GB2030524A

GB2030524A - A fixture for the boot of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2030524A
Application number: GB7931536A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HETTA REISS
Current assignee: HETTA REISS
Priority date: 1978-09-14
Filing date: 1979-09-11
Publication date: 1980-04-10
Also published as: BE878735A; IT1164700B; IT7950243A0; FR2436056A1; DE2840000A1; NL7906762A

Abstract

In order to enlarge the storage space, e.g. for luggage or animals, in the conventional boot of a car the present invention provides a dismantlable fixture which can fill the space left by a partly opened boot lid. The fixture 14 is inserted between the edges of the rear and sides of a boot opening and the open lid l3 of the car boot. The fixture comprises a rear portion and two hinged lateral portions. A ventilation aperture 20 is provided in a lateral portion of the fixture on the opposite side of the vehicle to the engine exhaust pipe 21 while windows 14 are provided in the rear portion of the fixture. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A fixture for the boot of a motor vehicle This invention relates to a fixture for the boot of a motor vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle having a stepped rear.

The transporting of large objects in the boots of motor vehicles is restricted by the dimensions available. If objects are to be transported which exceed the prescribed dimensions, in some cases the boot cannot be properly closed. The lid of the boot then rests on the object and is fastened, for example, by lashing, in this position. This solution cannot be satisfactory, as the lid of the boot is often not securely fastened. Moreover, between the wholly or partly open lid of the boot and the rim of the boot, an opening is left which has a number of disadvantages and more particularly makes it impossible to transport animals.

The aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus which makes it possible to transport objects exceeding the prescribed dimensions, but more particularly to transport animals, in the boots of motor vehicles.

There is considerable interest in the transporting of dogs, including large dogs. Hitherto, dogs have been carried in the passenger space of motor vehicles with a stepped rear, or else in special trailers.

Carrying dogs in the passenger area has considerable disadvantages, as the inner fittings are damaged and hence the resale value of the vehicle is reduced. Moreover, the passenger area becomes soiled and is affected by a smell of dogs. In addition, dogs in the passenger space of a motor vehicle are always a safety risk.

According to the present invention there is provided a fixture for attachment to the boot of a motor vehicle having a stepped rear, in which the rear portion of the fixture can be inserted between the edges of the rear sides of a boot opening and the open lid of the boot, two lateral portions being mounted in the two side openings between the boot and the boot lid and wherein a locking mechanism is provided on the boot and on the boot lid. The lateral portions are securely guided by the rain channels of the boot into which these lateral portions can be inserted.

In case the fixture is temporarily not required, the lateral portions according to the invention can be folded back onto the rear portion. Thus, the fixture can be carried in its folded state in the closed boot.

The lateral portions may also be releasably connected to the rear portion, for example by means of a hinge.

In order to seal the fixture at the boot and boot lid, a rubber seal may be provided at the upper and/or lower edge of the fixture, unless the seal already provided on the rim of the boot and/or along the edge of the lid of the boot can be used to provide a seal. This seal serves to keep exhaust gases out of the boot so that no exhaust gases can penetrate either into the boot or through the boot into the passenger area. The fixture should also be sealed off from rain water.

Preferably a locking mechanism is mounted on the rear portion of the fixture comprising on its lower edge a latch and on its upper edge a locking member, the latch and locking member corresponding to those provided in the rear of the boot or on the lid of the boot of the type of vehicle in question. Thus the fixture can easily be provided with the locking mechanism by using original parts of the type of vehicle in question, namely the latch and the associated locking member. Consequently, the fixture according to the invention can be locked securely.

The boot is ventilated by virtue of the fact that the lid of the boot is in a raised position. In this way, a ventilation slot which may be 10 to 20mm high depending on the type of the motor vehicle and which extends over the full width of the boot is provided between the lid and the rim of the boot, behind the tail plate and hence free from exhaust gases. Conveniently, at least one ventilation aperture is provided in the rear or lateral portions of the fixture to allow air to escape. Exhaust gases cannot penetrate into the boot as the boot is maintained at overpressure by the supply of air through the ventilation slot and the air escapes through the ventilation aperture. However, the ventilation aperture is preferably located in one of the lateral portions on the opposite side of the vehicle to the engine exhaust pipe.

Particularly if animals are to be transported, it is advisable to provide one or more windows in the rear or lateral portions of the fixture. This removes the feeling of confinement in animals, particularly dogs, as they keep in contact with the outside world even during the journey and therefore do not become afraid. Advantageously, the windows are located in the rear portion of the fixture. The fixture may be made of aluminium, whilst the windows are made of plastics material. A seal is provided between the windows and the rear portion to balance out any differences in thermal expansion of the windows or fixture.

