U.S. patent application number 11/106485 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for cup-holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. Invention is credited to Stavermann, Joerg.
Application Number | 20050224676 11/106485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32102793 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050224676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stavermann, Joerg |
October 13, 2005 |
Cup-holder
Abstract
A cup-holder, preferably for integration into the center console
of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing and a tray held therein
which can slide in and out of the housing for accommodating at
least one container, such as a cup or a bottle. The housing and
tray are arranged so that the tray can be swiveled from an
extended, horizontal in-use position to an approximately vertical
non-use position by overcoming a resistance.
Inventors: |
Stavermann, Joerg;
(Muenchen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Muenchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
32102793 |
Appl. No.: |
11/106485 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11106485 |
Apr 15, 2005 |
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PCT/EP03/10862 |
Oct 1, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/102 20130101;
B60N 3/108 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 2002 |
DE |
102 48 358.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Cup-holder for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing and a tray
held therein, the tray being slideable in and out of the housing
for accommodating at least one container, wherein the tray can be
swiveled from an extended, horizontal in-use position to an
approximately vertical non-use position by overcoming a
resistance.
2. Cup-holder according to claim 1, wherein the resistance is
formed by a barrier which is overcome by the tray when an abrupt
force acts thereon.
3. Cup-holder according to claim 2, wherein the barrier is overcome
with elastic deformation of side walls of the housing.
4. Cup-holder according to claim 1, wherein each side wall of the
housing, a sliding track is provided in which an associated sliding
peg for the tray is guided, the sliding track being formed as an
arch with a convex side facing approximately upward.
5. Cup-holder according to claim 1, wherein the tray is linked to
first end of a pivot lever that is associated with each side wall,
and a second of the pivot lever is rotatably connected to the side
wall.
6. Cup-holder according to claim 4, wherein a secondary sliding
track extends in a front end region of the curved sliding track,
running at an angle forms a guide track when the tray is swiveled
into an approximately vertical non-use position.
8. Cup-holder according to claim 6, wherein an end limit of the
secondary sliding track forms an end stop for the sliding peg.
9. Cup-holder according to one of claim 6, wherein the barrier in
the front end region between the sliding track and the secondary
sliding track is formed as a step, the sliding peg slightly
projecting away from a center of the housing beyond the base
surface of the secondary sliding track into the sliding track when
the tray is in the in-use position.
10. Cup-holder according to claim 4, wherein the resistance is a
function of the ratio of the length of the sliding peg to the
distance between the barrier and the connection of the sliding peg
to the tray.
11. Cup-holder according to claim 6, wherein the base surface of
the secondary sliding track is an oblique plane which, starting at
the barrier, slopes toward the end limit.
12. Cup-holder according to claim 4, wherein each side wall an
arch-shaped toothed track is provided which meshes with a toothed
gear that is rotatably connected to the pivot lever.
13. Cup-holder according to claim 12, wherein the teeth of the
toothed
12. Cup-holder according to claim 4, wherein each side wall an
arch-shaped toothed track is provided which meshes with a toothed
gear that is rotatably connected to the pivot lever.
13. Cup-holder according to claim 12, wherein the teeth of the
toothed tracks in each side wall are identical in number, size, and
pitch.
14. Cup-holder according to claim 1, wherein the tray has a base
part on an underside of the tray for supporting an insertable
container, wherein the base part is pivotably connected to the
tray, and in the lowered non-use position of the tray is swiveled
into same.
15. Cup-holder according to claim 14, wherein the base part is
swivelable on at least one side from an in-use position to a
non-use position.
16. Cup-holder according to claim 15, wherein the swiveling occurs
against the force of a spring.
17. Cup-holder according to claim 16, wherein the spring-loaded
swiveling of the base part into an in-use position is limited by a
stop.
18. Cup-holder according to claim 14, wherein when the tray is
retracted into the housing the base part is swiveled in by running
past a stationary tab on a housing side.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent
Application No. PCT/EP2003/010862, filed Oct. 1, 2003, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Priority
is claimed based on German Patent Application No. 102 48 358.2,
filed Oct. 17, 2002.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a cup-holder for
integration into a console of a vehicle.
[0003] Such cup-holders are used, among other locations, in the
front region of a motor vehicle, where they are preferably
integrated into the center console. In the in-use position, the
tray projects into the passenger area at a distance from the
floor.
[0004] Upon entering and leaving the vehicle, but especially when
changing positions within the rear area, the extended tray
represents an obstacle which in many cases is not noticed, so that
impacts can result in damage to the entire cup-holder, in
particular the tray.
[0005] Because the cup-holder is located at a relatively low level,
it is frequently overlooked when the tray is in the extended
position, which, as has been demonstrated, increasingly results in
the described damages. The forces exerted on the extended tray, for
example upon entering the vehicle, are so great that the tray is
completely broken out of the housing, so that repairs are
practically impossible and the entire cup-holder must be
replaced.
[0006] This danger is present in particular when children are
transported in the back seat of the motor vehicle, since experience
has shown that children are rather inattentive in their impulsive
movements.
[0007] Furthermore, when the tray is pulled out, the known
cup-holders may represent a safety risk if a body part of a
passenger strikes the tray in a collision or during sudden braking.
This may sometimes result in serious injuries, in particular head
injuries.
[0008] The object of the present invention, therefore, is to
further refine a cup-holder of the generic type so that the risk of
injury is reduced while at the same the cup-holder is substantially
protected from damage that impairs its functioning.
[0009] This object is achieved by a cup-holder, in which the tray
can be swiveled from an extended, horizontal in-use position to an
approximately vertical non-use position by overcoming a
resistance.
[0010] On the one hand, this design of the cup-holder ensures that
in normal operation the tray maintains its functionality, i.e.,
when in a horizontal position it can accommodate containers such as
cups or bottles. The opposing resistance is so great that the tray
retains its position, even when load is exerted by the
containers.
[0011] Only when the resistance is overcome, in particular by an
impact directed from above, is the tray swiveled downward from its
horizontally locked position, thereby simultaneously eliminating
the force of impact.
[0012] Thus, in contrast to the cup-holders used heretofore, both
the tray and the guide site on the housing side are lowered in a
controlled, damage-free manner. On the other hand, this affords the
possibility of swiveling the tray from this non-use position back
to a horizontal in-use position.
[0013] Naturally, an otherwise necessary replacement, or if even
possible at all, repair, of the cup-holder may be avoided in this
manner, thus resulting in cost savings.
[0014] A further significant advantage of the novel cup-holder is
that the projecting tray essentially no longer represents a risk
upon striking a body part susceptible to injury, since it gives way
when the resistance, which is to be appropriately dimensioned, is
overcome.
[0015] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the
oppositely situated side walls of the housing and the tray have a
mutually corresponding guide means, preferably in the form of a
sliding track countersunk in the respective side wall, in which a
sliding peg on the tray is guided. The tray is additionally
connected to the side wall of the housing via a linked pivot lever,
so that an appropriate shaping of the sliding track results in a
swiveling of the tray out of the housing into an in-use position in
which the tray continuously maintains its horizontal position.
[0016] Such a sliding track operates more smoothly compared to
guide tracks commonly used heretofore, since lower frictional
forces are exerted.
[0017] The resistance to be overcome during forceful, abrupt
swiveling may be achieved by a barrier which must be overcome by
the tray or parts thereof at the same time these are swiveled
down.
[0018] Such a barrier may be formed, for example, by a step in the
transition of the sliding track to a secondary sliding track, the
base of the latter being elevated with respect to the base of the
former, whereby in the normal position the sliding peg travels
along the barrier, and is guided beyond the barrier and into the
secondary sliding track only if there is an impact to the tray. For
overcoming the barrier, the side wall of the housing is
correspondingly deformed outward by the force of impact, which is
easily possible since the cup-holder is made of plastic, which has
the necessary elasticity.
[0019] It is further provided that in each side wall of the housing
a toothed track is furnished which runs corresponding to the pivot
radius of the pivot lever, and is enmeshed by a small toothed gear
that is rotatably mounted on the pivot lever. This ensures a
synchronous sequence of motion when the tray slides in and out,
thus preventing tilting, which could occur in particular when the
tray is intended to hold multiple containers and therefore has a
corresponding length.
[0020] Below each opening in the tray, which is used as a
receptacle for a container, a base part is provided which supports
the inserted container.
[0021] This base part is pivotably attached to the tray and is
functionally connected thereto in such a way that in the non-use
position, i.e., retracted into the housing, the base part is
swiveled up and projects partially into the opening in the tray,
thereby occupying a very small space.
[0022] In addition, because of the pivotability the base part is
able to correspondingly move when the extended tray abruptly drops,
whereby when the tray returns to an in-use position, the base part
is likewise swiveled back to an in-use position by spring
loading.
[0023] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a cup-holder according to an embodiment of the
invention in a perspective view;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the cup-holder of FIG.
1; and
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a section through the cup-holder according to
the line II-II in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The figures illustrate a cup-holder, preferably for
integration into the center console of a motor vehicle, comprising
a housing 1 in which an extendable and retractable tray 2 is held.
When it is pushed in, the tray 2 is in the non-use position, and
when it is extended corresponding to FIG. 1, it is in the in-use
position.
[0028] In the exemplary embodiment shown, two openings 5 are
provided in the tray 2, each for accommodating a container, such as
a cup or bottle, for example.
[0029] As can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 2, each side
wall 3 has an arch-shaped sliding track 6 having an upwardly
directed convex curvature.
[0030] A sliding peg 10 for the tray 2 is guided in the sliding
track 6, and may also be actuated by a touch mechanism, whereby
when briefly touched it automatically travels from the non-use
position into an in-use position under the action of a
constant-force spring.
[0031] Furthermore, the tray 2 is pivotably connected via a pivot
lever 11, which is joined by means of a rotational axis 12 to the
tray 2, to the side wall 3, for which purpose the pivot lever 11 is
connected via a pivot axis 14 to the side wall 3.
[0032] The course of the curved track 6 and the pivot radius of the
pivot lever 11 ensures an extending motion of the tray 2 from the
housing 1, in which the tray 2 always occupies a horizontal
position.
[0033] To achieve a precisely uniform motion of the tray 2, i.e.,
to prevent the tray from tilting when sliding in and out, in each
side part 3 a toothed track 9 is provided which is enmeshed by a
small toothed gear 13, rotatably connected to the pivot lever 11,
when the tray 2 slides in and out. The shapes of the toothed tracks
9 for both side walls 3, as well as the number of teeth and the
tooth pitch, are identical.
[0034] In FIGS. 1 and 2 it can be seen that on the underside of the
tray 2 a base part 4 is provided at a certain distance which
supports a container (not shown) inserted into the openings 5.
[0035] This base part 4 can be swiveled, in the direction of the
arrow, on one side against the force of a spring in the direction
of the tray 2, from an in-use position to a non-use position, the
swiveling into an in-use position being limited by a stop. The base
part 4 is locked in this position as a result of the spring
pressure on one side and the stop on the other side. When the tray
2 is pushed into the housing 1, however, the base part 4 runs past
a stationary tab 15 on the housing side and swivels up into the
region of the tray 2 or the openings 5 thereof.
[0036] In addition, the movability of the base part 4 enables the
tray 2 to freely swivel into a position shown in dashed-dotted
lines in FIG. 2. In this position the tray 2 is swiveled down when
a resistance is overcome, when a force acts abruptly on the tray 2
in the extended position, preferably in the vicinity of the front
edge.
[0037] The rotational axis 12 thus forms the hinge point about
which the tray 2 swivels, during which the sliding peg 10 situated
in the back region overcomes a barrier 8 which represents the
resistance.
[0038] After the barrier 8 is overcome, the sliding peg 10 is
guided in a secondary sliding track 7, the end limit of which forms
a stop for the swiveled end position of the tray 2.
[0039] The secondary sliding track 7 extends from the front end
region of the curved track 6 and curves upward, the base of the
secondary sliding track being elevated with respect to the base of
the sliding track 6. The step which results forms the barrier
8.
[0040] In normal operation, i.e., when the tray 2 is retracted and
extended, the sliding peg 10 is also guided in the region of the
barrier 8 in the sliding track 6, i.e., the sliding peg 10 in this
case projects in the direction of the base of the sliding track 6,
slightly beyond the barrier 8. The resistance to be overcome is a
function of the ratio of the length of the sliding peg to the
distance from the barrier to the connection of the sliding peg on
the tray.
[0041] The sliding peg 10 does not cross over the barrier 8 unless
there is an impact on the tray 2, and then rests on the base of the
sliding track 7 with simultaneous slight deformation of the side
wall 3. The resistance to be overcome is a function of the ratio of
the length of the sliding peg to the distance between the barrier
(8) and the connection of the sliding peg on the tray.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows that the base of the secondary sliding track 7
in the swivel direction of the sliding peg 10 is designed
essentially in the shape of an oblique plane which, starting at the
barrier 8, slopes toward the end limit. This ensures that the
sliding peg 10 makes strong frictional contact only in the region
directly adjoining the barrier 8, with deformation of the side wall
3.
[0043] After the tray 2 swivels as the result of an impact, it can
be easily swiveled from the approximately vertical non-use position
back to an in-use position, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, and
in the in-use position, the sliding peg 10 springs back into the
sliding track 6.
[0044] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *