Foldable Panel for Storage Space of an Automotive Vehicle or the Like

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a foldable parcel shelf for a "hatch-back" type vehicle or the like and more specifically to a foldable panel which obviates deterioration of the panel covering along the portion thereof which is flexed during folding of the panel.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In a previously proposed arrangement, such as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, separate front and rear panels 1, 2 are hingedly interconnected via hinge members 3 which each have a pair of parallel spindles 4, 5 rotatably received in tubular envelopes 6, 7 fixed to each of the panels. A relatively thich carpet or decorative cover 8 is fixed to the surface of the panels via a suitable adhesive. As best seen in FIG. 3, the spindles 4, 5 extend from a base member 9 which has a triangular shape and which is adapted to be received in a semi-circular recess formed in structural members 10 located along either side of the panels 1 and 2. To additionally maintain the hinge members 3 in position when the panels are not being lifted, a pin 11 is adapted to engage in a suitable groove formed in the associated structural member 10.

With this arrangement, when the rear panel 2 is lifted, the axis of rotation thereof is defined by the spindles 5, while when the front panel 1 is lifted, the axis of rotation thereof is defined by the spindles 4.

However, a drawback has been encountered in that a substantial predetermined distance "H" must be provided between the inboard edges of the spindle receiving envelopes 6, 7 to allow for the folding action illustrated in FIG. 6 and the thickness of the decorative cover 8 itself. This gap causes a zone wherein the upper decorative cover 8 is unsupported and may be stretched down into the gap because of loads placed thereon or frequent folding. This of course detracts from the appearance of the arrangement as a whole and hastens the time at which the cover will split and/or tear.

A further example of prior art essentially the same as that described hereinabove may be found in U.S. Ser. No. 41,771, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,555 to which reference is hereby made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the arrangement of the present invention will become more clearly appreciated from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the prior art arrangement discussed in the opening paragraphs of the disclosure disposed within a hatchback type vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of the aforementioned prior art;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic elevation showing the front and rear panels, pin receiving envelopes and decorative cover of the prior art arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but showing the panel folded;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing a parcel shelf according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic elevation showing a part of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 but showing the panel folded;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an elevation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is an elevation of a guide member which cooperates with the pin shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a panel construction which characterizes the invention is shown. In this arrangement the front and rear panels 20, 22 are formed of the same sheet of material which in this case is preferably a thermo-plastic resin. A channel-like recess 24 is formed across the sheet to separate the front and rear panels and define a thin web-like portion 26 which interconnects same. Fused onto the upper surface of the sheet is a suitable decorative cover 28. The thin strip or web 26 interconnecting the front and rear panels acts as a hinge and allows for the arrangement to be folded as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows the panel illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 provided with a metallic reinforcing strip 30 attached to the front panel 20 by self tapping screws, and hinge reinforcing members 32 formed of a suitable plastic such as polypropylene, at each end of the channel 24. The metallic reinforcing strip 30 is adapted to extend across the width of the front panel and preferably seat on the structural members 34 provided adjacent either side of the panel so as to support the front panel 20 when in the closed position. A second reinforcing strip may be fixed to the rear panel 22 to increase the degree of rigidity of the arrangement and to increase the load bearing capacity of the structure.

As shown, each plastic reinforcing member 32 has a stepped portion adapted to be received in the recess 24 and which is thin enough to permit flexture thereof when either one of the front or rear panels is lifted. Each member 32 is further formed with a pin 36 which extends outwardly toward a structural member 34 but which does not extend beyond the shadow of the panel to which it is attached.

FIG. 12 shows a guide member 38 which may advantageously be formed of a similar plastic as the reinforcing member and which is secured to the structural member 34 in a position that the pin 36 will slide therein as the rear panel is lifted through an initial predetermined angle.

With this arrangement, the front and rear panels 20, 22 may be opened as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 11.

To secure the front panel 20 in position when the rear panel 22 is being lifted, a suitable clip may be provided thereon. Furthermore, to secure the rear panel 22 in position when the rear door of the vehicle is closed, an elastomeric window seal 40 which holds the rear window glass in position (see FIG. 7) may be adapted to seat on the endmost edge of the rear panel to secure same in position.

Further, the rear panel may be connected to the rear door via a suitable cable so as to be lifted simultaneously with the rear door.