Abstract:
A center console storage system for a vehicle includes an enclosure defining a storage space that is easily reconfigured using one or more webs. Each web includes a plurality of fasteners that are easily attached to, and detached from, a plurality of receptacles that are provided by the enclosure. As a result the web configuration may be easily changed to secure different sized items without compromising the usefulness of the remaining storage area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention applies to vehicle components and more specifically to center console storage components.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Storage space within modern vehicles is at a premium. One area within vehicles which has become more utilized is the center console, typically located between two front bucket seats. The size of the center console varies based on the size of the vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment. Thus, some center consoles are designed large enough to store a number of items. Existing center consoles typically define a single open space. Alternatively, an open space is combined with a smaller compartment for the storage of coins or other small items. Unfortunately, items placed within the open space have a tendency to move around and get jostled during operation of the vehicle.  
         [0005]     An additional drawback to existing center consoles including a single open space or multiple spaces separated by static dividers is the loss of use of remaining space within the console. In the case of a single open space, because multiple items must be stacked, it becomes difficult to reach the lowest item. As a result, multiple items are not conveniently stored within the single open space. In the case of a static multi-space configuration, the static barrier is rigid and may be located at an undesirable position. It may have been possible to store another item within the area defined by the remainder of the open space and that of the smaller space, but for the static divider. If the static divider is removable, there is often no place for it to be stored. Therefore, incorporation of a removable divider does not alleviate the center console storage problem, but rather creates further problems and inconveniences for the user.  
         [0006]     Therefore, there exists, among other things, a need in the art for an improved center console wherein objects stored within the center console are gently held in place to avoid shifting or rattling during travel. Moreover, there exists a need in the art for a center console wherein the storage space may be easily reconfigured to accommodate varying sized articles. Additionally, the means used to hold objects in place preferably would not detract from the utilization of the remainder of the storage space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a center console assembly that defines storage space that is easily reconfigured. Moreover, the present invention provides a center console assembly wherein objects are gently held in place and wherein objects stored at a bottom of the console storage space are visible despite a separator being disposed there above.  
         [0008]     In accordance with the present invention, the center console assembly includes an enclosure, which defines the storage space, and a flexible web. The web is able to hold objects in place so they do not shift during travel and enables full utilization of the storage space. The web is easily attached to and detached from the enclosure and can be attached to the enclosure in a number of different configurations. As a result, different sized items may be stored on or below the web, thereby without a loss of the remaining storage space.  
         [0009]     The enclosure includes a front wall, a rear wall, first and second spaced side walls, a bottom wall and a lid. Each of the first and second side walls include a plurality of receptacles. Attachment of the web to the enclosure is achieved using a set of fasteners upon the web that fit into the receptacles upon the enclosure. The number of receptacles exceeds the number of fasteners and allows for different configurations of the web. The web may be in the form of a net.  
         [0010]     These and other aspects of the invention are herein described in particularized detail with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a center console assembly of the present invention showing a web in generally horizontal configuration;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a portion of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, showing the center console assembly with a lid in an open position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of a side wall of the enclosure showing the web in a generally vertical configuration;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is an exploded perspective view of a fastener and receptacle of the center console assembly;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the fastener being inserted into the receptacle;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the fastener resting upon a seat within the receptacle;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4D  is a cross sectional view of the fastener and receptacle as seen along line  4 D- 4 D of  FIG. 4C ; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the center console assembly of the present invention showing the web in a partially vertical and partially horizontal configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Referring to the drawings, a center console assembly  10  according to the present invention is illustrated. The center console assembly  10  is used to secure items that vehicle occupants wish to access easily for storage in a preferred orientation. Such items include, but are not limited to, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), a notebook computer, gloves, an ice scraper, MP3 player, beverage containers, a personal computer case, or takeout food. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the center console assembly  10  is preferably located between two bucket seats  32  of a vehicle  16 . Alternatively, the center console assembly  10  may be located between seats in the rear of the vehicle  16 . The center console assembly  10  includes an enclosure  12 , which defines a storage area, and a web  14 , which segregates or divides the storage area within the enclosure  12  into a plurality of storage spaces.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the enclosure  12  of the center console assembly  10  has a generally rectangular shape and includes a front wall  18 , a rear wall  20 , first and second spaced side walls  22  and  24 , a base wall  26  and a lid  28 . The side walls  22  and  24  define a plurality of receptacles or mounting openings  30  that are adapted to releasably secure the web  14  to the enclosure  12 . The lid  28  is pivotally secured to the rear wall  20  and is movable between an open and closed position. Alternatively, the enclosure  12  may have a shape which is not rectangular, but instead another shape such as ovoid.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the size of the enclosure  12  is defined by the constraints of the vehicle  16 . The width dimension of the enclosure  12  extends between the two adjacent seats  32  in the vehicle  16 . The height dimensions of the enclosure  12  extends between the vehicle floor and the position where the vehicle occupant&#39;s elbow is located when the occupant is seated in the vehicle  16 . The length dimension of the enclosure  12  extends between the vehicle&#39;s instrument panel and, conventionally, the rear surface of the front seats  32  of the vehicle  16 .  
         [0022]     The enclosure  12  defines the exterior of the center console assembly  10  as well as the storage area within. The enclosure  12  can be manufactured in a number of different ways. In one embodiment, the enclosure  12  has a laminate form and includes an exterior shell and a removable insert that fits within the shell. The shell could be formed from a material having a color and texture that is consistent with the remainder of the vehicle interior, while the removable insert could be made from a polymer, typically smooth, and is different from the material of the exterior shell. Alternatively, the enclosure  12  may be formed by an overmolding process where the insert structure is permanently molded inside of an exterior shell. Also, the enclosure  12  may not include an insert per se, but instead reinforcing members molded into the sides of the exterior shell. Further center console or enclosure structures are known within the art and may be used interchangeably with the present invention. In the following, the interior surface of the exterior shell defines the storage area of the enclosure  12 .  
         [0023]     The lid  28  acts as a support for the elbow for the vehicle&#39;s occupant, and may include a cushion  40  as its uppermost surface to provide comfort. The base wall  26  is integrally formed with the front wall  18 , rear wall  20 , and side walls  22  and  24 , and provides a level surface at the bottom of the enclosure  12 . The side walls  22  and  24  may include pockets (not shown) on their exterior surfaces to hold materials (maps, books, etc.).  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , receptacles  30  are preferably integrally formed in the interior surfaces of the side walls  22  and  24  of the enclosure  12 . The receptacles  30  releaseably receive fasteners  42  provided by the web  14  so as to permit the web  14  to be easily affixed to, and detached from, the side wall  22  and  24 . As described in more detail below, the receptacles  30  are arranged in a pattern or array in the side walls  22  and  24 .  
         [0025]     Referring to FIGS.  4 A-C, each receptacle  30  includes a keyhole shaped passage  44  and a raised seat  48 . The keyhole shaped passage  44  includes a generally circular aperture  44   a  and a slot  44   b . The circular aperture  44   a  is adjacent the seat  48  and the slot  44   b  is formed in the seat  48  so that the keyhole shaped passage  44  is continuous. The seat  48  is generally circular in shape, and is raised or inset from the side wall  22  such that a generally circular space or gap is formed therebehind. The slot  44   b , which is formed in the seat  48 , permits a fastener received within the receptacle  30  (i.e. behind the seat  48 ) to extend through the seat  48  toward the interior storage area of the enclosure  12 .  
         [0026]     Although in the present embodiment the receptacles  30  are integrally formed with side walls  22  and  24 , it is contemplated that the receptacles  30  may be formed in separate receptacle members and affixed to the side walls  22  and  24  using adhesive bonding techniques or mechanical fasteners. Alternatively, the receptacles  30  for each side wall  22 ,  24  may be provided by a separate plate that is affixed to the side wall  22 ,  24  using mechanical fasteners or adhesive bonding techniques. According to this alternative embodiment, a first plate including a plurality of receptacles  30  would be secured to the first side wall  22  while a second plate including a plurality of receptacles  30  would be secured to the second side wall  24 . It is further contemplated that individual rows of receptacles could be provided by a separate plate strip that is attached to the associated side wall  22 ,  24  using mechanical fasteners or adhesive bonding techniques. According to this further embodiment, a plurality of plate strips, each including a plurality of receptacles  30 , would be attached to each side wall  22 ,  24 . In alternate embodiments of the invention receptacles  30  may additionally or alternatively be added to the front wall  18  or rear wall  20  of the enclosure. Such additional receptacles  30  may be integrally formed with the front or rear walls  18 ,  20 , or may be provided as separate members, as part of separate plates, or as part of separate plate strips that are subsequently affixed to the front or rear walls, as noted hereinbefore.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in order to provide a superior degree of variability in positioning the web or webs  14  within the storage area defined by the enclosure  12 , the number of receptacles  30  within the enclosure  12  exceeds the number of fasteners  42  upon the web  14 . The receptacles  30  are shown configured and oriented in a particular manner, although other configurations and orientations may be used. In the following, the receptacles  30  that are oriented with the generally circular aperture  44   a  at the uppermost portion of the receptacle are identified as “upwardly oriented receptacle  30   a ”, the receptacles  30  that are oriented with the generally circular aperture  44   a  at the lowermost portion of the receptacle are identified as “downwardly oriented receptacle  30   b ”, and the receptacles  30  oriented such that generally circular aperture  44   a  facing toward an adjacent edge of the sidewall  22 ,  24  are identified as “laterally oriented receptacle  30   c”.    
         [0028]     In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the receptacles  30  are configured in three rows of three receptacles  30  each upon each side wall  22  and  24  of the enclosure  12 . Additionally, the orientation of the receptacles  30  upon each side wall  22  and  24  is not uniform. The lowermost row includes three downwardly oriented receptacles  30   b ; the uppermost row includes three upwardly oriented receptacles  30   a ; and the intermediate row includes a first laterally oriented receptacle  30   c  adjacent a first edge of a side wall  22  of the enclosure, a second laterally oriented receptacle  30   c  adjacent an opposite edge of the side wall  22  of the enclosure, and an upwardly oriented receptacle  30   a  intermediate the first and second laterally oriented receptacles  30   c.    
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a web  14  that serves to segregate the storage area within the enclosure  12 . The web  14  includes a flexible member  52  and a series of fasteners  42 . The flexible member  52  is a net that is generally rectangular in shape. The net has a suitable mesh sized so as to permit a user to see objects stored within the enclosure  12  beneath the net.  
         [0030]     The fasteners  42  permit the flexible member  52  or net to be detachably affixed to the enclosure  12 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 A- 4 D a fastener  42  is shown as a toggle having a stem portion  54  and a head portion  56 . The head portion  56 , which is formed at a first end of the fastener  42 , is generally circular and defines an axis. The stem portion  54 , which is elongated and generally cylindrical, is integrally formed with the head portion  56 . The stem portion  54  defines an axis that is coaxial with the head portion axis. The stem portion  54  defines a net-receiving aperture, which extends transverse to the stem portion axis at the second end of the fastener  42 . A portion of the flexible member  52  of the web  14  extends through the aperture in the stem portion  54  as illustrated.  
         [0031]     The diameter of the head portion  56  is selected such that the head portion  56  can be inserted into the circular aperture  44   a  at the first end of the receptacle  30  ( FIG. 4B ) and slidably received behind the receptacle seat  48  ( FIG. 4C ). The stem portion  54  is elongated and has a diameter such that the stem portion  54  is slidably received by, and extends through, the slot  44   b  formed in the receptacle seat  48 . As will be appreciated, the seat  48  restricts withdrawal of the fastener  42  absent pushing and sliding the head portion  56  back into the circular aperture  44   a  defined by the receptacle  30 .  
         [0032]     In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , six fasteners  42  are affixed to the web  14 , one at each corner and one at the mid section of each longest side. Naturally, more or less than six fasteners  42  may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, additional fasteners  42  provided on the short sides of the web  14  could be attached to receptacles provided by the front wall  18  and rear wall  20  of the enclosure.  
         [0033]     Although in the illustrated embodiment only one web  14  is used, it is possible to use multiple webs  14  concurrently. In a net form the web  14  may be formed by a number of elastic members which allows the net  14  to close around items being secured within the storage area. In alternate embodiments of the invention the web  14  may be made from a continuous sheet of flexible, transparent material. It is further contemplated that the web may be formed from a disposable or machine washable material. The web  14  is easily removable for cleaning.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the web  14  is sized to allow for attachment between adjacent rows of receptacles  30  on a single side wall  22  or  24  as well as attachment between rows of receptacles on both side walls  22  and  24  using the same web  14 . The web  14  may be configured in a number of different ways depending upon the objects being secured within the storage area. Vertical configurations are efficient for securing tall narrow items such as notebooks or computers. Unlike rigid dividers which may be used in a console, the web  14  does not subdivide the remaining storage area after a first item is secured in place. Thus, the remaining storage area may be used to its maximum efficiency.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , different storage zones A, B, C, D (letter in phantom) are shown that may be created by different configurations of the web  14  within the storage area. Zones A (illustrated) or C are created by attachment of fasteners  42  on the web  14  to receptacles  30  in the uppermost and intermediate rows of receptacles  30  on one side wall  22  and the opposite side wall  24 . Zones B or D are created similarly, but via attachment to receptacles  30  in the lowermost and intermediate rows. Zones A/B and C/D are created by attachment to centrally located receptacles in all rows on both side walls  22  and  24  and Zones A/C and B/D ( FIG. 1 ) are created by attachment to all receptacles in intermediate rows on both side walls  22  and  24 . Note, by creating any of the aforementioned zones, access to the remaining space is not limited. Additional zones may be created, as exemplified in  FIG. 3 , by affixing fasteners  42  to receptacles  30  on only one of the side walls  22  or  24 .  
         [0036]     Loading the center console assembly  10  of the present invention may be performed in a number of ways. The web  14  of the center console assembly  10  may be placed in a preferred position prior to placing any items within the storage space defined by the enclosure  12 . Alternatively, the web  14  may be put in place after the objects have been inserted into the storage area. Alternatively, some of the fasteners  42  on the web may be within receptacles  30  as objects are inserted into the storage area. Then when loading is complete, the remainder of the fasteners  42  are placed into receptacles  30  to secure the web completely.  
         [0037]     The center console assembly  10  of the present invention offers several advantages over the state of the art. First, the center console assembly  10  may be used to secure items for storage in a preferred orientation and in such a way that prevents undue shifting of the items. Allowable variations in item orientation and segregation of the storage area provide for multiple spaces, each being easily accessible. Additionally, because the enclosure  12  defines the storage area as well as the exterior of the center console, the amount of usable storage space within the center console is maximized. Reconfiguration of the storage area is easy, requiring only detachment of some or all of the fasteners  42  on the web  14  and reaffixing them into different receptacles.  
         [0038]     Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred and alternate embodiments, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Minor variations and insubstantial differences in the various combinations of materials and methods of application may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art while remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed and equivalents.