U.S. patent application number 13/172526 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for arrangement for housing a device in an interior of a vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. Invention is credited to Raymond A. BEAUFAIT, Thomas A. JONES, Timothy SAUNDERS.
Application Number | 20130001975 13/172526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47359611 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130001975 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JONES; Thomas A. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
ARRANGEMENT FOR HOUSING A DEVICE IN AN INTERIOR OF A VEHICLE
Abstract
An arrangement for housing a device in an interior of a vehicle
is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes, but is not limited
to, a trim component that is configured to be mounted within a
passenger compartment of a vehicle. The trim component defines a
cavity. The cavity is configured to substantially conform to the
device, to engage with multiple surfaces of the device, and to
support the device in a generally horizontal orientation. The trim
component further defines an opening to the cavity. The arrangement
further includes a retaining body that is connected to the trim
component. The retaining body is configured to inhibit egress of
the device from the cavity through the opening when the device is
positioned within the cavity.
Inventors: |
JONES; Thomas A.; (Macomb,
MI) ; SAUNDERS; Timothy; (Warren, MI) ;
BEAUFAIT; Raymond A.; (Macomb, MI) |
Assignee: |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
LLC
DETROIT
MI
|
Family ID: |
47359611 |
Appl. No.: |
13/172526 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/37.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2011/0082 20130101;
B60R 11/0252 20130101; B60R 2011/0014 20130101; B60N 2/793
20180201; B60R 2011/0084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/37.8 |
International
Class: |
B60R 7/00 20060101
B60R007/00 |
Claims
1. An arrangement for housing a device in an interior of a vehicle,
the arrangement comprising: a trim component configured to be
mounted within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the trim
component defining a cavity, the cavity being configured to
substantially conform to the device, to engage with multiple
surfaces of the device, and to support the device in a generally
horizontal orientation, the trim component further defining an
opening to the cavity; and a retaining body connected to the trim
component, the retaining body configured to inhibit egress of the
device from the cavity through the opening when the device is
positioned within the cavity.
2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the retaining body comprises
a retaining strap.
3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the retaining strap is
attached to an upper surface of the cavity and is configured to
wrap around a rear portion and an under side of the device when the
device is positioned within the cavity, and further configured to
be releasably connected to the trim component proximate the
opening.
4. The arrangement of claim 2 further comprising a biasing member
connecting a portion of the retaining strap to the cavity, the
biasing member configured to bias the retaining strap towards a
retracted position.
5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein the biasing member comprises
an elastic strap.
6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the retaining body comprises
a retaining wall positioned proximate the opening, the retaining
wall partially obstructing the opening.
7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the retaining wall extends
in a substantially upward direction from a lower surface of the
cavity.
8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein a wall defining the cavity
includes a tapered portion and wherein the tapered portion is
configured to engage the device when the device is positioned
within the cavity.
9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein a floor of the cavity has a
grade such that a first portion of the floor disposed proximate the
opening has a higher elevation than a second portion of the floor
disposed remotely from the opening.
10. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a closeout
disposed proximate the opening, the close out configured to conceal
the opening.
11. The arrangement of claim 10, wherein the closeout comprises a
door that is configured to swing towards and away from the cavity
to permit insertion and removal of the device.
12. The arrangement of claim 10, wherein the closeout comprises a
first door and a second door, the first door and the second door
disposed opposite one another, the first door and the second door
each configured to swing towards and away from the cavity to permit
insertion and removal of the device.
13. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the opening faces in a
forward direction of the vehicle.
14. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the trim component
comprises a foam portion and wherein the cavity is defined in the
foam portion.
15. An arrangement for housing a device in an interior of a
vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a center console configured to
be mounted within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the
center console defining a cavity, the cavity being configured to
substantially conform to the device, to engage with multiple
surfaces of the device, and to support the device in a generally
horizontal orientation, the center console further defining an
opening to the cavity; and a retaining body connected to the center
console, the retaining body configured to inhibit egress of the
device from the cavity through the opening when the device is
positioned within the cavity.
16. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the retaining body
comprises a retaining strap.
17. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the retaining body
comprises a retaining wall positioned proximate the opening, the
retaining wall partially obstructing the opening.
18. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein a wall defining the cavity
includes a tapered portion and wherein the tapered portion is
configured to engage the device when the device is positioned
within the cavity.
19. The arrangement of claim 15, further comprising a close out
disposed proximate the opening, the close out configured to conceal
the opening.
20. An arrangement for housing a computing device in an interior of
a vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a center console configured
to be mounted within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the
center console defining a cavity, the cavity being configured to
substantially conform to the computing device, to engage with
multiple surfaces of the computing device, and to support the
computing device in a generally horizontal orientation, the center
console further defining an opening to the cavity; a retaining
strap connected to the center console, the retaining strap
configured to engage the trim component and the computing device to
inhibit egress of the computing device from the cavity through the
opening when the computing device is positioned within the cavity;
a retaining wall disposed proximate the opening, the retaining wall
configured to inhibit egress of the computing device from the
cavity through the opening when the computing device is positioned
within the cavity; and a close out disposed proximate the opening,
the close out configured to conceal the opening.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field generally relates to vehicles, and more
particularly relates to an arrangement for housing a device in an
interior of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Consumers are increasingly using and/or accessing laptop
computers, tablet computers, electronic readers, and other types of
portable computers (referred to collectively herein as a "computing
device" or as "computing devices") while they are sitting inside
the passenger compartments of their vehicles. To facilitate their
use of such computing devices, many consumers will extract their
computing devices from their respective carrying cases and position
them on an adjacent vehicle seat, a center console, an armrest or
some other horizontal surface within the passenger compartment of
the vehicle. This provides the consumer with ready access to the
computing device.
[0003] While placement of a computing device on a horizontal
surface within the interior of the vehicle may provide the consumer
with accessibility, there are some potential problems associated
with this solution. For example, a computing device resting on a
horizontal surface such as a center console, an armrest, and a
vehicle seat is unrestrained. The absence of any restraint may lead
to undesired movement of the computing device within the passenger
compartment under the urging of dynamic forces experienced during
vehicle maneuvers. Additionally, a computing device left on a
horizontal surface in the passenger compartment of a vehicle may be
plainly visible from outside of the vehicle. Such visibility from
the exterior of the vehicle may entice a thief to break and enter
into the vehicle to steal the computing device.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an arrangement that
is effective to secure a device such as, but not limited to, a
computing device against undesired movement during vehicle
maneuvers. In addition, it is desirable to provide an arrangement
that conceals the device during periods when the vehicle is parked
or is otherwise left unattended. Furthermore, other desirable
features and characteristics will become apparent from the
subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing
technical field and background.
SUMMARY
[0005] Various embodiments of an arrangement for housing a device
in an interior of a vehicle are disclosed herein.
[0006] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the arrangement
includes, but is not limited to, a trim component configured to be
mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The trim
component defines a cavity.
[0007] The cavity is configured to substantially conform to the
device, to engage with multiple surfaces of the device, and to
support the device in a generally horizontal orientation. The trim
component further defines an opening to the cavity. The arrangement
further includes a retaining body that is connected to the trim
component. The retaining body is configured to inhibit egress of
the device from the cavity through the opening when the device is
positioned within the cavity.
[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment, the arrangement
includes, but is not limited to, a trim component that is selected
from the group consisting of a center console and an armrest. The
trim component is configured to be mounted within a passenger
compartment of a vehicle. The trim component defines a cavity. The
cavity is configured to substantially conform to the device, to
engage with multiple surfaces of the device, and to support the
device in a generally horizontal orientation. The trim component
further defines an opening to the cavity. The arrangement further
includes a retaining body that is connected to the trim component.
The retaining body is configured to inhibit egress of the device
from the cavity through the opening when the device is positioned
within the cavity.
[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment, the arrangement
includes, but is not limited to, a trim component that is selected
from the group consisting of a center console and an armrest. The
trim component is configured to be mounted within a passenger
compartment of a vehicle. The trim component defines a cavity. The
cavity is configured to substantially conform to the device, to
engage with multiple surfaces of the device, and to support the
device in a generally horizontal orientation. The trim component
further defines an opening to the cavity. The arrangement further
includes a retaining strap that is connected to the trim component.
The retaining strap is configured to engage the trim component and
the device to inhibit egress of the device from the cavity through
the opening when the device is positioned within the cavity. The
arrangement further includes a retaining wall that is disposed
proximate the opening. The retaining wall is configured to inhibit
egress of the device from the cavity through the opening when the
device is positioned within the cavity. The arrangement still
further includes a close out that is disposed proximate the
opening. The close out is configured to conceal the opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] One or more embodiments will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements, and
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view illustrating an
arrangement for housing a device in an interior of the vehicle made
in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the embodiment
of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to insertion of a
device;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 2
illustrating the arrangement after insertion of a device;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 3
illustrating removal of the device from the arrangement;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 2
illustrating another embodiment of an arrangement for housing a
device in an interior of a vehicle; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective environmental view illustrating
another embodiment of an arrangement for housing a device in an
interior of the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit application and uses.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or
implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,
background, brief summary or the following detailed
description.
[0018] An arrangement for housing a device such as, but not limited
to, a computing device, in an interior of the vehicle is disclosed
herein. The solution entails utilizing an existing trim component
of the vehicle's interior, such as a center console, an armrest, an
instrument panel, a seat cushion, and the like to house the device.
The trim component includes a cavity that is configured to receive
the device and an opening that provides access to the cavity from
the interior of the vehicle. The cavity has a configuration that
generally conforms to the shape of the device and is further
configured to support the device in a generally horizontal
orientation. In this manner, a driver or occupant of the vehicle
may insert his or her device into the cavity of the trim component
for storage during vehicle operations and also for concealment
during periods when the vehicle will be left unattended.
[0019] The arrangement also includes a structure that is configured
to retain the device within the cavity once the device has been
placed there. In some examples, the structure may include a
retaining wall that extends in a generally upward direction from a
floor surface of the cavity. The retaining wall would serve to
obstruct movement of the device through the opening and thus would
inhibit unintended egress of the device from the cavity. In other
embodiments, the structure may be a strap that is configured to be
releasably attached to the trim component and to obstruct movement
of the device through the opening when the strap is attached to the
trim component.
[0020] A further understanding of the above described arrangement
for housing a device such as, but not limited to, a computer device
in an interior of a vehicle may be obtained through a review of the
illustrations accompanying this application together with a review
of the detailed description that follows.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view illustrating an
interior 10 of a vehicle having a bucket seat arrangement in a
front portion of the passenger compartment. Interior 10 includes an
arrangement 12 for housing a device. In the embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 1, arrangement 12 has been incorporated into a center
console 14 that is positioned between a driver seat 16 and a front
passenger seat 18. Although arrangement 12 has been illustrated as
being incorporated into a center console that is positioned between
the front bucket seats of an automobile, it should be understood
that arrangement 12 may be incorporated into any suitable interior
trim component of an automobile. It should further be understood
that arrangement 12 may be positioned at any seating position
within an automobile and is not limited to usage in the front
portion of the vehicle's passenger compartment. It should be
further understood that arrangement 12 is not limited to usage with
automobiles, but rather may be used in any type of vehicle
including, but not limited to, aircraft, watercraft, trains, and
spacecraft.
[0022] Arrangement 12 is incorporated into an armrest portion 20 of
center console 14. Arrangement 12 includes a cavity 24 that has
been defined in armrest portion 20. Cavity 24 has a configuration
that generally conforms to a device and that extends within armrest
portion 20 in a manner that permits cavity 24 to support the device
in a generally horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, cavity
24 forms a chamber having a generally rectangular cross-section. In
other embodiments, other geometric cross sections are possible. In
some embodiments, cavity 24 is configured such that the device fits
snugly between an upper and lower surface to inhibit undesired
movement of the device as the vehicle maneuvers.
[0023] Arrangement 12 also includes an opening 26 to provide a
driver or passenger with access to cavity 24. In the illustrated
embodiment, opening 26 is defined in a front surface of armrest
portion 20. In other embodiments, opening 26 may be defined in side
surfaces or a rear surface of armrest portion 20 without departing
from the teachings of the present disclosure.
[0024] Arrangement 12 further includes a retaining strap 28.
Retaining strap 28 is configured to be releasably attached to
armrest portion 20 in close proximity to opening 26. When retaining
strap 28 is attached to armrest portion 20, retaining strap 28
serves to secure a device inside of cavity 24 by obstructing
opening 26.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating arrangement 12
prior to insertion of a device into cavity 24. Armrest portion 20
may be constructed, in part, of a compressible foam material.
Cavity 24 may be formed in the foam material of armrest portion 20
during an injection molding process that is used to fabricate
armrest portion 20. Cavity 24 may be formed by placing an
appropriately configured insert into the mold prior to introduction
of the foam material into the mold in a manner that is well known
in the art. In such an arrangement, the walls forming the cavity
would be compressible.
[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, armrest portion 20
is constructed, in part, of a foam material such that armrest
portion 20 includes a foam portion 21 mounted on a substrate 23.
Foam portion 21 is compressible. Cavity 24 has been defined in foam
portion 21. Substrate 23 may be made of any suitable material
including plastic and metal and is not substantially
compressible.
[0027] Cavity 24 is defined, in part, by an upper surface 30 and a
lower surface 32. Upper surface 30 and lower surface 32 are
configured to support a device in a generally horizontal
orientation. Upper surface 30 includes a tapered portion 34 that is
configured to engage the device as the device is inserted into
cavity 24. Furthermore, owing to the fact that cavity 24 has been
defined in foam portion 21 of armrest portion 20, tapered portion
34 may be compressed to deform in a manner that conforms to the
contours of any device that is inserted into cavity 24. Such
compression allows cavity 24 to snugly engage the device, to retain
the device within cavity 24, and to inhibit the device from
movement during vehicle maneuvers.
[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, lower surface 32
has a slight downward grade in a direction towards the rear of
cavity 24. This downward grade takes advantage of gravitational
forces to assist in retaining a device within cavity 24.
[0029] Retaining strap 28 includes a hook 36 that is configured to
engage a hook engaging member 38 positioned above opening 26. When
hook 36 is engaged with hook engaging member 38 while a device is
positioned within cavity 24, retaining strap 28 will obstruct
opening 26 and will thereby inhibit egress of the device from
cavity 24. An elastic strap 40 is connected at one end to a rear
surface 42 of cavity 24 and at an opposite end to retaining strap
28. Elastic strap 40 is configured to bias retaining strap 28 in a
direction towards an interior of cavity 24 and thereby takes up any
slack in retaining strap 28 and retains hook 36 in a position that
is proximate opening 26.
[0030] A retaining wall 44 is connected to substrate 23 and extends
in an upward direction into cavity 24. Retaining wall 44 extends
only a portion of the way between lower surface 32 and upper
surface 30. In this manner, a device may be maneuvered over and
past an upper portion of retaining wall 44 when being inserted into
cavity 24. When an end of the device is pushed past retaining wall
44, it will fall onto lower surface 32 and will be inhibited from
movement towards opening 26 through engagement with retaining wall
44.
[0031] A close out 46 is positioned in opening 26 and is configured
to close opening 26. Close out 46 includes a door 48 and a hinge
50. Hinge 50 allows door 48 to swing towards and away from a rear
portion of cavity 24 in a manner similar to a hinged door covering
a mail slot. Door 48 extends in a vertical direction and a lateral
direction to conceal opening 26. Door 48 enhances the aesthetically
pleasing appearance of armrest portion 20 by concealing cavity 24.
Door 48 also serves to conceal the presence of a device positioned
inside of cavity 24.
[0032] In some embodiments, lower surface 32 and/or upper surface
30 may be covered by carpeting or other material to create an
aesthetically pleasing fit and finish and also to obtain a desired
coefficient of static and kinetic friction which can further assist
in retaining a device within cavity 24. In still other embodiments,
material or other trim pieces may be positioned over an external
portion of door 48 for the purposes of creating a more
aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 2
illustrating arrangement 12 with a device 52 positioned in cavity
24. Retaining strap 28 has been secured to armrest portion 20
through engagement between hook 36 and hook engaging member 38.
This engagement causes retaining strap 28 to obstruct opening 26
and to thereby inhibit device 52 from exiting through opening 26
during braking or other vehicle maneuvers. As illustrated,
retaining strap 28 also wraps around a rear portion of device 52
and extends under a bottom portion of device 52. This arrangement
will be advantageous when it is time to remove device 52 from
cavity 24.
[0034] Retaining wall 44 is positioned forward of device 52 and
extends upwardly into cavity 24 above a bottom portion of device
52. Consequently, any movement of device 52 towards opening 26 as a
result of braking or other vehicle maneuvers will be obstructed by
retaining wall 44.
[0035] Tapered portion 34 of upper surface 30 has been deformed
around an upper surface of a rear portion of device 52. This
deformation compresses device 52 between upper surface 30 and lower
surface 32 to snugly retained device 52 to within cavity 24.
[0036] In other embodiments, arrangement 12 may omit one or more of
the retaining features illustrated in FIG. 3 without departing from
the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, alternate
embodiments of arrangement 12 may include only one of retaining
strap 28 and retaining wall 44. In still other embodiments,
different impediments and structures and/or additional impediments
and structures may be included with arrangement 12 to prevent the
unintended egress of device 52 from cavity 24 without departing
from the teachings of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 3
illustrating removal of device 52 from cavity 24. A person wishing
to remove device 52 from cavity 24 may pull open door 48 and then
pull in an outward direction on retaining strap 28. By pulling on
retaining strap 28, a forward portion of device 52 may be lifted up
and over an upper portion of retaining wall 44 while a rear portion
of device 52 will be urged by retaining strap 28 towards opening
26. When device 52 has been pulled such that a portion of device 52
extends outside of cavity 24, a person may grasp device 52 with his
or her hands to complete the removal of device 52 from cavity
24.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 2
illustrating another embodiment 54 of an arrangement for housing a
device in an interior of a vehicle. With continuing reference to
FIG. 2, embodiment 54 differs from arrangement 12 in substantially
only one respect. Whereas arrangement 12 included closeout 46
having a single door 48 and a single hinge 50, embodiment 44
includes a closeout 56 including two doors, a door 58 and a door 60
and two hinges, a hinge 62 and a hinge 64 arranged in a saloon door
configuration. Some customers may find closeout 56 to be more
aesthetically pleasing.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective environmental view illustrating an
interior 66 of a vehicle having a bench seat arrangement in the
front portion of the passenger compartment. Interior 66 includes an
arrangement 70 for housing a device incorporated into a retractable
armrest 72. With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-5, arrangement 70
is substantially identical to arrangement 12 with the primary
exception being the trim component into which it has been
incorporated.
[0040] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented
in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated
that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be
appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments
are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope,
applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing
detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a
convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or
exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes
can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without
departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and
the legal equivalents thereof.
* * * * *