Slope structure of vehicle

Abstract

According to an embodiment, a slope structure of a vehicle 2 comprises: a door opening part 3 of the vehicle 2; a vehicle body member 10 constituting a lower part of the door opening part 3; and a short slope structure 20 disposed on the vehicle body member 10. The short slope structure 20 is disposed at a position higher than a road surface 100. The short slope structure 20 includes: a first slope part 21 fixed to the vehicle body member 10; and a second slope part 22 vertically rotatably connected to the first slope part 21. The second slope part 22 can be vertically rotated so as to be displaced between a storage position over the first slope part 21 and a deployed position where the second slope part 22 is disposed at a position stepped down from the first slope part 21.

Description

Slope structure of a vehicle

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present application relates to a slope structure of a vehicle in which a short slope structure provided at a door opening of the vehicle is arranged at a position higher than the road surface.

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are known to be used as welfare vehicles by providing a slope structure for guiding a wheelchair into the vehicle interior at the lower part of the rear door opening. As this type of slope structure, a long slope structure for passing a slope plate between the vehicle interior and the road surface is known. However, in this structure, the slope plate becomes long, etc., and the space required for the wheelchair to board and alight becomes large. Therefore, it is conceivable to adopt a short slope structure that is fixed to the lower part of the door opening and deployed at a position higher than the road surface. In this short slope structure, since the relatively short slope plate is arranged at a position higher than the road surface, the boarding and alighting space can be made more compact than in the long slope structure.

[0003] The door opening at the rear of the vehicle is not only opened by the back door, but there are also some configured to be able to open a tailgate provided at the lower part of the door opening. Such a tailgate is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-007003. The above short slope structure can also be attached to such a tailgate.

[0004] In the field of welfare vehicles, etc., it is required to ensure excellent convenience during boarding from the perspective of reducing the burden on passengers. However, in the case of the above short slope structure, the slope plate on the tailgate is arranged at a position higher than the road surface. Therefore, when boarding, the wheelchair has to be tilted significantly once, and its front wheels have to be lifted onto the slope plate, which may take time to ensure convenience. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a short slope structure in the vehicle while more reliably ensuring convenience.

[0005] One aspect of this technology is a vehicle ramp structure comprising a vehicle door opening, a vehicle body member constituting the lower part of the door opening, and a short ramp structure disposed on the vehicle body member, wherein the short ramp structure is positioned higher than the road surface. In this type of configuration, it is desirable to install the short ramp structure on the vehicle while ensuring greater reliability and convenience. Therefore, the short ramp structure has a first ramp section fixed to the vehicle body member and a second ramp section connected to the first ramp section so as to be vertically rotatable. The second ramp section can be displaced between a stowed position on the first ramp section and an extended position positioned at a step lower than the first ramp section by rotating vertically. By extending the second ramp section at a lower position in this way, it becomes easier to load a wheelchair onto the short ramp structure, thus contributing to ensuring convenience. Furthermore, by displacing the second ramp section to the stowed position, it can also be used as a normal short ramp structure.

[0006] In some embodiments, a passageway is formed by a first slope section and a second slope section, leading from the outside to the inside of the vehicle, and the passageway section has at least one valley-shaped section that is sloped to form a valley. Each of the at least one valley-shaped section is formed by at least one of the first slope section and the second slope section. This allows the wheels of a wheelchair to be secured in the valley-shaped sections provided at appropriate locations on each slope section when boarding.

[0007] In some embodiments, at least one of the valley-shaped sections is formed by a first slope section and a second slope section in a storage position. This makes it possible to more reliably ensure convenience through the function of the valley-shaped section, even when used as a normal short slope structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first slope portion includes a base plate portion on a vehicle body member and a rotating plate portion that can rotate up and down about a first rotation axis relative to the base plate portion. The second slope portion is also capable of rotating up and down about a second rotation axis relative to the first slope portion, and the second rotation axis is positioned lower on the vehicle than the first rotation axis. This allows the rotating plate portion of the first slope portion to be positioned inside the vehicle together with the second slope in its stored position by rotating it around the first rotation axis. By positioning the second rotation axis relatively lower on the vehicle, the second slope portion can be deployed more reliably at the desired height.

