JP2011240721A - Tonneau cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a tonneau cover that can have higher strength in a deployed state and can be folded and stored compactly.
A tonneau cover includes a plurality of first cover portions and a plurality of second cover portions. Each of the first cover portions 32 can be folded in the width direction by mountain folding toward the upper surface side, and is connected so that the bending toward the lower surface side is restricted in a state where they are flush with each other. Each 2nd cover part 33 is connected with the rear part of each 1st cover part 32 so that bending is possible. When each second cover part 33 is bent with respect to each first cover part 32, each first cover part 32 is held in a flush state. When each second cover portion 33 is flush with each first cover portion 32, it can be folded in the width direction by mountain folding to the upper surface side together with each first cover portion 32. To do.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a tonneau cover for a vehicle.

  Conventionally, some automobiles having a rear door at the rear part of a vehicle body include a tonneau cover that covers an upper portion of a luggage compartment provided between the seat and the rear door.

  The tonneau cover is made of an integral molded product that covers the entire upper part of the luggage compartment, a single board, a cloth that can be wound or folded, etc. It is comprised so that it can be removed from.

  When the tonneau cover is a single-piece molded product or a single board, it looks better than cloth, but if you remove a tall baggage to store it in the luggage compartment, it is too big to be placed in the car due to its large size. , Get in the way.

  Therefore, there is a tonneau cover in which a pair of boards divided in a direction corresponding to the width direction of the vehicle body is connected so as to be foldable and can be folded in two. The tonneau cover is configured such that the pair of boards that are unfolded in a usage state in which the pair of unfolded boards are flush with each other, and the use state in which the pair of unfolded boards are flush with each other is maintained (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-19527 (page 2-3, FIG. 1-8)

  However, in the tonneau cover using the conventional pair of foldable boards, the strength of the tonneau cover is ensured only by the pair of boards abutting each other in a use state where the pair of unfolded boards are flush with each other, There is a problem that it is difficult to increase the strength of the tonneau cover.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the tonneau cover which can make the intensity | strength in the expand | deployed use state higher and can be folded and stored compactly.

  The tonneau cover according to claim 1 is foldable in the width direction corresponding to the width direction of the vehicle by mountain folding to the upper surface side, and is connected so that the bending to the lower surface side is regulated in a state of being flush with each other. The plurality of first cover portions are connected to the first cover portions so as to be foldable in the front-rear direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and are bent with respect to the first cover portions. Sometimes the first cover portions are held in a flush state, and when the first cover portions are flush with the first cover portions, the first cover portions are moved together with the first cover portions to the upper surface side. And a plurality of second cover parts connected to each other so as to be foldable in the width direction.

  A tonneau cover according to a second aspect is the tonneau cover according to the first aspect, wherein the second cover portion is biased in a direction in which the second cover portion is bent with respect to the first cover portion. The urging means for allowing the second cover portion to be flush with the first cover portion is provided.

  A tonneau cover according to a third aspect of the present invention is the tonneau cover according to the second aspect, wherein the biasing means is a leaf spring attached across the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

  A tonneau cover according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the tonneau cover according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a board that integrally forms the plurality of first cover portions and the plurality of second cover portions. Cuts are formed between the first cover portions, between the second cover portions, and between the first cover portions and the second cover portions on the upper surface side of the board, Connecting portions that are foldably connected between the first cover portions, between the second cover portions, and between the first cover portions and the second cover portions on the lower surface side Is formed.

  A tonneau cover according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the tonneau cover according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the tonneau cover includes an outer skin that covers the plurality of first cover portions and the plurality of second cover portions. It is.

  According to the tonneau cover according to claim 1, in addition to restricting the bending to the lower surface side in a state in which the deployed first cover portions are flush with each other, the second cover portions are provided with the first cover portions. By bending with respect to the portion, each first cover portion is held in a flush state, so that the strength of the tonneau cover in a use state in which each first cover portion is flush, and yet, By setting the second cover part to be flush with the first cover part, the first cover part and the second cover part are folded together on the upper surface side, folded and stored compactly. it can.

  According to the tonneau cover of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the tonneau cover of the first aspect, the second cover portion is urged by the urging means in a direction in which the second cover portion is bent with respect to the first cover portion. Therefore, each first cover portion can be held in an unfolded state, and each first cover portion is not inadvertently bent, and can be easily attached to or removed from the vehicle.

  According to the tonneau cover according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the tonneau cover according to claim 2, by using a leaf spring attached over the first cover portion and the second cover portion as the biasing means. With a simple configuration, the tonneau cover can be maintained in an unfolded state and can be easily folded.

