throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Stanesic et al.
`
`USOO62448O2B1
`US 6,244,802 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Jun. 12, 2001
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) CARGO HOLD SYSTEM FOR MOTOR
`VEHICLES
`
`(75) Inventors: J. Matthew Stanesic, West Chester;
`Raymond O. Sherman, Fairfield, both
`of OH (US)
`(73) Assignee: Nifty Products, Inc., Hamilton, OH
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/574,020
`(22) Filed:
`May 19, 2000
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................................................ B60P 7/08
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................
`410/94; 410/122; 410/155
`(58) Field of Search .................................. 410/90, 91, 94,
`410/95, 121, 155; 296/24.1, 39.1, 39.2;
`224/42.33, 403; 248/351, 357
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Re. 33.200 * 4/1990 Reynolds et al.................... 296/39.1
`4,027,892
`6/1977 Parks ........................................ 410/3
`4,512,503
`4/1985 Gioso.
`4,718,584 * 1/1988 Scheeny .
`4,838,745 * 6/1989 Haydock .............................. 410/121
`4,842,460
`6/1989 Schlesch .............................. 410/121
`4,884,733
`12/1989 Geeves.
`4.941,784
`7/1990 Flament ............................... 410/121
`
`7/1991. Shea et al. .
`5,031,769
`11/1992 Stannis et al..
`5,161,700
`5,167,433 * 12/1992 Ryan ................................... 296/24.1
`5,205,602
`4/1993 Hoase et al. ....................... 410/78 X
`5,392,972
`2/1995 Caruso et al. .
`5,518,170
`5/1996 Rasmussen.
`5,549,428
`8/1996 Yeatts ..................................... 410/94
`5,605,108 * 2/1997 Weasley ...
`296/39.1 X
`5,655,863
`8/1997 Mundt .................................... 410/94
`5,662,305
`9/1997 Shimamura et al. .
`5,819,996
`10/1998 Koons, Jr..
`5,865,580
`2/1999 Lawrence ............................. 410/118
`6,012,885
`1/2000 Taylor et al.
`... 410/94
`6,109,847
`8/2000 Patel et al. ........................... 410/129
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Stephen T. Gordon
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles R. Wilson
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A cargo hold System is for use in motor vehicles. The System
`comprises a molded floor mat configured to fit in a defined
`area of the vehicle, e.g. a back cargo area. The molded floor
`mat is made from a carpet which has looped fibers extending
`from its Surface. The System also includes at least one rigid
`retention member having at least two linear legs connected
`at Substantially right angles. The retention member further
`has an upstanding vertical wall and a Substantially flat
`bottom wall. The bottom wall has adhered to it hook-type
`fasteners. In use, the hook-type fasteners on the rigid reten
`tion member interact with the looped fibers of the molded
`floor mat to create a rearrangeable System to hold in place a
`variety of different shaped and sized articles.
`23 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2001
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2001
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2001
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 6,244,802 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2001
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 6,244,802 B1
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`FIG.7
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`1
`CARGO HOLD SYSTEM FOR MOTOR
`VEHICLES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to a cargo hold System for use in a
`motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a
`cargo hold System for use in a cargo area of a motor vehicle
`for holding transported articles in Selectable positions.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Personal use motor vehicles Such as automobiles, Station
`wagons, hatchbacks, Sports utility vehicles, vans, and, in
`recent years, pick-up trucks are used on an almost daily basis
`to transport people and to transport articles for household
`use. Consumer articles Such as groceries are typically
`bagged and placed inside the vehicle on a Seat, floor area or
`trunk area. Consumer articles Such as potted plants are more
`likely to be put into a trunk area or a back cargo area of the
`vehicle. Small reuSeable articles for occasional use Such as
`fishing tackle, Sports equipment and the like will likely be
`placed in the vehicle where they can be out of sight but
`conveniently retrieved, e.g. the trunk or cargo area.
`Anyone who has ever driven a motor vehicle knows that
`Small articles to be transported can pose a problem. Grocery
`bags in particular represent a widely experienced problem.
`They tend to fall over and spill their contents when the
`vehicle turns a corner even at Slow Speeds and certainly upon
`Sudden Stops. The problem is lessened in automobiles that
`have deep back seat floor wells. Vehicles with a flat floor
`area or a flat back cargo area present a real challenge.
