U.S. patent application number 09/757785 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for vehicle body with reconfigurable back panel.
Invention is credited to Fisher, Kevin M., Gallagher, James S..
Application Number | 20020089204 09/757785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25049210 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020089204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fisher, Kevin M. ; et
al. |
July 11, 2002 |
Vehicle body with reconfigurable back panel
Abstract
A vehicle body has a reconfigurable back panel and window system
for use in an extended cab pickup truck or other similar vehicle in
which the rear wall of the vehicle is adaptable for use in various
optional configurations. A forward convertible compartment
communicates with a rear cargo compartment through an access
opening in a body frame. A lower closure panel, intermediate
crossbar and upper window optionally close the opening to separate
the compartments for passenger and cargo use. The window may be
removed and stored in the panel, the panel may be pivoted open and
the crossbar may be moved with the panel or remain to support the
window, all permitting varying degrees of communication between the
compartments for carrying passengers or cargo as desired.
Inventors: |
Fisher, Kevin M.; (Troy,
MI) ; Gallagher, James S.; (Rochester Hills,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY A. SEDLAR
General Motors Corporation
Legal Staff Mail Code 482-C23-B21
P.O. Box 300
Detroit
MI
48265-3000
US
|
Family ID: |
25049210 |
Appl. No.: |
09/757785 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.16 ;
296/146.16; 296/193.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/3013 20130101;
B60N 2/305 20130101; B60N 2/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/37.16 ;
296/146.16; 296/195 |
International
Class: |
B60R 007/04 |
Claims
1. A vehicle body having a first compartment for carrying
passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo
rearwardly adjacent the first compartment, said body including: a
frame defining an opening between the first and second
compartments, the opening including lower and upper portions, each
portion allowing access between the compartments; a closure panel
mounted to the frame and movable between a panel closed position
closing said lower portion of the opening and a panel open position
permitting access through the lower portion between the first and
second compartments; a crossbar mountable in the opening between
the upper and lower portions and including a panel retainer
engagable with the panel to releasably retain the panel in the
closed position; and a window removably mountable in the frame and
cooperating with the crossbar to close the upper portion of the
opening
2. A vehicle body as in claim 1 wherein said crossbar includes a
mounting portion for supporting the window in the frame.
3. A vehicle body as in claim 2 wherein said body includes a window
retainer for releasably retaining the window in the frame.
4. A vehicle body as in claim 1 wherein said crossbar is removably
mountable in the frame.
5. A vehicle body as in claim 4 wherein said crossbar is movable
with the panel to the open position.
6. A vehicle body as in claim 1 wherein said panel includes a
receptor for releasably storing the window when it has been removed
from the frame, the receptor being capable of retaining the stored
window in both the open and closed positions of the panel.
7. A vehicle body as in claim 1 wherein said first compartment
contains passenger carrying seats, said seats being movable between
a passenger carrying position and a cargo carrying position, said
panel being movable to the open position only when the seats are in
the cargo carrying position.
8. A vehicle body as in claim 7 wherein said panel may be moved to
the open position in any one of a first condition wherein the
crossbar remains in the frame supporting the window in its closed
position, and a second condition wherein the window is stored in
the panel and the crossbar remains attached to and opens with the
panel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to vehicles, such as pickup trucks,
in which a rear wall of the vehicle passenger compartment is
adaptable to provide various configurations for optionally
increasing cargo space by extension into the rear passenger area
or, alternatively, closing off the cargo area from the passenger
compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in the art to provide a pickup truck having a
cab portion for carrying passengers in a rear seat section behind
the driver and a cargo box behind the cab portion for carrying
cargo. It is also known to provide aligned openings in the cab
portion and the cargo box for carrying longer loads which extend
into the passenger compartment with the rear seat folded down.
However, a need exists for providing a pickup truck or similar
vehicle with a flexible panel and window system that is adapted to
accommodate a variety of optional configurations for alternatively
carrying a maximum passenger load or an extended cargo load under
both covered and uncovered conditions where the cargo load is
protected from or exposed to ambient external conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a reconfigurable back panel
and window system for use in an extended cab pickup truck or other
similar vehicle in which the rear wall of the vehicle body is
adaptable for use in various optional configurations.
[0004] In a passenger carrying mode, a rear seat is positioned in
the body in a passenger carrying position ahead of a frame defining
a rear opening. A lower portion of the opening is closable by a
reconfigurable back panel. Above the panel, an upper portion of the
opening is optionally closed by a removable and storable rear
window. Manual means are preferably provided for retaining and
allowing removal and storage of the window in a storage pocket of
the back panel to allow additional cab ventilation or communication
with the rear cargo compartment.
[0005] Conventionally, the rear seat of the passenger compartment
may be folded down to allow carrying of cargo within the passenger
compartment on the back of the folded down seat. Behind the seat,
the back panel acts as a closure panel for closing a lower portion
of the rear opening below the window. The panel is pivotable inward
about a lower pivot axis to fold down over the back of the rear
seat and open communication through the lower portion of the rear
opening between the cargo compartment and the rear portion of the
passenger compartment for carrying cargo extending between the two
compartments.
[0006] A crossbar preferably extends transversely across the rear
wall between the upper and lower portions of the opening. The
crossbar is attachable to the frame by retainer means, such as
releasable latches at opposite ends of the crossbar engaging
striker assemblies on opposite sides of the frame. A second pair of
latches within the crossbar are engaged by strikers on the panel to
releasably retain the panel to the crossbar. Preferably, a control
handle on the crossbar may be actuated to independently release
either of the pairs of latches to allow opening of the panel with
the crossbar retained in the frame or opening of the panel with the
crossbar attached to the panel and released from the frame.
[0007] A channel in the crossbar provides a mounting portion for
the window. Latches in an upper portion of the frame releasably
retain the window in the closed position.
[0008] The reconfigurable back panel and window system thus allows
for a variety of configurations in which the vehicle may be used,
including:
[0009] a rear passenger mode with the rear window closed or open
and stored;
[0010] an interior cargo mode with the rear seats forward and the
panel and window closed to separate the interior and exterior
compartments;
[0011] a first communication mode with the back panel closed and
the rear window open and stored;
[0012] a second communication mode with the window stored and the
back panel and crossbar open to provide full access through the
rear opening between the interior and exterior compartments;
and
[0013] a third communication mode with the rear window closed and
the back panel open.
[0014] These and other features and advantages of the invention
will be more filly understood from the following description of
certain specific embodiments of the invention taken together with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a rear portion of a truck body
showing rear seats in a passenger carrying mode;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view showing an interior cargo
mode;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view showing interior and exterior
compartments in a first or upper communication mode through a
window opening;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view showing a second or full
communication mode through the fully open panel frame with the
window stored;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a pictorial view showing a third or lower
communication mode through a lower panel opening;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a pictorial view showing installation of the
reconfigurable panel assembly with the crossbar in place; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a pictorial view showing installation and
retention of the removable window.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1-5
illustrate the rear portion of a vehicle 10, such as a pickup truck
or sport utility vehicle. The front portion of the vehicle is not
shown but includes a front compartment for a driver and front
passenger. In addition, vehicle 10 includes a body 12 having a rear
passenger carrying internal compartment, designated herein for
purposes of description as a first compartment 14, and a rearwardly
adjacent cargo carrying external (open topped) compartment,
designated herein as a second compartment 16.
[0024] The first compartment includes a floor 18 carrying a pair of
split bench seats each including seat cushions 20, 22 and seat
backs 24, 26. The seat cushions 20, 22 and seat backs 24, 26 are
pivotally mounted to the floor 18 for movement between passenger
carrying positions, shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, and cargo
carrying positions, shown partially in phantom lines in FIGS. 2-5.
The first compartment 14 is conventionally enclosed by side walls
or doors and a roof, not shown, essentially enclosing the seats and
passengers or cargo carried therein. The second compartment 16 also
includes a floor 28, side walls 30 and a tailgate 32, if desired,
to form a partially enclosed cargo bed having an open top 34. If
desired, the top 34 could be closed by a suitable cover, not
shown.
[0025] As is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, body 12 includes a
peripheral frame 36 located between the first and second
compartments. Frame 36 defines an opening 38 that allows full
communication between the compartments. A crossbar 40 is mountable
transversely in the frame and effectively separates the access
opening 38 into upper and lower portions 42, 44. The crossbar is
retained in the frame by strikers 46 mounted in the frame and
engaged by a pair of latches 48 mounted on opposite ends of the
crossbar. The crossbar 40 also mounts a second pair of latches 50
accessed through openings on an interior side of the crossbar for a
purpose to be subsequently described. Both pairs of latches may be
actuated independently by a control handle 52 mounted on the
interior side of the crossbar.
[0026] A closure panel or back panel 54 is pivotally mounted on
hinges 56 secured to a lower edge of the frame 36. A receptor or
storage pocket 58 is provided on the front side of the panel in its
closed position for a purpose to be subsequently made clear. The
panel includes strikers 60 mounted along an upper edge of the panel
and engagable with the second latches 50 of the crossbar for
latching the panel in an upright closed position. In the closed
position, the panel 54 closes the lower portion 44 of the access
opening 38 against entry therethrough of exterior materials through
the open second compartment.
[0027] A backlite or rear window 62 is supported in mounting means,
such as a channel 64, along the upper edge of the crossbar 40 and,
when installed, closes the upper portion of the access opening 38
against the entry of external materials. The window is retained in
the opening upper portion by latches 66 mounted on or adjacent an
upper edge of the frame 36 in the body 12. The latches may engage
metal tabs 68 spaced on the upper edge of the window and
electrically connected to a rear window defogger grid 70 on the
window, so that low voltage electric current may be provided to the
grid through the latches. The various latches, strikers and other
associated elements are exemplary of various types of retainers
which may be used for holding the various components of the
invention in their positions as described.
[0028] Suitable seals may be provided to seal the edges of the
window, panel and crossbar when assembled into the frame access
opening 38. These may include a weatherstrip 72 around the edges of
the frame and upper and lower seals 74, 76 on the crossbar 40 for
engaging the window and panel, respectively. The seals act to seal
the joints against the entry of water, air or odors and the
structures of the panel 54, crossbar 40 and window 62 mechanically
exclude entry of solid materials or cargo from the second
compartment 16.
[0029] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various operating modes of the
reconfigurable back panel and associated elements of the
above-described embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a
passenger carrying mode in which the panel 54, crossbar 40 and
window 62 are mounted in the frame 36, closing the access opening
38. The seat backs 24, 26 and seat cushions 20, 22 are pivoted
rearward in position to seat up to three passengers in the interior
first compartment in an enclosed environment protected by the rear
panel, crossbar and window.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows an interior cargo mode in which the seat
cushions 20, 22 are pivoted forward and the seat backs 24, 26 are
pivoted down so that cargo, such as boxed materials, may be carried
internally on the upwardly facing rear surfaces of the seat backs.
The cargo is protected from external elements by the back panel
elements, which remain in place closing the access opening 38.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a ventilated compartment or first communication
mode in which the rear window has been removed by manually
releasing the latches 66 and removing the window 62 from the
mounting channel 64 in the crossbar 40. The removed window is
stored for protection in the receptor or storage pocket 60 on the
front of the panel 54. In this mode, the upper portion 42 of the
opening 38 is open for communication between the compartments for
the transfer of cargo or objects therebetween and for ventilation
of the vehicle interior if desired. In a variation of this mode,
the seats may be repositioned as in FIG. 1 for carrying passengers
while the first compartment remains open to rear ventilation
through the upper portion 42, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a full access or second communication mode in
which the panel 54 with the stored window 62 as shown in FIG. 3 is
pivoted forward with the crossbar 40 attached. The control handle
52 is actuated to release the end latches 48, disconnecting the
crossbar from the frame 36 and allowing the crossbar and panel to
be pivoted down into engagement with the folded down seat backs 24,
26. The window remains protected in the storage pocket 58 on the
front of the panel and above the seat backs. In this mode, the full
access opening is unblocked for full communication of the first and
second compartments including the transfer of cargo therebetween
and the carrying of longer cargo which extends into both
compartments. Of course, in this mode, the first compartment would
be open to the entry of ambient air or water into the interior of
the normally enclosed compartment but the carrying of larger cargo
would be permitted.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a lower access or third communication mode
where the arrangement of FIG. 2 is modified by actuating the
control handle 52 to release the front latches 50. The back panel
54 is then pivoted forward and down against the seat backs 24, 26
which lie against the floor 18 of the first compartment 14. The
crossbar 40 remains in place latched to the frame 36 with the
window in its closed position and latched to the frame as in FIGS.
1 and 2. The lower portion 44 of the access opening is thus clear
for free communication between the first and second compartments
and the carrying of larger cargo. In a variation of this mode, a
conventional box cover or cargo cover may be applied to the
normally open second (cargo) compartment, with the possible need
for additional seals. Thus, both compartments and any cargo therein
may be protected from exposure to exterior ambient conditions, such
as rain or snow.
[0034] Preferably, the crossbar latches are interlocked so that the
end latches cannot be actuated to release the crossbar from the
frame unless the rear window has first been removed. The continuing
support of the in place rear window by the crossbar is thus
assured. Likewise, the front latches that secure the back panel to
the crossbar cannot be released when the rear window has first been
removed. Thus, the crossbar is only movable with the back panel,
and then only when the window has been removed and stored. From the
foregoing, it may be understood that the vehicle body of the
invention is reconfigurable by movement of the rear seats, rear
panel, rear window and crossbar to create a cargo and passenger
vehicle with variable capacity and conditions of use.
[0035] While the invention has been described by reference to
certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the
inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it
have the full scope permitted by the language of the following
claims.
* * * * *