Transformable vehicle

• US 7,093,870 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Kim, Roger, Prozzi, Anthony, Lechkun, David Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US11/160,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20050230988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.33, 296/24.43, 296/26.08, 296/26.09, 296/147
• US Class Current: 296/24.33
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/103 where lower door part moves independently from other door structures, e.g. by being hinged on the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/02 of sliding type , e.g. comprising guide shoes

Abstract

A vehicle includes a transformable vehicle body having a first body configuration and a second body configuration. The first body configuration resembles a wagon-style vehicle that includes a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area. The second body configuration resembles a pickup truck that includes a contracted enclosed passenger space and an open cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passenger space.

Claims

1. A flexible passenger vehicle body capable of being transformed into at least two different classes of vehicle styles, comprising:

a body shell having front and rear openings and at least one pair of transversely opposed door openings;

a front panel closing the body shell front opening;

at least one pair of door panels closing the body shell door openings;

a roof panel including a fixed portion and a movable portion, the fixed portion having at least a generally planar configuration, the movable portion having at least a generally planar configuration and having attached thereto a pair of transversely opposed rear pillars extending generally downward therefrom to engage the body shell;

a back panel coupled to the roof panel movable portion and extending between the rear pillars;

a pair of opposing retractable rear side panels affixed to the body shell behind the door panels; and

a tailgate affixed to the body shell,

the tailgate, the retractable rear side panels, the roof panel movable portion and the back panel collectively enclosing the body shell rear opening when the vehicle is in a first body configuration,

the front panel, door panels, roof panel, back panel, tailgate and retractable rear side panels defining a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area within the body shell in the first body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in a first position,

the front panel, door panels, roof panel and back panel defining a contracted enclosed passenger space in a second body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in a second position, thereby creating an open cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passenger space.

2. The vehicle body of claim 1, further comprising a trunk panel configured to cooperate with the tailgate and the body shell in a third body configuration, thereby creating a closed cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passenger space.

3. The vehicle body of claim 1, wherein the retractable rear side panels include rear side windows, the rear side windows being retractable into the body shell.

4. The vehicle body of claim 1, further comprising a movable side trim panel disposed adjacent the roof panel, the movable side trim panel being movable between a first position and a second position, the second position facilitating transformation of the vehicle body from the first body configuration to the second body configuration.

5. The vehicle body of claim 1, further comprising a garnish panel, the garnish panel being in a first position when the vehicle body is in the first body configuration and a third position when the vehicle body is in the second body configuration, the garnish panel further being movable to a second position, thereby facilitating transformation of the vehicle body between the first body configuration and the second body configuration.

6. The vehicle body of claim 1, wherein the open cargo area includes a load floor, and wherein the tailgate in an open position forms a portion of the load floor.