CAR STORAGE POUCH INCLUDING AN EXPANDABLE PART

Abstract

Storage pocket (3) for a component of a motor vehicle comprising a movable panel (5) and at least one extendable member (6) positioned between the motor vehicle component and the movable panel (5), the movable panel (5) being movable about an axis of rotation from a closed position (PF) in which it is closer to the motor vehicle component to an open position in which it is further from the motor vehicle component. The extendable member (6) comprises an inner side surface fixed to the component, an outer side surface fixed to the movable panel (5), and a central surface connected to the inner and outer side surfaces, varying from a retracted position (PR) to an extended position. The closed position (PF) of the movable panel (5) allows the central surface to assume the retracted position (PR), and the open position of the movable panel (5) allows the central surface to assume the extended position. Figure for abbreviation: Fig 1A

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE STORAGE POCKET COMPRISING AN EXPANDABLE COMPONENT technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to storage for motor vehicles and more particularly to door storage pockets for motor vehicles.

[0002] A motor vehicle includes various types of internal storage, including storage located on the vehicle doors. This may include a compartment directly embedded in the door.

[0003] However, certain areas within a motor vehicle have limited space and cannot accommodate traditional storage compartments. This is particularly true of the area on the inside of a motor vehicle door located between the rear bench seat and the front seats.

[0004] Today, some storage pockets are designed to be flexible. However, the solutions offered are neither sufficiently optimal in terms of storage volume nor aesthetically pleasing. Description of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a solution that addresses the aforementioned problems.

[0006] The invention therefore relates to a storage pocket for a component of a motor vehicle, comprising a movable panel and at least one extendable element positioned between the motor vehicle component and the movable panel. The movable panel is movable around an axis of rotation from a closed position, in which it is closer to the motor vehicle component, to an open position, in which it is further from the motor vehicle component. The extendable element comprises an internal lateral surface fixed to the component, an external lateral surface fixed to the movable panel, and a central surface connected to the internal and external lateral surfaces, varying from a retracted to an extended position. The closed position of the movable panel allows the central surface to assume the retracted position, and the open position of the movable panel allows the central surface to assume the extended position.

[0007] Correspondingly, when the movable panel is in the closed position, the storage pocket is in the closed position, and when the movable panel is in the open position, the storage pocket is in the open position. The axis of rotation of the panel The mobile panel allows for the creation of a variable storage volume, with the storage volume being most advantageous when the pocket is open. In one embodiment, the axis of rotation of the mobile panel corresponds to a seam between the mobile panel and the vehicle component.

[0008] Advantageously, the extendable part includes at least one fold allowing the central surface to adopt the retracted or extended positions. The fold can be created by a natural crease in the material of the extendable part or by a special seam in the central surface.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the expandable member comprises a metal spring. In particular, the expandable member may comprise a metallic material such as metal strips forming a metal spring.

[0010] The stretchable element may also include an elastic material that is stretched when the central surface is in the deployed position and released when the central surface is in the retracted position. Advantageously, the stretchable element comprises fabric.

[0011] Advantageously, the extendable organ includes a curved profile adapting to the shape of the movable panel.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the central surface of the expandable element comprises an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being wider than the lower end. The lower end of the central surface acts as the floor of the storage compartment, and the upper end provides the lateral thickness of the storage pocket. Advantageously, the floor is narrower than the lateral thickness of the storage pocket. The dimensions of the expandable element determine the available storage volume within the storage pocket.

[0013] Advantageously, the movable panel includes edges extending towards the element. The edges enclose the extendable part when the movable panel is in the closed position. The edges also provide an aesthetically pleasing finish to the storage pocket when the movable panel is in both the closed and open positions.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the storage pocket comprises an internal plate fixed to the motor vehicle component and includes a shape complementary to the shape of the component, which may include a recessed portion. The expandable element is thus fixed to said internal plate. Advantageously, the motor vehicle component is a motor vehicle door.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the storage pocket includes several extendable parts, two of which are positioned on either side of the movable panel.

[0016] Advantageously, the storage pocket is fixed to the inner face of a motor vehicle door.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a storage pocket as defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] - Fig. 1A is a schematic representation of a vehicle door car including a storage pocket in the closed position;

[0020] - Figure [Fig. 1B] is a schematic representation of a vehicle door automobile including a storage pocket in the open position;

[0021] - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an extensible organ of a pouch storage for motor vehicles;

[0022] - Figure [Fig. 3A] is a side view of a portion of a storage pocket made of closed position;

[0023] - Figure [Fig. 3B] is a side view of a portion of a storage pocket made of open position;

[0024] - Fig. 4A is a top view of a portion of a storage pocket in closed position; and

[0025] - Fig. 4B is a top view of a portion of a storage pocket in open position. Detailed description

[0026] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle door designated by the reference numeral 1. The motor vehicle is positioned in an orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z. The X axis represents the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y axis represents the transverse direction oriented to the left of the vehicle viewed from the front, along the X direction, and the Z axis represents the vertical direction, oriented upwards. The door 1 comprises an inner face 2 and a storage pocket 3, said storage pocket 3 being fixed to the inner face 2 of the door 1.

