Vehicle furniture system

Abstract

A vehicle furniture system having a furniture item and a carriage configured to transport the furniture item between a first and a second position within a body portion of a vehicle when the carriage is connected to the body portion of the vehicle, the vehicle furniture system including a first actuator configured to deploy the furniture item from the carriage when the carriage is in at least one of the first and second positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle furniture system and, more particularly, to a vehicle furniture system having a table deployable from a door of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle, such as a car or truck, typically has one or more vehicle furniture items, such as tables and seats, in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In some vehicles, the vehicle furniture may be configured so that a passenger can stow the vehicle furniture when not in use. For example, the vehicle furniture may be configured to fold onto a load space floor and / or onto another vehicle furniture item. However, vehicle designers may be limited in designing stowable vehicle furniture due to the seating arrangement in the passenger compartment and / or the layout of the vehicle chassis.

[0003] With the advent of electric and / or autonomous vehicles, automotive designers may be less constrained in the design of the passenger compartment. As a result, the seating arrangements and layout of vehicle furniture in modern vehicles may differ from those of conventional vehicles. Furthermore, the seating arrangements in modern vehicles may be reconfigured according to the requirements of the passengers for a particular journey. Therefore, it is desirable to provide vehicle furniture that can be more conveniently stowed when not in use and that can be positioned according to the seating arrangement of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle furniture system is provided, the vehicle furniture system having a furniture item (e.g., a table) and a carriage configured to transport the furniture item between first and second positions within a body portion of a vehicle (e.g., a door of the vehicle) when the carriage is connected to the body portion of the vehicle. The vehicle furniture system includes a first actuator configured to deploy the furniture item from the carriage when the carriage is in at least one of the first and second positions.

[0005] The vehicle furniture system can be configured to deploy the furniture item from the carriage only when the carriage is in one of a first and a second position, depending on the configuration of the vehicle. The first position can be a stowed position, such as a position in which the item is disposed within a body portion of the vehicle and is not ready to be deployed, such as a result of the position / orientation of the carriage relative to a portion of the vehicle. The second position can be an activated position, such as a position in which the item is disposed within a body portion of the vehicle and is ready to be deployed, such as a result of the position / orientation of the carriage relative to a portion of the vehicle.

[0006] The first actuator may be a vehicle furniture actuator, such as a table actuator. The actuator may be an electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuator. The actuator may include a worm drive.

[0007] The carriage may include an inclined surface configured to direct the furniture item as it is deployed from the carriage. The first actuator may cause the furniture item to engage the inclined surface. The inclined surface may be configured to direct the furniture item into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The inclined surface may be configured to move the furniture item toward a horizontal plane of the vehicle, particularly when the vehicle is on level ground.

[0008] The carriage and the item of furniture may be movably (e.g., slidably and / or rotationally) connected such that movement of the item of furniture relative to the carriage causes the furniture to engage the inclined surface. The vehicle furniture system may include a first gear coupling between the item of furniture and the carriage (e.g., a body portion of the carriage). The vehicle furniture system may include a second gear coupling between the item of furniture and the first actuator. The second gear coupling may include a worm gear mechanism.

[0009] The vehicle furniture system may include a second actuator (e.g., a carriage actuator) configured to move the carriage between first and second positions within the body portion of the vehicle. The vehicle furniture system may include a third gear coupling between the carriage and the second actuator. The third gear coupling may include a worm gear mechanism.

[0010] The vehicle furniture system may include a third actuator configured to adjust the orientation of the furniture item when the furniture item is deployed from the body portion of the vehicle. The vehicle furniture system may include a control system configured to determine the angular orientation of the furniture item when the furniture item is deployed from the body portion of the vehicle. At least one of the first actuator and the third actuator may be configured to adjust the angular orientation of the furniture item when the furniture item is determined to be not level.

