Mechanized floor console

• US 5,823,599 A
• Filed: 09/04/1996
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Original Assignee: Textron Automotive Company Inc. (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Gray, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/707,527
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 296/37.7, 224/539, 224/282, 224/929
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/774 on or in the centre console
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0262 Mid-console liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0815 Acoustic or thermal insulation of passenger compartments wall or roof liners integrating the insulating function B60R13/02; insulating floor mats or carpets B60N3/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0846 for duct, cable or rod passages, e.g. between engine and passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 : collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 : with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 : characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 : Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 : for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 : integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21537 : characterised by hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 : comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 : characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 : in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 : Article carrier for electrical device

Abstract

A vehicle passenger compartment floor console includes a module receptacle and a plurality of interchangeable storage and appliance modules designed to fit within the module receptacle. The floor console may also include a drum-type carrousel supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis within the console outer shell. The carrousel holds three storage modules and is positioned to sequentially rotate each module past an access opening cut or formed through the console outer shell. A passenger compartment occupant may use the console to selectively present any one of a number of interchangeable modules for occupant access while traveling.

Claims

1. A vehicle passenger compartment floor console assembly comprising:

a console body having an outer shell;

an access opening disposed in said console body outer shell;

a positioning apparatus movably supported within said console body outer shell, said positioning apparatus comprising a carrousel supported for rotation about a carrousel axis;

at least two storage modules supported on said positioning apparatus for movement within said console body outer shell and between one or more concealed positions displaced from said access opening and a displayed position adjacent said access opening to provide a passenger compartment occupant selective access to any of said modules and their respective contents.

2. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said positioning apparatus comprises an electromechanical occupant-actuated drive mechanism.

3. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said positioning apparatus comprises an occupant-actuated automatic module selection system.

4. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said modules are sequentially moveable through said displayed position.

5. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said positioning apparatus comprises a drum-type carrousel supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis.

6. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 further including an access door movably supported across said module access opening, said door shaped to cover said access opening in a closed position and movable to an open position uncovering said access opening.

7. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said modules comprises an appliance that is incorporated into the design of the module.

8. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said modules comprises a storage space.

9. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 further including a forward image display panel supported in a forward end of said console body.

10. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 1 further including an aft image display panel supported in an aft end of said console body and image-producing electronic circuitry connected to said aft display panel.

11. An automotive passenger compartment console assembly as defined in claim 10 further including at least one remote-control unit communicable with said electronic image-producing circuitry.