Between Passenger And Cargo Space Patents (Class 296/24.43)
  • Patent number: 11453445
    Abstract: A structure of a vehicle cabin includes a vehicle seat arranged inside the vehicle cabin and above electronic equipment, a first panel unit composing a part of a floor panel, arranged to overlap the electronic equipment when viewed from a vehicle-height direction, and supporting the electronic equipment from a vehicle lower side directly or via a member, and a second panel unit composing a part of the floor panel and arranged in front of the electronic equipment in the vehicle front-rear direction to overlap the electronic equipment when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. The floor panel separates the inside of the vehicle cabin from the outside thereof and composes a lower part of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jumpei Watanabe, Yasuhiro Hara, Norimasa Koreishi, Hirotaka Ishioka
  • Patent number: 11247617
    Abstract: A passenger compartment structure that includes: a passenger compartment that serves as an accommodation space for vehicle occupants; and a wall portion that is capable of selectively being put into a partitioned state and a connected state, the passenger compartment being partitioned into a plurality of individual spaces in the partitioned state, at least a neighboring pair of the individual spaces being connected with one another in the connected state, and in a case in which an operation to put neighboring individual spaces into the connected state is performed in each of the neighboring individual spaces, the wall portion putting the neighboring individual spaces in which the operation has been performed into the connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Mizutani, Yuma Saiki, Momoko Azuma, Yusaku Morita, Kanako Naruse
  • Patent number: 10696234
    Abstract: A covering shelf apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus is convertible into a using state in which the covering shelf operating separately from a tailgate closes a luggage compartment, a standing state in which the covering shelf is open at an angle, and a stowed state in which the covering shelf is inserted behind a rear seat. Accordingly, freight is capable of being loaded on the covering shelf in the using state in which the covering shelf closes the luggage compartment. Since the covering shelf is operated separately from the tailgate, the covering shelf is capable of being used more conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ja Hae Choi, Jae Eun Chang, Jun Pyo Lee
  • Patent number: 10596989
    Abstract: A barrier door for a protective enclosure includes a lower section and an upper section. The upper section includes an outer stationary portion and an inner movable portion disposed within the outer stationary portion. The outer stationary portion and the inner movable portion are light transmissive. The inner movable portion is movable in a vertical direction and is coupled to a lift device disposed in the lower section. The lift device is configured to move the inner movable portion between a lowered position in which the inner movable portion is at least partially withdrawn into the lower section to form an opening in the upper section and a raised position in which the inner movable portion is extended to close the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy R. Schmidt, Matthew Chapman, Karl J. Kobel, Richard Peck
  • Patent number: 10556518
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a bulkhead assembly for a passenger vehicle, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises a powered linkage assembly for reconfiguring the bulkhead assembly between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The bulkhead assembly is configurable to separate a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment of the passenger vehicle. The bulkhead assembly separates the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment in the unfolded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Brown, Matthew Atkinson, James Hosegood, Mark Cockram
  • Patent number: 10526019
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary storage compartment comprising a floor, a back wall that extends upward from the floor, and a front wall that extends upward from floor opposite the back wall, and a pair of opposing sidewalls disposed at opposing ends of the front wall and the back wall. The front wall is defined by a back side of a seating structure of a vehicle in which the auxiliary storage compartment is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jhant, Matthew Baekelandt, Christopher Furman
  • Patent number: 10369904
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle includes a bulkhead mountable to a vehicle body structure at a first location. The seat assembly also includes a seat bottom having a seat pan mountable to the vehicle body structure at a second location that is different than the first location. A seat back of the seat assembly includes a frame. A lower end of the frame is pivotably attached to the bulkhead at a pivot point so that the seat back is pivotable relative to the bulkhead and is supported above the seat bottom by the bulkhead when the vehicle seat assembly is mounted to the vehicle body. A recline mechanism has a driving arrangement mounted to one of the bulkhead and the frame and a driven arrangement mounted to the other of the bulkhead and the frame. The recline mechanism is operable to pivot the seat back relative to the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kishore Tarade, Rafal Pater
  • Patent number: 10300860
    Abstract: A rear vehicle assembly having: two side trims intended to laterally bound a trunk, and a tray, movable relative to the side trims between a concealing position and a storage position. The tray includes at least one first panel, and one second panel linked to the first panel, defining two side edges of the tray. Each side trim defines a guide path for the tray. The tray includes at least one hinge articulating the first panel to the second panel, such that the side edge of the tray is adapted to cooperate with a respective guide path. And the rear vehicle assembly includes a driving mechanism adapted to drive the tray from the concealing position to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Industrie
    Inventors: Xavier Bathelier, Steve Jeunesse
  • Patent number: 10160389
    Abstract: A cargo screen assembly for opening or closing an upper portion of a cargo space defined between a rear seat and a back door of a vehicle, the cargo screen assembly may include a cargo screen rail mounting groove formed horizontally in a rear surface of the rear seat of the vehicle, a plurality of side trims protruding rearward from respective opposite end portions of the rear surface of the rear seat, and a plurality of cargo screen rails configured to be inserted into the respective side trims or the cargo screen rail mounting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yeon-Sim Yoon
  • Patent number: 10011233
    Abstract: A cargo management system is provided for a cargo area of a motor vehicle. The cargo management system includes a first mounting element on a first side wall of the cargo area and a second mounting element on a second side wall of the cargo area. Further, the cargo management system includes a partition. The partition includes a plurality of retractable mounting pins displaceable between a retracted position for removing the partition from the first and second mounting elements and an extended position for engaging the partition with the first and second mounting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Artur Sakarian, Ryan Welch, Kristin Ann Hellman, Matthew B Rutman
  • Patent number: 9975491
    Abstract: A retractable cargo cover system is provided for a motor vehicle having three rows of seating. That retractable cargo cover system includes a first receiver carried on a second row seat, a second receiver carried on a third row seat and a retractable cargo cover assembly. The retractable cargo cover assembly may be selectively mounted in the first receiver or the second receiver as desired by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde, Miguel David Ferreira Orta
  • Patent number: 9937878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load compartment cover having sound-absorbing characteristics. A load compartment is provided between the rear seats and a tailgate. The load compartment cover is embodied from a sound-absorbing partition that is arranged in a space above a base of the load compartment and is embodied from a material that is in part permeable to sound waves. A load compartment cover of this type is to be easily handled in practice and is not to comprise any disadvantages associated with known load compartment covers. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the partition is formed from multiple, preferably two, thin sheets that are arranged spaced apart one above the other. The thin sheets are provided with a micro perforation and only one air cushion is provided between the thin sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Michael Rittmann, Andreas Bock
  • Patent number: 9845060
    Abstract: A removable, easily disassembled, truck bed can be installed in place of rear seats in a Jeep Wrangler® or four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited® type vehicle. In one embodiment, this truck bed is constructed of sheet steel bolted together in various parts to allow for easy shipping and storage. In another embodiment, this truck bed is constructed of molded plastic or fiberglass to allow for water-resistance and light weight. This truck bed converts a Jeep Wrangler®-type vehicle to a small pick-up truck, which would be of use for hauling small loads of bulk or ‘loose fill’ material (sand, dirt, gravel, mulch). The truck bed is easily removable so that when load-hauling is not required it can be removed and the vehicle's rear seats reinstalled for carrying passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Steven R. Howell
  • Patent number: 9822807
    Abstract: A fastener system for use to assemble a pet barrier. The fastener system includes a body and a mountable member that is configured to attach two adjacent overlapping wire panels together to erect a pet barrier. Vertical grooves and horizontal grooves are disposed along the periphery of the interior surface of the body. The detents formed within the vertical grooves assist in retaining the vertical wire rods of the distal wire panel so that the body can hang onto the back side of the distal wire panel without the user having to hold it in place which facilitates the assembly of the pet barrier with only a single user. Thus, the fastener system allows a single user to assemble the pet barrier without the assistance of another person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: David Link, Hongkun Liang
  • Patent number: 9751467
    Abstract: A barrier for separating a cargo area from a passenger area of a vehicle includes a support structure that is fixedly attached to a frame of a rear seat, adjacent a seatback of the seat. A gate is attached to and supported by the support structure, and is rotatably moveable relative to the support structure between a stowed position and a deployed position. A latch mechanism automatically secures the gate relative to the support structure when the gate is in the deployed position. A release system is coupled to the latch mechanism for moving the latch mechanism into a release position to allow the gate to rotate back into the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Taryn Dyle
