Abstract:
A sliding console ( 20 ) for use with a vehicle. The console ( 20 ) includes a padded upper portion ( 40 ) to serve as an arm rest. The console ( 20 ) includes a slider assembly ( 52 ) that moves toward and way form the front end ( 32 ) and rear end walls ( 34 ) to allow the padded upper portion ( 40 ) to be adjusted.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a console for use with a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dual opening console with a slidable armrest assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known to provide a console between the driver and front passenger seats in an automotive vehicle. The console has many functions. It may operate as an armrest, a storage unit, a writing table or a cup holder. Three types of center consoles exist, those that open on one side, those that open on two sides, and those that open from the front. Each type of console has disadvantages. 
     Consoles that open on one side only, typically open in a manner that limits access only to the driver of the vehicle. Further, those that open on one side only are not suitable in today&#39;s global marketplace; i.e., a console suitable for a right-hand drive vehicle would not be suitable for a left-hand drive vehicle. While they provide access to both the driver and passenger in the front seat, they do not allow access to passengers sitting in the rear seats. Finally, consoles that open on two sides typically utilize a complex dual-hinge system, such systems result in increased manufacturing costs. 
     Additionally, current console assemblies lack user friendliness in a variety of areas. For example, as stated above, drivers and passengers in the front seats often use the console top as an armrest. However, because people are built differently, sit in vehicle seats differently than others, and sit closer to the steering wheel than others, current consoles are unable to provide user armrests that are uniformly comfortable and adjustable in all positions for all people. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an inexpensive console that provides all drivers and passengers of the vehicle with a comfortable weight bearing surface to act as an armrest at little, if any, additional cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a console for use with a vehicle that has an adjustable armrest assembly. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slidable armrest assembly for a dual opening console. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a slidable console assembly that is user friendly and relatively inexpensive. 
     In accordance with the objects of the present invention, a console for use with an automobile vehicle is provided. The console includes a compartment having a bottom surface, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front end well, and a rear end well. The compartment has a lid connected thereto with the lid being operative to open from any of the first side or the second side. The lid has a padded weight bearing arm support positioned thereon with the lid and the padded weight bearing arm support being operative to move toward and away from the front end wall and the rear end wall. The lid has a slider assembly which affixes the lid to the compartment to allow such movement of the lid away from any of the front end or the rear end walls. 
     In accordance with a further object of the present invention, a lock assembly hingeably connects the lid with the compartment such that the lid can be opened from more than one side, but only on one side at a time. The lock assembly includes at least one lock bar located on the lid. The at least one lock bar extends between the opposite side walls or end walls of the compartment. The at least one lock arm rides on two parallel pivot pins. The at least one lock arm snaps onto the pivot pins by a respective flange that allows the lid to open in one direction only at a time. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of vehicle console along line  2 — 2 ; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a pivot mechanism for a slidable vehicle console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pivot mechanism of FIG. 3 along the lines  4 — 4 ; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a pivot mechanism for a slidable vehicle console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a rear portion of a vehicle console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative slidable vehicle console in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle console of FIG. 7 along the line along the line  8 — 8 ; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a vehicle console with the lid in a closed position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a lid of a dual opening vehicle console in two open positions in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a parallel pivot pin arrangement for a slidable vehicle console in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a vehicle console  20  according to the present invention is shown. The console  20  is preferably positioned between a driver&#39;s seat and a passenger&#39;s seat of a vehicle. A console  20  as shown is generally elongated and rectangular in shape to fit the space between the seats. It should be understood however that the console may take on a variety of different shapes. Further, while the disclosed console is preferably a dual opening console, i.e., opens from both sides, the disclosed invention may alternatively be utilized with a single opening console. 
     The console  20  includes a rectangular elongated member or lower console housing  22  defining a compartment  24  therewithin. As shown, the compartment  24  includes a bottom  26 , a first side wall  28 , a second side wall  30 , a front end wall  32 , and a rear end wall  34 . A lid  36  is connected to the compartment  24 . As will be explained later, the lid  36  may be hinged to any one of the walls; i.e., the first side wall  22  and the second side wall  24 . Attaching the lid  36  in this manner, enables the lid  36  to be opened in any one of two directions, i.e., front to back or side to side to allow access from any point adjacent to console  20 . 
     The lid  36  includes an outer lid  38  that is preferably filled with a foam cushion  40  and an inner lid  42  that is disposed beneath the foam cushion  40 . The foam cushion  40  forms an arm rest or comfortable weight bearing surface for a user&#39;s arm. The lid  36  is disposed above a dual opening lock bar  44 . Preferably, the inner lid  42  is secured to the dual opening lock bar  44  by known securing means  46 , such as screws or the like. Alternatively, the dual opening lock bar  44  may be integrally molded with the inner lid  42  to form an integral single part. The lock bar  44  preferably rides on a pair of parallel pivot pins  48 ,  50  that are positioned within the compartment  24 . The compartment  24  is preferably in communication with a lower slide housing  52  within which the first and second pivot pins  48 ,  50  are housed. 
