Patent ID: 6311796
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An equipment compartment integrated into vehicle structure at one end of an automotive vehicle, said compartment comprising:laterally spaced side walls and at least one end wall extending essentially to upper edges of the compartment and at least partially defining an upper opening of the compartment;a pair of support rails mounted on said side walls adjacent the upper edges of the compartment and extending generally parallel and longitudinally of the vehicle;a structurally stiff hood panel having laterally opposite edges supported in said rails and extending essentially horizontally between the rails, the panel being longitudinally slidable therein between a closed position wherein said hood panel covers said upper opening and an open position wherein the hood panel is moved to a longitudinally outward position along the rails to open the compartment for servicing equipment in the compartment; andreleasable means for releasably holding said hood panel in said closed position and means for preventing unintended outward movement of the panel beyond said open position.