Vehicle storage console

• US 7,513,007 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Chernoff, Adrian B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US11/064,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20060085940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 153/01, 153/13, 153/14, 153/15, 153/272, 153/28, 153/30, 153/23, 153/275, 153/44, 622/44, 624/34, 624/40, 623/31, 624/33, 624/574, 624/575, 624/578, 62 31- 37, 296/37.1, 296/37.8, 296/24.34, 296/24.35, 296/24.41, 296/24.46
• US Class Current: 15/313
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/64 for cleaning vehicle interiors, e.g. built-in vacuum cleaners

Abstract

A storage console for a vehicle includes a vacuum cleaner. In an exemplary embodiment, the console includes an interface at which the vacuum cleaner is releasably affixed to the console. The console may include a hose operatively connected to the vacuum cleaner whereby suction from the vacuum cleaner is transferred through the hose. The interface may include electrical contacts for recharging a battery in the vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle floor at least partially defining a passenger space;

a console mounted with respect to said vehicle floor and located within said passenger space, said console defining a plurality of chambers;

a vacuum apparatus at least partially positioned in one of said chambers and configured to selectively generate suction; and

a lid being selectively moveable to cover one of said chambers;

wherein said lid defines generally cylindrical concavities;

wherein said console has a heating and cooling system in thermal communication with said generally cylindrical concavities of said lid.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said console includes an interface having at least one fastening element, and wherein said vacuum apparatus includes at least one complementary fastening element releasably engagable with said at least one fastening element of said interface to releasably fasten the vacuum apparatus to the console.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said console includes a hose at least partially defining a passageway having a passageway opening;

wherein said vacuum apparatus defines a suction opening; and

wherein said at least one fastening element of said interface and said at least one complementary fastening element of said vacuum apparatus are sufficiently positioned such that when said at least one complementary fastening element of said vacuum apparatus is engaged with said at least one fastening element of said interface, said suction opening aligns with said passageway opening.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said interface includes at least one electrical contact and wherein said vacuum apparatus includes a complementary electrical contact matable with said at least one electrical contact on the interface.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein said vacuum apparatus includes a rechargeable energy storage device in electrical communication with said at least one complementary electrical contact.

6. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said vacuum apparatus includes a capacity sensor configured to indicate when said vacuuming apparatus is filled to a predetermined level.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a track connected to said vehicle floor;

wherein said console is operatively connected to said track for selective translation.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said lid is selectively removable from said console.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a gas sensor;

wherein said gas sensor is configured to indicate the presence of a predetermined level of a gas in one of said chambers.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein one of said chambers includes a bin;

wherein said bin is configured to provide auxiliary storage space and is selectively removable from said one of said chambers.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said console further comprises at least one wheel by which said console can roll.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said console further comprises:

an air filtration mechanism.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said console further comprises:

one of an external electrical outlet and an external audio port.