GB2243345A - A barrier for use in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The barrier 10 is formed with a contour 15 of curved cross section having an upper portion 13a extending forwardly and a lower portion 13b extending rearwardly whereby when the barrier is installed in a vehicle, it extends across the vehicle and defines a clearance for the head of a passenger in an adjacent seat 11. The barrier may extend from adjacent a top edge of the seat backrest and in this case is similar in shape to the upper section 13 of barrier 10 (Figs 3, 4). The barrier may form a front panel of a cage for use in the vehicle. Various fixing arrangements for the barriers are shown. <IMAGE>

Description

A BARRIER This invention relates to a barrier particularly, but not exclusively, for use in hatchback estate type or commercial vehicles to separate the passenger compartment from an animal or cargo carrying compartment.

It is known to provide substantially flat barriers for use in hatchback vehicles. As shown in our GB1588291. Certain barriers can engage at their upper edge a rear door opening, e.g. defined by a gutter, of the vehicle. However, in more recent times many hatchback vehicles have a gutter or the like which lies substantially vertically above or forward of a backrest of the rear seat and it can be difficult to install a flat barrier in such a vehicle without some inconvenience to passengers. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved barrier which is particularly suitable for installation in such a vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a barrier for extending across a vehicle, the barrier including an upper portion which extends transverse to an adjacent portion of the barrier so that, in use, the upper portion of the barrier will extend substantially forwardly in the vehicle towards a position adjacent a roof of an upper edge of a rear door opening, the barrier including or being associated with fixing means for holding the barrier in position in the vehicle.

Such a barrier can be installed easily and the upper portion will clear the head of a passenger which is not only advantageous and comfortable for the passenger but will enable the upper portion to be secured, if desired, to an adjacent fixing such as guttering.

Preferably the upper portion is part of an upper section of the barrier at least part of which has a substantially curved cross section. If desired, the upper section can include a lower portion which, in use, extends substantially rearwardly of the vehicle.

Various types of fixing means can be used to hold the barrier in the vehicle.

For example, the fixing means may comprise at least one generally upstanding support member or, in order to secure the barrier very effectively, two such upstanding support members may be provided.

At least part of the o each support member may substantially follow the shape of the contour of the barrier, thereby enhancing the strength and appearance of the barrier.

The or each support member may have fixing means provided at its lower end to provide secure attachments or mountings for securing the barrier to the floor of the vehicle. Conveniently, the or each support member may have at its upper end location means for engagement with the upper edge of the rear door opening or other suitable mounting section of a vehicle adjacent a rear door for providing secure attachment of the barrier at its upper edge.

In a further case, the fixing means may comprise a member having an upwardly facing slot locatable on a pin.

Other types of fixing means may include a clinch nut fixing arrangement or a resiliently biassed pin locatable in a socket, aperture of the like.

In order that the barrier completely separates a passenger compartment of the vehicle from an animal compartment, the barrier, in use, may extend transversely across substantially the compiete interior width of the vehicle.

In one embodiment the barrier has an upper section formed with a concave contour and a lower section arranged to lie adjacent, preferably parallel with, the rear of a seat backrest. The provision of a lower section means that the rear of the seat backrest is protected from an animal when carried behind the barrier and furthermore means that the barrier is still effective when, for example, the rear seat has been removed or folded forwards.

In another embodiment, the barrier comprises simply a section which is arranged to extend substantially between an upper edge of the backrest for the seat and a position adjacent the upper edge of the rear door opening of the vehicle. In that case the barrier has a lower edge which is arranged to lie adjacent an upper edge of the backrest.

Conveniently, the barrier may include at least one door therein for providing access to a compartment behind the barrier. In the event of a rear-end impact of the vehicle making it impossible to open a rear door, access to the compartment can be gained va a side door of the vehicle and the door or doors in the barrier. This is a useful safety aspect of the barrier.

The barrier may comprise mesh within an outline frame.

If desired the barrier may form a front panel of a cage for use in the vehicle or may be assemblable with other panels to form a cage like enclosure within the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier according to the first aspect of the invention or any of the consistory clauses relating thereto mounted in a vehicle behind a backrest of a seat in the vehicle, the barrier being secured in position such that an upper edge of an upper portion of the barrier lies substantially vertically above or forwardly of the top of the backrest.

According to a third aspect of this invent ion, there is provided a cage for use in a vehicle in which, a front panel defines a contour to provide, in use, clearance for the head of a passenger in the vehicle, the cage having at least one access door.

The use of a contour in the front panel of a cage means that the front panel will not interfere with or obstruct the passenger which is advantageous and more comfortable for the passenger.

Preferably, the contour in the front panel has a substantially curved cross section.

In a preferred embodiment of the cage, the front panel includes a substantially flat lower section which lies adjacent, preferably parallel with, the backrest of a seat and an upper section which defines said contour. The front panel may include at least one door to provide said access or further access to the cage.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier for extending across a vehicle above a seat backrest, the barrier being contoured to provide, in use, clearance for the head of a passenger. The barrier may have features as defined by any of the consistory clauses relating to the first and second aspects of the invention.

In any of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention or any of the consistory clauses relating thereto, a cushion or head rest may be provided in the contour for the head of a passenger.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.1 is a rear perspective view of one kind of barrier in accordance with the invention positioned behind a vehicle seat, Fig.2 is an elevation of the barrier in Fig.1 showing part of a vehicle body, Fig.3 is a rear perspective view of an alternative type of barrier in accordance with the invention positioned above a vehicle seat, Fig.4 is a view of part of the barrier in Fig.3 illustrating one form of fixing device, Fig.5 is an elevation of a Fig.3 type barrier having a different type of fixing device, Fig.6 is a cross section in line VI-VI in Fig.5, Fig.7 is a perspective view of part of another barrier of the Fig.3 type having fixing devices utilising vehicle mounted clinch nuts, Fig.8 is a cross section through one of the clinch nuts in Fig.7, Fig.9 is a rear perspective view of a barrier similar to that shown in Fig.3 and supported on vertical tubes as in Fig.1, Fig.10 is a view similar to Fig.2 showing a modified barrier, Fig.11 is a view similar to Fig.2 showing a further type of fixing device, Fig.12 is a cross section through the fixing device in Fig.11 on line XII-XII in Fig.11, and Fig.13 is a front perspective view of a cage for positioning in a vehicle behind a seat shown in broken lines.

With reference to Figs.1 and 2, a barrier 10 is provided behind backrest 11a of a seat 11 of a vehicle. The barrier 10 comprises a metal grill 12 within an outline frame 12a and which is supported by two upstanding tubes 14.

The metal grill 12 comprises an upper section 13 contoured to define a curved recess 15. Such a recess provides clearance for the head 16 of a passenger P on seat 11 and, depending on the size of the recess, may permit rearward movement of the head 16 into the broken line position during sudden forward acceleration of the vehicle thereby avoiding head-contact with the barrier.

The upper section 13 comprises an upper portion 13a which extends forwardly of the vehicle and upwardly and a lower portion 13b which extends rearwardly and upwardly.

The metal grill 12 further comprises a substantially flat lower section 16 which lies closely adjacent the rear surface of the seat backrest 11a. The portions 13a, 13b are transverse to the lower section 16.

The metal grill 12 extends for substantially the entire width of the vehicle and will normally have its peripheral edges shaped to match the internal contours of the vehicle sides and roof.

The metal grill 12 could be provided with a door 16a (shown in broken lines in Fig.1) which may conveniently be provided in the lower section 16.

The door 16a would provide access to a compartment C behind the frame by tipping the seat back 11a forward and opening door 16a. More than one such door could be provided if desired.

Each vertical tube 14 has a curved upper section 18 and a straight lower section 19 to follow the shape of the metal grill 12. An angled section 20 is provided at the upper end of each tube 14 for engagement with an upper edge of a rear door opening 9. The upper edge is defined by a gutter 22 as shown clearly in Fig.2 and which lies forwardly of the top of backrest Ila. A rear door 23 of the vehicle is hinged to a roof panel R of the vehicle and the upper section 13 of the metal grill 12 is formed so as to avoid contact with a window 23a in the rear door. As apparent from Fig.2, the upper portion 13a of section 13 is, in part, substantially parallel with window 23a in the rear door. Bodywork of the vehicle adjacent rear door 23 may include side windows 8 one only of which is shown.

