U.S. patent application number 11/244790 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for storage bin assembly.
Invention is credited to Daniel V. Beckley.
Application Number | 20060132007 11/244790 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36594774 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060132007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beckley; Daniel V. |
June 22, 2006 |
Storage bin assembly
Abstract
A storage bin assembly is disclosed. The storage bin assembly
includes a door moveably connected to an enclosure at first and
second pivot axes by a pair of compound pivoting mechanisms
including a first arm and a second arm. The storage bin assembly
also includes an arcuate dampening arm integrally connected to the
first arm of each pivoting mechanism to provide damped movement of
the door relative the enclosure. A method for adjusting the
position of the door relative the enclosure is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Beckley; Daniel V.; (Byron,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HONIGMAN MILLER SCHWARTZ & COHN LLP
38500 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 100
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5048
US
|
Family ID: |
36594774 |
Appl. No.: |
11/244790 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60638673 |
Dec 22, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/325 ;
312/405.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/003 20130101;
B60R 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/325 ;
312/405.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/04 20060101
A47B096/04 |
Claims
1. A storage bin assembly, comprising: a door moveably connected to
an enclosure at first and second pivot axes by a pair of compound
pivoting mechanisms including a first arm and a second arm; and an
arcuate dampening arm integrally connected to the first arm of each
pivoting mechanism to provide damped movement of the door relative
the enclosure.
2. The storage bin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first
arm and the second arm are attached at respective first and second
ends to opposing inner walls of the enclosure and at outboard walls
of the door, wherein the attachment of the first and second arms to
the side walls defines the location of the first and second pivot
axes, wherein the attachment to the of the first and second arms to
the outboard walls defines rotation center points.
3. The storage bin assembly according to claim 2, wherein the
arcuate dampening arm is integrally connected to each first arm to
provide damped movement of the door relative the enclosure, wherein
each dampening arm includes teeth rotatably coupled to a toothed
dampening gear attached to each inner side wall.
4. The storage bin assembly according to claim 3, wherein each
dampening arm includes a boss adapted to engage a stop extending
from each inner wall.
5. The storage bin assembly according to claim 4, wherein each
first arm and second arm form an over-center relationship to
provide a snapping action and detent-locking of the door relative
the enclosure upon abutment of the boss and stop.
6. A storage bin assembly, comprising: a door moveably connected to
an enclosure at first and second pivot points of respective first
and second arms that form an over-center relationship to provide a
snapping action and detent-locking of the door relative the
enclosure.
7. The storage bin assembly according to claim 6, wherein the
over-center relationship occurs when a rotation center point of the
second arm is pivoted past an over-center line passing through the
second pivot point of the second arm and a rotation center point of
the first arm.
8. A method for adjusting the position of a door relative an
enclosure of a storage bin assembly, comprising the steps of:
simultaneously pivoting a door relative an enclosure about first
and second pivot points to cause a compound pivoting movement of
the door relative the enclosure.
9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of
ceasing the compound pivoting of the door relative the enclosure
about the first and second pivot points and pivoting the door about
the second pivot point to cause a single pivoting movement of the
door relative the enclosure.
10. A method for adjusting the position of a door relative an
enclosure of a storage bin assembly, comprising the steps of:
applying a force to a door to cause a compound pivoting movement of
a first and second arm, wherein the first and second arms are
rotateably attached to the door at respective first and second
rotation center points, wherein the first and second arms are
pivotably attached at a first pivot point and a second pivot point,
respectively, to an inner side wall of an enclosure; pivoting the
first and second arm about the first and second pivot axes; ceasing
pivoting movement of the first arm about the first pivot point and
continuing pivoting movement of the second arm about the second
pivot point; pivoting the second arm past an over-line line that
passes through the second pivot point and the rotation center point
of the first arm; and snapping the door into a locked position.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the ceasing step
includes abutting a boss into a stop member, wherein the stop
member extends from the inner side wall of the enclosure, wherein
the boss extends from a damping arm integrated with the first arm.
Description
CLAIM TO PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/638,673, filed Dec. 22, 2004, the contents of
which are incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to vehicular
overhead storage bin assemblies. More particularly, the disclosure
relates to an overhead storage bin assembly including a compound
pivoting mechanism for causing movement of a storage bin door
relative an enclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known in the art that vehicular overhead assemblies
have typically included a variety of components, such as, for
example, storage bins, for stowing any desirable item, such as, for
example, sunglasses, maps, and the like. Such stowage bin doors
have been typically designed to pivot about a single axis, which
typically restricts fore-aft design tolerances of the overhead
assembly. As a result, design considerations of overhead assemblies
become constrained by the location of neighboring components (i.e.,
adjacent storage bins, dome lamps, and the like) to the storage
bin. Thus, the conventional design of a single axis pivoting motion
of the storage bin door may require additional spacing between
neighboring components so that the pivoting motion of the storage
bin door is not impeded during deployment. As such, a need exists
for improving the design tolerances of overhead assemblies and the
deployment of overhead assembly storage bin doors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The inventors of the present disclosure have recognized
these and other problems associated with conventional overhead
assemblies and the deployment of storage bin doors. The present
invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an overhead storage bin
assembly including a storage bin door in a stowed position
according to an embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the overhead storage bin
assembly according to FIG. 1 with the storage bin door in a
deployed position;
[0007] FIG. 3A is a side view of a compound pivoting mechanism
according to the overhead storage bin assembly of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3B is another side view of the compound pivoting
mechanism according to FIG. 3A;
[0009] FIG. 3C is another side view of the compound pivoting
mechanism according to FIG. 3B; and
[0010] FIG. 3D is another side view of the compound pivoting
mechanism according to FIG. 3C.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] The above described disadvantages are overcome and a number
of advantages are realized by an inventive storage bin assembly,
which is seen generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. In general, the
storage bin assembly 10 comprises a door 12 and an enclosure 14. If
desired, a button 16 may be located on the storage bin assembly 10
at any desirable location to cause an un-latching or to initiate
movement of the door 12 relative the enclosure 14. However, it will
be appreciated that the design of the storage bin assembly 10 may
not include the button 16 and that the door 12 may be initially
moved relative the enclosure 14 with a conventional `push-push`
mechanism, or the like. Referring to FIG. 2, the door 12 is
illustrated in a fully deployed position and includes an integral
storage compartment 18 for stowing sunglasses, maps, and the like.
The storage compartment 18 substantially occupies the entire volume
of the enclosure 14 when the door 12 is in the stowed position.
[0012] In general, movement of the door 12 relative the enclosure
14 is regulated by a pair of compound pivoting mechanisms 20.
Referring to FIG. 3A, each compound pivoting mechanism 20 includes
a first arm 26, a second arm 28, and a third arm 30. As
illustrated, the third arm 30 is integrated with the first arm 26.
The first and second arms 26, 28 are attached at respective first
ends to opposing inner walls 22 of the enclosure 14, which define
first and second pivot axes A1, A2. The first and second arms 26,
28 are also attached at second respective ends of the first and
second arms 26, 28 to outboard walls 24 (FIG. 2) of the door 12,
which define first and second rotation center points C1, C2,
respectively.
[0013] The first and second arms 26, 28 are defined to each include
linear lengths, L1, L2, respectively. The third arm 30, which is
hereinafter referred to as a dampening arm 30, includes an arcuate
shape. As illustrated, the linear length, L1, of the first arm 26
is greater than the linear length, L2, of the second arm 28;
however, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited
to the second arm 28 being shorter than the first arm 26 and that
the second arm 28 may be equal to or greater in length than the
first arm 26.
[0014] The compound pivoting mechanisms 20 also include dampening
gears 32 attached to each inner side wall 22 of the enclosure 14 by
a fastener, which is generally shown at 36. The dampening gears 32
include gear teeth 34 that mesh with corresponding teeth 38 of the
dampening arm 30 to permit damped movement of the door 12 relative
the enclosure 14. Damped movement of the door 12 may be refined by
increasing or decreasing the ratio of teeth 34, 38 included in the
design of the dampening arm and gear 30, 32. As illustrated, each
dampening arm 30 also includes a boss 42 that is adapted to engage
a stop 40 extending from each inner wall 22 of the enclosure
14.
[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, each compound pivoting
mechanism 20 includes the first and second pivot points, A1, A2,
located at corresponding first ends of the first and second arms
26, 28 to provide a simultaneous, compound pivoting movement (FIGS.
3B and 3C) of the door 12 about the first and second pivot points
A1, A2. As described below, once the boss 42 engages the stop 40,
the simultaneous compound pivoting movement of the door 12 and
first and second arms 26, 28 ceases and further pivoting movement
of the door 12 is conducted about a single axis (FIG. 3D) at axis,
A2, of the second arm 28.
[0016] Referring first to FIG. 3A, the door 12 may be initially
moved in a substantially outward direction, away from the enclosure
14, for example, when a user presses the button 16, or
alternatively, when the user presses the door 12, for example, in a
`push-push` manner, with a force in the direction of arrow, F1.
Referring to FIG. 3B, the applied force in the direction of arrow,
F1, causes the first and second arms 26, 28 to slightly pivot the
door 12 in a compound motion as the first and second arms 26, 28
move in the direction of counter-clockwise arrow, P1, as the
damping arm 30 is rotated about the dampening gear 32 in the
direction of counter-clockwise arrow, P2, to draw the boss 42
toward the stop 40. Although the door 12 is slightly pivoted in a
compound motion in the direction of arrow, P1, the dominant
movement of the door 12 is a generally linear, outward movement
away from the enclosure 14 in the direction opposite the arrow, F1.
By moving the door 12 in a generally linear, outward direction away
from the enclosure 14, a pivoting clearance of the door 12 is
provided about the enclosure 14 for subsequent compound pivoting
movement of the door 12 relative the enclosure 14.
[0017] Accordingly, the door 12 is presented to the user, such that
the user may apply a force to the door 12 in the general direction
of the arrow, F2. Referring to FIG. 3C, counter-clockwise compound
pivoting movement of the arms 26, 28 is further advanced in the
direction of arrow, P3. As illustrated, the damping arm 30 is
further rotated in the counter-clockwise direction of arrow, P4,
thereby drawing the boss 42 proximate the stop 40. As such, the
door 12 is further pivoted in the compound motion in a regulated
fashion about the first and second pivot axes, A1, A2. The user may
continue to apply a force on the door 12 in the direction of arrow,
F3, to draw the boss 42 into an abutting relationship with the stop
40.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3D, the compound pivoting motion of the
first and second arms 26, 28 ceases when the boss 42 engages the
stop 40. Accordingly, the first arm 26 is restrained from further
pivoting movement since the damping arm 30, which includes the boss
42, is integrated with the first arm 26. As such, the second arm 28
is free to pivot about the axis, A2, toward the fixed location of
the first arm 26. Accordingly, the regulated pivoting movement of
the door 12 is translated from compound pivoting axes at axes A1,
A2 to a single pivoting axis at axis, A2.
[0019] The single axis pivoting of the second arm 28 about the
second axis, A2, in the direction of counter-clockwise arrow, P5,
is carried out as a user continues to apply a force to the door 12
in the general direction of arrow, F4, until an end 44 of the
second arm 28 abuts an end 46 of the first arm 26 to thereby locate
the door 12 in a fully deployed position. According to the
illustrated embodiment, pivoting movement of the second arm 28
causes the door 12 to move with a snapping, detent action once the
center point, C2, of the second arm 28 travels past an over-center
line, OC. As illustrated, the over-center line, OC, extends through
the center point, C1, of the first arm 26 and the center/pivot
point of the second pivot axis, A2, of the second arm 28.
Accordingly, because the first arm 26 is essentially in a locked
state and the second arm 28 is free to pivot, the configuration of
the first and second arms 26, 28 creates an over-center
relationship whereby the second arm 28 binds and snaps into the
first arm 26. Such movement is commonly associated with so-called
"four-bar linkages." Once the door 12 snaps into place, the door 12
is essentially locked in place. As such, when the door 12 moves in
the direction of arrow, P6, with a snapping action, the overall
feel of the door 12 is that of the door 12 traveling over a
detent.
[0020] Upon locating the door 12 in a fully deployed position
(i.e., where the door 12 is shown in phantom in FIG. 3D), the door
12 is frictionally locked in place until the user applied a force
in the direction opposite the arrow, F4, such that the second arm
28 is advanced away from the first arm 26 with the second arm's
center point, C2, traveling past the over-center line, OC.
Accordingly, the door 12 may be relocated to the stowed position as
illustrated in FIG. 3A by applying forces in the direction opposite
the arrows F3, F2, and F1.
[0021] The storage bin assembly 10 described above provides an
improved alternative to conventional storage bin assemblies by
incorporating the compound pivoting motion of the pivoting
mechanism 20 about the first and second pivot axes A1, A2. The
presentation of the door 12 in a first, substantially linear motion
in the direction opposite the arrow, F1, coupled with the compound
pivoting action of the door 12 provides a clearance of the door 12
from the enclosure 14 such that other neighboring components in the
overhead assembly may be located in a tighter relationship, thereby
reducing the size of the overhead assembly. Even further, the
over-center relationship of the first and second arms 26, 28
provides a storage bin assembly 10 with a frictionally locked
position of the door 12 when fully deployed. Although the
above-described embodiment shows forces F1-F4 being applied to the
door 12, the door 12 may be automatically deployed by a biasing
spring. Alternatively, automatic deployment of the door 12 may be
carried out with an electric motor that may drive the damping gear
32 and/or the second arm 28, for example.
[0022] The present invention has been described with reference to
certain exemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody
the invention in specific forms other than those of the exemplary
embodiments described above. This may be done without departing
from the spirit of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are
merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any
way. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
and their equivalents, rather than by the preceding
description.
* * * * *