Vehicle storage compartment arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle storage compartment arrangement (100), comprising a storage compartment (102) and a cover arrangement (104), said cover arrangement being connected to the storage compartment (102) and slidably movable along a first geometric axis (202) between an opened position and a closed position, wherein said cover arrangement comprises a locking mechanism (106, 406, 506) for connecting the cover arrangement to the storage compartment, said locking mechanism comprising a first (108) and a second (110) locking pin movable along a second geometric axis (204), said first and second geometric axis being substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein the first and second locking pins are controllable between a first state in which the cover arrangement is locked to the storage compartment, and a second state in which the cover arrangement is unlocked from the storage compartment, wherein the cover arrangement further comprises an actuation handle (112) connected to the first and second locking pins by means of at least one pre-tensioned spring (114, 116, 514), wherein said first and second locking pins are arranged in said second state when said actuation handle is moved along said second geometric axis.

Claims

1. A cover arrangement for a storage compartment arranged within a vehicle, the cover arrangement being arranged to be slidably movable along a first geometric axis between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the cover arrangement comprises a locking mechanism arranged for connecting the cover arrangement to the storage compartment, the locking mechanism comprising a first and a second locking pin movable along a second geometric axis, the first and second geometric axis being substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged between a first state in which the cover arrangement is arranged to be locked to the storage compartment, and a second state in which the cover arrangement is arranged to be unlocked from the storage compartment, wherein the cover arrangement further comprises an actuation handle connected to the first and second locking pins by means of at least one pre-tensioned spring, arranged to force the first and second locking pins outwardly of the cover arrangement in a direction along the second geometric axis, wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged in the second state when the actuation handle is moved along the second geometric axis, and wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged in the second state when the actuation handle is moved in either one of a first and a second direction of the second geometric axis.

2. The cover arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second locking pins are positioned on a respective side portion of the first geometric axis of the cover arrangement.

3. The cover arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the actuation handle is connected to the first locking pin by means of a first pre-tensioned spring, and to the second locking pin by means of a second pre-tensioned spring.

4. The cover arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the actuation handle is positioned in a home position when the first and second locking pins are arranged in the first state, and wherein the at least one pre-tensioned spring is arranged to re-position the actuation handle in the home position after the actuation handle is moved along the second geometric axis for arranging the first and second locking pins in the second state.

5. The cover arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the storage compartment comprises guiding rails for allowing the cover arrangement to be slidably movable along the first geometric axis, the guiding rails comprises a plurality of indentations spaced apart from each other in the direction of the first geometric axis.

6. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover arrangement further comprises a rotatable wheel connected to the first and second locking pins.

7. The cover arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the rotatable wheel comprises gear teeth arranged in meshed connection with gear teeth of the first and second locking pins.

8. The cover arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the rotatable wheel is an oval shaped wheel, the oval shaped wheel being pivotably connected to each of the first and second locking pins.

9. The cover arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cover arrangement is a jalousie.

10. A vehicle comprising a vehicle compartment and a cover arrangement being arranged to be slidably movable along a first geometric axis between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the cover arrangement comprises a locking mechanism arranged for connecting the cover arrangement to a storage compartment, the locking mechanism comprising a first and a second locking pin movable along a second geometric axis, the first and second geometric axis being substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged between a first state in which the cover arrangement is arranged to be locked to the storage compartment, and a second state in which the cover arrangement is arranged to be unlocked from the storage compartment, wherein the cover arrangement further comprises an actuation handle connected to the first and second locking pins by means of at least one pre-tensioned spring, arranged to force the first and second locking pins outwardly of the cover arrangement in a direction along the second geometric axis, wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged in the second state when the actuation handle is moved along the second geometric axis, and wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged in the second state when the actuation handle is moved in either one of a first and a second direction of the second geometric axis.

