Patent ID: 6113172
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B60N,B60R,Y10S

Abstract:
In a vehicle having an end gate capable of being opened and closed, a rear seat with a rear seat back capable of being folded such that said rear seat back forms a substantially horizontal surfaces and having an adjacent storage area disposed longitudinally rearward thereof and defined by opposing side walls, said closed end gate, and a floor, the invention comprising:a shelf movable within said storage area of said vehicle between a plurality of different positions, one of said plurality of positions includes a generally horizontal position substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded and while contemporaneously forming a space between said shelf and said floor that is accessible when said end gate is open;a front seat disposed closer to the front of said vehicle than said rear seat, said front seat capable of being folded such that the front seat back forms a substantially horizontal surface that is substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded and with said shelf while in said generally horizontal position;wherein said storage area includes at least one formation carried by one of said side walls for supporting said shelf in said substantially horizontal position substantially coplanar with said rear seat back while folded;wherein said shelf includes a plurality of edges, said edges include a pair of side edges each having a forward stop and a rearward stop protruding therefrom; andwherein said at least one formation is comprised of:a pair of front coupling formations having cup shaped structures that project from said opposing side walls for contacting said forward stops; anda pair of rear formations that project from said opposing side walls aft of said front coupling formations for contacting said rearward stops.