Device for securing an item inside a vehicle

Abstract

Device for securing an item inside a vehicle. The present invention provides a device (100) for securing an item (50) inside a vehicle. The device (100) is mounted on an interior panel (200) of the vehicle. The device (100) includes a retaining jaw (10) that is pivotally connected to the interior panel (200). The retaining jaw (10) has a first surface (14) and a second surface (16). The second surface (16) comprises a first, more flexible portion (16a) and a second, more flexible portion (16b). The second, more flexible portion (16b) has closing bumps (168a, 168b) and opening bumps (169a, 169b) to dampen noise when opening or closing the retaining jaw (10).The closing bumps (168a, 168b) and the opening bumps (169a, 169b) are designed to abut against the inner panel (200) and dampen the noise generated when the retaining jaw (10) comes into contact with the inner panel (200). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1a.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for holding an article inside a vehicle Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for holding an item inside a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for holding an item, preferably an electronic device such as a mobile phone, inside a vehicle.

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] Generally, an article holding device, for example a mobile phone holder, comprises one or more holding jaws for holding a mobile phone inside a vehicle. The article holding devices are adapted to be in a closed position when not holding the article and in an open position when holding the article. Various mechanisms are implemented to facilitate opening and closing of the article holding device.

[0004] The article holding device is provided with the holding jaw(s), which are open to accommodate the mobile phone therebetween and can also be closed when not in use. When closing and / or opening the holding jaw(s), the holding jaw(s) pivot and at least a portion of the holding jaw(s) may strike an interior panel when closing and / or opening, which produces an unpleasant noise.

[0005] Conventionally, a plurality of buffers are provided to dampen noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaw(s). The plurality of buffers are manufactured separately and assembled to the article holding device at different stages of production, which complicates assembly and requires more time, labor, etc., for assembly.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a holding device intended to hold an article inside a vehicle with a damping solution to reduce noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaw(s).

[0007] Objects of the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a holding device for holding an article inside a vehicle.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a pivoting holding jaw for holding an item, preferably a mobile phone, inside a vehicle without scratching or damaging the item or surface. of the mobile phone and without producing unpleasant noise when closing and / or opening the holding device. Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for holding an item within a vehicle. The device may be configured on an interior panel of the vehicle. In one aspect, the device may include a holding jaw for holding an item such as a cup, a cell phone, a tablet, or a similar electronic device.

[0011] In one aspect, the holding jaw may be configured to be pivotally connected to the interior panel of the vehicle, such as a dashboard or a door panel, to configure a closed position and an open position. In addition, this definition also covers an aspect in which the holding jaw is arranged in or on a holding frame that may be installed in or on the interior panel of the vehicle cabin. In one aspect, the holding jaw is directly installed on the interior panel.

[0012] In one aspect of the invention, the holding jaw has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface includes a first, more flexible portion adapted to hold and grip the article when the holding jaw is in the open position and a second, more flexible portion adapted to dampen noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaw.

[0013] More particularly, the first flexible portion is a central portion of the holding jaw that projects and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw to hold and grip the article.

[0014] In one aspect, the second, more flexible portion is comprised of closing bosses arranged at the distal lateral ends of the holding jaw and projects to abut the inner panel or holding frame in the closed position to dampen noise upon closing of the holding jaw.

[0015] According to one aspect, the second, more flexible portion is an opening bump arranged at a pivoting end of the holding jaw to dampen noise when opening the holding jaw.

[0016] In one aspect, the holding jaw may be configured to be pivotally connected to the interior panel and may be biased by a bi-stable spring to allow the holding jaw to tilt and remain in the closed position and in the open position until or unless any external force is applied to the holding jaw. In another aspect, the holding jaw may be configured to be pivotally connected to the inner panel and can be biased by a torsion spring to bias the holding jaw always towards the closed position.

[0017] In one aspect, the holding jaw with the first surface and the second surface may be manufactured by a 2k / two-step injection molding process, which avoids the need to assemble any separate buffer / damper onto the holding device.

[0018] In another aspect of the invention, the holding jaw of the device for holding an article may comprise an upper holding jaw and a lower holding jaw. The upper holding jaw and the lower holding jaw may be configured to be pivotally arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle and adapted to pivot about a corresponding pivot axis parallel to each other. The upper holding jaw may be configured to be pivotally connected to the interior panel and biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring to bias the upper holding jaw always toward the closed position.

