Vehicle curtain

• US 9,994,089 B1
• Filed: 11/29/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Hellman, Kristin Ann, Welch, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US15/362,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20180147918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2011 Blinds; curtains or screens reducing heat or light intensity means against intense light blinding the driver or passengers B60J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2038 Storage boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2041 Blind sheets, e.g. shape of sheets, reinforcements in sheets, materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2052 Guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2063 Mounting arrangements for roller blind or its storage box, e.g. integration into beltline or window frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2072 Blinds with inclined or vertical orientation of the winding axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/101 for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/54 Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/02 to be attached to overhanging loads or extending parts of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/06 Tents at least partially supported by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/10 Heating, lighting or ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element

Abstract

A vehicle includes a lift gate operable between the open and closed positions and includes an interior trim panel. A track assembly is positioned on a perimeter of the interior trim panel. A curtain is coupled to the track assembly and configured to hang from the lift gate in the open position.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a lift gate operable between open and closed positions and comprising;

an interior trim panel; and

a track assembly positioned on a perimeter of the interior trim panel; and

a curtain coupled to the track assembly and configured to hang from the lift gate in the open position.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the curtain comprises a photoluminescent structure.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises a phosphorescent material.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a storage bin coupled to the interior trim panel and configured to store the curtain when the lift gate is in the closed position.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the curtain is substantially opaque.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the curtain defines an occupancy space behind the vehicle and under the lift gate in the open position.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source configured to emit light onto the curtain.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the light source is positioned on an interior trim panel of the lift gate.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a support member coupled to the curtain, wherein the support member is positioned vehicle rearward of the vehicle such that the curtain extends in a vehicle rearward direction from the lift gate.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a lift gate operable between open and closed positions;

a track assembly positioned proximate a perimeter of the lift gate; and

a curtain coupled to the track assembly and configured to hang from the lift gate in the open position, wherein the curtain defines occupancy space behind the vehicle and under the lift gate in the open position.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the curtain comprises a first portion and a second portion which are independently movable along the track assembly.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the curtain is substantially waterproof.

13. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the curtain comprises a phosphorescent material.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising:

a light source positioned on the lift gate, wherein the light source emits light into an interior of the vehicle when the lift gate is in the closed position.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a lift gate operable between open and closed positions;

a track assembly positioned proximate a perimeter of the lift gate; and

a curtain coupled to the track assembly and configured to hang from the lift gate in the open position, wherein the curtain comprises a photoluminescent structure.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the curtain is substantially opaque.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising:

a light source positioned proximate the curtain and configured to charge the photoluminescent structure.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the light source emits an excitation emission to charge the photoluminescent structure.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the curtain is substantially opaque.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the curtain defines an occupancy space behind the vehicle and under the lift gate in the open position.