Vehicle midgate

A midgate panel assembly for a vehicle comprising:

• an inner panel;
• an outer panel cooperating with the inner panel to partially define a cavity having an open end;
• a window at least partially located within the cavity and configured to selectively protrude from the cavity through the open end;
• and
• a tubular reinforcement member further defining the cavity and being generally U-shaped,
• wherein the reinforcement member includes an outer surface that partially defines the cavity and an inner surface that defines a channel;
• and wherein the midgate panel assembly further comprises a latch at least partially located within the channel.

A vehicle comprising:

• a body defining a passenger compartment and a cargo area;
• and
• a midgate panel assembly comprising an inner panel, an outer panel, and a generally U-shaped reinforcement member having a closed cross section;
• the inner panel, the outer panel, and the reinforcement member cooperating to define a cavity;
• wherein the midgate panel assembly is selectively movable between a closed position to separate the passenger compartment and the cargo area and an open position to connect the passenger compartment and the cargo area,
• wherein the reinforcement member includes a surface that defines the lower extent of at least a portion of the cavity;
• and wherein the surface is fluid directingly inclined when the midgate panel assembly is in the closed position.

A vehicle comprising:

• a body defining a passenger compartment and a cargo area;
• a midgate panel assembly being selectively movable between a closed position to separate the passenger compartment and the cargo area and an open position to connect the passenger compartment and the cargo area, the midgate panel assembly having an outer panel, an inner panel, and a tubular reinforcement member cooperating with the inner panel and the outer panel to at least partially define a cavity;
• the reinforcement member having an inner surface defining a channel and being characterized by a first segment and second and third segments extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the first segment;
• the first segment defining a surface that forms the lower extent of at least part of the cavity when the midgate panel assembly is in the closed position;
• the midgate panel assembly defining an aperture;
• the surface being sufficiently inclined to direct fluid to the aperture;
• and
• a latch located at least partially in the channel at the second or third segment.