CN117262043A - Pivotable threshold for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a pivotable threshold for a vehicle. A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cab back panel assembly pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle; and a threshold assembly including a portion of the securing system. The rocker assembly is pivotably coupled to the vehicle. The rocker assembly is pivotable back and forth between a latched position in which the cab back panel assembly is engageable with the portion of the rocker assembly and a stowed position.

Description

Pivotable threshold for a vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to pivotable sills for vehicles, and more particularly, to a pivotable sills assembly that may be secured to a cab back panel assembly.

Background

A typical pick-up truck has a cab that provides a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment that provides a cargo area. The cabin rear is positioned between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment. The front wall of the cargo compartment is spaced a distance from the rear of the cab. In some pick-up trucks, such as one-piece pick-up trucks, the rear of the cab may provide the front wall of the cargo bed.

Disclosure of Invention

A vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cab back panel assembly pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle; and a threshold assembly including a portion of the securing system. The rocker assembly is pivotably coupled to the vehicle. The rocker assembly is pivotable back and forth between a latched position in which the cab back panel assembly is engageable with the portion of the rocker assembly and a stowed position.

In another embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the vehicle is a one-piece body vehicle having a one-piece body configuration.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the cab back panel assembly separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a cargo area of the vehicle when the cab back panel assembly is in a closed position. The passenger compartment is open to the cargo area when the cab rear panel assembly is in an open position.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the vehicle is an motorized vehicle.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the cab back panel assembly has a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is positioned vertically above the second panel when the cab back panel assembly is in a closed position. The first panel is pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle. The second panel is pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to engage the portion of the securing system when the rocker assembly is in the latched position and the cab back panel assembly is in the closed position.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the first panel is configured to pivot relative to the cab about a first axis without pivoting the second panel relative to the first panel about a second axis.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the second panel is configured to pivot more than 90 degrees relative to the first panel about the second axis.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes at least one extendable support configured to move back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position. The extendable support is at least partially retracted within the second panel when in the retracted position.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the extendable support is configured to extend from the second panel to cover a cargo area within a cargo compartment of the vehicle.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the at least one roll-over support is configured to span between a tailgate of the vehicle and the second panel of the cab back panel assembly.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the rocker assembly is vertically higher when the rocker assembly is in the latched position than when the rocker assembly is in the stowed position.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the vehicle is a pickup truck having a cargo bed with a floor. The rocker assembly is vertically below the floor of the cargo box when the rocker assembly is in the stowed position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a tent configured to be supported by the cab back panel assembly in the open position.

Another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a cavity of a tent. The cavity is configured to receive a side view mirror of the vehicle when the tent is supported by the cab back panel assembly.

A method of securing a cab back panel assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the disclosure includes, among other things, latching the cab back panel assembly of a vehicle to a portion of a securing system. The rocker assembly includes the portion. The cab back panel assembly and the rocker assembly are each pivotably coupled to the vehicle.

Another embodiment of the foregoing method includes, prior to the latching, pivoting the rocker assembly from a stowed position to a latched position in which the cab back panel assembly may engage the portion of the rocker assembly.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the cab back panel assembly separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a cargo area of the vehicle when the cab back panel assembly is in a closed position and latched to the portion of the rocker assembly. The passenger compartment is open to the cargo area when the cab rear panel assembly is in an open position.

In another embodiment of any one of the methods above, the cab back panel assembly includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is pivotably coupled to a cab of the vehicle and configured to pivot relative to the cab about a first axis. The second panel is pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to pivot relative to the first panel about a second axis, the second axis being spaced apart from the first axis.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the first panel is located vertically above the second panel when the cab back panel assembly is in a closed position.

In another embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the second panel is pivotably coupled to a lower region of the first panel.

Embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be employed separately or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

Drawings

The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle including a cab back panel assembly in a closed position according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the cab back panel assembly of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken at line 3-3 in fig. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 1 after the cab back panel assembly has been moved from the closed position of FIG. 1 to the first open position.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken at line 5-5 in fig. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the cab back panel assembly of FIG. 2 in a closed position and various open positions.

Fig. 7 shows another perspective view of the vehicle of fig. 4 with the cab rear panel assembly in a first open position and the extendable support in an extended position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 1 when the cab rear panel assembly is in the second open position and when the cab rear panel assembly is used to at least partially support the roof.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view taken at line 9-9 in fig. 8.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates generally to a cab back panel assembly for a vehicle. The vehicle may be an integrated pick-up truck. The vehicle may be an motorized vehicle having a traction battery that provides power to one or more motors that drive the wheels of the vehicle.

The cab back panel assembly is movable between a closed position and one of several open positions. Moving the cab back panel assembly to one of the open positions opens the passenger compartment of the vehicle to a cargo area within the cargo compartment of the vehicle.

Referring to fig. 1-3, the vehicle 10 includes a cab rear panel assembly 14, a passenger compartment 18 within a cab 22, and a cargo area 26 within a cargo compartment 30.

The cab back panel assembly 14 is shown in a closed position in fig. 1. The cab rear panel assembly 14 separates the passenger compartment 18 from the cargo region 26 when the cab rear panel assembly 14 is in the closed position.

The exemplary vehicle 10 is an integrated body pickup truck. Since the vehicle 10 has an integrated body configuration, the cab 22 and the cargo compartment 30 are not supported on frames separate from the cab 22 and the cargo compartment 30. In the vehicle 10, the cab rear panel assembly 14 provides both the rear wall of the cab 22 and the front wall of the cargo compartment 30 when the cab rear panel assembly 14 is in the closed position.

Conventional vehicle body frame split vehicles differ from vehicles having an integral body configuration. In a conventional body frame split vehicle, the rear wall of the cab is spaced from the front wall of the cargo box by a distance such that there is an open gap between the cab and the cargo box. In a conventional body frame split vehicle, the rear wall of the cab is different from the front wall of the cargo compartment.

In the exemplary embodiment, cab rear panel assembly 14 includes a first panel 34 and a second panel 38. The first panel 34 is an upper panel and the second panel 38 is a lower panel. When in the closed position, the first panel 34 is positioned vertically above the second panel 38. For purposes of this disclosure, a vertical reference ground and the general orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.

An upper region of the first panel 34 is pivotally connected to the cab 22 of the vehicle 10. The pivotable connection allows the first panel 34 to be about a first axis a ₁ Pivoting relative to the cab 22. In this example, the top side 40 of the cab 22 is aligned with the first axis A ₁ Vertically aligned. Those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure will understand how to pivotally couple a panel to the cab of a vehicle.

An upper region of the second panel 38 is pivotally coupled to a lower region of the first panel 34. The pivotable connection between the second panel 38 and the first panel 34 allows the second panel 38 to pivot about a second pivot axis a ₂ Pivoting relative to the first panel.

The vehicle 10 includes a rocker assembly 50 having a striker pin 54 of a securing system. The rocker assembly 50 is pivotable from a latched position shown in fig. 3 to a stowed position shown in fig. 5. The striker pin 54 of the rocker assembly 50 may engage the latch 58 of the securing system when the rocker assembly 50 is in the latched position of fig. 3. The latch 58 is retained within the second panel 38 of the cab back panel assembly 14. When the striker pin 54 of the rocker assembly 50 engages the latch 58 of the second panel 38, the securing system is latched and retains the cab back panel assembly 14 in the closed condition. While the exemplary embodiment shows the striker pin 54 as part of the rocker assembly 50 and the latch 58 as part of the second panel 38, these components may be interchanged such that the rocker assembly 50 includes the latch 58 and the striker pin is part of the second panel 38. Further, the latch 58 and striker 54 may be replaced with a type of securing system that does not include a latch and striker.

When the cab back panel assembly 14 is moved to an open position, such as the first open position shown in FIG. 5, the rocker assembly 50 may pivot about the axis A ₃ Pivoting from the latched position of fig. 3 to the stowed position of fig. 5. In the exemplary embodiment, when the rocker assembly 50 is in the stowed position, the rocker assembly 50 is received within the recess 62 of the floor 66 of the vehicle 10.

The rocker assembly 50 is vertically higher when in the latched position than when the rocker assembly 50 is in the stowed position. In the exemplary embodiment, when the rocker assembly 50 is in the stowed position of fig. 5, the rocker assembly 50 is positioned vertically below the floor 66. Pivoting the threshold assembly 50 places the threshold assembly 50 in a stowed position within the recess 62, providing a relatively flat cargo bed floor extending from the cargo area 26 into the passenger compartment 18. This may facilitate storage of the goods. For example, the timber or sheet material of the drywall may be able to slide from the cargo area 26 into the passenger compartment 18 through the floor 66 without the sliding being interrupted by the raised rocker assembly.

The pivotable connection between the second panel 38 and the first panel 34 allows the second panel 38 to pivot about axis a ₂ From the closed position shown in fig. 1-3 to the open position shown in fig. 4 and 5. At the position ofIn the exemplary embodiment, actuator 52 of vehicle 10 drives second panel 38 to pivot from the closed position of FIGS. 1-3 to the first open position. In another example, the user may manually cause the second panel 38 to rotate about axis A ₂ To pivot to move the cab back panel assembly 14 from the closed position shown in fig. 1-3 to the first open position of fig. 4-5.

