Reinforced cargo doors

US6474725B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC · US

Inventors

• John Andrew Sotiroff · Villa Hills, US
• Roch Tolinski · Howell, US
• Charles Hopson · Lebanon, US
• George Chene · Sterling Heights, US
• Simon Dobson · Folkestone, GB
• Enrico Fin · Lake Orion, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 1, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 5, 2002
• Expiry date: Jun 1, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D47/003
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a reconfigurable intermediate panel (RIP) arranged between the cab and the cargo bed of a vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle body structure that separates the cab and the cargo bed. The RIP is arranged within an opening in the vehicle body structure for providing access to the cab from the cargo bed. The RIP includes a door structure having first and second opposing portions adjacent to opposing sides of the opening when the RIP is in a closed position. A plurality of cable spans the first and second portions for strengthening the door structure and barring the entry of cargo from the cargo bed into the cab when the structure is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the cables extend from opposing portions of a door frame. In another embodiment, the cables are embedded in a plastic panel, which is secured to a door frame. Accordingly, the above invention provides an RIP that provides an improved structural barrier between the cargo bed and the cab from heavy cargo.