Console assembly for a vehicle

A console assembly configured for use in a passenger seating area of a vehicle. The console assembly includes a lower console module having a housing extending generally horizontally adjacent a floor of the passenger seating area and an upper console module having a housing disposed adjacent and operatively connected to the lower console module. One or more panels are pivotally connected to the upper console module adjustable between at least a stored position disposed adjacent the upper console module housing and a deployed position wherein the one or more panels form a presentation surface for use in the passenger seating area of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a console assembly for a passenger seating area of a vehicle.

2. Background Art

Vehicle manufacturers continue to develop storage containers and devices for the passenger compartments of vehicles to accommodate occupant's personal items and automotive components. Several current storage containers are designed to fit within specified areas of the passenger compartment and allow limited access to items stored therein. Vehicles typically include any number of storage areas for storing items, such as but not limited to map pockets, seat pockets, overhead compartments, center consoles, etc.

Many automotive vehicles include a center console or other storage device disposed between passenger seats in the front passenger compartment of the vehicle. Typically, the center console is disposed between the driver and passenger seats in a forward seating area of the vehicle. However, it is common in larger vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles and vans, to provide center consoles between the second and/or third row passenger seating areas. Many of these consoles are affixed within the vehicle such that they are not easily moveable from one location to the next. Some vehicle layouts, such as but not limited to those associated with multiple rows of seating, may be suitable for use with moveable consoles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the Figures, a console assembly for use in the passenger seating area of a motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. It is understood that the console assembly may be used in either the front or rear passenger seating areas. For purposes of this disclosure, the console assembly will be installed in a rear passenger seating area between a pair of front passenger seats.

In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for a number of constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. More specifically, directional language such as “left”, “right”, “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower” and words of similar import designate directions shown in the drawings. Such directional terminology is used for clarity and is not intended to strictly limit the orientation of any aspect of the invention to a particular plane or direction.

Referring now to Figures, a console assembly10is disposed between a pair of passenger seats12,14in the passenger compartment of the vehicle16. Passenger seats12,14are shown to include bucket seats. The present invention fully contemplates its use in any number of vehicles, including but not limited to other automobiles, watercraft, or aircraft. Further, the present invention contemplates the use of any number and type of seats, including bench seats, and is not intended to be limited to the non-limiting aspect of the present invention shown in the Figures. It is understood that the console assembly may be used in either the front or rear passenger seating areas. For purposes of this disclosure, the console assembly will be installed in a rear passenger seating area between a pair of passenger seats.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, console assembly10includes a first or lower console module16disposed adjacent the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a second or upper console module18disposed adjacent and movable relative to the lower console module16. Lower console module16includes a housing20having a base or lower surface22securable to the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a pair of opposing side surfaces24extending upward from the base, a front surface26extending between the side surfaces24and a top surface28formed therein. A rear surface30of the lower console module16is generally shaped to cooperate with a corresponding portion of the housing32of upper console module18.

The housing32of upper console module18may be configured to include a variety of storage compartments or areas, such as a storage bin34or beverage container or cup holders36, formed on an external portion or top surface38of the console housing32. The top surface38of the upper console module housing32may further be configured to act as an armrest for the occupant of the vehicle seats. A cover40may be disposed at least partially adjacent the storage area or bin34and be movable between a closed position and one or more open positions.

The storage bin34may be configured to receive and store a variety of personal items, including mobile telephones, sunglasses, purses, bags or the like. Storage bin34may include one or more power conduits for supplying electrical power to electronic components such as computers, video players, mobile phones and the like or other passenger convenience devices. Cover40may be configured to fully enclose storage bin34to secure items stored therein as the upper console module18is moved relative to the lower console module16. Control elements42may also be incorporated into the top surface38of the upper console module18to allow occupants to adjust various settings of convenience features in the vehicles, such as lighting, climate control and the like.

Referring now toFIGS. 3aand3b, cooperating brackets44,46of console assembly are described in greater detail. First bracket44cooperates with the lower console module housing. It is understood that bracket44assembled into the lower console module housing or, alternatively, the surfaces of the lower console module housing may be formed about the first bracket44. Bracket44includes a support frame48having a pair of projections50extending generally upward from the frame48. A pivot52is formed on an outer surface of each of the projections. Pivots52are generally in axial alignment along pivot axis53. A guide54extends from support frame48and includes one or more channels56configured to provide securement portions for cooperation with the second bracket46.

Second bracket46cooperates with the upper console module housing. It is understood that bracket46assembled into the upper console module housing or, alternatively, the surfaces of the upper console module housing may be formed about the bracket46. Bracket46includes a support frame58having a pair of arms60extending away from the frame58. Arms60each include a hole62that may be configured for alignment with a corresponding hole on pivots52on the first mounting bracket44. It is contemplated that first and second mounting brackets44,46are connected by a link64including a pivot pin63or by pivot bolts. Link64extending between arms60may be a structural support for bracket46. Pivot pin or pivot bolts may extend through or engage holes62in arms60of frame58to rotatably secure the first and upper console module housings thereby.

Link64may include a locking mechanism66formed thereon or mounted thereto. Latching mechanism66includes a locking member that may be configured to engage the one or more channels56on guide54. As will be described in greater detail below, the releasable engagement of latching mechanism66to the one or more channels56allows the upper console module to be operatively connected and movably and securably positioned between a first position relative to the lower console module and at least one second position away from the lower console module. It is contemplated, as illustrated inFIG. 3a, that guide54may be arcuately shaped to aid in the rotatable adjustment of the upper console module relative to the lower console module. Further, as will be described later, second mounting bracket46may include one or more hinges68for pivotally connecting one or more panels to the upper console module housing.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, first and upper console modules16,18of console assembly10are moved from a stored position illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2to a deployed position.FIG. 4illustrates upper console module18operatively connected to the lower console module16in an upright position pivoted about the pivot axis53relative to the lower console module16between the passenger seats12,14. Referring back toFIGS. 3aand3b, second bracket46rotates about link64on pivot axis53relative to first bracket44. Once the second bracket46cooperating with the upper console module is placed in the upright position, locking mechanism66engages the one or more channels56on guide54of first bracket54to secure the upper console module in the upright position.

Referring now toFIG. 5, one or more panels70are pivotally connected to the upper console module18. As illustrated inFIG. 3a, one or more hinges68pivotally connect the one or more panels70to the upper console module housing18. As will be described in greater detail, other mounting and storing arrangements for the one or more panels are contemplated. Panels70may include one or more apertures72. Apertures72may be sized to fit around pivot52on the lower console module16when the panels70are placed adjacent the upper console module18. It is also contemplated that the apertures72may act as beverage holders when the panels are placed in a deployed position.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate movement of the one or more panels70from a stored position to a deployed position. As described above, the one or more panels70are disposed generally adjacent the upper console module18. Once the upper console module18is placed in an upright position relative to the lower console module as illustrated inFIG. 4, the one or more panels may be pivotally adjusted from the stored position generally planar to the sides of the upper console module18to a deployed position generally perpendicular to the sides of the upper console module18.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, when two panels70are pivoted to the deployed position, the cooperating panels70may form a presentation surface74for use by occupants of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Panels70may include a latching mechanism (not shown) for securing the panels70in a generally perpendicular deployed position relative to the upper console module. It is understood that a release mechanism is provided with the first and second brackets such that the upper console module may be returned to a stored position adjacent the lower console module.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-10, another configuration of the console assembly10is illustrated and described herein. Identical reference numbers are used to described common components of the console assembly illustrated inFIGS. 1-5. Console assembly10is disposed between a pair of passenger seats12,14in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Console assembly10includes a lower console module16disposed adjacent the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a upper console module18disposed adjacent and movable relative to the lower console module16.

Lower console module16includes a housing20having a base or lower surface22securable to the floor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a pair of opposing side surfaces24extending upward from the base, a front surface26extending between the side surfaces24and a top surface28formed therein. A rear surface30of the lower console module16is generally shaped to cooperate with a corresponding portion of the housing32of upper console module18.

The front surface26of the lower console module housing20may include one or more storage compartments76configured to receive and store a variety of personal items, including mobile telephones, sunglasses, purses, bags or the like. One or more beverage container or cup holders78or storage bins80may be formed in the top surface28of the lower console module housing20for access by occupants of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The top surface38of the upper console module housing32may be configured to act as an armrest for the occupant of the vehicle seats. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the rear surface82of the upper console module may be configured to receive and store one or more deployable panels70as will be described in greater detail. Control elements42may also be incorporated into the top surface26of the lower console module housing32and/or the top surface38of the upper console module housing32to allow occupants to adjust various settings of convenience features in the vehicles, such as lighting, climate control and the like.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-8, first and upper console modules16,18of console assembly10are moved from a stored position illustrated inFIG. 6, to an upright position inFIG. 7and a deployed position inFIG. 8. It is contemplated that the bracket arrangement described and illustrated inFIGS. 3aand3bmay be applied to the console assembly illustrated inFIGS. 6-10. However, it is understood that the upper console module housing may be pivotally connected and adjusted relative to the lower console module housing using a variety of mounting arrangements, such as direct pivotal connections of the upper console module housing to the side surfaces of the lower console module housing that cooperate with locking mechanisms to ensure that the upper console module is releasably secured in the upright position relative to the lower console module housing.

FIG. 7illustrates upper console module18in an upright position pivoted about the pivot axis84relative to the lower console module16for use in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.FIG. 8illustrates a pair of panels86,88extending generally planar and parallel to the rear surface82of the upper console module housing32to provide a presentation surface90for use by occupants of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Panels86,88may include a latching mechanism (not shown) for securing the panels86,88in a generally perpendicular deployed position relative to the upper console module housing32. Lower console module16may further include a release mechanism91disposed on a front surface of the lower console module16that cooperates to releasably secure the upper console module18to the lower console module16.

Referring toFIGS. 9aand9b, various storage and deployment arrangements of the panels86,88for use in connection with console assembly10are described and illustrated.FIG. 9aillustrates a upper console module18having a pair of panels86,88illustrated in a generally planar arrangement with the rear surface82of the upper console module housing32. Panels86,88may be pivotally connected to the upper console module housing32by hinges92. Panels86′ and88′ illustrate rotation of the panels about hinges92prior to 180 degree rotation of the panels to a deployed position illustrated by reference numerals86″ and88″. In this arrangement, a supplemental panel (not shown) may be inserted into the opening in the rear surface82of the upper console module housing32to cooperate with the panels in the deployed position86″,88″ to provide the presentation surface. Alternatively, the supplemental panel may be integrally molded with the upper console module18.

FIG. 9billustrates another deployment arrangement of the panels of the console assembly10of the present invention. New reference numerals are applied to panels for illustrative purposes only. Panels94,96are stored within a cavity98in the upper console module housing32and are accessible through an opening in the rear surface82of the upper console module housing32. It is contemplated that a cover may be applied to the opening in the rear surface82for aesthetic purposes.

Panels94,96may be pivotally or translationally mounted by a variety of connectors to the upper console module housing to allow the panels94,96to be positioned thereon. Panels94,96are moved from a stowed position to a secondary position illustrated by reference numbers94′,96′ before being positioned in a deployed position illustrated by panels94″,96″. Once placed in the deployed position, panels94″,96″ at least partially cover the opening in the rear surface82of the upper console module housing32. As illustrated inFIG. 9b, it is contemplated that panels94″,96″ may be disposed adjacent each other to provide a presentation surface100.

Referring now toFIGS. 10aand10b, another implementation of the console assembly10is illustrated and described. A video display102may be configured for use with the console assembly10. As illustrated inFIGS. 10aand10b, video display may be formed of any known properties, include cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display. Display102may be powered by the vehicle electrical system or an alternative power source. Display102may include a media player or be connectable to a media player incorporated in the vehicle or a player removable from the vehicle.

FIG. 10aillustrates a display102that may be integrally formed with or securable to a mount104cooperating with panels86,88in the upper console module18. Mount104may be configured to translate vertically with and between the one or more panels86,88and to rotate for display in the passenger seating area when disposed above the panels86,88placed in the deployed position. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 10b, display102may be configured for mounting to a panel106. Panel106includes a cavity108sized such that the display, when moved from a display position illustrated inFIG. 10bto a stored position, is stored within the cavity108as illustrated by panel110.