U.S. patent application number 10/698544 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for storage receptable for use in automotive door lining.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co.. Invention is credited to Jackson, Don, Kallenberger, Kris, Palmer, Marc, Sasaki, Ichiro.
Application Number | 20050093323 10/698544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34435498 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050093323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kallenberger, Kris ; et
al. |
May 5, 2005 |
STORAGE RECEPTABLE FOR USE IN AUTOMOTIVE DOOR LINING
Abstract
A storage receptacle is usable in a map pocket without requiring
an intermediate adapter ring. The storage receptacle only uses part
of the storage space within the map pocket, and leaves the rest of
the space available for maps or other personal items. The
receptacle may be dimensioned to use less than half the space of
the vehicle door pocket. In a selected illustrative embodiment, a
storage receptacle is adapted to receive and store glasses therein,
such as eyeglasses or sunglasses. The storage receptacle includes a
receptacle case made from a strong plastic material, and may also
include a liner made from a material such as foam padding, cloth,
and/or flocking provided on an inner wall of the receptacle case,
to protect glasses which may be stored therein.
Inventors: |
Kallenberger, Kris; (Dublin,
OH) ; Palmer, Marc; (Plain City, OH) ;
Jackson, Don; (West Mansfield, OH) ; Sasaki,
Ichiro; (Dublin, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARRIER BLACKMAN AND ASSOCIATES
24101 NOVI ROAD
SUITE 100
NOVI
MI
48375
|
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
34435498 |
Appl. No.: |
10/698544 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 7/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/037.13 |
International
Class: |
B60N 003/12 |
Claims
1. A storage receptacle for use with a pocket on a vehicle door,
said storage receptacle comprising a receptacle case comprising: at
least one side wall; a floor formed integrally with said side wall
and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within said
receptacle case; and a lip extending substantially horizontally
outwardly from a top portion of said side wall, said lip provided
for placement over an upper edge portion of said vehicle door
pocket; wherein said side wall has a gap formed therein, extending
downwardly from said top portion thereof.
2. (canceled)
3. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein a vertical wall of
the vehicle door pocket cooperates with said receptacle case to
define an edge portion of said storage space when said receptacle
is installed therein.
4-6. (canceled)
7. The storage receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a
partition for placement in said receptacle case to subdivide said
storage space.
8. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein said receptacle case
is dimensioned to use less than half the space of said vehicle door
pocket.
9. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein said receptacle case
comprises at least two integrally attached side walls.
10. The storage receptacle of claim 9, wherein one of said side
walls is semi-cylindrical in shape.
11. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein said receptacle case
comprises at least three integrally attached side walls.
12. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein the top edge of said
receptacle case ramps downwardly on at least one side thereof.
13. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein said receptacle case
tapers inwardly from the top towards the bottom thereof.
14. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein said receptacle case
comprises four integrally attached side walls, comprising a first
side wall having an edge, a second side wall attached to said first
side wall and extending substantially transverse thereto, a third
side wall attached to said second side wall and extending
substantially transverse thereto, and a fourth side wall attached
to said third side wall and extending substantially transverse
thereto, wherein said gap is formed between said first and fourth
side walls.
15. (canceled)
16. A storage receptacle for use with a pocket on a vehicle door,
said storage receptacle comprising a receptacle case comprising: at
least one side wall; a floor formed integrally with said side wall
and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within said
receptacle case; and a lip extending substantially horizontally
outwardly from a top portion of said side wall, said lip provided
for placement over an upper edge portion of said vehicle door
pocket; and a dependent flange integrally formed with and extending
downwardly from said lip; wherein said side wall has a gap formed
therein, extending downwardly from said top portion thereof.
17. The storage receptacle of claim 16, further comprising a liner
disposed within said receptacle case to protect contents
thereof.
18. The storage receptacle of claim 17, wherein said liner
comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting
of padding material, foam, cloth, and flocking.
19. The storage receptacle of claim 17, wherein said side wall of
said receptacle case comprises four integrally attached side wall
portions, comprising a first side wall portion having a back edge,
a second side wall portion attached to said first side wall portion
and extending substantially transverse thereto, a third side wall
portion attached to said second side wall portion and extending
substantially transverse thereto, and a fourth side wall portion
attached to said third side wall portion and extending
substantially transverse thereto, wherein said gap is formed
between said first and fourth side wall portions.
