Free floating cover for storage area, and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cover for a storage area of ​​a motor vehicle, and a corresponding method. An exemplary motor vehicle includes, among other components, a rear loading flap providing access to the storage area and a cover connected to the rear loading flap such that when the rear loading flap is in a closed position, the cover provides an upper boundary of the storage area and is supported only by the rear loading flap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cover for a storage area of ​​a motor vehicle, and to a corresponding method. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles often include a storage area for accommodating cargo and / or luggage. Such a storage area is arranged at the rear of the motor vehicle, behind the rear bench seat, and is often accessible via a rear loading flap, such as a tailgate, trunk lid, or liftgate. The rear loading flap can be pivoted from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. Depending on the vehicle model, the storage area volume of the storage area and the opening of the storage area may be spatially defined.

[0003] In order to space the storage area from the passenger compartment and thus protect the occupants from unsecured cargo, for example during sudden braking or in the event of an accident, the storage area can be delimited by a cover panel at its upper area. Known cover panels usually extend parallel to and at a distance above the lower loading surface of the storage area. Such cover panels are usually arranged behind or adjacent to the rear bench seats of the vehicle. The upper storage surface of the cover panel is accessible to the occupants of the passenger vehicle from the passenger compartment and can be used to store various objects.

[0004] The known cover is connected to the interior of the rear loading flap by two connecting cords connected to the cover at the rear corners of the cover. The front of the cover can be pivotally fixed near the rear bench seat, so that when the rear loading flap is opened, the cover is pivoted upward by means of the connecting cords to make the storage area more accessible. For additional stability, the side edges of the cover can contact corresponding side surfaces of the storage area.

[0005] In order to be able to use the entire storage area, the storage area cover can usually be removed and stored in the passenger compartment. The storage area is then no longer limited by the cover on its upper side. In many motor vehicles, the rear seats can be folded down to further expand the storage area. In this case, the cover can only be stored in the passenger compartment without a passenger sitting therein.

[0006] The prior art discloses a number of covers for storage spaces in motor vehicles. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,172,296 discloses a two-piece shelf that increases the space available for loading when a rear loading flap is open. The front portion of the shelf is pivotally mounted to the rear bench seat and is connected to the inner surface of the rear loading flap by two rope connections. The rear portion of the parcel shelf is rigidly connected to the rear loading flap.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 4,222,600 discloses a lid pivotally connected to the inside of a rear loading flap. With the rear loading flap closed, the front edge of the lid contacts the rear bench seat. With the rear loading flap open, the pivot is away from the rear bench seat. If the lid is not needed, it can be stored inside the vehicle.

[0008] Another lid is disclosed in EP 0 041 016 which is pivotally connected to a rear loading flap at its rear edge and comprises a front edge connected at each of its corners to the rear loading flap, the rear loading flap extending over it by means of a cord. When opening the rear loading flap, the cord, biased by a spring, is pulled into the interior of the cover plate, with the result that the cover plate pivots and rotates against the rear loading flap.

[0009] A further cover is disclosed in EP 0 120 763 B1, which discloses a cover plate integrally connected to the glass area of ​​a rear loading flap. The front edge of the cover plate rests on a support surface that extends behind the rear bench seat to the interior of the storage area. When the luggage compartment is opened, the cover plate swings upward together with the rear loading flap.

[0010] WO 2010 / 103206 A1 also discloses a cover for a vehicle storage area. The rear edge of the cover is connected to a rear loading flap of the vehicle, and the front edge of the cover is connected to the roof of the vehicle via at least one connecting element. The connecting element is a pivotable connecting element, so that if the rear loading flap is closed, the cover is oriented horizontally. When the rear loading flap is opened, the cover assumes a storage configuration, in which it is raised in the direction of the rear loading flap and in which the connecting element contacts the roof of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0011] A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes, among other components, a rear loading flap providing access to a storage area and a cover plate connected to the rear loading flap such that when the rear loading flap is in a closed position, the cover plate provides an upper boundary of the storage area and is supported solely by the rear loading flap.

[0012] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing motor vehicle, when the rear loading flap is in the closed position, the cover panel extends substantially parallel to a storage area surface defining the storage area at the underside.

[0013] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the cover panel includes a connection element along each side edge thereof, and each connection element is releasably connected to the rear loading flap.

[0014] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the connecting element has a fastening point disposed above a rear edge of the cover panel, and the cover panel is releasably connected to the rear loading flap by a connector passing through the fastening point.

[0015] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above motor vehicles, when the rear loading flap is in the closed position, the front edge of the cover panel contacts a rear seat of the motor vehicle, while the cover panel remains fully supported by the rear loading flap without the assistance of the rear seat.

[0016] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, when the rear loading flap is in the open position, the cover is vertically spaced above the rear seat.

[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, a rear edge of the cover panel includes at least one rear connector that is releasably connected to the rear loading flap.

[0018] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the at least one rear connector includes two rear connectors.

[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, at least one of the rear connectors and the connecting element are foldable onto an upper surface of the cover panel.

[0020] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the connecting element is foldable about the side edge while being rigidly connected to the side edge.

[0021] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the connecting element comprises a flexible material.

[0022] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the connecting element comprises fabric.

[0023] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the motor vehicle includes a lower region beneath the removable loading surface floor of the storage area, wherein a cover panel can be removed from the rear loading flap and stored in the lower region.

[0024] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the cover panel comprises a foam material.

[0025] A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention also includes, among other steps, closing the rear loading flap of the motor vehicle so that the cover plate is arranged near the storage area of ​​the motor vehicle. In addition, the cover plate provides the upper boundary of the storage area and is supported only by the rear loading flap.

[0026] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the method includes opening a rear loading flap of a motor vehicle such that a cover is vertically spaced above a rear seat of the motor vehicle.

[0027] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above methods, the cover plate includes a connecting element along each side edge thereof, wherein each connecting element is releasably connected to the rear loading flap. In addition, the method includes removing the cover plate from the rear loading flap by removing the connecting element from the rear loading flap.

[0028] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above methods, the cover plate includes at least one rear connector that is releasably connected to the rear loading flip cover. In addition, the method includes removing the cover plate from the rear loading flip cover by removing the rear connector from the rear loading flip cover.

[0029] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes folding the connecting element and the rear connector onto an upper surface of the cover panel.

[0030] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes storing the cover sheet in an area beneath a loading surface floor of the storage area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 An exemplary cover plate is shown;

[0032] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The cover is arranged near the storage area of ​​the motor vehicle. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the rear loading flap of the motor vehicle is in the closed position;

[0033] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 The cover plate, in Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the rear loading flap of the motor vehicle is in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention relates to a cover panel for a storage area of ​​a motor vehicle, and a corresponding method. An exemplary motor vehicle includes, among other components, a rear loading flap providing access to the storage area, and a cover panel connected to the rear loading flap such that when the rear loading flap is in a closed position, the cover panel provides an upper boundary of the storage area and is supported only by the rear loading flap.

[0035] The object on which the present invention is based is to provide a cover plate for improving the accessibility and volume of a storage area. An exemplary cover plate comprises a front edge adjacent to the interior of the vehicle and a rear edge adjacent to a rear loading flap of the vehicle. When the rear loading flap is in the closed position, the cover plate extends substantially horizontally and parallel to a storage area surface of the storage area, which storage area surface defines the lower side of the storage area. The cover plate defines the upper side of the storage area. Furthermore, when the rear loading flap is in the closed position, the storage area is thus defined on the upper side by the cover plate, on the lower side by the storage area surface, on the rear side by the rear loading flap, on the front side by the front side storage area boundary (i.e., the rear bench seat), and the lateral boundaries are provided by the inner surface of the body side.

[0036] Furthermore, the cover plate has a connecting element along each of its side edges. The connecting element is releasably connected to the front area of ​​the rear loading flap so that in the closed position of the rear loading flap, the cover plate is arranged in a free-floating manner in the storage area. In particular, "freely floating" or "free-floating" in the present invention means that the cover plate is supported only by the rear loading flap and in particular not by the side panels of the storage area of ​​the vehicle or the rear seats of the vehicle. Although the cover plate can abut these structures, the weight of the cover plate is completely supported by the rear loading flap, not by the rear seats or the side panels of the storage area. This is in sharp contrast to the prior art discussed in the background of the present invention.