  • Patent number: 9643477
    Abstract: A vehicle interior structure has a driver's seat disposed inside a cabin, a rear passenger's seat disposed on a vehicle rear side of the driver's seat inside the cabin, and a partition panel arranged along a vehicle width direction between the driver's seat and the rear passenger's seat. The partition panel has a bulging section bulging toward a vehicle front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruka Mochizuki, Wataru Suzuki, Takashi Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 9359020
    Abstract: A vehicle luggage compartment structure includes a storage recess that is provided in a vehicle luggage compartment so as to store a spare tire, a lid that closes the storage recess, a rear panel that is provided so as to form a rear part of the storage recess, and a separate component that is detachably mounted substantially in the center of the rear panel on the side of the luggage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Saido, Shirena Takai, Hiroyuki Ohhashi
  • Patent number: 9302641
    Abstract: A guard bar has an inverse-U shape, and its inward end portion is configured to pass through a cross bar and be welded to the cross bar and its outward end portion is fixed to the cross bar via a junction member. The junction member has a reinforcement portion which is fastened together with a link bracket and the cross bar. Thus, there can be provided a seatback bar structure of a vehicle which can properly attach the guard bar, considering the manufacturing accuracy of extrusion molding of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and also can properly transmit a load inputted to the guard bar in a vehicle's rollover to a leg portion and side panels so as to achieve appropriate load dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryotaro Hirata, Kei Uchibori
  • Patent number: 9132778
    Abstract: A movement mechanism of a luggage board for dividing a vehicle luggage compartment into upper and lower parts. Sidewalls on either side of the luggage compartment are each provided with a guide part for guiding guide protrusions when a luggage board moves between the upper and lower positions and a support part for supporting the luggage board. The guide part has a lower guide section inclined such that a vehicle rear side thereof is positioned above a vehicle front side thereof and an upper guide section extending toward the front of the vehicle from the end of the lower guide section on the vehicle rear side. The support part is provided on each sidewall of the luggage compartment more toward the rear of the vehicle than an intersection part between the lower guide section and the upper guide section on the vehicle rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Yoshizawa, Atsushi Akiba, Masatoshi Yamashita, Shigehiro Okada
  • Publication number: 20150123419
    Abstract: A body supporting structure for a vehicle body has a passenger-compartment section, a front-structure section and a rear-structure section. In order to form the body supporting structure, at least one supporting-structure body is configured as a three-dimensional flat structure which extends in all vehicle directions (x, y, z direction) and includes flat elements, the flat elements which extend in different vehicle directions (x, y, z direction) are connected with the formation of soft transitions, the flat elements are configured with cross-sectional areas which are structured depending on the applied loads, and flat elements with low applied loads or non-loadbearing regions are configured with apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Daniel Werum, Andreas Lehr, Peter Haffner
  • Publication number: 20150102622
    Abstract: A luggage compartment cover is disclosed for covering a luggage compartment of a vehicle. The luggage compartment cover features a rigid frame configured to be supported on a supporting surface of the vehicle. The luggage compartment cover includes a flexible sheet material fixed on and stretched by the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Horst, Joerg Karger
  • Patent number: 9004567
    Abstract: A movable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising a number of panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113. The bulkhead 10 is U-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding
  • Patent number: 8998283
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is equipped with a passenger space, a cargo bed disposed behind the passenger space, and a screen disposed between the passenger space and the cargo bed. The screen is formed into a lattice shape using an outer frame made of a square pipe, a plurality of vertical cross-piece members made of square pipes, and a plurality of horizontal cross-piece members made of square pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Patent number: 8985665
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a seat bench which includes a seat surface which is approximately horizontal in a normal position and a backrest which is approximately vertical in the normal position, wherein the seat surface and the backrest are adjustable into a partition position in which the seat surface and the backrest adopt an at least approximately vertical position and the backrest is arranged above the seat surface. The backrest upper edge is in contact with the roof of the motor vehicle in the partition position, such that the backrest together with the seat surface forms a partition which separates the region behind the partition in the direction of travel from the region in front of the partition in the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Christoph Aschaber, Thomas Auer, Manuel Erlacher, Martin Rodler, Harald Zachnegger
