GB2499848A

GB2499848A - Vehicle tailgate with canopy

Info

Publication number: GB2499848A
Application number: GB1203715.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniele Ceccomori; George Bowen
Original assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
Current assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-02
Filing date: 2012-03-02
Publication date: 2013-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-02
Also published as: GB2499848B; GB201203715D0

Abstract

A door 210 which may be a tailgate for an automobile (200, Figure 2) comprises canopy 100 that is operable to move between at least a retracted position and an extended position in which the canopy extends away from the door in order to provide shelter. The automobile (200) may comprise a storage compartment, access to which is gained via hinged door 210 comprising first and second portions (220, 230, Figure 2). Preferably when disposed in the retracted position, the canopy 100 is housed wholly within the second portion (230). A surface (234, Figure 3) of the first portion (220) defines a bottom edge of the door 210 and is provided with an elongate rectangular slot (233, Figure 3). When disposed in the extended position, the canopy 100 extends from the door through the elongate slot (233). Optionally the canopy 100 comprises a substantially rectangular sheet 110 of flexible material. One edge of the sheet 110 of material may be attached to a spring loaded roller (120, Figure 3) which may be rotatably mounted in the second portion (230). Preferably an opposite edge of the sheet 110 of material is attached to an elongate strip 130 of rigid material. The canopy further comprises two rigid, elongate rotatable arms 140.

Description

A door

The present invention relates to a door comprising a canopy. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a tailgate for an automobile comprising a canopy which extends from the rear of the automobile to provide shelter.

Estate cars (or wagons) and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may be provided with a tailgate which opens onto a load compartment. When the tailgate is open, the edge of the load compartment may be used as a seat. The open tailgate extends over the seat a may provide a person seated thereon with some shelter from the elements. Any shelter provided is limited, and is minimal or non-existent for vehicles with a horizontally spilt tailgate where the lower tailgate is used as a seat and the upper tailgate is shorter than a single piece tailgate and so will not extend as far from the vehicle, when in an open position, as a single piece tailgate.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made in consideration of this problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided: a door for a vehicle, the door comprising a canopy operable to move between at least a retracted position and an extended position in which it extends away from the door in order to provide shelter.

Such an arrangement can provide shelter for an area adjacent to an opening of a vehicle that the door provides access to. That the canopy is integrated with a door provides a particularly convenient and user friendly arrangement.

The door may be rotatably mountable on an automobile and may be operable to move between an open position and a closed position. The door may provide access to a storage compartment of an automobile. The door may comprise a tailgate, or an upper portion of a split tailgate.

A surface of the door may comprise an elongate rectangular siot. When disposed in the extended position, the canopy may extend, at least partially, through the elongate slot. The surface may form an edge of the door.

When the canopy is disposed in the extended position, the canopy may extend substantially horizontally from the door, at least when the door is in an open position.

When the canopy is disposed in the retracted position it may be wholly or partially disposed within the door. Advantageously, such an arrangement allows the canopy to be stored in the door and therefore it does not use up any of the storage capacity of a vehicle to which the door is fitted.

The canopy may comprise a sheet of material. The material may be flexible. The material may comprise, for example, a textile and/or a plastics sheet material. Said sheet of material may be substantially rectangular.

A first edge of the sheet of material may be attached to a roller. As the roller rotates, the sheet of material may wind, or unwind, around the roller. The roller may be mounted in the door of a vehicle. The roller may be spring loaded. This may keep the sheet of material taught when the canopy is disposed in the extended position. Once other forces exerted on the sheet are removed, the roller may rotate so that the sheet of material winds around said roller.

The canopy may be self-supporting. To this end, the canopy may comprise a collapsible support. The support may comprise an elongate strip and one or more arms. When the canopy is disposed in the extended position, the support may form a frame.

A second edge of the sheet of material may be attached to an elongate strip. The second edge of the sheet of material may oppose the first edge of the sheet of material. Said elongate strip may be formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material. Said rigid material may include plastics materials and/or metals. Said strip may comprise one or more grooves disposed on an inner surface thereof and running along its length. The profile of the strip may be substantially E shaped. The edge of the sheet of material may be disposed in a first groove in said strip. The edge of the sheet of material may be held in place by any suitable means. One or more dimensions of the strip may substantially match those of a slot in the door.

The canopy may further comprise one or more arms. Said arms may be substantially rigid. The arms may be formed from any suitable rigid material, including but not limited to plastics materials and/or metals. The canopy may comprise two arms. Said arms may be elongate.

A first end of the or each arm may be rotatably mounted in the door of the vehicle. The arms may be operable to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular thereto. The canopy may comprise a drive means which may be operable to rotate one or more of said arms. Said drive means may comprise one or more actuators. A first end of each of the arms may be located towards a side edge of the door.

A second end of the or each arm may be slidably connected to the elongate strip. The second end of each arm may be disposed in a groove in the elongate strip. The profile of said groove may be such that there is a narrow section towards its entrance, near an inner surface of the strip, and a relatively wider section towards it rear. Each arm may comprise a relatively thick section located at its second end. Said section may be is disposed in the wider section of the said groove. Said relatively thick section may be too large to pass through the narrow section of the second groove, therefore being constrained by the second groove but able to move along the length of the strip.

The strip may be provided with end caps at each end. These end caps may prevent thick sections of the arms from leaving the confines of a groove in the strip.

The or each arm may be operable to rotate between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the arm may be wholly housed within the door. When in the second position, a second end of the arm may extend out of the door.

When the arms are disposed in their first position, the canopy may be disposed in the retracted position. Whilst in this position: the sheet of material may be coiled around the roller inside the door; the second end of each of the arms may be located towards a middle portion of the strip; and the strip may be received into an elongate slot in a surface of the door.

The canopy may comprise a control means. The control means may be operable to control one or more actuators of the drive means. The control means may comprise a user interface. Said user interface may be provided with one or more user operable controls.

The door and/or canopy may comprise a sensor. The sensor may be operable to 5 determine whether or not the door is disposed in an open position and send a signal indicative thereof to the control means. The control means may be operable to prevent the canopy from extending in the event that the door is not disposed in an open position.

When it is desired to extend the canopy, a user may use the control means to cause the arms to rotate from their first positions to their second positions. As both of the arms move from 10 their first position to their second position, a second end of each of the arms moves towards an end of the strip and the strip is forced away from the door. The strip may pull the sheet of material out of the door and may cause the roller to rotate.

When all of the arms are disposed in their second position, the canopy may be disposed in the extended position. The arms and the strip may form a substantially rigid frame which 15 supports the sheet of material.

When it is desired to retract the canopy, a user may use the control means to cause the arms to rotate from their second positions to their first positions. To achieve this, the drive means may rotate the arms back to their first positions. Alternatively, or additionally, the spring loaded roller may exert a force to the arms via the tension in the sheet of material and the strip, causing 20 the arms to move back to their first positions. As the arms move from the second position to the first position, a second end of each of the arms may move from an end of the strip towards a middle portion of the strip and the strip may move back towards the door.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an automobile comprising a door according to the first aspect of the present invention.

25 The second aspect of the present invention may comprise any or all of the features of the first aspect of the present invention as desired or required.

4

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a tailgate for a storage compartment of an automobile comprising a canopy according to the present invention, which is disposed in its extended position;

Fig. 2 shows a rear portion of an automobile comprising the tailgate of Fig. 1 disposed in an open position;

Fig. 3 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 2, showing additional details of the tailgate and canopy; and

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 3, showing a section through an elongate strip.

Referring to Fig. 3, a rear portion of an automobile 200 is shown. The automobile 200 comprises a canopy 100 according to the present invention operable to move between at least an extended position and a retracted position.

The automobile 200 comprises a storage compartment at its rear and is provided with a tailgate 210 which is operable to move between an open position and a closed position. When the tailgate 210 is disposed in its open position, as shown in Fig. 1, it allows access to the storage compartment via an opening. When the tailgate 210 is disposed in its closed position it covers the opening. The tailgate 210 moves between its closed and open positions by rotation about an axis 211 extending along an upper edge of the opening, as indicated by arrow A.

The automobile 200 may be provided with a split tailgate, comprising an additional lower tailgate (not shown).

The tailgate 210 is defined by a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, it is generally rectangular with a bend extending from one side edge of the tailgate 210 to the other so that, from the side, its profile is substantially hockey stick shaped. The bend divides the

tailgate into first and second portions 220, 230, with the first portion 220 being longer and narrower than the second portion 230.

The first portion 220 is of the form of a generally flat, generally rectangular panel with two opposing, generally parallel surfaces 223, 224. It comprises a glass window 221, bordered by a 5 frame 222. A third surface 225 of the first portion 220 defines a top edge of the tailgate 210 and is pivotally attached to the automobile 200.

The second portion 230 extends from the first portion 220, from an opposite end to its third surface 225. The second portion comprises two opposing surfaces 231, 232, each extending from one of the surfaces 223, 224 of the first portion at an obtuse angle thereto. A third 10 surface 234 of the first portion 220 defines a bottom edge of the tailgate 210. The second portion 230 houses the canopy according to the present invention and is provided with an elongate rectangular slot 233, formed in what forms the lower edge of the tailgate 210 when in its closed position.

The canopy according to the present invention 100 comprises a substantially rectangular 15 sheet 110 of flexible material.

One edge of the sheet 110 of material is attached to a spring loaded roller 120. As the roller 120 rotates, the sheet of material 110 winds, or unwinds, around the roller 120. The roller 120 is mounted in the second portion 230 of the tailgate 210, behind the slot.

An opposite edge of the sheet 110 of material is attached to an elongate strip 130 of rigid 20 material (plastics or metal). There are two substantially parallel grooves 131,132 disposed on an inner surface of the strip 130, running along its length. As such, the profile of the strip 130 is substantially E shaped. The edge of the sheet 110 of material is disposed in the first groove 131 and is held in place by any suitable means. The dimensions of the strip 130 substantially match those of the elongate slot in the second portion 230.

25 The canopy further comprises two rigid, elongate rotatable arms 140.

6

A first end of each of the arms 140 is rotatabiy mounted in the second portion 230 of the tailgate and operable to rotate about an axis 141 substantially perpendicular thereto. Each arm 140 is connected to a motor 142, via a shaft 143 for this purpose. The first end of each of the arms 140 is located towards a side edge of the tailgate 210, the first ends of the two arms 140 5 being located proximate to opposite side edges.

A second, opposite, end of each arm 140 is slidably connected to the strip 130. In particular, the second end of each arm 140 is disposed in the second groove 132. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, the profile of the second groove 132 is such that there is a narrow section 133 towards its entrance, near the inner surface of the strip 130 and . a relatively wider section 10 134 towards it rear. Each arm 140 comprises a relatively thick section 144, located at its second end, which is disposed in the wider section 134 of the second groove 132. Said relatively thick section 144 is too large to pass through the narrow section 133 of the second groove. Therefore the thick section 144 is constrained by the second groove 132 but can move along the length of the strip 130.

15 Strip 130 is provided with end caps 135 at each end. These end caps 135 prevent the thick sections 144 of the arms 140 from leaving the confines of the second groove 132.

The apparatus is also provided with a control means (not shown) which is operable to control the two motors 142. The control means comprises a user interface, which is provided with one or more user operable controls.

20 The control means may comprise a sensor (not shown) operable to determine whether or not the taiigate 210 is disposed in its open position and send a signal indicative thereof to the control means. The control means may be operable to prevent the canopy from extending in the event that the tailgate 210 is not disposed in the open position.

Each motor 132 is operable to rotate the arm 140 connected thereto between a first 25 position and a second position. When in the first position, the arm 140 is wholly housed within the second portion 230 extending along the bottom edge of the tailgate 210, with its first end disposed towards a side edge of the tailgate 210 and its second end disposed towards the

middle of the tailgate 210. When in the second position, the second end of the arm 140 extends out of the taiigate 210, through the elongate slot 233 in a direction that is generally parallel to a surface 231 of the second portion 230.

When both of the arms 140 are disposed in their first position, the canopy 100 is 5 disposed in the retracted position. Whilst in this position; the sheet 110 of material is wound around the roller 120 inside the second portion; the second end of each of the arms 140 is located towards the centre of the strip 130; and the strip 130 is received into the elongate slot 233 so that an outer surface of the strip is substantially flush with the third surface 234 of the second portion 230.

10 When it is desired to extend the canopy, a user uses the control means to cause the arms 140 to rotate from their first positions to their second positions.

As both of the arms 140 move from their first position to their second position, their second ends sweep out a circular arc, as indicated by arrows B. The second end of each of the arms 140 moves towards one of the ends of the strip 130 and the strip 130 is forced out of the 15 slot 233 away from the tailgate 210. The strip 130 pulls the sheet 110 of material out of the slot 233, causing the roller 120 to rotate against its spring loading, which acts to hold the sheet 110 of material taught.

When both of the arms 140 are disposed in their second position, the canopy 100 is disposed in the extended position. The arms 140 and the strip form a substantially rigid frame 20 which supports the sheet 110 of material.

When it is desired to retract the canopy, a user can use the control means to cause the arms 140 to rotate from their second positions to their first positions. To achieve this, the motors 142 may rotate the arms 140 back to their first positions. Alternatively, or additionally, the spring loaded roller 120 may exert a force to the arms 140 via the tension in the sheet 110 of material 25 and the strip 130, causing the arms 140 to move back to their first positions.

8

As both of the arms 140 move from second first position to their first position, the second end of each of the arms 140 moves from the ends of the strip 130 towards the centre of the strip 130 and the strip 130 moves back towards the slot 233. As the strip moves towards the slot 233, the sheet 110 of material is drawn into the slot 233 by the spring loaded roller 120.

5 The above embodiment is described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

9

Claims

1. A door for a vehicle, the door comprising a canopy operable to move between at least a retracted position and an extended position in which it extends away from the door in order to provide shelter.

2. A door as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a tailgate, or an upper portion of a split tailgate.

3. A door as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a surface of the door comprises an elongate slot.

4. A door as claimed in claim 3 wherein, when disposed in the extended position, the canopy extends, at least partially, through the elongate slot.

5. A door as claimed in claim 2 wherein, when the tailgate is fully open and the canopy is disposed in the extended position, the canopy is arranged to extend substantially horizontally from the tailgate.

6. A door as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, when the canopy is disposed in the retracted position it is wholly or partially disposed within the door.

7. A door as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the canopy comprises a sheet of flexible material.

8. A door as claimed In claim 7 wherein an edge of the sheet of material is attached to a roller that is rotatably mounted to the door.

9. A door as claimed in claim 8 wherein the roller is spring loaded.

10. A door as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the canopy is self-supporting.

11. A door as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the canopy comprises a collapsible support.

12. A door as claimed in claim 11 wherein the support comprises a substantially rigid member attached to an edge of the sheet of flexible material.

13. A door as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the support comprises one or more substantially rigid arms.

10

14. A door as claimed in claim 13 wherein a first end of the or each arm is rotatably mounted in a vehicle door.

15. A door as claimed in claim 14 wherein the or each arm is operable to rotate between at least: a first position wherein the arm is wholly housed within the door; and a second position wherein a second end of the arm extends out of the door.

16. A door as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 when dependent either directly or indirectly upon claim 12 wherein a second end of the or each arm is slidably connected to the substantially rigid member.

17. A door as claimed in claim 16 wherein when one of the arms rotates from the first position to the second position, its second end moves along the substantially rigid member.

18. A door as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the canopy comprises a drive means.

19. A door as claimed in claim 18 when dependent either directly or indirectly upon claim 13 wherein the drive means is operable to rotate one or more of the substantially rigid arms.

20. A door as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a control means.

21. A door as claimed in claim 20 wherein the control means is operable to control the drive means.

22. An automobile comprising a door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A canopy substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.