(12) United States Patent
`Stanesic
`
`USOO6406085B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,406,085 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 18, 2002
`
`(54) REMOVABLE BI-SECTION CARGO COVER
`SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventor: J. Matthew Stanesic, West Chester, OH
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Nifty Products, Inc., Hamilton, OH
`(US)
`0
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`c:
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/758,118
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 12, 2001
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................ B62D 2520
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 296/97.23; 296/.39.1; 296/66;
`296/1
`(58) Field of Search ................................ 296/97.23, 69,
`296/37.8, 37.16, 39.1, 66, 1
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,317,238 A 5/1967 Smoll
`3,807,790 A
`4/1974 Erard .......................... 296/66
`4,399,176 A * 8/1983 Bell et al....................... 296/1
`4,673,603 A
`6/1987 Roth. ............................. 296/1
`4,829,627 A * 5/1989 Altus et al. .............. 296/97.23
`4,848,826 A * 7/1989 Kuwabara et al. ....... 296/97.23
`4,932,709 A * 6/1990 Wainwright ................. 296/66
`4,943,105. A
`7/1990 Kacer et al. ............... 296/39.1
`4.968,548 A 11/1990 Gibson et al.
`4,979,772 A * 12/1990 Carey et al. .................. 296/66
`4,984,838 A
`1/1991 Kim ........................ 296/97.23
`
`
`
`5,215,345 A * 6/1993 Orphan ...................... 296/39.1
`5,322,335 A
`6/1994 Niemi ..................... 296/97.23
`5,358,768 A * 10/1994 Wiley, III ................ 296/97.23
`5,570,921. A 11/1996 Brooker ..................... 296/39.1
`5,683,132 A 11/1997 Danzo et al.
`5,806,909 A
`9/1998 Wise
`5.830,560 A 11/1998 Koa ........................ 296/97.23
`5,891,546 A 4/1999 Seman
`5,944,371. A 8/1999 Steiner et al.
`5,979.964 A * 11/1999 Ban et al. ..................... 296/66
`6,017,074 A * 1/2000 Biskup ...................... 296/39.1
`6,027,782. A
`2/2000 Sherman .................. 296/97.23
`6,102.464 A 8/2000 Schneider et al.
`6,129.404 A * 10/2000 Mattarella et al. ....... 296/65.09
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Ken Patel
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles R. Wilson
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A removable bi-Section cargo cover System comprises a
`molded floor mat and at least two detachable straps. The
`bi-Section cargo cover System is used in a vehicle where the
`cargo area is convertible from a full sized to a reduced sized
`cargo area. The molded floor mat component includes a fold
`line extending from one side edge to an opposed side edge
`which creates two sections. The detachable straps hold the
`molded floor mat to the auxiliary seat backs. When the
`auxiliary Seats are folded-down in a Subfloor of the cargo
`area, the molded floor mat is in a planar mode overlying
`substantially the full sized cargo area floor surface. When the
`auxiliary Seats are folded-up, the mold floor mat is in a right
`angle mode overlying Substantially the reduced sized cargo
`area floor Surface and the Seat backS.
`
`15 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 18, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 6,406,085 B1
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 18, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 6,406,085 B1
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`FG. 5
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 18, 2002
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`Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 6,406,085 B1
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 6
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`1
`REMOVABLE BI-SECTION CARGO COVER
`SYSTEM
`
`US 6,406,085 B1
`
`This invention relates to a removable cargo cover System
`intended for use in a vehicle. More particularly, the inven
`tion relates to a removable bi-Section cargo cover System
`capable of folding to accommodate both a full sized cargo
`area and a reduced sized cargo area of the vehicle.
`Sport utility vehicles commonly known as SUVs are a
`popular Selling vehicle. They typically have a cargo area in
`the rear of the vehicle which is most conveniently accessed
`from a rear door. The cargo area is in lieu of a trunk found
`on the more conventional auto. The rear door is hinged So
`that it Swings upwardly to fully expose the cargo area. This
`area is most often carpeted, Similar to the carpeted areas
`found in the front of the SUV. A removable one piece
`molded floor mat is often placed over the carpet in the cargo
`area to protect it.
