Abstract:
An automotive body structure includes a body ( 14 ) having a front body section ( 14   a ) defining a passenger compartment ( 2 ) and a rearbody section ( 14   b ) defining a cargo bed ( 4 ), and a division panel ( 6 ) dividing the passenger compartment ( 2 ) and the cargo bed ( 4 ) from each other. A ridge ( 20 ) prevents the direct collision of a cargo (X) accommodated in the cargo bed ( 4 ) against the division panel ( 6 ). A reinforcing member ( 32 ) restrains the division panel ( 6 ) from being bent by a moment of force applied thereto by the collision of the cargo (X) against the division panel ( 6 ). Support means ( 34 ) resiliently controls the forward movement of a predetermined part of a pivotal shaft ( 12 ) when the cargo (X) strikes against the division panel ( 6 ). The ridge ( 20 ), the reinforcing member ( 32 ) or the support means ( 34 ) of the automotive body structure protects the division panel ( 6 ) from damage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an automotive body structure for a pickup type truck, and particularly to a movable separation panel between a passenger compartment and a cargo bed. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An automotive body structure for a pickup type truck is provided in a rear portion with a movable division panel dividing a passenger compartment defined by a front body section, and a cargo bed defined by a rear body section from each other (JP-A No. 185669/2000). The division panel can turn on its base part as a pivot. When the division panel is turned on the base part toward the cargo bed, the passenger compartment is opened to the cargo bed to enlarge a space available for accommodating cargo. 
     The shock resistance of the division panel of the automotive body structure, however, is insufficient and, in some cases, the closed division panel is damaged by a cargo forced to move forward in the cargo bed when the pickup type truck decelerates. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an automotive body structure having a rear body section defining a cargo bed, including a division panel resistant to shocks that may be exerted thereon by cargo that moves in the cargo bed. 
     According to the present invention, the automotive body structure includes a body having a front body section defining a passenger compartment and a rear body section defining the cargo bed; the division panel dividing the passenger compartment and the cargo bed from each other, having a first end part supported on the body, and can turn on the first end part supported on the body; and a panel-protecting device for protecting the division panel from damage. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the panel-protecting device may include a ridge rising from a part of a surface of a deck included in the rear body section near the division panel. 
     When a cargo placed in the cargo bed of the rear body section is forced to move forward as the automobile decelerates, a lower part of the cargo strikes against the ridge. If the cargo is moved forward at a relatively high speed, the cargo strikes against the division panel has struck against the ridge. Since the direct collision of the cargo against the division panel can be avoided, the possibility of damaging the division panel is reduced. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, a second end part opposite to the first end part of the division panel may be fixedly held by a holding part of the body when the division panel is set at a closing position, and the panel-protecting device may include a reinforcing member included in the division panel near the second end part of the same. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the division panel may include a frame, a pipe laterally extended on the frame, and a bracket extending upward from the frame beyond the pipe, and a reinforcing member may be disposed between the pipe and the bracket. 
     The first end part of the division panel is supported pivotally on the body, and the second end part of the division panel is fixedly held by the holding part of the body when the division panel is set at the closing position. If a cargo accommodated in the cargo bed strikes against the division panel set at the closing position, the division panel is bent such that a part of the division panel against which the cargo struck is moved toward the passenger compartment and, consequently, a rotation moment acts on the second end part of the division panel. Since the second end part is fixedly held by the holding part, a stress is transmitted to a predetermined part (portion) of the division panel adjacent to the second end part. Since the part of the division panel around the second end part is provided with the reinforcing member, the division panel is resistant to damaging actions. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the first end part of the division panel may be provided with a pivotal shaft having opposite ends supported by first and second hinges on the body. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the panel-protecting device may have support means placed on the body to support the pivotal shaft when the pivotal shaft is bent toward the passenger compartment. 
     In this automotive body structure, the opposite ends of the pivotal shaft of the division panel are supported by the first and the second hinges on the body. If cargo accommodated in the cargo bed strikes against the division panel, the division panel is bent such that a predetermined part of the pivotal shaft between the first and the second hinges is moved toward the passenger compartment. Since the support means supports the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft so as to resist the movement toward the passenger compartment of the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft, the predetermined part is restrained from moving toward the passenger compartment and, consequently, the division panel is resistant to damaging actions. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the support means may have a belt having one end fixed to the body and the other end fixed to the division panel, and extending in front of the pivotal shaft. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the opposite ends of the belt may be fastened to the body and the division panel with bolts, respectively, and each of the opposite ends of the belt may be provided with a plurality of bolt holes. 
