GB2117716A

GB2117716A - Lining for vehicle load compartments

Info

Publication number: GB2117716A
Application number: GB08210141A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Jeffrey Baggaley; Barry Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-06
Filing date: 1982-04-06
Publication date: 1983-10-19
Also published as: GB2117716B

Abstract

The lining comprises a rigid or flexible base (11), an inflatable support framework (20) and a flexible cover (12) supported by the framework and defining a top (14) and sides (13). A flexible end wall (15) is also secured to the framework. The opposite open end is closable by a releasably mounted sheet. Transparent window portions (22) are provided. In the Figure, a lining suitable for a hatch back car is shown. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lining device for a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle This invention relates to a lining device for a ioad-carrying chamber of a vehicle.

The invention is especially applicable to socalled estate vehicles and hatch-back vehicles and the like, in which a platform is provided behind the forward seats of the vehicle and access is provided from the rear through a doorway. Tippable and foldable rearward seats are sometimes provided, which form part of the platform in the folded state.

Such vehicles may be used for conveying people and luggage and on other occasions for carrying many materials, such as building materials, for example, and it is difficult to keep the vehicle clean internally. A removable mat is often provided on the platform, when carrying such materials, but this does not protect the sides of the vehicle, nor the forward seats.

The present invention provides a lining device for a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle, the device comprising a tubular member having a base portion and a collapsible cover portion, the cover portion being provided with inflatable means for supporting the cover in an expanded state for lining the side walls and top of the vehicle chamber.

It is preferred that the device includes a collapsible end wall closing one end of the tubular member. This wall preferably includes a transparent portion to serve as a window.

Other transparent window portions may be provided in the cover to coincide with side windows in the vehicle chamber.

A closure member may be releasably securable to the tubular member to close the opposite end to said end wall, this closure member also having a transparent window portion.

The cover preferably comprises a framework composed of inflatable elements and flexible sheet material secured to the framework.

The base portion may also comprise flexible sheet material secured to the framework. although this portion may be rigid.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in inflated state; and Figure 2 is a similar view showing how the device fits into a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle.

The device shown comprises a base 11 and a cover 1 2 include sides 1 3 and a top 14 to define a square-section tubular arrangement.

One end is closed by an end wall 1 5 perpendicular to the top and the base. The opposite end is open and the perimeter of the opening lies in a plane at an oblique angle to the base.

This shape corresponds generally to the external shape of the load-carrying chamber of a hatch-back vehicle 16, as shown in Fig. 2.

The device has a framework 20 defined by inflatable tubes, these tubes defining the perimetral edges of the base 1, the top 14 and the sides 1 3 of the cover. The base top and sides and also the end wall 1 5 are all formed of sheet material secured to the framework.

The material is flexible and may be canvas, an elastomer-canvas composition, or reinforced plastics material, for example. The base may be of a thicker and/or stronger construction and could be rigid. The window portions may be formed from transparent, flexible plastics material.

The arrangement is such that, by expelling air from the inflatable framework, the device can be collapsed for storage. For use, the device is placed in the load-carrying chamber of the vehicle with the base on the platform and the framework is then inflated. The cover walls are thereby caused to mould to the interior contours of the chamber to form a lining. The framework, being flexible, can bend round obstructions such as wheel arches 21 (Fig. 2).

The open end of the device may be releasably closable by a sheet (not shown) attachable to the framework. Such attachment may be, for example, by studs, zip fasteners or Velcro (RTM). The sheet may be permanently attached by one edge and capable of being rolled up. This sheet will also have a transparent window portion where illustrated in Fig. 1 by the dash lines at 22.

The framework includes an inflatable sill 23 along the open end of the base 11. This sill fits along the interior of a sill on the vehicle.

This inflatable sill may be omitted for use in estate vehicles or other vehicles where no sill is provided.

A ramp may be arranged along the inflatable sill to facilitate removal of material.

1. A lining device for a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle, the device comprising a tubular member having a base portion and a collapsible cover portion, the cover portion being provided with inflatable means for supporting the cover in an expanded state for lining side walls and top of the vehicle chamber.

