U.S. patent application number 15/333988 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-26 for an articulated fence for a vehicle cargo area.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Alexia Sarabanda Ontiveros Briones, Edgar Salazar Fabian.
Application Number | 20180111559 15/333988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61866359 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180111559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salazar Fabian; Edgar ; et
al. |
April 26, 2018 |
AN ARTICULATED FENCE FOR A VEHICLE CARGO AREA
Abstract
A vehicle having a cargo area accessible through a liftgate
opening frame and partially defined by a floor, side quarter trims,
and pillar covers is provided. The vehicle includes an articulated
fence movable between a stowed position and an elevated position,
and a guide formed in at least one of the pillar covers for guiding
the articulated fence between the stowed position and the elevated
position. A motor is positioned behind one of the side quarter
trims for moving a belt attached to the articulated fence. The
articulated fence is transparent and positioned within a recess
beneath the floor in the stowed position. A cover may be attached
to the articulated fence and is substantially flush with the floor
when the articulated fence is in the stowed position.
Inventors: |
Salazar Fabian; Edgar;
(Cuautitlan Izcalli, MX) ; Ontiveros Briones; Alexia
Sarabanda; (SANTA FE, MX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61866359 |
Appl. No.: |
15/333988 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 5/04 20130101; B60J
5/101 20130101; B60J 5/107 20130101; B60J 5/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 5/04 20060101
B60R005/04; B60J 5/12 20060101 B60J005/12; B60J 5/10 20060101
B60J005/10 |
Claims
1. A vehicle having a cargo area accessible through a liftgate
opening frame and partially defined by a floor, side quarter trims,
and pillar covers, comprising: an articulated fence movable between
a stowed position and an elevated position; and a guide formed in
at least one of said pillar covers for guiding said articulated
fence between the stowed position and the elevated position.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a motor positioned
behind one of said side quarter trims for moving a belt attached to
said articulated fence.
3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said articulated fence is
transparent.
4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said articulated fence is
positioned within a recess beneath said floor in the stowed
position.
5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a cover attached to
said articulated fence, said cover being substantially flush with
said floor when said articulated fence is in the stowed
position.
6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said guide is a slot molded in
at least one of said pillar covers.
7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein said cover extends through said
slot and attaches to a belt for moving said articulated fence.
8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said guide is an aperture formed
in each of said pillar covers and a cover attached to an upper end
of said articulated fence extends through said guide in each of
said pillar covers.
9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said aperture formed in each of
said pillar covers is a slot.
10. A vehicle having a cargo area accessible through a liftgate
opening frame and partially defined by a floor, side quarter trims,
and pillar covers, comprising: an articulated fence movable between
a stowed position within a recess beneath said floor and an
elevated position, said articulated fence attached to said recess;
and a lifter supported by a pillar adjacent said liftgate opening
frame, said lifter connected to said articulated fence for moving
said articulated fence between the stowed position and the elevated
position.
11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein said lifter includes a motor
having a rotating shaft for turning a gear in contact with a belt,
said gear moving said belt around a pulley.
12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said motor is reversible and
supported behind one of said side quarter trims.
13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said lifter is positioned
behind one of said pillar covers.
14. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a cover attached to
said articulated fence, wherein said cover extends through a guide
formed in at least one of said pillar covers and is attached to
said lifter.
15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said cover is substantially
flush with said floor when said articulated fence is in the stowed
position.
16. A vehicle, comprising: a cargo area partially defined by a
floor having a recess therein adjacent a liftgate opening frame and
passenger and driver side quarter trims; a passenger side pillar
cover further defining said cargo area includes a first guide
formed therein; a driver side pillar cover further defining said
cargo area includes a second guide formed therein; an articulated
fence movable between a stowed position within said recess beneath
said floor and an elevated position, said articulated fence having
a lower end attached to a wall of said recess and an upper end; a
cover attached to said upper end of said articulated fence, wherein
opposing ends of said cover extend through said first guide and
said second guide; and a lifter supported by one of said passenger
side pillar and side driver side pillar, said lifter attached to
one of said opposing ends of said cover for moving said articulated
fence between the stowed position and the elevated position.
17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein said lifter includes a belt
positioned around a pulley and a gear, and a motor for turning said
gear and moving said belt.
18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said one of said opposing ends
of said cover is attached to said belt and said motor is reversible
moving said belt and said articulated fence between the stowed
position and the elevated position.
19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein each of said first guide and
said second guide formed in said passenger side pillar and side
driver side pillar is a molded slot through which said cover
extends.
20. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein said articulated fence is
transparent.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates generally to retractable fences for
vehicle cargo areas, and more specifically to a retractable
articulated fence.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicles such as hatchbacks, vans, sports utility vehicles
(SUVs) and station wagons may include a rear door or liftgate. The
liftgate, for example, provides access to the rear of the interior
of the vehicle through a liftgate opening frame. These liftgates
typically open upwards or sideways to expose a storage compartment
or cargo area of the vehicle.
[0003] It is well known that vehicle cargo areas, especially those
that are partially defined by a liftgate or deck lid of a vehicle,
have a problem with retaining cargo (e.g., groceries, boxes, and/or
packets/suitcases) inside the cargo area when the liftgate or deck
lid is opened. Acceleration of the vehicle can overturn cargo
and/or shift cargo to a rear extreme of the cargo area such that
the cargo falls out of the cargo area as soon as the liftgate or
deck lid is opened. This problem is exacerbated when the vehicle is
parked on an inclined driveway or roadway. Fragile cargo, such as
eggs or glass jars, can break upon falling and contacting the
ground and cargo can be lost or damaged as a result. Vehicle owners
are expectedly frustrated and upset when such events occur.
[0004] After-market cargo nets or grocery retaining meshes, and
bins are available to combat these types of problems. The
after-market cargo nets, however, have their own drawbacks. For
instance, after-market cargo nets require a time consuming manual
installation process to be performed by the vehicle owner. A
typical installation requires positioning four loops extending from
the corners of the cargo net over buttons or hooks positioned
within the cargo area. Once installed, the cargo net remains a
barrier to loading cargo into the cargo area until removed or
partially removed. This barrier defeats one positive aspect of a
flush cargo area, i.e., ease of placement of goods into the rear
cargo area.
[0005] In order to retain this positive aspect, the after-market
cargo net must be installed, removed after delivery of the cargo,
stowed, and reinstalled after the placement of additional cargo in
the rear cargo area. This installation, removal, stowing, and
reinstallation process often becomes burdensome and/or an
inconvenient for the vehicle owner rather than a useful tool. Even
more, the after-market cargo nets are often misplaced or lost,
stowed loose in the rear cargo area where they can be in the way of
unfettered use of the rear cargo area, or damaged when stowed loose
and other cargo is loaded into the rear cargo area.
[0006] While retractable fences, other than nets, positioned along
a rear opening of vehicle cargo areas are also known, such fences
are solid panels or foldable solid panels that are manually lifted
into position and generally stowed on a floor of the cargo area or
apart from the vehicle until needed. In addition, each of these
fences includes components (e.g., a storage compartment for the
fence itself or guides for the fence) that occupy space within the
cargo area. Any such components limit the amount of usable storage
area and can create an obstruction to the unfettered loading and/or
unloading of cargo.
[0007] Accordingly, a need exists for a rear cargo area solution
that is quickly and easily moved from an out of sight, stowed
position to an installed position to prevent cargo from shifting
within the cargo area during driving and/or falling out of the
cargo area as soon as the liftgate or deck lid is opened. Such a
solution would further be quickly and easily returned to the stowed
position without the need for being uninstalled. Even more, the
solution should not create an obstruction to loading cargo and/or
simply be in the way or occupy space within the cargo area when not
in use and should not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the
cargo area. In addition, moving the fence may be motorized allowing
the fence to be elevated to any height depending on the size or
amount of cargo being stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described
herein, a vehicle having a cargo area accessible through a liftgate
opening frame and partially defined by a floor, side quarter trims,
and pillar covers is provided. The vehicle may be broadly described
as including an articulated fence movable between a stowed position
and an elevated position, and a guide formed in at least one of the
pillar covers for guiding the articulated fence between the stowed
position and the elevated position.
[0009] In one possible embodiment, the vehicle further includes a
motor positioned behind one of the side quarter trims for moving a
belt attached to the articulated fence. In another possible
embodiment, the articulated fence is transparent.
[0010] In yet another possible embodiment, the articulated fence is
positioned within a recess beneath the floor in the stowed
position.
[0011] In still another possible embodiment, the vehicle further
includes a cover attached to the articulated fence. In this
embodiment, the cover is substantially flush with the floor when
the articulated fence is in the stowed position.
[0012] In yet still another possible embodiment, the guide is a
slot molded in at least one of the pillar covers. In another, the
cover extends through the slot and attaches to a belt for moving
the articulated fence.
[0013] In one other possible embodiment, the guide is an aperture
formed in each of the pillar covers and a cover attached to an
upper end of the articulated fence extends through the guide in
each of the pillar covers. In yet another, the aperture formed in
each of the pillar covers is a slot.
[0014] In accordance with another possible embodiment, a vehicle
having a cargo area accessible through a liftgate opening frame and
partially defined by a floor, side quarter trims, and pillar covers
includes an articulated fence movable between a stowed position
within a recess beneath the floor and an elevated position, the
articulated fence attached to the recess, and a lifter supported by
a pillar adjacent the liftgate opening frame, the lifter connected
to the articulated fence for moving the articulated fence between
the stowed position and the elevated position.
[0015] In one other possible embodiment, the lifter includes a
motor having a rotating shaft for turning a gear in contact with a
belt, the gear moving the belt around a pulley. In still another,
the motor is reversible and supported behind one of the quarter
trims. In yet another, the lifter is positioned behind one of the
pillar covers.
[0016] In still another possible embodiment, the vehicle further
includes a cover attached to the articulated fence, wherein the
cover extends through a guide formed in at least one of the pillar
covers and is attached to the lifter. In yet another, the cover is
substantially flush with the floor when the articulated fence is in
the stowed position.
[0017] In accordance with one other possible embodiment, a vehicle
includes a cargo area partially defined by a floor having a recess
therein adjacent a liftgate opening frame and passenger and driver
side quarter trims. A passenger side pillar cover further defines
the cargo area and includes a guide formed therein. A driver side
pillar cover further defines the cargo area and similarly includes
a guide formed therein. An articulated fence movable between a
stowed position within the recess beneath the floor and an elevated
position has a lower end attached to a wall of the recess and an
upper end. A cover is attached to the upper end of the articulated
fence and opposing ends of the cover extend through the passenger
side pillar cover guide and the driver side pillar cover guide. A
lifter is supported by one of the passenger side and side driver
side pillars and is attached to one of the opposing ends of the
cover for moving the articulated fence between the stowed position
and the elevated position.
[0018] In another possible embodiment, the lifter includes a belt
positioned around a pulley and a gear. A motor for turns the gear
and moving the belt around the pulley.
[0019] In still another possible embodiment, one of the opposing
ends of the cover is attached to the belt, and the motor is
reversible moving the belt and the articulated fence between the
stowed position and the elevated position.
[0020] In another possible embodiment, each of the guides formed in
the passenger side and side driver side pillars is a molded slot
through which the cover extends.
[0021] In the following description, there are shown and described
several embodiments of a vehicle cargo area and a vehicle
incorporating same. As it should be realized, the systems are
capable of other, different embodiments and their several details
are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without
departing from the assemblies as set forth and described in the
following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0022] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and
forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of
the vehicle having an articulated fence for a cargo area and
together with the description serve to explain certain principles
thereof. In the drawing figures:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a typical vehicle
having a rear cargo area showing a rear seat row and an articulated
fence in a partially elevated position;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a typical vehicle
having a rear cargo area showing a rear seat row and an articulated
fence in an elevated position; and
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the articulated
fence in a stowed position and a lifter supported by a pillar for
moving the articulated fence between the stowed and elevated
positions.
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the vehicle having an articulated fence
for a cargo area, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals are used to
represent like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a typical
vehicle 10 having a rear cargo area 12. In the described
embodiment, a floor 14 of the rear cargo area 12 is substantially
flush with a rear liftgate opening frame 16 for a rear liftgate 18.
The floor 14 can be covered with carpet or the like as is known in
the art. The rear cargo area 12 is further defined by side quarter
trims 20 and pillar covers 22 which cover rear pillars or D-pillars
24 (visible in FIG. 3) of the vehicle 10 in the described
embodiment.
[0028] An articulated fence 26 is shown in a partially elevated
position essentially adjacent the rear liftgate opening frame 16 in
FIG. 1 and an elevated position in FIG. 2. The articulated fence 26
is further shown in a stowed position in FIG. 3. In the stowed
position, the articulated fence 26 is secured in a recess 28 in the
floor 14 of the cargo area 12. The articulated fence 26 is attached
along a lower end to a wall 32 of the recess 28 using a bracket 34
or other attachment mechanism. The wall 32 is a floor of the recess
28 in the described embodiment but the lower end of the articulated
fence 26 may be attached to side or end walls of the recess 28 in
an alternate embodiment.
[0029] As further shown in FIG. 3, a cover 30 is attached to an
upper end of the articulated fence 26 and obscures the articulated
fence from view in the stowed position wherein. The cover 30 is
substantially flush with the carpet of the floor 14 and extends
along a width of the rear liftgate opening frame 16. The cover 30
may be color matched to the carpet and/or the floor 14.
[0030] As with the cover 30, the articulated fence 26 extends along
a width of the vehicle 10. As best shown in FIG. 2, the articulated
fence 26 in the described embodiment is a lattice structure
including a plurality of strips 36 crossed and fastened together
with fasteners 38 forming diamond or square shapes which make the
articulated fence transparent. In other words, cargo in the rear
cargo area 12 can be distinctly seen through the articulated fence
26. The strips 36 are a molded plastic in the described embodiment
but could be made of other plastics, composites, wood, metal
materials (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.) and/or other similar
materials in other embodiments.
[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, opposing ends 40 of the cover 30 extend
through the side pillar covers 22. More specifically, the opposing
ends 40 extend through guides 42 formed in the side pillar covers
22 for guiding the articulated fence 26 during its transition from
a stowed position to an elevated position or back, or an initial
elevated position to a subsequent elevated position. In the
described embodiment, the guides 42 are apertures molded in the
side pillar covers 22. In other words, the opposing ends 40 of the
cover 30 extend through the apertures, which are slot-shaped in the
described embodiment, of both a passenger side pillar cover and a
driver side pillar cover. In alternate embodiments, the apertures
can be different shapes and only one end of the cover may extend
through a pillar cover.
[0032] In addition, slats 43 are attached to the articulated fence
26 or lifters 46, or components thereof, such that the slats move
between positions to cover the apertures in the side pillar covers
22 generally above the cover 30. In the stowed positions, the slats
43 cover the entirety of the apertures. As the articulated fence 26
is raised, however, the amount of the slats 43 covering the
apertures in the side pillar covers 22 decreases.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, a lifter 46 is supported by a passenger
side pillar 48 behind a side pillar cover 22 and adjacent the
liftgate opening frame 16 in the described embodiment. The lifter
46 may be supported by a driver side pillar or a lifter in each
pillar may be utilized in an alternate embodiment. The lifter 46 is
connected to the articulated fence 26 via the cover 30. More
specifically, an opposing end 40 of the cover 30 extends through
the guide 42 and is connected to a belt 48 of the lifter 46.
[0034] In the described embodiment, the lifter 46 includes a motor
50 supported behind one of the side quarter trims 20. The motor 50
includes a rotating shaft 52 for turning a gear 54 that is in
contact with the belt 48. The gear 54 moves the belt 46 around a
pulley 56 which movement serves to move the articulated fence 26
between positions. In order to raise and lower the articulated
fence 26, the motor 50 is reversible.
[0035] In summary, numerous benefits result from the utilization of
an articulated fence 26 within the rear cargo area 12 of a vehicle
10 as illustrated in this document. The articulated fence 26 is
quickly and easily moved from an out of sight stowed position to an
elevated position to prevent cargo from falling out of the cargo
area 12 as soon as the liftgate 18 or deck lid is opened. Even
more, the articulated fence 26 is quickly and easily returned to
the stowed position to avoid creating an obstruction to loading
cargo and/or simply be in the way when not in use. Last, the
articulated fence 26 is stowed beneath a cover and out of sight in
a manner that does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the
cargo area.
[0036] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. For instance, the lifter could take different forms so
long as the attached cover and articulated fence are able to be
moved between positions. In addition, the lifter may be positioned
behind the side quarter panel, the pillar cover or a combination of
both as in the described embodiment. All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the appended claims when
interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
* * * * *