20. A storage receptacle for use with a pocket on a vehicle door,
said storage receptacle comprising a receptacle case comprising: at
least one side wall; a floor formed integrally with said side wall
and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within said
receptacle case; and a lip extending substantially horizontally
outwardly from a top portion of said side wall, said lip provided
for placement over an upper edge portion of said vehicle door
pocket; wherein said side wall has a gap formed therein, extending
downwardly from said top portion thereof and wherein said
receptacle case comprises a dependent flange integrally formed with
and extending downwardly from said lip.
21. A storage receptacle for use with a pocket on a vehicle door,
said storage receptacle comprising a receptacle case comprising: at
least one side wall; a floor formed integrally with said side wall
and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within said
receptacle case; and a lip extending substantially horizontally
outwardly from atop portion of said side wall, said lip provided
for placement over an upper edge portion of said vehicle door
pocket; wherein said side wall has a gap formed therein, extending
downwardly from said top portion thereof and wherein said gap
extends from said top portion of said side wall to said floor.
22. A storage receptacle for use with a pocket on a vehicle door,
said storage receptacle comprising a receptacle case comprising: at
least one side wall; a floor formed integrally with said side wall
and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within said
receptacle case; and a lip extending substantially horizontally
outwardly from a top portion of said side wall, said lip provided
for placement over an upper edge portion of said vehicle door
pocket; wherein said side wall has a gap formed therein, extending
downwardly from said top portion thereof, and wherein the
receptacle case further comprises a liner disposed within said
receptacle case to protect contents thereof.
23. The storage receptacle of claim 22, wherein the liner comprises
at least one material selected from the group consisting of padding
material, foam, cloth, and flocking.
24. A storage receptacle for use with a pocket on a vehicle door,
said storage receptacle comprising a receptacle case comprising: at
least one side wall; a floor formed integrally with said side wall
and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within said
receptacle case; and a lip extending substantially horizontally
outwardly from a top portion of said side wall, said lip provided
for placement over an upper edge portion of said vehicle door
pocket; wherein said side wall has a gap formed therein, extending
downwardly from said top portion thereof, and wherein said
receptacle case comprises four integrally attached side walls,
comprising a first side wall having an edge, a second side wall
attached to said first side wall and extending substantially
transverse thereto, a third side wall attached to said second side
wall and extending substantially transverse thereto, and a fourth
side wall attached to said third side wall and extending
substantially transverse thereto, wherein said gap is formed
between said first and fourth side walls, and wherein said fourth
side wall is spaced inwardly in relation to said back edge of said
first side wall.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to vehicular storage
receptacles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
storage receptacle for subdividing a pocket in a vehicle door.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Most vehicles today have pockets disposed in the lining of
the door, for storage of personal items such as maps, recorded
music, umbrellas, trash, and other user-selected items. However,
when storing small items in these conventional pockets, it is very
difficult to locate a small item in a large pocket, especially
while driving.
[0005] When storing something relatively small such as sunglasses
or eyeglasses, there is no need for a large space-consuming storage
receptacle. Conventionally, sunglasses and eyeglasses have been
stored in compartments within the roof console, the center console
or the glove box.
[0006] However, when stored in these conventional locations, the
glasses may be scratched or damaged from contact with other items
placed within the same area. When glasses are stored in a roof
console, and a vehicle is left in the sun with the windows up, the
glasses may become too hot for the user to immediately wear after
they are removed from storage. Under extreme conditions, sunglasses
may melt or warp if exposed to excessive heat.
[0007] A number of different storage devices are known for use in
automotive doors. Examples of some of the known storage devices
include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,453,760, 4,619,477,
5,733,060, and 6,116,672.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,672, issued in 2000 to Cannon et al.
discloses an insert for placement in the map pocket of a vehicle
door. In one embodiment, the insert of Cannon is a comparatively
large device which fills substantially all of the space within the
map pocket, and which has at least one partition formed therein, to
subdivide the space into multiple compartments. In another
embodiment of an insert according to Cannon'672, an adapter ring is
provided for placement in the top of the door pocket, and various
configured storage bins may be selected for placement in a
standardized opening formed in the adapter ring.
[0009] Although the known storage devices have some utility for
their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for a
storage receptacle which is usable to conveniently subdivide a
vehicle door pocket, and which is configured to conveniently store
glasses therein. A need also exists for a storage receptacle which
only uses part of the storage space within the map pocket, and
which leaves the rest of the space therein available for maps or
other personal items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides an improved storage
receptacle which is usable in a map pocket without requiring an
intermediate adapter ring. The storage receptacle hereof only uses
part of the storage space within the map pocket, and leaves the
rest of the space available for maps or other personal items. The
receptacle may be dimensioned to use less than half the space of
the vehicle door pocket.
