Removable storage module for vehicle

• US 20050242628A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Thorsell, Roy C., Schultz, Neil A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,267,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/214
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0815 Acoustic or thermal insulation of passenger compartments wall or roof liners integrating the insulating function B60R13/02; insulating floor mats or carpets B60N3/04

Abstract

A removable storage module assembly configured for securement to the headliner in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The headliner includes a storage module receiving area formed therein having a securement portion disposed proximate the receiving area. A storage module having a housing, a fastener associated with the housing configured to engage the securement portion and a storage area defined in the housing is removably positioned in the storage module receiving area.

Claims

1. A removable storage module and headliner combination for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the combination comprising:

a headliner with a storage module receiving area formed therein;

a securement portion disposable proximate the storage module receiving area;

a storage module removably positionable in the storage module receiving area, the storage module including a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface having a storage area defined thereon, a fastener associated with the housing and configured to engage the securement portion and a storage area defined in the housing; and

a visor assembly mountable to the headliner, the visor assembly includes a visor body that is pivotable between a use position and a stored position in which the visor body at least partially covers the storage module when the combination is mounted in the vehicle.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the storage module receiving area comprises an opening formed through the headliner.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the housing of the storage module comprises a plurality of mounting arms extending from the top surface of the housing.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the storage area defined on the bottom surface of the storage module housing includes a plurality of pockets adapted to receive one or more disc media.

6. The combination of claim 4 further comprising a storage module receiving panel mountable proximate the opening in the headliner, the storage module receiving panel including the securement portion having a bottom surface with receiving slots adapted to engage and secure the mounting arms of the storage module housing.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the storage module receiving area comprises a pocket formed in a lower surface of the headliner and the securement portion is disposed in the pocket.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the storage module comprises a housing having a mounting portion and a cover portion pivotally attached to the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion includes an outer surface having a mounting pin that is engageable with the securement portion and an inner surface adapted to receive and secure a plurality of storage pockets.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the storage module further comprises a trim ring releasably securable to the inner surface of the mounting portion for securing the plurality of storage pockets in the mounting portion.

10. The combination of claim 8 further comprising an additional securement portion disposed within the pocket in the headliner and an additional pin that is engageable with the additional securement portion, the pins extending from opposing side walls of the mounting portion of the storage module.

2. (canceled)

11. A removable storage module assembly for use with a vehicle having a headliner, the headliner having an opening formed through the headliner, the module assembly comprising:

a storage module receiving panel disposed within the opening in the headliner, the panel having a top surface having a fastener securable to the headliner and a bottom surface having a securement portion; and

a storage module removably attachable to the storage module receiving panel, the storage module including a housing having a bottom surface that defines a storage area and a top surface having a fastener extending therefrom adapted to engage the securement portion on the storage module receiving panel.

12. The removable storage module assembly of claim 11 wherein the storage area defined on the bottom surface of the storage module housing includes a plurality of pockets adapted to receive one or more disc media.

13. The removable storage module assembly of claim 11 wherein the top surface of the storage module housing comprises a plurality of snap fasteners adapted to engage a plurality of corresponding receiving fasteners provided on the bottom surface of the storage module receiving panel.

14. A removable storage module assembly for use with a vehicle having a headliner, the headliner having a pocket formed in a lower surface of the headliner including a retainer clip disposed in the pocket, the storage module assembly comprising:

a mounting portion having an outer surface including a mounting pin extending from the outer surface removably attachable to the retainer clip and an inner surface that defines a recess;

a storage compartment disposed in the recess having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive one or more disc media;

a trim ring releasably secured to the inner surface of the mounting portion securing the storage compartment to the mounting portion; and

a cover portion hingedly attached to the mounting portion for covering the storage compartment.

16. The removable storage module assembly of claim 14 wherein the cover portion further comprises a latch releasably engaging a catch provided on the outer surface of the mounting portion to secure the cover portion to the mounting portion.

17. The removable storage module assembly of claim 14 wherein the inner surface of the mounting portion further comprises a plurality of bosses adapted to engage corresponding bosses on the trim ring to secure the storage compartment therebetween.

18. The removable storage module assembly of claim 14 wherein the inner surface of the mounting portion further comprises a plurality of teeth engaging a portion of the storage compartment to secure the compartment within the mounting portion.

19. The removable storage module assembly of claim 14 further comprising an additional retainer clip disposed within the pocket in the headliner and an additional mounting pin that is removably attachable to the retainer clip.

15. (canceled)