Emergency locking console assembly

[0002] The present invention relates generally to console assemblies for automotive vehicles, and more particularly to an emergency locking console assembly with an inertia actuated locking mechanism for locking the console assembly in a closed position during a vehicular collision.

[0003] Automotive manufacturers are well known for producing vehicles that have console assemblies, which are usually positioned between the driver seat and the passenger seat.

[0004] A typical console assembly includes an opened-topped container and a lid that is pivotally coupled to the container. These containers are intended to store a variety of objects, e.g. coins, pens, cellular phones, and pagers. Additionally, the lid is intended to engage the open-topped container for the purpose of selectively enclosing those objects within the container. This engagement between the lid and the open-topped container typically is accomplished by a resilient fastener, e.g. a spring-loaded latch, or various other fasteners.

[0005] A drawback of these console assemblies is that the fasteners can fail to secure the console assembly in a closed position during a vehicular collision. Specifically, the impact of a collision may jar the fasteners loose and cause them to disengage each other. As a result, the lid may inadvertently swing open and the contents of the container may exit the container. With specific regard to high speed collisions, these contents may become airborne projectiles that can harm the occupants of the vehicle. Moreover, in low speed collisions, the contents may scatter throughout the interior of the vehicle. Such results clearly are disadvantageous.

[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a console assembly that remains in a closed position during a vehicular collision so as to prevent its contents from inadvertently exiting the console assembly.

[0007] The present invention provides an emergency locking console assembly that automatically locks in a closed position during a vehicular collision. The assembly includes an open-topped container for attachment to a vehicle. This container has a lid coupled thereto for enclosing various items within the assembly. In addition, the assembly includes an inertia actuated locking mechanism that is coupled to the container for the purpose of automatically engaging the lid and locking the assembly in a closed position during a vehicular collision.

[0008] One advantage of the present invention is that an emergency locking console assembly is provided that automatically secures items within the assembly during a vehicular collision.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that an emergency locking console assembly is provided that can decrease the likelihood of injury typically caused by unsecured items that may become airborne during a vehicular collision.

[0010] Still another advantage of the present invention is that an emergency locking console assembly is provided that can decrease the likelihood of items being scattered throughout the interior of a vehicle during sudden stops or vehicular collisions.

[0011] Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.

[0012] For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an emergency locking console assembly positioned within a vehicle between a passenger seat and a driver seat, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view of the emergency locking console assembly shown in FIG. 1, as taken along line 2—2, illustrating an inertia actuated locking mechanism of the assembly in an unlocked position;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view of the emergency locking console assembly shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the inertia actuated locking mechanism of the assembly in a locked position;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inertia actuated locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway view of the emergency locking console assembly, illustrating an inertia actuated locking mechanism of the assembly in an unlocked position, according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway view of the emergency locking console assembly shown in FIG. 5, illustrating the inertia actuated locking mechanism of the assembly in a locked position.

[0019] In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an emergency locking console assembly 10 (hereinafter referred to as “console assembly”), in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. This console assembly 10 is attached to a vehicle 12 between a driver seat 14 and a passenger seat 16. However, it is understood that the console assembly 10 may be oriented in other suitable positions or otherwise attached to other suitable portions of the vehicle 12 as desired.

[0021] The console assembly 10 is comprised of an open-topped container 18 and a lid 20 that is pivotally coupled to the open-topped container 18. Specifically, a rear portion of this lid 20 and a rear portion of the open-topped container 18 are pivotally coupled to each other by a conventional hinge element (not shown) or various other pivotal couplings. It also understood, however, that the respective side portions or front portions of the lid 20 and the open-topped container 18 may be pivotally coupled to each other as desired. This pivotal coupling allows the lid 20 to swing open and closed thereby permitting an individual to store items within the console assembly 10.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown cross-sectional views of a front portion of the console assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the console assembly 10 in an unlocked position during normal operation of the vehicle 12. FIG. 3 shows the console assembly 10 in a locked position during a vehicular collision.

[0023] The open-topped container 18 includes an outer housing 22 and an inner housing 24 attached to the outer housing 22 by way of one or more screw fasteners 26 or other suitable fasteners as desired. These housings 22, 24 form a bin 54 in which various items, e.g. cellular phones, can be stored. The outer housing 22 and the inner housing 24 are plastic injection molded constructions. However, it is understood that these housings 22, 24 may be comprised of various other materials as desired.

[0024] Furthermore, the outer housing 22 and the inner housing 24 define a wall cavity 28. The outer housing 22 has a pair of tabs 30 extending therefrom into this wall cavity 28. These tabs 30 each have one or more openings 32 for receiving an inertia actuated locking mechanism 34 and for pivotally coupling the locking mechanism 34 to the open-topped container 18.

[0025] As best shown in FIG. 4, the inertia actuated locking mechanism 34 includes a pair of pivot members 36 for insertion into the openings 32 of the tabs 30 and pivotally coupling the locking mechanism 34 to the open-topped container 18. This locking mechanism 34 is a one-piece plastic injection molded construction. However, it is understood that the locking mechanism 34 may be comprised of separate pieces and may be comprised of various types of materials as desired.

[0026] These pivot members 36 have a first arm 38 and a second arm 40 extending therefrom with a first counterweight 42 and a second counterweight 44 respectively coupled thereto. Furthermore, the first arm 38 includes a hook fastener 46 extending therefrom. This hook fastener 46 is intended to automatically engage a loop fastener 48 extending from the lid 20 for the purpose of securing the console assembly in a locked position during a vehicular collision. Specifically, the loop fastener 48 extends from a bottom portion of the lid 20 through an aperture 56 formed within the outer housing 22 and into the wall cavity 28. However, it is understood that the aperture 56 may instead be formed within the inner housing 24 as desired.

[0027] Both counterweights 42, 44 each have a predetermined mass and a predetermined position relative to the pivot members 36. These masses and positions collectively create a net moment about the pivot members 36 thereby causing the locking mechanism 34 to automatically move to either the unlocked position during normal operation of the vehicle (as shown in FIG. 2) or to the locked position during a vehicular collision (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0028] During normal operation of the vehicle 12, the primary acceleration experienced by the counterweight members 42, 44 is gravity. In this respect, the masses and the positions of the counterweight members 42, 44 are sufficient for allowing gravity and other nominal forces to create a net moment which pivots the locking mechanism 34 to the unlocked position.

[0029] During a vehicular collision, the counterweight members 42, 44 are subjected to substantial deceleration or acceleration, other than gravity. In this regard, the masses and the positions of the counterweight members 42, 44 are sufficient for allowing the net acceleration to create a net moment which pivots the locking mechanism 34 to a locked position. In other words, the net moment causes the hook fastener 46 to engage the loop fastener 48 of the lid 20 thereby locking the lid 20 to the open-topped container 18. As a result, items contained within the bin 54 are secured within the console assembly 10.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, according to another embodiment, the inertia actuated locking mechanism 34 can be utilized for securing smaller sized items that are stored within the lid 20. In particular, the lid 20 is comprised of an upper lid portion 58 and a lower lid portion 60 that is selectively coupled to the upper lid portion 58. Both lid portions are pivotally coupled to the open-topped container 18 as described above. The lower lid portion defines a receptacle 62 for storing smaller sized items therein. One or more resilient fasteners selectively engage the upper lid portion 58 to the lower lid portion 60 so as to enclose the contents of the receptacle 62.

[0031] This upper lid portion 58 has a loop fastener 48′ extending therefrom. The loop fastener is in mold mounted to the upper lid portion 58. However, the loop fastener 48′ may be attached to the upper lid portion 58 by a screw fastener or various other suitable fasteners. This loop fastener 48′ is intended to extend through an opening 64 formed in the lower lid portion 60 and through the aperture 56 formed in the open-topped container 18. In this regard, when both the receptacle 62 and the bin 54 are placed in closed positions, the loop fastener 48′ extends into the wall cavity 28 of the open-topped container 18 thereby allowing the locking mechanism 34 to automatically lock both the receptacle 62 and the bin 54 in the closed position.

[0032] Another feature of the invention is that the open-topped container 18 may include a detent member 50 which prevents the locking mechanism 34 from pivoting farther rearward from the loop fastener 48′. This detent member 50 is beneficial for preventing the locking mechanism 34 from pivoting to a position which can adversely affect the performance of the locking mechanism 34 during a collision. For example, the detent member 50 can prevent the inertia actuated locking mechanism 34 from pivoting so far rearward that the positions of the counterweights 42, 44 do not create a net moment that moves the locking mechanism 34 to a locked position during a vehicular collision.

[0033] 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.