Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to storage compartments and units provided in vehicle, and more particularly, to a storage compartment for vehicle trunk which is adapted to facilitate ease in accessing a spare wheel stored in the vehicle trunk.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, in some vehicles storage space for a spare wheel is provided in the vehicle trunk. Apart from the spare wheel, storage compartment such as a utility bin is provided in the trunk for storing of tools and other items. The storage compartment utilizes the storage space available in the trunk area and facilitates in organizing tools and other storage items of the vehicle.
[003] Conventionally, the storage compartment is provided in rectangular shape for reasons such as ease of manufacturing and ease of storing of items. However, the shape and the placement of the storage compartment creates difficulty in accessing the spare wheel. While accessing the spare wheel, there is possibility of the spare wheel coming in contact with the storage compartment during mounting or dismounting of the spare wheel. Since the storage compartment is usually made from a soft and brittle polymer material, the contact of the hard and heavy spare wheel with the storage compartment causes abrasions on the storage compartment, leading to material chip-off and breakage of the storage compartment. The damage caused to the storage compartment often requires the storage compartment to be replaced, thereby imposing maintenance costs on the consumer.
[004] To overcome the issue of accessibility of the spare wheel, in some vehicles larger clearances are provided between the storage compartment and the spare wheel. Although providing larger clearances between the storage compartment and the spare wheel facilitates in ease of accessing the spare wheel, however, such larger clearances lead to perceivable gaps between the spare wheel and the storage compartment. The perceivable gaps between the spare wheel and the storage compartment have a negative impact on the aesthetics of the trunk.
[005] Another issue with the existing storage compartments provided in the trunk of vehicles is the existence of sharp edges of the walls of the storage compartment. The sharp edges may cause damage to a passenger of the vehicle trying to access the spare wheel. The passenger may sustain minor abrasions or cuts due to rubbing of skin against the sharp edge of the storage compartment while accessing the spare wheel.
[006] Therefore, there exists a need for storage compartment for a vehicle trunk which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[007] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a storage compartment for a vehicle trunk, wherein the storage compartment is adapted to facilitate ease in accessing a spare wheel stored in the vehicle trunk.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the storage compartment for a vehicle trunk which allows ease in removing and storing the spare wheel without damaging the storage compartment.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the storage compartment for a vehicle trunk which provides compact packaging and facilitates in improving aesthetics of the vehicle trunk.
[0010] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a storage compartment with a spare wheel stored in a vehicle trunk, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the storage compartment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 3 is a top view of the storage compartment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0015] Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the storage compartment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a storage compartment for a vehicle trunk which is adapted to facilitate ease in accessing a spare wheel stored in the vehicle trunk. Further, embodiments herein achieve the storage compartment for a vehicle trunk which allows ease in removing and storing the spare wheel without damaging the storage compartment, provides compact packaging and facilitates in improving the aesthetics of the vehicle trunk. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a storage compartment (100) with a spare wheel (12) stored in a vehicle trunk (10), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the storage compartment (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The storage compartment (100) includes a base (102), and a plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) extending transversely from the base (102) of the storage compartment (100). The base (102) and the plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) are joined, forming a unitary structure defining a storage space. Further, the storage compartment (100) is adapted to be mounted proximate to a spare wheel (12) of the vehicle provided in the trunk (10). A first side wall (108) of the plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) positioned in proximity to the spare wheel (12) has a concave profile with an angled edge. The concave profile and the angled edge (108C) of the first side wall (108) is adapted to facilitate ease in mounting and dismounting of the spare wheel (12) in the trunk (10). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the angled edge (108C) of the first side wall (108) is considered to be a chamfer. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the angled edge (108C) of the first side wall (108) to be a bevel or a taper without otherwise deterring the intended function of the first side wall (108) of the storage compartment (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. As shown in Fig. 2, the storage compartment (100) is configured to have a parting line (108P) of the first side wall (108) towards a vertical face (not shown) of the first side wall (108). By providing the parting line (108P) towards the vertical face of the first side wall (108) of the storage compartment (100), a sharp portion of the edge of the first side wall (108) is shifted downwards, preventing accidental harm caused to a user during mounting and dismounting of the spare wheel (12). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the storage compartment (100) is considered to be made by injection molding process. However, it is within the scope of this invention to have the storage compartment (100) made by any other manufacturing process, without otherwise deterring from the intended purpose of the storage compartment (100) as can be deduced from the description and accompanying drawings. In an embodiment, the storage compartment (100) is made of expanded polypropylene material having a density of 30 kg/m3
[0019] Fig. 3 depicts a top view of the storage compartment (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the storage compartment (100) includes a rear wall (104A), a front wall (104B) disposed parallel to the rear wall (104A), the first side wall (108), and a second side wall (106). The first side wall (108) is configured to be positioned in proximity to the spare wheel (12) and has the concave profile with angled edge (108C). Each of the first side wall (108) and the second side wall (106) is disposed between the rear wall (104A) and the front wall (104B) and is adapted to connect the rear wall (104A) with the front wall (104B). The storage compartment (100) has an outer profile which is adapted to effectively utilize the storage space available in the vehicle trunk (10). Further, the storage compartment (100) is configured to facilitate organized storage of tools and other items of the vehicle in the trunk (10). The storage compartment (100) is adapted to extend between the spare wheel (12) and periphery of space defined by a trim of the vehicle trunk (10). As shown in Fig. 3, the storage compartment (100) includes at least one strapping member (110) provided on the base (102) of the storage compartment (100). The at least one strapping member (110) is adapted to facilitate packaging of storage items such as but not limited to tools and a warning triangle. The at least one strapping member (110) is adapted to secure storage items in the storage compartment (100), preventing buzz, squeak and rattle (BSR) noise created by storing of items in the vehicle trunk (10). In an embodiment, the storage compartment (100) includes two strapping members (110) provided on the base (102) of the storage compartment (100).
[0020] Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the storage compartment (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The storage compartment (100) includes at least one locating member (112) adapted to guide the mounting of the storage compartment (100) in the trunk (10). Further, the storage compartment (100) includes a mounting member (114) provided on a bottom side of the base (102) of the storage compartment (100). The mounting member (114) is configured to facilitate securing of the storage compartment (100) with the vehicle trunk (10). In an embodiment, the mounting member (114) includes at least one hole (114H) to receive a securing means. In an embodiment, at least one nylon insert is inserted with the securing means to overcome digging during tightening of the securing means.
[0021] The technical advantages of the storage compartment (100) for a vehicle trunk are as follows. Ease of accessing the spare wheel and service of the spare wheel in vehicle trunk area. The angled edge of the side wall of the storage compartment facilitates in reducing the chances of material chip off of the storage compartment during mounting and dismounting of the spare wheel provided in the vehicle trunk. Reduces perceivable gaps between spare wheel and storage space in the trunk, thereby providing compact packaging and enhancing aesthetics of the vehicle trunk. Effective space management of the storage space in the vehicle trunk. Effective packaging of storage items by securing the storage items with strapping members.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

