Abstract:
A multiple configuration bulkhead for a cargo vehicle including an operator space having a seat with a seat back, a cargo space having a predetermined width and height adjacent the operator space, a stationary portion therebetween extending substantially the width and height of the cargo space having a cut out portion, and a removable upper portion detachably carried by the cut out portion of the stationary portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bulkhead for a cargo vehicle, and more specifically, a multiple configuration bulkhead. 
     Cargo vehicles, such as commercial vans and the like, typically have a bulkhead separating the driver and passenger space from the cargo space. Bulkheads separate the driver and passenger space from the cargo space by extending from one side of the vehicle to the other and from the floor of the vehicle to the ceiling. Bulkheads typically consist of a one-piece sheet metal design, but could also be a multi-piece assembly such that two large stampings spot welded together form a box beam where the upper and lower portions overlap. Plywood and high strength plastics have also been used for bulkheads. Bulkheads also often have a portion cut out near the top so as to serve as a window for the driver to see into the cargo space and beyond the rear of the vehicle via use of the rearview mirror. 
     Current bulkhead design provides a fixed cavity projecting rearward of the primary plane of the bulkhead behind the driver and passenger seat backs. The cavity permits the seat backs to be reclined for a more comfortable seating position for the driver and passenger. However, while providing driver and passenger comfort, this fixed cavity projects into the cargo space thereby limiting total cargo capacity as well as compromising the ability to load large objects through the side cargo door. 
     Elimination of the cavity so that maximum cargo capacity is ensured, however, would then infringe upon maximum driver and passenger comfort. It would therefore be beneficial to have a bulkhead that is reconfigurable in more than one position so that driver and passenger comfort and available cargo space can easily be altered to suit the specific needs of the people and cargo in the vehicle at a particular time. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple configuration bulkhead that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that the multiple configuration bulkhead can be installed in more than one position such that in the first position, the cavity projects rearward and the space available for the vehicle occupants is maximized and in the second position, the bulkhead is reversed so that the cavity projects forward thereby increasing the cargo capacity of the vehicle. 
     The present invention advantageously provides a multiple configuration bulkhead including an operator space having seats with seat backs, a cargo space having a predetermined width and height adjacent the operator space, a stationary portion therebetween extending substantially the width and height of the cargo space having a cut out portion, and a removable upper portion detachably carried by the cut out portion of the stationary portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of a cargo vehicle having a multiple configuration bulkhead in an operator enhanced position according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a cargo vehicle having a multiple configuration bulkhead in a pivoted operator enhanced position according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of a cargo vehicle having a multiple configuration bulkhead in a removed position according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a cargo vehicle having a multiple configuration bulkhead in a pivoted cargo enhanced position according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows the outline of a cargo vehicle  10  having an operator and passenger space  12  and a cargo space  14 . The operator and passenger space  12  has a seat  16  for each occupant of the vehicle  10 . The seats  16  have seat backs  18  that can rest upon a back wall  20  of the operator and passenger space  12  if the seats  16  are in a reclined position. 
     Also shown in FIG. 1 is a bulkhead  22 , which has a stationary portion  24  and a removable upper portion  26 . The bulkhead  22  is preferably made of sheet metal, while plywood and high strength plastics could also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, and serves to separate the operator and passenger space  12  from the cargo space  14 . As such, the back wall  20  of the operator and passenger space  12  is the front of the bulkhead  22 . The bulkhead  22  could further have a mesh area (not shown) such that it is located behind the operator seat  16 , or have molded-in storage compartments (not shown) without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The stationary portion  24  of the bulkhead  22  extends from a side  28  of the vehicle  10  to the other side  28 , and from a floor  30  of the cargo space  14  to a ceiling  32  of the vehicle  10 . The stationary portion  24  of the bulkhead  22  is a predetermined thickness. The stationary portion  24  of the bulkhead  22  has a portion cut out of a predetermined height and length a predetermined distance above the floor  30  of the cargo space  14  of the vehicle  10  in which the removable upper portion  26  is located. 
     The removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  is attached to an upper edge  34  of the stationary portion  24  via fitting in a slot (not shown). Other retention methods such as a latching mechanism could also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The removable upper portion  26  preferably has a cut out window portion  36  of predetermined height and length, but could be a no-window bulkhead without departing from the scope of the present invention. This cut out window portion  36  lies a predetermined distance inward from the vehicle  10  sides  28  and a predetermined distance above the floor  30  of the cargo space  14  of the vehicle  10 . This cut out window portion  36  serves to allow the operator to see into the cargo space  14  and beyond the rear of the vehicle  10 . The removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22 , with or without a window portion  36 , could be fitted into the same stationary portion  24  for added configuration flexibility. 
     As also seen in FIG. 1, the removable upper portion  26  has a cavity  38 . The cavity  38  in the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  is a predetermined depth. It is shaped such that the depth decreases as distance from the ceiling  32  of the vehicle  10  increases. Other shapes, such as a constant depth profile, may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. This is the desired shape of the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  so that the seat backs  18  in the operator and passenger space  12  can recline back into the cavity  38  for maximum operator and passenger comfort as shown here in a first bulkhead  22  position. 
     The removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  has latching hardware (not shown) at an upper surface  40 , as shown in FIG.  2 . This latching hardware in combination with the slot in the upper edge  34  of the stationary portion  24  allows the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  to be pivoted rearward a predetermined distance when unlatched, as shown in FIG.  2 . After the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  is pivoted, it can then be removed from the slot in the stationary portion  24  of the bulkhead  22  and turned around 180 degrees as seen in FIG.  3 . In doing so, the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  is then ready to be placed in a second position. 
     After the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  is turned around, it is placed in the slot in the upper edge  34  of the stationary portion  24  of the bulkhead  22  as seen in FIG.  4 . Here, the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  is again in a pivoted position, with the cavity  38  in a reversed position. Once re-attached, the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  can then be closed and the latching hardware refastened. In this position, the cavity  38  is utilized in the cargo space  14 , thereby allowing maximum cargo capacity in the vehicle  10 . The same steps are followed in placing the removable upper portion  26  of the bulkhead  22  back into the first position. Such a bulkhead  22  design allows for driver and passenger comfort and available cargo space  14  to be easily altered to suit the specific needs of the people and cargo in the vehicle  10  at a particular time. 
     While only one embodiment of the multiple configuration bulkhead has been described, others may be possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.