GB2532946A

GB2532946A - Storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2532946A
Application number: GB1421321.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kelly Grainne
Original assignee: Emagination Ltd
Current assignee: Emagination Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-01
Filing date: 2014-12-01
Publication date: 2016-06-08
Also published as: GB201421321D0

Abstract

A storage and entertainment unit (2, fig.5) suitable for a motor vehicle where the unit comprises a front wall member 4, a rear wall member 6 and a pair of side wall members 24,26 with a storage compartment 28 being defined within said walls and having an entertainment device mount 12 disposed on the front wall of said unit. The storage unit is locatable on a seat of said vehicle and is adapted to be secured to said seat by means of a seat belt associated with the seat. The device may have one or more trays 16,18 foldable between a stowed and operative configuration. The side wall members may fold in a concertina to allow the front and back wall to abut in a stowed position. Seat belt engaging means such as a slot, channel or clip 20 may be present. The device holder may comprise a cantilevered arm 36 and cup holders (22). A bag 30 may be retained within the storage compartment.

Description

Storage and Entertainment Unit for a Motor Vehicle Carrying children in cars inevitably involves carrying numerous toys, snacks, nappies, changes of clothes and other objects that can quickly fill a car with clutter. 5 It is known to provide organisers attachable to the rear face of the front seats of a car, such organisers having a plurality of pockets and compartments for holding objects. It is also known to provide mounting devices for mounting entertainment units, such as tablets or DVD players, to the rear face of the head rests of the front seats of cars. However, a problem with such known devices is that objects held to therein or mounted thereon may be out of reach of a child. Furthermore, such objects may easily fall out of such devices, posing a risk to occupants of the car in the event of an accident.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle, said unit being able to be located on a seat of said motor vehicle and being adapted to be secured to said seat by use of a seat belt associated with said seat, said unit comprising a front wall member, a rear wall member, and a pair of side wall members, a storage compartment being defined between said front, rear and side wall members for holding objects therein, a device holder being provided on the front wall of the unit for mounting an entertainment device, such as a tablet or DVD player thereon.

Preferably the rear wall member of the unit is adapted to engage the seat back of the seat of the motor vehicle when the unit is located on the seat.

Preferably one or more trays are provided on the unit for use by a child sat adjacent the unit. In one embodiment the device may incorporate a pair of trays respectively located on either side of the unit. The one or more trays may be foldable between a stowed configuration, wherein the or each tray is housed within the unit, and an operative configuration, wherein the or each tray extends substantially horizontally to be used by a child sat adjacent the unit. The or each tray may be mounted on the front wall member of the unit. Locking means may be provided for locking the or each tray in its operative configuration and/or in its stowed configuration. The or each tray may be arranged to be stowed within a recess within the front wall member of the unit when in its stowed configuration. In one embodiment the or each tray may be mounted on a respective support arm pivotally mounted on a respective side of the front wall member of the unit for pivotal movement between a downwardly extending first position, wherein the respective tray is located within said recess in the front wall member of the unit in its stowed configuration, and an outwardly extending second position, wherein the respective tray is in its operative position. Preferably the or each tray is mounted on its respective support arm extending along a rear edge of the respective tray such that the tray can be rotated about the axis of the respective support arm through at least 90° between a first position, when the tray is located with said recess in the front wall member of the unit with the respective support arm is in its first position, and a second position, wherein the tray extends substantially horizontally to be in its operative position with the respective support arm is in its second position.

Preferably the unit includes a bag or holder receivable within the storage compartment. Said bag or holder may include one or more divider walls to divide the bag or holder into a number of compartments. At least one wall of the bag or holder may be formed from a thermally insulating material. The or each compartment of the bag or holder may be provided with a closure, such as a zipper.

The bag or holder may be provided with carrying handles permitting the bag or holder to be lifted into and out of the storage compartment.

Preferably the side wall members are adapted to permit the unit to be reconfigured between a compact folded configuration, wherein the front and rear wall members abut one another, and an operative configuration, wherein said front and rear wall members are spaced apart from one another to define said storage compartment therebetween. Preferably each of said pair of side wall members comprise foldable panels to permit the unit to be reconfigured between said operative and folded configurations. The unit may further comprise a base member. The base member may comprise an expandable panel formed from a flexible or elastic material or may comprise one or more hinged panels adapted to be folded between a stowed position, wherein the unit can be reconfigured to said compact folded configuration, and said operative configuration.

The unit may be provided with one or more cup holders or similar recessed object holders, preferably located in an upper region of one or both of the front and rear wall members, more preferably in an upper surface of the rear wall member.

Preferably the unit is arranged to be centrally located on a bench seat of a vehicle, preferably a rear bench seat, between adjacent outboard seat and stationary with respect to the outboard seats.

Preferably the front wall member and/or the rear wall member of the unit are 112 provided with seat belt engaging members to enable the unit be secured to said seat by use of a seat belt associated with said seat. In a preferred embodiment said seat belt engaging members are provided on the rear wall member of the unit, preferably on an outer face thereof. The seat belt engaging members may comprise slots or channels through which the seat belt may pass.

The device holder may comprise one or more cantilevered arms pivotally mounted on an outer face of the front wall member of the unit, said arms being pivotable between a folded position against said outer face of the front wall member of the unit and an operative position extending outwardly from the front wall members of the unit. Preferably a clamp device is provided at an outer end of said one or more cantilevered arms, said clamp device being adapted to hold said entertainment device therein. In one embodiment said clamp device comprises a pair of opposed hook members. The distance between said hook members may be adjustable such that said entertainment unit may be securely retained between said opposed hook members. A first of said pair of hook members may be defined by a recess formed in an outer end of said at least one cantilevered arm.

Preferably one or more latch members may be required for securing the front and rear wall members together when the unit is in its folded configuration.

The front and rear wall members may be formed from a relatively hard and rigid material, such as plastic. In one embodiment the front and rear wall members are formed from moulded plastic.

A storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a plan view of a storage and entertainment unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration; Figure 2 is a front view of the storage and entertainment unit of Figure 1 in its closed configuration; Figure 3 is a side view of the storage and entertainment unit of Figure 1 in its closed configuration; Figure 4 is a side view of the storage and entertainment unit of Figure 1 in an open 15 configuration; Figure 5 is a plan view of the storage and entertainment unit of Figure 1 in its open configuration; and Figure 6 is a rear view of the storage and entertainment unit of Figure 1 in its open configuration.

As illustrated in the drawings, a storage and entertainment unit 2 for a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of substantially rigid housings respectively defining a front wall member 4 and a rear wall member 6 of the unit 2. The housings may be formed from plastic, more preferably moulded plastic.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the unit 2 is in a closed configuration, the front and rear wall members 4,6 abut one another. Spring loaded latches 8 are provided on either side of the front wall member 4 engaging projections 9 on either side of the rear wall member 6 to lock the front and rear wall members 4,6 together when in the unit 2 is in its closed configuration.

As best shown in Figure 2, a recess 10 is provided in a front face of the front wall member 4 within which is received a device holder 12 in a folded configuration. The operation of the device holder 12 will be described in more detail below.

A best shown in Figure 3, a slot like channel 14 is provided in the front wall member 4 of the unit 2 within which is received a pair of trays 16,18 when in their stowed configuration with said slot like channel 14.

The unit 2 is adapted to sit on a seat of a motor vehicle with the outer face of the rear wall member 6 engaging the seat back. As shown in Figure 3, seat belt receiving clips 20 are provided on an outer face of the rear wall member 6, defining slots or channels through which a seat belt may pass, to secure the unit 2 on a seat of a motor vehicle. In use, the unit 2 may be centrally located on a bench seat of the vehicle between adjacent outboard seats such that a respective child may sit on either side of the unit.

As can be seen in Figure 1, cup holders 22 are provided in an upper face of the rear wall member 6 of the unit 2 adjacent either side of the unit 2.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the unit 2 in its open or operative configuration. The unit 2 includes a pair of foldable side walls 24,26 extending between the front and rear wall members 4,6, each side wall 24,26 comprising a first foldable panel 24A,26A hingedly connected to the front wall member 4 about a respective vertical hinge axis and a second foldable panel 24B,26B hingedly connected to the rear wall panel 6 about a respective vertical hinge axis, the fist and second panels 24A,24B,26A,26B of each side wall 24,26 being hingedly coupled together such that the side walls 24,26 can be foldable to allow the front and rear wall members 4,6 to be moved between their closed position when the unit 2 is in its closed configuration, wherein the folded side walls 24,26 are enclosed within a closed space bounded by the front and rear wall members 4,6, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, and their open position when the unit 2 is in its open configuration, shown in Figures 4 to 6, wherein the side walls 24,26 of the unit 2 extend between the front and rear wall members 4,6 such that an upwardly open storage compartment 28 is defined between the front and rear wall members 4,6. It is envisaged that each side wall 24,26 may be formed from three or more mutually foldable panels, if required to enable the side walls to be folded to a suitably compact size.

A base member (not shown) may be provided extending between the front and rear 5 wall members adjacent a lower edge of the side walls. The base member may be extendable, for example by being formed from an elastic material, being formed from foldable panels or by being mounted on a spring loaded roller to enable the base member to be extended and retracted as the front and rear wall members are moved between their open and closed positions. Alternatively the base member 112 may be omitted entirely.

The unit 2 further comprises a storage bag 30 shaped to be received within the storage opening of the unit when the unit is in its open configuration. Preferably the bag 30 comprises a flexible container having an open mouth and defined by substantially rectangular front and back panels interconnected by substantially rectangular side panels and a rectangular base panel. The bag 30 is provided with a pair of carrying handles 32,34 to enable the bag 30, and its contents, to be lifted into and out of the storage compartment 28. The bag 30 may be provided with one or more divider walls to divide the interior of the bag 30 into a series of compartments. One or more of the compartments of the bag 30 may be provided with a closure, such as a zip closure. The walls of one or more of the compartments of the bag 30 may be formed from a thermally insulating material.

As stated above device holder 12 is provided on the front wall member 4 of the unit 25 2 for mounting an entertainment device, such as a tablet or DVD player, thereon in a position to enable children sitting on either side of the unit to view and interact with such entertainment device.

As best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the device holder 12 comprises a pair of substantially parallel cantilevered arms 36,38 pivotally mounted on the front wall member 4 adjacent up upper end thereof for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis between a downwardly directed folded position, when the device holder 12 is stowed in a folded configuration within said recess 10 formed in the front face of the front wall member 4, and an outwardly and substantially horizontally extending operative position when the device holder 12 is in its operative configuration. A device clamp 40 is pivotally mounted between outer ends of the cantilevered arms 36,38 to be moveable between a folded position, wherein the device clamp 40 extends between the cantilevered arms 36,38 when the device holder 12 is in its folded configuration, and an operative position, wherein the device clamp 40 extends upwardly and outwardly from the cantilevered arms 36,38, when the device holder 12 is in its operative configuration. An outer end of the device clamp 40 defines a hook shaped holder portion 42 which cooperates with recesses 44 formed adjacent the outer ends of the cantilevered arms 36,38 to clamp a tablet or DVD screen (not shown) therebetween when the device holder 12 is in its operative configuration, as shown in Figure 4. The holder portion 42 of the device clamp 40 may be telescopically mounted to enable the spacing between the hook shaped holder portion 42 of the device clamp 40 and the recesses 44 in the cantilevered arms 36,38 to be adjusted to suit the dimensions of the device to be held and to enable such device to be attached to and removed from the device holder 12. Inner faces of the holder portion 42 of the device clamp 40 and the recesses 44 in the cantilevered arms 36,38 may be lined with a resilient material to protect the device mounted within the device holder 12 and to prevent slippage of the device from the device holder.

