Pick-up style utility vehicle with expandable cargo bed

A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state. The screen shield is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Fixing devices are provided to fix the screen shield in each of the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The screen shield fixing devices have pin insertion holes of the screen shield, pin insertion holes at the upper ends of side panels, and pins provided so as to be separable from the screen shield and a front panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pick-up style utility vehicle having a cargo bed that is expandable in a front direction so as to optimize an area or capacity of a cargo bed space or a passenger space according to user demands.

2. Description of the Related Art

At present, utility vehicles of various styles are used. Other than a pick-up style utility vehicle with a relatively large cargo bed behind a seat, there is a straddle-type all terrain vehicle having a handle bar, or the like.

Typically, the pick-up style utility vehicle is more practical than the handle bar type utility vehicle belonging to the straddle-type all terrain vehicle. The pick-up style utility vehicle is used for hunting in fields and mountains, conveyance of lumber, movement in golf courses, golf course maintenance, and the like.

The present applicants have formerly developed the inventions relating to the pick-up style utility vehicle with a cargo bed whose area or capacity can be expanded. These inventions are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,905,159, 6,994,388, and 7,249,798.

A configuration of the pick-up style utility vehicle disclosed in the respective documents has a front seat including a driver's seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from the front. The rear seat can be changed between a used state and a retracted state to switch between a 2 passengers transformation and a 4 passengers transformation. In the 2 passengers transformation, a front portion of the cargo bed can be expanded into a riding space occupied by the rear seat in the used state.

Typically, a screen shield is provided at the front end of the cargo bed of the pick-up style utility vehicle so as to prevent a load loaded on the cargo bed from moving into the riding space in front of the cargo bed. The screen shield need be changed between the 2 passengers transformation expanding the cargo bed in a front direction, and the 4 passengers transformation not expanding the cargo bed.

FIG. 21shows an example of the expandable cargo bed disclosed in the related art documents. A cargo bed400has a stationary bottom plate401, right and left stationary side panels402, a pair of right and left expandable side panels404provided at the front ends of the stationary side panels402and rotatably supported about hinge shafts403, an expandable bottom plate405provided at the front end of the stationary bottom plate401, and a front panel406. A screen shield407is integrally formed with the front panel406.

Pins410for positioning and fixing protruded in a downward direction are provided at the right and left ends of the screen shield407. Pin insertion holes411and412, into which the pins410of the screen shield407can be inserted, are formed in the upper surface of the end of each of the expandable side panels404and the upper surface of the front end of each of the stationary side panels402. Moreover, a front panel fixing means430is provided at a lower portion of the front face of the front panel406. The front panel fixing means has different pins from above-described the pins.

As indicated by the solid lines inFIG. 21, when the expandable side panels404are closed (4 passengers transformation), the screen shield407is located at the front ends of the stationary side panels402and the pins410of the screen shield407are inserted into the pin insertion holes412of the stationary side panels402from above. As indicated by the imaginary lines, when the expandable side panels404are opened in a front direction (2 passengers transformation), the screen shield407is located at the front ends of the expandable side panels404and the pins410of the screen shield407are inserted into the pin insertion holes411of the expandable side panels404from above.

With the above configuration, the screen shield407is moved between an expanded position when the cargo bed400is expanded and a non-expanded position when the cargo bed400is not expanded. The screen shield407need be lifted together with the front panel406to pull out the right and left pins410from the pin insertion holes411or412. The screen shield407and the front panel406then need be integrally moved in a rear or front direction. After the movement, the pins410need be inserted into the pin insertion holes412or411from above again.

