Abstract:
The invention relates to a guard for locking elements that extend inwardly, or protrude, from an inner surface of a tailgate of a passenger motor vehicle. The guard is disposed in the region of the locking elements. The guard may be made of an elastic material. The guard may fold in and fold out relative to the inner surface of the tailgate. The guard may be configured in the shape of a gripping handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2015 200 938.6 filed Jan. 21, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to protruding parts of the locking elements a tailgate of a passenger motor vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In motor vehicles, in particular passenger motor vehicles, it is known to be a problem to prevent people being trapped when closing the doors or panels. It is equally difficult to prevent people from coming into contact with protruding parts of the locking elements of the doors or panels. 
         [0004]    A method and a device for controlling an adjusting movement of a vehicle closing element of a vehicle, to be closed in a manner actuated by an external force, is disclosed in DE 10 2012 107 116 A1. A bodywork opening of the vehicle is able to be closed by the vehicle closing element. The vehicle closing element comprises a locking part by which the vehicle closing element is able to be locked in the closed position. A capacitive anti-trap system senses an obstruction in the displacement path of the vehicle closing element is able to be detected while closing. The anti-trap system controls displacement of the vehicle closing element to prevent an obstruction from being trapped between the vehicle closing element and a vehicle structure in the region of the bodywork opening. The capacitive anti-trap system detects an obstruction in a monitoring region around the locking part provided on the vehicle closing element to prevent a collision of the locking part with an obstruction as the vehicle closing element is closed. 
         [0005]    The capacitive anti-trap system is used to prevent people from being trapped and partially to prevent people from being struck. The capacitive anti-trap system method and/or device is complex and costly and is only expedient in the case of automatic self-closing doors or panels. 
         [0006]    There is the need for a simple solution for preventing people from striking protruding parts of the locking elements of tailgates of motor vehicles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of this disclosure, a warning or blocking element, herein after referred to as a guard, is arranged in the region of the protruding parts of the locking elements to prevent a person from striking the protruding part. The guard provides a warning that causes to people pay attention to the protruding parts of the locking elements. The guard also prevents undesired contact of the person with the protruding parts of the locking elements by deflecting and/or by damping contact before the person comes into contact with the protruding parts. 
         [0008]    The guard is designed to be visually noticeable in terms of size and/or color. A fluorescent color may be used on the guard or it may be arranged in a prominent manner. 
         [0009]    The guard may be designed to prevent undesired contact with the protruding parts of the locking elements by covering the protruding parts. The protruding parts of the locking elements may be partially covered when viewed from one direction. 
         [0010]    It is also possible to design the guard to be movable between a position covering the protruding parts of the locking elements and a folded-in position in which the guard is “folded away” to prevent interference when closing the tailgate. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, the guard may consist of an elastic material that recovers its size and shape after compression. The elastic guard dampens an undesired impact of a person and at the same time permits compression when the tailgate is closed, so that the element does not interfere with closing the tailgate. 
         [0012]    Additionally, the guard may be configured as a gripping element, or handle. 
         [0013]    The guard may fold out when opening the tailgate or when the tailgate reaches a predetermined opening angle. 
         [0014]    Folding out and retracting the guard may be assisted by a suitable drive to move the guard rapidly into the folded out position. 
         [0015]    Further features and details of the invention are disclosed with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a fragmentary perspective view of a tailgate and rear tailgate opening of a passenger motor vehicle including a first exemplary embodiment of a guard; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a rear elevation view of the tailgate and rear tailgate opening of the passenger motor vehicle including the first embodiment of a guard; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the tailgate of the passenger motor vehicle including the first embodiment of a guard; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a fragmentary perspective view of a tailgate and rear tailgate opening of a passenger motor vehicle including a second exemplary embodiment of a guard; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a rear elevation view of the tailgate and rear tailgate opening of the passenger motor vehicle including the second embodiment of a guard; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a fragmentary perspective view of the floor and of the tailgate of the passenger motor vehicle including the second embodiment of a guard; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  is a fragmentary perspective view of a tailgate and rear tailgate opening of a passenger motor vehicle including a third exemplary embodiment of a guard; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  is a rear elevation view of the tailgate and rear tailgate opening of the passenger motor vehicle including the third embodiment of a guard; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the tailgate of the passenger motor vehicle including the third embodiment of a guard; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4A  is a fragmentary perspective view of a tailgate and rear tailgate opening of a passenger motor vehicle including a fourth exemplary embodiment of a guard; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  is a rear elevation view of the tailgate and rear tailgate opening of the passenger motor vehicle including the fourth embodiment of a guard; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the tailgate of the passenger motor vehicle including the fourth embodiment of a guard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended to be merely examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to practice the disclosed concepts. The same parts are denoted by corresponding reference numerals in the Figures. 
         [0029]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the rear region of a passenger motor vehicle referred to as a whole by  11 . The rear region  11  defines a rear vehicle opening  12  and includes a tailgate  13  that is adapted to close the opening. The tailgate  13  is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in the open, almost horizontal, position and in  FIG. 1C  respectively in the closed, almost vertical, position. In each case, the tailgate  13  includes a protruding part  14  of the lock that protrudes approximately perpendicular from the surface of the tailgate  13 . 
         [0030]    A guard  15  is intended to prevent undesired contact of people, for example, the heads thereof, with the protruding part  14 . Undesired contact may be prevented even more effectively by a flap  16  covering the part  14  in the folded-out position. The flap  16  may encompass the protruding part in a jaw-like manner. 