`The problems of transporting Small articles in the personal
`vehicle without incident is well recognized. Most people
`will carefully pack articles up against a back Seat and door
`wall or place objects Such as blankets around the articles to
`keep them from tipping. This can work depending on the
`care and effort expended by the individual. Others have
`purchased various racks and organizers Sold for this purpose.
`For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,718,584, 4,842,460 and
`5,031,7669. The racks and organizers appear to serve their
`purpose. However, it is also apparent that Such products take
`up valuable Space when not in use. They also tend not to be
`versatile in the types of articles they can effectively hold.
`Motorists have widely experienced problems with trans
`porting the occasional personal items for many years with
`out having a good Solution. In accord with this need, there
`has now been developed a System for use in motor Vehicles
`of all styles that solve the problem. The system is
`economical, its use is readily understood and it is effective
`for transporting a variety of different sized and shaped
`articles.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A motor Vehicle cargo hold System Securely holds articles
`for transport. The cargo hold System comprises a configured
`molded floor mat and at least one rearrangeable rigid reten
`tion member. The molded floor mat has a top surface of fiber
`loops extending therefrom. A thermoplastic backing on the
`carpet holds the fiber loops and Substantially prevents them
`from being pulled loose. The rigid retention member has at
`least two linear legs which are connected to form a Substan
`tially right angle. Further, each linear leg has upstanding
`vertical walls and a bottom wall which has adhered to it a
`hook-type fastener Strip. The hook-type fastener Strip inter
`acts with the loops of the molded floor mat to cause the rigid
`retention member to remain in position, for example wedged
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`against an article being transported, yet is readily pulled
`away to free the transported article. The rearrangeable rigid
`retention member can be repeatedly used without causing
`Significant damage to the fiber loops of the carpet mat.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the cargo hold system
`of the invention showing a molded floor mat positioned in a
`cargo area of a motor vehicle and two rigid retention
`members selectively placed on the molded floor mat with an
`article being transported shown in phantom.
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial elevational view in croSS
`Section of the molded floor mat of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of one of the rigid retention
`members of the cargo hold system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective showing outside
`vertical wall surfaces of the rigid retention member of FIG.
`3.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective showing inside
`vertical Surfaces of the rigid retention member of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of another rigid retention
`member having tall vertical walls for use with the molded
`floor mat of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of still another rigid
`retention member having long vertical walls for use with the
`molded floor mat of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The cargo hold system of the invention is described in
`detail in the following paragraphs and with particular ref
`erence to the drawings. The System of the invention is
`particularly conducive to use in a back cargo area of a Station
`wagon, hatchback, Sports utility vehicle and Van. This par
`ticular use is shown in the figures. It is also useful in the back
`Seat area of automobiles and pick-up trunks, especially those
`with a flat floor area. It should be understood the cargo hold
`System of the invention can be adapted for use in any interior
`area of any motor vehicle Style Simply by configuring the
`molded floor mat to fit the area being served.
`With reference to FIG. 1, the cargo hold system 10 of the
`invention comprises a molded floor mat 11 and two rigid
`retention members 12 having a L-shape. The molded floor
`mat 11 is configured to fit a particular vehicle with each
`peripheral edge preferably shaped to abut a wall, back Seat
`or door of the vehicle. The rigid retention members 12 are
`of varying length and height, though each interacts with the
`Surface of the molded floor mat to create a Secure, but
`temporary barrier to confine one or more articles. Each of
`the components of the cargo hold System is described in
`detail below.
`The molded floor mat 11 has a substantially flat base 13
`and preferably, raised walls 14, 15, 16 and 17 around its
`periphery to create a tray-like center area. The raised wall 14
`adjacent a back door Sill and the opposed raised wall 16 are
`double walled and each has a substantially horizontally
`extending floor engaging peripheral lip 18. Each of the
`double walled raised walls 14 and 16 has an inside wall
`which extends substantially vertically from the flat base up
`to about three inches, preferably about one inch to about two
`inches, a Substantially horizontal top wall, and an outside
`wall which extends substantially vertically down to the
`approximate Same plane as the flat base 13. The floor
`engaging peripheral lip 18 extends Substantially horizontally
`from the outside wall. The peripheral lips lie in substantially
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`US 6,244,802 B1
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`the same plane as the flat base 13 of the floor mat. The side
`raised walls 15 and 17 are single walls, each with a periph
`eral lip 19 which extends substantially horizontally to struc
`turally blend into Side walls of the vehicle's cargo area.
