US20090045237A1 - Storage container docking system - Google Patents
Storage container docking system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090045237A1 US20090045237A1 US11/915,205 US91520506A US2009045237A1 US 20090045237 A1 US20090045237 A1 US 20090045237A1 US 91520506 A US91520506 A US 91520506A US 2009045237 A1 US2009045237 A1 US 2009045237A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rails
- vehicle
- container
- couplers
- docking system
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
Definitions
- This invention relates to storage systems that are particularly adapted for recreational vehicles.
- the invention provides a storage docking system that is particularly adapted for RV use.
- the system includes at least one container and couplers fixed to the container.
- Each coupler has an opening that is sized to receive a first set of rails fixed to a mounting surface of the vehicle in a storage space of the vehicle so as to support the container by the first set of rails in the storage space of the vehicle.
- the couplers are lockable to the rails to keep the containers fixed to the rails, for example in transit.
- the couplers each define a channel, each coupler having a locking member that can be moved from a released position in which the opening to the channel of the coupler is open or to a locked position in which the opening to the channel is blocked.
- the rails are spaced above a mounting surface of the vehicle to which the rails are mounted and are sized to be received within the channels. In the released position of the locking member, the rails can be received within the channels and in the locked position of the locking member, the locking member extends into the space between the rail to which it is engaged and the mounting surface to secure the container to the vehicle.
- the system includes a second set of rails fixed in a storage space in a building, and the openings of the couplers are sized to receive either the first or the second set of rails so as to support the container by either the first or the second set of rails, so that the container can be stored in either the vehicle or the building.
- the containers are wire baskets, which are preferred in this application since they are relatively lightweight, strong, do not accumulate debris and moisture, provide good aeration and can be used to stow many different articles.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the side of an RV with its storage compartment doors open and showing applications of a storage docking system of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage docking system shown in FIG. 1 that is assembled to the slide-out tray;
- FIG. 3 is a close-up view of parts of the system of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the couplers used in FIGS. 1-3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a view of the coupler in the locked position
- FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the coupler in the open position
- FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the coupler from the inner side
- FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of one piece (the retainer member) of the coupler.
- FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of another piece (the channel member) of the coupler.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another piece (the locking member) of the coupler.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the locking member and the channel member together
- FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11 but from the top;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the retainer member and the channel member together
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view into one of the storage compartments of the RV illustrating a container hung on a side wall of the storage compartment;
- FIG. 15 is a view like FIG. 6 , from a different angle and with the sliding tray removed;
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container hanging from its side without showing the RV;
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another application of the storage system of the invention in the RV, also shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 19 is a view of a storage docking system of the invention provided in a stationary storage space in a building, for example in a garage of the owner of the RV;
- FIG. 20 is a close-up view of a portion of the system of FIG. 11 , illustrating a bracket for hanging the rails of the storage system from a wall of the building;
- FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the stationary storage docking system of FIGS. 19 and 20 ;
- FIGS. 22-25 are perspective ( FIGS. 22-24 ) and top plan ( FIG. 25 ) views of an alternate mount for the storage system.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a recreational vehicle (RV) 10 with its side compartment doors 12 open illustrating storage compartments 14 , 15 and 16 .
- Compartment 14 includes a slide-out tray 18 as is conventional, but what is unconventional is the inclusion of a storage docking system 20 mounted to the slide-out tray 18 .
- a storage docking system 22 of the system is also mounted in compartment 16 , with compartment 15 being empty.
- the system 20 includes containers 26 and 30 of different sizes with the containers 26 being generally square or rectangular and taller than the containers 30 , about twice the height of the containers 30 for the containers 26 illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 .
- the containers 30 are stackable so that the top one nests inside the bottom one, and also of a height such that even when stacked they will fit in the compartment 14 .
- the containers 26 and 30 are preferably welded wire baskets and have handles 32 .
- Each of the containers 26 and 30 is provided with four couplers 36 , one at each corner on the bottom of each of the containers 26 and 30 , that can be easily coupled to a rail 38 that is a cylindrical hollow tube.
