Adjustable storage devices and methods for vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025333003-A1
Application number	US-202418646936-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 26, 2024
Priority date	Apr 26, 2024
Publication date	Oct 30, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and adjustable storage devices are provided for vehicles. The devices include rails configured to be fixed within a storage compartment a door of a vehicle. A strap is disposed between the rails, a first clip secures a first end of the strap to the rails, and a second clip secures a second end of the strap to the rails. The position of the first clip along the rails is adjustable to transition the strap between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The strap is planar while in the stowed configuration and defines a loop extending from the rails while in the deployed configuration. The strap is configured to support an object while in the deployed configuration that is disposed within the loop and resting on a base wall of the storage compartment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
fixing a pair of guide rails within a storage compartment of a door trim panel of a door of a vehicle, wherein the storage compartment is defined by at least an outer wall, an inner wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a base wall; disposing a flexible strap between the pair of guide rails; fixing a first clip adjacent to a first end of the flexible strap; fixing a second clip adjacent to a second end of the flexible strap; securing the flexible strap to the pair of guide rails with at least the first clip and the second clip; configuring at least the first clip to be selectively movable along the pair of guide rails to transition the flexible strap between a stowed configuration and at least one deployed configuration, wherein the flexible strap is planar between the pair of guide rails while in the stowed configuration, wherein the flexible strap defines a loop extending from the pair of guide rails while in the at least one deployed configuration; and configuring the flexible strap to support an object while in the deployed configuration that is disposed within the loop and resting on the base wall.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising;
securing a third clip to the pair of guide rails such that the third clip overlays the flexible strap between the first end and the second end of the flexible strap; and configuring the third clip to be selectively movable along the pair of guide rails to adjust a dimension between the third clip and one of the first clip and the second clip.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the second clip to be selectively movable along the pair of guide rails.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the first clip to be secured in more than one position along the pair of guide rails to adjust a dimension between a surface within the storage compartment and a distal extent of the flexible strap extending from the pair of guide rails.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a plurality of recesses on surfaces of the flexible strap that are configured to promote the flexibility of the flexible strap when transitioning between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing interlocking features on the first clip and the pair of guide rails that are configured to functionally interact to releasably maintain the position of the first clip along the pair of guide rails.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising arranging the flexible strap between the pair of guide rails such that the flexible strap is aligned with the base wall of the storage compartment.

8 . An adjustable storage device, comprising:
a pair of guide rails configured to be fixed within a storage compartment of a door trim panel of a door of a vehicle, wherein the storage compartment is defined by at least an outer wall, an inner wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a base wall; a flexible strap disposed between the pair of guide rails; a first clip secured to the pair of guide rails at ends of the first clip and secured to a first end of the flexible strap between the ends of the first clip; and a second clip secured to the pair of guide rails at ends of the second clip and secured to a second end of the flexible strap between the ends of the second clip, wherein a position of at least the first clip along the pair of guide rails are adjustable to transition the flexible strap between a stowed configuration and one or more deployed configurations, wherein the flexible strap is planar between the pair of guide rails while in the stowed configuration, wherein the flexible strap defines a loop extending from the pair of guide rails while in the deployed configuration, wherein the flexible strap is configured to support an object while in the deployed configuration that is disposed within the loop and resting on the base wall.

9 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , further comprising a third clip secured to the pair of guide rails at ends of the third clip and overlaying the flexible strap between the first end and the second end of the flexible strap, wherein positions of the third clip along the pair of guide rails are adjustable to modify a dimension between the third clip and one of the first clip and the second clip.

10 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , wherein a position of the second clip is adjustable along the pair of guide rails.

11 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the first clip is configured to be secured in more than one position along the pair of guide rails to modify a dimension between a surface within the storage compartment and a distal extent of the flexible strap extending from the pair of guide rails.

12 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the flexible strap includes a plurality of recesses on surfaces thereof that are configured to promote the flexibility of the flexible strap when transitioning between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.

13 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , further comprising interlocking features between the first clip and the pair of guide rails that are configured to functionally interact to releasably maintain the position of the first clip along the pair of guide rails.

14 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the flexible strap is configured to be secured by the pair of guide rails within the storage compartment such that the flexible strap is aligned with the base wall of the storage compartment.

15 . The adjustable storage device of claim 8 , wherein the first clip includes transition portions connecting the ends thereof with a middle portion thereof, wherein the transition portions extend outward from the pair of guide rails to the middle portion, wherein the middle portion overlays the flexible strap.

16 . A vehicle, comprising:
one or more doors each having a door trim panel that includes a storage compartment defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a base wall; and an adjustable storage device secured within the storage compartment of the door trim panel, the adjustable storage device including:
a pair of guide rails configured to be fixed within the storage compartment;
a flexible strap disposed between the pair of guide rails;
a first clip secured to the pair of guide rails at ends of the first clip and secured to a first end of the flexible strap between the ends of the first clip; and
a second clip secured to the pair of guide rails at ends of the second clip and secured to a second end of the flexible strap between the ends of the second clip,
wherein a position of at least the first clip along the pair of guide rails are adjustable to transition the flexible strap between a stowed configuration and at least one deployed configuration, wherein the flexible strap is planar between the pair of guide rails while in the stowed configuration, wherein the flexible strap defines a loop extending from the pair of guide rails while in the deployed configuration, wherein the flexible strap is configured to support an object while in the deployed configuration that is disposed within the loop and resting on the base wall.

17 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable storage device includes a third clip secured to the pair of guide rails at ends of the third clip and overlaying the flexible strap between the first end and the second end of the flexible strap, wherein positions o

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Kim Boeui
• Oh Sungho
• Yang Eunsuk

Classifications

• B60N3/10

  of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated · CPC title

• B60R7/12

  for supporting umbrellas · CPC title

• B60R7/046 Primary

  mounted on door · CPC title

• B60R7/04 Primary

  in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R13/0243

  Doors · CPC title