[0037] In general, the cover plate is thus releasably connected to the rear loading flap without lying on other supporting surfaces and / or supporting elements. In other words, the supporting surfaces known in the prior art that protrude laterally into the storage area can be omitted, with the result that both the storage area volume and the storage area opening are increased. According to the invention, no components are provided for supporting and / or fixing rear bench seats and / or elements of the rear bench seats. Instead, the cover plate is connected exclusively to the rear loading flap. In one example, the cover plate is releasably connected to the rear loading flap via four connection points, two of which are arranged in the front area and two of which are arranged in the rear area of ​​the rear loading flap.

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, when the rear loading flap is in the closed position, the front edge of the cover plate contacts the front side boundary of the storage area, and in particular contacts the rear bench seat. More specifically, when the rear loading flap is in the closed position, the front edge of the cover plate contacts the upper side area of ​​the rear bench seat, and the cover plate extends parallel to the storage area surface. The rear edge of the cover plate contacts and is fixed to the rear loading flap.

[0039] Furthermore, when the rear loading flap is in the open position, the cover plate is arranged such that the cover plate is spaced apart from the front lateral boundary of the storage area, in particular from the rear bench seat. Specifically, the cover plate is displaced in the direction of the vehicle roof in order to increase the opening of the storage area. When moved to the open position of the rear loading flap, the cover plate is pivoted at the same angle as the rear loading flap, with the result that the rear edge is displaced to a position spaced apart from the rear bench seat. In the open position of the rear loading flap, the rear edge of the cover plate is located in an upwardly displaced position in which the cover plate is spaced apart from the rear bench seat, so that the storage area opening, in particular the storage area height, is increased.

[0040] In one embodiment, the rear edge of the cover plate has one or more (such as two) rear connectors, which can be and / or releasably connected to the rear area of ​​the rear loading flap. For example, two connecting lugs made of a fabric-like material (such as fleece) can be fixed to the rear edge. In one example, these lugs have openings and / or cutouts and can be fastened to the inner surface (i.e., the inner cladding) of the rear loading flap by means of common connectors such as clips, screws or pins, or can be fixed to the glass surface or window of the rear loading flap by means of an adhesive connection. The connection is designed to be releasable so that the cover plate can be removed from the storage area.

[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting element extends along at least a portion of the corresponding side edge of the cover plate and can be pivoted about the side edge while being rigidly connected to the side edge. For example, the connecting element can be designed as a wing, in particular with a triangular shape, wherein the lower edge of the connecting element is rigidly connected to the side edge or at least a portion of the side edge of the cover plate. In order to save storage space of the cover plate, the connecting element can be pivoted about its connection to the side edge of the cover plate, so that the connecting element can be arranged so as to contact the upper storage surface of the cover plate.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the connecting element has a fastening point which is arranged above the rear edge of the cover plate and can be releasably connected to the front region of the rear loading flap. In particular, the lower edge of the connecting element is connected to the side edge of the cover plate, wherein the connecting element extends upward in a planar manner and has a fastening point in its upper region above the rear edge of the cover plate.

[0043] The connecting element may comprise or consist of a flexible, in particular textile-like, material, such as carpet fabric or fleece. In a particular embodiment, the upper storage surface of the cover plate is covered with the same textile-like material, such as carpet fabric or fleece, from which the connecting element and the connecting lug are also made.

[0044] In order to increase the storage area volume, the cover plate can be removed from the storage area and can be stored and / or deposited below the storage area surface, in particular below a removable loading surface floor. In order to facilitate such storage, the cover plate can be designed to be particularly thin or to have a small height and a flat surface. The connecting elements and connecting lugs, which can be composed of a fabric-like material, can each be pivoted to a position in which they rest against the upper storage surface of the cover plate for storage purposes. For storage, the storage area surface or the loading surface floor arranged thereon can be removed from the storage area. The cover plate can then be arranged in a recess, which is located below it and corresponds to the size of the cover plate. The storage area surface or the loading surface floor is then arranged above the cover plate.

