Center floor console

• US 20050035618A1
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fredricks Design, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fredricks Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Fredricks, Bruce A., Laduke, Peter T., Moroney, Jon T., Rankin, Joe, Fellows, Kevin J., Johnson, Michael A., Kooistra, Brett W., Toth, Eric S., Fredricks, Maurice R.
• Application Number:
  US10/662,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20050035618A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/24.340
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

A storage console, comprising mix and match storage modules adapted to be arranged in a variety of positions on a supporting framework. The modules include end or terminal bins, lateral bins, medial bins, wall panels, and cargo nets among others. The framework of the console includes a base tray supporting a plurality of upright members, each having grooves of predetermined cross-section enabling a user to fix the desired modules. Each module is adapted to provide flexibility and cooperate with different storage compartments. Wall panels may be attached to the framework to facilitate secure and private storage. In addition, provision can also be made for connecting different powered accessories such as lighting, audio, video, and the like. In addition the base of the center floor console along with said accessories may with the twist of a latch, be removed from the vehicle entirely.

Claims

1. A storage console for a vehicle, comprising:

a base tray assembly;

at least a first and a second upright support assembly spaced from each other and attached to said base tray assembly; and

at least one of a plurality of predetermined-configuration storage modules detachably mounted to an upper end of one of said first and second upright support assemblies for providing a storage solution and a substrate for mounting additional storage modules to the storage console.

2. The storage console as defined in claim 1, further comprising a power outlet attached to one of said base tray assembly and said first storage module, and adapted to be operably coupled to a power system of the vehicle, for providing access to power in the storage console.

3. The storage console as defined in claim 1, further comprising a member on one of said at least one storage module and said first and second upright support assemblies for attaching a second one of a plurality of storage modules thereto.

4. The storage console as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wall members detachably coupled to said first and second upright support members for defining one of a divider and a compartment boundary.

5. The storage console as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism attached to said base tray assembly for fixing a location of said base tray assembly relative to the vehicle.

6. The storage console as defined in claim 1, wherein said base tray assembly includes:

a floor; and

at least one wall of predetermined height and length extending from an upper surface of said floor for defining an area within said base for receiving articles.

7. The storage console as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second upright support assemblies includes a first end attached to said base tray assembly and a second end adapted to receive one of said plurality of predetermined-configuration storage modules.

8. The storage console as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of predetermined-configuration storage modules is selected from the group comprising a cup holder having at least one cup recess, a tray having an upright perimeter wall, a closable compartment including one of a hinged and sliding door, a coin module having at least one recess adapted to receive coins, a sunglasses storage module, a garage door opener module, a map module, a cargo net, a glove compartment, a tool compartment, a cooler, a warmer, a file tray, and a lid assembly for covering substantially the entire top area of the storage container.

9. The storage console as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of predetermined-configuration storage modules includes fasteners for attaching to said first and second upright support assemblies, and to adjacent storage modules in snap-fit arrangement.

10. The storage console as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of predetermined-configuration storage modules are molded from a polymeric material.

11. A kit for creating a custom storage console for a vehicle, the kit comprising:

a base tray assembly for providing a stand alone framework for retaining containers of predetermined dimension and a base for supporting additional structure;

a superstructure assembly adapted to be coupled to said base tray assembly; and

a plurality of storage modules of different configurations, each of which is adapted to be mounted to one of said superstructure and another storage module in one of a plurality of configurations.

12. The kit as defined in claim 11, further including a power cord having a socket at one end and a plug at an opposite end, said socket end adapted to be received within a predetermined one of said plurality of storage modules to receive an accessory, and said plug end adapted to be operably coupled to an electrical system of the vehicle.

13. The kit as defined in claim 11, further including an anchoring member for fixing said base tray assembly at a predetermined position within the vehicle.

14. The kit as defined in claim 11, wherein said superstructure includes a plurality of upright support members, each adapted to have one end attached to said base tray assembly.

15. The kit as defined in claim 14, further including at least one beam interconnecting an upper end of one of said upright support members to an upper end of another of said upright support members.

16. A center floor console for a vehicle, comprising:

a bottom tray;

a frame assembly attached to said bottom tray; and

at least one storage module mounted to said frame assembly.

17. The storage console as defined in claim 16, further comprising a power outlet mounted to one of said bottom tray and said at least one storage module, and adapted to be operably coupled to a power system of the vehicle for providing power to the storage console.

18. The storage console as defined in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of wall members detachably coupled to said frame assembly to function as one of a divider and a compartment boundary.

19. The storage console as defined in claim 16, further comprising a member attached to said bottom tray for fixing said bottom tray in position relative to the vehicle.

20. The storage console as defined in claim 16, wherein said bottom tray includes:

a floor; and

a rail of predetermined height and length extending from said floor to define an area for receiving articles.

21. The storage console as defined in claim 16, wherein said frame assembly comprises at least a first and a second upright support assembly, each having a first end attached to said bottom tray and a second end adapted to receive said at least one storage module.

22. The storage console as defined in claim 16, wherein said at least one storage module includes at least one storage compartment.

23. The storage console as defined in claim 22, wherein said at least one storage compartment comprises one of a cup holder, a tray, a coin receptacle, an eye glass storage compartment, a garage door opener storage compartment, cell phone storage compartment, a map storage compartment, a glove compartment, a tool compartment, a food and beverage cooler, a food and beverage warmer, a file box, an audio media storage compartment, a video media storage compartment, an audio-visual media player compartment, a compartment for receiving a part of a vehicle heating and cooling system, and a general storage compartment.

24. The storage console as defined in claim 16, wherein said at least one storage module includes a mechanism for providing an attachment to one of said frame assembly or to a second storage module.

25. A center floor console assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a bottom tray;

a plurality of upright supports, each having one end attached to said bottom tray and a second end spaced from said bottom tray;

a cross bar interconnecting said second end of two of said plurality of upright support members;

a first storage module attached to said second end of a first plurality of upright supports;

a second storage module attached to said second end of a second plurality of upright supports; and

at least one socket mounted on the center floor console and operably coupled to a power supply within the vehicle.

26. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, further including a third storage module intermediate and substantially adjacent said first and said second storage modules.

27. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, further including a file hanger assembly intermediate and substantially adjacent said first and said second storage modules.

28. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, further including at least one storage module configured to repose on said bottom tray.

29. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, further including a rail extending along opposing sides of said bottom tray.

30. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, further including a member attached to the bottom tray for preventing the center floor console from sliding within the vehicle

31. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, wherein said plurality of upright supports, said first and second storage modules, and said cross member may be disassembled and separated from said bottom tray.

32. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, wherein each of said plurality of upright supports includes an attachment mechanism for coupling with adjacent structures.

33. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, wherein said first storage module includes at least one storage compartment accessible through an opening.

34. The center floor console as defined in claim 25, wherein at least one of said first and said second storage module includes at least one cup holder.

35. The center floor console as defined in claim 33, wherein said at least one storage compartment includes a closable door for covering said access opening.

36. The center floor console as defined in claim 33, wherein said first and said second storage modules are of different shapes and storage configurations.