Patent Abstract:
A vehicle body has a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second cargo compartment rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a rear wall optionally separating the first and second compartments with a lower opening between the compartments that allows access therebetween. A closure panel is mounted in the rear wall and is movable between a panel closed position closing the opening and a panel open position allowing access through the lower opening between the compartments. An upper opening in the rear wall above the lower opening is closable by a window mounted in the body and movable to a window open position wherein the window is lowered at least partially into the closure panel, thereby permitting external access to the first compartment through the upper opening. A crossbar extends laterally in the body between the upper and lower openings and contains a window drive mechanism at least partially within the crossbar. The mechanism is operable to slide the window into and out of the upper opening to reach the window closed and open positions and to control external access through the upper opening. Preferably, the window may also be lowered fully into the closure panel and moved with the panel to its open position, thereby allowing access through both upper and lower openings. Optionally, the crossbar may pivot down with the closure panel to open the rear wall fully to access the rear cargo compartment.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to vehicles, such as pickup trucks, in which a rear wall of the vehicle passenger compartment is adaptable to provide various configurations for optionally increasing cargo space by extension into the rear passenger area or, alternatively, closing off the cargo area from the passenger compartment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known in the art to provide a pickup truck having a cab portion for carrying passengers in a rear seat section behind the driver and a cargo box behind the cab portion for carrying cargo. It is also known to provide aligned openings in the cab portion and the cargo box for carrying longer loads which extend into the passenger compartment with the rear seat folded down. However, a need exists for providing a pickup truck or similar vehicle with a flexible panel and window system that is adapted to accommodate a variety of optional configurations for alternatively carrying a maximum passenger load or an extended cargo load under both covered and uncovered conditions where the cargo load is protected from or exposed to ambient external conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a vehicle body panel and window system for use in an extended cab pickup truck or other similar vehicle in which the rear wall of the vehicle is adaptable for use in various optional configurations. 
     In a passenger carrying mode, a rear seat is positioned in a passenger carrying position ahead of a rear wall in which an upper window opening is optionally closed by a movable rear window. A power mechanism is preferably provided for lowering the window down into a portion of the rear wall below the window opening to allow additional cab ventilation or communication with the rear cargo compartment. 
     Conventionally, the rear seat of the passenger compartment may be folded down to allow carrying of cargo within the passenger compartment on the back of the folded down seat. The vehicle rear wall preferably includes a closure panel that closes an opening below the window. The panel is pivotable inward about a lower pivot axis to fold down over the back of the rear seat and open communication through a lower panel opening in the rear wall between the cargo compartment and the rear portion of the passenger compartment for carrying cargo extending between the two compartments. 
     A crossbar preferably extends transversely across the rear wall between the upper window opening and the lower panel opening. At least partially within the crossbar is a window drive mechanism that is preferably power-operated by a motor within the crossbar, or external thereto. The window drive mechanism operates to hold the window up whether the closure panel below the crossbar is in the open or closed position. Alternatively, the window may be lowered partially into the panel and partially in the crossbar and the crossbar can be arranged to pivot with the panel to the open position. In this configuration, the upper window opening, the lower panel opening and the space between where the crossbar normally extends are all connected to form one large opening that communicates with the rear cargo compartment. 
     In another alternative, the window drive mechanism includes drive means mounted on or adjacent to the panel as well as on the crossbar and the window may be lowered thereby through the crossbar completely into the panel, after which the panel may be tilted forward to communicate the rear passenger compartment with the cargo compartment through both the lower panel opening and the upper window opening with the crossbar remaining in place between them. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides power operation of the window between closed, partially open and fully open positions. In the latter, the window resides completely within the panel and is folded down therewith, communicating the rear passenger compartment with the cargo compartment through both the lower and upper openings. Alternatively, the window may be raised and the panel opened to connect the compartments through the lower opening only. In this option, the cargo compartment may be covered by a removable cover which engages the rear wall at the crossbar or at the window itself to limit the potential of entry of ambient substances, such as water or dust, into the passenger compartment area when cargo is being carried which extends into both of the compartments. 
     In all the optional embodiments, power operation of the window between open and closed positions is provided, so that only repositioning of the passenger rear seat and the panel and/or panel and crossbar require manual operation, thus simplifying the manual steps required to change the body structure from one optional configuration to another. 
     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more filly understood from the following description of certain specific embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary pictorial view partially in phantom illustrating a preferred embodiment of vehicle body panel and window system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the body of the invention with the components in a closed passenger compartment configuration; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing an open rear window configuration; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a configuration with fully open access to the rear cargo compartment; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing covered access through a lower opening joining the cargo and rear passenger compartments in a cargo carrying configuration; 
     FIG. 6 is a pictorial view illustrating a first embodiment of window drive mechanism in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a partially schematic view illustrating the system of FIGS. 1 and 6 with the window glass raised to the closed position; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the glass lowered to a partially opened condition even with the top of the crossbar; 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 with the glass lowered completely into the panel in a fully opened condition; 
     FIG. 10 is a pictorial view illustrating a second embodiment of window drive mechanism in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a pictorial view illustrating a modification of the mechanism embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary pictorial view illustrating still another embodiment of window drive mechanism according to the invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a pictorial view illustrating yet another embodiment of window drive mechanism according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the relationship of the disengageable drive and driven gears in the embodiment of FIG.  13 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, numeral  10  generally indicates a pickup truck of the extended cab type having a body  12  including an internal front compartment  14  connected with an internal rear compartment  16  which is separated by a rear wall  18  from an external rear cargo compartment or cargo box  20 . As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the front compartment includes at least one passenger seat  22  for carrying the driver and one or more passengers. The rear compartment  16  also includes a seat including a lower cushion  24  and a back cushion  26 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 1, the rear wall  18  includes a lower opening  28  and an upper opening  30  separated by a laterally extending crossbar  32 . The rear cargo compartment or cargo box  20  is optionally closed by a removable cover  34 . 
     The lower opening  28  communicates the passenger rear compartment  16  with the interior of the cargo compartment  20 . Opening  28  is normally closed by a closure panel  36  which is pivotally mounted on the body adjacent its lower end and is movable between a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the panel closes the lower opening  28 , and an open position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein the panel pivots forward and opens communication between the cargo compartment  20  and the rear passenger compartment  16 . 
     The upper opening  30  is normally closed by a backlight or rear window  38  which is supported by a window drive mechanism, to be subsequently described, that is mounted in part within the crossbar  32 . The various features of the rear wall  18 , as well as the rear seat cushions  24 ,  26  and the cargo box cover  34  are movable into various positions, to be subsequently described, in order to reconfigure the truck body  12  for various modes of use. 
     FIG. 1, for example, omits the interior seats but shows the rear window  38  raised to close the upper opening  30  and held in place by the mechanism, not shown, within the crossbar  32  while the closure panel  36  is being pivoted forward toward a horizontal position to open communication through lower opening  28  between the cargo compartment  20  and the rear compartment  16 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 2, the truck body  12  is shown in a conventional position for maximum passenger accommodation wherein the rear seat cushions  24 ,  26  are positioned to carry passengers. The closure panel  36  is in its closed position separating the interior of the cargo compartment from the rear passenger compartment  16  and the rear window  38  is raised to close the upper opening and protect the passenger rear compartment  16  against the entry of ambient air or water from the exterior of the vehicle. The cargo cover  34  is also in place to enclose the cargo compartment and protect materials which may be carried there from direct exposure to exterior ambient conditions. 
     As will be subsequently further explained, the window drive mechanism  40  is operable to control the position of the rear window  38 . Mechanism  40  may be contained partially within the crossbar  32  and optionally partially in or on the closure panel  36  or adjacent portions of the rear wall  18 . When desired, the window  38  is held by the mechanism in the upper closed position shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  6 . Optionally, the window may be lowered fully into the closure panel  36 . Alternatively, the window may be lowered so that it is partially within the crossbar  32  with the remainder in the closure panel  36 . 
     When the window  38  is fully lowered, the closure panel  36  may be tilted forward with the window inside to open communication through the lower opening  28 . Alternatively, if desired, when the window is lowered within the crossbar  32  and closure panel  36 , the crossbar and panel may be pivoted forward together with the window inside to open communication through both upper and lower openings and the space between them normally occupied by the crossbar. Suitable latches, not shown, may be provided to separately retain the crossbar  32  and the panel  36  in their upper closed positions when desired. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates one of the optional configurations wherein the rear window  38  is lowered to open communication through the upper opening  30  between the passenger rear compartment  16  and external ambient air. The cargo cover  34  is shown in place bearing against the rear wall and/or the crossbar  32  to maintain protection of cargo in the cargo compartment against exposure to the elements. If desired, the cargo cover  34  may be removed to open the cargo compartment while the rear window remains open, as shown, or is closed, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates another optional configuration, wherein the rear seat cushions are first reconfigured with the lower cushion  24  tilted forward and the back cushion  26  tilted forward and downward to form a floor for storing cargo within the rear passenger compartment. This may be accomplished with the closure panel  36  upright and the rear window raised, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the rear passenger compartment becomes a second cargo compartment completely closed in the body. However, FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative wherein the rear window is lowered into the crossbar  32  and closure panel  36  and the two are pivoted downward and forward to lie against the upper surface of the back cushion, forming a floor for cargo which may extend from the rear cargo compartment  20  into the rear passenger compartment  16 . In this alternative with the cargo cover  34  removed as shown, the passenger rear compartment  16  and the adjoining cargo compartment  20  are open to ambient conditions but are configured to receive a maximum amount of cargo which may extend into the rear passenger compartment, now configured for cargo, as well as into the cargo compartment. 
     Another alternative configuration is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein the closure panel  34  is tilted forward to form a floor within the passenger rear compartment  16  but the crossbar  32  remains in place across the rear wall and the rear window  38  has been raised to its closed position in which it is held by the mechanism within the crossbar  32 . The cargo cover  34  is also shown in place. In this configuration then, cargo may be carried which extends from the cargo compartment  20  into the rear compartment  16  but the entire cargo storage area is enclosed by the cargo cover and the rear window  38  so that substantial protection from the elements is provided to the interior of the vehicle body as well as to the cargo compartment itself. 
     The various configurations shown are merely illustrative of the optional configurations which may be formed by the various movable features of the truck body so far described and as may be made possible by the features of the present invention. In the following portion of the description, a number of optional drive mechanisms formed in accordance with the invention are described, as are other features for providing the various optional configurations obtainable in a truck body in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of window drive mechanism  40  according to the invention mounted within portions of the rear wall  18 , previously described. Drive mechanism  40  includes driven elements in the form of vertically extending racks  42  that encapsulate or are otherwise fixed to the sides of the rear window  38 . The racks  42  are positioned by internal guides  44  mounted within the crossbar  32 . Similar guides may be mounted within the closure panel  36  and in the rear wall outwardly adjacent the upper opening  30  which may be closed by the rear window. 
     The racks include outwardly facing teeth  46  which are engaged by mating teeth of a pair of spur drive gears  48  disposed in the plane of the window on opposite sides thereof Gears  48  are rotatably mounted within the crossbar  32  and are connected by suitable drive means to a power actuator in the form of a drive motor  50  mounted centrally of the crossbar between the two gears  48  and forward of the window  38 . The gears  48  are rotatable by the drive motor  50  to raise the window  38  into its upper closed position or to lower the window downwardly out of opening  30  and into the crossbar  32  with a lower portion extending into the pivotable closure panel  36 . 
     In order to fully lower the window into the closure panel, additional mechanism is required which is provided in the form of idler gears  52  mounted in the panel  36  and connected between the drive gears  48  and a second pair of drive gears  54 , also mounted in the panel  36 . Drive gears  54  engage the teeth of racks  42  when the window is in a lower position extending into the panel  36 , as is further explained by reference to FIGS. 7-9. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a mechanism  40  holding the window  38  in its upper position where it is held in place by the upper drive gears  48  which are located within the crossbar  32 . As the window is lowered into its partially open position shown in FIG. 8, the racks also engage the lower drive gears  54  which act with the upper gears  48  to lower the window so that the glass is positioned within the crossbar and the panel. In this position, the panel and the crossbar may be tilted forward with the glass inside so as to open the entire rear wall of the vehicle passenger compartment for the entry of cargo therein. 
     However, if it is desired only to open the lower and upper openings  28 ,  30  while leaving the crossbar  32  in place, the mechanism  40  is operable to further lower the window  38  so that it is contained wholly within the panel  36 , as shown in FIG.  9 . As the window is lowered, the racks  42  are disconnected from the upper drive gears  48  and are driven solely by the lower drive gears  54  which, with the idler gears  52 , are mounted on the closure panel  36 . Thereafter, when the panel  36  is pivoted forward, the idler gears  52  are disconnected from the upper drive gears  48  and move with the panel into the horizontal position. Subsequently, when the panel is again raised to its vertical position, closing the lower opening  28 , the idler gears  52  reengage with the upper drive gears  48  so that the drive mechanism is again reconnected and may be operated to again raise the window into its upper closed position. During the lowered position of the panel, the upper drive gears are maintained in place by their connections to the stationary drive motor  50  while the lower drive gears are maintained in place by the window  38  retained within the panel  36 . If desired, lock means, not shown, may be provided to positively lock the lower drive gears and the window  38  in position within the panel when it is disconnected from the upper drive gears  48 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternative window drive mechanism  56  which is similar in general configuration to the embodiment of FIG.  6  and wherein like numerals indicated like parts. Mechanism  56  differs from mechanism  40  of FIG. 6 in that the upper drive gears  48  are connected by a chain  58  mounted within the crossbar and acting through associated sprockets and shafts instead of by the drive shafts of FIG.  6 . Also, a drive motor  60  is mounted at one end of the cross bar between one of the sprockets and a pinion drive gear which act to maintain the upper drive gears  48  in synchronism. In other ways, the mechanisms of FIGS. 10 and 6 are essentially the same. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a modification of the prior disclosed embodiments wherein guide channels  62 ,  64  are positioned within the crossbar  32  and beside the upper opening  30  in the rear wall in order to guide the window  38  in its motion. A similar channel, not shown, could also be located within the closure panel  36 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 12, a somewhat different form of window drive mechanism  66  is illustrated. In this embodiment, double toothed racks  68  are applied on the inner face of the backlight or window  70  inwardly adjacent either side of the window, only the right half of which is shown in the figure. A drive motor  72  connects through shafts  74  with an upper drive gear  76 . Gear  76  engages inner teeth of rack  68 . It is also attached to and rotates with a large idler gear  78  that is diagonally connected with a lower idler gear  80 . The latter connects with a lower drive gear  82  which engages outer teeth of rack  78  to cooperate with the upper drive gear  76  and drive the window between its upper and lower positions. The lower drive and idler gears  82 ,  80  are mounted on a common shaft supported in the closure panel  36  while the upper drive gear and idler gear  76 ,  78  are mounted on a shaft supported within the crossbar  32 . 
     When the panel  36  is lowered without the crossbar  32 , with the window in either the full up or full down positions, idler gear  80  is pivoted out of engagement with idler gear  78 . Gear  80  moves with the panel to its horizontal position while the idler gear  78  and drive gear  76  remain in place through their connection with the drive motor  72 . If the window  70  is in the upper position, the drive motor and drive gear  76  maintain the window in that position while the panel  36  is pivoted into either its open or closed positions. 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a somewhat different though operationally similar window drive mechanism, generally indicated by numeral  90 . In mechanism  90 , a rack  92  is fixed to the front face adjacent each side of a window  94  and is engaged by a drive gear  96  carried within a crossbar  98 . The drive gear  96  is rotatable in a plane normal to that of the window and on a shaft  100  connected with and driven by a motor  102  mounted within the crossbar  98 . A second drive gear  96  is also mounted on shaft  100  and engages a second rack  92  fixed to the forward side of the window adjacent the left edge thereof, although not shown in the drawing. 
     Drive gears  96  carried within the crossbar  98  are engageable with the additional gears mounted on or within a closure panel  104  when the panel is in the closed position. In this position, gears  96  engage idler gears  106  which, in turn, connect through idlers  108 ,  110  with lower drive gears  112 , all of which are carried by the closure panel  104 . When the closure panel  104  is closed, gears  106  and  96  are in engagement, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, so that the window  94  may be moved between its upper and lower positions by engagement of the drive gears  96 ,  112  with the rack  92 . When the window is in either the full up or full down positions, the closure panel  104  may be tilted downward carrying the idler and lower drive gears with it so that idler gears  106  are disconnected from their associated drive gears  96  at the point of engagement  114  illustrated in FIG.  14 . Since the panel carried gears are all pivoted with the panel about the lower pivot axis of the panel, the engagement and disengagement of the idler gears from the upper drive gears is located on the arcuate path of connection between the two gears and thus permits reengagement of the gears without requiring any rotation of either gear to obtain reengagement in the position occupied by the gears prior to disengagement. 
     With the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14, as with the previous embodiments, the window may also be partially lowered and the crossbar  98  may be pivoted with the window in place within the crossbar and panel. In this case, the complete drive mechanism will be maintained in engagement without separation caused by the pivoting motion of the closure panel. 
     If it is desired to provide only this option without allowing the option of opening of the closure panel without moving the crossbar, the lower drive gears and idler gears may be eliminated and the window may be operated solely through the upper drive gears driven by the drive motor within the crossbar. In this case, the window drive mechanism is greatly simplified and is always engaged with the window whether it is in the raised or lowered position. However, if this option is utilized, the window cannot be lowered into the panel and pivoted downward without also pivoting the crossbar with it since the window must be connected with the drive mechanism at all times. 
     While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1