Underseat storage bin
First Claim
1. An underseat storage bin and a pivotable vehicle bench seat for a vehicle having a floor surface, the bench seat being pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright position for providing access beneath the seat, and the bench seat having seat support members at opposing longitudinal ends of the bench seat, the storage bin comprising:
- a unitary blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attached to the seat support members, said bin structure including a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls forming a plurality of storage compartments, at least one of said storage compartments extending substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items;
wherein said compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each said storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin.
25 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An underseat storage bin is used with a pivotable vehicle bench seat in a vehicle having a floor surface. The bench seat is pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright stowed position for providing access beneath the seat. The bench seat is supported on seat support members at opposing ends. The storage bin includes a blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attachable to the seat support members. The bin structure includes a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls arranged to form a plurality of storage compartments. At least one of the storage compartments extends substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items. The compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin.
109 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. An underseat storage bin and a pivotable vehicle bench seat for a vehicle having a floor surface, the bench seat being pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright position for providing access beneath the seat, and the bench seat having seat support members at opposing longitudinal ends of the bench seat, the storage bin comprising:
-
a unitary blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attached to the seat support members, said bin structure including a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls forming a plurality of storage compartments, at least one of said storage compartments extending substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items; wherein said compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each said storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A vehicle seat assembly for use in a vehicle having a cushioned floor surface, the seat assembly comprising:
-
a vehicle bench seat pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright stowed position for providing access beneath the seat, the bench seat having seat support members at opposing longitudinal ends of the bench seat; and a unitary blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attached to the seat support members, said bin structure including a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls forming a plurality of storage compartments, at least one of said storage compartments extending substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items; wherein said compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each said storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin, thereby eliminating potential rattle conditions in the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An underseat storage bin and a pivotable vehicle bench seat for a vehicle having a floor surface, the bench seat being pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright position for providing access beneath the seat, and the bench seat having seat support members at opposing longitudinal ends of the bench seat, the storage bin comprising:
-
a unitary blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attached to the seat support members, said bin structure including a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls forming a plurality of storage compartments, at least one of said storage compartments extending substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items; wherein said compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each said storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin; and wherein said bin structure comprises a generally C-shaped outer wall with said compartment walls connected to the outer wall, said generally C-shaped outer wall including a front portion which is slanted rearwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle to provide heel space for seat occupants.
-
Specification