VEHICLE CONSOLE FEATURING AN EXTENDABLE DEVICE HOLDER

Abstract

A vehicle console is provided comprising: a housing that includes a storage compartment having an access opening on one side at the top, a lid coupled to the housing to cover the access opening of the storage compartment, and a device holder configured to hold an electronic display device and pivotally coupled to the housing to pivot between a stowed position in the storage compartment and an extended position that extends outwards above the housing.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle consoles and, more particularly, to a console having a device holder for supporting a display device on a vehicle. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with storage compartments such as consoles. For example, a center console is often installed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat in a row of seats in a passenger vehicle. The center console typically includes a main storage compartment with a lid, which also commonly serves as an armrest and may include one or more cup holders and other storage compartments. It would be desirable to provide a center console that incorporates an electrical device for use on a motor vehicle. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle console is provided that includes a housing. The storage compartment includes an access opening on a top surface, a lid coupled to the housing to cover the access opening of the storage compartment, and a device holder configured to hold an electronic display device and pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between a stowed position within the storage compartment and an extended position extending outwardly above the housing.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the device holder comprises a pivot connection that allows the device holder to pivot into the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in an open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the extended position when the lid is in a closed position, - a hinge couples the lid to the housing, the lid pivoting about the hinge on a front side of the access opening and the device holder pivoting about a rear side of the access opening; - the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engaging holes on opposite lateral sides of the device holder; - the device holder comprises a frame for receiving the electronic display device and removably holding the display device; - the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position; - the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing; - the lid provides an armrest on an upper surface in the closed position; - the lid, in the open position, provides a work surface on an upper surface; and - the console is a center console.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle center console includes a housing comprising a storage compartment having an access opening on a top surface. A hinge is coupled to the housing on a first side of the access opening, a lid is coupled to the hinge and pivotable between a closed position to cover the access opening of the storage compartment and an open position. A pivot connection is coupled to the housing on a second side of the access opening, and a device holder is connected to the pivot connection and configured to hold a display device and is pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between a stowed position within the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outwardly above the housing.

[0006] Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure may include one or a combination of the following features: - the second side is a back of the access opening; - the first side is a front side of the access opening; - the pivoting connection allows the device holder to pivot into the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the extended position when the lid is in the closed position; - the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engaging holes on opposite lateral sides of the device holder; - the device holder comprises a frame for receiving a display device and for removably holding the display device; - the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position; - the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing; - the lid provides an armrest on an upper surface in the closed position; and - the lid provides a work surface on an upper surface in the open position.

[0007] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be better understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The following applies in the drawings: Fig. 1 is a top side perspective view of a cabin interior of a motor vehicle equipped with a front center console, according to an example; Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cabin interior showing a first embodiment of the center console configured with an extendable device holder in a stowed position and the lid in a closed position; Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the cabin interior showing the center console with the lid in the forward open position and the device holder in the stowed position; Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the booth interior showing a display device on the device holder in an extended position with the lid in the open position; Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the cabin interior showing the display device with the device holder in the extended position and the lid in the closed position; Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the center console and the device holder; and Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of the center console as shown in Fig. 4, with the device holder in the extended position and the cover in the front open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale, and certain components are enlarged relative to other components for emphasis and clarity.

[0010] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures do not necessarily depict a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be exaggerated or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0011] For the purposes of description in this document, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “back”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0012] The presently illustrated embodiments primarily focus on combinations of method steps and device components related to a vehicle console having a deployable device holder. Accordingly, the device components and method steps are represented in the drawings by conventional symbols where appropriate, with only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure being shown, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals represent like elements in the description and the drawings.

[0013] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more elements, means that any of the listed elements may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain only A; only B; only C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0014] In this specification, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one entity or act from another entity or act, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or acts. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or facility that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, procedure, article, or facility. An element that "comprises a...’ does not exclude, without further limitation, the presence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or device incorporating that element.

[0015] As used in this specification, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and properties are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or greater or lesser if desired, and may reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe a value or range endpoint, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or range endpoint referenced. Regardless of whether a numerical value or range endpoint includes "about" in the description, the numerical value or range endpoint is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one unmodified by "about."It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the domains are significant both relative to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0016] The terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to indicate that a described characteristic is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean that a surface is flat or approximately flat. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal to or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may refer to values ​​within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "the," "the," "a," or "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and are not intended to be limited to "only one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0018] With reference to Fig. 1, a wheeled automobile or motor vehicle 10 is generally illustrated as being configured with passenger seating for carrying one or more passengers, including a driver of the vehicle 10, and for further carrying one or more items on board the vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 generally defining a cab interior 14. The cab interior 14 may include various features and trim components. The cab interior 14 is shown as having a front row passenger seating arrangement including a first seat assembly 20A configured to have a driver seated thereon and a second seat assembly 20B configured to have a passenger seated thereon.The first and second seat assemblies 20A and 20B may be configured as captain's seats, for example, laterally spaced from each other and separated by a space including a center console 30, which may be configured according to the embodiment shown and described herein. The motor vehicle 10 illustrated in the example also includes additional seats, such as a second row of seats including shown third and fourth seat assemblies 20C and 20D, and a third row of seats including fifth and sixth seat assemblies 20E and 20F. The motor vehicle 10 may include additional seats, as is common in a large van or bus. It is understood that the vehicle 10 may be a motor vehicle, such as a wheeled / tired car, truck, SUV, van, or bus, or an aircraft, train, boat, or other vehicle capable of transporting one or more passengers and items.

[0019] The motor vehicle 10 is illustrated with the front row of seats, with the first seat assembly 20A located on a lateral side (e.g., the left side) of the first row and behind an instrument panel 26 and a steering wheel 22, and configured to seat a driver of the vehicle 10. The first seat assembly 20A includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The second seat assembly 20B is shown positioned behind the instrument panel 26 on the opposite lateral side (e.g., the right side) of the front row of seats and includes a seat bottom and a seat back configured to seat a passenger. The vehicle body 12 includes a plurality of side doors 16 that allow the driver and passengers to enter and exit the cab interior 14 to access the seat assemblies 20A-20F.In the example shown, the driver's seat assembly 20A is located adjacent to a lateral left side door 16 and the passenger's seat assembly 20B is located adjacent to an opposite lateral right side door 16. Passengers may access or exit the second and third row seat assemblies 20C-20F via the rear side doors 16.

[0020] The cab interior 14 is shown equipped with a center console 30 located in the space between the first driver seat assembly 20A and the second passenger seat assembly 20B in the front first row of seats. In addition, the cab interior 14 may also include one or more additional consoles, such as a rear center console (not shown) located in a space between the third and fourth seat assemblies 20C and 20D in the middle second row of seats. It should be understood that the center console 30 may be located in various locations within the vehicle 10, such as between other adjacent seat assemblies. For example, a vehicle console in the form of a center console may be located in a space between the fifth and sixth seat assemblies 20E and 20F in the rear third row of seats.

[0021] The vehicle console 30 is shown and described as a center console located adjacent to a pair of vehicle seat assemblies within the motor vehicle 10, providing various features and accessories. The vehicle console 30 is configured with an extendable device holder capable of supporting a display device that is movable between a stowed position within a housing defining the storage compartment and an extended position extending generally outwardly from the housing above and below a rear end. The vehicle console 30 may provide storage space, such as one or more compartments for storing one or more items on the motor vehicle 10. Additionally, the vehicle console 30 may provide an armrest upon which a driver or passenger of the motor vehicle 10 may rest their arm.Furthermore, the vehicle console 30 may include a work table that provides a work surface that a user can use for work purposes, for example.

[0022] The vehicle console 30 is in Fig. 2-7, a device 32 is shown having a housing 32 with upright side walls generally defining an internal first main storage compartment 36 for storing one or more items, including an electronic display device 90 mounted on a device holder. The housing 32 generally includes a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls. The housing 32 has an access opening 34 provided at the top and allowing access to the storage compartment 36. In the example shown, the storage compartment 36 has a generally rectangular cross-section; however, it should be understood that various other shapes and sizes of storage compartments may be provided.

[0023] The vehicle console 30 is further provided with a second storage compartment 46 at the front thereof, which may serve as a tray having generally upright walls defining the storage area. A plurality of cup holders 48 are also provided at an upper front of the vehicle console 30. A further third storage compartment 44 in the form of a tray is located, in the example shown, further behind the cup holders 48 and forward of the main storage compartment 46 with respect to the vehicle. The housing 32 may be fixedly attached to and supported on a vehicle floor 18.

