Abstract:
A removable console assembly is provided that includes an upwardly extending main body defining an inner cavity. The main body has an open upper side and first and second panels pivotally attached to the main body for providing access to the inner cavity. A locking mechanism selectively locks both the first and second panels to the main body to prevent access to the inner cavity. A mounting assembly is attached to the floor for releasably receiving the main body. A latching arrangement includes a latch extending from a bottom surface of the main body and a handle disposed within the inner cavity for manually operating the latch. An electrical connector is provided and includes a first and second portions. The first portion is carried by the mounting assembly and electrically interconnected to a battery of the motor vehicle. The second portion in selective electrical communication with the first portion for providing power to various components of the console assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to a provisional application filed Jan. 7, 2000, and assigned U.S. Ser. No. 60/175,054. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally pertains to motor vehicles. More particular, the present invention pertains to a removable console for a motor vehicle. 
     2. Discussion 
     The comfort and convenience of passenger vehicles has been a continuous goal of automakers. Significant features available in vehicles distinguish them from those produced by other automakers, making them more attractive for purchase by the general public. In adding such features, automakers must ensure that the overall level of product safety is maintained. 
     One concern for vehicle owners is the storage space available within a vehicle. To achieve added storage space, automakers have developed various consoles and other devices and methods for storage of items. However, consoles and other storage devices traditionally remain fixed to one location of a vehicle. This could limit potential interior configurations and offer the vehicle as an easier target for thieves. 
     By way of a non-limiting example, minivans typically have a second row of seats for additional occupants. Not only would storage space be required between the driver and the front seat passenger but also between two additional passengers in the second row of seats. As is well known, minivans are not only used as passenger vehicles but also as cargo vehicles. The rear row of seats are typically removable in order to provide space for larger cargo items. If a traditional console were to be introduced between the rear passenger seats, use of the vehicle for large cargo items would be limited, as the console is not removable. By introducing a removable console, this problem could be overcome. 
     By way of a second, non-limiting example, vehicle security is a concern for all vehicle owners. Particularly, vehicles with soft, convertible style tops are more susceptible to break-in, as the top can be easily torn open. Traditional storage consoles which are fixed in place, even though locked, are easily broken open once a thief has entered the vehicle. If a removable console were to be introduced, vehicle owners could take the complete console and its contents with them or temporarily locate the console in the vehicle trunk, effectively removing its access from potential thieves. 
     In light of the above examples and in an effort to increase comfort and convenience for vehicle occupants, it would therefore be desirable to have a storage console which is not only removable from but also re-locatable within a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide a removable console for a motor vehicle. 
     In one exemplary form, the present invention provides a removable console assembly for a motor vehicle having a floor. The removable console assembly includes an upwardly extending main body portion defining an inner cavity. The main body portion has an open upper side. The removable console assembly further includes first and second panels providing access to the inner cavity. The first panel is pivotally attached to the main body portion adjacent a forward upper edge of the main body portion The second panel is pivotally attached to the main body portion adjacent a rear upper edge of the main body portion. A single locking mechanism is carried by the main body for selective locking of both of the first and second panels to the main body portion to prevent access to the inner cavity. A mounting assembly is attached to the floor releasably receiving the main body portion. A latching arrangement includes a latch extending from a bottom surface of the main body portion and a handle for manually operating the latch. The handle is disposed within the inner cavity. An electrical connector is provided including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is carried by the mounting assembly and electrically interconnected to a battery of the motor vehicle. The second portion releasably and electrically engages the first portion. The first portion extends from the bottom side of the main body portion. A 12 volt outlet is disposed within the inner cavity and electrically connected to the first portion. A lamp is disposed within the inner cavity and electrically connected to the first portion. 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle passenger compartment including a removable console assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the console assembly shown operatively mounted in a first position within the passenger compartment of the vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the console assembly operatively mounted in a second position within the passenger compartment; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the console assembly of the present invention illustrated with first and second panels articulated to closed positions; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating the inside of the console assembly having the first and second panels articulated to open positions; 
     FIG. 5 is a partially cut away side view of the console assembly detailing the internal structure of the console assembly; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the console assembly; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a mounting bracket; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 7 having a bracket cover attached thereto; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the mounting bracket and mounting bracket cover of FIG. 8, further illustrating a removable mat for use when the console assembly is not connected to the mounting bracket; 
     FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the console assembly; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a removable tray for setting in the inner cavity of the console assembly; and 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a removable bracket for holding a cellular telephone within the console assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring generally to the figures, a removable console assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally identified at reference numeral  10 . As shown in the environmental views of FIGS. 1 and 2, console assembly  10  is particularly intended to be removably attached to a floor  24  of a motor vehicle  12 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle  12  is shown to include a passenger compartment  14  having first and second rows of vehicle seats. The first row includes a driver seat  16  and a passenger seat  18 . The second row of vehicle seats is located rearward of the passenger compartment and similarly includes a pair of seats  20  and  22 . In the embodiment illustrated, the seats  16 - 22  are conventional bucket seats which are conventionally interconnected to a floor  24  of the motor vehicle  12 . 
