RETRACTING DEVICE FOR PARTITIONING PANEL

The back of a retractable shelf is pivotally connected to a rear door or trunk lid, for example, of a hatch-back automobile. A flexible element is connected to the front of the shelf, extends through a bearing on the rear door, and is anchored to the vehicle to support the shelf in a horizontal position when the rear door is closed. The anchor point, and bearing location on the rear door are such that the bearing moves away from the anchor point as the door is opened, thus pulling the flexible element through the bearing to retract the shelf against the door, when the door is fully open.