  • Patent number: 8973964
    Abstract: A connector for use with an animal barrier. The connector includes a locking member configured to lock corresponding horizontal and vertical members when the locking member is in the locked position, and release the corresponding horizontal and vertical members to allow for length adjustment of both the horizontal and vertical members when the s is in the release position. Therefore, separate s are not needed for the corresponding horizontal and vertical members. Thus, the connector simplifies adjustment of the animal barrier to allow the animal barrier to be easily adapted to the specific size of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Precision Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Link, Hongkun Liang
  • Patent number: 8960755
    Abstract: A motor vehicle luggage compartment covering device has a parcel shelf defined by a panel hinged to two sides of the luggage compartment about a horizontal axis and having two rear holes; the device also has two ties provided with respective ropes which extend through said holes; the lower ends of the ropes are fixed to two weights; the upper ends, however, are attached to two hooking elements that are hung in a releasable manner to a tailgate of the luggage compartment; for each rope, the upper ends are provided with respective protrusions, which are integral with the ropes and engage respective retaining seats obtained in the hooking elements; the holes of the parcel shelf have a diameter which is higher than that of the protrusions and is lower than the size of the hooking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aldo Cassiani
  • Patent number: 8943749
    Abstract: A flap door includes a door body configured to be rotated around a longitudinal axis of a shaft by extension of a gas lift. A guide cam is fixed to a sidewall and has the shaft rotatably mounted to a center of the guide cam in a direction perpendicular to the sidewall, and a guide groove is formed in a side of the guide cam. A first arm has one end fixed to the shaft and another end extended toward the gas lift. A second arm has one end connected to the shaft so as to be rotatable around the shaft and another end connected to an end of the gas lift. A rotation transferring member transfers a rotational force from the second arm to the first arm as the rotation transferring member moves along a slot formed in the second arm and simultaneously moves along the guide groove according to rotation of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ja Sang Song
  • Patent number: 8919851
    Abstract: A restraint device for a vehicle interior has a flexible planar structure movably mounted between a rest position and an extended function position and that is provided at its end area with a dimensionally stable pulling-out section, and the restraint device has at least one roof-side holder in which the pulling-out section is detachably fixed by at least one complementary securing section in the extended function position of the planar structure. The roof-side holder includes a receptacle and a stationary locking pawl arrangement mechanically matched to a movement distance of the at least one securing section during transfer from the rest position to the function position. The securing section during its upward travel presses the locking pawl arrangement into the release position, and the securing section enters the receptacle and the locking pawl arrangement automatically moves back into its locking position as soon as the securing section has entered the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bos GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Maier, Huan Tran, Wolfgang Schaller, Herbert Walter
  • Publication number: 20140346801
    Abstract: A positionable vehicle partition system includes at least two rails, a substantially planar partition for separating a vehicle area into at least two sections, a slide assembly to facilitate movement of the partition relative to the rails, and a latch for retaining the partition in a selected position relative to the rails. The rails are configured to be mountable in a spaced apart parallel relationship. The slide assembly includes at least a stationary slide member affixed to or defined by each of the rails, and at least one movable slide member extending away from and directly or indirectly affixed to the partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventors: Thomas S. Richter, Thomas M. Willis
  • Patent number: 8864206
    Abstract: A method of making a RV and a RV made thereby having a plurality of compartments whose floorspace ratio can be selectively altered according to the usage status of the vehicle without increasing the total floorspace footprint by internal movement of structural features and user fixtures normally supported on the vehicle floorspace. For example, an RV can be made wherein the relative position of a dividing wall between compartments is movable with respect to those compartments and, at the same time, a seating fixture within one compartment can be moved along the floor between optimizable positions according to the usable floor space within that compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Forest River, Inc.
