GB2469680A - Elongate storage compartment for a vehicle - Google Patents

Elongate storage compartment for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2469680A
GB2469680A GB0907044A GB0907044A GB2469680A GB 2469680 A GB2469680 A GB 2469680A GB 0907044 A GB0907044 A GB 0907044A GB 0907044 A GB0907044 A GB 0907044A GB 2469680 A GB2469680 A GB 2469680A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
dividing element
guide rail
storage compartment
vehicle
movement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0907044A
Other versions
GB2469680B (en
GB0907044D0 (en
Inventor
David Alan Rook
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bentley Motors Ltd
Original Assignee
Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bentley Motors Ltd filed Critical Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority to GB0907044A priority Critical patent/GB2469680B/en
Publication of GB0907044D0 publication Critical patent/GB0907044D0/en
Priority to FR1001745A priority patent/FR2944750B1/en
Priority to DE201010018956 priority patent/DE102010018956A1/en
Publication of GB2469680A publication Critical patent/GB2469680A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2469680B publication Critical patent/GB2469680B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/10—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
    • B60N3/105—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R7/00—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps
    • B60R7/04—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space, e.g. using racks
    • B60R7/046—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space, e.g. using racks mounted on door
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0019—Side or rear panels
    • B60R2011/0021—Doors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
    • B60R2011/0084—Adjustable or movable supports with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
  • Passenger Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

An elongate storage compartment 12 for a vehicle has an adjustable divider assembly 24 for adjustably partitioning the compartment. The divider assembly includes an elongate guide rail 28 mounted to an interior surface of the storage compartment and a dividing element 26 for partitioning the compartment. The dividing element is slidably mounted to the guide rail 28 for movement in a longitudinal direction of the compartment and the mounting arrangement 30 includes a mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element along the rail. The mounting arrangement 30 may comprise a mechanism for generating frictional resistance to the movement of the dividing element along the rail. Alternatively, the mounting arrangement 30 may include a number of detent formations spaced along the rail and a sprung loaded detent on a slider member configured to engage with the detent formations to resist movement of the dividing element at discreet positions.

Description

Vehicle Storage Compartment Divider
Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to storage compartments for vehicles and in particular, but not exclusively to elongate vehicle storage compartments such as door pockets.
Background to the Invention
It is known to provide storage compartments within the passenger area of a vehicle in which personal items may be stored. In many vehicles, storage compartments in the form of pockets are provided as part of the trim on side doors of vehicles. Door pockets are typically elongate with an opening at the top by means of which the user accesses the pocket. In some cases, the door pockets are formed as part of a door trim panel or are mounted to a door trim panel so as to be permanently open. In other cases, pockets are mounted in the door so as to be movable between an open position, in which the interior of the pocket can be accessed, and a closed position in which the pocket is largely hidden within the door.
A problem with elongate storage compartments is the tendency for items placed in them to move about and rattle. In some cases this can lead to damage of the items. This is a particular problem with door pockets as these are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that objects in the pocket tend to slide back and forth as the vehicle accelerates and brakes.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved storage arrangement for vehicles which overcomes, or at least mitigates, some or all of the problems of the known arrangements.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided an elongate storage compartment for a vehicle, the compartment having an adjustable divider assembly for adjustably partitioning the compartment, the divider assembly comprising an elongate guide rail mounted to an interior surface of the storage compartment, a dividing element located within and partitioning the compartment, a mounting arrangement for slidably mounting the dividing element to the guide rail for movement in a longitudinal direction of the compartment, the mounting arrangement including a mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element.
The guide rail may define a channel and the mounting arrangement may include a slide member which is slidably retained in the channel. Alternatively, the slide may define a channel in which the guide rail is received.
The mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element may include an arrangement for providing frictional resistance to movement of slide member along the guide rail. The arrangement may include a friction element mounted to or integral with the slide member which frictionally engages with the guide rail.
The mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element along the guide rail may comprise a number of detent formations spaced along the rail and a sprung loaded detent on the slider member configured to engage with the detent formations to resist movement of the dividing element. The detent formations may be in the form of holes or indentations and the sprung loaded detent may be in the form of a ball.
At least part of the dividing element may be padded.
The dividing element may be a panel.
The dividing element may be formed as a container for holding items.
The dividing element may be in the form of a retaining member.
More than one dividing element may be slidably mounted to the guide rail.
The rail may be located in a groove or recess in the interior surface of the compartment.
The storage compartment may be a pocket in a side door of the vehicle.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a divider assembly for use in the elongate vehicle storage compartment of the first aspect, the divider assembly comprising an elongate guide rail for mounting to an interior surface of the storage compartment, a dividing element shaped for location within the compartment, a mounting arrangement for slidably mounting the dividing element to the guide rail for movement in a longitudinal direction of the compartment, the mounting arrangement including a mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element.
The guide rail may define a channel and the mounting arrangement may include a slide member which is slidably retained in the channel. Alternatively, the slide may define a channel in which the guide rail is received.
The mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element may include an arrangement for providing frictional resistance to movement of slide member along the guide rail. The arrangement may include a friction element mounted to or integral with the slide member which frictionally engages with the guide rail.
The mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element along the guide rail may comprise a number of detent formations spaced along the rail and a sprung loaded detent on the slider member configured to engage with the detent formations to resist movement of the dividing element. The detent formations may be in the form of holes or indentations and the sprung loaded detent may be in the form of a ball.
At least part of the dividing element may be padded.
The dividing element may be a panel.
The dividing element may be formed as a container for holding items.
The dividing element may be in the form of a retaining member.
More than one dividing element may be slidably mounted to the guide rail.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and to the front of the interior of a side door of a vehicle having a storage compartment with an adjustable divider in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one end of the storage compartment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above and to the rear of the storage compartment shown in Figure la; Figure 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view through the storage compartment of Figure 3 on an enlarged scale; and Figures 5 to 7 are partial perspective views of a storage compartment in accordance with the invention illustrating alternative designs for the dividing element.
Figure 1 shows the interior of a front door 10 of a vehicle. The door trim includes an elongate storage compartment in the form of a pocket 12. The pocket has a base 14, front wall 16, rear wall 18, and end walls 20, 22 to define an interior volume in which items can be placed for storage. The walls of the pocket are covered in a trim material and at least some of the walls may be padded.
In the embodiment shown, the pocket 12 is pivotably mounted for movement between an open position (as shown) and a closed position in which the majority of the pocket is located within the door trim, with only the front 16 wall visible. However, the invention is equally applicable to fixed door pockets that are permanently open or indeed to any elongate storage compartment in a vehicle.
The pocket 12 is designed to hold a variety of personal and other objects which can be placed in the pocket when it i in the open position. In accordance with the invention, the pocket 12 is provided with an adjustable divider assembly (indicted generally at 24 in Figure 4) to enable a user to selectively divide the compartment into sub-compartments of variable length.
The divider assembly 24 comprises a dividing element or panel 26, a guide rail 28 and a mounting arrangement 30 for slidably mounting the dividing element 26 to the guide rail. As can be seen best in Figures 3 and 4, the guide rail 28 is mounted within a recess or groove 32 in the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the pocket where it is hidden from view by the occupants of the vehicle. The guide rail 28 extends in a longitudinal direction of the pocket so that the dividing element can be slid along the pocket as indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 3 and selectively positioned so as to divide the pocket into smaller sub-compartments.
The guide rail 28 defines a generally C shaped channel 34 and the mounting arrangement 30 includes a slide member 36 mounted to the divider which is slidable retained within the channel 34. A friction element is provided as part of the slide member 36 and is operative between the slide member and the guide rail 28 to provide resistance to the movement of the slide member 36 along the rail and hence resistance to movement of the dividing element 26.
This enables the dividing element 26 to maintain its position once it has been set by a user and also secures stowed items in place by providing resistance to their movement under driving conditions. The frictional resistance to movement also provides an improved feel for the user when adjusting the position of the dividing element. The level of frictional resistance is selected to be sufficient to hold the dividing element 26 in a desired position and to resist movement of the dividing element when contacted by objects in the pocket under normal driving conditions but without requiring a user exert an undue amount of force when repositioning the dividing element 26.
The use of a friction arrangement to resist movement of the dividing element 26 is advantageous as it enables a user to locate the dividing element at any desired position within its range of travel. However, other arrangements for providing resistance to the movement of the dividing member could be adopted and this may include arrangements in which the slide member is restrained from moving only at pre-determined positions along the length of the rail. For example, a number of indentations or holes may be provided along the length of the rail and the slide member may be provided with a sprung loaded detent which engages in the indentations to locate the dividing element. The detent member could be in the form of a ball for example.
The dividing element 26 may be in the form of a panel appropriately shaped to locate within and partition the pocket as shown in Figures 1 to 5. This arrangement is advantageous as the panel takes up only a minimal amount of space in the pocket. When not in use, the panel can be conveniently located adjacent one end of the pocket as shown in Figure 2. However, the dividing element could take other forms. For example, Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the dividing element 26 is in the form of a tray or receptacle 40 in which small items such as coins or trinkets can be placed. In a further alternative as shown in Figure 7, the dividing element 26 could be provided in the form of a retaining ring or hoop 42 in which elongate items can be placed so as to be held in a generally upright condition. The dividing element could also take the form of a cup holder.
The dividing element may be covered in a similar trim to the pocket and the door. At least the side surfaces of the dividing element can be padded to prevent stored objects which contact them from rattling and possibly being damaged. The dividing element 26 may also be provided with formations, such as the indentations 44 shown in Figure 5, to assist a user in gripping the dividing element 26 when making an adjustment.
It can be seen that the adjustable divider assembly 24 enables a user to selectively partition the pocket to accommodate a variety of different sized objects and to limit the movement of the objects within the pocket. If desired, more than one adjustable dividing element 26 could be mounted to the guide rail.
Various changes and modifications may be made to the above described arrangements without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, it will be appreciated that any suitable means of slidably mounting the dividing element to the guide rail could be adopted. For example, the slide member could be provided with a channel in which the guide rail is slidably located. Whilst the invention has been described in relation to door pocket, it can be applied to any elongate storage compartment in a vehicle.

Claims (27)

  1. Claims 1. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle, the compartment having an adjustable divider assembly for adjustably partitioning the compartment, the divider assembly comprising an elongate guide rail mounted to an interior surface of the storage compartment, a dividing element located within and partitioning the compartment, a mounting arrangement for slidably mounting the dividing element to the guide rail for movement in a longitudinal direction of the compartment, the mounting arrangement including a mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element.
  2. 2. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the guide rail defines a channel and the mounting arrangement includes a slide member which is slidably retained in the channel.
  3. 3. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the slide defines a channel in which the guide rail is slidably received.
  4. 4. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element comprises an arrangement for providing frictional resistance to movement of the slide member along the guide rail.
  5. 5. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, in which the arrangement includes a friction element mounted to or integral with the slide member which frictionally engages with the guide rail.
  6. 6. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3, in which the mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element comprises a number of detent fonnations spaced along the rail and a sprung loaded detent on the slider member configured to engage with the detent formations to resist movement of the dividing element.
  7. 7. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in claim 6, in which the detent formations are in the form of holes or indentations and the sprung loaded detent comprises a sprung loaded ball.
  8. 8. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the dividing element is a panel.
  9. 9. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, in which the dividing element comprises a container for holding items.
  10. 10. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the dividing element comprises a retaining member.
  11. 11. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which more than one dividing element is slidably mounted to the guide rail.
  12. 12. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the guide rail is located in a groove or recess in the interior surface of the compartment.
  13. 13. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the storage compartment is a pocket in a side door of the vehicle.
  14. 14. A divider assembly for use in the elongate vehicle storage compartment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, the divider assembly comprising an elongate guide rail for mounting to an interior surface of the storage compartment, a dividing element shaped for location within the compartment, a mounting arrangement for slidably mounting the dividing element to the guide rail for movement in a longitudinal direction of the compartment, the mounting arrangement including a mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element.
  15. 15. A divider assembly as claimed in claim 14, in which the guide rail defines a channel and the mounting arrangement includes a slide member slidably retained in the channel.
  16. 16. A divider assembly as claimed in claim 14, in which the slide defines a channel in which the guide rail slidably is received.
  17. 17. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element comprises an arrangement for providing frictional resistance to movement of slide member along the guide rail.
  18. 18. A divider assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the arrangement comprises a friction element mounted to or integral with the slide member which frictionally engages with the guide rail.
  19. 19. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of claims 15 or 16, in which the mechanism for providing resistance to movement of the dividing element along the guide rail comprises a number of detent formations spaced along the rail and a sprung loaded detent on the slider member configured to engage with the detent formations to resist movement of the dividing element.
  20. 20. A divider assembly as claimed in claim 19, in which the detent formations are in the form of holes or indentations and the sprung loaded detent comprises a sprung loaded ball.
  21. 21. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, in which at least part of the dividing element is padded.
  22. 22. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, in which the dividing element is a panel.
  23. 23. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, in which the dividing element comprises a container for holding items.
  24. 24. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, in which the dividing element comprises a retaining member.
  25. 25. A divider assembly as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which more than one dividing element is slidably mounted to the guide rail.
  26. 26. An elongate storage compartment for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated to the accompanying drawings.
  27. 27. A divider assembly substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated to the accompanying drawings.S
GB0907044A 2009-04-24 2009-04-24 Vehicle storage compartment divider Expired - Fee Related GB2469680B (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0907044A GB2469680B (en) 2009-04-24 2009-04-24 Vehicle storage compartment divider
FR1001745A FR2944750B1 (en) 2009-04-24 2010-04-23 ELONGATED STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR VEHICLE AND DIVIDER OF THE COMPARTMENT
DE201010018956 DE102010018956A1 (en) 2009-04-24 2010-04-23 Dividing device for a storage space of a vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0907044A GB2469680B (en) 2009-04-24 2009-04-24 Vehicle storage compartment divider

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0907044D0 GB0907044D0 (en) 2009-06-03
GB2469680A true GB2469680A (en) 2010-10-27
GB2469680B GB2469680B (en) 2013-12-18

Family

ID=40774893

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0907044A Expired - Fee Related GB2469680B (en) 2009-04-24 2009-04-24 Vehicle storage compartment divider

Country Status (3)

Country Link
DE (1) DE102010018956A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2944750B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2469680B (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013105957A1 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-12-24 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Holder for safe storage of objects in vehicles
CN107380078A (en) * 2017-08-18 2017-11-24 芜湖乐普汽车科技有限公司 A kind of parcel tray of arrangements for automotive doors

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070145760A1 (en) * 2005-12-27 2007-06-28 Lear Corporation Vehicle door container holder
EP1854672A2 (en) * 2006-05-10 2007-11-14 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Storage device for the centre console of a motor vehicle and centre console for a motor vehicle

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070145760A1 (en) * 2005-12-27 2007-06-28 Lear Corporation Vehicle door container holder
EP1854672A2 (en) * 2006-05-10 2007-11-14 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Storage device for the centre console of a motor vehicle and centre console for a motor vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2469680B (en) 2013-12-18
GB0907044D0 (en) 2009-06-03
FR2944750A1 (en) 2010-10-29
FR2944750B1 (en) 2014-10-31
DE102010018956A1 (en) 2010-10-28

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190424