Device for recovering objects falling into a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an object retrieval device (100) adapted to receive objects falling between a seat (20) and a fixed component (30) of a motor vehicle (10). According to the invention, the device comprises a receptacle (110) and mounting means (120) adapted to fix the receptacle to the seat and / or to the fixed component. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for recovering objects falling into a motor vehicle. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to motor vehicles.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a device facilitating the recovery of objects that have fallen into hard-to-reach areas of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0003] It also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a device. State of the art

[0004] A motor vehicle generally comprises two front seats and, between these seats, a central console.

[0005] When an individual sits on one of these two seats and has small objects such as coins, bank cards or keys in his pockets, it sometimes happens that these objects fall out of his pockets and into the narrow area between the seat and the center console.

[0006] This situation proves not only frustrating for the user who will encounter difficulties in locating where these objects have fallen and then in retrieving them, but also dangerous since it causes distractions when the individual tries to retrieve the fallen objects while driving.

[0007] In addition, this area is often partially obstructed by seat adjustment mechanisms and cables, adding further complexity to the retrieval of objects. Presentation of the invention

[0008] It is in this context that the present invention proposes a system facilitating the recovery of objects that have fallen between the seat and a fixed component of the vehicle such as the center console.

[0009] More particularly, the invention proposes an object recovery device adapted to receive objects falling between a seat and a fixed component of a motor vehicle, which includes a receptacle and mounting means adapted to fix the receptacle on the seat and / or on the fixed component.

[0010] Thus, thanks to the invention, when a small object falls between the seat and the fixed component of the vehicle (typically the center console), this object is received by the device, which is designed to facilitate the recovery of the object by its owner.

[0011] In this context, the receptacle can be tilted so that the object slides naturally towards the front or back of the seat, into an easily accessible area.

[0012] Alternatively or in addition, the receptacle may be particularly slippery so that the object slides forwards or backwards during a subsequent acceleration or braking of the vehicle.

[0013] As an alternative or in addition, it can be mounted in a mobilitable way in the vehicle, so that the owner of the object can slide the latter by tilting the device.

[0014] Alternatively or in addition, the device can be removable without tools and therefore be removed from the space where it is located to easily access objects that have fallen into it.

[0015] In any case, the proposed device has a very simple and lightweight architecture, is easy to assemble, and is adaptable to a majority of commercial vehicles.

[0016] Other advantageous and non-limiting features of the object retrieval device according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows: - the seat comprises at least a first rail fixed to a floor of the motor vehicle and a second rail mounted to slide in the first rail; - the mounting means are adapted to attach to the first rail; - the receptacle extends between the first rail and the fixed component, over at least half the length of said first rail and preferably over more than 75% of this length; - the receptacle is profiled; - the receptacle is open at at least one of its ends; - the receptacle has a base and at least one side wall that runs along the base; - the side wall is inclined relative to the bottom at an angle preferably strictly greater than 90°; - the mounting means are, at least in part, of the tool-free removable type; - the mounting means are completely removable without tools; - the mounting means include a rim which runs along the bottom on the side opposite the side wall and at least one pin adapted to engage in a corresponding relief provided on the seat and / or on the fixed component; - the receptacle being elongated, a pin is provided at each end of the receptacle.

[0017] The invention also proposes a motor vehicle comprising at least one seat and a fixed component such as a center console, which is located next to the seat, as well as an object retrieval device as described above, which is mounted on the seat and / or on the fixed component.

[0018] Preferably, the receptacle has a substantially straight bottom (flat or not) and, when the motor vehicle is stationary on a horizontal surface, this bottom is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination strictly greater than one degree, preferably towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0019] Of course, the various features, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] The following description with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

[0021] On the attached drawings:

[0022] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective view of part of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle conforming to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of a recovery device object of the motor vehicle of the [Fig.1], mounted on a rail of a seat;

[0024] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of [Fig.1];

[0025] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of the object retrieval device and the rail of the [Fig.2] mounted on a floor of the motor vehicle.

[0026] Figure 1 shows an interior part of a motor vehicle 10. This could be any type of motor vehicle, for example a truck, a bus, an airplane, a boat...

