Configurable overhead console
First Claim
1. A configurable overhead console for a vehicle, the overhead console comprising:
- a headliner having a structural support member extending longitudinally above the headliner substantially concealed from a vehicle occupant and having a plurality of attachment apertures spaced along the support member, the headliner having a plurality of attachment apertures aligned with the attachment apertures the support member and adapted to receive corresponding modules positioned below the headliner each module supported by at least one fastener extending through the attachment apertures of the headliner and support member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A configurable overhead console includes a support beam concealed above a headliner with a plurality of apertures adapted to receive one or more removable modules positioned below the headliner and sufficiently spaced to inhibit folding or creasing of the headliner during handling. The support beam may include attachment apertures and one or more associated positioning or orientation apertures to orient and secure a removable module to the support beam via a twist-lock latching device. Electrical contact strips may be provided along one or more of the channels of the support beam to provide power to modules via corresponding contact pins that extend through the attachment aperture and/or alignment or positioning apertures.
25 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A configurable overhead console for a vehicle, the overhead console comprising:
a headliner having a structural support member extending longitudinally above the headliner substantially concealed from a vehicle occupant and having a plurality of attachment apertures spaced along the support member, the headliner having a plurality of attachment apertures aligned with the attachment apertures the support member and adapted to receive corresponding modules positioned below the headliner each module supported by at least one fastener extending through the attachment apertures of the headliner and support member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A configurable overhead console system comprising:
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a headliner having a plurality of console module attachment holes spaced along a central axis to accommodate a plurality of console modules, the attachment holes being spaced several times the length of any one of the attachment holes to inhibit folding of the headliner along the central axis during handling and assembly of the headliner; a support structure having a bottom surface secured to a top surface of the headliner to be substantially concealed from view of a vehicle occupant, the support structure including module attachment holes corresponding to the module attachment holes of the headliner and a top surface attachable to a vehicle roof; and a plurality of console modules each having a latching device that extends through the headliner and at least one corresponding attachment hole of the support structure to secure each console module to the support structure after installation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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- 13. A method for assembling a configurable overhead console system, the method comprising securing a plurality of console modules to a support structure positioned above a headliner, the support structure and headliner having a plurality of attachment apertures with each attachment aperture having associated diagonally positioned positioning holes that cooperate with corresponding positioning pins of the console module, wherein the step of securing the console module includes aligning the diagonally positioned alignment pins on the console module with corresponding diagonally positioned alignment holes in the support structure and inserting at least one fastening device associated with each module through the headliner to engage the support structure.
Specification