Platform System for Vehicle Interior with a Wheel Attachment

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be a disassemblable platform system in a pickup truck cab, or other vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a SUV or van that (after installation), comprises: a plurality of panels (generally, 40, as installed) relatively positioned to form a flat, raised rigid platform 41 in a pickup truck cab and that is elevated above lower seat cushions, where such panels include two rear panels 1,2 (i.e., in the rear seat area), a driver area panel 3, a passenger area panel 6, and a console area panel 42 between said driver area panel and said passenger area panel. The system further includes horizontal supports 43 that underlie at least some of said panels, such horizontal supports including at least two right-left horizontal support bars 44 (i.e., a horizontal support bar that is installed in a right-left direction defined by the vehicle); and panel-attached horizontal supports 45, each of which is attached to a panel to which it is dedicated.

Claims

1. A disassemblable platform system in a vehicle interior comprising a plurality of panels relatively positioned to form a flat, raised rigid platform in a vehicle interior, the platform being elevated above lower seat cushions in the vehicle interior, the plurality of panels comprising at least one rear panel, a driver area panel, a passenger area panel, and a steering wheel attachment member, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a vehicle steering wheel.

2. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a perimeter of the vehicle steering wheel.

3. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a spoke of the vehicle steering wheel.

4. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a central body of the vehicle steering wheel.

5. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member configured to attach to a pivot engagement system of the vehicle steering wheel.

6. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, the steering wheel attachment member including a balancing mechanism, the balancing mechanism connected to a first position of the vehicle steering wheel left of a vehicle steering wheel center of gravity and a second position of the vehicle steering wheel right of the vehicle steering wheel center of gravity.

7. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, additionally comprising including a balancing mechanism, the balancing mechanism connected to a first position of the vehicle steering wheel left of a vehicle steering wheel center of gravity and a second position of the vehicle steering wheel right of the vehicle steering wheel center of gravity.

8. The disassemblable platform system of claim 1, additionally comprising a balancing rod, the balancing rod configured provide tension between the vehicle steering wheel and a floor, wall, or ceiling of the vehicle interior in order to prevent the vehicle steering wheel from rotating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] FIGS. 1-4 show multiple embodiments of the platform system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] In one embodiment, one or more panels may attach to an automobile steering wheel, the attachment providing for a distribution of weight from the platform system unto the steering wheel.

[0063] In one version and as shown in FIG. 1-4, an attachment panel 23 may feature a steering wheel extension 2210, the steering wheel extension configured to attach to the steering wheel 2202. The steering wheel extension maybe attached to the steering wheel at one or more points, including the steering wheel circumference 2204 or portion thereof, the steering wheel spokes 2208, the steering wheel central body 2206, or the pivot engagement system of the steering wheel, which connects the steering wheel to the dashboard.

[0064] The steering wheel extension may also include a steering wheel rotation balancing mechanism 2604, so that force is applied equally or compensatingly to a both portion left of a steering wheel center of gravity and a portion right thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the steering wheel rotation balancing mechanism fixes the steering wheel with respect to a non-movable portion of the automobile, such as the driver's compartment floor 2601, ceiling, or wall. As such, the steering wheel rotation balancing mechanism may include a piston or bar 2600 that may be tightened in order to fix a length portion thereof or loosened to unfix the length portion. The length portion, ideally, extends from the compartment floor, ceiling, or wall to the steering wheel, including one or more portions thereof, such as the circumference or portion thereof, central body, spoke, or pivot engagement system.

[0065] The steering wheel extension may feature a steering wheel locking mechanism, which may include one or more tightening/loosening components, configured to change the position of the attachment by the steering wheel extension onto the steering wheel. In one embodiment, by changing the steering wheel extension's position vis--vis the steering wheel while keeping the steering wheel extension fixed vis--vis the attachment panel, the elevation and orientation in space, particularly of the portion of the panel system closest to the steering wheel extension, may be modified. In this manner, the users of the panel system may be able to ensure that the panel system is sufficiently parallel to the ground, thus providing for a more even sleeping surface.

