FR2754218A1 - Automobile hatchback - Google Patents

Abstract

The hatchback comprises several movable parts including a panel (3) which is stored parallel to the door (1). Facing the panel are fixings (5) which rotate on fixings (4) fixed to the vehicle door. There are complementary fixings to those of the panel fixings which allow automatic horizontal lateral displacement of the panel. They also allow horizontal displacement of two vertical planes of the panel when it seals the opening or when it is pulled down. These ensure predetermined and identical repositioning of sealing and storage positions. There is also a protection part (6) which can be pulled down by rotating on the door fixings.

Description

The present invention relates to a folding tailgate device or rear panel that can be positioned on the rear door of sheeted vehicles, for example.

The solutions currently offered on the market for closing the space between the bodywork or the cover and the vehicle door or tailgate are of the fixed, dismountable or retractable type in the thickness of the rear door, identical to the side windows. .

The present invention is an intermediate solution which allows quickly at will and without physical effort to clear the opening between the door and the body.

According to the invention, the device comprises a plurality of mobile elements comprising a panel of dimensions substantially identical to the opening to be closed and its fixing means mounted for rotation on fixing means integral with the rear door of the vehicle.

Preferably, when the rear opening is not closed, the panel is stored by a rotation operation from the top to the bottom in a manner substantially parallel to the door.

This system can be favorably supplemented by:
1 - a connecting element to reduce the height of the
movable panel when this is greater than that of the door
allowing it to be completely folded down and stored so
substantially parallel to the door.

2 - a means of protection of this panel and its fixing means
rotatably mounted when the latter is folded down.

3 - means for assisting the rotation of the panel, gas cylinders or
spring.

4 - a device complementary to the means for fixing the panel
combining, on the one hand, an automatic lateral horizontal displacement
said panel and on the other hand a horizontal displacement of the two
vertical planes of the panel when it closes the bay or when it is
folded down, during the rotations thereof, while ensuring the
identical and perfect predetermined repositionings (position
shutter and storage position)
The invention will be better understood, and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment given without limitation and to which a sheet of drawings is annexed on which:
Figure 1 schematically shows a front view of the device
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows schematically a side view of the device
illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows schematically a side view of the device
illustrated figure limais in the position of the folded panel.

Figure 4 schematically shows a plan view of the device
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically represents a plan view of the device
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in the
position of the folded panel completed with the device 4.

Referring now to the figures, there is seen a rear door 1 of a vehicle fitted with a folding panel or tailgate device according to the present invention.

This device comprises a movable panel 3 and its fixing means 5 mounted for rotation on the fixing means 4 of the assembly, integral with the door 1.

The protection means 6 preferably fixed in rotation on the fixing means 4.

The connecting element 2 secured to the fixing means 4.

 Figure 3 shows the movable panel 3 folded substantially parallel to the door 1 and the protective means 6 in the raised position.

Obviously, the fixing means 4 and 5 as well as the panel 3 and the protection means 6 can be equipped with locking means to hold them both in the raised position and folded down.

 FIG. 4 shows the device according to the invention seen in plan and positioned in a bay 8 comprising re-entrant edges 9 fitted with seals 10. In this case it appears that the panel 3 is wider than the free bay we see therefore ia need to equip the device according to the invention with the complementary device 7 described in n "4.

Figure 4 shows the device according to the invention seen in plan equipped with the complementary device 7 described in n "4 which allows in this case to close the door. This indeed makes it possible to escape the inside edges of the bay 1
Seals can favorably be provided between the door 1 and the element 2 as well as between the element 2 and the panel 3, in addition the fixing means 4 and 5 can receive assistance means of cylinder types gas or springs facilitating the rotational maneuver of the movable panel 3 which can be full or largely glazed and comprises gripping means favoring the maneuver thereof.

Element 2 can favorably receive an electric motor assembly with wiper.

Those skilled in the art can therefore easily understand that the device according to the invention provides an excellent solution, on existing vehicles equipped with a tarpaulin, for rigid or hard-top bodywork equipment, to the clearance problems. rear opening between the body and the door while allowing road use in the positions, opening closed or cleared.

Although we have represented and described what are currently considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is obvious that a person skilled in the art will be able to make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope. of the present invention as defined below.

Claims (6)

 1 tailgate device or folding rear panel particularly intended to close or clear the opening between the body and the rear door of a vehicle characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of movable elements comprising a panel (3) capable to be stored substantially parallel to the door (1) and with regard to the latter and its fixing means (5) rotatably mounted on the fixing means (4) integral with the door (1) of the vehicle.  2 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises means (7) complementary to the fixing means (5) of the panel (3) allowing, on the one hand an automatic horizontal lateral movement of said panel and on the other hand. horizontal displacement of the two vertical planes of the panel when it closes the opening or when it is folded down, during the latter's rotations, while ensuring identical and perfect predetermined repositionings, shutter position and storage position.  3 Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises a folding protective element (6) and its fixing means mounted for rotation on the fixing means (4) or on the door (1).  4 Device according to the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a fixed connection element (2) integral with the fixing means (4) or the door (1).  5 Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises a means of assistance in the operation of rotation of the panel (3)  6 Device according to claims 1 2 or 3 characterized in that the fixing means (4) and (5), the panel (3) and the protection means (6) comprise means for blocking the latter both in the raised position than folded down.