[0045] In order to achieve improved NHV (noise, vibration and harshness) properties, the cover plate comprises a foam material and / or consists of a foam material having a particularly high density.

[0046] It should be noted that the features and measures presented individually in the following description can be combined with each other in any technically feasible way and produce other embodiments of the present invention. The description also particularly characterizes and specifies the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the various figures (i.e., Figure 1-3 , discussed below), identical components have identical reference numerals, so they are also generally described only once.

[0047] With reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a cover panel 100 according to the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. The cover panel 100 has a planar design and has a front edge 101 pointing in the direction of the front of the motor vehicle, and an oppositely arranged rear edge 102 pointing in the direction of the rear of the motor vehicle. A planar connecting element 104 is arranged along each side edge 103 of the cover panel 100. The transition between the side edge 103 and the rear edge 102 is rounded, wherein the connecting element 104 extends only along the straight region of the side edge 103.

[0048] The connecting element 104 has the shape of a right triangle, wherein one of the right-angled sides is connected to the side edge 103 of the cover plate 100 and the other right-angled side extends at right angles to the side edge 103 and the front edge 101. The upper tip of the connecting element 104 facing the roof has a fastening point 105 in the form of an opening and / or a cutout, which is arranged to receive, for example, a clip. The connecting element 104 is connected to the cover plate 100 in the manner of a wing and is made of a flexible material. In this way, the connecting elements 104 can be pivoted around their connection to the corresponding side edge 103 and are arranged to be supported flatly on the upper placement surface 106 or the lower boundary surface 107 of the cover plate 100.

[0049] The cover plate 100 has two rear connecting elements 108, in particular rear lugs, on the rear edge 102, each rear lug having a cutout and / or opening for receiving a clip. The connecting element 104, the rear connecting elements 108 and the placement surface 106 of the cover plate 100 are all made of a fabric-like material, in particular a wool fabric or a carpet fabric.

[0050] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of a cover panel 100 in a position arranged within a storage area 300, wherein a rear loading flap 200 (not shown here) of the vehicle is in a closed position. The storage area 300 represents any one of many known such spaces, such as a storage area behind the rear seats typically found in a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The storage area 300 may be referred to as a cargo area, cargo space, storage space, etc. The present invention is not limited to any particular type of storage area and extends to motor vehicles that would benefit from a free floating cover panel that provides storage area coverage without unduly interfering with the load.

[0051] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the cover 100 extends substantially parallel to a storage area surface 301 of the storage area 300. The front edge 101 of the cover 100 abuts the front side boundary 201 of the storage area 300, in particular contacts the upper edge of the rear bench seat. The rear edge 102 abuts the rear loading flap 200 (not shown). The storage area 300 is delimited on the upper side by a lower boundary surface 107 of the cover 100. The upper placement surface 106 can be reached from the inside of the passenger compartment and can be used by the occupants to store various objects. The storage area 300 is laterally delimited by an inner cladding of the vehicle side, along which the connecting element 104 also extends.

[0052] Figure 3 A perspective diagram is shown Figure 1 1 , wherein the rear loading flap 200 is in the open position. As mentioned above, the rear loading flap 200 can be any known type of rear loading flap, including a tailgate, a tailgate, a trunk lid, etc. The cover panel 100 is connected to its lateral inner envelope in the front region of the rear loading flap 200 by means of its connecting element 104. In one example, the connecting element comprises a clip, which is fixed to the fixing point 105 on the one hand and to the lateral inner envelope of the rear loading flap 200 on the other hand.

[0053] In the rear region of the rear-loading flap 200, the cover plate is fastened in the same or similar manner by means of the rear connecting piece 108. By means of the fastener, the cover plate 100 is in the deflected position and the pivoted position when the rear-loading flap 200 is in the open position.

