Abstract:
A midgate in a truck or other vehicle has a power actuated window in a hinged midgate panel that has an optional pass through closure with inner and outer closure panels openable for transferring articles between compartments separated by the midgate without requiring opening or folding down of the midgate panel itself. An interlock system protects the window by requiring that the window be retracted into the midgate panel before the midgate latches can be released for folding down the midgate panel. It also prevents the window from being actuated unless the midgate panel is latched closed. The interlock system prevents the optional pass through closure from being opened unless the window is fully closed and also prevents the window from being lowered if either pass through door closure is open. The midgate may be applied to various types of multi-use vehicles; for example, open or closed body trucks, vans, station wagons, etc.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to vehicles, such as pickup trucks, in which a rear wall of the vehicle passenger compartment is adaptable to provide various configurations for optionally increasing cargo space by extension into the rear passenger area or, alternatively, closing off the cargo area from the passenger compartment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known in the art to provide a pickup truck having a cab portion for carrying passengers in a rear seat section behind the driver and a cargo box behind the cab portion for carrying cargo. It is also known to provide aligned openings in the cab portion and the cargo box for carrying longer loads which extend into the passenger compartment with the rear seat folded down. Currently a multi-use vehicle is available which provides a pickup truck having a rear passenger compartment convertible to a cargo area and separated from a rear pickup box by a midgate having a flexible hinged panel and window system. This vehicle is adapted to accommodate a variety of optional configurations for alternatively carrying a maximum passenger load or an extended cargo load under both covered and uncovered conditions where the cargo load is protected from or exposed to ambient external conditions. However, a modified midgate having a power actuated window and other features is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a modified hinged midgate that has a power actuated window as well as additional features. The midgate may include a pass through opening with a closure that is openable for transferring articles between compartments separated by the midgate without requiring opening or folding down of the midgate itself. The invention features an interlock system operative to protect the window by requiring that the window be retracted before the midgate can be opened by folding down a hinged panel forming the lower portion of the midgate. Further, a mechanical interlock is provided which prevents the pass through closure panels from being opened unless the window is raised to its fully closed position. In addition, electrical interlocks prevent the window from being lowered when either pass through closure panel is in an open position. They also prevent window operation if the midgate is not securely latched. 
     The midgate of the invention is disclosed as applied, in an exemplary embodiment, to a multi-use convertible passenger and cargo vehicle, such as a pickup truck. However its application is not so limited but may also be extended to other types of vehicle applications where its use may be appropriate, such as for example, in an enclosed truck or van. 
     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic partial side view of a pickup truck body with a switchable rear passenger compartment having a midgate according to the invention shown in the fully closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the midgate with the window retracted into the hinged panel; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the rear passenger seats and the hinged midgate panel folded down to increase the total length of the cargo bed; 
     FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the midgate from the interior of the rear passenger compartment showing the window partially retracted with both the pass through closure and the hinged midgate panel in their closed positions; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the window closed and the pass through closure panels partially open; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the window fully retracted and the hinged midgate panel partially folded down into the passenger compartment; 
     FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the midgate shown from the rear side facing the cargo bed of the vehicle with the window in the fully raised position; 
     FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the forward, side of the midgate showing portions of the interlock system mechanism for the pass through closure; 
     FIG. 9 shows the mechanism of FIG. 8 viewed in the direction of the arrow  9 ; and 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating electrical portions of the interlock system for use in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, numeral  10  generally indicates a pickup truck of the extended cab type having a body  12  including an internal front compartment  14  connected with an internal rear compartment  16  which is separated by an intermediate wall  18  from an external rear cargo compartment or cargo box  20 . The rear cargo compartment or cargo box  20  is optionally closed by a removable cover  34 . As shown, the front compartment includes at least one passenger seat  22  for carrying the driver and one or more passengers. The rear compartment  16  also includes a seat including a lower cushion  24  and a back cushion  26 . 
