IP Library Granted Patent US 7,503,610
Granted Patent B2
US 7,503,610 · App. 11/836,361 · Granted Mar 17, 2009

Adjustable vehicle cargo load floor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,503,610
App. No.
11/836,361
Granted
Mar 17, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A reversible lid of a cargo bin also function as a cargo load floor. The cargo load floor is located behind a rear passenger seat and above a spare tire. When the lid is closed, a first flat loading surface is parallel to the ground upon which the vehicle rests while the opposite side of the lid defines the second flat loading surface that is angled with respect to the ground but 180 degrees to the rear surface of a folded forward rear passenger seat to create a smooth continuous loading surface to slide cargo onto the rear surface of the rear seat. A peripheral protruding portion surrounds the first flat loading surface to retain cargo while grooves in the loading surface may accommodate any deposition of water and mud from cargo. The load floor pivots to open while at opposite corners locking tabs secure into holes to lock the load floor closed.

Claims (35)

1. An adjustable cargo bin for a vehicle comprising:

a rear passenger seat, wherein the rear passenger seat defines a rearward facing surface when the seat is in an upright position;

a cargo container defining a volume; and

a covering for the cargo container, wherein the covering defines a first flat loading surface and a second flat loading surface such that when the first flat loading surface is directed upwardly it is parallel to a ground surface upon which the vehicle is sitting and when the second flat loading surface is directed upwardly it is angled about 180 degrees to the rearward facing surface when the rear passenger seat is folded forward.

2. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , further comprising:

a peripheral protruding portion that surrounds the first flat loading surface.

3. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , wherein the first flat loading surface defines grooves for the deposition of water and mud.

4. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , further comprising:

a peripheral protruding portion that surrounds the first flat loading surface, wherein the first flat loading surface defines grooves for the deposition of water and mud.

5. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , wherein the first flat loading surface defines a recession for a handle.

6. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , wherein the covering for the cargo container pivots at two corners of the cargo container.

7. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , further comprising:

first and second brackets on the cargo container, the brackets each defining a hole; and

first and second locking tabs protruding from corners of the covering, the tabs locking the cover into a closed position.

8. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , wherein the covering for the cargo container is blow-molded.

9. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , wherein the covering for the cargo container is hollow.

10. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , further comprising:

a peripheral protruding portion that surrounds the first flat loading surface, and wherein, when the second flat loading surface is directed upwardly the peripheral protruding portion secures within the cargo container.

11. An adjustable cargo bin for a vehicle comprising:

a rear passenger seat situated above a floor of the vehicle, wherein in an upright position, the rear passenger seat defines a rearward facing surface;

a cargo container that resides partially within the floor of the vehicle; and

a reversible cover on the cargo container, wherein the cover defines a first flat loading surface and a second flat loading surface on opposite sides of the cover such that when the first flat loading surface is directed upwardly it is parallel to a ground surface upon which the vehicle is sitting and when the second flat loading surface is directed upwardly it is angled about 180 degrees to the rearward facing surface of the rear passenger seat when the rear passenger seat is folded forward.

12. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 1 , further comprising:

a peripheral protruding portion that surrounds the first flat loading surface, the peripheral protruding portion securing within the cargo container, the first flat loading surface defining grooves for the deposition of water and mud.

13. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 12 , wherein the first flat loading surface defines a recession for a handle.

14. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 13 , wherein the cover for the cargo container pivots at two corners of the cargo container.

15. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 14 , further comprising:

first and second brackets on the cargo container, the brackets each defining a hole; and

first and second locking tabs protruding from corners of the covering, the tabs locking the cover into a closed position.

16. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 11 , wherein the cover for the cargo container is blow-molded.

17. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 11 , wherein the cover for the cargo container is hollow plastic.

18. The adjustable cargo bin of claim 11 , wherein the cargo container is located over a spare tire.

19. In a rear cargo bin disposed behind of a rear passenger seat of a vehicle, the rear passenger seat including a pivoting seat back defining a rear surface that is inclined relative to horizontal when the seat back is pivoted forward into a stowed position, the improvement comprising:

a reversible lid having a first face defining a first flat loading surface and a second face opposite the first face defining a second flat loading surface, such that the first flat loading surface is generally horizontal when the lid is positioned atop the cargo bin with the first face of the lid facing upward, and the second flat loading surface is generally coplanar with the rear surface of the stowed seat back when the lid is positioned atop the cargo bin with the second face of the lid facing upward.

20. The cargo bin of claim 19 , wherein the lid is removably pivotally attached to the vehicle proximate to a forward edge of the lid.

Assignments (19)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC)
Reel/Frame 048177/0356 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC)
Reel/Frame 042885/0255 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RELEASING SECOND-LIEN SECURITY INTEREST PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 026426 AND FRAME 0644, REEL 026435 AND FRAME 0652, AND REEL 032384 AND FRAME 0591 Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 037784/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 30, 2015
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: FCA US LLC
Reel/Frame 035553/0356 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 4, 2014
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 032384/0640 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 13, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026435/0652 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026404/0123 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2011
From: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC; CHRYSLER GROUP GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCARS LLC
Reel/Frame 026343/0298 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 7, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 022919/0126 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - FIRST PRIORITY Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022910/0498 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - SECOND PRIORITY Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022910/0740 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 022915/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022915/0489 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2009
From: US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022902/0164 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - THIR Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022259/0188 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 2, 2008
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMPANY LLC
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 021775/0814 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - SECOND PRIORITY Recorded Feb 14, 2008
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 020507/0206 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS - FIRST PRIORITY Recorded Feb 14, 2008
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 020507/0166 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2007
From: KARAGITZ, WILLIAM A.; BITTINGER, D. SCOTT; WILLIAMS, SHAWN R.
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 019807/0569 →