U.S. patent application number 10/707615 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for two piece console and seat assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEAR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Cass, Michael W., Gresham, Timothy S., Morabito, Richard, Yatros, Jerry.
Application Number | 20050146171 10/707615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34710340 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050146171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morabito, Richard ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
TWO PIECE CONSOLE AND SEAT ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An automotive seat assembly is provided including a driver side
seat comprised of a driver seat back portion, a driver seat base
portion, and a driver inboard mount assembly. The seat assembly
further includes a passenger side seat comprised of a passenger
seat back portion, a passenger seat base portion, and a passenger
inboard mount assembly. A joining frame is mounted to the driver
inboard mount assembly and the passenger inboard mount assembly to
connect the driver side seat and the passenger side seat into a
single installable seat component. A lower console base is mounted
to the joining frame. The lower console base is comprised of a
plurality of lower console base walls and an open lower console
base top. The lower console base walls and the open lower console
base top form a lower console base storage bin. An upper console
base is comprised of a plurality of upper console base walls, an
open upper console base top and an open upper console base bottom.
The upper console base is rotatably attached to the lower console
base such that the upper console base can be rotated between a
pre-installation position and an installation position. The
plurality of upper console base walls engage the plurality of lower
console base walls to form an extended depth storage bin when the
upper console base is in the installation position. A console lid
is rotatably attached to the open upper console base top.
Inventors: |
Morabito, Richard; (Grosse
ILe, MI) ; Yatros, Jerry; (St. Clair Shores, MI)
; Cass, Michael W.; (Lenox, MI) ; Gresham, Timothy
S.; (Woophaven, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN A. ARTZ
ARTZ & ARTZ, P.C.
28333 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 250
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48034
US
|
Assignee: |
LEAR CORPORATION
21557 Telegraph Road
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
34710340 |
Appl. No.: |
10/707615 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/015 20130101;
B60R 7/04 20130101; B60N 2/01 20130101; B60N 3/101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.01 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/62 |
Claims
1. An automotive seat assembly comprising: a driver side seat
comprised of a driver seat back portion and a driver seat base
portion, said driver side seat including a driver inboard mount
assembly; a passenger side seat comprised of a passenger seat back
portion and a passenger seat base portion, said passenger side seat
including a passenger inboard mount assembly; a joining frame
mounted to said driver inboard mount assembly and said passenger
inboard mount assembly, said joining frame connecting said driver
side seat and said passenger side seat into a single installable
seat component; a lower console base comprising a plurality of
lower console base walls and an open lower console base top, said
lower console base walls and said open lower console base top
forming a lower console base storage bin, said lower console base
mounted to said joining frame; an upper console base comprising a
plurality of upper console base walls, an open upper console base
top and an open upper console base bottom, said upper console base
rotatably attached to said lower console base such that said upper
console base can be rotated between a pre-installation position and
an installation position, said plurality of upper console base
walls engaging said plurality of lower console base walls to form
an extended depth storage bin when said upper console base is in
said installation position; and a console lid rotatably attached to
said open upper console base top.
2. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:
said lower console base is generally tangential with said driver
seat base portion; said upper console base is generally tangential
with said driver seat back portion when said upper console base is
in said pre-installation position; and said upper console base is
generally tangential with said driver seat base portion when said
upper console base is in said installation position.
3. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:
said plurality of upper console base walls lock to said plurality
of lower console base walls when said upper console base is in said
installation position.
4. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 3, further
comprising: a plurality of locking tabs formed on said upper
console base walls, said plurality of locking tabs engaging a
plurality of locking slots formed in said lower console base
walls.
5. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, wherein
said plurality of upper base console walls comprise: a plurality of
upper base outer walls; a plurality of upper base inner walls; and
a engagement sleeve formed by said plurality of upper base outer
walls and said plurality of upper base inner walls, said plurality
of lower base console walls positioned within said engagement
sleeve when said upper base console is in said installation
position.
6. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, wherein
said joining frame comprises a pan frame assembly.
7. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, further
comprising: a padded arm rest portion in communication with said
console lid.
8. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, further
comprising: a tray assembly positioned within said extended depth
storage bin, said tray assembly removably insertable into said
extended depth storage bin to vertically divide said extended depth
storage bin.
9. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, further
comprising: at least one divider mounted within said lower console
base storage bin.
10. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, further
comprising: a flow through assembly mountable to said lower console
base, said flow through assembly extending said lower console base
forwards.
11. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 10, further
comprising: at least one cup holder assembly incorporated into said
flow through assembly.
