Patent Description:
Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Console assembly is generally arranged between front seats in the interior of vehicles. A bottom part of the console assembly is configured over a floor of the vehicle interior in form of housing (bottom housing), which allows positioning of another part such as a storage unit, a storage unit with a lid or an armrest thereon. The existing storage unit, a storage unit with the lid or the armrest is/are slidable rearward and forward with respect to the housing or the bottom housing. For instance, gap(s) are created and required at bottom end/surface of the armrest when the armrest is moved forward or rearward, respectively, with respect to the housing. These gap(s) may help avoid any clash between the movable storage unit or armrest and the housing, however, it also leads to the accumulation of unwanted particulates such as dust and organisms within the storage unit, which significantly increases the maintenance requirements in the vehicle, and which may also lead to failure of the console assembly in long run.

There is, therefore, a need to overcome the above drawback, imitations, and shortcomings, and provide a simple, cost-effective, lightweight, compact, and efficient console assembly with a sliding member which can slide in the desired position(s) as required by a user of the vehicle to cover gap(s) provided in the console assembly. Document <CIT> discloses a console assembly comprising a first member, a second member, the first and second member being slidable with respect to each other, wherein one or more bendable cover is attached to the first member or to the second member, and wherein the one or more bendable cover is arranged to at least partially close one or more gap created between a portion of the first member and a portion of second member. Further console assemblies with sliding members are known from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, wherein document <CIT> corresponds to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Some of the objectives of the present invention, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a console assembly where at least a part of the console slides in a desired position as required by a user of a vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a maintenance free console assembly that avoids dust accumulation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to operate console assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a console assembly where at least a part of console assembly slides in desired position that operates semi-automatically or fully automatically.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, efficient, and structurally aesthetic appealing console assembly arranged in between the front seat of the vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to the field of a console assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a console assembly with a sliding member which can slide in the desired position(s) as required by a user of the vehicle. The abovementioned objects are achieved by a console assembly according to claim <NUM>.

An aspect of the present invention relates to console assembly for a vehicle in particular including a first member, a second member and one or more bendable member. The first member and/or second member are slidable with respect to each other. One or more bendable cover is attached to the first member or to the second member. Further, the one or more bendable cover is arranged to at least partially close one or more gap created between a portion of the first member and a portion of second member.

In an aspect, a set of two bendable covers comprising a first bendable cover, and a second bendable cover are arranged to at least partially close a first gap and a second gap, respectively, out of the one or more gap between the portion of the first member and the portion of the second member respectively.

In an aspect, a first end of the first bendable cover is fixedly connected to the first member and a second end is adapted to bend into an inner surface of the second member such that at least a portion of the bendable cover is not visible from outside as it bends into an inner surface of the first member.

In an aspect, a first end of the second bendable cover is fixedly connected to the second member and a second end is adapted to bend into an inner surface of the first member such that at least a portion of the second bendable cover is not visible from outside as it bends into an inner surface of the first member.

In an aspect, the inner surface of the second member includes two or more ribs adapted for guiding and bending the second end of the first bendable cover. More specifically, the two or more ribs are arranged on a curved inner surface of the second member, wherein a thickness of the two or more ribs gradually increases along its length from the lower end to the upper end of the curved inner surface. More specifically, the inner surface of the first member includes a rail adapted for guiding and bending the second end of the second bendable cover.

In an aspect, the first member is a housing arranged on a floor of the vehicle and the second member is a storage box and/or a lid/armrest.

In an aspect, the console assembly is arranged in between front seats of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the console assembly is arranged beside a driver seat (in place of the co-passenger).

According to the invention, the bendable cover is made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene, which bends upon application of external force and is able to regain its original shape after removal of the external force.

In an aspect, the bendable cover is a single strip made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene.

According to the invention, the bendable cover is oriented substantially horizontal when closing the gap between the portion of the first member and the portion of the second member. When the bendable cover bends into the first member or the second member, the bendable cover is oriented substantially parallel to the respective inner surface of the first member or the second member.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components.

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of a console assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a console assembly with a sliding member which can slide in the desired position(s) as required by a user of the vehicle to cover gaps provided in the console assembly.

According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a console assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a first member, a second member, and one or more bendable cover. The first member and/or second member are slidable with respect to each other. The one or more bendable cover is attached to the first member or to the second member. The one or more bendable cover is arranged to at least partially close one or more gap between a portion of the first member and a portion of second member. The bendable cover is made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene, which bends upon application of external force and able to regain its original shape after removal of the external force. Preferably the bendable cover is a single strip made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene.

Referring to <FIG>, according to a first embodiment, the console assembly (<NUM>) includes a first member (<NUM>), a second member (<NUM>), a first bendable cover (50a) and a second bendable cover (50b) is shown. The first member (<NUM>) and/or second member (<NUM>) are slidable with respect to each other. The sliding movement can be control manually or by an electric motor, but not limited to the likes. The first bendable cover (50a) is attached to the first member (<NUM>) and is arranged to at least partially close a first gap (5a) between a portion (a) of the first member (<NUM>) and a portion (b) of the second member (<NUM>), as shown in <FIG>. The second bendable cover (50b) is attached to the first member (<NUM>) and is arranged to at least partially close a second gap (5b) between a portion (a') of the first member (<NUM>) and a portion (b') of the second member (<NUM>). In the present embodiment, the length of the second member (<NUM>) is greater than the first member (<NUM>), when the first member (<NUM>) and/or second member (<NUM>) moves in a position where both the first and second gaps (5a, 5b) are closed by the first and the second bendable cover (50a, 50b) as shown in <FIG>.