     In the environmental view of FIG. 1, the console assembly  10  is shown operatively attached to the floor  24  between the driver and passenger seats  16  and  18 . In the environmental view of FIG. 2, the console assembly  10  is alternatively shown attached to the floor  24  between the seats  20  and  22  of the second row of seats. 
     A base unit  11  is fixedly attached to the floor  24 . The base unit  11  enables selective attachment of the console assembly  10  thereto. As seen in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, the base unit  11  is accessible when the console assembly  10  is not attached thereto. Without attachment of the console assembly, the base unit  11  acts as a simple tray, described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     In one application, the motor vehicle  12  is a minivan. However, it will become understood by those skilled in the art that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to various other motor vehicles including but not limited to trucks and the like. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the console assembly  10 . The console  10  includes a main body  30 , a first panel  36  and a second panel  40  for accessing the interior of the console assembly  10 . Additionally, the first panel  36  has a latch handle  38  as well as the second panel  40  having a similar latch handle  42 , each usable for opening the respective panel. The second panel  40  also forms a recessed area  44  for holding items. The console  10  is latched on top of the base unit  11  which includes a base plate  32  and a base plate cover  34  (see FIGS.  8  and  9 ). Base plate  32  and base plate cover  34  will be described in greater detail below. 
     Both the first and second panels  36 ,  40  are pivotaly attached to the main body  30 , by hinges  37 , 41  respectively, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As depicted, the first and second panels  36 ,  40  are in an open position. A separation wall  50  runs between the sides of the main body  30 , thus forming a first cavity  52  and a second cavity  54 . Integrated into the top face of the separation wall  50  is a locking mechanism  56  which is used to selectively lock the first and second panels  36 ,  40 . A combined map and tissue holder  58  is integrated into the second panel  40  as well as the first panel  36  having a detachable cellular phone holder  60 . An electrical connection  67  is disposed within the second cavity  54 . The separation wall  50  also includes a light switch  62  and a corresponding light  64  that is positioned to light the first cavity  52 . 
     A latch handle  66  is slidably connected to the separation wall  50  and is operable to detach the console  10  from the base unit  11 . The latch handle  66  is connected to a release mechanism  98  (see FIG.  6 ), the details of which will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow. The latch handle  66  is disposed within a slot  68  and is biased in a first position. The latch handle  66  can be moved from the first position (shown) to a second position (shown in phantom) for activating the release mechanism  98 , thus detaching the console  10  from the base unit  11 . Because the latch handle  66  is disposed within the console  10 , it is not accessible when the first and second panels  36 , 40  are locked. 
     With reference to FIG. 6, a first set of interface connectors  72  extend from a bottom face and are in electrical communication with other electrical components of the console  10 . Once mounted, the first set of interface connectors  72  mate with a second set of interface connectors  74  of the base unit  11  (see FIG.  7 ). Additionally, posts  76  are disposed on either side of the first set of interface connectors  72  and extend downward from the bottom face of the console  10 . As the console  10  is attached to the base unit  11 , posts  76  act on a connector block  78  (see FIG.  7 ), sliding the connector block  78  from a first position to a second position completing an electrical connection between the base unit  11  and the console  10 . 
     The base unit  11  includes a base plate  32  and a base plate cover  34  as described earlier. The base plate cover  34  is attached to the base plate  32  via a plurality of screws extending through apertures  70 . FIG. 7 shows the base plate  32  in further detail and FIG. 8 details the base cover  34 . The base plate  32  is attached to the vehicle floor  24  by way of bolt or screw, through a plurality of holes  80 . The base plate  32  also includes a primary latch receptor  82  and secondary latch receptors  84 . The primary and secondary latch receptors  82 ,  84  are accessible through the base plate cover  34  through corresponding openings  80 ,  90 . Towards a first end of the base plate  32  is an electrical connection unit  94  that includes an electrical connector  95 . It should be noted that the base plate  32  is preferably in permanent electrical connection with a vehicle battery (not shown) via the electrical connector  95 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 6, the bottom of console assembly  10  includes a primary latch  96  and a latch assembly  98  that interface with the primary latch receptor  82  and secondary latch receptors  84 , respectively. The primary latch  96  can be integrally formed with the bottom of the console assembly  10  or attached thereto using any one of a number of fastening mechanisms commonly known in the art. The latch assembly  98  includes a latch plate  100  slidably attached to the bottom of the console assembly  10 . The latch plate  100  includes secondary latches  102  that extend downward from the console  10 . The latch plate  100  is biased in a first direction by springs  106 . The secondary latches  102  each include a sloped face  110 . As described previously, the latch assembly  98  is operatively attached to the latch handle  66 . The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cable  114  that operatively interconnects the latch plate  100  and the latch handle  66 . The biasing force of the springs  106  cause the latch plate  100  to pull on the cable  114 , thus biasing the latch handle  66  in the first position, as described hereinabove. 
     In attaching the console assembly  10  to the base unit  11 , initially, the primary latch  96  is received through opening  88 , into the primary latch receptor  82 . The console assembly  10  is then pivoted downward about the interface between the primary latch  96  and the primary latch receptor  82  until the sloped faces  110  of the secondary latches  102  rest upon a top surface  116  of the base cover  34 , immediately above the openings  90 . To finalize attachment, an operator pushes downward on the console assembly  10 , wherein the downward movement causes the sloped faces  110  of the secondary latches  102  to ride along the top surface  116  and thus forces the latch plate  100  to slide against the biasing force of the springs  106 . Having slid to a sufficient degree, the secondary latches  102  move downward past the top surface  116  and into the openings  90 , latching with the secondary latch receptors  84 . In this manner, the console assembly  10  is attached to the base unit  11  by the interface between the primary latch  96 , the secondary latches  102  and the primary and secondary latch receptors  82 ,  84  respectively. 
     With reference to FIG. 7, the electrical connection unit  94  will now be described in detail. The electrical connection unit  94  comprises a main body  118 , the connector block  78 , interface connectors  74 , connector rails  122  and springs  124 . The connector rails  122  are in permanent electrical connection with a vehicle battery via a connector  95 . The interface connectors  74  are in selective electrical connection with the connector rails  122 . The connector block  78  is slidable within the main body  118  along the connector rails  122 . The springs  124  bias the connector block  78  in a first position wherein the interface connectors  74  are out of electrical communication with the connector rails  122 . When the console  10  is attached to the base unit  11 , the connector block  78  is slid into a second position wherein the interface connectors  74  contact the connector rails  122 . This is achieved by the posts  76 , that extend downward from the console  10 , acting on sloped surfaces  126  of the connector block  78 , thus pushing the connector block  78  against the biasing force of the springs  124 . The second position enables the connector block  78  to act as a bridge between the connector rails  122  and the interface connectors  74 . The interface connectors  74  contact the interface connectors  72  extending from the bottom of the console  10 , thus providing power to the console  10 . Upon detachment of the console  10 , the springs  124  again bias the connector block  78  to the first position, thus breaking the bridge between the connector rails  122  and the interface connectors  74 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 8, the base plate cover  34  is configured wherein only the second set of interface connectors  74  remain exposed. As a result of the above described operation of the electrical connection unit  94  vehicle occupants are safe from an electrical shock which could occur had the exposed interface connectors  74  remained in a connected state. 
     FIG. 9 depicts the base unit  11  as it would function without the attached console  10 . The base plate cover  34  is selectively covered by a formed mat  128 , made of a material such as a thermoplastic rubber. A recessed area  130  in the base plate cover  34  functions to hold various items (not shown) during vehicle operation. 
     Front and rear views of the console  10  are shown in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b , respectively. As shown, the front face of the main body  30  includes a first recess  132 , and the back face of the main body  30  includes a second recess  134 . Used in conjunction, the first and second recesses  132 ,  134  serve as handles for holding the console  10  when not attached to the base unit  11 . 
     FIG. 11 depicts a holder tray  136  which may be introduced into the first cavity  52 . The holder tray  136  also has several openings  138  to allow light form the light  64  to pass through. Implementing the holder tray  136  enables items to be separated within the first cavity  52 . The holder tray  136  is also shown in phantom in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 12 shows the detachable cellular phone holder  60 . The cellular phone holder  60  comprises two distinct portions which include a phone holding mechanism  140  and a pen holder  142 . The phone holding mechanism includes first and second flexible retaining arms  144 , 146  which flex accordingly to hold varying sizes of cellular phones. The cellular phone holder  60  can be attached and removed from the interior of the second cavity  54  using a clip (not shown) that clips to a bar  61  (see FIG. 4) attached to the first panel  36 . 
     While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the description of the appended claims.