- Each rail 38 is fixed to the bottom wall of the tray 18 that is the mounting surface 39 in this application by mounts 40 which receive the ends of the rails 38 and are shaped like pillow block bearings, defining a hole between two mounting flanges that are fastened, for example with bolts or screws, to the floor 91 of compartment 16 , to the bottom 39 of tray 18 , or to another mounting surface.
- the mounts 40 could be closed on one side as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 , or, alternatively could be open at both sides as illustrated by the mount 40 ′ in FIGS. 22-25 so a rail could be inserted from either side. If open at both sides, fastener holes 41 are provided as illustrated in FIGS. 22-25 so that a screw, rivet or other fastener can be used through the hole to fix the rail to the mount.
- the mounts 40 space the rails above the mounting surface 39 or 91 so that the locking member of the couplers described below can extend into the space between the rails 38 and the mounting surface 39 or 91 to secure the container to the rails.
- the rails 38 which may be steel, aluminum or another rigid material, are supported by supports 44 that are provided every few feet or so, so that the rails 38 do not sag or flex excessively under the weight of the loaded containers 26 and 30 .
- Fasteners extend through holes 43 in the flanges of the mounts 40 and supports 44 to secure them to the surface of the vehicle to which they are secured, the lower wall 39 of the tray 18 in the case of compartment 14 or to the floor 91 of the compartment as in the case of compartment 16 .
- the mounts 40 and supports 44 may be made of molded plastic.
- each coupler 36 is riveted or otherwise fastened by fasteners 48 to a stamped or otherwise formed bracket 50 that resides on the interior side of the container 26 or 30 so that the walls of the container 26 or 30 are pinched between the flange 52 of the coupler 36 and the bracket 50 to securely hold the coupler 36 to the container 26 or 30 .
- the coupler 36 has a channel 86 therein, that may extend for the length of the coupler 36 and is generally cylindrically shaped at one side and opening straight out at the opposite side to receive the rail 38 .
- a locking member 60 having an arcuate section 62 that is slidable angularly relative to fixed part 64 of the coupler 36 is slidable in a track of the fixed part 64 so as to either open the bottom side of the channel 86 or to close it, the open position being shown in FIG. 4 and the closed position being shown in FIG. 5 .
- the rails 38 When open as in FIG. 4 , when the container 26 or 30 is placed down on top of the rails 38 , the rails 38 enter the channel 86 through the mouth opening or lower side of the channel 86 that faces the rails 38 .
- the locking lever 60 can be slid in its track so as to close off the opening into the channel 86 that traps the rail 38 in the channel 6 and therefore in the coupler 36 , to hold the containers 26 and 30 longitudinally on the rails 38 .
- the locking lever member 60 may apply a clamping load on the rail 38 , or not. If not, the container 30 would be relatively slidable in a direction parallel to the rails 38 , which is usually acceptable in an RV application.
- the coupler 36 is molded plastic and made of three pieces.
- FIGS. 6-14 illustrate the coupler without the bracket 50 or fasteners 48 .
- one of the pieces of the coupler 36 is the lever member 60 .
- the lever member 60 has a handle portion 66 which is operable by the user to rotate the lever member 60 in its track, and an approximately half-circular arc portion 62 that closes off the bottom of the opening 56 when the lever member 60 is rotated into that position.
- the arc portion 62 has an outstanding rib 68 that fits into groove 70 of U-shaped portion 72 of retainer member 74 .
- Retainer 74 also includes the flange 52 in which the holes 76 are formed for the fasteners 48 .
- Member 74 also has a flange 78 at a right angle to the flange 52 having holes 80 formed in it into which additional fasteners 48 can be inserted for fastening the bracket 50 , which is also a right-angle type bracket.
- Two holes 82 are formed in retainer member 74 for fastening to the retainer member by an adhesive, ultrasonic welding or other suitable process the channel member 84 having pins 88 received in the holes 82 and an open bottomed channel 86 that defines the major portion of the channel opening 86 .
- the bottom part of member 74 that touches member 84 may also be adhered, welded or otherwise attached to the member 84 , for example at the lower edges of the flange 52 and in the surfaces of the arc portion 72 where they interface with the surfaces of the member 84 , such that the members 74 and 84 form a structurally rigid unit such as is shown in FIG. 13 , without the lever 60 installed.
