WO2000043232A1

WO2000043232A1 - Seat mounted center console

Info

Publication number: WO2000043232A1
Application number: PCT/CA2000/000045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Welch; Paul E. Newman; Ben Delphia
Original assignee: Magna Seating Systems Inc.
Priority date: 1999-01-22
Filing date: 2000-01-21
Publication date: 2000-07-27
Also published as: AU2087700A

Abstract

A seat and center console assembly (20) includes a pair of first (16) and second seats (18) spaced apart to define a console space between the seats. There are seat tracks (14, 15) for supporting the seats for fore and aft movement independently of one another relative to a floor of the vehicle. A console is positioned in the space between the seats. The console has at least a first receptacle (22) attached to the first seat (16) for storing an item and may further include a second receptacle (24) attached to the floor (12) of the vehicle or the second seat (18). The receptacles are independent of one another for independent fore and aft movement with the movement of the respective seats. Hence, the first seat and first receptacle move as a single unit and similarly the second seat and second receptacle move separately as a single unit.

Description

SEAT MOUNTED CENTER CONSOLE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a seat and center console assembly for an interior of a vehicle.

Background of the Invention

Vehicle interiors typically include front passenger seats which can be individual or bucket type seats having individual seat cushions and pivotal seat backs. Storage console assemblies may be positioned between the pair of bucket seats. The center consoles usually have at least one storage compartment with a pivotal cover for opening and closing the compartment. The pivotal cover can also act as an armrest. The storage compartment is utilized for storing any number of items such as portable phones, compact discs, pens, note pads, or the like. The center console assemblies known in the art are fixedly secured to a floor of the vehicle interior between the bucket type seats. Most commonly, the center consoles are part of a modular unit which may also include a transmission shift lever, parking brake, mirror controls, and the like. The driver side and passenger side bucket seats move forwardly and rearwardly independently of one another relative to the stationary center console to facilitate seat adjustment. Because the center console is in a fixed location, the bucket seats may become misaligned with the center console which creates an awkward reach to the center console.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a center console assembly having a pair of consoles which would be independently mounted to the seats to move in conjunction with the forward and rearward movement of the drivers side and passenger side seats.

A variety of prior art patents, such as United States Patent No. 4,944,552 to Harris, illustrate an attached structure that is mounted directly to a seat. This invention, as well as similar inventions, do not contain all of the features typically associated with a center console. These inventions address only very specific needs, such as a writing table or a flat surface to place food or reading material, and they do not disclose a dual system or pair of receptacles attached to a pair of seats. Further, the prior art does not show a pair of center consoles at the center console height as known in the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES The subject invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a seat and center console assembly for a vehicle comprising a first seat having inboard and outboard sides and adapted for use with a second seat. The second seat is a mirror image of the first seat. A first seat track is adapted for attachment to a floor of the vehicle and movably supports the first seat for fore and aft movement relative to the floor. A console is attached to the inboard side of the first seat to move with the seat between the fore and aft movements and is adapted for movement relative to and independent of the second seat. The console if preferably defined by a first receptacle attached to the first seat. The console may also be further defined to include a second receptacle attached to the second seat. The first and second receptacles are independent of one another for independent fore and aft movement with the movement of the respective seats.

Accordingly, the invention provides for easier access to the items in the center console for each occupant since each receptacle moves in conjunction with the corresponding seat. This reduces the need for the occupant to reach for items. The subject invention also allows a higher degree of privacy to the occupant as each occupant has their own storage space for items. The separately moveable receptacles also provide a safety feature as the driver of the vehicle will always have items within easy reach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior incorporating a seat and center console assembly in accordance with the subject invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the seat and center console assembly; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for the seat and center console assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a seat and center console assembly is generally shown at 10 in Figure 1. The seat and center console assembly 10 is disposed within a vehicle interior of a vehicle which includes a floor surface 12 that may be covered by carpet (not numbered). The vehicle interior may represent the interior of a passenger, mini-van or sport utility type vehicle having first 16 and second 18 seats. As illustrated, the first seat 16 is a driver side single occupant front bucket seat 16 and the second seat 18 is a passenger side single occupant front bucket seat 18 mounted adjacent to each other. The seats 16 and 18 each include a seat cushion 19a and 19b, respectfully. Pivotal seat backs 21a and 21b are mounted to the seat cushions 19a and 19b, respectfully. The seat cushions 19a, 19b each have seat cushion surfaces 25a, 25b, respectfully, which are the seating surfaces for a single occupant. The seat cushion surfaces 25a, 25b are disposed at a predetermined height relative to the respective seat cushions 21a, 21b. The seat cushions 21a, 21b and seat backs 19a, 19b are covered by a suitable trim cover (not numbered) such as a cloth, vinyl, leather or the like material. The first 16 and second 18 seats also each have inboard and outboard sides and are mirror images of each other.

First 14 and second 15 seat track assemblies are adapted for attachment to the floor 12 of the vehicle and movably support the first 16 and second 18 seats, respectfully. The seat tracks 14, 15 provide independent fore and aft movement for the first 16 and second 18 seats relative to the floor 12. For illustrative purposes, the details of the seat tracks 14, 15 are not shown. The seat tracks may be of any design or configuration suitable for providing a predetermined range of fore and aft adjustability for the seats 16, 18. One such design is disclosed in United States Patent No. 5,741,000, which is incorporated by reference. A riser (not numbered) may be positioned between each of the seat cushions 21 a, 21 b and the respective seat tracks 14, 15 to elevate the seats 16, 18 as desired. Also, a connection beam (not shown) may interconnect the seat tracks 14 of the drivers side seat 16 with the seat tracks 15 of the passenger side seat 18. The connection beam is preferably of a type that would allow the seats 16, 18 to be installed within the vehicle as a single unit while still allowing relative movement between the seats 16, 18.

Additional passenger seats (not shown) may be placed behind the front seats 16, 18. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the subject invention is not dependent upon any particular type of vehicle, seat or seating arrangement.

Referring also to Figure 2, the seats 16, 18 are spaced apart to define a console space 23 between the seats 16, 18. The console space 23 may be of any suitable size as designated by a particular vehicle manufacturer. A console 20 is disposed in the console space 23 between the seats 16, 18. The console 20 is attached to the inboard side of the first seat 16 to move with the first seat 16 between the fore and aft movements and is adapted for movement relative to and independent of the second seat 18. In other words, the console 20 is independent of the second seat 18 and moves with the first seat 16 as a single unit. Preferably, the console 20 has a first receptacle 22 for storing an item.

The console 20 may also include a second receptacle 24 for storage. For descriptive purposes, the details of the console 20 will be further discussed with reference to an assembly 10 utilizing both first 22 and second 24 receptacles. As appreciated, the scope of the subject invention is not limited to the use of both receptacles 22, 24 such that the subject invention may only include a single receptacle 22, 24.

The receptacles 22, 24 are independent of one another for independent relative movement between the first and second receptacles 22, 24. The second receptacle 24 may be mounted to the floor 12 of the vehicle or any other suitable location. Preferably, the second receptacle 24 is attached to the second seat 18. Hence, the first seat 16 and first receptacle 22 will move forward and rearward as a single unit and similarly the second seat 18 and second receptacle 24 will move forward and rearward as a single unit independently of the first seat 16 and first receptacle 22.

The receptacles 22, 24 each have inner walls which are complementary in configuration with the contour of the respective inboard sides of the corresponding seat cushions 21 a, 21 b. Hence, the first 22 and second 24 receptacles are preferably mounted to the inboard sides of the respective seats 16, 18. As clearly illustrated in Figure 2, a small gap is created between the first 22 and second 24 receptacles to allow relative movement therebetween.

The receptacles 22, 24 may be mounted to the respective seats 16, 18 in any suitable manner such as bolted to a seat cushion frame, secured to a beam extending from the seat cushion frame or even integrally molded as part of the respective seat cushion 21a, 21b.

Preferably, the receptacles 22, 24 are mirror images of one another. Even more preferably, the receptacles 22, 24 extend below the seat cushion surfaces 25a, 25b. Hence, each entire receptacle 22, 24 extends substantially below the top planar surface of the respective seat cushion 21 a, 21 b.

Each receptacle 22, 24 is provided with a lid 26a, 26b which covers at least a portion of the corresponding receptacle 22, 24. Preferably, the lids 26a, 26b are positioned substantially parallel in height to the seat cushion surfaces 25a, 25b. The lids 26a, 26b on the receptacles 22,24 include a trim cover that is aesthetically complementary to the covers on the seats 16, 18. In other words, the same or similar texture, color and the like used for the trim cover of the seats 16, 18 will be used for the lids 26a, 26b. Each receptacle lid 26a, 26b further include a hinging mechanism 38 mounted between the respective lid 26a, 26b and corresponding receptacle 22, 24 to hingedly connect the lids 26a, 26b to the receptacles 22, 24. In particular, the lids 26a, 26b are hinged to pivot between a closed position covering the receptacles 22, 24 and an open position allowing access into the receptacles 22, 24. Each lid 26a, 26b further includes a latching mechanism 36 to securely close the lids 26a, 26b to the receptacles 22, 24. The lids 26a, 26b, hinging mechanisms 38 and latching mechanisms 36 may be of any suitable design as dictated by a particular vehicle manufacturer. Each of the receptacles 22, 24 may be designed with a variety of additional cavities such as a compact disc holder 28, a beverage holder 32, and a cellular phone holder 30 as well as other like apertures. Further, seat controls 34 for up and down movement and for and aft movement can also be located on the receptacles 22, 24.

An alternative embodiment of the receptacles 22, 24 is shown in Figure 3 wherein the receptacles 22, 24 may be raised to act as more of an armrest in nature. Specifically, the receptacles 22, 24 at least partially extend above the seat cushion surfaces 25a, 25b, respectfully. Correspondingly, the lids 26a, 26b are positioned above the seat cushion surfaces 25a, 25b. The raised lids 26a, 26b have additional curvature for providing an armrest for the occupant.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A seat and center console assembly for a vehicle comprising; a first seat having an inboard side and adapted for use with a second seat being a mirror image of said first seat; a first seat track assembly adapted for attachment to a floor of the vehicle and movably supporting said first seat for fore and aft movement, and a console attached to said inboard side of said first seat to move with said seat.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said console includes at least a first receptacle mounted to said first seat.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further including a lid movable to selectively cover a portion of said receptacle.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first seat includes a seat cushion surface and said receptacle extends below said seat cushion surface with said lid positioned substantially parallel to said seat cushion surface.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first seat includes a seat cushion surface and said receptacle at least partially extends above said seat cushion surface with said lid positioned above said seat cushion surface.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a latching mechanism extending between said lid and said receptacle for selectively retaining said lid in a closed condition.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further including a hinging mechanism mounted between said lid and said receptacle to hingedly connect said lid to said receptacle.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further including a second seat having an inboard side and mounted adjacent to said first seat.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said console is further includes a second receptacle for storage, said first and second receptacles being independent of one another for independent fore and aft movement.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said receptacles are mirror images of one another.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second receptacle is attached to said second seat for movement therewith.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein at least one of said receptacles includes at least one beverage holder.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein at least one of said receptacles contains at least one compact disc holder.

14. A seat and center console assembly for a vehicle comprising: first and second seats spaced apart to define a console space between said seats, first and second seat track assemblies adapted for attachment to a floor of the vehicle and movably supporting said first and second seats, respectfully, for independent fore and aft movement of said first and second seats relative to the floor, and a console disposed in said console space between said seats, said console having at least a first receptacle attached to said first seat, said first receptacle being independent of said second seat for independent fore and aft movement with said movement of said first seat.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said console is further includes a second receptacle with said first and second receptacles being independent of one another for independent relative movement between said first and second receptacles.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said receptacles are mirror images of one another.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second receptacle is attached to said second seat for movement therewith.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first seat is positioned adjacent to said second seat and each of said seats include inboard sides with said receptacles mounted to said respective inboard sides of said seats.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first and second seats each include seat cushion surfaces and said first and second receptacles extend below said seat cushion surfaces.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said receptacles are each provided with a lid positioned substantially parallel to said seat cushion surfaces.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first and second seats each include seat cushion surfaces and said first and second receptacles at least partially extend above said seat cushion surfaces.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said receptacles are each provided with a lid positioned above said seat cushion surfaces.

23. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 further including a lid covering a portion of at least one of said receptacles.