[0027] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the storage pocket 3 comprises an inner plate 4, a movable panel 5 and an extendable member 6 positioned between the inner plate 4 and the movable panel 5.

[0028] The inner plate 4 is fixed to the inner face 2 of the door 1, the movable panel 5 is fixed to the inner plate 4 and the extendable member 6 is connected to the inner plate 4 and the movable panel 5.

[0029] The inner plate 4 is fixed to the inner face 2 of the door 1 by means of a fastening means 7. The inner plate 4 comprises a shape complementary to the shape of the inner face 2 of the door 1. The inner plate 4 is therefore a shell fitted onto the inner face 2 of the door 1, creating a frame to which the movable panel is attached. Furthermore, the inner plate 4 may include a recessed portion 8, providing depth to the storage pocket 3. Advantageously, the inner plate 4 serves as a decorative covering for the door 1 and includes a textile material such as felt.

[0030] The movable panel 5 is triangular in shape with an arc of a circle above it, comprising an upper side and an adjacent side. The movable panel 5 further comprises an inner face 13 and an outer face 14. The adjacent side of the movable panel 5 is connected to the inner plate 4 by means of a fastening element 15. The fastening element 15 includes a seam between the inner plate 4 and the movable panel 5.

[0031] The movable panel 5 is movable around an axis of rotation, from a closed position PF to an open position PO. According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the axis of rotation of the movable panel 5 corresponds to the seam between the movable panel 5 and the inner plate 4. When the movable panel 5 is in the closed position PF as shown in [Fig. 1A], it is brought closer to the inner plate 4, and when the movable panel 5 is in the open position PO as shown in [Fig. 1B], it is moved away from the inner plate 4.

[0032] When the movable panel 5 is in the closed position PF, the storage pocket 3 is in the closed position PF and when the movable panel 5 is in the open position PO, the storage pocket 3 is in the open position PO.

[0033] The expandable element 6 of the storage pocket 3 comprises an inner side surface 16 attached to the inner plate 4, an outer side surface 17 attached to the inner face 13 of the movable panel 5, and a central surface 18 connected to the inner side surfaces 16 and 17. The inner surface 16 and the outer surface 17 are attached to the inner plate 4 and the movable panel 5, respectively, by means of stitching and / or gluing. For example, the central surface 18 is connected to the inner side surfaces 16 and 17 by folds or stitching. The central surface 18 varies from a retracted position PR to an extended position PD. The closed position PF of the movable panel 5 allows the central surface 18 to adopt the retracted position PR, and the open position PO of the movable panel 5 allows the central surface 18 to adopt the extended position PD.Advantageously, the stretchable organ 6 includes fabric and acts as a side lining for the storage pocket 3, providing transverse flexibility to the pocket 3 along the Y-axis.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the central surface 18 of the extendable member 6 includes a fold 19 enabling it to adopt the retracted position PR or the extended position PD. The fold 19 can be created by a natural fold in the material or by a special seam in the central surface 18. The extendable member 6 may advantageously include several folds 19.

[0035] Furthermore, the extendable element 6 may comprise a metallic material, and in particular metallic strips forming a metallic spring. The extendable element 6 may also comprise an elastic material that is stretched when the central surface 18 is in the deployed position PD and released when the central surface 18 is in the retracted position PR. The materials of the extendable element 6 may vary.

[0036] The extendable member 6 comprises a curved profile complementary to the shape of the movable panel 5. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the extendable member 6 follows the arc of the circle of the movable panel 5.

[0037] The central surface 18 of the extendable element 6 comprises an upper end 20 and a lower end 21. The upper end 20 is wider than the lower end 21, allowing the pocket 3 to open flexibly around the axis of rotation of the movable panel 5. The central surface 18 provides a floor for the storage pocket 3, thus increasing the storage volume. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the storage floor corresponds to the lower end 21 of the central surface 18, and the upper end 20 provides the lateral thickness of the storage pocket 3. The floor is therefore narrower than the lateral thickness of the storage pocket 3.

[0038] A portion of the storage pocket 3 is illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B. The fastening means 7 for the inner plate 4 on the door 1 comprises at least one screw 22 and a washer 23 for retaining the inner plate 4 on the inner face 2 of the door 1. The washer 23 may be a platform on which the inner lateral surface 16 of the extendable member 6 is partially fixed. The inner face 2 of the door 1 comprises a protruding portion 24 on which the inner plate 4 is fixed by means of the fastening means 7.

