Multi-positional vehicle shelf

• US 6,113,172 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Joyce, John W., Edson, Thomas E., Kuhr, Robert P., Walczowski, George, Chaloult, Brian, Mihelich, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHENEVERT, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US09/218,314
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 296/26.08, 296/26.09, 296/26.1, 296/26.11, 296/37.16, 296/191, 296/195, 296/69, 224/495, 224/496, 224/497, 224/542, 224/564, 224/925, 248/235, 248/240.04
• US Class Current: 296/26.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/04 arranged at rear of vehicle B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/045 collapsible or transformable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/925 Carrier for grocery bag

Abstract

A partitioning system is for use in the storage area of a vehicle. The partitioning system includes a multipurpose shelf that can be positioned in a plurality of different locations. The shelf can be disposed (1) horizontally near the top of the rear row of seats to act as a security cover; (2) horizontally along the floor in the storage area; (3) horizontally to cooperate of a folded last row of seats to provide a generally flat surface from the end gate into the passenger area; (4) vertically and adjacent to the rear row of seats; and (5) horizontally, while the end gate is open, such that the shelf extends beyond the storage area as defined by a closed end gate. The shelf includes a pivotable support leg that may contact the vehicle body to support the shelf in this horizontal position that extends beyond the storage area defined by a closed end gate.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having an end gate capable of being opened and closed, a rear seat with a rear seat back capable of being folded such that said rear seat back forms a substantially horizontal surfaces and having an adjacent storage area disposed longitudinally rearward thereof and defined by opposing side walls, said closed end gate, and a floor, the invention comprising:

a shelf movable within said storage area of said vehicle between a plurality of different positions, one of said plurality of positions includes a generally horizontal position substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded and while contemporaneously forming a space between said shelf and said floor that is accessible when said end gate is open;

a front seat disposed closer to the front of said vehicle than said rear seat, said front seat capable of being folded such that the front seat back forms a substantially horizontal surface that is substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded and with said shelf while in said generally horizontal position;

wherein said storage area includes at least one formation carried by one of said side walls for supporting said shelf in said substantially horizontal position substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded;

wherein said shelf includes a plurality of edges, said edges include a pair of side edges each having a forward stop and a rearward stop protruding therefrom; and

wherein said at least one formation is comprised of;

a pair of front coupling formations having cup shaped structures that project from said opposing side walls for contacting said forward stops; and

a pair of rear formations that project from said opposing side walls aft of said front coupling formations for contacting said rearward stops.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one formation includes a horizontal base portion and a vertical projection therefrom and is complimentary with said shelf to provide a coupling attachment between said shelf and said side wall, said vertical protection limits horizontal movement of said shelf in a longitudinal direction.

3. A partitioning system for use in a storage area of a motor vehicle, said storage area defined by a rear row of seats, two opposing side walls, and a floor, said partitioning system comprising:

a shelf having a plurality of edges and movable within the storage area of the vehicle between a plurality of different horizontal and vertical positions, one of said plurality of positions includes a substantially vertical position adjacent said rear row of seats with one of said plurality of edges of said shelf adjacent to said floor, wherein the storage area includes at least one formation protruding from a side wall for supporting said shelf in said substantially vertical position, said at least one formation allows said shelf to be pivoted into and out of said vertical position.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said at least one formation comprises a pair of formations disposed on at least one side wall to wedge said shelf therebetween, at least one of said formations is comprised of resilient material.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said rear row of seats is removable from the vehicle.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said shelf is removable from said storage area.

7. A partitioning system for use in a storage area of a vehicle, said storage area defined by a rear row of seats, a closed end gate, two opposing side walls, and a floor, said partitioning system comprising:

a shelf movable within the storage area of the vehicle between a plurality of different horizontal and vertical positions, said shelf having a pair of side edges disposed on opposing sides thereof; and

a formation formed by at least one side wall including a horizontal structure and a vertical structure extending therefrom complimentary with one of said side edges of said shelf, said vertical structure extending away from at least one side wall to limit horizontal forward and backward movement of said shelf the a longitudinal direction.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein said shelf includes a forward and a rearward stop formed on one of said side edges.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8, wherein said formation also includes a coupling structure to receive said forward stop, said coupling structure and said vertical structure being complimentary with said forward stop and said rearward stop to limit horizontal movement of said shelf while said shelf in one of said horizontal positions.

10. A partitioning system for use in a storage area of a vehicle, said storage area defined by a rear row of seats, a closed end gate, two opposing side walls, and a floor, said partitioning system comprising:

a shelf movable within the storage area of the vehicle between a plurality of different positions, one of said plurality of positions includes an extended horizontal position;

while in said extended horizontal position, said shelf extends in a horizontal manner beyond said storage area as defined by said closed end gate, wherein the storage area includes at least one formation carried by a side wall for supporting said shelf in said extended horizontal position.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10, wherein the end gate is open while shelf is in said extended horizontal position.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a support leg capable of contacting said shelf and said vehicle;

said leg adapted to support said shelf in said extended horizontal position.

13. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said support leg is pivotally attached to said shelf.

14. A partitioning system for use in a storage area of a vehicle, said storage area defined by a row of seats, a closed end gate, two side walls, and a floor, said partitioning system comprising:

a shelf capable of being located in a plurality of positions;

a system of operable formations protecting from a side wall and adapted to support said shelf in a plurality of positions, said system of operable formations includes a top ledge for supporting said shelf in one of said plurality of positions, said top ledge includes a guide to provide controlled movement of said shelf from said position supported by said top ledge to another of said plurality of positions, said shelf maintains substantial contact with said guide while said shelf is transitioned from said position supported by said top ledge to another of said plurality of positions.

15. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said position supported by said top ledge is generally horizontal.

16. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said guide provides controlled movement of said shelf from said position supported by said top ledge to a generally horizontal position supported by a bottom ledge disposed vertically below said top ledge.

17. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said guide provides controlled movement of said shelf from said position supported by said top ledge to a vertical position disposed vertically below said position supported by said top ledge.

18. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said shelf is maintained substantially within the storage area while said shelf is moved from said position supported by said top ledge to another of said plurality of positions.

19. A partitioning system for use in a storage area of a vehicle, said storage area defined by a row of seats, a closed end gate, two opposing side walls, and a floor, said partitioning system comprising:

a row of seats defining the forward edge of the storage area, said seats foldable such that the seat backs of said row of seats can form a generally horizontal position;

a multi-positional shelf having a pivotable support leg; and

a system of operable formations disposed on the opposing side walls adapted to support said shelf in a plurality of positions;

said positions comprising;

a first position wherein said shelf is disposed towards the top of said seat back to provide privacy to the storage space below;

a second position wherein said shelf is parallel and adjacent to said floor;

a third position wherein said shelf is generally horizontal and substantially coplanar with said folded seat backs of said row of seats;

a fourth position wherein said shelf is adjacent to said row of seats and is substantially vertical; and

a fifth position wherein said shelf is positioned while the end gate is open;

said fifth position provides said shelf extended horizontally beyond said storage area as defined by said closed end gate;

said shelf is supported in said fifth position by said pivotable leg by contact with said vehicle.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 19, wherein said shelf is a removable and comprised of a piece blow molded glass filled polypropylene with a series of spaced ridges formed thereon.

21. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 19, further comprising a front seat disposed closer to the front of said vehicle than said rear seat, said front seat capable of being folded such that the front seat back forms a substantially horizontal surface that is substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded and with said shelf while in said third position.

22. A partitioning system for use in the storage area of a vehicle, said storage area defined by a row of seats, a closed end gate, two side walls, and a floor, said partitioning system comprising:

a shelf capable of being located in a plurality of positions;

at least one clip attached to said shelf;

wherein said shelf includes a bottom side and said at least one clip extends from said bottom side to attach objects thereto; and

wherein said at least one clip includes a vertical portion extending from said bottom side of said shelf and a horizontal portion extending from said vertical portion and having a free end.

23. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 22, wherein said shelf includes handles formed as depressions therein for ease of transitioning said shelf between said plurality of positions.

24. The partitioning system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said shelf includes an edge, said clips are attached to said shelf near said edge.