VEHICLE FLOOR CONSOLE

• US 20100090491A1
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yanfeng Czechia Automotive Interior Systems s.r.o.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: McCarthy, David J., Stanley, Jonathan M., Lownds, Zachary, Maki, Jacob, Stoepker, Timothy, Flowerday, Craig D., Hipshier, Jason M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,215,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/24.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

In one embodiment, a vehicle floor console is provided that includes a support structure and a retaining feature pivotally biased toward the support structure. The retaining feature is configured to secure cargo between the support structure and the retaining feature.

Claims

1. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure; and

a retaining feature pivotally biased toward the support structure, wherein the retaining feature is configured to secure cargo between the support structure and the retaining feature.

2. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, wherein the retaining feature comprises a frame and a resilient material stretched across the frame.

3. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, comprising an armrest mounted to a top surface of the support structure.

4. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, comprising a storage compartment disposed within the support structure.

5. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, wherein the retaining feature is pivotally coupled to a base of the support structure.

6. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure rigidly mounted to a floor of a vehicle; and

a retaining feature pivotally mounted to the floor and biased toward the support structure, wherein the retaining feature is configured to secure cargo between the support structure and the retaining feature.

7. The vehicle floor console of claim 6, wherein the retaining feature is positioned aft of the support structure along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle floor console of claim 7, comprising a second retaining feature pivotally mounted to the floor and biased toward the support structure, wherein the second retaining feature is positioned fore of the support structure along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle floor console of claim 6, wherein the retaining feature comprises a frame and a resilient material stretched across the frame.

10. The vehicle floor console of claim 6, wherein the retaining feature comprises a joint configured to pivotally bias a retaining arm against cargo within the retaining feature.

11. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a framework mounted to a floor of a vehicle;

a storage compartment disposed within the framework and configured to slide along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and

an armrest mounted to a top surface of the storage compartment.

12. The vehicle floor console of claim 11, wherein the armrest is configured to rotate between a closed position and an open position, wherein the armrest substantially covers an opening within the top surface of the storage compartment in the closed position, and facilitates access to an interior of the storage compartment in the open position.

13. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure;

a driver side armrest vertically extendable from the support structure, wherein a position of the driver side armrest is adjustable along a longitudinal axis of a vehicle; and

a passenger side armrest vertically extendable from the support structure, wherein a position of the passenger side armrest is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle independently of the driver side armrest.

14. The vehicle floor console of claim 13, wherein the driver side armrest and the passenger side armrest are configured to mount substantially flush with the support structure while in a retracted position.

15. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure; and

a removable storage compartment configured to interlock with the support structure in a retained position, and to detach from the support structure in a released position.

16. The vehicle floor console of claim 15, wherein the storage compartment comprises a lid rotatably coupled to the storage compartment.

17. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure; and

an expandable storage compartment extending from the support structure, wherein the expandable storage compartment is configured to form a substantially flush surface with the support structure while in a collapsed position, and to provide a contained storage area in an expanded position.

18. The vehicle floor console of claim 17, wherein the expandable storage compartment is configured to extend from a rear portion of the support structure into a second row of vehicle seating.

19. The vehicle floor console of claim 17, comprising an armrest coupled to a top surface of the support structure, wherein the expandable storage compartment is disposed beneath the armrest.

20. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a storage ribbon disposed between a pair of lateral support structures, wherein the storage ribbon defines a plurality of storage compartments, and wherein the storage ribbon is formed from a single sheet of material.

21. The vehicle floor console of claim 20, wherein the storage ribbon is formed by an extrusion process, a compression molding process, a vacuum forming process, or a combination thereof.

22. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure; and

a tray pivotally mounted to the support structure, wherein the tray is configured to rotate about a first axis between a substantially vertical storage position and a substantially horizontal operational position, and wherein the tray is configured to rotate about a second axis to a first position between a front passenger seat and a driver seat, to a second position within a second row of seating, and to a third position over a seat bottom of the front passenger seat.

23. The vehicle floor console of claim 22, wherein the tray is configured to rotate about the first axis to a transport position configured to facilitate rotation of the tray about the second axis.

24. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a pair of horizontal support rails configured to suspend a removable storage bag above a floor of a vehicle such that an opening in the bag faces upwardly.

25. The vehicle floor console of claim 24, comprising an armrest configured to selectively cover and expose the opening in the bag.