Vehicle floor console

• US 8,215,688 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yanfeng Czechia Automotive Interior Systems s.r.o.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Hipshier, Jason M., Maki, Jacob, McCarthy, David J., Flowerday, Craig D., Lownds, Zachary, Stoepker, Timothy, Stanley, Jonathan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEDDER, DENNIS H
• Application Number:
  US12/579,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20100090491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.34, 296/37.8, 410/121, 410/77, 410/80, 410/94
• US Class Current: 296/24.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

In one embodiment, a vehicle floor console is provided that includes a support structure and a retaining feature pivotally biased toward the support structure. The retaining feature is configured to secure cargo between the support structure and the retaining feature.

Claims

1. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure extending generally upwardly from a floor of a vehicle, wherein the support structure includes a first exterior longitudinal end facing a rear of the vehicle, and a second exterior longitudinal end facing a front of the vehicle; and

a retaining feature pivotally biased toward the first or second exterior longitudinal end of the support structure to secure cargo via compression of the cargo between the first or second exterior longitudinal end of the support structure and the retaining feature, wherein the retaining feature is pivotally coupled to a base of the support structure adjacent to the floor of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, wherein the retaining feature comprises a frame and a resilient material stretched across the frame.

3. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, comprising an armrest mounted to a top surface of the support structure.

4. The vehicle floor console of claim 1, comprising a storage compartment disposed within the support structure.

5. A vehicle floor console, comprising:

a support structure extending generally upwardly from a floor of a vehicle, wherein the support structure includes a first exterior longitudinal end facing a rear of the vehicle, and a second exterior longitudinal end facing a front of the vehicle; and

a retaining feature pivotally biased toward the first or second exterior longitudinal end of the support structure to secure cargo via compression of the cargo between the first or second exterior longitudinal end of the support structure and the retaining feature, wherein the retaining feature is pivotally coupled to a base of the support structure adjacent to the floor of the vehicle, and wherein the retaining feature comprises a main body, and a retaining arm pivotally biased toward the main body to capture the cargo within the retaining feature.

6. The vehicle floor console of claim 5, comprising an armrest mounted to a top surface of the support structure.

7. The vehicle floor console of claim 5, comprising a storage compartment disposed within the support structure.