[0011] The body portion of the vehicle may include at least one door, such as a first door and a second door. The first door may be a front door of the vehicle. The second door may be a rear door of the vehicle. The carriage may be configured to move within the at least one door (e.g., within a cavity defined by an outer skin of the at least one door and at least one door panel). The at least one door (e.g., the first door) may be configured to accommodate an item of furniture when the carriage is in a first position. The at least one door (e.g., the first door and the second door) may be configured to accommodate an item of furniture when the carriage is in a second position. In the case where the body portion of the vehicle includes a plurality of doors, the plurality of doors may cooperate to accommodate an item of furniture when the carriage is in the second position. For example, a front door of the vehicle and a rear door of the vehicle may cooperate to close an opening in the body. When the front door and the rear door are closed, the vehicle furniture system may be configured to move the item of furniture to a position where the item of furniture is partially disposed within the cavity of the front door and partially disposed within the cavity of the rear door, such as when the carriage is in the second position.

[0012] At least one door may include a slot configured to receive the furniture item when the furniture item is in the at least partially deployed state. For example, an outer skin of at least one door and / or a door panel of at least one door may include a slot through which the furniture item may be passed. The first actuator may enable the furniture item to be passed through the slot. In the case where the body portion of the vehicle includes multiple doors, the first door and the second door may each include a slot. When the slide is in the second position and the furniture item is in the at least partially deployed state, the slot of the first door and the slot of the second door may cooperate to receive the furniture item. The slot may include a cover (e.g., a retractable cover) configured to close the opening of the slot when the furniture item is stowed within the body portion of the vehicle.

[0013] The vehicle furniture system may be configured to extend the furniture item across an interface between the first and second vehicle doors when the carriage is in the second position and the furniture item is in the at least partially deployed state.

[0014] The vehicle furniture system may be configured to allow at least one vehicle door to be opened and closed when the furniture item is in the deployed state. For example, the vehicle furniture system may be configured to allow a rear door of the vehicle to be opened and closed when the furniture item is in the deployed state.

[0015] The vehicle furniture system may include a support element configured to at least partially support the item of furniture when in a deployed state. The support element may be connected to the carriage. The support element may be deployable from the item of furniture. The support element may be deployable from a body portion of a vehicle.

[0016] When the furniture item is in the expanded state, the furniture item may be movable between the collapsed state and the expanded state. For example, where the furniture item comprises a table, the table may comprise a tabletop movably connected to a table support structure.

[0017] The article of furniture may be a seat.A vehicle may be provided comprising one or more of the above-described vehicle furniture systems.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided having a vehicle body portion, a furniture item and a carriage configured to transport the furniture item between a stowed position and an activated position within the vehicle body portion, particularly when the carriage is connected to the vehicle body portion. The vehicle further comprises a first actuator configured to deploy the furniture item from the carriage when the carriage is in the activated position. The vehicle may be configured to prevent deployment of the furniture item when the furniture item is in the stowed position.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a vehicle furniture system is provided, the vehicle furniture system having a furniture item and a carriage configured to transport the furniture item between a first and a second position within a body portion of a vehicle when the carriage is connected to the body portion of the vehicle. The carriage includes a first actuator configured to deploy the furniture item from the body portion when the carriage is in at least one of the first and second positions. The method includes moving the carriage to one of the first and second positions within the body portion of the vehicle and deploying the furniture item from the body portion.

[0020] In order to avoid unnecessary duplication of work and duplication of text in the specification, only certain features related to one or more aspects or arrangements of the present invention are described. However, it should be understood that, where technically feasible, the features described with respect to any aspect or arrangement of the present invention may also be used with any other aspect or arrangement of the present invention.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate these and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention upon studying the following specification, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In the attached picture:

[0023] Figure 1a is a perspective view of a vehicle furniture system according to one embodiment shown in a fully stowed state;

[0024] Figure 1b is a perspective view of a vehicle furniture system shown in a further intermediate state;

[0025] Figure 1c is a perspective view of the vehicle furniture system in an intermediate state;

[0026] Figure 1d is a perspective view of a vehicle furniture system shown in a fully deployed state;

[0027] Figure 1e is a perspective view of a vehicle furniture system shown in a further fully deployed state;

[0028] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle furniture system; and

[0029] Figure 3 It is a partial perspective view of the vehicle furniture system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention provides a vehicle furniture system 101 having a vehicle furniture item 103 deployable from a body portion 105 of a vehicle. The vehicle may be any type of vehicle, such as a car, van, truck, train, ship, or aircraft. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "vehicle furniture" should be understood to mean any suitable furniture that can be used to make the interior and / or exterior of a vehicle suitable for occupancy by an individual and / or for a specific purpose (e.g., storage). For example, the vehicle furniture may be a table, desk, seat, bench, or any other supporting structure.

