Center console having hidden storage

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to center consoles for automotive vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a center console having a cup holder that is removable to reveal a hidden storage compartment.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Automotive vehicles include a variety of compartments for storing various items within the interior of the vehicle. Such compartments include center console pockets, bins, door pockets, trunk and glove compartments. It is widely known to provide lockable hinged doors or lids for securing items stored in these compartments. Nonetheless, conventional storage compartments in vehicle interiors remain particularly vulnerable to theft due to the fact that they are provided in most vehicles and are plainly visible from both outside and inside of the vehicle. Thus, it remains desirable to provide concealed compartments for storing valuable items in the interior of the vehicle.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, center console is provided for use in an interior of an automotive vehicle. The center console includes a bin and a cup holder. The bin has a bottom wall extending between a plurality of generally upright side walls. The cup holder is removably seated in the bin. The cup holder has a top face adapted to support a beverage container. The cup holder has a side face extending generally orthogonally between the top face and a bottom edge. The side face has an upper edge vertically spaced apart from a bottom end of the side face to receive a hand therethrough when the cup holder is partially lifted from the bin to facilitate removal of the cup holder from the bin.

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a center console for an automotive vehicle is generally indicated at 10. The console 10 is disposed between front driver and passenger seats. The console 10 includes an outer surface 16. A peripheral edge 18 defines an opening 20 in the outer surface 16. The opening 20 provides access to a recessed bin 22. The bin 22 can store a variety of items, such as sunglasses, pens, coins, CD jewel boxes and the like. Described in greater detail below, a cup holder is insertable into the opening to conceal the bin and its contents. The cup holder is also removable from the opening to allow access to the bin.

[0011] The bin 22 includes a bottom wall 24 that extends generally between a front wall 26, a rear wall 28 and a pair of side walls 30, 32. One of the side walls 30 is shorter in height than the other side wall 32. A vertically extending guide rib 40 protrudes inwardly from one of the walls 26 to reduce the amount of force associated with the removal of the cup holder from the bin 22. In one embodiment of the invention, the bin 22 includes a plurality of ribs 40 that are spaced apart at generally opposite sides of the bin 22 relative to each other.

[0012] The cup holder is generally indicated at 50. The cup holder 50 includes a top face 52 and a side face 54. The cup holder 50 also includes a bottom surface 58 opposite the top face 52. In one embodiment of the invention, the top face 52 is substantially flush with the outer surface 16 of the console 10 when the cup holder 50 is seated in the bin 22. A recess 56 is formed in the top face 52 for supporting a beverage container. A generally inverted U-shaped cut-out is formed in the side face 54 of the cup holder 50. The cutout is defined by a generally horizontal upper edge 60 extending between a spaced apart pair of side edges 62, 64. The upper edge 60 is vertically spaced apart from a bottom end 68 of the side face 54.

[0013] The cup holder 50 includes a recess 70 for receiving the guide rib 40 therein for guiding and locating the cup holder 50 relative to the console 10 as it is inserted into the bin 22. The cup holder 50 also includes a retaining hook 72 for engaging a corresponding slot 74 formed at a top end of one of the ribs 40 for retaining the cup holder 50 in the bin 22.

[0014] In use, the cup holder 50 is seated in the bin 22 for use as a receptacle for holding a beverage container. A gap is formed between the upper edge 60 and the wall 30 when the cup holder 50 is partially lifted out of the bin 22. A hand may be inserted through the gap to facilitate removal of the cup holder 50 from the bin 22. The cup holder 50 is removed to reveal and allow access to the bin 22. Items can be placed in the bin 22. The cup holder 50 can be reinserted in the bin 22 for enclosing the items in the bin 22. As best shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 58 of the cup holder 50 is spaced apart from the bottom wall 24 of the bin 22 to accommodate the items 80 placed in the bin 22. The top face 52 of the cup holder 50 is flush with the outer surface 16 of the console 10, thereby concealing the presence of the bin 22 and items contained therein.

[0015] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is, therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.