Mechanized floor console

• US 6,086,129 A
• Filed: 10/16/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Original Assignee: John D. Gray
• Inventors: Gray, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/173,651
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 224/539, 224/282, 224/929, 108/44, 108/45
• 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. An automotive console assembly comprising:

a console body;

a module receptacle disposed in the console body;

at least two interchangeable modules configured to be removably inserted into the module receptacle;

a module receptacle electrical hook-up mounted within the module receptacle;

each module configured to be engaged against dislodgement from the module receptacle by manually inserting the module into the receptacle; and

each module configured to be disengaged from the receptacle by manually extracting the module from the receptacle to allow a user to secure one of the modules within the console body by simply inserting the module and without employing an additional mechanical securing apparatus and to remove the module without having to disengage any such additional mechanical securing apparatus.

2. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the interchangeable modules includes a module electrical hook-up compatible with the module receptacle electrical hook-up, the module hook-up and the module receptacle hook-up supported in respective positions where the hook-ups will interconnect when the module including the module electrical hook-up is inserted into the module receptacle.

5. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the electrical hook-ups are configured to transmit electrical power between the module and the module receptacle.

6. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the electrical hook-ups are configured to transmit electrical signals between the module and the module receptacle.

7. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the module is a storage module configured to hold an item for convenient occupant access during travel.

8. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the module is an appliance module including an appliance adapted for occupant use during travel.

3. An automotive console assembly comprising:

a console body;

a module receptacle disposed in the console body;

a module configured to be removably insertable into the module receptacle; and

the console body including a lap-table movable between a stowed position at least partially within the console body and a generally horizontal deployed position extending laterally outward from the console body.

9. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 3 in which the stowable lap-table assembly is included on one side of the console body and a second stowable lap-table assembly is included on the other side of the console body.

4. A method for storing and gaining access to frequently-used travel items and vehicle accessories in a console assembly comprising a console body having an outer shell, a module receptacle disposed in the console body adjacent the outer shell, and at least two interchangeable modules configured to be removably inserted into the module receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a first module of the interchangeable modules, the first module configured to house a first item for occupant access during driving;

removing any module occupying the module receptacle;

inserting the first module into the module receptacle;

removing the first module from the module receptacle;

inserting a second module of the interchangeable modules into the module receptacle, the second module configured to house a second item different from the first item;

removing the second module from the module receptacle; and

inserting the first module into the module receptacle.

10. An automotive console assembly comprising:

a console body;

a module receptacle disposed in the console body;

a module configured to be removably insertable into the module receptacle;

the console body including a stowable lap-table assembly including a lap table and a lap table receptacle, the lap table receptacle being a sleeve in the console body, the lap table receptacle being configured to receive the lap table into a stowed position in the console body through an opening in an outer shell of the console body.

11. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 10 in which:

the lap table receptacle has a rectangular cross-section with dimensions slightly larger than that of a thickest portion of the lap table;

a top end of the lap table receptacle includes an up-stop detent;

the up-stop detent is disposed in a position to contact an up-stop flange formed into a bottom end of the lap table; and

the up-stop detent and the up-stop flange are configured to engage one another when the lap table is drawn upward to an upper limit of travel thereby preventing an occupant from completely lifting the lap table out of the lap table receptacle when attempting to deploy the lap table.

12. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 11 in which:

the top end of the sleeve includes a pivot-stop detent;

the lap table includes a pivot-stop flange;

the pivot-stop detent and the pivot-stop flange are positioned to engage once the lap table has reached an upper limit of travel, and the lap table has been pivoted outward and downward away from the console body thereby supporting the lap table in a generally horizontal orientation.

13. An automotive console assembly as defined in claim 12 in which:

the lap table includes an S-shaped bend disposed adjacent the up-stop flange at the bottom end of the lap table, a lower end of the S-shaped bend forming the pivot-stop flange; and

the S-shaped bend is configured to allow the lap table to pivot outward and downward from its upper limit of travel until the pivot-stop flange rotates into contact with the pivot-stop detent.