`Newer model SUVs are being produced which offer a
`Set of auxiliary fold-down Seats installed behind a conven
`tional back Seat, whether a back bench Seat or individual
`back Seats. The auxiliary Seats can be folded down into the
`floor to present a Substantially flat Surface or can be folded
`up to an erect State Suitable for Seating. In effect, a third row
`of Seats can be created if needed. Inclusion of the auxiliary
`fold-down seats in the vehicle gives the vehicle's owner an
`option of a full cargo area to Store or haul items or extra
`Seating capacity.
`In the past, attempts have been made to produce a floor
`mat which can cover both a normal cargo area and an
`enlarged cargo area Such as obtained when back Seats
`directly behind the driver's Seat and front passenger Seat are
`folded down. A generally flattened area is presented by the
`folded-down back seat and the balance of the cargo area
`surface. Ideally, the back of the back seat when in this
`fold-down position should be covered to protect it. Attempts
`have been made to create a floor mat which is able to cover
`both the normal cargo area and the enlarged cargo area.
`Examples are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,317,238, 4.848,826,
`4,968,548, 4,979,772, 5,215,345, 5,322,335, 5,683,132,
`5,806,909, 5,944,371, 6,102.464. However, the known prod
`ucts appear to be either flimsy coverings not capable of fully
`protecting the carpet in the cargo area, bulky articles cum
`berSome to use, or expensive articles given the intended use.
`In accord with a need, there has been developed a floor
`covering Sized to fit into a cargo area of a SUV and capable
`of Substantially covering a floor Surface in the cargo area
`whether in a normal full sized configuration or in a reduced
`sized configuration. The floor covering can be removed and
`periodically cleaned. It is manufactured at a reasonable cost,
`is readily installed in the vehicle, and is effective in per
`forming its dual functions.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A removable bi-Section cargo cover System is configured
`for positioning in a back cargo area of a vehicle. The System
`comprises a molded floor mat and at least two detachable
`attaching means. The molded floor mat includes a fold line
`extending from one side edge to an opposed side edge. The
`fold line divides the floor mat into a first section and a
`Second Section. Each of the at least two detachable attaching
`means is for attachment at one terminus to the molded floor
`mat and at another terminus to the auxiliary Seat. The
`molded floor mat is capable of folding about its fold line to
`Substantially cover the full cargo area or to Substantially
`cover a reduced cargo area as is created when the auxiliary
`Seats are moved to a fold-up position in the normal cargo
`aca.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the removable bi-section
`cargo cover System positioned in the cargo area of a vehicle
`when a set of auxiliary Seats are in a fold-down position.
`FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the removable bi-section
`cargo cover System of FIG. 1 when the auxiliary Seats are in
`a fold-up position.
`FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the removable bi-section
`cargo cover System of FIG. 1 in isolation.
`FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a detachable attaching
`means found on the removable bi-section cargo cover Sys
`tem of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the detachable attaching
`means of FIG. 4 showing rotation of an elongated hold arm.
`FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
`3 showing a double walled raised wall found on a molded
`floor mat of the removable bi-Section cargo cover System of
`FIG. 3.
`FIG. 7 is a view in section taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
`3 showing a single walled raised wall of the molded floor
`mat of the removable bi-section cargo cover system of FIG.
`3.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The removable bi-Section cargo cover System of the
`invention is designed for use in the cargo area of a SUV. It
`finds its most use in the SUV and is for this reason described
`with particularity in the following paragraphs and with
`reference to the drawings. The removable bi-Section cargo
`cover System is also useful in other vehicles where a cargo
`area is convertible from a full sized cargo area to a reduced
`sized cargo area.
`The removable bi-Section cargo cover System is intended
`to fit into the cargo area and Snugly fit within its confines. A
`molded floor mat component of the System is able to contain
`debris and Serves to protect a carpeted floor Surface. The
`molded floor mat is designed for periodic removable for
`cleaning purposes. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
`removable bi-section cargo cover System 10 comprises a
`molded floor mat 11 and at least two detachable attaching
`means 12. The molded floor mat depicted in the figures is
`highly preferred because of its tray-like center area and
`raised walls while the detachable attaching means also
`depicted in the figures are highly preferred for their ease of
`use features. The molded floor mat 11 and the detachable
`attaching means 12 are described in detail below as is their
`interaction.
`AS evident from the drawings, the bi-Section cargo cover
`System 10 has a planar mode when auxiliary Seats are in a
`fold-down position as in FIG. 1 and a right angle mode when
`the auxiliary Seats are in a fold-up position as in FIG. 2. In
`each mode, the molded floor mat 11 remains attached to the
`auxiliary Seats through the detachable attaching means 12.