A pair of trays 16,18 are mounted on the front wall member 4 of the unit 2 Each tray 16,18 is foldable between an operative configuration, shown in Figures 4 to 6, wherein the trays 16,18 may be used children sat on either side of the unit 2, and a stowed configuration, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, wherein the trays 16,18 are received within said slot like channel 14 provided in the front wall member 4 of the unit 2.

To facilitate movement between said operative and stowed configurations, each tray 16,18 is mounted on the front wall member 4 via a respective cantilevered support arm 46 extending along a rear edge of the respective tray 16,18 and being pivotally coupled to the front wall member 4 of the unit 2 adjacent a respective side of said slot like channel 14 for movement through 180° between an outwardly extending operative position and an inwardly extending folded position. Each tray 16,18 is pivotally mounted on its respective cantilevered support arm 46 for rotational movement about the axis of the respective support arm 46, whereby each tray 16,18 an be moved between a horizontally extending operative orientation when the tray is in its operative position and a vertically (upwardly when the respective support arm 46 is in its outwardly extending operative position) aligned orientation, allowing the respective cantilevered support arm 46 to be moved between its outwardly extending operative position and its inwardly extending folded position.

Stops or locking means may be provided to limit the rotation of each tray 16,18 about the respective cantilevered support arm 46 to maintain the respective tray 16,18 in its horizontally extending operative position. Each tray 16,18 may be rotatably mounted on a respective support arm 46 for movement through 1800 such that the tray can extend forwardly or rearwardly from the respective support arm 46.

When not in use, the unit 2 may be maintained in its compact closed configuration, whereby it can be readily stored within a luggage compartment of a vehicle. The unit 2 may be placed on a car seat and secured thereto by passing the seat belt of the car seat through the seat belt receiving clips 20 provided on the rear wall member 6 of the unit 2. The spring loaded latches 8 may be released to allow the front and rear wall members 4,6 to be moved from their closed position to their open position, during which movement the side walls 24,26 are unfolded to open up the storage compartment 28. The bag 30, containing toys, snacks or other items required by the children, may then be placed into the storage compartment 28.

When required, the trays 16,18 may be unfolded from their stowed to their operative 25 configurations to be positioned over the laps of children at on either side of the unit 2.

The device holder 12 may be unfolded from its stowed configuration in the recess 10 in the outer face of the front wall member 4 into its operative configuration and an entertainment device, such as a tablet or DVD player, may be attached thereto, for example to enable the children to watch a movie or cartoon on such device. The location of the device holder 12 on the front wall member 4 of the unit 2 allows the entertainment device attached thereto to be readily view each child sat on either side of the unit and to be readily reached and controlled by such children.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle, said unit being able to be located on a seat of said motor vehicle and being adapted to be secured to said seat by use of a seat belt associated with said seat, said unit comprising a front wall member, a rear wall member and a pair of side wall members, a storage compartment being defined between said front, rear and side wall members or holding objects therein, a device holder being provided on the front wall of the unit for mounting an entertainment device, such as a tablet or DVD player thereon.
2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear wall member of the unit is adapted to engage the seat back of the seat of the motor vehicle when the unit is located on the seat.
3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one or more trays are provided on the unit for use by a child sat adjacent the unit.
4. A unit as claimed in claim 3, comprising a pair of trays, a respective tray being located on either side of the unit.
5. A unit as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the one or more trays are foldable between a stowed configuration, wherein the or each tray is housed within the unit, and an operative configuration, wherein the or each tray extends substantially horizontally to be used by a child sat adjacent the unit.
6. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the or each tray is mounted on the front wall member of the unit.
7. A unit as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein locking means are provided for 30 locking the or each tray in its operative configuration and/or in its stowed configuration.
8. A unit as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the or each tray is arranged to be stowed within a recess within the front wall member of the unit when in its stowed configuration.
9. A unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each tray is mounted on a respective support arm pivotally mounted on a respective side of the front wall member of the unit for pivotal movement between a downwardly extending first position, wherein the respective tray is located within said recess in the front wall member of the unit in its stowed configuration, and an outwardly extending second position, wherein 113 the respective tray is in its operative position
10. A unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the or each tray is mounted on its respective support arm extending along a rear edge of the respective tray such that the tray can be rotated about the axis of the respective support arm through at least 900 between a first position, when the tray is located with said recess in the front wall member of the unit with the respective support arm is in its first position, and a second position, wherein the tray extends substantially horizontally to be in its operative position with the respective support arm is in its second position.
11. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a bag or holder receivable within the storage compartment.
12. A unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said bag or holder includes one or more divider walls to divide the bag or holder into a number of compartments.
13. A unit as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein at least one wall of the bag or holder may be formed from a thermally insulating material.
14. A unit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the or each compartment of 30 the bag or holder is provided with a closure.
15. A unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said closure comprises a zipper.
16. A unit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the bag or holder is provided with carrying handles to enable the bag or holder to be lifted into and out of the storage compartment of the unit.
17. A unit as claimed any preceding claim, wherein the side wall members of the unit are adapted to permit the unit to be reconfigured between a compact folded configuration, wherein the front and rear wall members abut one another, and an operative configuration, wherein said front and rear wall members are spaced apart from one another to define said storage compartment therebetween.
18. A unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said pair of side wall members comprise foldable panels to permit the unit to be reconfigured between said operative and folded configurations.
19. A unit as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the unit further comprises a base member, said base wall member comprising an expandable panel formed from a flexible or elastic material or one or more hinged panels adapted to be folded between a stowed position, wherein the unit can be reconfigured to said compact folded configuration, and said operative configuration.
20. A unit as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, wherein one or more latch members are provided for securing the front and rear wall members together when the unit is in its folded configuration.
21. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more cup holders or other recessed object holders.
22. A unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein said one or more cup holders or recessed object holders are located in an upper region of one or both of the front 30 and rear wall members.23 A unit as claimed in claim 22, wherein said one or more cup holders or recessed object holders are located in an upper surface of the rear wall member.24. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the unit is arranged to be centrally located on a bench seat of a vehicle, preferably a rear bench seat, between adjacent outboard seat such that a respective child may sit on either side of the unit.25. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front wall member and/or the rear wall member of the unit are provided with seat belt engaging members to enable the unit be secured to said seat by use of a seat belt associated with said seat.26. A unit as claimed in claim 25, wherein said seat belt engaging members are provided on the rear wall member of the unit.27. A unit as claimed in claim 26, wherein said seat belt engaging members are 15 provided on an outer face of the rear wall member of the unit.28. A unit as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the seat belt engaging members comprise slots or channels through which the seat belt may pass.29. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device holder comprises one or more cantilevered arms pivotally mounted on an outer face of the front wall member of the unit, said arms being pivotable between a folded position against said outer face of the front wall member of the unit and an operative position extending outwardly from the front wall members of the unit.30. A unit as claimed in claim 29, wherein a clamp device is provided at an outer end of said cantilevered arms, said clamp device being adapted to hold said entertainment device therein.31. A unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said clamp device comprises a pair of opposed hook members.32. A unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the distance between said hook members is adjustable such that said entertainment unit can be securely retained between said opposed hook members.33. A unit as claimed in claim 31 or claim 32, wherein a first of said pair of hook members is defined by a recess formed in an outer end of said at least one cantilevered arm.34. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front and rear wall 10 members are formed from a relatively hard and rigid material.35. A unit as claimed in claim 34, wherein the front and rear wall members are formed from plastic.36. A unit as claimed in claim 35, wherein the front and rear wall members are formed from moulded plastic.37. A storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.