11. A vehicle storage compartment arrangement comprising: a vehicle compartment and a cover arrangement being arranged to be slidably movable along a first geometric axis between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the cover arrangement comprises a locking mechanism arranged for connecting the cover arrangement to the vehicle storage compartment, the locking mechanism comprising a first and a second locking pin movable along a second geometric axis, the first and second geometric axis being substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged between a first state in which the cover arrangement is arranged to be locked to the vehicle storage compartment, and a second state in which the cover arrangement is arranged to be unlocked from the vehicle storage compartment, wherein the cover arrangement further comprises an actuation handle connected to the first and second locking pins by means of at least one pre-tensioned spring, arranged to force the first and second locking pins outwardly of the cover arrangement in a direction along the second geometric axis, wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged in the second state when the actuation handle is moved along the second geometric axis, and wherein the first and second locking pins are arranged in the second state when the actuation handle is moved in either one of a first and a second direction of the second geometric axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a lateral side view illustrating an example embodiment of a vehicle in the form of a truck;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle storage compartment arrangement according to an example embodiment;

(4) FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate an example embodiment of a locking mechanism for a cover arrangement of the vehicle storage compartment arrangement in FIG. 1;

(5) FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate another example embodiment of a locking mechanism for a cover arrangement of the vehicle storage compartment arrangement in FIG. 1; and

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates yet another example embodiment of a locking mechanism for a cover arrangement of the vehicle storage compartment arrangement in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(7) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.

(8) With particular reference to FIG. 1, there is provided a vehicle 1 in the form of a truck for which the vehicle storage compartment arrangement (100 in FIG. 2) is particularly suitable for. The vehicle storage compartment arrangement 100 may however be provided and used in other applications as well, such as e.g. buses, caravans, camper cars, etc. For simplicity, the following will however only describe the vehicle storage compartment arrangement 100 in relation to a position within a cabin of a truck.

(9) Reference is therefore made to FIG. 2, which is a perspective view illustrating the vehicle storage compartment arrangement 100 according to an example embodiment. As is depicted in FIG. 2, the vehicle storage compartment arrangement 100 comprises a storage compartment 102, in which an operator of the vehicle 1 can provide his/her belongings and other articles. The vehicle storage compartment arrangement 100 further comprises a cover arrangement 104 for opening and closing the access to the storage compartment 102. Hence, the cover arrangement 104 is movable between a closed position and an opened position by being slidably movable in a pair of guiding rail 103, 103′. In particular, the cover arrangement 104 is slidably movable in an upper 103 and a lower 103′ guiding rail along a first geometric axis 202. The cover arrangement 104 can of course also be movable along a curvature or along a radius as well, or along a direction formed as a spline. The cover arrangement 104 is preferably arranged as a jalousie which may be positioned in a semi-opened position, i.e. being locked/connected to the guiding rails 103, 103′ for gaining partial access to the interior of the storage compartment 102. According to an example, the cover arrangement 104 can be attached to the guiding rails 103, 103′ at predefined positions along the direction of the first geometric axis 202. This may be realized by providing a plurality of indentations (not shown) in the guiding rails, which indentations are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the first geometric axis.

(10) According to the illustration in FIG. 2, the vehicle storage compartment arrangement 100 comprises two storage compartments 102 and two cover arrangements 104.

(11) However, the invention should be construed as being equally applicable with only one storage compartment 102 and one cover arrangement 104.

(12) As further depicted in FIG. 2, the cover arrangement 104 comprises an actuation handle 112. The actuation handle 112 is arranged for controlling a locking mechanism (see e.g. 106 in FIGS. 3a-3b) for unlocking the cover arrangement 104 from the storage compartment 102, which will be described in further detail below in relation to the description of FIGS. 3a-5. The actuation handle 112 is also arranged for opening and closing the cover arrangement 104, by means of moving the actuation handle 112 in a direction of the first geometric axis 202.

(13) In order to describe the cover arrangement 104 in further detail, and in particular for the detailed description of the locking mechanism for connecting the cover arrangement to the storage compartment, reference is made to FIGS. 3a-3b. FIG. 3a illustrates the locking mechanism 106 in an exploded view while FIG. 3b illustrates the locking mechanism 106 in an assembled configuration. As depicted in FIGS. 3a-3b, the locking mechanism 106 comprises a first 108 and a second 110 locking pin, a locking housing 113, a first 114 and a second 116 pre-tensioned spring, a rotatable wheel 300, an actuation handle 112 and a protective cover 111.

(14) The locking pins 108, 110 are arranged in the locking housing 113 and movable along the direction of the second geometric axis 204 between an opened and closed position. Thus, when the locking pins 108, 110 are directed outwardly and out from the upper 101 and lower 101′ portions of the locking housing 113, they are arranged in the closed position, i.e. the position for connecting the cover arrangement 104 to the storage compartment 102. Moreover, the first 114 and second 116 pre-tensioned springs are connected between the locking housing 113 and the first 108 and second 110 locking pins, respectively. Hereby, the locking pins 108, 110 are arranged in a pre-tensioned configuration forcing the locking pins 108, 110 to be arranged in the closed position unless actively providing them in the opened position. The locking pins 108, 110 also comprises a respective actuation contact surface 301, 301′ arranged to contact a corresponding upper 303′ and lower 303 contact surface of the actuation handle 112.

(15) Moreover, the rotatable wheel 300 is rotatably connected to the locking housing 113 and comprises gear teeth 302. The gear teeth 302 of the rotatable wheel 300 are arranged in meshed connection with gear teeth 304, 306 of the first 108 and second 110 locking pins, respectively thus forming a rack-and-pinion arrangement.

(16) Thus, when moving the actuation handle 112 upwardly, the lower contact surface 303 of the actuation handle will contact the actuation contact surface 301 of the second locking pin and thus move the second locking pin 110 in an upward direction, i.e. towards a center of the locking housing 113. This will provide a rotational movement of the rotatable wheel 300 which will force the first locking pin 108 in a downward direction, i.e. in a direction towards the center of the locking housing 113.

(17) The first 108 and second 110 locking pins are moved towards each other. The upper contact surface 303′ of the actuation handle 112 and the actuation contact surface 301′ of the first locking pin 108 will be moved away from each other. Hereby, the cover arrangement 104 is unlocked from the storage compartment 102 and the actuation handle 112 can be moved in the direction of the first geometric axis for opening the cover arrangement 104 to gain access to the storage compartment. When releasing the actuation handle 112, the pre-tensioned springs 114, 116 will force the locking pins 108, 110 towards the closed position.

(18) The locking pins 108, 110 can also be arranged in the opened position by moving the actuation handle 112 in the downward direction. Hereby, the upper contact surface 303′ of the actuation handle 112 will contact the actuation contact surface 301′ of the first locking pin 108 and thus move the first locking pin 108 in the downward direction, i.e. towards a center of the locking housing 113. This will provide a rotational movement of the rotatable wheel 300 which will force the second locking pin 110 in the upward direction, i.e. towards the center of the locking housing 113. The first 108 and second 110 locking pins are moved towards each other. The lower contact surface 303 of the actuation handle 112 and the actuation contact surface 301 of the second locking pin 110 will be moved away from each other.

(19) Reference is made to FIGS. 4a-4b, which illustrate another example embodiment of the locking mechanism 406. FIG. 4a illustrates an exploded view of the locking mechanism 406 while FIG. 4b illustrates the locking mechanism 406 in an assembled configuration. The main difference between the locking mechanism 106 depicted in FIGS. 3a-3b and the locking mechanism 406 depicted in FIGS. 4a-4b lies in the rotatable wheel 400 and its connection to the first 108 and second 110 locking pins. Hence, the locking mechanism 406 in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4a-4b also comprises a first 108 and a second 110 locking pin, a locking housing 113, a first 114 and a second 116 pre-tensioned spring, a rotatable wheel 400, an actuation handle 112 and a protective cover 111. However, the rotatable wheel in FIGS. 4a-4b is oval shaped and comprise a first 402 and a second 402′ pin. Also, the locking pins 108, 110 comprise a first 403 and a second 403′ opening, respectively. Hereby, the first locking pin 108 is pivotably connected to the oval shaped rotatable wheel 400 by connecting the first pin 402 of the rotatable wheel to the first opening 403 of the first locking pin 108. Similarly, the second pin 403′ of the rotatable wheel 400 is connected to the second opening 403′. When one of the locking pins is moved by the actuation handle 112, the rotatable wheel 400 will rotate and force the other locking pin to be moved in the opposite direction. Hence, both locking pins 108, 110 will be moved towards the center of the locking housing 113, towards each other for unlocking the cover arrangement 104 from the storage compartment 102.

(20) Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which illustrates yet another example embodiment of the locking mechanism 506. Instead of using a pair of pre-tensioned springs as depicted in FIGS. 3a-4b, the locking mechanism 506 in FIG. 5 comprises a single pre-tensioned spring 514 arranged in the center of the rotatable wheel. The rotatable wheel in FIG. 5 comprises gear teeth and functions in a similar manner as the rotatable wheel depicted in FIGS. 3a-3b. However, the single pre-tensioned spring 514 can also be provided for the oval shaped rotatable wheel depicted in FIGS. 4a-4b. The function and purpose of the single pre-tensioned spring 514 is the same as described above for the pair of pre-tensioned springs, namely to force the first 108 and second 110 locking pins toward their closed position.

(21) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.