Deployable door panel receptacle for vehicles

A vehicle door assembly may include an interior door panel having an armrest, the armrest having a handle defining an opening therein and a receptacle arranged below the armrest and configured to be selectively arranged under the handle to create a repository within the opening to receive objects.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Disclosed herein are deployable door panel receptacles for vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles often include various storage receptacles within the interior cabin. These storage receptacles may include various compartments for holding beverage containers, keys, mobile devices, etc.

SUMMARY

A vehicle door assembly may include an interior door panel having an armrest, the armrest having a handle defining an opening therein and a receptacle arranged below the armrest and configured to be selectively arranged under the handle to create a repository within the opening to receive objects.

An interior door panel of a vehicle may include an armrest having a handle defining an opening therein, a pair of parallel tracks arranged at an underside of the armrest, and a receptacle arranged below the armrest and configured to be arranged and slidable along the track between stored and deployed positions, wherein in the deployed position the receptacle is arranged under the handle to create a repository within the opening to receive objects.

A vehicle door assembly may include an interior door panel having an armrest, the armrest having a handle defining an opening therein and a base plate arranged below the armrest and configured to be selectively arranged under the handle to create a repository within the opening to receive objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vehicles often include various storage receptacles within the interior cabin. These storage receptacles may include various compartments for holding beverage containers, keys, mobile devices, etc. However, customers often complain about a lack of storage for cellular phones, mobile devices, and other small items such as lip balm, loose change, etc. Often times customers carry multiple mobile devices including a cellular phone for each personal and professional use.

Disclosed herein is a deployable receptacle arranged within an interior of a vehicle door under an arm rest grab handle. The receptacle may be slidable under the opening created by the handle to close the opening and create a pocket within the handle. By allowing the receptacle to be slidable, the customer may elect to create a pocket within the handle, creating a customizable interior handle that may also function as a storage receptacle. In one example, the receptacle may include a container or bin arranged within a pair of tracks that slides from a stored position to a deployed position. In another example, the receptacle may include a flat panel that slides along the tracks.

FIG. 1illustrates an interior view of an example door assembly100. The door assembly100may include an interior panel105. The interior panel105may be accessible from the inside of the vehicle and may include various handles, buttons, and pockets. For example, the interior panel105may define a map pocket110at a bottom of the panel for receiving various items such as maps, notebooks, beverage containers, etc. The interior panel105may also include window controls and door lock buttons115. The interior panel105may include a handle120defined within an armrest125. The handle120and armrest125may be arranged approximately in the middle of the interior panel105. The armrest125may be provided for the comfort of the driver. The handle120may be provided to allow the driver to close the door once seated within the vehicle.

The handle120may define an opening135so that a driver's hand may easily grip the handle. The interior panel105may define a cavity140arranged under the armrest125. The cavity140may be configured to house a receptacle150. The receptacle150, which is shown in phantom inFIG. 1, may be configured to be storable within the cavity140. The receptacle150may be slidable into a deployed position, as shown inFIG. 2.

The receptacle150may generally form a cube-like shape or a rectangular prism-like shape, as shown by way of example inFIGS. 1 and 2. The receptacle150may function as a bin configured to hold items. The receptacle150may include a tab130configured to engage with a driver's finger. The tab130may allow the driver to easily push and pull the receptacle150between the stored and deployed positions.

Referring toFIG. 2, the receptacle150may be configured to slide from the stored position to a deployed position. In the deployed position, the receptacle150may be arranged under the opening135defined by the handle120. The receptacle150may thus create a closed storage repository under the handle120.

FIGS. 3A-3Billustrate top views of the handle120and receptacle150.FIG. 3Aillustrates a top view of the handle120with the receptacle150arranged in the stored position. In the stored position, the receptacle150may be arranged within the cavity140allowing the handle120to be completely open to the space below the armrest125. That is, an object may pass through the handle120and no items may be stored within the opening135.

FIG. 3Billustrates a top view of the handle120with the receptacle150in a partially deployed position. As explained above, the receptacle150may slide from a stored position within the cavity.

FIG. 3Cillustrates a top view of the handle120with the receptacle150in a deployed position. In the deployed position, the receptacle150may ‘close’ the opening and create a bottom to the opening, allowing object to be stored within the created storage repository.

As explained above, the receptacle150may form a rectangular prism-like shape. The receptacle150may mimic the two-dimensional shape of the opening135created by the handle120. As shown inFIGS. 3A-C, the opening135is not a perfect rectangle, but rather a generally trapezoidal shape may be formed. The receptacle150may mimic this shape in order to create a better fit under the handle120.

FIG. 4illustrates a perspective rear view of an interior of a portion of the door assembly100. The door assembly100may include a track assembly160having a pair of parallel tracks162for maintaining a lip165of the receptacle therein. The lip165may be slidable within the tracks162, allowing the receptacle150to move from a stored position within the cavity140(as shown inFIG. 5) to the deployed position under the handle120.

The track assembly160may be attached to the interior panel105via an attachment mechanism155. The attachment mechanism155may be metal plate attached to the track assembly160and the interior panel105via a screw or bolt. Other attachment mechanisms may be included such as adhesives including glue, soldering, snaps, hooks, welding, etc.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate example cross-sectional views of a portion of the door assembly100.FIG. 5Aillustrates an example cross-sectional view of the handle120and the receptacle150in the stored position. As explained above with respect toFIG. 4, the door assembly100may include a pair of tracks162whereby the receptacle150is slidable therein. InFIG. 5A, the receptacle150is in the stored position, allowing the opening135to be completely passable and thus allowing a driver's hand to extend through the opening and around the handle120.