     If a cargo accommodated in the cargo bed strikes against the division panel, and the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft is moved forward, i.e., toward the passenger compartment, by a distance exceeding a predetermined distance, the belt supports the predetermined part and the force exerted on the pivotal shaft is distributed to and absorbed by the belt and, consequently, the movement of the predetermined part toward the passenger compartment is limited. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the support means may include a bracket fixed to the body and surrounding the pivotal shaft, and a bushing interposed between the bracket and the pivotal shaft. 
     If the cargo accommodated in the cargo bed strikes against the division panel, and pushes a predetermined part of the pivotal shaft forward, i.e., toward the passenger compartment, by a distance exceeding a predetermined distance, the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft is pressed against the bushing. Since the bushing is interposed between the bracket and the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft, the bushing exerts a resilient force on the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft in a direction opposite to a direction in which the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft was pushed by the cargo, so that the predetermined part is pushed rearward. Thus, the predetermined part is restrained resiliently from moving toward the passenger compartment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile provided with an automotive body structure in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a principal part of the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a part around a rear seat of the automotive body structure, in which a division panel included in the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment is set at a closing position; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a part around a rear seat of the automotive body structure, in which the division panel included in the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment is set at the closing position; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of members around an upper end part of the division panel included in the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 is the enlarged sectional view of members around a lower end part of the division panel included in the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment; and 
     FIG. 7 is the enlarged sectional view of members around a lower end part of the division panel included in the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An automotive body structure in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which parts are denoted by the same reference characters and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile provided with an automotive body structure in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a principal part of the automotive body structure in the preferred embodiment. The automotive body structure is designed for a pickup type truck. The automotive body structure has a body  14  having a front body section  14   a  defining a passenger compartment  2  and a rear body section  14   b  defining a cargo bed  4 , and a division panel  6  disposed in the rear body section  14   a  of the body  14  so as to divide the passenger compartment  2  and the cargo space  4  from each other. A rear windshield  8  is disposed above the division panel  6 . A support beam (upper bulk head)  10  is extended laterally between the division panel  6  and the rear windshield  8 . C (center) pillars  11  are disposed at the opposite side ends of the rear windshield  8 , respectively. 
     The division panel  6  divides the passenger compartment  2  and the cargo bed  4  from each other. A pivotal shaft  12  is extended laterally on a lower end part (one end part)  6   x  of the division panel  6 . The division panel  6  is supported on the body  14  for turning on the pivotal shaft  12 . The passenger compartment  2  is opened into the cargo bed  4  when the division panel  6  is turned away from the passenger compartment  2  on the pivotal shaft  12 . Naturally, the division panel  6  may be supported so as to be turnable toward the cargo bed  4 . The pivotal shaft  12  may be extended on an upper end part (the other end part) of the division panel  6 . 
     The rear body section  14   b  defining the cargo bed  4  has a deck  4   a  having a deck surface, side walls (quarter panels)  4   b  standing on the opposite side ends of the deck  4   a . Tire houses  16  are formed in parts near the passenger compartment  2  of the side walls  4   b , respectively. The outer surface of the turnable division panel  6 , and the outer surfaces of side bulk heads  18  disposed at the opposite side ends of the division panel  6  form the front inner surface of the cargo bed  4 . A lower bulk head (ridge)  20  and a rear cross member  22  are extended laterally along the intersection of the front inner surface of the cargo bed  4 , and the deck  4   a . The lower bulkhead (ridge)  20  is a component of a panel-protecting device for protecting the division panel, which will be described later. 
     Two rear seats  24  are disposed in the passenger compartment  2 . Each of the rear seat  24  has a seat back  24   a  and a head rest  24   b . A single bench seat may be used instead of the two rear seats  24 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a part, around the rear seat  24 , of the automotive body structure in a state where the division panel  6  is set at a closing position. The seat backs  24  are standing up from seat cushions  24   c  so that passengers can be seated on the rear seats  24 . The division panel  6  is disposed behind the seat backs  24   a  to divide the passenger compartment  2  from the cargo bed  4 . A sealing member  26  is attached to a part of the outer side of the division panel  6  so as to be in a close contact with an outer part of the body  14 . The division panel  6  is supported on the body  14  so as to divide the passenger compartment  2  and the cargo bed  4  from each other and so as to be turnable on the pivotal shaft  12 . The ridge  20  is disposed on the deck surface of the deck  4   a  in the cargo bed  4  behind the pivotal shaft  12 , preferably, contiguously with the pivotal shaft  12 . The ridge  20  protrudes upward from the deck surface of the deck  4   a.    
