Protective device for the interior of a motor vehicle

• US 6,416,103 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BOS GmbH & KG
• Original Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
• Inventors: Schlecht, Werner P., Seel, Holger, Laudenbach, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARPENTER, SCOTT A
• Application Number:
  US09/666,531
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.16, 296/98
• US Class Current: 296/37.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/047 collapsible by rolling-up

Abstract

A protective device for the interior of a motor vehicle has a protective structure which has a planar shape in a protective position and which is seated for movement by a drive mechanism between at least two positions. The protective structure is connected with at least one guide element that can be entrained by at least one coupling member with transfer structure to the drive mechanism. The at least one coupling member is provided with at least one picking-up element that acts in transverse direction to the direction of movement of the coupling member and that entrains, releases or picks up the guide element with limited entraining force during movement of the coupling member. The protective device is usable for cargo area coverings, cargo area dividers and sun-protection roller blinds.

Claims

1. Protective device for the interior of a motor vehicle comprising:

a protective structure which in use is spread out in a protective position to an at least approximately planar shape;

a drive mechanism operable to transfer the protective structure between at least two positions; and

at least one guide element connected with the protective structure and operable to be entrained by a transfer structure of the drive mechanism by at least one coupling member,

wherein the at least one coupling member is provided with at least one picking-up element that has a limited retaining force for the force-dependent picking-up, entraining and release of the guide element during movement of the coupling member.

2. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein each coupling member is seated for linear movement in a vehicle-mounted guide section to which the corresponding guide element is also associated.

3. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one picking-up element of the coupling member is mechanically active and seated to move transversely to a direction of movement of the coupling member against the force of a return spring between a holding position and releasing position.

4. Protective device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one picking-up element of the coupling member is mechanically active and seated to move transversely to a direction of movement of the coupling member against the force of a return spring between a holding position and releasing position.

5. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling member includes two coupling members arranged on opposite sides of the protective structure for synchronous linear movement, each of the coupling members being operable for entraining, releasing or picking up a guide element of the protective structure.

6. Protective device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one coupling member includes two coupling members arranged on opposite sides of the protective structure for synchronous linear movement, each of the coupling members being operable for entraining, releasing or picking up a guide element of the protective structure.

7. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein each coupling member has two picking-up elements which are adjusted to opposite directions of movement of the coupling member.

8. Protective device according to claim 7, wherein one of the picking-up elements is stronger, with respect to its entraining force, than the other picking-up element.

9. Protective device according to claim 2, wherein each coupling member has two picking-up elements which are adjusted to opposite directions of movement of the coupling member.

10. Protective device according to claim 9, wherein one of the picking-up elements is stronger, with respect to its entraining force, than the other picking-up element.

11. Protective device according to claim 3, wherein each coupling member has two picking-up elements which are adjusted to opposite directions of movement of the coupling member.

12. Protective device according to claim 11, wherein one of the picking-up elements is stronger, with respect to its entraining force, than the other picking-up element.

13. Protective device according to claim 5, wherein each coupling member has two picking-up elements which are adjusted to opposite directions of movement of the coupling member.

14. Protective device according to claim 13, wherein one of the picking-up elements is stronger, with respect to its entraining force, than the other picking-up element.

15. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein at least one stationary stop, serving to secure the protective structure in different positions, is associated with the at least one guide element, which stop can be transferred by the at least one coupling member into a releasing position in which it permits the protective structure to move.

16. Protective device according to claim 15, wherein the stops are configured as spring-loaded, elastically resilient blocking elements provided with ramps for the respective coupling member.

17. Protective device according to claim 2, wherein at least one stationary stop, serving to secure the protective structure in different positions, is associated with the at least one guide element, which stop can be transferred by the at least one coupling member into a releasing position in which it permits the protective structure to move.

18. Protective device according to claim 17, wherein the stops are configured as spring-loaded, elastically resilient blocking elements provided with ramps for the respective coupling member.

19. Protective device according to claim 3, wherein at least one stationary stop, serving to secure the protective structure in different positions, is associated with the at least one guide element, which stop can be transferred by the at least one coupling member into a releasing position in which it permits the protective structure to move.

20. Protective device according to claim 19, wherein the stops are configured as spring-loaded, elastically resilient blocking elements provided with ramps for the respective coupling member.

21. Protective device according to claim 5, wherein at least one stationary stop, serving to secure the protective structure in different positions, is associated with the at least one guide element, which stop can be transferred by the at least one coupling member into a releasing position in which it permits the protective structure to move.

22. Protective device according to claim 21, wherein the stops are configured as spring-loaded, elastically resilient blocking elements provided with ramps for the respective coupling member.

23. Protective device according to claim 7, wherein at least one stationary stop, serving to secure the protective structure in different positions, is associated with the at least one guide element, which stop can be transferred by the at least one coupling member into a releasing position in which it permits the protective structure to move.

24. Protective device according to claim 23, wherein the stops are configured as spring-loaded, elastically resilient blocking elements provided with ramps for the respective coupling member.

25. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein the protective structure is a flexible member which is wound on a roller and is movable to positions covering a vehicle cargo space.

26. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein the protective structure is part of a roller blind for a vehicle window sunshade.

27. Protective device according to claim 1, wherein the protective structure is a vertically extendable divider net for a vehicle.