FIG. 6 generally illustrates when from a closed position P in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure _C To a second open position P ₂ Selected positions of the cab back panel assembly 14. In this example, the second open position P ₂ Is in the fully open position.

Notably, when from the closed position P _C To a second open position P ₂ As the second panel 38 is wrapped around axis A ₂ Rotating in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the first panel 34, the first panel 34 being about axis A ₁ Rotating in a clockwise direction. This may help reduce the amount of time in the closed position P _C And a second open position P ₂ The amount of clearance required to move the cab back panel assembly 14 back and forth. Accordingly, cargo or gooseneck trailer attachments within the cargo area 26 will be less likely to interfere with movement of the cab rear panel assembly 14. The path of movement shown in fig. 6 also helps manage water accumulation or snow accumulation.

The portion of the actuator 52 that rotates the second panel 38 relative to the first panel 34 maintains the second panel 38 substantially parallel to the cab 22 by correlating the position of the actuator 52 that drives rotation of the first panel 34 and/or the power strut position. This may be achieved using, for example, hall effect counters or visual/electrical signals or resistors.

In some examples, the cab back panel assembly 14 may include a sensor for identifying potential obstructions that may interfere with movement of the cab back panel assembly 14. For example, the sensor may be a radar sensor.

As demonstrated by comparison of the second panel 38 with respect to the first panel 34 in fig. 4 and the position of the second panel 38 with respect to the first panel 34 in fig. 6, the second panel 38 may be about axis a ₂ Pivoting is more than 90 degrees relative to the first panel 34, and in this example up to 180 degrees.

The pivoting movement may be provided by a structural beam. The pivot lock may be used to hold the second panel 38 in a particular position relative to the first panel 34. The pivot lock may include a pin received within the opening. For example, the pins may extend into the respective openings to lock the second panel 38 in the first open position of fig. 4, the closed position of fig. 3, or the second open position of fig. 6. When it is desired to have the second panel 38 about axis A ₂ The pin may be retracted by the actuator 52 when pivoted. Alternatively, the pivot lock may be a lock provided by a pivot motor of the actuator 52.

Referring to fig. 4 and 7, the cab back panel assembly 14 (here, the second panel 38) is configured to receive the extendable support 74. In fig. 7, the extendable support 74 is shown in an extended position, wherein the extendable support 74 spans rearwardly from the second panel 38 to a tailgate 78 of the vehicle 10. The extendable support 74 in the extended position of fig. 7 may help conceal cargo within the cargo area 26 and, in some examples, may provide some aerodynamic benefits while driving. When the extendable support 74 is not required, the extendable support may be moved to a retracted position as shown in FIG. 4 for storage. In another example, the extendable support may be hinged to the tailgate of the cargo box 30 and may pivot upward to interface with the second panel 38, if desired.

Other extendable supports may extend laterally from the second panel 38 and rest on the wall of the cargo box 30 to help support the second panel 38. An actuator 52 may be housed in the second panel 38 and drive a bell crank mechanism to slide out of these other extendable supports.

Referring to fig. 8, the cab back panel assembly 14 may be used to support a tent 82. In this example, the cab rear panel assembly 14 is in the second open position when the tent 82 is tilted.

The tent 82 includes a side view mirror pocket 86 that receives a side view mirror of the vehicle 10 when the tent 82 is tilted as shown in fig. 8. Receiving the side view mirror of the vehicle 10 within the cavity 86 may help stabilize the tent 82.

In some examples, the tent 82 may be equipped with straps 90 that may be secured to fasteners of the vehicle 10 to help further stabilize the tent 82. The tent 82 may alternatively or additionally be supported by posts extending within each cavity of the tent 82.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 9, the tent 82 may protrude outward from a side 92 of the vehicle 10. The tent 82 may include a flap 94 that may be moved to selectively cover a ventilation screen 98. Individuals within the tent 82 may vent the interior through the vent screen 98 by opening the flap 94.

The tent 82 may include a protective material 102, such as microfibers, in the area where the tent 82 interfaces with the sides of the vehicle 10. The protective material 102 may help protect the vehicle 10 from damage by the tent 82. The protective material 102 may also facilitate sealing the interface between the edges of the tent 82 and the sides 92. This may help prevent insects and dust and other particulate matter from entering the interior of the tent 82.

