Cover device for the cargo area of ​​a motor vehicle

Abstract

Cover device for a cargo space of a motor vehicle with a cover arrangement comprising several dimensionally stable lamellae (7, 7') which are coupled to each other in the extended cover state and which are stacked on top of each other in a receiving space (9, 9') in the stowed rest position, wherein the lamellae (7, 7') are permanently coupled to each other by means of at least one flexible connecting band (10, 10'), characterized in that a single connecting band extending continuously over the entire length of the lamellae (7) is provided between each pair of adjacent lamellae (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cover device for a cargo space of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] US Patent 6,276,735 B1 discloses a pickup truck with a toolbox mounted on the cargo bed and a roll-up cover assembly comprising numerous rigid slats. The cover assembly serves to close or open the cargo bed. The slats are connected to each other by means of fasteners.

[0003] From US patent 4,518,194 A, another cover arrangement for a pickup bed of a pickup vehicle is known, which has several largely rigid plates that are guided in lateral vehicle-fixed guides.

[0004] US Patent 4,795,206 A describes a cover system for the cargo bed of a pickup truck, wherein the cover system has a roll-up and roll-down cover formed by several transversely extending, rigid plates connected to each other by flexible and waterproof connecting elements.

[0005] US patent 8,939,494 B2 discloses a roll-up cover for the rear cargo box of a pickup truck. The cover has a waterproof surface coating in the form of a continuous sheet of film running the entire length of the cover. The cover is made up of numerous slats that are rolled up into a coil when stowed.

[0006] US Patent 9,399,391 B2 also discloses a tonneau cover for the cargo bed of a pickup truck, comprising several plate-shaped, rigid slats extending transversely across the cargo bed and coupled longitudinally via connecting links. These connecting links are designed as elastically compliant hinge elements and are positively locked in corresponding guide grooves of adjacent slats.

[0007] Another cover device for the cargo area of ​​a pickup truck is known from WO 2018 / 156921 A1. This known cover device is designed for a cargo bed located behind a passenger cabin in the rear section of the pickup truck. The cover device comprises a covering arrangement of numerous dimensionally stable metal slats, which, in their compact resting position, are stacked one above the other in a cassette housing located at the rear. The slats are designed as aluminum profiles that extend across the width of the cargo bed in the transverse direction of the vehicle. When extended, the slats are guided at their opposite ends by vehicle-mounted side guides. These side guides are integrated into the side walls of the pickup truck's cargo bed.The adjacent slats have complementary, hook-shaped profiles on their facing sides, which interlock in the extension direction to create a secure connection between the adjacent slats when the cover is fully extended. The slats are moved between their stacked rest position and the extended cover position by a drive system equipped with a drive motor. The slats have teeth on their underside that mesh with a drive pinion of the drive system to advance the slats as they move from the cassette housing into the side guides.

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a covering device of the type mentioned above which enables a simplified construction.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The solution according to the invention enables the use of the cover device in a vehicle interior and manual operation of the cover device. Due to the permanent coupling of the slats to one another via the connecting straps, the slat assembly defining the cover arrangement can be manually extended or pushed back into its stacked rest position, preferably with a front slat (in the extension direction) being provided with a handle for manually grasping this front slat. Due to the permanent coupling via the connecting straps, the subsequent slats are necessarily moved along with the cover during a manual extension movement, without the need for an additional drive system.For permanent coupling, the connecting strips can be positively locked, force-locked, or materially bonded to the lamellae, in particular by means of welt connections, welding or bonding, mechanical fasteners in the form of screws or rivets, or similar connections. According to the invention, either a flexible connecting strip extends over the entire assembly of dimensionally stable lamellae and is connected to the respective lamellae, or, additionally, at least one further connecting strip extending over the entire length of the lamella assembly and parallel to the first connecting strip can be provided.Alternatively, it is possible to provide one or more connecting strips that extend over and are connected to several lamellae, and the subsequent lamellae are also connected to each other by means of at least one connecting strip, so that several groups of dimensionally stable lamellae are each connected to each other by means of at least one connecting strip. Finally, according to the invention, only two adjacent lamellae are connected to each other by means of one connecting strip, with each further lamella then being coupled to it by means of at least one further connecting strip, similar to a chain.

