Multi-function/position cover system for a vehicle cargo area

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9610897-B2
Application number	US-201514709554-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2015
Priority date	May 12, 2015
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle having first and second seat rows supported by a floor and a lift gate for accessing a cargo area partially defined by the second seat row, the floor, and the lift gate includes first and second flexible covers positioned within at least one cassette in a retracted position. The at least one cassette is positioned adjacent a floor of the vehicle behind the second seat row. At least one of the first and flexible covers may include a pass through door allowing for storage of elongated cargo when at least a portion of the second seat row is folded down. The pass through door may be secured in a closed position by a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, at least one magnet, or at least one snap.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A vehicle having first and second seat rows supported by a floor and a lift gate for accessing a cargo area partially defined by the second seat row, the floor, and the lift gate, comprising:
first and second flexible covers positioned within at least one cassette in a retracted position, said at least one cassette positioned adjacent a floor of the vehicle behind the second seat row.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second flexible covers includes a pass through door allowing for storage of elongated cargo when at least a portion of the second seat row is folded down.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein said pass through door is secured in a closed position by a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, at least one magnet, or at least one snap.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said first flexible cover extends rearward along the floor of the cargo area in a first extended position, and is secured to a scuff of the vehicle positioned adjacent the floor and a lower end of the lift gate.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said first flexible cover extends substantially vertically behind said second seat row in a second extended position and is secured by a retainer in the second extended position, and wherein said second flexible cover extends substantially vertically between said second seat row and said first flexible member and rearward above said first flexible cover, and is secured adjacent the lift gate in a third extended position.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein said first and second flexible covers each include a pass through door allowing for storage of elongated cargo when at least a portion of the second seat row is folded down.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said first flexible cover extends forward and is secured to a head rest associated with the first seat row in a fourth extended position, and wherein said second flexible cover extends rearward and is secured adjacent the lift gate in a fifth extended position.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said first flexible cover is positioned within a first cassette in a retracted position and said second flexible cover is positioned within a second cassette in a retracted position, and wherein said first cassette is secured to the vehicle and said second cassette is attached to said first cassette.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein said second cassette includes a pair of hooks and said first cassette includes a pair of apertures for receiving said pair of hooks and attaching said first cassette to said second cassette.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein at least one of said first and second flexible covers includes a pass through door allowing for storage of elongated cargo when at least a portion of the second seat row is folded down.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein said first flexible cover extends rearward along the floor of the cargo area in a first extended position, and is secured to a scuff of the vehicle positioned adjacent the floor and a lower end of the lift gate.

12. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein said first flexible cover extends substantially vertically behind said second seat row in a second extended position and is secured by a retainer in the second extended position, and wherein said second flexible cover extends substantially vertically between said second seat row and said first flexible member and rearward above said first flexible cover, and is secured adjacent the lift gate in a third extended position.

13. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein said first flexible cover extends forward and is secured to a head rest associated with the first seat row in a fourth extended position, and wherein said second flexible cover extends rearward and is secured adjacent the lift gate in a fifth extended position.

14. A vehicle having first and second seat rows supported by a floor and a lift gate for accessing a cargo area partially defined by the second seat row, the floor, and the lift gate, comprising:
a first flexible cover positioned within a first cassette in a retracted position, said first cassette mounted to the vehicle adjacent a floor of the vehicle behind the second seat row, and
wherein said first cassette is adapted for secure attachment to a second cassette having a second flexible cover therein in a retracted position.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , further comprising a second cassette having a second flexible cover therein in a retracted position; and
wherein said first cassette includes at least one receiver for receiving at least one member extending from said second cassette when said first and second cassettes are attached.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , where said at least one member is hook shaped for locating and securing said first and second cassettes when said first and second cassettes are attached.

17. A cover system for a vehicle cargo area, comprising:
a first cassette mounted to the vehicle adjacent a floor of the vehicle behind a second seat row, said first cassette having a first flexible cover positioned therein in a retracted position; and
a second cassette attached to said first cassette, said second cassette having a second flexible cover positioned therein in a retracted position.

18. The cover system for a vehicle cargo area of claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first and second flexible covers includes a pass through door allowing for storage of elongated cargo.

19. The cover system for a vehicle cargo area of claim 17 , wherein said first flexible cover extends rearward along a floor of the cargo area in a first extended position, and is secured in the extended position.

20. The cover system for a vehicle cargo area of claim 17 , wherein said first flexible cover extends substantially vertically behind a second seat row in a second extended position and is secured in the second extended position, and wherein said second flexible cover extends substantially vertically between the second seat row and said first flexible member and rearward above said first flexible cover in a third extended position, and is secured in the third extended position.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Huelke David
• Dunham Scott Holmes
• Jones Peter David Alexander
• Clifford Daniel

Classifications

• B60P7/02

  Covering of load · CPC title

• B62D63/02

  Motor vehicles · CPC title

• B60R7/02

  in separate luggage compartment {(B60R7/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R5/006

  stowing or holding means for elongated articles, e.g. skis inside vehicles · CPC title

• B60R5/048 Primary

  of accordion-type, i.e. collapsible by sliding and folding · CPC title