- member 84 has a lip 90 that interferes with the arcuate portion 62 of the lever member 60 to inhibit rotating the lever member 60 out of the track formed by the two members 74 and 84 .
- member 84 When the lever member 60 is rotated to the closed position, it is stopped flat against flange 92 of member 74 , which has a hole 94 in it that registers with hole 96 in lever member 60 so that a lock can be placed through the two holes 94 and 96 to lock the lever member 60 in the locked position.
- Arcuate portion 62 of lever member 60 has track portion 63 that is captured in the track formed by the members 74 and 84 ( FIG. 13 ) and has locking portion 65 that has an inside surface of approximately the same radius as the curved portion of channel 86 so that together with the curved portion of channel 86 the inside surface of portion 65 forms a circle of approximately the same diameter or a little larger as the rails 38 .
- FIGS. 14-16 illustrate the invention applied to a hanging container which is a welded wire basket on the side of the RV compartment.
- the flanges of the mounts 40 are in a vertical plane, mounted to mounting surface 87
- the couplers 36 are mounted in the corners of the container 33 so that the channels 86 open out horizontally.
- the wall that faces in the same direction that the channels 86 open out is formed so as to take advantage of the space between the wall to which the mounts 40 are attached and the far side of the rail 38 .
- the containers 20 could also be formed in the same manner to take advantage of the open space that is between the two rails 48 that support the containers.
- FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an application of the invention in which the rails 38 are fixed to the floor or mounting surface 91 of the storage compartment extending in the direction of normal vehicle straight line travel.
- the rails In the case of the rails fixed to the slide out tray 18 , the rails are perpendicular to the direction of normal vehicle straight line travel.
- the couplers in the arrangement of the containers 20 can be released and engaged with the rails 38 because the tray 18 can be slid out.
- the containers 22 in which the rails 38 are parallel to the direction of travel, a person can reach the couplers even at the inside end of the container because the couplers are accessible from the sides of the container.
- a slide out tray is not necessary if all four corners can be locked to the rails 38 , or at least a sufficient number to hold the container secure. It may not always be necessary to lock all four corners to the rails 38 and it may be acceptable to only lock two or one of them, for example those that are nearest to the outside of the vehicle, or none of them if the travel is smooth.
- FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the containers 20 , 22 and 33 stored at the residence or other stationary storage area of the owner of the RV, for example the garage at the owner's place of residence.
- the rails 38 that are parallel to one another should be spaced apart the same distance so that any of the containers that have four mounting points can be assembled to any of the sets of rails.
- the couplers 36 also permit the containers to be stacked one on top of another and the containers there to be rested on a floor surface.
- L brackets 96 which may be plastic, metal or another suitably strong material, are mounted to the walls and extend therefrom to mounts 40 and supports 44 so as to support the rails 38 .
- Braces 98 may be provided at the ends of the assemblies to laterally stabilize them.
- the rails 38 in the compartment 16 should be spaced the same distance from one another as the rails 38 in the slide out tray 18 so that the containers 20 and 26 may be interchanged in position. Also, if the containers 20 and 26 are similar in width, then the spacing between the mounts 40 and the supports 44 can be made uniformly the same to accommodate all containers.
- the configuration of the couplers permits the user to either lock the locking levers 60 or not.
- locking the levers may not be necessary. It may be necessary to lock or partially lock the levers of the wall-hung containers 33 to hold them on the rails.
- locking may also be optional. Having the option however better secures the containers to the rails, and permits locking the containers to the rails with a theft deterrent connection.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
Abstract
A storage docking system especially adapted for recreational vehicles has containers fixed to rails by couplers and can have one set of rails fixed to the vehicle and another set of rails fixed to a stationary storage space.
Description
- This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/684,645 filed May 26, 2005.
- Not applicable.
- This invention relates to storage systems that are particularly adapted for recreational vehicles.