[0011] The storage receptacle hereof is sized and configured to
conveniently store glasses such as sunglasses or prescription
eyeglasses therein, and may include a soft liner therein to protect
delicate surfaces of the glasses. Where used, the liner may include
a material such as foam padding, fiber batting, cloth, and/or
flocking.
[0012] The storage receptacle hereof is provided for use with a
pocket on a vehicle door, and includes a receptacle case having at
least one side wall, and a floor formed integrally with the side
wall and cooperating therewith to define a storage space within the
receptacle.
[0013] The receptacle case also includes a lip extending
substantially horizontally outwardly from a top portion of the side
wall. The lip is provided for placement over an upper edge portion
of the vehicle door pocket. Optionally, the receptacle case may
include a dependent flange integrally formed with and extending
downwardly from the lip.
[0014] It is a notable feature of the invention that in this first
embodiment, the side wall has a gap formed therein, extending
downwardly from said top portion thereof. The gap may extend from
the top portion of the side wall down to the floor. Due to the
presence of the gap, when the receptacle is installed in a door
pocket of a vehicle, a vertical wall of the vehicle door pocket
cooperates with the receptacle to define an edge portion of the
storage space therein.
[0015] Optionally, the storage receptacle may include a partition
for placement in the receptacle case to subdivide the storage
space.
[0016] The receptacle case may be configured to taper inwardly from
the top towards the bottom thereof. In one embodiment, the top edge
of the receptacle case may ramp downwardly on one side thereof, to
ensure that the space defined therein will be protectively disposed
within the door pocket, below an upper edge thereof.
[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the receptacle case
is substantially box-shaped, and includes four integrally attached
side wall portions. In this box-shaped embodiment, a first side
wall portion is provided for placement at the vehicle front end of
the door pocket with a second said side wall portion attached to
the first side wall portion and extending substantially transverse
thereto. A third side wall portion is attached to the second side
wall portion and extends substantially transverse thereto, parallel
to the first side wall portion. A fourth side wall portion is
attached to the third side wall portion and extends substantially
transverse thereto, in a direction towards the first side wall
portion, and with the gap formed between the first and fourth side
wall portions.
[0018] Optionally, the fourth side wall portion may be spaced
inwardly in relation to the back edge of the first side wall
portion.
[0019] In another embodiment hereof, the receptacle case includes
two integrally attached side wall portions. A first side wall
portion is substantially flat and has a gap formed therein, and a
second side wall portion is semi-cylindrical in shape, so that the
case has an outline shape resembling a half-moon.
[0020] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a storage receptacle apparatus for use in conjunction with
a pocket of an automotive door liner. It is another object of the
present invention to provide a storage apparatus which is
configured and sized to receive and protectively store a pair of
glasses therein.
[0021] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
the reader is referred to the following detailed description
section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the
drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a vehicle
door panel, showing a door pocket therein and a storage receptacle
according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed
in the door pocket;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but from a
closer vantage point above the receptacle;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of a modified door
pocket and storage receptacle according to a second embodiment
hereof, taken from a vantage point at the side of the receptacle,
with part of the pocket cut away;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the door pocket and
receptacle of FIG. 3, from a vantage point above and looking down
into the receptacle, and with part of the pocket cut away;
[0026] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the storage
receptacle of FIGS. 3-4;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a storage receptacle
according to a third embodiment hereof;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a storage receptacle
according to a fourth embodiment hereof; and
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage receptacle
according to a fifth embodiment hereof, also showing part of a door
pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, a door panel DP,
for a vehicle door, is provided with a door pocket 10 formed
therein. The door pocket 10 may also be described as a map
pocket.
[0031] A storage receptacle 20 according to a first embodiment of
the invention is shown inside of the storage area 18 of the map
pocket, to divide the storage area and to reserve a portion thereof
for storing particular items, such as glasses G (FIG. 5).
[0032] The storage receptacle 20 is made up primarily of a rigid
receptacle case 22, but may also include an optional liner 24 (FIG.
5), for placement inside of the receptacle case.
[0033] As seen best in FIG. 2, in the depicted embodiment, the door
pocket 10 includes a front wall portion 12, an inboard longitudinal
side wall portion 14, an outboard longitudinal side wall portion
15, formed by part of the door panel P, and a rear wall portion 16.
The door pocket 10 has a hollow storage area 18 defined therein, to
allow a user of the vehicle to store maps or personal items
therein.
[0034] The storage receptacle 20 is provided for use with a pocket
10 on a vehicle door, and includes a receptacle case 22 having at
least one side wall 30 (FIG. 2), and a floor 32 formed integrally
with the side wall 30 and cooperating therewith to define a storage
space 34 within the receptacle.
[0035] The receptacle case 22 may also include a lip 36 extending
substantially horizontally outwardly from a top portion of the side
wall 30. The lip 36, where used, is provided for placement over an
upper edge portion of the vehicle door pocket 10. Optionally, the
receptacle case 22 may include a dependent flange 38 (FIG. 3)
integrally formed with and extending downwardly from the lip
36.
[0036] It is a notable feature of the invention that in this first
embodiment, a portion of the side wall 30 has a gap 40 formed
therein, extending downwardly from the top portion thereof. The gap
may extend from the top portion of the side wall 30 down to the
floor 32. Due to the presence of the gap 40, when the receptacle 20
is installed in a door pocket 10 of a vehicle, a vertical wall 15
of the vehicle door pocket cooperates with the receptacle to define
an edge portion of the storage space 34 therein.
[0037] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, the
receptacle case 22 is substantially box-shaped, and includes four
integrally attached side wall portions 42, 44, 46, and 48. A first
(front) side wall portion 42 is provided for placement at the
vehicle front end of the door pocket DP. A second (inboard) side
wall portion 44 is integrally attached to the first side wall
portion 42 and extends substantially transverse thereto. A third
(rear) side wall portion 46 is integrally attached to the second
side wall portion 44 and extends substantially transverse thereto
and parallel to the first side wall portion 42. A fourth (outboard)
side wall portion 48 is attached to the third side wall portion and
extends substantially transverse thereto.
[0038] The gap 40 may be formed in the inboard side or in the
outboard side of the receptacle case 22. In the embodiment of FIGS.
3-5, the gap 40 is formed in the outboard side, between the first
and fourth side wall portions 42, 48.
[0039] The receptacle case 22 may be configured to taper inwardly
from the top towards the bottom thereof, as shown, to make it easy
to remove glasses therefrom. In one embodiment, a top edge portion
37 of the receptacle case may ramp downwardly on one side 44
thereof, to ensure that the storage space 34 therein is disposed
substantially entirely inside the storage area 18 of the door
pocket DP, and to help protect contents of the receptacle 20.
[0040] The fourth side wall portion 48 may be spaced inwardly in
relation to the outboard edge of the first side wall portion
42.
[0041] As noted above, a storage receptacle 20 according to the
primary embodiment of the present invention is adapted to receive
and store glasses G therein, such as eyeglasses or sunglasses. The
storage receptacle may include a liner inside of the receptacle
case, to protect glasses which may be stored therein.
[0042] The liner 24, where used, may include one or more materials
selected from the group consisting of elastomeric foam, cloth,
fiber batting, and flocking. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the
liner 24 includes an intermediate cushion layer 26 and an inner
cloth layer 28, attached to the cushion layer 26. The cushion layer
26, where used, may include elastomeric foam and/or fiber
batting.
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the receptacle
case 22 has flocking 29 therein, attached to the inwardly-facing
surfaces thereof. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the receptacle
case 22 includes an extension 31 for spacing the fourth side wall
portion 48 inwardly from the wall 15 of the door pocket 10.
[0044] Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 7, the storage receptacle
20 may include a partition 50 for placement in the receptacle case
22 to subdivide the storage space 34 therein. In the embodiment of
FIG. 7, the partition 50 includes a pair of grooved support strips
52 and a panel 54 which fits between the support strips.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 8, in another embodiment hereof, a
storage receptacle 120 is provided in a different shape from the
storage receptacle 20 according to the first embodiment. In the
embodiment of FIG. 8, the receptacle case 122 includes two
integrally attached side wall portions. A first side wall portion
142 is substantially flat and has a gap formed therein, and a
second side wall portion 144 is semi-cylindrical in shape, so that
the case has an outline shape resembling a half-moon. A floor 134
is integrally attached to the lower edges of the respective side
wall portions 142, 144. A lip 136 extends outwardly from a portion
of the second side wall portion 144, for covering placement on a
top section of the door pocket 10.
[0046] Although the present invention has been described herein
with respect to a limited number of presently preferred
embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to be
illustrative, and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will
realize that many modifications of the preferred embodiment could
be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are
within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope
and spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *