Abstract:
A center console assembly for use in a vehicle includes a table capable of being disposed within a center console. A linear drive mechanism is coupled to the table. The linear drive mechanism includes a driver capable of moving the table from a retracted position within the center console to an extracted position outside of the center console.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention generally relates to a vehicle interior and, more particularly, to a center console having a collapsible table top assembly with a linear lift mechanism. 
     2. Background 
     With ever increasing pressure from automotive customers, flexibility and adaptivity of vehicle interiors is increasingly required in order to provide a vehicle that meets broader customer demands. Increases in travel distances and time spent within vehicles have led consumers to consistently request surfaces within the vehicle which allow for activities such as work, play or food consumption. Traditionally, vehicles have used table top assemblies disposed throughout the vehicle which utilize four bar linkages or the like to raise or lower a table top surface, which negatively affects the storage efficiency of the system. Further, in certain circumstances, items trapped in the lifting mechanism of four bar linkages can cause the mechanism to malfunction. 
     The present invention provides a storable and foldable table assembly that provides a convenient surface for use by occupants within a vehicle. The table assembly of the present invention provides a platform folded and enclosed within a center console that is generally located between a vehicle&#39;s seats. In addition, the foldable table includes a linear drive for positioning or retracting the table assembly. The foldable table can include surfaces for engaging small interior trim components such as an ashtray and cup holder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, this invention provides a foldable table for a center console that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the conventional table lift mechanisms. Briefly, the invention includes a center console, a table capable of being disposed within the center console, and a linear drive mechanism coupled to the table. The linear drive mechanism is capable of moving the table from within the console to outside of the console. Upon leaving the console, a pair of side wings of the table unfold and the table positions itself in a position convenient for use by vehicle occupants. The linear drive mechanism is space efficient and substantially reduces the possibility of items interfering with the table lift mechanism, as compared to four bar linkages that are prone to having extraneous items trapped in the lifting mechanism. 
     Further disclosed is a center console assembly for a vehicle disposed between a pair of seats. The center console defines an interior cavity. A foldable table is coupled to a linear drive mechanism which is capable of being slidably received within said interior cavity. The linear drive mechanism functions to move the foldable table from inside the console to a position outside of the console. 
     Further disclosed is a linear drive mechanism for a foldable table. The drive mechanism has a screw drive mechanism which is coupled to a U-channel member. Disposed on the U-channel member is a table lifter which is driven by a pair of gears. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following specification and by reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 provide front and rear views of the table assembly in its fully retracted position; 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 represent front and rear views of the foldable table assembly in the first stage of extraction from the center console; 
     FIG. 5 provides a more detailed cut-away side views of the linear drive mechanism of the foldable table assembly depicting a differential mechanism and a screw drive member; 
     FIG. 6 provides a more detailed cut-away perspective view of the linear drive mechanism of the foldable table assembly depicting a driven gear and toothed channel of a secondary drive mechanism; 
     FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the foldable table assembly in a partially extracted position in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 represents a front view of the foldable table assembly of the present invention with the table in its fully extracted position; and 
     FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the foldable table assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention, or its application, or uses. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a center console assembly  20  which is located between a pair of seats (not shown) in the front cockpit area of a vehicle, and is preferably supported by the floor of the vehicle. Disposed within the center console assembly  20  is a support member  21  coupled to the floor by use of standard fasteners  22 . The support member  21  supports a lift mechanism  23  for a folded table  24 . The lift mechanism  23  is composed of a primary drive mechanism  25  which drives a U-channel member  26  using a primary driven member  27 . A folded table  24  is housed within the U-channel member  26  and is coupled to a table lifter  28 . The table lifter  28  is driven by a secondary drive mechanism  29  (further detailed in FIGS. 5 and 6) and is coupled to the folded table  24  by a hinge (not shown). 
     The primary drive mechanism  25  is driven by a drive motor  30  which is mounted to the support member  21 . The drive motor  30  drives a differential mechanism  31 , which through a pair of couplings  32  and  33  rotates a pair of screw drive members  34  and  35 . The primary driven member  27  is coupled to the screw drive members  34  and  35  and forms a platform  36  which is coupled to the U-channel member  26 . Referring to FIG. 8, an upper side  42  of the platform  36  can couple with the U-channel member  26 . The platform  36  supports the secondary drive mechanism  29  which interacts with a toothed channel  37  on the support member  21  to provide a driving force to the table lifter  28 . The table lifter  28  is designed so as to travel at twice the speed of the U-channel member  26  when the U-channel member  26  is driven past a first point  38 . As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the entire table lifter  28  is driven up by the rotation of the motor  30  and hence the screw drive members  34  and  35 . 
     The primary driven member  27 , which drives the table lifter  28 , which in turn drives the table  24 , is raised to the first point  38  where the secondary drive mechanism  29  is actuated. This actuation occurs when a driven gear  39  of the secondary drive mechanism  29  engages the toothed channel  37  of the support member  21  (see FIGS.  1  and  6 ). The driven gear  39  rotates and drives a drive gear  40  in the secondary drive mechanism  29 . During this stage of the lifting, the gears  39  and  40  are configured so that the table lifter moves at twice the speed of the U-channel member  26 . This allows the folded table to be extracted from the U-channel member  26 . 
     It is also envisioned that the primary drive mechanism  25  could be driven by other means for driving. These include the use of a hand crank system (not shown) coupled to the differential mechanism  31 . Additionally, an optional pneumatic cylinder  50  can be used to move the platform  36  from within the console (see FIG.  9 ). In this embodiment the threaded screw drive members would be replaced by smooth bar elements and bearings coupled to platform  36 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, as the folded table  24  reaches the end of the toothed channel  37 , the folded table  24  begins unfolding in a final phase of the folded table  24  extraction sequence. 
     During the final phase, the U-channel member  26  continues to the end of the toothed channel  37 . The table  24  ends its upward travel and is pivoted forward by the table lifter  28  in conjunction with spring members  43  and  44 . As the folded table  24  pivots forward, the side wings  41  unfold as they are no longer held by the profile of the U-channel member  26 . The spring members  43  and  44  function to support the folded table  24  when the folded table  24  is in its extracted position shown in FIG.  8 . 
     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 without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.