Movable table for a motor vehicle

• US 10,414,314 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Leck, Matthew Graeme, Loughlin, Kyle
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US15/964,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20180354397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 108 44, 297138, 297143
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2009/006 of two distinct heights, e.g. coffee table - dining table
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/00 Folding or stowable tables folded and suspended or hinged, or wall tables A47B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01 Arrangement of seats relative to one another
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/062 transversally slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/0204 characterised by the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a non-standard, particular axis, i.e. an axis different from the axis characterising the conventional movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/0216 the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a transversal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/001 of tables or trays

Abstract

A movable table for a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle comprises a guide track extending at least partially around an interior space of the vehicle between a plurality of seating positions for seats within the vehicle. The movable table comprises a table top, a pillar, the table top being coupled to a first end of the pillar, and a follower element provided at a second end of the pillar, wherein the follower element is configured to movably couple the table to the guide track, such that the table is movable between seats positioned at the seating positions.

Claims

1. A movable table for a motor vehicle having a guide track extending at least partially around an interior space of the vehicle, comprising:

a table top;

a pillar comprising a first end coupled to the table top; and

a follower element provided at a second end of the pillar and configured to movably couple the table to the guide track such that the table is movable between seats positioned at seating positions, wherein the table top comprises a collapsible portion that comprises a plurality of elongate members configured to move relative to one another in order to permit the table top to collapse, wherein the table top comprises one or more cables extending between the elongate members, and wherein the one or more cables are configured to hold the elongate members together when the collapsible portion is not collapsed.

2. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the guide track comprises a rail or slot, wherein the follower element is configured to movably couple the table to the rail or slot of the guide track.

3. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the follower element comprises a roller configured to engage the guide track.

4. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the guide track is a first guide track and the motor vehicle comprises a second guide track provided adjacent to the first guide track and extending parallel to the first guide track between the two or more seating positions, and wherein the follower element is a first follower element and the table comprises a second follower element configured to movably couple to the second guide track.

5. The movable table of claim 4, wherein the table comprises a boss coupled to the second end of the pillar, wherein the first and second follower elements are provided on the boss.

6. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the table further comprises a securing mechanism configured to selectively secure the table relative to a frame of the vehicle.

7. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the pillar comprises a storage space defined within the pillar.

8. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the movable table comprises an actuator configured to drive the movement of the movable table along the guide track.

9. The movable table of claim 1, wherein a height of the table top of the movable table above the guide track is adjustable.

10. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the table rotates as it moves along the guide track by virtue of the guide track changing direction.

11. The movable table of claim 1, wherein the table is configured to rotate relative to the guide track.

12. A motor vehicle assembly comprising:

a guide track extending at least partially around a space within an interior of the vehicle between a plurality of seating positions;

a table movably coupled to and supported by the guide track, such that the table is movable along the guide track between the seats positioned at the seating positions; and

two or more seats, wherein the table is coupled to a first guide track between two of the seats and is movable between the two seats, and wherein the seats are movably coupled to the guide track and are movable along the guide track between the seating positions, wherein a height of a table top of the table above the first guide track is less than heights of seat bodies of the seats above the first guide track, such that the table top can be positioned at least partially beneath the seat body of one or more of the seats.

13. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein at least a first portion of the guide track extends in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, at least a second portion of the guide track extends in a lateral direction of the motor vehicle, and at least a third portion of the guide track is curved.

14. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the guide track is a first guide track and the assembly further comprises a second guide track provided adjacent to the first guide track and extending parallel to the first guide track between the seating positions, wherein the table is movably coupled to the second guide track.

15. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the table is rotatable such that when the table is stowed beneath the seat body, a diagonal axis of the table is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the seat.

16. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the table is movable between a stowed position, in which the table is positioned at least partially beneath seat bodies of one or more of the seats, and a deployed position, in which the table is away from beneath the seat bodies.

17. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the table is configured such that when the two seats are substantially aligned, the table is stowable beneath seat bodies of the two seats.

18. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the movable table is positionable in a corner of the motor vehicle between the two seats, the seats being arranged perpendicular to one another, and wherein a first edge of the table top is positionable alongside an edge of a first seat and a second edge of the table top is positionable alongside an edge of a second seat, and wherein first and second edges of the table top are substantially perpendicular to each other.