U.S. patent application number 11/105137 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for removable storage assembly for a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frank Q. Liu, Kenneth A. Stoner.
Application Number | 20060231716 11/105137 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36120017 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060231716 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Frank Q. ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
Removable storage assembly for a motor vehicle
Abstract
A console assembly for a motor vehicle, including a housing and
a removable container received by the housing. A handle is
connected to the removable container and moveable between a locked
position and an unlocked position.
Inventors: |
Liu; Frank Q.; (Canton,
MI) ; Stoner; Kenneth A.; (Northville, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VISTEON
C/O BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
PO BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Assignee: |
Visteon Global Technologies,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36120017 |
Appl. No.: |
11/105137 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/08 20060101
A47K001/08 |
Claims
1. A console assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a
housing having portions defining a container recess; a container
removably received by the housing in the container recess; and a
locking member being moveable between a locked position where the
container and the housing are locked together and an unlocked
position where the container can be moved from the housing, the
locking member including a first locking component and the housing
including a second locking component interactively engaging the
first locking component; wherein one of the first and second
locking components includes a tab and the other of the first and
second locking components includes a slot; the slot having a first
portion and a second portion, wherein the tab is aligned with the
first portion in the unlocked position, and the tab being located
in the second portion and not aligned with the first portion in the
locked position.
2. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the tab is located on
the first locking component and the slot is located on the second
locking component.
3. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the tab is located on
the second locking component and the slot is located on the first
locking component.
4. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the locking member is
mounted to the container.
5. A console assembly as in claim 4, wherein the locking member is
a carrying handle of the container.
6. A console assembly as in claim 4, wherein the locking member is
pivotable about an axis.
7. A console assembly as in claim 6, further comprising a second
tab located coaxially with the axis.
8. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the second portion of
the slot has a generally arcuate shape.
9. A console assembly as in claim 8, wherein the second portion of
the slot defines a substantially constant radius of curvature.
10. A console assembly as in claim 7, wherein the container is
received into the housing along a first direction and the first
portion of the slot is generally aligned with the first
direction.
11. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first portion of
the slot includes an upper portion having a first width, a lower
portion having a second width, and a shoulder defined
therebetween.
12. A console assembly as in claim 11, wherein a second tab is
provided on the locking component having the first tab, the second
tab having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the
first tab.
13. A console assembly as in claim 12, wherein the diameter of the
second tab is greater than the second width of the lower portion of
the slot.
14. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the container is a
thermally-insulated cooler.
15. A console assembly as in claim 1, wherein the second portion of
the slot has a first depth at a first point and a second depth at a
second point, wherein the second depth is less than the first
depth.
16. A console assembly as in claim 15, wherein the tab abuts the
second point when the locking member is in the locked position.
17. A console assembly as in claim 16, wherein the container
includes a toe portion opposite the tab that abuts the housing when
the locking member is in the locked position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to a console assembly for
the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. More specifically,
the invention relates to a console having a removable storage
assembly.
[0003] 2. Related Technology
[0004] Console assemblies for the passenger compartment of motor
vehicles are typically positioned between, or integrated within,
the vehicle seats. For example, a console assembly is commonly
positioned between the vehicle front seats and referred to as a
central console. Alternatively, console assemblies may be located
between the rear seats of the vehicle or actually in the front or
rear seats.
[0005] Console assemblies typically include features such as
storage containers, coin organizers, beverage container holders,
and the like. Some or all of these features may be removeable from
the console housing, and from the motor vehicle in general, for
various purposes. For example, a container may be removable from
the console housing to allow a user to transport suitable items
from the motor vehicle within the container. To secure the
removable portions within the console housing, the console assembly
preferably includes a selectively-engageable locking mechanism.
However, currently-known locking mechanisms are relatively bulky
features and do not facilitate engagement of the removable
component(s) with the console housing.
[0006] It is therefore desirous to provide a console assembly
having an improved locking mechanism to secure the removable
component(s) to the console housing.
SUMMARY
[0007] In overcoming the limitations and drawbacks of the prior
art, the present invention provides a console assembly having a
housing, a removable container that is received by the housing, and
a handle that is connected to the container. The handle is
configured to move with respect to the container between a locked
position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the
container is secured to the housing. Conversely, the removable
container can be removed from engagement with the housing when the
handle is in the unlocked position.
[0008] In one aspect of the invention, the housing and the handle
include a slot-tab connection that guides the removable container
as it is positioned within the housing. The tab may be defined by
the housing and the slot by the handle or vice versa. Such as the
slot receives the tab when the container is positioned within the
housing.
[0009] The handle moves, preferably by pivoting, between the locked
and unlocked position. In one embodiment, to permit the pivoting
between the handle and the housing, one tab that, during the
pivoting movement, rotates but generally does not undergo
translational movement (remains stationary) while the other tab
orbits about the stationary tab. Also, a first part of a slot
receives both of the tabs as the container is being positioned into
the housing and another portion of the slot receives the orbiting
tab during the pivoting movement of the handle.
[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the slot is defined by the
handle and the tabs are defined by the housing. Similarly to the
first embodiment, the slot extends along a portion of the handle so
that a first portion of the slot receives the tabs when the
container is inserted into the housing. As the handle is rotated, a
second portion of the slot is moved so as to engage, or receive
therein, a second tab. The locating of the second tab in the second
portion of the slot prevents the container from being removed from
the console.
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of this invention
will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a
review of the following description, with reference to the drawings
and claims that are appended to and form a part of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a console assembly
of a motor vehicle embodying the principles of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the console assembly shown
in FIG. 1, with the container removed from the housing;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container having been
removed from the housing;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle and console
assembly shown in FIG. 1, where the handle is engaged with the
housing in a locked condition;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the console assembly shown
in FIG. 1, where the handle is in an unlocked position;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative design of
the engagement means between the handle and housing, and wherein
the container body is not shown for illustrative purposes;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 7-7 in
FIG. 6, of the handle and the housing in the disengaged
position;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in
FIG. 7, where the handle and the housing are engaged with each
other in the unlocked position; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that shown in
FIG. 7, where the handle and the housing are engaged with each
other in the locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a console
assembly 10 of a motor vehicle having a housing 12, a removable
container 14 received in the housing 12, a handle 16 for carrying
the container 14, and various other storage features, such as a
stationary storage container 18 and a storage bin 20. The console
assembly 10 is preferably located within the passenger compartment
of motor vehicles, such as between, or integrated within the
vehicle seats. For example, the console assembly 10 may be
positioned between the vehicle's front seats. Alternatively, the
console assembly 10 may be located in or between the rear seats. In
another alternative design, the console assembly 10 may be located
in a storage area of the motor vehicle, such as the trunk or cargo
space. The console assembly 10 includes a mounting bracket 22 to
secure the assembly within the motor vehicle. Although the mounting
bracket 22 shown in the Figures is located at the front of the
console assembly 10, the suitable location will be determined by
the specific design criteria of the production embodiment.
[0022] The container 14 shown in the figures includes a body 23
that defines an internal volume (not shown) and a removable lid 25
that selectively forms a substantially air-tight seal with the body
23. The lid 25 may be completely detachable from the body 23, or it
may be pivotable about a hinge mechanism (not shown). The container
14 preferably includes an encapsulating layer formed of a molded
plastic material, such as polypropylene, and in an inner or an
intermediate layer formed of an insulated material, such as
polystyrene, as is known in the insulated cooler art.
[0023] The handle 16 is preferably pivotably connected to the body
23 to permit the handle 14 to pivot about an axis 21 between
different positions, as will be discussed in more detail below. For
example, the handle 14 includes a pair of opposing mounting bosses
27 (FIG. 4) extending away from the inner surface of the handle 16
that are retainably engaged with the body 23 via a pair of opposing
connecting depressions (not shown but generally indicated by
reference numeral 29 in FIG. 3). The mounting bosses 27 and
connecting depressions 29 have a construction that not only retains
the mounting bosses 27 in the connecting depressions 29, but also
permits the pivoting movement of the handle 16 relative to the body
23. The handle 16 may also include a mechanism (not shown) for
securing the lid 25 to the body 23, as is known in the insulated
cooler art.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 14 is received
within a container recess 24 defined by the housing 12. More
specifically, the container 14 is lowered into the container recess
24 along a generally vertical direction 26 until the container 14
abuts the lower surface of the housing 12 that defines the
container recess 24. The container recess 24 defines a depth that
is preferably great enough to substantially support the container
14. For example, the housing 12 walls 28 defining the container
recess 24 may have a height 32 that is at least half as great as a
height 30 of the container 14.
[0025] To guide and retain the container 14 in the container recess
24, the housing 12 and the handle 16 include interacting tabs and
slots. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, a guiding tab 34 and a
locking tab 36 extend from a surface of the handle 16 and a slot 38
is formed in the housing 12 so as to receive the respective tabs
34, 36.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the slot 38 includes first and second
portions 39, 56. The first (guiding) portion 39 further includes an
upper portion 41 having a width 40 and a lower portion 43 having a
slot width 42 that is less than the width 40. The upper and lower
portions 41, 43 transition to each other at a shoulder portion
44.
[0027] Similarly, the slot width 40 is slightly larger than a width
48 of the guiding tab 34 and the slot width 42 is slightly larger
than a width 50 of the locking tab 36. Thus, the locking tab 36 is
permitted to slide past the shoulder portion 44 and the guiding tab
34 is prevented from doing so.
[0028] The tabs 34, 36 are separated by a distance 52 that is
generally equal to a distance 54 between the shoulder portion 44
and the end of the slot 38. As such, the locking tab 36 is located
out of the first or guiding portion 39 of the slot 38, and in the
second (locking) portion 56, when the guiding tab 34 engages the
shoulder portion 44.
[0029] The locking portion 56 is configured to permit the locking
tab 36 to slide therein when the handle 16 as pivoted. Thus, the
locking portion 56 has an arcuate shape defining a generally
constant radius of curvature 60 about the axis 21 (FIGS. 1 and 3).
Thus, as the handle 16 is rotated, the locking tab 36 travels along
a path 57 having the radius of curvature 60. Therefore, to prevent
the guiding tab 34 from orbital movement about the axis 21 and from
translational movement with respect to the shoulder portion 44, the
guiding tab 34 and the mounting bosses 27 are coaxial with the axis
21.
[0030] The locking portion 56 and the locking tab 36 cooperate to
secure the container 14 to the housing 12 when the handle is in a
locked position 64 (FIG. 1). The handle 16 is in the locked
position 64 when the locking tab 36 is not aligned with the guiding
portion 39 of the slot 38, i.e. when the handle 16 is not upright
or parallel to the guiding portion 39 of the slot 38. Conversely,
the handle 16 is in an unlocked position 66 (FIG. 5) when the
locking tab 36 is generally aligned with the guiding portion 39,
i.e. when the handle 16 is generally upright and parallel with the
guiding portion of the slot 38.
[0031] The depth of the locking portion 56 varies along the path 57
to further secure the container 14 to the housing 12. More
specifically, the locking portion 56 has a smaller depth at the
respective end points 57a than at the middle portion 57b, thereby
urging the container 14 along the axis 21 in a direction away from
the slot 38. This urging force causes a snug connection between the
container 14 and the housing 12. The difference in the depth of the
locking portion 56 between the end points is preferably relatively
small to avoid large translational movement of the container 14 as
the handle 16 is moved to the locked position 64.
[0032] The container 14 also includes a toe portion 61 that abuts a
portion of the housing 12 to further prevent vertical movement of
the container 14 when the handle 16 is in the locked position 64.
More specifically, the toe portion 61 is sloped downwardly and away
from the tabs 34, 36 along the axis 21 to fit under a ledge (not
shown) of the housing 12. The slope of the toe portion 61 is a
relatively small angle, such as to accommodate the relatively small
translational movement of the container 14.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, an alternative embodiment of the
present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the handle 116
defines a slot 138 having a guiding portion 139 and a locking
portion 156. Also, the housing 112 defines a guiding tab 134 and a
locking tab 136. In a manner similar to that described above with
respect to FIGS. 1-5, the respective tabs 134, 136 are received
within the guiding portion 139 of the slot 138 during the initial
engagement between the handle 116 and the housing 112. Then, when
the container 14 engages the bottom of the container recess 24, the
guiding tab 134 engages a shoulder portion 144 of the guiding
portion 139 and the locking tab 136 is located within the locking
portion 156, as shown in FIG. 8. The handle 116 in FIG. 8 is in an
unlocked position 166, as both tabs 134, 136 are aligned with the
guiding portion 139. To lock the components 114, 112 together, the
handle 116 is pivoted into the locked position 164 such that the
locking tab 136 is rotated through the locking portion 156 out of
alignment with the guiding portion 139 of the slot 138.
[0034] It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and
that it be understood that it is the following claims, including
all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope
of this invention.
* * * * *