GB2344568A

GB2344568A - Movable load retention guard for the rear seats of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2344568A
Application number: GB9827322A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Spooner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-12
Filing date: 1998-12-12
Publication date: 2000-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-12
Also published as: GB2344568B; GB9827322D0

Abstract

A guard for separating passenger and load carrying compartments in a vehicle comprises a frame 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 adapted to be attached to the backrest 10 of the rear seats, a rectangular panel 11, with a greater height than the gap between the vehicle roof and the top of the backrest, adapted to fit between the sides of the vehicle and means 22 for mounting the panel to the frame. Said mounting means allow the panel to be moved between a first position Fig 1 in which the panel lies below the backrest top and a second position (Fig 3) in which the panel fills the gap between the backrest top and the roof. The panel may be mounted such that rotation of the panel moves it between the two positions. The guard may also be used when the seats are in a folded down position (Figs 5 and 6).

Description

LOAD RETENTION GUARD This invention relates to a guard for separating the passenger compartment from the load-carrying space of a hatch-back, estate or similar vehicle including a backrest for the rear seats.

Most hatch-back or estate cars have a clear gap between the top of the rear seat backrest and the underside of the roof (the head-lining) of the vehicle. The carrying of certain types of loads in the load-carrying space can present a significant hazard to the driver or passengers in the passenger compartment in the event of an accident or even under very heavy braking conditions, since items may be projected forwardly through the gap above the top of the rear seats, to strike the occupants of the passenger compartment.

The hazard may be at its worse when a large number of different items are carried in the load-carrying space, many of which items have a significant mass. Such problems are encountered for example by service or field engineers, using estate cars as their servicing vehicles.

In an attempt to address the above problem, it is known to mount within the body of a hatch-back or estate car a panel which divides the load carrying space from the passenger compartment. For example, such a panel may have a frame which carries a plurality of plungers projecting outwardly therefrom, which plungers may be engaged with the floor, roof and the sides of the vehicle body, to hold the frame in the desired position, immediately behind the rear seats. A similar frame may instead be employed behind the front seats, when the rear seats are folded down to increase the load carrying space.

Unfortunately, such devices are of limited benefit especially in an accident situation, because the panel is only relatively weakly held in place by the plungers and may even itself become a hazard, in the event that it becomes dislodged by a moving load.

It is also known to provide a fixed panel, secured to the vehicle body in some suitable manner. Though this may give adequate protection to occupants of the vehicle, it has the disadvantage of being relatively difficult to fix in position and, in the event that the vehicle is to be used for carrying a long load, is highly inconvenient to remove. Moreover, if such a panel is mounted behind the front seats, with the rear seat backrest folded down, it is difficult, time-consuming and inconvenient to convert the vehicle back to a conventional estate car or hatch-back.

Having regard to all of the above, an aim of this invention is to provide a guard able to give a high degree of protection to occupants of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, from objects carried in the load carrying space, whilst at the same time permitting conversion of the vehicle back to substantially the manufacturers configuration, as a conventional hatch-back or estate car.

According to the present invention, there is provided a guard to separate the passenger compartment from the load-carrying space of a hatchback or estate car including a backrest for the rear seats, which guard comprises a frame adapted to be attached primarily to the rear of the rear seats backrest and having a pair of rails which in use extending along or adjacent the two side edges of the backrest, a generally rectangular panel adapted to fit between the sides of the vehicle and having a greater height than the gap between the top of the backrest and the vehicle roof, and means mounting the panel on the frame which means permits the panel to be moved between a first position where at least the greater part of the panel lies below the top of the backrest and a second position where the panel substantially fills the gap between the top of the backrest and the roof.

It will be appreciated that the guard of this invention is. relatively easy to fit to a hatch-back or estate car, since it requires the frame to be secured to the rear of the backrest of the rear seats and then the panel may relatively easily be moved between its first position where the vehicle has an essentially conventional appearance with the greater part of the guard lying against the rear of the backrest and a second position where the panel lies over the gap between the top of the backrest and the roof, to protect occupants from objects in the load-carrying space of the vehicle.

The mounting means could slidably support the panel with respect to the rails of the frame, or the panel could be mounted on links pivoted to the rails, whereby the panel may be moved between its two positions by pivoting movement of the links with respect to the frame. The preferred arrangement is for the panel to be rotatably supported about a horizontal axis by the mounting means, which horizontal axis is nearer one end of the panel than the other whereby rotation of the panel through 180 will move the panel from one of its positions to the other. To permit such rotation of the panel, the mounting means may include a link on each side of the panel and pivoted at one end to the rail and at the other end to the panel. In this way, the panel may be moved from either of its positions where it extends generally parallel to the plane of the backrest of the vehicle away from that position by pivoting movement of the links, be rotated through 180 and then be moved back towards the backrest by pivoting movement of the links.

Where the frame is arranged mounted on pivoted links, means should be provided to secure the panel to the frame when the panel is in either its first or its second position. Such means may inclue, on each side of the panel, a peg projecting laterally from the side edge of the panel at a location spaced from the pivotal connection of the link thereto, which peg is engagable with the respective rail in either of two positions, depending upon the position of the panel. Such engagement may be in either one of a pair of spaced-apart slots and for added security, each slot may be of L-shaped configuration whereby once entered into the slot, the peg is moved along a second portion thereof to resist accidental or unintentional removal of the peg from the slot.

Preferably, each peg is screw-threaded and has a nut which is used to clamp together the rail and the panel. For convenience in use, such a nut may be in the form of a threaded hand-wheel, thereby facilitating easy release and tightening of the panel, in either of its two said positions.

The guard of this invention as described above may be configured to permit erection of the guard when the rear seats backrest to which the frame is attached is folded down. In this case, the mounting means may include, on each side of the panel, a brace pivoted at one end to the respective rail at a location remote from the pivotal connection of the link thereto, the other end of which brace being connectable to the side of the panel to hold the panel in a third position where the panel extends generally upwardly from the upper end of the backrest, in its folded down position. In this way, the panel will extend generally upwardly behind the rear of the front seats backrests, to give protection when the vehicle is being used to carry large, or large quantities of, loads.

For the just-described arrangement, one end region of the panel and the rails may include inter-engageable connectors which may be coupled together when the backrest has been folded down and the panel is moved to its third position. Such connectors may comprise pegs provided on the panel which pegs are recevable in corresponding sockets provided in the frame attached to the backrest.

Preferably, each brace serves to form a triangulated frame with the panel. In this case, said other end of each brace should be connectable to the pivotal connection of the link to the panel, when in its third position. The strength of the panel in this position may be enhanced, by arranging for an upper part of the side edges of the panel to be engageable by the passenger rear seat belts of the vehicle such that in an accident situation, the seat belts will also serve to resist forward movement of the panel.

The frame which supports the panel is preferably provided with mounting plates adapted to suit the backrest of the vehicle with which the guard is to be used. By appropriate configuration of such mounting plates, the frame may easily be attached to a backrest, for example by providing selftapping screws which extend through the mounting plates and into suitable strong parts of the backrest.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of guard of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the embodiment of guard mounted on the rear of a rear seats backrest of an estate vehicle, with the panel of the guard in its lowered, first position; Figures 2 and 3 show the movement of the panel from its first position towards its raised, second position ; Figure 4 shows the panel moved to its second position, where it protects the gap between the top of the backrest and the roof of a vehicle ; and Figures 5 and 6 show the movement of the panel to its third position behind the front seats of the vehicle and with the rear seats backrest folded down.

In the drawings, there is shown in part the backrest 10 of the rear seats of an estate car, to which the guard of this invention has been secured. The guard comprises a panel 11 having a generally rectangular surround 12 of tubular metal, and to which is welded a metal mesh 13. The surround 12 is braced by a cross-bar 14, to which the mesh is also secured.

A frame is attached to the rear of the backrest 10, which frame comprises a pair of side rails 15,16 connected together by a cross member 17 which extends adjacent but below the top of the backrest 10. The lower end of each rail 15,16 has a mounting plate 18 which lies against the lower region of the backrest and is secured thereto by means of self-tapping screws 19. The upper end of each rail 15,16 also has a mounting plate but in the form of a bracket 20 which lies both against the rear face of the backrest and also against the sides thereof. The bracket 20 is secured to the backrest by means of further self-tapping screws 21.

Figure 1 shows the backrest in its lowered position, where the greater part of the area of the panel lies below the top of the backrest 10. As best appreciated from Figure 2, the panel 11 is connected to the side rails 15,16 by means of a pair of links 22, one each side of the panel. Each link 22 is pivoted at 23 to the respective side rail and has at its other end a slot 24, the panel 11 having a pin 25 on each side which extends through the slot 24 of the respective link. Each pin is screw-threaded, to receive a correspondingly threaded hand-wheel 26 (Figure 1), to lock the panel in its selected position.

Two pegs 27 projects laterally one from each side of the panel, at the opposed ends of the cross-bar 14. These pegs 27 are engageable selectively either in lower L-shaped slots 28 in the rails 15,16, when the panel is in the position of Figure 1, or in upper L-shaped slots 29, when the panel is in its raised position shown in Figure 4. The slots 24 in the links 22 permit the appropriate movement of the panel for the pegs to engage fully in the selected L-shaped slots 28 or 29, as appropriate.

The guard further has, on each side a rail 15 and 16, a respective brace 30 pivoted to the side rail and moveable to lie alongside the rail. Each brace includes holes 31, through which the pin 25 may extend when the panel is in its first or second positions (Figures 1 or 4) so as to be secured by the hand wheel 26, threaded on to the pin.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, the movement of the panel between its first (lowered) and second (raised) positions is shown. Figure 1 shows the panel secured in its first position, projecting slightly above the top of the backrest 10. The hand wheels 26 are removed and the braces 30 released, whereafter the panel 10 is lifted to disengage pegs 27 from the lower Lshaped slots 28 of the side rails. Thereafter, the panel is moved rearwardly by pivoting movement of the links 22 and then as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the panel is turned through 180 about pins 25 to lift the panel to its raised position, where pegs 27 may be engaged with the upper L-shaped slots 29 in the side rails. Each brace is moved back to its initial position, with pin 25 extending through a different hole 31, the hand wheels are re-engaged with pins 25 and tightened securely to lock the panel in its raised position where it protects the gap between the top of the backrest and the vehicle roof.

Figures 5 and 6 show the panel in its third position, following folding of the backrest 10 down to increase the load carrying area of the vehicle and with the panel 10 extending upwardly therefrom, behind the back seats of the vehicle. To achieve this, the hand wheels 26 are released and the pegs 27 are lifted out of slots 28, whereafter the panel 10 is pivoted round so as to extend generally upwardly from the upper region of the lowered backrest. Dowels 32, carried on one of the horizontal runs 33 of the surround 12 (see Figure 1) are engaged in holes 34 provided in the cross member 17, to secure the lower edge of the panel and the braces 30 are engaged with the respective pins 25 whereafter the hand wheels 26 are tightened to lock the panel in position. The rear seat safety belts 35 are then engaged with the panel, by clipping the belt retaining plates 36 with the respective pegs 27.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement as described above, allows an estate car to be used primarily as a passenger car, with the panel in its first position as shown in Figure 1, or for the carrying of significant loads whilst giving occupants of the vehicle a high degree of protection, with the panel in its raised position shown in Figure 4. With the panel in its lowered position of Figure 1, the rear seats backrest may be folded down to allow the carrying of long loads, but if protection to occupants of the front seats is required, then the panel may be araised to its third position as shown in Figure 6. It is relatively easy, quick and simple to move the panel between each of its three positions and no structural alterations are required to the vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS A guard to separate the passenger compartment from the load-carrying space of a hatch-back or estate car including a backrest for the rear seats, which guard comprises a frame adapted to be attached primarily to the rear of the rear seats backrest and having a pair of rails which in use extending along or adjacent the two side edges of the backrest, a generally rectangular panel adapted to fit between the sides of the vehicle and having a greater height than the gap between the top of the backrest and the vehicle roof, and means mounting the panel on the frame which means permits the panel to be moved between a first position where at least the greater part of the panel lies below the top of the backrest and a second position where the panel substantially fills the gap between the top of the backrest and the roof.
2. A guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises, on each side of the panel, a respective link pivoted at one end to the adjacent rail and at the other end to the panel, and means to secure the panel to the frame with each link extending generally alongside the respective rail.
3. A guard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the panel is rotatably supported about a horizontal axis by the mounting means, which horizontal axis is nearer one end of the panel than the other whereby rotation of the panel moves it from one of its positions to the other.
4. A guard as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the securing means includes, on each side of the panel, a peg projecting laterally from the side edge of the panel at a location spaced from the pivotal connection of the link thereto, which peg is engageable with the respective rail in either of two positions depending upon the position of the panel.
5. A guard as claimed in claim 4, wherein each peg has associated therewith a screwed fastener, to secure the peg to the associated side rail.
6. A guard as claimed in claim 5, wherein each side rail has a pair of spaced-apart slots in either one of which the respective peg may be received on moving the panel to its first or second position, the peg being screwthreaded and having a nut which is used to clamp the rail to the panel.
7. A guard as claimed in claim 6, wherein the nut is in the form of a threaded hand-wheel.
8. A guard as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 and intended for use in a vehicle where the rear seats backrest is arranged to fold down, wherein the mounting means includes, on each side of the panel, a brace pivoted at one end to the respective rail at a location remote from the pivotal connection of the link thereto, the other end of which brace being connectable to the side of the panel to hold the panel in a third position where the panel extends generally upwardly from the upper end of the backrest, when the backrest has been folded down.
9. A guard as claimed in claim 8, wherein one end region of the panel and rails include inter-engageable connectors which may be inter-engaged when the backrest has been folded down and the panel is moved to its third position.
10. A guard as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inter-engageable connectors comprise pegs of the panel which pegs are receivable in sockets provided in the rails.
11. A guard as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein said other end of the brace is connectable to the pivotal connection of the link to the panel thereby to form a triangulated frame.
12. A guard as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the brace is constrained to lie along the associated rail, when the backrest is not folded down, by the means securing the panel in its first or second positions.
13. A guard as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the side edges of the panel are adapted to inter-engage with the passenger rear seat-belts when the panel has been moved to its said third position.
14. A guard as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each rail is provided with mounting plates by means of which the rail is secured to the rear seats backrest.
15. A guard as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises an external frame supporting mesh extending thereacross.
16. A guard to separate the passenger compartment from the load-carrying space of a vehicle and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.