A push-pin177may be arranged on at least one of the tracks162. The push-pin177may have a natural relaxed state in which the push-pin is extended into the track, thus obstructing the track. The push-pin, in the relaxed state, may prevent objects such as the receptacle150from sliding along the tack162. The push-pin may be depressed by the driver when the driver wishes to move the receptacle150along the track162. The push-pin177may be spring loaded such that after depression, the push-pin177may resume its normal relaxed state. The push-pin177may maintain the receptacle in a fixed location along the track162but abutting the lip165of the receptacle and preventing laterally movement thereof.

FIG. 5Billustrates an example cross-sectional view of the handle120and the receptacle150in the deployed position. In the deployed position, the receptacle150is arranged under the opening135, thus closing the opening at the bottom and created a storage vessel or repository. The repository may create a compartment large enough to house at least a portion of a mobile device170, as shown by way of example inFIG. 5B.

FIGS. 6A-Dillustrate example base plates180to be included in the door assembly as a receptacle150. The plates180may be configured to slide within the tracks162and to close the bottom of the opening135when the plate180is in the deployed position. Unlike the examples of the receptacle150shown inFIGS. 1-5, the plates180may be flat and non-bin-like. These plates180may sufficiently serve to ‘close’ the opening135within the handle, but take up less space within the cavity140than would the receptacle150.

FIG. 6Aillustrates an example plate180having a solid flat surface and a tab185, similar to the tab130described above with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2. In the deployed position, the plate180may close the bottom of the opening135within the handle120to great a repository in which to store objects such as a mobile device. The repository created by the deployed plate180may have a depth less than a repository created by the receptacle150ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6Billustrates an example plate180having a tambour design extending lengthwise along the plate180. The tambour design may allow for grooves run lengthwise. The tambour design may allow for the plate180to be compressible. That is, upon impact, the plate180may compress, bend, crumble, in order to avoid contact or impact at the driver.

In the example ofFIG. 6B, the tab130may extend parallel with the length of the plate180, unlike the example ofFIG. 6Awhere the tab130extends parallel with the width of the plate180.

FIG. 6Cillustrates an example plate180having a diagonal tambour design. Similar to the example ofFIG. 6B,

FIG. 6Dillustrates an example plate180where the plate180defines a plurality of slots190. The slots190may permit air to pass through the plate180, while still maintaining enough rigidity and covering enough surface area to maintain an object thereon when in the deployed position. The slots may further allow the plate180to be compressible.

FIG. 7illustrates an example receptacle150having a plurality of slots190. The slots190, similar to the slots190of plate180, may provide for a collapsible bin design. The slots190may be arranged on a bottom of the receptacle150(not specifically shown), and may extend vertically, horizontally, etc. The lip165may define various slots190, as well as the tab130.

FIG. 8illustrates an example receptacle150having a removable portion205. The receptacle150may include a first portion210including the lip165and a collar220extending downward therefrom. The collar220may include at least one first fastening mechanism225. The removable portion205may from a second portion205configured to attach to the first portion210. The second portion205may form a pocket or a bin for receiving items. The second portion205may be made of rubber or other thermoplastic elastomer. The pocket may be used to store mobile devices, small articles, or trash. The rubber or elastomer material may allow the second portion205to be washable and reusable. The second portion205may include a plurality of second or mating fastening mechanisms235configured to connect or attach with corresponding first fastening mechanisms225of the first portion210. In one example, the first fastening mechanisms225may be protrusions and the second fastening mechanisms may be holes, each configured to receive a respective protrusion. In another example, the first and second fastening mechanisms225,235may be a snap mechanism, a hole and eye mechanism, a latch, Velcro, etc.

The second portion205may define a window240. The receptacle150may include various interchangeable second portions205. The second portions205may include a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Depending on the needs of the driver, one of the various second portions205may be selected. The first portion210including the lip165may slide along the tracks162as described above. Once in the deployed position, the driver may detach one of the second portions205and replace it with another second portion205.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate example cross-sectional views of a portion of the door assembly100similar toFIGS. 5A and 5B. In this example, both the plate180and the receptacle150may be implemented in the same door assembly100to give the user the option of closing the handle120with one of the receptacle150or the plate180. In the example shown, the plate180may be stored in a forward position relative to the handle120and the receptacle150may be stored in a rearward position relative to the handle120, though the opposite configuration could be implemented.

InFIG. 9A, the receptacle150and the plate180are in the stored positions, allowing the opening135to be completely passable and thus allowing a driver's hand to extend through the opening and around the handle120.FIG. 9Billustrates an example cross-sectional view of the handle120and the receptacle150in the deployed position, while the plate180remains in the stored position. In the deployed position, the receptacle150is arranged under the opening135, thus closing the opening at the bottom and created a storage vessel or repository. In another example, the receptacle150could remain in the stored position and the plate180may be pulled from the stored position into the deployed position to close the opening.

Accordingly, a deployable receptacle is disclosed herein whereby the receptacle may be movable along a pair of tracks from a stored position within or under an armrest of vehicle door, to a deployed position under a handle on the vehicle door to create a repository for receiving objects such as mobile devices, etc.