Multi-purpose object holder with selectable sizes

Abstract

An object holder assembly for a vehicle trim component has a vehicle trim body having an opening formed therein. A panel is movably mounted relative to the opening for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in the opening. The panel has a slot formed therein with the slot and the body being configured for receiving and supporting an object therein. The vehicle trim body defines a recess for receiving an object therein, and further can include a plurality of panels, each of the panels being slidably positioned within the recess for movement between the extended and retracted positions. Each of the panels also has a slot formed through a surface of the panel and each lower slot is successively smaller than each successively upper slot. The slots can have differently shaped slots formed therein and the plurality of panels can be stacked in a generally vertical manner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates in general to storage compartments, and more particularly to storage compartments for holding objects in vehicle passenger compartments with a size selector to more securely store the object. [0002] Vehicle cup holder assemblies are popular in modern vehicle designs. Countless variations of cup holder assemblies exist, each variation having varying degrees of efficiency, practicality, manufacturability and cost. Vehicle interior designers have continuously modified cup holder designs to improve aesthetics of the design and to improve functionality as cost constraints continue to tighten. The ideal design would be inexpensive to manufacture, simple to assemble, be aesthetically pleasing, and provide improved functionality such that it could securely hold a variety of shapes and sizes of cups. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved vehicle cup holder assembly that achieves these stated goals while reducing the cost...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In alternate embodiments, the object holder assembly is retractable relative to a vehicle console member. Alternatively, the panels of the object holder assembly include an arm slidably mounted on the panel adjacent the slot for effectively increasing or decreasing the size of the slot. In this embodiment, the object holder assembly includes having either the arm or the panel having detents formed thereon and the other of the arm and panel including spurs received in the detents to help prevent movement of the arm relative to the panel. The object holder assembly can include a base positioned below the panel for vertically supporting a lower portion of an object. The lower platform is movably mounted in a generally vertical direction relative to the panel. The panel can also be formed from a plurality of strips connected together.

Problems solved by technology

However, most vehicles do not provide storage locations for securely holding these devices in place.

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