Abstract:
An armrest assembly for pivotable attachment to a vehicle floor console includes a first sliding armrest having a latch, a second sliding armrest having a latch, a console pawl for engagement with a pawl receptacle formed in the console, a first cable connecting the latch of the first sliding armrest to the console pawl, and a second cable connecting the latch of the second sliding armrest to the console pawl. The assembly further includes a first ratchet rack and a first ratchet pawl connected to the latch of the first armrest and a second ratchet rack and a second ratchet pawl connected to the latch of the second armrest. Operation of a latch releases both the console pawl and the associated ratchet pawl simultaneously to allow sliding movement of the armrest or pivoting movement of the armrest assembly with respect to the floor console.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed invention relates generally to a floor console for a vehicle having a movable cover. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to a floor console having a pivoting cover with a pair sliding armrests attached to the cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the automotive vehicle passenger compartment it is common to provide a console between the driver and front passenger seats, for example, between bucket seats. The console has many functions. In addition to operating as an armrest and as a cup holder, the console can house various items such as cassette tapes, small tools, maps, and the like. 
     In general, four types of center consoles are known. The first of these is the console that opens on one side. This sort of console often limits access only to the driver of the vehicle. Insofar as it is common today for the same vehicle platform to be sold in several countries, the side opening console suitable for the left-hand drive vehicle may not be suitable for use in the right-hand drive vehicle. 
     In partial response to the problem created by the console that opens on one side only, there is a second type of console, one that opens on two sides. While providing access to occupants of both front seats, the console that opens on two sides is often burdened by a complex and thus expensive to build and install dual-hinge system. 
     A third type of console opens from the front and is thus accessible to both front seat occupants. While this arrangement responds at least in part to the difficulties raised by both the single side-opening and dual side-opening consoles, it is not readily accessible to rear-seat passengers. 
     The fourth type of console, the top-opening console, is provided in response to the limitations of the three aforementioned consoles. For at least the identified reasons the console which opens from the top has become increasingly popular given its convenience and functionality. In addition to providing a cover for the storage bin, a top surface of the cover is often used as an armrest for occupants seated next to the console. 
     The typical top-opening console includes a latch device of some type and the type depends on whether the top is hingedly attached to the console or is slidingly attached to the console. The latch for the hinged top is usually a simple spring-loaded hinged latch, which is moved by the operator from the latched position to the unlatched position by applying finger pressure to the latch mechanism. While requiring only a simple latch mechanism, the hinged top is designed to provide easy access to the driver while restricting access to either the front seat passenger. 
     Thus the sliding console top is popular but ordinarily requires a more complex latch arrangement. The most common latch arrangement for the sliding top utilizes a cam and spring to actuate latch engagement pawls from the side of the armrest and bin. While being operational, this design is complicated and adds to higher manufacturing and assembly costs. 
     Accordingly, as in so many areas of automotive technology, there is room in the art of sliding console latch designs for an alternative method and apparatus for effectively and simply providing a locking latch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed invention provides an alternative arrangement to known latch systems for sliding covers for consoles. The arrangement includes a console cover assembly pivotably attached to a console base. The cover assembly includes a base, a first armrest having a latch, a first ratchet rack attached to the base, a first ratchet pawl attached to the first armrest, and a first cable connecting the latch of the first armrest and the first ratchet pawl. The cover assembly further includes a second armrest having a latch, a second ratchet rack attached to the base, a second ratchet pawl attached to the second armrest, and a second cable connecting the latch of the second armrest and the first ratchet pawl. A single console pawl is attached to the console cover assembly for selective engagement with a console pawl receptacle on the console base. A first cable connects the latch of the first armrest with the pawl and a second cable connects the latch of the second armrest with the same pawl. 
     In operation, movement of a latch releases the associated armrest for sliding movement with respect to the base and simultaneously allows for release of the console cover assembly from the console base. 
     Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a console according to the disclosed invention showing dual sliding armrests in their closed positions; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1  but showing one of the sliding armrests in its open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1  but showing the console cover assembly in its raised position; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a single armrest and a portion of the console illustrating the cable and latch arrangement in partial broken lines; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the latch end of the latch cables and their associated spring-loaded roller assemblies of the disclosed invention; 
         FIG. 6  is sectional view of the console according to the disclosed invention particularly illustrating a ratchet rack and its associated ratchet pawl; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the underside of the console cover assembly with the cover removed and spaced apart therefrom; 
         FIG. 8  is sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 6  but illustrating instead the console cover pawl and an associated cable; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the pawl and a portion of the associated cable and operating mechanism; and 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 6  but showing the hinge mechanism connecting the console cover assembly to the console body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a console incorporating the latch mechanism of the disclosed invention is illustrated generally as  10 . It is to be understood that the console  10  as illustrated is only suggestive and many variations of the console  10  are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention. Accordingly, the overall configuration and appearance of the console  10  is suggestive only and is not to be interpreted as being exclusive or otherwise limiting. 
     The console  10  is of the type that is normally positioned between adjacent seats, such as bucket seats (not shown). Ordinarily the console  10  is adapted for use between adjacent front seats but it is also known to use center seat consoles in the rear seat, such as in some trucks and sport utility vehicles. 
     The console  10  includes a console cover assembly  11  which includes a pair of sliding side-by-side armrests, and specifically includes a first armrest  12  and a second armrest  14 . The sliding armrests  12  and  14  are disposed on the top of the console cover assembly  11 . The console cover assembly  11  is pivotably attached to a console body  16 . The console body  16  may be wholly or partially hollow so as to provide a storage space for items such as maps and the like. 
     The sliding armrests  12  and  14  slide forward and rearward to provide both the driver and the passenger access to the storage space within the console body  16  as is known in the art. The sliding armrests  12  and  14  are shown in their forward or closed positions in  FIG. 1 . 
     In  FIG. 2  the first sliding armrest  12  has been moved vehicle rearward to its open position. Thus positioned the sliding armrest  12  gives access to a portion of the console body  16 . In this case there is provided a first cup holder  18 . With the first sliding armrest  12  having been moved to a rearward position access to the first cup holder  18  is now available. (A second cup holder  18 ′ is shown in  FIG. 3 .) 
     In  FIG. 3  the console cover assembly  11  is shown moved to its open position such that the vehicle occupants have access to a console bin  17  defined within the console body  16 . The illustrated shape and configuration of the bin  17  is illustrative only and is to be taken as suggestive and not limiting. 
     The console cover assembly  11  includes a base  19  and a hinge  20  operatively associated with the console body  16  in a known manner. The first sliding armrest  12  and the second sliding armrest  14  are attached to the base  19  as will be explained below. 
     Again, the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and discussed with reference thereto is only exemplary and it is to be understood that other like configurations may be adapted. 
     Each of the sliding covers  12  and  14  is fitted with a release latch as is known. Particularly, the first sliding cover  12  is fitted with a release latch  22  and the second sliding cover  14  is fitted with a release latch  24 . The configuration and placement of the release latches  22  and  24  is only suggestive and many variations may be contemplated. 
     The latches  22  and  24  are each connected to a cable and each of the cables is connected to a single retractable pawl as will now be described. With reference to  FIG. 4  an isometric view of one of the armrests is shown. For the sake of simplicity reference shall be made to the first armrest  12  although the same arrangement exists with respect to the second armrest  14 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a detailed view of latch  22  and of the associated spring-loaded roller assemblies of the disclosed invention. The latch  22  is pivotably attached to the armrest  12 . Associated with the latch  22  is a cable guide assembly  26 , best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The cable guide assembly  26  includes a rotatable guide shaft  28  and a rotatable shaft  30  having a return spring  32 . The rotatable shaft  30  has a gear  34  which is indirectly operatively engaged with a gear  36  formed at the end of the rotatable guide shaft  28 . 