[0031] exist Figure 1a-1e In the illustrated arrangement, the vehicle furniture item 103 (which will be referred to simply as vehicle furniture in the following description) is a table 107, and the vehicle body portion 105 includes a first door 109 and a second door 111. However, the vehicle body portion 105 may be any suitable portion of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle body portion 105 may include at least a portion of a door, a wall, a partition, a roof, and / or a floor of the vehicle.

[0032] exist Figure 1a-1e In the illustrated arrangement, the first and second doors 109, 111 are configured to open away from each other. For example, the first door 109 can be connected to the vehicle body on one side of the opening of the vehicle body, and the second door 111 can be connected to the vehicle body on the opposite side of the opening of the vehicle body, so that the outer edges of the doors 109, 111 meet each other toward the center of the opening when the doors 109, 111 are in the closed position.

[0033] The table 107 is mounted to a carriage 113 that is configured to transport the table 107 to one or more desired locations. For example, the carriage 113 may include a housing 115 mounted on a plurality of tracks 117 secured to the body portion 105 of the vehicle to enable the carriage 113 to slide relative to the body portion. Figure 1a-1e In the arrangement shown, the track 117 is disposed on the inner surface of the outer skin of the vehicle door 109 so that once the door panel (not shown) is assembled to the vehicle door 109, the carriage 103 and the track 117 are disposed within the vehicle door 109. In this way, the carriage 113 can slide within the interior of the vehicle body portion 105, for example.

[0034] The carriage 113 may be Figure 1a The first position shown and Figure 1b-1e When the carriage 113 is in the first position, it is positioned toward one side of the vehicle door 109, and when the carriage is in the second position, it is positioned toward the other side of the vehicle door 109. However, the vehicle furniture system 101 can be configured to allow the carriage 113 to move in any suitable manner.

[0035] The carriage 113 includes an opening 119 configured to receive the table 107. Figure 1a-1e In the arrangement shown, the opening 119 is disposed toward the upper edge of the carriage 113 so that when the vehicle is on level ground, the table 107 can be received in the carriage 113 in a generally vertical manner relative to the vehicle body. Additionally or alternatively, the carriage 113 can be configured to receive the table 107 in a generally horizontal orientation and / or in any suitable manner depending on the configuration of the vehicle furniture 103 and / or the vehicle body portion.

[0036] exist Figure 1a-1e In the illustrated arrangement, the carriage 113 is configured to accommodate only a portion of the table 107 when the table 107 is in the stowed position. For example, the carriage 113 and the table 107 may be configured such that the table 107 extends from the carriage 113 when the table 107 is received in the carriage 113. In particular, the table 107 may be wider than the carriage 113, for example in the direction of travel of the carriage 113. In order to allow the carriage 113 to receive a vehicle furniture item 103 that is larger (e.g., wider) than the carriage 113 itself, the carriage 113 may be provided with a slot 123 that allows the vehicle furniture item 103 to be moved into the carriage 113.

[0037] exist Figure 1a-1e In the arrangement shown, the table 107 is approximately twice as wide as the carriage 113 in the direction of travel of the carriage 113. However, the difference between the size of the carriage 113 and the table 107 can be any suitable amount, depending on the requirements of the vehicle furniture system 101. In addition, the carriage 113 can be configured to receive any suitable portion of the table 107. For example, the carriage 113 can be configured to accommodate only one side of the table 107, such as Figure 1a-1e The left side of the table 107 is seen. The vehicle furniture system 101 can be configured to allow the table 107 to extend beyond the maximum travel range of the carriage 113 due to the table 107 having a larger size than the carriage 113.

