U.S. patent application number 11/308033 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for automotive center console with combination rear wall and articulated armrest.
This patent application is currently assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Peter Joseph Bejin, Gary D. Mullen, Andrew Schlosser, Michael Williams.
Application Number | 20070205642 11/308033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470859 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bejin; Peter Joseph ; et
al. |
September 6, 2007 |
AUTOMOTIVE CENTER CONSOLE WITH COMBINATION REAR WALL AND
ARTICULATED ARMREST
Abstract
A storage console for an automotive vehicle includes a rear wall
which is hingedly attached to the console's base unit, for rotation
about an axis generally transverse to the vehicle. An armrest is
attached to the rear wall and is preferably articulated to the rear
wall, so as to effect a double-articulation sufficient to permit
the armrest to be rotated into a horizontal position, which allows
passengers seated in the rear seats of the vehicle to use features
incorporated into the interior surface of the armrest.
Inventors: |
Bejin; Peter Joseph;
(Northville, MI) ; Schlosser; Andrew; (Ypsilanti,
MI) ; Williams; Michael; (Northville, MI) ;
Mullen; Gary D.; (Farmington, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dickinson Wright PLLC
38525 Woodward Avenue
Suite 2000
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48304
US
|
Assignee: |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
600 Parklane Towers East 1 Parklane Boulevard
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
38470859 |
Appl. No.: |
11/308033 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/002 20130101;
B60N 2/753 20180201; B60R 7/04 20130101; B60N 2/793 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.14 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20060101
A47C007/62 |
Claims
1. A storage console for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a base
unit having a storage cavity defined in part by a floor, a fixed
front wall, and fixed side walls, with said front wall and said
side walls being attached to said floor; and an armrest and rear
wall hingedly attached to said base unit for rotation about a
generally transverse axis located proximate said floor.
2. A storage console according to claim 1, wherein said armrest and
said rear wall are unitary.
3. A storage console according to claim 1, wherein said armrest is
mounted to said rear wall by means of a hinge having a generally
transverse hinge axis.
4. A storage console according to claim 1, wherein said armrest has
at least a closed position in which it is overlaid upon said base
unit, and an open position in which said storage cavity is
completely accessible.
5. A storage console according to claim 1, wherein said armrest has
a generally planar horizontal surface with a plurality of depending
surfaces which overlap at least a portion of said front wall and
said side walls when said armrest is in a closed position.
6. A storage console according to claim 1, wherein said armrest is
mounted to said rear wall by means of a torque-responsive hinge
having a generally transverse hinge axis.
7. A storage console according to claim 1, wherein said armrest is
mounted to said rear wall by a hinge having a generally transverse
hinge axis, with said hinge having a sufficient range of motion to
permit said armrest to open to a generally horizontal position.
8. A storage console according to claim 7, further comprising a cup
holder attached to an inner surface of said armrest such that said
cup holder is useable when said armrest is opened to a horizontal
position.
9. A storage console according to claim 8, wherein said cup holder
is useable by a passenger in a rear seat of a vehicle when said
armrest is opened to said horizontal position.
10. A storage console according to claim 1, further comprising a
fixed cup holder mounted to said base unit at a location forward of
said armrest.
11. A storage console for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a base
unit having a storage cavity defined in part by a floor, a fixed
front wall, and fixed side walls, with said front wall and said
side walls being attached to said floor; and a double-articulated
armrest and rear wall attached to said base unit, with said rear
wall being articulated about a first generally transverse axis
located proximate said floor, and with said armrest being
articulated about a second generally transverse axis extending
between the rear wall and the armrest.
12. A storage console according to claim 11, wherein said armrest
is mounted to said rear wall for articulation about said second
axis by means of a torque responsive hinge which resists rearward
rotation about said second axis until such time as said rear wall
is rotated to a rear stop position.
13. A storage console according to claim 12, wherein said torque
responsive hinge permits rearward rotation of said armrest with
respect to said rear wall to an extent at which said armrest is
open and generally horizontal.
14. A storage console according to claim 13, further comprising a
cup holder attached to an inner surface of said armrest such that
said cup holder will be useable when said armrest is in said
generally horizontal open position.
15. A storage console according to claim 11, further comprising a
graphical display attached to an inner surface of said armrest such
that said display will be viewable by an occupant seated in a rear
seating position of a vehicle equipped with said console when said
armrest is in said generally horizontal open position.
16. A storage console according to claim 11, wherein said armrest
and said rear wall have a range of articulation sufficient to
permit said armrest to be in contact with a rear seat structure
when the armrest is in an open and generally horizontal
position.
17. A storage console according to claim 16, wherein said rear seat
structure comprises a center armrest for use by rear seat
passengers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a storage console of the
type which is typically mounted on the floor of an automotive
vehicle between adjacent left and right passenger seating
positions.
[0002] Although automotive center consoles have become increasingly
more sophisticated in terms of materials and methods of
construction, a common problem with such consoles resides in the
fact that the console's armrest, which also functions as a lid for
the console, is most often hinged above an upper portion of the
console, as shown in FIG. 5. Because of this hinge geometry,
considerable dead space, labeled "X", in FIG. 5, is present, due at
least in part to limitations inherent in forming the console's
inner liner. This space cannot easily be utilized precisely because
of the limitations associated with placing the hinge for the
console lid 42 upon the end of the console lid itself. And, the
armrest is not useful for any other purpose than that depicted in
FIG. 5. Another drawback applicable to prior art consoles is the
appearance degradation associated with a visible hinge point.
[0003] A console according to the present invention solves the
problems associated with prior art consoles by providing not only
increased storage space, but also increased functionality and
versatility by allowing the armrest to be folded back to function
as a cup holder, as well as a platform for other utilities
available to rear seat occupants of a vehicle. And, the present
console provides improved aesthetics by rendering the armrest hinge
much less visible to vehicle occupants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A storage console for an automotive vehicle includes a base
unit having a storage cavity defined in part by a floor, a fixed
front wall, and fixed sidewalls, with the front wall and the
sidewalls being attached to the floor. An armrest and rear wall are
hingedly attached to the base unit for rotation about a generally
transverse axis located proximate the floor of the console. The
armrest and rear sidewall may either be unitary, or the armrest may
be mounted to the rear sidewall by means of a hinge having a
generally transverse hinge axis. In any event, the armrest will
have at least a closed position in which it is overlaid upon the
base unit, and an open position in which the storage cavity is
completely accessible.
[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
armrest of the present storage console may have a generally planar
horizontal surface with a plurality of depending surfaces which
overlap at least a portion of the front wall and the sidewalls when
the armrest is in a closed position.
[0006] In order to allow enhanced functionality of the present
console, the armrest may be mounted to the rear wall by means of a
torque-responsive hinge having a generally transverse hinge axis.
The hinge mounted between the armrest and the rear wall of the
console will preferably have a sufficient range of motion to permit
the armrest to open to a generally horizontal position. This will
allow devices such as a cup holder, or a graphical display attached
to the normally inner surface of the armrest, to be viewable by an
occupant seated in a rear seating position of a vehicle equipped
with the console when the armrest is in a generally horizontal open
position.
[0007] The present storage console may be said to have a
double-articulated armrest and rear wall, with the rear wall being
articulated about a first generally transverse axis located
proximate the floor of the console, and with the armrest being
articulated about a second generally transverse parallel axis
extending between the rear wall and the armrest.
[0008] It is an advantage of a storage console according to the
present invention that the entire interior space of the console is
readily accessible for use as a storage space.
[0009] It is a further advantage of a console according to the
present invention that the armrest and rear wall of the console may
be articulated, so as to allow the armrest to be folded rearwardly
and thereby positioned for use by rear seat occupants for such
devices as cup holders and/or video displays.
[0010] Other advantages, as well as features and objects of the
present invention, will become apparent to the reader of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a center
console according to the present invention, shown in its open
position.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the console of FIG. 1 in a closed position.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows the console of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a partially
opened position.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows the console of the present invention in a fully
opened position.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a prior art console.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 10 has a driver's seat, 11, a
right side passenger front seat, 12, and a rear seat, including
rear seat cushion 32. Center console 14 is mounted between driver's
seat 11 and passenger front seat 12. FIG. 1 also shows that console
14 has a storage cavity defined at least in part by front wall 16,
floor 17, sidewalls 18 and rear wall 20. For the convenience of
front seat occupants, front cup holders 31 are located ahead of the
storage compartment. Console 14 is topped by means of armrest 22,
which is articulated to rear wall 20 by means of torque responsive
hinge 26.
[0017] Rear wall 20 is articulated by means of lower hinge 24,
which is mounted near, or proximate, the lower portion of console
14, at or adjacent console floor 17. The axes of hinges 24 and 26
are generally parallel and transverse to the vehicle. It may also
be noted in FIG. 1 that armrest 22 has been opened fully and is
resting upon rear seat structure 33, in this case a center armrest,
so as to allow cup holder 30 and graphical display 28 to be used by
a rear seat passenger.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, armrest 22 and rear wall 20 are
articulated so that when closed, rear wall 20 will fit snugly
against sidewalls 18 of console 14. Of equal importance, armrest 22
will also fit in a sliding or telescopic manner with sidewalls 18
and front wall 16. The fit of armrest 22 and rear wall 20 to
sidewalls 18 and front wall 16 is aided by a reduced thickness area
18a of sidewalls 18, and 16a of front wall 16, which allows
depending surfaces 22b of armrest 22 to overlap front wall 16 and
sidewalls 18. Rear wall 20 is also provided with this overlap
feature.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows armrest 22 and rear wall 20 in a partially
opened position. In the position shown in FIG. 2, torque responsive
hinge 26 functions as a rigid body. Thus, the entirety of armrest
22 and rear wall 20 may be opened as a unit, as shown in FIG. 2, to
allow easy access to all of the interior space within console 14.
If desired, hinge 26 may be replaced by a non-rotating joint or
eliminated entirely; this would render rear wall 20 and armrest 22
a unitary component.
[0020] Rotation of hinge 24 is stopped mechanically at the position
shown in FIG. 4. Once hinge 24 rotates to this point, rear wall 20
will not open further, and further rotation of armrest 22 may be
commodated only by overriding the torque sensitive feature of hinge
26, so as to allow armrest 22 to be opened fully to the position
shown in FIG. 4. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view
of this disclosure that a plethora of mechanisms are available
within the automotive interior art to implement the hinge stop and
torque sensitive hinge features, while providing the range of
articulation shown herein.
[0021] While in the position of FIG. 4, armrest 22 rests upon rear
seat center armrest 33. Alternatively, armrest 22 could either be
cantilevered out from rear wall 20, or could be partially supported
by another structure such as a pylon mounted to the floor of
vehicle 10. According to yet another alternative, armrest 22 could
be partially supported by a dedicated trim structure incorporated
in a rear seat of vehicle 10. In any event, when armrest 22 is
positioned according to its full range of articulation, as shown in
FIG. 4, cup holder 30 and graphical display 28 may be used by rear
seat passengers. For the convenience of such passengers, the
graphical display may be placed upon a swivel mechanism.
[0022] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with particular embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations
may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *