Patent Publication Number: US-2020284088-A1

Title: Movable bulkheads for motor vehicles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to GB Patent Application No. 1902923.0, which was filed on 5 Mar. 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a movable bulkhead for a motor vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Interiors of motor vehicles, such as light commercial vehicles or light trucks may comprise a passenger compartment, in which one or more seats can be provided for occupants of the vehicle, and a cargo compartment for the storage of cargo, such as goods being transported by the vehicle, tools, construction materials etc. 
     The vehicle may comprise a bulkhead configured to partition the interior of the vehicle. For example, the bulkhead may be configured to separate the passenger compartment from the cargo compartment. 
     The bulkhead may be provided in order to protect the occupants of the vehicle from items of cargo that become loose during transit. The position of the bulkhead within the vehicle interior may define the proportion of the vehicle interior available for seating the vehicle occupants and the proportion of the vehicle interior available for storing cargo. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a movable bulkhead assembly, the assembly comprising a segmented shutter and a track assembly configured to guide the movement of the segmented shutter, wherein the track assembly comprises a first track portion defining a plane parallel with a lateral direction of the motor vehicle, the segmented shutter being movable along the first track portion to deploy or retract the bulkhead. The track assembly comprises a first track arranged at a first lateral side of the movable bulkhead and a second track arranged at a second lateral side of the movable bulkhead The first and second tracks, or portions thereof, are arranged non-parallel to one another, such that the width of the segmented shutter varies along a length of the track assembly. 
     The segments of the shutter may comprise followers, e.g. rollers, configured to move, e.g. roll, along tracks of the track assembly to guide movement of the shutter. 
     The track assembly may further comprise a second vertically extending track portion spaced apart from the first vertically extending track portion in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The segmented shutter may be movable along the track between the first and second vertically extending track portions, e.g. in order to adjust the partitioning of the interior volume of the vehicle. 
     The segmented shutter may be configured to form a door of the vehicle when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second vertically extending track portion or the first vertically extending track portion. 
     The movable bulkhead assembly may further comprise a horizontally extending track portion. The horizontally extending track portion may extend between the first and second vertically extending track portions. The segmented shutter may be moved between the first and second vertically extending track portions via the horizontally extending track portion. The horizontally extending track portion may be arranged adjacent to a roof of the vehicle. The movable bulkhead assembly may be configured such that the segmented shutter can be stowed on a horizontal orientation by aligning the segmented shutter with the horizontally extending track portion. 
     A width of the segmented shutter may extend between the first and second tracks. The first and second tracks may be for guiding the movement of the shutter segments at the first and second sides of the movable bulkhead respectively. 
     Each of the segments of the shutter comprise two or more segment portions slidable relative to one another, e.g. in a direction perpendicular to the track portions, such that widths of the segments of the shutter are variable. 
     The movable bulkhead may further comprise one or more frame panels extending outwardly, e.g. laterally outward, from track assembly, e.g. form the first and second tracks of the track assembly. The frame panels may be for filling a space between the track assembly and wall of a body structure of the vehicle, e.g. such that the cross-sectional area of the interior of the vehicle is filled by the movable bulkhead in a plane of the movable bulkhead. 
     The frame panels may be pivotally couplable to the wall of the body structure of the vehicle. For example, the frame panels may comprise pivotal couplings for coupling to the wall of the body structure. 
     The movable bulkhead assembly may further comprise a lock for securing the position of the segmented shutter within the vehicle interior. 
     A motor vehicle may comprises a body structure comprising walls defining an interior volume of the motor vehicle; and the above-mentioned movable bulkhead assembly. 
     The interior volume may comprise a passenger space, e.g. in which seat for passengers can be secured, and a cargo space for storing cargo, e.g. to be transported by the vehicle. The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned such that, when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first vertically extending track portion, the segmented shutter is arranged to separate the passenger space from the cargo space. Additionally or alternatively, the segmented shutter may be arranged to separate the passenger space from the cargo space when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second vertically extending track portion. 
     The vehicle may comprise a first row of seats and a second row of seats. The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned between the first and second rows of seats, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The seats, e.g. within the first and/or second rows of seats may be removable form the vehicle. The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned between the positions at which the first and second rows of seats may be provided in the vehicle interior. The vehicle may comprise one or more first seat attachment points, for securing seats in the first row of seats, and one or more second seat attachment points for securing seats in the second row of seats. The first vertically extending track portion may be at least partially aligned with the second seat attachment points or positioned between the first and second seat attachment points. Alternatively, the second vertically extending track portion may be positioned between the first and second rows of seats, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 
     The second vertically extending track portion may be positioned adjacent to an opening in the body structure of the vehicle. The segmented shutter may be configured to form a door into the interior of the vehicle when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second vertically extending track portion. 
     The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned adjacent to a side door of the motor vehicle, such that, when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first vertically extending track portion, part of the interior of the vehicle forwards of the first vertically extending track portion is accessible via the side door and part of the interior of the vehicle rearwards of the first vertically extending track portion is inaccessible via the side door. 
     The motor vehicle may further comprise a lock for securing the position of the segmented shutter relative to the body structure. 
     To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle comprising a movable bulkhead according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    are schematic plan views of motor vehicles comprising movable bulkheads according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    are schematic, rear, cross-sectional views of the motor vehicle comprising the movable bulkhead according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are schematic, rear, cross-sectional views of the motor vehicle comprising another movable bulkhead according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    are schematic, rear, cross-sectional views of the motor vehicle comprising another movable bulkhead according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  2 , such as a motor vehicle, according to arrangements of the present disclosure, comprises a body structure  4  comprising one or more walls  6  defining an interior  8  of the vehicle. In particular, the body structure may comprise first and second opposite side walls  6   a ,  6   b , roof  6   c  and floor  6   d . In  FIG. 1 , the second side wall  6   b  of the body structure has been omitted for clarity. The second side wall  6   b  is shown in  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b    and  2   c.    
     The vehicle  2  further comprises a movable bulkhead assembly  100  configured to partition the interior  8  of the vehicle. The movable bulkhead assembly  100  comprises a segmented shutter  110  and a track assembly  120  for guiding the movement of the segmented shutter  110 . 
     The track assembly  120  comprises a first track  122  coupled to the body structure  4  at a first lateral side  4   a  of the body structure, e.g. to the first side wall  6   a , and a second track  124  coupled to the body structure  4  at a second lateral side  4   b  of the body structure opposite to the first track  122 , e.g. to the second side wall  6   b.    
     A width of the segmented shutter  110 , e.g. between the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 , extends across a width of the interior  8  of the vehicle, e.g. between the first and second side walls  6   a ,  6   b . The segmented shutter  110  comprises a plurality of shutter segments  112  pivotally coupled together in a series arrangement along a length of the segmented shutter  110 , e.g. extending along the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 . 
     The segmented shutter, e.g. the shutter segments  112  of the segmented shutter, are configured to movably, e.g. slidably, couple to the first track  122 , e.g. at first ends  112   a  of the shutter segments, and the second track  124 , e.g. at second ends  112   b  of the shutter segments  112 . For example, the shutter segments  112  may comprise rollers coupled to the first and second ends  112   a ,  112   b  of the shutter segments which are movably coupled to the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 , e.g. by enabling the rollers to roll along the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the track assembly  120  comprises a first track portion  120   a . The first track portion  120   a  comprises first lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  extending in a vertical direction within the interior  8  of the vehicle  2 . The first track portion  120   a , e.g. the lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  forming the first track portion  120   a , define a first plane P 1  in which the segmented shutter  110  is arranged when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first track portion  120   a . The first plane P 1  is parallel with a lateral direction of the motor vehicle  2 . 
     The segmented shutter  110  can be moved along the tracks of the track assembly  120 , e.g. forming the first track portion  120   a , in order to adjust the position of the segmented shutter  110  within the interior  8  of the vehicle, e.g. to deploy or retract the bulkhead. 
     The track assembly  120  further comprises a second track portion  120   b . The second track portion  120   b  comprises second lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  extending in the vertical direction within the interior  8  of the vehicle  2 . The second track portion  120   b , e.g. the lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  forming the second track portion  120   b , define a second plane P 2  in which the segmented shutter  110  is arranged when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second track portion  120   b.    
     The second plane P 2  is parallel with and spaced apart from the first plane P 1  in a direction perpendicular to the first and second planes P 1 , P 2 , e.g. in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. In other words, the second vertically extending track portion  120   b  is spaced apart from the first vertically extending track portion  120   a  in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. 
     The segmented shutter  110  can be moved along the tracks of the track assembly  120  between the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b . The position, e.g. longitudinal position, of the segmented shutter  110  within the interior  8  of the vehicle can therefore be adjusted by moving the segmented shutter  110  along the tracks  122 ,  124  of the track assembly  120 . 
     The track assembly  120  may further comprise a third track portion  120   c . The third track portion  120   c  comprises third lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  extending between the lengths forming the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the third lengths of the tracks  122 ,  124  forming the third track portion  120   c  may extend in a horizontal direction. The third lengths of the tracks  122 ,  124  forming the third track portion  120   c  may be arranged at the upper ends of the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b , such that the third track portion  120   c  is arranged at or close to the roof  6   c  of the vehicle  2 . 
     The segmented shutter  110  may be moved along the third track portion  120   c  between the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b  in order to adjust the position of the segmented shutter  110  within the vehicle interior  8 . In some arrangements, the third track portion  120   c  may be configured such that the segmented shutter  110  can be stowed in a horizontal orientation, e.g. adjacent to the roof  6   c  of the vehicle, by aligning the segmented shutter  110  with the third track portion  120   c . For example, the third lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  forming the third track portion  120   c  may be approximately equal to or greater in length than the segmented shutter  110 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 a   , the interior  8  of the vehicle  2  may comprise a passenger space  10 , in which one or more seats  12  for passenger of the vehicle may be provided. For example, the vehicle  2  may comprise first and second rows  12   a ,  12   b  of seats arranged within the passenger space  10 . The interior  8  may further comprise a cargo space  14  for items of cargo to be stored within the vehicle interior. 
     The movable bulkhead assembly  100 , e.g. the segmented shutter  110  of the movable bulkhead, may be configured to separate the passenger space  10  from the cargo space  14 . The proportions of the interior  8  of the vehicle forming the passenger space  10  and the cargo space  14  may be defined by the position of the segmented shutter  110  of the movable bulkhead assembly  100  within the interior  8  of the motor vehicle. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the first track portion  120   a  may be arranged within the vehicle interior  8 , such that the segmented shutter  110  is arranged behind the second row  12   b  of seats when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first track portion  120   a.    
     The second track portion  120   b  may be arranged forwards of the first track portion  120   a  within the interior  8  of the vehicle. When the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b , the size of the cargo space  14  may therefore be greater than the size of the cargo space when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the first track portion  120   a    
     The second track portion  120   b  may be aligned, e.g. longitudinal aligned, with or arranged forwards of the second row of seats  12   b . As shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the second track portion  120   b  may be arranged between, e.g. longitudinally between, the first and second rows  12   a ,  12   b  of seats. When the segmented shutter  110  is arranged forwards of the second row of seats  12   b , the seats  12  within the second row of seats  12   b  may be removed from the vehicle. Removing the seats from the second row of seats  12   b  may enable additional cargo to be stored in the cargo space  14 . 
     The second track portion  120   b  may be arranged rearwards of the first row  12   a  of seats, e.g. immediately rearward of the first row of seats. When the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b , the segmented shutter  110  may be arranged behind the first row of seats  12   a.    
     The vehicle  2  may comprise one or more first seat attachment points  13   a , for coupling seats  12  to the body  4  of the vehicle in the first row  12   a , and one or more second seat attachment points  13   b , for coupling seats to the body of the vehicle in the second row of seats. The second track portion  120   b  may arranged between, e.g. longitudinally between, the first seat attachment points  13   a  and second seat attachment points  13   b . Alternatively, the second track portion  120   b  may be at least partially aligned with the second seat attachment points  13   b.    
     In some arrangements, the seat attachment points may comprise seat rails extending between the first and second rows  12   a ,  12   b  of seats. The seats  12  may be coupled to the seat rails at a desired position along the seat rails, in order to mount the seats in the first or second row of seats. In such arrangements, the second track portion  120   b  may be at least partially aligned with the seat rails at a position between which the seats in the first row  12   a  and the seats in the second row  12   b  may be coupled to the seat rails. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 b   , in another arrangement, the second track portion  120   b  may be arranged adjacent, e.g. longitudinally adjacent, to a rear doorway opening  4   c  in the vehicle body  4 , such that the segmented shutter  110  can form a door of the vehicle, when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b.    
     In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 b   , hinged doors  6   e  are provided, for closing the rear doorway opening  4   c , in addition to the segmented shutter  110 . The movable bulkhead assembly  100  may thereby provide additional security at the rear of vehicle  2  when aligned with the second track portion. In other arrangements, hinged doors may not be provided for closing the rear doorway opening  4   c  and the rear doorway opening may be closed by the segmented shutter  110 . In some arrangements, the second track portion  120   b  may be aligned with the rear doorway opening  4   c.    
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 b   , the first track portion  120   a  may be arranged such that cargo space  14  is partitioned by the segmented shutter  110 , e.g. such that part of the cargo space  14  is provided on either side of the segmented shutter  110 , when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first track portion  120   a . This may allow part of the cargo space  14  to be partitioned off, such that the part of the cargo space  14  is inaccessible via the rear doorway opening  4   c  of the vehicle whilst the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the first track portion  120   a.    
     With reference to  FIG. 2 c   , in some arrangements, the second track portion  120   b  may be arranged such that part of the cargo space  14  is provided on either side of the segmented shutter  110  when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b . The part of the cargo space  14  forwards of the second track portion  120   b  may not be accessible via the rear doorway opening  4   c  of the vehicle when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2 c   , the second track portion  120   b  may be positioned rearwards of a side doorway opening  4   d  in the vehicle body  4 . Accordingly, the part of the cargo space  14  forwards of the second track portion  120   b  may be accessible via the side doorway opening  4   d  of the vehicle, when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b , and the part of the cargo space  14  rearwards of the second track portion  120   b  may not be accessible via the side door  5  of the vehicle. Instead, the part of the cargo space  14  rearwards of the second track portion  120   b  may be accessible via the rear doorway opening  4   c  (shown in  FIG. 2 b   ). 
     Although  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    show particular combinations of the positions of the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b  within the vehicle interior  8 , it will be appreciated that, in other arrangements, either of the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b  may be arranged in any of the positions shown in  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c   , in any desired combination. 
     The movable bulkhead assembly  100  or the vehicle  2  may comprise one or more locks  200  configured to lock the position of the segmented shutter  110  relative to the track assembly  120  and/or the body  4  of the vehicle. The locks  200  may enable a user, e.g. the driver of the vehicle, to lock the position of the segmented shutter  110 , e.g. in a position aligned with the first track portion  120   a , in a position aligned with the second track portion  120   b  or in a stowed position in which the segmented shutter is aligned with the third track portion  120   c . For example, locks  200  may be provided on the vehicle body at the first, second and/or third track portions  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c . Additionally or alternatively, one or more locks may be provided on the segmented shutter  110  and/or the track assembly  120 , for locking the segmented shutter  110  to the track assembly  120  and/or to the vehicle body  4 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , a width of the body structure  4  of the vehicle may be substantially constant over at least a part H 1  of the height of the vehicle. The sides  4   a ,  4   b  of the vehicle body structure may therefore be parallel with one another over at least the part H 1  of the height of the vehicle. However, the width of the body  4  of the vehicle may vary over one or more further parts H 2  of the height of the vehicle. For example, the width of the body structure  4  may narrow towards the top of the vehicle  2 . The first and second side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle body structure may therefore be non-parallel with one another over the further parts H 2  of the height of the vehicle  2 . 
     It may be desirable for the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  to extend parallel to one another, such that the distance between the first and second tracks remains constant. In this way, the width of the segmented shutter  110 , e.g. between the first and second ends  112   a ,  112   b  of the shutter segments  112 , can remain constant as the segmented shutter moves along the tracks of the track assembly  120 . 
       FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    show cross-sections of the vehicle  2  aligned with the first track portion  120   a  and the second track portion  120   b  respectively. In the arrangement depicted in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the first track portion  120   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the tracks  122 ,  124  may be coupled to the body structure  4  at the narrowest point of the vehicle body, e.g. at or adjacent to the roof  6   c , and may extend parallel to one another, e.g. substantially vertically, to the floor  6   d  of the body structure. Spaces may therefore be present between the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  and the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the body structure  4 . 
     The movable bulkhead assembly  100  may further comprise a plurality of frame panels  300  extending outwardly from the track assembly  120 , e.g. from the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 , towards the first and second side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle body  4 . The frame panels  300  are shaped to fill the spaces between the track assembly  120 , e.g. the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 , and the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle body. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 a   , one or more first frame panels  310  may be aligned, e.g. longitudinally aligned, with the first track portion  120   a , for filling the spaces between the length of the tracks forming the first track portion  120   a  and the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 b   , one or more second frame panels  320  may be aligned with the second track portion  120   b  for filling the spaces between the lengths of the tracks forming the second track portion  120   b  and the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle. 
       FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    similarly show cross-sections of the vehicle  2  aligned with the first track portion  120   a  and the second track portion  120   b  respectively, with the segmented shutter  110  aligned with the first track portion  120   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , in some arrangements the frame panels  300  may be movably, e.g. pivotally, coupled to the vehicle body  4 , e.g. to the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle body. For example, the movable bulkhead assembly  100  may comprise a plurality of pivotal couplings  400  configured to pivotally couple the frame panels  300  to the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle body. The frame panels  300  may be pivotable between a first configuration, depicted in  FIG. 4 a   , in which the frame panels  300  extend across the interior  8  of the vehicle  2  in a plane parallel to or aligned with the first and second planes P 1 , P 2 , and a second configuration, depicted in  FIG. 4 b   , in which the frame panels  300  are angled relative to the first and second planes P 1 , P 2 . For example, the frame panels  300  may be positioned against, e.g. substantially parallel with, the side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the body structure when in the second configuration. 
     The first and second tracks  122 ,  124  forming the first and second track portions  120   a ,  120   b  may be coupled to the frame panels  300 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  may comprise a plurality of track segments  122   a ,  124   a , each of the track segments may be coupled to one of the frame panels  300 . When the frame panels  300  are in the first configuration, the track segments  122   a ,  124   a  may be aligned with one another and may be aligned with the third track portion  120   c , such that the segmented shutter  110  is able to move along the track assembly, across the track segments  122   a ,  122   b , e.g. to deploy or retract the bulkhead. When the frame panels  300  are in the second configuration, the track segments  122   a ,  124   a  may not be aligned with one another and/or may not be aligned with the third track portion  120   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 b   , when the frame panels  320  are in the second configuration, e.g. when the track segments  122   a ,  124   a  are positioned adjacent to the side walls  6   a ,  6   b , an unobstructed width W of the interior  8  of the vehicle may be greater than when the frame panels  320  are in the first configuration, e.g. when the frame panels  320  are arranged in the plane parallel to or aligned with the first and second planes P 1 , P 2 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 a   , or are fixedly coupled to the sidewalls  6   a ,  6   b , as depicted in  FIGS. 3 a    and  3   b.    
     As depicted in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the first track portion  120   a  and the first frame panels  310  are in the first configuration, the second frame panels  320  may be arranged in the second configuration in order to increase the unobstructed width W of the interior  8  at the second plane P 2  (compared to when the second frame panels  320  are in the first configuration). In the same way, when the segmented shutter  110  is aligned with the second track portion  120   b  and the second frame panels  320  are in the first configuration, the first frame panels  310  may be arranged in the second configuration in order to increase the unobstructed width W of the interior  8  at the first plane P 1  (compared to when the first frame panels  310  are in the first configuration). When the segmented shutter is aligned with the third track portion  120   c , the first frame panels  310  and the second frame panels  320  may be arranged in the second configuration in order to increase the unobstructed width W of the interior  8  at the first and second planes P 1 , P 2  respectively (compared to when the first and second frame panels  310 ,  320  are in the first configuration). 
     The movable bulkhead assembly  100  may be configured such that positions of the frame panels  300  can be secured in the first and/or in the second configurations. For example, the movable bulkhead assembly  100  may comprise one or more securing mechanisms for securing the positions of the frame panels  300 . 
       FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    similarly show cross-sections of the vehicle  2  aligned with the first track portion  120   a  and the second track portion  120   b  respectively, with the segmented shutter  110  aligned with the first track portion  120   a.    
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , in some arrangements of the disclosure, the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  may be arranged such that the width of the segmented shutter  110  varies along the length of the track assembly  120 . In particular, one or more corresponding parts of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  may be arranged non-parallel with one another. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  may be coupled to respective side walls  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle and each of the tracks  122 ,  124  may extend, e.g. in a direction with a vertical component, parallel with the side wall  6   a ,  6   b  of the vehicle to which it is coupled, e.g. between the roof  6   c  and floor  6   d  of the body structure  4 . 
     The segments  112  of the segmented shutter  110  may be configured such that the widths of the segments, e.g. between the first and second ends  112   a ,  112   b  of the segments, are variable. For example, the segments  112  may comprise a plurality of segment portions  113  slidably mounted relative to one another, such that the widths of the segments  112  between their first and second ends  112   a ,  112   b  can vary by virtue of the segment portions  113  sliding relative to one another. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 b   , the segment portions  113  forming a particular segment  112  may be arranged to overlap with the adjacent segments of the particular segment to allow the width of the segment  112  to vary. In  FIG. 5 a   , an area of overlap  500  between the segment portions  113  is indicated. As shown, the amount that the segment portions  113  overlap depends on the width of the segmented shutter  110 , e.g. between the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 . The lengths of the segment portions  113  may be configured such that the segment portions  113  of a particular segment  112  at least partially overlap when the width of the segment  112  is at a maximum, e.g. when the distance between the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  is at a maximum at the position of the segment  112 . 
     As described above, the ends  112   a ,  112   b  of the segments may be coupled to the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  respectively. As the segmented shutter  110  moves along a length of the track assembly  120 , along which the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  are non-parallel with one another, the ends  112   a ,  112   b  of the segments may be pushed together or pulled apart due to the convergence or divergence of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 , thereby adjusting the widths of the shutter segments  112 . The width of the segmented shutter  110  may therefore vary along the length of the segmented shutter  110 , such that the segmented shutter extends across the width of the vehicle interior  8  between the first and second tracks  122 ,  124 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 b   , when one or more parts of the lengths of the first and second tracks  122 ,  124  are arranged non-parallel with one another, the unobstructed width W of the interior  8  of the vehicle, may be increased compared to arrangements in which the frame panels  300  extend at least partially across the width of the interior, e.g. as depicted in  FIGS. 3 a , 3 b    and  4   a.    
     The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.