`AS best seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the molded floor mat 11
`is a composite of one piece construction. That is, it is unitary
`in Structure, there being no Seams, overlapping edges or
`anything of this Sort. The floor mat has two distinct layers as
`evident in FIGS. 6 and 7. A tufted carpet 15 represents the
`top layer. The carpet 15 includes a backing and pile yarn
`which are Secured to the backing and form a pile Surface on
`the carpets top Surface. The backing is a woven or non
`woven fibrous material. The pile yarn can be made from a
`natural or Synthetic materials. Typically, they are made from
`a Synthetic material because Such materials are more durable
`
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`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
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`and clean better. Polyester, polypropylene, and nylon are
`examples of widely used pile yarn materials. The yarns are
`usually Secured to the backing by a binder composition.
`Athermoplastic backing material 16 represents the Second
`layer and covers the underside of the carpet 15. The ther
`moplastic backing material 16 provides toughneSS and elas
`ticity. Primarily, it imparts stiffness and moldability to the
`carpet So that the carpet can be molded to a desired deeply
`contoured shape and Such shape be retained. Examples of
`Suitable thermoplastics include polymers of ethylene and
`propylene, copolymers of ethylene with ethylenically unsat
`urated monomers, e.g. ethylenevinyl acetate, acrylates, poly
`vinyl chlorides and styrene-butadiene polymers. Preferably,
`the thermoplastic backing material is capable of being
`softened at a temperature of from about 300 degrees F to
`about 500degrees F to become readily moldable. It is applied
`to the tufted carpet in any manner, e.g. by dispersion coating,
`extrusion coating, calendaring and lamination. Thermoplas
`tic backed carpets of the nature described are commercially
`available in a range of colors and weights.
`The floor mat 11 is molded to have a substantially flat base
`20 with a front peripheral edge 21, back peripheral edge 22,
`and opposed side peripheral edges 23 and 24. In the highly
`preferred depicted embodiment of the invention, the molded
`floor mat 11 also has peripheral raised walls near its edges
`to create a tray-like center area. In the planar mode, the
`molded floor mat 11 has a front peripheral raised wall 25, a
`back peripheral raised wall 26, a first Side peripheral raised
`wall 27 and a second side peripheral raised wall 28, all at
`Substantially right angles to one another to form the tray-like
`Center area.
`The peripheral raised wall 25 adjacent a back door sill and
`the opposed peripheral raised wall 26 have the same con
`figuration. Each is preferably doubled walled and each has
`a Substantially horizontally extending floor engaging periph
`eral lip 29. With reference to FIG. 6, the double walled
`peripheral raised wall 25 has a vertically extending inside
`wall 30 which extends up from the flat base to about three
`inches, preferably about one inch to about two inches, a
`horizontally extending top wall 31, and a vertically extend
`ing outside wall 32 which extends down to the approximate
`Same plane as the flat base 20. The floor engaging peripheral
`lip 29 extends substantially horizontally from the 5 outside
`wall 32. The peripheral lip lies in substantially the same
`plane as the flat base 20 of the floor mat. With reference to
`FIG. 7, the side peripheral raised wall 27 is single walled,
`with a substantially vertically extending single wall 33 and
`peripheral lip 34 which extends substantially horizontally to
`structurally 10 blend into a side wall of the vehicle's cargo
`aca.
`The tray-like center area of the molded floor mat helps to
`hold spilled liquids and debris within its confines. This
`further protects against Staining or Soiling of any vehicle
`carpet underlying the molded floor mat. It also facilitates
`cleaning of the carpet surface of the molded floor mat. Still
`useful, though, are molded car mats that are Substantially flat
`from edge to edge without the tray-like center area.
`The molded floor mat 11 must be specially configured for
`the vehicle where it is to be used. For example, edge areas
`on each lateral Side may be curved inwardly to accommo
`date the vehicle's back wheel wells. The substantially flat
`center tray area may also have raised areas and Suppressed
`areas to accommodate the vehicle's variously shaped floor
`Surface area. As evident from FIG. 1, the molded floor mat
`is shaped to fit snugly into the interior vehicle 25 area with
`minimal uncovered peripheral open areas. AS Such, the
`relatively expensive original equipment carpet is fully pro
`tected.
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`Further and again with reference to FIG. 3, the molded
`floor mat 11 has a set of grommeted elongated holes 35 near
`the back edge 22 and in alignment with head rest posts. Each
`grommeted elongated hole is sized to operate with the
`detachable attaching means 12 as further discussed below.
`AS shown, the raised wall 26 has three Sections created by
`inclusion of the two grommeted holes 35. The holes 35 could
`as well be more near the peripheral lip thus allowing for the
`raised wall 26 to extend fully acroSS the back edge.
`Still with reference to FIG. 3, the molded floor mat has a
`fold line 36 molded into its thermoplastic backing. The fold
`line 36 is to facilitate the folding of the floor mat from its
`planar mode to its right angle mode. The fold line extends
`from one side edge 23 to an opposed side edge 24. It
`effectively forms a first section 15 defined by the front edge
`21, side edge 23, fold line 36 and side edge 24 and a second
`Section defined by the back edge 22, Side edge 24, fold line
`36 and side edge 23. Further, the molded floor mat 11
`preferably has molded V-shaped indentations 37 at each
`terminus of the fold line 36 to facilitate folding of the mat
`at the fold line.
`The detachable attaching means 12 are best seen in FIGS.
`4 and 5. Each of the attaching means 12 has a strap 40 which
`is flexible with a first terminus 41 and a second terminus 42.
`The first terminus 41 has a latching member 43 dimensioned
`to fit through the grommeted hole 35 in the molded floor mat
`11. The latching member 43 is permanently secured to the
`strap 40. It includes a post 44 and an elongated hold arm 45
`rotatably mounted on the post. The length of the post 44 is
`sufficiently long to fit through the hole 35 of the floor mat 11.
`The elongated hold arm 45 has a length which allows it to
`pass through the hole in the molded floor mat when properly
`aligned. When rotated about 90 degrees about the post, the
`elongated hold arm Overlies edges of the grommeted elon
`gated hole 35 and effectively traps the molded floor mat 11.
`Such latching members are commercially available. AS
`should be apparent, their manner of operating makes them
`particularly useful in that they allow for a quick detachment
`of the molded floor mat 11 from the attaching means 12. The
`molded floor mat can thus be readily removed for periodic
`cleaning and readily reinstalled.
`The second terminus of the strap 40 has a D-shaped
`buckle 46. The buckle 46 is dimensioned to fit onto the head
`rest post. Other structures which interact with the head rest
`post can be used in place of the buckle 46. For example, a
`circular ring can be Secured to the Second terminus of the
`Strap. A grommeted hole in the Strap 40 near the Second
`terminus 42 can as well be used. An open ended ring could
`be used when legs of the ring are resilient enough to spread
`open during installation on the head rest posts.
`It should be apparent that each of the attaching means 12
`is readily positioned on the molded floor mat by use of the
`latching members 43. The attaching means is also readily
`positioned on the head rest post simply by removing the
`head rest with its post attached, positioning the buckle 46
`onto the head rest post and finally repositioning the head rest
`onto the auxiliary Seat.
`Other detachable attaching means can be used. For
`example, Straps which have a hook or loop fastener com
`monly Sold as Velcro on one or both terminuses can be used.
`Still other attaching means which secure the molded floor
`mat to the auxiliary Seats can be used.
`Optional features can be added to the removable
`bi-Section cargo cover System of the invention. For example,
`the peripheral edges can all be finished by Serging or a
`Stitched binding.
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 8
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`S
`Having described the invention in its preferred
`embodiment, it should be clear that modifications can be
`made without departing from the Spirit of the invention. It is
`not intended that the words used to describe the invention
`nor the drawings illustrating the Same be limiting on the
`invention. It is intended that the invention only be limited by
`the Scope of the appended claims.
`I claim:
`1. A removable bi-Section cargo cover System for posi
`tioning in a cargo area of a vehicle wherein the cargo area
`defined in part by auxiliary Seats is convertible from having
`a full sized cargo area to a reduced sized cargo area, Said
`removable bi-Section cargo cover System comprising:
`(a) a molded floor mat configured to Snugly fit into the full
`sized cargo area of the vehicle to Substantially cover the
`full sized cargo area floor Surface, Said molded floor
`mat having a front peripheral raised wall with a front
`peripheral edge, a back peripheral raised wall with a
`back peripheral edge and opposed Side first and Second
`peripheral raised walls with Side peripheral edges to
`form a tray-like central area and further said molded
`floor mat having a fold line extending in a mid-Section
`of said molded floor mat from one of said side periph
`eral edges to the opposed side peripheral edge with a
`V-shaped indentation in each terminus of the fold line
`at the Side peripheral edges for facilitating folding the
`molded floor mat at the fold line to create a first section
`defined by the front peripheral edge, opposed Side
`peripheral edges and fold line and a Second Section
`defined by the back peripheral edge, opposed Side
`peripheral edges and fold line; and
`(b) at least two detachable attaching means operably
`asSociated with the molded floor mat for removably
`attaching to the molded floor mat and for Semi
`permanently attaching to the auxiliary Seats,
`whereby the removable bi-Section cargo cover System is
`attached to the auxiliary seats and is foldable about the fold
`line in the molded floor mat to convert from a planar mode
`overlying Substantially the full sized cargo area to a right
`angle mode overlying Substantially both the reduced sized
`cargo area and the backs of the auxiliary Seats.
`2. The removable bi-Section cargo cover System of claim
`1 wherein the front peripheral raised wall, first Side periph
`eral raised wall, back peripheral raised wall, and Second Side
`peripheral raised wall of the molded floor mat are at about
`right angles to one another to form the tray-like central area.
`3. The removable bisection cargo cover System of claim
`2 wherein the front peripheral raised wall and the back
`peripheral raised wall are each double walled with an inside
`wall, a top wall and a outside wall and further a floor
`engaging lip extending from the outside wall which lies
`Substantially in the same plane as the flat base.
`4. The removable bi-Section cargo cover System of claim
`3 wherein each of the floor engaging lips of the raised walls
`has a finished edging.
`5. The removable bi-section cargo cover system of claim
`1 wherein the molded floor mat has a set of holes near the
`back peripheral edge to receive the detachable attaching
`CS.
`6. The removable bi-Section cargo cover System of claim
`5 wherein the molded floor mat has at least two spaced
`elongated holes near the back edge in alignment with head
`rest posts of at least two spaced head rests on the auxiliary
`Seats.
`7. The removable bi-section cargo cover system of claim
`6 wherein each of the at least two detachable attaching
`means has a Strap with one terminus having a latching
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`member Secured thereto, Said latching member having a post
`extending Substantially perpendicularly from the Strap and
`an elongated hold arm rotatably attached to a free end of the
`post, Said elongated hold arm for extending through one of
`the at least two elongated holes in the molded floor mat and
`rotating about 90 degrees to trap the molded floor mat to the
`attaching means.
`8. The removable bi-section cargo cover system of claim
`7 wherein each Strap of the at least two detachable attaching
`means has a Second terminus with a buckle for fitting onto
`one of the head rest posts Secured to the auxiliary Seats.
`9. A removable bi-Section cargo cover System for posi
`tioning in a cargo area of a vehicle wherein the cargo area
`is convertible from having a full sized cargo area to a
`reduced sized cargo area by causing at least two auxiliary
`Seats normally Stored in a Sub-floor area of the cargo area to
`erect to form Seats within the cargo area with each auxiliary
`Seat having a Seat portion and a back rest portion and further
`Said back rest portion having at least one head rest post
`extending from a top Surface with Said head rest perma
`nently mounted on the at least one head rest post, Said
`removable bi-Section cargo cover System comprising:
`(a) a molded floor mat having a thermoplastic backing
`material and a carpet top Surface configured when in a
`planar mode to Snugly fit into the full sized cargo area
`of the vehicle to substantially cover the full sized cargo
`area floor Surface, Said molded floor mat having a flat
`base with a front peripheral raised double wall with a
`front peripheral edge, a back peripheral raised double
`wall with a back peripheral edge and opposed first and
`Second Side peripheral raised walls with Side peripheral
`edges with each of Said peripheral raised walls being at
`about right angles to one another to form a tray-like
`central area and further having a fold line molded into
`the floor mats thermoplastic backing for folding to a
`right angle mode, Said fold line extending in a mid
`Section of Said molded floor mat from one of Said side
`peripheral edges to the opposed side peripheral edge to
`create a first Section defined by the front peripheral
`edge, opposed side peripheral edges and fold line and
`a Second Section defined by the back peripheral edge,
`opposed Side peripheral edges and fold line; and
`(b) at least two detachable attaching means operably
`asSociated with the molded floor mat, each Said at least
`two detachable attaching means having a first terminus
`with means for removably attaching to the molded floor
`mat and a Second terminus with means for Semi
`permanently attaching to a head rest post,
`whereby the removable bi-Section cargo cover System is
`attached to the at least two head rest posts of the auxiliary
`seats and is foldable about the fold line in the molded floor
`mat to convert from the planar mode overlying Substantially
`the full sized cargo area floor Surface to the right angle mode
`overlying Substantially the reduced sized cargo area floor
`Surface and the backs of the auxiliary Seats.
`10. The removable bi-section cargo cover system of claim
`9 wherein the molded floor mat has a V-shaped indentation
`on each side edge extending to the fold line to facilitate
`folding said molded floor mat at the fold line.
`11. The removable bi-section cargo cover System of claim
`9 wherein the front peripheral raised double wall and the
`back peripheral raised double wall each have an inside wall,
`a top wall and an outside wall and further have a floor
`engaging lip extending from the outside wall which lies
`Substantially in the same plane as the flat base.
`12. The removable bi-Section cargo cover System of claim
`9 wherein the molded floor mat has a set of grommeted holes
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
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`7
`near the back peripheral edge to receive the detachable
`attaching means.
`13. The removable bi-section cargo cover system of claim
`12 wherein each of the at least two detachable attaching
`means has a Strap with one terminus having a latching
`member Secured thereto, Said latching member having a post
`extending Substantially perpendicularly from the Strap and
`an elongated hold arm rotatably attached to a free end of the
`post, Said elongated hold arm for extending through the
`grommeted hole in the molded floor mat and rotating about
`90 degrees to trap the molded floor mat to the attaching
`CS.
`14. The removable bi-section cargo cover System of claim
`13 wherein each strap of the at least two detachable attach
`ing means has a Second terminus with a buckle for fitting
`onto the head rest post Secured to the auxiliary Seat.
`15. A removable bi-Section cargo cover System for posi
`tioning in a cargo area of a vehicle wherein the cargo area
`is convertible from having a full sized cargo area to a
`reduced sized cargo area by causing auxiliary Seats normally
`Stored in a Sub-floor area of the cargo area to erect to form
`Seats within the cargo area with each auxiliary Seat having
`a Seat portion and a back rest portion and further said back
`rest portion having at least one head rest post extending from
`a top Surface with Said head rest permanently mounted on
`the at least one head rest post, Said removable bi-Section
`cargo cover System comprising:
`(a) a molded floor mat having a thermoplastic backing
`material and a carpet top Surface configured to Snugly
`fit into the full sized cargo area of the vehicle to
`Substantially cover the full sized cargo area floor
`Surface, Said molded floor mat having a flat base and a
`front edge with a front peripheral raised wall, a back
`edge with a back peripheral raised wall and opposed
`Side edges with Side peripheral raised walls and further
`wherein the front peripheral raised wall and the back
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`US 6,406,085 B1
`
`8
`peripheral raised wall are each double walled with an
`inside wall, a top wall and a outside wall and further
`each has a floor engaging lip extending from the
`Outside wall which lies Substantially in the Same plane
`as the flat base, Said molded floor mat further having a
`Set of holes near the back edge and a fold line molded
`into the floor mats thermoplastic backing material to
`extend in a mid-Section of Said molded floor mat from
`one of Said Side edges to the opposed side edge to create
`a first Section defined by the front edge, opposed Side
`edges and fold line and a Second Section defined by the
`back edge, opposed side edges and fold line, and
`(b) two detachable attaching means operably associated
`with the molded floor mat, each of said two detachable
`attaching means having a Strap with a first terminus and
`a Second terminus with a latching member Secured to
`the first terminus of the Strap, Said latching member
`having a post extending Substantially perpendicularly
`from the Strap and an elongated hold arm rotatably
`attached to a free end of the post, Said elongated hold
`arm for extending through one of the holes in the
`molded floor mat and rotating about 90 degrees for
`removably attaching to the molded floor mat and fur
`ther with a buckle secured to the second terminus of the
`Strap for Semi-permanently attaching to a head rest
`post,
`whereby the removable bi-Section cargo cover System is
`attached to the two head rest posts of the auxiliary Seats and
`is foldable about the fold line in the molded floor mat to
`convert from a planar mode overlying Substantially the full
`sized cargo area floor Surface to a right angle mode over
`lying Substantially the reduced sized floor Surface area and
`the backs of the auxiliary Seats.
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2073
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 10
`
`