GB1588292A - Barrier for use in a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

(54) A BARRIER FOR USE IN A VEHICLE (71) We, ATHAG LIMITED, a British Company, of Carlyon Road, Atherstone Industrial Estate, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 1 LQ, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, 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 barrier in or for use in a vehicle and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a barrier which can be used for preventing an animal such as a dog escaping through a door opening in the vehicle.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier extending across or along the interior of a vehicle, the barrier comprising a panel connected to friction type holding means which holds the barrier firmly in place in the vehicle, and a door positioned in an opening in the panel, which door is movable so as to open or close the opening.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier for use in a vehicle, the barrier comprising a panel in the fonn of a grille in an outline frame, the panel being connected to friction type holding means for holding the panel firmly in position in the vehicle, and a door in the form of a grille in an outline frame positioned in an opening in the panel, which door is movable so as to open or close the opening.

The panel may carry two or more hinge posts which pivotally support hinge plates on the door. In many cases a hinge-opening door may be preferable. However, the door could be slidably mounted on the panel if necessary.

Co-operable fastening means will normally be provided on the panel and the door which can be locked together to hold the door closed.

A barrier in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a barrier in accordance with the invention fixed in the rear of an estate car, and Figure 2 is an elevation of the rear section of a vehicle showing an alternative form of barrier fixed in the rear passenger door opening of a saloon car, the rear door of the car being omitted for clarity.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a barrier 1 comprises a panel 2 in the form of a metal grille within an outline frame. The panel 2 carries two tubes 3 which have friction pads 4 at their lower ends and gutter locating members 5 or friction pads similar to pads 4 at their upper ends. The locating members 5 may be similar to those described in our co-pending application No. 2386/78. (Serial No. 1588291). The friction pads 4 and locating members 5 hold the panel 2 rigidly in position in the car.

The panel 2 is formed with a rectangular opening 6 the right hand edge of which, as viewed in Figure 1, carries hinge posts 7. The hinge posts 7 pivotally support hinge plates 8 fixed to a door 9 which is generally the same shape and size as the opening 6. The left hand edge of the door 9 carries an arm 10 which lies between two plates 12 on the panel 2 when the door is closed. The plates 12 have aligned apertures therein (not shown) for receiving a suitable locking member (also not shown) which abuts the arm 10 and prevents the door 9 being opened.

In Figure 2, a different type of barrier is shown which fits in the rear passenger door opening of a saloon car. The door 9 of the Figure 2 barrier is mounted on hinges in the same way as the door shown in Figure 1. The panel 2 of the Figure 2 barrier which carries the door may be fixed to the vehicle by friction pads.

Although the barriers in Figures 1 and 2 comprise metal grilles within outline frames, they could instead be in the form of parallel bars on suitable supports.

Instead of hinging each door 9 along its side edge, it could be hinged along its top or bottom edge. The door may alternatively be of a lift-off type or mounted for sliding relatively to the panel 2.

As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2, the periphery of the panel 2 is shaped to correspond generally with the contour of the door opening in which it fits.

When carrying animals such as dogs in a compartment immediately adjacent the barrier, the door on the other side of the barrier may be opened when the vehicle is stationary to ventilate the vehicle without the animals escaping.

However, when the animals are to be removed, the door 9 can simply be opened to allow the animals to leave.

Whilst particular reference has been made to the transporting of animals, a barrier in accord ance with the invention could also be used in commerical vehicles such as vans to safeguard goods in the vehicle when the rear doors are open.

Instead of mounting the barrier in a door opening, it could be mounted directly behind a rear passenger seat of an estate car. The door 9 would then provide access from the passenger compartment to the compartment behind the rear passenger seat. In such a case, the door 9 would be positioned near the top of the panel 2 rather than near the bottom as in Figure 1.

The barrier could be used in combination with dividers such as plain mesh panels to make up one or more enclosures in a van, caravan, caravanette or other vehicle. In such a case a wall and/or roof section of the vehicle, together with the barrier and dividers, would define the enclosure or enclosures.

The opening 6 and door 9 can be of any suitable shape and size.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A barrier extending across or along the interior of a vehicle, the barrier comprising a panel connected to friction type holding means which holds the barrier firmly in place in the vehicle, and a door positioned in an opening in the panel, which door is movable so as to open or close the opening.

2. A barrier according to Claim 1, in which the panel and the door each comprise a metal grille in an outline frame.

3.A barrier according to Claim 1 , in which the panel and the door each comprise a plurality of parallel bars carried by supporting members.

4. A barrier according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 arranged adjacent divider means in the vehicle so that the barrier, the divider means and a wall and/or roof section of the vehicle together define one or more enclosures in the vehicle.

5. A barrier for use in a vehicle, the barrier comprising a panel in the form of a grille in an outline frame, the panel being connected to friction type holding means for holding the panel firmly in position in the vehicle, and a door in the form of a grille in an outline frame positioned in an opening in the panel, which door is movable so as to open or close the opening.

6. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 5 in which the panel carries two or more hinge posts which pivotally support hinge plates on the door.

7. A barrier according to any preceding claim in which the panel and the door include co-operable fastening means which can be locked together to hold the door closed.

8. A barrier according to any preceding claim, in which the panel has its periphery shaped to correspond substantially with the contour of a door opening in the vehicle in which the barrier is or is to be fitted.

9. A panel for use in a vehicle constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ance with the invention could also be used in commerical vehicles such as vans to safeguard goods in the vehicle when the rear doors are open. Instead of mounting the barrier in a door opening, it could be mounted directly behind a rear passenger seat of an estate car. The door 9 would then provide access from the passenger compartment to the compartment behind the rear passenger seat. In such a case, the door 9 would be positioned near the top of the panel 2 rather than near the bottom as in Figure 1. The barrier could be used in combination with dividers such as plain mesh panels to make up one or more enclosures in a van, caravan, caravanette or other vehicle. In such a case a wall and/or roof section of the vehicle, together with the barrier and dividers, would define the enclosure or enclosures. The opening 6 and door 9 can be of any suitable shape and size. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A barrier extending across or along the interior of a vehicle, the barrier comprising a panel connected to friction type holding means which holds the barrier firmly in place in the vehicle, and a door positioned in an opening in the panel, which door is movable so as to open or close the opening.

2. A barrier according to Claim 1, in which the panel and the door each comprise a metal grille in an outline frame.

3.A barrier according to Claim 1 , in which the panel and the door each comprise a plurality of parallel bars carried by supporting members.

4. A barrier according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 arranged adjacent divider means in the vehicle so that the barrier, the divider means and a wall and/or roof section of the vehicle together define one or more enclosures in the vehicle.

5. A barrier for use in a vehicle, the barrier comprising a panel in the form of a grille in an outline frame, the panel being connected to friction type holding means for holding the panel firmly in position in the vehicle, and a door in the form of a grille in an outline frame positioned in an opening in the panel, which door is movable so as to open or close the opening.

6. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 5 in which the panel carries two or more hinge posts which pivotally support hinge plates on the door.

7. A barrier according to any preceding claim in which the panel and the door include co-operable fastening means which can be locked together to hold the door closed.

8. A barrier according to any preceding claim, in which the panel has its periphery shaped to correspond substantially with the contour of a door opening in the vehicle in which the barrier is or is to be fitted.

9. A panel for use in a vehicle constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.