- Recreational vehicles have become very popular for individuals to own. Oftentimes the individuals who own such vehicles store them away from their residence and may bring them to their residence a few days prior to a planned trip to prepare the vehicle for the trip. For example, if a family outing is planned to the beach, the vehicle will have to be loaded with items that are appropriate for that outing, such as beach toys, towels, swimsuits, folding chairs, umbrellas and the like. If, on the other hand, the vehicle is to be used for a hunting trip, it will have to be loaded with a completely different set of equipment. When the outing is over, the vehicle is typically unloaded and the paraphernalia cleaned and stored at the owner's residence or otherwise prepared for the next use. The vehicle will also typically be cleaned out in preparation for its storage and next use.
- Recreational vehicles are typically provided with interior cabinet storage, storage under the seats and any other place where it can be fit in, and also has “basement” storage which is accessible through doors on the outside of the vehicle. The present invention is mainly, although not exclusively, addressed to the type of storage which would be accessible from outside of the vehicle, through the outside doors in the side of the vehicle.
- It is known to provide this basement storage with sliding drawers or trays which make it easier to access the contents of the space in the basement. However, room still exists for a system that makes loading and unloading an RV easier, and also facilitates storage in the vehicle and storage at the residence of the owner.
- The invention provides a storage docking system that is particularly adapted for RV use. The system includes at least one container and couplers fixed to the container. Each coupler has an opening that is sized to receive a first set of rails fixed to a mounting surface of the vehicle in a storage space of the vehicle so as to support the container by the first set of rails in the storage space of the vehicle.
- In a preferred form, the couplers are lockable to the rails to keep the containers fixed to the rails, for example in transit. The couplers each define a channel, each coupler having a locking member that can be moved from a released position in which the opening to the channel of the coupler is open or to a locked position in which the opening to the channel is blocked. The rails are spaced above a mounting surface of the vehicle to which the rails are mounted and are sized to be received within the channels. In the released position of the locking member, the rails can be received within the channels and in the locked position of the locking member, the locking member extends into the space between the rail to which it is engaged and the mounting surface to secure the container to the vehicle.
- In an especially useful form, the system includes a second set of rails fixed in a storage space in a building, and the openings of the couplers are sized to receive either the first or the second set of rails so as to support the container by either the first or the second set of rails, so that the container can be stored in either the vehicle or the building.
- In another preferred form, the containers are wire baskets, which are preferred in this application since they are relatively lightweight, strong, do not accumulate debris and moisture, provide good aeration and can be used to stow many different articles.
- Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the side of an RV with its storage compartment doors open and showing applications of a storage docking system of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage docking system shown inFIG. 1 that is assembled to the slide-out tray; -
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of parts of the system ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the couplers used inFIGS. 1-3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a view of the coupler in the locked position; -
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the coupler in the open position; -
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the coupler from the inner side; -
FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of one piece (the retainer member) of the coupler; -
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of another piece (the channel member) of the coupler; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another piece (the locking member) of the coupler; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the locking member and the channel member together; -
FIG. 12 is a view likeFIG. 11 but from the top; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the retainer member and the channel member together; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view into one of the storage compartments of the RV illustrating a container hung on a side wall of the storage compartment; -
FIG. 15 is a view likeFIG. 6 , from a different angle and with the sliding tray removed; -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container hanging from its side without showing the RV; -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another application of the storage system of the invention in the RV, also shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 18 is a view with one of the baskets of the system ofFIG. 9 removed; -
FIG. 19 is a view of a storage docking system of the invention provided in a stationary storage space in a building, for example in a garage of the owner of the RV; -
FIG. 20 is a close-up view of a portion of the system ofFIG. 11 , illustrating a bracket for hanging the rails of the storage system from a wall of the building; -
FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the stationary storage docking system ofFIGS. 19 and 20 ; and -
FIGS. 22-25 are perspective (FIGS. 22-24 ) and top plan (FIG. 25 ) views of an alternate mount for the storage system. -
FIG. 1 illustrates a recreational vehicle (RV) 10 with itsside compartment doors 12 openillustrating storage compartments Compartment 14 includes a slide-out tray 18 as is conventional, but what is unconventional is the inclusion of astorage docking system 20 mounted to the slide-outtray 18. Astorage docking system 22 of the system is also mounted incompartment 16, withcompartment 15 being empty. - Referring also to
FIGS. 2-5 , thesystem 20 includescontainers containers 26 being generally square or rectangular and taller than thecontainers 30, about twice the height of thecontainers 30 for thecontainers 26 illustrated inFIGS. 2-5 . Thecontainers 30 are stackable so that the top one nests inside the bottom one, and also of a height such that even when stacked they will fit in thecompartment 14. Thecontainers containers couplers 36, one at each corner on the bottom of each of thecontainers rail 38 that is a cylindrical hollow tube. Eachrail 38 is fixed to the bottom wall of thetray 18 that is themounting surface 39 in this application bymounts 40 which receive the ends of therails 38 and are shaped like pillow block bearings, defining a hole between two mounting flanges that are fastened, for example with bolts or screws, to thefloor 91 ofcompartment 16, to thebottom 39 oftray 18, or to another mounting surface. Themounts 40 could be closed on one side as illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 , or, alternatively could be open at both sides as illustrated by themount 40′ inFIGS. 22-25 so a rail could be inserted from either side. If open at both sides,fastener holes 41 are provided as illustrated inFIGS. 22-25 so that a screw, rivet or other fastener can be used through the hole to fix the rail to the mount. - The
mounts 40 space the rails above themounting surface rails 38 and themounting surface rails 38, which may be steel, aluminum or another rigid material, are supported bysupports 44 that are provided every few feet or so, so that therails 38 do not sag or flex excessively under the weight of the loadedcontainers holes 43 in the flanges of themounts 40 and supports 44 to secure them to the surface of the vehicle to which they are secured, thelower wall 39 of thetray 18 in the case ofcompartment 14 or to thefloor 91 of the compartment as in the case ofcompartment 16. Themounts 40 and supports 44 may be made of molded plastic. - Referring to
FIGS. 4-13 , eachcoupler 36 is riveted or otherwise fastened byfasteners 48 to a stamped or otherwise formedbracket 50 that resides on the interior side of thecontainer container flange 52 of thecoupler 36 and thebracket 50 to securely hold thecoupler 36 to thecontainer coupler 36 has achannel 86 therein, that may extend for the length of thecoupler 36 and is generally cylindrically shaped at one side and opening straight out at the opposite side to receive therail 38. A lockingmember 60 having anarcuate section 62 that is slidable angularly relative to fixedpart 64 of thecoupler 36 is slidable in a track of the fixedpart 64 so as to either open the bottom side of thechannel 86 or to close it, the open position being shown inFIG. 4 and the closed position being shown inFIG. 5 . When open as inFIG. 4 , when thecontainer rails 38, therails 38 enter thechannel 86 through the mouth opening or lower side of thechannel 86 that faces therails 38. Once received in thechannel 86, the lockinglever 60 can be slid in its track so as to close off the opening into thechannel 86 that traps therail 38 in the channel 6 and therefore in thecoupler 36, to hold thecontainers rails 38. - In the locked position of
FIG. 5 , the lockinglever member 60, and particularlyportion 62 thereof, may apply a clamping load on therail 38, or not. If not, thecontainer 30 would be relatively slidable in a direction parallel to therails 38, which is usually acceptable in an RV application. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 4-13 , thecoupler 36 is molded plastic and made of three pieces.FIGS. 6-14 illustrate the coupler without thebracket 50 orfasteners 48. As has already been stated, one of the pieces of thecoupler 36 is thelever member 60. Thelever member 60 has ahandle portion 66 which is operable by the user to rotate thelever member 60 in its track, and an approximately half-circular arc portion 62 that closes off the bottom of the opening 56 when thelever member 60 is rotated into that position. Thearc portion 62 has anoutstanding rib 68 that fits intogroove 70 ofU-shaped portion 72 ofretainer member 74.Retainer 74 also includes theflange 52 in which theholes 76 are formed for thefasteners 48.Member 74 also has aflange 78 at a right angle to theflange 52 havingholes 80 formed in it into whichadditional fasteners 48 can be inserted for fastening thebracket 50, which is also a right-angle type bracket. - Two
holes 82 are formed inretainer member 74 for fastening to the retainer member by an adhesive, ultrasonic welding or other suitable process thechannel member 84 havingpins 88 received in theholes 82 and an open bottomedchannel 86 that defines the major portion of thechannel opening 86. The bottom part ofmember 74 that touchesmember 84 may also be adhered, welded or otherwise attached to themember 84, for example at the lower edges of theflange 52 and in the surfaces of thearc portion 72 where they interface with the surfaces of themember 84, such that themembers FIG. 13 , without thelever 60 installed. Also,member 84 has alip 90 that interferes with thearcuate portion 62 of thelever member 60 to inhibit rotating thelever member 60 out of the track formed by the twomembers lever member 60 is rotated to the closed position, it is stopped flat againstflange 92 ofmember 74, which has ahole 94 in it that registers withhole 96 inlever member 60 so that a lock can be placed through the twoholes lever member 60 in the locked position. -
Arcuate portion 62 oflever member 60 hastrack portion 63 that is captured in the track formed by themembers 74 and 84 (FIG. 13 ) and has lockingportion 65 that has an inside surface of approximately the same radius as the curved portion ofchannel 86 so that together with the curved portion ofchannel 86 the inside surface ofportion 65 forms a circle of approximately the same diameter or a little larger as therails 38. -
FIGS. 14-16 illustrate the invention applied to a hanging container which is a welded wire basket on the side of the RV compartment. In this application, the flanges of themounts 40 are in a vertical plane, mounted to mountingsurface 87, and thecouplers 36 are mounted in the corners of thecontainer 33 so that thechannels 86 open out horizontally. When the lockingmember 60 is rotated from the open to the closed position, thearcuate portion 65 of the lockingmember 60 is moved to the position behind therail 38 so as to prevent removal of thecouplers 36 from therail 38 until thelever members 60 are moved to their open positions. Note that in the case ofcontainer 33, the wall that faces in the same direction that thechannels 86 open out is formed so as to take advantage of the space between the wall to which themounts 40 are attached and the far side of therail 38. Thecontainers 20 could also be formed in the same manner to take advantage of the open space that is between the tworails 48 that support the containers. -
FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an application of the invention in which therails 38 are fixed to the floor or mountingsurface 91 of the storage compartment extending in the direction of normal vehicle straight line travel. In the case of the rails fixed to the slide outtray 18, the rails are perpendicular to the direction of normal vehicle straight line travel. The couplers in the arrangement of thecontainers 20 can be released and engaged with therails 38 because thetray 18 can be slid out. In the case of thecontainers 22, in which therails 38 are parallel to the direction of travel, a person can reach the couplers even at the inside end of the container because the couplers are accessible from the sides of the container. Thus, a slide out tray is not necessary if all four corners can be locked to therails 38, or at least a sufficient number to hold the container secure. It may not always be necessary to lock all four corners to therails 38 and it may be acceptable to only lock two or one of them, for example those that are nearest to the outside of the vehicle, or none of them if the travel is smooth. -
FIGS. 19-21 illustrate thecontainers rails 38 that are parallel to one another should be spaced apart the same distance so that any of the containers that have four mounting points can be assembled to any of the sets of rails. Thecouplers 36 also permit the containers to be stacked one on top of another and the containers there to be rested on a floor surface.L brackets 96, which may be plastic, metal or another suitably strong material, are mounted to the walls and extend therefrom tomounts 40 and supports 44 so as to support therails 38.Braces 98 may be provided at the ends of the assemblies to laterally stabilize them. - It should also be noted that the
rails 38 in thecompartment 16 should be spaced the same distance from one another as therails 38 in the slide outtray 18 so that thecontainers containers mounts 40 and thesupports 44 can be made uniformly the same to accommodate all containers. - It is noted that the configuration of the couplers permits the user to either lock the locking levers 60 or not. In stationary storage, as in
FIGS. 19-21 , locking the levers may not be necessary. It may be necessary to lock or partially lock the levers of the wall-hungcontainers 33 to hold them on the rails. In the RV, locking may also be optional. Having the option however better secures the containers to the rails, and permits locking the containers to the rails with a theft deterrent connection. - Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations to the embodiments described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited but to the embodiments described, but should be defined by the claims that follow.
Claims (13)
1. A storage docking system, comprising:
at least one container;
couplers fixed to the container, each said coupler having an opening;
a first set of rails fixed to a mounting surface of the vehicle in a storage space of the vehicle;
wherein the openings of the couplers are sized to receive the first set of rails so as to support the container by the first set of rails in the storage space of the vehicle.
2. A storage docking system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the couplers are lockable to the first set of rails.
3. A storage docking system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the couplers each define a channel, each said coupler having a locking member that can be moved from a released position in which the opening to the channel of the coupler is open or to a locked position in which the opening to the channels is blocked, the first set of rails being spaced above a mounting surface of the vehicle to which the rails are mounted and being sized to be received within the channels, wherein in the released position of the locking member the rails can be received within the channels and in the locked position of the locking member, the locking member extends into the space between the rail to which it is engaged and the mounting surface to secure the container to the vehicle.
4. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a second set of rails fixed in a storage space in a building, and wherein the openings of the couplers are sized to receive either the first or the second set of rails so as to support the container by either the first or the second set of rails, so that the container can be stored in either the vehicle or the building.
5. A storage docking system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the couplers are lockable to at least the first set of rails.
6. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first set of rails is mounted to the vehicle so as to extend laterally relative to the direction of normal straight line travel of the vehicle.
7. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first set of rails runs parallel to the direction of normal straight line travel of the vehicle.
8. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container can be slid laterally relative to the rails when the container is coupled to the rails by the couplers.
9. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the couplers are connected to the container so that the channels open downwardly relative to a bottom wall of the container.
10. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the couplers extend below the bottom wall of the container.
11. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the couplers are connected to the container such that the channels of the couplers open outwardly away from a side of the container.
12. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the couplers are connected to sidewalls of the container.
13. The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container is a wire basket.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/915,205 US20090045237A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 | 2006-05-19 | Storage container docking system |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US68464505P | 2005-05-26 | 2005-05-26 | |
PCT/US2006/019586 WO2006127523A2 (en) | 2005-05-26 | 2006-05-19 | Storage container docking system |
US11/915,205 US20090045237A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 | 2006-05-19 | Storage container docking system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090045237A1 true US20090045237A1 (en) | 2009-02-19 |
Family
ID=37452657
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/915,205 Abandoned US20090045237A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 | 2006-05-19 | Storage container docking system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090045237A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006127523A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2013101059B4 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-10-03 | Paradise Motor Homes Pty Ltd | A vehicle with an underfloor storage receptacle |
US10787132B2 (en) * | 2018-06-25 | 2020-09-29 | Howa Co., Ltd. | Ceiling material for vehicle |
Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1442096A (en) * | 1921-10-05 | 1923-01-16 | Henry J Spooner | Spring ring |
US2119051A (en) * | 1936-06-04 | 1938-05-31 | Boeuf George H Le | Automobile baggage carrier |
US2784888A (en) * | 1952-10-10 | 1957-03-12 | Lecanu-Deschamps Olivier | Luggage-rails for automobile vehicles |
US3215323A (en) * | 1964-05-08 | 1965-11-02 | Edward J Bonitt | Car trunk lid carrier |
US5242219A (en) * | 1992-03-26 | 1993-09-07 | Tomaka Leonard P | Between rafters storage device |
US5330063A (en) * | 1992-06-02 | 1994-07-19 | Vermont American Corporation | Organizer glide system |
US5662256A (en) * | 1993-05-25 | 1997-09-02 | Bryan; Ken John | Bicycle rack |
US5713498A (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 1998-02-03 | Cucci; Charles A. | Roof top cargo container |
US5762244A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1998-06-09 | Bornemann Products, Inc. | Utility rack |
US6581813B2 (en) * | 2000-08-10 | 2003-06-24 | Thule, Inc. | Roof-top load basket |
US20030178457A1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-09-25 | Wang Chiu Kuei | Adjustable vehicle top rack assembly |
US6766929B2 (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2004-07-27 | Thule Sweden Ab | Load carrier for roof rails |
US6793186B2 (en) * | 2001-05-25 | 2004-09-21 | Jac Products Inc. | Clamp for a cross bar |
USD508015S1 (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2005-08-02 | Intelligent Designs 2000 Corp. | Multi-purpose storage rack for a sport utility vehicle |
US7503470B2 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2009-03-17 | Yakima Products, Inc. | Car top carrier |
-
2006
- 2006-05-19 WO PCT/US2006/019586 patent/WO2006127523A2/en active Application Filing
- 2006-05-19 US US11/915,205 patent/US20090045237A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1442096A (en) * | 1921-10-05 | 1923-01-16 | Henry J Spooner | Spring ring |
US2119051A (en) * | 1936-06-04 | 1938-05-31 | Boeuf George H Le | Automobile baggage carrier |
US2784888A (en) * | 1952-10-10 | 1957-03-12 | Lecanu-Deschamps Olivier | Luggage-rails for automobile vehicles |
US3215323A (en) * | 1964-05-08 | 1965-11-02 | Edward J Bonitt | Car trunk lid carrier |
US5242219A (en) * | 1992-03-26 | 1993-09-07 | Tomaka Leonard P | Between rafters storage device |
US5330063A (en) * | 1992-06-02 | 1994-07-19 | Vermont American Corporation | Organizer glide system |
US5662256A (en) * | 1993-05-25 | 1997-09-02 | Bryan; Ken John | Bicycle rack |
US5713498A (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 1998-02-03 | Cucci; Charles A. | Roof top cargo container |
US5762244A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1998-06-09 | Bornemann Products, Inc. | Utility rack |
US6581813B2 (en) * | 2000-08-10 | 2003-06-24 | Thule, Inc. | Roof-top load basket |
US6766929B2 (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2004-07-27 | Thule Sweden Ab | Load carrier for roof rails |
US6793186B2 (en) * | 2001-05-25 | 2004-09-21 | Jac Products Inc. | Clamp for a cross bar |
US20030178457A1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-09-25 | Wang Chiu Kuei | Adjustable vehicle top rack assembly |
US7503470B2 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2009-03-17 | Yakima Products, Inc. | Car top carrier |
USD508015S1 (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2005-08-02 | Intelligent Designs 2000 Corp. | Multi-purpose storage rack for a sport utility vehicle |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2013101059B4 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-10-03 | Paradise Motor Homes Pty Ltd | A vehicle with an underfloor storage receptacle |
US10787132B2 (en) * | 2018-06-25 | 2020-09-29 | Howa Co., Ltd. | Ceiling material for vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2006127523A9 (en) | 2007-01-18 |
WO2006127523A2 (en) | 2006-11-30 |
WO2006127523A3 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7407216B2 (en) | Frame for building a vehicular body with a load bearing support system | |
US8544708B2 (en) | Folding pick-up truck tool box | |
US5669537A (en) | Portable multi-position vehicle storage unit | |
US7641253B2 (en) | Adjustable shelving system for vehicles | |
US10017086B2 (en) | Removable cart assembly for vehicles | |
US5169200A (en) | Pickup truck storage box | |
US10429116B2 (en) | Portable cooler with accessory attachment rails | |
US6431634B1 (en) | Collapsible truck shell assembly and accessories | |
US20100066045A1 (en) | Cart | |
US6325439B1 (en) | Hanging storage unit for a truck cargo bay | |
US7159917B2 (en) | Utility table and tool storage apparatus for truck beds | |
US6481604B1 (en) | Vehicle rack | |
US20090256454A1 (en) | Containers and container system | |
US20060103158A1 (en) | Collapsible cargo organizer | |
US4341418A (en) | Car seat hide-a-way table | |
US20160280144A1 (en) | Vehicle storage box incorporating a standard interface plate connection | |
US8430253B1 (en) | Attachable, adjustable retainer for shelves | |
US5102180A (en) | Vehicle cover with sideways accessible storage container | |
US20090045237A1 (en) | Storage container docking system | |
US20050225108A1 (en) | Adjustable shelving system for vehicles | |
US20050236788A1 (en) | Combination tool box and dolly | |
JP2003515493A (en) | Car load management system | |
US20180306226A1 (en) | Rail and clamp system for mounting accessories | |
US11369197B2 (en) | Cantilevered and extendable support systems for supporting storage compartments | |
US10690392B2 (en) | Closure mechanism for portable coolers |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ACTUANT CORPORATION, WISCONSIN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KUNZ, JAMES R.;REEL/FRAME:021012/0005 Effective date: 20071119 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |