Vehicle with deployable tray for use on steering wheel

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicle having a deployable tray for use on a steering wheel. A vehicle includes a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel; a console, the console having a housing, the housing having a wall configured with a tray storage area; and a tray configured to be stored in a tray storage area in the console in a stowed position, where the tray is configured to be operably coupled to the steering wheel in a deployed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a deployable tray for use on a steering wheel on a vehicle when the vehicle is not operating. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with a cabin interior having a steering wheel and seating arrangements. Some vehicles have a fixed tray or work surface. It would be desirable to have a deployable tray that can be conveniently stowed away when not in use. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes: a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel; a console having a shell having a wall configured with a tray storage area; and a tray configured to be stored in the tray storage area in the console in a stowed position, wherein the tray is configured to be operably connected to the steering wheel in a deployed position.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - the console further comprising a connector assembly for connecting the pallet to the pallet storage area in the deployed position;

[0006] - the connector assembly includes a cam latch for locking the tray in a fixed position on the tray storage area;

[0007] - the tray has a first edge that cooperatively engages a second edge of the tray storage area;

[0008] - the first edge has a slot and the second edge has a rib fittingly located in the slot;

[0009] - the tray has an angled first side and a second side, the angled first side and the second side fit within the angled first side and the second side of the tray storage area;

[0010] - the tray comprises an opening configured to receive a portion of the steering wheel;

[0011] - the opening has an oblong shape;

[0012] - the opening comprises a raised portion between the ends of the slot, wherein the raised portion allows the tray to engage a lower portion of the steering wheel;

[0013] - the tray forms part of a wall of the console in the stowed position;

[0014] - the console is a center console positioned between two seat assemblies; and

[0015] -The center console includes a first pallet storage area and a second pallet storage area on opposing walls, and wherein the vehicle includes a first pallet configured to fit within the first pallet storage area in the stowed position and a second pallet configured to fit within the second pallet storage area in the stowed position.

[0016] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of providing a tray on a steering wheel in a motor vehicle comprises: providing a console on the vehicle, the console having side walls provided by a tray connected to a tray storage area; removing the tray from the tray storage area in the side wall of the console; and placing the tray on a portion of the steering wheel so that a portion of the steering wheel extends through an opening formed in the tray.

[0018] - the step of inserting the tray onto the steering wheel comprises inserting the tray onto the lower portion of the steering wheel;

[0019] - the step of unlocking said tray from said tray storage area by rotating a cam latch to an unlocked position;

[0020] - the pallet comprises a first edge configured to matingly engage a second edge of the pallet storage area;

[0021] - the first edge has a slot and the second edge has a rib matingly engageable in the slot;

[0022] - inserting the tray into a slot in the dashboard in front of the passenger seat in the vehicle; and

[0023] - the step of reinserting the tray into the tray storage area and securely locking the tray with the cam latch; and

[0024] - The console comprises a central console having a first pallet storage area and a second pallet storage area configured to receive a first pallet and a second pallet.

[0025] These and other features, advantages and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the attached picture:

[0027] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the interior of a cabin of a motor vehicle equipped with a pair of trays stowed on a center console in a stowed position according to one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the interior of a vehicle compartment according to one example, further illustrating the pair of trays in a deployed position;

[0029] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the tray operably coupled to the steering wheel in a deployed position;

[0030] Figure 3A It passes through Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line IIIA-IIIA of ;

[0031] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a tray in a deployed position inserted into a slot in an instrument panel according to another example;

[0032] Figure 4A It passes through Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA of ;

[0033] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the center console with the pair of trays removed from the side walls of the center console; and

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cam lock latch for locking a tray to a center console in a stowed position according to one example; and

[0035] Fig. 6A yes Figure 6 A perspective view of a cam lock latch in an unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and certain parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0037] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily designed in detail; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0038] For the purpose of the description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to Figure 1 The concepts of orientation in the drawings are presented in detail. However, it should be understood that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0039] The embodiments shown in the present disclosure reside primarily in a combination of method steps and apparatus components associated with a vehicle having a tray that can be stored in a console and deployed on a steering wheel. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so as not to obscure the present disclosure by details that are readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Additionally, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0040] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used with a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A only; B only; C only; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0041] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used singly to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements may include not only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprising ..." does not, in the absence of further constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0042] As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount, size, formula, parameter and other quantity and characteristics are not exact, nor need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint mentioned. Whether or not the endpoints of a numerical value or range in this specification are described as "about", the endpoints of the numerical value or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0043] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to indicate that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may indicate that values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0044] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, generally showing a wheeled car or motor vehicle, which is configured with passenger seats for transporting one or more passengers including the driver and front passenger of the vehicle 10, and for further transporting one or more items on the vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 has a vehicle body that generally defines a cabin interior 12. The cabin interior 12 may include various features and decorative components. The cabin interior 12 is shown as having a certain arrangement of passenger seats, the passenger seats including a first seat assembly 16 configured to seat the driver and a second seat assembly 18 configured to seat the passenger. The first seat assembly 16 and the second seat assembly 18 may be configured as independent seats separated by a center console 30, for example. The motor vehicle 10 may also include additional seats (such as a second row of seats, a third row of seats, or more rows of seats), which is common for a typical large SUV, van, or bus. It should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may be, for example, a motor vehicle, such as a wheeled car, truck, SUV, van, or bus, or an airplane, train, ship, or other vehicle capable of transporting one or more passengers and items.

[0046] The motor vehicle 10 is shown having a first seat assembly 16, which is positioned on the driver's (e.g., left) side and behind the vehicle of the steering wheel assembly 20 and is configured to seat the driver of the vehicle 10. The first seat assembly 16 and the second seat assembly 18 can each include a seat base and a seat back, and can be adjusted to move in multiple directions. The second seat assembly 18 is shown positioned on the opposite passenger (e.g., right) side and behind the vehicle of the instrument panel 26. The instrument panel 26 has a horizontal slot 28 formed therein on the rear side of the vehicle, the opening of which generally faces the second seat assembly 18. The horizontal slot 28 is generally open on the vehicle rearward side of the instrument panel 26 and is configured to receive a tray, which is configured to be used by a passenger sitting in the second seat assembly 18.

[0047] The steering wheel assembly 20 generally includes a steering column 24 that extends from an instrument panel 26 toward the rear of the vehicle. The steering wheel assembly 20 also includes a circular steering wheel 22 that is configured to be grasped by the hands of a driver seated in the first seat assembly 16 and rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to steer the vehicle, such as to turn a steering wheel. Thus, the steering wheel 22 extends to a position generally in front of a driver of the motor vehicle 10 seated in the first seat assembly 16 and engageable by the driver.

[0048] The center console 30 is generally shown supported on or above the floor 14 of the motor vehicle 10 and positioned between the first seat assembly 16 and the second seat assembly 18. The center console 30 includes a housing 32 that can generally define a storage compartment having a top access opening covered by an armrest / lid 34. The housing 32 is formed with side walls on opposing lateral sides and on a first side and a rear side. Each of the opposing lateral side walls of the housing 32 includes a tray storage area 65 configured to receive and stow a tray that defines an additional portion of the housing wall in a stowed position and can be used as a tray in a deployed position.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, a pair of trays 40 are disposed within corresponding opposing lateral side walls within a tray storage area 65 when in the stowed tray position. Thus, each tray 40 defines an additional portion of the housing wall to further define the center console housing 32. Each tray 40 is removably connected to the housing 32 by a connector assembly such as a locking cam latch 70, which allows the tray 40 to be retained and removed from the tray storage area 65. Each tray storage area 65 generally includes a rear angled wall, a bottom wall, and a front angled wall. Each tray storage area 65 includes a rib 60 extending along the tray storage area 65, the rib extending inwardly along the central axis and generally configured to be sized and configured to be shaped to be matingly received in a slot 48 defined in the edge of the tray 40.

[0050] refer to Figure 2 According to one example, the pair of trays 40 are shown in a deployed position and are configurable for use as trays, such as to hold one or more items on a top surface. Each tray 40 has an elongated opening 44 configured to function as a handle and configured to be sized and shaped to receive the steering wheel 22 of the steering wheel assembly 20, such that the tray 40 is supported on the steering wheel 22 of the steering wheel assembly 20 in the deployed position. Figure 2 1 is shown supported on a lower portion of the steering wheel 20 , and another tray 40 is shown inserted and supported in a slot 28 in the instrument panel 26 of the motor vehicle 10 .

