Patent ID: 6460912
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A load restraining barrier device for use in a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a body with a trunk compartment, the trunk compartment having a forward end with a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposed side walls extending substantially upwardly from the bottom wall, the barrier device comprising:a barrier body having a predetermined shape and adapted to be disposed at the forward end of the trunk compartment and suspended between the opposed side walls, the barrier body having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and two opposed sides, the front adapted to face the trunk compartment, the bottom adapted to be adjacent the bottom wall, and the two opposed sides adapted to be adjacent the two opposed side walls; at least one substantially horizontal reinforcing member extending between the two opposed sides; means adapted to attach the top of the body to the top wall of the trunk compartment; and means adapted to releasably attach the bottom to at least one of the bottom wall and the opposed side walls; wherein when the barrier device is installed at the forward end of the trunk compartment, cargo of a predetermined mass in the trunk compartment is restrained from leaving the trunk compartment through the barrier body under predetermined frontal crash conditions.