Abstract:
A center console for an automotive vehicle encloses an internal storage area accessible through an opening covered by a pivoted lid serving as an armrest. The vertical front face of the console immediately forwardly of the armrest is open to create an access opening that is greater than the opening covered merely by the pivoted lid. A removable storage tray seated in the upper portion of the storage area covers the open vertical front face of the console. The opening of the pivoted lid and the removal of the storage tray creates an access opening into the storage area that will accommodate the insertion of a laptop computer or a purse for hidden storage within the internal storage area of the center console. The latch mechanism is operable in conjunction with the removable storage tray to permit closure of the when the storage tray is removed from the console.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims domestic priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/669,726, filed on Apr. 8, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to improving access into a center console of an automobile and, more particularly, to an open front face in a center console that is selectively closable with a movable device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automotive vehicles are often equipped with a center console positioned between individual front driver and passenger seats. Center consoles are provided primarily for storage purposes and typically include a pivotally movable lid that opens up into a storage bin, which is usually sufficiently large to house music CD&#39;s, maps, keys and other loose miscellaneous items. Often cupholders are incorporated into the center console of an automobile. The provision of a cupholder and other spatial requirements can restrict the size of the lid and the opening the lid covers to permit access into the storage area of the center console. Even though the enclosed storage area may be large enough to fit a laptop computer or a purse, the storage area cannot accommodate such large items unless the opening is sufficiently large to permit the passage of these large items. 
     Center consoles are known in the prior art. An example of a console providing an enclosed storage area can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,260, issued to Douglas G. Covell, et al on Mar. 27, 2001. In Covell, the front storage area is covered by a removable cupholder in one embodiment, although an optional lid is suggested. In another embodiment, Covell employs a cupholder between the first and second storage areas, though none of the sections are covered by a lid. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,206, issued on Sep. 9, 2003, to Neal W. Luginbill, et al, a cup holder is located between a rear storage area and a front storage area when the cupholder is located in the position suggested in  FIG. 1 . U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0089203, filed on behalf of Craig D. Flowerday and published Jul. 11, 2002, discloses a console compartment that accommodates a container. Sliding trays are open and allow access to the interior of the housing. 
     Other interior vehicle structure can be utilized to house storage areas, such as is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,481, issued to William J. Fluharty, et al on Feb. 4, 1992, which discloses an armrest frame divided into three windows which serve as storage areas. U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,098, granted to Bernd Shenk on May 15, 2001, teaches a tunnel covering that forms first and second compartments in which a separate tray can be inserted into the front compartment. 
     It would be advantageous to provide a center console for an automotive vehicle, having an internal storage area sized to receive items larger than the lid-covered opening can permit passage of, in which the lid opens to create an access opening of a size commensurate with the size of the storage area to permit the passage of items that are larger than the size of the lid into the storage area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the known prior art by providing a center console for an automotive vehicle in which the access opening into the internal storage area can be made larger than the size of the lid covering the storage area. 
     It is a feature of this invention that the storage compartment houses a removable storage tray that covers a forwardly facing opening. 
     It is another feature of this invention that the opening of the pivoted lid and the removal of the storage tray opens an access opening larger than the size of the pivoted lid to enhance access into the internal storage area of the center console. 
     It is an advantage of this invention that the pivoted lid covers an access opening into the removable storage tray. 
     It is another advantage of this invention that the opened pivoted lid and the removal of the storage tray creates an access opening sufficiently large to permit the passage of a laptop computer or other similarly large items. 
     It is another feature of this invention that a cupholder is built into the housing of the center console without interfering with the creation of an access opening sufficiently large to permit the passage of a laptop computer or other similarly large items. 
     It is still another advantage of this invention that the interior storage compartment of a center console is made more accessible. 
     It is yet another feature of this invention that the vertical front face of the center console immediately forward of the armrest serving as the lid for the storage area internally of the console. 
     It is still another feature of this invention that the latch mechanism for the pivoted lid of the center console is designed to permit the selective opening of the vertical front face of the console. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a center console for an automotive vehicle that is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a center console for an automotive vehicle having an internal storage area accessible through an opening covered by a pivoted lid serving as an armrest. The vertical front face of the console immediately forwardly of the armrest is open to create an access opening that is greater than the opening covered merely by the pivoted lid. A removable storage tray seated in the upper portion of the storage area covers the open vertical front face of the console. The opening of the pivoted lid and the removal of the storage tray creates an access opening into the storage area that will accommodate the insertion of a laptop computer or a purse for hidden storage within the internal storage area of the center console. The latch mechanism is operable in conjunction with the removable storage tray to permit closure of the when the storage tray is removed from the console. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a center console for utilization in an automotive vehicle, incorporating the principles of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the automotive center console apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the center console taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  to depict an elevational view of the front face of the console apparatus incorporating the enlarged opening; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the automotive center console apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a left, front perspective view of the center console apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a right, front perspective view of the top surface molding forming part of the center console apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a upper, left, front perspective view of the removable storage bin deployed in the center console apparatus depicted in  FIG. 3  to close the front face opening; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the rear end cap incorporating a pair of cup holders and a rear pivotable storage bin for mounting at the rearward end of the center console, as is depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the rear portion of the console with the pivoted lid removed to depict the positioning of the storage bin into the storage receptacle through the access opening; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged front elevational view of the latch member supported on the pivoted lid; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the latch member shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an upper, rear perspective view of the latch member shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a left, front perspective view of the center console apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 5 , but depicting an alternative embodiment of the pivoted lid to incorporate an integrated wall to close the front face opening, the pivotal movement of the integrated wall being shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 14  is a left, front perspective view of the center console apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 13 , but disclosing a second alternative embodiment wherein the integrated wall is pivotally connected to the pivoted lid; 
         FIG. 15  is a right, front perspective view of the top surface molding forming part of the center console apparatus, similar to that of  FIG. 6  but showing a third alternative embodiment of a pivoted panel supported on the front face for movement to selectively open the front face opening into the storage receptacle, the movement of the pivoted panel being shown in phantom; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a removable panel forming a fourth alternative embodiment of a closure device for the front face opening into the storage receptacle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, a center console incorporating the principles of the instant invention for deployment in an automotive vehicle can best be seen. The console  10  is designed to be positioned in the customary location between the driver&#39;s seat and the front passenger&#39;s seat in an automotive vehicle. Preferably, the console  10  will extend from beneath the front dash (not shown) of the vehicle, or immediately rearwardly of a transmission controller, extend between the driver and front passenger seat and terminate rearwardly of these seats. The purpose of the console  10  is multi-fold. The console can serve as an arm rest, a storage facility, a cupholder, a storage tray, change holder, and other miscellaneous functions. 
     The center console  10  incorporating the principles of the instant invention has a lower profile front portion  12  and a higher profile rear portion  14 . The opposing vertical sides of the console  10  extend upwardly from the floor of the vehicle and support an upper, generally horizontal surface  15  along the front portion  12 . As is best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the top surface  15  is formed with several open storage trays  16 ,  17 ,  18  of varying sizes for restraining loose items on the top surface  15 , as desired by the operator of the vehicle. The top surface  15  can also be formed with a conventional cupholder  19  immediately forwardly of the higher profile rear portion  14  and within convenient reach of an operator positioned in the driver&#39;s seat next to the center console  10 . 
     The higher profile rear portion  14  is formed with a generally vertically oriented front face  22  that extends upwardly from the top surface  15  of the front portion and terminates beneath a pivoted lid  20 , which is preferably formed with a cushioned upper surface  21  to enhance use thereof as an arm rest. Rearwardly of the pivoted lid  20 , a second cupholder  24  can be provided for supplemental access by the driver and front passenger, or for primary access by any passengers positioned in the rear seats of the vehicle rearwardly of the center console  10 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the rear cupholder  23  can be formed in an end cap  26  defining the rear face of the console  10  and providing a supplemental pivoted storage bin  24  that can extend rearwardly from the end cap  26  toward the rear seats of the vehicle. 
     The side walls of the console  10  define a large storage receptacle  25  that underlies the top surface  15  of the front portion  12  and forms the interior of the rear portion  14 . Access into the storage receptacle  25  is through the generally horizontal opening  21  underneath the pivoted lid  20 . The rear end cap  26 , as is shown in  FIG. 8 , has a vertical flange  27  that supports a hinge (not shown) to permit a vertical pivotal movement of the lid  20  between a raised open position and a lowered closed position, as is known and customary in the art. 
     The top of the rear portion  14 , i.e. the top surfaces of the side walls, support a removable storage bin  30 , best seen in  FIG. 7 , formed with a top flange  32  for engaging the side walls for support thereon. The removable bin  30  is of a size that covers the opening  21 , but can be easily moved into position within the storage receptacle  25  at the opening  21  or completely removed therefrom through the opening  21 . Once the removable storage bin  25  is positioned within the storage receptacle  25 , access into the remainder of the storage receptacle  25  cannot be obtained. Thus, when the storage bin  25  is in place, the readily usable and accessible storage is limited to the size of the storage bin  25 . Only by removing the storage bin  25  can the operator reach into the storage receptacle  25 , which extend substantially unimpeded beneath the top surface  15  of the front portion  12 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the front face of the rear portion  14  is preferably formed as a molded member  15   a  that includes the top surface  15  of the front portion  12 . This molded member  15   a  is supported by the side walls and defines the upper surface of the storage receptacle  25 . The front face  22  includes the front face opening  29 , which is flanked by the remainder of the front face forming front face flanges  28  that engage with the offset ledges  37  to either side of the front panel  35  to hold the removable storage bin  30  in proper position when installed into the storage receptacle  25 . A forwardly projecting handle  39  allows the operator to easily grip the removable storage bin  30  for insertion and removal of the storage bin  30  from the storage receptacle  25 . 
     The storage receptacle  25  also extends beneath the rear cupholders  23  behind the pivoted lid  20 . Furthermore, the storage receptacle  25  defines a diagonal dimension from the top of the front face  22  to the lower rear corner of the end cap  26  that is substantially greater than any dimension defined by the access opening  21  into the storage receptacle  25 . Thus, the storage receptacle  25  has a capacity of holding objects therewithin that are larger than the opening  21  through which the objects would customarily have to pass to be placed into the storage receptacle  25 . For example, the storage receptacle  25  can be sized to hold a conventional laptop computer (not shown) or a large purse (not shown); however, such items will not pass through the opening  21 . 
     To permit an enlargement of the opening  21 , the front face  22  is formed with a generally vertically oriented opening  29  that is in open communication with the horizontal opening  21 . The front face, as is best seen in  FIG. 9 , is preferably angled slightly forwardly from a true vertical orientation. Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7  and  9 , the front face opening  29  is closed by the handle  39  of the removable storage bin  30  when the storage bin  30  is positioned within the storage receptacle  25  with the top flange  32  resting on the side walls. The front panel  35  and the offset ledges  37  of the storage bin  30  mate with corresponding formed housing structure constituting part of the storage receptacle. When the storage bin  30  is in place within the storage receptacle  25 , as is seen in  FIG. 9 , the handle  39  is positioned in engagement with the front face flanges  28  while the storage bin  30  is fixed within the confining structure of the top of the storage receptacle  25  at the access opening  21 . 
     With the storage bin  30  removed from the rear portion  14  of the console  10  and the lid  20  pivoted to the vertical opened position, the size of the combined front face opening  29  and the access opening  21  is sufficient to permit the introduction of an object the size of a laptop computer into the storage receptacle  25  for storage therein. Replacement of the removable storage bin  30  and a latching of the pivoted lid into the horizontal closed position, keeps the large object within the storage receptacle  25  out of sight from externally of the console  10 . 
     The latch mechanism is best seen in  FIGS. 10-12 . The latch  40  is mounted on the underside of the lid  20  such that the latch hooks  42  projected downwardly for engagement into and with the latch openings  45  formed in the housing structure of the side walls of the console  10  at the access opening  21 . The cam surface  43  on the outer front surface of the latch hooks  42  causes the latch hooks  42  to deflect when coming into engage with the edges of the corresponding latch openings  45 , thus allowing the latch hooks  42  to be inserted into the latch openings  45 . The engagement of the latch hooks  42  with the side walls through the latch openings  45  restrains the pivoted lid  20  in the generally horizontal closed position. To affect an opening of the latch  40  to allow the pivoted lid  20  to move to an opened position, the handle  47  need only be deflected downwardly to cause a corresponding rearward flexing of the latch hooks  42  and cause the latch hooks  42  to disengage the side walls and allow movement thereof back out through the latch openings  45 . To help locate the pivoted lid  20  and to keep the latch hooks  42  aligned with the latch openings  45 , the body portion  49  of the latch  40  is formed to mate with the storage bin  30  between the offset ledges  37 . 
     In operation, the removable storage bin  30  is located within the storage receptacle  25  beneath the pivoted lid/arm rest  20 . Convenient access can be had into the storage bin  30  by simply raising the lid  20  and reaching into the storage bin  30 . To access the larger storage receptacle  25  beneath the storage bin  30 , the storage bin  30  must be removed by grasping the handle  39  and lifting the storage bin  30  out through the access opening  21 , thus exposing the combined front face opening  29  and the access opening  21 . Objects can then be inserted or removed from the larger storage receptacle  25  through the combined front face opening  29  and access opening  21 . The return of the storage bin  30  into its stowed position within the storage receptacle on top of the side walls, again closes the front face opening until needed. In the event the object placed into the storage receptacle  25  is too large to permit the reinsertion of the storage bin  30  into the rear portion  14  of the console  10 , the pivoted lid  20  can still be closed, providing the movement of the lid  20  is not in interference, thus leaving the front face opening  29  open. Since the front face opening  29  is generally vertically oriented, visual inspection of the interior of the storage receptacle  25  is very limited when the lid  20  is closed even though the front face opening  29  remains open into the storage receptacle  25 . 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes the handle  39  of the storage bin  30  to fill the front face opening  29 , other devices can be employed to selectively close the front face opening  29 . For example, the front face opening  29  can be closed with an integrated panel  51  formed as part of the pivoted lid  20  so that when the pivoted lid  20  is closed to close off the access opening  21 , the integrated panel  51  seats against the front face  22  to close off the front face opening  29 . As is depicted in  FIG. 14 , the integrated panel  51  could be pivotally supported on the pivoted lid  20  to provide additional clearance into the storage receptacle  25  when the pivoted lid  20  is raised. 
     The panel closing the front face opening  29  can be an independently movable member, as is depicted in  FIG. 15  wherein a pivoted panel  53  is shown. The pivoted panel  53  can be pivotally connected to the front face  22 , or perhaps on the top surface  15 , to provide independent movement thereof for access through the front face opening  29 . A suitable latch (not shown) would preferably be utilized to restrain the pivoted panel  53  in the upright position closing off the front face opening  29 . This panel could be completely removable, as is depicted in  FIG. 16 , in which a removable panel  55  is shown. Instead of pivoting the panel away, whether attached to the pivoted lid  20 , as is depicted in  FIG. 14 , or attached to the front face  22 , as is depicted in  FIG. 15 , the removable panel  55  could be completely detached from the front portion  12  of the console  10 . Again suitable latching devices (not shown) would preferably be provided to restrain the removable panel  55  in the engaged position closing off the front face opening  29 . 
     In such an alternative embodiments, the storage bin  30 , if incorporated into the console  10 , would be shaped differently so as to not have the handle  39  projecting outwardly for engagement with the front face  22 , as is shown in the drawings. Thus, with these alternative embodiments, when the front face opening  29  is desired to be opened, the pivoted lid  20  would be raised, the storage bin  30  removed (if present within the storage compartment  25 ), and the closure panel  53 ,  55  moved by removal or by pivoting, as appropriate, to enlarge the access opening  21  with the addition of the opened front face opening  29 . 
     It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.