FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of motor vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system for partitioning an interior of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An interior of a motor vehicle typically includes a cargo space. The cargo space is usually undivided and/or without organizational features. Additionally, the cargo space is usually visible from outside of the motor vehicle through windows of the motor vehicle. Currently available features for organizing and/or covering a cargo space usually include one panel which extends across the cargo space. However, the use of one panel to organize and/or cover the cargo space does not provide a user with versatility with respect to how the cargo space is divided and/or which parts of the cargo space are covered. [0003] It is desirable to provide an improved system for partitioning cargo space of a motor vehicle configured to allow for versatility with respect to dividing and/or organizing the cargo space and/or versatility with regard to which parts of the cargo space are covered, in order to solve one or more issues described above.

SUMMARY [0004] According to aspects of the disclosure a partition for a cargo space of a motor vehicle comprises a first partition member configured to transition between a first partition member first position and a first partition member second position, a second partition member configured to transition between a second partition member first position and a second partition member second position, a connection element extending between the first partition member and the second partition member, and wherein tension generated in the connection element causes the first partition member to transition between the first partition member first position and first partition member second position and the second partition member to transition between the second partition member first position and second partition member second position. [0005] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first partition member may be configured to be attached to a movable structure and the second partition member may be configured to be attached to a stationary element.

[0006] According to aspects of the disclosure, the tension generated in the connection element may be caused by movement of the movable structure. [0007] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first partition member and the second partition member may be configured to transition toward the first partition member second position and the second partition member second position simultaneously.

[0008] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first partition member may be configured to pivot between the first partition member first position and the first partition member second position and the second partition member may be configured to pivot between the second partition member first position and the second partition member second position. [0009] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first partition member may be configured to pivot from the first partition member first position toward the first partition member second position in a clockwise direction and the second partition member may be configured to pivot from the second partition member first position toward the second partition member second position in a counterclockwise direction.

[0010] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first partition member may be oriented adjacent the second partition member when the first partition member is in the first partition member first position and the first partition member may no longer be oriented adjacent the second partition member when the first partition member is in the first partition member second position.

[0011] According to aspects of the disclosure, the connection element may be supported between a first partition member first end and a second partition member first end. [0012] According to aspects of the disclosure, a system for partitioning a cargo space of a motor vehicle comprising a partition according to any aspect described above, a movable structure of a motor vehicle, the movable structure configured to move between a first position and a second position, and wherein movement of the movable structure from the first position toward the second position causes tension to generate in the connection element, and tension generated in the connection element causes the first partition member to transition between the first partition member first position and first partition member second position and the second partition member to transition between the second partition member first position and second partition member second position.

[0013] According to aspects of the disclosure, the first partition member may be configured to be attached to the movable structure and the second partition member may be configured to be attached to an interior element of the motor vehicle.

[0014] According to aspects of the disclosure, the second partition member may be configured to transition between the second partition member first position and the second partition member second position within an interior of the motor vehicle. [0015] According to aspects of the disclosure, the connection element may be supported by the movable structure between the first partition member and the second partition member. [0016] In the manner described and according to aspects illustrated herein, the system and the partition are configured to partition cargo space of a motor vehicle while allowing for versatility with respect to dividing and/or organizing the cargo space and/or versatility with regard to which parts of the cargo space are covered

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Aspects of an embodiment will be described in reference to the drawings, where like numerals reflect like elements: [0018] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the system for partitioning an interior of a motor vehicle (hereafter, "the system") according to aspects of the disclosure, showing a partition of the system in a first position;

[0019] Figure 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the system of Figure 1, showing the partition in a second position; [0020] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the system of Figure 1, illustrating the partition of the system transitioning between the first position and the second position; and [0021] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the system of Figure 1, showing the partition of the system in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0022] An embodiment of the system according to aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 1-4, wherein like numerals represent like parts, and will generally be referred to by the reference numeral 10. Particularly, a partition 20 of the system 10 according to aspects of the disclosure will be described. Although the system 10 and partition 20 are described with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without going beyond the general scope as defined by the claims. In particular, individual characteristics of the various embodiments shown and/or mentioned herein may be combined in additional embodiments. Consequently, the description and the drawings should be considered in a sense that is illustrative rather than restrictive. The Figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative aspects and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The illustrative aspects depicted are intended only as exemplary.

[0023] The term "exemplary" is used in the sense of "example," rather than "ideal." While aspects of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular embodiment(s) described. On the contrary, the intention of this disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0024] Various materials, methods of construction and methods of fastening will be discussed in the context of the disclosed embodiment(s). Those skilled in the art will recognize known substitutes for the materials, construction methods, and fastening methods, all of which are contemplated as compatible with the disclosed embodiment(s) and are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

[0025] As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] Throughout the description, including the claims, the terms "comprising a," "including a," and "having a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising one or more," "including one or more," and "having one or more" unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms "substantially," "approximately," and "generally" should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

[0027] When an element or feature is referred to herein as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or feature, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or feature, or intervening elements or features may be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or feature, there may be no intervening elements or features present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements or features should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0028] Spatially relative terms, such as "top," "bottom," "middle," "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0029] Although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, sections, and/or parameters, these elements, components, regions, layers, sections, and/or parameters should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1-4, the system 10 is configured for use within an interior of a motor vehicle. Particularly, the system 10 is configured for use within in a rear compartment of a motor vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment, the system 10 is configured for use in a trunk and/or cargo space (hereafter, referred to as "the cargo space") 100 within a motor vehicle. The system 10 is configured to function in combination with a movable structure 110 of the motor vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment, the movable structure 110 is a back door of the motor vehicle. The term "back door" as used herein should be understood as a door of a motor vehicle allowing access to the cargo space 100 of the motor vehicle from a rear of the motor vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment, it is contemplated that the movable structure 110 is in a hinged relationship at an upper region of the motor vehicle. As illustrated by Figure 1, 3, and 4, the movable structure 110 is configured to move between a movable structure first position and a movable structure second position. In the movable structure first position, the movable structure 110 extends downwardly (see Figure 1). In the movable structure first position, the cargo space 100 of the motor vehicle is closed and a user is incapable of accessing the cargo space 100 from an exterior of the motor vehicle. In the movable structure second position, the movable structure 110 extends upwardly (see Figure 4). In the movable structure second position, the cargo space 100 of the motor vehicle is open and the user is capable of accessing the cargo space 100 from the exterior of the motor vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment, the system 10 is configured to function in combination with and/or due to movement of the movable structure 110 between the movable structure first position and the movable structure second position.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1-4, the system 10 includes a partition 20. As shown in Figure 1, the partition 20 is configured to extend in a horizontal plane A-A. In the disclosed embodiment, the partition 20 extends within the horizontal plane A-A within the cargo space 100. It is contemplated that the partition 20 is configured to divide and/or organize the cargo space 100 and/or contents of the cargo space 100. Additionally or alternatively, it is contemplated that the partition 20 is configured to cover and/or conceal the cargo space 100 and/or contents of the cargo space 100. [0032] The partition 20 is configured to transition between a partition first position and a partition second position. In the disclosed embodiment, the partition 20 includes a first partition member 40 and a second partition member 60. The first partition member 40 extends between a first partition member first end 42 and a first partition member second end 44 and the second partition member (60) extends between a second partition member first end 62 and a second partition member second end 64. Including the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60, rather than a single partition member, allows for versatility with respect to dividing and/or organizing of the cargo space 100. Additionally, including the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 allows for versatility with respect to which parts of the cargo space 100 are covered and/or concealed. Further, including the first partition member 40 and the second partition member

60 allows for improved visibility and access to the cargo space 100 when the movable structure 110 is in the movable structure second position. As shown by Figure 1, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are configured to extend in the horizontal plane A-A. The first partition member 40 is configured to be attached to and/or fastened to the movable structure 110 at the first partition member second end 44. It is contemplated that the first partition member 40 pivots with respect to the attachment between the first partition member second end 44 and the movable structure 110. The second partition member 60 is configured to be attached to and/or fastened to an interior element 120 within an interior of the motor vehicle at the second partition member second end 64. It is contemplated that the second partition member 60 pivots with respect to the attachment between the second partition member second end 64 and the interior element 120. In the disclosed embodiment, the interior element 120 is separate from the movable structure 110. The interior element 120 is positioned within the cargo space 100. It is contemplated that the interior element 120 may be stationary. [0033] A connection element 80 is configured to extend between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. Additionally or alternatively, the connection element 80 may extend between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 at opposing sides of the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. The connection element 80 is attached to and/or fastened to the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. In the disclosed embodiment, the connection element 80 is attached to and/or fastened to a periphery of each of the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 at the first partition member first end 42 and the second partition member first end 62. In the disclosed embodiment, the connection element 80 is a flexible cord capable of deforming between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. Additionally or alternatively, it is contemplated that the connection element 80 may be elastic. In the disclosed embodiment, only one connection element 80 is included, in order to reduce complexity and points of failure of the system 10. The connection element 80 is configured to generate tension between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 to cause movement and/or transition of the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. The connection element 80 is supported between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. In the disclosed embodiment, the connection element 80 is supported by a support member 82, which is affixed to the movable structure 110. The support member 82 may be an eyelet and/or a ring-shaped member capable of supporting a cord. The support member 82 allows for movement of the connection element 80 therethrough. The connection element 80 includes a stopper 90 between the second partition member 60 and the support member 82. The stopper 90 is configured to limit movement of the connection element 80 through the support. [0034] As illustrated by Figure 3, the first partition member 40 is configured to transition between a first partition member first position and a first partition member second position and the second partition member 60 is configured to transition between a second partition member first position and a second partition member second position. As shown in Figure 3, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are each configured to pivot between the first partition member first position and the first partition member second position and the second partition member first position and the second partition member second position, respectively. The first partition member 40 is configured to pivot from the first partition member first position toward the first partition member second position in a clockwise direction and the second partition member 60 is configured to pivot from the second partition member first position toward the second partition member second position in a counterclockwise direction. As such, the first partition member 40 is configured to pivot from the first partition member second position toward the first partition member first position in a counterclockwise direction and the second partition member 60 is configured to pivot from the second partition member second position toward the second partition member first position in a clockwise direction.

[0035] In the first partition member first position and second partition member first position, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 extend in the horizontal plane A-A (see Figure 1). Additionally, in the first partition member first position and the second partition member first position, the cargo space 100 is divided. In the first partition member first position and the second partition member first position, the connection element 80 includes an initial slack portion 84 between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60. Additionally or alternatively, the connection element 80 may not include an initial slack portion 84 if the connection member 80 is elastic. The initial slack portion 84 extends between the second partition member 60 and the stopper 90. In the first partition member first position, the stopper 90 abuts the support member 82 to suspend the first partition member 40 in the first partition member first position. It is contemplated that the second partition member 60 may be supported atop the first partition member 40 in the second partition member first position. In the first partition member second position and second partition member second position, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 no longer extend in the horizontal plane A-A (see Figure 4). Additionally or alternatively, in the first partition member second position and the second partition member second position, the cargo space 100 is no longer divided. In the first partition member second position and the second partition member second position, the initial slack portion 84 of the connection element 80 is absorbed between the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 and tension in the connection element 80 is generated. [0036] The first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are configured to transition between the first partition member first position and the first partition member second position and the second partition member first position and the second partition member second position, respectively, due to movement of the movable structure 110 between the movable structure first position and the movable structure second position. The first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are configured to transition toward the first partition member second position and the second partition member second position simultaneously. Additionally, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are configured to transition toward the first partition member first position and the second partition member first position simultaneously. In the disclosed embodiment, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are in the first partition member first position and the second partition member first position when the movable structure 110 is in the movable structure first position. Additionally, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are in the first partition member second position and the second partition member second position when the movable structure 110 is in the movable structure second position.

[0037] In operation, the movable structure 110 is configured to move between the movable structure first position and the movable structure second position due to input by a user. In a first phase of movement of the movable structure 110 from the movable structure first position toward the movable structure second position, the movable structure 110 moves the first partition member 40 away from the second partition member 60. In the first phase of movement of the movable structure 110, the second partition member 60 remains in the second partition member first position as the initial slack portion 84 is absorbed and/or used. In a second phase of movement of the movable structure 110, the initial slack portion 84 is fully-absorbed and / or used and tension is generated in the connection element 80. Tension generated in the connection element 80 causes the first partition member 40 to transition from the first partition member first position toward the first partition member second position and the second partition member 60 to transition from the second partition member first position toward the second partition member second position. The tension pulls the first partition member 40 toward the first partition member second position and the second partition member second position.

[0038] Movement of the movable structure 110 from the movable structure second position toward the movable structure first position reduces tension in the connection element 80. Reduction of tension in the connection element 80 causes the first partition member 40 to transition from the first partition member second position toward the first partition member first position and the second partition member 60 to transition from the second partition member second position toward the second partition member first position. In this manner, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are configured to automatically divide and/or organize the cargo space 100, and/or cover and conceal the cargo space 100, while allowing for versatility of the dividing and/or covering of the cargo space 100. Additionally, the first partition member 40 and the second partition member 60 are configured to automatically remove the divide and/or uncover the cargo space 100. [0039] Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure.

[0040] It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0041] Additionally, all of the disclosed features of an apparatus may be transposed, alone or in combination, to a method and vice versa.