Automotive console writing table

• US 5,671,686 A
• Filed: 02/12/1996
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Floor Coverings Incorporated (Collins and Aikman Floor Coverings)
• Original Assignee: Manchester Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hurley, Gregory M., Whalen, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/599,683
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 108/45, 108/44, 108/43, 108/26, 297/188.16, 297/188.19, 224/277, 224/42.42, 296/37.8
• US Class Current: 108/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays

Abstract

A writing table (10) includes a hinge (16) and support table (18) pivotally secured to the hinge (16). The hinge (16) secures the support table (18) to a trim member (14), such as in a vehicle. The hinge (16) and support table (18) may be molded of plastic. The support table (18) is molded in two halves and secured about the hinge (16). The writing table (10) includes an interacting stop (34) operatively connected between the hinge (16) and support table (18) to establish the full movement between full open and closed positions. Also included are resistance members (36) to provide resistant and controlled movement of the support table (18) between the open and closed positions.

Claims

1. A table assembly supported by a trim member of a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a hinge fixedly secured to the trim member;

a support table having a first end pivotally secured to said hinge, said support table including a first surface providing a writing table in an open position and a second surface opposing said first surface and providing a surface extending with the trim member in a closed position, and having a second free end spaced from said trim member in said open position and adjacent the trim member in said closed position, said hinge connected to said support table so that said support table extends along a centerline perpendicular to one of said ends and establishing a centerline plane perpendicular to said first surface in said closed position and said support table is skewed from perpendicular to said centerline plane in said open position.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including an interacting stop connected between said hinge and said support table for supporting said support with respect to the trim member in said closed position and in said open position at a predetermined angle.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said support table includes first and second molded support halves providing said first and second surfaces, respectively on an external surface and secured to one another about said hinge.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hinge includes a molded base with a secured portion fixedly connected to a trim member and retainer portions extending outwardly from said secured portion rotatably connected between said support halves.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said hinge includes a cover portion secured over said secured portion.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support includes a holder member connected at said second end on said first surface to secure sheet material to said support table.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further STET resistance members connected between said hinge and said support table to provide resistance in movement of said support table between said closed and opened positions.

8. Art assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said resistance members includes detent areas at said open and closed positions to cease resistance and establish said open and close positions.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge is connected with said support table at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to said center line.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said support table includes at least two retaining arms extending first and second longitudinal lengths, respectively, from said first end and connected to said hinge, said first longitudinal length greater than said second longitudinal length.

9. A table assembly supported by a trim member of a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a hinge fixedly secured to the trim member;

a support table having a first end pivotally secured to said hinge for pivoting the support table between an open position and a closed position about said hinge and having a second free end spaced from said trim member in said open position and adjacent the trim member in said closed position; and

resistance members connected between said hinge and said support table to provide controlled resistance in movement of said support table between said closed and opened positions.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said resistance members includes detent areas at said open and closed positions to cease resistance and establish said open and close positions.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said hinge includes a base with a secured portion fixedly connected to a trim member and retainer portions extending outwardly from said secured portion rotatably connected between said support halves.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said support table includes a cavity therein about said retainer portions, said cavity including a control boss extending therefrom and engaging said retainer portions.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said retainer portions include a pair of angularly spaced pockets forming said detent areas for receiving said control boss in said open and closed positions, respectively.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said retainer portions include a pair of arcuate, spaced arms interconnecting said pockets forming said resistance members, said spaced arms frictionally receiving said control boss therebetween as said support table moves between said open and closed positions.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said control boss is of a first diameter, said arms spaced less than said first diameter so that said arms are flexed outwardly to receive said control boss therebetween and to cause frictional movement therein.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 further including an interacting stop connected between said hinge and said support table for supporting said support with respect to the trim member in said closed position and in said open position at a predetermined angle.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said support table includes first and second molded support halves providing said first and second surfaces, respectively on an external surface and secured to one another about said hinge.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said hinge is connected to said support table so that said support table extends along a centerline establishing a centerline plane therethrough perpendicular to said first surface in said closed position and said support table is skewed from perpendicular to said centerline plane in said open position.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said hinge is connected with said support table at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to said center line.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said support table includes at least two retaining arms extending first and second longitudinal lengths, respectively, from said first end and connected to said hinge, said first longitudinal length greater than said second longitudinal length.

23. A table assembly supported by a trim member of a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a hinge fixedly secured to the trim member;

a support table having a first end pivotally secured to said hinge, said support table including a first surface providing a writing table in an open position and a second surface opposing said first surface extending with the trim member in a closed position, and having a second free end spaced from the trim member in said open position and adjacent the trim member in said closed position;

said hinge including a base with a secured portion fixedly connected to the trim member and retainer portions extending form said secured portion rotatably connected with said first end;

said support table including a cavity therein about said retainer portions, said cavity including a control boss extending therefrom and engaging said retainer portions.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 23 further including resistance members connected between said hinge and said support table to provide controlled resistance in movement of said support table between said closed and opened positions.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein said resistance members include a pair of angularly spaced pockets forming detent areas for receiving said control boss in said open and closed positions, respectively.

26. An assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said retainer portions include a pair of arcuate, spaced arms interconnecting said pockets forming said resistance members, said spaced arms frictionally receiving said control boss therebetween as said support table moves between said open and closed positions.

27. An assembly as set forth in clam 26 wherein said control boss is of a first diameter, said arms spaced less than said first diameter so that said arms are flexed outwardly to receive said control boss therebetween and to cause frictional movement therein.

28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said hinge is connected to said support table so that said support table extending along a centerline establishing a centerline plane therethrough perpendicular to said first surface in said closed position and said support table is skewed from perpendicular to said centerline plane in said open position.

29. A table assembly supported by a trim member of a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a vehicle trim member having an upper surface and a recessed cavity recessed from said upper surface;

a hinge fixedly secured to said trim member;

a support table having a first end pivotally secured to said hinge, said support table including a first surface providing a writing table in an open position and a second surface opposing said first surface extending with the trim member in a closed position so that said support table lies within said recessed cavity and said second surface is substantially level with said upper surface of said trim member, said support table having a second free end opposing said first end and spaced from said trim member in said open position and adjacent the trim member in said closed position said hinge includes control members that supply and limit movement of said support table at said open position at an angle greater than perpendicular to said closed position so that said first surface supports writing activity thereon.