Privacy panel assembly for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11801739-B2
Application number	US-202217577637-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 18, 2022
Priority date	Jan 18, 2022
Publication date	Oct 31, 2023
Grant date	Oct 31, 2023

Abstract

A vehicle system, includes an upper liftgate of a split liftgate assembly, a lower liftgate of the split liftgate assembly, and a privacy panel assembly that extends between the upper liftgate and the lower liftgate. Another vehicle system includes a hanger bracket assembly configured to engage at least one hinge assembly of a vehicle, a liftgate assembly pivotably connected to the vehicle, and a privacy panel that is coupled to the hanger bracket assembly and the liftgate. A shielding method includes securing a privacy panel assembly to an upper liftgate of a split liftgate assembly of a vehicle, and securing the privacy panel assembly to a lower liftgate of the split liftgate assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle system, comprising:
an upper liftgate of a split liftgate assembly;
a lower liftgate of the split liftgate assembly;
a privacy panel assembly that extends between the upper liftgate and the lower liftgate; and
a hanger bracket assembly configured to engage at least one hinge assembly that pivotably couples the upper liftgate to a body of a vehicle, the privacy panel assembly additionally secured to the hanger bracket assembly.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the privacy panel assembly is secured to the upper liftgate and the lower liftgate.

3. The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the privacy panel assembly includes at least one fabric panel.

4. The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the privacy panel assembly includes a first panel, a second panel, and a plurality of braces sandwiched between the first panel and the second panel.

5. The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the privacy panel assembly includes at least one vent that permits airflow from a first side of the privacy panel assembly to an opposite, second side of the privacy panel assembly.

6. The vehicle system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one vent is covered by a mesh material.

7. The vehicle system of claim 1 , further comprising a pull strap, the pull strap secured to the hanger bracket assembly.

8. The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the privacy panel assembly includes portions that stretch.

9. A vehicle system, comprising:
a hanger bracket assembly configured to engage at least one hinge assembly of a vehicle;
a liftgate assembly pivotably connected to the vehicle; and
a privacy panel that is secured to both the hanger bracket assembly and the liftgate.

10. The vehicle system of claim 9 , wherein the liftgate is a split liftgate that includes an upper liftgate and a lower liftgate.

11. The vehicle system of claim 9 , wherein the privacy panel is disposed alongside an opening to a cargo area of the vehicle on a passenger side or a driver side of the opening.

12. A shielding method, comprising:
securing a privacy panel assembly to an upper liftgate of a split liftgate assembly of a vehicle;
securing the privacy panel assembly to a lower liftgate of the split liftgate assembly; and
securing the privacy panel assembly to a hanger bracket assembly that is engaged with at least one hinge assembly of the vehicle.

13. The shielding method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving a finger of the hanger bracket assembly within a loop of the privacy panel assembly to secure the hanger bracket assembly from the hanger bracket assembly.

14. The shielding method of claim 12 , wherein the upper liftgate is pivotable connected to the vehicle through the at least one hinge assembly.

15. The shielding method of claim 12 , further comprising opening at least one vent to permit a flow of air through the privacy panel assembly.

16. The shielding method of claim 12 , further comprising supporting the privacy panel assembly with a plurality of braces that are disposed between a first panel and a second panel of the privacy panel assembly.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Glickman David Brian
• Aguirre Adrian
• Jones Micah
• Berry Hussein H
• Shedlarski Dustin

Classifications

• B60J9/00 Primary

  Devices not provided for in one of main groups B60J1/00 - B60J7/00 (B60J10/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D33/027

  movable · CPC title

• B62D33/0273

  Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60J5/103 Primary

  where lower door part moves independently from other door structures, e.g. by being hinged on the vehicle body · CPC title

• B60J5/107

  constructional details, e.g. about door frame, panels, materials used, reinforcements · CPC title