Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a table that may be selectively stored in a portion of a vehicle console. An outer housing member having a storage cavity therein attaches to a side of the vehicle console. A support shaft supporting a table is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction from a storage position wherein the table is positioned in a vertical orientation in the cavity of the outer housing member. The support shaft is also rotatable 270 degrees from the storage position to move the table into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to table arrangements for rear vehicle passengers and more particularly, to a table arrangement that may be selectively stored in a central vehicle console when not in use. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Some high end luxury vehicles and limousines have trays or tables may be disposed in a rear console of a vehicle for use by passengers in the rear compartment of the vehicle so that those passengers may place a book table, cell phone, drinking glasses, or other light weight consumer infotainment or personal item on the tray or table. These configurations can be quite costly, as the rear console must be engineered with enough packaging space to accommodate a table or modifications must be made to the rear panel of the vehicle compartment. 
         [0003]    Other known arrangements include flip down trays/tables that may be mounted to front vehicle seatbacks. However, these arrangements can lead to discomfort to the front vehicle passengers, when these trays/tables are either initially released from a storage position on the seatback or when re-stowed to the seatback, due to force on the seatback. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for a cost-effective tray/table arrangement that may be easily stowed, as well as utilized by the rear passengers in a vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one exemplary arrangement, a selectively storable table assembly for a vehicle is provided that comprises a support shaft and a table. The support shaft has a table mounted thereon. The support shaft is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to a central vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction from a storage position with the table positioned in a vertical orientation. The support shaft is also rotatable to move the table into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage position. 
         [0006]    In another exemplary arrangement, a selectively storable table assembly for a vehicle comprises an outer housing member having a storage cavity therein. The outer housing member attaches to a side of a vehicle console. A support shaft supporting a table is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction from a storage position wherein the table is positioned in a vertical orientation in the cavity of the outer housing member. The support shaft is also rotatable 270 degrees from the storage position to move the table into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage position. 
         [0007]    In yet another exemplary arrangement, a vehicle console arrangement for a vehicle is disclosed wherein the vehicle console housing has a top cover attached thereto, the top cover having a cavity therein for selectively receiving a table assembly. The table assembly is mounted in the top cover. More specifically, a pair of support shaft supporting a table member is mounted within the cavity, with the support shaft being selectively slidable outwardly along a horizontal plane from the cavity in the top cover to move the table assembly from a storage position to a use position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first arrangement of a selectively stowable tray/table in a storage configuration; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the selectively stowable tray/table in a use position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a side elevational view of an end of a support shaft of the stowable tray/table; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the tray/table when in an initial use position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a top perspective view of the tray/table when in a full use position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table in an initial storage position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table when initially moved from a storage compartment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table when moved to the initial use position depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of the stowable tray/table when moved to the full use position depicted in  FIG. 2B ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a partial elevational view of an end of the support shaft with a stopper element for preventing full dislodgement of the support shaft from the storage compartment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a partial cross-sectional view of an end of a support shaft with a locking mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  is a partial elevational view of an end of the support shaft as the locking mechanism of  FIG. 4B  begins to exit an outer housing member; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4D  is a top plan view of an end of the support shaft as a guide member contacts a guide stop disposed within the outer housing member; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an environmental view of the stowable tray/table arrangement with the tray/table positioned in a vehicle in the storage configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an environmental view of the stowable tray/table arrangement with the tray/table positioned in a vehicle in the full use position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is perspective view of a second arrangement of a selectively stowable tray/table in a storage configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the selectively stowable tray/table of  FIG. 7A  in an initial use position, after it exits a storage cavity disposed in a vehicle console; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the selectively stowable tray/table of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  in the full use position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a top section of a vehicle console taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the selectively stowable tray/table of  FIG. 7B ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of a support shaft disposed within the top section of a vehicle console; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 10B  is a side elevational view of the top section of the vehicle console of  FIG. 10A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a storable tray/table unit  10  is shown mounted to a vehicle console  12 . Vehicle console  12  is positioned centrally within a vehicle. In one exemplary arrangement, vehicle console  12  is configured as a forward central console that is disposed between two front vehicle seats, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0032]    Storable tray/table unit  10  comprises an outer housing member  14  that has an elongated cavity  16  therein, a support shaft  18 , and a table member  20 . The support shaft  18  is mounted within the cavity  16 . The table member  20  is secured to the support shaft  18 . 
         [0033]    The support shaft  18  is mounted on a sliding track that is positioned within a side wall of the cavity  16 . The cavity  16  is open at the end  22  of the vehicle console  12 . As will be described in further detail below, the support shaft  18  is mounted to be slidable, outwardly from the opening to the cavity  16  at the end  22  of the vehicle console  12 . In one exemplary arrangement, a rearward end of the support shaft  18  may be provided with a guide member (not shown) that is received within the sliding track to facilitate controlled movement of the table member  20  during sliding. In addition, as will also be explained below, the support shaft  18  is configured to be rotatable within the cavity  16  to move the table member  20  to a use position, as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , details of the table member  20  are shown. Table member  20  includes first and second sections  24   a  and  24   b . First and second sections  24   a  and  24   b  are pivotally connected to one another and secured to the support shaft  18  by hinge members  26 . Hinge members  26  each include a sleeve channel  28  into which the support shaft  18  is mounted. To provide support weight placed on the table member  20 , when position in a use position, as shown in  FIG. 1B , each section of the table member  20  may further include a support shaft  30  extending transverse to a hinge axis HA about which the first and second sections  24   a  and  24   b  are positioned. The support shaft  18  may be designed to provide support for a targeted weight that the table member  20  would be expected to reliably bear during a normal expected customer use cycle. 
         [0035]    To facilitate removal of the table member  20  from the cavity  16 , a forward end  32  may be configured with a finger grip, such as a hook or knob that will extend outwardly from the cavity  16  when the table member  20  is in a stored position, as shown in  FIG. 1A . The finger grip will allow for easy removal of the table member  20  from the cavity  16 . An example of a finger grip  34  is shown in  FIG. 1C . However, it is understood that the finger grip make take on different configurations. 
         [0036]    Operation of the support tray/table unit  10  will now be explained in connection with  FIGS. 3A-3D .  FIG. 3A  depicts the stored position of the table member  20 . In this configuration, the support shaft  18  is seated within the cavity  16 . If provided, the finger grip  34  will extend out of the cavity  16  for easy access by a rear passenger in a vehicle. The table member  20  is arranged to hang vertically from the support shaft  18  within the cavity  16 . This configuration allows for easy storage of the table member  20 , but without causing significant packaging concerns, conveniently utilizing the space between the vehicle console  12  and a forward vehicle seat. 
         [0037]    Next, referring to  FIG. 3B , the table member  20  is slid outwardly from the front end  22  of the vehicle console  12 , until the table member  20  has fully exited the cavity  16 . In one exemplary arrangement, a rear end of the support shaft  18  may be provided with a stopper member  36 , such as an annular flange (shown in  FIG. 4A ) that bears against an inside surface of the outer housing  14  at the opening of the cavity to prevent the support shaft  18  from being fully extracted from the cavity  16 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a locking mechanism  38  that may be used with support shaft  18 . In one exemplary arrangement, locking mechanism  38  includes a post member  40  that supports a spring  42  thereon. Locking elements  44  are positioned on either side of the spring  42 . The locking mechanism  38  is disposed within a channel  46 . Locking mechanism  38  may be used in addition to the stopper  36 . More specifically, in operation, as the support shaft  18 , carrying the table member  20  is moved outwardly from the cavity  16 , the locking elements  44  will be forced into the channel  46 , against the biasing force of the spring  42  as the locking mechanism  38  passes through the wall of the outer housing member  14 . In one exemplary arrangement, the interior wall of the outer housing member  14  may include tapered directing grooves  48  (as shown in  FIG. 4C ) to guide the locking elements  44  into the channel  46 . Once the locking mechanism  38  exits the outer housing member  14 , the biasing force of the spring  42  will force the locking elements  44  to extend out of the channel  46  to lock the table member  20  against unintentional reintroduction into the cavity  16 . The stopper  36  will prevent support shaft  18  from fully exiting the cavity  16 . It is understood that a second locking mechanism  38  may be provided instead of the stopper  36 . 
         [0039]    Once the support shaft  18  has fully exited from the cavity  16 , next the support shaft  18  is rotated 270° to an intermediate use position, as shown in  FIG. 3C . In this position, a portion of the table member  20  is positioned to be generally horizontal. In one exemplary configuration, this position is accomplished by a user holding the table member  20  generally horizontal. Alternatively, an end of the support shaft  18  may be provided with a guide member  50  that comes to rest on a guide stop  52  that is disposed within the outer housing member  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4D  to hold the table member  20  in the intermediate use position. When the table member  20  is in the intermediate use position, the first section  24   a  is overlaid onto the second section  24   b.    
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3D , the table member  20  is next moved into the full use position by lifting the first section  24   a  and rotating the first section  24   a    180 ° in a direction opposite that the support shaft  18  was rotated to the intermediate use position shown in  FIG. 3C . The hinge members  26  serve to hold the table member  20  in the full use position. As discussed above, the first and second sections  24   a ,  24   b  further include support members  30  that generally extend horizontally when the table member  20  is in the full use position that provide additional support for the table member  20 . Alternatively, or additionally, the first section  24   a  may further include a secondary support member  54  that is pivotally attached to an edge of the first section  24   a . The end of the secondary support member  54  may be disposed within a support opening  56  formed through the vehicle console  12 , shown in  FIG. 3C . While the table member  20  is shown as having first and second sections  24   a ,  24   b  with a semi-circular shape when in the full use position, it is understood that the other shapes of the table member  20  are contemplated. Further, while the table member  20  is shown as being disposed on right side of the vehicle console  12 , it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. 
         [0041]    When the table member  20  is positioned in its full use position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), the table member  20  may be used by the occupants in the rear passenger compartment of a vehicle, as shown in  FIG. 6 . While table member  20  is shown as having two generally planar sections  24   a ,  24   b , alternatively, first and second sections  24   a ,  24   b  may be provided with depressions or holes to serve as cup holders. 
         [0042]    When it is desired to re-stow the table member  20 , the secondary support member  54  (if provided) is detached from the support opening  56  and the first section  24   a  is rotated 180° back onto the second section  24   b . Once the first and second sections  24   a ,  24   b  are brought together, the table member is rotated in the opposite direction 270° to the position shown in  FIG. 3B . Next, the locking mechanism  38  is compressed by the user to allow the support shaft  18  to be slid back into the cavity  16  of the outer housing until it is seated therein, as shown in  FIGS. 3A  and  FIG. 5 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7B  is an alternative storable tray/table unit  100  mounted to a vehicle console  12  that is centrally positioned within a vehicle. In the exemplary arrangement, vehicle console  12  is configured as a forward central console disposed between two front vehicle seats. However, the tray/table unit  100  may also be incorporated into a central rear vehicle console (not shown). 
         [0044]    Storable tray/table unit  100  is disposed within a top cover  114  of the vehicle console  12 . A narrow slot  116  is formed through an end face  118  of the top cover  114 . The narrow slot  116  opens into a cavity  120  formed in the top cover  114 , as shown in  FIG. 8  (additional components that are disposed within the cavity are removed for ease of explanation). The slot  116  and cavity  120  are sized to accommodate a folded table member  122 , as will be explained below. 
         [0045]    Storable tray/table unit  100  comprises a pair of support shafts  124 , arranged spaced apart and parallel to one another, and the table member  122 . The support shafts  124  are mounted within the cavity  120 , and more specifically on a sliding track that is positioned within a side wall of the cavity  120 . The table member  20  is secured to the support shafts  124 . 
         [0046]    As will be described in further detail below, the support shafts  124  are mounted to be slidable, outwardly from the slot  116  from the end face  118  of the top cover  114  of the vehicle console  12 . In one exemplary arrangement, a rearward end of each of the support shafts  124  may be provided with a guide member (not shown) that is received within the sliding track to facilitate controlled movement of the table member  122  during sliding. Unlike the tray/table unit  10 , the support shafts  124  are not configured to be rotatable within the cavity  120 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 7B , the table member  122  is shown as it exits the slot  116 , in a preliminary use position. Table member  122  includes a center section  126   a , and two side sections  126   b ,  126   c . The side sections  126   b  and  126   c  are pivotally connected to an edge of the center section  126   a  and secured to one of the support shafts  124  by hinge members  128  (best seen in  FIG. 7B ). Hinge members  128  each include a sleeve channel into which a support shaft  124  is mounted, as may be seen in  FIG. 9 . Support shaft  124  may further include locking mechanisms on the ends of the support shaft similar to locking mechanisms  38  depicted in  FIG. 4B , as well as stopper members similar to stopper member  36  depicted in  FIG. 4A . Locking mechanisms  38  serve to maintain the table member  122  in an initial use position by providing resistance to the table member  122  unintentionally entering back into the cavity  120 . Stopper member  36  serves to prevent the support shafts  124  from fully exiting the cavity  120 , thereby accidently dislodging the table member  122  from the vehicle console  12 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , when the table member  122  is in the preliminary use position, the two side sections  126   b ,  126   c  are folded toward one another and overlaid onto the center section  126   a . To facilitate extraction of the table member  122  from the slot  116 , each of the two side sections  126   b ,  126   c  may be provided with a finger grip, such as a hook or knob that will extend outwardly from the cavity  120  when the table member  122  is in a stored position, as shown in  FIG. 7A . The finger grip will allow for easy removal of the table member  122  from the cavity  120 . An example of a finger grip  132  is shown in  FIG. 9 . However, it is understood that the finger grip make take on different configurations. As a further alternative arrangement, the top edge of the tabled member (when in a stored position) may include an integral lip that extends out from the slot  116  when the table member  122  is in a stored position. 
         [0049]    The storable tray/table unit  100  further includes support members  134  that are pivotally mounted to an edge of the center section  126   a . When the table member  122  is in the stored position, the support member  134  are pivoted toward one another to underlie the center section  126   a , as shown in  FIG. 9 . However, the support members  134  may also be pivoted outward and turned downwardly so that an end of the support member  134  may each be received within a support slot  136 , as will be explained below. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7C , use of the storable tray/table unit  100  will now be described. When in the stored position, the table member  122  is generally fully disposed within the cavity  120  in the top cover  114  of a vehicle console  12 . More specifically, either a finger grip, such as finger grip  132 , a lip (not shown), or an edge of the table member  122  is accessible at the slot  116  to allow a user to extract the table member  122  from the cavity  120  and move it into the initial use position (shown in  FIG. 7B ). 
         [0051]    As a further alternative extraction arrangement, one of the support shafts  124  may include an integral lever member  140 , as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The top cover  114  may be provided with an open track  142  through which the lever member  140  extends. When the table member  122  is in the stored position, the lever member  140  is in a rearward position, as shown in  FIG. 10B . To move the table to the initial use position, the lever member  140  may be grasped by a user and moved to a forward position, indicated by the phantom lever in  FIG. 10B . With this configuration, the lever member  140  may replace the stopper  36 , as the lever member  140  will prevent the support shafts  124  from exiting the cavity. 
         [0052]    Once the table member  122  is extracted from the cavity, the locking mechanism  38  described above in connection with  FIG. 4B  may be deployed to temporarily lock the table member  122  out of the cavity. As the table member  122  is stored in a horizontal position, there is no need to rotate the table member  122  into an initial use position. 
         [0053]    Next, the side sections  126   b  and  126   c  are rotated away from one another, 180°, as well as away from the center section  126   a , as indicated by arrows A and B in  FIG. 7C . In this manner, the side sections  126   b ,  126   c  are unfolded from the initial use position to the full use position shown in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0054]    Hinge members  128  may be configured to provide some support for the side sections  126   b  and  126   c  when moved into the full use position. Alternatively, or in addition, support members  134  may be used. Support members  134  are folded underneath the center section  126   a  when in the initial use and stored positions with their respect free ends facing one another, as demonstrated in  FIG. 9 . The opposite ends are pivotally attached to the support shafts  124 . The free ends  135  of the support members  134  are then pivoted to place the free ends  135  into support slots  136 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . To account for height adjustment, the support members  134  may be telescoping members and have a locking collet (not shown). 
         [0055]    To return the table member  122  to its stored position, the support members  134  are pivoted back toward one another with the free ends facing one another under the center section. Next, the side sections  126   b  and  126   c  are rotated clockwise  180 ° to overlay the center section, thereby placing the table member  122  back into the initial use position shown in  FIG. 7B . The table member  122  is then slid back into the cavity  120  by sliding the support shafts  124  back into the cavity through the slot  116 . 
         [0056]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.