[0009] In some embodiments, a towable belt is provided between the first and second slope sections on the vehicle's upper side. The belt is slidably inserted into an insertion section provided in the second slope section, with both ends of the belt fixed to the first slope section. This allows the second slope to be rotated to its storage position by pulling the belt, and the first slope section to be rotated towards the vehicle's interior. The above configuration ensures that the short slope structure can be stored more appropriately, and contributes to ensuring the convenience of the structure.

[0010] In some embodiments, a flexible reinforcing member is attached to the belt portion. This allows the reinforcing member to prevent the belt portion from tilting in an unintended direction (for example, outward in the vehicle width direction).

[0011] This is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle. This is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the vehicle showing the movable part of the tailgate. This is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle showing the tailgate in the reclined position. This is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle showing the short ramp structure when deployed. This is an enlarged perspective view of the short ramp structure when deployed. This is a cross-sectional view of the short ramp structure when deployed. This is a cross-sectional view of the short ramp structure cut along line VII-VII in Figure 5, showing the second ramp section in the deployed position. This is a cross-sectional view of the short ramp structure showing the second ramp section in the stowed position. This is a cross-sectional view of the short ramp structure showing the belt section. This is an enlarged perspective view of the second ramp section showing the belt section and reinforcing member. This is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the vehicle when the second ramp section is being stowed. This is a cross-sectional view of a part of the short ramp structure shown together with a wheelchair when boarding.

[0012] Various embodiments of this technology will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Each figure shows arrows indicating the longitudinal direction, lateral direction (vehicle width direction), and vertical direction (vehicle height direction) of the vehicle.

[0013] [Vehicle Overview] First, let's describe the overview of the vehicle 2 shown in Figure 1. This vehicle 2 has a rear door opening 3 on its rear surface that can be opened and closed by a vertically rotating back door 4. At the bottom of the vehicle 2, rear bumper covers 5 and 6 are provided on the left and right sides of the rear door opening 3, respectively. Below the rear door opening 3, a tailgate section 10, which forms part of the vehicle body, is provided. This tailgate section 10 is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction and is positioned between the left and right rear bumper covers 5 and 6.

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the tailgate section 10 has a fixed section 11 that is fixed to another vehicle body member, and a movable section 12 that is connected to the rear side of the fixed section 11. A pivot shaft 13 extending in the vehicle width direction is held at the rear end of the fixed section 11 via a bracket section 110. The movable section 12 is connected to the pivot shaft 13 so as to be able to rotate up and down, and is configured to be able to move between an upright state and a reclined state. In the upright state shown in Figure 1, the movable section 12 stands upright so as to be continuous with the left and right rear bumper covers 5 and 6 from the vehicle width direction. In the reclined state shown in Figure 3, the movable section 12 is positioned lower than the left and right rear bumper covers 5 and 6 and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. The movable section 12 is held in either the upright or reclined state by the action of a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0015] [Vehicle Ramp Structure] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the above-described vehicle 2 is provided with a short ramp structure 20 at its tailgate 10. By positioning the relatively short ramp structure 20 higher than the road surface 100, the boarding and alighting space can be made more compact. In this type of configuration, ensuring the convenience of the short ramp structure 20 is required from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on occupants (such as the person being cared for and the caregiver in the wheelchair). Therefore, as one embodiment, the short ramp structure 20 can be provided on the vehicle 2 in a configuration described later, while ensuring convenience more reliably. The components of the short ramp structure 20 will be described in detail below in the order of the first ramp section 21, the second ramp section 22, the valley-shaped sections 41 to 43, and the belt section 50.

