Protection device for a vehicle interior

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device for a vehicle interior (F). Such a protection device is known comprising a cartridge housing (2), in which at least one flexible protection structure (3) is mounted in a windable and unwindable manner. The cartridge housing has a hollow profile with a cross-section which remains constant over the length of the hollow profile, said hollow profile being provided with at least one longitudinal slot (6) through which the protection structure can be pulled out of the cartridge housing or into the cartridge housing. According to the invention, all of the walls of the hollow profile are made of a renewable raw material, in particular wood, preferably bamboo.

Description

[0001] Protective device for a vehicle interior

[0002] The invention relates to a protective device for a vehicle interior with a cassette housing in which at least one flexible protective structure is mounted so as to be able to be wound up and unwound, wherein the cassette housing has a hollow profile with a cross-section that remains constant over its length and is provided with at least one longitudinal slot through which the protective structure can be pulled out of the cassette housing or retracted into the cassette housing.

[0003] Protective devices for the interior of a motor vehicle are generally known. Such a protective device in the form of a load compartment cover and / or in the form of a partition between a load compartment and a passenger compartment of a passenger car has a dimensionally stable cassette housing in which a flexible protective structure is mounted so that it can be wound up and unwound. In a load compartment cover, this is a cover sheet that can be rolled up and unwound and extended approximately horizontally along the load compartment. In a partition device, the flexible protective structure is designed as a partition net that can be stretched vertically across the vehicle and secured in a roof lining area. The cassette housing has a hollow profile made of an extruded light metal profile. The hollow profile is closed at the front by end caps, which are also made of metal.The hollow profile has a longitudinal slot on at least one long side through which the protective structure can be pulled out of the cassette housing.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a protective device of the type mentioned above which can be produced sustainably.

[0005] This problem is solved by making all walls of the hollow profile from a renewable raw material, in particular wood, preferably bamboo. This means that the dimensionally stable hollow profile can be produced sustainably without great energy expenditure. If the hollow profile is made from wood, the hollow profile is also lighter than the state of the art. The hollow profile can have different cross-sectional shapes. In addition to a square cross-section, a polygonal cross-sectional shape or a cross-sectional shape that is at least partially round can be provided. Because the hollow profile is made from a renewable raw material, resources are conserved. Bamboo is particularly advantageous for the production of the hollow profile because it is a fast-growing plant. Suitable bamboo trunks, from which the bamboo wood is produced in the form of corresponding surface parts, are extremely stable.

[0006] Instead of wood, the hollow profile can also be made of cellulose fibers or hemp fibers. When using cellulose fibers, it is advantageous to use paper walls, preferably in multi-layered form, which can be impregnated and cured with natural, environmentally friendly liquids. A wall structure made of natural fiber mats, which can be woven or knitted textiles, can also be provided. These natural fiber mats are also preferably laminated with natural, environmentally friendly liquids.

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the walls are constructed from wooden surface parts that are firmly connected to one another at respective longitudinal edge regions of the hollow profile. The hollow profile made of wood preferably has a square cross-section, similar to known metal hollow profiles. Advantageously, a total of four wooden surface parts are provided on corresponding four longitudinal sides, which are firmly connected to one another in the region of the longitudinal edges of the hollow profile. The wooden surface parts are advantageously made of bamboo wood. The wooden surface parts can be mechanically connected to one another at the longitudinal edge regions in a form-fitting manner, in particular by doweling or toothing. Alternatively, the wooden surface parts can be connected to one another at the longitudinal edge regions in a material-fit or force-fit manner, in particular by gluing or pressing.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal edge areas are mechanically treated after the joining of the wooden surface parts, in particular by machining, preferably by sanding. This ensures that no sharp edges or visible gaps remain.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wooden surface parts are constructed in multiple layers. The wooden surface parts can be designed as a laminate made of several wood veneer parts, as plywood, or as several wooden surface layers, preferably in combination with at least one reinforcing insert.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the multi-layer structure of the wooden surface parts is formed by several layers of wooden strips that are glued together, with several wooden strips positioned parallel to one another in each layer, and the wooden strips of two superimposed layers being aligned at an angle to one another, in particular at right angles. Preferably, the wooden strips of one layer run in the longitudinal direction of the cassette housing, and the wooden strips of the adjacent layer run either transversely to the longitudinal direction or at an acute angle, preferably at an angle of 45°, to the wooden strips of the adjacent layer. The several layers are glued together. The individual, parallel and adjacent wooden strips of each layer are also glued together at their adjacent edges. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for wooden strips made of bamboo.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, three layers of wooden strips are provided, wherein two cover layers forming an inner and an outer side of the wooden surface part are provided with wooden strips aligned in the same direction, and wherein an intermediate layer located between the cover layers is provided with wooden strips aligned at an angle, in particular at right angles, to the wooden strips of the cover layers. This results in identical-looking surfaces on the outer and inner sides with the identically aligned wooden strips of the two cover layers, while the intermediate layer has the wooden strips aligned at an angle but parallel to each other. The angled or transversely running wooden strips are necessarily significantly shorter than the longitudinally running wooden strips of the other layers.However, the angled wooden strips require significantly more to achieve the same length of a wooden surface as the wooden surface parts with the elongated wooden strips. In this design, the wooden strips are also preferably made of bamboo.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wooden strips are designed as flat bamboo strips with a rectangular cross-section, the width of which is significantly greater than their height. Advantageously, the flat bamboo strips have a width that is at least twice the height, i.e., the thickness, of the respective bamboo strip. The wooden strips of the individual layers have different or identical widths and lengths, depending on their orientation relative to the longitudinal extension of the cassette housing. Depending on the longitudinal extension or the angular extension, the wooden strips of each layer are designed to be relatively short or, advantageously, extend over the entire length of the respective wooden surface part.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the walls are each formed by a single layer of wooden strips, wherein the wooden strips are designed as bamboo sticks with an at least largely square cross-section. The bamboo sticks preferably extend over the entire length of the respective wooden surface part. The individual bamboo sticks are glued, i.e., laminated, together. In a further embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal edge regions are formed by bamboo sticks with different cross-sections, each of which is joined together to form a corner region with a triangular cross-section. The joined together is achieved by gluing, i.e., by lamination.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal edge regions of the wooden surface parts are formed by butting the edge regions of the wooden surface parts together and gluing them together. The edge regions are the longitudinal edge regions of the wooden surface parts because each wooden surface part extends over the entire length of the cassette housing. The wooden surface parts are designed as blanks, with the butt abutment of the longitudinal edge regions occurring at an angle of 90° or 45°. Accordingly, the longitudinal edge regions of the wooden surface parts are provided with cross-sections whose edge contours are aligned at a 45° or 90° angle.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, external surface areas of the wooden surface parts are post-treated. The post-treatment can be carried out mechanically by sanding, planing, milling or similar machining processes. Alternatively or additionally, the post-treatment can be carried out by applying liquid layers, in particular by oiling, staining or varnishing. Alternatively, the post-treatment can be carried out by coating using an additional layer, preferably by lamination with a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a film or textile or leather goods. Advantageously, a surface of the wooden surface parts is not sealed by the post-treatment. A corresponding surface treatment can advantageously be carried out using natural substances such as in particular beeswax, natural oils, preferably linseed oil or the like.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hollow profile is formed by shaping, permanent bending of at least one wooden surface part around a longitudinal axis, in particular by a hot-steaming process. The at least one wooden surface part is thus permanently formed. When the wooden surface part is designed as a multi-layer laminate, this can be achieved by gluing corresponding wooden surface layers together and bending them while the glue is still wet and unfixed. The bending remains fixed in this bent shape until the glue or adhesive has cured. Alternatively, it is possible to achieve non-destructive bending of the at least one wooden surface part by a hot-steaming process. A shaping, permanent bending of the wooden surface parts can also be achieved by other heat or moisture treatment processes.In a further embodiment of the invention, the hollow profile is stiffened internally and / or externally by stiffening elements made of renewable raw materials. Such stiffening elements can be wooden profiles that are attached to the inner edges of the longitudinal edge regions of the hollow profile. Alternatively or additionally, fabrics made of natural textile materials such as flax, hemp, cotton, or new wool can be laminated on. After the adhesive has cured, this results in stable and consistent stiffening. Corner strips made of wood, particularly bamboo, with a triangular cross-sectional profile can be provided as stiffening elements. These are positioned on the inner longitudinal edges of the cassette housing and glued to the adjacent walls of the wooden surface parts.Alternatively, geometric reinforcements of wooden surface parts of the hollow profile can be provided, which can be formed in particular by folds, beads or embossing.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one wall of the hollow profile is provided with at least one receptacle incorporated into the wall for the detachable or permanent attachment of add-on parts. In particular, a previously described wooden surface part is provided as the wall. A corresponding receptacle can be provided by a slot, a bead, a groove, a bore, or the like. Particularly advantageously, a slot is provided in which a gap cover can be detachably fixed, which extends between the cassette housing and a backrest of a rear seat bench. This embodiment is advantageous when the rear seat bench is equipped with adjustable backrests. This is because the gap cover can then cover a gap remaining in the vehicle's longitudinal direction between the cassette housing mounted transversely in the load compartment and the respective backrest.Such attachments include end caps, gap covers, supports for an end board of the flexible protective structure, and similar components. Mechanical fastening elements include screws, clips, claws, rivets, and similar components. Alternatively, the attachments can be firmly fixed to the hollow profile.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, reinforcement elements are provided at fastening points to prevent the wooden material of the hollow profile from splitting open at the fastening points. Fastening points are the points at which the mechanical fastening elements engage the wooden material of the hollow profile to secure the attachments. Suitable reinforcement elements are metal eyelets, metal nuts, plastic reinforcement elements, or reinforcement layers provided in sections, which are applied to an inner or outer surface of the wooden material of the hollow profile or inserted between corresponding layers of the wooden material. In a further embodiment of the invention, the flexible protective structure is provided at a front end region in the unwinding direction with a dimensionally stable endboard made of a panel element made of a wooden material. This panel element can be designed as a single-layer or multi-layer structure.If the panel element is constructed from multiple layers of wood, these layers can be glued or laminated together. Bamboo wood is preferred for the panel element.

[0019] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention in the form of a load compartment cover for a vehicle interior of a passenger car,

[0021] Fig. 2 shows schematically in cross section a cassette housing for the protective device according to Fig. 1,

[0022] Fig. 3 shows schematically in cross section a further cassette housing according to a further embodiment of a protective device according to the invention according to Fig. 1 and

[0023] Fig. 4 shows schematically in a cross section a further cassette housing for a further embodiment of a protective device according to the invention according to Fig. 1.

[0024] The sole drawing shows, as Fig. 1, in perspective view, an embodiment of a protective device according to the invention in the form of a load compartment cover for a vehicle interior of a passenger car.

[0025] A vehicle interior F of a passenger car has a rear seat bench 1 in a rear area, the backrest arrangement of which forms a front end for a cargo space that adjoins a passenger compartment of the vehicle interior F at the rear. A cargo space cover having a dimensionally stable cassette housing 2 is assigned to this cargo space. The dimensionally stable cassette housing 2 extends across a width of the cargo space in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is fixed to the vehicle either on a rear side of the backrest arrangement of the rear seat bench 1 or on opposite side walls of the cargo space. A cover sheet 3, which acts as a flexible protective structure and can be wound up and unwound, is mounted in the cassette housing 2 and is held on a winding shaft that is rotatably mounted in the cassette housing 2.The flexible protective structure 3 has a dimensionally stable endboard 4 at its front end region in the unwinding direction, which is provided with a grip recess to enable manual gripping of the endboard 4 and thus of the flexible protective structure 3. The cassette housing 2 is provided with a longitudinal slot 6 extending over almost the entire length of the cassette housing 2, through which the flexible protective structure 3 can be inserted and removed.

[0026] The cassette housing 2 is formed by a hollow profile that extends with a constant cross-section in the transverse direction of the vehicle over the length of the cassette housing 2 and forms the longitudinal slot 6. The hollow profile has a square hollow cross-section. The winding shaft is arranged in the hollow profile together with the windable and unwindable protective structure 3. The hollow profile is open towards its opposite end faces. These open end areas are each closed by an end cap 5, which is designed as a separately manufactured add-on part. The two end caps 5 are firmly connected to the opposite end areas of the hollow profile of the cassette housing 2.

[0027] The hollow profile 2 is, as can be seen from the grain in Fig. 1, made of wood, in this case bamboo. For this purpose, four wooden surface parts made of bamboo were selected, each forming a long side of the hollow profile of the cassette housing 2. A wooden surface part facing rearwards towards the rear of the vehicle also forms the longitudinal slot 6. The four wooden surface parts are butted together at right angles by their long edge areas. In the area of ​​these long edge areas, the connected wooden surface parts made of bamboo are mechanically post-treated by sanding them together to form curves. The two end caps 5 can also be made of wood, preferably from bamboo. After the hollow profile has been manufactured from bamboo, these are applied to the opposite end faces of the hollow profile and firmly connected to the hollow profile.

[0028] The hollow profile 2, which together with opposing end caps 5 forms the cassette housing according to Fig. 1, is designed in a further embodiment of a protective device according to the invention in cross-section as can be seen from Fig. 2. The hollow profile 2a has a longitudinal extension over the entire width of a loading space in the same way as is the case with the embodiment according to Fig. 1. The protective device with the hollow profile 2a according to Fig. 2 thus corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 except for the differences described in more detail below, so that to avoid repetition reference is made to the disclosure of Fig. 1. The same applies to the hollow profiles 2b according to Fig. 3 and 2c according to Fig. 4, which are described in more detail below.2 is composed of a total of four wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a, wherein the wooden surface part 7a forms a top side of the hollow profile 2a, the wooden surface part 10a forms a rear side facing forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle toward the rear seat bench 1 when firmly mounted to the vehicle, the wooden surface part 9a forms a bottom side, and the wooden surface part 11a forms a front side of the hollow profile 2a. All wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a are constructed in multiple layers by several layers of wooden strips 8, 14, in this case by three layers that are glued together. An outward-facing cover layer is constructed in the same way as a cover layer facing inward, into the interior of the hollow profile 2a. The outwardly and inwardly facing cover layers of each wooden surface part 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a each flank an intermediate layer of wooden strips 14, whereby all three layers are glued together.All wooden strips 8 and 14 each have a rectangular cross-sectional profile whose width is significantly greater than its height, i.e., its thickness. The cross-sections of the wooden strips 14 are, even if not visible in Fig. 2, designed in the same way as the cross-sections of the wooden strips 8. The sectional view according to Fig. 2 shows the wooden strips 8 of the two cover layers of each wooden surface part 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a in cross-section, while the wooden strips 14 of the intermediate layers are shown in longitudinal section. This is because the wooden strips 8 of the two cover layers of each wooden surface part 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a all extend parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, while the wooden strips 14 of the intermediate layer of each wooden surface part 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a extend at right angles thereto, so that they extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile 2a over the width of the hollow profile 2a or the height of the hollow profile 2a.The wooden strips 14 also connect to one another in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile 2a, while the wooden strips 8 connect to one another in parallel in the transverse direction and vertical direction of the hollow profile 2a. The elongated wooden strips 8 of the two cover layers, which are visible from an outer side or from an inner side through the longitudinal slot 6, give the cassette housing a longitudinally extended visual impression. The wooden strips 14 of the intermediate layers of all wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a, which are aligned transversely to these, are not visible and, due to their transverse orientation, contribute to the stiffening of the wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a and thus to the stiffening of the hollow profile 2a.

[0029] For all hollow profiles 2, 2a, 2b and 2c, the hollow profiles themselves form a supporting structure for the cassette housing.

[0030] As can be seen from Fig. 2, the wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a are joined together at their longitudinal edge regions 13a. Since the hollow profile 2a has a rectangular, in this case a square, cross-section, the wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a must be joined together at right angles at these longitudinal edge regions 13a. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the respective longitudinal edge regions of the wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a are chamfered at an angle of 45°, so that the adjacent longitudinal edge regions of the respective adjacent wooden surface parts 7a, 9a, 10a, 11a are joined together at an angle of 45°. The butt joining along the 45° connecting surface is achieved by gluing. The hollow profile 2a is additionally stiffened on the inside at three longitudinal edge areas 13a by means of a corner strip 12 each, which has a triangular cross-section in the manner of an isosceles, right-angled triangle.The corner strips 12 are made of wood, in this case bamboo. The wooden strips 8 and 14 are also made entirely of bamboo.

[0031] The hollow profile 2b according to Fig. 3 corresponds almost entirely to the hollow profile 2a, so that to avoid repetition, reference is made to the explanations for the hollow profile 2a according to Fig. 2. Identical parts or sections are provided with the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of the letter "b." The only difference in the hollow profile 2b according to Fig. 3 is that the three-layer wooden surface parts 7b, which are made of bamboo strips 8, 14, abut each other at their longitudinal edge regions 13b not at an angle of 45°, but at an angle of 90°. Here, too, the butt joint is achieved by gluing and additional stiffening by means of the corner strips 12.

[0032] The hollow profile 2c according to Fig. 4 is used in the same way for a cassette housing according to Fig. 1 as is the case with the previously described hollow profiles 2a and 2b according to Figs. 2 and 3. Functionally identical parts and sections are designated by the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of the letters c and d. The essential difference in the hollow profile 2c according to Fig. 4 is that the wooden surface parts 7c, 9c, 10c, 11c are each formed in a single layer from wooden strips in the form of bamboo sticks 8c, 8d. All bamboo sticks 8c, 8d extend in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile 2c over the entire length of the hollow profile 2c. The rod-shaped wooden strips 8c, 8d in the form of bamboo sticks have either a substantially square or a polygonal cross-section and are joined parallel to each other transversely to their longitudinal extent and glued together.

[0033] From Fig. 4, it is clearly visible that the rod-shaped wooden strips 8d have different polygonal cross-sections at the longitudinal edge regions 13c in order to achieve corresponding rectangular curvatures and corner connections between the adjacent wooden surface parts 7c, 10c, 9c, 11c. Furthermore, the rod-shaped wooden strips 8d also form corner edge strips 12c on the inside of triangular regions, which serve directly for reinforcement. The wooden strips 8c and 8d are connected to one another by gluing. In the area of ​​an upper side of the wooden surface part 10c, a receptacle 15 is also introduced into the wooden surface part 10c from the outside. This receptacle 15 is designed as a bead extending along the hollow profile 2c and having an undercut. This receptacle 15 serves for the detachable fastening of a corresponding add-on part, such as in particular a gap cover.

[0034] For all hollow profiles 2a, 2b, and 2c, the wooden surface parts are mechanically post-treated on the outside to achieve rounded edges on the longitudinal edges 13a, 13b, and 13c. In addition, corresponding surface areas are post-treated with liquid additives, such as beeswax or oils, to give the surfaces of the hollow profiles 2a, 2b, and 2c an attractive visual finish and additional protection.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A protective device for a vehicle interior (F) with a cassette housing (2) in which at least one flexible protective structure (3) is mounted so as to be able to be wound up and unwound, wherein the cassette housing (2) has a hollow profile with a cross-section which remains constant over its length and which is provided with at least one longitudinal slot (6) through which the protective structure (3) can be pulled out of the cassette housing (2) or retracted into the cassette housing (2), characterized in that all walls of the hollow profile are made from a renewable raw material, in particular from wood, preferably from bamboo wood.

2. Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls are formed from wooden surface parts which are firmly connected to one another at respective longitudinal edge regions of the hollow profile.

3. Protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the wooden surface parts are mechanically connected to one another in a form-fitting manner at the longitudinal edge regions, in particular by tenoning or toothing.

4. Protective device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the wooden surface parts are connected to one another at the longitudinal edge regions by means of a material fit or force fit, in particular by gluing or pressing.

5. Protective device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the longitudinal edge regions are mechanically treated after the connection of the wooden surface parts, in particular by machining, preferably by grinding.

6. Protective device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the wooden surface parts are constructed in multiple layers.

7. Protection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the multi-layer structure of the wooden surface parts (7a, 9a, 10a, 11a; 7b, 9b, 10b, 11b; 7c, 9c, 10c, 11c) is formed by several layers of wooden strips (8, 14) which are glued together, wherein in each layer several wooden strips (8, 14) are positioned parallel to one another, and wherein the wooden strips (8, 14) of two superimposed layers are aligned at an angle to one another, in particular at right angles.

8. Protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that three layers of wooden strips (8, 14) are provided, wherein two cover layers forming an inner and an outer side of the wooden surface part (7a, 9a, 10a, 11a; 7b, 9b, 10, 11b) are provided with wooden strips (8) aligned in the same direction to one another, and wherein an intermediate layer located between the cover layers is provided with the wooden strips (14) aligned at an angle, in particular at right angles, to the wooden strips (8) of the cover layers.

9. A protective device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the wooden strips are designed as flat bamboo strips with a rectangular cross-section whose width is substantially greater than its height.

10. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the walls are each formed by a single layer of wooden strips (8c, 8d), wherein the wooden strips (8c, 8d) are designed as bamboo sticks with at least a largely square or polygonal cross-section.

11. Protection device according to claim 10, characterized in that the longitudinal edge regions (13c) are formed by bamboo sticks with different cross-sections, which are each joined together in a material-locking manner to form a corner region with a triangular cross-section.

12. Protection device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the longitudinal edge regions (13a, 13b) of the wooden surface parts (7a, 9a, 10a, 11a; 7b, 9b, 10b, 11b) are formed by butting edge regions of the wooden surface parts (7a, 9a, 10a, 11a; 7b, 9b, 10b, 11b) together and by gluing.

13. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that outer surface areas of the wooden surface parts are post-treated.

14. Protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile is formed by shaping, permanent bending of at least one wooden surface part about a longitudinal axis.

15. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile is stiffened on the inside and / or outside by stiffening elements made of renewable raw materials.

16. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one wall is provided with at least one receptacle introduced into the wall for the detachable or non-detachable fastening of attachments.

17. A protective device according to claim 16, characterized in that reinforcing elements are provided at fastening points to prevent the wood material of the hollow profile from splitting at the fastening points.

18. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible protective structure is provided at a front end region in the unwinding direction with a dimensionally stable endboard which is made of a plate element made of a wooden material.

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