[0038] Now refer to Figure 1a-1e describing the operation of the vehicle furniture system 101, Figure 1a-1e The vehicle furniture system 101 is shown in various operating states. For example, Figure 1a The table 107 of the vehicle furniture system 101 is shown in a fully stowed position. Figure 1d and 1e The table 107 of the vehicle furniture system 101 is shown in a fully deployed state, and Figure 1b and 1c Each shows the vehicle furniture system 101 in an intermediate state. For ease of illustration, the first door 109 (which is shown in Figure 1a-1eThe left side of the vehicle 110 is shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B . Figure 1a-1e The right side of the vehicle should be referred to as the rear door, for example, as if the doors 109, 111 were the side doors of the vehicle. Figure 1a-1e The vehicle furniture system 101 shown in the drawings shows a table 107 being transported by a carriage 113 mounted on tracks 117 secured within an interior cavity 125 of a front door 107 to enable the carriage 113 to transport the table 107 between a forward position and a rearward position within the front door and / or rear doors 109, 111. However, it should be understood that each of the doors 109, 111 may be positioned on any portion of the vehicle and that the movement and operation described below are not limited to the directions described.

[0039] exist Figure 1a 1, the table 107 is received within the slide 113, which is positioned in a first position toward the front of the front door 109. Because the table 107 is larger than the slide 113, the table 107 extends rearwardly from the slide 113 and into a portion of the interior cavity 125 not occupied by the slide 113. When the vehicle furniture system 101 is in the fully stowed state, as shown in FIG. Figure 1a As shown, the carriage 113 and the table 107 are completely disposed within the cavity 125 of the front door 109. Therefore, when the table 107 is in the fully stowed position, the vehicle furniture system 101 does not affect the opening or closing of the front door 109.

[0040] exist Figure 1b 1, the carriage 113 has moved along the track 117 to the second position, wherein the carriage 113 is positioned toward the rear of the front door 109. The table 107 has not moved relative to the carriage 113 and the carriage is still disposed completely within the cavity 125 of the front door 109. However, because the table 107 is larger than the carriage 113, the table 107 extends rearwardly out of the carriage 113 and into the interior cavity 127 of the rear door 111. Thus, it can be seen that when the carriage 113 is in the second position, the table 107 extends across the interface between the front and rear doors 109, 111.

[0041] In another arrangement (not shown), the vehicle furniture system 101 can be configured so that the carriage 113 is movable to a position where the carriage 113 is at least partially within the interior cavity 127 of the rear door 111. For example, when the carriage 113 is in the second position, the carriage 113 can be configured so that it extends beyond the maximum travel range of the track 117.

[0042] The door panel of the rear door 111 can be configured to allow at least one of the front door and the rear door 109, 111 to be opened and closed when the table 107 is at least partially disposed within the interior cavity 127 of the rear door. For example, the door panel of the rear door 111 can include one or more openings that are configured to allow the rear door 111 to be opened and closed without contacting the table 107.

[0043] The door panels of the front and rear doors 109, 111 can be configured to conceal the table 107 when the table 107 is disposed within at least one of the interior cavities 125, 127 of the doors 109, 111. Thus, the vehicle furniture system 101 can be configured to move the table 107 within the vehicle body 105 (e.g., within the front and rear doors 109, 111) so that it is not visible to occupants of the vehicle.

[0044] exist Figure 1a and 1b In FIG. 1 , the first and second positions of the carriage 113 are located toward the limits of movement permitted by the configuration of the track 117. However, it should be understood that the first and second positions may be any relative positions along the length of the track 117. Figure 1a and 1b In the embodiment, as the carriage 113 moves between the first and second positions, the table 107 does not move relative to the carriage 113. However, in another arrangement (not shown), the position of the table 107 relative to the carriage 113 may change as the carriage 113 moves between the first and second positions.

[0045] To move the carriage 113 between the first and second positions, the vehicle furniture system 101 includes an actuator 129, such as a carriage actuator, configured to push or pull the carriage 113 along the track 117. Figure 1a-1e In the arrangement shown and in Figure 2 , the actuator 129 includes a worm drive mechanism 131. However, the actuator 129 can be any suitable type of actuator configured to move the carriage 113 relative to the body portion 105 of the vehicle. In one arrangement, the vehicle furniture system 101 can be configured so that an occupant of the vehicle can manually move the carriage 113. For example, the carriage 113 can include a handle extending through the body portion 105 of the vehicle that allows the occupant to push and pull the carriage 113 into one or more desired positions.

