U.S. patent application number 09/755605 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for under seat storage system.
Invention is credited to Hofmann, Karen M., Wiedeman, Michael E..
Application Number | 20020005649 09/755605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26870853 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020005649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hofmann, Karen M. ; et
al. |
January 17, 2002 |
Under seat storage system
Abstract
An assembly for providing additional storage in a vehicle
includes a drawer housing located beneath a rear seat of a vehicle.
The housing may serve as a coupling location for the seat cushion
and includes front and back walls and cross beams which define side
openings on either side of the vehicle. A drawer fits within the
housing and may be opened from either side. In a preferred
embodiment, the assembly also includes a load floor coupled to the
drawer housing and movable between a generally vertical position in
which access to the drawer is facilitated and a lowered position
where it supports the cushion of the seat or, if desired, the seat
back in a folded position. The drawer may slide across the floor of
the vehicle or, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment,
include rails which cooperate with grooves on the front and back
walls of the drawer housing to facilitate easy sliding of the
drawer.
Inventors: |
Hofmann, Karen M.;
(Glendale, CA) ; Wiedeman, Michael E.; (Manhattan
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
Firstar Center
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee
WI
53202-5367
US
|
Family ID: |
26870853 |
Appl. No.: |
09/755605 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60175091 |
Jan 7, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.15 ;
297/188.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/305 20130101;
B60R 7/043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/37.15 ;
297/188.1 |
International
Class: |
B60R 007/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A storage assembly for a vehicle and adapted to be placed
beneath a seat cushion comprising: a drawer housing comprising a
front wall and a rear wall spaced apart therefrom; at least one
seat cushion pivotally connected to the front wall of the drawer
housing for movement between a lowered position for use by an
occupant and a raised position providing access to the space
between the front wall and the rear wall; a side opening into the
space; and a drawer slidably disposed in the space, the drawer
being movable through the side opening.
2. The storage assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one beam
connects the top of the front wall to the top of the back wall and
defines the top of a side opening.
3. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a
pair of rails and the drawer housing includes a pair of grooves,
the rails being slidably disposed in the grooves to facilitate
movement of the drawer with respect to the drawer housing.
4. The storage assembly of claim 3 wherein the grooves extend along
an upper inside portion of the front wall and an upper inside
portion of the back wall.
5. The storage assembly of claim 4 wherein the drawer includes
front and back walls, a bottom and first and second ends, the rails
being located along an upper outside portion of the front wall and
an upper outside portion of the back wall.
6. The storage assembly of claim 5 wherein the drawer includes at
least one divider wall extending between the front and back wall of
the drawer and spaced from the ends thereof.
7. The storage assembly of claim 1 further including a load floor
movable between a closed position in which it covers the drawer and
a raised position in which access is provided to the drawer.
8. The storage assembly of claim 7 wherein the load floor is
pivotally coupled to the front wall of the drawer housing.
9. The storage assembly of claim 7 further including a seat back
rotatable between a lowered position supported by the load floor
and an upper position for use by an occupant.
10. The storage assembly of claim 1 wherein the seat cushion is a
split seat heaving two seat cushions and two seat backs.
11. The storage assembly of claim 8 wherein there are two seat
cushions, and two seat backs corresponding, and wherein the load
floor is split, whereby the drawer may be accessed through either
load floor when a load floor is in its raised position or by
removal of the drawer.
12. A vehicle having one or more front seats and a rear seat
storage assembly, the rear seat storage assembly including at least
one seat cushion and seat back, each seat cushion and seat back
being rotatable between use positions by an occupant and a raised
position for the seat cushion and a folded position for the seat
back, the rear seat assembly including a drawer housing enclosing a
drawer, the drawer being slidably removable from the drawer housing
in a transverse direction with respect to the vehicle axis, and
wherein the seat cushion is rotatably mounted to the drawer
housing.
13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the drawer housing extends
beneath each rear seat, has front and back walls and beams
connecting the tops of the front and back walls at either end
thereof, a pair of side openings to the drawer housing being
defined by the front and back walls, and the beams and the floor of
the vehicle, the drawer being slidably disposed within the drawer
housing for movement through a side opening.
14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the drawer includes a pair of
rails and the drawer housing includes a pair of grooves, the rails
being slidably disposed in the grooves to facilitate movement of
the drawer with respect to the drawer housing.
15. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the grooves extend along an
upper inside portion of the front wall and an upper inside portion
of the back wall.
16. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the drawer includes front and
back walls, a bottom and first and second ends, the rails being
located along an upper outside portion of the front wall and an
upper outside portion of the back wall.
17. The vehicle of claim 12 further including a load floor movable
between a closed position in which it covers the drawer and a
raised position in which access is provided to the drawer.
18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the load floor is pivotally
coupled to the front wall of the drawer housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 60/175,091, filed Jan. 7, 2000, and
entitled "Vehicle Components Including an Extension System, A
Tie-Down System, A Seat Assembly, A Coat Rod, A Container System, A
Front Console System, and A Rear Console System."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
storage systems for vehicles and more particularly to a system for
enhancing the amount of storage space available in a vehicle by
using a slidable drawer beneath a seat. In the preferred and
illustrated embodiment, the invention relates to the field of
providing a beneath-the-seat storage system especially suitable for
the second row of vans, SUVs and the like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Vehicles including automobiles, vans, sports utility
vehicles and sports utility trucks include a variety of storage
locations in addition to the cargo areas or trunks thereof. These
include glove boxes, pockets on doors and seat backs, consoles
(either in the headliner or between seats), compartments within the
trunk or cargo area and the like. While many of these storage
locations increase the total amount of storage available to the
driver and occupants of the vehicle, there is an ever increasing
need for more storage, especially as vehicles play more important
roles in the recreation and work related aspects of people's lives.
Optimization of storage space in a way which does not involve
substantial modifications to the vehicle would be especially
beneficial. A drawer storage system which is located under the
second row seat of a vehicle, which is accessible from either side,
and which could be constructed without substantial design changes
for the seat cushion or seat back would represent a substantial
improvement in this art.
FEATURES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A primary feature of the present invention is to provide a
large volume of under seat storage for vehicles.
[0007] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an
underseat storage system which may be accessed from either side of
the vehicle by movement of one or more drawers in a direction
transverse to the vehicle axis.
[0008] A different feature of the present invention is to provide a
drawer housing for a storage drawer which acts as a support for at
least one of the seat components, i.e., the seat cushion or the
seat back.
[0009] Yet a further feature of the present invention is to provide
an under seat storage system which includes a pivotal load floor
which covers the top of the drawer and which may be raised to
permit access to the drawer contents from the top, or which may, in
the event the vehicle has a folding rear seat, support the seat
back in its lowered position.
[0010] Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide
an under seat drawer storage system for a vehicle in which sliding
movement of the drawer is facilitated using rails and grooves.
[0011] How the foregoing and other features of the invention are
accomplished, collectively, individually or in various
subcombinations, will be explained in the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with
the drawings. Generally, they are accomplished by using a drawer
housing having a front wall and a rear wall and at least two cross
beams extending from the upper portions thereof to define side
openings for the housing. The vehicle seat cushion(s) may be
coupled in a pivotal manner to the top of the front wall, as can a
load floor. If the seat is of the folding variety, the drawer may
be accessed by pivoting the seat cushion to an upright position,
pivoting the load floor to a vertical position and accessing the
drawer from the top. Alternatively, the drawer may be accessed by
pulling it outwardly through either of the side openings. The
drawer may be divided for organizational purposes, and separate
drawers may be provided for the right and left side of the vehicle
if desired.
[0012] If the seat back of the vehicle is of the type which can be
folded to a horizontal position to increase the size of the vehicle
cargo floor, the seat cushion is pivoted upwardly and the seat back
is pivoted downwardly to reside on the load floor.
[0013] To facilitate easy sliding of the drawer from the drawer
housing, rails may be provided on an upper end of the drawer and
cooperate with grooves located on the inner surfaces of the front
and rear walls of the drawer housing.
[0014] Other ways in which the features of the invention are
accomplished will become apparent to those skilled in the art after
they have read the following specification. Such other ways are
deemed by the present inventors to fall within the scope of the
present invention if they fall within the scope of the claims which
follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of the seat storage system of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat storage assembly of
the present invention, shown with the storage drawer in an extended
position, with a seat cushion rotated to a vertical position and
with a load floor in an open position;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of the
invention, shown with a right section thereof in a closed position
and the nearer left section in an open position;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seat assembly, shown in
FIG. 1, with the seat back in a folded position; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat assembly, shown
with a seat cushion of an opposing seat in a use position.
[0020] In the various drawings, like reference numerals are used to
indicate like components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Before beginning the detailed description of the preferred
embodiment, several general comments are warranted about the
applicability and scope of the present invention.
[0022] First, the seat storage system of the present invention is
disclosed in connection with a split rear seat for a van having a
generally flat floor and a seat division of approximately 60:40.
The seat storage system may be used with seats having other
configurations, including bench seats and with seats which do not
fold in any manner. In such seats, the load floor described later
herein would not be required.
[0023] Second, rails and grooves are illustrated as one technique
of facilitating drawer movement from a stored position to an
extended position. Other drawer hardware can be used, such as that
used in cabinetry and other furniture.
[0024] Third, a single drawer is shown in the Figures, but two
separate drawers could be used, one accessed from each side of the
vehicle. A single drawer may also be accessed from either side.
[0025] Fourth, the drawer is shown with an open top and with
various walls subdividing it for organizational purposes. The
drawer could be closed at the top and could be subdivided by any
number of walls extending perpendicular or parallel to the front
and back walls of the drawer.
[0026] Fifth, handle opening is shown in the drawer, but pulls or
the like could be provided to facilitate movement of the drawer
from a stored to an extended position.
[0027] Sixth, the illustrated embodiment shows the seat cushion
hinged to a front wall of a drawer housing. The seat could be
hinged to other structural components of the vehicle, and the
drawer housing can be independent of any seat folding
component.
[0028] Seventh, the materials used to construct the drawer housing
and the drawer can be selected from a wide variety of structural
materials. The drawer housing preferably is constructed of metal to
provide structural integrity. The drawer, on the other hand, is
preferably constructed from lighter weight materials such as medium
density fiberboard, aluminum, various plastic resins, and the
like.
[0029] Eighth, the number of cross beams extending between the
front and back walls of the drawer housing can also be variously
embodied. Two are shown, but additional beams may be used for
enhancing the robustness of the system.
[0030] Ninth, the drawer itself can rest on the floor of the
vehicle and slide thereon without the need for rails and grooves,
but the latter are preferred and avoid problems which could be
encountered if the bottom of the drawer slides along the floor of
the vehicle where contaminants or various vehicle components might
be present.
[0031] Finally, the load floor is also shown coupled to the front
wall of the drawer housing in the illustrations. It will apparent
from a review of the drawings, that the load floor could also be
positioned and rotatably mounted to the rear wall of the drawer
housing and still be capable of movement to a vertical and a
storage position. Such mounting of the load floor on the rear wall
would not interfere with the load floor continuing to serve as a
support for the rear seat when it is folded into a horizontal
storage position.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat assembly 10 of the invention
includes a drawer housing 16, a storage drawer 18, a load floor 20,
a seat back 22, and a seat cushion 24. Although the seat assembly
10 has been specifically designed for a van-like or truck-like
vehicle, the seat assembly 10 may be used with any vehicle to
increase cargo room.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drawer housing 16, which
functions as a connector for the storage drawer 18 and as an anchor
for the seat cushion 24 and the load floor 20, includes a front
wall 26, a left beam 28, a right beam 30, and a rear wall 32. In
the preferred embodiment, the drawer housing 16 extends nearly the
entire width of the vehicle and preferably includes a left opening
34 and a right opening 36. In an alternative embodiment, the drawer
housing 16 may extend only a portion of the width of the vehicle,
and may include only one opening. The drawer housing 16 is
preferably fastened to a floor surface 38 of the vehicle with
several fasteners (not shown), such as bolts, screws, adhesives, or
any other suitable devices. Alternatively, the drawer housing 16
may be formed as an integral part of the floor surface 38 of the
vehicle. The drawer housing 16 is preferably formed from a hardened
steel and its front and back walls are solid stampings. However,
perforate or lattice fabrications may be used for weight
reduction.
[0034] The storage drawer 18, which functions to store cargo, is
connected to the drawer housing 16 for slidable movement. The
storage drawer 18 includes a bottom surface 40, a left surface 42,
a right surface 44, a front surface 46, and a rear surface 48. In
the preferred embodiment, the storage drawer 18 does not include a
top. In an alternative embodiment, the storage drawer 18 may
include a top that is temporarily connected, pivotally connected,
or permanently fastened to the storage drawer 18.
[0035] The storage drawer 18 preferably includes one or more
partition walls 50 that aid in the organization of the cargo within
the storage drawer 18. In the preferred embodiment, the storage
drawer 18 extends the entire width of the drawer housing 16, while
in an alternative embodiment, the storage drawer 18 may extend only
a portion of the drawer housing 16, or as mentioned earlier, two
drawers may fit within housing 16. The left surface 42 and the
right surface 44 of the illustrated drawer 18 are preferably
designed to correspond with the left opening 34 and the right
opening 36 of the drawer housing 16. In this manner, when the
storage drawer 18 is slid into a storage position (shown in FIG.
1), the left surface 42 and the right surface 44 are flush with the
drawer housing 16. The left surface 42 and the right surface 44
preferably include a left handle 52 and a right handle 54,
respectively. The left handle 52 and the right handle 54 function
to allow easy pulling or pushing of the storage drawer 18 within
the drawer housing 16.
[0036] The storage drawer 18 preferably includes a front rail 56,
which corresponds with a front groove 58 in the front wall 26 of
the drawer housing 16, and a rear rail 60, which corresponds with a
rear groove 62 in the rear wall 32 of the drawer housing 16. The
front rail 56, the front groove 58, the rear rail 60, and the rear
groove 62 cooperate to allow for sliding movement of the storage
drawer 18 within the drawer housing 16. The front rail 56 and the
rear rail 60 are preferably formed preferably formed from a
hardened steel, but may alternatively be formed from other suitable
materials.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a load floor 20 extends from the
front wall 26 to the rear wall 32 of the drawer housing 16 and is
preferably connected to the front wall 26 for pivotal movement
between an open position (shown in FIG. 2) and a closed position
(shown in FIG. 3). The load floor 20 functions to cover the storage
drawer 18 and to support the seat back 22 when the seat back 22 is
pivoted into a folded position (shown in FIG. 4). In the preferred
embodiment, the load floor 20 includes a left section 64 and a
right section 66, which allows the left section 64 to be pivoted
into the open position and the right section 66 to be pivoted into
the closed position (and vice versa) and, more importantly, allows
access to the storage drawer 18 from an opposing seat 68, as shown
in FIG. 5. The load floor 20 is preferably formed from a hard
plastic or fiberboard.
[0038] The seat cushion 24, which provides support for a passenger,
is connected to the drawer housing 16 for pivotal movement between
a use position (shown in FIG. 1) and a raised position. Likewise,
the seat back 22, which also provides support for the passenger, is
connected to the vehicle for pivotal movement between a use
position and a folded position (shown in FIG. 4). The seat cushion
24 and the seat back 22 are preferably formed with a left portion
and a right portion (in an approximate 40/60 split), but may be
formed with other ratios or as a single bench seat.
[0039] While the present invention has been illustrated with five
FIGURES and the description above, it is not to be limited thereto
but is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims which
follow.
* * * * *