Device and method for flexible fascia protection, cargo retention, floor protection and storage unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11535162-B1
Application number	US-202117488653-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Sep 29, 2021
Priority date	Sep 29, 2021
Publication date	Dec 27, 2022
Grant date	Dec 27, 2022

Abstract

A vehicle cargo mat system includes a cargo mat configured to fit within an automobile vehicle storage area. Multiple retention members are connected to the cargo mat and are adapted to individually releasably connect to one of multiple attachment members fixed to the automobile vehicle within the storage area. The cargo mat is further configured to extend into at least four optional positions including: a first position extending across a width of the storage area at an outward facing end of the storage area; a second position having the cargo mat laid flat to substantially cover a lower floor of the storage area; a third position having the cargo mat extended over the storage area to cover objects temporarily stored within the storage area; and a fourth position having the cargo mat extended outward from the storage area to at least partially cover a fascia of the automobile vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle cargo mat system, comprising:
a cargo mat configured to fit within a storage area of an automobile vehicle;
multiple attachment members fixed to the automobile vehicle within the storage area;
multiple retention members connected to the cargo mat, the multiple retention members adapted to individually releasably connect to one of the multiple attachment members; and
the cargo mat being configured to extend into at least four optional positions including: a first position extending across a width of the storage area at an outward facing end of the storage area; a second position having the cargo mat laid flat to substantially cover a lower floor of the storage area; a third position having the cargo mat extended over the storage area to cover objects temporarily stored within the storage area; and a fourth position having the cargo mat extended outward from the storage area to at least partially cover a fascia of the automobile vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the multiple attachment members include a first attachment member, a second attachment member elevated above the first attachment member, a third attachment member horizontally opposed to the first attachment member, and a fourth attachment member horizontally opposed to the second attachment member proximate an outward facing end of the storage area.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the cargo mat when in the first position is configured as a vertical wall positioned proximate to the outward facing end of the storage area and releasably connected to the first attachment member, the second attachment member, the third attachment member, and the fourth attachment member.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the multiple attachment members further include a fifth attachment member and a sixth attachment member proximate a closed end of the storage area located opposite to the outward facing end and the first attachment member, the second attachment member, the third attachment member and the fourth attachment member.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the cargo mat when in the third position has the cargo mat is releasably connected to the first attachment member and the third attachment member, is extended over the storage area and is releasably connected to the fifth attachment member and the sixth attachment member.

6. The system of claim 1 , further including a pouch having the cargo mat positioned within the pouch when the cargo mat is in the first position.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the cargo mat defines an accordion shape folded to fit within the pouch or attached to a body of the automobile vehicle end extended out of the pouch to extend to one of the second position, the third position or the fourth position.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment members define one of: fixed hooks and rings including D-shaped rings.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the storage area defines one of a front storage area also defining a frunk, and a rear storage area also defining a trunk.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the retention members define bungee hooks allowing flexible extension of the retention members to bias the cargo mat.

11. A system for flexible fascia protection, cargo retention, floor protection and storage, comprising:
a cargo mat of a flexible material configured to fit within a front storage area of an automobile vehicle;
multiple attachment members defining one of hooks or rings fixed to the automobile vehicle within the front storage area;
multiple retention members connected to the cargo mat, the multiple retention members adapted to individually releasably connect to one of the multiple attachment members; and
the cargo mat when releasably connected to at least two of the multiple attachment members is further configured into at least four optional positions including: a first position defining a vertical wall; a second position having the cargo mat laid flat to substantially cover a lower floor of the front storage area; a third position having the cargo mat extended over the front storage area to cover objects temporarily stored within the front storage area; and a fourth position having the cargo mat extended outward from the front storage area to at least partially cover a fascia of the automobile vehicle.

12. The system of claim 11 , further including a pouch, wherein the cargo mat defines an accordion shape folded to fit within the pouch, the pouch defining the vertical wall with the cargo mat extended out of the pouch to achieve to one of the second position, the third position or the fourth position.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the cargo mat includes multiple permanent flat segments separated by successive folding sections defining hinged joints.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least two of the multiple attachment members include a first attachment member, a second attachment member elevated above the first attachment member, a third attachment member horizontally opposed to the first attachment member, and a fourth attachment member horizontally opposed to the second attachment member.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the pouch includes a retention member connected to the pouch at each of four corners of the pouch, the retention member at each of the four corners individually releasably connected to one of the first attachment member, the second attachment member, the third attachment member and the fourth attachment member such that the vertical wall extends across a width of the front storage area proximate an outward facing end of the front storage area.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein predetermined ones of the retention members define bungee members releasably connected into openings created in the fascia, elastic displacement of the bungee members inducing tension to retain the cargo mat in the fourth position.

17. The system of claim 11 , further including a reel having the cargo mat biased to be retracted into the reel and retractably extended from the reel to provide the second position, the third position and the fourth position.

18. A method to provide fascia protection, cargo retention, floor protection and storage for a vehicle, comprising:
configuring a cargo mat to fit entirely within a storage area of an automobile vehicle;
connecting multiple retention members to the cargo mat;
fixing multiple attachment members to the automobile vehicle to be accessible within the storage area;
releasably connecting individual ones of the multiple retention members to predetermined ones of the multiple attachment members; and
providing for at least four optional positions of the cargo mat including: a first position having the cargo mat extending as a vertical wall across a width of the storage area at an outward facing end of the storage area; a second position having the cargo mat laid flat to substantially cover a lower floor of the storage area; a third position having the cargo mat reaching over the storage area to cover objects temporarily stored within the storage area; and a fourth position having the cargo mat extended outward from the storage area to at least partially cover a fascia of the automobile vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18 , further including releasably connecting a same two of the retention members to two of the predetermined ones of the multiple attachment members in each of the first position, the second position, the third position and the fourth position of the cargo mat.

20. The method of claim 18 , further includ

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Nasca Jeff E
• Ortiz Humberto

Classifications

• B60R13/013

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

• B60R5/02 Primary

  arranged at front of vehicle {(B60R5/003 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R13/011 Primary

  for internal load compartments, e.g. car trunks · CPC title