Abstract:
A system for attaching accessories to a vehicle interior is provided. The system includes a quick-release receptacle formed in such surfaces as a windshield visor. Accessories having a T-shaped quick-release connector may be quickly and easily attached and removed for mounting on various surfaces of the vehicle interior.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosed invention relates generally to systems for attaching accessories to vehicle interiors. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to a system for allowing the easy attachment and removal of a variety of vehicle accessories to surfaces on the vehicle interior. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In earlier days of motoring the driver and passengers carried very little with them in the vehicle. This was in part due to the fact that the majority of early vehicles were open touring cars which offered no security for articles left behind while the occupants were absent. Later hard top vehicles resolved part of this problem, but had inadequate security systems. This was also due in part to the fact that technology such as portable global positioning systems and cellular telephones and other personal communication devices had not yet developed so there was that much less to carry. 
         [0003]    As vehicle occupants began to spend more and more time in the vehicle on the road and as more accessories of convenience became available, more and more such accessories were brought into the vehicle. In addition to cellular telephones, portable global positioning systems became available. Furthermore, the vehicle occupant was presented with a broader variety of entertainment systems and, coupled with improved vehicle quietness, began to bring into the vehicle such items as compact disks. Other more mundane items, such as tissue boxes, coins, sunglasses, and writing instruments became common in motor vehicles. 
         [0004]    With all of these accessories now present in motor vehicles, occupants have become overwhelmed with the need for proper storage. Often cellular telephones, compact disks, and coins end up in arm rest storage bins or inadequately mounted on vehicle instrument panels or on vehicle seats. Once so placed, vehicle occupants have little hope of finding these items when needed quickly or conveniently. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, as in so many areas of vehicle technology, there is room in the art of vehicle accessory storage systems for improved design and efficiencies, thus overcoming some of the limitations of known designs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The disclosed invention provides a system for the quick connection of an accessory to a surface of the inside of a vehicle and for the quick disconnection of that accessory from the surface. The system includes a quick-release receptacle fitted to an interior surface such as a windshield visor. Accessories having a T-shaped quick-release connector may be quickly and easily attached and removed for mounting on various surfaces of the vehicle interior. Such accessories may include, without limitation, tissue cases, coin holders, compact disk holders, a holder for miscellaneous accessories such as pens and credit cards, a note pad holder, a holder for sunglasses, a holder for a cellular telephone, and a holder for a global positioning device. 
         [0007]    The quick-release receptacle may be attached to any one of a broad variety of interior surfaces. The quick-release receptacle and the T-shaped quick-release connector may be made from a variety of materials, but are preferably formed from a thermomolded or molded polymerized material such as nylon. The bodies of the accessories or accessory holders may be formed from the same material. 
         [0008]    The disclosed invention provides a practical, convenient and inexpensive method for holding a great variety of accessories within the vehicle interior in easy reach of the driver and other occupants. The system is inexpensive to produce and is flexible such that it may be adapted for a number of accessories beyond those considered and disclosed herein. 
         [0009]    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 
         [0010]    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: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the connector of the system for attaching an accessory to a vehicle interior of the disclosed invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the connector shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the receptacle for the system for attaching an accessory to a vehicle interior of the disclosed invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an underside view of a vehicle surface, herein a windshield visor, being fitted with the receptacle of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an accessory tissue holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a back view of the accessory of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the accessory of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the upper side of a coin holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the lower side of the coin holder of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a compact disk holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a pen and card holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a note pad holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a sunglasses holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a cellular telephone holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is the same view as  FIG. 16  but illustrating a cellular telephone being fitted to the holder; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a back view of the cellular telephone holder of  FIGS. 16 and 17 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a side view of a global positioning device holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a bottom view of the global positioning device holder shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the global positioning device holder shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  and further illustrating a global positioning device in position on the global positioning device holder; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a pen holder for use with the system of the disclosed invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]    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. 
         [0034]    The attachment portion of the disclosed invention includes a connector and a receptacle. The selected accessory is attached to the connector. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , various views of a connector according to the disclosed invention, generally illustrated as  10 , are shown. The connector  10  includes an upper connecting portion  12 , a lower accessory attachment portion  14 , and an intermediate portion  16 . The upper connecting portion  12  includes arms for attaching the connector  10  to a receptacle. As shown, upper connecting portion  12  includes a pair of outwardly extending connecting arms  18  and  18 ′ for releasable attachment to the receptacle. It is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of connecting arms may be used. In addition, the arms may be of different shapes than those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , although the illustrated arms reflect the preferred configuration. 
         [0036]    The accessory attachment portion  14  may be of any configuration and may in fact be a part of the accessory holder itself as is shown and discussed below. 
         [0037]    The intermediate portion  16  is illustrated as being cylindrical but may be of any of a variety of geometries. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4 and 5  disclose views of the connector receptacle of the disclosed invention, generally illustrated as  20 . The connector receptacle  20  includes a body  21  having an upper surface  22 , a lower portion  24 , and a plurality of vehicle interior surface attachment extensions  28 ,  28 ′,  28 ″ and  28 ′″. A greater or lesser number of attachment extensions may be used as is required for a particular application. While the preferred shapes of the attachment extensions  28 ,  28 ′,  28 ″, and  28 ′″ are illustrated, the shapes may themselves be altered as preferred. 
         [0039]    The upper surface  22  of the receptacle has a connector-receiving keyway  30  formed therein. As is understood by those skilled in the art, the connector-receiving keyway  30  is shaped so as to snugly and securely receive and hold the connector  10 . The keyway  30  includes a pair of opposed slots  32  and  32 ′ which are configured to releasably receive the outwardly extending connecting arms  18  and  18 ′ of the connector  10 . The body  21  is essentially hollow so as to fully accommodate the outwardly extending connecting arms  18  and  18 ′ of the connector  10  after the connector  10  has been attached to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0040]    The connector  10  and the receptacle  20  may be made from a variety of materials including, for example, any of a broad variety of polymerized materials. 
         [0041]    The accessory system of the disclosed invention may be used in conjunction with any one of a variety of surfaces of the motor vehicle interior. By way of example,  FIG. 6  discloses the use of the receptacle  20  on the inner side of a sun visor  40 . This arrangement allows for easy availability of any accessory attached thereto. However, it is to be understood that any vehicle interior surface may be used, including the instrument panel, armrests, door inner panel, and the like. 
         [0042]    A great number of accessories may be attached using the system of the disclosed invention. Such accessories are shown in  FIGS. 7 through 22 . 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 through 9 , an accessory tissue holder  50  is shown. The tissue holder  50  includes a body  52  to which the connector  10  is attached for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , an accessory coin holder  60  is shown. The coin holder  60  includes a body  62  to which the connector  10  is attached for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 12  an accessory compact disk holder  70  is shown. This view illustrates the front side of the accessory compact disk holder  70 . Fitted to the back side of the accessory compact disk holder  70  is a connector  10  (not shown) for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 13  a pen and credit card holder  80  is shown. This view illustrates the front side of the pen and credit card holder  80 . Fitted to the back side of the accessory pen and credit card holder  80  is a connector  10  (not shown) for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 14  an accessory note pad or card holder  90  is shown. The note pad or card holder  90  is spring loaded as is known in the art. The connector  10  is attached to the underside of the note pad or card holder  90  for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 15  an accessory sunglasses holder  100  is shown. The sunglasses holder  100  includes a first end  102  having a sunglasses bridge attachment arm  104  and a second end  106  having a holding pad  108  and a tab  109 . The connector  10  is attached to the underside of the sunglasses holder  100 . 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIGS. 16 through 18  an accessory cellular telephone holder  110  is shown. The accessory cellular telephone holder  110  includes a telephone holding front side  112  shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  and a back side  114  shown in  FIG. 18 . On the front side  112  are provided a pair of spring loaded movable arms  116  and  116 ′. Also provided on the front side  112  is an outwardly-extending telephone supporting shelf  117 . A cellular telephone  118  (shown in  FIG. 17 ) rests between and is held by the spring loaded movable arms  116  and  116 ′ and upon the outwardly-extending telephone supporting shelf  117 . The connector  10  is attached to the back side  114  and is provided for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIGS. 19 through 21  an accessory global positioning system device holder  120  is shown. The accessory global positioning system device holder  120  includes an arm  122  and a body  124 . The body  124  includes an upper surface  126 . A pair of inwardly-bent device gripping arms  128  and  128 ′ extend outwardly from the body  124 . The arm  122  is pivotably attached to a connector assembly  130  to which the connector  10  is attached for attachment to the receptacle  20 . A global positioning device  132  is shown fitted to the global positioning system device holder  120 . The global positioning device  132  is held in place against the upper surface  126  of the body  124  by tension. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIG. 22  an accessory pen holder  140  is shown. The accessory pen holder  140  includes a body  142  and a pen clip  144  extending from the body  142 . The connector  10  is attached to the body  142  for attachment to the receptacle  20 . 
         [0052]    In use, to attach the connector  10  and its fitted accessory to the vehicle surface, the operator grasps the assembly and positions the outwardly extending arms  18  and  18 ′ of the upper connecting portion  12  such that they are in line with the keyway  30  of the connector receptacle  20 . The operator then inserts the upper connecting portion  12  into the keyway  30  and rotates the upper connecting portion  12  within the keyway  30  so as to lock the upper connecting portion  12  within the keyway  30 . Ordinarily this locking maneuver may be accomplished by a ¼ turn. Removal of the connector  10  and its accompanying accessory is achieved in reverse order of the steps needed for attachment. Each accessory is fitted with its own connector  10  and, accordingly, interchanging one accessory for another is a simple task. 
         [0053]    It is to be understood that the accessories illustrated and discussed herein are exemplary only and that a great many other accessories may be attached by the disclosed system, including, for example, cup and map holders. 
         [0054]    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.