Claims:We Claim:
1. A panel 100 for a vehicle interior, the panel 100 comprising:
a first member 10 for holding articles,
wherein the first member 10 is swivelable around a longitudinal axis 40 of the first member 10 and slidable along the longitudinal axis 40 of the first members 10, and
wherein the first member 10 can be latched around or along the longitudinal axis 40 for latching the panel 100 in various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e…..100n.

2. The panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, the first member 10 is attached to at least one second member 20 for expanding holding surface of the panel 100.

3. The panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel 100 is adapted to cover a boot space of the vehicle.

4. The panel 100 as claimed in claim 1 & 3, wherein a first member 10 is pivotable on an elongated member 50 arranged in the vehicle interior, and the elongated member 50 is having a locking arrangement 52 configured thereon.

5. The panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, 3 & 4, wherein the locking arrangement 52 includes the plurality of opening or detent (52a, 52b, 52c ….52n) configured on the elongated member 50.

6. The panel 100 as claimed in claims 1, 3, 4 & 5, wherein the locking arrangement 52 includes an engaging member 12a, the engaging member 12a is adapted to engage with an opening or detent (52a, 52b, 52c,….52n) of the locking arrangement 52 for latching the first member 10 with the elongated member 50.

7. The panel 100 as claimed in claims 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6, wherein the engaging member 12a is a portion of a spring loaded plunger 14a, 14b connected to a handle 16 and the handle 16 can be operated for engaging and disengaging the engaging member 12a with the opening or detent (52a, 52b, 52c,…52n) of the locking arrangement 52.

8. The panel 100 as claimed in claims 1, 2 & 3, wherein the first member 10 and the at least one second member 20 are movable or foldable relative to one another thereby to adjust the width of the panel 100.

9. The panel 100 as claimed in claims 1 & 3, wherein the panel 100 is a trunk cover or a parcel shelf of the vehicle interior.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a panel for a vehicle interior.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, vehicle interiors include trays, panels for keeping articles such as bags, books, thereon. Further, some panels are provided for closing a boot space. These panels are generally referred to as "Truck cover or parcel shelf". This Truck cover or parcel shelf is hinged to a vehicle interior. Users can swivel the lid according to their requirements for covering the articles in the boot space.

[0003] Presently existing trunk covers or parcel shelves can be swivelled between only two positions. Generally, the trunk cover or parcel shelf is swivelled downward or upward when there is a need to place larger articles in the boot space. Similarly, the trunk cover or parcel shelf can be swivelled to a horizontal position for placing articles thereon. These trunk covers or parcel shelves cannot be locked at other orientations if required or desired by the user.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a panel, which overcomes from few or more problems of the prior art.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a panel for a vehicle interior.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel for a vehicle interior, which can be configured with various orientations according to requirements.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a panel for a vehicle interior, which can be latched at different orientations according to requirements.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a panel for covering the boot space of a vehicle.

[0009] Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a panel for a vehicle interior, which can be adjusted and can be used to keep articles thereon.

[0010] One more object of the present invention is to provide a panel for a vehicle interior, which is simple in construction.

Summary of the invention

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided with a panel for a vehicle interior. In one preferred embodiment, the panel may be adapted to cover a boot space of the vehicle. The panel may include a first member. The first member is holding articles thereon. The first member is swivelable around a longitudinal axis of the first member. Further, the first member is slidable along the longitudinal axis of the first member. Furthermore, the first member can be latched along or around the longitudinal axis of the first member for latching the panel in different orientations. In an embodiment, the first member is attached to at least one second member for expanding the holding surface and is (are) movable over the first member. The first member and the at least one second member are movable or foldable relative to one another thereby to adjust the width of the panel.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a member (first member or second member) may be pivoted on an elongated member. The elongated member may be arranged in the vehicle interior. The elongated member may be having a locking arrangement configured thereon. The locking arrangement includes a plurality of opening or detent configured on the elongated member. A member of the two members may include an engaging member. The engaging member may be adapted to engage with an opening or detent of the plurality of opening or detent of the locking arrangement for latching the member with the elongated member. The engaging member may be a spring loaded plunger connected to a handle. The handle can be operated for engaging and disengaging the engaging member with the opening or detent of the locking arrangement. Further, the panel can be a trunk cover or a parcel shelf of the vehicle interior.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description of some embodiments of the impact energy absorber and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which;

[0014] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a panel for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the panel in a first orientation;

[0016] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the panel in a second orientation;

[0017] Figure 4a shows an isometric view of the panel in a third orientation;

[0018] Figure 4b shows another isometric view of the panel at an intermediate orientation;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a top view of a panel for a vehicle interior in accordance with present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 shows an isometric view of an elongated member of the panel shown in figure 5;

[0021] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of an engaging member of the panel of figure 5;

[0022] Figure 8 shows an isometric view of a panel for covering a boot space of vehicle slid at first side in accordance with the present invention; and

[0023] Figure 9 shows the panel shown in figure 8 slid at a second side.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0025] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0026] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0027] The present invention provides a panel for a vehicle interior. The panel can be configured with various orientations according to requirements. The panel can be latched at various orientations according to requirements. The panel for covers a boot space of a vehicle. Further, the panel can be adjusted and can be used to keep articles thereon. Furthermore, the panel is simple in construction.

[0028] Referring now to figure 1, an isometric view of a panel 100 for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The panel100 includes a first member 10. The first member 10 is holding articles thereon. The first member 10 is connected to at least one second member 20 for expanding holding surface of the panel 100. The first member 10 and the at least one second member 20 are movable or foldable relative to one another thereby to adjust the width of the panel 100. In the present embodiment, the panel 100 includes three members, like the first member 10, the second member 20 and a third member 30 together configure the panel 100. The number of members can be increased for increasing and expanding the holding surface of the panel 100.

[0029] The first member 10, the second member 20 are attached so that one of the members (10 or 20) can be move or fold over the other member (10 or 20). In the present embodiment, the second member 20 and the third member 30 are hinged to the first member 10. The panel 100 is at an unfolded configuration 102a. The second member 20 and the third member 30 can be moved and overlapped on the first member 10 for configuring a folded configuration 102b (figure 2). The panel 100 is at a first orientation 100a. It may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art to connect the second member 20 and the third member 30 with the first member 10 by any other hinge arrangement.

[0030] Referring now to figure 3 & 4a, isometric views of the panel100 at various orientations (100b and 100c) in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. The first member 10 is swivelable around a longitudinal axis 40 of the first member 10. The longitudinal axis 40 of the first member 10 may extend long “Y” axis of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the first member 10, the second member 20 and the third member 30 are swivelling around a longitudinal axis 40 of the first member 10 between a second orientation 100b and a third orientation 100c. The panel 100 can be positioned at an intermediate orientation 100c2 between the second orientation 100b and the third orientation 100c as shown in figure 4b. Alternatively, the panel 100 can be positioned at any other intermediate orientations between the second orientation 100b and the third orientation 100c.

[0031] Referring now to figure 5, a top view of a preferred embodiment of the panel 100 in accordance with present invention is illustrated. In the preferred embodiment, the member 10 is pivoted on an elongated member 50 (figure 6). The elongated member 50 is arranged in the vehicle interior. The elongated member 50 is having a locking arrangement 52 configured thereon (figure 6). The locking arrangement 52 includes a plurality of opening or detent 52a, 52b, 52c…52n provided on the elongated member 50. The first member 10 includes an engaging member 12a (figure 7). In the present embodiment, the member 10 includes two engaging members 12a & 12b. The engaging member 12a is adapted to engage with the plurality of opening or detent ( 52a or 52b or 52c……52n) of the locking arrangement 50 for latching the first member 10 with the elongated member 50. The plurality of opening or detent 52a, 52b …..52n can be configured on circumferentially on the elongated member 50 as shown in figure 6.

[0032] Further, the plurality of the plurality of opening or detent 52a, 52b, 52…52n is configured along the length and circumferentially on the elongated member 50. In one embodiment, the engaging member 12a is a plunger (figure 7). The engaging member 12a has a biasing member 14a. The biasing member 14a is a compression spring (spring loaded). The biasing member biases the engaging member 12a inside the opening 52a for latching the first member 10 at an orientation with the elongated member 50 in the absence of external force. Further, the engaging member 12a is connected to a handle 16 for holding and operating the plunger 12a for engaging and disengaging the engaging member 12a with an opening 52a of the plurality of openings 52a, 52b,52c…52n.