[0027] This is a car conventionally comprising a chassis and wheels. The chassis includes a floor 40 and bodywork elements that define a passenger compartment. Among these bodywork elements, the vehicle includes at least one side door.

[0028] In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used in relation to the motor vehicle, the front part of an element designating the part of that element which is turned towards the hood of the vehicle and the rear part designating the part of that element which is turned towards the opposite side.

[0029] The terms "lower" (or "bottom") and "upper" (or "top") shall be used in the same way, the lower part of an element designating the part of that element which is turned towards the floor of the vehicle and the upper part designating the part of that element which is turned towards the roof of the vehicle.

[0030] The adjective "longitudinal" shall apply to a direction or axis oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle when the steering wheel is in the neutral position. Typically, in Figures 2 and 3, a coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is shown in which the X axis can be described as longitudinal.

[0031] The adjective "transverse" shall apply to a direction or axis oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal and horizontal axes when the vehicle is moving on a horizontal road. Typically, in figures 2 and 3, the Y axis can be described as transverse.

[0032] Inside its passenger compartment, the motor vehicle 10 includes at least one seat 20 and at least one fixed component located next to the seat 20.

[0033] In the rest of the description, the vehicle will be considered to have two front seats 30 and the fixed component will be formed by a central console 30 interposed between these two seats.

[0034] It will also be considered here that the motor vehicle 10 has a row of rear seats, not visible in the figures.

[0035] As shown in [Fig.1], each seat 20 classically comprises a seat 25 and a backrest 26, each including a frame and upholstery attached to the frame.

[0036] The seat 20 is preferably designed to be mounted mobilously from front to back on the floor 40. Its frame includes for this purpose a sliding system.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the sliding system comprises two first fixed rails 21 which extend longitudinally, parallel to each other, on the floor 40. These two fixed rails 21 are equipped with means for fixing to the floor. In practice, they can be fitted with screws for fixing to the floor.

[0038] The sliding system further comprises two movable rails 27 which are respectively mounted to slide on the two fixed rails 21. These fixed and movable rails have shapes such that the only degree of freedom of the movable rails 27 with respect to the fixed rails 21 is a sliding movement along a substantially longitudinal axis.

[0039] In practice, this axis is slightly inclined towards the rear, so that the vehicle lowers when it reverses.

[0040] The center console 30 is, in a known way, a component located between the front seats, fixed and incorporating storage, functional controls, and ergonomic devices to improve vehicle comfort.

[0041] It has a longitudinally elongated shape. It rises from the floor 40 to above the seat cushions 25 of the seats 20. It extends from the vehicle's dashboard to the level of the seat backs 20. It thus has two sides located at a short distance from the two front seats 20. This distance is not zero so that the seats do not rub against the center console 30 when they move forward or backward.

[0042] Because of this non-zero distance, it may happen that an occupant of one of these front seats 20 accidentally drops an object between his seat and the central console 30.

[0043] In this context, the present invention proposes a recovery device 100 adapted to receive this object.

[0044] It may be possible to install a single recovery device 100 between the driver's seat and the center console, or to equip each of the front seats with such a device.

[0045] This retrieval device 100 includes a receptacle 110 for receiving the object, and mounting means 120 for fixing the receptacle 110 on the corresponding seat 20 and / or on the fixed component (here the center console 30).

[0046] The receptacle 110 could take various forms.

[0047] It extends lengthwise along a substantially longitudinal axis, over at least half the length of the seat 25 of the seat 20.

[0048] It is preferably profiled, that is to say, it has a uniform cross-section (in a plane orthogonal to its substantially longitudinal axis) over a major part of its length, preferably over its entire length.

[0049] It could have a U-shaped, L-shaped, or other cross-section. Here it has an inclined V-shaped cross-section. It thus comprises a base 111 formed by one side of the V and a lateral wall 112 formed by the other side.

[0050] The bottom 111 is here flat (alternatively, it could be curved in the shape of a gutter). It extends preferentially parallel to the floor 40.