         [0031]    In the variant of  FIGS. 1A-1C , the guard  15  is configured as a flap  16  that covers the part  14  in the open position of the tailgate  13  as shown in  FIG. 1A and 1B  on one side and automatically folds in and out in response to the force of gravity. The flap  16  is pulled by gravity into its protective position and when closed may be folded in (and/or pushed away) by the loading floor, etc. of the vehicle  11 . The flap  16  may be provided with a drive  17  that assists with folding in and folding out the flap  16 . 
         [0032]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the rear region of a passenger motor vehicle referred to as a whole by  21 . The rear region  21  defines a rear vehicle opening  22  and includes a tailgate  23  that is adapted to close the opening. The tailgate  23  is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  in the open, almost horizontal, position and in  FIG. 2C  respectively in the closed, almost vertical, position. In each case, the tailgate  23  includes a protruding part  24  of the lock that protrudes approximately perpendicular from the surface of the tailgate  23 . A guard  25  is intended to prevent undesired contact of people, for example, the heads thereof, with the protruding part  24 . 
         [0033]    In the variant Figure of  FIG. 2A-2C , the guard  25  is configured as a block  27  that covers the protruding part  24  on one side in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  an completely covers the protruding part in  FIG. 2C . The block  27  may be in the form of a foam block body that is provided for dampening or preventing undesired contact with the protruding part  24 . 
         [0034]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the rear region of a passenger motor vehicle referred to as a whole by  31 . The rear region  31  defines a rear vehicle opening  32  and includes a tailgate  33  that is adapted to close the opening. The tailgate  33  is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in the open, almost horizontal, position and in  FIG. 3C  respectively in the closed, almost vertical, position. In each case, the tailgate  33  includes a protruding part  34  of the lock that protrudes approximately perpendicular from the surface of the tailgate  33 . 
         [0035]    A guard  35  is intended to prevent undesired contact of people, for example, the heads thereof, with the protruding part  34 . Undesired contact may be prevented even more effectively by a flap  36  covering the part  34  in the folded-out position. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 3A-3C , the guard  35  of  FIG. 3  is modified by supplementing the flap  36  with a gripping handle  37  that is folded in and folded out, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The gripping handle  37  in the open position of the tailgate  33  folds out to cover the protruding part  34  in the manner of an antiroll bar. In the closed position of the tailgate  33  (see  FIG. 3C ) the gripping handle folds together with the flap  36  against the tailgate  33 . The gripping handle  37  and flap  36  may be biased, or pre-tensioned, by a spring, a resilient plastic part, or the like. 
         [0037]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the rear region of a passenger motor vehicle referred to as a whole by  41 . The rear region  41  defines a rear vehicle opening  42  and includes a tailgate  43  that is adapted to close the opening. The tailgate  43  is shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in the open, almost horizontal, position and in  FIG. 4C  respectively in the closed, almost vertical, position. In each case, the tailgate  43  includes a protruding part  44  of the lock that protrudes approximately perpendicular from the surface of the tailgate  43 . A guard  45  is intended to prevent undesired contact of people, for example, the heads thereof, with the protruding part  44 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4A-4C , the guard is configured as an elastic, or reversibly compressible foam block body  45  similar to that already disclosed with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    In summary, the tailgate ( 13 ,  23 ,  33  and  43 ) assembly for a vehicle ( 11 ,  21 ,  31  and  41 ) comprises a tailgate ( 13 ,  23 ,  33  and  43 ) having an inner surface. A locking element ( 14 ,  24 ,  34 , and  44 ) extends inwardly from the inner surface and a guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) is disposed proximate the locking element ( 14 ,  24 ,  34 , and  44 ). 
         [0040]    The guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) is large enough to be visible when the tailgate is open and is painted in a color to be visible against the inner surface of the tailgate. For example, the guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) may be painted in a contrasting or fluorescent color that is highly visible against the inner surface of the tailgate. 
         [0041]    The guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) may cover the locking element ( 14 ,  24 ,  34 , and  44 ) to prevent contact with the locking element ( 14 ,  24 ,  34 , and  44 ). 
         [0042]    The guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) may be movable between a position covering the locking element ( 14 ,  24 ,  34 , and  44 ) and a folded-in position. 
         [0043]    The guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) may be formed of an elastic material such as a foam block. 
         [0044]    The guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) may be configured as a gripping handle  37 . 
         [0045]    The guard ( 15 ,  25 ,  35  and  45 ) may fold out and away from the inner surface of the tailgate ( 13 ,  23 ,  33  and  43 ) when the tailgate ( 13 ,  23 ,  33  and  43 ) is raised to a predetermined angle and folds in against the inner surface when the tailgate ( 13 ,  23 ,  33  and  43 ) is lowered to the predetermined opening angle. 
         [0046]    The tailgate ( 13 ,  23 ,  33  and  43 ) assembly may further comprise a drive operatively connected between the tailgate and the guard that guard folds out the guard away from the inner surface when the tailgate is raised and folds in the guard against the inner surface when the tailgate is lowered. 
         [0047]    The embodiments described above are specific examples that do not describe all possible forms of the disclosure. The features of the illustrated embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosed concepts. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation. The scope of the following claims is broader than the specifically disclosed embodiments and also includes modifications of the illustrated embodiments.