     The intermediate wall  18  includes a lower panel opening  28  and an upper window opening  30  both of which may be closed by a midgate  32 . The midgate  32  includes a midgate panel  36  and a midgate window  38 . 
     The lower opening  28  communicates the passenger rear compartment  16  with the interior of the cargo compartment  20 . Opening  28  is normally closed by the midgate panel  36  which is pivotally mounted on the body adjacent its lower end and is movable between a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the panel closes the lower opening  28 , and an open position, as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the panel pivots forward and opens communication between the cargo compartment  20  and the rear passenger compartment  16 . 
     The upper window opening  30  is normally closed by the midgate window  38 , which is supported by a conventional power window drive mechanism, not shown, that is mounted within the midgate panel  36 . The various features of the midgate  32 , as well as the rear seat cushions  24 ,  26  and the cargo box cover  34  are movable into various positions, to be subsequently described, in order to reconfigure the truck body  12  for various modes of use. 
     FIG. 1 shows the truck body  12  in a conventional position for maximum passenger accommodation wherein the rear seat cushions  24 ,  26  are positioned to carry passengers. The midgate panel  36  is in its closed position, separating the covered cargo compartment  20  from the rear passenger compartment  16  and the midgate window  38  is raised to close the upper opening  30  and protect the passenger rear compartment  16  against the entry of ambient air or water from the exterior of the vehicle. The cargo cover  34  is also in place to enclose the cargo compartment and protect materials which may be carried there from direct exposure to exterior ambient conditions. 
     As will be subsequently further explained, the power window drive mechanism, not shown, is conventionally operable to control the position of the midgate window  38 . When desired, the window  38  is held by the mechanism in the upper closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Optionally, the window may be lowered fully into the midgate panel  36  as shown in FIG.  2 . Alternatively, the window may be partially lowered for ventilation as shown in FIG.  4 . When the window  38  is fully lowered, the midgate panel  36  may be tilted forward with the window inside to open communication through the lower opening  28 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates one of the optional configurations wherein the midgate window  38  is lowered to open communication through the upper opening  30  between the passenger rear compartment  16  and external ambient air. The cargo cover  34  is shown in place, bearing against the midgate panel  36  to maintain protection of cargo in the cargo compartment against exposure to the elements. If desired, the cargo cover  34  may be removed to open the cargo compartment while the window  38  remains open, as shown, or is closed, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates another optional configuration, wherein the rear seat cushions are first reconfigured with the lower cushion  24  pivoted forward and the back cushion  26  pivoted forward and downward to form a floor for storing cargo within the rear passenger compartment. This may be accomplished with the midgate panel  36  upright and the window  38  raised, as shown in FIG. 1, so that the rear passenger compartment becomes a second cargo compartment completely closed in the body. 
     However, FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative wherein the window  38  is lowered into the midgate panel  36  and the panel is pivoted downward and forward to lie against the upper surface of the back cushion  26 , forming a floor for cargo which may extend from the rear cargo compartment  20  into the rear passenger compartment  16 . In this alternative, with the cargo cover  34  removed as shown, the passenger rear compartment  16  and the adjoining cargo compartment  20  are open to ambient conditions but are configured to receive a maximum amount of cargo which may extend into the rear passenger compartment, now configured for cargo, as well as into the cargo compartment. 
