Modular overhead console assembly

• US 6,575,528 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Simpson, Tracy L., Sturt, Alan, Tiesler, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, KIRAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/038,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20030075955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 296/214, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 224/311, 348/837, 280/735, 362/488
• US Class Current: 296/214
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

A modular overhead console assembly and headliner combination for a vehicle includes a structural member having an upper surface attachable to a vehicle roof and a lower surface having a slot including at least one receiving surface formed through the structural member. At least one accessory module having a storage area defined within a housing to retain materials is removably secured to the at least one receiving surface associated with the slot in the headliner by at least one arm extending from a top surface of the housing of the at least one module. A method of assembling the overhead console and headliner combination is also provided.

Claims

1. An overhead console assembly and headliner combination for use with a vehicle, the combination comprising:

a headliner comprising a structural member having an upper surface attachable to a vehicle roof and a lower surface;

an elongated slot formed through the structural member of the headliner;

at least one receiving surface associated with the slot in the headliner; and

at least one accessory module removably attachable to the at least one receiving surface of the headliner at different locations along the length of the slot, the at least one accessory module including a housing, a storage area defined within the housing to retain materials and at least one arm extending from a top surface of the housing to selectively engage the at least one accessory module to the at least one receiving surface of the headliner.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the at least one receiving surface further comprises a pair of opposed receiving surfaces cooperating with the slot formed in the structural member of the headliner to receive the at least one accessory module.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the pair of opposed receiving surfaces are integrally formed into the slot of the structural member of the headliner.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the at least one receiving surface further comprises a track mounted adjacent the slot, the track including an outer surface, a channel formed through the outer surface and an inner surface cooperating with the channel, wherein a pair of opposing members are formed on the inner surface of the track to receive the at least one arm of the at least one accessory module.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the track further comprises at least one retaining clip engaging a pair of opposing ribs formed on the outer surface of the track to secure the track to the upper surface of the structural member of the headliner.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the channel of the track extends below the lower surface of the structural member of the headliner.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein the outer surface of the track further comprises a lip extending generally horizontally from the channel secured to the upper surface of the structural member of the headliner to mount the channel of the track above the slot in the upper surface of the headliner.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory module further comprises a pair of opposing arms extending upward from the top surface of the housing adapted to engage the at least one receiving surface in the headliner.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein a locking pin extends through a hole in the top surface of the housing between the pair of opposing arms to secure the at least one module to the at least one receiving surface of the headliner.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory module further comprises at least one arm having a lower end slidably mounted to a channel formed in the top surface of the housing and an upper end removably secured to the at least one receiving surface in the headliner.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein a locking pin extends through a hole in the top surface of the housing and the at least one arm to secure the at least one module to the at least one arm.

12. The combination of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory module includes a hook extending from a front portion of the top surface of the housing to secure the at least one module to an adjacent surface.

13. An overhead console assembly and headliner combination for use with a vehicle, the combination comprising:

a headliner comprising a structural member having an upper surface attachable to a vehicle roof and a lower surface;

an elongated slot formed through the structural member of the headliner;

a track mounted adjacent to and associated with the slot in the headliner, the track including an outer surface having a rib formed on opposing side surfaces, a channel formed through a lower surface of the track extending below the lower surface of the headliner and an inner surface cooperating with the channel having a pair of opposing members formed therein;

at least one retaining clip engaging the pair of opposing ribs to secure the track to the headliner; and

at least one accessory module removably secured to the track disposed in the slot of the headliner, the at least one accessory module including a housing, a storage area defined within the housing to retain materials and a pair of opposing arms extending from a top surface of the housing to removably engage the pair of opposing members in the channel of the track to selectively engage the at least one accessory module adjacent the headliner.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the at least one accessory module comprises a plurality of accessory modules mounted adjacent one another on the track.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein a hook is formed on a front portion of the top surface of the housing of the at least one accessory module to secure the at least one module to an adjacent surface.

16. The combination of claim 13 further comprising a cap selectively positionable on the track, wherein the cap includes a housing having a lower decorative surface and an upper surface having a pair of opposing arms extending upward to removably engage the pair of opposing members in the channel of the track.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the cap comprises a trim cap adapted to cover the slot in the headliner.

18. The combination of claim 16 wherein the cap comprises an end cap adapted to receive the hook of an adjacent accessory module.

19. The combination of claim 15 wherein the hook of a first accessory module extends through the pair of opposing arms on the top surface of an adjacent second accessory module to secure the first module to the second module.

20. A method of assembling an overhead console assembly and headliner combination, the method comprising:

providing a headliner having a structural member including a slot formed through the structural member;

providing a nesting tool having an upper surface shaped to receive a lower surface of the structural member;

positioning a track in a passage formed in the upper surface of the nesting tool;

positioning the lower surface of the structural member on the upper surface of the nesting tool;

inserting the outer surface of the track through the slot in the structural member of the headliner to position the track adjacent the slot in the headliner;

securing the track to the structural member of the headliner;

mounting an upper surface of the structural member of the headliner to a vehicle roof;

providing at least one accessory module having a housing, a storage area defined within the housing and a pair of opposing arms extending from a top surface of the housing; and

securing the opposing arms of the module through a channel cooperating with the track to a pair of opposing members formed on the inner surface of the track.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising securing a rib formed on opposing side surfaces of the track with at least one retaining clip to mount the track to the upper surface of the structural member of the headliner.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising securing the channel of the track below the lower surface of the headliner.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising securing the channel of the track above the upper surface of the headliner.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising mounting an end cap having a housing including a lower decorative surface and an upper surface having a pair of opposing arms extending upward to the pair of opposing members in the channel of the track.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising mounting a trim cap having a housing including a lower decorative surface and an upper surface having a pair of opposing arms extending upward to the pair of opposing members in the channel of the track.