[0033] The handle 16 is connected to the engaging member 12a by a linkage 18. When the handle 16 is pushed by applying an external force towards the first member 10, the linkage 18 moves the engaging member 12a away from the opening 52a, thereby disengaging the engaging member 12a from the opening 52a. When the external force is removed from the handle 16, the biasing member 14a applies biasing force on the engaging member 52a and moves the engaging member 52a inside the opening 52a, thereby engaging the engaging member 12a with the opening 52a. It may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art to configure links of the linkage 18 for enabling movements of the engaging member 12a according to movement of the handle 16.

[0034] In the present embodiment and shown in figures 5 and 7, the engaging members 12a & 12b are shown and arranged in biasing members 14a & 14b respectively. The engaging members 12a & 12b are connected to the linkage 18. The engaging members 12a & 12b engage and disengage from openings 52a & 52b respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the engaging member 12a can be configured in the second member 20 or the third member 30.

[0035] Further, the first member 10 is slidable along the longitudinal axis 40 of the first member 10.. In the present embodiment, the members 10, 20 & 30 are slidable along the longitudinal axis 40 of the first member 10. Furthermore, the first member 10 can be latched around or along the longitudinal axis 40 for latching the panel 100 in various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e…..100n.

[0036] Referring now to figures 8 & 9, isometric views of the panel 100 covering a boot space 200 at various orientations of the vehicle in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. The panel 100 is adapted to cover the boot space 200 of the vehicle. The panel 100 can be used a trunk cover or a parcel shelf of the vehicle interior.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the first member 10, the second member 20 and the third member 30 are adapted to cover the enclosure 200. It may be obvious to persons skilled in the art to increase or decrease the number of members according to the width of the enclosure 200 and also to configure geometric dimensions of the members 10, 20 & 30 according to dimensions of the enclosure 200.

[0038] The panel 100 can be disengaged from the elongated member 50 and slid towards a first side 210, which is a right side of the vehicle in the boot space 200 after moving the third member 30 on the first member 10 for configuring an orientation 100d (figure 8). Further, the first member 10 can be latched to the elongated member 50 at the orientation 100d by locking the engaging members 12a and 12b in respective openings on the elongated member 50, thereby latching the panel100 at the orientation100d.

[0039] Similarly, the panel100 can be disengaged from the elongated member 50 at the orientation100d and slid towards a second side 220, which is a left side of the vehicle in the boot space 200 after moving the second member 20 on the first member 10 for configuring an orientation100e (figure 9). Further, the first member 10 can be latched to the elongated member 50 at the position 100e by locking the engaging members 12a and 12b in the respective openings, thereby latching the panel 100 at the orientation 100e.

[0040] Similarly, the members 20, 30 can be moved over the member 10 and the members 10, 20, 30 can be slid along the axis 40 of the elongated member 50. Further, the members (10 or 20 or 30) can be swivelled around the longitudinal axis 40 of the elongated member 50 for configuring various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d…….100n and the panel 100 can be latched at various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d…….100n based on requirements. It may be obvious to person skilled in the art to configure geometric dimensions of the plurality of openings 52a, 52b, 52c….52n, engaging members 12a & 12b such as number of the openings 52a, 52b, 52c….52n, distribution of the openings 52a, 52b, 52c….52n ( number of openings, shape of the openings, pitch of the openings) on the elongated member 50, distance between the openings 52a, 52b, 52c….52n for enabling latching of the panel 100 at various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c…….100d.

[0041] The present invention has an advantage of providing the panel 100 for the vehicle interior. The panel 100 can be configured with various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d …100n according to requirements. The panel 100 can be latched at the various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d…100n according to requirements of users. Further, the panel 100 can be adjusted to various orientations 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d…100n to keep articles thereon. Furthermore, the panel 100 is simple in construction

[0042] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.