[0054] As a comparison, Figure 3Furthermore, a parcel shelf 400 known from the prior art is shown which is fixed in an articulated manner to the front side boundary 201, in particular to the upper edge of the rear bench seat, shown here in an upwardly folded position, by means of a front side edge 401. It can be clearly seen that in the open position of the rear loading flap 200, the storage area opening 302 is defined by the front edge 101 of the cover 100 according to the invention or by the front side edge 401 of the parcel shelf 400 known from the prior art, respectively. In the open position of the rear loading flap 200, the front edge 101 of the cover 100 is arranged to be displaced upwards relative to the front side edge 401 of the parcel shelf 400 or the upper edge of the rear bench seat, as a result of which, on the one hand, the storage area height and therefore the storage area opening 302 is increased and, on the other hand, the storage area volume is increased. In other words, in one example, the cover 100 is spaced vertically above the top of the rear bench seat.

[0055] The loading surface floor 303 is arranged parallel to the storage area surface 301. The loading surface floor 303 can be removed from the storage area 300, with the result that the cover plate 100 can be stored below the loading surface floor 303. For this purpose, the area between the storage area surface 301 and the loading surface floor 303 has a recess, the dimensions of which substantially correspond to the dimensions of the cover plate 100. When stored therein, the connecting element 104 and the rear connecting piece 108 can be folded onto the upper placement surface 106 to make the cover plate 100 more compact.

[0056] It should be understood that terms such as "about," "substantially," and "typically" are not intended to be open-ended terms, and should be interpreted consistent with how those skilled in the art would interpret these terms. Additionally, terms such as "front" and "rear" are used herein with reference to the normal operating attitude of a motor vehicle, and should not be considered limiting.

[0057] Although different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features from one example may be used in combination with features or components from another example. In addition, the various drawings accompanying the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0058] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. That is, modifications of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the above claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising: a rear loading flap providing access to the storage area; as well as a cover plate connected to the rear loading flap such that when the rear loading flap is in a closed position, the cover plate provides an upper boundary of the storage area and is supported solely by the rear loading flap, wherein the cover plate includes connecting elements along each side edge thereof and each connecting element is releasably connected to the rear loading flap.

2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The cover panel extends substantially parallel to a storage area surface defining the storage area at a lower side when the rear loading flap is in the closed position.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The connecting element has a fastening point arranged above a rear edge of the cover plate, and wherein the cover plate is releasably connected to the rear loading flap by a connection piece passing through the fastening point.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein: When the rear loading flap is in the closed position, a front edge of the cover panel contacts a rear seat of the motor vehicle while the cover panel remains fully supported by the rear loading flap without the aid of the rear seat.

5. A motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The cover panel is vertically spaced above the rear seat when the rear loading flap is in the open position.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The rear edge of the cover panel includes at least one rear connector that is releasably connected to the rear loading flap.

7. A motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one rear connecting member includes two rear connecting members.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein: The at least one rear connector and the connecting element may be folded onto an upper surface of the cover panel.

9. The motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein: The connecting element can be folded around the side edge while being rigidly connected to the side edge.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The connecting element comprises a flexible material.

11. A motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: The connecting element comprises a fabric.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 1 further comprising: A lower area below the removable loading surface floor of the storage area, wherein the cover panel is removable from the rear loading flap and stored in the lower area.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The cover plate includes a foam material.

14. A method for a vehicle, comprising: A rear loading flap of a motor vehicle is closed so that a cover panel is arranged adjacent a storage area of ​​the motor vehicle, wherein the cover panel provides an upper boundary of the storage area and is supported only by the rear loading flap, and wherein the cover panel includes connecting elements along each side edge thereof and each connecting element is releasably connected to the rear loading flap.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: The rear loading flap of the motor vehicle is opened such that the cover panel is vertically spaced above a rear seat of the motor vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises detaching the cover plate from the rear loading flap by detaching the connecting element from the rear loading flap.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The cover panel includes at least one rear connector releasably connected to the rear-loading flap, and wherein the method further comprises detaching the cover panel from the rear-loading flap by detaching the rear connector from the rear-loading flap.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising folding the connecting element and the rear connector onto an upper surface of the cover panel.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing the cover sheet in an area beneath a loading surface floor of the storage area.

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