STRUCTURAL RAIL SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING AN OVERHEAD CONSOLE

• US 20060237984A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Niedzwiecki, Mark, Brown, Matthew J., Stone, Jay, Tiesler, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,293,816 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/37.700
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

A structural rail system 10 for supporting an overhead console 12 in relation to a roof bow 13 within a vehicle. A pair of rail members 14, 16 are spaced apart and extend longitudinally. One or more brackets 18, 20, 22, 24 are oriented laterally in relation to the pair of rail members 14, 16. Accessories 26 are attached to the brackets 18, 20, 22, 24 and are housed within the console 12.

Claims

1. A structural rail system for supporting an overhead console in relation to a roof within a vehicle having longitudinal and a lateral axis, the structural rail system comprising:

a pair of rail members that are spaced apart and extend substantially in a longitudinal direction; and

one or more brackets that are oriented substantially laterally across the pair of rail members, the one or more brackets supporting accessories that are operable from within the vehicle interior, the accessories being secured with minimal buzz, rattle or vibration between the accessories, the structural rail system, and the vehicle roof.

2. The structural rail system of claim 1, wherein the one or more brackets comprise one or more forward brackets and one or more rearward brackets.

3. The structural rail system of claim 1, wherein the pair of rail members include means for securing the pair of rail members to the roof within the vehicle.

4. The structural rail system of claim 2, wherein an opening is provided in at least one of the forward and rear brackets, the opening being positioned between the pair of rail members.

5. The structural rail system of claim 3, wherein the means for securing comprise at least four means for securing.

6. The structural rail system of claim 5, wherein the means for securing include at least two such means that are positioned proximate a forward region and at least two such means positioned proximate a rear region of the pair of rail members.

7. The structural rail system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more brackets is provided with means for attaching accessories to the one or more brackets.

8. The structural rail system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of rail members comprises a flange that is affixed to the vehicle roof, a riser portion the extends from the flange, and a bottom section that is attachable to the console.

9. The structural rail system of claim 1, wherein the pair of rail members include curved sections that are curved in a longitudinal direction for conformance with the roof of the vehicle.

10. A structural rail system for supporting an overhead console in relation to a roof bow within a vehicle having a longitudinal and a lateral axis, the structural rail system comprising:

a pair of rail members that are spaced apart and extend substantially in a longitudinal direction;

one or more brackets that are oriented substantially laterally across the pair of rails; and

one or more accessories that are attached via the one or more brackets so that there is minimal buzz, rattle or vibration between accessories and the structural rail system.

11. The structural rail system of claim 10, wherein the one or more accessories include a DVD player.

12. A structural rail system within a vehicle, the rail system comprising:

a pair of rail members that are spaced apart and extend substantially in a longitudinal direction;

one or more brackets that are oriented substantially laterally across the pair of rails;

an overhead console secured to the one or more brackets; and

a plurality of accessories that are attached to the overhead console so that there is minimal buzz, rattle or vibration between the accessories and the vehicle.

13. The structural rail system of claim 12, wherein the overhead console has a concave interior region within which at least some of the accessories are positioned before the console is secured to the one or more brackets, so that incursion into the headroom between the head of a vehicle occupant and the vehicle roof is minimized.

14. The structural rail system of claim 13, further including one or more spacers interposed between the vehicle roof and the pair of rail members.