  According to the tonneau cover according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the tonneau cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, between the first cover portions and between the second cover portions on the upper surface side of one board. And a cut is formed between each first cover portion and each second cover portion, and between the first cover portions, between each second cover portion, and each first on the lower surface side of the board. Since a connecting portion that is foldably connected is formed between each cover portion and each second cover portion, the plurality of first cover portions and the plurality of second cover portions are integrated by one board. Can reduce the number of parts and improve productivity.

  According to the tonneau cover of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the tonneau cover according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the whole of the plurality of first cover portions and the plurality of second cover portions are covered by the skin body. Further, while being foldable, it is possible to improve merchantability including texture.

It is a perspective view explaining the folding procedure of the tonneau cover which shows one embodiment of this invention in order of (a)-(d). The 1st cover part of a tonneau cover same as the above is shown, (a) is a sectional view of the unfolded state of the 1st cover part, (b) is a sectional view of the folded state of the 1st cover part. The 1st cover and the 2nd cover part of a tonneau cover same as the above are shown, (a) is a sectional view in the state where the 2nd cover part was bent to the 1st cover part, (b) is the 1st cover part It is sectional drawing of the state which made the 2nd cover part flush with respect to. It is a top view of a tonneau cover same as the above. It is a perspective view of the use condition of a tonneau cover same as the above.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 shows a rear part of an automobile as a vehicle, and a rear door (not shown) and a rear opening 12 opened and closed by the rear door are provided at the rear part of a car body 11 of the automobile. A luggage compartment 14 is provided between the seat 13 disposed in the room.

  A tonneau cover device 15 that covers the luggage compartment 14 is disposed above the luggage compartment 14. The tonneau cover device 15 includes a tonneau cover 16 and a plurality of hooks 17 installed on both sides in the width direction inside the vehicle body 11, and the tonneau cover 16 is detachably attached to the vehicle body 11 by the plurality of hooks 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tonneau cover 16 includes a horizontally long board body 20 in the width direction corresponding to the width direction of the vehicle body 11, and a cover body 21 provided on the front side of the board body 20. On both sides in the width direction of the board body 20 and on both sides in the width direction of the cover body 21, attachment portions 22 such as, for example, round rubber, etc. are provided that are detachably hooked and attached to the respective hooks 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the board body 20 includes a single board 25 as a core member, a plate spring 26 as a plurality of biasing means attached to the lower surface side of the board 25, and the board 25 and An epidermis body 27 covering the entire leaf spring 26 is provided.

  The board 25 is made of a material that is horizontally long in the width direction and is light, strong and durable, such as plastic corrugated cardboard made of polypropylene, and can be bent by bending. For example, in the case of plastic corrugated cardboard, it can be easily manufactured by cutting the plastic corrugated cardboard material into the shape of a predetermined board 25 and bending it.

  In the bending process, on the upper surface side of the board 25, a cut (first cut) 30 is made along the entire area in the front-rear direction at each position where the board 25 is divided into a plurality of parts in the width direction, for example, at each of the four parts. At the same time, a cut (second cut) 31 is formed along the entire region in the width direction at a position closer to the rear portion of the board 25.

  In the board 25, four first cover portions (first board portions) 32 are dividedly formed by the respective cuts 30 arranged in the width direction, and the cuts 30 and the cuts are formed on the rear side of the first cover units 32. The four second cover portions (second board portions) 33 are divided and formed by 31.

  On the lower surface side of the board 25, a connecting portion 34 that is foldably connected between the first cover portions 32 and between the second cover portions 33 is formed, and the first cover portions 32 and the second covers are formed. A connecting portion 35 that is foldably connected to the portion 33 is formed.

  Accordingly, the board 25 has an upper surface side between the first cover portions 32, between the second cover portions 33, and between each first cover portion 32 and each second cover portion 33. In addition, cuts 30 and 31 are respectively formed on the bottom surface of the board 25, between the first cover portions 32, between the second cover portions 33, and between each first cover portion 32 and each second cover. Connecting portions 34 and 35 that are foldably connected to the portion 33 are formed.

  Each leaf spring 26 is attached to the lower surface side of each first cover portion 32 and each second cover portion 33, and each second cover is attached to each first cover portion 32. The portion 33 is biased and held in a bent state inclined downward by about 40 °. It is allowed that each second cover portion 33 is flush with each first cover portion 32 due to elastic deformation of each leaf spring 26, and each repulsive force against elastic deformation of each leaf spring 26 causes each The second cover portion 33 can be returned to the bent state with respect to each first cover portion 32.

  Further, the outer skin 27 is disposed on the upper surface side of the board 25, for example, an elastic material 38 having elasticity such as urethane, and a surface formed of a material such as fiber or leather covering the board 25 and the entire elastic material 38. Material 39 is provided. The surface material 39 can be coordinated with a car seat or the like.