[0019] The lower holding jaw may be arranged adjacent to the upper holding jaw and may be aligned in a co-plane with the upper holding jaw in the closed position. In one aspect, the lower holding jaw may be configured to be arranged on or in the interior panel with a bi-stable spring to allow the lower holding jaw to tilt and remain in the closed position and in the open position until or unless any external force is applied to the lower holding jaw.

[0020] The holding jaws may include a first surface and a second surface. The holding jaws may be manufactured by a 2k / two-shot injection molding process, which avoids the need to assemble any separate buffer / damper onto the holding device.

[0021] The second surface may include a first, more flexible portion adapted to hold an article when the holding jaws are in the open position and a second, more flexible portion adapted to dampen noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaws. The first, more flexible portion and the second, more flexible portion may be made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

[0022] The first more flexible portion may be a central portion of the holding jaw that projects and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw. The second more flexible portion may have closing bosses arranged at the distal lateral ends of the holding jaw and may project from the second surface to abut the interior panel to dampen noise upon closing of the holding jaw.

[0023] Further, the second, more flexible portion may include opening bumps, the opening bumps being arranged at the pivoting end of the holding jaw to dampen noise upon opening of the holding jaw.

[0024] More particularly, the second, more flexible portion of the upper holding jaw may include closing bosses arranged at the distal lateral ends of the upper holding jaw to dampen noise when closing the upper holding jaw. The second, more flexible portion of the lower holding jaw may include opening bosses arranged at the pivoting end of the lower holding jaw and closing bosses arranged at the distal lateral ends of the holding jaw to dampen noise when closing and opening the lower holding jaw. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood upon reference to the following detailed description and to the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which equivalent elements are identified by equivalent symbols, and in which:

[0026] [Fig. la] [Fig.la] shows a side view of a device for holding an article inside a vehicle in an open position, according to the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.lb] [Fig.lb] shows a side view of a device for holding an article inside a vehicle in a closed position, according to the present invention;

[0028] [Fig. 1e] [Fig. 1e] shows a perspective view of a holding jaw according to the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.2a] [Fig.2a] shows an isometric view of a holding device of an article in the open position according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.2b] [Fig.2b] shows a side view of a device for holding an article in the closed position according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows an isometric view of the rear face of the device of holding illustrating a torsion spring and a bi-stable spring according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of a holding jaw superior according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0033] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a perspective view of a holding jaw lower according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] An embodiment of the present invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words “comprising”, “comprising”, “ "containing" and "including", and other forms thereof, are intended to have an equivalent meaning and to be open-ended in that any one or more items following any of those words are not intended to be an exhaustive list of that item or items, nor are they intended to be limited solely to the item or items listed.

[0035] The terms "first", "second" and the equivalent do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but rather serve to distinguish one element from another.

[0036] The disclosed embodiments are only examples of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0037] The present invention provides a device comprising a holding jaw for holding an article. The holding jaw is manufactured such that the holding jaw comprises a damping solution for attenuating noise when opening and / or closing the holding jaw.

[0038] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate a device (100) for holding an item (50) inside a vehicle according to the present invention. The device (100) is configured to be arranged on an interior panel (200) such as a dashboard or a door panel of the vehicle. The device (100) comprises a holding jaw (10) configured to be pivotally arranged on the interior panel (200) of the vehicle to hold an item (50) such as a beverage container, a cup, a mobile phone, a tablet and similar electronic devices. Furthermore, this definition also covers an embodiment in which the holding jaw (10) is arranged in or on a holding frame (not shown) which can be installed in or on the interior panel (200) of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the holding jaw (10) is directly installed on the interior panel (200).

[0039] The holding jaw (10) is configured to be pivotally arranged on or in the inner panel (200) and is adapted to configure to adopt an open position (illustrated in [Fig.1a]) and a closed position (illustrated in [Fig.1b]). In the present embodiment, the holding jaw (10) is pivotally connected to the inner panel (200) and biased by a biasing element / spring. More specifically, the holding jaw (10) is pivotally connected to the inner panel (200) and biased by a bi-stable spring (not shown) to allow the holding jaw (10) to tilt and remain in the closed position and the open position until or unless any external force is applied to the holding jaw. In another embodiment, the holding jaw (10) is pivotally connected to the inner panel (200) and biased by a bi-stable spring (not shown) to allow the holding jaw (10) to tilt and remain in the closed position and the open position until or unless any external force is applied to the holding jaw. interior (200) and biased by a torsion spring (not shown) to bias the holding jaw (100) always towards the closed position.

[0040] In one embodiment, the holding jaw (10) comprises a first surface (14) and a second surface (16) opposite the first surface (14). The second surface (16) comprises a first, more flexible portion (16a) adapted to hold an article (50) when the holding jaws (10) are in the open position and a second, more flexible portion (16b) adapted to dampen noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaw (10).

[0041] Referring now to [Fig. 1e], the first flexible portion (16a) is a central portion having a first extended portion (166) and a second extended portion (167) for holding and gripping the article (50). The first extended portion (166) is longitudinally aligned near an edge of the holding jaw (10) and extends the length of the holding jaw (10). The second extended portion (167) is longitudinally aligned parallel to the first extended portion (166) of the holding jaw (10) which projects and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw (10).The second softer portion (16b) is a closing boss (168a, 168b) arranged at a distal lateral end of the holding jaw (10) and protrudes to abut against the inner panel (200) or a holding frame in another embodiment (not shown)] in the closing position to dampen noise when closing the holding jaw (10). Further, the second softer portion (16b) is an opening boss (169a, 169b) arranged at the pivot ends of the holding jaw (10) and protrudes to abut against the inner panel (200) in the closing position to dampen noise when opening the holding jaw (10).

[0042] Further, the device (100) includes a flange (210) that extends from a surface of the interior panel (200) of the vehicle. The flange (210) extends from the interior panel (200) such that the article (50) is received and held between the holding jaw (10) and the flange (210). The flange (210) extends horizontally parallel to a length of the holding jaw (10) to securely hold the article (50) therebetween. In the present embodiment, in the closed position, the holding jaw (10) pivots in a cavity of the interior panel (200) and is flush with a visible surface of the interior panel (200) of the vehicle.

[0043] In another embodiment, wherein the holding jaw (10) is arranged in or on a holding frame (not shown) that can be installed in or on the interior panel (200) of the vehicle passenger compartment, the holding jaw (10) in its closed position pivots in a space (not shown) of the holding frame (not shown) and can be flush with a visible surface of the interior panel (200) of the vehicle. The holding jaw (10) is manufactured by a 2k injection molding process or in two stages, which avoids having to assemble any separate buffer / damper on the holding device (100).

[0044] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a device (100) for holding an article (50) inside a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The device (100) comprises a holding jaw (10). The holding jaw (10) comprises an upper holding jaw (11) and a lower holding jaw (12) pivotally connected to an interior panel (200). The upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12) are configured to be pivotally arranged on the interior panel (200) and are adapted to configure an open position (as illustrated in [Fig.2a]) and a closed position (as illustrated in [Fig.2b]).

[0045] The upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12) are pivotable about a corresponding pivot axis, which are parallel to each other, to configure the open position and the closed position. More specifically, each holding jaw (11, 12) is adapted to pivot between the closed position ([Fig.2b]) and the open position ([Fig.2a]). The device (100) configures the open position to hold the article (50) between the upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12). In the closed position, each of the holding jaws (11, 12) pivots in a cavity of the inner panel (200) and is flush with a visible surface of the inner panel (200).

[0046] With reference to Figures 2a, 2b and 3, the holding jaws (11, 12) are pivotally connected to the interior panel (200) of the vehicle and biased by a biasing element or spring. More specifically, the upper holding jaw (11) is biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring (12a) to bias the upper holding jaw (11) always toward the closed position. The lower holding jaw (12) is pivotally connected to the interior panel (200) and is coupled to the interior panel (200) by a bi-stable spring (12b) to allow the lower holding jaw (12) to tilt and remain in the open position and in the closed position until or unless any external force is applied to the lower holding jaw (12), unlike the upper holding jaw (11) which always tilts toward the closed position.The combined effect of the torsion spring (12a) of the upper holding jaw (11) and the bi-stable spring (12b) of the lower holding jaw (12) allows effective holding and gripping of the article (50).

[0047] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the holding jaws (11, 12) have a rectangular profile with a first surface (14) and a second surface (16) opposite the first surface (14, now shown). The second surface (16) includes a softer portion (16a, 16b) which may be softer than the first surface (14). The holding jaws (11, 12) are manufactured by a 2k or two-stage injection molding process. The 2k or two-stage injection molding process avoids the assembly of any separate buffer / damper on the holding device (100).

[0048] More particularly, the softer portions (16a, 16b) of the second surface (16) of the holding jaws (11, 12) comprise a first softer portion (16a) and a second softer portion (16b). The first softer portion (16a) is adapted to hold and grip the article (50) when it is held between the upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12). The article (50) held in the jaws (11, 12) is a mobile phone, a tablet, a cup or the like. The first softer portion (16a) is a central portion of the holding jaws (11, 12) which projects and extends longitudinally over the holding jaws (11, 12) in order to hold and ensure gripping of the article (50).

[0049] In the present embodiment, the first more flexible portion (16a) and the second more flexible portion (16b) are made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

[0050] More particularly, the first, more flexible portion (16a) of the upper holding jaw (11) is comprised of a first elongated portion (161), a second elongated portion (162), and a third elongated portion (163). The first elongated portion (161) and the second elongated portion (162) are longitudinally aligned near an edge of the upper holding jaw (11) and extend along the length of the upper holding jaw (11). The third elongated portion (163) is longitudinally aligned parallel to the first elongated portion (161), and the second elongated portion (162) forms a first recessed portion (165a) therebetween for receiving the article (50) in the upper holding jaw (11).

[0051] Further, the first, more flexible portion (16a) of the lower holding jaw (12) has a first extended portion (166) and a second extended portion (167). The first extended portion (166) is longitudinally aligned near the edge of the lower holding jaw (12) and extends the length of the lower holding jaw (12). The second extended portion (167) is longitudinally aligned parallel to the first extended portion (166), forming a second recessed portion (165b) therebetween for receiving the article (50) in the lower holding jaw (12). The first recessed portion (165a) of the upper holding jaw (11) and the second recessed portion (165b) of the lower holding jaw (12) receive and hold the article (50) between the upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12).

[0052] Furthermore, the second, more flexible part (16b) is adapted to dampen noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaws (11, 12). In the present embodiment, the second, more flexible portion (16b) consists of closing bosses (168a, 168b) and opening bosses (169a, 169b). The closing bosses (168a, 168b) are arranged at the distal lateral ends of the holding jaws (11, 12) and project to abut against the inner panel (200) in the closed position to dampen noise when closing the holding jaws (11, 12). The opening bosses (169a, 169b) are arranged at a pivoting end of the lower holding jaw (12) to dampen noise when opening the lower holding jaw (12). The closing bosses (168a, 168b) and the opening bosses (169a, 169b) are arranged away from a central axis of the holding jaws (11, 12). Each of the holding jaws (11, 12) has two closing bosses (168a, 168b).

[0053] In the present embodiment of the invention, the upper holding jaw (11) only comprises closing bosses (168a, 168b) for damping noise when closing the upper holding jaw (11). More particularly, the closing bosses (168a, 168b) are arranged next to the first elongated portion (161) and a second elongated portion (162).

[0054] The lower holding jaw (12) has closing bosses (168a, 168b) and opening bosses (169a, 169b) on the second surface (16). More particularly, the closing bosses (168a, 168b) are arranged adjacent to the first extended portion (166) and the opening bosses (169a, 169b) are arranged such that the opening bosses (169a, 169b) are in contact with the inner panel (200) when the lower holding jaw (12) is pivoted to configure the opening position.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the closing bosses (168a, 168b) are provided to dampen the noise that is generated when the holding jaws (11, 12) strike the inner panel (200) during closing of the holding jaws (11, 12), and the opening bosses (169a, 169b) are provided to dampen the noise that is generated when the holding jaws (11, 12) strike the inner panel (200) during opening of the lower holding jaw (12).In another embodiment, the closing bosses (168a, 168b) are provided to dampen the noise that is generated when the holding jaws (11, 12) strike a support frame (not shown) that can be installed on the inner panel (200) when closing the holding jaws (11, 12), and the opening bosses (169a, 169b) are provided to dampen the noise that is generated when the lower holding jaw (12) strikes the support frame (not shown) when opening the lower holding jaw (12).

[0056] The opening bosses (169a, 169b) of the lower holding jaw (12) are in contact with the inner panel (200) when the latter pivots and to configure the open position. The closing bosses (168a, 168b) of the holding jaws (11, 12) are in contact with the inner panel (200) when pivoted and to configure the closed position.

[0057] In one embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the lower holding jaw (12) has closing bosses (168a, 168b) and opening bosses (169a, 169b). The upper holding jaw (11) has only closing bosses (168a, 168b) which attenuate the noise when closing the upper holding jaw (11). In another embodiment, the upper holding jaw (11) may have opening bosses (169a, 169b) to attenuate the noise when moving the upper holding jaw (11) from the closed position to the open position.

[0058] Therefore, the advantage of the present invention is to provide the device (100) for holding articles (50) preferably a mobile phone inside a vehicle without scratching or damaging the surface of the mobile phone and without making unpleasant noise when using the device (100). The device (100) has built-in dampers to dampen noise when closing or opening the holding jaws (11, 12) of the device (100). The holding jaws (11, 12) are manufactured by a 2k or two-step injection molding process, which avoids the need to assemble any separate buffer / damper on the holding device (100).

[0059] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it is obvious that numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments have been selected and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and thereby to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its various embodiments with various modifications adapted to the particular use contemplated.It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances suggest or may make expedient, but are intended to cover the application or practice without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A device (100) for holding an article (50) inside a vehicle, the device (100) comprising: a holding jaw (10) configured to be pivotally arranged on or in an interior panel (200), the holding jaw (10) is adapted to adopt a closed position and an open position in order to hold the article (50) in the open position; wherein, the holding jaw (10) comprises a first surface (14) and a second surface (16) opposite the first surface (14); wherein, the second surface (16) comprises: a first softer portion (16a) adapted to hold the article (50) when the holding jaw (10) is in the open position; and a second softer portion (16b) adapted to dampen noise when closing and / or opening the holding jaw (10).

2. The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the first more flexible portion (16a) is a central portion of the holding jaw (10) which projects and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw (10) to hold and grip the article (50).

3. A device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second, more flexible portion (16b) consists of closing bosses (168a, 168b) arranged at the distal lateral ends of the holding jaw (10) and protrudes to abut against the inner panel (200) or a holding frame in the closed position in order to dampen noise when closing the holding jaw (10).

4. A device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second, more flexible portion (16b) is an opening boss (169a, 169b) arranged at the pivoting end of the holding jaw (10) to dampen noise when opening the holding jaw (10).

5. The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the holding jaw (10) is configured to be arranged on or in the inner panel (200) with a bi-stable spring to allow the holding jaw (10) to tilt and remain in position. closed and in the open position until or unless any external force is applied to the holding jaw (10) or a torsion spring to bias the holding jaw (10) always towards the closed position.

6. A device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the holding jaw (10) comprises an upper holding jaw (11) and a lower holding jaw (12) configured to be pivotally connected to the interior panel (200) of the vehicle passenger compartment.

7. The device (100) of claim 6, wherein the second, more flexible portion (16b) of the upper holding jaw (11) has closing bosses (168a, 168b) arranged at the distal lateral ends of the upper holding jaw (11) for damping noise when closing the upper holding jaw (11), wherein the second, more flexible portion (16b) of the lower holding jaw (12) has opening bosses (169a, 169b) arranged at the pivoting end of the lower holding jaw (12) and closing bosses (168a, 168b) arranged at the distal lateral ends of the lower holding jaw (12) for damping noise when closing and opening the lower holding jaw (12).

8. The device (100) of claim 6, wherein the upper holding jaw (11) is biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring (12a) to bias the upper holding jaw (11) always in the closed position, and the lower holding jaw (12) is configured to be arranged on or in the inner panel (200) with a bi-stable spring (12b) to allow the lower holding jaw (12) to tilt and remain in the closed position and in the open position until or unless any external force is applied to the lower holding jaw (12).

9. The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the holding jaw (10) is manufactured by a 2k or two-stage injection molding process.

10. The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the first softer portion (16a) and the second softer portion (16b) are made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

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