Underseat storage arrangement

• US 6,540,279 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Bargiel, David A
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US09/949,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.1, 296/37.5, 296/37.6, 296/37.15, 296/37.14, 296/37.16, 296/65.01, 296/66, 296/65.05, 296/69, 296/65.09, 297/188.1, 297/188.13, 297/188.12, 297/188.09
• US Class Current: 296/65.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat

Abstract

The present invention provides a storage enclosure for a motor vehicle within the interior of the motor vehicle. The invention also provides a work station that defines the top portion of the enclosed storage area. This top work surface is pivotally attached to the upper area of the storage enclosure and provides access to the enclosed interior volume of the area. The work surface area is preferably a trifurcated work station. The work surface area that provides a top to the interior storage unit may be fully unfolded to provide an extended work surface area by a user. When the storage area is covered, the closure may form a supportive platform for use as a work station. This work station provides a flat surface area and includes a holding compartment that nests within the flat surface area. The support platform may by pivoted to allow access to the storage enclosure.

Claims

1. A portable work station for use in the interior of a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising a seat assembly having a seat bottom portion capable of folding upwardly toward a seat back portion, a floor supporting said seat assembly, and a wall portion extending between said floor and said seat bottom portion when said seat bottom portion is not in a folded position, said portable workstation comprising a platform extending in a generally horizontal position between said seat assembly and said wall portion, said platform is trifurcated for use in an extended generally horizontal position, and accessible when said seat back is in said folded position and said trifurcatcd platform comprising a base, a mid-section and a support leg, said base pivotally connected to said seat assembly and pivotal between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position.

2. The base of claim 1, further comprising a top to a storage enclosure when said base is in said generally horizontal position;

said storage enclosure formed by said seat assembly and said front wall.

3. The base of claim 2, wherein said base provides access to said storage enclosure when said base is in said generally vertical position.

4. The mid-section of claim 3, wherein said mid-section is pivotally connected to said base opposite said seat assembly and forms a flat surface portion of said workstation platform when said platform is in said generally horizontal position.

5. The support leg of claim 4, wherein said support leg is pivotally connected to said mid-section opposite said base and forms a surface portion of said workstation platform when said platform is in said generally horizontal position.

6. The mid-section of claim 5, further comprising a handle for pivoting said trifurcated platform from said generally horizontal position to an extended horizontal position.

7. The portable workstation of claim 6, wherein said base, said mid-section and said support leg are folded atop each other to form a top to said storage enclosure and a level platform when said platform is in said generally horizontal position.

8. The portable workstation of claim 7, wherein said base and said mid-section form an extended horizontal platform when said platform is pivoted into said extended horizontal position, said support leg extending generally vertical to said extended horizontal platform for supporting said platform within said motor vehicle.

9. A motor vehicle rear scat compartment comprising a seat assembly having a seat bottom portion capable of folding upwardly toward a seat back portion, a floor supporting said seat assembly, and a wall portion extending between said floor and said seat bottom portion when said seat bottom portion is not in a folded position, said seat assembly comprising:

a platform extending in a generally horizontal position between said seat assembly and said wall portion, said platform is trifuireated for use in an extended generally horizontal position and accessible when said seat back is in said folded position, said trifircated platform comprising a base pivotally connected to said seat assembly and pivotal between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position, a mid-section pivotally connected to said base opposite said seat assembly and forming a flat surface portion of said platform when said platform is in said generally horizontal position, and a support leg pivotally connected to said mid-section opposite said base and forming a surface portion of said workstation platform when said platform is in said generally horizontal position; and

a storage enclosure defined by said wall portion, said seat assembly and said platform.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9, wherein said storage enclosure forms an enclosed opening under said seat bottom and is accessible by folding said seat bottom upwardly toward said seat back portion and pivoting said platform with said base to said generally vertical position.

11. The mid-section of claim 9, further comprising a handle for pivoting said trifurcated platform from said generally horizontal position to said extended generally horizontal position.

12. The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein said base and said mid-section form an extended horizontal platform when said platform is pivoted into said extended generally horizontal position.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12. wherein said support leg extends generally vertical to said extended generally horizontal platform for supporting said platform within said motor vehicle.