BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage system according to the present invention, showing a repositionable bin in its first, or primary, position.
FIG. 2 shows the bin and storage module of FIG. 1, with the repositionable bin having been removed from its first position, which is partially within a storage console.
FIG. 3 illustrates a repositionable bin of the present invention mounted to the side of a center console.
FIG. 4 illustrates a repositionable bin mounted to the rear portion of a center console.
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment for mounting the repositionable bin according to the present invention with a hook and bar arrangement.
FIG. 6 illustrates a stud and pocket system for mounting a repositionable bin according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an armrest which is mounted to a door trim panel and has repositionable storage bins according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, storage module 10 has opposing sidewalls 14 which in part define primary storage compartment 18 situated between sidewalls 14. Hinged armrest 20 is located at an upper portion of storage module 10. Storage module 10 may comprise either a center console located between vehicle seats as shown in FIG. 3, or any other type of interior storage furnishing within a vehicle.
Primary storage compartment 18 within storage module 10 houses a repositionable bin, 22, which is shown in its first position in FIG. 1. While in the first position, handle 46 of bin 22 projects from the front of storage compartment 18.
Bin 22 is shown in FIG. 2 as having been removed from storage compartment 18. Bin 22 includes a body, 42, having a front wall, 44, to which handle 46 is attached, and a rear wall, 48, having a male dovetail, 50, attached thereto. Details of rear wall 48 and male dovetail 50 are best seen in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also shows that aperture 34, at the front of storage compartment 18, is open once repositionable bin 22 has been removed from primary storage compartment 18. Aperture 34 allows objects to be more easily removed from storage compartment 18 once bin 22 has been repositioned to another location within the vehicle's interior.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, storage module 10 incorporates female dovetail 54 at a front passenger side of storage module 10. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, storage module 10 has an additional female dovetail 54 located at a rear portion of storage module 10. Accordingly, once repositionable bin 22 has been removed from primary storage compartment 18, it may be locked in place at any secondary position wherein a female dovetail 54 has been placed. Repositionable bin 22 is shown in FIG. 3 as being locked to the side of storage module 10.
Handle 46, which is shown with particularity in FIGS. 2 and 4, functions not only as a handle, but also as a closure panel for aperture 34 formed in the front portion of primary storage compartment 18. Repositionable bin 22 is slidably mounted into storage module 10 by means of channels 38 formed in sidewalls 14, as shown in FIG. 1.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, hook 58, which is formed upon backwall 48 of bin body 42, engages a bar, 62, which is carried upon storage module 10. In similar fashion, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, a stud, 66, or, preferably, two studs 66, with one being shown in FIG. 6, are formed upon backwall 48 of body 42, with each stud engaging a slot, 70, formed in a rear portion of storage module 10.
With the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, door armrest 72 has positions at both its front and rear terminations for a repositionable bin 22. The rearmost position for bin 22 of FIG. 7 is at an exterior portion of armrest 72, so as to allow usage of the bin by a rear seat passenger within a vehicle.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080048466