[0024] The vehicle console 30 also includes a lid 50 which, in a closed position as shown in Fig. 2, covers the access opening 34. The lid 50 has a soft, e.g., foam-based, upper surface that can be used as an armrest by either a driver sitting on the driver seat assembly 20A or a passenger sitting on the passenger seat assembly 20B. The lid 50 is hinged to the housing 32 at or near the front edge of the access opening 34 via a hinge 38 or a plurality of hinges. Therefore, the lid 50 can be rotated about the hinge 38 by approximately 180° between the closed position shown in Fig. 2, and a forward-turned, fully open position shown in Fig. 3. In the fully open position, the lid 50 includes a work surface 54, shown facing upwardly, to allow a driver or passenger to use the lid 50 as a work surface or table. In the fully open position, the lid 50 may rest on a front portion of the housing 32, generally defining the storage compartment 46 and the cup holders 48.

[0025] The vehicle console 30 includes a device holder 60 configured to hold an electronic display device 90. The device holder 60 is pivotally coupled to the housing 32 at or near a rear edge of the access opening 34 and is configured to move between a stowed position, as shown in Fig. 3, and an extended position extending outwardly above the housing 32 near the rear end of the housing, as shown in Fig. 4. The device holder 60 is a pivoting display screen holder capable of holding an electronic display device, such as a tablet, an iPad, a phone, or other electronic device, that is removable and storeable within the storage compartment 36. The device holder 60 includes a base support member 62 having a rear support wall 70 extending therefrom. The base support member 62 includes a pair of receiving openings 64A and 64B on opposite lateral sides configured with a shape and size to receive respective pivot pins 68A and 68B biased by respective springs 66A and 66B.The pivot pins 68A and 68B can be pushed laterally inward during installation to position the pivot pins 68A and 68B within respective openings 65A and 65B formed on interior walls of the housing 32 within the storage compartment 36 at the rear end thereof. Once the pivot pins 68A and 68B are inserted into the openings 65A and 65B, the biasing springs 66A and 66B bias the pins 68A and 68B to remain in engagement with the housing 32.

[0026] The device holder 60 further includes a housing 74 with a bumper frame 76 having a slot 78 configured to engage the rear support wall 70. A display device 90, such as a tablet, e.g., an iPad, a phone, or other electronic device, may be removably connected to the bumper frame 76 and engaged within the slot 78 to hold the display device 90 to the bumper frame 76. The bumper frame 76, with the display device 90 attached thereto, may then be inserted onto the rear support wall 70 of the base member 62.

[0027] In relation to Fig. 3, the device holder 60 is shown in the stowed position with a display device 90 stowed substantially horizontally within the storage compartment 36, with the lid 50 in the open position. It will be appreciated that the device holder 60 and display device 90 can be rotated further downward into the storage compartment 36 to a lower stowed position. To extend the device holder 60 to a use position, as shown in Fig. 4, a user may manually rotate the device holder 60 upward and rearward relative to the vehicle to position the device holder 60 and the display device 90 in a use position extending from the housing 32 above and / or behind the housing and visible to a user from the rear seating area of ​​the vehicle 10. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the device holder 60 may be actuated via an actuator, such as an electric motor, to move the device holder 60 with the display device 90 between the stowed and deployed positions, for example, in response to a user or vehicle system input command.

[0028] The device holder 60 can be placed in the extended position and used to display the display device 90 with the cover 50 in the open position, as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the lid 50 can be moved into the closed position, as shown in Fig. 5, with the device holder 60 in the extended position. In this position, the device holder 60 extends upwardly above the housing 32 and / or behind the lid 50 so as not to interfere with the movement of the lid 50 between the open and closed positions.

