Overhead console assembly

• US 6,957,839 B1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Mestemaker, James R., Tiesler, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US10/950,087
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.34, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 296/214, 224/311
• US Class Current: 296/24.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/32 for console boxes, e.g. between passenger seats

Abstract

An overhead console assembly and headliner combination for a vehicle includes a headliner having an upper surface, a lower surface and an elongated channel formed therein. An overhead console mounting arrangement securable to the headliner including opposing first and second rails having a rail extension and a power connector arrangement in communication with a vehicle electrical system. One or more accessory modules are selectively positionable and removably attachable to the opposing first and second rails with an accessory module mounting arrangement. The accessory module including a module housing, a door pivotally mounted to the housing and a storage area defined within the housing configured to receive and store items. The accessory module includes at least one electrical connector disposed on an outer surface of the module housing which engages the power connector arrangement on one of the opposing first and second rails to supply power to the accessory module.

Claims

1. An overhead console assembly and headliner combination for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the combination comprising:

a headliner having an upper surface and a lower surface having an elongated channel formed therein;

an overhead console mounting arrangement having opposing first and second rails securable to the elongated channel; and

one or more accessory modules selectively positionable and removably attachable to the opposing first and second rails, the accessory module including a module housing, at least one clip extending from the module housing mountable to the opposing first and second rails and at least one latch releasably engaging the at least one clip to secure the accessory module to the overhead console mounting arrangement.

2. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a power connector arrangement disposed in at least one rail of the overhead console mounting arrangement.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the power connector arrangement further comprises at least one electrically conductive strip in communication with a vehicle electrical system disposed in at least one of the first and second rails and configured to supply power or electrical signals to the one or more accessory modules.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the power connector arrangement further comprises a pair of electrically conductive wires secured to each of the first and second rails.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the at least one electrically conductive strip is formed of flat wire.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein the at least one electrically conductive strip is formed of printed circuit (PC) material.

7. The combination of claim 3 wherein the at least one electrically conductive strip is formed of a flexible cable or circuit.

8. The combination of claim 1 further comprising one or more brackets cooperating with the headliner to secure the first and second rails to the channel in the headliner.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein the one or more accessory modules comprise a housing, a door pivotally mounted to the housing and a storage area defined within the housing configured to receive and store items.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the one or more modules further comprise a pair of latches extending from flanges on the module housing each having a connecting portion releasably securable to a pair of snap clips mounted on the module housing and engaging extensions on each of the opposing first and second rails to secure the accessory modules to the overhead console mounting arrangement.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein the one or more accessory modules further comprise at least one electrical connector disposed on an outer surface of the module housing, wherein the at least one electrical connector engages the at least one electrically conductive strip on one of the opposing first and second rails to supply power or an electrical signal to a component mounted in the module housing.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein the opposing first and second rails further comprise a leg which urge the at least one electrical connector into contact with the at least one electrically conductive strip on the opposing firsts and second rails.

13. The combination of claim 1 wherein the one or more accessory modules comprise a plurality of accessory modules mounted adjacent one another in the overhead console mounting arrangement.

14. An overhead console assembly for use with a vehicle having a headliner, the headliner having an upper surface and a lower surface having an elongated channel formed therein, the assembly comprising;

an overhead console mounting arrangement having opposing first and second rails securable to the elongated channel, wherein at least one of the first and second rails include a rail extension and a power connector arrangement in communication with a vehicle electrical system configured to supply power;

one or more accessory modules selectively positionable and removably attachable to the opposing first and second rails, the accessory module including a module housing, a door pivotally mounted to the housing, a storage area defined within the housing configured to receive and store items and at least one electrical connector disposed on an outer surface of the module housing configured to engage the power connector arrangement on one of the opposing first and second rails; and

an accessory module mounting arrangement having at least one clip extending from the module housing mountable to the opposing first and second rails and at least one latch releasably engaging the at least one clip to secure the accessory module to the overhead console mounting arrangement.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the overhead console mounting arrangement further comprises one or more brackets cooperating with the headliner to secure the first and second rails to the channel in the headliner.

16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the accessory module mounting arrangement further comprises a pair of latches extending from flanges on the module housing each having a connecting portion releasably securable to a pair of snap clips mounted on the module housing and engaging extensions on each of the opposing first and second rails to secure the accessory modules to the overhead console mounting arrangement.

17. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the power connection arrangement further comprises a pair of electrically conductive wires secured to each of the first and second rails and configured to supply power or electrical signals to the one or more accessory modules.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the opposing first and second rails further comprise a leg which urge the at least one electrical connector into contact with the at least one electrically conductive strip on the opposing firsts and second rails.

19. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the one or more accessory modules comprise a plurality of accessory modules mounted adjacent one another in the overhead console mounting arrangement.

20. An overhead console assembly for use with a vehicle having a headliner, the headliner having an upper surface and a lower surface having an elongated channel formed therein, the assembly comprising;

an overhead console mounting arrangement having opposing first and second rails securable to the elongated channel, wherein each rail includes a rail extension and a pair of electrically conductive wires secured to each of the first and second rails configured to supply power;

one or more accessory modules selectively positionable and removably attachable to the opposing first and second rails, the accessory module including a module housing, a door pivotally mounted to the housing, a storage area defined within the housing configured to receive and store items and a pair of electrical connectors disposed on an outer surface of the module housing configured to engage the pair of electrically conductive wires on the opposing first and second rails; and

an accessory module mounting arrangement having a pair of latches extending from flanges on the module housing having a connecting portion releasably securable to a pair of snap clips mounted on the module housing and engaging extensions on each of the opposing first and second rails to secure the accessory modules to the overhead console mounting arrangement.