12. An automotive seat assembly as described in claim 1, further
comprising: an air duct assembly mounted to a rear face of said
lower console base and said upper console base, said upper console
base rotatable at a pivot position above said air duct
assembly.
13. An automotive console assembly comprising: a lower console base
comprising a plurality of lower console base walls and an open
lower console base top, said lower console base walls and said open
lower console base top forming a lower console base storage bin; an
upper console base comprising a plurality of upper console base
walls, an open upper console base top and an open upper console
base bottom, said upper console base rotatably attached to said
lower console base such that said upper console base can be rotated
between a pre-installation position and an installation position,
said plurality of upper console base walls engaging said plurality
of lower console base walls to form an extended depth storage bin
when said upper console base is in said installation position; and
a console lid rotatably attached to said open upper console base
top.
14. An automotive console assembly as described in claim 13,
wherein: said plurality of upper console base walls lock to said
plurality of lower console base walls when said upper console base
is in said installation position.
15. An automotive console assembly as described in claim 13,
wherein said plurality of upper base console walls comprise: a
plurality of upper base outer walls; a plurality of upper base
inner walls; and a engagement sleeve formed by said plurality of
upper base outer walls and said plurality of upper base inner
walls, said plurality of lower base console walls positioned within
said engagement sleeve when said upper base console is in said
installation position.
16. An automotive console assembly as described in claim 13,
further comprising: a first side seat comprised of a first seat
back portion and a first seat base portion, said first side seat
including a first inboard mount assembly, said lower console base
mounted to said first inboard mount assembly.
17. A method of installing a console assembly within a vehicle
comprising: assembling a first seat assembly having a first seat
back portion, a first seat base portion and a first inboard mount
assembly; mounting a lower console base into communication with
said first inboard mount assembly, said lower console base
comprising a plurality of lower console base walls and an open
lower console base top, said lower console base walls and said open
lower console base top forming a lower console base storage bin;
mounting an upper console base in rotational communication with
said lower console base, said upper console base comprising a
plurality of upper console base walls, an open upper console base
top and an open upper console base bottom, said upper console base
rotatably attached to said lower console base such that said upper
console base can be rotated between a pre-installation position and
an installation position, said plurality of upper console base
walls engaging said plurality of lower console base walls to form
an extended depth storage bin when said upper console base is in
said installation position; installing said first seat assembly
into a vehicle while said upper console base is in said
pre-installation position; and rotating said upper console base
into said installation position after installing said first seat
assembly into said vehicle.
18. A method of installing a console assembly within a vehicle as
described in claim 17, further comprising: assembling a second seat
assembly having a second seat back portion, a second seat base
portion and a second inboard mount assembly; and mounting said
second seat assembly to said first seat assembly by way of mounting
a joining frame to said first inboard mount assembly and to said
second inboard mount assembly, said joining frame connecting said
first side seat and said second side seat into a single installable
seat component.
19. A method of installing a console assembly within a vehicle as
described in claim 17, further comprising: attaching a flow through
assembly to said lower console base after installing said first
seat assembly into said vehicle.
20. A method of installing a console assembly within a vehicle as
described in claim 17, further comprising: installing said first
seat assembly using an installation tool securing said first seat
assembly in between said first seat back portion and said first
seat base portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a automotive
console assembly and more particularly to a two piece console and
seat assembly with improved packaging and pre-installation
profile.
[0002] Automotive console assemblies play an important role in
automobile design and functionality. Console assemblies are
commonly positioned between individual seats to provide a wide
variety of convenience features such as storage, a mounting surface
for controls, and environmental controls and ports. Another common
feature incorporated into these console assemblies is the ability
to function as an armrest for one or more passengers within the
vehicle. This requires the consoles, commonly mounted to the
vehicle floor, to be designed with sufficient vertical height above
the vehicle floor to properly function as arm rests.
[0003] It is precisely this vertical profile of current console
assemblies that contributes to difficulties in manufacturing and
assembly. Floor mounted console assemblies commonly must be
installed into the vehicle prior to the vehicle seat installation.
The pre-installed floor mounted consoles create a physical barrier
that can interfere with automated seat installation techniques.
Installation of a row of seats requires maneuvering to avoid the
console. This may require specialized installation equipment or
procedures and may even be unattainable due to space constraints.
Post seat console installation may be constrained by functional
space constraints generated by the pre-installed seat
assemblies.
[0004] Installation of the console assembly in combination with a
seat or seat assembly would therefore allow for a more efficient
and simple automated installation. In addition, a combination
console and seat assembly would provide a financial benefit to
suppliers of seat assemblies by allowing the marketing and sale of
a combination console and seat assembly part supply. Common center
console designs as discussed, however, are commonly subject to
vertical profile dimensions that introduce difficulties for
pre-installation combination with seat assemblies. Often the pallet
assemblies used to ship seat assemblies include a structural mount
pole such that rear seats can be mounted above the front seats for
shipping. This structural mount pole can interfere with standard
center console profiles. In addition, tooling utilized for
installation of the seat assemblies also can interfere with the
vertical profile of a standard console. Therefore, the an
improvement to the packaging and shipping profile of a console/seat
assembly would allow for a seat assembly and console assembly to be
supplied in a single installable component.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an automotive seat and console assembly with improved
assembly characteristics. It is a further object of the present
invention to provide an automotive seat and console assembly with
improved shipping profile.
[0006] In accordance with the objects of the present invention an
automotive seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly includes a
driver side seat comprised of a driver seat back portion, a driver
seat base portion, and a driver inboard mount assembly. The seat
assembly further includes a passenger side seat comprised of a
passenger seat back portion, a passenger seat base portion, and a
passenger inboard mount assembly. A joining frame is mounted to the
driver inboard mount assembly and the passenger inboard mount
assembly to connect the driver side seat and the passenger side
seat into a single installable seat component. A lower console base
is mounted to the joining frame. The lower console base is
comprised of a plurality of lower console base walls and an open
lower console base top. The lower console base walls and the open
lower console base top form a lower console base storage bin. An
upper console base is comprised of a plurality of upper console
base walls, an open upper console base top and an open upper
console base bottom. The upper console base is rotatably attached
to the lower console base such that the upper console base can be
rotated between a pre-installation position and an installation
position. The plurality of upper console base walls engage the
plurality of lower console base walls to form an extended depth
storage bin when the upper console base is in the installation
position. A console lid is rotatably attached to the open upper
console base top.
[0007] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description
and preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the
attached drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an automotive seat assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the automotive seat assembly
illustrated in FIG. 1, the illustration illustrating a console
assembly attached in the pre-installation position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the automotive seat assembly
illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat assembly illustrated mounted on a
shipping pallet.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the automotive seat assembly
illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat assembly illustrated approached by
an installation tool.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the automotive seat assembly
illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat assembly illustrated installed
within a vehicle.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the automotive seat assembly
illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat assembly illustrated installed
within a vehicle, the console assembly illustrated in the assembled
position.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustration of the console
assembly illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a detail illustration of a flow through assembly
for use with the console assembly illustrated in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of an
automotive seat assembly 10 in accordance with the present
invention. It should be understood that the seat assembly 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended to be illustrative of a wide
variety of seating designs. The seat assembly 10 includes a first
(driver side) seat 12 and a second (passenger side) seat 14. The
driver side seat 12 is comprised of a driver seat back portion 16
and a driver seat base portion 18. A driver inboard mount assembly
20 protrudes inboard from the driver side seat 12. Although a
variety of driver inboard mount assemblies are contemplated, one
embodiment contemplates the driver inboard mount assembly 20 being
formed as an extension of the driver seat mounts 22. Similarly, the
passenger side seat 14 is comprised of a passenger seat back
portion 24, a passenger seat base portion 26, and a passenger
inboard mount assembly 28.
[0017] A joining frame 30 is mounted to the driver inboard mount
assembly 20 and the passenger inboard mount assembly 28 in order to
connect the driver side seat 12 and the passenger side seat 14 into
a single installable seat component 32. This allows manufacturers
of automobiles to install the single installable seat component 32
into a vehicle in a single automated step. This, in turn, improves
manufacturing cost and efficiency. It should be understood that the
joining frame 30 may be formed in a wide variety of configurations
such as the frame illustrated in FIG. 1 or the pan frame assembly
44 illustrated in FIG. 7. It would additionally be highly desirable
to have a console assembly that could be mounted between the driver
side seat 12 and the passenger side seat 14 prior to installation
such that it too could be sold and shipped with the single
installable seat component 32. Traditionally formed center
consoles, however, commonly have vertical profiles that may
interfere with shipping and installation procedures.
[0018] The present invention provides a novel approach to this
design conflict by including a console assembly 34 comprised of a
lower console base 36 (see FIG. 2). The lower console base 36 is
formed from a plurality of lower console base walls 38 and an open
lower console base top 40. The base walls 38 and open base top 40
serve to form a lower console base storage bin 42. The lower
console base 36 is mounted to the joining frame 30 to become an
integral part of the automotive seat assembly 10. The lower console
base 36 preferably has a lower console base height 46 such that the
lower console base protrusion 48, distance protruding over the seat
base portion 18 can be minimized or kept below interference levels.
The lower console base 36 is preferably orientated roughly
tangential with the seat base portion 18.
[0019] The console assembly 34 further includes an upper console
base 50 rotatably attached to the lower console base 36. The
rotatable connection may be accomplished in a variety of fashions,
although the use of a console hinge assembly 52 is contemplated.
The upper console base 50 is comprised of a plurality of upper
console base walls 54, an open upper console base top 56, and an
open upper console base bottom 58. The upper console base 50 is
rotatable between a pre-installation position 60 (see FIGS. 2-5)
and an installation position 62 (see FIG. 6). When rotated into the
installation position 62, the plurality of upper console base walls
54 engage the plurality of lower console base walls 38 to form an
extended depth storage bin 64. The upper console base 50 is
preferably orientated roughly tangential with the seat back portion
16. The upper console base 50 preferably has an upper console base
height 66 such that the upper console base protrusion 68, distance
protruding inwards from the seat back portion 16 can be minimized
or kept below interference levels when in the pre-installation
position 60.
[0020] The advantage of this arrangement can easily be seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4. The automotive seat assembly 10 can be mounted on a
pallet 70 having a structural mount assembly 72 passing over the
seat assembly 10. By splitting the console base into a lower
console base 38 and an upper console base 50 each tangential with
the seat base 18 and back 16 respectively, a greater range of seat
shipping configurations may be utilized without interference.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, installation tooling 74 used
to lift the seat assembly 10 by grabbing the seats between the seat
base 18 and back 16 can do so without generating interference from
the console assembly 34. Yet, when the upper console base 50 is
rotated into the installation position 62 an extended depth storage
bin 64 is generated that would normally generate significant
interference if present in the pre-installation position 60.
[0021] The plurality of upper console base walls 54 engage the
plurality of lower console base walls 38 to form the extended depth
storage bin 64 when the upper console base 50 is moved into the
installation position 62. This can be accomplished in a variety of
fashions. In one embodiment, the plurality of upper console base
walls 54 are comprised of a plurality of upper base outer walls 76
and a plurality of upper base inner walls 78 that are separated to
form an engagement sleeve 80. The plurality of lower console base
walls 38 slide into the engagement sleeve 80 as the upper console
base 50 is moved into the installation position 62. It is
contemplated that the upper console base 50 will lock into the
installation position 62 once assembly is desired. Although this
may be accomplished in a variety of fashions, one embodiment
contemplates the use of locking tabs 82 formed on the upper console
base walls 54 and locking slots 84 formed on the lower console base
walls 38. The locking tabs 82 engage the locking slots 84 to secure
the upper console base 50 to the lower console base 36.
[0022] The console assembly 34 can incorporate a wide variety of
other features as well. A console lid 86 it preferably rotatably
attached to the upper console base top 56 such that the extended
depth storage bin 64 can be closed off or accessed by passengers
after installation in the vehicle 88. The console lid 86 can
include a padded armrest portion 90 such that the console assembly
34 can be utilized as an armrest in addition to its storage
characteristics. A tray assembly 92 may be removably placed within
the extended depth storage bin 64 in order to vertically divide it
into one or more vertical sections. Similarly, dividers 94 such as
flip-down dividers 94 may be mounted within the lower console base
36 in order to provide horizontal sections. Finally an air duct
assembly 96 and a rear face 98 may be mounted to the rear of the
console assembly 34 in order to pass environmental controls and air
to the rear of the seat assembly 10. The upper console base 50
preferably rotates about a pivot position 100 above the air duct
assembly 96 so as not to interfere with the air duct assembly
96.
[0023] The front face 102 of the lower console base 36 may be solid
or installing a finishing end 104 may form it. In embodiments where
a flow-through style assembly is desired (extending the console to
the dashboard 106, see FIG. 8) a flow through assembly 108 may be
used in place or in combination with the finishing end 104. The
flow through assembly 108 may be assembled onto the front face 102
after installation in the vehicle. This allows the present
invention to be utilized on a wide variety of vehicles and vehicle
designs. The flow through assembly 108 may incorporate a wide
variety of controls and features such as, but not limited to, cup
holders 110.
[0024] While the invention has been described in connection with
one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific
mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely
illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous
modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *