WO2011133758A1

WO2011133758A1 - A container holding device for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2011133758A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/033409
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shriram Joshi; Ravindra Desai
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2010-04-22
Filing date: 2011-04-21
Publication date: 2011-10-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container holding device for a vehicle, which comprises an inner tray assembly (2) having a set of guiding tracks (2a) on its outer sidewalls. A spring-loaded side arm (4) is attached with the inner tray assembly for firmly gripping a container in sideways. A spring-loaded pusher (5) is attached with the inner tray assembly for firmly holding the container by urging against the container. A resting unit (3) is hinged with the inner tray assembly for securely supporting the container. An outer body assembly (1) has a hollow internal space (1 a) for receiving the inner body assembly and a set of guiding tracks (1d) on its inner sidewalls. A latch (7) is attached to the outer body assembly for locking the inner tray assembly in closed condition. The outer body assembly and the inner tray assembly are assembled together in such a way that the guiding tracks of the outer body assembly are guided on the guiding tracks of the inner body assembly to make the inner tray assembly sliding in and out of the outer body assembly. Such container holding device is easily fitted on the interior of the vehicle and capable of stably holding different sized containers. It is also compact, semi automatic and simple in construction.

Description

A CONTAINER HOLDING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the fields of cup holder for a vehicle. The present invention specifically relates to a container holding device fitted on an interior of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, a vehicle cup holder is fitted into a vehicle, preferably car, and positioned with respect to driver's and passenger's seats for easy access. One example of a typical conventional cup holder has a cup holding space, a cup holder cover that is rotatably installed on the body through a pair of arms, a spring member that is installed on the body so as to press the cup holder cover, and a slider that moves along the body when the cup holder cover is closed or opened. However, the user lowers the cup holder cover, and then places the cup on the body. This preparation delays the process of placing the cup on the body, and detracts the user's attention from driving. Moreover, the cup holder is placed externally in the vehicle interior, which occupies an additional space of the vehicle.

Some other conventional cup holder for vehicles provided with a drawer type cup holding part and a casing by which installation of the cup holder is carried out in the side of the casing, where the drawer type cup holding part is stored in the casing. In such cup holder, the linear shape contact surfaces of the contact parts of the cup holding part and the casing are contacted in such a way that the cup holding part is pulled out from or pushed into the casing. The structure of cup holder part is stored in the parts by the side of the casing at the time of intact. This cup holder does not occupy any additional space as it is completely enclosed in the vehicle interior, when it is not in use. With respect to the conventional vehicle cup holders, the slide cover has to be removed to place the cup, which leads to detract the user's attention while driving. This cup holder is placed externally which occupies additional space in the vehicle interior. In the conventional drawing-type cup holder, it is very complex in structure and difficult to fit on the interior of the vehicle. Moreover, since the cup holding part is designed for only specified size of containers, it does not firmly hold the smaller containers in it, which makes the container coming out of the holding part while driving the vehicle on the uneven road conditions. Further, it is not adaptable to hold different sized containers, i.e. the different types of cup holding part is required to hold different sized containers in the cup holder. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved container holding device fitted on the interior of the vehicle, which is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a container holding device, which is easily fitted on the interior of the vehicle and capable of stably holding different sized containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container holding device, which is compact, semi automatic and simple in construction.

According to one aspect, the present invention, which achieves the objectives, relates to a container holding device for a vehicle, comprising an inner tray assembly having a set of guiding tracks on its outer sidewalls. A spring- loaded side arm is attached with the inner tray assembly for firmly gripping a container in sideways. A spring-loaded pusher is attached with the inner tray assembly for firmly holding the container by urging against the container. A resting unit is hinged with the inner tray assembly for securely supporting the container. An outer body assembly has a hollow internal space for receiving the inner body assembly and a set of guiding tracks on its inner sidewalls. A latch is attached to the outer body assembly for locking the inner tray assembly in closed condition. The outer body assembly and the inner tray assembly are assembled together in such a way that the guiding tracks of the outer body assembly are guided on the guiding tracks of the inner body assembly to make the inner tray assembly sliding in and out of the outer body assembly. Such container holding device is easily fitted on the interior of the vehicle and capable of stably holding different sized containers. It is also compact, semi automatic and simple in construction.

Furthermore, a resilient means is attached on the outer body assembly for displacement of the inner tray assembly from the outer body assembly during opening of the inner tray assembly. A cover unit is fastened to the inner tray assembly, where the cover unit is designed to match with the interior surface of the vehicle when the container holding device is in closed condition. A set of locking units is attached to sidewalls of the outer body assembly for locking the inner tray assembly in the outer body assembly in open condition. Each locking unit comprises two legs through which the locking unit is snap-fitted into the outer body assembly, and anti-rattle parts that are arc shaped and molded in the locking unit. The anti-rattle parts interact with the sidewalls of the inner tray assembly, so that pegs embossed on the inner tray assembly are locked in between the anti-rattle parts, which restricts further movement of the inner tray assembly with respect to the outer body assembly.

In addition, the inner tray assembly comprises a striker pin that is engaged with the latch to lock the inner tray assembly in closed condition. The inner tray assembly is pushed in to activate the latch, so that the striker pin is disengaged from the latch for sliding and pulling out the inner tray assembly from the outer body assembly. While pulling out the inner tray assembly, the side arm and the resting unit are extended out from the outer body assembly for holding the container, where one end of the side arm is attached with a stopper which blocks the side arm coming out of the inner tray assembly.

The inner tray assembly is pushed inside of the outer body assembly to deactivate the locking units, so that the guiding tracks of the inner tray assembly tends to slide on the guiding tracks of the outer body assembly. The inner tray assembly is pushed in until the striker pin of the inner tray assembly is engaged with the latch of the outer body assembly. While pushing in the inner tray assembly, the side arm and the resting unit are in contact with the edge of the outer body assembly, so that the side arm and the resting unit are enclosed in the outer body assembly. The outer body assembly comprises a set of locators arranged on it to ensure proper fitting of the inner tray assembly to the outer body assembly. The outer body assembly assembled with the inner tray assembly is mounted on a mounting panel of a dashboard of the vehicle through a set of mounting holes, where the inner tray assembly is enclosed with a metal reinforcement part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a container holding device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the container holding device in open condition, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the container holding device in closed condition, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4a illustrates a front view of a locking unit of the container holding device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b illustrates an isometric view of the locking unit of the container holding device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5a illustrates a top view of the locking unit of the container holding device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b illustrates a cross sectional view of the locking unit of the container holding device along line A-A of FIG. 5a, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional and detailed view of the locking unit assembled in the container holding device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an exploded view of a container holding device is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container holding device can be designed as a semi automatic and drawer type cup holder. Hereafter, the container holding device can be referred as cup holder, only for the purpose of explanation. The cup holder is configured to fit and mount on the interior, especially dashboard of a vehicle or automobile, where the cup holder slides in and out of the dashboard. The cup holder can be used by a driver in order to hold a container.

The cup holder includes an outer body assembly (1 ) mounted on a mounting panel of an instrument panel in the vehicle dashboard and an inner tray assembly (2) assembled into the outer body assembly (1 ). The inner tray assembly (2) is assembled in such a way that the inner tray assembly (2) can slide in and out of the outer body assembly (1 ). The outer body assembly (1 ) is formed with a hollow internal space (1 a) for receiving the inner body assembly (2). The outer body assembly (1 ) has a set of mounting holes (1 b) and a set of locators (1 c) arranged on it. The set of mounting holes (1 b) through which the outer body assembly (1 ) is mounted on the vehicle dashboard. The set of locators (1 c) ensure that the inner tray assembly (2) is fitted on the right place. The outer body assembly (1 ) is also configured with a set of guiding tracks (1 d) embossed on its inner sidewalls through which the inner tray assembly (2) slides in and out. A rotary latch (7) is attached to the outer body assembly (1 ) for locking the inner tray assembly (2) in closed condition when the cup holder is not in use. The rotary latch (7) is attached at the rear portion of the outer body assembly (1 ). A resilient means (12) is attached on the hollow internal space (1 a) of the outer body assembly (1 ) using a fastener (15) for displacement of the inner tray assembly (2) from the outer body assembly (1 ) while opening. The resilient means (12) includes, but not limited to a coil spring or pop out spring. The resilient means (12) is attached at the rear portion of the outer body assembly (1 ). The resilient means (12) has a pair of extended arms pivoting around a post molded into the outer body assembly near its rear end for pushing out the inner tray assembly (2). The pushing arm of the resilient means (12) is limited and cushioned by a rubber bump stopper (10) in a tensioned manner, so it does not make an audible noise when the inner tray assembly (2) is pushed out.

Locking units (8) are attached to both sidewalls of the outer body assembly (1 ) for locking the inner tray assembly (2) in open condition, so that complete detachment of the inner tray assembly (2) from the outer body assembly (1 ) is prevented while opening the inner tray assembly (2). The inner tray assembly (2) is arranged with a set of guiding tracks (2a) embossed on its outer sidewalls. The over-molded plastic inner tray assembly (2) is enclosed with an insert molded metal reinforcement part (1 1 ), which provides a stronger support when the cup holder holds the heavy weighted container. The voids in the over-molded plastic reflect the pins that hold the metal insert (1 1 ) during the molding operation are positioned in such a way that it is in the back, along the side and in the very front and obscured by the face plate, and thus these are not visible to the vehicle driver. The guiding tracks (2a) of the inner tray assembly (2) is configured to guide on the set of guiding tracks (1 d) of the outer body assembly (1 ), so that the inner tray assembly (2) easily slides in and out of the outer body assembly (1 ). A striker pin (2b) located at the backside of the top face of the inner tray assembly (2), so that the striker pin (2b) is engaged with the rotary latch (7) to lock the inner tray assembly (2) in closed condition and restrict the cup holder from opening when the vehicle is on move.

Furthermore, a rotating side arm (4) is loaded with a spring (13) and attached to the inner tray assembly (2) using a fastener (15) for firmly gripping the container in sideways. The rotating side arm (4) is formed as arm like structure having a through hole (4a) at its one end for receiving the fastener (15), whereas other end of the side arm (4) is attached with a stopper (9), which blocks the side arm (4) coming out of the inner tray assembly (2). A pusher (5) is loaded with a spring (14) and attached to the inner tray assembly (2) for firmly holding the container. A resting unit (3) is movably attached and hinged with the inner tray assembly (2), so that the container is rested on the resting unit (3). A cover unit (6) is fastened to the inner tray assembly (2) using the fasteners (16), where the cover unit (6) is designed as aesthetic lower bezel that matches the instrument panel surface of the vehicle dashboard when the cup holder is in closed condition. The fasteners (15, 16) referred in this specification include, but are not limited only to screws or grommet screws. The arrangement of rotating side arm (4), pusher (5) and resting unit (3) with the inner tray assembly (2) form an enclosure-like structure for holding the container. Such arrangement of the cup holder can easily be fitted on the interior of the vehicle and capable of stably holding different sized containers. Moreover, it is compact, semi automatic and simple in construction.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the container holding device in open condition, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Initially, the cup holder is in closed condition. In order to open the inner tray assembly (2) from the outer body assembly (1 ), the inner tray assembly (2) is pushed in by the operator to activate the rotary latch (7), so that the striker pin (2b) can be released from the rotary latch (7). While pushing the inner tray assembly (2), the resilient means (12) in the outer body assembly (1 ) is compressed, which creates torque in the resilient means (12). When the operator release the finger from the cover unit (6), the pushing arm of the resilient means (12) displaces the inner tray assembly (2) due to the built in torque of the resilient means (12), particularly by 30mm, which makes the cup holder semi automatic.

Then, the operator pulls the inner tray assembly (2) by pulling the cover unit (6) during the process of pulling. When the inner tray assembly (2) is in complete open condition, the spring loaded side arm (4) (spring under compression) and the resting unit (3) are fully activated and opened for holding the container. The locking units (8) housed on the front portion of the outer body assembly (1 ) locks in pegs (2c) of the inner tray assembly (2) in open condition, so that the inner tray assembly (2) doesn't slide in and out due to sudden stop or sudden acceleration and even riding on bumpy roads. The pegs (2c) are embossed on both outer sidewalls of the inner tray assembly (2) at its rear portion. When the operator inserts the container in open condition, the bottom of the container touches the upper surface of the spring loaded pusher (5), so that the pusher (5) is activated and inwardly pushed due to spring compression depending on the size of the container, which helps the cup holder to hold different sized container firmly when the vehicle is on move. Then, the container is rested on the resting unit (3) that abuts against the edge of the outer body assembly (1 ) to securely support the container in the cup holder.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the container holding device in closed condition, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Initially, the cup holder is in open condition. When the operator pushes the inner tray assembly (2) inside, the locking units (8) deactivates locking of the inner tray assembly (2) and the guiding tracks (2a) of the inner tray assembly (2) tends to slide on the guiding tracks (1 d) on the outer body assembly (1 ). The rotating side arm (4) comes in contact with the protrusion on the outer body assembly (1 ) and as the side arm (4) is spring loaded, the side arm (4) starts closing in. Similarly, the resting unit (3) tends to lift upwards by the edge of the outer body assembly (1 ). The operator further pushes the inner tray assembly (2) so that the inner tray assembly (2) touches and compresses the pushing arm of the resilient means (12) of the outer body assembly (1 ) and the striker pin (2b) is activated and locked with the rotary latch (7). Thus, the inner tray assembly (2) gets locked with the outer body assembly (1 ) and the resilient means (12) of the outer body assembly (1 ) starts to build the torques in the pushing arm of the resilient mans (12) for the next opening operation of the inner tray assembly (2), which makes the cup holder more compact.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, front and isometric views of the locking unit (8) of the container holding device are respectively illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The locking unit (8) is configured as anti rattle w-lock and with a shape of the soft plastic insert. The locking unit (8) has two legs (8a) through which the locking unit (8) is snap-fitted into the outer body assembly (1 ), which avoids the need for any other fasteners. The locking unit (8) is also composed of anti-rattle parts (8b), which is arc shaped and molded into the locking unit (8), where the free end of the anti-rattle parts (8b) is flexibly interfaced with the surface of the inner tray assembly (2), as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, which respectively illustrates top and cross sectional views of the locking unit (8) of the container holding device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cross sectional and detailed view of the locking unit (8) assembled in the container holding device is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The guiding tracks (1 d) on the outer body assembly (1 ) cooperate with the guiding tracks (2a) on the inner tray assembly (2) near the bottom of the sidewall of the inner tray assembly (2), while the anti-rattle parts (8b) interfaces and contacts the inner tray assembly (2) along an upper side surface that is distinct from the guiding tracks (2a) of the inner tray assembly (2). Since the anti-rattle parts (8b) are separated from the guiding tracks (2a), the anti-rattle parts (8b) allow the guiding tracks (2a) to provide the inner tray assembly (2) smooth sliding operation and strong drawer, without the anti-rattle feature interfering. While the inner tray assembly (2) is drawn out from the outer body assembly (1 ), the pegs (2c) of the inner tray assembly (2) are locked in between the anti-rattle parts (8b) of the locking unit (8), which prevents the inner tray assembly (2) completely coming out of the outer body assembly (1 ). Further, the inner tray assembly (2) doesn't slide in and out due to sudden stop or sudden acceleration and even riding on bumpy roads.

The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only. It is evident to those skilled in the art that although the invention herein is described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, there exist numerous alternatives, modifications and variations of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof. Hence all variations, modifications and alternatives that falls within the broad scope of the appended claims comes under the gamut of the invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1 . A container holding device for a vehicle, comprising:

an inner tray assembly having a plurality of guiding tracks on its outer sidewalls;

a spring-loaded side arm attached with said inner tray assembly for firmly gripping a container in sideways;

a spring-loaded pusher attached with said inner tray assembly for firmly holding the container by urging against the container;

a resting unit hinged with said inner tray assembly for securely supporting the container;

an outer body assembly having a hollow internal space for receiving said inner body assembly and a plurality of guiding tracks on its inner sidewalls; and a latch attached to said outer body assembly for locking said inner tray assembly in closed condition, wherein said outer body assembly and said inner tray assembly are assembled together in such a way that the guiding tracks of said outer body assembly are guided on the guiding tracks of said inner body assembly to make said inner tray assembly sliding in and out of said outer body assembly.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a resilient means attached on said outer body assembly for displacement of said inner tray assembly from said outer body assembly during opening of said inner tray assembly.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a cover unit fastened to said inner tray assembly, said cover unit is designed to match with the interior surface of the vehicle when the container holding device is in closed condition.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of locking units attached to sidewalls of said outer body assembly for locking said inner tray assembly in said outer body assembly in open condition.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking unit comprises two legs through which said locking unit is snap-fitted into said outer body assembly, and anti-rattle parts that are arc shaped and molded in said locking unit.

6. The device as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the anti-rattle parts interact with the sidewalls of said inner tray assembly, so that pegs embossed on said inner tray assembly are locked in between the anti-rattle parts, which restricts further movement of said inner tray assembly with respect to said outer body assembly.

7. The device as claimed in claims 1 , wherein said inner tray assembly comprises a striker pin that is engaged with the latch to lock said inner tray assembly in closed condition.

8. The device as claimed in claims 1 and 7, wherein said inner tray assembly is pushed in to activate the latch, so that the striker pin is disengaged from the latch for sliding and pulling out said inner tray assembly from said outer body assembly.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein while pulling out said inner tray assembly, the side arm and the resting unit are extended out from said outer body assembly for holding the container.

10. The device as claimed in claims 1 and 9, wherein one end of the side arm is attached with a stopper which blocks the side arm coming out of said inner tray assembly.

1 1 . The device as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein said inner tray assembly is pushed inside of said outer body assembly to deactivate said locking units, so that the guiding tracks of said inner tray assembly tends to slide on the guiding tracks of said outer body assembly.

12. The device as claimed in claims 6 and 1 1 , wherein said inner tray assembly is pushed in until the striker pin of said inner tray assembly is engaged with the latch of said outer body assembly.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein while pushing in said inner tray assembly, the side arm and the resting unit are in contact with the edge of said outer body assembly, so that the side arm and the resting unit are enclosed in said outer body assembly.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said outer body assembly comprises a plurality of locators arranged on it to ensure proper fitting of said inner tray assembly to said outer body assembly.

15. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said outer body assembly assembled with said inner tray assembly is mounted on a mounting panel of a dashboard of the vehicle through a plurality of mounting holes.

16. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said inner tray assembly is enclosed with a metal reinforcement part.