, Claims:We claim;
1. A storage compartment (100) for a vehicle trunk (10), said storage compartment (100) comprising:
a base (102);
a plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) extending transversely from said base (102), said plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) and said base (102) defining a storage space,
wherein,
said storage compartment (100) is adapted to be mounted proximate to a spare wheel (12) mounted in the vehicle trunk (10); and
a first side wall (108) of said plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) positioned proximate to the spare wheel (12) has a concave profile with an angled edge (108C) to facilitate ease in mounting and dismounting the spare wheel (12) in the vehicle trunk (10).
2. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said angled edge (108C) of said first side wall (108) is any one of a chamfer, a taper, and a bevel.

3. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of walls (104A, 104B, 106, 108) comprise:
a rear wall (104A);
a front wall (104B) disposed parallel to said rear wall (104A);
said first side wall (108) disposed between said rear wall (104A) and said front wall (104B);
a second side wall (106) disposed between said rear wall (104A) and said front wall (104B) and opposite to said first side wall (108),
wherein,
each of said first side wall (108) and said second wall (106) is adapted to connect said rear wall (104A) with said front wall (104B);
said first side wall (108) is adapted to be positioned in proximity to the spare wheel (12) in the trunk (10);
said storage compartment (100) is adapted to extend between the spare wheel (12) and periphery of space defined by a trim of the vehicle trunk (10).

4. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (100) is made by moulding process comprising injection moulding.

5. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a parting line (108P) of said storage compartment (100) is positioned downwards towards a vertical face of said first side wall (108).

6. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said storage compartment (100) is made of expanded polypropylene material having a density of 30 kg/m3.

7. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (100) comprises at least one strapping member (110) provided on said base (102) of said storage compartment (100), said at least one strapping member (110) adapted to securely hold items placed in said storage compartment (100).

8. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (100) comprises a locating member (112) adapted to guide mounting of said storage compartment (100) in the vehicle trunk (10).

9. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (100) comprises a mounting member (114) provided on a bottom side of said base (102) of said storage compartment (100), said mounting member (114) adapted to facilitate secured mounting of said storage compartment (100) in the vehicle trunk (10).

10. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said mounting member (114) has a hole (114H) to receive a securing means to facilitate securing of said storage compartment (100) in the vehicle trunk (10).