FLEXIBLE USE AND STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract: A flexible use and storage system within a vehicle interior (302) which provides an activity center (290), a storage area (390), a vehicle seat pass through (394), or a combination of any two or all of the above. The activity center includes a platform (312, 370) which is movable from a stowed position to a horizontal use position overlying or adjacent to a seat cushion (352) and seat back (354) at a seating position for use as a work surface or a play surface. The storage area can be provided in a vehicle seat assembly (350) or vehicle console assembly (300) and provides covered or uncovered storage for personal items within the vehicle. The vehicle seat pass through provides an open area through a vehicle seat back (354) and can be covered with a movable panel (392). The movable panel (392) can be separate from or combined with the storage area cover of the vehicle.

Description: FLEXIBLE USE AND STORAGE SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an flexible use and storage system within a vehicle interior which provides an activity center, a storage area, a vehicle seat pass through, or a combination of any two or all of the above. In particular the activity center is provided in a vehicle seat assembly or vehicle console assembly and provides one or more table top surfaces for a seat occupant that can be used for activities ranging from a child's play to writing or operating a laptop computer. The storage area can be provided in a vehicle seat assembly or vehicle console assembly and provides covered or uncovered storage for personal items within the vehicle. The vehicle seat pass through provides an open area through a vehicle seat back and can be covered with a movable panel. The movable panel can be separate from or combined with the storage area cover. Many parents have longed for activities within a vehicle to make long distance travel with young children more "peaceful". To that end, parents typically bring numerous books and small toys for the children to play with in the vehicle. The present invention provides an activity center to facilitate play by children in the vehicle. The activity center of the present invention provides a platform or play surface for a seat occupant above his or her lap. In addition, the activity center can include the capability for storing small toys and may include features such as a pencil holder and cup holder. In addition to storing toys, the activity center may have toys integrated therein. For example, the flat surfaces of the activity center can have portions with raised studs for engagement with interlocking building blocks such as Lego® blocks. Other toys can be integrated into the activity center, especially toys having flat panels such as an Etch-a- Sketch® drawing toy or a Magna Doodle® magnetic drawing toy. The top surfaces of the activity center are preferably formed of a smooth surface suitable for writing and can be formed of a material compatible with dry erase markers, enabling a child to draw directly on the surface of the activity center. The horizontal top surface of the activity center may also be used as a work surface for writing or supporting a computer. In a preferred embodiment, the activity center is attached to a pivoting or folding seat back panel such as a center panel in a rear bench seat. The center back panel may rotate forward to a horizontal position to open a pass-through to the vehicle trunk. In a van or sport utility vehicle, the seat has a back panel which folds forward. With the activity center of the present invention mounted on the rear side of the seat back panel, the activity center can be deployed to provide a play surface for each of the seating positions on either side of the seat back center panel. The activity center includes a base that is attached to the structure of the seat or to a console within the vehicle. A platform mounting member is attached to the base and is movably mounted thereto to move between stowed and use positions. In the stowed position, the platform mounting member engages the base to form a cover for a storage cavity in the base. The platform mounting member is moved to a raised, forward use or open position. From the platform mounting member use position, platforms mounted to the platform mounting member are moved from platform stowed positions to platform use positions in which they partially overlie the seating position on each side of the center panel of the seat back. The platforms have a flat surface which, when the platforms are in their use positions, face upward forming a top surface. Each platform's top surface is generally horizontal in the use position. The base can specifically be mounted to the seat bottom of the seat assembly and can either be a seating position itself, or located next to one or more laterally displaced seating locations. When the base is mounted to or a part of the console assembly of the vehicle, the console can be movable relative to the adjacent seating positions, either in height or in for/aft displacement. Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly having the activity center of the present invention with the activity center in a stored position; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat assembly shown in FIG.1 with the center seat back panel folded forward to a position in which the activity center can be deployed; FIG. 3 is a side view of the seat assembly shown in FIG. 2 with the activity center in a deployed position; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the activity center; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the activity center with a portion removed for clarity; FIG. 6 is plan view of the latch mechanism of the activity center shown in FIGS. 2-5; FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the activity center shown with the platforms deployed and coupled to the mounting member by hinges; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the activity center shown in a deployed position; FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the activity center shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the activity center mounted to the rear side of the seat back of a vehicle front passenger seat with the seat back folded or pivoted forward revealing the activity center on the rear side of the seat back; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the activity center with two storage compartments in the activity center base. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a console; FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a further embodiment of the present invention incorporated within a fold down portion of a seat back; FIGS. 15 - 17 are perspective views of a further embodiment of the present invention incorporated within a seat bottom portion of a seat assembly; and FIGS. 18 - 20 are perspective views of a further embodiment of the present invention incorporating an armrest providing an extended support surface and a pass through portion in the seat back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A seat assembly containing the activity center of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and designated generally at 10. Seat assembly 10 includes a lower, generally horizontal, seat bottom 12 and a seat back 14 extending generally upwardly at the rear of the seat bottom 12. The seat bottom has a top surface 16 which forms a seating surface for occupants of the seat assembly 10. Likewise, the seat back 14 includes a forward surface 18 which forms a seating surface for occupants of the seat assembly. The seat assembly has a pair of outboard seating positions 20 and 24 which are defined by the surfaces 16 and 18 of the seat back and seat bottom respectively. Each of the seating positions has a width dimension measured laterally across the vehicle to provide space on the seat assembly for a pair of seat occupants. Depending on the overall width of the seat assembly, a third seating position 22 may be provided in the center portion of the seat assembly between the two outboard seating positions 20 and 24. The seat back 14 includes a center panel 28 which can be pivoted or folded from its upright position shown in FIG. 1 to a generally horizontally extending position above or resting on the seat bottom 12. In the horizontal position, a pass-through opening 30 is revealed leading to a trunk area behind the seat assembly and beneath a package shelf 32 as conventionally found in a passenger car. The center panel 28 has a structure 34 which includes a mounting boss 36 for pivotal mounting of the panel 28 to the frame (not shown) of the seat back 14. The activity center 38 in this embodiment is mounted to the structure 34 of the center panel 28. The activity center is shown in FIG. 3 in a deployed position. The activity center 38 includes a base 40 which is fixed to the structure 34 of the seat back center panel 28. A platform mounting member 42 is attached to the base 40. A pair of platforms 44 and 46 are in turn mounted to the platform mounting member 42. The base 40 is generally shaped as a pan which is concave when viewed from above. The interior 48 of the pan forms a storage compartment to hold toys, pencils, crayons, books, markers, etc. The platform mounting member 42 serves as a lid to close the base interior 48 when the platform mounting member 42 is in its stowed position relative to the base. The platform mounting member is movable from a stowed position in which it closes the base interior to a forwardly and upwardly raised use position or open position shown in FIGS. 3-5. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, a 4-bar linkage mechanism 50 is used to mount the platform mounting member 42 to the base 40 for movement between its open and closed positions. The 4-bar linkage mechanism 50 includes a pair of front and rear links 52 and 54 on both the left and right hand sides of the base 40. The front links 52 are coupled to one another by a front cross bar 56 while the rear links 54 are coupled together by a rear cross bar 58. The front links 52 have lower ends 53 pivotally coupled to mounting bosses 60 in the base and upper ends 55 pivotally coupled to mounting bosses 62 in a bracket 64. The bracket 64 is attached to the lower panel 96 of the platform mounting member 42. Likewise, the rear links 54 have lower ends 53 pivotally coupled to mounting bosses 66 in the base and upper ends 55 pivotally coupled to mounting bosses 68 in the bracket 64. The bracket 64 also carries a latching mechanism 70 which holds the platform mounting member in both the open and closed positions. The latch mechanism 70 includes a push rod 72 which has an end 74 coupled to a push button 76. The push button 76 is disposed in a recess 78 along the front edge 80 of panel 96. The push rod 72 is pushed rearward to release the latch mechanism. The push rod 72 has a second end 79 coupled to a bell crank 80. The bell crank is in turn coupled to a pair of latch pins 82 which move laterally inward when the bell crank 80 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 as shown by the arrow 84. This releases the latch enabling the platform mounting member to move. The distal ends 86 of the latch pins 82 are seated in a notch 88 in the front links 52 when the platform mounting member 42 is in the closed position. When the platform mounting member is in the open position, the distal ends 86 of the latch pins 82 are seated into notches 90 at the upper ends of the links 52. Thus, the latch mechanism 70 operates to hold the platform mounting member in both the open and closed positions. The latch mechanism is released by pushing of the push button 76 to release the latch when the platform mounting member is in both the open and closed positions. A compression spring 92 located between the button 76 and lower panel 96 in the recess 78 provides a biasing force to urge the latch mechanism to its latched position. A gas cylinder 94 assists lifting of the platform mounting member 42. The gas cylinder has one end coupled to the fitting 95 on the rear cross member 58 connecting the two rear links 54. The other end of the gas cylinder is coupled to a fitting 97 on the lower side of the bracket 64 of the platform mounting member 42. Other bias means can be used to assist in lifting the platform mounting member such as a spring, counter weights, electric motors or pneumatic or hydraulic devices. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5, the platform mounting member 42 has a lower panel 96 and an upper panel 98. The upper and lower panels 96 and 98 are spaced from one another with the platforms 44 and 46 disposed therebetween. Each of the platforms 44, 46 includes a pivot mounting boss 100, only one of which is shown in FIG. 5 in conjunction with platform 46. The platform 44 is pivotally mounted to the platform mounting member at the right rear corner 102 of the platform mounting member 42. Likewise, the platform 46 is pivotally mounted to the platform mounting member at a left rear corner 104 of the platfomi mounting member 42. The platform 44 rotates between a stowed position between the upper and lower panels of the platform mounting member 42 and a use position extending laterally from the platform mounting member. The motion of the platform 44 is shown by the arrow 106 in FIG 5. Likewise, motion of the platform 46 is shown by the arrow 108. The right platfomi 44 has a downward projecting pin 110 which travels within an arcuate groove 112 in the lower panel 96 of the platform mounting member 42. The left platform 46 has an upwardly projecting pin 114 which travels in an arcuate groove (not shown) in the lower surface of the upper panel 98 of the platform mounting member 42. The left panel 46 is positioned above the right panel 44 in the stowed position. The lower panel 96 has a raised support surface 97 to support the left platform 46 above the right platform 44. Each of the platforms 44 and 46 have top surfaces 116 and 118 respectively which, when the platforms are in the use positions, form a top surface for work or play. In their use positions, the platforms 44 and 46 are spaced above the surface 16 of the seat bottom 12 and spaced forward of the surface 18 of the seat back 14. In their use positions, the platforms partially extend over the width of the seating positions 20 and 24 respectively and are thus over the lap of an occupant seated at the seating positions. The top surfaces 116 and 118 of the platforms are generally planer but can have various raised ridges and recesses. For example, a recessed groove 120 can be provided for holding a pencil. A raised ridge 122 about the periphery of the platform surface can keep objects from rolling off the platform. Various materials can be used for the top surface of the platforms. One possible material is a smooth plastic material from which a dry erase marker can be readily erased. Other toys can be integrated into the activity center and form the top surface of the platforms or the top surface of the platform mounting member upper panel 98. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, the top surface 126 of panel 98 is shown with raised studs 130 for engagement with interlocking building blocks such as Lego® blocks. Raised studs 130 can also form portions of the top surface of the platforms as shown in FIG. 7. Other toys can be integrated into the activity center either in the platforms 44 and 46 or the upper panel 98. For example, a magnetic drawing toy 132 such as the Magna Doodle® from Tyco Toys or an Etch-a-Sketch® from the Ohio Art Company, can be included as shown in reference to FIG. 7 These toys from a part of the activity center structure and the top surfaces of various components of the activity center. While flat panel toys such as the Etch-a-Sketch® or Lego® block stud panels may be preferred for integration into the activity center, other toys may also be integrated. The upper panel 98, platforms 44, 46 or other parts of the activity center may also include one or more recesses or apertures 128 forming cup holders. A standard vehicle power port can be included in the activity center to facilitate use of computers or electronic games. The platforms 44 and 46 rotate outward from the platform mounting member 42 by rotation about vertical axes 140 and 142 (FIG 5). The motion of the platforms can be referred to generally as a fanning motion in that the platforms fan out from the platform mounting member. The rotation axes of the platforms are generally peφendicular to the platform surfaces. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 7, the platforms 144 and 146 are hinged to the platform mounting member 148. The hinges 150 between each of the platforms 144 and 146 and the platform mounting member 148 enable rotation of the platforms about generally horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the vehicle. Other mechanisms besides the 4-bar linkage mechanism 50 can be used to move the platform mounting member between the open and closed positions. Depending upon the thickness of the seat back center panel 28, it may not be necessary for the platform mounting member to move upward. In such a case, the platform mounting member may move forward from the base on a track mechanism between the open and closed positions. An alternative embodiment of the activity center is shown in FIGS. 8-9. The activity center includes a base 162 similar to the base 40. The base 162 is fixed to the frame of the seat back center panel 28. A platform mounting member 164 is coupled to the base by a hinge 166 for rotation about a transverse axis 168 near the forward end of the base 162. The platform mounting member rotates approximately 180° as shown by the arrow 170. A pair of platforms 170 and 172 are mounted to the platform mounting member for rotation about the generally vertical axes 174 and 176. In this embodiment, it is not the platform mounting member that opens and closes the base 162 but rather the platforms 170 and 172 which fit in and close the opening 178 of the base 162. The activity center is not limited to a device having two platforms extending in opposite directions over two spaced seating positions. The activity center could have only one platform to extend in only one direction from the platform mounting member over a single seating position. For example, the activity center could be mounted to a center console and have a platform that extends over only the passenger side seating position. The activity center could be mounted to a vehicle body side wall and have a platform that extends over only a single seating position located adjacent to the side wall. The activity center is not limited to a fold down panel in a seat back leading to a trunk pass-through. The activity center could be mounted to a center panel such as an armrest that, when rotated down does not open a pass-through but is disposed within a recess in the seat back. The activity center could also pivot out of the seat cushion with soft top and with pivoting table surfaces. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the activity center can be located in the seat back 214 of a vehicle front passenger or captain's seat 210 to provide a work platform for the person seated in the driver's seat 213 or other adjacent captain's seat. In this situation, only a single platform 244 is provided to extend laterally toward the adjacent seat. Furthermore, while the platform extends laterally from the platform mounting member 250 of the activity center, it may only extend over a center console 243 and does not extend over a portion of the width of the seating position occupied by the driver of the vehicle. With reference to FIG. 11, yet another embodiment of the activity center is shown. Here the activity center includes a base 180. The base 180 is fixed to the frame of the seat back center panel as described above. A platform mounting member 182 is coupled to the base 180 by a linkage mechanism 184. A platform 186 is in turn rotatably mounted to the platform mounting member 182. In this embodiment, the base has a front portion 188 forming a first compartment 190 which is opened and closed by the platform mounting member 182. A rear portion 192 forms a second compartment that is covered by a lid 194. The lid 194 is rotatably mounted to the base and can be raised as shown by the arrow 196 to open the rear compartment. The lid 194 could be mounted to slide relative to the base rather than rotate by a hinge. With reference to Figure 12, a further embodiment of the activity center 290 is shown to include a console 300 mounted within the vehicle 302 and generally located between two seats 304 defining seating positions 306. The console 300 can be fixedly mounted to the floor 308 of the vehicle 302 or can be removably mounted. Further, the console 300 can be mounted in such a fashion as to be adjustable in a fore/aft direction by means of tracks (not shown) or other similar means for securing the console 300 to the floor 308. A platform mounting member 310 is coupled to the console 300 and is movable relative to the console 300 between a platform mounting member stowed position and a platform mounting member use position. As in the previous embodiments, one or more platforms 312 can be mounted to the platform mounting member 310. When the platform mounting member 310 is in the use position, the platform 312 can be moved to the use position wherein it extends at least partially over the width of the seating position 306 adjacent to the platfomi 312. Further, the activity center 290 shown can also include a base member 314 which is itself separately attached to the console 300. The platform mounting member 310 would then be attached to the base member 314 for movement relative to the base member 314 and the base member 314 would remain fixed relative to the console 300. Referring to Figures 13 and 14, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Vehicle seat assembly 320 includes a generally horizontal seat bottom 322 and a seat back 324 extending upwardly at a rear end 326 of the seat bottom 322. The seat bottom 322 and seat back 324 in a present embodiment have outboard seating positions 330 and 332, and a center seat portion 334. Center seat portion 334 can be utilized as a center seating position but need not necessarily provide a seating position. A pivotally mounted fold down armrest 336 forms a portion of seat back 324 and can be folded from the generally upright position to a substantially horizontal position as shown. When in the horizontal position, the top surface 338 of the armrest 336 provides a platform mounting member 340 which, as indicated by arrow 342, can be raised from the stowed position (as shown) to a platform mounting member use position (not shown). As previously described in other embodiments, when the platform mounting member 340 is raised to the use position the platforms mounted thereto can be moved relative to the platform mounting member 340 to a platform use position. Referring now to Figures 15-17, there is shown a seat assembly 350 having a generally horizontal seat bottom 352 and a seat back 354 extending upwardly from a rear end 356 of the seat bottom 352. Again, outboard seating positions 358 are shown and a center seating position 360 could be utilized in the center portion 362 of the seat assembly 350 but need not specifically be adapted to be a seating position. The center portion 362 of the seat bottom 352 of the present embodiment is shown to be connected for movement by links 364 to a structure 366 below the seat bottom 352. The structure 366 can be the vehicle floor, the seat bottom frame, or a base which is connected to either the seat bottom frame or the vehicle floor. The links 364 allow the center portion 362 to act as the platform mounting member 368 which can be articulated forward and upward as shown. Once the platform mounting member 368 is in the platform mounting member use position, one or more platforms 370 mounted to the platform mounting member 368 can be moved from a platform stowed position to a platform use position wherein the platforms are spaced above the seat bottom surface 372 and spaced forward of the seat back 354. Depending upon the particular configuration of the seat assembly 350, the platform 370 may extend partially over the width of the seating position 360 or may be laterally displaced from the seating position 360. With additional reference to Figures 18-20, a coordinated portion 380 of the seatback 354 is shown to be pivotally mounted. When pivoted to a generally vertical position (Figure 16), the coordinated portion 380 coordinates with a stationary portion 379 to form a substantially continuous seat back surface 381. The coordinated seatback portion 380 acts as an armrest 382 when pivoted as indicated by arrow 384 (Figure 17) to a generally horizontal position. The armrest 382 coordinates with the rear edge 386 of the platform mounting member 368 in the use position to form a substantially continuous armrest surface 387 therebetween. The armrest 382 is shown to include such amenities as cup holders 388 and a storage area 390 which can be concealed by cover 392. If desired, a pass-through 394 can be created when the armrest 382 is rotated to a generally horizontal position as best shown in Figure 20. A separate cover or close-out panel (not shown) can be provided to block the pass-through 394 or the cover 392 from the storage area 390 can serve dual puφoses of concealing the items within the storage area 390 or blocking the pass-through 394. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes may be made if not thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims: We Claim: 1. A seat assembly comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back extending upwardly at a rear end of said seat bottom; a platform mounting member located proximate said seat bottom for movement between a platform mounting member stowed position and a platform mounting member use position; and a platform connected to said platform mounting member for movement between a platform stowed position and a platform use position, said platform extending over said seat bottom while in the platform use position. 2. The seat assembly of Claim 1 further comprising a biasing means for urging said platform member into the platform mounting member use position. 3. The seat assembly of Claim 2 further comprising a latching means for releasably holding said platform mounting member in the platform mounting member use position. 4. The seat assembly of Claim 2 further comprising a latching means for releasably holding said platform mounting member in the platform mounting member use position and in the platform mounting member stowed position. 5. The seat assembly of Claim 1 further comprising a structure connected to the vehicle, said platform mounting member being connected to said structure for movement. 6. The seat assembly of Claim 5 wherein said platform mounting member is connected to said structure by a four-bar linkage. 7. The seat assembly of Claim 5 wherein said structure includes a seat bottom frame, said seat bottom being connected to said seat bottom frame. 8. The seat assembly of Claim 1 wherein said platform mounting member includes a generally planar top surface, said top surface cooperating with said seat surface to form a generally continuous seat cushion surface when said platform mounting member is in the platform mounting member stowed position. 9. The seat assembly of Claim 8 wherein said platform is connected to said platform mounting member for movement about an axis generally perpendicular to said top surface 10. The seat assembly of Clam 1 further comprising a second seat bottom located proximate said platfomi mounting member on an opposite side of said seat bottom, and a second seat back extending upwardly at a rear end of said second seat bottom. 11. The seat assembly of Claim 10 further comprising a second platform connected to said platform mounting member for movement between a second platform stowed position and a second platform use position, said second platform extending over said second seat bottom while in the second platform use position. 12. The seat assembly of Claim 1 further comprising a coordinating member located proximate said seat back for rotational movement between a coordinating member stowed position and a coordinating member use position. 13. The seat assembly of Claim 12 wherein said coordinating member cooperates with said platform mounting member to form a substantially continuous armrest surface when said platform mounting member is moved into the platform mounting member use position and said coordinating member is rotated into the coordinated member use position. 14. The seat assembly of Claim 13 wherein said coordinating member cooperates with said seat back to form a substantially continuous seat back surface when said coordinating member is rotated into the coordinated member stowed position. 15. The seat assembly of Claim 12 wherein said coordinating member and said seat back define a pass-through opening to allow the passage of cargo objects through said seat assembly. 16. The seat assembly of Claim 15 further comprising a cover member coupled to said coordinating member for selectively covering said pass-through opening. 17. The seat assembly of Claim 16 wherein said cover member is moveable between a first position and a second position, said cover member substantially covering a storage area of said coordinating member while in the first position and substantially covering said pass-through opening while in the second position.

Inventors: BACHMAN TODD, GERACI VINCE, SCHOWALTER JEAN-PAUL, STEINER JEFFREY P, BACHMAN, TODD, GERACI, VINCE, SCHOWALTER, JEAN-PAUL, STEINER, JEFFREY, P.
Applicants: BACHMAN TODD, GERACI VINCE, JOHNSON CONTROLS TECH CO, SCHOWALTER JEAN PAUL, STEINER JEFFREY P, BACHMAN, TODD, GERACI, VINCE, JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, SCHOWALTER, JEAN-PAUL, STEINER, JEFFREY, P.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B60N3
IPC codes: B60N2, B60N3