[0016] [First Slope Section] First, the first slope section 21 shown in Figure 5 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the vehicle width direction and is disposed on the tailgate section 10. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, this first slope section 21 has a base plate section 23, a rotating plate section 24, and a first rotating shaft 31 that axially connects the two plate sections. The base plate section 23 is positioned on the tailgate section 10 (vehicle body member) and extends from the fixing section 11 to the floor side of the passenger compartment R. The first rotating shaft 31 is attached to the rear end of the base plate section 23 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction. The rotating plate section 24 is fixed to the movable section 12 of the tailgate section 10 via a bracket 120, in a state where it can rotate up and down relative to the first rotating shaft 31. With the above configuration, the rotating plate section 24 of the first slope section 21 can rotate up and down together with the movable section 12, allowing it to be displaced between a stored state and an extended state. The deployed rotating plate portion 24 is positioned on the reclined movable portion 12 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The base plate portion 23, which is axially connected to the rotating plate portion 24, is pulled out towards the rear of the vehicle in a state of slight downward tilt (see Figures 2 and 6). Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the retracted rotating plate portion 24 stands upright within the vehicle compartment R together with the movable portion 12.

[0017] [Second Slope Section] Next, the second slope section 22 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is formed in a plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction, similar to the first slope section 21, and is axially connected to the rear end of the first slope section 21. That is, the rear end of the first slope section 21 in its extended state is provided with an upper step section 26 that is bent downwards toward the vehicle. The front end of the second slope section 22 is provided with a lower step section 27 that is bent upwards toward the vehicle. The upper end of the lower step section 27 is axially connected to the lower end of the upper step section 26 via a second rotating shaft 32 that extends in the vehicle width direction. With the above configuration, the second rotating shaft 32 is positioned between each step section, so that it is positioned lower on the vehicle than the first rotating shaft 31 (see the height position H31 of the first rotating shaft and the height position H32 of the second rotating shaft in Figure 6). The second slope section 22 is then able to rotate up and down around the second rotating shaft 32, which is located relatively lower on the vehicle.

[0018] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the second slope section 22 is configured to be displaceable between a stowed position and an unfolded position by rotation around the second rotation axis 32 described above. In the unfolded position shown in Figure 7, the second slope section 22 extends to the rear of the vehicle at a lower position than the first slope section 21, because the second rotation axis 32 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle. As a result, the height position H1 of the tip of the second slope section 22 relative to the road surface 100 is lower than the height position H2 of the tip side (excluding the upper step portion 26) of the first slope section 21 relative to the road surface 100. The rear end of the second slope section 22 in the unfolded position is positioned against the first slope section 21. Referring to Figure 8, the second slope section 22 is displaced to a stowed position superimposed on the first slope section 21 by upward and forward rotation around the second rotation axis 32.

[0019] [Passageway section, valley section] In the ramp structure of the vehicle 2 shown in Figures 2 and 5, a stepped passageway section 40A leading from the outside to the inside of the vehicle is formed from the first ramp section 21 and the second ramp section 22, which is one level lower. Referring to Figure 7, the stepped passageway section 40A has multiple valley-shaped sections that are sloped to form valleys. Specifically, the rotating plate section 24 of the first ramp section 21 is bent into a gentle, approximately V-shape when viewed from the side. As a result, the front side of the rotating plate section 24 is sloped downwards towards the rear and the rear side is sloped downwards towards the front, forming an upper valley-shaped section 41 that is approximately V-shaped when viewed from the side. The second ramp section 22 is also sloped downwards towards the front towards the front, forming a lower valley-shaped section 42 that is approximately V-shaped when viewed from the side.

[0020] Furthermore, in the ramp structure of vehicle 2 shown in Figure 3, the second ramp section 22 in the storage position is superimposed on the first ramp section 21 to form a normal short ramp structure 20. The first ramp section 21 and the second ramp section 22 in the storage position then form a normal passage section 40B that leads from the outside to the inside of the vehicle. Referring further to Figure 8, in the normal passage section 40B, the tip of the second ramp section 22 is superimposed on the rearward-sloping front side of the first ramp section 21 in a forward-sloping state. As a result, in the normal passage section 40B, a roughly V-shaped intermediate valley section 43 is formed from the rearward-sloping front side of the first ramp section 21 and the forward-sloping tip of the second ramp section 22.

