Mountable and demountable partition structure for motor vehicles

Abstract

A mountable and demountable partition structure for motor vehicles, such as vans and station wagons, is provided. The partition comprises a panel which is adapted to extend substantially from top to bottom and from side to side of the vehicle, where it is mounted; and is mounted by fastener means extending downwardly through brackets at the bottom edge of the panel into plates secured in the floor of the vehicle, and through brackets at the top of the panel into tracks mounted between roof ribs in the roof of the vehicle. The panel comprises three panel portions, each of which extends across the width of the panel, where the upper panel portion is tilted fowardly from the vertical, and the lower portion is tilted rearwardly from the vertical, when mounted. The overall configuration of the panel is that of a forwardly bowed panel; and at least the upper and middle panel portions of the panel are made of a solid, translucent material such as sheet polycarbonate, thereby providing a clear, glare-free and unobstructed rearwards view for the driver of the vehicle. Because of its bowed configuration, the partition provides additional safety to the occupants of the vehicle in the event that a forwardly moving object strikes the partition, as in the event of a collision when passengers or cargo are not secured in the rear of the vehicle. The partition provides for energy efficiency by permitting greater loading of the cargo compartment of the vehicle, as well as maintaining heating or air conditioning effects to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.