[0051] like Figure 3 and Figure 3AAs shown, the opening 44 formed in the tray 40 generally has an oblong shape that appears rectangular with rounded corners and generally has a protrusion 46 closer to one side (viewed as the vehicle forward side) in a mid-region between the left and right lateral sides to help engage and utilize the steering wheel 22 so that the load of the tray 40 and any load on the tray 40 on the opposite side (viewed from the rear of the vehicle) creates a torque to maintain the positioning of the tray 40 on the steering wheel 22. It should be understood that the tray 40 can be mounted on the lower portion of the steering wheel 22 by positioning the tray 40 below the steering wheel 22 and forcefully raising it, and is configured to remain in place due to the weight of the tray 40 creating a torque and engaging the steering wheel 22. It should be understood that the tray 40 can be mounted on the bottom or top of the steering wheel 22 for use in a motor vehicle 10 that is stopped and locked in park and not moving, such as as a work surface.

[0052] The tray 40 is also shown with a capacitive keyboard 50 disposed on the top surface 42, which is configured to enable a user to interact with a display screen and / or a computer processing device by typing input. The capacitive keyboard 50 can be powered by a power source (such as a rechargeable battery located in the tray 40), and the keyboard input can be communicated with a display, a vehicle controller, or one or more other processing devices via wireless communication. Therefore, the capacitive keyboard 50 has a wireless communication circuit so that a user can provide user input to other communication devices via the capacitive keyboard 50. According to one embodiment, the capacitive keyboard 50 may include a capacitive sensor. According to other embodiments, the capacitive keyboard 50 may include a mechanical button switch.

[0053] In addition, the top surface 42 of the tray 40 may include a charging pad 54, which can be used to charge a portable device, such as, for example, a cell phone or a tablet. The charging pad 54 may include an inductive charging circuit, which may include one or more inductive coils that supply power from a power source, such as a rechargeable battery, and electrically couple with one or more inductive coils in an electric device having one or more rechargeable batteries to be charged. In addition, a heating surface 52 may be provided on the top surface 42 of the tray 40 to provide thermal energy to heat, for example, a beverage container or other object. Thus, the tray 40 may include a power source in the form of one or more rechargeable batteries that can be recharged via inductive charging or via a wired connection to one or more contacts when stowed in a stowed position on the center console 30. The tray 40 has a lighting device 53 on the bottom side to illuminate the area below the tray 40. In addition, the tray has an electrical circuit 55, which may include one or more batteries and a charging circuit, such as contacts or a wireless inductive charging circuit.

[0054] Tray 40 in Figure 2 and Figure 4 2 is shown positioned in the slot 28 in the instrument panel 26, generally in a deployed position forward of the second seat assembly 18. The tray 40 can be inserted into the slot 28 and slid forward along the vehicle to a locked position. Thus, the tray 40 extends from the slot 28 and the instrument panel 26 toward the rear of the vehicle in a position close to a passenger seated in the second seat assembly 18 to allow the passenger seated in the second seat assembly 18 to dock with or use the tray 40.

[0055] Although the tray 40 is shown in a deployed position on the steering wheel 22 and in the slot 28 in the instrument panel 26, it should be understood that the tray 40 may be positioned in other deployed positions on the vehicle 10. For example, the tray 40 may be deployed in a slot behind a seat and / or on a door for use by passengers in a rear seat.

[0056] It should be appreciated that the opening 44 in the tray 40 is shaped and sized to also function as a handle to allow the tray 40 to be transported and positioned in either a deployed position on the steering wheel 22 or in the slot 28 or a stowed position within the center console 30 .

[0057] Reference picture Figure 5 and Figure 6 Each of the trays 40 can be inserted into the tray storage area 65 by positioning the tray 40 in the tray storage area 65 so that the slots 48 on the tray 40 matingly engage and receive the ribs 60 defined along the front, rear and bottom edges of the tray storage area 65. With the tray 40 positioned in the tray storage area 65, the connector assembly in the form of a cam latch 70 can be actuated by the user by rotating the cam to apply a force to force the tray 40 into the locked position. The cam latch 70 is further Figure 6 is shown in the locked position and in Fig. 6A The cam latch 70 includes a cam 74 having a flat surface 75 on a portion. When the user rotates the lever 76, the cam 74 rotates about the pivot pin 72. Figure 6 In the locked position shown, the flat surface 75 of the cam 74 faces the downward surface. When it is desired to use the tray 40 in the deployed position, the cam latch 70 can be rotated to the unlocked position, and the user can simply apply force to lift the tray 40 out of the tray storage area 65 and insert the tray 40 into the deployed position.

[0058] Thus, the motor vehicle 10 is advantageously provided with one or more trays 40 that can be stored on the wall of the center console 30 in a stowed position and deployed to a deployed tray position, such as on the steering wheel 22 or on the dashboard 26 to provide a tray surface in the deployed position.

[0059] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the aforementioned structures without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims explicitly state otherwise by their language.

[0060] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, having: a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel; a console having a housing having a wall configured with a tray storage area; and a tray configured to be stored in the tray storage area in the console in a stowed position, wherein the tray is configured to be operably coupled to the steering wheel in a deployed position.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the console further comprises a connector assembly for connecting the tray to the tray storage area in the deployed position.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a cam latch for locking the tray in a fixed position on the tray storage area.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the tray has a first edge that matingly engages a second edge of the tray storage area.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the first edge has a slot and the second edge has a rib matingly engageable in the slot.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the pallet has angled first and second sides that fit within the angled first and second sides of the pallet storage area.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the tray comprises an opening configured to receive a portion of the steering wheel.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the opening has an oblong shape.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the opening comprises a raised portion between the ends of the slot, wherein the raised portion allows the tray to engage a lower portion of the steering wheel.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the tray forms part of a wall of the console in the stowed position.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the console is a center console positioned between two seat assemblies.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the center console includes a first pallet storage area and a second pallet storage area on opposite walls, and wherein the vehicle includes a first pallet configured to fit within the first pallet storage area in the stowed position and a second pallet configured to fit within the second pallet storage area in the stowed position.

[0072] According to the present invention, a method of providing a tray on a steering wheel in a motor vehicle comprises: providing a console on the vehicle, the console having a side wall provided by a tray connected to a tray storage area; removing the tray from the tray storage area in the side wall of the console; and placing the tray on a portion of the steering wheel so that a portion of the steering wheel extends through an opening formed in the tray.

[0073] In one aspect of the invention, the step of inserting the tray onto the steering wheel comprises inserting the tray onto a lower portion of the steering wheel.

[0074] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of unlocking the tray from the tray storage area by rotating a cam latch to an unlocked position.

[0075] In one aspect of the invention, the pallet includes a first edge configured to matingly engage a second edge of the pallet storage area.

[0076] In one aspect of the invention, the first edge has a slot and the second edge has a rib matingly engageable in the slot.

[0077] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes inserting the tray into a slot in a dashboard in front of a passenger seat in the vehicle.

[0078] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of reinserting the tray into the tray storage area and fixedly locking the tray with the cam latch.

[0079] In one aspect of the invention, the console includes a center console having a first pallet storage area and a second pallet storage area configured to receive a first pallet and a second pallet.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: A steering wheel assembly, the steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel; a console having a housing with a wall configured with a tray storage area; as well as A tray is configured to be stored in the tray storage area in the console in a stowed position, wherein the tray is configured to be operably coupled to the steering wheel in a deployed position. 2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the console further comprises a connector assembly for connecting the tray to the tray storage area in the deployed position.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the connector assembly includes a cam latch for locking the tray in a fixed position on the tray storage area.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the tray has a first edge that matingly engages a second edge of the tray storage area.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the first edge has a slot and the second edge has a rib matingly engageable in the slot.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the tray has angled first and second sides that fit within the angled first and second sides of the tray storage area.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tray includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the steering wheel.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the opening has an oblong shape.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the opening includes a raised portion between ends of the slot, wherein the raised portion allows the tray to engage a lower portion of the steering wheel.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tray forms a portion of a wall of the console in the stowed position.

11. The vehicle of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the console is a center console positioned between two seat assemblies.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the center console includes a first pallet storage area and a second pallet storage area on opposing walls, and wherein the vehicle includes a first pallet configured to fit within the first pallet storage area in the stowed position and a second pallet configured to fit within the second pallet storage area in the stowed position.

13. A method of providing a tray on a steering wheel in a motor vehicle, the method comprising: providing a console on the vehicle, the console having side walls provided by a tray connected to a tray storage area; removing the tray from the tray storage area in the side wall of the console; as well as The tray is placed over a portion of the steering wheel such that a portion of the steering wheel extends through an opening formed in the tray.

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