[0021] [Belt Section] Next, the belt section 50 shown in Figure 5 is a moderately flexible strip-shaped member (for example, made of fabric) that is towable on the upper side of the vehicle and spans the first slope section 21 and the second slope section 22. This belt section 50 is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of each slope section (closer to the right end in Figure 5) to avoid unintended contact with wheelchairs, etc., passing over the short slope structure 20. Referring to Figures 5 and 9, the belt section 50 is bent back into a horizontal U-shape in a side view and is attached to both slope sections so as to wrap around them from the top to the bottom. One end 51 of this belt section 50 is inserted into the gap X between the two plate sections of the first slope section 21 and fixed to the front end of the rotating plate section 24, and the other end 52 of the belt section 50 is fixed to the rear end of the rotating plate section 24. The rear connecting end 53 of the belt portion 50 is slidably passed through an insertion portion 28 that penetrates the front end of the first slope portion 21 vertically, and a ring-shaped handle portion 54 provided on the connecting end 53 is positioned below the insertion portion 28. By slidably inserting (holding) the belt portion 50 through the insertion portion 28 of the first slope portion 21 in this way, unintended detachment of the belt portion 50 can be avoided, and in particular, the belt portion 50 becomes less likely to come off outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a flexible reinforcing member 55 is attached to the lower part of the belt portion 50. This reinforcing member 55 is formed in the shape of a strip along the lower part of the belt portion 50 (see Figure 9) and is fixed to the belt portion 50 so as to be integrated with it. The material of this type of reinforcing member 55 is not particularly limited, but examples include various foamed resins, elastomers, and rubber. Referring to Figure 11, the belt portion 50 is pulled up to the upper side of the vehicle when the short slope structure 20, which will be described later, is being stored. During this storage operation, the reinforcing member 55 prevents sagging of the belt portion 50 and makes it less likely to fall outwards from the vehicle.

[0023] [How the Short Slope Structure is Used] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the slope structure of the vehicle 2 described above is configured to ensure superior convenience more reliably, taking into account the distance between the short slope structure 20 and the road surface 100. Specifically, referring to Figures 7 and 8, the short slope structure 20 has a first slope section 21 fixed to the tailgate section 10 (vehicle body member) and a second slope section 22 connected to the first slope section 21 so as to be vertically rotatable. The second slope section 22 is displaceable between a stored position on the first slope section 21 and an extended position located one step lower than the first slope section 21 by rotating vertically. With the above configuration, the function of the second slope section 22 makes it easier to load a wheelchair 60 onto the short slope structure 20, thus contributing to ensuring convenience. The function of the short slope structure 20 described above will be specifically explained below in the order of usage examples (1) and (2).

[0024] [Example of Use (1)] In the ramp structure of the vehicle 2 shown in Figures 5 and 7, the tailgate section 10 is tilted backward together with the first ramp section 21. Then, while the rotating plate section 24 of the first ramp section 21 is extended, the second ramp section 22 is positioned in the extended position. As a result, a stepped passage section 40A is provided on the tailgate section 10 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The second ramp section 22 in the extended position extends to the rear of the vehicle at a relatively lower position, so that the distance from the road surface 100 is smaller than that of the first ramp section 21. For this reason, as described above, the height position H1 of the second ramp section 22 relative to the road surface 100 is lower than the height position H2 of the first ramp section 21 relative to the road surface 100.

[0025] Referring to Figures 7 and 12, when boarding the wheelchair 60, first, one of the left or right front wheels, for example, the left front wheel 70, is placed on the second slope section 22. Then, with the left front wheel 70 remaining in place on the lower valley section 42, the remaining front wheel, the right front wheel 71, is placed on the second slope section 22. Next, the left front wheel 70 is placed on the first slope section 21 (for convenience, the front wheels on the first slope section are shown with a dashed line in each figure). Then, with the left front wheel 70 remaining in place on the upper valley section 41, the right front wheel 71 is placed on the first slope section 21. By alternately placing the left and right front wheels on the second slope section 22 and the first slope section 21 in this way, the physical burden on the caregiver can be reduced. With the above configuration, it becomes possible to board the wheelchair 60 without requiring excessive effort, and differences in physical strength among caregivers can be compensated for. Furthermore, in the above configuration, before loading the wheelchair 60 onto the first ramp section 21, the wheelchair 60 can be temporarily placed onto the second ramp section 22 with a small backward tilt angle θ. This allows the wheelchair 60 to be tilted in two stages when boarding, reducing the mental burden on the person being cared for while in the wheelchair 60. Then, by alternately loading the left and right rear wheels 72 and 73 of the wheelchair 60 onto the second ramp section 22 and the first ramp section 21, the wheelchair 60 can be smoothly guided into the vehicle compartment R.