However, the weight of the screen shield407is substantial, and a width of the screen shield407extends throughout substantially the whole width of the cargo bed400. Consequently, it is very difficult for one person to move the screen shield407. Particularly, the screen shield407, which integrally has the front panel406, must be lifted and moved together with the front panel. Accordingly, at present, the left and right ends of the screen shield407and the front panel406need be held and lifted by two operators to pull out the pins410. After this movement, the pins410need be inserted into the pin insertion holes411or412again. Thus, the movement of the screen shield407takes a long time. In addition, since the front panel fixing means430are provided on the front surface of the front panel406, the front seat obstructs the operation of the second fixing means. When the cargo bed is contracted to change the 2 passengers transformation to the 4 passengers transformation, the front seat is located in front of the front panel406of the cargo bed in the expanded state, thereby obstructing the releasing or fixing operation of the front panel fixing means430. When the operator is on the cargo bed during the movement operation, the front panel fixing means430are located in positions in which it is difficult for the operator to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and an object of the present invention is to easily and immediately perform an expanding or contracting operation of a cargo bed and a moving or fixing operation of a screen shield with the operation by one operator.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from front, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into the riding space and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed does not occupy the riding space. The pick-up style utility vehicle has the following features.

A first aspect of the present invention features screen shield fixing means. The screen shield is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Screen shield fixing means are provided to fix the screen shield to side panels of the cargo bed in the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The screen shield fixing means have pin insertion holes of the screen shield, pin insertion holes of the vehicle body configuring portions, and pins provided so as to be separable from the screen shield and the vehicle body configuring portions and inserted into the pin insertion holes so as to be pulled out. The vehicle body configuring portions are the side panels of the cargo bed.

With the above configuration, in the operation of expanding or contracting the cargo bed, the pins, which are separable from the screen shield and the front panel, are pulled out. Thus, the screen shield is changeable between the expanded position and the non-expand position without lifting the screen shield and the front panel. By slidably moving the screen shield and the front panel, one operator can easily change the position of the screen shield and the front panel.

A second aspect of the present invention also features screen shield fixing means. The screen shield is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Screen shield fixing means are provided to fix the screen shield to vehicle body configuring portions in each of the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The screen shield fixing means have pins provided on the screen shield and protruded downward and pin insertion holes of the vehicle body configuring portions, and the outer circumferential surfaces of the pins and the inner circumferential surfaces of the pin insertion holes are formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter is reduced downward. The vehicle body configuring portions are the side panels of the cargo bed.

With the above configuration, when the screen shield is moved and the positions of the pins are shifted from the pin insertion holes, the pins can be inserted into the pin insertion holes. After insertion, the screen shield can be automatically fixed in the predetermined fixed position due to the guide function of the taper.

A third aspect of the present invention also features screen shield fixing means. A pair of side panels of the cargo bed have a pair of stationary side panels and expandable side panels rotatably coupled to the front ends of the pair of stationary side panels via hinge shafts and changeable between an expanded position in which the expandable side panels are extended forward and a non-expanded position in which the expandable side panels are extended inward in a vehicle width direction. The screen shield is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Screen shield fixing means are provided to fix the screen shield to the side panels of the cargo bed in the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The screen shield fixing means have a pair of rods provided at both ends of the screen shield in a width direction and protruded downward and rod insertion holes for the expanded position and rod insertion holes for the non-expanded position provided in the expandable side panels. Each of the rod insertion holes has an opened surface in which the rod can be inserted into and removed from one side of the expandable side panel.

With the above configuration, the screen shield can be rotated about the hinge shafts without being lifted, so that the rods can be inserted into and removed from the open type pin insertion holes of the expandable side panels. Therefore, the position of the screen shield can be easily changed and fixed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, preferably, a cover member, which opens and closes the opened surface of each of the rod insertion holes, is provided on the expandable side panel.

With the above configuration, after position change, the rod can be prevented from falling out of the predetermined position.

A fourth aspect of the present invention features front panel fixing means of the cargo bed. The screen shield is integrally connected with a front panel of the cargo bed and is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Front panel fixing means are provided to fix the front panel to side panels of the cargo bed or the bottom plate of the cargo bed in the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The front panel fixing means are provided on the rear surface of the front panel. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, preferably, the front panel fixing means have pin insertion holes provided in the side panels and pins provided in the screen shield and insertable into the pin insertion holes.

With the above configuration, the operator on the cargo bed can operate the front panel fixing means in any of the expanded position and the non-expanded position without the front seat and the rear seat being an obstacle.

A fifth aspect of the present invention also features front panel fixing means. The screen shield integrally has a front panel of the cargo bed and is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Front panel fixing means are provided to fix the front panel to side panels of the cargo bed in the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The front panel fixing means have a pair of rod insertion holes provided in both of the side panels, a pair of rods insertable into the rod insertion holes, and an operating portion for operating both of the rods at the same time. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, as one example, the operating portion can have rack teeth formed in both of the rods and one rotatable pinion engaging the rack teeth. As another example, the operating portion can have a rotatable rotational shaft and link mechanisms coupling the rotational shaft and both of the rods. Preferably, the operating portion can be arranged in the center portion of the cargo bed in a width direction.

With the above configuration, two lock positions can be locked and unlocked at the same time by the operation of the operating portion in one position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 5show a pick-up style utility vehicle with an expandable cargo bed according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The pick-up style utility vehicle can be changed between a 4 passengers transformation contracting a cargo bed9, as shown inFIG. 2and a 2 passengers transformation in which a rear seat22is folded and the cargo bed9is expanded in a front direction, as shown inFIG. 3. A configuration of the pick-up style utility vehicle will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of the pick-up style utility vehicle. A pick-up style utility vehicle1has a vehicle body2supported by a pair of right and left front wheels3and a pair of right and left rear wheels4. A cabin frame7configuring a cabin6is provided in an intermediate portion above the vehicle body2in a front or rear direction. A hood8is provided in front of the cabin frame7. The cargo bed9is provided behind the cabin frame7. A screen shield10partitioning the cargo bed9and a riding space is provided at a front end of the cargo bed9so as to be adjustable in a front or rear direction.

The cabin frame7surrounding the cabin6has a pair of right and left side frame members11formed in a U shape and made of a metal pipe, and a plurality of cross frame members12made of a metal pipe coupling the side frame members11. Each of the side frame members11has a front side portion11aextended in a rear direction and in an upward direction from near the right or left side portion of the hood8, a rear side portion11bextended in a substantially upward direction from the right or left side portion at the rear end of the cabin6, an upper side portion11cintegrally coupling the upper end of the front side portion11aand the upper end of the rear side portion11band extended in a front or rear direction, and an intermediate longitudinal portion11dcoupling the intermediate portion of the upper side portion11cin a front or rear direction and a floor surface6a.

A bench-shaped front seat21is installed in the front half of the cabin6. The bench-shaped rear seat22of a folding type is installed in the rear half portion of the cabin6. A dashboard (operating portion)24having a steering wheel23and the like is provided at the front end of the cabin6.

FIG. 2is a left side view of the pick-up style utility vehicle in the 4 passengers transformation. The bench-shaped front seat21has a seat leg26erected on the floor surface6aof the cabin6, a seat bottom27provided on the upper end face of the seat leg26, and a backrest29fixed via a supporting stay on the intermediate longitudinal portion11d. The bench-shaped front seat21is typically extended in a right or left direction to near the right or left end of the cabin6. With this configuration, two persons can be seated side by side. A driver can be seated on one of seating areas (left side) and a passenger can be seated on the other seating area. The bench-shaped rear seat22has a seat bottom31arranged on the upper side of a box30housing an engine (not shown), and a backrest32(the configuration will be described later in detail). As in the front seat21, the seat bottom31and the backrest32are extended in a right or left direction to near the right or left end of the cabin6. Therefore, two passengers can be seated side by side.

The folding configuration of the rear seat22will be described in detail. The seat bottom31is fixed onto the upper surface of a supporting base40. The front end of the supporting base40is rotatably supported at the front upper end of the box30via a hinge41. A pair of right and left stays43extended in a downward direction is fixed onto the backrest32. The lower end of each of the stays43is rotatably coupled to the rear end of the seat bottom31via a hinge45.

