WO2000021793A1 - Center console assembly - Google Patents

Center console assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000021793A1
WO2000021793A1 PCT/CA1999/000950 CA9900950W WO0021793A1 WO 2000021793 A1 WO2000021793 A1 WO 2000021793A1 CA 9900950 W CA9900950 W CA 9900950W WO 0021793 A1 WO0021793 A1 WO 0021793A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
assembly
shelves
shelf
set forth
compartment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA1999/000950
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joseph Mrozowski
Christopher Welch
Original Assignee
Magna Seating Systems Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Magna Seating Systems Inc. filed Critical Magna Seating Systems Inc.
Publication of WO2000021793A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000021793A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R7/00—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps
    • B60R7/04—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space, e.g. using racks

Definitions

  • the subject invention relates to a center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle, typically between the seats for storing various articles.
  • Such assemblies are of various constructions and nearly all share the objective of maximizing storage space with a minimum complexity, both in fabrication and operation.
  • Typical assemblies include a housing having side walls defining a compartment with an open top periphery and upper and lower shelves movable between a storage position in the compartment and an extended position outside the compartment. Examples of such assemblies are disclosed in U. S. Patents 5,853,220 to Gulich et al and 5,562,049 to Hoffman et al. However, the prior art assemblies take up an inordinate amount of space in either the storage or extended positions.
  • the subject invention provides a center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle to an provide expanded storage area.
  • the assembly comprises a housing having side walls defining a compartment with an open top periphery and upper and lower shelves movable between a storage position in the compartment and an extended position outside the compartment.
  • the assembly is characterized by a linkage mechanism interconnecting the shelves and said housing for moving the shelves vertically in unison from the storage position with the shelves spaced vertically from and overlying one another to the extended position with the shelves remaining vertically spaced from and overlying one another to provide access to both of the shelves.
  • the subject invention provides a maximum amount of storage space yet effectively minimizing complexity in fabrication and operation.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the subject invention in the extended position
  • Figure 2 is also a perspective view but showing the assembly in the storage position.
  • a center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle is generally shown at 10.
  • the assembly 10 includes a housing, generally indicated at 12, having side walls 14 and end walls 16 defining a compartment, generally indicated at 18, with an open top periphery.
  • a pair of upper 20 and lower 22 shelves are movable between a storage position in the compartment 18 and an extended position outside the compartment 18.
  • the assembly 10 is characterized by a linkage mechanism 24, 26, 28 interconnecting the shelves 20 and 22 and the housing 12 for moving the shelves 20 and 22 vertically in unison from the storage position with the shelves 20 and 22 spaced vertically from and overlying one another (Figure 2) to the extended position with the shelves 20 and 22 remaining vertically spaced from and overlying one another to provide access to both of the shelves 20 and 22 ( Figure 1).
  • the open top periphery includes a recess 29 for receiving and supporting the upper shelf 20 in the storage position.
  • the linkage mechanism 24, 26, 28 includes at least one compartment link 24 interconnecting the lower shelf 22 and the housing 12 for moving the lower shelf 22 between the storage and extended positions.
  • the shelves 20 and 22 have ends and side edges and a pair of the compartment links 24 are spaced from one another along the one side edge of the lower shelf 22.
  • Each compartment link 24 has first and second ends and a first pivotal connection 28 pivotally connecting the first end to one side edge of the lower shelf 22 and a second pivotal connection 30 pivotally connecting the seconds end to the housing 12.
  • the linkage mechanism 24, 26, 28 also includes at least one shelf link 26, 28 interconnecting the shelves 20 and 22 for maintaining the shelves 20 and 22 in the vertically spaced relationship to one another during the movement between the storage and extended positions.
  • a pair of the shelf links 26, 28 are disposed at each of the ends of the shelves 20 and 22 and each pair of the shelf links 26, 28 are disposed generally parallel to one another.
  • Each of the shelf links 26, 28 has top and bottom ends with the top ends pivotally 5 connected to the upper shelf 20 and the bottom ends pivotally connected to the lower shelf 22.
  • a stabilizer 32 in the form of a spring limits the movement of the shelf links 26, 28 to maintain the shelves 20 and 22 vertically spaced from one another. Instead of a spring, the stabilizer may take the form of a latch interconnecting one of the shelf links 26, 28 and the housing 12 to prevent or limit movement of the shelf links 26, 28 relative to the housing 10 12.
  • the linkage mechanism retains the relative orientation between the shelves 20 and 22 so that the shelves 20 and 22 do not rotate relative to one another while being maintained the parallel and vertically spaced relationship.
  • An armrest pad 34 is disposed on the upper shelf 20 and is pivotally connected to 15 one edge 36 of the upper shelf 20 for movement between an armrest position overlying the upper shelf 20 and a raised position allowing access to the upper shelf 20.
  • a drawer 38 having pockets 40 is movably supported in one wall 16 of the housing 12 for movement between open and closed positions.
  • the drawer 38 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 at the bottom thereof and swings open for access to the 0 pockets 40.

Abstract

A center console for an automotive vehicle wherein a pair of upper (20) and lower (22) shelves are movable between a storage position in the compartment (18) and an extended position outside the compartment (18). A pair of the compartment links (24) are spaced from one another along the one side edge of the lower shelf (22) and pivotally connected to one side edge of the lower shelf (22) and pivotally connected to the housing (12). A pair of parallel shelf links (26, 28) are disposed at each of the ends of the shelves (20 and 22) with top ends pivotally connected to the upper shelf (20) and bottom ends pivotally connected to the lower shelf (22). A stabilizer spring (32) limits the movement of the shelf links (26, 28) to maintain the shelves (20 and 22) vertically spaced from one another during movement between the storage and extended positions.

Description

CENTER CONSOLE ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to a center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle, typically between the seats for storing various articles.
Description of the Prior Art
Such assemblies are of various constructions and nearly all share the objective of maximizing storage space with a minimum complexity, both in fabrication and operation. Typical assemblies include a housing having side walls defining a compartment with an open top periphery and upper and lower shelves movable between a storage position in the compartment and an extended position outside the compartment. Examples of such assemblies are disclosed in U. S. Patents 5,853,220 to Gulich et al and 5,562,049 to Hoffman et al. However, the prior art assemblies take up an inordinate amount of space in either the storage or extended positions.
Summary of the Invention
The subject invention provides a center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle to an provide expanded storage area. The assembly comprises a housing having side walls defining a compartment with an open top periphery and upper and lower shelves movable between a storage position in the compartment and an extended position outside the compartment. The assembly is characterized by a linkage mechanism interconnecting the shelves and said housing for moving the shelves vertically in unison from the storage position with the shelves spaced vertically from and overlying one another to the extended position with the shelves remaining vertically spaced from and overlying one another to provide access to both of the shelves.
Accordingly, the subject invention provides a maximum amount of storage space yet effectively minimizing complexity in fabrication and operation.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the subject invention in the extended position; and
Figure 2 is also a perspective view but showing the assembly in the storage position.
Detailed Description of The Preferred Embodiment
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle is generally shown at 10.
The assembly 10 includes a housing, generally indicated at 12, having side walls 14 and end walls 16 defining a compartment, generally indicated at 18, with an open top periphery.
A pair of upper 20 and lower 22 shelves are movable between a storage position in the compartment 18 and an extended position outside the compartment 18.
The assembly 10 is characterized by a linkage mechanism 24, 26, 28 interconnecting the shelves 20 and 22 and the housing 12 for moving the shelves 20 and 22 vertically in unison from the storage position with the shelves 20 and 22 spaced vertically from and overlying one another (Figure 2) to the extended position with the shelves 20 and 22 remaining vertically spaced from and overlying one another to provide access to both of the shelves 20 and 22 (Figure 1). The open top periphery includes a recess 29 for receiving and supporting the upper shelf 20 in the storage position.
The linkage mechanism 24, 26, 28 includes at least one compartment link 24 interconnecting the lower shelf 22 and the housing 12 for moving the lower shelf 22 between the storage and extended positions. The shelves 20 and 22 have ends and side edges and a pair of the compartment links 24 are spaced from one another along the one side edge of the lower shelf 22. Each compartment link 24 has first and second ends and a first pivotal connection 28 pivotally connecting the first end to one side edge of the lower shelf 22 and a second pivotal connection 30 pivotally connecting the seconds end to the housing 12.
The linkage mechanism 24, 26, 28 also includes at least one shelf link 26, 28 interconnecting the shelves 20 and 22 for maintaining the shelves 20 and 22 in the vertically spaced relationship to one another during the movement between the storage and extended positions. A pair of the shelf links 26, 28 are disposed at each of the ends of the shelves 20 and 22 and each pair of the shelf links 26, 28 are disposed generally parallel to one another. Each of the shelf links 26, 28 has top and bottom ends with the top ends pivotally 5 connected to the upper shelf 20 and the bottom ends pivotally connected to the lower shelf 22. A stabilizer 32 in the form of a spring limits the movement of the shelf links 26, 28 to maintain the shelves 20 and 22 vertically spaced from one another. Instead of a spring, the stabilizer may take the form of a latch interconnecting one of the shelf links 26, 28 and the housing 12 to prevent or limit movement of the shelf links 26, 28 relative to the housing 10 12.
As will be appreciated, the linkage mechanism retains the relative orientation between the shelves 20 and 22 so that the shelves 20 and 22 do not rotate relative to one another while being maintained the parallel and vertically spaced relationship.