[0046] Figure 1cThe table 107 is shown in a first deployed position. To move the table 107 relative to the carriage 113, the vehicle furniture system 101 includes an actuator 133, such as a table actuator, configured to deploy the table 107 from the carriage 113. The actuator 133 for moving the table 107 may be of a similar type as the actuator 129 for moving the carriage. However, a single actuator may be used to move the table 107 and the carriage 113.

[0047] Actuator 133 is connected to carriage 113 so that, for example, actuator 133 moves with carriage 113 when actuator 129 is operated. However, actuator 133 may be fixed relative to vehicle body 105 or may be movably connected to vehicle body 105 by any suitable mounting arrangement.

[0048] exist Figure 1a-1e In the arrangement shown, the actuator 133 is connected to a belt drive 135, which in turn is connected to a worm drive 137, which is configured to drive the table 107 in a generally vertical manner so as to deploy the table 107 into and retract it from the carriage 113. The worm drive 137 is connected to a support shoulder 139 of the table 107 so that operation of the actuator 133 controls the position of the table 107 in a generally vertical direction. The support shoulder 139 is connected to the worm drive 137 by a guide element 145 (e.g., a spindle) that is fixed relative to the worm drive 137 so that the guide element 145 follows the worm drive 137 when it is operated by the actuator 133. The support shoulder 139 is rotationally connected to the guide element 145 to allow the table 107 to rotate about the guide element 145 when the table 107 is raised or lowered relative to the carriage 113.

[0049] The guide element 145 includes at least one roller 147 configured to rotate around the guide element 145 and engage a support surface 149 of the carriage 113, which is configured to support the guide element 145 during deployment of the table 107. Figure 3 As best seen in the detailed view of , the roller 147 and the bearing surface 149 each include a plurality of ribs configured to engage one another. In this manner, the vehicle furniture system 101 includes a gear coupling between the guide element 145 and the carriage 113. This arrangement is beneficial because it prevents the guide element 145, and therefore the table 107, from sliding relative to the carriage 113 as the table 107 is deployed from and retracted into the carriage 113. In one arrangement, the gear coupling between the guide element 145 and the carriage 113 can be driven by another actuator to move the table 107 relative to the carriage 113.

[0050] exist Figure 3 In the arrangement shown, the guide element 145 includes a single roller 147 having two discontinuous ribbed portions separated by a smooth portion without ribs. This arrangement is beneficial because it allows items (such as cables) to pass between the guide element 145 and the support shoulder 139 of the table 107.

[0051] When the table 107 is stowed in the front door 109 and / or the rear door 111, the support shoulder 139 of the table is located towards the bottom of the slide 113 so that the support shoulder 139 is close to the lower track of the two tracks 117. In this position, the roller 147 engages the lower part of the bearing surface 149 of the slide 113.

[0052] Upon operation of the actuator 133, the table 107 is moved upward (e.g., translated) by the carriage 113 so that the front edge 141 of the table 107 engages the inclined surface 143 of the carriage 113, which can be Figure 3 See more clearly in Figure 3 In the arrangement shown, the carriage 113 includes two inclined surfaces 143 disposed into the carriage 113 on either side of the opening 119. However, the carriage 113 may include any suitable number of inclined surfaces 143, such as a single inclined surface 143, which may be disposed centrally relative to the leading and trailing edges of the carriage 113.

[0053] The inclined surface 143 is configured to direct the table 107 as the table 107 is deployed from the vehicle doors 109, 111. For example, the inclined surface 143 curves toward the inside of the vehicle doors 109, 111 so that the table 107 is tilted into the passenger compartment of the vehicle as the front edge 141 of the table 107 is pushed along the inclined surface 143. Thus, the table 107 is deployed into the passenger compartment of the vehicle in an arcuate manner, i.e., the front edge 141 of the table 107 follows a curved path as the table 107 is deployed from within the vehicle doors 109, 111.

[0054] exist Figure 1c, the table 107 is shown in an intermediate state of deployment. For example, the support shoulder 139 has moved upward approximately eighty to ninety percent (80-90%) of the total travel allowed by the configuration of the vehicle furniture system 101. In such a position, the table 107 has been separated from the inclined surface 143 and is supported from the underside of the table 107 by the support element 151. In the assembled configuration, the support element 151 is offset from the support surface 149 of the carriage 113 by a distance approximately equal to the depth of the support shoulder 139 of the table 107. In this manner, when the table 107 is deployed from the vehicle doors 109, 111, the table 107 becomes cantilevered on the support element 151, and the angular orientation of the table 107 relative to the inner surface of the vehicle doors 109, 111 is controlled by the interaction between the rollers 147 and the support surface 149 as the table 107 pivots about the support element 151.

[0055] The support element 151 may be disposed on the carriage 113 and / or any other portion of the vehicle furniture system 101. The support element 151 may be positioned to support the table 107 at a point where the leading edge 141 of the table 107 has separated from the inclined surface 143 when the table 107 is deployed from the vehicle door and tilted into the passenger compartment. The vehicle furniture system 101 may be configured so that the table 107 engages only one of the inclined surface 143 and the support element 151 to avoid the table 107 from becoming stuck when it is deployed from or retracted into the vehicle doors 109, 111.

[0056] Figure 1d and 1e The table 107 is shown deployed to a usable position, i.e., the table 107 is in a horizontal position. Importantly, the actuator 133 is configured to operate the worm drive mechanism 137 until the table reaches a horizontal position. The vehicle furniture system 101 may include one or more sensors configured to determine the angular orientation of the table 107 and / or the vehicle. In this way, the vehicle furniture system 101 may be configured to determine when the table is in a horizontal position and adjust the angular orientation of the table 107, for example, when the vehicle is on uneven ground. In another arrangement, the vehicle furniture system 101 may include additional actuators that are configured to adjust (e.g., independently adjust) the angular orientation of the table 107 when the table 107 is deployed from the vehicle doors 109, 111. In one arrangement, the vehicle furniture system 101 may have an active stability control system that is configured to control and orient the table 107, for example, when the vehicle pitches and rolls.

[0057] Figure 1eAnother operating state of the vehicle furniture system 101 is shown, in which the table 107 has been extended in a direction away from the vehicle doors 109, 111. For example, the table 107 can include a table support structure 153 and a tabletop 155 movably connected to the table support structure 153. Figure 1a-3 In the illustrated arrangement, the table support structure 153 is integrally formed with the table support shoulder 139. However, the table support structure 153 may be provided separately from the table support shoulder 139 so that the table support structure 153 and table top 155 may be assembled and disassembled from the vehicle furniture system 101. This is advantageous because it allows for servicing of the table 107, for example where the table includes one or more electronic components (e.g., a screen and interface).

[0058] like Figure 1e , 2 As shown in FIG. 3 , the table support structure 153 includes at least one opening 157, which is provided when the table 107 is in a Figure 1d is covered when it is not extended and Figure 1e The table top 155 is shown uncovered when moved relative to the table support structure 153. Such an opening 157 may be used as a cup holder, and / or as a securing / charging point for one or more vehicle accessories.

[0059] Figure 1a-1e One advantage of the illustrated vehicle furniture system 101 is that the rear door 111 of the vehicle can be opened while the table 107 is deployed from the vehicle body 105. In addition, the door panels of the front door 109 and / or the door panels of the rear door 111 can be provided with slots that allow the table 107 to move forward and / or rearward while the table 107 is deployed from the doors 109, 111. For example, the door panel of the front door 109 can include a first slot and the door panel of the rear door 111 can include a second slot, and the first and second slots cooperate to receive the table 107 when the slide 113 is in the second position. However, at least one of the first and second slots can be configured to allow the slide 113 to move between the first and second positions when the table 107 is at least partially deployed. This is advantageous because it allows the table 107 to be moved to a position that opens and closes the front door 109 when the table 107 is at least partially deployed.

[0060] In summary, the present invention is advantageous because it allows an item of vehicle furniture to be stowed in one location within the vehicle body and deployed from another location within the vehicle body. This is particularly useful for modern vehicles, where the passenger compartment of the vehicle may be reconfigured between trips or even during a trip. For example, the passenger compartment of a vehicle may have front seats disposed proximate to the front doors and rear seats disposed proximate to the rear doors. Thus, due to the operation of the doors themselves and / or the location of one or more supporting structures of the vehicle body (e.g., B-pillars), it may not be possible to stow and deploy a table from a location between the front and rear doors. Furthermore, in the case of a vehicle where the front and / or rear seats are movable within the passenger compartment, an occupant may wish to reconfigure the vehicle furniture as required by the trip. The present invention is advantageous because it allows an item of vehicle furniture (e.g., a table) to be moved within a body portion of the vehicle body (e.g., within a door cavity) to allow other items of vehicle furniture (e.g., seats) to be moved unimpeded within the passenger compartment.

[0061] It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing constructions without departing from the inventive concepts, and it will be further understood that these concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless such claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A vehicle furniture system, comprising: furniture items; a carriage configured to transport the item of furniture between a first position and a second position within the body portion of the vehicle when the carriage is connected to the body portion of the vehicle; as well as a first actuator configured to deploy the item of furniture from the carriage when the carriage is in at least one of the first position and a second position; Wherein the carriage includes an inclined surface configured to index the furniture item as the furniture item is deployed from the carriage, and wherein operation of the first actuator causes the furniture item to engage the inclined surface.

2. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1, wherein the carriage and the item of furniture are movably connected.

3. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1 further comprising a gear coupling between the furniture item and the carriage.

4. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle furniture system comprises a second actuator and a third actuator, wherein the second actuator is configured to move the carriage between a first position and a second position within a body portion of the vehicle, and the third actuator is configured to adjust the orientation of the furniture item when deployed from the body portion of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the vehicle comprises a first door of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle furniture system of claim 5, wherein the carriage is configured to move within a cavity of the first door, and the first door is configured to receive the furniture item when the carriage is in the first position.

7. The vehicle furniture system of claim 5, wherein the body portion of the vehicle includes a second door, the first door and the second door cooperating to accommodate the furniture item when the slide is in the second position.

8. The vehicle furniture system of claim 7, wherein the first door and the second door each include a slot, the slot of the first door and the slot of the second door cooperating to receive the furniture item when the slide is in the second position and the furniture item is in at least a partially deployed state.

9. The vehicle furniture system of claim 7, wherein the furniture item extends across an interface between the first door and the second door when the carriage is in the second position and the furniture item is in the at least partially deployed state.

10. The vehicle furniture system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first door and the second door is openable and closable when the furniture item is in the deployed state.

11. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1 , further comprising a support element configured to at least partially support the item of furniture when in the deployed state.

12. The vehicle furniture system of claim 11 wherein said support element is connected to said carriage.

13. The vehicle furniture system of claim 11, wherein the support element is deployable from the item of furniture.

14. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1, wherein the furniture item is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state when the furniture item is in the deployed state.

15. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1, wherein the furniture item comprises a table.

16. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1, wherein the furniture item comprises a seat.

17. The vehicle furniture system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle furniture system is located on a vehicle.

18. A vehicle comprising: Body part; furniture items; a carriage configured to transport the item of furniture between a first position and a second position within the vehicle body portion when the carriage is connected to the vehicle body portion; as well as a first actuator configured to deploy the item of furniture from the carriage when the carriage is in at least one of the first position and a second position; Wherein the carriage includes an inclined surface configured to index the furniture item as the furniture item is deployed from the carriage, and wherein operation of the first actuator causes the furniture item to engage the inclined surface.

19. A method of operating a vehicle furniture system having a furniture item and a carriage configured to transport the furniture item between a first position and a second position within a body portion of a vehicle when the carriage is connected to the body portion of the vehicle, the method comprising: providing a first actuator configured to deploy the item of furniture from the vehicle body portion when the carriage is in at least one of the first position and the second position; moving the carriage to one of the first position and the second position within a body portion of the vehicle; and unfolding said item of furniture from said vehicle body portion; Wherein the carriage includes an inclined surface configured to index the furniture item as the furniture item is deployed from the carriage, and wherein operation of the first actuator causes the furniture item to engage the inclined surface.

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