    Inventors: Ty Miller, Jeff Burian
  • Publication number: 20140232131
    Abstract: A connector for use with an animal barrier. The connector includes a locking member configured to lock corresponding horizontal and vertical members when the locking member is in the locked position, and release the corresponding horizontal and vertical members to allow for length adjustment of both the horizontal and vertical members when the s is in the release position. Therefore, separate s are not needed for the corresponding horizontal and vertical members. Thus, the connector simplifies adjustment of the animal barrier to allow the animal barrier to be easily adapted to the specific size of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Precision Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Link, Hongkun Liang
  • Publication number: 20140183894
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a front seat, a rear seat at a rear side of the front seat, and a cargo bed at a rear side of the rear seat, and a screen for partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space at a front side of the cargo bed. The cargo bed includes left and right fixed side walls, a front wall movable into the riding space, and left and right expansion side walls expandable into the riding space. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into the riding space and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded into the riding space. The screen is attached to the front wall, and each expansion side wall is foldably attached to the front wall and a corresponding one of the fixed side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami, Yoshiyuki Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 8752878
    Abstract: A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in order from the front side, wherein the cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into a rear riding space on the front side of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded in the rear riding space, a pair of left and right rear doors partitioning the rear riding space and left and right exteriors of a vehicle body in the non-expanded state is provided, and the rear doors serve as expansion side walls partitioning an expanded part of the cargo bed and the left and right exteriors of the vehicle body in the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Publication number: 20140145464
    Abstract: A restraint device for a vehicle interior having a flexible planar structure movably mounted between a rest position and a function position and that is provided at its end area with a dimensionally stable pulling-out section, and having at least one roof-side holder in which the pulling-out section is detachably fixed by at least one complementary securing section in the extended function position of the planar structure. The roof-side holder a receptacle and a stationary locking pawl arrangement mechanically matched to a movement distance of the at least one securing section transfer from the rest position to the function position. The securing section during its upward travel presses the locking pawl arrangement into the release position, and the securing section enters the receptacle and the locking pawl arrangement automatically moves back into its locking position as soon as the securing section has entered the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Matthias MAIER, Huan TRAN, Wolfgang SCHALLER, Herbert WALTER
  • Patent number: 8727414
    Abstract: A cargo cover assembly selectively covers a cargo compartment formed behind the rear seat and between spaced interior sidewalls vehicle. The cover assembly includes a housing pivotally connected to a rear seat and movable between storage and deployed positions. A cover, and preferably first and second cover portions, extend(s) in a lateral direction from the housing toward at least one of the interior sidewalls of the vehicle to a deployed position(s). Retaining members are formed in the sidewalls for securing the cover portions in the deployed positions. First and second rails may also be pivotally secured to the housing to receive perimeter portions of the respective cover portions and thereby add additional support and improving the aesthetics of the cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Randy A. Staib
  • Patent number: 8727416
    Abstract: A battery 4 and a toolbox storage portion 5 are provided in a laterally arranged state on a reverse side of a seatback 2 of a vehicle, a toolbox 9 stored in the toolbox storage portion 5 is exposed when the seatback 2 is tilted forward, and an emergency stop switch 10 of the battery 4 is exposed so as to be operable when the toolbox 9 is removed from the above toolbox storage portion 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8696044
    Abstract: A cargo screen of a vehicle luggage room, the cargo screen may include a housing mounted at an upper portion of the vehicle luggage room in a horizontal direction and having a central portion to be foldable, a roller rotatably installed in the housing and having a cut central portion to be foldable, and a screen wound around an outer peripheral surface of the roller in the housing through a cut hole thereof or selectively unwound to the outside of the housing to cover the vehicle luggage room, and having a cut central portion to be foldable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Hwan Kim, Seong Hyeon Lee, Yong Chae Kim, Jae Yong Lee, Moon Gyu Park, Min Ho Cho, Sang Woo Park, Eun Jeong Yang, Hyoung Shin, Ah Sal Moon, Jae Hak Joo, Hoo Taek Cho, Jin Ho Hwang, Hak Song Lim, Eun Su Jang
  • Patent number: 8690217
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a rollover protective structure surrounding a riding space and a cargo bed provided behind a riding space. A rear seat is changeable between a seating position and a stowed position. The screen is supported pivotably about pivot point portions such that the screen is changeable between a first position in which the screen stands substantially upright at a location in a vicinity of the front end of the cargo bed in the non-expanded state of the cargo bed, and a second position in which the screen is inclined and extends from the pivot point portions toward the front side of the riding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Publication number: 20140028043
    Abstract: A movable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising a number of panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113. The bulkhead 10 is U-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding
  • Publication number: 20140015270
    Abstract: A cargo cover assembly selectively covers a cargo compartment formed behind the rear seat and between spaced interior sidewalls vehicle. The cover assembly includes a housing pivotally connected to a rear seat and movable between storage and deployed positions. A cover, and preferably first and second cover portions, extend(s) in a lateral direction from the housing toward at least one of the interior sidewalls of the vehicle to a deployed position(s). Retaining members are formed in the sidewalls for securing the cover portions in the deployed positions. First and second rails may also be pivotally secured to the housing to receive perimeter portions of the respective cover portions and thereby add additional support and improving the aesthetics of the cover assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Randy A. Staib
  • Patent number: 8628133
    Abstract: A package tray assembly for a trunk of a vehicle includes a package tray and a support for supporting the package tray. The support is to be mounted to a body of the vehicle. The support includes a guide portion having a convex top surface. The package tray is to be attached to the support so as to be rotatable round a point located immediately below the guide portion as a center of rotation. The package tray includes a front end portion supported by the support when attached thereto. The front end portion includes a contact portion configured to move back and forth on the convex top surface while tilting at different angles relative to a moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Kabushiki Kaisha Takehiro
    Inventors: Satoshi Honda, Koji Toida, Jorge Fialho, Hiromi Takase, Koji Inoue
  • Patent number: 8608220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a separating panel assembly for a vehicle with a rear trunk. An opening is defined in a portion of a separating panel and an access chute is located adjacent to the opening and leads into the trunk. A trunk release handle is located relative to the access chute such that the access chute guides a hand inserted from the passenger compartment through the opening to the trunk release handle. The opening is further located behind a foldable armrest when the armrest is folded up. A movable cover may be provided to cover the opening and reduce air flow between the trunk and the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Donovan, Michael A. Zielinski, Shotaro Tani, Charles P. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8596703
    Abstract: A cargo shade or cover for a vehicle includes a thin flexible member that winds onto an elongated roller. The elongated roller may be mounted on a movable vehicle component such as a liftgate of an SUV. An elongated rod assembly is attached to the thin flexible member, and includes extending and retracting end portions that can be received in cavities or other connectors of the vehicle interior to retain the cover in an extended position. The rod assembly may include center housing and a pulley that can be rotated to generate tension on cables that pull the opposite ends of the rod inwardly whereby the rod assembly can be positioned between vehicle interior components when the cover assembly is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marc David Nedelman
  • Publication number: 20130257079
    Abstract: Disclosed is a separating panel assembly for a vehicle with a rear trunk. An opening is defined in a portion of a separating panel and an access chute is located adjacent to the opening and leads into the trunk. A trunk release handle is located relative to the access chute such that the access chute guides a hand inserted from the passenger compartment through the opening to the trunk release handle. The opening is further located behind a foldable armrest when the armrest is folded up. A movable cover may be provided to cover the opening and reduce air flow between the trunk and the passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory T. Donovan, Michael A. Zielinski, Shotaro Tani, Charles P. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8534734
