GB2305856A - Cab Equipment Console - Google Patents

Abstract

A console for carrying equipment on a vehicle seat 4, e.g. for mounting electronic data processing, communications or monitoring equipment inside the cabs of lorries, vans or cars, comprises (i) a frame 2 for mounting on the seat; (ii) a tie 5 for tying the frame to the seat; and (iii) pins 3 to be received in holes in the top of the seat back.

Description

CAB EQUIPMENT CONSOLE This invention relates to a cab equipment console.

There is an increasing need to mount electronic data processing, communications or monitoring equipment inside the cabs of van, lorries and cars. Such equipment is normally installed to assist the drivers in carrying out their tasks more efficiently through providing reliable and up-to-date information. Examples include: i) Mobile sales order processing and stock control computer systems used by delivery round drivers who are responsible for delivering goods and services to businesses and private households.

ii) Electronic information systems used by the emergency services, motoring breakdown/recovery services and courier services.

iii) Computer and communications equipment required by field sales staff.

Electronic equipment and systems are readily available to support functions of the type described above. With modern cab design, however, there is often insufficient space and inadequate suitable securing mechanisms to mount equipment on the dashboard.

The result is that many equipment options are not feasible and installation often leads to permanent damage of the interior trim, untidy cabling and poor ergonomics.

The invention seeks to reduce the problems associated with the prior art.

According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a cab equipment console comprising a frame, a body in the form of an open sided box, the top of the body in the form of a flat tray on which to secure equipment, means for releasably securing the frame to a vehicle such that the body is supported above the cushion of a vehicle passenger seat.

A drawer guided by guide means may be provided below the top of the body. The body may be provided with a catch means to arrest sliding movement of the drawer.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a console for carrying equipment on a vehicle seat comprising: i. a frame for mounting on the seat; ii. a tie for tying the frame to the seat; and iii. pins to be received in holes in the top of the seat back.

Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of non-limiting example by reference to the accompanying figures of which: Fig 1 is a side view of a console of the invention mounted on a seat; Fig 2 is a top plan of the embodiment of Fig 1 with a drawer in an open position; Fig 3 is a scrap view of the drawer and tray; Fig 4 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of the invention mounted on a seat of a vehicle in which the engine is mounted below the cab; Fig 5 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment; Fig SA is a scrap view of a pin arrangement; and Fig 6 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Fig 5.

The console of the invention comprises a frame 2, for example, of tubular or box section construction. Frame 2 is secured, conveniently releasably, to vehicle seat 4 by pins 3 received in holes in the top of the seat backrest and carried by bracket 30. Tie 5, preferably of adjustable length, ties the front (in this embodiment) of the frame 2 to the seat frame 31.

Body 1 is secured to frame 2. By way of non-limiting example body 1 could be welded or brazed to frame 2 or held by bolts or catches. The top of body 1 defines a tray conveniently having a lip around the periphery thereof. In use electronic or other apparatus may be carried on the tray. By way of example a computer and printer may be carried on the tray. The tray may be a simple rectangle in plan view.

More preferably, however, the tray is shaped to allow access to the gear lever, glove box or other areas of the vehicle.

Body 1 is an open sided box defining in this embodiment two compartments. A first compartment contains a sliding drawer 6 which in use can contain documents or continuous stationery to be printed by the printer carried on the tray. It may be desirable to provide a slot (not shown) in the tray to facilitate transport of continuous stationery to the printer from the drawer.

Preferably drawer 6, where present, requires a positive action to open it so that it will not slide open when the vehicle is in motion. One way of achieving this is to provide the drawer flange 9 with a dog leg portion 32 toward the front with which a detent 33 formed on the runner 8 engages when the drawer is in the closed position. As can be seen from fig 3 when the drawer is in the closed position it must be both lifted and slid to be opened. Accidental opening is thus unlikely.

Second compartment 7 where present receives auxiliary equipment (not shown) such as power supplies and DC/AC invertor, power and data cables.

In typical use data processing apparatus such as a computer is mounted on the tray along with a printer. Continuous stationery is fed from the drawer to the printer by way of the slot if present. A power cable is inserted into the cigar lighter of the vehicle and supplies the various electrical powered components for example via an inverter. It is highly preferred that the cabling and inventer are at least semiperminently carried by the console. This makes fitting to and removal from the vehicle of the invention substantially easier than moving a collection of components. The risk of forgetting a small but important discrete component is much reduced since the majority are mounted on the console. Furthermore a degree of antitheft protection is afforded.

An opportunist theif may well be tempted to steal a small high value inventor which can easily be hidden in a big but is less likely to be tempted by the complete console since the risk of detection is much greater.

The arrangement is secure and ergonomically more satisfactory than many designs.

Fig 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in use in a vehicle with the engine mounted beneath the cab. Since the engine is mounted beneath the cab under cover 10 there is very little supporting frame work for seat 4. In this embodiment therefore the frame 2 is secured to the seat by strap 13.

Figs 5 and 6 illustrate a yet further embodiment of the invention.

Frame 2 comprises a loop of tubular steel. Frame 2 terminates at bracket 50. Conveniently bracket 50 is mounted on the frame by tube clamps 51. By not leading the frame ends directly into the head restraint sockets considerable constructional flexibility is achieved. A single frame design can be used in any of a wide range of vehicles by changing the dimensions of bracket 50 and securing pins 52. If bracket 50 is releasably secured to the frame then by providing several brackets the frame can be fitted to seats of widely different dimension. Even if bracket 50 is permanently secured for example by welding to the frame a limited number of frames sizes will fit many vehicles. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bracket 50 is provided with a slot 50a in which one or both of the pins 52 is received. Preferably, the pin remote from the driver is received in the slot 50a. Locking means for example nut 52a may be provided to lock the pin 52. This arrangement provides for adjustable spacing of the pin centres thereby allowing the console to be fitted to any of a range of vehicles.

In some embodiments an extension 53 of bracket forms an additional equipment mounting surface on which, for example, pens or a writing pad could be mounted.

A body 100 conveniently made of sheet steel which may for example be spray coated. Body 100 defines a compartment 101 for example for receiving documents or continuous stationery. Body 100 further comprises accessory panel 102 on which for example a DC/AC inverter or power adapters (not shown) can be mounted.

Tray 110 is mounted on body 100. Conveniently tray 110 is of plastics for example in ABS moulding.

Those skilled in the art will have little difficulty in devising modifications.

For example sliding drawer 6 could be replaced by an inclined plane sloping downwards away from the outer edge thereof.

Documents could be placed on the plane for storage, the downward slope of the plane restraining the documents during cornering of the vehicle. If the plane is not provided with a door access can be extremely quick. When provided with a door a neat appearance is achieved which in many cases is cheaper than providing a sliding drawer.

In some embodiments of the invention accessory panel 102 comprises a closed or sealable box. This can be advantageous for two reasons. First unsightly cables can be stored within the box. Secondly the box structure enhances the rigidity of the panel.

Claims (11)

1. A console for carrying equipment on a vehicle seat comprising: i. a frame for mounting on the seat; ii. a tie for tying the frame to the seat; and iii. pins to be received in holes in the top of the seat back.

2. A console as claimed in claim 1 in which a tray is mounted on the frame.

3. A console as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tray is a plastics moulding.

4. A console as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plastics moulding is an ABS moulding.

5. A console as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with it least one storage compartment.

6. A console as claimed in claim 5 wherein the storage compartment is provided with a slidable drawer having a flange provided with a dog leg portion engaging a detent formed on the drawer runner in the closed position.

7. A console as claimed in claim 2 provided with a storage compartment beneath the tray and having a slot formed in the tray communicating with the storage compartment.

8. A console as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with a DC/AC inverter.

9. A console as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spacing of the pins is adjustable.

10. A console as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one pin is received in a slot allowing the pin spacing to be adjusted.

11. A console substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to any one of the figures.