[0051] In practice, the floor 40 is inclined rearward relative to the horizontal (when the motor vehicle 10 is stationary on a horizontal surface) at an angle greater than 1°, generally between 3° and 5°. Therefore, under the same conditions, the bottom 111 of the receptacle 110 is inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle of inclination strictly greater than one degree, towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0052] The side wall 112 of the receptacle 110 is preferably flat and inclined with respect to the bottom around a longitudinal axis, at an angle α greater than 90° (see [Fig.3]).

[0053] The receptacle 110 is open at at least one of its ends, so that an object sliding into it can escape. Here, and preferably, it is open at both ends (towards the front and towards the rear).

[0054] The fastening means 120 are preferably designed to be fixed to the seat 20, so that the side wall 112 of the receptacle 110 rests against the center console 30.

[0055] More preferably, the fastening means 120 are adapted to be fixed to one of the fixed rails 21 of the seat 20, the one placed on the side of the central console 30.

[0056] The fixed rails on the market have, for the most part, similar shapes, so that the recovery device 100 is adaptable to a large part of the vehicles sold commercially.

[0057] Securing the receptacle 110 to a fixed part of the seat will also prevent this receptacle 110 from moving in the vehicle, particularly when the occupant moves their seat forward or backward, which would otherwise be a source of noise and damage.

[0058] Before describing how the fastening means 120 of the retrieval device 100 cooperate with the fixed rail 21, we may briefly describe the shape of this fixed rail, with reference to [Fig.3].

[0059] This fixed rail 21 has a lower wall 22 bordered by two lateral wings 23 folded upwards at a right angle. The upper edges of the two lateral wings 23 are themselves folded towards each other and towards the lower wall, to form serrated edges 24 allowing the movable rails 27 to be locked in place when necessary.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the two lateral wings 23 each have two openings 29 located near their ends. In practice, as shown in [Fig. 2], these openings 29 are each formed by a cutting and folding operation of a tab 28 which acts as a stop for the sliding of the corresponding movable rail 27 in the fixed rail 22.

[0061] Here then, the mounting means 120 are preferably designed to be fixed through two of the openings 29 of the fixed rail, those turned towards the side of the central console 30.

[0062] At least part of these mounting means 120 is of the tool-free removable type. In other words, a user is able to detach at least part of these mounting means 120 from the seat 20 without using any tools and without damaging the retrieval device 100.

[0063] The mounting means 120 could include spring clips, quick-locking systems...

[0064] Here, they first include a rim 121 folded back relative to the bottom 111. This rim 121 runs along the bottom 111 of the receptacle 110, along the side of this bottom 111 that is opposite the side wall 112. Preferably, this rim 121 is flat and extends at a right angle to the bottom 111. In the example shown, while the side wall 112 is facing upwards, the rim 121 is facing downwards.

[0065] The mounting means 120 further comprise at least one pin 122 adapted to engage in one of the aforementioned openings 29. Here, they comprise two pins 122 adapted to engage respectively in the two aforementioned openings 29 (one at the front and the other at the rear of the fixed rail 21).

[0066] These two pins are identical here. But alternatively, one could provide a pin at one end of the rim, and another means of fixing at the other end.

[0067] As shown in [Fig. 3], each pin 122 has a cylindrical shape projecting from the face of the rim 121 facing the fixed rail 21. The diameter of this pin 122 is equal, within clearance, to the smallest dimension of the opening 29 through which it is engaged. Thanks to this shape, even if the opening 29 is not circular, the recovery device 100 is adapted to pivot around the axis of the pin 122 when only one of these two pins 122 is engaged in an opening 29 of the fixed rail 21.

[0068] The object retrieval device 100 is preferably made of a single piece. It is designed to be elastically deformable, so that once its pins 122 are engaged in the openings 29 of the fixed rail 21, its side wall 112 flexes elastically to rest against the central console 30.

[0069] In this way, no object can fall between the receptacle 110 and the central console 30. In this way also, the central console 30 exerts a force on the side wall 112 and therefore on the whole recovery device 100, which makes it possible to retain the pins 122 engaged in the openings 29 of the fixed rail 21 and to avoid any potentially noisy movement of some of them relative to others.

[0070] Here, the object retrieval device 100 is made by extruding a plastic material such as polypropylene. It has a reduced thickness, typically about 1 mm, which gives it the necessary flexibility for its side wall 112 to deform and press against the central console 30.

[0071] When an object falls into the receptacle 110, due to the inclination of the latter, it can roll towards the rear of the vehicle into the space between the front row of seats 20 and the rear row of seats. This is particularly the case when it involves coins.

[0072] However, when the objects are not round, typically when they are keys or bank cards, these objects may get stuck on the receptacle 110 and not slide backwards. In this event, it is provided that at least one of the pegs 122 can be dislodged from the corresponding opening 29 in the fixed rail 21 so that the receiving device 100 can be rotated backwards or forwards (depending on which peg 122 has been dislodged).

[0073] Advantageously, the retrieval device 100 includes for this purpose gripping means 123, which facilitate the handling of the receiving device 100 when it comes to removing the pin(s) from each opening 29 of the fixed rail 21.

[0074] The shape of the pins 122 and the openings 29 gives them a removable character, which allows any individual of the object to remove one of the pins 122 from the corresponding opening 29 of the fixed rail 21.

[0075] In this regard, it should be noted that it could be envisaged that only one of the pins would be removable, the other then serving as a pivot axis Al ([Fig.4]). However, preferably, both pins 122 will be removable, which will allow the retrieval device 100 to be completely removed from the fixed rail 21.

[0076] In this case, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the gripping means 123 comprise two mushroom-shaped lugs, the feet of which rise from the The rim 121, on the side opposite the fixed rail 21, has flared ends to facilitate gripping these lugs. Here, a lug is provided in the axis of each of the pins 122. Of course, alternatively, the gripping means 123 could have different shapes.

[0077] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and represented, but a person skilled in the art will be able to make any variation in accordance with the invention.

[0078] Typically, the retrieval device 100 could be installed not on the side of the center console 30, but on the door side. This device would then allow objects falling between the seat and the edge of the floor located under the door to be caught.

[0079] Alternatively, a retrieval device 100 could be attached to each fixed rail 21 of the seat 20, one on the center console side and the other on the door side. Thus, these two retrieval devices 100 would catch objects falling from either side of the seat.

[0080] The recovery device 100 could also be fixed elsewhere, for example on the movable rail, the central console...

[0081] Alternatively, it could be fixed not only to the fixed rail 21 but also to the central console 30, so that it forms here again a cradle for retrieving objects.

[0082] The receptacle, preferably profiled, could alternatively be corrugated or have another shape.

Claims

Demands

1. Object retrieval device (100) adapted to receive objects falling between a seat (20) and a fixed component (30) of a motor vehicle (10), which includes a receptacle (110) and mounting means (120) adapted to fix the receptacle (110) to the seat (20) and / or to the fixed component (30).

2. Object retrieval device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the seat (20) comprising at least a first rail (21) fixed to a floor (40) of the motor vehicle (10) and a second rail (27) mounted to slide in the first rail (21), the mounting means (120) are adapted to attach to the first rail (21).

3. Object retrieval device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle (110) extends between the first rail (21) and the fixed component (30), over at least half the length of said first rail (21).

4. Object retrieval device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receptacle (110) is profiled and is open at least one of its ends.

5. Object retrieval device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receptacle (110) comprises a base (111) and at least one side wall (112) which runs along the base (111) and which is inclined relative to the base (111) at an angle (a) preferably strictly greater than 90°.

6. Object retrieval device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mounting means (120) are of the tool-free removable type.

7. Object retrieval device (100) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the mounting means (120) comprise a rim (121) which runs along the bottom (111) on the side opposite the side wall (112) and at least one pin (122) adapted to engage in a relief (29) provided correspondingly on the seat (20) and / or on the fixed component (30).

8. Object retrieval device (100) according to claim 7, wherein, the receptacle (110) being elongated, a pin (122) is provided at each end of the receptacle (110).

9. Motor vehicle (10) comprising at least one seat (20) and a fixed component (30) such as a center console, which is located next to the seat (20), characterized in that it comprises an object retrieval device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is mounted on the seat (20) and / or on the fixed component (30).

10. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 9, wherein the receptacle (110) has a substantially straight bottom (111) and wherein, when the motor vehicle (10) is stationary on a horizontal surface, the bottom (110) is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle of inclination strictly greater than one degree, preferably towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

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