GB2229982A

GB2229982A - Load securing device for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2229982A
Application number: GB9007268A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Svendsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-06
Filing date: 1990-03-30
Publication date: 1990-10-10
Also published as: GB8907766D0; GB9007268D0

Abstract

A mat 1 of rubber fits snugly into the luggage compartment C of a vehicle V with little or no risk of lateral movement. Being of rubber, the mat also tends to frictionally engage the floor of the compartment. Strips of a material which comprises a multiplicity of loops are bonded to the upper surface of the mat and strips 4 of webbing having a multiplicity of hooks at each end for engagement with the loops are stretched tightly over a load L1. In addition, one or more dividers 8 may be used to restrain a load against sideways movement. Each divider comprises a vertical partition wall which has a strip of hook material bonded to its underside. By engagement of the hook material with the strips the dividers can be fixed in any convenient position on the mat to retain a load L2 against lateral movement. <IMAGE>

Description

LOAD SECURING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for use in securing loads in moving vehicles such as cars, vans, boats, aircraft etc.

BACKGROUND ART When carrying any load in the back of a motor vehicle for example it is always a problem to prevent the load from sliding around as the vehicle is driven, particularly if the load is lightweight. Apart from being distracting for the driver there is a risk of consequent damage to the vehicle and/or the load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention proposes a device for securing loads in the luggage compartment of a vehicle, the device comprising a base member for supporting a load and being adapted for placement in the said compartment such that there is little or no possibility of lateral movement of the base member during movement of the vehicle, and a plurality of load securing elements which are attached to or are adapted for attachment to the base member.

The base member is preferably of such a configuration that it fits snugly into the compartment with opposed edges in contact with or at least closely disposed to the side walls of the compartment. The base member preferably also comprises a rubbery material to frictionally engage the floor of the luggage compartment. The base member is preferably flexible for ease of insertion into and removal from the luggage compartment.

The load securing elements are preferably adapted for releasable engagement with the base member allowing the load or loads to be secured in various positions according to the wishes of the user. The said releasable engagement is preferably achieved by engagement of a multiplicity of hooks secured to the base member or the load securing elements and a multiplicity of loops secured to the load securing elements or the base member.

The load securing elements may comprise straps and/or locating walls which are upstanding from the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a hatchback car containing a device of the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the car and the device contained therein, Figure 3 is a vertical section through the device showing a divider in side view, Figure 4 is a further vertical section to show the divider in end view, and Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the straps of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Fig.s 1 and 2, the device comprises a mat 1 of natural or synthetic rubber which is of rectangular or any other profile which will enable it to fit snugly into the luggage compartment C of a vehicle V with little or no risk of lateral movement.

Being of rubber, the mat also tends to frictionally engage the floor of the compartment, which again assists in preventing sideways movement as the vehicle is driven. Two sets of generally parallel strips 3 of a material which comprises a multiplicity of loops are bonded to the upper surface of the mat 1, these sets being arranged perpendicularly to each other as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively, a sheet of such looped material may be bonded to the mat to cover most, if not all of its upper surface.

As indicated in Fig. 1, a load L1, such as a shopping bag for example, may be placed upon the mat and secured in position using one or more securing straps 4 of the kind shown in Fig. 5. Each strap 4 comprises a strip 5 which may be formed of non-resilient webbing but is ideally of resilient material. At each end of the strip 5 there is secured a piece of material 6, 7 which comprises a multiplicity of hooks. Thus, the strap or straps 4 may be stretched tightly over the load L1 and the ends 6, 7 secured to convenient positions on the looped strips 3 by engagement of the hooks and loops in well known manner. The ends of the straps 4 will normally be angularly disposed relative to the surface of the mat 1 so that the hook material is mainly subjected to a sideways force.Since such material is capable of withstanding a considerable lateral force without becoming disengaged from the loop material the straps will be securely attached to the mat to hold the load in place. However, the straps can easily be disengaged to release the load by pulling the ends of the straps perpendicularly away from the mat.

As can also be seen in Fig. 1, In addition to, or instead of the straps 4, one or more dividers 8 may be used to restrain a load against sideways movement. As shown in more detail in Fig. 4, each divider comprises a vertical partition wall formed of foamed plastics covered with a sheet of fabric. At its lower edge each partition wall is secured to a strip of hook material 11. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, by engagement of the hook material 11 with the strips 3 secured to the upper surface of the mat, the dividers can be fixed in any convenient position on the mat to retain a load L2 against lateral movement. Being flexible, the dividers can be manipulated into shape to accommodate any size or shape of load.

It will be appreciated that it would equally well be possible for the strips 3 to be formed of hook material and the pieces 6, 7 and 11 to be formed of loop material. Furthermore, other means of securing the dividers and/or straps to the mat 1 may be employed.

For example, the straps and dividers could be provided with pads of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The mat could also be provided with a multiplicity of apertures through which pegs or similar fastening elements secured to the dividers or the ends of the straps could be engaged.

Claims

1. A device for securing loads in the luggage compartment of a vehicle, the device comprising a base member for supporting a load and being adapted for placement in the said compartment such that there is little or no possibility of lateral movement of the base member during movement of the vehicle, and a plurality of load securing elements which are attached to or are adapted for attachment to the base member.

2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the base member is of such a configuration that it fits snugly into the compartment with opposed edges in contact with or at least closely disposed to the side walls of the compartment.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the base member comprises a rubbery material to frictionally engage the floor of the luggage compartment.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the base member is flexible for ease of insertion into and removal from the luggage compartment.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the load securing elements are adapted for releasable engagement with the base member in various positions.

6. A device according to Claim 5, in which the said releasable engagement is achieved by engagement of a multiplicity of hooks secured to the base member or the load securing elements and a multiplicity of loops secured to the load securing elements or the base member.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the load securing elements comprise locating walls which are upstanding from the base member.

8. A device acording to Claim 7, in which each locating wall comprises a body of plastics foam.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the load securing elements comprise straps, the ends of which are secured to the base member.

10. A device for securing loads in the luggage compartment of a vehicle, which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.