Abstract:
A locking hinge assembly ( 32 ) has first and second hinge members ( 38, 40 ) having a respective hinge section ( 50, 51 ), proximate wall ( 46, 47 ) and mounting flange section ( 42, 43 ) for mounting on respective first and second panels ( 24, 26 ). The first and second hinge members are pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. The mounting flange section ( 42 ) has a channel ( 54 ) extending along the proximate wall section ( 48 ) for slidably receiving a locking member ( 56 ). The locking member ( 56 ) has at least one locking flange ( 60 ) extending through aligned apertures in the proximate walls. The locking flange has a hook section ( 62 ) at a distal end such that when the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook section engages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the first position.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/178,770 filed Jul. 11, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,047. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The field of this invention relates to a lockable hinge for a floor panel system for use in motor vehicles. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Stowable seats in motor vehicles have long been a desired feature in motor vehicles where the seats in the second and third row may fold down to form a flat cargo floor in order to easily receive and maneuver large pieces of cargo. 
   Recent developments have provided stowable seats that are stowed under the cargo area and covered by a flat panel system to provide the flat cargo floor. The flat panel system is also used as a floor surface for passengers&#39; feet when the seats are deployed to their upright seating position. The flat panel system is made from a plurality of panels pivotably connected together to move between a flat closed position and a folded up open position. The cargo space under the panel system is usable as cargo storage space for other items when the seats are deployed in the upright seating position. A flat panel system can also be referred to as a stow-to-floor seat assembly door. 
   One needs to open the panels to access the cargo space. Hence, the area above the panels must be free from obstruction, for example free from interference of another seat or center consul to allow room for the pivoting panels to freely operate in their intended fashion. In previous systems, either the entire motor vehicle needed to be extended to provide the necessary clearance for the panels or certain seats needed to be moved to a certain position to allow the panels to freely move between open and closed positions. 
   Cargo space access needs to be convenient in order for the consumer to use the space in its intended fashion. Thus any interference or obstacle introduced by a movable seat or a seat track will limit the use of the cargo area. It is desirable to access the cargo area independent of any fore and aft adjustment of seats. Previous cargo panel systems were freely operational only if the front seats were in a forward position. 
   What is needed is an improved panel system that can be adaptable to be substantially opened independent of any position of an adjacent seat for ease of access to the under panel cargo space. What is also needed is a cargo panel that has a hinge that can be either in a locked or release position. What is also needed is a lockable hinge in which the lock mechanism is substantially concealed under the panels. 
   SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assembly pivotably connects first and second panels. The hinge assembly has a first and second hinge member with respective mounting flange sections for mounting respective first and second panels at the bottom sides of the panels. Proximate wall sections of the first and second hinge member extend between the first and second panels and extend toward opposite upper sides of the panels. Hinge sections of the first and second hinge members engage each other between the two panels in proximity to the opposite upper sides for providing pivotal motion of one panel with respect to the other panel. A mounting flange section of the first hinge member has a recessed channel under the bottom side of the respective panel. 
   A locking bar is slidably mounted between a locking position and a release position in the channel. The proximate wall section of the first hinge member has at least one respective aperture therethrough that receives at least one locking flange of the locking bar. The proximate wall of the second hinge member has locking surfaces axially spaced there along and release spaces interposed therebetween. Each locking flange has a distal lock section that is slidable between a release position to be aligned with the respective release spaces of the proximate wall section to allow the hinge members to pivotably move with respect to one another and a lock position misaligned from the released spaces and engagable with the locking surfaces to lock the first hinge member to the second hinge member. 
   To help prevent rattling within the channel, the locking bar preferably has protrusions that extend downward from bar and the upper surface of the bar abuts against the bottom side of the first panel. 
   It is also preferable that the locking bar has a width that substantially extends across the entire width of the channel. A leaf spring mounted is preferably installed under the bar to bias the bar to abut the bottom side of the first panel. It is preferable that the release spaces are in the form of apertures to allow the distal lock section to pass through the apertures and lock the hinge assembly when the panels are planar with respect to each other. The distal lock section is in the form of a hook to engage the proximate wall of the second hinge member at an opposing surface from the first hinge member. In one embodiment, the locking bar extends substantially the length of the hinge and has a handle at one end thereof. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assembly has first and second hinge members having a respective hinge section, proximate wall, and mounting flange section for mounting on respective first and second panels. The first and second hinge members are pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. The mounting flange section has a channel extending along the proximate wall section for slidably receiving a locking member. The locking member has at least one locking flange extending through aligned apertures in the proximate walls. The locking flange has a hook section at a distal end such that when the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook section engages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the first position. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assembly has a first hinge member and a second hinge member hingeably connected to the first hinge member along a pivot axis for pivotable motion between a first lockable position and a second position. The first and second hinge member have respective first and second proximate walls extending from the pivot axis and proximate to each other when in the first lockable position 
   At least one aperture is in the first proximate wall aligned with at least one aperture in the second proximate wall when the hinge assembly is in the first lockable position. A locking member extends through at least one of the apertures of the first and second proximate walls and movable between a lock position to engage the proximate walls of the first and second hinge member and a release position where the locking member disengages from at least one of the proximate walls and allows the hinge assembly to pivot. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a foldable panel assembly for a storage area of motor vehicle has a first panel and a second panel being connected together along first and second edges of the respective panels. A hinge assembly has first and second hinge members each with a mounting plate mounted to an underside of the respective first and second panel. The first and second hinge members each have a respective proximate wall that abuts the first and second edges of the respective panels extending transversely from the mounting plates. The proximate walls each end with a hinge section that engages each other to pivotably connect the first panel to the second panel. The hinge section is in proximity to upper sides of the panels. A locking bar is slidably mounted to the mounting plate of the first hinge member under the first panel for sliding motion along the edges of the first panel between a first locking position and a second release position. The mounting plate of the second hinge member has a locking surface for engaging a flange of the locking bar when in the first locking position for preventing the hinge assembly from pivoting. 
   In accordance to another aspect of the invention, a stow-to-floor seat assembly door has a first panel pivotably connected relative a second panel by a first hinge. A third panel is pivotably connected relative the second panel by a locking hinge. Pivotable movement of the second panel relative the third panel is restricted when the locking hinge is in a locked state. The third panel is pivotably connected to a vehicle floor by a second hinge to permit unobstructed access to a stowage cavity under the vehicle floor for stowing a collapsible stow-to-floor seat. The locking hinge includes a locking rod and a pivot pin that connects a first hinge panel and a second hinge panel. The locking rod traverses the first hinge panel and the second hinge panel. The locking rod includes locking tabs that extend through passages formed in the first hinge panel and second hinge panel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a motor vehicle interior illustrating one embodiment of the panel assembly in the closed position according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of the panel assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in an intermediate position; 
       FIG. 3  is view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the panel assembly in the first open mode with the hinge  32  in the locked position for retrieving and stowing the stowable seat; 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the panel assembly in a second open mode position; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the hinge assembly in the locked position; 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the hinge assembly in the release position; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged close up view of a hook portion shown in the locked position; 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged close up view of a hook portion shown in the release position; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  showing the lock bar handle in the release position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a motor vehicle  10  has front adjustable seats  12  and rear stowable seats  14  also referred to as collapsible stow-to-floor seats. Each seat can be stowed in a cargo space  16  also referred to as a stowage cavity under floor panel assembly  18  also referred to as a stow-to-floor assembly door. The panel assembly  18  forms part of a flat cargo area floor  19  when the rear seats  14  are stowed in the cargo space  16  and also form the floor for passengers&#39; feet when the seats  14  are in the deployed upright seating position as shown in  FIG. 1 . The panel assembly can move between the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 , an intermediate position shown in  FIG. 2 , a first open mode in  FIG. 3  or a second open mode shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The panel assembly  18  includes a rear flap  20  and three panels  22 ,  24 , and  26  all connected together with piano hinge assemblies  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Panel  22  may be referred to as a first panel, panel  24  may be referred to as a second panel and panel  26  may be referred to as a third panel. Hinge  28  may also be referred to as a flap hinge. Hinge  30  may also be referred to as a first hinge and hinge  32  may also be referred to as a locking hinge. The third panel  26  is pivotably connected to a floor rim assembly  34  through hinges  36  which can also be referred to collectively as a second hinge. The floor rim assembly  34  may also be considered part of the vehicle floor  19 . The entire panel assembly  18  lies flat to form the floor  19  with the hinge  28  completely concealed and hinges  30 ,  32  mostly concealed with only pivoting hinge sections  39  visible between the panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 . 
   Reference now is made to  FIGS. 5-10  for describing the hinge assembly  32  i.e. the locking hinge. Hinge assembly  32  has a first hinge member  38  also referred to as a first hinge panel and a second hinge member  40  also referred to as a second hinge panel. Each member  38  and  40  has respective mounting flanges  42 ,  43  mounted to the underside  44 ,  45  of each first and second panel  24  and  26 . Fasteners or adhesive may be used to affix the mounting flanges  42  and  43  to the panels  24  and  26 . The mounting flanges  42  and  43  each are integrally formed with a proximate wall section  46  and  47 . Each section  46  and  47  extends upward transversely from the mounting flanges  42 ,  43  between the two panels  24  and  26  and abuts the edges  48  and  49  of the two adjacent panels  24  and  26 . The hinge section  39  is formed by hinge sections  50  and  51  of member  38  and  40  pivotably connected together with a pin member  52  also called a pivot pin. 
   Mounting flange section  42  has a channel section  54  spaced from the underside  44  of the panel to provide for a locking bar  56  to be slidably movable between a lock position also referred to as a locked state as shown in  FIG. 5  and an unlock or release position in  FIG. 6 . The bar  56  has a width that substantially extends across the entire width of the channel  54 , a height that spans substantially the entire distance between the channel  54  and underside  44  of panel  24 . The height may be made up by embossments  57  both axially spaced and laterally spaced along the bar to contact the channel  54 . Leaf springs  58  may be positioned in the channel  54  under the bar  56  to bias it upward against the underside  44  of panel  24 . This construction reduces any rattling from the bar  56  with respect to its surrounding members and mostly conceals bar  56  from above. 
   The bar has three flanges  60  axially spaced therealong. Each flange  60  has a hook section  62 . These flanges  60  and hook sections  62  may also be referred to as locking tabs. Each proximate wall  46  and  47  has aligned apertures  66 ,  67  that receive the flanges  60  and hook sections  62 . The flanges  60  extend through the apertures  66 ,  67  and are slidably received in channel section  55  of mounting flange  43  of hinge member  40  beneath the underside  45  of panel  26  such that the locking rod traverses both the first and second hinge panel. When the bar is in the release position as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 , the hook section  62  and flange  60  are free to laterally pass through the apertures  67  also called passages as the hinge members  38  and  40  pivotably move with respect to each other. When the bar is moved to the locked position also referred to as the locked state as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the hook abuts the proximate wall  47  at its opposing surface  53  to prevent the hinge members  38  and  40  from pivotably moving with respect to each other, thus causing pivotable movement of the second panel relative to the third panel to be restricted. 
   The bar is moved between its release and locked position by a handle  64  that is situated at one end of the bar at a lateral edge of the panel assembly  18 . The handle  64  may extend upward to be accessible above the panels  24  and  26 . Alternatively and as shown in the drawings, the handle  64  may be located to be received in a recess  70  in rim assembly  34  as it moves to the release position as shown in  FIG. 11 . Furthermore, panel  24  has a notch  72  to allow handle  64  to slide to the lock position as shown in  FIG. 10 . With this construction, handle  64  is accessible by an operator but remains below the floor  19  when the panel  24  is in the closed position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  10  and  11 . The handle  64  may have a rubber or plastic cap  65  thereon that is color coordinated with the panels  24  and  26 . The locking bar may have an orange or other bright color indicator section  68  located in proximity to the handle that becomes visible at the lateral edge of the panels through notch  72  when the handle is in the release position. The color indicates, when visible through notch  72 , that the hinge is in the release or second open mode of operation. Conversely, when the section  68  is concealed, the hinge is in the locked or first open mode of operation. 
   In operation, the panel can open in a first or second open mode. When the handle and locking bar are in the locked position, the hinged panels  24  and  26  are locked together as a single panel. When such a lockup occurs between the panels  24  and  26 , they then move as one. When one desires to deploy or stow the seat  14  from in the cargo space  16 , the hinge panels  24  and  26  are preferred to lock together by locked hinge  32 . The front seat  12  needs to be in a forward position to clear the front hinge  36 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , after the rear flap  20  and panel  22  are pivoted to the open position, the combined panels  24  and  26  are lifted to the first open mode position to provide unobstructed access to the cargo space i.e. stowage cavity. After the seat is either stowed or deployed as desired, the process is then reversed and the panels  24  and  26  close together flat with floor  19 . The panel  22  and rear flap  20  are then closed to again achieve the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   It is foreseen that the deployment and storage of the seats  14  are a relatively infrequent occurrence compared to the opening and closing of the panel assembly  18  for access to the cargo area  16  for other storage purposes. For these purposes, it is not necessary to move the front seats  12  forward to provide access to the cargo space  16 . The handle can be operated to move the bar to the unlock position which allows the panel  24  to pivot with respect to panel  26 , such that upon opening the rear flap  20  and first panel  22  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the panel  24  can be pivoted open while panel  26  remains flat as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to achieve a second open mode position. The open panels  22  and  24  along with flap  20  can rest over centered against the front seat  12  as the seat  12  may extend rearwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , over the panel  26 . Thus, even while the front seats  12  may be in the rear extended position and prevent panel  26  from opening at hinge  36 , the cargo area  16  can be accessed because a substantial portion of the panel assembly  18  may be opened in a second mode as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Panels  22 ,  24  and  26  may have different widths than the widths shows and the hinge  32  may be aligned just rearward of the most rearward position of the front seats to allow the hinge  32  to pivot the panels  22  and  24  over center and allow the panels to rest in the open position. 
   As such, the panel assembly may be opened in one of two modes, one for storing and deploying the stowable seat and the other for otherwise accessing the cargo space  16 . The front seats  12  need to be moved forward only when the stowable seats  14  need to be stowed or deployed. Otherwise, the cargo space  16  is accessible regardless of the position of the front seats  12 . Opening of the panel assembly  18  in the second open mode greatly increases the convenience and accessibility of the cargo space  16 . 
   Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.