GB1580107A - Device for partitioning the passenger compartment of a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

(54) DEVICE FOR l'Al{TITIONING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE (71) I, GEORGES VANDAMME, a French Citizen of 293, rue Fouquet-Lelong, Marcq-en-Baroeul, (Nord), France, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a device intended to partition-off the passenger compartment of a vehicle transversely.

It relates in particular to grilles used for separating from the remainder of the passenger compartment, the rear part of the latter, between the upper edge of the seats and the roof, in order to be able to confine an animal or packages therein.

According to the invention a device for partitioning-off the passenger compartment of a vehicle transversely comprises a partitioning member, and means for the suspension of the partitioning member from upper points of the passenger compartment side walls on either side of the partitioning member, at least one rigid part interconnecting the suspension means and supporting the partitioning member, said part comprising means for adjusting the distance separating the suspension means in order to facilitate the adaptation of the device to vehicles of different widths, and means for the lateral adjustment of the position of the partitioning member with respect to said part in order to facilitate centering of the partitioning member with respect to the side walls of the vehicle.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a device formed according to the invention, as fixed inside a vehicle, and Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a bracket which can be used for securing the device.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the partitioning member is a grille 1 made in the form of two sets of substantially co-planar rigid bars; the bars, respectively 2 and 3, of each set are parallel to each other and intersect the bars of the other set, on which they are pivoted, in the region of the intersections 4, about pivots at right-angles to the general plane of the grille defined by the plane of the bars, in order to define a structure in the form of deformable parallelograms.

The grille can thus be deformed in its own plane by deforming each basic parallelogram, for the purpose of reducing or increasing its dimensions in relation to the width of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In the immediate vicinity of its upper edge, the grille 1 is connected to a rectilinear tubular rod 5 for connection to the suspension means 6 and 7, which rod is intended to be placed horizontally inside the vehicle, transversely with respect to the general direction of the latter.

The rod 5 supports two brackets 8 and 9, each of which comprises a slide, respectively 10 and 11, parallel to the general direction of the rod 5 and located in the extension of the other slide, in which are slidably mounted, in a horizontal direction parallel to the rod 5, respectively the pivot point 4a of the two bars 2a and 3a respectively of both sets or the pivot point 4b of two bars 2b and 3b respectively of both sets, preferably located in the region of the upper edge of the grille 1.

Means are provided in the region of the two pivot points 4a and 4b for preventing or allowing the latter to slide at will in the slides 10 and 11 respectively. These means have been shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 in the form of nuts 12 and 13 respectively, which are screwed-up or unscrewed on the shank of a bolt constituting the pivot for the bars and the part integral with the grille sliding respectively in the slides 10 and 11, themselves constituted by an oblong slot in the corresponding bracket, which is flat and arranged parallel to the general plane of the grille 1. Bearing on one of the sides of this bracket is the head of the bolt whose shank passes through the bracket via the slide, in a direction at right-angles to the general plane of this bracket and to the general plane of the grille, beyond the bracket, receives the two bars 2a and 3a or 2b and 3b superimposed at this level, by passing through the latter in order to define their pivot point, respectively 4a and 4b and beyond this pivot point, receives the nut, 12 and 13 respectively, able to tighten the two pivoted bars and the bracket to a greater or lesser extent one against the other.

At each of its ends, the rigid rod 5, which is tubular, comprises internally a sliding rectilinear rod 14 and 15 respectively forming, beyond the two ends 16 and 17 of this rod 5, a greater or lesser projection, corresponding to a greater or lesser spacing between the suspension means 6 and 7 which these telescopic members 14 and 15 support at their end located outside the rod 5.

In order to tend to reduce the distance between these suspension means 6 and 7 elastically, in order to stretch them between their anchorage points on the vehicle body work, respectively 18 and 19, each of the members 14 and 15 comprises, in the immediate vicinity of its projecting end, a bracket on which is respectively engaged one of the two ends of an elastically extensible strap 20, tending to assume elastically a length at the most equal to the smallest distance between its respective anchorage points on both the members 14 and 15, when the anchorage points 18 and 19 are in their closest position, i.e. in the case of the narrowest vehicle able to be equipped with the device.

Other means for the elastic return of the suspension means 6 and 7 towards each other could be adopted.

In order to immobilise the members 14 and 15 at will with respect to the rod 5, tightening screws, 21 and 22 respectively have been provided, which can be screwed into the wall of the rod 5, in a radial direction with respect to the latter, in the immediate vicinity of its ends 16 and 17, in order to apply inside this rod 5, a radial pressure on the members 14 and 15 whilst immobilising them.

The suspension means 6 and 7 illustrated are already known and use the outer side gutters 23 and 24 respectively of the vehicle as anchoring points.

The suspension means 7 corresponding to the telescopic member 15 comprise a flexible strap 25 whereof one end is fixed to the member 15 by means of a ring 26 and the other end comprises a hook 27 corresponding in shape to the gutter 24 which retains the latter laterally and in a downwards direction. The strap 25 ensures the connection between the hook 27 outside the vehicle and the ring 26 inside the latter, by engaging either between the upper edge of a door and the roof of the vehicle or between the upper edge of a partly open window and the window frame.

The suspension means 6 have a similar construction.

This structure of the suspension means 6 and 7 allows a rotation of the grille 1 about a horizontal axis, which is transverse with respect to the general direction of the vehicle, which makes it possible to place the grille in a vertical position or in any desired oblique position with respect to the structure of the vehicle and to the adjustment of the seats in the latter.

The orientation of the device is maintained by anchoring the latter at lower points of the vehicle, for example by flexible straps 28 and 29 able to be placed under tension between any point of the device and a lower point of the vehicle.

The flexible strap 29 is attached by its upper end to a ring 30 integral with the strap 25 of the suspension means 7, in the immediate vicinity of the ring 26 for securing this strap to the telescopic member 15. The method of connection of the flexible strap 28 to the second suspension means 6 is identical.

Over part of their length, the flexible straps 28 and 29 are mounted to slide along the corresponding side edge of the grille 1, 31 and 32 respectively. The flexible strap 28 or 29 is for example mounted to slide in the mesh of the grille 1 closest to the corresponding side edge, 33 and 34 respectively and/or in orifices such as 35 and 36 respectively, provided for this purpose in the bars, in this case respectively 2a and 3b, in the immediate vicinity of these edges 31 and 32.

In the vicinity of its second end, each of the two straps 28 and 29 is in the shape of a loop 37 and 38 respectively, supporting in a slidable manner any known removable anchoring device such as a snap-hook 39 and 40 respectively.

The length of each of the loops 37 and 38 is variable, the end of the strap being integral for example with a slide of the type known per se, respectively 41 and 42, mounted to slide on the strap but immobilizing itself on the latter when it is taut.

The counterpart of the lower anchoring members such as the snap-hooks 39 and 40 may already exist on the vehicle, such as for example the anchoring point for a safety belt, or may be added.

Figure 2 shows such a separate counterpart, in the form of a bracket 43 comprising a flat central area 44, interposed between an area 45 inclined at 90" and an area 46 inclined at 30 on the same side of the area 44 as the area 45, from which it diverges.

The areas 44 and 45 comprise orifices 47, 48, 49 and 50 providing various possibilities of attachment of the bracket 43 to the body work and the areas 44 and 46 comprise a slot 51 extending through these areas 44 and 46 on either side of their common edge.

The partitioning device as described above with particular reference to Figure 1, is of simple construction, can be made in a standardised form which can be adapted to vehicles of different transverse dimensions, causes little or no damage to the interior trim of the passenger compartment, and can be attached to the bodywork of the vehicle without requiring accessories bolted to the vehicle.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A device for partitioning the passenger compartment of a vehicle transversely, comprising a partitioning member, and means for the suspension of the partitioning member from upper points of the passenger compartment side walls on either side of the partitioning member, at least one rigid part interconnecting the suspension means and supporting the partitioning member, said part comprising means for adjusting the distance separating the suspension means in order to facilitate the adaption of the device to vehicles of different widths, and means for the lateral adjustment of the position of the partitioning member with respect to said part in order to facilitate centering of the partitioning member with respect to the side walls of the vehicle.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said rigid part comprises a central part supporting the partitioning member and, on either side of the central part, two members for connecting the latter to the suspension means, said connecting members being mounted to slide away from or towards each other along the central part.

3. A device according to claim 2, in which the central part is a tubular rod, the two connecting members consist of members mounted to slide inside the rod, respectively in the immediate vicinity of both ends of the latter and along its general direction, and, outside the rod, said members are connected to the suspension means.

4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising means for the relative immobilization at will of the connecting members and the central part.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means tending to reduce elastically the distance between the means for suspension respectively from both side walls of the passenger compartment.

6. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising an elastically extensible strap, comprising two ends both of which are respectively integral with connecting members and which tend to adopt elastically a length at the most equal to the distance separating its points of attachment respectively to both connecting members in the case where the device is placed in the narrowest possible vehicle.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rigid member supports the partitioning member by means of at least one slide in which at least one member integral with the partitioning member slides laterally.

8. A device according to claim 7, in which the grille comprises two sets of a plurality of substantially co-planar bars, the bars of each set being parallel to each other and intersecting the bars of the other set, said bars of the two sets being pivoted to each other at their intersections about pivot points at right-angles to the general plane of the grille to allow deformation of the latter in said plane, said slide being placed opposite the intersection of two bars and said intersection being mounted to slide laterally along the slide.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for connecting the partitioning member to lower points of the vehicle.

10. A device according to claims 8 and 9, in which the means for connecting the grille to lower points of the vehicle comprise at least one flexible strap connected adjacent the top of both suspension means, mounted to slide along side edges of the grille and comprising, towards the bottom, on either side of the grille, means for anchorage to members integral with the body work of the vehicle at lower points of the latter, the length of said strap being adjustable to facilitate its tensioning between the suspension means and said members for anchorage to lower points.

11. A device for partitioning the passenger compartment of a vehicle transversely, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. already exist on the vehicle, such as for example the anchoring point for a safety belt, or may be added. Figure 2 shows such a separate counterpart, in the form of a bracket 43 comprising a flat central area 44, interposed between an area 45 inclined at 90" and an area 46 inclined at 30 on the same side of the area 44 as the area 45, from which it diverges. The areas 44 and 45 comprise orifices 47, 48, 49 and 50 providing various possibilities of attachment of the bracket 43 to the body work and the areas 44 and 46 comprise a slot 51 extending through these areas 44 and 46 on either side of their common edge. The partitioning device as described above with particular reference to Figure 1, is of simple construction, can be made in a standardised form which can be adapted to vehicles of different transverse dimensions, causes little or no damage to the interior trim of the passenger compartment, and can be attached to the bodywork of the vehicle without requiring accessories bolted to the vehicle. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A device for partitioning the passenger compartment of a vehicle transversely, comprising a partitioning member, and means for the suspension of the partitioning member from upper points of the passenger compartment side walls on either side of the partitioning member, at least one rigid part interconnecting the suspension means and supporting the partitioning member, said part comprising means for adjusting the distance separating the suspension means in order to facilitate the adaption of the device to vehicles of different widths, and means for the lateral adjustment of the position of the partitioning member with respect to said part in order to facilitate centering of the partitioning member with respect to the side walls of the vehicle.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said rigid part comprises a central part supporting the partitioning member and, on either side of the central part, two members for connecting the latter to the suspension means, said connecting members being mounted to slide away from or towards each other along the central part.

3. A device according to claim 2, in which the central part is a tubular rod, the two connecting members consist of members mounted to slide inside the rod, respectively in the immediate vicinity of both ends of the latter and along its general direction, and, outside the rod, said members are connected to the suspension means.

4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising means for the relative immobilization at will of the connecting members and the central part.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means tending to reduce elastically the distance between the means for suspension respectively from both side walls of the passenger compartment.

6. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising an elastically extensible strap, comprising two ends both of which are respectively integral with connecting members and which tend to adopt elastically a length at the most equal to the distance separating its points of attachment respectively to both connecting members in the case where the device is placed in the narrowest possible vehicle.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rigid member supports the partitioning member by means of at least one slide in which at least one member integral with the partitioning member slides laterally.

8. A device according to claim 7, in which the grille comprises two sets of a plurality of substantially co-planar bars, the bars of each set being parallel to each other and intersecting the bars of the other set, said bars of the two sets being pivoted to each other at their intersections about pivot points at right-angles to the general plane of the grille to allow deformation of the latter in said plane, said slide being placed opposite the intersection of two bars and said intersection being mounted to slide laterally along the slide.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for connecting the partitioning member to lower points of the vehicle.

10. A device according to claims 8 and 9, in which the means for connecting the grille to lower points of the vehicle comprise at least one flexible strap connected adjacent the top of both suspension means, mounted to slide along side edges of the grille and comprising, towards the bottom, on either side of the grille, means for anchorage to members integral with the body work of the vehicle at lower points of the latter, the length of said strap being adjustable to facilitate its tensioning between the suspension means and said members for anchorage to lower points.

11. A device for partitioning the passenger compartment of a vehicle transversely, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. A vehicle having a passenger compartment provided with a partitioning device as

claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.