The lower ends of the vertical tubes 14 may be mechanically fixed to a floor F of the vehicle or may frictionally engage the floor through friction pads 24 at the lower ends of the tubes. The friction pads 24 may be mounted on screw-threaded adjusters to enable the pads 24 and angle sections 20 to be urged firmly against the floor F and gutter 22 respectively. Lower end sections 14a of tubes 14 may be inclined relative to the adjacent sections thereof so as to be perpendicular to the floor F as shown in broken lines. Such an arrangement helps to provide a very firm floor fixing. Other suitable types of fixings are described in our co-pending U.K. Patent Application No.9026470.6.

If desired, one or more pads 25 may be positioned within the recess 15 on the upper section 13 of the barrier to act as a head rest or head restraint for the or each passenger P.

If a flat barrier B were installed in the vehicle between the floor F and the guttering 20 as shown in broken lines in Fig.2 its upper half would intrude into the passenger compartment making it uncomfortable for the head of the passenger on the rear seat 11. Also the barrier B, or floor engageable support tubes therefor, would intrude substantially into compartment C. A barrier in accordance with the invention avoids that problem.

In Fig.3, a barrier 30 is provided which is similar in shape to the upper section 13 of the barrier 10 in Figs.1 and 2. The barrier 30 comprises a metal grill 1 within an outline frame 32. The metal grill 31 is contoured so as to define a curved recess 33. The grill 31 has a lower edge 34 which, in use, lies adjacent a top edge of the seat backrest lia and an upper edge 35 which lies adjacent the vehicle roof, e.g. adjacent the gutter 22. The recess 33 will clear or receive the head 16 of a passenger P a in Fig.2. Suitable padding may be provided in the recess to provide a head rest or head restraint for the passenger. The barrier 30 includes a forwardly and upwardly extending upper portion 30a and a lower generally rearwardly and upwardly extending lower portion 30b.

The barrier 30 may be attached, for example, to the sides of the vehicle by suitable upper and lower fixing devices generally indicated at 36, 36a. The fixing devices are provided at each side of the barrier or in other suitable positions. The lower fixing devices 36a could locate in grooves (not shown) normally used to locate a parcel shelf which is removed when fitting the barrier. The upper fixing devices 36 may attach to or locate on suitable sections the vehicle, e.g., on the upper edge of the rear door opening, or on side edges of the rear opening.

Fig.1 shows one type of fixing for the Fig.3 barrier.

The fixing involves the use of a pin 40 which can be slid into a mounting tube 41 on the barrier 30. The pin is normally biased outwardly into the position shown by a spring 42 and can be moved into the tube by means of a handle 43. The pin 4G is locatable in an aperture or socket 44 in an adjacent wall 45 of the vehicle. Four such fixings will normally be provided in the positions indicated at 36, 36a in Fig.3.

Figs.5 and 6 show another type of fixing which involves the use of upper and lower plates 50, 51 at each side of the barrier. The upper and lower plates are formed with generally U-shaped slots 52 each comprising a vertical entry section 53, a horizontal section 54 and a vertical terminal section 55. Each slot receives a headed pin 56 on an adjacent wall 45 of the vehicle. the pin 56 can be fitted at the point of vehicle manufacture or subsequently suitably installed. Four pins 56 are provided to locate in respective slots 52. The barrier 30 is installed by moving it upwardly so that the pins 56 enter entry sections 53 of the slots, moving it rearwardly so that the horizontal sections 54 move along the pins and then allowing the barrier to drop so that the pins locate in terminal sections 55 as shown in Fig.5. If desired, a suitable retainer could be provided on each plate for preventing relative movement between the pins and plates once the barrier is in the Fig.5 position. Such a retainer could comprises a strip of metal which is secured to the plate and which is movable across the terminal slot section 55 beneath the pin 56 once the barrier occupies the Fig.5 position. If desired the upper plates 50 or lower plates 51 could be replaced by spring loaded pin arrangements such as those in Fig.4, In Fig.7 the barrier 30 is held in position by using apertured plates 60 on each side of the barrier 30, hand wheel bolts 62 and clinch nuts 63 in the adjacent wall 45 of the vehicle.Each clinch nut 63 is installed in the wall 45 by inserting the nut through an aperture 64 in the wall 45 with a body section 65 of the nut in cylindrical form as shown in broken lines in Fig.8 and with an un-threaded bore section 66 tapered. The nut has a flange 67. A mandrel (not shown) is then screwed into the clinch nut so as to deform the body section 65 into the full line form in Fig.8 thereby forming an enlargement 68 whereby the nut is then held firmly in position with the wall section 45 gripped between the flange 67 and enlargement 68.