     Peripherally defined in the rotatable guide shaft  28  is a pair of cable guide grooves  38  and  40 . The grooves  38  and  40  respectively guide the latch ends of each of a pair of cables  42  and  44 . In operation, the user lifts the latch  22  which pulls upon the cables  42  and  44 . The latch  22  is urged to its illustrated resting state by the return spring  32  as is understood by those skilled in the art. 
     One of the cables, specifically cable  42 , is operatively associated with a retractable console pawl assembly  50 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The retractable console pawl assembly  50  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and its construction and operation will be discussed below in detail in conjunction with those figures. 
     The other of the two cables, specifically cable  44 , is operatively associated with a ratchet pawl  52 . The ratchet pawl  52  is pivotably attached with the armrest  12  by a pivot point  53 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the ratchet pawl  52  and its associated structures.  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the console body  16  and the armrest  12 .  FIG. 7  is a plan view of the underside of the console cover assembly  11 . The base  19  of the console cover assembly  11  includes a base cover  54 . In  FIG. 7  the base cover  54  is shown removed from the base  19 . 
     The armrest  12  (and the armrest  14 , not shown in  FIG. 6 ) is slidingly attached to the base  19  of the console cover assembly  11  in a known manner using a rack system. The armrest  12  may be selectively moved forward and backward to different locations relative to the base  19 . The position of the armrest  12  relative to the base  19  is determined by engagement of the ratchet pawl  52  with one of a series of pawl-receiving slots  56  formed in a ratchet rack  58 . The ratchet rack  58  is part of the base  19 . In operation, when the seat occupant lifts the latch  22  upward to its release position the latch  22  pulls upon the cable  44  (as well as the cable  42 ) which translates motion to the ratchet pawl  52 , causing it to pivot on its pivot point  53  and thus releasing it from engagement with one of the pawl-receiving slots  56  of the ratchet rack  58 . Fore and aft movement of the armrest  12  is thus possible. Reengagement of the ratchet pawl  52  with a pawl-receiving slot  56  occurs when the operator releases the latch  22  to its resting and engaged position. 
     While construction and operation of the armrest  12  has been described it is to be understood that construction and operation of the armrest  14  is identical to that of the armrest  12 . 
     When the seat occupant (not shown) lifts the latch  22  the console cover assembly  11  as a whole may be rotated away from the console body  16  thus allowing access to the console bin  17 . The cable  42  and its relationship with the latch  22  and the retractable console pawl assembly  50  have been previously described with respect to  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  provide further details with respect to this construction and operation.  FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the console body  16  and console cover assembly  11  but instead illustrates a sectional view of the armrest  14  and sectioning a portion of the retractable console pawl assembly  50 .  FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the retractable console pawl assembly  50 . 
     As noted before, each of the armrests  12  and  14  has a cable to its associated ratchet pawl (the cable  44  of the armrest  12 ) and a console pawl (the cable  42  of the armrest  12 ). The armrest  14  has two cables as well, one for its associated ratchet pawl (not shown) and one for the console pawl which is cable  60 . 
     The retractable console pawl assembly  50  includes a pawl body  62  and a return spring  64 . The return spring  64  is fitted to a shaft  66  extending from an end of the pawl body  62 . Attached to the opposite end of the pawl body  62  is a pawl plunger  68 . The pawl plunger  68  is provided for operative engagement with a pawl-plunger receiving slot  70  formed in the forward end of the console bin  17  of the console body  16 . 
     When the seat occupant (not shown) lifts the latch  24  the cable  60  associated with the latch  24  translates motion to the retractable console pawl assembly  50 , pulling it away from the pawl-plunger receiving slot  70  and releasing the console cover assembly  11  for pivoting motion away from the console body  16 . The pivoting motion of the console cover assembly  11  is made possible by any number of known pivoting mechanisms.  FIG. 10  illustrates one such arrangement wherein a pivoting arm  72  connects the base  19  of the console cover assembly  11  and the console body  16  in a known manner. An identical pivoting arm (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the assembly. 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.