The first and second bendable cover (50a, 50b) is made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene, which bends upon application of external force and is able to regain its original shape after removal of the external force.

More particularly, a first end (50a') of the first bendable cover (50a) is fixedly connected to the first member (<NUM>) and a second end (50a") is adapted to bend into an inner surface of the second member (<NUM>) such that at least a portion of the bendable cover (<NUM>) is not visible when viewed from outside. Similarly, a first end (50b') of the second bendable cover (50b) is fixedly connected to the second member (<NUM>) and a second end (50b") is adapted to bend into an inner surface of the first member (<NUM>) such that at least a portion of the second bendable cover (50b) is not visible when viewed from outside.

In an embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the inner surface of the second member (<NUM>) includes two or more ribs (<NUM>) adapted for guiding and bending the second end (50a") of the first bendable cover (50a). More particularly, the two or more ribs (<NUM>) are arranged on a curved inner surface of the second member (<NUM>) having a thickness gradually increasing from the lower end to the upper end of the curved inner surface of the first member (<NUM>). Similarly, in the present embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the inner surface of the first member (<NUM>) includes a rail (<NUM>) adapted for guiding and bending the second end (50b") of the second bendable cover (50b).

In the present embodiment, the first member (<NUM>) is a housing arranged on a floor of the vehicle that may store articles therein. The second member (<NUM>) is a storage box with a lid/armrest (<NUM>-<NUM>). The console assembly (<NUM>) can be arranged in between the front seats (not shown) of the vehicle or beside the driver seat (not shown) of the vehicle.

The bendable cover (<NUM>) is made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the bendable cover (<NUM>) is a single strip made up of a substantially rigid material for example Polyethylene. In another embodiment, the bendable cover (<NUM>) comprises a live hinge in a central portion of the bending cover for enabling the bending function. This design helps avoid dust accumulation on the bendable cover (<NUM>) thus having lower maintenance and also providing assembly freedom and aesthetic appealing. The bendable cover (<NUM>) bends upon application of external force and is able to regain its original shape after removal of the external force.

The bendable cover (<NUM>) is oriented substantially horizontal when closing the gap between the portion (a, a') of the first member (<NUM>) and the portion (b, b') of the second member (<NUM>), wherein when the bendable cover (<NUM>) bends into the first member (<NUM>) or the second member (<NUM>) is oriented substantially parallel to the respective inner surface of the first member (<NUM>) or the second member (<NUM>).

In a second embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the console assembly (<NUM>) includes a first member (<NUM>), a second member (<NUM>), a bendable cover (<NUM>) is shown. The first member (<NUM>) and/or second member (<NUM>) are slidable with respect to each other and are of substantially same length. The bendable cover (<NUM>) is attached to the first member (<NUM>) and is arranged to at least partially close a gap (<NUM>-<NUM>) between a portion (a) of the first member (<NUM>) and a portion (b) of the second member (<NUM>).

In an embodiment, the bendable cover (<NUM>) may have an opening (not shown) or a transparent cover to allow light to pass through to projection lighting on a floor of the vehicle, yet restricting the accumulation of dust inside the console assembly.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a simple, cost-effective, lightweight, compact, and efficient console assembly with a sliding member which can slide in the desired position(s) as required by a user of the vehicle to cover gaps provided in the console assembly, and which also allows light to pass therethrough as required but restricts entry of dust and other particulates therewithin.

Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc..

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

The present invention provides a console assembly where at least a part of the console slides in a desired position as required by a user of a vehicle.

The present invention provides a maintenance free console assembly that avoids dust accumulation.

The present invention provides an easy to operate console assembly.

The present invention provides a console assembly where at least a part of console assembly slides in desired position that operates semi-automatically or fully automatically.

Claim 1:
A console assembly (<NUM>) for a vehicle comprising:
a first member (<NUM>),
a second member (<NUM>),
the first member (<NUM>) and/or the second member (<NUM>) are slidable with respect to each other,
wherein one or more bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is attached to the first member (<NUM>) or to the second member (<NUM>), and
wherein the one or more bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is arranged to at least partially close one or more gap (<NUM>) created between a portion (a, a') of the first member (<NUM>) and a portion (b, b') of the second member (<NUM>),
wherein
a first end of the bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is fixedly connected to the first member (<NUM>) and a second end is adapted to bend into an inner surface of the second member (<NUM>) such that at least a portion of the bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is not visible when viewed from outside,
wherein
the bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is oriented substantially horizontal when closing the gap (<NUM>) between the portion (a, a') of the first member (<NUM>) and the portion (b, b') of the second member (<NUM>), and
the bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is oriented substantially parallel to the respective inner surface of the first member (<NUM>) or the second member (<NUM>) when the bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) bends into the first member (<NUM>) or the second member (<NUM>), characterized in that the bendable cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) is made up of a substantially rigid material which bends upon application of an external force and regains its original shape after removal of the external force.