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said extension defines a cavity therein.

36. A modular system as set forth in claim 35 wherein a light fixture is disposed in said cavity.

37. A modular system as set forth in claim 36 wherein said cavity includes an opening for allowing light to pass through said opening.

38. A modular system as set forth in claim 37 further comprising a lens covering said cavity for directing the light passing through said opening.

39. A modular system as set forth in claim 36 where in said end wall includes a recess and a hole between said recess and said cavity for allowing light to pass from said cavity to said recess.

40. A modular system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said end wall defines a grab handle.

41. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 further comprising a groove adjacent said first platform extension section, said top deck panel disposed in said groove.

42. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 further comprising a groove adjacent said second platform extension section, said bottom deck panel disposed in said groove.

43. A modular system as set forth in claim 35 further comprising a roller blind in said cavity.

44. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 wherein said extension member further comprises a hinge.

45. A modular system as set forth in claim 44 wherein said hinge defines a groove for receiving said bottom deck panel.

46. A modular system as set forth in claim 29 further comprising a luggage retainer connected to said extension.

47. A modular system as set forth in claim 46 wherein said luggage retainer comprises at least one support post disposed on said extension and at least one retainer cable supported by said support post.

48. A modular system as set forth in claim 29 further comprising an end wall including a seat thereon, and a seal disposed in said seat.

49. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 further comprising a connector operatively associated with the vehicle and a panel extending between said top deck panel and said connector.

50. A modular system as set forth in claim 49 wherein said top deck panel, said panel extending between said top deck panel and said connector, and said connector define a duct.

51. A modular system as set forth in claim 31 further comprising a service module disposed in said bottom deck panel.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2018
From: OCM FIE, LLC
To: ROM ACQUISITION CORPORATION; FIRE RESEARCH CORP.; IEM, INC.; SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.; ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.; REAR VIEW SAFETY INC.; RANDALL MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 045234/0627 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2018
From: BNP PARIBAS
To: ROM ACQUISITION CORPORATION; FIRE RESEARCH CORP.; IEM, INC.; SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.; ELKHART BRASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.; REAR VIEW SAFETY INC.; RANDALL MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 045234/0663 →
GRANT OF SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2013
From: SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.
To: OCM FIE, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031413/0738 →
GRANT OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2013
From: SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.
To: BNP PARIBAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031396/0189 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2008
From: LAMPARTER, RONALD C.
To: SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.
Reel/Frame 021578/0830 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2007
From: TRANSPEC, INC
To: SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.
Reel/Frame 019649/0137 →