If desired, the upper plates 50 or lower plates 51 in Fig.5 could be replaced by a clinch nut fixing arrangement of the kind shown in Fig.7.

Instead of using fixing devices 36, 36a as shown in Figs.3 to 8 vertical tubes 14 as used in Fig.1 could be adopted for holding the barrier 30 as shown in Fig.9. The lower end sections of tubes 14 could be formed as shown in broken lines so as to be perpendicular to the floor F.

As shown in Fig.1O the barrier, indicated at 70, is, again a grill 72 within an outline frame and is somewhat similar to that in Figs.1 and 2 in that it includes an upper section 73 which extends forwardly of the vehicle and upwardly. However the upper section 73 extends transversely directly from the remainder of the barrier which comprises a substantially flat section 74 lying parallel with the backrest gila. The barrier formed in that way can still provide adequate clearance for the head of a passenger as shown.

In Fig.11, each side of the upper section 13 of the metal grill 12 is welded or otherwise secured to a bracket 75. Each bracket is secured to the outline frame 12a of the grill or the vertical tubes 14 can be arranged one at each side of the grill and the brackets 75 can instead be mounted on them. Each bracket 75 has a vertical slot 76 therein. To position the barrier in the vehicle, the upper section 13 is positioned so as initially to locate the slots 76 on headed pins 77 similar to pins 56 in Fig.6 which are mounted on the vehicle walls 45. The adjustable feet 24 are then positioned adjacent floor F and are then adjusted downwardly so as to urge the brackets 75 upwardly until the bottom of each slot 76 is in firm abutment with its associated pin 77 as shown in Figs.11 and 12.Similar fixing could be used for the embodiments in Figs.9 and 10.

The barriers could be assembled or otherwise used in associated with further separate individual panels (not shown) individually mounted in the vehicle so that together they define a cage-like enclosure.

Access to the enclosure could be through a door provided by or in the rear or a side panel of the cage like enclosure. the front of the cage like enclosure would then be defined by the Fig.1 panel, or the Fig.3 or Fig.4 type panel and the rear backrest lia.

In Fig.13, a cage 80 for positioning within the rear of a vehicle includes opposed side panels 81, a roof panel 82 and a floor panel (not shown). Two rear opening doors 83 are hingedly connected to the rear of the cage to enable an animal to enter and leave the cage.

The cage 80 has a front panel 84 comprising a lower panel section 84a which substantially follows the inclination of the backrest lia of the seat 11 and an upper panel section 84b which is contoured to define a recess 86 similar to the recess 15 in Fig.1. A metal grill 12 the same as in Fig.1, but without vertical tubes 14, could conveniently be used when constructing the cage to define the front panel 84.

The recess 86 can clear or receive head of a passenger occupying the seat 11. Again, suitable padding may be provided within the recess to provide a headrest or head restraint for the passenger. If desired, the panel section 84a and/or 84b may be removable or provided with one or more doors (not shown) to provide access or alternative access to the interior of the cage.

A transverse mounting rod with friction pads may be used for retaining the barriers in place. Such an arrangement is described in our U.K. Patent Application No.9021608.6 and is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig.3 at 90. The rod 90 is secured to the barrier 30 and has adjustable friction pads 91 at its outer ends for frictional engagement with the inside of the vehicle. Two such rods could be used or a single rod could be used in combination with other fixing devices described herein.

Claims (39)

1. A barrier for extending across a vehicle, the barrier including an upper portion which extends transverse to an adjacent portion of the barrier so that, in use, the upper portion of the barrier will extend substantially forwardly in the vehicle towards a position adjacent a roof or an upper edge of a rear door opening, the barrier including or being associated with fixing means for holding the barrier in position in the vehicle.

2. A barrier according to Claim 1 in which the upper portion is part of an upper section of the barrier at least part of which has a substantially curved cross section.

3. A barrier according to Claim 2 in which the upper section includes a lower portion which, in use, extends substantially rearwardly of the vehicle.

4. A barrier according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the upper section, in use, extends between an upper edge of an adjacent seat backrest and the roof or upper edge of the rear door opening.

5. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which the fixing means for holding the barrier in position in the vehicle is arranged to engage the upper edge of the rear door opening.

6. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the fixing means is arranged to fix the barrier to a side wall of the vehicle.

7. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which the fixing means comprises at least one upstanding support member.

8. A barrier according to Claim 7 in which two generally upstanding support members are provided.

9. A barrier according to Claim 7 or 8 in which at least part of the or each support member follows substantially the shape of the contour of the barrier.

10. A barrier according to Claim 7, 8 or 9 in which the or each support member provides an attachment or mounting for securing the barrier to or against the floor of the vehicle.

11. A barrier according to Claim 10 in which the or each support member includes a section which in use lies parallel with the rear of a seat backrest in the vehicle, and a lower section inclined thereto so as to be generally perpendicular to the floor.

12. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which the fixing means comprises a hook and pin arrangement one of which hook and pin is attached to the barrier and the other of which is mountable in the vehicle such that the hook can engage the pin to hold the barrier in place.

13. A barrier according to Claim 12 in which the hook is provided on the barrier.

14. A barrier according to Claim 12 or 13 in which the hook is defined by a slot in a plate such that, when interengaged, the hook and pin permit the barrier two hang in the vehicle whilst restraining movement of at least part of the barrier in the fore and aft direction in the vehicle.

15. A barrier according to Claim 12, 13 or 14 in which a plurality of hook and pin arrangements is provided.

16. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 11 in which the fixing device comprises a member having an upwardly facing slot which is locatable on a pin.

1;, A barrier according to Claim 16 in which the member is a plate or the like secured to the barrier and the pin is secured to the vehicle.

18. A barrier according to Claim 16 or 17 in which means is provided for urging a bottom of the slot against the pin.

19. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 11 in which the fixing means includes a clinch nut mounted, in use, on a wall of the vehicle and engageable by means of a bolt which passes through a member of the barrier.

20. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 11 in which the fixing device includes a resiliently biassed pin locatable in a socket, aperture or the like.

21. A barrier according to Claim 20 in which the pin forms part of the barrier and the socket, aperture or the like is formed or provided on the vehicle.

22. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which the barrier has an upper section formed with a concave contour and a lower section arranged to lie adjacent the rear of a seat backrest.

23. A barrier according to Claim 22 in which the concave contour is defined in part by said upper portion of the barrier which forms part of said upper sect ion.

24. A barrier according to Claim 22 or 23 in which the lower section is arranged to lie parallel with the backrest.

25. A barrier according to any of Claims 1 to 21 in which the barrier has a lower edge which lies adjacent an upper edge of the backrest for the seat.

26. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which the barrier includes at least one door therein for providing access to a compartment behind the barrier.

27. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which the barrier forms a front panel of a cage for use in the vehicle.

28. A barrier according to any preceding Claim 1 to 26 in which the barrier is assemblable with other panels to form a cage like enclosure within the vehicle.

29. A barrier according to any preceding Claim mounted in a vehicle.

30. A barrier according to Claim 29 in which the upper portion is substantially parallel at least in part with an adjacent part of the rear door.

31. A barrier according to any preceding Claim in which a cushion or headrest is provided on the barrier.

32. A cage for use in a vehicle in which a front panel defines a contour to provide, in use, clearance for the head of a passenger in the vehicle, the cage having at least one access door.

33. A cage according to Claim 32 in which thecontour in the front panel has a substantially curved cross section.

34. A cage according to Claim 32 or 33 in which the front panel includes a substantially flat lower section which lies adjacent a backrest of a seat and an upper section which defines said contour.

35. A cage according to Claim 32, 33 or 34 in which the front panel includes at least one door to provide said access or further access to the cage.

36. A cage according to any of Claims 32 to 35 in which a cushion or headrest is provided in the contour.

37. A barrier for use in a vehicle constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with references to Figs.1 and 2, Fig.3, Fig.4, Figs.5 and 6, Figs.7 and 8, Fig.9, Fig.10 or Figs.11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

38. A barrier installed in a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs.1 and 2, Fig.3, Fig.4, Figs.5 and 6, Figs.7 and 8, Fig.9, Fig.10 or Figs.11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

39. A cage for use in a vehicle constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Fig.13 of the accompanying drawings.