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a part, around the rear seats  24 , of the automotive body structure, in which the division panel  6  is set at the closing position. If a cargo X placed on the deck  4   a  in the cargo bed  4  moves forward when the pickup type truck decelerates, a lower part of the cargo X strikes against the ridge  20 . If the cargo X moves forward at a high speed, the cargo X will strike against the division panel  6  as indicated by two-dot chain lines after striking against the ridge  20 . Since the direct collision of the cargo X against the division panel  6  can be thus avoided, the division panel  6  is protected from damage. 
     The deck  4   a  is a part of the body  14  formed by a sheet metal, and the deck surface of the deck  4   a  is covered with a formed resin sheet  4   c.  The ridge  20  includes a protrusion  20   a  of a metal, and a part of the formed resin sheet  4   c  covering the protrusion  20   a.  The automotive body structure is provided with a surfacing material like a resin. For example, the support beam  10  is covered with a resin trim. 
     The division panel  6  turns on hinges attached to the opposite ends of the pivotal shaft  12 . The upper end part  6   y , i.e., an end part opposite to the lower end part  6   x  of the division panel  6  on the side of the pivotal shaft  12  is fixedly held by a latch  28  attached to the body  14  when the division panel  6  is set at the closing position. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of members around the upper end part  6   y  of the division panel  6 . FIG. 5 shows a middle part of the division panel  6  with respect to width. The latch  28  engages a U-shaped shackle  30  of a metal attached to the upper end  6   y  of the division panel  6  when the division panel  6  is set at the closing position. When the U-shaped shackle  30  is pressed against the latch  28 , the latch  28  engages the U-shaped shackle  30  to hold the division panel  6  fixedly at the closing position. When the latch  28  is unlocked, the shackle  30  is disengaged from the latch  28 . The division plate  6  is provided with a reinforcing member (panel-protecting device)  32  in a predetermined part thereof on the side of the pivotal shaft  12  with respect to the shackle  30 , i.e., below the shackle  30 , more preferably, a rear part in a section of the division panel  6  corresponding to the rear leg of the shackle  30 . 
     The division panel  6  has a frame  6   a  of a metal or a resin, a metal pipe  6   b  attached to the upper end of the frame  6   a  extending along the width of the frame  6   a,  a bracket  6   c  extending from a middle part, with respect to width, of the frame  6   a  to a level above the metal pipe  6   b,  and a housing shell  6   d  housing the frame  6   a,  the metal pipe  6 b and the bracket  6   c.  The shackle  30  is fixed to an upper part of the bracket  6   c.    
     The shackle  30  of the division panel  6  is fixedly held in place by the latch  28  and the pivotal shaft  12  is supported on a first hinge  12   a  and a second hinge  12   b  when the division panel  6  is set at the closing position. If the cargo X accommodated in the cargo bed  4  strikes against the division panel  6  in this state, the division panel  6  is bent and a part of the division panel  6  against which the cargo X struck is moved toward the passenger compartment  2  and, consequently, a rotation moment acts on the shackle  30 . Since the shackle  30  is held by the latch  28 , stress is transmitted to a predetermined part of the division panel  6  near the shackle  30 , i.e., a part between the metal pipe  6   b  and an upper part of the bracket  6   c  corresponding to the rear leg of the shackle  30 . Since the predetermined part of the division panel  6  is reinforced by the reinforcing member  32  having a U-shaped cross section, the predetermined part of the division panel  6  is resistant to damaging actions. The reinforcing member  32  is fixedly attached to the metal pipe  6   b  and the upper part of the bracket  6   c.    
     The structure of the lower end part  6   x  of the division panel  6  will be described. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a middle part of the lower end part  6   x  of the division panel  6  with respect to the width. The pivotal shaft  12  in the lower end member of the division panel  6 , extends laterally. The first hinge  12   a  and the second hinge  12   b  are disposed at positions corresponding to the opposite end parts of the pivotal shaft  12  to support the pivotal shaft  12  for turning. The automotive body structure is provided with a support device (panel-protecting device)  34 . When a force tending to bend the pivotal shaft  12  is exerted on the pivotal shaft  12  such that a predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  between the first hinge  12   a  and the second hinge  12   b  is moved toward the passenger compartment  2 , the support device  34  supports the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  to prevent the predetermined part from being moved toward the passenger compartment  2 . 
     The opposite end parts of the pivotal shaft  12  are supported by the first hinge  12   a  and the second hinge  12   b , respectively. If the cargo X accommodated in the cargo bed  4  strikes against the division panel  6  in this state, the pivotal shaft  12  is bent such that the predetermined part (a middle part in this case) of the pivotal shaft  12  between the first hinge  12   a  and the second hinge  12   b  is moved toward the passenger compartment  2 . The support device  34  supports the predetermined part to resist against the movement of the predetermined part toward the passenger compartment  2 . The predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  does not need necessarily to be the middle part. 
     The support device  34  shown in FIG. 6 has a belt  34   a  extending in front of the pivotal shaft  12 . The belt  34   a  has a lower end part  44   a  fixed to the body  14  with a bolt  34   b , and an upper end part  44   b  fixed to the division panel  6  with a bolt  34   c . The length of the belt  34   a  between the opposite end parts  44   a ,  44   b  is determined so that the belt  34   a  can bear the load exerted on the pivotal shaft  12  effectively. The length of the belt  34   a  is changeable so that the belt  34   a  bears the load for an optimum time period when the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  is moved forward for an optimum time. 
     A predetermined clearance is formed between the belt  34   a  and the pivotal shaft  12 . When the cargo strikes against the division panel  6  and the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  is moved forward, i.e., toward the passenger compartment  2 , by a distance exceeding a predetermined distance, the belt  34   a  is pressed and stretched by the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12 . 
     The lower end part  44   a  of the belt  34   a  is provided with a plurality of holes  44   c , and the upper end part  44   b  of the belt  34   a  is provided with a plurality of holes  44   d . The clearance can be formed between the belt  34   a  and the pivotal shaft  12  by selectively using the holes  44   c  and  44   d  when passing the bolts  34   b  and  34   c  through those holes to fasten the lower end part  44   a  and the upper end part  44   b  of the belt  34  to the body  14  and the division panel  6 , respectively. Preferably, the lower end part  44   a  and the upper end part  44   b  provided with the holes  44   c  and  44   d  has a larger thickness than that of a middle part of the belt  34   a . For example, the lower end part  44   a  and the upper end part  44   b  may be folded in two or three to increase the thickness of the lower end part  44   a  and the upper end part  44   b.    
     When the cargo strikes against the division panel  6 , the division panel  6  is bent and the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  is moved toward the passenger compartment  2  by a distance corresponding to the clearance, the belt  34   a  supports the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  and absorbs the load on the pivotal shaft  12 . Consequently, the distance of advancement of the division plate  6  can be limited. The time period for which the belt  34   a  bears the load on the pivotal shaft  12  can be optimized and the distance of advancement of the division panel  6  can be controlled by properly adjusting the effective length of the belt  34   a  to form a proper clearance between the belt  34   a  and the pivotal shaft  12 . Thus, the division panel  6  is protected from damage. 
     Modifications of the support device  34  are possible. A support device  34  in a modification of the support device  34  shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.  7 . FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a lower middle part of the division panel  6  with respect to the width. 
     The support device  34  shown in FIG. 7 has a bracket  34   x  surrounding a predetermined part (middle part in this case) of the pivotal shaft  12 , and a bushing  34   y  put on the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  and closely surrounded by the bracket  34   x . A clearance is formed between the pivotal shaft  12  and the bushing  34   y . The bracket  34   x  is fastened to the body  14  with a plurality of bolts  34   z.    
     When the cargo strikes against the division panel  6  and the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  is moved forward, i.e., toward the passenger compartment  2 , by a distance exceeding the clearance, the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  is pushed forward to press the bushing  34   y  interposed between the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  and the bracket  34   x . The resilience of the bushing  34   y  thus compressed tends to push the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  rearward. Thus, the movement of the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12  toward the passenger compartment  2  is controlled resiliently to protect the division panel  6  from the damage. The support device  34 , similarly to the support device  34  provided with the belt  34   a , can control the distance of advancement of the division panel  6  properly by forming an optimum clearance between the bushing  34   y  and the predetermined part of the pivotal shaft  12 . The support device  34  provided with the bushing  34   y  is capable of holding the pivotal shaft  12  more rigidly than the support device  34  provided with the belt  34   a , for bearing a large load. 
     The automotive body structure in the foregoing embodiment is provided with the ridge  20  for avoiding the direct collision of the cargo against the division panel  6 , the reinforcing member  32  reinforcing the predetermined part of the division panel  6 , and the support device  34  for supporting the pivotal shaft  12  to protect the division panel  6  from the damage. 
     In the automotive body structure according to the present invention, the direct collision of the cargo accommodated in the cargo bed against the division panel can be prevented, the reinforcing member reinforces the predetermined part of the division panel, and the support device absorbs shocks that act on the division panel. Thus, the division panel is protected from the damage. 
     While the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that these disclosures are for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.