Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Variable capacity of body
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-06-26
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Variable capacity of body
C296S026090, C297S170000, C108S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250702
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a passenger car having a table board. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a vehicle having a moveable table board that includes supporting and seating elements.
2. Discussion
DE 92 17 039 U1 has disclosed a passenger car in which a load surface of a luggage compartment can be moved out of the luggage compartment for loading and unloading. With the vehicle tailgate open, the load surface can here be adjusted horizontally between an out-of-use position, in which the load surface is accommodated completely in the luggage compartment, and a position of use, in which the load surface projects longitudinally or rearwards from the vehicle. The loading and unloading of this load surface is thus simplified. In the case of a passenger car in which the load surface is at a relatively high level above the underlying surface on which the vehicle is standing, the known extendable load surface can also be used as a table.
DT 26 47 891 A1 has disclosed a folding table/seat combination in which a table board and at least one seat can be pivoted relative to one another between a set-up position, in which the table board and the seat are horizontal and a front edge of the seat is close to one end of the table board and underneath this end, and a folded position, in which the seat is essentially parallel to the table board. Moreover, the known folding table/seat combination has a folding stand which, on the one hand, supports the table board and the seat in the set-up position and, on the other hand, allows the table board and the seat to be pivoted into the folded position or into the set-up position.
As illustrated by the above examples, many activities would be facilitated by having a table-like surface for various items. In fact, many activities center around automobiles and the ability to provide a table board would be extremely advantageous. For example, the activity commonly referred to as ‘tailgating’ could be more convenient if a table was available for the purpose of supporting food and drink thereon. In fact, this activity most likely received the name ‘tailgating’ by individuals using the tailgate of a pick-up truck either as a table or as a seating surface for the participants. However, those individuals that would like to participate in such an activity without a pick-up truck need to transport a table within the interior of their vehicle, which is inconvenient and takes up desired interior space. Even having a pick-up truck only provides a crude type of table board and a limited and awkward seating ability.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a vehicle table board that includes seating and support elements that can be used in a convenient manner. There is also a need to provide a table structure that is easy to use and is stored compactly in the interior of the vehicle which will increase customer convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the principal objective of the present invention to provide a table board for a motor vehicle that includes support and seating elements.
The invention is based on integrating seats provided for use on or with the table board into the table board, i.e. the table board and the associated seats form a single unit. This ensures that there are always enough seats. Moreover, it is thereby possible to achieve space-saving accommodation of the seats in the vehicle in a simple manner.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Calcaterra Mark P.
Daimler-Chrysler AG
Pape Joseph D.
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