GB2458575A

GB2458575A - Loading-space cover for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2458575A
Application number: GB0905159A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mathias Krueger
Original assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Current assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Priority date: 2008-03-26
Filing date: 2009-03-25
Publication date: 2009-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-25
Also published as: GB0905159D0; DE102008015618A1; FR2929199B1; GB2458575B; FR2929199A1; DE102008015618B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loading-space cover 2 with a dimensionally stable housing 5, in which a flexible sheet-like structure or net 8 is mounted in a manner such that it can be rolled up, the loading-space cover having on the longitudinal end in each case a holding means 6, via which the loading-space cover can be held detachably in associated holders on the loading-space side of a motor vehicle. The holding means are designed such that in the event of a crash the holding means are held reliably in the holders on the loading-space side wall and permit energy-absorbing turning of the loading-space cover about the longitudinal axis 9 thereof. The holding means of the loading space cover may comprise a spring-loaded locking mechanism 12 having spring-loaded pincers 13 which securely hold a bolt on the loading-space side wall.

Description

LOAD[NG-SPACE COVER The present invention relates to a loading-space cover with a dimensionally stable housing, in which a flexible sheet-like structure, in particular a load-securing net, is mounted in a manner such that it can be rolled up, in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1. The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a loading-space cover.

A generic loading-space cover for a motor vehicle which comprises a flexible sheet-like structure for restraining cargo, and also a dimensionally stable (shape stable/shape retaining) housing unit which is detachably held in holder[s} on the side of the loading-space, is known from DE 20 2006 018 470 Ui. Therein, means for transferring the housing unit into a securing position which forms a positive lock with the holders on the loading-space side dependent on a tensile or bending load acting on the sheet-like structure are provided. Upon a stress, for example in the event of an accident, the housing unit of the loading-space cover is inevitably transferred into the securing position which is locked in a positive manner with the holders on the loading-space side. The positive-lock connection of the housing unit with the holders on the loading-space side in this case is provided exclusively in the event that it may be stressed by cargo which is flung in. In all other cases, the housing unit of the loading-space cover can be inserted simply in the region of the holders on the loading-space side or removed therefrom.

In particular with motor vehicles having relatively-shallow loading spaces, such as for example sports cars, in the event of accidents it may happen that the cargo transported in the loading space presses against the loading-space cover and may tear it out of the anchoring means on the side of the loading-space. The result of this is that in this case not only the cargo, but additionally also the loading-space cover, are freely movable and hence unsecured. Particularly in the case of serious accidents, there may be additional risks of injury due to items of cargo flying around or a loading-space cover being flung around.

The present invention is therefore concerned with the problem of devising an improved embodiment for a generic loading-space cover which, particularly in the event of accidents, offers improved, i.e. increased, protection of the occupants.

The invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subjects of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the general concept of anchoring a known loading-space cover in a loading space of a motor vehicle such that, in the event of an accident, i.e. when cargo is flung forwards, it can turn about its longitudinal axis and in so doing does not become detached from the holders on the loading-space side. This is highly advantageous in particular with sports cars, since these usually have only very shallow loading spaces and therefore also are capable of transporting exclusively shallow cargo.

Crates of drinks may for example be a shallow cargo of this type. In the event of the motor vehicle equipped with the loading-space cover according to the invention crashing, the cargo, for example the crates of drinks, is thus flung forwards towards the rear-seat backrests, initially being held by the loading-space cover. However, if the deceleration occurring upon the crash is too great, the action of the crates of drinks forcing their way further forward causes turning of the loading-space cover about the longitudinal axis, with the cargo, or rather the crates of drinks, at the same time being wedged beneath the loading-space cover. In this position, the loading-space cover continues to be connected securely via the holding means on the longitudinal end with holders on the loading-space side and thereby effects fixing of the cargo forcing its way forwards. At the same time, the cargo in the event of a further deceleration bumps into the rear side of a rear-seat backrest and in this case is wedged in on three sides, namely from above by the loading-space cover, from the front by the rear side of the rear-seat backrest and from below by a floor of the loading space. Uncontrolled and hence extremely dangerous flinging around in the loading space can thus be prevented effectively in at least many cases, with protection of the occupants of a motor vehicle equipped with the loading-space cover according to the invention being able to be improved considerably. The turning of the loading-space cover about its longitudinal axis in this case requires a predefined expenditure of force, so that impact energy can be absorbed thereby as well. At the same time, the holding means arranged on the longitudinal end of the loading-space cover are designed such that they remain securely connected to the holders, for example holding bolts, on the loading-space side, even under very high stresses. Unwanted detachment of the loading-space cover from the holders on the loading-space side can be prevented thereby.

In a firther advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, at least one holding means has a spring-loaded locking mechanism which in the locked state securely surrounds a holding bolt on the loading-space side. A locking mechanism of this type may for example have spring-loaded locking pincers, between which the holding bolt on the loading-space side is wedged in the locked state. To unlock the two locking pincers, these have to be spread apart counter to the spring pre-load, which is possible for example by means of an unlocking lever which is readily accessible from a loading space. A spring-loaded locking mechanism of this type is therefore self-locking, that is to say that it is usually in its closed position and requires a corresponding opening force for opening. In particular with safety-relevant structural components, such mechanical securing means are also already considerably superior to electronic securing means which are already known today, since they for example are not dependent on a supply of electric power. Expediently, a projecting arm is arranged on a frame of the locking mechanism, on which arm are arranged a connecting member with at least two meander-shaped (for example of square tooth/square notch outline) connecting arms which are adjustably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the housing on the housing of the loading-space cover. Owing to the meander-shaped configuration of the connecting arms, these can be lengthened plastically in energy-absorbing manner in the event of the motor vehicle crashing, which means that impact energy can be converted into defonnation energy. At the same time, such meander-shaped connecting arms can be constructed inexpensively and simply, for example as a stamped sheet metal part, so that the use thereof does not incur increased costs. Such a meander-shaped configuration of the connecting arms also permits turning thereof, which means that the turning of the loading-space cover about the longitudinal axis thereof and hence wedging of a cargo under the loading-space cover is made possible in the event of a crash.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It goes without saying that the above-mentioned features and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in different combinations or on their own, without departihg from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred examples of embodiment of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in greater detail in the following description, with identical reference numerals relating to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

Therein, in each case diagrammatically, Fig. la depicts a section of a loading space of a motor vehicle with a loading-space cover according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. lb depicts a view as in Fig. Ia, but with a cargo which has been displaced due to a crash, Fig. 2 depicts a detail view of a holding means on the longitudinal end with a locking mechanism, Fig. 3 depicts an exploded view of the locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 depicts different views of the holding means of the loading-space cover according to the embodiment of the invention.

Corresponding to Figs. la and ib, a loading space 1 of a motor vehicle (the rest not being shown) has a loading-space cover 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The loading-space cover 2 in this case is shown at a distance from the rear side 3 of a seat backrest 4, it being entirely conceivable for the loading-space cover 2 directly to adjoin the rear side 3 of the (rear) seat backrest 4. The loading-space cover 2 usually has a dimensionally stable housing 5 with holding means 6 arranged on the longitudinal end (cf. Figs. 2 to 4), via which it is connected with holders on the loading-space side. To cover the loading space 1, the loading-space cover 2 usually has an extendable flexible sheet-like structure 8, in particular a load-securing net, with which the loading space 1 and in particular cargo 7 stowed therein can be covered.

Now, the loading-space cover 2 according to the invention is designed such that in the event of a crash, such as is shown for example in Fig. Ib, on one hand it is held reliably in the holders on the loading-space side and on the other hand permits energy-absorbing turning about the longitudinal axis 9 thereof. If Fig. lb is thus considered, the cargo 7 in the event of an accident is shifted in the direction of travel 10 forwards towards the rear side 3 of the rear-seat backrest 4, however, depending on the height beneath the loading- space cover 2, sliding through with turning of the latter. The turning of the loading- space cover 2 in this case takes place under a deformation force and is thus energy-absorbing. The end of the shifting movement of the cargo 7 in this case is characterised by wedging of the cargo 7 by the loading-space cover 2, the rear side 3 of the rear-seat backrest 4 and a loading-space floor 11. The cargo 7 is thus wedged in on three sides and due to this is no longer capable of being flung in an uncontrolled manner through the loading space i, and in particular over a top end of the rear-seat backrest 4 into a passenger compartment. At the same time, the loading-space cover 2 according to the invention causes itself, despite a deformation, namely turning about the longitudinal axis 9 thereof, to be held reliably in the holders on the loading-space side and thereby likewise prevents itself from being able to be flung around in an uncontrolled manner in the loading space 2 or in a passenger compartment located in front of it in the direction of travel 10.

For holding the loading-space cover 2, the latter -as mentioned above -has holding means 6 on the longitudinal end which in turn comprise a locking mechanism 12 which in the locked state securely surrounds a holding bolt on the loading-space side (not shown). Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the locking mechanism 12, in which it can be seen that the locking mechanism 12 comprises two spring-loaded locking pincers 13, namely an upper locking pincer 13 and a lower locking pincer 13', which in the locked state wedge the holding bolt on the loading-space side between them. The two locking pincers 13 and 13' in this case are spring-loaded via a sole spring element 14 in the closing direction thereof and mounted rotatably on a cage-like, dimensionally stable frame 15 (of. Fig. 2), which may in particular be made of steel. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 12 comprises a wedge-like securing lever 16, which is pre-loaded via a spring element 14' with a wedge element 17 between the two locking pincers 13 and 13'.

For anchoring the holding means 6 on the holding bolt on the loading-space side, the latter is pressed in through a keyhole-like opening 18, pushing away the securing lever 16 and spreading the two locking pincers 13, 13' apart. The securing lever 16 in that case is mounted rotatably on a bearing element 19. Both the bearing element 19 and the securing lever 16 may for example be made from plastics material.

As can be inferred from Fig. 2, the frame 15 has a projecting arm 20, on which a connecting member 21 for attaching the housing 5 of the loading-space cover 2 is arranged. The connecting member 21 in turn has at least two meander-shaped (for example of square tooth/square notch outline) connecting arms 22 which are mounted on the housing 5 of the loading-space cover 2 to be aiijustable in the longitudinal direction 9 of the housing. In the illustration in accordance with Fig. 2, a total of three meander-shaped connecting arms 22 are provided. That part of the connecting arms 22 remote from the arm 20 of the frame 15 in that case is guided in a longitudinal groove 23 on the loading-space cover 2, so that in the event of a crash a relative movement can be produced between the connecting arms 22 and the loading-space cover 2. A longitudinal movement of this type, and also turning of the loading-space cover 2 about the longitudinal axis 9 thereof, can take place in that case with energy-absorbing deformation of the meander-shaped connecting arms 22.

In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the locking mechanism 12 has an unlocking lever 24 which is guided on the frame 15 and can be actuated from the loading space 1, which lever upon unlocking presses the two locking pincers 13 and 13' apart with a wedge element 17 and thus releases the holding bolt wedged therebetween.

Generally, with the loading-space cover 2 according to the invention it is possible in the event of a crash to ensure permanent anchoring with the holders on the loading-space side and furthermore to permit rotation of the loading-space cover 2 about the longitudinal axis 9 thereof, upon which energy is absorbed owing to the deformation of the connecting arms 22 and at the same time the cargo 7 which slides forward in the direction of travel 10 can be wedged beneath the loading-space cover 2, so that said cargo can no longer be flung around in an uncontrolled manner in the loading space 1.

Claims

Claims 1. A loading-space cover with a shape-stable housing, in which a flexible sheet-like structure, in particular a load-securing net, is mounted in a manner such that it can be rolled up, the loading-space cover having on the longitudinal end in each case a holding means, via which the loading-space cover can be held detachably in associated holders, on the loading-space side, of a motor vehicle, wherein the holding means are designed such that in the event of a crash on one hand they are held reliably in the holders on the loading-space side and on the other hand permit energy-absorbing turning of the loading-space coverabout the longitudinal axis thereof.
2. A loading-space cover according to Claim 1, wherein at least one holding means has a spring-loaded locking mechanism which in the locked state securely surrounds a holding bolt on the loading-space side.
3. A loading-space cover according to Claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism has two spring-loaded locking pincers which in the locked state wedge the holding bolt between them.
4. A loading space cover, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
5. A motor vehicle including a loading-space cover according to any one of the preceding claims.