Vehicle interior component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10737636-B2
Application number	US-201916262238-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2019
Priority date	Jan 31, 2018
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base comprising an opening and first and second layers extending through the opening. The first and second layers may form a structure extending through the opening to an extended position. The first layer may engage the second layer to form the structure. The first layer may separate from the second layer when retracted into the base. The structure may comprise a protrusion formed by the first layer with the second layer to move from a retracted position to the extended position. The protrusion may extend beyond the base by a first distance when the protrusion is retracted and by a second distance greater than the first when the protrusion is extended. The second layer may comprise a bottom; the first layer may comprise a top to couple to the bottom to form the structure as the structure extends.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle interior component, comprising:
a base comprising an opening; and
a structure comprising a first layer configured to be extended through the opening of the base and a second layer configured to be extended through the opening of the base, wherein the structure is formed when the first layer and the second layer are extended through the opening of the base;
wherein each of the first layer and the second layer comprises a substrate and a set of projections, each of the projections comprising a distal knob,
wherein upon being extended through the opening of the base the first layer engages the second layer via the set of projections of the first layer interdigitating with the set of projections of the second layer and interlocking via the distal knobs to form an extended position, and
wherein upon being retracted through the opening of the base the first layer separates from the second layer to form a retracted position.

2. The vehicle interior component of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises at least one of (a) a protrusion; (b) a projection; (c) a cantilever; (d) a cantilever fixed at the base; (e) an extension; (f) a protrusion configured to cover a storage compartment of the base; (g) a support; (h) a support structure; (i) a semi-rigid structure; (j) a door; (k) a closure; (l) a cover; (m) a shelf; (n) a tray; (o) a partition; (p) a divider; (q) a separator; (r) an armrest; (s) a handle.

3. The vehicle interior component of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a protrusion formed by the first layer with the second layer configured to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

4. The vehicle interior component of claim 3 , wherein the protrusion extends beyond the base by a first distance when the protrusion is in the retracted position and by a second distance greater than the first distance when the protrusion is in the extended position.

5. The vehicle interior component of claim 3 , wherein the protrusion comprises the first layer as a top portion and the second layer as a bottom portion.

6. The vehicle interior component of claim 5 , wherein the base comprises a top track and a bottom track; wherein the top track guides movement of the top portion of the protrusion and the bottom track is configured to guide movement of the bottom portion of the protrusion; wherein the top track and the bottom track are configured to direct the top portion of the protrusion and the bottom portion of the protrusion toward one another as the protrusion moves from the retracted position toward the extended position.

7. The vehicle interior component of claim 6 , wherein each of the first layer and the second layer comprises a leading portion and a trailing portion; wherein the leading portion of the first layer is engaged to the leading portion of the second layer when the protrusion is in the retracted position and the extended position; wherein the trailing portion of the first layer couples with the trailing portion of the second layer as the protrusion moves from the retracted position toward the extended position; wherein the trailing portion of the first layer separates from the trailing portion of the second layer as the protrusion moves from the extended position toward the retracted position.

8. The vehicle interior component of claim 7 , wherein the top track and the bottom track are configured such that upon being in the retracted position a portion of the trailing portion of the first layer re-engages with a portion of the trailing portion of the second layer.

9. The vehicle interior component of claim 6 , comprising a coupling that couples a leading edge of the first layer to a leading edge of the second layer; wherein the coupling comprises a user interface configured for application of an external force to move the protrusion between the retracted position and the extended position.

10. The vehicle interior component of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises at least one of (a) a flexible substrate; (b) an integrally-formed surface; (c) a base; (d) a base layer (e) a sheet; (f) a pad; (g) a mat; (h) a covering; (i) a backing; (j) a rug; (k) a matrix.

11. The vehicle interior component of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a semi-rigid structure.

12. A vehicle interior component, comprising:
a base comprising an opening; and
a structure comprising a first layer configured to be extended through the opening of the base and a second layer configured to be extended through the opening of the base,
wherein the structure is formed when the first layer and the second layer are extended through the opening of the base to form an extended position;
wherein upon being retracted through the opening of the base the first layer separates from the second layer to form a retracted position;
wherein the base comprises a first side wall, a second side wall and a support extending between the first side wall and the second side wall;
wherein the first side wall, the second side wall and the support are integrally connected with the base;
wherein each of the first side wall and the second side wall comprises a top track and a bottom track;
wherein the support is positioned between the top track and the bottom track of the first side wall and the second side wall;
wherein the support extending between the first and second side walls and the top tracks of the first and second side walls guides movement of the first layer;
wherein the support extending between the first and second side walls and the bottom tracks of the first and second side walls guides movement of the second layer.

13. The vehicle interior component of claim 12 , wherein the structure comprises a protrusion formed by the first layer with the second layer configured to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

14. The vehicle interior component of claim 12 , wherein the structure comprises at least one of (a) a protrusion; (b) a projection; (c) a cantilever; (d) a cantilever fixed at the base; (e) an extension; (f) a protrusion configured to cover a storage compartment of the base; (g) a support; (h) a support structure; (i) a semi-rigid structure; (j) a door; (k) a closure; (l) a cover; (m) a shelf; (n) a tray; (o) a partition; (p) a divider; (q) a separator; (r) an armrest; (s) a handle.

15. The vehicle interior component of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises at least one of (a) a flexible substrate; (b) an integrally-formed surface; (c) a base; (d) a base layer (e) a sheet; (f) a pad; (g) a mat; (h) a covering; (i) a backing; (j) a rug; (k) a matrix.

16. A vehicle interior component, comprising:
a base comprising an opening; and
a structure comprising a first layer configured to be extended through the opening of the base and a second layer configured to be extended through the opening of the base, wherein the structure is formed when the first layer and the second layer are extended through the opening of the base to form an extended position;
wherein upon being retracted through the opening of the base the first layer separates from the second layer to form a retracted position;
wherein the base comprises a first side wall, a second side wall and a support extending between the first side wall and the second side wall;
wherein each of the first side wall and the second side wall comprises a top track and a bottom track;
wherein the support is positioned between the top track and the bottom track of the first side wall and the second side wall;
wherein each of the first layer and the second layer comprises a leading portion and a trailing

Assignees

• Shanghai yanfeng jinqiao automotive trim systems co ltd

Inventors

• Catlin Michael Robert
• Hipshier Jason Mathew

Classifications

• B60R7/08

  Disposition of racks, clips {, holders, containers} or the like {for supporting specific articles (B60R7/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• Y10T428/24612

  Composite web or sheet · CPC title

• Y10T428/24182

  Inward from edge of web or sheet · CPC title

• B32B3/30

  characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)} · CPC title

• B60R2013/0287

  integrating other functions or accessories · CPC title