[0039] The movable panel 5 includes rims 25 extending towards the inner plate 4, along the upper side and the arc of the movable panel 5. The rims 25 enclose the extendable element 6 when the movable panel 5 is in the closed position PF. The rims 25 also provide an aesthetic finish to the storage pocket 3 when the movable panel 5 is in the closed position PF and in the open position PO. Specifically, the outer lateral surface 17 of the extendable element 6 is positioned along the rim 25 of the arc of the movable panel 5, on the inner face 13 of the movable panel 5.

[0040] When the movable panel 5 is in the closed position PF, the outer face 14 of the movable panel 5 merges with the inner face 2 of the door 1, creating a smooth surface.

[0041] The storage pocket 3 further includes a return system for keeping said storage pocket 3 in the closed position PF when no object is inserted inside. When an object is inserted into the storage pocket 3, it has tendency to move towards a closed position PF thanks to the return system. The return system includes, for example, return springs positioned between the inner plate 4 and the movable panel 5.

[0042] The storage pocket 3 may also include magnets and / or snap fasteners positioned between the inner plate 4 and the movable panel 5 in order to keep the storage pocket 3 closed when it is in the closed position PF.

[0043] Finally, the storage pocket 3 may include a manual opening means, allowing the user to easily open the storage pocket 3. The manual opening means includes, for example, a tab and / or a soft handle fixed to the movable panel 5.

[0044] When the user opens the storage pocket 3 by pulling on the manual opening means, the movable panel 5 rotates around its axis of rotation and moves away from the movable plate 4. The central surface 18 of the extendable element 6 is thus in the deployed position, and the storage compartment is accessible. The user places an object to be stored in the storage pocket 3, and the return system holds the object in place. The storage pocket is thus in the open position PO.

[0045] Conversely, when the user retrieves their object, the recall system allows the mobile panel to fold down, which rotates around the axis of rotation and is brought closer to the mobile plate 4. The magnets and / or the snap buttons allow the complete closure of the storage pocket 3, which is thus in the closed position PF.

[0046] Of course, we do not depart from the scope of the invention when the storage pocket 3 has a different composition. It is thus possible to design a storage pocket 3 comprising several expandable parts 6.

[0047] A storage pocket 3 comprising a movable panel 5 directly connected to an element of the vehicle, and more specifically to the inner face 2 of a door 1 according to the embodiment described, can also be envisaged.

[0048] Furthermore, the movable panel 5 can be rectangular in shape, only the lower side of which is connected to the internal plate 4. In this case, the storage pocket 3 includes two extendable organs 6 positioned on either side of the movable panel 5.

[0049] The storage pocket 3 as described provides a flexible storage solution in terms of storage volume, particularly expandable transversely, while maintaining an aesthetic design of the vehicle when the storage pocket is in the closed position.

[0050] In addition, the storage pocket 3 is suitable for space-constrained environments, in particular on an inner face 2 of a door 1, between the rear bench seat and the front seats of the motor vehicle.

[0051] Finally, the storage pocket 3 can be assembled as a single unit before being attached to the motor vehicle. This facilitates the assembly and maintenance of the storage pocket 3.

Claims

Demands

1. Storage pocket (3) for a component of a motor vehicle comprising a movable panel (5) and at least one extendable member (6) positioned between the component of the motor vehicle and the movable panel (5), the movable panel (5) being movable about an axis of rotation from a closed position (PF) in which it is close to the component of the motor vehicle to an open position (PO) in which it is away from the component of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the extendable member (6) comprises an internal side surface (16) fixed to the component, an external side surface (17) fixed to the movable panel (5) and a central surface (18) connected to the internal and external side surfaces (16, 17) varying from a retracted position (PR) to a deployed position (PD),The closed position (PF) of the movable panel (5) allows the central surface (18) to adopt the retracted position (PR), and the open position (PO) of the movable panel (5) allows the central surface (18) to adopt the deployed position (PD).

2. Storage pocket (3) according to claim 1, wherein the expandable member (6) includes at least one fold (19) allowing the central surface (18) to adopt the retracted (PR) or deployed (PD) positions.

3. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the expandable member (6) includes a metal spring.

4. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the expandable member (6) comprises a curved profile adapting to the shape of the movable panel (5).

5. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the central surface (18) of the expandable member (6) comprises an upper end (20) and a lower end (21), the upper end (20) being wider than the lower end (21).

6. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movable panel (5) includes rims (25) extending in the direction of the element.

7. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an internal plate (4) fixed to the motor vehicle component and comprising a shape complementary to the shape of the element, which may include a hollowed portion (8), the extensible organ (6) being fixed on the internal plate (4).

8. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising several extendable members (6) two of which are positioned on either side of the movable panel (5).

9. Storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, fixed to the inner face (2) of a motor vehicle door (1).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a storage pocket (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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