Folding table

• US 6,032,587 A
• Filed: 09/25/1998
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Stancel, Robert, Tseng, Grace, Klatt, Alexander, Salenbauch, Hermann Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US09/160,752
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 108/44, 108/45, 108/115, 108/90, 108/93, 108/99, 297/188.15, 297/188.17, 297/188.19, 297/145, 16/232, 16/367, 16/DIG. 23, 16/242, 220/333
• US Class Current: 108/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

A table that can be pulled out is located on the underside of a pivotable armrest on a center console of a motor vehicle. The table consists of a base panel as well as a pivot panel. The pivot panel can be pivoted by a bearing mechanism which can be raised either toward the driver side (arrow 17) or toward the passenger side (arrow 18).

Claims

1. A folding table for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first rectangular panel part; and

a second rectangular panel part disposed on top of and pivotally connected to the first rectangular panel part by at least one folding joint to permit movement of the second rectangular panel part with respect to the first rectangular panel part to thereby enlarge an area of the table;

wherein the table is disposed on an underside of a displaceable lid for a storage compartment area and is displaceable laterally outward from the storage compartment via a releasable connection between the table and the displaceable lid.

2. The folding table according to claim 1, wherein the releasable connection comprises a latch, and

wherein when the table is positioned on the underside of the lid, the latch engages an undercut of the lid, and when the table is positioned outside lid, the latch emerges from the undercut via at least one of its weight and its spring force.

3. The folding table according to claim 2, wherein a second device forms a releasable connection of the table and storage compartment.

4. The folding table according to claim 2, wherein, following elimination of a connection between table and lid, a displacement means allows a displacement of the table from an area of an access opening of the storage compartment.

5. The folding table according to claim 2, wherein the lid forms an armrest for an occupant of a motor vehicle.

6. The folding table according to claim 1, wherein a second device forms a releasable connection of the table and storage compartment.

7. The folding table according to claim 6, the device further comprising:

a latch;

wherein when the table is positioned outside of the lid, the latch engages an undercut of storage compartment via at least one of its weight and its spring force, and when the table is positioned on an underside of the lid the latch emerges from an undercut of the lid.

8. The folding table according to claim 6, wherein, following elimination of a connection between table and lid, a displacement means allows a displacement of the table from an area of an access opening of the storage compartment.

9. The folding table according to claim 6, wherein the lid forms an armrest for an occupant of a motor vehicle.

10. The folding table according to claim 1, wherein, following elimination of a connection between table and lid, a displacement means allows a displacement of the table from an area of an access opening of the storage compartment.

11. The folding table according to claim 7, wherein the means comprises rails which can be slid into one another.

12. The folding table according to claim 1, wherein the lid forms an armrest for an occupant of a motor vehicle.

13. A folding table arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a base,

a first panel part supported at the base,

a second panel part disposed above and pivotably connectable to said first panel part for pivotal movement around a horizontal pivot axis when in a first position, and

an assembly facilitating optional pivotal movement of the second panel part from said first position to a second table enlarging position at respective opposite lateral sides of the base.

14. A folding table arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said assembly includes a pivotal connection between the base and the first panel part which accommodates pivotal movement of the first panel part about a vertical pivot axis.

15. A folding table arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said base is formed at least in part by a center console disposed between a passenger side and a driver side of a vehicle.

16. A folding table arrangement according to claim 15, wherein said center console includes a storage compartment having an openable lid member, and

wherein said first and second panel parts are movable between a stowage position under the lid member and an operative position horizontally spaced from the lid member.

17. A folding table arrangement according to claim 16, comprising a releasable latching mechanism operable to latch the first and second panel parts in the stowage position,

wherein said releasable latching mechanism is operable to latch the first and second panel parts to said lid member.

18. A folding table arrangement according to claim 15, wherein said center console includes a storage compartment having an openable lid member, and

wherein said first and second panel parts are movable between a stowage position under the lid member and an operative position horizontally spaced from the lid member.

19. A folding table arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said lid member is operable as an armrest when in a closed position.

20. A folding table arrangement according to claim 18, wherein first and second panel parts are supported on guide rails at the lid member to be movable between stowage and operative positions with said lid member in a closed position.

21. A folding table arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said assembly includes first and second horizontal pivot hinge structures at opposite lateral sides of the first panel part which are selectively engageable with respect to pivot hinge support structures of said second panel part.

22. A folding table arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said base is formed at least in part by a center console disposed between a passenger side and a driver side of a vehicle.

23. A folding table arrangement according to claim 22, wherein said center console includes a storage compartment having an openable lid member, and

wherein said first and second panel parts are movable between a stowage position under the lid member and an operative position horizontally spaced from the lid member.

24. A folding table arrangement according to claim 23, comprising a releasable latching mechanism operable to latch the first and second panel parts in the stowage position,

wherein said releasable latching mechanism is operable to latch the first and second panel parts to said lid member.

25. A folding table arrangement according to claim 22, wherein said center console includes a storage compartment having an openable lid member, and

wherein said first and second panel parts are movable between a stowage position under the lid member and an operative position horizontally spaced from the lid member.

26. A folding table arrangement according to claim 25, wherein said lid member is operable as an armrest when in a closed position.

27. A folding table arrangement according to claim 25, wherein first and second panel parts are supported on guide rails at the lid member to be movable between stowage and operative positions with said lid member in a closed position.

28. A folding table arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said base is formed at least in part by a center console disposed between a passenger side and a driver side of a vehicle.

29. A folding table arrangement according to claim 28, wherein said center console includes a storage compartment having an openable lid member, and

wherein said first and second panel parts are movable between a stowage position under the lid member and an operative position horizontally spaced from the lid member.

30. A folding table arrangement according to claim 29, comprising a releasable latching mechanism operable to latch the first and second panel parts in the stowage position.

31. A folding table arrangement according to claim 30, wherein said releasable latching mechanism is operable to latch the first and second panel parts to said lid member.

32. A folding table arrangement according to claim 29, wherein said first and second panel parts are supported on guide rails of the center console for slidable movement between the stowage and operative positions.

33. A folding table arrangement according to claim 32, wherein said guide rails are disposed at an underside of the lid member and are configured to permit movement of the first and second panel parts to the operative position with said lid member in a closed position.

34. A folding table arrangement according to claim 33, wherein said lid member is operable as an armrest when in a closed position.

35. A folding table arrangement according to claim 29, wherein said lid member is operable as an armrest when in a closed position.

36. A folding table arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said first and second panel parts are rectangular in shape.