COVER FOR A STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN A VEHICLE

The invention relates to a storage compartment in a vehicle, and more specifically to a means for covering such a compartment.

It is known to provide one or more compartments in a vehicle for the storage and/or carriage of cargo, luggage, personal effects and other items. It is desirable to provide a cover for such a compartment, so that the contents may be stowed out of sight for reasons of tidiness and security, and also so that the cargo may be closed securely in the compartment while the vehicle is in motion.

Ideally, the cover for such a compartment is provided with a catch or other means for securing the cover when the compartment is closed. It is problematic to provide a catch without significantly altering the size, cost, complexity or aesthetics of the cover. Safely stowing the cover when the compartment is open is also problematic.

According to the present invention, there is provided a means for covering a recess in a vehicle comprising a movable cover, wherein the cover is movable between open and closed positions with respect to the recess; and at least one magnetic attachment means; wherein in the closed position the cover contacts a supporting member of the vehicle body such that access to the recess is prevented, and the magnetic attachment means anchors the cover to the supporting member; and wherein in the open position the cover contacts a metallic portion of the vehicle body such that access to the recess is unobstructed, and the magnetic attachment means anchors the cover to the body and maintains the cover in the open position.

Suitably, the recess is disposed in a floor of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the cover and the recess together form a storage compartment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cover is attached to the body of the vehicle at one or more places via a pivotal attachment means provided at or near an edge of the cover. Suitably, the pivotal attachment means is a hinge attachment. Ideally, when the cover is attached to the body of the vehicle via a pivotal attachment means, the magnetic attachment means is disposed at or near an edge of the cover distal from the pivotal attachment means.

In an alternative embodiment, the cover is detachable from the body of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one magnetic attachment means is integral with the housing of the cover, such that the presence of the magnetic attachment means cannot be discerned from a visual inspection of the cover.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a rear load space and storage compartment having recesses and covers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through a storage compartment of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3a and 3b are enlarged sections through the cover of a storage compartment of Figure 1 , showing possible positions of the magnetic attachment means in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 of the flatbed pick up type, having a storage compartment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle 10 has a rear open load space 20 and a passenger compartment 30. The load space is defined by a floor 40 and sides 50, and a divide 60 that separates the load space 20 from the passenger compartment 30 of the vehicle.

The floor 40 overlies one or more recesses 70 set into the body of the vehicle. Each recess 70 is defined by a base 73 and by side walls that form supporting members 75 for the floor 40. The floor 40 is divided up into a number of panels, and each panel forms a movable cover 45 for at least one recess 70. Together, the cover 45 and at least one recess 70 form one or more storage compartments in which cargo can be stowed.

The cover 45 is pivotally mounted on the supporting member 75 via a hinge attachment 90 at one edge 453 of the cover 45, such that the cover 45 forms a lid over recess 70 movable between open and closed positions.

As shown in Figure 2, the cover 45 further comprises a magnet 80 disposed at or near an opposing edge 455 of cover 45 that is furthest from the hinge attachment 90. In the closed position, cover 45 is disposed such that the edge 455 comprising the magnet 80 contacts a supporting member 75 and access to the space defined by recess 70 is obstructed. In the open position, cover 45 is disposed such that the edge 455 comprising the magnet 80 is away from a supporting member 75 and access to the space defined by recess 70 is substantially unobstructed.

In the open position the cover 45 is disposed such that the edge 455 comprising the magnet 80 contacts a metallic surface 65 on the body of the vehicle. The metallic surface 65 may be the exterior surface of, for example, side 50 of the load space or divide 60 that separates the load space 20 from the passenger compartment 30. Alternatively, the metallic surface 65 may comprise a metallic plate or sheet, or a magnet, attached to the exterior surface of, for example, side 50 or divide 60.

In the closed position, the magnet 80 acts as a catch, anchoring the cover 45 to supporting member 75. The force exerted by the magnet is sufficient to hold cover 45 in the closed position while the vehicle is both stationary and in motion, but is less than the servo force required to separate the edge 455 of cover 45 from supporting member 75 and is, thus, small enough to allow the storage compartment to be opened by the user.

In the open position, the magnet 80 anchors the cover 45 to the body of the vehicle. The magnetic force is sufficient to hold cover 45 in the open position while the vehicle is both stationery and in motion, but is less than the servo force required to separate the edge 455 of cover 45 from the body of the vehicle and is, thus, small enough to allow the storage compartment to be closed by the user.

A number of variations within the inventive concept are possible. For example, the magnet 80 may be disposed at or near any appropriate edge of cover 45. As shown in Figure 3a, the magnet 80 may be integral with the housing of the cover 45, such that the presence of the magnet 80 can not be discerned from a visual inspection of the exterior surfaces of the cover 45. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3b, the magnet 80 may be disposed on the exterior surface of the cover 45. The magnet 80 may be a rod, bar, strip, disc or any other appropriate shape. The magnet 80 may be composed of any suitable ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, or may be an electromagnet that is powered by the car battery or is activated by the user. The cover 45 may comprise a plurality of magnets. The magnet 80 or the plurality of

magnets may be disposed at or near any edge of the cover 45 as appropriate, or may be disposed away from the edge, nearer to the centre of the cover 45.

The cover 45 may be attached to a supporting member 75, or to a portion of floor 40, or to a side 50 of the load space 20, or to a divide 60 that separates the load space 20 from a passenger compartment 30, or to any other appropriate part of the body of the vehicle.

The cover 45 may be pivotally attached via a hinge attachment or via any other appropriate means such that the cover 45 can be pivoted, slid or rotated with respect to the recess between open and closed positions.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cover 45 may be detachable from the body of the vehicle, such that in transition between the closed position and the open position it is detached from the storage compartment. Suitably, the magnet 80 may be disposed with regard to the cover 45 such that the cover 45 whilst in the open position can be temporarily anchored to a metallic surface of the vehicle.

The cover 45 may be provided with, for example, a handle, groove or grip so that the user can easily remove it from the closed position.

The space defined by the recess 70 may be divided by one or more partitioning members (not shown). Recess 70 may be adapted, for example, to house a spare tyre for the vehicle.

The storage compartment may be located in any appropriate part of the vehicle, for example in a load space designed for the storage or carriage of cargo, or in a passenger compartment. The load space of the vehicle in which the storage compartment is disposed may not be an open load space, but may comprise a boot, trunk, or a larger storage compartment that has one or more sides that is openable.

Having described particular embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments in question are exemplary only and that variations and modifications such as will occur to those possessed of the appropriate knowledge and skills may be made without departure from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.