An armrest pad 34 is disposed on the upper shelf 20 and is pivotally connected to 15 one edge 36 of the upper shelf 20 for movement between an armrest position overlying the upper shelf 20 and a raised position allowing access to the upper shelf 20.
A drawer 38 having pockets 40 is movably supported in one wall 16 of the housing 12 for movement between open and closed positions. The drawer 38 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 at the bottom thereof and swings open for access to the 0 pockets 40.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible 5 in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A center console assembly for disposition adjacent a seat in an automotive vehicle, said assembly comprising; a housing having side walls defining a compartment with an open top periphery, and upper and lower shelves movable between a storage position in said compartment and an extended position outside said compartment, said assembly characterized by a linkage mechanism interconnecting said shelves and said housing for moving said shelves vertically in unison from said storage position with said shelves spaced vertically from and overlying one another to said extended position with said shelves remaining vertically spaced from and overlying one another to provide access to both of said shelves.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linkage mechanism includes at least one compartment link interconnecting said lower shelf and said housing for moving said lower shelf between said storage and extended positions.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said linkage mechanism includes at least one shelf link interconnecting said shelves for maintaining said shelves in said vertically spaced relationship to one another during said movement between said storage and extended positions.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said compartment link has first and second ends and a first pivotal connection pivotally connecting said first end to said lower shelf and a second pivotal connection pivotally connecting said seconds end to said housing.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said shelves have ends and side edges and said pivotal connection is disposed at one side edge of said lower shelf.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 including a pair of said compartment links spaced from one another along said one side edge of said lower shelf.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said shelves have ends and side edges and including a pair of said shelf links at each of said ends of said shelves.
8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein each pair of said shelf links are disposed generally parallel to one another.
9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said shelf links has top and bottom ends with said top ends pivotally connected to said upper shelf and said bottom ends pivotally connected to said lower shelf.
10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including a stabilizer for limiting movement of said shelf links to maintain said shelves vertically spaced from one another.
11. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 including an armrest pad disposed on said upper shelf.
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pad is pivotally connected to one edge of said upper shelf for movement between an armrest position overlying said upper shelf and a raised position allowing access to said upper shelf.
13. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a drawer movably supported in one wall of said housing for movement between open and closed positions.
14. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said open top periphery includes a recess for receiving and supporting said upper shelf in said storage position.
PCT/CA1999/000950 1998-10-14 1999-10-13 Center console assembly WO2000021793A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10414398P 1998-10-14 1998-10-14
US60/104,143 1998-10-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000021793A1 true WO2000021793A1 (en) 2000-04-20

Family

ID=22298875

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA1999/000950 WO2000021793A1 (en) 1998-10-14 1999-10-13 Center console assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2000021793A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2815306A1 (en) 2000-10-12 2002-04-19 Renault Console with integrated table, for vehicle, has compartment, with two part cover, and table, stored vertically in compartment, when not in use, and fitting horizontally on to covers ends, when in use.
EP1431112A1 (en) * 2002-12-21 2004-06-23 Adam Opel Ag Foldable tray for vehicle.
DE102006048565A1 (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-17 Volkswagen Ag Storage set-up for center console of vehicle, has housing with covering units arranged for releasing or opening loading space of vehicle, where openings to loading space are produced through covering units and face passengers
FR2907726A3 (en) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-02 Renault Sas Center console for motor vehicle, has upper cover plate closing console, and cover closed to constitute armrest part or opened to permit driver to arrange objects depositing zone at side of another armrest part, during absence of passenger
US7748762B2 (en) 2007-09-19 2010-07-06 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle console assembly
US9371039B2 (en) 2014-08-21 2016-06-21 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Storage assembly with deployable layer
US20170028926A1 (en) * 2015-07-28 2017-02-02 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Storage system for a vehicle
US20170282810A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Deployable, expandable storage assembly for a motor vehicle
FR3097181A1 (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-12-18 Novares France Internal shell of a motor vehicle center console

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4493417A (en) * 1982-12-23 1985-01-15 Idn Inventions And Development Of Novelties Ag Storage device for flat recording media
JPH079915A (en) * 1993-06-28 1995-01-13 Kanto Auto Works Ltd Telephone set storage device for automobile
GB2298190A (en) * 1995-02-21 1996-08-28 500 Group Inc Storage case
US5562049A (en) 1994-08-23 1996-10-08 Helton, Inc. Table with extendable and rotatable surfaces and mechanism for same
EP0842821A2 (en) * 1996-11-14 1998-05-20 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Armrest for a vehicle seat with storage compartment for an accessory

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4493417A (en) * 1982-12-23 1985-01-15 Idn Inventions And Development Of Novelties Ag Storage device for flat recording media
JPH079915A (en) * 1993-06-28 1995-01-13 Kanto Auto Works Ltd Telephone set storage device for automobile
US5562049A (en) 1994-08-23 1996-10-08 Helton, Inc. Table with extendable and rotatable surfaces and mechanism for same
GB2298190A (en) * 1995-02-21 1996-08-28 500 Group Inc Storage case
EP0842821A2 (en) * 1996-11-14 1998-05-20 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Armrest for a vehicle seat with storage compartment for an accessory
US5853220A (en) 1996-11-14 1998-12-29 Volkswagen Ag Armrest for a motor vehicle seat having a storage compartment for an accessory

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Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1995, no. 04 31 May 1995 (1995-05-31) *

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2815306A1 (en) 2000-10-12 2002-04-19 Renault Console with integrated table, for vehicle, has compartment, with two part cover, and table, stored vertically in compartment, when not in use, and fitting horizontally on to covers ends, when in use.
EP1431112A1 (en) * 2002-12-21 2004-06-23 Adam Opel Ag Foldable tray for vehicle.
DE10260503A1 (en) * 2002-12-21 2004-07-01 Adam Opel Ag Folding table arrangement for vehicles
US7143701B2 (en) 2002-12-21 2006-12-05 Lear Corporation Collapsible table arrangement for vehicles
DE102006048565B4 (en) 2006-10-13 2019-09-12 Volkswagen Ag Storage configuration for a center console of a vehicle
DE102006048565A1 (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-17 Volkswagen Ag Storage set-up for center console of vehicle, has housing with covering units arranged for releasing or opening loading space of vehicle, where openings to loading space are produced through covering units and face passengers
FR2907726A3 (en) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-02 Renault Sas Center console for motor vehicle, has upper cover plate closing console, and cover closed to constitute armrest part or opened to permit driver to arrange objects depositing zone at side of another armrest part, during absence of passenger
US7748762B2 (en) 2007-09-19 2010-07-06 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle console assembly
US9371039B2 (en) 2014-08-21 2016-06-21 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Storage assembly with deployable layer
CN106394420B (en) * 2015-07-28 2018-12-14 大众汽车有限公司 Storage system for the vehicles
US20170028926A1 (en) * 2015-07-28 2017-02-02 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Storage system for a vehicle
CN106394420A (en) * 2015-07-28 2017-02-15 大众汽车有限公司 Storage system for a vehicle
DE102015214220B4 (en) 2015-07-28 2023-09-07 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Storage system for a vehicle
US9840203B2 (en) * 2015-07-28 2017-12-12 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Storage system for a vehicle
US9937867B2 (en) * 2016-04-01 2018-04-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Deployable, expandable storage assembly for a motor vehicle
CN107264419A (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-20 福特全球技术公司 Extensible, expansible storage assembly for motor vehicles
CN107264419B (en) * 2016-04-01 2022-04-19 福特全球技术公司 Deployable and expandable storage assembly for a motor vehicle
US20170282810A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Deployable, expandable storage assembly for a motor vehicle
FR3097181A1 (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-12-18 Novares France Internal shell of a motor vehicle center console
EP3753788A1 (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-12-23 NOVARES France Internal shell of a central console of a motor vehicle

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