GB2115754A - A member for lining a vehicle luggage area - Google Patents

Abstract

The member 1 is of sheet plastics and has impressed fold or crease lines 3 which comprise a continuous impression on a major surface of the material. The crease lines enable the member to be folded in itself for storage. The member 1 may include releasable fastening means such as "Velcro" (Registered Trade Mark) for securing the member in position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A member for lining a body of a vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a member for lining a body of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART Vehicles such as estate and hatchback cars often have a luggage area that is able to, and often does, carry a great variety of loads. Such loads often damage the interior of the vehicle because of their inherent shape and because they are often wet or damp too.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to seek to provide a member which can protect the interior of a vehicle.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a member for lining at least part of the interior of a vehicle wherein the member is mouldable and has one or more fold lines about which it can be folded for storage when not in use to line the interior of a vehicle, the or each fold line being a continuous impression in a major surface of the material.

The member may include means for securing it in position in the interior of a vehicle.

The mouldable member may be made of sheet material which is inherently water-resistant, such as plastics material. The plastics material may be polypropylene.

The impression may have a base at a position farthest from the surface which base may define the point about which the member may be folded.

The or each fold line may comprise a further impression in a major surface of the member opposite the first-mentioned major surface, which further impression may have a base spaced from the base of the first impression in a direction as considered through the thickness of the member.

The two impressions may be symmetrical about a common plane at substantially 900 to the plane of the sheet material.

The first-mentioned impression may have a substantially'V' configuration in cross-section, and the angle between the limbs of the 'V' may be substantially 900.

The further impression may be of semi-circular configuration.

The radius of the semi-circular impression may be 0.4mm.

The member may have a plurality of fold lines some of which define panels which can be folded out of the plane of the member about the respective same fold lines to provide a side liner and/or baulkhead, in use, in a vehicle.

There may be other fold lines which may allow part of a panel to be folded back on itself whereby effectively to shorten the member.

The means for securing the member in position may be a fabric releasable fastening means such as "VELCRO" (Registered Trade Mark).

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for lining the interior of a vehicle, comprising two members as hereinbefore defined and each of which has a complementary edge whereby the two members can be releasably joined together in the interior of a vehicle body.

Members for lining the interior of a vehicle is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view of a member of polypropylene for lining the rear luggage area of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a second member of polypropylene for lining the area of a vehicle interior behind the front seats and after the rear seat(s) is or are folded down; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on line "A-A" of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail of part "Z" of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a third member of polypropylene for lining a part of a luggage space of a vehicle; Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-section view on line "A--A" of Figure 5: Fig. 7 is a detail of Part 2 of Figure 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth member for lining the luggage space of a vehicle in one position; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the member of Fig. 8 in a second position.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show respectively a member 1 and a member 2. Members 1 and 2 are each formed from a sheet of polypropylene so that they are inherently water resistant or water-proof. Both members 1 and 2 are 3.00mm thick.

Both members 1 and 2 have fold or crease lines 3 formed therein. These fold or crease lines 3 enable the members or sheets 1 and 2 to be collapsed while in position in the interior of a vehicle, and folded about the fold or crease lines 3 for storage when not in use.

Each fold or crease line 3 of each member 1 or 2 comprises a first continuous impression 4 on a major (the upper in this case) surface 5, the impression 4 being of "V"-shape in cross-section, the angle between the limbs being substantially 900 and the base 6 of the "V" being rounded and defining a point about which the member is folded. The folded or crease line 3 also comprises a further impression 7 in the other (lower) major surface 8 of the member 1 or 2 opposite the major surface 5. The further impression 7 is of semicircular configuration and has a rounded base directed towards the base 6 of the impression 4 there being a thickness 9 of material between the two bases. The two impressions 4 and 7 are symmetrical about a plane indicated by line "X" (Fig. 3) at substantially right angles to the plane of the sheet material forming the member 1 or 2.

As shown in Fig. 3, each fold or crease line 3 comprises a series of three impressions 4 and three impressions 7 which impressions are arranged in pairs symmetrically about respective lines "X", the central line of the three being the centre line of the crease 3.

Each member 1 or 2 includes on its lower (as considered in use) surface means (not shown) for securing the member 1 or 2 in position in use. The means is a releasable fastening means of the kind known as "VELCRO".

