Patent Abstract:
A storage assembly is usable with a vehicle seat assembly having a seat frame and a seat bottom. The storage assembly includes an upper ring configured for attachment to the seat frame. The upper ring facilitates travel through the opening of the seat frame, and defines a hollow interior with open upper and lower ends. A lower receptacle having an upper opening is configured for attachment to the upper ring, such that the upper opening is contiguous with the hollow interior of the upper ring. The lower receptacle includes an interior storage space that is defined by sides and a bottom, the lower receptacle being larger in size than the upper ring such that the lower receptacle is impeded from travel through the opening of the seat frame. The lower receptacle is configured to be insertable into the open space of the vehicle upon removal of the vehicle body panel.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The disclosed subject matter is directed to a vehicle storage container, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter is directed to methods and apparatus for enhancing storage capacities in vehicles, and facilitating insertion and/or assembly of storage containers within vehicles. 
         [0002]    Spaces can be provided in an interior compartment of a vehicle for the purpose of storing or otherwise housing various articles, such as money (including change), writing instruments, documents, cleaning supplies, glasses, gum, etc. Some related art storage spaces include compartments that provide the ability to shield or otherwise enclose stored articles, while also allowing vehicular passengers access or limited access to the stored articles. Shielding or otherwise enclosing articles may be beneficial for various reasons, such as to control the location of the stored articles, which would otherwise be subject to movement within the interior of the vehicle based on the vehicle&#39;s motion. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Some types of vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), provide limited accessories within the vehicle compartment, and thus it may be beneficial to integrate storage areas with various structures in the vehicular passenger compartment that are usable for other purposes. For example, these storage areas can be integrated with one or more of the vehicle seats. 
         [0004]    In some of these cases, an open area can be defined by the vehicle body or vehicle frame beneath the vehicle seat, and a bottom of the vehicle seat that supports a vehicle passenger can be moved or removed to expose the open area. A storage container can be disposed within the open area, and this storage container can define an open upper end so that articles stored therein can be accessed by moving or removing the seat bottom. In some of these embodiments, the seat bottom is completely removable from the vehicle body or frame such as by lifting it in an upwardly direction, while in other embodiments a portion of the seat bottom remains attached to the vehicle body or frame and is movable such as via rotation. 
         [0005]    In some such structures, the seat bottom is attached to the vehicle body or frame by a seat frame, and this seat frame defines a hole. Thus, once the seat bottom is moved or removed, access to the open end of the storage container is provided via the hole of the seat frame. However, this structure may be subject to the disadvantage that only storage containers that are sufficiently small in size to fit through the hole in the seat frame can be inserted into the open area defined by the vehicle body or frame. In other words, the only storage containers that can be used must be small enough to fit through the hole in the seat frame, which limits the volume of storage space available. 
         [0006]    It may therefore be beneficial to provide methods and apparatus that increase the volume of storage space available under the passenger seats, and/or facilitate the insertion or removal of storage containers disposed under the passenger seats. For example, it may be beneficial to provide a storage container that includes an upper ring that is small enough to be insertable through the hole defined in the seat frame and is attachable to the seat frame. A lower receptacle that is larger than the upper ring can be connected to the upper ring. Prior to this connection, the lower receptacle can be inserted laterally into the open space of the vehicle body or frame upon removal of a vehicle body panel. This structure enables the use of a lower receptacle that is relatively large in size and that thereby increases the volume of storage space available beneath the vehicle seat. 
         [0007]    Some embodiments are therefore directed to a storage assembly for use with a vehicle seat assembly that includes a seat frame and a seat bottom configured to support a vehicle passenger. The seat frame can define an opening that is contiguous with an open space defined in part by a removable vehicle body panel. The seat bottom can be movable to expose the opening of the seat frame. The storage assembly can include an upper ring that is configured for attachment to the seat frame. The upper ring can be structured to facilitate travel through the opening of the seat frame, and can define a hollow interior with open upper and lower ends. A lower receptacle can have an upper opening and configured for attachment to the upper ring such that the upper opening is contiguous with the hollow interior of the upper ring. The lower receptacle can define an interior storage space that is defined by sides and a bottom, the lower receptacle being larger in size than the upper ring such that the lower receptacle is impeded from travel through the opening of the seat frame. The lower receptacle can be configured to be insertable into the open space of the vehicle upon removal of the vehicle body panel. 
         [0008]    Some other embodiments are directed to a seat and storage assembly for use with a vehicle having an open space that is defined in part by a removable vehicle body panel. The vehicle can be configured to transport a vehicle passenger. The seat and storage assembly can include a vehicle seat assembly that includes a seat frame and a seat bottom configured to support the vehicle passenger. The seat frame can define an opening that is contiguous with the open space of the vehicle, and the seat bottom can be movable to expose the opening of the seat frame. The seat and storage assembly can also include a storage assembly that can include an upper ring that is configured for attachment to the seat frame. The upper ring can be structured to facilitate travel through the opening of the seat frame, and can define a hollow interior with open upper and lower ends. A lower receptacle can have an upper opening and configured for attachment to the upper ring such that the upper opening is contiguous with the hollow interior of the upper ring. The lower receptacle can define an interior storage space that is defined by sides and a bottom, the lower receptacle being larger in size than the upper ring such that the lower receptacle is impeded from travel through the opening of the seat frame. The lower receptacle can be configured to be insertable into the open space of the vehicle upon removal of the vehicle body panel. . 
         [0009]    Still other embodiments are directed to a method of installing a storage assembly within a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle seat assembly having a seat frame and a seat bottom configured to support a vehicle passenger, the seat frame defining an opening that is contiguous with an open space defined in part by a removable vehicle body panel, the seat bottom being movable to expose the opening of the seat frame. The method can include: passing an upper ring through the opening of the seat frame; attaching the upper ring to the seat frame, the upper ring defining a hollow interior with open upper and lower ends; inserting a lower receptacle into the open space of the vehicle upon removal of the vehicle body panel by moving the lower receptacle in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the upper ring; and attaching the lower receptacle to the upper ring such that an upper opening of the lower receptacle is contiguous with the hollow interior of the upper ring, the lower receptacle defining an interior storage space that is defined by sides and a bottom, the lower receptacle being larger in size than the upper ring such that the lower receptacle is impeded from travel through the opening of the seat frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle including a body having seat assemblies for accommodating a storage assembly in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the body and the seat assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary storage assembly in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an upper ring of the storage assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the upper ring of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a lower box of the storage assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the lower box of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the seat assembly of  FIG. 2  shown with a side cover removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. 
         [0020]    Various headings are provided below for convenience and clarity. However, these headings are not intended to limit the scope or content of the disclosure, and/or the scope of protection afforded the various inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
         [0021]    I. Overall Vehicle 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle  10  including a body  12  having seat assemblies  20 L,R for accommodating a storage assembly in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter. The vehicle  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is specialized for use on an unimproved path or on an unmarked path, and can be referred to as a multipurpose utility vehicle (MUV) or as a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (SxS, or SxS ATV). 
         [0023]    However, the disclosed storage assembly can be used with any vehicle that is configured for travel along any one or combination of improved, unimproved, and unmarked paths. For example, embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of automobile, including a passenger car, minivan, truck, other types of all-terrain vehicle (ATV), semi-tractor, off-highway vehicle, etc. 
         [0024]    The vehicle  10  can include the body  12 , a pair of front wheels,  14 L,  14 R, a pair of rear wheels  16 L,  16 R (the right-side rear wheel  16 R is obstructed from view), and a powertrain. The powertrain is omitted from  FIG. 1  for simplicity and clarity of the drawing. 
         [0025]    The vehicle  10  can include a pair of seat assemblies  20 L,  20 R and backrest  23  mounted in a passenger area of the vehicle  10 . The seat assemblies  20 L,  20 R can be disposed on respective seat frames  22 L,  22 R, the left-side (driver&#39;s-side) seat frame  22 L shown adjacent a removable side cover  24  which is described below. The side cover  24  can be removed to provide unobstructed access to an under-seat cavity  26  underneath the left-side seat frame  22 L to install or remove a storage assembly. 
         [0026]    The body  12  can include a roll cage  28  configured to extend around and above the passenger area. The roll cage  28  can cooperate with the body  12  to define openings through which a passenger may pass in order to enter or exit the passenger area. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the openings through which a passenger may pass may be configured as door assemblies, which occupy the openings. Each door assembly can include a door and window panel assembly, and can be configured to selectively open and close access through the openings by moving between a closed position and a fully opened position. In the closed position, the door assemblies may span the respective openings to obstruct access to the passenger area via the openings. In the closed position, front portions of each door assembly may be latched to the roll cage  28 . The fully opened position can be any position where the door assemblies are pivoted away from the respective openings to provide substantially unobstructed access to the passenger area via the openings. 
         [0028]    II. Seat Assembly 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the body  12  and the left-side seat assembly  20 L of  FIG. 1 . The seat assembly  20 L can be disposed within the passenger area of the body  12 . The seat assembly  20 L can be configured to support a passenger seated thereon so as to enable the passenger to operate the vehicle  10 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the seat assembly  20 L can be configured to open and close to provide and restrict access to a storage assembly located within the under-seat cavity  26 . 
         [0030]    The seat assembly  20 L can include a cushion  21 L, a seat frame  22 L, an under-seat cavity  26  and a side cover  24 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the seat assembly  20 L can accommodate a storage assembly within the under-seat cavity  26 , as well as provide access to the storage assembly through the seat frame  22 L. A passenger can therefore utilize the storage assembly for storing items proximate the passenger area for advantageous storage space packaging and access to stored items. 
         [0031]    The cushion  21 L can be disposed on a top side of the seat frame  22 L within the passenger area. The cushion  21 L can be configured with mounting points for affixing the cushion  21 L to the seat frame  22 L, the mounting points capable of receiving any appropriate fasteners for securing the cushion  21 L to the seat frame  22 L. The mounting points and fasteners may include fixtures such as but not limited to bolts, snap, hooks, etc., or may alternatively have adhesive applications. In some embodiments, the cushion  21 L may be hingedly attached along an edge of the seat frame  22 L so as to form a lid capable of being rotated between opened and closed positions. Specifically, the cushion  21 L in some embodiments is hingedly attached to a rearmost edge of the seat frame  22 L. The cushion  21 L may be formed of plastic, rubber, foam, or any other appropriate material for providing seating support for a passenger. 
         [0032]    The seat frame  22 L can be connected to the passenger area of the body  12 . The seat frame  22 L can be configured as a frame surrounding the under-seat cavity  26  and supporting the cushion  21 L, as described above. The seat frame  22 L can have an upper portion that approximately aligns with edge portions of the cushion  21 L, or may be alternatively configured. In some embodiments, the seat frame  22 L may be separate and spaced from a seat frame of the right-side (passenger&#39;s-side) seat assembly  20 R. However, other embodiments may incorporate a single seat frame extending an approximate width of the passenger area so as to support both the seat assemblies  20 L,  20 R. 
         [0033]    The seat frame  22 L can be made from any appropriate structural element(s), such as but not limited to tubes, beams, stampings, etc., that can provide sufficient strength and rigidity for supporting a passenger. The seat frame  22 L can be formed from a single type of structural element, or alternatively the seat frame  22 L can be formed from any combination of these structural elements. The structural elements can have any appropriate cross-sectional shape, such as but not limited to circular, rectangular, regular polygonal, irregular polygonal, hollow, solid, variable along the length of the structural element, etc. 
         [0034]    The seat frame  22 L can be formed by any appropriate process, such as but not limited to rolling, hydroforming, bending, welding, extruding, stamping, any combination of these processes, etc. Additionally, the seat frame  22 L can be formed from any appropriate material, such as but not limited to steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, fiber-reinforced plastic, carbon fiber, a composite formed from any combination of these exemplary materials, etc. Portions of the seat frame  22 L can be connected to other adjoining portions in any appropriate manner, such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive, any combination thereof, etc. 
         [0035]    The under-seat cavity  26  can be a space defined by surrounding portions of the seat frame  22 L and disposed substantially underneath the cushion  21  L. The under-seat cavity  26  can be configured to receive a storage assembly. The under-seat cavity  26  can be further defined by the side cover  24  connected to at least one of the body  12  and the seat frame  22 L proximate the opening to the left-side seat assembly  20 L of the passenger area, as described below. 
         [0036]    The side cover  24  can be configured to extend from the seat frame  22 L to a floor of the under-seat cavity  26 , the side cover  24  oriented to extend along a side of the seat assembly  20 L adjacent the opening to the passenger area. The side cover  25  can overlap with other panels of the body  12 , and can include cover fasteners  25  configured to secure the side cover  24  to at least one of the seat frame  22 L or the body  12 . The side cover  24  can extend along a left-side edge of the seat frame  22 L, and may additionally extend along a portion of a front edge of the seat frame  22 L. 
         [0037]    The side cover  24  can be made from any appropriate structural element(s), such as but not limited to sheets, stampings, etc., that can provide sufficient coverage and rigidity for covering the under-seat cavity  26 . The side cover  24  can be formed by any appropriate process, such as but not limited to rolling, hydroforming, bending, welding, plating, stamping, any combination of these processes, etc. Furthermore, the side cover  24  can be formed from any appropriate material, such as but not limited to steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, fiber-reinforced plastic, carbon fiber, a composite formed from any combination of these exemplary materials, etc. The seat cover  24  can be connected to the adjoining structural elements such as the seat frame  22 L and/or the body  12  in any appropriate manner, such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, such as the cover fasteners  25 , welding, adhesive, any combination thereof, etc. In the present embodiment, the cover fasteners  25  may be configured as bolts. 
         [0038]    III. Storage Assembly 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary storage assembly  30  in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter. The storage assembly  30  can be configured for storage of items and can include an upper ring  40  connected to a lower box  50 . 
         [0040]    The upper ring  40  of the storage assembly  30  can be approximately rectangular in shape, with at least a portion being indented. A top portion of the upper ring  40  can include a ring flange  42  extending around a perimeter of the upper ring  40 , such that the ring flange  42  is configured for connecting the upper ring  40  to the seat frame  22 L. The ring flange  42  can extend around each edge of the top portion of the upper ring  40 , or alternatively may extend from a fewer number of edges. The ring flange  42  may be contoured so as to mate with corresponding portions of the seat frame  22 L and/or body  12  which contact the ring flange  42  during installment of the storage assembly  30  within the vehicle  10 . The ring flange  42  can additionally include flange fasteners  44  configured to secure the ring flange  42  to at least one of the seat frame  22 L or the body  12 . However, the ring flange  42  can be connected to adjoining structural elements such as the seat frame  22 L and/or the body  12  in any appropriate manner, such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, such as the flange fasteners  44 , welding, adhesive, any combination thereof, etc. In the present embodiment, the flange fasteners  44  may be configured as bolts. The ring flange  42  extends around an opening through the upper ring  40  which is smaller relative to a space defined by an interior of the lower box  50 , as will be described below. Therefore, the opening in the upper ring  40  may not unnecessarily constrain storage space in the lower box  50  below. 
         [0041]    The lower box  50  of the storage assembly  30  can be approximately rectangular or box-like in shape. In some embodiments, the lower box  50  can be trapezoidal, with a top side of the lower box  50  having a greater surface area than a bottom side. The lower box  50  can have a larger volume than that of the upper ring  40 , and a portion of the top side can be connected to a bottom side of the upper ring  40 . Furthermore, the top side of the lower box  50  can include an opening configured to mate against a similar opening in the bottom side of the upper ring  40 . The respective openings are configured so as to permit passage therethrough of items to be stored and removed from the storage assembly  30 . 
         [0042]    Both of the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  of the storage assembly  30  can be formed by any appropriate process, such as but not limited to rolling, hydroforming, bending, welding, extruding, stamping, injection molding, extrusion molding, extrusion blow molding, vacuum forming, etc. Each element of the storage assembly can be formed from any appropriate material, such as but not limited to steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, fiber-reinforced plastic, carbon fiber, thermoplastic, rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a composite formed from any combination of these exemplary materials, etc. The upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  can be connected to each other in any appropriate manner to form the assembled storage assembly  30 , such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive, any combination thereof, etc. In the present embodiment, the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  can be secured together by assembly fasteners  52 , which may be configured as bolts. 
         [0043]    IV. Upper Ring 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the upper ring  40  of the storage assembly  30  of  FIG. 3 . As described above, the ring flange  42  can extend around the perimeter of a top portion of the upper ring  40 . The ring flange  42  can be a continuous flange extending around the edges of the upper ring  40 , or alternatively may be comprised of multiple tabs extending off of the edges. The tabs may follow contours of the perimeter, or may be formed to mate with corresponding structural elements to which the ring flange  42  is connected, such as the seat frame  22 L and the body  12 . The ring flange  42  can have flange apertures  48  through which the flange fasteners  44  are inserted to connect the upper ring  40  to the adjoining structural element(s) such as the seat frame  22 L and/or the body  12 . In embodiments featuring the ring flange  42  as separate tabs, the ring flange  42  can be configured to include flange apertures  48  on each tab, or otherwise on some but not all of the tabs. 
         [0045]    The upper ring  40  can be configured to have a ring opening  46  extending through a bottom portion of the upper ring  40 . The ring opening  46  can be defined by sides of the upper ring  40  such that the ring opening  46  approximately follows a perimeter of a bottom portion of the upper ring  40 . The ring opening  46  can be polygonal, curved, or a combination and is formed to mate with a corresponding box opening  56  when the storage assembly  30  is 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the upper ring  40  of the storage assembly  30  of  FIG. 3 . The sides of the upper ring  40  can have base apertures  49  extending through lower portions thereof such that the base apertures  49  are spaced from the ring flange  42 . The base apertures  49  are configured for use with fasteners so as to connect the upper ring  40  to the lower box  50  during installation of the storage assembly  30  in the vehicle  10 . Each side of the upper ring  40  can have at least one base aperture  49  to overlap complementary apertures in an upper portion of the lower box  50 . In some configurations, some sides of the upper ring  40  may not include any apertures. Furthermore, some embodiments may not include apertures at all, instead having other attachment mechanisms such as clips or snaps. 
         [0047]    V. Lower Box 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the lower box  50  of the storage assembly  30  of  FIG. 3 . As described above, the lower box  50  is approximately box-shaped having an interior space defined by exterior walls. The lower box  50  can have a top wall  52  having a box opening  54  therein, such that a bottom wall  56  is visible through the box opening  54  when viewed from above. The box opening  54  can be complementary to the ring opening  46  in the upper ring  40 . Therefore, upon connecting the upper ring  40  to the lower box  50 , the ring opening  46  and the box opening  54  are aligned to permit items to be passed therethrough for storing within the storage assembly  30 . The box opening  54  can have a lip  55  formed thereon, as well as box apertures  58  configured to extend through the lip  55 , as will be described below. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the lower box  50  of  FIG. 3 . The present embodiment of the lower box  50  can include the lip  55  having box apertures  58  formed therein. The box apertures  58  can be configured to overlap with the corresponding base apertures  49  in the upper ring  40 , assembly fasteners being inserted thereafter to connect the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50 . 
         [0050]    VI. Storage Assembly Installation 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the seat assembly  10  of  FIG. 2  shown with the side cover  24  removed, with the storage assembly  30  shown installed in the vehicle  10 . 
         [0052]    In the present embodiment, the lower box  50  can be inserted into the under-seat cavity  26  once the side cover  24  has been removed. Specifically, the lower box  50  can be inserted laterally from a side of the body  12  adjacent the opening to the right side of the passenger area. The lower box  50  can be configured so as to have a complementary shape for insertion within the under-seat cavity  26 . Once inserted, the lower box  50  can be disposed so as to extend beyond the seat frame  22 L through which the upper ring  40  is inserted, as will be described below. 
         [0053]    Before the upper ring  40  can be connected to the lower box  50 , the cushion  21 L must be lifted away from the seat frame  22 L. The cushion  21 L can be hinged open away from the seat frame  22 L, for example hinged along the back of the seat frame  22 L. However, the cushion  21 L can also be removed entirely from the seat frame  22 L by either unfastening the cushion  21 L or simply lifting the cushion off of the seat frame  22 L. Alternatively, the cushion  21 L can be slid away from the seat frame  22 L to reveal the under-seat cavity  26 . 
         [0054]    With the cushion  21 L lifted away from the seat frame  22 L, the upper ring  40  can be dropped into the under-seat cavity  26  from above the seat frame  22 L. The upper ring  40  can be configured so that the ring flange  42  catches on the seat frame  22 L at attachment portions when the upper ring  40  is fully inserted into the under-seat cavity  26 . The flange apertures  48  of the ring flange  42  overlap corresponding apertures on an upper surface of the seat frame  22 L that contacts the ring flange  42 . Flange fasteners  44  can thereby in inserted through aligned apertures in the ring flange  42  and the seat frame  22 L to connect the upper ring  40  to the seat frame  22 L. Specifically, push pins can be used to connect the above-described structures. However, the ring flange  42  can be connected to the seat frame  22 L in any appropriate manner to secure the upper ring  40  to the seat assembly  20 L, such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive, any combination thereof, etc. When fully inserted, a lower portion of the upper ring  40  contacts and overlaps with an upper portion of the lower box  50  so as to form a connection, as will be described below. 
         [0055]    While inserting the upper ring  40  through the seat frame  22 L and into the under-seat cavity  26 , the bottom portion of the upper ring  40  is overlapped with the upper portion of the lower box  50  that is disposed within the under-seat cavity  26 . Specifically, the lower portion of the upper ring  40  overlaps the lip  55  of the lower box  50  such that the upper ring  40  extends into or outside of the lip  55 . Base apertures  49  of the upper ring  40  are thereby aligned with the box apertures  56  in the lip  55  of the lower box  50 . Once aligned, assembly fasteners  58  can be inserted therethrough to connect the upper ring  40  to the lower box  50 . Presently, push pins can be used to connect the above-described structures. However, the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  can be connected to each other in any appropriate manner, such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive, any combination thereof, etc. With fasteners connecting the lower box  50  and the upper ring  40 , as well as connecting the upper ring  40  to the seat assembly  20 L, the storage assembly  30  is effectively secured to the body  12  within the under-seat cavity  26 . The fastening of the above-described structures to one another can occur in any order and is not limited to the order in which it is described above. For instance, the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  can be connected via fasteners prior to the upper ring  40  being fastened to the seat frame  22 L, etc. 
         [0056]    Once the storage assembly  30  has been assembled within the under-seat cavity  26  and is attached to the seat frame  22 L, the cushion  21 L can be placed or hinged back onto the seat frame  22 L so as to form the seat assembly  20 L with the backrest  23 . The cushion  21 L may be disposed on the ring flange  42  of the upper ring  40 , or may alternatively rest on the flange fasteners  44 . Further, the cushion  21 L may contact the seat frame  22 L in embodiments featuring tabs included in the ring flange  42 , with spaces exposing the seat frame  22 L being present between tabs. The cushion  21  L can be attached to the seat assembly  20 L or be disposed within the seat assembly  20 L without being attached. Moving the cushion  21 L onto and away from the top opening of the under-seat cavity  26  through the seat frame  22 L permits access to the interior of the storage assembly  30 . Items can thereby be placed into and removed from the storage assembly  30  by moving the cushion  21  L. 
         [0057]    The side cover  24  can also be attached to the body  12  and/or the seat frame  22 L of the vehicle by inserting fasteners through corresponding apertures such that the side cover  24  covers the under-seat cavity  26  and adjacent portions of the storage assembly  30 . With the side cover  24  secured to cover the under-seat cavity  26 , the storage assembly  30  is fully installed. 
         [0058]    VII. Alternative Embodiments 
         [0059]    While certain embodiments of the invention are described above, and  FIGS. 1-8  disclose the best mode for practicing the various inventive aspects, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied and configured in many different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0060]    For example, embodiments are disclosed above in the context of the storage assembly  30  configured for installation underneath the driver-side seat assembly  20 L as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . However, embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover storage assemblies installed within any seat assemblies and seat frames of the vehicle disclosed above, such as underneath a passenger-side seat assembly or underneath rear seat assemblies. 
         [0061]    For example, exemplary embodiments are intended to include the upper ring  40  inserted through the top of the seat frame  22 L and connected to the lower box  50 . This configuration can have the upper ring  40  fastened to the seat frame  22 L, and the lower box  50  then fastened to the upper ring  40 . In another alternative embodiment, the lower box  50  can be fastened to the seat frame  22 L and/or the body  12 , while the upper ring  40  is then secured in place by virtue of its connection to the lower box  50 . 
         [0062]    In fact, in some embodiments, the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  may both be fastened to structural elements of the vehicle  10  such that they are not necessarily connected to one another, yet they still may be for added support. 
         [0063]    All or some of the alternative structures disclosed above with regard to the upper ring  40  may also apply to the lower box  50 . The above alternative structures of the upper ring  40  and the lower box  50  are merely provided for exemplary purposes, and as indicated above, embodiments are intended to cover any type of storage assembly that is integrated within an exemplary vehicle, particularly a seat assembly, or otherwise configured as disclosed above. 
         [0064]    As disclosed above, embodiments are intended to be used with any type of vehicle. The power source of the vehicle can be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The power source configured as an internal combustion engine or a hybrid power source can have the engine output axis oriented in the longitudinal direction or in the traverse direction of the vehicle. The engine can be mounted forward of the front axles, rearward of the rear axles, or intermediate the front and rear axles. 
         [0065]    The vehicle can include any type of transmission, including an automatic transmission, a manual transmission, or a semi-automatic transmission. The transmission can include an input shaft, an output shaft, and a speed ratio assembly. 
         [0066]    Embodiments are also intended to include or otherwise cover methods of using and methods of manufacturing any or all of the elements disclosed above. The methods of manufacturing include or otherwise cover processors and computer programs implemented by processors used to design various elements of the adjustable arm rest mechanism disclosed above. 
         [0067]    While the subject matter has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. All related art references discussed in the above Background section are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1