Patent Publication Number: US-2023158986-A1

Title: Divider panel system for vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/264,485, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, entitled “Divider Panel System for Vehicle,” and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/264,481, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, entitled “Roof System for Vehicle,” and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/264,486, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, entitled “Public Safety Vehicle,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This document relates, generally, to divider panels for a motor vehicle, and in particular to divider panels that can be secured into a roof panel of the motor vehicle to partition the interior cabin of the motor vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A motor vehicle typically includes a body and a roof coupled to the body. The body and the roof may define, for example, an interior cabin, an engine compartment, a cargo compartment and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one general aspect, a divider system for a vehicle includes a first divider panel configured to be removably coupled in a first portion of an interior cabin of a vehicle, wherein the first divider panel extends between a roof portion and a floor portion of the vehicle, and between a first lateral side portion and a second lateral side portion of the vehicle, to separate a first cabin area and a second cabin area of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the first divider panel including a first panel section defining an upper portion of the first divider panel; a second panel section coupled to the first panel section and defining a lower portion of the first divider panel; a first coupling portion provided at an upper end portion of the first panel section, including a plurality of protrusions configured to be removably received in corresponding mounting points formed in the roof portion of the vehicle; and a second coupling portion provided at a lower end portion of the second panel section, including a plurality of openings configured to provide for removable coupling of the lower end portion of the second panel section to the floor portion of the vehicle, wherein the first divider panel is configured to be supported in the interior cabin of the vehicle via the coupling of the first panel section to the roof portion and the second panel section to the floor portion of the vehicle, independent of a first support pillar and a second support pillar respectively provided at the first lateral side portion and the second lateral side portion of the vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the divider system includes at least one bracket coupled to a corresponding rail structure fixed to the floor portion of the vehicle, wherein the second coupling portion of the first divider panel is configured to be removably coupled to the rail structure via the at least one bracket. 
     In some implementations, the at least one bracket includes a first bracket coupled to a first rail structure supporting a first seat in the first cabin area; and a second bracket coupled to a second rail structure supporting a second seat in the first cabin area. 
     In some implementations, a plurality of fasteners extend through the plurality of openings in the second coupling portion of the first divider and into the first bracket and the second bracket to removably couple the lower portion of the first divider to the floor portion of the vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the first panel section of the first divider panel includes a rigid frame surrounding a rigid material that is at least partially transparent. 
     In some implementations, the divider system includes a second divider panel configured to divide the second cabin area from a third cabin area of the interior cabin of the vehicle, the second divider panel including a third coupling portion provided at an upper end portion of the second divider panel and configured to be removably coupled to the roof portion of the vehicle; and a fourth coupling portion provided at a lower end portion of the second divider panel and configured to be removably coupled to corresponding mounting points provided in a rear seat support structure of the vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the third coupling portion is configured to be removably secured between a frame portion of the third cabin area and a door of the third cabin area. 
     In some implementations, the third coupling portion includes a plurality of protrusions configured to be removably received in corresponding mounting points formed in the roof portion of the vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the second divider panel includes a rigid frame surrounding a rigid material that is at least partially transparent. 
     In some implementations, the divider system includes a third divider panel configured to divide the second cabin area into a first section and a second section, the third divider panel including a fifth coupling portion provided at an upper end portion of the third divider panel, including a plurality of protrusions configured to be removably received in corresponding mounting points formed in the roof portion of the vehicle; and a sixth coupling portion provided at a lower end portion of the third divider panel and configured to removably couple the lower end portion of the third divider panel to the floor portion of the vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the divider system includes at least one fastener extending through at least one corresponding opening in the sixth coupling portion and into at least one corresponding mounting point in the floor portion of the vehicle to removably couple the lower end portion of the third divider panel to the floor portion of the vehicle. 
     In some implementations, the divider system includes a seventh coupling portion at a rear end portion of the third divider panel and configured to removably couple the rear end portion of the third divider panel to a corresponding portion of a seat installed in the second cabin area. 
     In some implementations, the divider system includes at least one fastener extending through at least one corresponding opening in the seventh coupling portion and into at least one corresponding mounting point in the seat installed in the second cabin area to removably couple the rear end portion of the third divider panel to the seat. 
     In some implementations, the first divider panel is configured to restrict access between the first cabin area and the second cabin area; the second divider panel is configured to restrict access between the second cabin area and the third cabin area; and the third divider panel is configured to restrict access between the first section and the second section of the second cabin area. 
     In some implementations, the first cabin area is a front seating area of the vehicle; the second cabin area is a rear seating area of the vehicle; and the third cabin area is a cargo area of the vehicle. 
     In another general aspect, a method of installing a divider system in a vehicle includes installing a first divider panel in an interior cabin of the vehicle, independent of a first support pillar and a second support pillar respectively provided at a first lateral side portion and a second lateral side portion of the vehicle, to separate a first cabin area from a second cabin area of the interior cabin, including coupling a first coupling portion at an upper end portion of the first divider panel to a roof portion of the interior cabin, including removably inserting a plurality of protrusions at the upper end portion of the first divider panel into a corresponding plurality of mounting points formed in a roof portion of the interior cabin; and securing a second coupling portion at a lower end portion of the first divider panel to a floor portion of the interior cabin, including removably fastening the second coupling portion to at least one rail structure coupled to the floor portion of the interior cabin. 
     In some implementations, securing the second coupling portion of the first divider panel to the floor portion of the interior cabin includes installing a plurality of fasteners through a plurality of openings in the second coupling portion and into a first bracket coupled to a first rail structure and a second bracket coupled to a second rail structure, the first rail structure securing a first seat in the first cabin area to the floor portion of the interior cabin, and the second rail structure securing a second seat in the first cabin area to the floor structure of the interior cabin. 
     In some implementations, the method includes installing a second divider panel in the interior cabin, to separate the second cabin area from a third cabin area of the vehicle, including: 
     positioning a third coupling portion at an upper end portion of the second divider panel between a frame and a door coupled to the frame, the frame being positioned between the second cabin area and the third cabin area, and the door being coupled to the frame for access to the third cabin area; and installing a plurality of fasteners through a plurality of openings in a fourth coupling portion at a lower end portion of the third divider panel and into an upper end portion of a seat in the second cabin area. 
     In some implementations, the method includes installing a third divider panel in the second cabin area of the interior cabin, including coupling a fifth coupling portion at an upper end portion of the third divider panel to a roof portion of the interior cabin, including removably inserting a plurality of protrusions at the upper end portion of the third divider panel into a corresponding plurality of mounting points formed in the roof portion of the interior cabin; and securing a sixth coupling portion at a lower end portion of the third divider panel to a floor portion of the interior cabin, including removably fastening the second coupling portion to the floor portion of the interior cabin. 
     In some implementations, the third divider panel extends from the first divider panel to the second divider panel to separate the second cabin area into a first section and a second section. The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a partial view of an interior cabin of an example vehicle, illustrating an example first divider panel installed in the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  1 B ( 1 ) is a partial view of the interior cabin of the example vehicle shown in  FIG.  1 A , illustrating an example second divider panel installed in the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  1 B ( 2 ) is a partial view of a cargo compartment of the example vehicle shown in  FIG.  1 A , illustrating the example divider panel as viewed from the cargo compartment. 
         FIG.  1 C ( 1 ) is a partial view of the interior cabin of the example vehicle, illustrating an example third divider panel installed in the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  1 C ( 2 ) illustrates the third divider panel, as viewed from a front passenger area of the interior cabin of the example vehicle. 
         FIG.  2 A ( 1 ) is a plan view of a first configuration of the example first divider panel shown in  FIG.  1 A , in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  2 A ( 2 ) is a plan view of a second configuration of the example first divider panel shown in  FIG.  1 A , in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a side view of the example first divider panel shown in  FIG.  1 A , in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIGS.  2 C ( 1 ) and  2 C( 2 ) are close in views of a top portion of the example first divider panel shown in  FIGS.  2 A ( 2 )- 2 B, illustrating the coupling of the top portion of the example first divider panel to a roof portion of an example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  2 D  illustrates an example bracket, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  2 E  illustrates the example bracket shown in  FIG.  2 D , coupled to an example front seat support rail structure of the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  2 F  is a close in view of a bottom portion of the example first divider panel shown in  FIGS.  2 A ( 1 )- 2 B, illustrating the coupling of the bottom portion of the example first divider panel to the example bracket and the example front seat support rail structure of the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  3 A ( 1 ) is a plan view of a first configuration of the example second divider panel shown in  FIGS.  1 B ( 1 ) and  1 B( 2 ), in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  3 A ( 2 ) is a plan view of a second configuration of the example second divider panel shown in  FIGS.  1 B ( 1 ) and  1 B( 2 ), in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates the coupling of a top portion of the second divider panel shown in  FIGS.  3 A ( 1 )- 3 A( 2 ) to a roof portion of an example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  3 C  illustrates the coupling of a bottom portion of the second divider panel shown in  FIGS.  3 A ( 1 )- 3 A( 2 ) to a rear seat portion of an example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIGS.  4 A ( 1 ) and  4 A( 2 ) are plan views of the example third divider panel shown in  FIGS.  1 C ( 1 )- 1 C( 2 ), in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIGS.  4 B ( 1 ) and  4 B( 2 ) illustrate the coupling of a top portion of the third divider panel shown in  FIGS.  4 A ( 1 ) and  4 A( 2 ) to a roof portion of an example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  4 C  illustrates the coupling of a bottom portion of the third divider panel shown in  FIGS.  4 A ( 1 ) and  4 A( 2 ) to a floor portion of an example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  4 D  illustrates the coupling of a rear portion of the third divider panel to a rear seat portion and/or the example second divider panel, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of an example vehicle, with a roof portion removed, illustrating an arrangement of an example first divider panel, an example second divider panel, and an example third divider panel, installed in the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 H  are various additional views of the interior cabin of the example vehicle, illustrating an arrangement of an example first divider panel, and example second divider panel, and an example third divider panel, installed in the example vehicle, in accordance with implementations described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In configuring a vehicle for a particular use or application, it may be desirable to separate an interior cabin of the vehicle into separate areas, or compartments, for example, in a manner in which at least some, or all, of the compartments inaccessible from another of the compartments. For example, a vehicle to be equipped and/or configured for use as a public safety vehicle may benefit from the ability to separate, or establish a barrier between a rear seating area and a front seating area, and/or between the rear seating area and a cargo compartment of the vehicle. Such barriers may restrict access to the front seating area and/or the cargo compartment from the rear seating area, and in particular may restrict access to the front seating area and/or the cargo compartment by a passenger in the rear seating area. Similarly, a vehicle to be equipped and/or configured for use as a public safety vehicle may benefit from the ability to separate, or divide the rear seating area into separate seating areas. Such dividers may restrict access between seating sections in the rear seating area, to isolate one rear seat passenger from another rear seat passenger, to restrict access to equipment and the like stored in one of the seating sections, and the like. 
     A system of divider panels, in accordance with implementations described herein, may be coupled to an interior cabin of a vehicle, to selectively divide the interior cabin into separate containment areas within the interior cabin of the vehicle. Installation of the divider panels may restrict access between the separate containment areas within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The installation of one or more divider panels in the interior cabin of the vehicle to restrict access between compartments and/or isolate compartments in the interior cabin of the vehicle from each other may allow the vehicle to be configured for a particular application. Such applications may include, for example, a public safety application in which passenger(s) held in the rear seating area are to be isolated from public safety officer(s) in the front seating area of the vehicle, passenger(s) held in the rear seating area are to be isolated from each other and/or from equipment stored in the cargo compartment and/or the rear seating area, and the like. In some implementations, the system may include a first divider panel that provides a barrier between the rear seating area and the front seating area of the interior cabin of the vehicle. In some implementations, the system may include a second divider panel that provides a barrier between the rear seating area and the cargo compartment of the vehicle. In some implementations, the system may include a third divider panel that extends between the first divider panel and the second divider panel to provide a barrier between a first section of the rear seating area and a second section of the rear seating area. 
     In some implementations, one or more of the divider panels may be secured at a first end portion thereof to a roof portion of the vehicle. For example, the roof portion of the vehicle may include mounting points configured to specifically receive and secure coupling portions of the divider panels, to facilitate the installation of the divider panels in the interior cabin of the vehicle. One or more of the divider panels may be secured at a second end portion thereof to a floor portion of the vehicle. The one or more divider panels may be secured in this manner from the interior cabin of the vehicle. The one or more divider panels may be selectively installed in the interior cabin of the vehicle, so that the interior cabin can be configured and separated into compartments as necessary for a particular application. The one or more divider panels may be removed and replaced, from the interior cabin of the vehicle, to reconfigure the arrangement of compartments in the vehicle as necessary for a particular application. The system of divider panels may provide a modular solution to the 
     The modular nature of the system of divider panels, in accordance with implementations described herein, may provide flexibility in the arrangement, and rearrangement, of divider panels to define compartments and/or segregate/isolate areas within the interior cabin of the vehicle as necessary for a particular application. The coupling, or securing, or mounting of the divider panels at mounting points provided in the roof portion of the vehicle may allow the removal and replacement of divider panels to be accomplished without extensive removal and replacement of other interior components of the vehicle, and without extensive modification of other interior components of the vehicle, thus facilitating the customization of the interior cabin of the vehicle as necessary for a particular user and/or a particular application of the vehicle. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates installation of an example first divider panel  100  in an example vehicle  10 , in accordance with implementations described herein. In the view shown in  FIG.  1 A , a door (not shown in  FIG.  1 A ) is open relative to a door frame  90  and support pillar  80  of the example vehicle  10 , so that a portion of a rear cabin area  30 , a portion of a rear seat  40 , a portion of a roof  50 , a portion of a floor  60  of the vehicle  10 , and the installed first divider panel  100  are visible. In the example shown in  FIG.  1 A , the first divider panel  100  is installed so as to separate the rear cabin area  30  from a front cabin area  20  of the vehicle  10 . In particular, the first divider panel  100  may be installed so as to restrict access to the front cabin area  20  from the rear cabin area  30  of the vehicle  10 . In the arrangement shown in  FIG.  1 A , a top portion of the first divider panel  100  is coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 . In particular, the top portion of the first divider panel  100  may be secured to an interior portion of the roof  50 . In some examples, mounting points provided in the roof  50  may be accessible from the interior cabin of the vehicle  10  to facilitate the mounting or securing of the top portion of the first divider panel  100  to the roof  50 . In the arrangement shown in  FIG.  1 A , a bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  is coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 . In particular, the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  may be secured to the floor  60  via support rail structure  65  supporting front seats  21 ,  22  (see  FIGS.  2 D and  2 E ) installed in the front cabin area  20 . 
       FIGS.  1 B ( 1 ) and  1 B( 2 ) illustrate installation of an example second divider panel  200  in the example vehicle  10 , in accordance with implementations described herein. In particular, in  FIG.  1 B ( 1 ) the second divider panel  200  is visible via the door frame  90  of the example vehicle  10 . In  FIG.  1 B ( 2 ), a cargo area door (not shown) is open relative to a cargo area frame  95  defining an access opening into a cargo area  35  of the vehicle  10 , behind the rear cabin area  30 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  1 B ( 1 ) and  1 B( 2 ), the second divider panel  200  is installed so as to separate the rear cabin area  30  from the cargo area  35  of the vehicle  10 , or restrict access to the cargo area  35  from the rear cabin area  30  of the vehicle  10 . In the arrangement shown in  FIGS.  1 B ( 1 ) and  1 B( 2 ), a top edge portion of the second divider panel  200  defines a coupling portion  225  that provides for coupling of the top portion of the second divider panel  200  to the vehicle  10 . In some examples, the coupling portion  225  may be secured between the cargo area frame  95  and the cargo area door (not shown). In some examples, the top portion of the second divider panel  200  may be coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to an interior portion of the roof  50 . In some examples, mounting points provided in the roof  50  may be accessible from the interior cabin of the vehicle  10  to facilitate the mounting or securing of the top portion of the second divider panel  200  to the roof  50 . In the arrangement shown in  FIGS.  1 B ( 1 ) and  1 B( 2 ), a bottom portion of the second divider panel  200  may define a coupling portion  215  that is coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to a top portion of the rear seat  40  of the vehicle  10 . In some examples, the bottom portion of the second divider panel  200  may be secured to a rear portion of an upper ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40  via, for example, mounting points defined in the rear seat  40 . 
       FIGS.  1 C ( 1 ) and  1 C( 2 ) illustrate installation of an example third divider panel  300  in the example vehicle  10 , in accordance with implementations described herein. In the view shown in  FIG.  1 C ( 1 ), a door (not shown in  FIG.  1 C ) is open relative to the door frame  90  and support pillar  80  of the example vehicle  10 , and the installation of the third divider panel  300  in the rear cabin area  30  is visible through the access defined by the door frame  90  and support pillar  80 .  FIG.  1 C ( 2 ) illustrates the third divider panel  300  as viewed from the front cabin area  20 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  1 C ( 1 ) and  1 C( 2 ), the third divider panel  300  is installed so as to separate the rear cabin area  30  into a first rear cabin area  31  and a second rear cabin area  32 . In particular, installation of the third divider panel  300  may restrict access to the second rear cabin area  32  from the first rear cabin area  31 , and may restrict access to the first rear cabin area  31  from the second rear cabin area  32 . In this example arrangement, the first rear cabin area  31  and the second rear cabin area  32  are each configured for seating, simply for purposes of discussion an illustration. In some examples, the first rear cabin area  31  and/or the second rear cabin area  32  may be configured or equipped in other manners. For example, in addition to seating, the first rear cabin area  31  and/or the second rear cabin area  32  may be configured for equipment storage and/or transport, canine transport, and the like. 
     In the arrangement shown in  FIGS.  1 C ( 1 ) and  1 C( 2 ), a top portion of the third divider panel  300  is coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 . In particular, the top portion of the third divider panel  300  may be secured to an interior portion of the roof  50 . In some examples, mounting points provided in the roof  50  may be accessible from the interior cabin of the vehicle  10  to facilitate the mounting or securing of the top portion of the third divider panel  300  to the roof  50 . In some examples, a bottom portion of the third divider panel  300  may be coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 . In some examples, a rear end portion of the third divider panel  300  and/or an intermediate portion of the third divider panel  300  may be coupled to, or mounted to, or secured to a corresponding portion of the rear seat  40 . 
       FIG.  2 A ( 1 ) is a plan view of a first configuration of the example first divider panel  100 .  FIG.  2 A ( 2 ) is a plan view of a second configuration of the example first divider panel  100 .  FIG.  2 B  is a side view of the example first divider panel  100 . In particular,  FIG.  2 A ( 1 ) is a plan view in which the example first divider panel  100  includes a first panel  100 A and a second panel  100 B.  FIG.  2 A ( 2 ) is a plan view in which the example first divider panel  100  is formed as a single panel. As shown in  FIGS.  2 A ( 1 ),  2 A( 2 ) and  2 B, the first divider panel  100  (including the first panel  100 A and the second panel  100 B in the implementation shown in  FIG.  2 A ( 1 ) or the single panel shown in  FIG.  2 A ( 2 )) may include a first section  110  and a second section  120 . The first section  110  may include an upper panel  112  supported within a frame  114 , with a plurality of first coupling portions  115  arranged on an upper portion of the frame  114 . The first coupling portions  115  may be coupled in mounting portions in the roof  50  of the vehicle  10  (to be described below with respect to  FIGS.  2 C ( 1 ) and  2 C( 2 )). The example first coupling portions  115  may include protrusions that are inserted into mounting portions in the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 . The first coupling portions  115  of the example first divider panels  100  shown in  FIGS.  2 A ( 1 ) and  2 A( 2 ) can include more, or fewer, protrusions, arranged differently than shown in this example. In some examples, fasteners such as bolts may be inserted through openings in the first coupling portions  115  and into the mounting portions in the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 , instead of, or in addition to the protrusions. 
     In some examples, the upper panel  112  may be transparent or translucent, to provide for visibility through the upper panel  112 . For example, a transparent or translucent upper panel  112  may provide a driver in the front cabin area  20  with visibility to the rear of the vehicle  10 , for example via a rearview mirror. In an example in which the vehicle  10  is equipped for public safety, a transparent or translucent upper panel  112  may allow a public safety officer in the front cabin area  20  to view passengers and/or equipment in the rear cabin area  30 . The upper panel  112  may be made of, for example, a polycarbonate material, a mesh material, and other such materials that may provide for overall rigidity of the upper panel  112 , alone or together with the frame  114 , while also providing for visibility therethrough. 
     The second section  120  of the first divider panel  100  may be coupled to the frame  114  of the first section  110  or integrally formed with the frame  114  of the first section  110 . A plurality of second coupling portions  125  may be arranged along a lower portion of the second section  120 . The second coupling portions  125  may provide for the coupling of the second section  120  of the first divider panel  100  to corresponding support structure (to be described below with respect to  FIGS.  2 D and  2 E ) at the floor of the vehicle  10 . The second section  120  of the first divider panel  100  may be made of a material that provides for overall structural rigidity of the first divider panel  100 , such as, for example, a metal material such as aluminum or other such materials. 
     In some examples, perforations  127  may be formed in a portion of the first divider panel  100 . The perforations  127  may provide for airflow into the rear cabin area  30 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  2 A ( 1 ) and  2 A( 2 ), the perforations  127  are formed in a lower portion of the second section  120  of the first divider panel  100 , corresponding to an area under the seats  21 ,  22  in the front cabin area  20 . In some arrangements, ducting of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of the vehicle  10  may provide airflow from under the seats  21  and/or  22 , through the perforations  127 , and into the rear cabin area  30 . In some examples, perforations  127  may be formed in the first divider panel  100  at a position corresponding a console positioned between the seats  21 ,  22  in the front cabin area  20 , to provide airflow into the rear cabin area  30 . The material of the frame  114  and the upper panel  112  of the first section  110 , together with the material of the second section  120 , may provide for a level or amount or degree of structural rigidity that allows the first divider panel  100  to be stably mounted or installed in the vehicle  10  by the first coupling portions  115  at the top portion of the first divider panel  100  and the second coupling portions  125  at the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100 . In some examples, the first divider panel  100  may be stably mounted in the vehicle  10  without additional coupling support at the opposite lateral ends thereof, which would require disassembly, reconfiguration and the like of the corresponding support pillars  80  at the interior sides of the vehicle  10 . The mounting of the first divider panel  100  will be described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS.  2 C ( 1 ) through  2 F. 
       FIG.  2 C ( 1 ) is a side view, and  FIG.  2 C ( 2 ) is a perspective view, of an example coupling of the first coupling portion(s)  115  of the first divider panel  100  to the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 , in accordance with implementations described herein. As shown in  FIGS.  2 C ( 1 ) and  2 C( 2 ), the roof  50  may include an interior panel  51  coupled to an exterior panel  52 . The interior panel  51  may define an interior roof surface of the interior cabin of the vehicle  10 . The roof  50  may include a plurality of mounting points  55 . Various components, accessories and the like may be selectively mounted to the roof  50  via the mounting points  55 .  FIG.  2 C ( 1 ) illustrates one of a plurality of mounting points  55  that may be formed in the roof  50 . In the example shown in  FIG.  2 C ( 1 ), the example mounting point  55  extends through the interior panel  51  and into the exterior panel  52 .  FIG.  2 C ( 1 ) illustrates one of the plurality of first coupling portions  115  of the first divider panel  100  received in, or coupled in, or mounted in, or installed in the mounting point  55 . Mounting of the first coupling portions  115  of the first divider panel  100  into corresponding mounting points  55  defined in the roof  50  (i.e., by the protrusions inserted into the mounting points  55 , fasteners inserted through the first coupling portions  115  and into the mounting points  55  and/or a combination thereof) may provide structural support at the top portion of the first divider panel  100  for mounting of the first divider panel  100  in the interior cabin of the vehicle  10 . In some examples, the protrusions of the first coupling portions  115  may be slidably received in, or press fit into the corresponding mounting points  55 . In some examples, the first coupling portions  115  secured to the corresponding mounting points  55  in other ways. 
       FIG.  2 D  illustrates a bracket  150  which can be fixed to support structure at the floor  60  of the vehicle  10  to couple, or secure, the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  to the vehicle  10 .  FIG.  2 E  illustrates the bracket  150  fixed to a support rail structure  65  which is in turn fixed to the floor  60  the vehicle  10 .  FIG.  2 F  illustrates a bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  fixed to the support rail structure  65  via the bracket  150 . The support rail structure  65  may be structure that is already in place in the vehicle  10  to support the installation of the front seats in the front cabin area  20  of the vehicle  10 . Thus, the mounting of the support bracket  150  to the existing support rail structure  65 , and the mounting of the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  to the support bracket  150  may be accomplished making use of existing structural components in the vehicle  10 , and without removal and/or replacement and/or reconfiguration of existing structure. 
     In the example arrangement shown in  FIG.  2 E , a first bracket  150 A is fixed to a first support rail structure  65 A supporting a first seat  21  in the front cabin area  20  of the vehicle  10 , and a second bracket  150 B is fixed to a second support rail structure  65 B supporting a second seat  22  in the front cabin area  20  of the vehicle  10 . In the example arrangement shown in  FIG.  2 F , the second coupling portion  125 A of the second section  120  of the first divider panel  100  is then coupled to the first bracket  150 A fixed to the first support rail structure  65 A, and the second coupling portion  125 B of the second section  120  of the first divider panel  100  is coupled to the second bracket  150 B fixed to the second support rail structure  65 B. 
     In one example installation procedure, the brackets  150  (the first bracket  150 A and the second bracket  150 B in the example shown in  FIGS.  2 D- 2 F ) may be installed on the corresponding rail structure  65  (the first rail structure  65 A and the second rail structure  65 B in the example shown in  FIGS.  2 D- 2 F ) of the vehicle  10 . The first coupling portions  115  of the first divider panel  100  may be inserted into and secured in the corresponding mounting points  55  in the roof  50 . With the first coupling portions  115  of the first divider panel  100  received in the respective mounting points  55  in the roof  50 , the bottom portion of the second section  120  of the first divider panel  100  may then be positioned in place against the brackets  150  installed on the support rail structures  65 , i.e., with the coupling portion  125 A positioned against the first bracket  150 A installed on the first support rail structure  65 A, and the coupling portion  125 B positioned against the second bracket  150 B installed on the second support rail structure  65 B. With the coupling portions  125 A,  125 B at the bottom portion of first divider panel  100  aligned with the brackets  150 A,  150 B in this manner, fasteners  155  may be inserted through the coupling portions  125 A,  125 B and into the brackets  150 A,  150 B to fix the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  to the rail structure  65 A,  65 B, which is in turn fixed to the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 . 
     Attachment, or mounting, or coupling, or securing of the top portion of the first divider panel  100  and the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  to existing structure of the vehicle  10  in the manner described above may allow the first divider panel  100  to be secured in place in the vehicle  10 . Installation of the first divider panel  100  in this manner may be accomplished without removal and/or replacement of existing components, without reconfiguration and/or destruction of existing structure, and the like. In general, installation of existing/known divider/barrier systems into a vehicle typically involve the time consuming and costly removal, reconfiguration, reconstruction and the like of the various components of the lateral support pillars  80  of the vehicle  10 . In contrast, the ability to mount the first divider panel  100  to structural components of the roof  50  and to structural components of the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 , in accordance with implementations described herein, may allow the first divider panel  100  to be securely and stably mounted to existing vehicle structure, without destruction and reconstruction of the side support pillars  80 . Thus, the first divider panel  100  installed in this manner may extend from the roof  50  to the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 , and between opposite lateral side portions of the interior cabin area to the support pillars  80 . The first divider panel  100  may be supported in this position through the securing or coupling provided at the roof  50  and the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 , independently from the side support pillars  80  at the opposite lateral side portions of the interior cabin area. The support provided at the top portion and the bottom portion of the first divider panel  100  installed in this manner may obviate the need for securing side portions of the first divider panel  100  to the side support pillars  80  at the opposite lateral side portions of the interior cabin area of the vehicle  10 , which would otherwise involve disassembly, reconfiguration, reassembly and the like of the side support pillars  80 . 
       FIG.  3 A ( 1 ) is a rear view of a first configuration of the example second divider panel  200 , in accordance with implementations described herein.  FIG.  3 A ( 2 ) is a rear view of a second configuration of the example second divider panel  200 , in accordance with implementations described herein. The second divider panel  200  may include a panel  212  supported within a frame  214 . A first coupling portion  215  at a lower portion of the second divider panel  200  may include one or more openings  215 A. The first coupling portion  215  and openings  215 A may provide for the coupling of the second divider panel  200  to corresponding support structure such as, for example support structure associated with the rear seat  40  of the vehicle  10 . In the example shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 1 ), the second divider panel may include a second coupling portion  225  at an upper end portion of the panel  212 . In the example shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 1 ), the second coupling portion  225  may be defined by an upper portion of the frame  214  of the second divider panel  200 , which may be secured between the cargo area frame  95  and a corresponding portion of a cargo area door positioned against the cargo area frame  95  in a closed position of the cargo area door, such that the second coupling portion  225  is secured between the cargo area frame  95  and the cargo area door. 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 2 ), the example second divider panel  200  includes one or more protrusions  225 A arranged on an upper portion of the frame  214  corresponding to the second coupling portion  225 . The one or more protrusions  225 A may be coupled in mounting portions in the roof  50  of the vehicle  10  (to be described below with respect to  FIG.  3 B ). The example shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 2 ) includes three protrusions  225 A, simply for purposes of discussion and illustration. The second divider panel  200  can include more, or fewer, protrusions  225 A, arranged differently than shown in this example. 
     In some examples, the panel  212  may be transparent or translucent, to provide for visibility through the panel  212 . For example, a transparent or translucent panel  212  may provide a driver in the front cabin area  20  with visibility to the rear of the vehicle  10 , for example via a rearview mirror. The panel  212  may be made of, for example, a polycarbonate material, a mesh material, and other such materials that may provide for overall rigidity of the panel  212 , alone or together with the frame  214 , while also providing for visibility therethrough. 
     The material of the frame  214  and the panel  212  of the second divider panel  200  may provide for a level or amount or degree of structural rigidity that allows the second divider panel  200  to be stably mounted or installed in the vehicle  10  by the first coupling portion  215  at the lower portion of the second divider panel  200  and the second coupling portion  225  at the upper portion of the second divider panel  200 . In some examples, the second divider panel  200  may be stably mounted in the vehicle  10  without additional coupling support at the opposite lateral ends thereof, which would require disassembly, reconfiguration and the like of corresponding support portions of the cargo area frame  95  of the vehicle  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 B , a plurality of mounting points  45  may be defined in the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 . One or more of the plurality of mounting points  45  defined in the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40  may correspond to, or be aligned with the one or more openings  215 A in the first coupling portion  215  at the lower portion of the second divider panel  200 . In one example installation procedure associated with the example second divider panel  200  shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 1 ), with the cargo area door in an open position relative to the cargo area frame  95 , the first coupling portion  215  may be positioned on the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 , and the second coupling portion  225  may be positioned against the cargo area frame  95 . The cargo area door may be closed to secure the second coupling portion between the cargo area door and the cargo area frame  95 . With the one or more openings  215 A of the first coupling portion  215  aligned with the mounting points  45  defined in the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 , fasteners  245  may be inserted through the openings  215 A in the first coupling portion  215  and into the mounting points  45  in the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 , to fix the bottom portion of the second divider panel  200  to the support structure of the rear seat  40 . 
       FIG.  3 C  illustrates one of the example protrusions  225 A of the second coupling portion  225  of the example divider panel  200  shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 2 ), received in, or coupled in, or mounted in, an example mounting point  55  formed in the roof  50  of the example vehicle  10 , the example mounting point  55  extending through the interior panel  51  and into the exterior panel  52  of the roof  50 . Mounting of the protrusions  225 A of the second coupling portion  225  of the second divider panel  200  shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 2 ) into corresponding mounting points  55  defined in the roof  50  may provide structural support at the upper portion of the second divider panel  200  for mounting of the second divider panel  200  in the interior cabin of the vehicle  10 . In some examples, the protrusions  225 A may be slidably received in, or press fit into the corresponding mounting points  55 . In some examples, the protrusions  225 A may be received in and/or secured in the corresponding mounting points  55  in other ways. 
     In another example installation procedure associated with the example second divider panel  200  shown in  FIG.  3 A ( 2 ), the protrusions  225 A of the second divider panel  200  may be inserted into and secured in the corresponding mounting points  55  in the roof  50 . With the protrusions  225 A of the second divider panel  200  received in the respective mounting points  55  in the roof  50 , the lower portion of the second divider panel  200  may then be positioned in place against the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 , with the openings  215 A in the first coupling portion  215  aligned with the mounting points  45  defined in the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 . Fasteners  245  may be inserted through the openings  215 A and into the mounting points  45  in the ledge portion  42  of the rear seat  40 , to fix the lower portion of the second divider panel  200  to the support structure of the rear seat  40 , as shown in  FIG.  3 B . 
     Attachment, or mounting, or coupling, or securing of the top portion of the second divider panel  200  and the bottom portion of the second divider panel  200  to existing structure of the vehicle  10  in the manner described above may allow the second divider panel  200  to be secured in place in the vehicle  10 . Installation of the second divider panel  200  in this manner may be accomplished without removal and/or replacement of existing components, without reconfiguration and/or destruction of existing structure, and the like. The ability to mount the second divider panel  200  to structural components of the roof  50  and to structural components associated with the rear seat  40 , in accordance with implementations described herein, may allow the second divider panel  200  to be securely and stably mounted to existing vehicle structure. 
       FIG.  4 A ( 1 ) is a plan view of one configuration of the example third divider panel  300 .  FIG.  4 A ( 2 ) is a plan view of another configuration of the example second divider panel. In some implementations, the third divider panel  300  may be defined by a single panel of material that extends from a top portion to a bottom portion of the third divider panel  300 . In some implementations, the third divider panel  300  may include a first section  310  coupled to a second section  320 . In some implementations, the first section may be transparent, or translucent, to provide for visibility therethrough. As described above, the third divider panel  300  may be installed in the rear cabin area  30 , and extend between the first divider panel  100  and the second divider panel  200  (if installed) and/or between the first divider panel  100  and a rear wall (not shown) of the rear cabin area  30 , to divide the rear cabin area  30  into the first rear cabin area  31  and the second rear cabin area  32 .  FIGS.  4 B ( 1 ) and  4 B( 2 ) illustrate the coupling of the example divider panel  300  at the roof  50  of the example vehicle  10 , between the example first divider panel  100  and the example second divider panel  200 . 
     In some examples, at least a portion of the first section  310  of the third divider panel  300  may be transparent or translucent, to provide for visibility therethrough. The third divider panel  300  (including a single section or the first and second sections  310 ,  320 ) may be made of material(s) that provide for overall rigidity of the third divider panel  300 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  4 A ( 1 ), a plurality of first coupling portions  315  are arranged on an upper portion of the third divider panel  300 . The first coupling portions  315  may be coupled in corresponding mounting points defined in the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 . The example shown in  FIG.  4 A ( 1 ) includes two first coupling portions  315 A and  315 B, simply for purposes of discussion and illustration. In the example shown in  FIG.  4 A ( 1 ), the first coupling portions  315  are formed as protrusions that can be inserted into corresponding mounting points defined in the roof  50 . In the example shown in  FIG.  4 A ( 2 ), the first coupling portions  315  are formed as tabs, including openings through which fasteners may be inserted to couple the upper end portion of the third divider panel  300  to the roof  50  of the vehicle  10 . The third divider panel  300  can include more, or fewer, first coupling portions  315 , arranged differently than shown in this example. A plurality of second coupling portions  325  may be arranged along a lower portion of the third divider panel  300 . The second coupling portions  325  may provide for the coupling of the third divider panel  300  to corresponding support structure at the floor  60  of the vehicle  10 . 
     The material of the third divider panel  300  may provide for a level or amount or degree of structural rigidity that allows the third divider panel  300  to be stably mounted or installed in the vehicle  10  by the first coupling portions  315  at the top portion of the third divider panel  300  and the second coupling portions  325  at the bottom portion of the third divider panel  300 . In some examples, the first divider panel  100  may be stably mounted in the vehicle  10  without additional coupling support at the opposite lateral ends thereof. In some implementations, the third divider panel  300  may be coupled at a front end portion  330  thereof to the first divider panel  100  and/or at a rear end portion  340  thereof to the second divider panel  200  and/or to a corresponding portion of the rear seat  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 C , a plurality of mounting points  66  may be defined in the floor  60 , at positions corresponding to openings  335  in the second coupling portion  325  of the third divider panel  300 . In one example installation procedure, the first coupling portions  315  of the third divider panel  300  may be inserted into and secured in the corresponding mounting points  55  in the roof  50 . With the first coupling portions  315  of the third divider panel  300  received in the respective mounting points  55  in the roof  50 , the bottom portion of the third divider panel  300  may then be positioned in place against the floor, with the openings  335  in the second coupling portion  325  aligned with the mounting points  66  defined in the floor  60 . Fasteners  345  may be inserted through the openings  335  and into the mounting points  66  in the floor  60 , to fix the bottom portion of the third divider panel  300  to the floor  60 .  FIG.  4 D  illustrates the third divider panel  300  installed in the rear cabin area  30  of the example vehicle  10 . Installation of the third divider panel  300  in this manner may be accomplished without removal and/or replacement of existing components, without reconfiguration and/or destruction of existing structure, and the like. The ability to mount the third divider panel  300  to structural components of the roof  50  and to structural components associated with the floor  60 , in accordance with implementations described herein, may allow the third divider panel  300  to be securely and stably mounted to existing vehicle structure. 
       FIG.  5    is a top perspective view of the example vehicle  10 , with the roof  50  removed, so that the interior cabin is visible.  FIGS.  6 A through  6 H  provide various additional views of the example divider panel system including the example first divider panel  100 , the example second divider panel  200 , and the example third divider panel  300  installed in the example vehicle  10 . In the example arrangement shown in  FIG.  5 A , the first divider panel  100  and the second divider panel  200  are installed in the interior cabin, as described above. In the example arrangement shown in  FIG.  5   , the front cabin area  20  and the cargo area  35  are inaccessible from the rear cabin area  30 , with access between the first rear cabin area  31  and the second rear cabin area  32  prohibited by the third divider panel  300 . The example arrangement and combinations of the configurations of the first, second and third divider panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  is presented in  FIG.  5    simply for purposes of discussion and illustration. Other example arrangements and/or combinations of the configurations of the first, second and third divider panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may also be installed in the example vehicle  10 . 
     The modular design and installation alternatives afforded by the plurality of dividers and plurality of mounting points provided throughout the vehicle allow the vehicle to be configured, and re-configured quickly and easily for a variety of different uses and applications. The configuration and re-configuration of the vehicle can be accomplished without removal and/or replacement of additional components, destruction of existing components, structure and the like, provide a cost-effective solution to providing vehicles customized for specific uses and applications. 
     While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the implementations. It should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components and/or features of the different implementations described.