U.S. patent application number 12/857652 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for occupant-interactive accessory system for automotive vehicle interior.
Invention is credited to Raymond Dong, Kaushlendra Singh, Jeffrey P. Webb, Mike J. Whitens.
Application Number | 20100308616 12/857652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39112677 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100308616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Singh; Kaushlendra ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
OCCUPANT-INTERACTIVE ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
INTERIOR
Abstract
An occupant-interactive accessory system for an automotive
vehicle interior includes a number of different utilities for use
by an occupant of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The
combination of a wedging mounting structure attached to each
utility and wedging interfaces incorporated within interior
structures of the vehicle allow the utilities to be mounted or
dismounted manually, without the use of tools.
Inventors: |
Singh; Kaushlendra;
(Westland, MI) ; Webb; Jeffrey P.; (Canton,
MI) ; Whitens; Mike J.; (Novi, MI) ; Dong;
Raymond; (Dearborn, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jerome R. Drouillard
10213 Tims Lake Blvd.
Grass Lake
MI
49240
US
|
Family ID: |
39112677 |
Appl. No.: |
12/857652 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12035471 |
Feb 22, 2008 |
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12857652 |
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11467716 |
Aug 28, 2006 |
7513553 |
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12035471 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/37.8 |
International
Class: |
B60R 7/04 20060101
B60R007/04 |
Claims
1. An occupant-interactive accessory device for an automotive
vehicle, comprising: a utility for use by an occupant of a
passenger compartment of a vehicle; and a dovetail mounting
structure attached to said utility for manually and removably
mounting said utility to a mating dovetail mounting structure
incorporated within an interior structure of a vehicle.
2. An occupant-interactive accessory device according to claim 1,
wherein said interior structure of a vehicle comprises a storage
console.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is Divisional Application which is based
upon U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/035,471, filed Feb. 22,
2008, which is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/467,716, filed Aug. 28, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,513,553.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This disclosure relates to a system permitting manual
installation and un-installation of a variety of utility
accessories within the interior of an automobile.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Since the dawn of the automotive age, designers of car
interiors have devoted a goodly amount of time and attention to the
development of interior accessories. As motorists have steadily
increased the amount of time spent in their vehicles they have also
increased their demands for more adaptive and customizable interior
appointments. This has spawned an entire industry dedicated to very
expensive customization of vehicles. Unfortunately, one-off custom
work is prohibitively expensive for most consumers. And, consumers
are not attracted to ill-conceived or poorly executed aftermarket
interior modification systems.
[0006] It would be desirable to provide an interior accessory
system which is easily customizable by motorists at a reasonable
cost and without the need for tools, while utilizing a platform
built into the vehicle, and while offering a plethora of different
utilities having a sophisticated appearance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, an
occupant-interactive accessory system for an automotive vehicle
interior includes a utility for use by an occupant of a vehicle's
passenger compartment. A wedging mounting structure is attached to
the utility and allows the utility to be removably mounted to a
wedging interface incorporated within an interior structure of a
vehicle. The wedging mounting structure is manually attachable to
the wedging interface.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
previously described wedging mounting structure comprises a first
portion of a dovetailed joint, and the wedging interface comprises
a second portion of a dovetailed joint.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
present occupant-interactive accessory system may be employed with
a number of different utilities including, without limitation, a
holder for a personal electronic device such as a cell phone, an
iPod.RTM., a PDA, or an MP3.RTM. player. The present system is also
useful with utilities such as a writing surface, a portable DVD
player, a laptop computer, a food serving tray, a cup holder, a
holder for an electronic current converter, or a document file
holder, and yet other types of devices.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
occupant-interactive accessory device for an automotive vehicle
includes a utility for use by an occupant of a passenger
compartment of the vehicle, and a dovetailed mounting structure
attached to the utility for manually and removably mounting the
utility to a mating dovetailed mounting structure incorporated
within an interior structure of the vehicle. The dovetailed
mounting structure incorporated within the interior of the vehicle
functions as a wedging receptacle integrated within a surface of a
trim component of the vehicle such that the occupant-interactive
accessory device may be removably mounted and dismounted from the
trim structure.
[0011] It is an advantage of an interactive accessory system
according to the present invention that a vehicle's interior
utilities may be customized affordably, and without the necessity
of tools to mount, or dismount the interior utilities.
[0012] It is another advantage of a system according to the present
invention that maximum flexibility in vehicle interior appointments
may be achieved while, at the same time, minimizing the complexity
of the base componentry to which the various utilities are
mounted.
[0013] It is yet another advantage of a system according to the
present invention that additional flexible storage and improved
functional space utilization are provided within the immediate
reach of vehicle occupants.
[0014] Other advantages, as well as features of the present
invention, will become apparent to the reader of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive console having
a dovetailed wedging interface according to an aspect of the
present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a vehicle interior
showing a cell phone or personal electronic device holder attached
to the console of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a writing surface attached to the console of
FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an aspect of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a depending hook, as for a purse or
handbag, attached to the console illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a holder for a portable DVD player or
laptop computer attached to the console as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a laptop computer, 46, attached to the holder
of FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a food tray with a sliding cover
according to an aspect of the present invention, with the tray
attached to the console of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a cup holder attached to the console of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates an electronic device, such as a current
converter, attached to the console of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a document file holder attached to the
console of FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, console 10 has a wedging interface or
receptacle, 14, formed on a side wall thereof. Console 10 may have
additional wedging interfaces 14 formed on the opposite side wall,
which is not shown, as well as the back wall of console 10, which
is also not visible in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows the console of FIG. 1
as applied to a vehicle having passenger seats 18. FIGS. 2A and 2B
also show a first type of occupant-interactive accessory device,
configured as a personal electronic device holder, 22, having a
wedging mounting structure, 26, incorporated as an integral part of
utility 22. The personal electronic device (not shown) may be a
cellular phone, text pager, or other similar device. Wedging
mounting structure 26 slides and locks into place in wedging
interface 14. When utility 22 has been inserted into wedging
interface 14, guide plate 30 helps to maintain the stability of
utility 22. Each of the various utilities described herein has a
wedging mounting structure 26 incorporated therein.
[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this
disclosure that wedging interfaces or receptacles 14 could be
applied to a variety of vehicle interior structures in addition to
the illustrated console. For example, door and quarter trim panels
and instrument panels are good candidates for application of the
present invention. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate
that the wedging interface may be configured not only as a
dovetail, but as other alternatives equally susceptible to use
without the need for tools. In any event, wedging mounting
structure 26 may be disengaged from wedging receptacle 14 by merely
lifting upwardly against the forces of gravity and friction between
the adjoining, wedged-together components.
[0027] FIG. 3. illustrates a writing surface, 34, which has been
inserted into wedging interface 14.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a depending hook, 38, which is useful for
a handbag or purse, and which has been inserted into wedging
interface 14.
[0029] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the use of holder, 42, for a
portable DVD player or laptop computer, with computer or DVD player
46 being shown installed in FIG. 6. Once again, holder 42 has been
inserted into a wedging interface 14.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a food serving tray, 50, having a
slidable cover, 54.
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a drink or cup holder, 58, inserted into
wedging interface 14.
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates an electronic current converter holder,
60, inserted into wedging interface 14 and holding an electronic
device, 62.
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a document file holder, 66, once again
inserted into wedging interface 14.
[0034] The foregoing invention has been described in accordance
with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is
exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and
modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to
those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the
invention. Accordingly the scope of legal protection afforded this
invention can only be determined by studying the following
claims.
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