Locking element for a lid to a storage area in a seatback of a vehicle

A seatback for a vehicle comprises: a lid having a closed position preventing access to a storage area and an open position allowing access to the storage area; and a locking element having an engaged position that prevents the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position that does not prevent the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position; wherein, the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position via the force of gravity when the seatback transitions from a fold down position to an upright position, and transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the seatback transitions from the upright position to fold down position. The lid can pivot upward from a rearward portion of the seatback in the fold down position, as the lid transitions to the open position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the interior of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a lid to a storage area disposed within the interior and having a locking element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles sometimes have a storage area with a lid that can be opened or closed to provide selective access to the storage area. A locking element for the lid is needed, for example, to prevent undesired opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a seatback for a vehicle comprises: a lid having a closed position preventing access to a storage area and an open position allowing access to the storage area; and a locking element having an engaged position that prevents the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position that does not prevent the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position; wherein, the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position via the force of gravity when the seatback transitions from a fold down position to an upright position, and transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the seatback transitions from the upright position to the fold down position.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include any one or a combination of the following features:a forward portion and a rearward portion from the perspective of when the seatback is in the upright position;the lid is disposed at the rearward portion of the seatback;the lid is pivotally attached such that, when the seatback is in the fold down position, the lid is configured to pivot upward as the lid transitions from the closed position to the open position;a latch receiver;the lid comprises a latch that cooperates with the latch receiver as the lid transitions from the open position to the closed position to maintain the lid in the closed position;the latch receiver is disposed above the storage area when the seatback is in the upright position;the latch includes a handle portion, a cantilever portion that extends generally forward from the handle portion when the seatback is in the upright position and the lid is in the closed position, and a catch portion extending from the cantilever portion;the catch portion includes a catch surface that opposes the latch receiver when the lid is in the closed position and there is no pulling force on the handle portion, and an angled surface that slides against the latch receiver when the seatback is in the fold down position and the lid transitions from the open position to the closed position;a pulling force on the handle portion of the latch causes the catch surface not to oppose the latch receiver and, when the seatback is in the fold down position, the lid is able to transition from the closed position to the open position;when the lid is in the closed position, and the seatback transitions from the fold down position to the upright position, the locking element engages the latch as the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position;the cantilever portion includes an aperture;when the lid is in the closed position, and the seatback transitions from the fold down position to the upright position, the locking element extends through the aperture as the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position;the aperture of the cantilever portion is disposed between the handle portion and the catch portion;when the seatback is in the upright position and the lid is in the closed position, the locking element prevents the lid from transitioning to the open position in the event that the catch surface of the latch no longer opposes the latch receiver;the locking element includes a first end that is engaged with the lid while the locking element is in the engaged position;the first end projects through an aperture or into a recess of the lid while the locking element is in the engaged position;the locking element further includes a second end separated from the first end by a middle portion;as the seatback transitions from the upright position to the fold down position, the force of gravity upon the second end causes the first end to disengage from the lid;at least 75% of the weight of the locking element is concentrated in the second end;a housing that at least partially houses the locking element;the housing comprises an aperture through which the first end of the locking element extends when the locking element is in the engaged position, and a compartment within which the second end of the locking element can move but cannot exit, the compartment including an aperture through which the middle portion of the locking element extends;the compartment of the housing includes an angled wall relative to horizontal when the seatback is in the fold down position;the second end of the locking element slides via the force of gravity over the angled wall as the seatback transitions from the upright position to the fold down position;when the lid is in the closed position, and the seatback transitions from the fold down position to the upright position, the locking element transitioning from the disengaged position to the engaged position includes the first end of the locking element engaging the latch, which prevents the lid from transitioning to the open position in the event that the latch receiver no longer cooperates with the latch;when the lid is in the closed position, as the seatback transitions from the upright position to the fold down position, the locking element transitioning from the engaged position to the disengaged position includes the force of gravity acting upon the second end to cause the first end to disengage with the latch;when the lid is in the closed position, and the seatback transitions from the fold down position to the upright position, the locking element transitioning from the disengaged position to the engaged position includes the first end of the locking element extending through the locking element receiver of the latch;when the lid is in the closed position, and the seatback transitions from the upright position to the fold down position, the locking element transitioning from the engaged position to the disengaged position includes the second end of the locking element sliding over the angled wall of the compartment of the housing, which causes the first end of the locking element to retract from the locking element receiver of the latch;the latch is disposed at the lid and includes a handle portion, a catch portion, and a locking element receiver disposed between the handle portion and the catch portion; andwhen the seatback is in the upright position and the lid is in the closed position, the first end of the locking element extending into the locking element receiver of the latch prevents the lid from transitioning to the open position in the event that the catch surface of the latch no longer opposes the latch receiver.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatback comprises: a storage area; a lid providing selective access to the storage area; and a locking element that is disengaged from the lid when the seatback is in a fold down position but, due to the force of gravity, engages the lid and prevents the lid from opening as the seatback transitions from the fold down position to an upright position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatback comprises: a storage area; a lid providing selective access to the storage area; and a locking element that prevents the lid from opening when the seatback is in an upright position but, due to the force of gravity, disengages from the lid to allow the lid to open when the seatback is in a fold down position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the specific devices and methods illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “forward,” “rearward,” “downward,” “upward,” “sideways,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle10includes an interior12. The vehicle10further includes a first row of seating14and optionally a second row of seating16. The vehicle10can have further rows of seating. The first row of seating14includes several seating assemblies18a-c, including a centrally located seating assembly18bbetween two other seating assemblies18a,18c. The centrally located seating assembly18bis sometimes referred to as a jump seat. Each of the seating assemblies18a-18cincludes a seat20and a seatback22configured to cooperate with the seat20to support an occupant (not illustrated). For example, the centrally located seating assembly18bincludes the seat20and seatback22. The seatback22illustrated in this figure is situated in an upright position24relative to the seat20. Further discussion of the seat20and the seatback22is in relation to the seat20and seatback22of seating assembly18b.

Referring now additionally toFIGS. 3 and 4, the seatback22is configured to transition (FIG. 3) to, from, and between the upright position24(FIG. 2) and a fold down position26(FIG. 4). The seatback22as illustrated inFIG. 3is transitioning between the upright position24and the fold down position26. The seatback22can thus transition from the fold down position26(FIG. 4) to the upright position24(FIG. 2). In the fold down position26, the seatback22of the seating assembly18bcan provide various comfort features for the occupants of the adjacent seating assemblies, such as a cup holder28and a tray portion30. The seatback22further includes a forward portion32and a rearward portion34when the seatback22is in the upright position24. In other words, from the perspective of when the seatback22is in the upright position24, the forward portion32of the seatback22generally faces forward, and the rearward portion34of the seatback22generally faces rearward, such as toward the second row of seating16. However, when the seatback22is in the fold down position26, the forward portion32generally faces downward toward the seat20, and the rearward portion34of the seatback22generally faces upward away from the seat20.

Referring now additionally toFIG. 5, the seatback22further includes a storage area36. The storage area36is a recess into the seatback22configured to accept one or more items (not illustrated) for storage. The seatback22further includes a lid38to provide selective access to the storage area36. The lid38is disposed at the rearward portion34of the seatback22. For example, the lid38has a closed position40(FIG. 4), which prevents access to the storage area36. In the closed position40, an occupant of the vehicle10cannot insert an item into, or remove an item from, the storage area36. The lid38further has an open position42(FIG. 5), which allows access to the storage area36. In the open position42, an occupant of the vehicle10can insert an item into, and remove an item from, the storage area36. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid38is pivotally attached at the rearward portion34of the seatback22. Thus, when the seatback22is in the fold down position26, the lid38is configured to, and does, pivot upward in the general direction away from the seat20as the lid38transitions from the closed position40to the open position42. However, the lid38can be attached in ways other than pivotally attached and still provide selective access to the storage area36. For example, the lid38can be a detachable piece or a piece that slides open to reveal the storage area36.

Referring now additionally toFIGS. 6-8, the lid38of the illustrated embodiment further comprises a latch44. The latch44includes a handle portion46. As further discussed below, an occupant of the vehicle10can use a hand (not illustrated) to manipulate the handle portion46of the latch44to transition the lid38from the closed position40to the open position42, while the seatback22is in the fold down position26. The latch44further includes a cantilever portion48. The cantilever portion48extends away from the handle portion46, and thus manipulation of the handle portion46causes the cantilever portion48to move. The cantilever portion48extends generally forward (including generally forward from the handle portion46) when the seatback22is in the upright position24and the lid38is in the closed position40. The cantilever portion48includes an aperture50(seeFIG. 7), the purpose of which is discussed below. The lid38further includes a catch portion52. The aperture50is disposed between the handle portion46and the catch portion52. The catch portion52extends from the cantilever portion48, such as extending downward from the cantilever portion48when the seatback22is in the upright position24and the lid38is in the closed position40. The catch portion52includes a catch surface54and an angled surface56. The catch surface54faces generally rearward when the seatback22is in the upright position24and the lid38is in the closed position40. The angled surface56faces generally forward and downward when the seatback22is in the upright position24and the lid38is in the closed position40.

The seatback22further includes a latch receiver58. The latch44cooperates with the latch receiver58as the lid38transitions from the open position42to the closed position40to maintain the lid38in the closed position40. The latch receiver58can be an aperture60. The aperture60can be disposed through a molded plastic piece62that forms the storage area36. The latch receiver58in the illustrated embodiment is disposed above the storage area36when the seatback22is in the upright position24. The catch surface54of the catch portion52of the latch44opposes the latch receiver58when the lid38is in the closed position40and there is no pulling force on the handle portion46(that is, there is no manipulation of the handle portion46causing the catch portion52to also move).

Referring now additionally toFIGS. 9 and 10, when the seatback22is in the fold down position26, as the lid38transitions (FIG. 9) from the open position42(FIG. 8) to the closed position40(FIG. 10) and no pulling force64(seeFIG. 11) is applied on the handle portion46, the angled surface56slides against the latch receiver58, which forces the latch44to rotate (as if a pulling force64was being applied to the handle portion46). Eventually, the angled surface56passes the latch receiver58, the latch44un-rotates (to the state as inFIG. 10—the latch44can be biased to this position), and the catch surface54opposes the latch receiver58. As mentioned, without the pulling force64on the handle portion46, the catch surface54opposing the latch receiver58will resist the lid38attempting to move from the closed position40to the open position42. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the pulling force64on the handle portion46of the latch44also moves the catch portion52and causes the catch surface54not to oppose the latch receiver58. Thus, when the seatback22is in the fold down position26, the lid38can be opened, i.e., the lid38can transition from the closed position40to the open position42.

Referring back toFIG. 7, for example, the seatback22further includes a locking element66. The locking element66has a first end68and a second end70, which is separated from the first end68by a middle portion72. The locking element66has both an engaged position74(FIG. 7) and a disengaged position76(FIGS. 8-11). In the engaged position74, if the lid38is in the closed position40, the locking element66prevents the lid38from transitioning from the closed position40to the open position42. As explained above, the latch44of the lid38cooperates with the latch receiver58while the lid38is in the closed position40to maintain the lid38in the closed position40in the absence of the pulling force64applied to the handle portion46of the latch44. However, without the locking element66, if the seatback22were in the upright position24and an occupant (not illustrated) of the second row of seating16applied the pulling force64to the handle portion46of the latch44, the lid38would transition to the open position42and expose the storage area36, allowing any contents of the storage area36to fall out. In addition, the cooperation between the latch44and the latch receiver58may not be sufficiently strong to maintain the lid38in the closed position40when the seatback22is in the upright position24and the seatback22is jolted, such as when the vehicle10is impacted by an external object (not illustrated, e.g., another vehicle impacting the vehicle10at the side of the vehicle10).

In the disengaged position76, the locking element66does not prevent the lid38from transitioning from the closed position40to the open position42. While the locking element66is in the disengaged position76, only the cooperation between the latch44of the lid38and the latch receiver58, which can be nullified with the pulling force64to the handle portion46, maintains the lid38in the closed position40. In other words, when the locking element66is in the disengaged position76and the seatback22is in the fold down position26, the lid38is able to transition from the closed position40to the open position42when a pulling force64on the handle portion46of the latch44causes the catch surface54not to oppose the latch receiver58.

Referring now additionally toFIG. 12, the locking element66transitions from the disengaged position76(see, e.g.,FIG. 11) to the engaged position74(see, e.g.,FIG. 12) via a force of gravity78when the seatback22transitions from the fold down position26(FIG. 11) to the upright position24(FIG. 12). In other words, when the lid38is in the closed position40(as inFIG. 12), and the seatback22transitions from the fold down position26(as inFIG. 11) to the upright position24(as inFIG. 12), the locking element66engages the latch44as the locking element66transitions from the disengaged position76(as inFIG. 11) to the engaged position74(as inFIG. 12). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when the lid38is in the closed position40, and the seatback22transitions from the fold down position26to the upright position24, the first end68of the locking element66extends through the locking element receiver50(here, the aperture50) of the cantilever portion48of the latch44as the locking element66transitions from the disengaged position76to the engaged position74. The aperture50of the cantilever portion48of the latch44acts as a locking element receiver50, which in this embodiment is disposed between the handle portion46and the catch portion52. The first end68of the locking element66is engaged with the lid38while the locking element66is in the engaged position74by projecting through the aperture50of the cantilever portion48of the latch44of the lid38. In other embodiments of the lid38, the first end68might extend/project into a recess or some other aperture (not illustrated) of the lid38while the locking element66is in the engaged position74to secure the lid38in the closed position40while the seatback22is in the upright position24. When the seatback22is in the upright position24and the lid38is in the closed position40, the locking element66prevents the lid38from transitioning to the open position42in the event that the catch surface54of the latch44no longer opposes the latch receiver58(that is, the latch receiver58and the latch44no longer cooperate). In the event that the lid38attempted to move toward the open position42, without the locking element66, the catch portion52of the latch44might deflect upward (from the perspective ofFIG. 12) over the latch receiver58allowing the lid38to move to the open position42. However, with the locking element66extended through the aperture50of the latch44, the catch portion52would not deflect upwards and even it if did, the catch portion52could never extend over the locking element66and thus, the lid38could never move to the open position42(without the latch44breaking). Downward deflection of the catch portion52, so as to extend under the locking element66, would only cause the catch portion52to oppose the latch receiver58more strongly, thus preventing the lid38from moving to the open position42. The locking element66extending through the aperture50of the cantilever portion48of the latch44precludes sideways (i.e., lateral) deformation of the latch44and thus prevents the lid38from moving to the open position42.

Referring again additionally back toFIG. 7, and additionally toFIGS. 13-17, the seatback22further includes a housing80that at least partially houses the locking element66. The housing80limits the possible movements of the locking element66and facilitates how the force of gravity78manipulates the locking element66. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing80includes an aperture82(seeFIG. 14) through which the first end68of the locking element66extends at least when the locking element66is in the engaged position74. The housing80further includes a compartment84within which the second end70of the locking element66can move but cannot exit. The compartment84can, for example, include opposing walls86,88. The compartment84includes an aperture90through which the middle portion72of the locking element66extends. The compartment84further includes an angled wall100(relative to horizontal96) when the seatback22is in the fold down position26(e.g.,FIG. 11). The angled wall100is angled downward from point “a”92to point “b”94relative to horizontal96. The housing80can further include pads102and104, applied over the walls86and88respectively to prevent the second end70from generating the noise that the second end70would make upon interacting with the walls86and88.

In the illustrated embodiment, as the seatback22transitions (seeFIG. 15) from the fold down position26to the upright position24, the angled wall100becomes level with horizontal96and then surpasses horizontal96(such as forming angle α relative to horizontal96). The force of gravity78then causes the second end70of the locking element66to slide against the angled wall100in the general direction toward the wall88and away from the opposing wall86. The second end70can include several ridges98(seeFIG. 16) to reduce the friction between the second end70and the angled wall100. The movement of the second end70also moves the first end68toward and eventually through the aperture50of the cantilever portion48of the latch44of the lid38, at which point the locking element66has transitioned to the engaged position74. By the time, or when, the seatback22transitions to the upright position24, the force of gravity78has caused the second end70to move adjacent to the wall88(with the pad104separating the second end70from the wall88) and the first end68to extend through the aperture50of the latch44and thus the locking element66to the engaged position74.

In the opposite scenario—the transition (seeFIG. 17) of the seatback22from the upright position24to the fold down position26—the locking element66transitions, via the force of gravity78, from the engaged position74(see, e.g.,FIG. 12) to the disengaged position76(see, e.g.,FIG. 10). As the seatback22transitions from the upright position24to the fold down position26, the angled wall100becomes level with horizontal96and then surpasses horizontal96(such as forming angle β relative to horizontal96). The force of gravity78then causes the second end70of the locking element66to slide against the angled wall100in the general direction toward the wall86and away from the opposing wall88. The second end70of the locking element66slides via the force of gravity78over the angled wall100as the seatback22transitions from the upright position24to the fold down position26. The movement of the second end70also moves the first end68toward the aperture90of the housing80and eventually out of the aperture50of the cantilever portion48of the latch44of the lid38, at which point the locking element66has transitioned to the disengaged position76. By the time, or when, the seatback22transitions to the fold down position26, the force of gravity78has caused the second end70to move adjacent to the wall86(with the pad102separating the second end70from the wall86) and the first end68to retract from the locking element receiver50(here, the aperture50) of the latch44and thus the locking element66to the disengaged position76. Stated another way, as the seatback22transitions (FIG. 17) from the upright position24(FIG. 12) to the fold down position26(FIG. 10), the force of gravity78upon the second end70causes the first end68to disengage with the latch44and thus from the lid38. The second end70pulls the first end68out of the engaged position74with the lid38, such as the latch44of the lid38.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second end70of the locking element66weighs more than the first end68of the locking element66. In some embodiments, at least 75 percent of the weight of the locking element66is concentrated in the second end70.

Therefore, the seatback22for the vehicle10is described with the storage area36, the lid38providing selective access to the storage area36, and the locking element66that is disengaged (while in the disengaged position76) from the lid38when the seatback22is in the fold down position26but, due to the force of gravity78, is engaged with the lid38(while in the engaged position74) and prevents the lid38from opening (to the open position42) as the seatback22transitions from the fold down position26to the upright position24. Similarly, the locking element66prevents the lid38from opening when the seatback22is in the upright position24but, due to the force of gravity78, disengages from the lid38to allow the lid38to open when the seatback22is in the fold down position26. Without the locking element66, the lid38could inadvertently move from the closed position40to the open position42, while the seatback22is in the upright position24, if an occupant of the second row of seating16pulled the handle portion46or if the seatback22was jolted (such as when another vehicle impacts the vehicle10). The locking element66engages with the lid38via the force of gravity78when the seatback22transitions from the fold down position26to the upright position24to prevent the lid38from so opening to the open position42. Advantageously, the locking element66automatically engages in that manner and, further, automatically disengages from the lid38via the force of gravity78to allow the lid38to be opened to the open position42when the seatback22is in the fold down position26.