GB2345887A - A motor vehicle with a load space which can be extended into the passenger cell - Google Patents

A motor vehicle with a load space which can be extended into the passenger cell Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2345887A
GB2345887A GB9901212A GB9901212A GB2345887A GB 2345887 A GB2345887 A GB 2345887A GB 9901212 A GB9901212 A GB 9901212A GB 9901212 A GB9901212 A GB 9901212A GB 2345887 A GB2345887 A GB 2345887A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
motor vehicle
passenger cell
load space
vehicle according
extended
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9901212A
Other versions
GB9901212D0 (en
Inventor
Neil Thomas
Joel Sebastian Beaumont
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9901212A priority Critical patent/GB2345887A/en
Publication of GB9901212D0 publication Critical patent/GB9901212D0/en
Publication of GB2345887A publication Critical patent/GB2345887A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R7/00—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps
    • B60R7/04—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space, e.g. using racks

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A motor vehicle has a passenger cell (4) and a load space (10) at the rear of the passenger cell (4), separated from the passenger cell (4) by dividing means. The dividing means are movable from a first position to a second position which allows the load space (10) to be extended into the passenger cell (4) whilst still remaining separate. The dividing means may take the form of a roller blind (12) or be part of the rear seat (32 - see figure 2).

Description

A Motor Vehicle Assembly The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a passenger cell and an exterior load space located to the rear of the passenger cell.
Motor vehicles such as station wagons and flat bed trucks are used to transport loads.
These loads may often be longer than the space provided. To accommodate such cases, it has been the practice to provide for an extendible tailgate or tailgate portion of the vehicle in order to provide for temporary additional load space. However, difficulties arise in simply extending the load space beyond a usual length of the vehicle. Not least, the extended portion or load contained within the extended portion may obscure the tail lights of the vehicle such that in poor visibility drivers of other vehicles may not see the loaded vehicle until it is too late to avoid collision with the loaded vehicle.
It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides a vehicle having temporary additional load space without obscuring a rear of the vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle comprises a passenger cell and an exterior load space located to the rear of the passenger cell in which the exterior load space may be extended into the passenger cell. This has as an advantage that the length of the load space can be increased or extended without lowering the tailgate.
Preferably, a dividing means is provided between the passenger cell and the exterior load space, the dividing means being movable from a first position to a second position to enable the exterior load space to be extended. More preferably, the dividing means seals the passenger cell from the exterior load space. The dividing means may conveniently comprise a roller shutter blind. Preferably, a first channel is provided in a first portion of the motor vehicle to guide and retain the shutter in the first position and a second channel is provided in a second portion of the motor vehicle to guide and retain the shutter in the second position.
More preferably, the first portion and the second portion of the motor vehicle comprise portions of a body of the motor vehicle.
Alternatively, sealing means may be provided to seal the passenger cell from the exterior load space.
The dividing means may conveniently comprise a seating means. Preferably, the seating means comprises a first lower portion and a second upper portion.
Conveniently, the first and second portions of the seating means are pivotally connected to one another. Preferably, one of an upper part of the upper portion and a first end of the lower portion are pivotally connected to a first body portion of the motor vehicle and one of the upper part of the upper portion and the first end of the lower portion is slideably connected to a second body portion of the motor vehicle.
Alternatively, the first and second portions of the of the seating means are releasably secured together.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in side section a part of a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows in side section a part of a motor vehicle according ti) an alternative embodiment of the invention.
Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a portion of a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A first end of a load bed 2 is shown. The load bed extends above a rear axle of the motor vehicle and behind a passenger cell 4 or vehicle cab disposed toward the front of the vehicle. An exterior load space 6 is defined by the load bed at the bottom and by side walls 8, a rear wall 10 of the passenger cell at the front of the load space and a tailgate (not shown) at the rear. A dividing means 12 is provided to seal the passenger cell 4 from the exterior load space 6.
The dividing means is in the form of a roller shutter which may be extended from a retracted position about an axis 14 to a first position 16 where it defines a part of the rear wall of the passenger cell. Sealing means of any convenient form are provided around the edges of the roller shutter to isolate the interior of the passenger cell 4 from the external environment. The sealing means may conveniently be incorporated into first guide means provided at either side of the vehicle body to guide the roller shutter into the first position.
Locking means may be provided to retain the roller shutter in the first position.
Conveniently, the locking means can be operated from within the passenger cell.
Second guide means are provided at either side of the vehicle body. In the embodiment shown, the second guide means extend within the passenger cell into doors 20 provided on either side of the vehicle body. Additional sealing means may conveniently be incorporated into the second guide means. Alternatively, the second guide means may extend within side panels forming part of the vehicle body assembly.
The load space is extended by releasing the roller shutter from the first position and allowing the shutter to retract about the axis. The roller shutter is then directed through the second guide means to a second position. Additional locking means may be provided to retain the roller shutter in the second position. Conveniently, the locking means can be operated from within the passenger cell.
Referring now to Figure 2, there-is shown a portion of a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A load bed 22 is shown extending above a rear axle of the motor vehicle and behind a passenger cell 24 or vehicle cab disposed toward the front of the vehicle. An exterior load space 26 is defined by the load bed at the bottom and by side walls 28, a rear wall 30 of the passenger cell at the front of the load space and a tailgate 31 at the rear. A dividing means 32 is provided to seal the passenger cell from the exterior load space.
The dividing means comprises a seating means. The seating means comprises a first lower portion 34 and a second upper portion 36. In a first position (shown in bold), a rear 37 of the second upper portion 36 forms a part of the rear wall 30 of the passenger cell. Sealing means of any convenient form are provided around the edges of the second upper portion 36 to isolate the interior of the passenger cell from the external environment. Locking means may be provided to retain the second upper portion in the first position. Conveniently, the locking means can be operated from within the passenger cell.
The first and second portions of the of the seating means may be releasably secured together or simply secured in position in relation to the vehicle body. An upper part 38 of the upper portion and a first end 40 of the lower portion are pivotally connected to a first body portion of the motor vehicle. A lower part 42 of the upper portion is provided with a bracket 44 extending behind the seating means.
The load space is extended by moving the first and second portions from the first position to a second position (shown in ghost). Having been released from the first position, as required, the first and second portions are rotated about their ends to attain the second position. Once in the second position, the first and second portions may be secured in position to one another by use of the bracket 44. Any other suitable means may be used to secure the first and second portions into the second position.
Alternatively, the first and second portions of the seating means may be pivotally connected to one another. One of an upper part of the upper portion and a first end of the lower portion may be pivotally connected to a first body portion of the motor vehicle and an other of the upper part of the upper portion and the first end of the lower portion may be slideably connected to a second body portion of the motor vehicle.
The load space may be extended by releasing the locking means, and moving the second upper portion from a vertical to a substantially horizontal position. This has the effect of moving the first lower portion of the seating means from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. The first and second portions of the seating means may then be locked in this second position. Additional sealing means may be provided on the underside of the first lower portion to isolate the interior of the passenger cell from the external environment.

Claims (13)

1. A motor vehicle comprising a passenger cell and an exterior load space located to the rear of the passenger cell in which the exterior load space may be extended into the passenger cell.
2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that a dividing means is provided between the passenger cell and the exterior load space, the dividing means being movable from a first position to a second position to enable the exterior load space to be extended.
3. A motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterised in that the dividing means seals the passenger cell from the exterior load space.
4. A motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterised in that the dividing means comprises a roller shutter blind.
5. A motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterised in that a first channel is provided in a first portion of the motor vehicle to guide and retain the shutter in the first position and a second channel is provided in a second portion of the motor vehicle to guide and retain the shutter in the second position.
6. A motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterised in that the first portion and the second portion of the motor vehicle comprise portions of a body of the motor vehicle.
7. A motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterised in that sealing means are provided to seal the passenger cell from the exterior load space.
8. A motor vehicle according to claim 2 or claim 7, characterised in that the dividing means comprises a seating means.
9. A motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterised in that the seating means comprises a first lower portion and a second upper portion.
10. A motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that the first and second portions of the seating means are pivotally connected to one another.
11. A motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterised in that one of an upper part of the upper portion and a first end of the lower portion are pivotally connected to a first body portion of the motor vehicle and one of the upper part of the upper portion and the first end of the lower portion is slidably connected to a second body portion of the motor vehicle.
12. A motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that the first and second portions of the of the seating means are releasably secured together.
13. A motor vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in either of the accompanying Figures.
GB9901212A 1999-01-21 1999-01-21 A motor vehicle with a load space which can be extended into the passenger cell Withdrawn GB2345887A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9901212A GB2345887A (en) 1999-01-21 1999-01-21 A motor vehicle with a load space which can be extended into the passenger cell

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9901212A GB2345887A (en) 1999-01-21 1999-01-21 A motor vehicle with a load space which can be extended into the passenger cell

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9901212D0 GB9901212D0 (en) 1999-03-10
GB2345887A true GB2345887A (en) 2000-07-26

Family

ID=10846180

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9901212A Withdrawn GB2345887A (en) 1999-01-21 1999-01-21 A motor vehicle with a load space which can be extended into the passenger cell

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2345887A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005062219B4 (en) 2004-12-31 2018-08-16 Volkswagen Ag Vehicle body and arrangement for forming a middle flap for vehicles

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB347711A (en) * 1930-01-31 1931-04-30 Victor Theophile Sprengers Improvements in or relating to bodies for motor cars
US4613183A (en) * 1982-09-27 1986-09-23 Kesling Peter C Cab and box construction for pickup truck
US4733901A (en) * 1985-04-22 1988-03-29 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Vehicle body structure with a rear luggage compartment
US5524951A (en) * 1995-08-22 1996-06-11 Johnson; Thurman Cargo box installed integral with pickup cab to afford direct access between cab and box
US5632520A (en) * 1994-11-03 1997-05-27 Peter Butz Gmbh & Co. Verwaltungs-Kg Cargo-restraining apparatus for motor vehicle
EP0857614A2 (en) * 1997-02-05 1998-08-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Patentabteilung AJ-3 Vehicle with luggage comportant at the rear
WO1999003718A1 (en) * 1997-07-16 1999-01-28 General Motors Corporation Adaptable pick up truck configuration

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB347711A (en) * 1930-01-31 1931-04-30 Victor Theophile Sprengers Improvements in or relating to bodies for motor cars
US4613183A (en) * 1982-09-27 1986-09-23 Kesling Peter C Cab and box construction for pickup truck
US4733901A (en) * 1985-04-22 1988-03-29 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Vehicle body structure with a rear luggage compartment
US5632520A (en) * 1994-11-03 1997-05-27 Peter Butz Gmbh & Co. Verwaltungs-Kg Cargo-restraining apparatus for motor vehicle
US5524951A (en) * 1995-08-22 1996-06-11 Johnson; Thurman Cargo box installed integral with pickup cab to afford direct access between cab and box
EP0857614A2 (en) * 1997-02-05 1998-08-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Patentabteilung AJ-3 Vehicle with luggage comportant at the rear
WO1999003718A1 (en) * 1997-07-16 1999-01-28 General Motors Corporation Adaptable pick up truck configuration

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005062219B4 (en) 2004-12-31 2018-08-16 Volkswagen Ag Vehicle body and arrangement for forming a middle flap for vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9901212D0 (en) 1999-03-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)