Vehicle opener assembly with magnetic cap opening and capture and storage features

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicle opener assembly with magnetic cap opening and capture and storage features. A vehicle bottle opener assembly may increase functionality of a motor vehicle. An exemplary bottle opener assembly may be mounted to a portion of a vehicle body and include an integrated bottle opener and magnetic cap capture and storage portion. The magnetic cap capture and storage portion may be configured to collect the cap after the cap is prized open by the opener portion. The bottle opener assembly may be conveniently encapsulated on a vehicle for use when the vehicle opening and closing member is moved to an open position during a stationary, immobile condition of the vehicle during an outdoor social party.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to motor vehicles, and more specifically to vehicle bottle opener assemblies equipped with integrated bottle opener and cap capture and storage features. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles can serve as social meeting points during outdoor activities such as camping and picnic trips. Vehicle users should generally remember to bring various tools and convenience items, such as bottle openers, to enhance the experience during outdoor social activities. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Motor vehicles according to exemplary aspects of this disclosure include, in particular, a body and a bottle opener assembly, the bottle opener assembly being mounted to the body and including a bottle opener portion and a magnetic cap capture and storage portion.

[0004] In another non-limiting embodiment of the aforementioned motor vehicle, the bottle opener assembly is mounted to a door opening panel of the vehicle body.

[0005] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, when the opening / closing member of the motor vehicle is in the closed position relative to the vehicle body, the door opening panel is abutted against the opening / closing member.

[0006] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the opening and closing member is a lift-type door.

[0007] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion includes a magnet located inside a wall segment of the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion.

[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the wall segment cooperates with an additional wall segment to provide a slot for the magnetic cover to capture and store the portion.

[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the slot is configured to capture a bottle cap that has been pried open from the bottle by the bottle opener portion.

[0010] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the body of the bottle opener portion is integrally formed with the wall section of the magnetic cap capture and storage portion.

[0011] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the mounting flange is integrally formed with the body or the wall segment.

[0012] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the bottle opener portion includes a body and a bottle opener retained within the body. The bottle opener includes a tab and a lower edge that cooperate to apply an opening force to remove the bottle cap from the bottle when the bottle is oriented and moved by a user relative to the bottle opener.

[0013] Motor vehicles according to another exemplary aspect of this disclosure include, in particular, a bottle opener assembly comprising a bottle opener portion, a magnetic cap capture and storage portion, and a mounting portion.

[0014] In another non-limiting embodiment of the aforementioned motor vehicle, the bottle opener assembly is mounted to a door opening panel of the vehicle body.

[0015] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, when the opening / closing member of the motor vehicle is in the closed position relative to the vehicle body, the door opening panel is abutted against the opening / closing member.

[0016] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the opening and closing member is a lift-type door.

[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion includes a magnet located inside a wall segment of the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion.

[0018] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the wall segment cooperates with an additional wall segment to provide a slot for the magnetic cover to capture and store the portion.

[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the slot is configured to magnetically capture a bottle cap that has been pried open from the bottle by the bottle opener portion.

[0020] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the body of the bottle opener portion is integrally formed with the wall section of the magnetic cap capture and storage portion.

[0021] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the first mounting flange of the mounting portion is integrally formed with the body or the wall segment.

[0022] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the aforementioned motor vehicles, the second mounting flange of the mounting portion is integrally formed with another of the body or the wall segment.

[0023] The embodiments, examples, and alternatives (including any of their various aspects or corresponding features) described in the foregoing paragraphs, claims, or the following description and drawings may be used independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

[0024] Various features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The accompanying drawings, which briefly describe the specific embodiments, are as follows. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a rear view of a motor vehicle equipped with opening and closing mechanisms. The opening and closing mechanisms are located in... Figure 1 The middle is in the closed position.

[0026] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The opening position of the opening and closing components.

[0027] Figure 3 It shows the installation to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The bottle opener assembly of the vehicle body.

[0028] Figure 4 Is it through Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of section 4-4.

[0029] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 The bottle opener assembly.

[0030] Figure 6 Another exemplary bottle opener assembly for a vehicle is shown.

[0031] Figure 7 An exemplary use of a vehicle bottle opener assembly for removing and temporarily storing bottle caps is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This disclosure details a vehicle bottle opener assembly for enhancing the functionality of a motor vehicle. An exemplary bottle opener assembly can be mounted to a part of the vehicle body and includes an integrated bottle opener and a magnetic cap capture and storage section. The magnetic cap capture and storage section can be configured to collect the bottle cap after it has been pried open by the bottle opener section. The bottle opener assembly can be conveniently packaged on a vehicle for use during outdoor social gatherings when the vehicle's opening and closing mechanism has moved to an open position while the vehicle is stationary and not moving. These and other features of this disclosure are described in more detail below.

[0033] Figure 1 and Figure 2Selected portions of a motor vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to as "the vehicle") are schematically shown. The vehicle 10 may be a sports utility vehicle, a sedan, a truck, or any other type of vehicle. The vehicle 10 may also be a conventional motor vehicle, a battery-powered hybrid or electric vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless vehicle).

[0034] Although specific component relationships are shown in the accompanying drawings of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are shown schematically only and may vary within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the various drawings accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to emphasize certain details of a particular component, assembly, or system.

[0035] Vehicle 10 may include one or more opening / closing members 12, which are mounted to the vehicle body 14 and configured to move (e.g., pivot) between a closed position and an open position for access to the vehicle interior 16 (e.g., cargo space, passenger compartment, etc.). The opening / closing members 12 of vehicle 10 in... Figure 1 It is shown as being in the closed position P1, and in Figure 2 The opening / closing member 12 is shown in the open position P2. When moved to the open position P2, the opening / closing member 12 allows the user to enter or exit the vehicle interior 16. When closed, the opening / closing member 12 provides a barrier between the vehicle interior 16 and the external environment outside the vehicle 10.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the opening / closing member 12 is mounted at the rear 18 of the vehicle 10 and configured as a lift-up door. However, the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to vehicles with lift-up doors and can be applied to various other types of opening / closing members, including but not limited to tailgates, trunk lids, etc.

[0037] The opening / closing member 12 can be positioned relative to the door opening panel 20 of the vehicle body 14 (see...). Figure 2 It can be movably installed. When the opening / closing member 12 is in the closed position P1, the lateral outer portion of the opening / closing member 12 can mate with the door opening panel 20. When the opening / closing member 12 moves to... Figure 2 When the door is in the open position P2, part of the door opening panel 20 can be exposed.

[0038] Now for reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 And continue to refer to Figures 1 to 2The bottle opener assembly 22 can be mounted to the vehicle body 14 to facilitate a more pleasant user experience when the vehicle 10 is stationary and used as a social gathering point during outdoor activities (e.g., camping, picnics, etc.). In one embodiment, the bottle opener assembly 22 is mounted directly to the opening panel 20 of the vehicle body 14. However, other mounting locations are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in other embodiments, the bottle opener assembly 22 can be mounted within the vehicle interior 16, such as to an interior wall 99 associated with, for example, the rear cargo space (see...). Figure 2 Furthermore, in other embodiments, multiple bottle opener assemblies can be installed at different locations on the vehicle body 14.

[0039] The bottle opener assembly 22 may include a bottle opener section 24, a magnetic cap capture and storage section 26, and a mounting section 28. The bottle opener section 24, the magnetic cap capture and storage section 26, and the mounting section 28 together form an integrated, one-piece structure for the bottle opener assembly 22.

[0040] The bottle opener portion 24 may include a body 30 and a bottle opener 32. In one embodiment, the body 30 is made of a relatively rigid plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic olefin (TPO)). In another embodiment, the body 30 is made of a metallic material.

[0041] The bottle opener 32 can be embedded or otherwise held in place within an opening 34 (e.g., a recess) formed in the body 30. The bottle opener 32 may be made of a metallic material.

[0042] An opening 38 can be formed through the bottle opener 32. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening 38 may be trapezoidal in shape and may include four curved corners 40 (see [link to example]). Figure 5 The lower edge 42 of the opening 38 can be configured to apply an opening force to remove the cap from the bottle, as discussed further below.

[0043] The tab 44 of the bottle opener 32 can extend inwardly into the opening 38. The tab 44 can be configured to control the amount of swing required to remove the cap from the bottle via the lower edge 42. The tab 44 can extend at an angle α relative to the inward-facing surface 46 of the bottle opener 32 (see [reference]). Figure 4 For example, the angle α can be optimized according to design requirements to properly align the bottle with respect to the bottle opener 32 at an angle that maintains the gap between the bottle and nearby vehicle components (such as door opening panels 20).

[0044] The magnetic cap capturing and storing section 26 may include multiple wall segments 48. For example, the magnetic cap capturing and storing section 26 may include a front wall segment 48F, a rear wall segment 48R, a side wall segment 48S, and a bottom wall segment 48B. The front wall segment 48F, the rear wall segment 48R, the side wall segment 48S, and the bottom wall segment 48B may be arranged together to form a groove 50 for capturing and storing a bottle cap that has been pried open by the bottle opener 32 of the bottle opener section 24.

[0045] The magnetic cap capturing and storing portion 26 can be integrally formed with the body 30 of the bottle opener portion 24. For example, the rear wall section 48R can be integrally formed with the body 30. Therefore, the magnetic cap capturing and storing portion 26 can extend below the bottle opener portion 24 to capture and store the bottle cap after it has been pried open by the bottle opener 32.

[0046] Magnet 52 may be embedded or otherwise retained within one or more wall segments of the wall segment 48 of the magnetic cover capture and storage portion 26. In one embodiment, both the rear wall segment 48R and the bottom wall segment 48B include one or more magnets 52 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 4 However, other configurations are conceivable within the scope of this disclosure. Each magnet 52 may be configured to magnetically attract and capture bottle caps that have been pried open by the bottle opener 32, thereby conveniently capturing and holding the bottle caps when they are removed and preventing them from being scattered in the vehicle interior 16 and the external environment around the vehicle 10.

[0047] The mounting portion 28 of the bottle opener assembly 22 may include one or more mounting flanges 54. In one embodiment, the mounting portion 28 may include a single mounting flange 54 that extends laterally away from the body 30 of the bottle opener portion 24 (see [link]). Figures 3 to 4 The mounting flange 54 can be integrally formed with the body 30.

[0048] In another embodiment, the mounting portion 28 may include a first mounting flange 54A extending from the bottle opener portion 24 and a second mounting flange 54B extending from the magnetic cap capture and storage portion 26 (see also...). Figure 6 The first mounting flange 54A can be integrally formed with the body 30 of the bottle opener portion 24, and the second mounting flange 54B can be integrally formed with the magnetic cap capture and storage portion 26.

[0049] An opening 56 can be formed through each mounting flange 54. The dimensions of each opening 56 can be designed to receive a mechanical fastener 58 for mounting the bottle opener assembly 22 to the body 14.

[0050] In some embodiments, an additional opening 60 may be formed through the rear wall segment 48R of the magnetic cover capture and storage section 26 (see [link]). Figure 4 The opening 60 can be sized to receive additional mechanical fasteners 62 for mounting the bottle opener assembly 22 to the body 14.

[0051] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 7 The exemplary use of the bottle opener assembly 22 for opening a bottle 66 containing a beverage 68 is illustrated schematically. The bottle opener assembly 22 is accessible to the user when the vehicle 10 is stationary and when the opening / closing member 12 is open, and is therefore conveniently enclosed near the vehicle interior 16. The bottle opener assembly 22 can be used during outdoor social gatherings and eliminates the need for the user to store a separate bottle opener on the vehicle 10.

[0052] Before opening, beverage 68 is contained within bottle 66 by cap 64. Opener portion 24 of opener assembly 22 can be used to remove cap 64 without spilling beverage 68, and magnetic cap capture and storage portion 26 of opener assembly 22 can be used to temporarily store cap 64 after it has been removed from bottle 66 by opener 32.