If the portions of the fixture are so high that the lid of the boot is almost fully open after the fixture has been put into position, the driver of the vehicle can no longer see over the boot lid with the rear view mirror and is therefore obliged to use the wing mirrors. According to one embodiment of the invention therefore, the height of the rear portion is designed so that the upper edge of the boot lid is at a spacing from the upper edge of the rear window of the vehicle and there is sufficient space left to enable the driver of the vehicle to watch the road behind using the rear view mirror and the rear window.

An embodiment of a fixture according to the invention, will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective rear view of a motor vehicle fitted with a fixture according to the invention, Figure 2 shows the fixture viewed according to Figure 1 but on a larger scale, Figure 3 is a view of the fixture in the direction of the arrow Ill in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 2, and Figure 5 is a section taken on the line V-V in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, on the boot 11 of the body 12 of the motor vehicle shown, the boot lid 13 is folded up to an extent which does not obstruct the driver's view through the rear view mirror. The surrounding space thus formed is filled bythefixture 14 according to the invention.

The fixture 14 shown on an enlarged scale in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a rear portion 15 and two lateral portions 16. The rear portion- 15 and lateral portions 16 can be folded inwards in the direction of the arrow 18 by means of a hinge 17 shown in Figure 3. In the rear portion 15, windows 19 are provided which are made of plastics material and are inserted in the aluminium rear portion 15 with the interposition of seals (not shown). Furthermore, the left-hand lateral portion 16 is provided with a ventilation aperture 20 which may be protected from rain coming in by means of a plastics grid in the form of a blind (not shown).

The ventilation aperture 20 is located in the lateral portion 16 which is on the opposite side of the vehicle to the engine exhaust 21.

Figure 4 shows that sealing is effected by means of an upper and lower rubber seal 22,23 relative to the adjacent boot lid 13 or boot 11. The locking means on the rear portion 15 of the fixture 14 comprises a latch 26 on the lower edge of the rear portion 15 and a locking member 24 on the upper edge of the rear portion, the latch 26 and locking member 24 corresponding to those in the rear of the boot and in the boot lid (latch 25) of the vehicle. According to Figure 5, rubber seals 27 and 28 are also provided on the side portions 16.

Further modifications may be made to the invention. Thus, sets of luggage which are known per se may be adapted to the enlarged space created by the fixture. It is also possible to provide a single insert which fits the boot and fixture and fills it as far as possible and can be locked in place in the boot. An insert of this kind may advantageously be used for carrying small or medium-sized animals and can later be cleaned after being removed from the vehicle. Furthermore, a clamping means for the folded-up fixture may be provided on the underside of the boot lid.

Claims

1. A fixture for the attachment to the boot of a motor vehicle having a stepped rear, in which the rear portion of the fixture can be inserted between the edges of the rear sides of a boot opening and the open lid of the boot, two lateral portions being mounted in the two side openings between the boot and the boot lid and wherein a locking mechanism is provided on the boot and on the boot lid.

2. A fixture according to Claim 1, in which the lateral portions can be folded back on to th- roer portion.

3. Afixture according to Claim 2, in which a releasable connection is provided between the rear portion and the lateral portions.

4. Afixture according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which a rubber seal is provided at the upper and/or lower edge of the fixture.

5. A fixture according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the locking means is mounted on the rear portion of the fixture and comprising a latch on its lower edge, while a locking member is provided on the upper edge thereof, the latch and locking memeber corresponding to those in the boot aperature and on the lid respectively.

6. A fixture according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which at least one ventilation aperature is provided in the rear or lateral portions of the fixture.

7. Afixture according to Claim 6 in which a ventilation aperature is located in one of the lateral portions on the opposite side of the vehicle to the engine exhaust pipe.

8. A fixture according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which one or more windows are provided in the rear or lateral portions of the fixture.

9. A fixture according to Claim 8, in which the rear and lateral portions of the fixture are made of aluminium, the windows being circular and made of plastics with a surrounding seal between the windows and aperatures formed in the rear portion of the fixture.

10. A fixture according to any of claims 1 to 9, in which the height of the rear portion is such that the upper edge of the boot lid is spaced from the upper edge of the rear of the window of the motor vehicle to which the fixture is attached.

11. A fixture for attachment to the boot of a motor vehicle having a stepped rear, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.