[0029] The electronic device 90 may be operated via its own battery power source, or it may be powered and / or charged via the vehicle power supply using a cable 82 connected to one or more electrical connectors on the housing 32 of the vehicle 10. For example, the cable 82 may be connected to one of a plurality of external USB ports 56A-56C, which are shown located at the rear end of the housing 32 generally below the device holder 60. Additionally, the storage compartment 36 may include an internal electrical connector, shown as a USB port 58, as shown in Fig. 7. The base member 62 of the device holder 60 may further include a slot 78 formed in a lower portion to allow the cable 82 to extend from the electronic display device 90 into connection with one or more of the ports, such as the internal port 58, as shown in Fig. 7. When the cable 82 is connected to the electronic display device 90 and one of the ports, the electronic display device 90 can receive electrical power and transmit data via the cable 82 to the USB ports 58 via the wired connection or utilize wireless communication.

[0030] Accordingly, the vehicle console 30 advantageously includes a device holder 60 that can hold and position a display device 90 either in a stowed position within the console 30 or an extended position extending rearward and / or above the console 30. A user aboard the vehicle 10 can advantageously bring their own electronic display device aboard the vehicle 10 and connect it to the device holder 60 and use the device 90 while sitting in the rear seating area of ​​the vehicle 10. A driver of the vehicle 10, such as an operator of a ride-hailing service such as Uber Lyft, can use the device holder 60 to hold an electronic device 90 for conducting transactions, such as customer inputs and outputs, receiving instructions, and paying for the service.When the electronic display device 90 is no longer required for use, the lid 50 can be opened and the device holder 60 and the electronic display device 90 can be rotated to the stowed position and the lid 50 can be closed so that the display device 90 is no longer visible.

[0031] It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the foregoing structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0032] According to the present invention, a vehicle console is provided comprising: a housing including a storage compartment having an access opening on a top surface; a lid coupled to the housing for covering the access opening of the storage compartment; and a device holder configured to hold an electronic display device and pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between a stowed position within the storage compartment and an extended position extending outwardly above the housing.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the device holder comprises a pivot connection that allows the device holder to pivot into the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in an open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the extended position when the lid is in a closed position.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a hinge coupling the lid to the housing, wherein the lid pivots about the hinge on a front side of the access opening and the device holder pivots about a rear side of the access opening.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engaging holes on opposite lateral sides of the device holder.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the device holder comprises a frame for receiving the electronic display device and removably holding the display device.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the lid provides an armrest on an upper surface in the closed position.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the lid in the open position provides a work surface on an upper surface.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the console is a center console.

[0042] According to the present invention, a vehicle center console is provided, comprising: a housing including a storage compartment having an access opening on a top surface; a hinge coupled to the housing on a first side of the access opening; a lid coupled to the hinge and pivotable between a closed position to cover the access opening of the storage compartment and an open position; a pivot connection coupled to the housing on a second side of the access opening; and a device holder connected to the pivot connection and configured to hold a display device and pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between a stowed position within the storage compartment and an extended position extending outwardly above the housing.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the second side is a rear side of the access opening.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the first side is a front side of the access opening.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the pivoting connection allows the device holder to pivot into the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the extended position when the lid is in the closed position.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engaging holes on opposite lateral sides of the device holder.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the device holder comprises a frame for receiving a display device and for removably holding the display device.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the lid provides an armrest on an upper surface in the closed position.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the lid in the open position provides a work surface on an upper surface.

Claims

[1] Vehicle console, comprising: a housing including a storage compartment having an access opening at a top; a lid coupled to the housing to cover the access opening of the storage compartment; and a device holder configured to hold an electronic display device and pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between a stowed position within the storage compartment and an extended position extending outwardly above the housing. [2] The vehicle console of claim 1, wherein the device holder includes a pivot connection that allows the device holder to pivot into the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in an open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the extended position when the lid is in a closed position. [3] The vehicle console of claim 2, further comprising a hinge coupling the lid to the housing, the lid pivoting about the hinge on a front side of the access opening and the device holder pivoting about a rear side of the access opening. [4] The vehicle console of claim 2, wherein the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engaging holes on opposite lateral sides of the device holder. [5] The vehicle console of claim 1, wherein the device holder comprises a frame for receiving the electronic display device and removably holding the display device. [6] The vehicle console of claim 5, wherein the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position. [7] The vehicle console of claim 1, wherein the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing. [8] The vehicle console of claim 1, wherein the lid in the closed position provides an armrest on an upper surface. [9] The vehicle console of claim 8, wherein the lid in the open position provides a work surface on a top surface. [10] Vehicle console according to one of claims 1-9, wherein the console is a center console.

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