Accommodation unit for storage compartment and storage compartment

• US 8,480,151 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2009
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Gaudig, Ralf, Kuhlmann, Klaus, Berhard, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Morrow, Jason S
• Application Number:
  US12/645,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20100156132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.34, 296/37.8, 296/37.12, 224/483, 248/311.2
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/105 for receptables of different size or shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/106 with adjustable clamping mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/108 with resilient holding elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like

Abstract

A motor vehicle is provided having at least one storage compartment, a storage compartment having at least one accommodation unit, and an accommodation unit for a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, including a plurality of frame sections making up a frame, with which the frame may mounted so as to be movable in the storage compartment, wherein in a space defined by the frame at least one retaining element of variable shape and connected to at least two frame sections is arranged to extend between the frame sections in the defined space, forming at least one restraining area.

Claims

1. An accommodation unit for a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a frame comprising a plurality of frame-forming sections that includes forward, rear, first side, and second side frame-forming sections, wherein the first side and second side frame-forming sections are coupled to the storage compartment such that the frame is supported movably in the storage compartment, wherein the forward, rear, first side, and second side frame-forming sections are coupled together at respective ends to form an interior area; and

at least one retaining band with a variable shape positioned within the interior area of the frame and coupled to at least two of the frame-forming sections to form at least one first restraining area,

wherein the at least one retaining band includes a first plurality of elastic retaining bands extending between the forward and rear frame-forming sections and a second plurality of elastic retaining bands extending between the first side and second side frame-forming sections to form the at least one first restraining area in a lattice configuration.

2. An accommodation unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the forward and rear frame-forming sections extend in a longitudinal direction and wherein the first side and second side frame-forming sections extend in a lateral direction, and

wherein the at least one retaining band is constructed so as to be supported movably along the forward and rear frame-forming sections in the lateral direction or along the first side and second side frame-forming sections in the longitudinal direction such that the at least one first restraining area is variable.

3. An accommodation unit as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one frame-forming section of the plurality of frame-forming sections comprises an adjustment for adjusting the at least one frame-forming section spatially in one direction.

4. An accommodation unit as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one frame-forming section of the plurality of frame-forming sections comprises an adjustment for adjusting the frame spatially in one direction.

5. An accommodation unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining band includes at least two retaining bands at least partly connected to each other to create the at least one first restraining area having a pocket-like form.

6. An accommodation unit for a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a frame comprising a plurality of frame-forming sections that includes forward, rear, first side, and second side frame-forming sections, wherein the first side and second side frame-forming sections are coupled to the storage compartment such that the frame is supported movably in the storage compartment, wherein the forward, rear, first side, and second side frame-forming sections are coupled together at respective ends to form an interior area and

at least one retaining band with a variable shape positioned within the interior area of the frame and coupled to at least two of the frame-forming sections to form at least one first restraining area,

wherein at least one of the forward frame-forming section or the rear frame-forming section has a bistable retaining band, the bistable retaining band having a concave shape in a stored state, generally flush against the at least one of the forward frame-forming section or the rear frame-forming section and the bistable retaining band having a convex shape in a deployed state, generally away from the at least one of the forward frame-forming section or the rear frame-forming section for forming an additional restraining area in the deployed state.

7. A storage compartment for a motor vehicle interior, comprising:

a housing that forms a storage space; and

an accommodation unit provided in the storage space, the accommodation unit comprising;

a frame comprising a plurality of frame-forming sections that includes forward, rear, first side and second side frame-forming sections, wherein the first side and second side frame-forming sections are coupled to the storage compartment such that the frame is supported movably in the storage compartment, wherein the forward, rear, first side, and second side frame-forming sections are coupled together at respective ends to form an interior area; and

at least one retaining band with a variable shape positioned within the interior area of the frame and coupled to at least two of the frame-forming sections to form at least one first restraining area

wherein at least one frame-forming section of the plurality of frame-forming sections comprises an adjustment for adjusting the at least one frame-forming section spatially in one direction.

8. A storage compartment as recited in claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a guide in which the accommodation unit is supported with at least one of the plurality of frame-forming sections so that the accommodation unit can be moved along a length of the storage space, the accommodation unit is adapted to remain accessible while it is moving.

9. A storage compartment as recited in claim 8, wherein the guide is constructed as an essentially horizontally aligned rail guide along which the accommodation unit is movable in the storage space.

10. A storage compartment as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one retaining band includes a plurality of elastic retaining bands extending between the forward and rear frame-forming sections and a second plurality of elastic retaining bands extending between the first side and second side frame-forming sections to form the at least one first restraining area in a lattice configuration.

11. A storage compartment as recited in claim 7, wherein the forward and rear frame-forming sections extend in a longitudinal direction and wherein the first side and second side frame-forming sections extend in a lateral direction, and wherein the at least one retaining band is constructed so as to be supported movably along the forward and rear frame-forming sections in the lateral direction or along the first side and second side frame-forming sections in the longitudinal direction such that the at least one first restraining area is variable.

12. A storage compartment as recited in claim 7, wherein the adjustment of the frame-forming section is configured to adjust the frame spatially in one direction.

13. A storage compartment as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one retaining band includes at least two retaining bands at least partly connected to each other to create the at least one first restraining area having a pocket-like form.

14. A storage compartment as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one of the forward frame-forming section or the rear frame-forming section has a bistable retaining band, the bistable retaining band having a concave shape in a stored state, generally flush against the at least one of the forward frame-forming section or the rear frame-forming section and the bistable retaining band having a convex shape in a deployed state, generally away from the at least one of the forward frame-forming section or the rear frame-forming section for forming an additional restraining area in the deployed state.

15. A motor vehicle, comprising:

an interior;

a storage device provided in the interior, wherein the storage device is constructed as a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising;

a housing that forms a storage space; and

an accommodation unit provided in the storage space, the accommodation unit comprising;

a frame comprising a plurality of frame-forming sections that includes forward, rear, first side and second side frame-forming sections, wherein the first side and second side frame-forming sections are coupled to the storage compartment such that the frame is able to be supported movably in the storage compartment, wherein the forward, rear, first side, and second side frame-forming sections are coupled together at respective ends to form an interior area; and

at least one retaining band with a variable shape positioned within the interior area of the frame and coupled to at least two of the frame-forming sections to form at least one first restraining area,

wherein the housing comprises a guide in which the accommodation unit is supported with at least one frame-forming section so that the accommodation unit can be moved along a length of the storage space, the accommodation unit is adapted to remain accessible while it is moving.

16. A motor vehicle as recited in claim 15 , wherein the guide is constructed as an essentially horizontally aligned rail guide along which the accommodation unit is movable in the storage space.

17. A motor vehicle as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one retaining band includes a first plurality of elastic retaining bands extending between the forward and rear frame-forming sections and a second plurality of elastic retaining bands extending between the first side and second side frame-forming sections to form the at least one first restraining area in a lattice configuration.