  The cover body 21 is formed of a material that can be folded arbitrarily, such as fiber.

  The attachment portions 22 are attached to both sides of the board body 20 in the width direction and both sides of the front end of the cover body 21 in the width direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, each hook 17 protrudes from a hook body (not shown) installed on the vehicle body 11 in a substantially L shape, and each attachment portion 22 of the tonneau cover 16 is hooked.

  Next, use of the tonneau cover 16 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. 3 (a), when the tonneau cover 16 is unfolded, each first cover portion 32 is flush with each second cover. The portion 33 is bent downward with respect to each first cover portion 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion of the luggage compartment 14 is covered with the tonneau cover 16 by attaching the attachment portions 22 of the tonneau cover 16 to the respective hooks 17 of the vehicle body 11.

  In the state where the tonneau cover 16 is unfolded, as shown in FIG. 2A, the end surfaces of the adjacent first cover portions 32 are in contact with each other, and the adjacent first cover portions 32 are flush with each other. Bending to the lower surface side is regulated. Similarly, bending to the lower surface side is restricted in a state where the end surfaces of the adjacent second cover portions 33 are in contact with each other and the adjacent second cover portions 33 are flush with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, each of the second cover portions 33 is bent with respect to each of the first cover portions 32. For example, the connecting portion of the first cover portions 32 adjacent to each other in the width direction. When a load is applied from above, the load is applied in the direction in which the second cover portions 33 adjacent to each other in the width direction connected to the rear side of the first cover portions 32 adjacent to each other in the width direction are separated from each other. In addition, since the second cover portions 33 adjacent to each other in the width direction are connected to each other, the load can be received by the second cover portion 33 in addition to the first cover portion 32. Conversely, when a load is applied from below to the connecting portions of the first cover portions 32 adjacent in the width direction, they are adjacent to each other in the width direction connected to the rear side of the first cover portions 32 adjacent in the width direction. Since the load is applied in the direction in which the matching second cover portions 33 approach each other, the load can be received by the second cover portion 33.

  When the tonneau cover 16 is unfolded, each leaf spring 26 holds each second cover portion 33 in a bent state with respect to each first cover portion 32.

  Therefore, when the tonneau cover 16 is attached to and detached from the vehicle body 11, the board body 20 of the tonneau cover 16 is not inadvertently bent, and the attaching / detaching operation can be easily performed. Since the tonneau cover 16 has high strength and high load resistance, it can be prevented from being deformed even if an object is placed on the tonneau cover 16 and a load is applied.

  Next, when the tonneau cover 16 gets in the way, such as when storing a tall baggage in the luggage compartment 14, remove the mounting portions 22 of the tonneau cover 16 from the hooks 17 of the vehicle body 11, and fold the tonneau cover 16 compactly. Can be stored in the luggage room 14 etc.

  FIG. 1 shows a procedure for folding the tonneau cover 16. In FIG. 1, only the board body 20 is shown, and the cover body 21 is not shown.

  As shown in the order of FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) and the order of FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), each of the second cover portions 33 is resisted against the bias of each leaf spring 26. Bend to be flush with 32. At this time, by operating one second cover part 33, the other second cover part 33 connected to the operated second cover part 33 can also be operated together.

  As shown in the order of FIGS. 1B and 1C and in the order of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the two first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 that are located on both sides in the width direction are provided. The two first cover portions 32 in the center in the width direction and the second cover portions 33 are folded from the respective cuts 30 so as to be mountain-folded toward the upper surface, and the two first covers in the center in the width direction. The cover part 32 and the second cover part 33 are folded below.

  As shown in the order of FIGS. 1 (c) and 1 (d), either one of the two first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 at the center in the width direction is connected to the upper surface with respect to the other. Bend from each cut 30 so that it folds, and fold to the other lower side.

  Note that the cover body 21 is formed of, for example, fibers and can be arbitrarily folded, and therefore can be arbitrarily folded according to the folding of the board body 20.

  As a result, the board body 20 can be downsized to about 1/4 of the size when unfolded, and the tonneau cover 16 including the cover body 21 as a whole is also compacted to the same size as the downsized board body 20. it can. Therefore, the tonneau cover 16 can be stored in the luggage compartment 14 in a space-saving manner.

  Next, when using the tonneau cover 16 that has been stored in a compact size, the tonneau cover 16 is unfolded and mounted on the vehicle body 11 as described above.

  To unfold the tonneau cover 16, as shown in the order of FIGS. 1 (d), (c), and (b), the two first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 at the center in the width direction are separated by a cut 30. And the two first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 on both sides in the width direction are unfolded at the cut line 30 to be flush with each other. Expand to become.

  When the four first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 are deployed in the width direction, the second cover portions 33 are moved to the first cover portions 32 by the repulsive force of the leaf springs 26. In contrast, it automatically bends and holds the tonneau cover 16 in an unfolded state.

  Thus, according to the tonneau cover 16, in addition to restricting the bending to the lower surface side in a state in which the deployed first cover portions 32 are flush with each other, the second cover portions 33 are disposed on the first cover portions 33. By bending the cover portion 32, the first cover portions 32 are kept flush with each other, so that the strength of the tonneau cover 16 in the use state where the first cover portions 32 are flush with each other is increased. By making the second cover portion 33 flush with the first cover portion 32, the first cover portion 32 and the second cover portion 33 can be brought together on the upper surface side. It can be folded and folded for compact storage.

  Further, since the second cover portion 33 is urged by the leaf spring 26 as the urging means in a direction in which the second cover portion 33 is bent with respect to the first cover portion 32, the respective first cover portions 32 are unfolded. Each of the first cover portions 32 is not inadvertently bent, and can be easily attached to or removed from the vehicle body 11. Further, as the biasing means, the leaf springs 26 attached to the first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 are used, so that the tonneau cover 16 is maintained in a developed state with a simple configuration. And easy folding.

  Further, on the upper surface side of one board 25, between each first cover part 32, between each second cover part 33, and between each first cover part 32 and each second cover part 33, respectively. Cuts 30 and 31 are formed, and between the first cover portions 32, between the second cover portions 33, and between the first cover portions 32 and the second cover portions 33 on the lower surface side of the board 25. Since the connecting portions 34 and 35 are formed so as to be foldable between each other, the plurality of first cover portions 32 and the plurality of second cover portions 33 can be integrally formed by one board 25, and the number of parts can be increased. Can be reduced, productivity can be improved, and the cost can be reduced compared to molded products.

  In addition, since the plurality of first cover portions 32 and the plurality of second cover portions 33 are entirely covered by the skin body 27, it is possible to improve merchantability including texture and the like while being foldable.

  The number of the board 25 divided into a plurality in the width direction is not limited to four, and may be at least two.

  In addition, two cuts 30 are placed in parallel at each position where the board 25 is divided into a plurality of widths, and a ridge portion is provided between the adjacent first cover portions 32 and between the second cover portions 33. Thus, the boat body 20 can be easily folded.

  Further, each first cover portion 32 and each second cover portion 33 are formed independently, and between the adjacent first cover portions 32, between the second cover portions 33, and the first cover portion 32, You may connect between the 2nd cover part 33 with a hinge mechanism.

  Further, the tonneau cover 16 is constituted only by the board body 20, and the cover body 21 may not be provided.

  Further, the urging means is not limited to the leaf spring 26, and each second cover part 33 may be lowered and bent with respect to each first cover part 32 by a spring or gravity.

  Further, when the urging means is used, each second cover portion 33 may be bent upward with respect to each first cover portion 32, and in this case, each first cover portion 32 is faced. The strength of the tonneau cover 16 in a single use state can be further increased.

16 Tonneau cover
25 boards
26 Leaf spring as biasing means
27 epidermis
30, 31 cuts
32 First cover
33 Second cover
34, 35 connecting part

Claims (5)

A plurality of first cover portions that can be folded in a width direction corresponding to the width direction of the vehicle by mountain folding toward the upper surface side, and are connected so as to be restricted from being bent to the lower surface side in a state of being flush with each other; ,
The first cover portions are connected to the first cover portions so as to be foldable in the front-rear direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the first cover portions are folded when the first cover portions are bent. Can be folded in the width direction by mountain folding to the upper surface side together with the first cover portions when the first cover portions are flush with each other. And a plurality of second cover portions coupled to the tonneau cover. The second cover part is urged in a direction in which the second cover part is bent with respect to the first cover part, and the second cover part against the first cover part against the urging. The tonneau cover according to claim 1, further comprising an urging unit that allows the surfaces to be flush with each other. The tonneau cover according to claim 2, wherein the urging means is a leaf spring attached across the first cover portion and the second cover portion. A board that integrally forms the plurality of first cover portions and the plurality of second cover portions;
On the upper surface side of the board, cuts are formed between the first cover portions, between the second cover portions, and between the first cover portions and the second cover portions, respectively. On the lower surface side of the board, the first cover portions, the second cover portions, and the first cover portions and the second cover portions are connected so as to be bendable. The tonneau cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a connecting portion is formed. The tonneau cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an outer skin that covers the plurality of first cover portions and the plurality of second cover portions.

Images