Patent Publication Number: US-2023132712-A1

Title: Console table

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/273,682 filed on Oct. 29, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the art of vehicle interiors. 
     Some higher end vehicles have built in tables that fold out of the center console for the second or third row occupants. The method of storing the table inside the console reduces the storage space available for the occupants use. Having the tables inside the bin can also trap items inside, or the tables themselves can be blocked from removal until other items in the bin are removed, creating frustration for the user. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed is a console table for a vehicle interior, including: a pair of deployable tables each pivotally mounted to an exterior of a housing of the console table, the pair of deployable tables being capable of moving from a stowed position wherein the pair of deployable tables are adjacent to the exterior of the housing of the console table to a deployed position wherein the pair of deployable tables are deployed for use. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the pair of deployable tables have one portion pivotally or rotationally mounted to the housing in order to allow for movement in a first direction and a direction opposite to the first direction and another portion that allows for the movement in a second direction and a direction opposite to the second direction. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the pair of deployable tables have a foam cushioning or decorative surface that comprises a portion of the exterior of the console table when the pair of deployable tables are in the stowed position. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the decorative surface of the pair of deployable tables matches a decorative surface of a top door of the console table. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the top door provides access to an interior compartment of the housing of the console table. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the pair of deployable tables have a foam cushioning that comprises a portion of the exterior of the console table when the pair of deployable tables are in the stowed position and wherein the foam cushioning faces downwardly when the pair of deployable tables are in the deployed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a console table showing of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the console table of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view of the console table of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a right side view of the console table of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a left side view of the console table of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the console table of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom view of the console table of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a first orientation; 
         FIG.  9    is a rear view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in the first orientation; 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a second orientation; 
         FIG.  11    is a front view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in the second orientation; 
         FIG.  12    is a bottom view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in the second orientation; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle in the first orientation; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle in the second orientation; and 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle in a third orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
     The present disclosure moves the deployable table to the outside of the console, where it is then integrated into the side of the console. This gives the occupant the function of the table while maximizing the internal usable space of the console. Moving the table to the outside of the console increases the ease of use by allowing the user to visual see the table as it goes thru its deploying and stowing motions, and because items within the console do not need to be removed prior, creating a more enjoyable function. No more lost items bouncing around the tables in the bin. Having the table being external to the console also helps create an aesthetically pleasing feature for vehicle presentation and showcase the vehicle as it has a table for use without the dealer needing to specifically show it. This also opens up the possibilities for designer to add more styling features, touch surfaces, and bezel accessories on the side panel that doesn&#39;t usually get a lot of visual impact. The wrapped feature side on the console also becomes the bottom of the table so foam buns for soft touch can then be against the occupants legs, increasing the quality and feel of the table assembly. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a console table  10  according to the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is a front view of the console table of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  3    is a rear view of the console table of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  4    is a right side view of the console table of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  5    is a left side view of the console table of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  6    is a top view of the console table of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  7    is a bottom view of the console table of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  8    is a side view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a first orientation.  FIG.  9    is a rear view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in the first orientation.  FIG.  10    is a top view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a second orientation.  FIG.  11    is a front view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in the second orientation.  FIG.  12    is a bottom view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in the second orientation.  FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle.  FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle in the first orientation.  FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle in the second orientation.  FIG.  16    is a perspective view of the console table of  FIG.  1    in a vehicle in a third orientation. 
     As illustrated in the attached FIGS. the console table  10  has a pair of deployable tables  12  each pivotally mounted to an exterior  14  of the console table  10 . The pair of deployable tables  12  are capable of moving from a stowed position illustrated in at least  FIGS.  1 - 7  and  13   , where the pair of deployable tables  12  are adjacent to the exterior  14  of the console table  10  to a deployed position (see at least  FIGS.  10 ,  12 ,  15  and  16   ) wherein the pair of deployable tables  12  are deployed for use by occupants sitting in seats  16  of a vehicle interior. 
     In order to deploy the pair of deployable tables  12  they are first rotated upwardly in the direction of arrow  18  to the position illustrated in at least  FIGS.  8 ,  9  and  14    and then they are pivoted downwardly in the direction of arrows  20  to the position illustrated in at least  FIGS.  10 ,  12 ,  15  and  16   . Thereafter and in order to return the pair of deployable tables  12  to the stowed position an opposite movement is applied. The pair of deployable tables  12  are mounted to the exterior  14  of a housing  22  of the console table  10 . In order to facilitate this movement, the pair of deployable tables  12  have one portion  21  pivotally or rotationally mounted to the housing  22  in order to allow for movement in the direction of arrow  18  and a direction opposite to arrow  18  and another portion  23  (e.g., a hinge or equivalent device) that allows for the movement in the direction of arrows  20  and a direction opposite to arrows  20 . 
     As mentioned above and since the pair of deployable tables  12  are mounted to the exterior  14  of a housing  22  of the console table  10 , the pair of deployable tables  12  can have a foam cushioning or decorative surface  24  that comprises a portion of the exterior of the console table  10  when the pair of deployable tables  12  are in the stowed position. 
     In one embodiment the decorative surface  24  of the pair of deployable tables  12  matches a decorative surface  26  of a top door  28  of the console table  10 . The top door  28  provides access to an interior compartment  30  of the housing  22  of the console table  10  as illustrated in at least  FIG.  16   . 
     The decorative surface  24  may comprise a foam cushioning that when in the deployed position will be facing the legs of an occupant sitting in the seats  16 . 
     As mentioned above and by mounting the pair of deployable tables  12  to the exterior  14  of the housing  22  of the console table  10  the compartment  30  is not blocked or filled with the pair of deployable tables  12 . 
     The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, 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 present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.