Vehicle overhead console with flip down navigation unit

• US 6,125,030 A
• Filed: 08/07/1998
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Donnelly Overhead Systems LLC (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Weiland, Walter M., Samuels, Guy L. Jr., Miller, Dean T., Emerling, David, Canni, Adam, Mola, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REED, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US09/131,149
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/683, 345/168, 345/905, 340/988, 340/995, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 16/357, 16/360, 16/361, 403/84, 701/200, 701/207, 701/210
• US Class Current: 361/679.56
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A vehicle overhead console assembly includes a console body with a door pivotally attached to the console body. The door is pivotally movable between open and closed positions. A navigation display unit is connected to the door such that the navigation display unit is exposed for viewing by a vehicle occupant when the door is in the open position, and hidden from view when the door is in the closed position.

Claims

1. A vehicle overhead console comprising:

a console body;

a door pivotally attached to the console body, and pivotally movable between open and closed positions; and

a navigation display unit removably connected to the door such that the navigation display unit is exposed for viewing by a vehicle occupant when the door is in the open position and hidden from view when the door is in the closed position.

2. The vehicle overhead console of claim 1, wherein said navigation display unit comprises a display screen and a keypad.

3. The vehicle overhead console of claim 2, further comprising:

a flexible washer operatively connected between said door and console body, said flexible washer having a channel formed therein with at least one detent protruding into the channel; and

a pin extending from the door for cooperation with said channel, whereby to adjust angular position of the door by engagement of the pin with said detent.

4. The vehicle overhead console of claim 3, wherein said washer is at least partially flexible to allow said pin to pass over said detent.

5. The vehicle overhead console of claim 1, wherein said console body comprises an edge portion and said door comprises a substantially U-shaped flexible latch member having a groove engageable with said edge portion for latching the door in the closed position and a release button for flexing the U-shaped latch member to unlatch the door.

6. The vehicle overhead console of claim 3, wherein said door comprises an upstanding flange positioned flat against said washer, and having a damping fluid positioned between said flange and washer for damping pivotal movement of the door.

7. A vehicle overhead console comprising:

a console body;

a door pivotally attached to the console body, and pivotally movable between open and closed positions;

a navigation display unit removably connected to the door such that the navigation display unit is exposed for viewing by a vehicle occupant when the door is in the open position and hidden from view when the door is in the closed position;

a flexible washer operatively connected between said door and console body, said flexible washer having a channel formed therein with at least one detent protruding into the channel; and

a pin extending from the door for cooperation with said channel and engagement with the detent, whereby to adjust angular position of the door by engagement of the pin with said detent.

8. The vehicle overhead console of claim 7, wherein said navigation display unit comprises a display screen and a keypad.

9. The vehicle overhead console of claim 8, wherein said washer is at least partially flexible to allow said pin to pass over said detent.

10. The vehicle overhead console of claim 7, wherein said console body comprises an edge portion and said door comprises a substantially U-shaped flexible latch member having a groove engageable with said edge portion for latching the door in the closed position and a release button for flexing the U-shaped latch member to unlatch the door.

11. The vehicle overhead console of claim 8, wherein said door comprises an upstanding flange positioned flat against said washer, and having a damping fluid positioned between said flange and washer for damping pivotal movement of the door.

12. A vehicle overhead console comprising:

a console body;

a door pivotally attached to the console body, and pivotally movable between open and closed positions;

a navigation display unit removably connected to the door such that the navigation display unit is exposed for viewing by a vehicle occupant when the door is in the open position and hidden from view when the door is in the closed position; and

a damping fluid operatively positioned between said door and console body for damping pivotal movement of the door with respect to the console body.

13. A vehicle overhead console comprising:

a console body;

a door pivotally attached to the console body, and pivotally movable between open and closed positions; and

a navigation display unit removably connected to the door such that the navigation display unit is exposed for viewing by a vehicle occupant when the door is in the open position and hidden from view when the door is in the closed position.