2. A lining device according to claim 1, including a collapsible end wall closing one end of the tubular member.

3. A lining device according to claim 2, wherein the end wall includes a transparent window portion.

4. A lining device according to claim 2 or 3, including a closure member releasably securable to the tubular member to closethe opposite end to said end wall.

5. A lining device according to claim 4, as

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lining device for a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle This invention relates to a lining device for a ioad-carrying chamber of a vehicle. The invention is especially applicable to socalled estate vehicles and hatch-back vehicles and the like, in which a platform is provided behind the forward seats of the vehicle and access is provided from the rear through a doorway. Tippable and foldable rearward seats are sometimes provided, which form part of the platform in the folded state. Such vehicles may be used for conveying people and luggage and on other occasions for carrying many materials, such as building materials, for example, and it is difficult to keep the vehicle clean internally. A removable mat is often provided on the platform, when carrying such materials, but this does not protect the sides of the vehicle, nor the forward seats. The present invention provides a lining device for a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle, the device comprising a tubular member having a base portion and a collapsible cover portion, the cover portion being provided with inflatable means for supporting the cover in an expanded state for lining the side walls and top of the vehicle chamber. It is preferred that the device includes a collapsible end wall closing one end of the tubular member. This wall preferably includes a transparent portion to serve as a window. Other transparent window portions may be provided in the cover to coincide with side windows in the vehicle chamber. A closure member may be releasably securable to the tubular member to close the opposite end to said end wall, this closure member also having a transparent window portion. The cover preferably comprises a framework composed of inflatable elements and flexible sheet material secured to the framework. The base portion may also comprise flexible sheet material secured to the framework. although this portion may be rigid. Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in inflated state; and Figure 2 is a similar view showing how the device fits into a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle. The device shown comprises a base 11 and a cover 1 2 include sides 1 3 and a top 14 to define a square-section tubular arrangement. One end is closed by an end wall 1 5 perpendicular to the top and the base. The opposite end is open and the perimeter of the opening lies in a plane at an oblique angle to the base. This shape corresponds generally to the external shape of the load-carrying chamber of a hatch-back vehicle 16, as shown in Fig. 2. The device has a framework 20 defined by inflatable tubes, these tubes defining the perimetral edges of the base 1, the top 14 and the sides 1 3 of the cover. The base top and sides and also the end wall 1 5 are all formed of sheet material secured to the framework. The material is flexible and may be canvas, an elastomer-canvas composition, or reinforced plastics material, for example. The base may be of a thicker and/or stronger construction and could be rigid. The window portions may be formed from transparent, flexible plastics material. The arrangement is such that, by expelling air from the inflatable framework, the device can be collapsed for storage. For use, the device is placed in the load-carrying chamber of the vehicle with the base on the platform and the framework is then inflated. The cover walls are thereby caused to mould to the interior contours of the chamber to form a lining. The framework, being flexible, can bend round obstructions such as wheel arches 21 (Fig. 2). The open end of the device may be releasably closable by a sheet (not shown) attachable to the framework. Such attachment may be, for example, by studs, zip fasteners or Velcro (RTM). The sheet may be permanently attached by one edge and capable of being rolled up. This sheet will also have a transparent window portion where illustrated in Fig. 1 by the dash lines at 22. The framework includes an inflatable sill 23 along the open end of the base 11. This sill fits along the interior of a sill on the vehicle. This inflatable sill may be omitted for use in estate vehicles or other vehicles where no sill is provided. A ramp may be arranged along the inflatable sill to facilitate removal of material. CLAIMS

5. A lining device according to claim 4, as appendant to claim 3, wherein the closure member has a transparent window portion.

6. A lining device according to any preceding claim, including transparent window portions in the collapsible cover portion.

7. A lining device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion comprises a framework of inflatable elements and flexible sheet material supportable by the framework.

8. A lining device according to claim 8, wherein the base portion comprises flexible sheet material secured to the framework.

9. A lining device for a load-carrying chamber of a vehicle, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.