`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. As shown, edge areas 20
`and 21 on each lateral side is curved inwardly to accom
`modate the vehicle's back wheel wells. The substantially flat
`center tray area may also have raised areas and depressed
`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 area to be
`covered with minimal uncovered peripheral open areas. AS
`Such, the relatively expensive original equipment carpet is
`fully protected.
`AS best seen in FIG. 2, the molded floor mat 11 includes
`an upper carpet layer 22, an intermediate thermoplastic
`binder layer 23 and a lower thermoplastic molding layer 24.
`The carpet layer 22 is comprised of a multiplicity of fiber
`loops 25 which extend upwardly. The fiber loops 25 are
`made from natural or Synthetic fiber Strands, though it is
`preferred that the Strands be made from a Synthetic material
`because Such materials are more durable and clean better.
`Polyester, polypropylene and nylon are examples of widely
`used Strands. Polypropylene Strands are highly preferred
`because of their ability to repel moisture, resist Staining, and
`are easily cleaned. The thermoplastic binder layer holds the
`fiber loops in a coherent mass and facilitates application of
`the lower thermoplastic molding layer as discussed below.
`The carpet used in the molded floor mat is produced in a
`manner which makes it particularly useful as a part of the
`cargo hold System. The carpet, most importantly, has a Series
`of fiber loops which are so securely held to its thermoplastic
`binder layer that repeated hook fastener engagements can be
`withstood without Substantial loop pull-outs or loop break
`ings. The carpet is commercially available. It is made by
`what is considered in the industry as a needle punch process.
`Initially, a fibrous web of fiber is produced. The fibrous web
`is cross laid by a series of conveyor belts. Multiple layers of
`fibrous webs, e.g. up to twelve layers, are accumulated on a
`floor apron. The croSS laid layers are fed into a pre-needling
`needle loom which consolidates the fibers together through
`a mechanical entanglement process of felting needles mov
`50
`ing up and down continuously through the layers. The
`resultant felt then passes through a Second needle loom
`which needles from the opposite direction to tuck loose
`fibers back into the felt to make a relatively smooth and flat
`Surface. At this point, the felt goes to a third needle loom
`called a structuring loom. This loom uses fork or rib needles
`to produce tufts of looped fibers as the needles pass repeat
`edly up and down through the pre-needled felt to give the
`carpet.
`The intermediate thermoplastic binder layer 23 is now
`applied to the carpet's lower Side to forming a backing and
`securely holding the fiber loops. Polyethylene is one
`example of a Suitable binder, though other conventional
`thermoplastic binders can be used. It is applied by dispersion
`coating, extrusion coating, calendaring and lamination.
`The lower thermoplastic molding layer 24 represents the
`underSide of the floor mat. This layer provides a tough,
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`elastic and non-tacky backing. 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 unsaturated monomers, e.g. ethylenevinyl
`acetate, acrylates, polyvinyl chlorides and Styrene-butadiene
`polymers. Preferably, as explained below, the thermoplastic
`material is capable of being Softened at a temperature of
`from about 190 degrees F. to about 240 degrees F. to become
`readily moldable. The backing is applied to the carpet in any
`manner, e.g. by dispersion coating, extrusion coating, cal
`endaring and lamination and is normally applied immedi
`ately after the intermediate thermoplastic binder layer as part
`of the Same processing Step.
`Each rigid retention member forming a part of the cargo
`hold System has at least two linear legs which are connected
`together to form an angle of from about 75 degrees to about
`105 degrees. At least one and preferably at least two rigid
`retention members are used to interact with the Surface of the
`molded floor mat 11 to create a stable barrier to hold articles
`being transported. Two linear legs can be joined at their
`respective terminuses to form a generally L-shaped retention
`member as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and further discussed
`below. Other retention members having the requisite angle
`include generally C-shaped, E-shaped, H-shaped, T-shaped
`and U-shaped members. The aforementioned shaped reten
`tion members can have two, three, four, or more linear legs
`appropriately connected together. The individual linear legs
`can be arranged in the particular shaped retention member
`needed by the user for the task at hand. Alternatively, the
`retention member can be permanently shaped for a more
`universal use.
