The present invention relates to a vehicle interior component. The present invention also relates to a console for a vehicle interior. The present invention further relates to an adjustable armrest with a tambour door.
It is known to provide vehicle interior components. It is also known to provide an armrest for the vehicle interior. It is also known to provide an adjustable armrest with a tambour door.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved adjustable armrest with a tambour door. It would also be advantageous for the improved adjustable armrest to adjust in length. It would also be advantageous for the tambour door to slide into a concealed space when the tambour door is opened to reveal a storage compartment with the armrest.
The present invention relates to a console for a vehicle interior. The console comprises a support structure, a tambour door and an armrest comprising a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be configured to increase the length of the armrest.
The present invention also relates to a console for a vehicle interior. The console comprises a support structure, a tambour door and an armrest comprising a storage volume. The armrest is configured for adjustment from a first state with the armrest comprising a first length to a second state with the armrest comprising a second length different than the first length.
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
According to an exemplary embodiment, a central tambour door 28 is provided between or within frame-like sides or edges of the armrest. According to an exemplary embodiment, the armrest system may provide a tambour door that does not extend as far forward or that may cover only a portion of the armrest; tambour door may fit under concealing portions of the armrest elements. The armrest itself (or any or all of the components) may be padded to provide added comfort. The components may be made of an injection moldable plastic material which may be assembled in any suitable conventional manner (via fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc.). Tambour door 28 (which forms part of the armrest) may provide a surface that serves as an armrest; the material and construction of tambour door 28 may provide a comfortable (e.g. cushioned) surface on which the vehicle occupant may rest between seats 14; occupants on either side of the assembly may rest arms on tambour door 28.
According to an exemplary embodiment, certain internal components of the new armrest and tambour door system are in retracted position (see
According to an exemplary embodiment, the support structures shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, tracks are provided to support tambour door 28. According to an exemplary embodiment, stationary track 42 remains in place in support structure 20 and extends backward from the slidable armrest into support structure 20 (at a non-zero angle) vertically with a smooth bend to accommodate movement of tambour door 28. A sliding or movable track 44 is sliding support of tambour door 28 in the retracted position (see
According to an exemplary embodiment,
According to an exemplary embodiment, stationary track 42 is supported by stationary rail 38; stationary track 42 has a smooth bend to guide tambour door 28 backward into support structure 20 (e.g. the console). Sliding or movable track 44 is supported by sliding rail 40 and is advanced and retracted with sliding rail 40 to provide continuous support of tambour door 28. Each of the track structures forms a channel 56 in which tambour door 28 is received and supported.
According to an exemplary embodiment,
According to an exemplary embodiment,
According to an exemplary embodiment,
According to an exemplary embodiment,
According to an exemplary embodiment,
According to an exemplary embodiment,
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the inventive concepts and inventions as described in this application and as shown in the figures above is illustrative only. Although some embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.
It is important to note that the apparatus of the present inventions can comprise conventional technology (e.g. as implemented in present configuration) or any other applicable technology (present or future) that has the capability to perform the functions and processes/operations indicated in the FIGURES. All such technology is considered to be within the scope of the present inventions and application.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/414,605 titled “ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE ARMREST AND TAMBOUR DOOR” filed Jan. 13, 2015. The present application claims priority from and the benefit of and incorporates by reference in entirety of the following applications: (a) U.S. application Ser. No. 14/414,605 titled “ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE ARMREST AND TAMBOUR DOOR” filed Jan. 13, 2015; (b) International Application No. PCT/US2013/050320 titled “ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE ARMREST AND TAMBOUR DOOR” filed Jul. 12, 2013; (c) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/671,376 titled “ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE ARMREST AND TAMBOUR DOOR” filed Jul. 13, 2012.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5752740 | Volkmann | May 1998 | A |
5845965 | Heath | Dec 1998 | A |
6719367 | Mic et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
7278681 | Lilov | Oct 2007 | B2 |
8235442 | Spitler | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8528956 | Winiger | Sep 2013 | B1 |
8585150 | von Rothkirch und Panthen | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8899651 | Schulz | Dec 2014 | B2 |
9085265 | Hipshier | Jul 2015 | B2 |
9193299 | Kodama | Nov 2015 | B2 |
9428092 | Bosma | Aug 2016 | B2 |
9457697 | Bozio | Oct 2016 | B2 |
9713972 | Bozio | Jul 2017 | B2 |
9776539 | Lee | Oct 2017 | B2 |
9981589 | Senda | May 2018 | B2 |
20020089217 | Scheerhorn | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20030155786 | Kim et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030184133 | Mic et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040080173 | Niwa et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040118851 | Shinomiya | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040130174 | Laskey | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20070176449 | Kukucka | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070262632 | Cody | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20090072568 | Luginbill et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20110115246 | Beyer | May 2011 | A1 |
20110121596 | Beyer | May 2011 | A1 |
20110241371 | Hipshier | Oct 2011 | A1 |
20130285603 | Zeinstra | Oct 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2655735 | Nov 2004 | CN |
1576106 | Feb 2005 | CN |
1454789 | Sep 2004 | EP |
H09169243 | Jun 1997 | JP |
H10278682 | Oct 1998 | JP |
2000103289 | Apr 2000 | JP |
2003011728 | Jan 2003 | JP |
2004249958 | Sep 2004 | JP |
2008064210 | May 2008 | WO |
Entry |
---|
First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China for Application No. 201380047609.8 dated Apr. 26, 2016 (with English translation). |
Office Action from the Republic of Korea for Application No. 10-2015-7003828 dated Mar. 17, 2016 (with English translation summary). |
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2013/050320 dated Dec. 11, 2013. |
First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (including English Translation) dated Apr. 26, 2016. |
Office Action for Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-521851 (including English Summary of “Notice of Reasons for Rejection”) dated Jan. 26, 2016. |
Claims from Response to First Office Action from State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China for CN Patent Application No. 201380047609.8 filed Sep. 12, 2016 (English translation) (2 pages). |
Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China for CN Patent Application No. 201380047609.8 dated Feb. 8, 2017 (with English translation) (7 pages). |
Claims from Response to Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China for CN Patent Application No. 201380047609.8 filed Apr. 21, 2017 (English translation) (2 pages). |
Claims from Response to Third Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republica of China for CN Patent Application No. 201380047609.8 filed Nov. 7, 2017 (English translation) (2 pages). |
Supplementary Search Report from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China for CN Patent Application No. 2013800476098 dated Mar. 14, 2018 (translated) (2 pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160355110 A1 | Dec 2016 | US | |
20170267135 A9 | Sep 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61671376 | Jul 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14414605 | US | |
Child | 15242137 | US |