Abstract:
A loading space cover having a dimensionally stable housing and a flexible sheet like screen is rolled up in the housing. Fastening devices are disposed at the longitudinal end sides of the loading space cover. Each fastening device can be held releasably in associated loading-space fasteners of a motor vehicle. The fastening devices are of structurally simple and cost-effective design. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fastening devices are held reliably in the loading-space fasteners and permit an energy-absorbing twisting of the loading space cover about its longitudinal axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2009 006 876.7 filed on Jan. 30, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a loading space cover having a dimensionally stable housing in which a flexible sheetlike structure, such as a screen, is mounted so that it can be rolled up. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle fitted with a loading space cover of this type. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     DE 20 2006 018 470 U1 discloses a generic loading space cover for a motor vehicle. The loading space cover has a flexible sheetlike structure for restraining a load and a dimensionally stable housing unit that is held releasably in loading-space-side fasteners. Means are provided for moving the housing unit into a securing position, in which the housing unit is in positively locking engagement with the loading-space-side fasteners as a function of a tensile or bending load on the sheetlike structure. However, the means for moving the housing unit into a securing position is relatively complex and expensive. A load exerted on the sheetlike structure, for example in the event of an accident, moves the housing unit of the loading space cover positively into the securing position in which the housing unit is locked positively to the loading-space-side fasteners. 
     The load being transported in the loading space of a motor vehicle that has a relatively small loading space, such as a sports car, can press against the loading space cover in the event of an accident and can tear the loading space cover out of the loading-space-side anchoring points. In this case, both the load and the loading space cover are freely movable and unsecured. Load items flying around or a loading space cover that is flung around can pose an additional risk of injury in the event of a serious accident. 
     The invention therefore is concerned with a loading space cover that offers increased occupant protection in the event of an accident and that is cost-effective to produce. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to anchoring a loading space cover in a loading space of a motor vehicle. The loading space cover is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis, in the event of an accident, without being released from fasteners that are provided in the loading space of the vehicle. Thus, a load that slides forward during an accident or other sudden deceleration will cause the loading space cover to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The loading space cover has fastening devices that engage with the fasteners in the loading space. The fastening devices on the loading space cover are of extremely simple and therefore cost-effective design. The simple design is highly advantageous in a sports car because a sports car usually has only a very small loading space and therefore can transport only small loads. Such small loads may for example be drinks crates. The load, for example the drinks crate, will slide forward in the direction of the rear seat backrests in the event of a crash or other sudden deceleration of the motor vehicle. However, the load initially will be stopped by the loading space cover of the invention. The load continues to push forward if the deceleration during the crash is too great, and will cause the loading space cover to twist about its longitudinal axis. As a result, the load or the drinks crates are jammed simultaneously under the loading space cover. In this position, the retaining devices of the loading space cover keep the loading space cover fixedly connected to the fasteners of the loading space, and thereby fix the load that is pushing forward. Further deceleration causes the load to abut against a rear side of the rear seat backrest. As a result, the load is jammed in at three sides, specifically from above by the loading space cover, from the front by the rear side of the rear seat backrest, and from below by a floor of the loading space. Therefore the loading space cover of the invention considerably improves the occupant protection of a motor vehicle. A twisting of the cover about its longitudinal axis requires an expenditure of force so that impact energy also can be absorbed in this way. 
     The fastening devices at the longitudinal end sides of the loading space cover have an extremely simple yet effective locking mechanism with a bolt that is aligned in the vehicle longitudinal direction and that is preloaded into its locking position. The bolt can be unlocked counter to the spring force by means of an unlocking lever. The unlocked bolt permits an adjustment of the fastening device in the longitudinal direction of the loading space cover, which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Thus, the fastening device of the loading space cover can be moved away from the adjacent side of the vehicle, toward the longitudinal center of the vehicle and out of engagement the fastener in the loading space of the vehicle. By contrast, in the locked state, the bolt blocks the axial adjusting movement of the fastening device and thereby fixes the loading space cover in the fastener provided in the loading space of the vehicle. The safety-promoting loading space cover is therefore cost-effective to produce and can be used at least in motor vehicles in the mid-range price sector. 
     The locking mechanism preferably has at least an end plate, a helical spring, a bracket, a locking bolt, an unlocking lever, a leaf spring and a base holder. The entire fastening device therefore can be composed, in the best case, of only seven individual components. As a result, the fastening device generally makes do with a small number of parts and can be produced with expedient storage and logistical costs for the individual components. The components of the fastening device can be assembled in a simple cost-effective manner. It is also conceivable for the assembly of the fastening devices to be carried out by a supplier so that the fastening device can be delivered pre-assembled for the production of the loading space cover. It is of course also conceivable for the entire loading space cover to be provided as a finished part by a supplier so that the assembly of the loading space cover can be sourced out to the supplier. 
     Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the claims, the drawings and from the associated description of the figures on the basis of the drawings. 
