Functional unit for a vehicle interior

• US 7,628,437 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
• Original Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
• Inventors: Seidl, Peter, Zaiser, Markus, Seeg, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan; Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chenevert; Paul A
• Application Number:
  US12/284,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20090033115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 160/133, 160/181, 160/183, 160/267.1, 160/270, 160/271, 160/273.1, 160/274, 160/282, 160/284, 160/285, 160/287, 160/370.22, 296/24.43, 296/24.44, 296/37.8, 296/37.16, 296/98, 296/100.01, 296/100.11, 296/100.12, 410/130, 410/150
• US Class Current: 296/24.43
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/047 collapsible by rolling-up

Abstract

A functional unit for a vehicle interior, which is used for loading-space coverings in passenger vehicles, has a dimensionally stable functional profile including two mutually opposite end regions which are arranged in a longitudinally movable manner along profiled guide structures arranged in the vehicle interior. Each end region is provided with at least one rolling element, which is mounted on the end region in a manner such that it can rotate about at least one axis of rotation. During a longitudinal movement of the end region, the rolling element rolls along at least one surface region of the associated profiled guide structure.

Claims

1. A functional unit for a vehicle interior, comprising:

a rigid functional profile having a linear central longitudinal axis passing through the entirety of the length of said profile and through two mutually opposite end regions of said profile, the central longitudinal axis of said profile being arranged in a transverse direction of the vehicle interior and each said end region being arranged for movement within a corresponding profiled guide structure which surrounds the respective said end region on three sides,

wherein each said profiled guide structure is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle interior, and

wherein each said end region is provided with a rolling element mounted on said end region, said rolling element having an axis of rotation parallel and eccentric to the central longitudinal axis of said profile at said end region, said profile being supported by said rolling element on a surface region of the corresponding said profiled guide structure.

2. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein said profile comprises a straight rod or bar.

3. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein said rolling element protrudes at least partially beyond an outer circumferential contour of the corresponding said end region.

4. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein each said end region includes a slot-shaped opening in which the corresponding said rolling element is mounted.

5. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein each said end region includes a groove-shaped opening in which the corresponding said rolling element is mounted.

6. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein each said profiled guide structure comprises a channel arranged on an interior side wall of the vehicle.

7. The functional unit according to claim 6 wherein each said profiled guide structure comprises a blocking element, said blocking elements being mounted for movement between a blocking position and a release position, said blocking elements in said blocking position projecting into said channel of the corresponding said profiled guide structure to define a stop for the corresponding said end region of said profile, said blocking elements in said release position being moved out of said channel of the corresponding said profiled guide structure.

8. The functional unit according to claim 7 further comprising a control element associated with each said blocking element for transferring said blocking elements between said blocking position and said release position.