IP Library Granted Patent US 7,731,255
Granted Patent B2
US 7,731,255 · App. 11/733,497 · Granted Jun 8, 2010

Interior vehicle cargo system

Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,731,255
App. No.
11/733,497
Granted
Jun 8, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interior vehicle cargo system is provided with an interior cargo structure, bulkhead and a bulkhead attachment assembly. The bulkhead attachment assembly selectively retains the bulkhead in one of a plurality of locations within interior cargo area. The bulkhead attachment assembly includes at least a pair of elongated tracks and at least one fastening structure associated with each of the elongated tracks. One of the elongated tracks is attached to a first one of the vehicle panels, while another elongated track is attached to a second one of the vehicle panels that is opposite the first one of the vehicle panels. The fastening structures are slideably arranged on the elongated tracks to selectively fastening the bulkhead at one of the plurality of locations.

Claims (38)

1. An interior vehicle cargo system comprising:

an interior cargo structure including a lower vehicle panel, a first side vehicle panel, a second side vehicle panel and an upper vehicle panel defining a vertical cross sectional area;

a bulkhead movably positioned within an interior cargo area and dividing the interior cargo area into first and second interior spaces, the bulkhead including first and second side surfaces defined by a lower bulkhead edge, a first side bulkhead edge, a second side bulkhead edge and an upper bulkhead edge, the first and second side surfaces facing in opposite directions of the interior cargo area with the first side surface defining an end wall of the first interior space and the second side surface defining an end wall of the second interior space; and

a bulkhead attachment assembly selectively retaining the bulkhead in one of a plurality of locations within the interior cargo area, the bulkhead attachment assembly including

a first elongated track attached to a first one of the vehicle panels,

a first fastening structure slideably arranged on the first elongated track to selectively fasten a first one of the bulkhead edges to the first elongated track at one of the plurality of locations,

a second elongated track attached to a second one of the vehicle panels that is opposite the first one of the vehicle panels, and

a second fastening structure slideably arranged on the second elongated track to selectively fasten a second one of the bulkhead edges to the second elongated track at one of the plurality of locations,

with each of the first and second fastening structures being accessible from each of the first and second interior spaces to be operated between a secured position and a released position.

2. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongated tracks are secured to the lower and upper vehicle panels, respectively.

3. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the first and second elongated tracks are secured to the first and second side vehicle panels, respectively.

4. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead attachment assembly further includes a third elongated track attached to the first one of the vehicle panels, and a third fastening structure selectively fastening the first one of the edges of the bulkhead to the third elongated track at one of the plurality of locations.

5. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

each of the first and second fastening structures includes an operating member at least partially disposed within the bulkhead and a securing member disposed in a corresponding one of the first and second elongated tracks to releasably secure the bulkhead to the first and second elongated tracks.

6. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 5 , wherein

the operating members are recessed inwardly from the first and second side surfaces of the bulkhead.

7. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead has a first mounting aperture extending between the first and second side surfaces of the bulkhead with an operating portion of the first fastening structure being exposed by the first mounting aperture, and a second mounting aperture extending between the first and second side surfaces of the bulkhead with an operating portion of the second fastening structure being exposed by the second mounting aperture.

8. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the first and second elongated tracks are flushly mounted with respect to adjacent interior surfaces of the first and second ones of the vehicle panels.

9. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead includes a door that at least partially forms the lower bulkhead edge when the door is in a closed position.

10. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead includes at least one cargo hook disposed on at least one of the first and second side surfaces of the bulkhead.

11. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead includes an upper section with an upper window aperture that extends a majority of a lateral width of the bulkhead as measured between the first and second side bulkhead edges.

12. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead includes at least one cargo net disposed on at least one of the first and second side surfaces of the bulkhead.

13. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 1 , wherein

the bulkhead is dimensioned slightly smaller than the overall vertical cross sectional area of the interior cargo structure.

14. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 13 , wherein

the bulkhead attachment assembly further includes a third elongated track attached to the first one of the vehicle panels, and a third fastening structure selectively fastening the first one of the edges of the bulkhead to the third elongated track at one of the plurality of locations.

15. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 13 , wherein

each of the first and second fastening structures includes an operating member at least partially disposed within the bulkhead and a securing member disposed in a corresponding one of the first and second elongated tracks to releasably secure the bulkhead to the first and second elongated tracks.

16. The interior vehicle cargo system according to claim 15 , wherein

the operating members are recessed inwardly from the first and second side surfaces of the bulkhead.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2010
From: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 025066/0653 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2007
From: MCJUNKIN, JAMES G
To: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 019621/0312 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080253857A1 · Oct 16, 2008