Abstract:
A center console for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary housing mounted within the vehicle. The housing includes an open center defined between opposing ends and has a console body mounted within the open center of the housing. The console body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running through the console body and is mounted such that an operator may remove the body from the frame. Also, at least two longitudinal side walls of the rotating body are visible within the open center and the console body may be rotated such that alternate side walls may be positioned in an uppermost position with respect to the center console. Thus, a user may exchange the console body for another and access multiple sides of the console body, regardless of which is in the uppermost position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to automotive interior subsystems. More specifically, the invention relates to a reconfigurable, interchangeable, rotating center console for a motor vehicle. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Operators and passengers of motor vehicles may spend many hours within a vehicle interior. As a result, significant effort is expended by manufacturers to ensure the interiors of their vehicles provide a comfortable, functional, space from which to operate the vehicle. This requires well positioned controls and comfortable seats. However, another important feature is storage and organization. 
     This is particularly important for people who do business or travel the country in their vehicle. These individuals may have extensive storage needs. In filling this need, manufacturers have provided closable boxes, of which the traditional glove box is a classic example. 
     Over the years the storage needs of users of motor vehicles has grown. Today, users expect to store cellular phones, drinks, notebook computers, compact discs, portable music players, wallets and purses securely and within easy reach. This has resulted in expanded storage requirements for modern vehicles. For example, manufactures now include cup-holders, door mounted storage compartments, large glove boxes and center console bins. In addition, as storage requirements have changed, so to have the bins and compartments designed to meet those requirements. 
     An example of this is the removable bins disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,481 (“Fluharty”). Fluharty discloses a center console frame work with multiple windows for receiving various storage bins to allow a user to rearrange the storage configuration. This allows users to customize their console configuration for each individual trip. However, this arrangement does not necessarily make the most efficient use of space within the console. This is because the bins are stationary when in use and they must be oriented so the opening is always up, lest items fall out of the bin. 
     An alternative arrangement that allows the opening of the bin to be oriented in multiple directions involves a module that rotates about a longitudinal axis. A typical example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,599 (“Gray”). Gray discloses a center console that includes a drum-type carrousel that rotates about a generally horizontal axis. This allows a user to access multiple storage bins attached to the carrousel by rotating the carrousel about the axis and causing a bin to rotate into an access window. The remaining bins are enclosed within the console, thus preventing items from falling out while also providing access. However, only a single bin of the carrousel may be accessed at any one time. 
     In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need for an improved center console that provides enhanced utility customizability. 
     SUMMARY 
     In satisfying the above need, as well as overcoming the enumerated drawbacks and other limitations of the related art, the present invention provides a center console for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary housing mounted within the vehicle. The housing includes an open center defined between opposing ends and has a console body mounted within the open center of the housing. The body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running through the console body and is mounted such that an operator may remove the body from the frame and substitute a different console body. Finally, at least two longitudinal side walls of the rotating body are visible within the open center and the body may be rotated such that alternate side walls may be positioned in an uppermost position with respect to the center console. 
     This configuration allows a user to exchange one console body for another and to access multiple sides of the console body when traveling, regardless of which side is in the uppermost position. 
     Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a review of the following description, with reference to the drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the center console showing the console body mounted within the housing; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the center console showing the console body rotated within the housing; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the center console showing the housing and the console body, with the console body removed from the housing; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the housing showing the interface between the housing and the console body; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the console body showing an alternate storage configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, an automotive console embodying the principles of the present invention for use in a motor vehicle is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and designated at  10 . As its primary components, the console  10  includes a housing  12  and a console body  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the console body  14  is received within the housing  12  in such a way that the console body  14  is generally restrained in a given orientation, or detent position, but may rotate to another orientation upon the command of a user as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments it may be advantageous to allow the console body  14  to rotate freely without restriction. In either case each side can be sequentially rotated into an accessible position. Rotation is achieved either manually, by direct user manipulation, or through the use of known motors and controls. While the motors would preferably be electrical, they may be hydraulic, pneumatic or the like. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the console body  14  is removable from between opposing ends  18  of an open center  16  of the housing  12 . This allows for the provision of rotating bodies  14  having different configurations; for example, his and hers units may be substituted depending on who is using the vehicle. 
     Looking more closely at the housing  12 , in  FIG. 4  it consists of a frame  20  mounted in a stationary manner, using conventional means, within a cabin of the vehicle (not shown). Usually, this involves inserting bolts, rivets, or screws (not shown) through holes  24  in the frame  20  and into a structural feature (not shown) at the floor of the vehicle cabin. Alternatively, clips, brackets or even welding may be used. 
     In addition, the frame  20  also includes a base  26  in between a first receiving portion  28  opposing a second receiving portion  30 . Together, the receiving portions  28  and  30  form the opposing ends  18 . At least one of the receiving portions  28  and  30  has a latch  50  and the other a hole  48 . In addition, at least one of the receiving portions  28  and  30  includes a detent mechanism  34 . 
     Looking at the console body  14 , it may take any shape needed by the mechanics and aesthetics of the application. Typical shapes are a cylinder, cube, triangular prism, or rectangular prism. The embodiment shown in the drawings is that of a rectangular prism. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , the console body  14  has a front wall  38  opposing a rear wall  40  connected together by at least one side wall  42 . A longitudinal axis  36  runs the length of the body  14 , intersecting both the front wall  38  and the rear wall  40 . Collinear with the longitudinal axis  36 , a forward shaft  44  and rear shaft  46  are installed in the front wall  38  and the rear wall  40  such that each shaft extends along the longitudinal axis  36  outward from an interior volume of the of the console body  14 . The shafts  44  may be attached to their respective walls,  38  and  40 , by any conventional means, for example screws, nuts, rivets, flanges or pins. 
     When the rotating body  12  is installed within the open center  16  of the housing  12 , the shafts  44  and  46  are received by the first and second receiving portions  28  and  30  respectively. In the embodiment shown, the hole  48  is approximately centered in the surface of the first receiving portion  28  and is designed to accept the forward shaft  44  in a rotating manner, while at the same time preventing horizontal, vertical or axial movement. However, any other mechanism that can receive a shaft and allow it to rotate while preventing horizontal, vertical or axial movement may also be used. 
     Generally opposite the hole  48  a latch  50  is provided approximately centered in the second receiving portion  30 . Like the hole  48 , the latch  50  is designed to accept the rear shaft  44  in a rotating manner and to prevent axial movement. However, unlike the hole  48 , the latch  50  uses a movable retainer  52  to prevent horizontal or vertical movement. The retainer  52  is mechanically connected to an actuator  54  by a conventional connection. When the actuator  54  is triggered, it retracts the retainer  52 , thereby freeing the rear shaft  46  for movement in the vertical direction. Other embodiments may free the shaft  46  for movement in the horizontal direction or both the horizontal and vertical directions. In any case, this allows the rear end of the console body  14  to be lifted from the second receiving portion  30 , permitting the removal of the console body  14  from the housing  12 . 
     The above is but one example of the present invention, with other combinations of these elements being possible. For example, the shafts  44  and  46  may be incorporated onto the receiving portion&#39;s  28  and  30 , and the hole  48  and latch  50  would be included in the front and rear walls  38  and  40  of the console body  14 . 
     Turning to the actuator  54 , it may be any kind of mechanical or electromechanical actuator known in the art. One exemplary embodiment as shown in the  FIG. 3 , uses a simple mechanical push-button for the actuator  54 . In this arrangement, a movable button is mechanically attached to the retainer  52 . When the user pushes the button, the movement of the button is translated into movement of the retainer  52 , which releases at least one of the shaft&#39;s  44  or  46 . Another device may use a known mechanical lock and key arrangement. In this embodiment, the lock is attached to the retainer  52 . When a user inserts and turns a key in the lock, the retainer  52  is retracted. Finally, the actuator  54  may also be electrical. Upon activating a control, an electrical motor or other device opens the retainer  52 . It is important to note that these are just exemplary embodiments, and many additional mechanisms known in the art are capable of functioning as the actuator  54 . 
     Alternatively, another example may place the latch  50  within the console body  14  and mechanically attached it to at least one of the shaft&#39;s  44  and  46 . In this embodiment, both of the opposing ends  18  include a hole  48  for receiving their respective shafts  44  and  46 . Upon triggering the actuator  54 , the latch  50  would retract at least one of the shafts  44  and  46  into the interior volume of the console body  14 , permitting its removal. 
     Looking at the detent mechanism  34  of the present embodiment, at least one of the front or rear walls  38 ,  40  include at least one detent receiver  56 . It is oriented to align with the detent mechanism  34  in at least one orientation of the console body  14 . The detent mechanism  34  includes a protrusion  58 , mounted in a flexible manner such that the protrusion  58  extends beyond the outer surface of the second receiving portion  30  (see  FIG. 4 ). Thus, when the console body  14  is installed, the protrusion  58  will deflect into the second receiving portion  30 , but remain in contact with the rear wall  40 . Therefore, when the detent receiver  56  is rotated into alignment with the protrusion  58 , it will extend into the recess  56  and restrain the rotation of the console body  14 . The number of detent recesses  56  determines the number of positions into which the console body  14  may be rotated. For example, two recesses  56  will result in the body  14  having two restrained positions. 
     In this case, the detent mechanism  34  has the form of a flexible tab or a spring biased ball. Upon the application of axial pressure, the tab or ball will move beneath the surface of the second receiving portion  30 . When pressure is removed it returns to its original position. 
     This is but one example of the detent mechanism  34 . In other embodiments, the detent mechanism  34  may be located in the console body  14 , rather than the frame  20 . In such an embodiment, the protrusion  58  may extend beyond at least one of the front or rear walls  38 ,  40 . Consequently, at least one detent receiver  56  must be included opposite the detent mechanism  34  in the receiving portion  28 ,  30 . 
     Further examples may include a cam installed on one of the shafts  44 ,  46  that engages a spring loaded arm, wherein the profile of the cam determines the number of detent positions. Another example may include an electric motor mechanically coupled to either shaft  44 ,  46  to rotate the body  14 . A control system may then command the motor to stop and hold the body  14  at predetermined orientations based on user input. 
     Looking at the utility of the console body  14 , the side wall  42  may be provided with a number of features, such as cup holders  60  and coin holders  62 . In addition, storage bins  64 , both with and without covers, for holding gloves, cellular phones or even notebook computers are also possible. Finally, it may be provided with electrical power ports  66 . By, rotating the body to various detent positions, the user can access these features. This ability allows for the provision of more storage features than a conventional console. 
     In addition, the open center  16  also allows for the provision of specialty compartments  68  on the sides of the console body  14  that may be accessed by the user even when they are not in the top position. For example, a user may store sunglasses in a specialty compartment  68  on the side of the console body  14  while still being able to access cup holders  60  on the top of the console body  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). Later, the user may rotate the body  14  (see  FIG. 2 ), and move the specialty compartment  68  to the bottom and move features that were formally on top to the side. Hence, each side of the console body  14  may have compartments specially designed to be accessed by the user in only specific orientations of the body  14 . 
     Finally, the ability to remove the console body  14  from the housing  12  allows a manufacturer to provide console bodies  14  with multiple configurations. As indicated above, some rotating bodies  14  may have cup holders  60 , coin holders  62 , and a number of small bins  64 . However, when a user is attempting to store larger items, small storage bins are less useful. Therefore, a second console body  14  may be provided that omits the small storage bins and substitutes a large compartment  70  (see  FIG. 5 ) to store, for example, a notebook computer. This allows the user to customize the interior of their vehicle depending on the storage needs of a given day. 
     As a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the above description is meant as an illustration of implementation of the principles this invention. This description is not intended to limit the scope or application of this invention in that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change, without departing from spirit of this invention, as defined in the following claims.