GB2569195B

GB2569195B - A clothing storage system for a vehicle.

Info

Publication number: GB2569195B
Application number: GB1720626.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Loughlin Kyle; Leck Matthew; Hoggarth Marcus
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2017-12-11
Filing date: 2017-12-11
Publication date: 2019-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-11
Also published as: GB2569195A; GB201720626D0

Description

A clothing storage system for a vehicle.

Technical Field

This invention relates to the field of vehicle interiors, and particularly although not exclusively, relates to a clothing storage system which allows protected storage of clothing, whilst offering ease of access.

Background

Many vehicle users store garments such as suits in their vehicles so that the garments are available to be worn when they reach their destination. Some vehicle users choose not to wear particular garments during the journey since doing so may be uncomfortable, cause creases to form on the garment or risk soiling the garment before reaching the destination. Modern vehicles are equipped with hooks or brackets to hold garments such as coats or clothing hangers from which the garments may be suspended. Often due to constraints such as free space in the vehicle, vehicle users are forced to fold their garments or lay their garments on a seat in the vehicle in such a manner that can encourage creases to form on the garment. Existing methods of suspending garments are sometimes avoided, particularly when passengers are in the vehicle, since the arrangement can require garments to be placed in the way of passengers and obstruct their view. Such methods are disadvantageous to drivers too, since the placement of the garments can restrict the view through windows of the vehicle, thereby limiting visibility of the road. A solution is required which enables vehicle users to store garments in a vehicle in a manner that does not encroach on passengers’ space or cause creasing of the garment, whilst still being easily accessible.

Statements of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a clothing storage system for a vehicle, the system comprising: an elongate support member comprising a track and a support element slideable along the track, the elongate support member being extendable between a stowed position and a deployed position in the vehicle, the support element being moveable along the track between a first position which is remote from a free end of the elongate support member and a second position which is at or towards the free end of the elongate support member.

The clothing storage system may further comprise an actuator for moving at least one of: the elongate support element between the stowed and deployed positions; and the support element between the first and second positions.

One or more actuators may be configured for moving the elongate support member between the stowed and deployed positions and the support element between the first and second positions. The elongate support member and the support element may be moved simultaneously. The actuator may, for example, be an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. In one arrangement the actuator comprises a rack and pinion mechanism. The pinion being driven by an electric motor to extend or retract the rack. The rack may be connected to or comprise at least one of the elongate support member and the support element. The rack may be connected directly or indirectly at least one of the elongate support member and the support element.

The support element may comprise one or more coat hangers.

The support element may comprise one or more hook or bracket for supporting an item of clothing.

In the stowed position, the support element may be within a storage compartment of the vehicle.

The storage compartment may be configured to accommodate a full length jacket or coat.

The storage compartment may be located behind an interior trim panel ofthe vehicle. The storage compartment may be closed by a door when the support element is in the stowed position.

The actuator may be configured to move at least one of the elongate support member and the support element automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or a door of the vehicle is opened.

At least one of the elongate support member and the support element may be automatically retracted, for example upon detection of a load applied to the elongate support member or the support element, or when the end of the elongate support member is pushed by a vehicle user.

The elongate support member and support element may be automatically extended in response to a predetermined gesture from a user. For example, the user may press a button or touch the door of the clothing storage system to cause it to move between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Automatic extension and retraction of the elongate support member and supporting element can be determined according to a plurality of predetermined settings. For example, a first setting would cause the system to move to the deployed position only if an actuator button is pressed, whereas a second setting may cause the system to move to the deployed position as soon as a vehicle door is opened.

The system may be programmable from an interface in the vehicle or independent of the vehicle.

The system may be configured to operate without power. The system may comprise at least one push-to-open ball bearing runner which may allow the extension and retraction of the elongate support member and/or the extension and retraction of the support element.

The above clothing storage system may comprise part of a vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a method of providing storage within a vehicle, wherein the method comprises: providing an elongate support member, extending the elongate support member along a track between a stowed position and a deployed position in the vehicle; and moving a support element along the track, between a first stowed position which is remote from a free end of the elongate support member and a second deployed position which is towards or at the free end of the elongate support member.

The method may further comprise extending the elongate support member and the support element at the same time.

The method may further comprise the steps of (i) extending the elongate support member from the stowed position to the deployed position; and (ii) extending the support element from the first position to the second position after the elongate support member has started extending.

The method may further comprise the steps of (iii) retracting the elongate support member from the deployed position to the stowed position; and (iv) retracting the support element from the second position to the first position after the elongate support member has started retracting.

The method may further comprise the steps of (iii) simultaneously initiating the retraction of the support element from the second position to the first position and the retraction of the elongate support member from the deployed position to the stowed position; and (v) continuing to retract the support element to the first position after the elongate support member has reached the stowed position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a is a schematic view of the clothing storage system in a fully stowed position.

Figure 1b is a schematic view ofthe clothing storage system in an intermediate position between fully stowed and fully deployed positions.

Figure 1c is a schematic view of the clothing storage system in a fully deployed position.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a possible drive mechanism for the elongate support element.

Figure 3a is an axial cross-section of one embodiment of a track.

Figure 3b is an axial cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a track.

Detailed Description

The clothing storage system 2 is configured to be moveable between a fully stowed position, an intermediate position and a fully deployed position, as depicted in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c respectively. In some arrangements, the system may be configurable such that the elements may be moveable to other intermediate positions.

With reference to Figures 1a-c, a clothing storage system 2 comprises an elongate support member 4 which comprises a track 6 which is configured to enable the mounting of a support element 8 to the track 6. The support element 8 may be configured to support a garment 10 in such a way as to minimise the folding or creasing of the garment 10. The system may be mounted to a storage compartment 12 in the vehicle. The storage compartment 12 may be located behind an interior trim panel 14 of the vehicle. The storage compartment 12 may be configured to be at least of a size and shape capable of accommodating a full length jacket or coat. The storage compartment 12 may be configured enable the storage of multiple items of clothing at the same time.

The elongate support member 4 is moveable (e.g slidable) relative to the storage compartment 12 between a stowed position in which the elongate support member 4 is contained within the storage compartment 12 and a deployed position in which the elongate support member 4 projects into the free space in the vehicle cabin. In the stowed position a first end 16a of the elongate support member 4 is at or towards an internal wall 18a of the storage compartment 12, and a second end 16b is at or towards an opening 18b in the storage compartment 12. In the deployed position the first end 16a of the elongate support member 4 is at or towards the opening 18b of the storage compartment 12, and the second end 16b projects into the free space in the vehicle.

The support element 8 is moveable (e.g slidable) relative to the elongate support member 4 between a first position in which the support element 8 is at or adjacent to the first end 16a of the elongate support member 4 and a second position in which the support element 8 is at or adjacent to the second end 16b, which is at or adjacent to the opening 18b in the storage compartment 12. The system may further comprise an actuator 20 which may be connected to the elongate support member 4 at the enclosed end 16a, or at the open end 16b.

In the fully stowed position, as depicted in Figure 1a, the system is configured such that the elongate support member 4 is in the stowed position and the support element 8 is in the first position.

In the intermediate position, as depicted in Figure 1b, the system is configured such that the elongate support member 4 is between the stowed position and the deployed position and the support element 8 is between the first position and the second position.

In the fully deployed position, as depicted in Figure 1c, the system is configured such that the elongate support member 4 is in the deployed position and the support element 8 is in the second position.

In some arrangements, the support element 8 may comprise one or more hooks, clothes hangers or fasteners for supporting an item of clothing. The support element 8 may be configurable such as to be non-rotatable relative to the track 6, thereby minimizing movement of the garment 10, and aligning the garment with the opening in the storage compartment 12

The actuator 20 may comprise a rack and pinion linear electrically powered actuator.

With reference to Figure 2, the elongate support member 4 comprises a rack 22 which is supported on a pinion 24, the rack 22 and pinion 24 forming a rack and pinion linear actuator configured to move the elongate support member 4. The pinion 24 is driven by motor 26 with a reduction mechanism (not shown). The rack 22 comprises teeth disposed on the face adjacent to the pinion 24 and is sufficiently long so as to allow the elongate support member 4 to be movable from the stowed position to the deployed position.

The elongate support member 4 is configured to axially surround and be slidable along a rigid rail 28. The rigid rail 28 may be mounted to an internal wall 18a ofthe storage compartment 12 such that the rigid rail is cantilevered from the internal wall 18a. The pinion 24 may provide additional support to the cantilevered rigid rail 28 and the elongate support member 4. The motor 26 may be fixed to the storage compartment 12 or another part of the vehicle.

With reference to figures 3a and 3b, the support element 8 may be coupled to the elongate support member 4 by wheels 30. A horizontal flange or an axial channel of the elongate support member may form the track 6, along which the support element 8 is movable. The wheels 30 may rest and roll along the track 6. The track 6 may comprise barriers (not shown) which may prevent the movement of the support element 8 beyond the first and second positions.

In alternative embodiments, the support element 8 may be removable from the track 6, and can be used to carry a garment more easily from the vehicle.

The actuator 20 may be configured to move at least one of: the elongate support member 4 between the stowed and deployed positions; and the support element 8 between the first and second positions. In some arrangements, the actuator 20 may be configured to move the elongate support member 4 and the support element 8 at the same time. In another arrangement the elongate support member 4 and the support element 8 each have a dedicated actuator (not shown).

The clothing storage system 2 may be configured such that one or more movements of the elongate support member 4 and the support element 8 may be carried out automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or a door of the vehicle is opened. At least one of the elongate support member 4 and support element 8 may be automatically retracted upon detection of a load applied to the elongate support member 4 or the support element 8.

The automatic responses may be triggered by a predetermined gesture from a user and the nature of the response may be determined by a plurality of predetermined settings. The predetermined gesture may be the push of a button, or the selection of an option on a display screen or on a personal device such as a phone or tablet. Control of the clothing storage system 2 may be integrated into a control system of the vehicle or into an app on the personal device such that at least one of the predetermined setting and the predetermined gesture may be set on the control system and movement initiated by the gesture. A method of providing storage within a vehicle comprises: extending the elongate support member 4 between the stowed position and the deployed position in the vehicle; and sliding the support element 8 along the track 6, between the first position which is remote from a free end 16b of the elongate support member 4 and the second position which is towards or at the free end 16b of the elongate support member 4.

In use, a driver or passenger in the vehicle first sets up the system by programming the desired settings into the vehicle control interface. For example, the driver or passenger may programme the system to automatically extend the elongate support member 4 from the stowed position to the deployed position upon the opening of a door of the vehicle near to the storage compartment 12.

In this particular setting, when the driver or passenger opens the adjacent door of the vehicle, the system automatically extends the elongate support member 4 from the stowed position to the deployed position by sliding the elongate support member along the rigid rail 28. The driver or passenger then extends the support element 8 by hand from the first position to the second position after the elongate support member 4 has reached the deployed position. The driver or passenger then assembles the garment 10 onto the support element 8 and subsequently moves the support element 8 from the second position to the first position by sliding the support element 8 along the track 6. The elongate support member 4 may subsequently retract from the deployed position to the stowed position upon the sensing of the additional weight of the garment 10 on the support element 8 once it has been returned to the first position.

When the garment 10 is inside the storage compartment 12 and the adjacent vehicle door is opened, the elongate support member 4 is extended from the stowed position to deployed position. Then the driver or passenger extends the support element 8 by hand from the first position to the second position, enabling the garment 10 to be removed from the support element 8. The driver or passenger then slides the support member 8 from the second position to the first position and closes the door. Upon the closing of the adjacent vehicle door, the system 2 moves the elongate support member 4 from the deployed position to the stowed position.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothing storage system for a vehicle, the system comprising: an elongate support member comprising a track and a support element moveable along the track, the elongate support member being extendable between a stowed position and a deployed position in the vehicle, the support element being moveable along the track between a first position which is remote from a free end of the elongate support member and a second position which is at or towards the free end of the elongate support member.

2. A clothing storage system for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator for moving at least one of: the elongate support element between the stowed and deployed positions; and the support element between the first and second positions.

3. A clothing storage system for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the actuator moves the elongate support element between the stowed and deployed positions and the support element between the first and second positions simultaneously.

4. A clothing storage system according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element comprises one or more coat hangers.

5. A clothing storage system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support element comprises one or more hooks or brackets for supporting an item of clothing.

6. A clothing storage system according to any preceding claim, wherein in the stowed position the support element is within a storage compartment of the vehicle.

7. A clothing storage system according to claim 6, wherein the storage compartment is located behind an interior trim panel of the vehicle.

8. A clothing storage system according to any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the actuator moves at least one of the elongate support member and support element automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or a door of the vehicle is opened.

9. A clothing storage system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the elongate support member and support element are automatically retracted upon detection of a load applied to the elongate support member.

10. A clothing storage system according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate support member and support element are automatically extended in response to a predetermined gesture from a user.

11. A clothing storage system according to claim 1 0, wherein the predetermined gesture comprises the pushing of a button by the user.

12. A vehicle comprising the storage assembly of any preceding claim.

13. A method of providing storage within a vehicle, wherein the method comprises: providing an elongate support member, extending the elongate support member between a stowed position and a deployed position in the vehicle; and moving a support element along the elongate support member, between a first position which is remote from a free end ofthe elongate support member and a second position which is towards or at the free end of the elongate support member.

14. A method of providing storage within a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises extending the elongate support member and the support element at the same time.

15. A method of providing storage within a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the steps of (i) extending the elongate support member from the stowed position to the deployed position; and (ii) extending the support element from the first position to the second position after the elongate support member has started extending.

16. A method of providing storage within a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of (iii) retracting the elongate support member from the deployed position to the stowed position; and (iv) retracting the support element from the second position to the first position after the elongate support member has started retracting.

17. A method of providing storage within a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of (iii) simultaneously initiating the retraction of the support element from the second position to the first position and the retraction of the elongate support member from the deployed position to the stowed position; and (v) continuing to retract the support element to the first position after the elongate support member has reached the stowed position.