FIG. 3shows a folding state of the rear seat21. The backrest32is rotated about the hinge45so as to be brought into contact with the upper surface of the seat bottom31. The seat bottom31is then rotated about the hinge41together with the backrest32so as to be substantially vertical. The rear seat22is folded in the retracted state ofFIG. 3. The rear seat22is folded and retracted to use a rear portion riding space P1as the forward expanded space of the cargo bed9.

A configuration of the expandable cargo bed9will be described in detail.FIG. 4is a simplified perspective view of the expandable cargo bed9and the screen shield10. The screen shield10has a frame10aformed in a U shape and made of a metal pipe, and a resin or metal net10bprovided in the frame10a. The cargo bed9has, as a basic configuration, a stationary bottom plate51, a pair of stationary side panels52provided substantially perpendicular to the stationary bottom plate51along the right and left ends of the stationary bottom plate51, a gate type rear panel53provided at the rear end of the stationary bottom plate51so as to be opened and closed, and a front panel54adjustable in a front or rear direction. In addition to these members, to expand the cargo bed9in a front direction, the cargo bed9has a pair of right and left expandable side panels55, and an expandable bottom plate56extended in a front direction from the front end of the stationary bottom plate51. The expandable side panels55are supported by the front ends of the stationary bottom plates51by hinge shafts57.

According to the first embodiment, the expandable bottom plate56is integral with the stationary bottom plate51and is extended forward from the front end of the stationary bottom plate51on the same plane as the stationary bottom plate51into the rear riding space P1. The pair of expandable side panels55are rotated about the hinge shafts57perpendicular to the stationary bottom plate51and are position changeable between a non-expanded position in which the expandable side panels55are extended inward in a cargo bed width direction from the front ends of the stationary side panels52as indicated by solid lines and an expanded position in which the expandable side panels55are extended forward from the front ends of the stationary side panels52as indicated by imaginary lines.

The screen shield10is formed integrally with the front panel54so as to be extended upward from the upper end of the front panel54and can be fixed into an expanded position A1and a non-expanded position A2by a pair of pins60separated from the screen shield10and the front panel54.

Screen shield fixing means using the pair of pins60will be described in detail.

InFIG. 4, attaching brackets63are fixed to both ends of the lower end of the screen shield10(corresponding to the upper end of the front panel54) in a width direction. A pin insertion hole61is provided in the upper end face of the end of each of the expandable side panels55. A pin insertion hole62is provided in the upper end face of the front end of each of the stationary side panels52.

FIG. 5is an enlarged perspective view of the pin60and the attaching bracket63. The attaching bracket63is formed in an L shape as seen from the rear. An outer circumferential surface60aof the shaft portion of the pin60is formed in a taper shape in which the diameter is reduced downward.

InFIG. 4, the pins60are inserted into pin insertion holes64of the attaching brackets63of the screen shield10and the pin insertion holes62of the stationary side panels52so that the screen shield10and the front panel54can be fixed into the non-expanded position A2. The pins60are inserted into the pin insertion holes64of the attaching brackets63of the screen shield10and the pin insertion holes61of the expandable side panels55so that the screen shield10and the front panel54can be fixed into the expanded position A1.

The operation of changing 4 passengers transformation shownFIGS. 2to 2 passengers transformation shown inFIG. 3and expanding the cargo bed9will be described.

In 4 passengers transformation shownFIG. 2, the supporting base40and the seat bottom31of the rear seat22are located on the upper side of the expandable bottom plate56and the backrest32is erected upward. The front panel54of the cargo bed9is located in the non-expanded position A2immediately behind the backrest32. The screen shield10is located behind the backrest32of the rear seat22and in the position in which the cargo bed9and the rear riding space P1are partitioned.

When the 4 passengers transformation is changed to the 2 passengers transformation, the backrest32of the rear seat22is rotated about the hinge45forward and is overlapped with the surface of the seat bottom31. The seat bottom31and the backrest32are rotated about the hinge41forward together with the supporting base40and as shown inFIG. 3, are retracted in the space immediately behind the front seat21in a substantially erected state.

InFIG. 4, the expandable side panels55are rotated from the non-expanded position to the expanded position to pull both the pins60out of the pin insertion holes63and62in the non-expanded position A2. The screen shield10and the front panel54are slid forward. The screen shield10and the front panel54are moved so that the horizontal portions of both the attaching brackets63are slid on the upper end faces of the expandable side panels55. Therefore, the screen shield10and the front panel54can be moved into the expanded position A1without being lifted.

The screen shield10and the front panel54are moved to the expanded position A1to insert the pins60into the pin insertion holes63and61in the expanded position A1. The screen shield10and the front panel54are fixed into the expanded position A1.

According to the embodiment, unlike the related art, the screen shield and the front panel need not be lifted in order to pull out and insert the pins, and can be slid and moved. The expanding operation of the cargo bed9and the moving operation of the screen shield10can be easily performed by one operator.

The outer circumferential surfaces60aof the shaft portions of the pins60are formed in a taper shape. Therefore, when the pins60are inserted into and pulled out of the positions of the pin insertion holes64of the attaching brackets63and the positions of the pin insertion holes61of the expandable side panels55or the positions of the pin insertion holes62of the stationary side panels52are slightly shifted, both the pin insertion holes64and62(or64and61) coincide with each other by the guide function of the taper so that the screen shield10can be fixed into the predetermined position.

When the 2 passengers transformation shown inFIG. 3is changed to the 4 passengers transformation shown inFIG. 2and the cargo bed9is contracted into the non-expanded state, the expanding operation may be reversed. Also in this case, the screen shield10and the front panel54need not be lifted and moved so that the contracting operation of the cargo bed9and the moving operation of the screen shield10can be easily performed by one person.

According to the first embodiment, the outer circumferential surfaces of the pins60and the inner circumferential surfaces of the pin insertion holes61and62are threaded, the pins60can be threaded into the pin insertion holes61and62.

Modification of the First Embodiment

FIGS. 6 and 7show a variation of the first embodiment. A lock member70is provided on the attaching bracket63so as to lock the pin60for preventing it from falling. The lock member70is rotatably provided on the attaching bracket63via a substantially horizontal rotational shaft71and is urged downward by a coil spring (not shown).

The lock member70is rotatably operated between a non-lock position in which it is rotated upward against the coil spring to open the pin insertion hole64as shown inFIG. 6and a lock position in which it is rotated downward by the resilient force of the coil spring to press the pin60from above as shown inFIG. 7. The modification example is the same as the first embodiment except for the configuration of the lock member70.

Like the modification example, the pin60inserted into the pin insertion hole64can be pressed from above. Therefore, the falling of the pin60out of the pin insertion hole64due to vibration or shock during running can be prevented.

To prevent the falling of the pin60, the pin60can be supported by the screen shield10so as to be movable upward and downward.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 8shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that a pin80for fixing the screen shield10and the front panel54into the non-expanded position and the expanded position is fixed to the screen shield10and that the pin insertion hole62or the like provided in the stationary side panel52or the like is formed in a taper shape in which the diameter is reduced downward. Like components are indicated by like reference numerals.

An extended portion82extended in a cargo bed width direction is fixed to or formed integrally with either end of the lower end of the screen shield10in a width direction. The pin80protruded downward is provided on the lower surface of each of the extended portions82. An outer circumferential surface80aof the pin80is formed in a taper shape in which the diameter is reduced downward. The inner circumferential surface of the pin insertion hole62provided in the upper end face of the front end of the stationary side panel52is formed in a taper shape having substantially the same taper angle as that of the pin80. The pin insertion hole61formed at the end of the expandable side panel55shown inFIG. 4is also formed in a taper shape having substantially the same taper angle as that of the inner circumferential surface of the pin insertion hole62ofFIG. 8.

According to the embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the pin80is formed in a taper shape, and the inner circumferential surfaces of the pin insertion holes61and62are also formed in a taper shape. Accordingly, when the pin80is inserted and pulled out, the positions of the pin80and the pin insertion hole62(or61) which are slightly shifted can coincide with each other by the guide function of the taper.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 9 to 14show a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9is a front view of the cargo bed9.FIG. 10is a plan view ofFIG. 9.FIG. 11is a plan view showing the state during the expanding operation of the cargo bed9.FIG. 12is a plan view showing the next operated state ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13is a plan view showing the next operated state ofFIG. 12.FIG. 14is the same plan view showing the expanded state.

InFIG. 9, a pair of rods101fixing the screen shield and extended downward are formed at both ends of the lower end of the screen shield10in a width direction. A pair of rod insertion holes102for the non-expanded position is formed in ends of the expandable side panels55on the hinge shafts57side. A pair of rod insertion holes103for the expanded position is formed in ends of the expandable side panels55on the opposite side of the hinge shafts57. The rod insertion holes102and103are extended downward from the upper end faces of the expandable side panels55.

InFIG. 10, each of the rod insertion holes102for the non-expanded position is opened in one side (the front surface ofFIG. 10)55aof each of the expandable side panels55, and each of the rod insertion holes103for the expanded position is opened in the other side (the rear surface ofFIG. 10)55bof each of the expandable side panels55. As shown inFIG. 11, when each of the expandable side panels55is in the non-expanded position, each of the rod insertion holes102for the non-expanded position is opened forward so that the rod101of the screen shield10can be inserted into and removed from the front (the one side55a). In addition, each of the rod insertion holes103for the expanded position is opened rearward so that the rod101of the screen shield10can be inserted into and removed from the rear (the other side55b).

InFIG. 10, lock sections105are provided on the opened surfaces of the rod insertion holes102and103, respectively, to prevent the falling of the rod101. InFIG. 9, each of the lock sections105is rotatably supported by each of the expandable side panels55via a horizontal rotational shaft105aand is retained by a stopper106so as to be maintained in the lock position. The lock section105in a lock state shown inFIG. 9is rotated about the rotational shaft105aupward so that the rod101can be removed forward from the rod insertion hole102.

In the third embodiment, the screen shield10does not integrally have the front panel and is provided singly. When the cargo bed9is in the non-expanded state as shown inFIG. 10, the expandable side panels55serve as the front panel. When the cargo bed9is in the expanded state, as shown inFIG. 14, the backrest29of the rear seat22serves as the front panel.

Other configurations are the same as the first embodiment. Like components are indicated by like reference numerals.

The changing operation of the cargo bed will be described. In the 4 passengers transformation, as shown inFIG. 10, each of the expandable side panels55is located in the non-expanded position and each of the rods101of the screen shield10is inserted into the rod insertion hole102for the non-expanded position located at either end in a width direction.

When the 4 passengers transformation ofFIG. 10is changed to the 2 passengers transformation, the rear seat22is retracted as shown inFIG. 3, as in the operation described in the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 11, the lock section105of one of the pair of rod insertion holes102for the non-expanded position, e.g., the right rod insertion hole102, is opened to remove the right rod101forward from the right rod insertion hole102. In this case, the screen shield10is rotated forward with the left rod101as a rotational axis.

As shown inFIG. 12, the right expandable side panel55is rotated forward to open the lock section105of the rod insertion hole103for the expanded position of the right expandable side panel55, and the right rod101is inserted from the left into the rod insertion hole103for the expanded position of the right expandable side panel55.

As shown inFIG. 13, the lock section105of the rod insertion hole102for the non-expanded position of the left expandable side panel55is opened to remove the left rod101forward from the rod insertion hole102for the non-expanded position of the left expandable side panel55. In this case, the screen shield10is rotated forward with the right rod101as a rotational axis.

As shown inFIG. 14, the left expandable side panel55is rotated forward to the expanded position to open the lock section105of the rod insertion hole103for the expanded position of the left expandable side panel55, and the left rod101is inserted from the right into the rod insertion hole103for the expanded position of the left expandable side panel55. Thus, the expanding operation is completed.

In the above operation, the screen shield10is moved by rotating the left and right rods101as rotational axes. Therefore, the screen shield10need not be lifted so that the expanding operation can be easily performed by one operator.

When the 2 passengers transformation shown inFIG. 3is changed to the 4 passengers transformation shown inFIG. 2and the cargo bed9is contracted into the non-expanded state, the expanding operation may be reversed. Also in this case, the screen shield10and the front panel need not be lifted and moved so that the contracting operation of the cargo bed9and the moving operation of the screen shield10can be easily performed by one person.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 15 to 17show a fourth embodiment of the present invention which features fixing means of the front panel54of the cargo bed9.FIG. 15is a longitudinal side view of the cargo bed9and the screen shield10.FIG. 16is a rear view of the cargo bed.FIG. 17is an enlarged view of front panel fixing means120.

InFIG. 16, the screen shield10is formed integrally with the front panel54and the same pins80for fixing the screen shield as the second embodiment are provided at both ends of the lower end of the screen shield10in a width direction.

In addition to the screen shield fixing means of the pin80, the pair of front panel fixing means120are provided on the rear surface of the lower end of the front panel54. The pair of front panel fixing means120are arranged at the lower-left corner portion and the lower-right corner portion of the front panel54.

FIG. 17shows the front panel fixing means120at the lower-left corner portion. The front panel fixing means120has a pin case123having a U-shaped guide groove124, a pin121supported in the pin case123, a pin insertion hole125formed at the lower end of the expandable side panel55and the stationary side panel52(FIG. 15).

The pin121is supported in the pin case123so as to be rotatable about a pin axis and movable in a pin shaft direction (a cargo bed width direction). A knob121aof the pin121passes through the guide groove124so as to be protruded to the outside of the pin case123.

The state ofFIG. 17is the state that the front panel54is locked into the expanded position. The end of the pin121is inserted into the pin insertion hole125of the expandable side panel55and the knob121is located at the lower end of a vertical portion124aof one of the guide grooves124. The knob121ais moved upward from the state ofFIG. 17and is moved inward in a cargo bed width direction along the horizontal portion at the upper end of the guide groove124, so that the pin121is pulled out of the pin insertion hole125. The knob121ais rotated to the lower end of the other vertical portion124bof the guide groove124so that the pin121can be maintained in an unlocked state.

When the 2 passengers transformation indicated by a solid line ofFIG. 15is changed to the 4 passengers transformation indicated by an imaginary line and the cargo bed9is contracted into the non-expanded state, the pin121of the front panel fixing means120is pulled out of the pin insertion hole125of the expandable side panel55to release the fixing of the front panel54. The pin80of the screen shield10is pulled out of the pin insertion hole61to release the fixing of the screen shield10.

The expandable side panel55is rotated from the expanded position to the non-expanded position. The screen shield10and the front panel54are moved into the non-expanded position A2. The pin80for fixing the screen shield and the pin80for fixing the front panel are inserted into the pin insertion holes62and125of the corresponding stationary side panel52. Thus, the contracting operation is completed.

In the contracting operation, the operator on the cargo bed9can operate the front panel fixing means120, and the front panel fixing means120can be operated without the backrest29of the front seat21and the backrest32of the rear seat22being an obstacle.

When the 4 passengers transformation is changed to the 2 passengers transformation, the operator on the cargo bed9can operate the front panel fixing means120without the backrest32of the rear seat22and the like being an obstacle, like the above operation.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS. 18 and 19show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which features the fixing means120of the front panel54of the cargo bed9, like the fourth embodiment.FIG. 18is a rear view of the cargo bed9and the screen shield10.FIG. 19is an enlarged view of the front panel fixing means.

InFIG. 18, the front panel fixing means120is arranged in the lower end of the front panel54, and has a pair of rods140extended in a cargo bed width direction, a pinion146arranged in the center portion in a cargo bed width direction, and rod insertion holes145formed in the expandable side panels55and the stationary side panels52(FIG. 19).

The pair of rods140are arranged so as to be spaced in an up-down direction so that one rod140is arranged on the right side and the other rod140is arranged on the left side. Both the rods140are supported in the front panel54so as to be movable in a cargo bed width direction and are insertable into the rod insertion holes145of the expandable side panels55and the rod insertion holes145of the stationary side panels52ofFIG. 19.

InFIG. 19, a plurality of rack teeth141are formed in the lower surface of the upper rod140and the upper surface of the lower rod140, respectively, and engage the upper end and the lower end of the pinion146. The one pinion146and the rack teeth141configure a pinion-and-rack operating portion.

A shaft portion142of the pinion146is rotatably supported by the front panel54and is protruded forward and rearward from the front panel54. Knobs143are fixed to the front end and the rear end of the shaft portion142.

The pinion146can be rotated by either of the front knob143and the rear knob143. The pinion146is rotated so that the left and right rods140ofFIG. 18are moved in opposite directions.

When the 2 passengers transformation indicated by a solid line ofFIG. 19is changed to the 4 passengers transformation indicated by an imaginary line and the cargo bed9is contracted into the non-expanded state, either of the front knob143and the rear knob143is rotated and both the rods140are moved to the center side in a cargo bed width direction so as to be pulled out of the pin insertion holes145of the expandable side panels55at the same time. The pins80of the screen shield10shown inFIG. 18are pulled out of the pin insertion holes61of the expandable side panels55to release the fixing of the screen shield10.

The expandable side panels55are rotated from the expanded position to the non-expanded position to move the screen shield10and the front panel54into the non-expanded position A2. The pins80for fixing the screen shield are inserted into the pin insertion holes62(FIG. 19) of the stationary side panels52. By rotating the knobs143, both the rods140are moved outward in a cargo bed width direction and are then inserted into the pin insertion holes145of the corresponding stationary side panels52.

When the 4 passengers transformation is changed to the 2 passengers transformation, the above operation is performed.

According to the embodiment, the left and right rods140can be operated at the same time by the operation of the one pinion146arranged in the center portion in a cargo bed width direction, which leads to easy operation.

Modification of the Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 20shows a variation of the fifth embodiment. As the operating portion, in place of the rack-and-pinion mechanism ofFIG. 19, a pair of link mechanisms is provided and the left and right rods140are operated at the same time via the link mechanisms.

A rotational shaft162having a pair of link arms161are rotatably provided in the center portion of the cargo bed9in a width direction. Each of the link arms161is coupled to each of the rods140via each of different link arms163. The same knobs143asFIG. 19are fixed to the front end and the rear end of the rotational shaft162.

The operation of the front panel fixing means120is the same asFIGS. 18 and 19. The knobs143of the center of the cargo bed9in a width direction are operated to move both the rods140in opposite directions at the same time via the link mechanisms to fix and release the front panel54.

Other Embodiments

(1) In the above embodiments, the expandable side panel is rotatable about the hinge shaft. The respective inventions of the present invention are applicable to the cargo bed in which it is slid forward and rearward so that it is position changed between the expanded position and the non-expanded position.

(2) InFIG. 4, the hinge41can also be covered by a resin cover. The hinge41is covered by the resin cover to prevent dirt and sand from entering into the hinge41and the hard change of the cargo bed.

(3) The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments and includes various modification examples contemplated in the scope without departing from the contents described in the scope of claims.