[0066] The steering wheel extension may be rigidly or rotationally connected to a main body or edge of the attachment panel. The connection may be reinforced at multiple positions of the attachment panel, and in one variation, pass through the panel system to a second extension. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the steering wheel extensions is part of the main body of the attachment panel and is shaped or contoured and fitted to the steering wheel via a contoured portion 2500.

[0067] The steering wheel extension may be oriented in the direction of gravity or at an angle thereto from the attachment panel to the steering wheel, so that the weight load supported by the panel system flows downward unto the steering wheel, as in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the steering wheel extension must be rigidly disposed at a fixed angle of at an angle range of less than 10 degrees from the attachment panel. Optionally, the angle or angle range may be adjusted by a gear-gear system or a loosening/tightening mechanism so that a given angle or angle range can be set by the user but is otherwise fixed.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel extension may be oriented in the direct of gravity or at an angle thereto from the steering wheel to the attachment panel, so that the weight load of the panel system pulls down on the steering wheel. In this embodiment, the steering wheel extension may be rigidly disposed, as above, or provide flexible attachment between the steering wheel and the attachment panel, as would be permitted by a cable or rope.

[0069] The steering wheel extension may include a suspension portion 2602 to enable dampening vis--vis the steering wheel and the attachment panel. The suspension portion may alternatively or additionally be placed between the attachment panel and the automobile floor.

[0070] The steering wheel is an option for suspending the sleeping platform. A rigid member of the platform can be placed directly onto the steering wheel and utilized as a support. Many steering wheels have a function that locks the wheel into a position when the vehicle's engine is turned off. Locking the wheel is often helpful when using the steering wheel as a sleeping platform support mechanism because a free-spinning wheel will have a tendency to rotate when a load is applied anywhere except directly at the wheel's center, top, or bottom. Rotation of a steering wheel while it's being utilized as a support causes the loads spatial position to change as the wheel turns. For example, say one of the platform's corners is suspended from the steering wheel by some manner of attachment at a position of 3 O'clock, and on the outside perimeter of the wheel. The wheel is now experiencing a right hand rotational force induced by the load moment and unless equal or greater counteracting forces exist the wheel will rotate causing the load to attachment point to move into a new position with neutral forces. When the attachment point of the platform onto the wheel changes position the supported platform may undergo an undesirable force change.

[0071] When the vehicle's steering wheel is used to help support a sleeping platform, the attachment point of the load onto to the steering wheel can be intentionally manipulated and so it inherently has some abilities to function as an adjustable support. If say a corner of the platform is supported by the steering wheel and it is desirable for the supported corner to be raised in elevation a number of options exist to perform this task. Some of the options available to create an upward force onto the supported area of the platform include moving where the load is attached to wheel into a higher position on the wheel. Another way to adjust the position is using the wheel's tilt function to raise the wheel and corresponding load attachment point. And, adjustments can be made with steering wheel's from the user unlocking the wheel's position, and then lock it into a different position of rotation. So if this user wants to induce an upward raising force to the supported corner he/she could turn the wheel a bit to raise the point at which the platform is attached onto the wheel. The vehicle's wheel can be thought of as a circle and if any point on the circle is selected, other than its center-point, the point will undergo a position shift if the circle is rotated.

[0072] A vehicle's steering wheel has many convenient places available to easily carry load from a raised platform sleeping device. Some of a steering wheels' convenient load bearing areas may include the wheel spokes, center area, or it's outside perimeter.

[0073] A vehicle's steering wheel makes as a sturdy support for a sleeping platform by nature of it's design which includes a high degree of strength in order help with it's ability to absorb energies from an impact to it during a vehicle collision.

[0074] The physical location of steering wheels is at a convenient place for helping support a raised platform sleeping system within a vehicle's passenger cabin compartment.