[0010] The solution according to the invention is suitable for both manually operated cover devices and cover devices that are moved between the rest position and the covered position by means of a drive system. The connecting strips are very lightweight, so the cover device can be designed as a lightweight construction. The slats can be made of a light metal alloy, plastic, molded materials, composite materials, honeycomb panels, or similar strip materials. According to the invention, a single connecting strip extending continuously over the entire length of each slat is provided between every two adjacent slats. This allows the connecting strip to also act as a seal between two adjacent slats, so that a continuous, watertight surface of the cover assembly can be achieved when the slats are extended and covered.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting strips are designed to be at least largely inelastic. This prevents elastic elongation of the connecting strips, which could lead to the slats gaping open when the cover is extended.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one connecting strap is designed as a flat textile strap. Preferably, the flat strap is manufactured in the form of a strip of woven or knitted fabric. A suitable material can be one that is also used for seat belt webbing in vehicle interiors.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one connecting band is designed as a foil band. The foil band is formed by a strip of plastic film, which may be fiber-reinforced.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, each connecting strip is provided with profiles on its opposing end faces that engage in a form-fitting manner with complementary counter-profiles on the adjacent slats. The opposing end faces are to be understood as aligning the connecting strip in the extension direction of the cover assembly; that is, in the assembled state, the opposing end faces are positioned one behind the other in the extension direction. The profiles and complementary counter-profiles can be designed differently. The essential point is that, in the assembled state, a form-fitting connection is created between the profiles and counter-profiles, ensuring a secure coupling between the adjacent slats.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting strips in the area of ​​the profiles and counter-profiling are detachably connected to the slats. This allows for easy assembly or disassembly of the cover assembly. Preferably, the connecting strips are detachably connected to the slats without tools.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the profiles on the end faces of the connecting strips are designed as welts and the corresponding profiles on the slats are designed as welt grooves. This results in a particularly secure, positive-locking connection between the connecting strips and the slats.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the counter-profiling is provided on the underside of the slats, and the counter-profiling is positioned – viewed in the extension direction of the slats – on the underside in such a way that the connecting strips are at least largely taut both in the extended cover state of the slats and in the stacked rest state. Thus, the length of the connecting strips is selected such that, in the coupled state with the counter-profiling, they are extended at least largely without play both in the stacked rest state of the slats and in the extended cover state.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the slats have side parts on opposite end faces, which are guided in vehicle-mounted side guides. Each side part has at least one driver and at least one drive profile. During an extension movement of the slats from their stacked rest state to the extended cover state, these drivers engage with adjacent slats in such a way that the uppermost slat carries the slat below it from the receiving space into the respective side guide. The drive function is designed such that, in the stacked state, the uppermost slat remains in contact with the slat below it until the lower slat is lifted, at least with its front face, and inserted towards the side guides.This solution reliably prevents the slats from tilting or jamming when transitioning from their stacked resting state to the extended cover position. This design is particularly advantageous for manually extending or retracting the cover assembly, as it ensures, with simple means, that each subsequent slat is inevitably pulled along by the adjacent slat in the extension direction.

[0019] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle with an open tailgate and a cargo area in which an embodiment of a cover device is provided. Fig. 2. In perspective view, a section of the covering device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a longitudinal section view the covering device according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 the cover device according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in their stacked resting state in perspective, cutaway view, Fig. 5 the cover device after Fig. 4 in a longitudinal section, Fig. 6. Enlarged view showing several interlocking lamellae of the cover device according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 with connecting straps still unmounted, Fig. 7 the representation according to Fig. 6, however, in perspective, Fig. 8 in perspective view two superimposed lamellae of the cover device according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 with attached connecting strap, Fig. 9 an exploded view of the section according to Fig. 8, Fig. 10 in a side view the section according to Fig. 8, Fig. 11 the exploded view according to Fig. 9, however in a side view, Fig. 12 in perspective view a partial area of ​​the cover device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11 in the area of ​​a vehicle-mounted side guide and in the area of ​​a cassette housing forming a receiving space, Fig. 13 a representation similar Fig. 12, however, in a section plane located further outwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle, Fig. 14 in perspective, cutaway view a section of the covering device according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12 to Fig. 13 in the area of ​​a transition of the slats from the cassette housing into the vehicle-mounted side guide, Fig. 15 a representation similar Fig. 14, however from a different perspective, looking from the side and omitting the vehicle's fixed side guide, Fig. 16 a representation according to Fig. 15, Fig. 17 in a side view a functional state of the cover device according to Fig. 15, Fig. 18 in a side view from one to Fig. 17 opposite side the functional state according to Fig. 17, Fig. 19 in perspective view a section of the cover device according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17 to Fig. 18 in the area of ​​side parts of two adjacent slats, Fig. Figure 20 shows a further embodiment of a covering device similar to the following in a perspective exploded view. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. 19, Fig. 21 in a longitudinal section view a partial area of ​​the covering device according to Fig. 20 in an extended functional position and Fig. 22 the covering device according to the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 stacked on top of each other in a resting state within a cassette housing.

[0020] A motor vehicle 1 in the form of a van has an interior consisting of a passenger compartment and a rear cargo area 2 adjoining the passenger compartment. Rear access to the cargo area 2 is provided by a tailgate 3. A cover 4 is assigned to the cargo area 2, as shown in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. 19 is described in more detail below.

[0021] The cover device 4 has a cover arrangement formed by several lamellae 7, which can be positioned between a compactly folded rest position and a position that is Fig. The cover assembly can be moved to the extended position shown in Figure 1. The slats 7 of the cover assembly are guided and supported in their cover position by opposing, vehicle-mounted side guides 5. The opposing side guides 5 are each provided in a side wall of the cargo space 2 and are rigidly connected to body support structure components of the vehicle 1 in a manner not shown in detail, in order to enable a crash-resistant arrangement of the side guides 5 in the side walls of the cargo space 2.

[0022] The cover assembly of the cover device 4 is housed in a compact, stowed rest position within a receiving compartment 9 of a cassette housing 6, which is also fixed to the vehicle. The cassette housing 6 extends behind a backrest assembly of a rear seat bench in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is fixed to the vehicle at a distance below a side sill of the vehicle 1. When extended, the cover assembly, which can be stored in the cassette housing 6, forms an intermediate floor according to Fig. 1, which is located below a side sill bounded by the lower edge areas of the side windows, but above a cargo area floor. The cassette housing 6 is detachably mounted in the cargo area 2 so that the cassette housing 6, including the cover assembly, can be removed from the vehicle if necessary. The cassette housing 6 has a through-slot facing the rear of the vehicle when installed, which extends transversely across at least the entire width of the cassette housing 6 and is aligned with the side guides 5 in the opposite side walls of the cargo area 2.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the slats 7 are formed by dimensionally stable hollow profiles made of a light metal alloy, in this case an aluminum alloy, which extend like strips across the entire width of the cargo space 2 in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each slat 7 is provided on its front side with an upwardly facing hook profile 12 and on its rear side with a complementary, downwardly facing hook profile 11, wherein, in the extended covering state of the slats 7, a frontal hook profile 12 engages in a form-fitting manner with a downwardly projecting, rearward hook profile 11 of the adjacent slat 7 – viewed in the extension direction. In their compact, stowed state, the slats 7 are stacked on top of each other in the receiving space 9 of the cassette housing 6. A support spring, which in this case is designed as a conically shaped helical spring 10 ( Fig. 3) represents a compression spring that rests on the base of the receiving chamber 9 of the cassette housing 6 and supports the lowermost lamella 7 with its upper end. Due to the conical screw design, the helical spring 10 can compress to the height of approximately one helical turn when compressed. The remaining helical turns lie spirally in the same plane within this lowermost and largest helical turn.

[0024] The slats 7 are connected to one another by means of connecting strips 10, with several connecting strips 10 connecting two adjacent slats 7 together. The connecting strips 10 extend in the extension direction and are designed as flat textile strips. Each connecting strip has a keder 13 at its opposite end faces, i.e., on the front and back when assembled, which engages in a form-fitting manner in a keder groove 14 extending longitudinally in the respective slat 7. Each keder groove 14 is open towards the underside of the respective slat 7, forming an undercut, so that the corresponding keder 13 of the respective connecting strip 10 is held in the respective keder groove 14 in a form-fitting manner in the vehicle's vertical direction. Each slat 7 has two keder grooves 14 spaced parallel to each other on its underside, which represent counter-profilings according to the invention.The keder 13 of the connecting strips 10 form complementary profiles to these counter-profiles. The keder 13 of the connecting strips 10 can be inserted longitudinally along the slats 7 from an open end face of the respective keder groove 14 for assembly. As shown in the... Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 11, each lamella 7 has two keder grooves 14, the first of which is located in a front area and the second in a middle area of ​​the underside of the lamella 7. The keder grooves 14 are formed integrally during the manufacturing of the hollow profile of the lamellae 7. The front keder groove 14 – viewed in the extension direction – serves to receive a rear keder 13 of a connecting strip 10, while the middle keder groove 14 is provided for receiving a front keder 13 of a rearwardly adjacent connecting strip 10. Based on the Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. Figure 11 shows that the connecting straps 10 are folded upwards and backwards when the slats 7 are stacked on top of each other, and consequently lie between the adjacent slats 7. The connecting straps 10 are taut both in the stacked rest state of the slats 7 and in the extended, covered state, as can be seen from the illustrations. However, the taut or extended position of the connecting straps 10 in the various end positions—i.e., the rest state on the one hand and the covered state on the other—is chosen to allow a small amount of play, so as not to cause jamming or wedging of the adjacent slats 7 relative to each other.

[0025] A front slat 7 in the extension direction is provided with a handle element 8 to allow manual extension or retraction of the slats between the cover position and the rest position.

[0026] To prevent the slats from tilting or jamming in the opposing side guides 5 during manual extension, the cover assembly is equipped with a synchronizing device comprising a synchronizing shaft with two gear teeth 17 at opposite end faces. The synchronizing shaft extends transversely within the cassette housing 6 and is freely rotatable within the cassette housing 6. The gear teeth 17 ( Fig. 13) On opposite end faces of this synchronizing shaft, toothed sections 16 extending along the respective side guide 5 mesh with side parts 15 of the lamellae 7, the linear toothed sections 16 (rack sections) facing downwards. The toothed sections 16 are arranged on side parts 15 that are attached to opposite end faces of each lamellae 7. When the lamellae 7 are extended along the side guide 5, the toothed sections 16 come into contact with the respective pinion 17 from above. The synchronizing device can also be associated with a drive unit that can drive the lamellae 7 in both the extension and retraction directions via the toothed sections 16 and the pinions 17. Such a drive unit is designed analogously to WO 2018 / 156921 A1.

[0027] The side parts 15 additionally have drivers 18 on the one hand and drive profiles 19 on the other, wherein a driver 18 of a slat engages permanently in a drive profile 19 below of a side part 15 of the slat 7 adjacent below, as long as the slats 7 are in their stacked rest state within the receiving space 9 of the cassette housing 6, and also when the slats 7 are in the extended cover state.

[0028] As shown by the Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. As can be seen from Figure 19, the drive profiles 19 are designed as longitudinal grooves open outwards and obliquely downwards, both frontally and rearwards. Each side part 15 has a driver 18 at a rear lower end region of the respective side part 15. Each drive profile 19 has a linear section extending parallel to a top surface of the respective lamella 7 and a further linear section angled towards this, extending inclined forwards and downwards, with the linear sections of each side part 15 transitioning openly into one another. When stacked on top of each other, a driver 18 of the lamella 7 above is positioned on the rear side in the upper linear section of the drive profile 19 of the lamella 7 below.Each driver 18 is designed as a cylindrical pin, so that each driver 18 is not only longitudinally movable in the drive profile 19 of the underlying lamella 7, but also rotatably mounted in this drive profile 19.

[0029] As soon as the foremost lamella 7, which is equipped with the handle element 8 and is positioned in the pass-through slot of the cassette housing 6 at the level of the side guide 5 even in its rest position, is pulled out by hand in the extension direction away from the cassette housing 6, the driver 18 on each side, i.e., the two drivers 18 on the opposite side parts 15 of this lamella 7, engages the subsequent lamella 7. Due to the positioning of the foremost lamella 7, this subsequent lamella 7 is already angled upwards and, when a tensile load is applied to the foremost lamella 7 in the extension direction, is moved over the toothed pinions 17 and, by the corresponding tensile load, is necessarily guided into the side guides 5. During this movement, the drivers 18 of this second lamella 7 engage in the drive profiles 19 of the third lamella 7, which is still stacked in the receiving space 9.As soon as the drive lugs 18 reach the forward-sloping sections of the drive profiles 19, this lamella 7 is inevitably lifted obliquely upwards and also pulled towards the toothed pinions 17 and the side guides 5. This process continues until the cover assembly, consisting of the numerous joined lamellae 7, reaches the extended cover position. Return to the original position is achieved in reverse by manually applying pressure to the foremost lamella, which pushes the remaining lamellae 7 towards the through-slot of the cassette housing 6, causing them to stack on top of each other again in the receiving space 9. The drive lugs 18 remain permanently in the drive profiles 19 of the subsequent lamella 7.

[0030] A covering device according to the Fig. 20, Fig. 21 to Fig. 22 largely corresponds to the previously described cover device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. 19. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the explanations regarding the cover device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. Reference is made to 19. Functionally identical components or sections are marked with the same reference numerals, but with the addition of a single apostrophe '. The differences of the cover device according to the Fig. 20, Fig. 21 to Fig. 22 received.

[0031] The cover device according to the Fig. 20, Fig. 21 to Fig. 22 has a multitude of dimensionally stable louvers 7', each of which is assigned a side panel 15' on opposite end faces. A louver at the front in the extension direction, and thus in the direction of the extended functional position, is provided with a handle element 8' that allows the louver assembly to be grasped manually. A key difference from the cover device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. 19. The lamella assembly, consisting of a multitude of lamellae 7' arranged one behind the other, is connected to each other via two parallel connecting strips 10', each connecting strip 10' extending over the entire length of all lamellae 7' and thus over the entire length of the lamella assembly. Each connecting strip 10' is therefore connected to all lamellae 7' of the lamella assembly. The connection of the connecting strips 10' to the lamellae 7' is effected by mechanical fasteners in the form of rivet connections 20, which are based on the Fig. 20, Fig. 21 to Fig. 22 are recognizable. The connecting strips 10' extend parallel to each other along the length of the lamella assembly and have a relatively large width, extending over a range of approximately one-quarter to one-third of the width of the lamellae 7'. The two connecting strips 10' connect directly to the side panels 15' on the outside and extend with their width transversely to the extension direction towards the center. In the extended functional position of the lamella assembly, the two connecting strips 10' are aligned flat and stretched on the underside of the lamella assembly. In the rest position of the lamella assembly, in which the lamellae 7' are stacked on top of each other in the receiving space 9' of the cassette housing 6', the respective connecting strip 10' is necessarily folded, as shown. Fig. 22 can be seen. Fig.Figure 21 shows that the mechanical connecting means, in this case the rivet or screw connections 20, are positioned in a front half of the respective lamella 7' in such a way that a sufficiently long, loose connecting band section is created between each two lamellae 7', which enables the corresponding folding.

Claims

[1] Cover device for a cargo space of a motor vehicle with a cover arrangement comprising several dimensionally stable slats (7, 7') which are coupled to each other in the extended cover state and which are stacked on top of each other in a receiving space (9, 9') in the stowed rest position, wherein the slats (7, 7') are permanently coupled to each other by means of at least one flexible connecting band (10, 10'), characterized by , that a single connecting strip extending continuously over the entire length of the lamellae (7) is provided between each pair of adjacent lamellae (7). [2] Covering device according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting bands (10) are designed to be at least largely inelastic. [3] Covering device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one connecting band (10) is designed as a textile flat band. [4] Covering device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that at least one connecting strip is designed as a foil strip. [5] Covering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that each connecting strip (10) is provided with profiles on its opposite end faces which engage in a form-fitting manner with complementary counter-profilings on the adjacent lamellae (7). [6] Covering device according to claim 5, characterized by , that the connecting strips (10) in the area of ​​the profiling and the counter-profiling are detachably connected to the lamellae (7). [7] Covering device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the profiles on the end faces of the connecting strips (10) are designed as keder (13) and the counter profiles on the lamellae (7) are designed as keder grooves (14). [8] Covering device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by, that the counter-profiling is provided on the underside of the slats (7), and that the counter-profiling - viewed in the extension direction of the slats (7) - is positioned on the underside in such a way that the connecting bands (10) are at least largely taut both in the extended cover state of the slats and in the stacked rest state. [9] Covering device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the lamellae (7) have side parts (15) on opposite end faces which are guided in vehicle-fixed side guides (5), and that the side parts (15) each have at least one driver (18) and at least one drive profile (19) which, during an extension movement of the lamellae (7) from the stacked rest state to the extended cover state, are in operative connection with adjacent drivers (18) and drive profiles (19) of adjacent lamellae such that the upper lamella (7) takes the lamella (7) below it for a transfer from the receiving space (9) into the respective side guide (5).

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