`It should be understood in practice any number of rigid
`retention members can be used as a part of the cargo hold
`system 10. Thus, one retention member can be used in
`conjunction with a corner of the molded floor mat or an
`interior wall of the vehicle to effectively hold an article in
`place. Two retention members can be positioned on the
`molded floor mat diametrically opposite one another Such as
`depicted in FIG. 1 to create a four-side barrier to hold an
`article. Three or four retention members can be used to
`create a full three or four sided barrier to hold an article.
`Multiple retention members can be used independently, in
`pairs, or in various geometric patterns with one another to
`create virtually any temporary barrier configuration to hold
`a multitude of articles having a multitude of shapes.
`Each rigid retention member 12 depicted in FIGS. 3-5 has
`a first linear leg 30 and a Second linear leg 31 connected at
`Substantially right angles at their respective terminuses to
`form L-shaped retention members. The leg 30 is essentially
`an elongated rectangular-shaped block. It has an upstanding
`article-engaging Substantially vertical wall 32, a cargo bed
`engaging Substantially horizontal bottom wall 33 and a
`substantially horizontal top wall 34. The second leg 31
`Similarly has an upstanding article-engaging Substantially
`Vertical wall 35, a cargo bed-engaging Substantially hori
`Zontal bottom wall 36 and a substantially horizontal top wall
`37. The legs are preferably made of a synthetic plastic.
`Wood, composites and metal can also be used in place of the
`plastic, though do not provide the same manufacturing and
`cost advantages as the plastic. The legs 30 and 31 can be
`solid, though preferably have cut-outs 38 and 39, respec
`tively for weight reduction purposes and raw material Sav
`IngS.
`The legs 30 and 31 of the retention member 12 preferably
`have the Same height, though their lengths can vary. A
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`typical upstanding vertical wall height ranges from about
`three inches to about ten inches, preferably from about four
`inches to about eight inches. Typical wall lengths range from
`about five inches to about fifteen inches, preferably about
`eight inches to about twelve inches.
`The rigid retention member 12 can be one piece or, as
`evident in FIGS. 4 and 5, can be formed from two linear legs
`which are joined at their ends to form the L-shaped retention
`member. Preferably, the retention member 12 is manufac
`tured as two pieces for ease of manufacturing and also for
`ease of Shipping. AS should be evident, multiple low profile
`linear pieces are easier to make and ship as opposed to one
`bulky irregular-shaped piece. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
`first linear leg 30 is provided with locking tabs 40 at one end.
`The locking tabs 40 extend horizontally from the legs
`terminus. Each tab has a retention lug 41 at a distal terminus
`on one side and a friction lug 42 at a proximal terminus and
`on an opposed Side. The Second linear leg 31 is shaped to
`receive and permanently hold the tabs 40 of the first leg 30.
`As apparent in FIG. 4, the second linear leg 31 has holes 43
`to receive the retention lugs. As best seen in FIG. 5, the
`second leg 31 has ribs 44 to strengthen the member and aid
`in creating a friction fit with the first linear leg 30.
`The separate legs 30 and 31 are readily assembled. The
`locking tabs 40 on the first linear leg 30 are aligned with the
`holes 43 of the second linear leg 31. The two legs are next
`pushed fully together to permanently lock the retention lugs
`in place.
`The linear legs used to form the retention member can
`also be connected by other means. Connecting means Such
`as hook and loop fasteners, adhesive, double sided adhesive
`tape, Screws, bolts and nuts are conventional and can be used
`to connect ends of the linear legs together in a permanent or
`Semi permanent fashion to give the requisite angle.
`With reference to FIG. 3, the bottom wall of the rigid
`L-shaped retention member 12 has a hook-type fastener Strip
`50 extending substantially along its full length. Hook-type
`fasteners 50 are commercially available as Velcro.
`Preferably, an industrial grade hook-type fastener is used.
`Such Strips typically are available with an adhesive backing.
`FIGS. 6 and 7 depict alternative rigid L-shaped retention
`members. As shown in FIG. 6, the rigid L-shaped retention
`member 55 has relatively high upstanding vertical walls.
`Such L-shaped retention members are particularly useful for
`holding tall objects Such as grocery bags in place. AS shown
`in FIG. 7, the rigid L-shaped retention member 60 has
`relatively long upstanding vertical walls and is useful for
`holding low profile articles Such as potted plants and plant
`trays in place.