For example, when camping or deluxe camping, a user of the vehicle may rely on tent 82 as a shelter. In some examples, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a seat 106 that can be folded flat as shown in fig. 8. When folded flat, the seat 106 may provide a sleeping surface 110 for the user. A heater within the seat 106 may be used to selectively heat the sleep surface 110. The seat 106 may additionally or alternatively be equipped with cooling means, such as cooling the air bags. While the user is on the sleeping surface 110, the user of the tent 82 may open the cooling bladders for cooling. The air bag may also be adjusted to vary the amount of cushioning provided by the seat 106. When the user uses the seat 106 in this manner, the map light in the vehicle may become a pre-sleep reading light.

The top of the tent 82 includes a dual hoop structure 114 that establishes an opening 118. A mesh screen may cover the opening 118 to prevent insects from entering the tent 82. The opening 118 may help to ventilate the interior of the tent 82. The dual cuff structure 114 facilitates providing openings in the ventilated area without providing a path for rain to enter the interior of the tent 82.

In some examples, a sensor system may be used to monitor the area around the tent 82. For example, an ultrasonic sensor may monitor a defined area extending six inches inward from the tent 82. Six inches may accommodate the tent 82 swinging in the wind. An alarm may be raised if the ultrasonic sensor detects a person in this area. This allows the tent 82 and the vehicle 10 to be protected when the user leaves.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A vehicle assembly, comprising:

a cab back panel assembly pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle; and

a rocker assembly including a portion of a securing system, the rocker assembly being pivotably coupled to the vehicle, the rocker assembly being pivotable back and forth between a latched position in which the cab rear panel assembly is capable of engaging the portion of the rocker assembly and a stowed position.

2. The cab back panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a one-piece body vehicle having a one-piece body configuration.

3. The cab back panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cab back panel assembly separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a cargo region of the vehicle when the cab back panel assembly is in a closed position, wherein the passenger compartment is open to the cargo region when the cab back panel assembly is in an open position.

4. The cab back panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an motorized vehicle.

5. The cab rear panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cab rear panel assembly has a first panel and a second panel, the first panel being vertically above the second panel when the cab rear panel assembly is in a closed position, the first panel being pivotably coupled to a cab of a vehicle, the second panel being pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to engage the portion of the securing system when the rocker assembly is in the latched position and the cab rear panel assembly is in the closed position, and optionally wherein the first panel is configured to pivot relative to the cab about a first axis without pivoting the second panel relative to the first panel about a second axis.

6. The cab back panel assembly of claim 5, wherein the second panel is configured to pivot more than 90 degrees about the second axis relative to the first panel.

7. The cab back panel assembly of claim 5, further comprising at least one extendable support configured to move back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position, the at least one extendable support at least partially retracted within the second panel when in the retracted position, and optionally wherein the at least one extendable support is configured to extend from the second panel to cover a cargo area within a cargo compartment of the vehicle.

8. The cab back panel assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least one roll-over support configured to span between a tailgate of the vehicle and the second panel of the cab back panel assembly.

9. The cab back panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the rocker assembly is vertically higher when the rocker assembly is in the latched position than when the rocker assembly is in the stowed position, and optionally wherein the vehicle is a pick-up truck having a cargo compartment with a floor, wherein the rocker assembly is vertically below the floor of the cargo compartment when the rocker assembly is in the stowed position.

10. The cab back panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tent configured to be supported by the cab back panel assembly in the open position, and optionally further comprising a cavity of the tent configured to receive a side view mirror of the vehicle when the tent is supported by the cab back panel assembly.

11. A method of securing a cab back panel assembly, comprising:

a cab back panel assembly of a vehicle is latched to a portion of a securing system, wherein a rocker assembly includes the portion, the cab back panel assembly and the rocker assembly each being pivotably coupled to the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising pivoting the rocker assembly from a stowed position to a latched position in which the cab back panel assembly is capable of engaging the portion of the rocker assembly prior to the latching.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cab back panel assembly separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a cargo area of the vehicle when the cab back panel assembly is in a closed position and latched to the portion of the rocker assembly, wherein the passenger compartment is open to the cargo area when the cab back panel assembly is in an open position.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cab rear panel assembly includes a first panel pivotably coupled to a cab of the vehicle and configured to pivot relative to the cab about a first axis and a second panel pivotably coupled to the first panel and configured to pivot relative to the first panel about a second axis, the second axis being spaced apart from the first axis, and optionally wherein the first panel is vertically above the second panel when the cab rear panel assembly is in a closed position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second panel is pivotably coupled to a lower region of the first panel.