The present invention pertains to a cargo space partition for the cargo space of a motor vehicle, particularly a station wagon.
According to EP 1 283 130 A2, several covers in the form of cargo space partitions are provided behind the rear seat or the rear bench seat of a station wagon. These covers prevent luggage from being thrown from the cargo space into the passenger compartment in case of an emergency braking maneuver or a collision. According to the state of the art, several covers are required in order to take into account the entire range of functions covered by a station wagon. If the cargo space only contains little cargo, if any, it suffices to provide a horizontal cover that lies at the height of the upper edge of the back rest of the rear seat or the rear bench seat. This type of cover does not impair the view of the driver through the rear window. If the cargo space above the upper edge of the back rest of the rear seat or the rear bench seat is also utilized, it is practical to provide a vertical cover a short distance behind the back rest of the rear seat or rear bench seat, wherein this cover extends over the entire width of the motor vehicle and upward to the roof lining. This partition is realized in the form of a net or a comparably transparent interlaced fabric. Depending on the respective application, the unused cover of the cargo space partition can be stored in the rolled-up state.
These and comparable partitions for the cargo space of a station wagon have the disadvantage that the partition of a cargo space that was enlarged by folding over the back rest of the rear seat or the rear bench seat can only be realized, if at all, after carrying out complicated alterations.
The present invention is based on the objective of developing a cargo space partition that can be very easily adapted to the different configurations of a station wagon.
Each cargo space partition according to the invention has a high mechanical stability that cannot be easily achieved with conventional nets or the like. In addition, the cargo space partition according to the invention can be arranged in different positions and consequently adapted to the different configurations of a station wagon.
The cargo space partition according to the invention can be stored in a very small space when it is not in use.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the enclosed figures. The figures show:
Referring now to
According to the invention, the motor vehicle equipment also includes a first embodiment of a cargo space partition 3 with a first 31 and a second 32 plate-shaped element. The first plate-shaped element 31 is held on an upper section of the back rest 22 such that it can be pivoted about a horizontal axis 33. Means are provided for holding the plate-shaped elements 31, 32 such that they can be moved relative to one another, particularly in a mutually displaceable fashion. This can be advantageously achieved by providing the first plate-shaped element 31 with a pocket 311 for displaceably accommodating the second plate-shaped element 32. The second plate-shaped element 32 sectionally slides in guides arranged in the interior of the pocket 311 in this embodiment. In this respect, it is also practical to restrict the relative moveability between the plate-shaped elements 31, 32 with the aid of limit stops or the like such that the second plate-shaped element 32 is prevented from falling out of the pocket 311. If it should be possible to optionally remove the second plate-shaped element 32 from the pocket 311, the limit stops may be realized such that they can be detached by the user. The relative moveability is chosen such that the second plate-shaped element 32 substantially protrudes over the first plate-shaped element 31 on each of the longitudinal edges that lie transverse to the displacement path in one of its respective positions. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved in a particularly simple fashion by designing the pocket 311 such that it extends through the first plate-shaped element 31 and emerges on its two opposite edges.
According to
When the cargo space 11 is used less extensively as shown in
However, if the entire cargo space 11 as well as the area 12 is used for storing cargo as shown in
In the configuration of the station wagon shown in
Each of the plate-shaped elements 31, 32 may be manufactured, for example, of a rigid plate of plastic, wood or metal. In order to impair the view of the driver through the rear window as little as possible, at least the second plate-shaped element 32 may be provided with a window or the like. The window may be closed with a pane of transparent plastic, safety glass or a net in order to prevent the cargo from being thrown through the window opening. In one particularly simple and light-weight embodiment, each of the plate-shaped elements 31, 32 is realized in the form of a stable frame with a net or a similar transparent interlaced fabric fixed therein.
In another embodiment, one of the plate-shaped elements 31, 32 is provided with an opening that can be closed and serves for accommodating long objects, particularly skis and ski poles. With respect to the configuration shown in
When the cargo space partition 3 is used in motor vehicles with a divided rear bench seat or with several back seats 2, the cargo space 3 may also be vertically divided in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the cargo space partition 3 may also be arranged in a pivoted fashion on only part of the back rest 21 [sic; 22] of the rear bench seat 2 or on only one of several back rests. This would make it possible to fold the other part of the back rest 22 or the other back rests forward while the cargo space partition 3 can optionally remain in one of the configurations shown in
In an alternative variation of the first embodiment of the cargo space partition 3, the movable connection between the two plate-shaped elements 31, 32 is realized in the form of a pivoted connection. In this case, it would be possible to provide a hinge that has a limited pivoting angle, e.g., a semicircle, and can be locked in both end positions.
In a second embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated in
The back rest 21 of the rear seat or the rear bench seat 2 is not folded over when only the cargo space 11 is used as shown in
If the area 11 [sic; 12] is also required for transporting cargo, the back rest 21 of the rear seat or the rear bench seat is folded forward as shown in
Alternatively, the second plate-shaped element 32 may also be held in a pivoted fashion on the first plate-shaped element 31 in the above-described embodiment. A hinge with an essentially horizontal pivoting axis is preferably used for connecting an upper region of the first plate-shaped element 31 to an edge of the second plate-shaped element 32 or a section thereof that is situated adjacent to an edge. The hinge may be provided with a stopping mechanism that only allows a semicircular pivoting angle. The hinge preferably can be locked in both end positions.
The documents, patents and patent applications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.
While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2004 037 800.2 | Aug 2004 | DE | national |