`Optional features can be added to the cargo hold System.
`For example, the bottom of the molded floor mat can have
`one or more gripper plates attached to prevent any slippage
`during use. Bolts or other fastenerS also can extend through
`the vehicle's floor for a positive retention system. A flat shelf
`can be configured, preferably to Snugly fit against the
`Vertical walls forming the cargo area, to rest on top of the
`rigid retention members to create added Surface area. The
`Shelf is rigid or at least Semi-rigid. Preferably, it has means
`to be semi-permanently Secured to the underlying rigid
`retention members, e.g. mating hook and loop fastenerS. Still
`other features to enhance the appearance and utility of the
`cargo hold System can be used.
`In operation, the molded floor mat is simply laid in place
`in the motor vehicle. Its edges should abut against vertical
`interior walls of the vehicle to fit snugly. Next, the rigid
`retention member is lifted from the carpet. The article to be
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`transported is placed on the carpet. The retention member is
`positioned with its hook-type fastener next to the article So
`as to engage the fiber loops extending from the Surface of the
`carpet. When properly positioned, the article is wedged
`between two or more rigid shaped bodies or held by one
`rigid retention member in a corner or other confining posi
`tion. Upon arrival at the desired location, the rigid retention
`member is Simply lifted up and placed aside to free the
`article.
`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.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A cargo hold System for temporarily Securing articles
`while being transported in a vehicle, Said cargo hold System
`comprising:
`(a) a molded floor mat configured to fit in a confined floor
`area of the vehicle, Said molded floor mat having an
`upper layer of a carpet wherein loops of thread extend
`therefrom and a lower layer of a thermoplastic molding
`material adhered to an underSide of the carpet to give
`a defined permanent shape to the molded floor mat; and
`(b) at least one rigid retention member for Selective
`positioning on the molded floor mat to physically
`restrain from movement an article being transported,
`wherein each said at least one rigid retention member
`has at least two linear legs connected to form an angle
`of from about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees and
`having upstanding Substantially vertical walls and Sub
`stantially horizontal bottom walls and further the bot
`tom walls having a hook-type fastener Strip adhered
`thereto to interact with the loops of the carpet of the
`molded floor mat,
`whereby each said rigid retention member can be selectively
`positioned on the molded floor mat and remain in place to
`trap the article within its confines yet is readily lifted
`therefrom to free the article for removing from the vehicle.
`2. The cargo hold system of claim 1 wherein the molded
`floor mat has a tray-like center area to receive and retain
`within its confines Spilled liquids and debris.
`3. The cargo hold system of claim 2 further wherein the
`molded floor mat has an intermediate thermoplastic binder
`layer.
`4. The cargo hold System of claim 1 wherein the carpet is
`made of a polypropylene fiber.
`5. The cargo hold system of claim 1 wherein each rigid
`retention member has a first linear leg and a Second linear
`leg and further each said leg is from about five inches to
`about fifteen inches in length and about three inches to about
`ten inches in height.
`6. The cargo hold system of claim 5 wherein each linear
`leg of the rigid retention member ranges from about eight
`inches to about twelve inches in length and about four inches
`to about eight inches in height.
`7. The cargo hold system of claim 1 wherein each of said
`at least one rigid retention member has a first linear leg
`joined at a terminus to a terminus of a Second linear leg to
`form a Substantially right angle.
`8. The cargo hold system of claim 7 wherein the first
`linear leg of each said at least one rigid retention member
`has a set of locking tabs extending from the first linear leg
`terminus and the Second linear leg has a Set of receiving
`holes in the Second linear leg terminus whereby Said first
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`linear leg is joined to Said Second linear leg through the
`locking tabs to form a permanent engagement.
`9. The cargo hold System of claim 1 comprising at least
`two rigid retention members.
`10. The cargo hold system of claim 9 wherein the rigid
`retention members are L-shaped.
`11. A cargo hold System for temporarily Securing articles
`while being transported in a vehicle, Said cargo hold System
`comprising:
`(a) a molded floor mat configured to fit in a confined floor
`area of the vehicle, Said molded floor mat having a
`Substantially flat base with raised peripheral walls to
`form a center tray-like area and further Said floor mat
`having an upper layer of a carpet wherein loops of
`thread extend therefrom, and a lower layer of a ther
`moplastic material adhered to an underside of the upper
`layer of carpet to give a defined permanent shape to the
`molded floor mat; and
`(b) at least two rigid retention members for Selective
`positioning on the molded floor mat to physically
`restrain from movement an article being transported,
`each Said rigid retention member having at least two
`linear legsjoined to form a Substantially right angle and
`further having upstanding article-engaging vertical
`walls and carpet-engaging bottom walls and further the
`bottom walls having a hook-type fastener Strip adhered
`thereto to interact with the loops of the carpet of the
`molded floor mat,
`whereby each said rigid retention member can be selectively
`positioned on the molded floor mat and remain in place to
`trap the article within its confines yet is readily removed
`therefrom to free the article for removing from the vehicle.
`12. The cargo hold system of claim 11 wherein each of the
`raised peripheral walls of the molded floor mat has a
`Substantially horizontally extending peripheral lip for
`engaging a Surface of a cargo area of the Vehicle.
`13. The cargo hold system of claim 11 wherein the carpet
`is made of a polypropylene fiber by a needle punch process.
`14. The cargo hold system of claim 11 wherein each rigid
`retention member has a first linear leg and a Second linear
`leg and further each Said leg is from about five inches to
`about fifteen inches in length and about three inches to about
`ten inches in height.
`15. The cargo hold system of claim 14 wherein each leg
`of the rigid retention member ranges from about eight inches
`to about twelve inches in length and about four inches to
`about eight inches in height.
`16. The cargo hold system of claim 11 wherein each of
`Said at least two rigid retention members has a first leg
`joined to a Second leg to form a L-shaped retention member.
`17. The cargo hold system of claim 16 wherein the first
`leg of the L-shaped retention member has a set of locking
`tabs extending from one terminus and the Second leg has a
`Set of receiving slots extending from one terminus whereby
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`8
`Said first leg is joined to Said Second leg through the locking
`tabs to form a permanent engagement.
`18. The cargo hold system of claim 11 comprising two
`rigid retention members.
`19. A cargo hold System for temporarily Securing articles
`while being transported in a vehicle, Said cargo hold System
`comprising:
`(a) a molded floor mat configured to fit in a confined floor
`area of the vehicle, Said molded floor mat having a
`Substantially flat base with raised peripheral walls to
`form a center tray-like area and further Said floor mat
`having an upper layer of a carpet wherein loops of
`thread extend therefrom, an intermediate thermoplastic
`binder layer to hold the loops in the carpet and a lower
`layer of a thermoplastic material adhered to an under
`Side of the intermediate thermoplastic binder layer to
`give a defined permanent shape to the molded floor
`mat, and
`(b) at least two rigid generally L-shaped retention mem
`bers for Selective positioning on the molded floor mat
`to physically restrain from movement an article being
`transported, each Said rigid generally L-shaped reten
`tion member having a first linear leg and a Second linear
`leg and further each Said leg is from about five inches
`to about fifteen inches in length and about three inches
`to about ten inches in height and further having
`upstanding article-engaging vertical walls and carpet
`engaging bottom walls and further the bottom walls
`having a hook-type fastener Strip adhered thereto to
`interact with the loops of the carpet of the molded floor
`mat,
`whereby each Said rigid generally L-shaped retention mem
`ber can be selectively positioned on the molded floor mat
`and remain in place to trap the article within its confines yet
`is readily removed therefrom to free the article for removing
`from the vehicle.
`20. The cargo hold system of claim 19 wherein the first
`leg of each generally L-shaped retention member has a Set
`of locking tabs extending from one terminus and the Second
`leg of each retention member has a Set of receiving slots
`extending from one terminus whereby a respective Said first
`leg is joined to a respective Said Second leg through the
`locking tabs to form a permanent engagement.
`21. The cargo hold System of claim 1 wherein the upper
`layer of the molded floor mat is a needle punch carpet of
`Synthetic Strand fiber loops.
`22. The cargo hold system of claim 11 wherein the upper
`layer of the molded floor mat is a needle punch carpet of
`Synthetic Strand fiber loops.
`23. The cargo hold system of claim 19 wherein the upper
`layer of the molded floor mat is a needle punch carpet of
`Synthetic Strand fiber loops.
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2074
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 11
`
`

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