     It is self-evident that the features specified above and the features yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference numerals relating to identical or similar or functionally identical components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a schematic side elevational view of a loading space of a motor vehicle having a loading space cover according to the invention. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a schematic side elevational view similar to  FIG. 1   a , but with a load having been displaced on account of a crash. 
         FIG. 1   c  is a schematic rear elevational view of the loading space and the loading space cover. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of a loading space cover according to the invention in the region of a lateral fastening device. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a top plan view of a locking mechanism of the fastening device and  FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the fastening device. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A loading space of a motor vehicle MV is identified generally by the numeral  1  in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . The loading space  1  is defined partly by a loading space floor  11  and opposite left and right sides  11 L and  11 R, as shown in  FIG. 1   c . The loading space  1  has a loading space cover  2 , which is shown at a distance from a rear side  3  of a backrest  4  of a passenger seat of the motor vehicle MV. However, the loading space cover  2  can directly adjoin the rear side  3  of the rear seat backrest  4 . The loading space cover  2  has a dimensionally stable housing  5  with opposite longitudinal ends  5 L and  5 R spaced from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle and hence near the left and right sides of the motor vehicle MV. Fastening devices  6 L and  6 R are arranged at the longitudinal ends  5 L,  5 R of the housing  5  of the loading space cover  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 1   c  and  2  to  4  and can be moved selectively toward and away from each other between retracted positions where the spacing between the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R is a minimum and extended positions where the spacing between the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R is a maximum. Locking apertures  30 L and  30 R preferably are provided in the housing  5  near the respective ends  5 L and  5 R of the housing  5  and cooperate with the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R as explained below for selectively locking the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R in the extended positions relative to the housing  5 . The fastening devices  6 L,  6 R can connect the loading space cover  2  to loading-space-side fasteners  31 L and  31 R provided respectively at the lateral sides  11 L and  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV when the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R are in the extended positions. Thus, the fastening devices  6 L,  6 R and the loading-space-side fasteners  31 L and  31 R have complimentary mating shapes, such as apertures on the fastening devices  6 L,  6 R and projections on the loading-space-side fasteners  31 L,  31 R. The fastening devices  6 L and  6 R are spaced inwardly from the loading-space-side fasteners  31 L and  31 R when the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R are in the retracted positions so that the loading space cover  2  can be removed from the loading space  1 . 
     The loading space cover  2  has an extendable flexible sheet  8  in the form of a load-securing net that can be extended from the housing  5  along the longitudinal direction  10  of the motor vehicle MV for covering the loading space  1  and a load  7  stowed therein. 
     The loading space cover  2  is designed so that, in the event of a crash, the loading space cover  2  is held reliably in the fasteners  31 L,  31 R provided at lateral sides  11 L,  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV and also permits an energy-absorbing twisting movement about the longitudinal axis  9  of the loading space cover  2  (the transverse direction of the motor vehicle MV), as is illustrated in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c.  Therefore, in the event of an accident, the load  7  is shifted forward in the longitudinal direction of travel  10  toward the rear  3  of the seat backrest  4 , with the load  7 , depending on its height, sliding at least partly under the loading space cover  2  and twisting the loading space cover  2 . Twisting movement of the loading space cover  2  is facilitated by providing the housing  5  with an oblique surface  5   s  that is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  9  of the loading space cover  2  and at an acute angle to the loading space floor  11 . The twisting of the loading space cover  2  takes place under a deformation force, and therefore with an absorption of energy. An end of the shifting movement of the load  7  is defined by the point at which the load  7  becomes jammed by the loading space cover  2 , the rear  3  of the rear seat backrest  4  and the loading space floor  11 . The load  7  thus is jammed on three sides and no longer is capable of sliding uncontrolled through the loading space  1 , and particularly over the head end of the rear seat backrest  4  and into a passenger compartment. At the same time, the loading space cover  2  has the effect that, despite a deformation, specifically a twisting movement about its longitudinal axis  9 , the loading space cover  2  is held securely in the fasteners provided at lateral sides  11 L,  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV and thereby cannot be flung around, uncontrolled, in the loading space  1  or in a passenger compartment situated in front in the direction of travel  10 . 
     Increased occupant safety of the loading space cover  2  is only one point of the invention. A second important point is to keep the fastening devices  6 L,  6 R extremely simple. At least one of the fastening devices  6 L,  6 R at the longitudinal ends of the housing  5  of the loading space cover  2  can be adjusted relative to the housing  5  in the longitudinal direction  13  of the loading space cover  2 , which is transverse to the longitudinal direction  10  of the motor vehicle MV. The adjustment and movement of at least one of the fastening devices  6 L,  6 R is achieved by actuating a corresponding unlocking lever  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , so that the respective fastening device  6 L or  6 R can be moved to the retracted positions relative to the housing  5  and released from the corresponding loading-space-side fasteners  31 L or  31 R provided respectively at the lateral sides  11 L and  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV. 
     The unlocking lever  12  interacts with a preloaded and spring-biased bolt  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  4 . The bolt  14  has a leading end  14   a , a head  14   h  opposite the leading end  14   a  and a shank  14   s  extending between the leading end  14   a  and the head  14   h . The bolt  14  is preloaded by a helical spring  15  into a locking position where the leading end  14   a  of the bolt  14  engages in the corresponding aperture  30 L or  30 R of the housing  5  to lock the respective fastening device  6 L or  6 R in the extended position and to prevent a movement of the fastening device  6 L or  6 R inwardly in the direction  13  and toward the retracted position. Thus, the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R remain engaged with the respective loading-space-side fasteners  31 L,  31 R and the loading space cover  2  cannot be removed from the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV when the bolt  14  is biased by the helical spring  15  into its locking state. The unlocking lever  12  is connected operatively to the bolt  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  and merely needs to be urged manually parallel to the bolt  14  and counter to the spring preload provided by the helical spring  15  to disengage the leading end  14   a  of the bolt  14  from the aperture  30 L or  30 R. The fastening device  6  then can be moved in the longitudinal direction  13  of the loading space cover  2  to the retracted position and away from the fastener  31 L,  31 R at the respective lateral side  11 L,  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV to remove the loading space cover  2 . 
     The unlocking lever  12 , the bolt  14  and the helical spring  15 , an end plate  16 , a leaf spring  17 , a bracket  18  and a base holder  19  form the significant constituent parts of a locking mechanism  20  arranged in a housing  21  of the fastening device  6 . Both the housing  21  and the unlocking lever  12  may be designed cost-effectively as plastic injection-molded parts. The bracket  18 , the base holder  19 , the end plate  16  and the bolt  14 , preferably are formed from metal, such as steel, for reliably absorbing or transmitting the high forces that occur in the event of a crash. 
     The end plate  16  has opposite front and rear ends  16   f  and  16   r . The C-shaped structure at the front end  16   f  of the end plate  16  is mounted in the housing  21  of the fastening device  6 L,  6 R to be substantially concentric with the rotational axis about which the flexible sheet  8  is wound. The keyhole shaped opening near the rear end  16   r  of the end plate  16  is configured to engage with the respective loading-space-side fasteners  31 L,  31 R in the sides  11 L,  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV when the fastening devices  6 L and  6 R are in the extended positions relative to the housing  5  of the loading space cover  2 . The end plate  16  is formed with spaced apart parallel flanges  16   a  and  16   b , each of which has an aperture dimensioned to slidably accommodate the shank  14   s  of the bolt  14 , while preventing the head  14   h  of the bolt  14  from passing therethrough. The flanges  16   a  and  16   b  are spaced from one another by a distance that preferably is less than the unbiased length of the helical spring  15 . The shank  14   s  of the bolt  14  includes an undercut that can be engaged with one end of the helical spring  15 . Thus, the helical spring  15  biases the bolt  14  into a position where the leading end  14   a  of the bolt  14  projects a maximum distance beyond the flange  16   a . As a result, the leading end  14   a  of the bolt  14  engages in the respective aperture  30 L,  30 R of the housing  5  for holding the fastening device  6 L or  6 R in the extended position and preventing the fastening device  6 L or  6 R from being separated from the respective loading-space-side fasteners  31 L,  31 R in the sides  11 L,  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV. 
     The bracket  18  is substantially L-shaped and has a C-shaped leg  18   f  that substantially registers with the C-shaped front end  16   f  of the end plate  16 . The bracket  18  also has a reinforcing leg  18   r  that extends substantially parallel to the axis about which the sheet  8  is wound. The reinforcing leg  18   r  of the bracket has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and the base holder  19  is engaged in the channel defined by the U-shaped cross-section of the reinforcing leg  18   r.    
     The leaf spring  17  is braced between two supports  22  and  22 ′ formed on the unlocking lever  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and functions primarily to stabilize the unlocking lever  12 , which is formed from plastic. 
     The unlocking lever  12  is connected operatively to the head  14   h  of the bolt  14 . Thus, the bolt  14  can be released from the aperture  30 L or  30 R of the housing  5  of the loading space cover  2  by exerting sufficient manual pressure on the unlocking lever  12  (rightward in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ) to overcoming the biasing force of the helical spring  15 . As a result, the bolt  14  is moved into a position that enables the respective fastening device  6 L or  6 R to be moved into the retracted position. Accordingly, the fastening device  6 L or  6 R can be separated from the respective loading-space-side fasteners  31 L,  31 R in the sides  11 L,  11 R of the loading space  1  of the motor vehicle MV, and the loading space cover  2  can be removed from the loading space  1 . The helical spring  15  will return the bolt  14  automatically to the position for engaging the aperture  30 L or  30 R upon release of the manual forces on the unlocking lever  12 . 
     The loading space cover  2  provides an increased level of occupant protection in the event of a crash, and this increased level of occupant protection is realized in a cost-effective manner by the structurally simple fastening device  6  and the fastening device  6  of the locking mechanism  20 .