Storage bin

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12351365-B2
Application number	US-202217973744-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2022
Priority date	Oct 26, 2022
Publication date	Jul 8, 2025
Grant date	Jul 8, 2025

Abstract

Example illustrations herein are directed to an apparatus comprising a bin, and an expansion clamp coupled to a base of the bin. The expansion clamp is configured to be extended from the base to secure the base to a slot. The apparatus also includes a lever of the bin configured to actuate the expansion clamp. Other examples are directed to a storage bin that comprises a base, a frame extending from the base, one or more flexible walls retained by the frame, and an expansion clamp coupled to the base. The expansion clamp may be configured to be extended from the base to secure the base to a slot. The storage bin may also include a lever on an outer surface of the bin, the lever configured to actuate the expansion clamp.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a bin comprising:
an expansion clamp coupled to a base of the bin, wherein the expansion clamp comprises a plunger;
a lever of the bin configured to actuate the expansion clamp; and
a linkage connecting the lever to a slidable member with a pivot, wherein the slidable member comprises a cam configured to cause the plunger to extend further into a slot from the base to secure the base to the slot.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is configured to convert a rotational motion of the lever to a linear motion of the plunger.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the expansion clamp further comprises a stationary body, wherein the plunger is configured to extend out of an aperture of the stationary body.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the expansion clamp further comprises a stationary body, the stationary body comprising a stem extending from the base to a laterally extending latch foot configured to be received within the slot.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the latch foot is configured to push against a load surface defined within the slot, the push being in a first direction opposite a second direction of insertion of the latch foot into the slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bin comprises one or more flexible walls retained by a frame to define at least in part a storage volume.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a gear tunnel shuttle that comprises the slot, wherein the base comprises an access door configured to provide access from an interior of the bin to an electrical supply of the gear tunnel shuttle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member configured to be compressed by movement of the lever.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lever is positioned on an outer surface of the bin.

10. A storage bin, comprising:
a base;
a frame extending from the base;
one or more flexible walls retained by the frame;
an expansion clamp coupled to the base, wherein the expansion clamp comprises a plunger;
a lever on an outer surface of the storage bin, the lever configured to actuate the expansion clamp; and
a linkage connecting the lever to a slidable member with a pivot, wherein the slidable member includes a cam configured to cause the plunger to extend into a slot from the base to secure the base to the slot.

11. The storage bin of claim 10 , wherein the linkage is configured to convert a rotational motion of the lever to a linear motion of the plunger.

12. The storage bin of claim 10 , wherein the expansion clamp further comprises a stationary body, the stationary body comprising a stem extending from the base to a laterally extending latch foot configured to be received within the slot, wherein the latch foot is configured to push against a load surface defined within the slot.

13. The storage bin of claim 10 , wherein a gear tunnel shuttle comprises the slot, wherein the base comprises an access door configured to provide access from an interior of the bin to an electrical supply of the gear tunnel shuttle.

14. A latch assembly, comprising:
an expansion clamp configured to secure the latch assembly to a slot, wherein the expansion clamp comprises a latch foot, a plunger, and a stem extending to the latch foot, and wherein the latch foot is configured to be received in the slot;
a lever configured to be positioned on an outer surface of an apparatus; and
a linkage connecting the lever to a slidable member with a pivot, wherein the slidable member comprises a cam configured to cause the plunger to extend further into the slot.

15. The latch assembly of claim 14 , wherein the linkage is configured to convert a rotational motion of the lever to a linear motion of the plunger.

16. The latch assembly of claim 14 , wherein the latch foot is configured to push in a first direction opposite a second direction of insertion of the latch foot into the slot.

17. The latch assembly of claim 14 , wherein the latch foot is configured to push against a load surface defined within the slot.

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Matera Matthew
• Sarig Bar
• Mccann Jed

Classifications

• B60P7/0815

  Attachment rails or trellis · CPC title

• B60R2011/0059

  using clips, clamps, straps or the like · CPC title

• B60R5/006 Primary

  stowing or holding means for elongated articles, e.g. skis inside vehicles · CPC title

• B65D25/20 Primary

  External fittings (of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44) · CPC title