    Abstract: An animal barrier for use in a vehicle is formed by a frame having an opening therein, and partition members mounted to the frame. First and second partition members are spaced apart to define the opening therebetween and are moveable relative to the frame so as to vary the width of the barrier and the width of the opening. A third partition member is slidably mounted to the frame so as to be moveable between a closed position in which it overlies the opening so as to substantially close the opening, and an open position in which is removed from the opening. In the open position, the third partition member may be located to one side of the opening, overlapping one of the first and second partition members or may be located above or below the opening, away from the first and second partition members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lead Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Reed, Martyn Philip Oxby
  • Patent number: 8528957
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a seat oriented in a passenger compartment forward of a storage compartment. The seat has a seat back that is pivotally connected to a body of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotable between a seating position and a storage position. A battery is disposed within the storage compartment. A tray is removably connected to the vehicle body in either one of a first and a second position. The tray is elevated from the battery within the storage compartment in the first position. The tray is connected to the vehicle body such that it is contiguous with and forward of the battery in the second position. A flat load floor is formed by the top surface of a housing of the battery together with the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde, Babak Shahmehri, Kathleen Pecoraro, David A. Wilson, Marc Jonathon Lucas, Robert Joseph Beier, Timothy DeBastos
  • Publication number: 20130221697
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a multi-functional cargo retention net system is provided. The system can include a motor vehicle with a cargo storage compartment that has a floor, a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls that extend upwardly from the floor, and a rear door that may or may not have a window. In addition, the cargo storage compartment has a cargo net with a first end that is attached at a central attachment position spaced apart from the floor and behind the row of passenger seats. The cargo net also has a second end that can be selectively attached at a top attachment position and a back attachment position, attachment at the top position providing a vertical divider between the luggage compartment and the passenger compartment and attachment at the back position providing a shelf and/or a horizontal cargo net extending across the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Charles Steinbrecher
  • Patent number: 8517444
    Abstract: A reconfigurable console assembly includes, but is not limited to, a stationary wall adapted for attachment to a vehicle. The assembly further includes a reconfigurable wall having a stationary end, a movable end, and a substantially constant length. The stationary end is attached to the stationary wall and the movable end moves between a stowed position and a deployed position. The reconfigurable wall flexes along a longitudinal axis as the movable end moves between the stowed and deployed positions. The stationary wall and the reconfigurable wall define a storage bin when the movable end is in the deployed position. The assembly further includes a constraining element connected to the movable end. The constraining element constrains the movable end to remain in the stowed position when the movable end is in the stowed position and to remain in the deployed position when the movable end is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D'Alessandro, Cedric Caravano, Daniel Vander Sluis
  • Patent number: 8491029
    Abstract: A tonneau cover device of a vehicle equipped with a rear opening portion formed at a rear portion of a vehicle body, a back door to open and close the rear opening portion, and a rear baggage compartment formed in front of the rear opening portion, comprises a tonneau board provided so as to extend substantially horizontally over the rear baggage compartment, the tonneau board comprising plural split boards which are split in a vehicle longitudinal direction, longitudinally-adjacent split boards being coupled to each other via a hinge portion extending in a vehicle width direction, and first and second connecting members as a folding mechanism pulling upwardly the split boards when the back door is opened so that the split boards bend around the hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Kusu
  • Patent number: 8474894
    Abstract: A moveable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising of a number of panels 11, 12, 13; 111, 112, and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13; 111, 112, and 113. The bulkhead 10 is “U”-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding