WO2015199662A1

WO2015199662A1 - Retractable arm assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2015199662A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/043922
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon W. Miller; Raza A. BASHIR
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority date: 2014-06-24
Filing date: 2014-06-24
Publication date: 2015-12-30

Abstract

A retractable arm assembly for a vehicle may include a vehicle component comprising an interior space accessible via an aperture and an arm member. The arm member is movable at least partially through the aperture between a stowed position in which the arm member is at least partially retracted into the interior space of the vehicle component and a deployed position in which the arm member is at least partially extended. The arm member comprises a support platform configured to contact and support an object. The arm member comprises a retaining surface that extends above the support platform at a distal end of the support platform and is configured to contact the object to maintain the object in a viewing position. The support platform and retaining surface are configured to form a groove to receive at least the base of the object to support the object in the viewing position.

Description

RETRACTABLE ARM ASSEMBLY

FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to the field of retractable arm assemblies for a vehicle. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a retractable arm assembly configured to support an object. The present disclosure also relates to a method of holding an object using the retractable arm assembly within a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, typical vehicles do not have a means of securing an object, such as an electronic tablet, a clipboard, or a rigid notebook in a fashion such that it can be viewed comfortably by the vehicle occupants. There continues to be a need for a retractable device to secure an object within a vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a retractable arm assembly for a vehicle may include a vehicle component comprising an interior space accessible via an aperture and an arm member. The arm member can be movable at least partially through the aperture between a stowed position in which the arm member is at least partially retracted into the interior space of the vehicle component and a deployed position in which the arm member is at least partially extended. The arm member may comprise a support platform configured to contact and support an object. The arm member may comprise a retaining surface that extends above the support platform at a distal end of the support platform and can be configured to contact the object to maintain the object in a viewing position. The support platform and retaining surface can be configured to form a groove that will receive at least the base of the object to support the object in the viewing position.

[0004] In any of the embodiments, the arm member can be configured such that the retaining surface is disposed outside the interior space so as to be visible to the user when the arm member is in the deployed position.

[0005] In any of the embodiments, the vehicle component can be a foldable arm rest configured to be disposed between two adjacent seats. [0006] In any of the embodiments, the vehicle component can be a console configured to be disposed between two adjacent seats.

[0007] In any of the embodiments, the arm member can be configured to move between the stowed and deployed positions by sliding.

[0008] In any of the embodiments, the retractable arm assembly can further comprise a securing mechanism configured to secure the object on the support platform.

[0009] In any of the embodiments, the support platform, the retaining surface, and the groove can be open-ended along a length.

[0010] In any of the embodiments, the retractable arm assembly can further comprise at least one of a motor or spring mechanism configured to extend the arm member.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of holding an object within a vehicle may comprise gripping an arm member at least partially retracted in a vehicle component, extending the arm member from the vehicle component from an at least partially retracted position to an at least partially extended position, and placing the object on the support platform such that the support platform and the retaining surface at least partially contact the object to maintain the object in a viewing position. The arm member may include a support platform and a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface extends above the support platform.

[0012] In any of the embodiments, the step of extending the arm member from the partially retracted position to the extended position can include pulling a gripping segment of the retaining surface that is visible when the arm member is in the partially retracted position.

[0013] In any of the embodiments, the method of holding the object can further include the steps of removing the object from the support platform and sliding the arm member from the extended position to the partially retracted position such that the arm member is at least partially retracted in the vehicle component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIGS. 2A-2C are a perspective views of a row of backseats of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the retractable arm assembly of FIG. 2C in the deployed position with an object being placed in it.

[0018] FIG. 3 A is a longitudinal sectional view, offset from a gripping segment, of the retractable arm assembly of FIG. 2A in a stowed position.

[0019] FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the retractable arm assembly of FIG. 2A in a stowed position.

[0020] FIG. 3C is a longitudinal sectional view of the retractable arm assembly of FIG. 2C in a deployed position.

[0021] FIG. 3D is a longitudinal sectional view of the retractable arm assembly of FIG. 2C in a deployed position with an object placed in it.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional, close-up view of the support platform according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional, close-up view of the support platform according to another embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a retractable arm assembly according to another embodiment.

[0025] FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of a retractable arm assembly within the vehicle of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein is a retractable arm assembly, as shown according to exemplary embodiments. The retractable arm assembly may be used within a vehicle. The retractable arm assembly may include a vehicle component and an arm member. The retractable arm assembly may be configured to have a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the assembly is stowed, closed, or retracted in the first or stowed position and at least partially deployed, opened, or extended in the second or extended position. The retractable arm assembly may be configured to be stowed away or at least partially concealed when the arm assembly is in the stowed position and may be configured to hold an object when the arm assembly is in the deployed position.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 20 in which a retractable arm assembly may be placed in the vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 may include an interior passenger compartment containing front seats 24 and a backseat 22 for providing seating to an occupant. Although a four-door sedan is shown in FIG. 1 , the retractable arm assembly may be used in a variety of non- vehicle applications, but are particularly useful within the seats of any type of vehicle, such as a two-door or four-door automobile, a truck, a SUV, a van, a train, a boat, an airplane, or other suitable vehicular conveyance.

[0028] FIGS. 2A-2D show a row of backseats 22 from FIG. 1 in which a retractable arm assembly 30 may be located. The retractable arm assembly 30 may include a vehicle component 40 and an arm member 50. The vehicle component 40 may be different aspects of the vehicle 20, including but not limited to a foldable arm rest between two adjacent seats (as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D), a console between two adjacent seats, or a seat whose back is foldable onto its cushion.

[0029] The retractable arm assembly 30 may be movably between different position. For example, FIGS. 2A, 3A, and 3B show the retractable arm assembly 30 in a first, retracted, closed, or stowed position 34 according to one embodiment, wherein the arm member 50 is at least partially retracted for stowage into an interior space 42 of the vehicle component 40. When the arm member 50 is fully or entirely retracted in the stowed position 34, the support wall 54 may abut the exterior surface of the vehicle component 40. The support wall 54 may additionally prevent the arm member 50 from moving or sliding too far into the vehicle component 40. As shown in FIG. 2B, the arm assembly 30 may be moved outward from the vehicle component 40 and from the stowed position 34. FIGS. 2C, 2D, 3C, and 3D show the retractable arm assembly 30 in a second, extended, opened, or deployed position 32 according to one embodiment, wherein the arm member 50 is in an extended or deployed position. [0030] The arm member 50 may be movably or hingeably attached to the vehicle component 40 such that the arm member 50 may move, slide, or pivot with respect to the vehicle component 40. For example, the arm member 50 may function as a slide-out drawer with respect to the vehicle component 40. The arm member 50 is movable between the stowed position 34 (as shown in FIG. 3B) and a deployed position 32 (as shown in FIG. 3C) in a longitudinal or horizontal direction 36 through an aperture 44 of a vehicle component 40. For example, the arm member 50 may be movable along the x-axis along a portion of the vehicle component 40 through the aperture 44 (as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C). The longitudinal direction 36 may be linear along the length of the arm member 50. The arm member 50 may move between the stowed position 34 and the deployed position 32 in a variety of different methods, including, but not limited to, sliding, rotating, pivoting, and tilting in a vertical (e.g. along the z-axis) and/or horizontal direction (e.g. along the x-axis or y-axis).

[0031] FIG. 2D depicts the object 60 being placed on or supported by the arm member 50 while the arm member 50 is in the deployed position 32. The object 60 may be an electronic device, such as a tablet, phone, or portable gaming device, or another type of substantially flat object, such as a clipboard or rigid notepad. The viewing angle and position of the object 60 may be changed depending on how far the arm member 50 is moved away from the vehicle component 40 from the stowed position 34 to the deployed position 32. As shown in FIG. 3D, the relative positioning of the support wall 54 and the support platform 52 may also change the positioning and angling of the object 60 and may be configured to provide an optimum viewing angle. Further, the thickness of the object 60 will change the viewing angle depending on its fit within the support platform 52.

[0032] A variety of different mechanisms may be used to move the arm member 50 between the stowed position 34 and the deployed position 32. The arm member 50 may move into the vehicle component 40 through a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, sliding, tilting, and rotating. For instance, the retractable arm assembly 30 may be manually pulled and pushed into the stowed and deployed positions; spring loaded so as to be biased into the stowed position but the arm member is latched when in the deployed position (or vice versa); and/or motorized with a motor that operated with geared, ratcheting, and/or rack-and-pinion arrangement. For example, according to one embodiment, the arm member 50 may smoothly be moved from a stowed position to a deployed position. However, once the arm member 50 is moved back toward the stowed position, the ratcheting arrangement may activate, allowing the user to secure the arm member 50 anywhere between the fully deployed and fully stowed positions.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2A, while the arm member 50 is in the (partially or entirely) stowed position 34, at least a portion of the support wall 54 may be visible and/or exposed outside of the vehicle component 40. This visible portion of the support wall 54 may have a finger purchase, access, space, or gripping segment 56 for the user to use his or her finger or thumb to push, pull, or move the arm member 50 in either direction (for example, the user may move the arm member 50 from the at least partially stowed position 34 to the deployed position 32, thus revealing the support platform 52 in which the object 60 may be placed).

[0034] The gripping segment 56 may be a recessed region along a portion of the arm member 50 or between the arm member 50 and the vehicle component 40. For example, the gripping segment 56 may be an oval region within the arm member 50. A corresponding portion of the vehicle component 40 may also be recessed to allow the gripping segment 56 to be more easily accessed. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping segment 56 may be a protruded region, such as a handle, lip, or bump, along a portion of the arm member 50 for the user to grip. Although the arm member 50 does not have to use the gripping segment 56 to support the object 60, it is anticipated that the gripping segment 56 may also be used in conjunction with or instead of the support wall 54.

[0035] The gripping segment 56 may be on any side(s) of the arm member 50. For example, FIG. 2A depicts the gripping segment 56 on the top of the arm member 50.

However, it is anticipated that the gripping segment 56 may be underneath or on the side of the arm member 50. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the gripping segment 56 may be recessed handle on a front or end face of the arm member 50.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the visible portion of the support wall 54, such as a region on or near the gripping segment 56, or a portion of the vehicle component 40, such as a region or surface surrounding the cup holders 67, may have a press-button, release, or switch that may operate a latch to release a spring-loaded arm member 50 that is biased to be in the deployed position 32. Once the press-button has been activated, the arm member 50 may extend into the deployed position 32 and the user may push the arm member 50 back toward the stowed position 34 to secure the arm member 50 in the desired position (multiple detents along the arm member 50 and/or vehicle component 40 may allow the user to secure the arm member 50 at any position). Alternatively, the press-button may be used to automatically retract the arm member 50 into the stowed position 34. It also anticipated that the arm member 50 may be biased into the stowed position 34. According to another embodiment, the visible portion of the support wall 54 (such as a region on or near the gripping segment 56) may have a press-button, release, or switch that may operate a motor to as to operate a geared, ratcheting, and/or rack-and-pinion arrangement so as to move the arm member 50 between the deployed position 32 and the stowed position 34. Alternatively or additionally, the arm member 50 may utilize a push mechanism, wherein pushing the arm member 50 further into the stowed position 34 unlocks the arm member 50 and allows the arm member 50 to slide or move relative to the vehicle component 40 (e.g. a "push-push mechanism").

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the retractable arm assembly 30 may include holding or securing features, such as at least one detent, bump, snap, ratcheting feature and/or a latch with a release, to secure, snap, lock, place, or hold the retractable arm assembly 30 into any stop position with respect to the vehicle component 40 (such as the fully stowed or deployed positions, or any position therebetween). The holding features may be located along the length of the retractable arm assembly 30 (and may be fully concealed within the retractable arm assembly 30).

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the arm assembly 30 may create a retention pinch between the arm member 50 and the vehicle component 40 in order to secure the arm member 50 into a particular position, as well as to secure the object 60 within the arm assembly 30. The retention pinch mechanism may be particularly useful with objects 60 that are relatively thin. In order to utilize the pinch mechanism, the arm member 50 may be opened or extended into the deployed position and the object 60 may be placed on or at least partially within the arm member 50. The arm member 50 with the object 60 may be at least partially retracted back into the vehicle component 40, such that the object 60 is pinched, compressed, or secured between the arm member 50 and the vehicle component 40. More specifically, arm member 50 may press against the back of the object 60 (along, for example, the x-axis), while the vehicle component 40 may press in an opposite direction against the front of the object 60, thus securing the object 60 between the arm member 50 and the vehicle component 40 and holding position the arm member 50 with respect to the vehicle component 40. A bump, finger, or lip 46 may be provided on the vehicle component 40 (as shown in FIG. 3B) to directly contact or abut the front of the object 60. The lip 42 may be at least partially flexible to further secure and maintain the position of the object 60. The surface of the lip 42 be a soft-touch coating or material to grip and safely secure the object 60. The soft-touch coating may further prevent the lip 42 from scratching the object 60.

[0039] Additionally, the arm member 50 may optionally include arms 69 (in dashed lines in FIG. 2D) which may retain the arm member 50 in the tracks to which it slides. The arms 69 may protrude from the support platform 52 and/or the support wall 55. The arms 69 may extend at least partially into and may be movable within the vehicle component 40. The arms 69 and/or the track to which they slide may have stoppers to prevent the arm member 50 from falling out of the vehicle component 40 or sliding too far into the vehicle component 40 in the stowed position 34. Alternatively, the support wall 55 may have a tab or stopping element (not shown) that abuts against the perimeter of the aperture 44 so as to keep a portion of the arm member 50 constantly engaged with the vehicle component 40. Alternatively, the perimeter of the aperture 44 may have a tab or stopping element (not shown) that abuts against the support wall 55 so as to keep a portion of the arm member 50 constantly engaged with the vehicle component 40.

[0040] To move the arm member 50 from the deployed position 32 to the stowed position 34, the object 60 may be removed from the support platform 52 and the arm member 50 may be moved into the vehicle component 40 such that at least a portion of the support wall 54 abuts, touches, or contacts the exterior surface of the vehicle component 40 (such as the lip 46). As shown in FIG. 3A, the arm member 50 may come into contact with an end wall 48 of the vehicle component 40. FIG. 3A depicts a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the arm assembly 30 that may be offset from the centerline (e.g. in a different area than the gripping segment 56 or outboard from the gripping segment 56 and the cup-holder 67) to depict how the arm member 50 may contact the vehicle component 40. However, it is anticipated that the gripping segment 56 may be in a different area along the arm member 50 and the centerline of the arm member 50 may contact the vehicle component 40.

[0041] The support wall 54 and the lip 46 may touch if, for example, at least one of the surfaces is a "soft-touch" surface or is flexible. However, in order to reduce the amount of ambient noise within the vehicle 20 (e.g. "buzz, squeak, rattle"), the arm member 50 and vehicle component 40 may be configured such that any portion of the support wall 54 and the exterior surface (e.g. the lip 46) do not touch in the stowed and/or deployed positions. For example, there may be a slight or small gap between the support wall 54 and the lip 46 as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the arm assembly 30 may provide audible (such as a click) and/or tactile feedback (such as a snap or jolt) to indicate whether the arm member 50 has been secured (or released) into a particular position. The feedback may be due to mechanical features, such as the detents, and/or additional electronic feedback features.

[0043] The arm member 50 may include a retaining or retention surface, which may include a support platform 52 and a substantially vertical support wall 54 that extends above the support platform 52 at a distal end of the support platform 52. The retaining surfacing may help maintain, secure, or hold an object. The retaining surface may further help properly angle or orient the object according to the desired viewing position. The support wall 54 may function as a retaining surface by contacting and at least partially holding, maintaining, or securing the object in the viewing position. The support platform 52 may extend horizontally (in, for example, the fore-aft direction along the x-axis), along the length of the arm member, or in the longitudinal direction 36 in order to be large enough to hold an object. The support platform 52 may also extend horizontally along the width of the arm member 50 in order to be large enough to hold an object. The support platform 52 is at least partially visible when the arm member 50 is in the deployed position 32. Optionally, another substantially vertical support wall 55 that runs parallel or substantially parallel to the support wall 54 may extend above the support platform 52.

[0044] The support platform 52 is configured to hold an object 60 (as shown in FIGS. 2D and 3D) with a base 62 abutting the support platform 52. Placing the object 60 on the support platform 52 allows for hand-free viewing of the object 60 by the users. The support platform 52 is configured to hold the object 60 even if the width of the base 62 of the object 60 is wider than the width of the support wall 54. This is so because at least one of the support platform 52, the support wall 54, and the support wall 55 form a groove 57 across the entire length of the arm member 50 in which the object 60 can be inserted. The groove 57, the support platform 52, the support wall 54, and the support wall 55 are open ended along their length (for example, along the y-axis) and preferably do not have walls at end portions 59 such that an item that is longer than the length of the groove 57 can still fit inside it. Of course, the support platform 52 may also support the object 60 wherein the width of the base 62 is smaller than the width of the support wall 54.

[0045] The support platform 52 (as well as at least a portion of the vehicle component 40, such as the lip 46) may include a gripping material or features. The gripping features may include, but are not limited to, grommets (e.g. ring-shaped features), bumps, discs, bump patterns, technical patterns, and/or inserts. The gripping features may be disposed on a portion of the support platform 52 to help hold the object 60 and keep the object 60 from sliding. At least a portion of the support platform 52 may be molded into a particular pattern to assist in gripping or retaining the object 60. For example, the pattern may include molded fingers, bristles, and/or bumps along a surface of the support platform 52.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, a securing or retention mechanism may be configured to secure the object 60 to the support platform 52, such as a step, bump, lip, or tab 61 protracting from the bottom of the support platform 52, as seen in FIG. 4. The tab 61 may optionally be retractable and/or removable. The tab 61 may be constructed out of or coated by a gripping and/or flexible material. However, due to the geometry of the arm member and other gripping features or materials, the tab 61 may not be required to secure the object 60. For example, support platform 52 and the support wall 54 may be sufficiently narrow to fully support the object 60. As described further herein, a pinching mechanism (to secure the object 60 between the arm member 50 and the vehicle component 40) may be used alternatively or additionally.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, a securing or retention mechanism may be configured to secure the object 60 to the support platform 52, such as a vertical hook 63 that slides into and out of the an aperture 65 in the support wall 54, as seen in FIG. 5. The body of the vertical hook 63 may slide at least partially within the arm member 50 to be retractable and extendable. The vertical hook 63 may be biased to retract back into the arm member 50 in order to secure the object 60 to the arm member 50. Alternatively or additionally, the arm member 50 (such as support wall 54) may slide toward the vehicle component 40 (such as the lip 46), which may pinch or compress (and therefore retain) the object 60 therebetween.

[0048] At least the surface of the gripping features (and/or at least a portion of the arm member 50 and/or vehicle component 40) may be constructed out of or coated by gripping or soft-touch materials, including but not limited to rubber, rubber-like material, rubber-like paint coating, and/or a thermoplastic elastomer. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the support platform 52 (such as the bottom portion) may be covered by, coated in, or constructed out of a gripping material. The soft-touch or gripping material may help securely maintain the position of the object within the arm member 50.

[0049] The retractable arm assembly 30 may be constructed out of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to plastic (e.g. ABS, polypropylene, nylon) and/or foam (e.g.

urethane) with an optional rubber coating (such as a thermoplastic elastomer, Santoprene, etc.). The cosmetic portion that is visible to the user may be constructed out of the same material used in other portions of the vehicle 20, such as a wrapping material (e.g. a soft wrap around a hard, foam-based core). The wrapping material may include, but is not limited to, leather and/or vinyl. Also, the arm member 50 may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic and/or metal. The support platform 52, the support wall 54, and the support wall 55 may be different components attached to each other or may be integrally formed with each other into a unitary one-piece.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the arm member 50 may interface with a portion of the vehicle component 40 within the aperture 44, such as an inner surface of the front and/or bottom of a cup-holder 67. The interface or connection between the arm member 50 and the inner surface of the front and/or bottom of the cup-holder 67 may also be used a retraction stopper and prevent the arm member 50 from moving too far into the vehicle component 40 in the stowed position 34, as shown in FIG. 3B. As described further herein, a portion of the vehicle component 40, such as the lip 46, may also interface with the object 60 on the arm member 50 to create a retaining pinching mechanism.

[0051] According to another embodiment and as shown in FIG. 6, the arm member 50 may include a section, base, or support platform 72 that may pivot, swivel, and/or rotate with respect to the arm member 50 and/or the vehicle component 40 to change the angle of the object 60. The support platform 72 may include at least a portion of the support platform 52 and the support wall 54, which may create a slot to secure or hold the object 60 as the support platform 72 pivots. By allowing the support platform 72 to pivot or rotate relative to the arm member 50 and/or vehicle component 40, the object 60 is also pivoted or rotated, allowing the viewing angle of the object 60 to be customized or adjusted according to the user's preferences. For example, the object 60 may be rotated upward to allow the user to see the screen of the object 60 more easily, to reduce the strain on the user's neck to see the object 60, and/or to reduce any glare on the object 60. In order to secure the support platform 72 into a particular position or angle, the support platform 72 and/or the arm member 50 may include at least one detent, bump, hinge, and/or roller.

[0052] According to another embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the retractable arm assembly 30 may be integrated into a floor console between two adjacent seats to be viewed from behind the adjacent seats. For example, the floor console may be between two adjacent seats in a first row of seats (e.g. front seats 24) such that the retractable arm assembly 30 slides towards a second row of seats (e.g. the backseats 22) that are located behind the first row of seats. The arm assembly 30 may be retracted into the floor console (e.g. the vehicle component 40) into the stowed position 40 to conceal at least a portion of the arm assembly 30, as shown in FIG. 7A. The arm assembly 30 may be moved or slide into the deployed position 32, as shown in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIG. 7C, the object 60 may be inserted into a portion of the arm member 50 to be viewable and accessible by passengers in the backseat 22. However, it is also anticipated that the object 60 may be positioned to be viewable and accessible by the passengers in the front seats 24. The arm assembly 30 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C may include various embodiments of the arm assembly 30, such as the rotatable support platform 72.

[0053] While using any of the above described embodiments, a method of holding an object 60 within a vehicle may include: gripping an arm member 50 at least partially retracted in a vehicle component 40, the arm member may include a support platform 52 and a

substantially vertical support wall 54 that extends above the support platform 52; extending the arm member 50 so as to move the arm member 50 in a longitudinal direction 36 from an at least partially stowed position to an at least partially deployed position; and placing the object 60 on the support platform 52 such that a base 62 of the object abuts the support platform even if the base 62 of the object 60 is wider than a width of the support wall 54.

[0054] The arm member 50 may be extended from the partially stowed position to the deployed position by pulling a gripping segment 56 of the support wall 54. The gripping segment 56 may be visible when the arm member 50 is in the partially stowed position.

Alternatively or additionally, a motor or spring mechanism may be used to extend the arm member 50. Alternatively or additionally, detents or bumps may be used to define or limit the extent of motion of the arm member 50. As described further herein, the object 60 may be pinched or compressed between the arm member 50 and the vehicle component 40 to further secure the object 60 therebetween and to hold the arm member 50 in a particular position.

[0055] The object 60 may be removed from the support platform 52 and the arm member 50 may be slide from the deployed position to a fully stowed position such that the support wall 54 abuts an exterior surface of the vehicle component 40 and/or an inner surface of the cup holder 67.

[0056] It is anticipated that the various embodiment and components described herein may be used in conjunction with each other and in variety of different configurations.

[0057] As used herein, the meaning of "about," "substantial," "substantially,"

"approximately" is generally meant to be within +/- 10% of the value it modifies, for example, within +/ 1.0 % of the value it modifies. Also used herein, the meaning of "partially" is generally meant to be greater than about 25% to less than 100 % of the term it modifies, for example, greater than 50% or 75% and less than 100%.

[0058] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present invention within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A retractable arm assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle component comprising an interior space accessible via an aperture; and

an arm member that is movable at least partially through the aperture between a stowed position in which the arm member is at least partially retracted into the interior space of the vehicle component and a deployed position in which the arm member is at least partially extended,

wherein the arm member comprises a support platform configured to contact and support a base of an object,

wherein the arm member comprises a retaining surface that extends above the support platform at a distal end of the support platform and that is configured to contact the object to maintain the object in a viewing position,

wherein the support platform and retaining surface are configured to form a groove that will receive at least the base of the object so as to support the object in the viewing position.

2. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arm member is configured such that the retaining surface is disposed outside the interior space so as to be visible to the user when the arm member is in the deployed position.

3. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is a foldable arm rest configured to be disposed between two adjacent seats.

4. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is a console configured to be disposed between two adjacent seats.

5. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arm member is configured to move between the stowed and deployed positions by sliding.

6. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism configured to secure the object on the support platform.

7. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support platform, the retaining surface, and the groove are open-ended along a length.

8. The retractable arm assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a motor or spring mechanism configured to extend the arm member.

9. A method of holding an object within a vehicle, comprising:

gripping an arm member at least partially retracted in a vehicle component, the arm member comprising a support platform and a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface extends above the support platform;

extending the arm member from the vehicle component from an at least partially retracted position to an at least partially extended position; and

placing the object on the support platform such that the support platform and the retaining surface at least partially contact the object to maintain the object in a viewing position.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of extending the arm member from the partially retracted position to the extended position comprises pulling a gripping segment of the retaining surface that is visible when the arm member is in the partially retracted position.

1 1. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of removing the object from the support platform and sliding the arm member from the extended position to the partially retracted position such that the arm member is at least partially retracted in the vehicle component.