System to angularly adjust a trunk floor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10046708-B1
Application number	US-201715676088-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 14, 2017
Priority date	Aug 14, 2017
Publication date	Aug 14, 2018
Grant date	Aug 14, 2018

Abstract

A system to vary the angle of rotation between two surfaces is presented herein. One general aspect of this system includes a horizontally-oriented fixed surface. The system also includes a planar surface rotatably connected to one side of the fixed surface and configured to substantially cover the fixed surface. The system also includes a raising apparatus affixed to the fixed surface, the raising apparatus operatively connected to the planar surface, the raising apparatus operatively connected to the planar surface, where, based on the amount of downward force being applied to the planar surface, the raising apparatus lowers a portion of the planar surface in relation to the fixed surface so as to reduce the angle of rotation between the planar surface and fixed surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system to vary an angle of rotation between two surfaces, the system comprising:
a horizontally-oriented fixed surface;
a planar surface rotatably connected to one side of the fixed surface and configured to substantially cover the fixed surface; and
a raising apparatus affixed to the fixed surface, the raising apparatus operatively connected to the planar surface, wherein, based on the amount of downward force being applied to the planar surface, the raising apparatus lowers a portion of the planar surface in relation to the fixed surface so as to reduce an angle of rotation between the planar surface and fixed surface.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fixed surface comprises a lip configured to ensure the portion of the planar surface does not shift out of place while lowering in relation to the fixed surface.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the raising apparatus comprises:
a track configured to fasten to the fixed surface;
a rail configured to fasten to the planar surface;
a plurality of bars, the bars being laterally orientated and connected at a cross section via a rotatable joint, each bar being of a different length, wherein one end of each bar is configured to connect to the rail and the opposite end is configured to be located in the track;
springs configured to be installed in the track and connected to the track end of the bars; and
wherein the springs are configured to allow the track end of the bars to move from a default track position based on the amount of downward force being applied to the rail.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the track, rail, each of the plurality of bars, and springs are manufactured from steel.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is installed within a trunk of a vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the fixed surface is a load floor of the trunk and the planar surface is a floor mat panel installed in the trunk.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the load floor comprises a spare tire well.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the floor mat panel is constructed from a rigid material.

9. A system vary an angle of rotation between a rigid floor mat panel surface and load floor located in a vehicle trunk, the angle of rotation based on the amount of weight placed in the vehicle trunk, the system comprising:
the panel surface rotatably connected to the end of the load floor that abuts the vehicle trunk opening, the panel surface being configured to cover the load floor; and
a raising apparatus being fastened to the load floor, the raising apparatus operatively connected to the panel surface, wherein the raising apparatus, based on the amount of weight placed on the panel surface, lowers the panel surface in relation to the load floor so as to minimize the angle of rotation between the panel surface and load floor.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the load floor comprises a lip configured to ensure the panel surface does not shift out of place while lowering in relation to the load floor.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the raising apparatus comprises:
a track configured to fasten to the load floor;
a rail configured to fasten to the panel surface;
a plurality of bars, the bars being laterally orientated and connected at a cross section via a rotatable joint, each bar being of a different length, wherein one end of each bar is configured to connect to the rail and the opposite end is configured to be located in the track;
springs configured to be installed in the track and connected to the track end of the bars; and
wherein the springs are configured to allow the track end of the bars to move from default track position based on the amount of weight placed on the panel surface.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the track, rail, each of the plurality of bars, and springs are manufactured from steel.

13. A method to vary an angle of rotation between two surfaces, the method comprising:
providing a horizontally-oriented fixed surface;
providing a planar surface rotatably connected to one side of the fixed surface and configured to substantially cover the fixed surface; and
providing a raising apparatus affixed to the fixed surface, the raising apparatus operatively connected to the planar surface, wherein, based on the amount of downward force being applied to the planar surface, the raising apparatus lowers a portion of the planar surface in relation to the fixed surface so as to minimize an angle of rotation between the planar surface and fixed surface;
allowing the raising apparatus to set the operatively connected planar surface at a default position, wherein the angle of rotation between the planar surface and fixed surface is maximized;
placing weight on the planar surface; and
when substantial weight is placed on the planar surface, allowing the raising apparatus to lower a portion of the planar surface in relation to the fixed surface until the angle of rotation between the planar surface and fixed surface is minimized.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
removing the downward force being applied to the planar surface; and
allowing the raising apparatus to return the operatively connected planar surface to the default position.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fixed surface comprises a lip configured to ensure the portion of the planar surface does not shift out of place while lowering in relation to the fixed surface.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the raising apparatus comprises:
a track configured to fasten to the fixed surface;
a rail configured to fasten to the planar surface;
a plurality of bars, the bars being laterally orientated and connected at a cross section via a rotatable joint, each bar being of a different length, wherein one end of each bar is configured to connect to the rail and the opposite end is configured to be located in the track;
springs configured to be installed in the track and connected to the track end of the bars; and
wherein the springs are configured to allow the track end of the bars to move from their respective default track position based on the amount of downward force being applied to the rail.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the track, rail, each of the plurality of bars, and springs are manufactured from steel.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fixed surface is a load floor of a vehicle trunk and the planar surface is a floor mat panel installed in the vehicle trunk.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the load floor comprises a spare tire well.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the floor mat panel is constructed from a rigid material.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Peralta Orta Lina

Classifications

• B60R13/013

  comprising removable or hinged parts, e.g. for accessing storage compartments · CPC title

• B60N2/36

  into a loading platform {(B60N2/065 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R5/04 Primary

  arranged at rear of vehicle {(B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065)} · CPC title

• B60R7/02 Primary

  in separate luggage compartment {(B60R7/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R5/045

  collapsible or transformable · CPC title