The member 1 is for removably mounting in the rear luggage compartment of an automobile and has a centre crease 3 which lies on the centre line of the member 1 a transverse crease line 3' and two parallel crease lines 3" which are also parallel to the central crease line 3. The crease line 3' defines a flap 10 and the crease lines 3" define respective flaps 11. The member 1 has cut-outs 12 on each side, the cut-outs 1 2 being identical and being of a shape to accommodate the rear wheel arches of the vehicle in use.

There is also a cut-out 1 3 which in use accommodates a petrol filler pipe of the vehicle.

The rear end 1 4 (as considered in use) of the member 1 is offset to the rear of the end of the flaps 11 which are joined to the rear edge by an inclined edge 1 5 inclinded at 30O to the horizontal. In use, the member 1 , folded about its crease lines 3 is laid in the rear luggage area of the vehicle and unfolded so that the floor area and part of the side walis up to approximately the waist of the vehicle are lined with the polypropylene sheet which is tough, durable and waterproof. The "Velcro", which is located at suitable positions around the periphery of the member, releasably engages with similar means positioned at suitable locations on the vehicle body interior. The wheel arches are received in cut-outs 12, and the petrol filler pipe in the cutout 13.

When it is desired to remove the member 1, it is merely necessary to unfasten the "Velcro" and fold the flaps inwardly onto the part of which is on the floor and to then fold that part on itself over the centre line crease 3. Any debris, water, etc. in the member is then folded up and can be removed without soiling the vehicle.

The member is used for lining a part of the interior which is open for carriage of a load when the rear seats of the vehicle are folded down. The member 2 is of generally u-shape and has crease lines 3 in the form of a centre crease line 3" ', lateral crease lines 3" " a transverse crease line 3""' and inclinded crease lines 3" " " which are inclinded at 45 to the horizontal.

The member 2 has an edge 1 6 complementary to an edge 1 7 of the member 1, which edges have Velcro to join the members together so that in use the two members form a set of parts and together line the whole of the interior from the tailgate to the rear seats, parts 18 of the member being folded up about the crease lines 3" " and the corner sections being folded back upon themselves about the inclinded crease lines 3" " "to provide a rigidified structure and a waterproof corner.

Also, the material of the member 2 can be folded about the crease line 3" " ' to provide an in use upwardly directed baulkhead.

The member 2 also has releasable securing means such as "VELCRO" for releasably securing it to the vehicle. In use, the member 2 can be unfolded about the crease lines, and secured in position with the "Velcro". The member 2 is simply removed by unfastening the Velcro and folding the member about the crease lines 3 to provide a compact bundle for storage, as with member 1.

Referring to Figs. 5-6 there is shown a member 100 formed from a sheet of polypropylene so that the member is inherently water-resistant or waterproof. The member 100 has fold or crease lines 102 formed in it, which fold or crease lines enable the member 100 to be collapsed while in position in the interior of a vehicle and folded for storage when not in use.

There are three longitudinally extending fold or crease lines 103,104 and 105, the centre one 104 of which lies, in use, longitudinally centrally of the vehicle.

There are transverse crease lines 106, 1 06a, 107 and 108, and crease lines 109 which extend from the lateral longitudinally extending crease lines 103 and 105 to the lateral free edges 110 of the member 100 at an angle to the transverse crease lines 106, 1 06a, 107 and 108, and to a respective free edge or end in the case of some lines. In the embodiment shown the angle is 45 .

The crease lines 1 09 thus form a zig-zag configuration along opposite longitudinal sides of the member 100. Alternate crease lines 109 are therefore parallel and they together with the adjacent crease lines 103 or 105 and free edge 110 form a parallelogram. There is thus a series of parallelograms along each side of the member 1.

Also each segment of the member 1 between adjacent transverse crease lines has an inclined crease line 109, the crease lines 109 being oppositely inclined in adjacent segments.

In use, the member 100 can be mounted in the luggage space of a vehicle, the crease lines 103 and 105 lying along the lateral extremities of the floor of the vehicle and the sides of the member being folded upwardly about respective crease lines 103 or 105 to line the sides of the vehicle.

The member 100 has securing means such as "Velcro" for securing it in position in the vehicle. If the seats of the vehicle are collapsed, the central panel 111 is extended as shown. If the seat backs are upright, the member 100 is folded upwardly about crease line 107 or 108 as desired, the side inclined crease lines 109 enabling adjacent parts of the segments of the sides or wall panels to be folded back on each other about the particular crease line 109 in order to accommodate this "shortening" of the member 100 and to form a corner fold between the upright transverse part of the member and the sides of wall panels.

The member 100 can thus be "shortened" as desired, the side or wall panels being folded in concertina-like fashion about the inclined crease lines. There may be a gripper member (not shown) in the form of a channel-shaped clip which can hold the bunched-up segments to provide a rigid arrangement. There may also be a stiffener which can engage the free ends of the member in the folded position to maintain it upright.

The inclinded crease lines 109 also allow the sides to "bulge" inwardly of the vehicle about its wheel arches, so avoiding the need to provide cutouts in the member.

The member 100 may be folded into a small compact bundle for storage. Each crease line 102, generally shown in Figures 6 and 7, is of the form shown and described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the first embodiment, though in the embodiment of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the deeper creases 102 alternate between being open upwardly and downwardly, as considered in Fig. 6 stated in another way, alternate crease lines 102 are in the upper and lower as viewed, surfaces of the member 100.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the member 200 shown, which is of plastic, preferably polypropylene, has a plurality of fold lines integrally formed therein as by high frequency welding. Some of the fold lines 202 define panels which can be folded about those fold lines 202 out of the plane of the member 200 to provide side liners 203 and a baulkhead 204 which extends transversely of the interior of the vehicle in use. The baulkhead 204, a bottom panel 205 and the side liners 203 are integral so that the whole of the interior of the vehicle is protected against flow of liquids which may be split on the liner when in position.

There are other fold lines 206 which enable part of the side liners 203 to fold back on themselves in a concertina-like fashion if the member 200 has to be shortened effectively by folding about one of the transverse fold lines 202 to bring the baulkhead 204 towards the rear of the vehicle if the rear seats of the vehicle remain in an upright position (Fig. 9). The space to the rear of the rear seats, as considered in use, is still lined by the member 200 and there are no gaps through which liquids or powders or other flowable material can pass to the vehicle.

The fold lines 202 and 206 also enable the member to be folded into a pack for transport or storage. The member 200, in use, may be used with utility containers 207 which are mountable over the rear wheel arches of the vehicle and which are hollow and open at the top 208 to provide access for storage.

The fold lines 202 and 206 may be of the form described with respect to Figs. 1-4 or Figs. 5-7.

The members shown are particularly suitable for lining the luggage area of a Mark IV Ford Cortina Estate, but members and a kit of parts embodying the invention can with suitable shape modifications be used to line most vehicles. In every embodiment, the fold lines are an integral part of the member(s).

Claims (14)

1. A member for lining at least part of the interior of a vehicle, wherein the member is mouldable and has one or more fold lines about which it can be folded for storage when not in use to line the interior of a vehicle, the or each fold line being a continuous impression in a major surface of the material.

2. A member according to Claim 1, made of sheet material which is inherently water-resistant.

3. A member according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in the or each impression having a base at a position furthest from the surface which base defines the point about which the member may be folded.

4. A member according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the or each fold line comprises a further impression in a major surface of the member opposite the first-mentioned major surface, which further impression has a base spaced from the base of the first impression in a direction as considered through the thickness of the member.

5. A member according to Claim 4, the two impressions being symmetrical about a common plane at substantially 900 to the plane of the sheet material.

6. A member according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, the first-mentioned impression having a substantially 'V' configuration in cross-section.

7. A member according to Claim 7, the angle at the apex of the 'V' being substantially 900.

8. A member according to any of Claims 5 to 7, the further impression having a semi-circular configuration.

9. A member according to any preceding Claim, some of the lines defining panels which can be folded out of the planes of the member about the respective same fold lines to provide a side liner and/or baulkhead, in use, in a vehicle.

10. A member according to Claim 9, other of the fold lines enabling parts of the member on either side thereof to be folded back on themselves.

11. A member according to any preceding Claim, the means for securing the member in position comprising a fabric releasable fastening means.

12. A member for lining at least part of the interior of a vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. A set of parts for lining the interior of a vehicle, comprising two members according to any preceding Claim, each of which has a complementary edge whereby the two members can be releasably joined together in the interior of a vehicle body.

14. A set of parts for lining the interior of a vehicle, comprising a member according to any preceding claim and a utility container or containers which are mountable over a rear wheel arch of the vehicle.