[0026] [Storage Operation of Short Slope Structure] Next, referring to Figures 9 and 11, the handle portion 54 of the belt portion 50 is pulled upward to store the short slope structure 20 inside the vehicle. In this storage operation, first the traction force of the belt portion 50 rotates the second slope portion 22 forward and displaces it to the storage position. At this time, the belt portion 50 will generally stand upright due to the action of its reinforcing member 55, and slack in the belt portion 50, especially slack in its front portion 50X, can be suppressed. This prevents unintended contact between the belt portion 50 and the vehicle body (for example, the lateral portion of the tailgate located on the right side). Furthermore, even if the belt portion 50 is unintentionally pushed outward in the vehicle width direction, the action of the reinforcing member 55 will cause the belt portion 50 to naturally return to its original position (see Figure 5).

[0027] Next, referring to Figures 2 and 11, the belt section 50 is pulled further upward. As a result, the first slope section 21 is raised together with the movable section 12 by the pulling force of the belt section 50. The first slope section 21 and the second slope section 22 (storage position) then stand upright, overlapping each other, and are positioned in the vehicle interior R on the inner side of the movable section 12 (see Figure 1) in the upright position. With the above configuration, the second slope section 22 is positioned in the storage position by the upward pulling operation of the belt section 50, i.e., in one motion, and then it can be stored together with the first slope section 21 in the vehicle interior R. Furthermore, with the above configuration, since the storage operation is performed by the belt section 50, there is no need to separately provide handles for each slope section (and tailgate section), resulting in a configuration that helps to suppress cost increases.

[0028] [Example of Use (2)] In the ramp structure of vehicle 2, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the second ramp section 22 can be positioned in a retracted position, and only the first ramp section 21 can be folded down. As a result, a normal passage section 40B is formed on the tailgate section 10 from the first ramp section 21 and the second ramp section 22 in the retracted position, making it possible to use it as a normal short ramp structure 20. In the above-mentioned normal passage section 40B, an intermediate valley-shaped section 43 is formed from the first ramp section 21 and the second ramp section 22 in the retracted position. As a result, the left front wheel 70 and the right front wheel 71 of the wheelchair 60 can be secured in the intermediate valley-shaped section 43, which helps to reduce the burden on the caregiver.

[0029] [Advantageous Effects] As explained above, by deploying the second ramp section 22 at a lower position, it becomes easier to load the wheelchair 60 onto the short ramp structure 20, thus contributing to the assurance of convenience. Furthermore, by displacing the second ramp section 22 to its stored position, it can also be used as a normal short ramp structure 20. Therefore, the short ramp structure 20 can be installed on the vehicle 2 with greater certainty while ensuring convenience.

[0030] Furthermore, when a wheelchair 60 is boarded, the wheels of the wheelchair 60 can be secured in the valley-shaped sections (upper valley-shaped section 41, lower valley-shaped section 42, intermediate valley-shaped section 43) provided at appropriate locations on each ramp section. Also, even when used as a normal short ramp structure 20, the function of the valley-shaped sections makes it possible to more reliably ensure convenience. In addition, the rotating plate section 24 of the first ramp section 21 can be rotated around the first rotation axis 31 and positioned inside the vehicle together with the second ramp in its storage position. By positioning the second rotation axis 32 relatively below the vehicle, the second ramp section 22 can be deployed more reliably at the desired height. Furthermore, the second ramp can be rotated to its storage position by towing with the belt section 50, and the first ramp section 21 can be rotated towards the inside of the vehicle. According to the above configuration, the storage of the short ramp structure 20 can be more appropriately ensured, and the configuration contributes to ensuring the convenience of the structure. Furthermore, the reinforcing member 55 helps to suppress the unintended tilting of the belt portion 50 in an unintended direction (for example, outward in the vehicle width direction).