     FIGS. 4,  5 , and  6  illustrate further the operation and certain additional features of the midgate  32  formed in accordance with the invention. In addition to the power operated window  38  previously discussed, midgate  32  includes a pass through closure  42  in the midgate panel  36 , shown in FIGS. 4,  5 , and  6  from the interior or front side of the midgate  32 . The pass through closure  42  includes an inner panel  44  and a separate outer panel  46 , both of which are hinged to the bottom of a pass through opening  48  in opposite inner and outer sides  50  and  52  respectively of the midgate panel  36 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, when the pass through inner and outer panels  44 ,  46  are closed, the midgate window  38  may be lowered to any desired position including all the way into the midgate panel  36 , so that it is protected between the inner and outer sides  50 ,  52  of the panel, the outer side being shown in FIG.  7 . Through an interlock system to be subsequently discussed, the midgate window cannot be opened unless both inner and outer pass through panels are closed. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates opening of the pass through closure panels  44 ,  46 , which are hinged at the bottom and pivot downwardly to permit access through the midgate panel  36  between the interior and exterior compartments of the vehicle, that is, between the rear compartment  16  and the cargo box  20 . The interlock system in this case operates to prevent opening of either of the pass through panels unless the midgate window  38  is in the fully closed position as shown by the arrow  53 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates opening of the midgate panel  36  inwardly in the direction of the arrow  54  toward its full downward position as shown in FIG.  3 . In order to unlatch the midgate panel, the interlock system requires that the midgate window  38  be in its full downward position, enclosed within the midgate panel, so that the window is protected from damage during and after lowering of the midgate panel  36  to act as a portion of the load floor of the vehicle. FIGS. 4,  5 , and  6  also illustrate the release latch  55  which is utilized to open the panel  36  as shown in FIG. 6. A push button latch release switch  56  above the release latch  55  must be depressed in order to allow the release latch to actuate panel side latches  58 , shown in FIG. 7, and allow opening of the midgate panel  36 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the midgate  32  as seen from its rear or outer side  52 . In this figure, the outer side  52  of the midgate panel  36  as well as the outer panel  46  of the pass through closure  42  are shown. The side latches  58  are shown on either side near the top of the midgate panel  36  and the midgate window  38  is shown extended above the panel. At the lower edge of panel  36  a sliding panel  59  is hinged, which moves with the midgate panel  36  when it is opened downward into the vehicle rear compartment. In this position, the sliding panel  59  covers the gap between the midgate panel  36  and the front edge of the cargo box  20  to provide a continuous floor for carrying cargo in the cargo box and in the forward extension thereof into the rear compartment  16 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate mechanical portions of an electromechanical interlock system  60  provided according to the invention to prevent opening of the pass through closure panels  44 ,  46  unless the window  38  is in the fully closed position. In FIG. 8, the inner panel  44  of the pass through closure  42  is shown as mounted on the inner side  50  of the midgate panel  36 . Inner side  50  includes a mounting flange  62  which carries at its lower edge a weather seal  64  engageable by the inner panel  44  in its closed position. Flange  62  also carries a striker member  66  which is engaged by a latch  68  for holding the panel  44  in its closed position. In this position, the latch  68  also engages a limit switch  70  forming part of the interlock system. 
     Adjacent to the limit switch  70  on the striker plate  66  is mounted a spring biased plunger  72  having a lower end  74  which, when the window  38  is open, extends into a recess  76  in an extension of the latch body  78 . This prevents the pass through inner panel  44  from being opened until the plunger  72  is retracted. As the window  38  is closed, an arm  80 , extending inward from the plunger  72 , is engaged by a lift clip  82  on the window  38  when the window is raised to its fully closed position. When this occurs, the lift clip  82  raises the arm  80  and the attached plunger  72  so that the inner panel  44  is unlocked and may be released and opened by actuating the latch  68  in a conventional manner. Then, the user can reach through opening  48  in the inner panel  44  to release the latch on the outer panel  46  and open this panel also. Note in FIG. 7 that there is no latch on the outside of the outer panel  46  so that it cannot be opened from the cargo box side of the midgate. 
     FIG. 10 is a simplified wiring diagram showing the electrical elements of the interlock system  60  for the midgate window and pass through closure mechanisms of the present invention. System  60  includes a battery  84  connected with a window control circuit  86 , a window actuating circuit  88  and a midgate latch release circuit  90 . 
     The window control circuit  86  includes window close and window open branches  92 ,  94  controlled respectively by operator actuated control switches  96 ,  98 . The window close branch  92  also includes a closing relay  100 . The window open branch  94  further includes an opening relay  102  as well as, in series, the limit switch  70  for the pass through inner panel  44  and a limit switch  104  for the pass through outer panel  46 . Both branches  92 ,  94  join in including left and right midgate latch ajar switches  106 ,  108 , which are connected in series and to ground. 
     The window actuating circuit  88  connects the battery  84  with switch portions of relays  100 ,  102  and through these relays with connections of a window lift motor  110  and then through the relays  102 ,  100  to ground. 
     The midgate latch release circuit  90  connects the battery through a window down limit switch  112  and the push button midgate latch release switch  56  with a midgate left latch release motor  116  and a midgate right latch release motor  118 , the motors being connected in parallel and then to ground. 
     Operation of the window control circuit is as follows. Opening of the midgate window requires that the midgate panel latches  58  both be closed so that the midgate is latched in its closed position. Then, closing of the control switch  96  completes the circuit from the battery through the switch  96  and the relay  100 , continuing thorough ajar switches  106 ,  108  to ground. Relay  100  is thereby actuated to connect the battery with the window raising connection of the motor  110  while the other end of the motor remains connected through relay  102  to ground. The motor is thus actuated to lift the window from an open position up to the closed position or therebetween as long as the switch  96  remains closed by the operator. 
     Actuation of the window down to an open position requires that both pass through closure panels  44 ,  46  be latched closed and that the midgate latches  58  are also both closed so that the midgate is latched in its fully closed position. When this is the case, actuation of the window open control switch  98  connects the battery through the switch  98  with the opening relay  102  and then, through limit switches  70  and  104  for the pass through panels and ajar switches  106 ,  108  for the left and right midgate latches, to ground, thus actuating relay  102 . The relay feeds battery current to the down side connection of the actuating motor  110  while the other connection is connected through relay  100  to ground, thereby operating the motor to lower the window to its full down position, as desired. 
     Unlatching of the midgate  32  from its closed position for movement to its fully open position requires that the window  38  be lowered to the full open position and that the manual button latch release switch  56  be actuated by the user while the mechanical latch release  55  is being actuated to release the left and right latches  58 . Actuation of the latch release switch  56  then connects the battery through the limit switch  112 , indicating that the window is fully open, and through the latch release switch  56  to the latch release motors  116 ,  118  connected in parallel. Actuation of the motors  116 ,  118  releases latch retainers, allowing mechanical opening of the latches by the latch release handle  55 , the current flow through the motors passing to ground. 
     The combined electromechanical interlock system  60  thus prevents damage to the midgate window by preventing its movement either up in the closing direction or down in the opening direction if either latch of the midgate is open so that the midgate is slightly or fully ajar. The limit switches  70 ,  104  on the pass through closure panels  44 ,  46  also prevent the window from being lowered if either of the pass through closure panels is open. 
     The mechanical interlock plunger  72  of the inner pass through panel  44  also prevents the pass through closure panels from being opened unless the window  38  is raised to the fully closed position. Thus, if the window is down in any position other than fully closed, the pass through panels cannot be opened even if the electrical system of the vehicle is shut off. This protects the window from being damaged by engaging or being engaged by anything in or entering the pass through opening  48 . Use of the mechanical latch on the inner pass through panel  44  is sufficient for this purpose since the latches for both panels are on the inner (or forward) sides of the panels. Thus, the outer panel latch is actuated only by reaching through the opening of the inner panel to open the outer door panel with its inner side latch. Accordingly, when the plunger  72  prevents opening of the inner panel  44  it also prevents opening of the outer panel  46 , which cannot be reached unless the inner panel is in the open position and this can only occur when the window  38  is in its fully closed position. 
     In like manner, the window is protected from damage by attempts to unlatch the midgate  32  unless the window  38  is in the full down position, which is indicated by the limit switch  112  in the latch release circuit  90 . Thus, the midgate panel  36  can never be opened unless the window  38  is fully open and stored within the panel  36  and then the panel can be opened and folded down for use as a cargo floor while the window  38  remains within the panel protected from damage. 
     While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.