[0053] The bottle cap 64 can be removed from the bottle 66 via the bottle opener assembly 22 in the following exemplary manner. The user can first position the bottle 66 such that the bottle cap 64 is at least partially received within the opening 38 of the bottle opener 32. The positioning of the tab 44 relative to the opening 38 forces the user to position the bottle 66 at a specific angle relative to the bottle opener 32. Specifically, the tab 44 positions the bottle 66 such that an upward swing path (schematically shown via arrow 70) is required to remove the bottle cap 64 from the bottle 66. Therefore, the user is not allowed to position the bottle 66 at a downward angle relative to the bottle opener 32, thereby substantially preventing spillage.

[0054] As the user moves the bottle 66 along the upward swing path 70, the cap 64 is forced to engage with the lower edge 42 of the opening 38, thereby applying an opening force to remove the cap 64 from the bottle 66. The tab 44 can support and stabilize the bottle as it moves along the upward swing path 70.

[0055] 64 bottles with the cap pried open Figure 7 (Shown in dashed lines) The cap 64 can be captured within the slot 50 of the magnetic cap capture and storage section 26 for temporary storage, thereby maintaining a clean camping / travel picnic site. In some cases, the pried-open cap 64 can be magnetically held against one of the wall segments 48 of the slot 50 by the magnet 52. Thus, the magnet 52 helps ensure that the cap 64 does not accidentally fall out of the slot 50 before, during, and / or after the opening process.

[0056] The disclosed bottle opener assembly includes integrated bottle opener and cap storage features that are encapsulated together to provide a convenient way to remove, securely capture, and organize bottle caps when using a motor vehicle during outdoor social gatherings. Therefore, the bottle opener assembly promotes a clean and tidy environment and reduces littering both inside and outside vehicles.

[0057] While different non-limiting embodiments are shown having specific components or steps, the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to those particular combinations. Some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments may be used in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.

[0058] It should be understood that the same reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout all the figures. It should be understood that although particular arrangements of components are disclosed and shown in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0059] The foregoing description should be interpreted as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain modifications may be made within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the appended claims should be examined to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising: Body; as well as A bottle opener assembly, which is mounted to the vehicle body and includes a bottle opener portion and a magnetic cap capture and storage portion.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bottle opener assembly is mounted to a door opening panel of the vehicle body.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein when the opening and closing member of the motor vehicle is in the closed position relative to the vehicle body, the door opening panel abuts against the opening and closing member, and optionally, wherein the opening and closing member is a lift-type door.

4. The motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion includes a magnet located inside a wall segment of the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 4, wherein the wall segment cooperates with an additional wall segment to provide a slot for the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein the slot is configured to capture a bottle cap that has been pried open from the bottle by the bottle opener portion.

7. The motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the bottle opener portion is integrally formed with a wall segment of the magnetic cap capturing and storing portion, and optionally, the motor vehicle includes a mounting flange integrally formed with the body or the wall segment.

8. The motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottle opener portion comprises a body and a bottle opener retained within the body, the bottle opener comprising a tab and a lower edge, the tab and the lower edge cooperating to apply an opening force to remove the cap from the bottle when the bottle is oriented and moved by a user relative to the bottle opener.

9. A motor vehicle comprising: Bottle opener assembly, the bottle opener assembly comprising: Bottle opener section; Magnetic cap captures and stores the part; and Installation section.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the bottle opener assembly is mounted to a door opening panel of the vehicle body.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein when the opening and closing member of the motor vehicle is in the closed position relative to the vehicle body, the door opening panel abuts the opening and closing member, and optionally, wherein the opening and closing member is a lift-type door.

12. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion includes a magnet located inside a wall segment of the magnetic cover capturing and storing portion.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 12, wherein the wall section cooperates with an additional wall section to provide a slot for the magnetic cap capture and storage portion, wherein the slot is configured to magnetically capture a cap that has been pried open from the bottle by the bottle opener portion.

14. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the body of the bottle opener portion is integrally formed with the wall section of the magnetic cap capture and storage portion.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first mounting flange of the mounting portion is integrally formed with the body or the wall segment, and optionally, wherein the second mounting flange of the mounting portion is integrally formed with another of the body or the wall segment.

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