[0031] [Other Embodiments] The configuration of the short slope structure has been illustrated above, but this is not intended to limit the configuration. For example, the first slope section can be installed not only on the tailgate section, but also on the vehicle body section located below the door opening in another embodiment. The number of slope sections can also be set as appropriate, and in another embodiment, three or more slope sections can be provided. For example, a third slope section, which is one level lower, may be provided on the rear side of the second slope section. The configuration of each rotating shaft is not particularly limited as long as the corresponding slope section can be rotated up and down. The method of loading the front wheels of a wheelchair onto each slope section is not particularly limited.

[0032] Furthermore, although the configuration of each slope section has been illustrated above, this is not intended to limit the configuration of each slope section. For example, in another embodiment, if there is no tailgate section, the first slope section may be made of a single sheet of material and placed on the vehicle body member (e.g., floor) below the door opening. Also, the first and second rotation axes may be placed at the same height, in which case the lower step portion of the second slope section can be extended significantly upward and axially connected to the second rotation axis. In another embodiment, the valley-shaped section can be formed in at least one of each slope section and may be omitted. The valley-shaped section only needs to have a desired gradient and can take various shapes other than a V shape, and the gradient may be applied in a curved manner as well as an inclined surface.

[0033] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the configuration of the belt section can be modified as appropriate, and the handle section may be made of a separate component or omitted from the short slope structure. The belt section may also be made of a thick, self-supporting material, and self-supporting means that it extends naturally up and down when a hand is placed on it from the rear. In yet another embodiment, a ring-shaped or U-shaped protrusion may be provided as an insertion section on the second slope section (front section or front end, etc.). It is also possible to form handles on each slope section instead of the belt section.

[0034] Furthermore, the configuration described above can be used not only for boarding various wheeled welfare devices, but also, in another embodiment, for boarding and alighting general wheeled devices such as bicycles, and can also be used as a temporary place to put luggage. In another embodiment, the short ramp structure can be installed at various door openings and can be installed at the rear of the vehicle or at any appropriate position on the vehicle. In this application, "road surface" is a concept that includes not only paved roads but also unpaved roads, the ground, indoor floors, etc.

[0035] Although specific embodiments have been described above, this technology is not limited to these embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various substitutions, improvements, and modifications without departing from the purpose of the technology.

Claims

1. A vehicle ramp structure comprising a vehicle door opening, a vehicle body member constituting the lower part of the door opening, and a short ramp structure disposed on the vehicle body member, wherein the short ramp structure is positioned higher than the road surface, and the short ramp structure has a first ramp portion fixed to the vehicle body member and a second ramp portion connected to the first ramp portion so as to be vertically rotatable, wherein the second ramp portion is displaceable between a stowed position on the first ramp portion and an extended position positioned at a step lower than the first ramp portion by vertical rotation.

2. A vehicle ramp structure according to claim 1, wherein a passage section leading from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle is formed by the first ramp section and the second ramp section, and the passage section has at least one valley-shaped section that is sloped to form a valley, and the at least one valley-shaped section is each formed by at least one of the first ramp section and the second ramp section.

3. A vehicle ramp structure according to claim 2, wherein one of the at least one valley-shaped portion is formed by the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion in the storage position.

4. A vehicle ramp structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first ramp portion has a base plate portion on a vehicle body member and a rotating plate portion that can rotate up and down with respect to the base plate portion about a first rotation axis, and the second ramp portion is able to rotate up and down with respect to the first ramp portion about a second rotation axis, and the second rotation axis is positioned below the first rotation axis.

5. A vehicle ramp structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a towable belt is provided above the first ramp section and the second ramp section, and the belt is slidably inserted into an insertion section provided in the second ramp section with both ends fixed to the first ramp section.

6. A vehicle ramp structure according to claim 5, wherein a flexible reinforcing member is attached to the belt portion.

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