     The lower slide housing  52  has an upper portion  53  and a base portion  54 . The base portion  54  has a pair of horizontal flanges  56 ,  58  that fit into a respective horizontal slot  60 ,  62  formed in the opposing side surfaces  28 ,  30  of the compartment  24 . The interaction of the pair of horizontal flanges  56 ,  58  and the horizontal slots  60 ,  62  allow the outer lid  38  to slide back and forth on the lower console housing  22 . Additionally, the area where the horizontal flanges  56 ,  58  bear on the slots  60 ,  62  offers support to the upper console lid  38  when it is in its forward extended position. Because the dual opening lock bar  44  rides on the lower slide housing  52  as the lid  36  is slid, the dual opening bar  44  and thus the lid  36  can open in all positions. The lid  36  has a rear portion  64  that has a sliding shade  76  or a tambour door attached thereto (FIG.  6 ). The sliding shade  76  acts to keep dust and other undesirables out of the console  20  when the lid  36  is pulled forward. The shade or tambour door  76  also adds to the look or appearance of the console  20 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an enlarged sectional view through the pivot pin  48 . While the structure and operation of the pivot pin  48  is discussed specifically, it should be understood that the description of the pivot pin  48  applies equally to the pivot pin  50 . As shown, the dual open lock bar  44  has a pivot arm  67  which engages the pivot pin  48 . The pivot arm  67  employs a dove tail  68  that interlocks with a mating cut  70  formed in the slide housing. In the normally closed position, shown in FIG. 3, the pivot arm  67  is supported on the upper portion of the pivot pin  48 . In an open position, shown in phantom in FIG. 3, the pivot arm  67  rotates around the pivot pin  48  allowing the lid  36  to be rotated to an open position. When the lid  36  is opened, the dove tail  68  and the dove tail mating cut  70  interlock and prevent the removal of the lid  38  until it is closed. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment for preventing the removal of the upper lid  38  when the lid  36  is in an open position. In this design, an extended snap-on flange  72  is employed which snaps onto the respective first and second pivot pins  48 ,  50 . The snap-on flange  72  extends further around the pins  48 ,  50  in a tangential direction then the prior dove tail  68  (FIG. 3) in order to prevent the removal of the lid  36  when opened and allow it to open with the same friction resistance as other designs. The console  20  in this embodiment, includes a lower clearance shelf  74  to allow the snap-on flange  72  to rotate around the respective pins  48 ,  50  without interference with the slide housing  52 . When the lid  36  is opened, as shown in phantom lines, the snap-on flange  72  is configured to prevent the lid  36  from being pulled off. Similarly, when the lid  36  is in a closed position, it can be pivoted in the opposite direction without the flange  72  preventing its opening. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the rear portion  64  of the console  20  in accordance with the present invention. The rear portion  64  of the lid  36  includes a tambour door  76  attached thereto. When the lid  36  is slid forward, its rear portion  64  also moves forward which pulls forward the tambour door or shade  76  connected thereto. This ensures that the rear opening to the compartment  24  is covered by the tambour door  76  when the lid  36  is slid toward the front end wall  32 . When the lid  36  is in its rearward position, as shown in phantom, the tambour door  76  slides into a storage compartment  80  and is not visible. A pair of grooves (not shown) are preferably located in the opposing side surfaces  28 ,  30  of the compartment  24  to guide the tambour door  76  as it slides. The tambour door  76  also offers a pleasant looking design for the console  20  from the perspective of a rear passenger both when it is employed and when the console lid is in the rear position, i.e., the tambour door  76  is not visible. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a sliding console  20  in accordance with the present invention. The features of this embodiment that are the same as the prior embodiment are referred to by the same reference numbers. In this embodiment, the console  20 , includes a second lock bar  82  that is also attached to the inner lid  42 . The lock bar  82  rides on a second pair of parallel pivot pins  84 ,  86 . The second pair of parallel pivot pins  84 ,  86  are preferably positioned near the rear portion  64  of the console  20 . The length of the pivot pins  48 ,  50 ,  84 ,  86  are preferably each one half the length of the pivot pins in the prior embodiment. 
     The lock bars  44 ,  82  preferably each slide under a pair of locking flanges  88 ,  90  that hold the bars  44 ,  82 , in position when the lid  36  is extended forward, as is shown in phantom lines in FIG.  7 . With this configuration, the dual opening lid  36  cannot be opened in any direction when it is extended forward. This design has fewer parts than the prior embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the console  20  with the lid  36  in a closed and fully rearward position. The lid  36  is shown in phantom lines in both a partially extended position  92  and a fully extended position  94 . FIG. 10 illustrates the lid  36  in a closed position. The lid  36  is shown in phantom lines in an open position  96 , pivoted around pivot pin  48 . Similarly, the lid  36  is shown in phantom lines in an open position  98 , pivoted around pivot pin  50 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the snap-on guides  100  of the dual lock bar  44  as positioned on the parallel pivot pin  48 . obviously, an identical snap-on guide  100  is positioned on the parallel pivot pin  50 . The lock bar  44  is shown in phantom lines in an open position with the snap-on guide being partially rotated around the pivot pin  48 . 
     The dual opening sliding console assembly of both FIGS. 1 and 7 are advantageous in that they have very few moving parts and are easily serviceable if necessary. It should be understood that the design can be adapted into existing consoles adding the features of dual opening as well as a sliding armrest assembly with a minimal amount of change and cost to the existing console. The sliding armrest offers sturdy, flange supports for the resting of the arm on the extended area of the lid, at the same time, the lid can be easily opened. Two methods of anti-removal flanging on the sliding bar have been utilized to prevent its removal while it is opened. Further, an alternate for the sliding console would allow the armrest to be slid forward with it remaining latched closed until it is returned to its home position. 
     Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically prescribed.