Movable vehicle module system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11267368-B2
Application number	US-202017015365-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 9, 2020
Priority date	Aug 17, 2018
Publication date	Mar 8, 2022
Grant date	Mar 8, 2022

Abstract

A vehicle module system is disclosed. The system includes a track assembly operably coupled with a body of a vehicle. One or more modules may be removably and slidably coupled with the track assembly. The modules include base structure defining an attachment point. A rail feature is disposed along a bottom portion of the base structure. An attachment feature having a retainer for removably coupling to the attachment point to the base structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A module for a vehicle comprising:
a base structure comprising a first portion, a second portion, a first position where the first portion is coupled to the second portion, and a second position where the first portion is separated from the second portion;
a first cushion configured to sit upon a top portion of the first portion of the base structure and a top portion of the second portion of the base structure when the base structure is in the first position; and
a bench, elongated compared to the first cushion, configured to sit upon the top portion of the first portion of the base structure and the top portion of the second portion of the base structure when the base structure is in the second position;
wherein, the first portion and the second portion of the base structure are each separately configured to be coupled to a track assembly of the vehicle.

2. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
in the first position of the base structure where the first portion is coupled to the second portion, the base structure comprises:
a bottom portion that has a first width;
a pair of opposing central portions that each extend upwardly from the bottom portion, each central portion having a second width that is less than the first width; and
an upper portion disposed on an opposing end portion of the pair of opposing central portions, the upper portion having a width larger than the second widths of the pair of opposing central portions,
wherein, the bottom portion, the pair of central portions, and the upper portion define a cavity.

3. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the first portion and the second portion comprises:
a bottom portion that has a first width;
a central portion that extends upwardly from the bottom portion, the central portion having a second width that is less than the first width; and
an upper portion disposed on an opposing end portion of the central portion, the upper portion having a width larger than the second width of the central portion.

4. The module of claim 3 , wherein:
in the first position of the base structure, the bottom portion of the first portion opposes the bottom portion of the second portion, the central portion of the first portion opposes the central portion of the second portion, and the top portion of the first portion opposes the top portion of the second portion; and
the bottom portions, the central portions, and the top portions together form a cavity.

5. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
the base structure comprises an electronic port.

6. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
in the second position of the base structure, the first portion and the second portion of the base structure support opposing end portions of the bench.

7. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the first portion and the second portion of the base structure comprises:
a latch; and
a locking pin that the latch can actuate to interact with the track assembly of the vehicle.

8. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
one of the first portion and the second portion of the base structure comprises:
a latch; and
a locking pin that the latch can actuate to interact with the track assembly of the vehicle.

9. The module of claim 7 , wherein:
each of the first portion and the second portion of the base structure further comprises a post within which the locking pin can be actuated, the post comprising a lower head disposed within a rail of the track assembly of the vehicle.

10. The module of claim 8 , wherein:
whichever of the first portion and the second portion of the base structure comprises the latch and the locking pin further comprises a post within which the locking pin can be actuated, the post comprising a lower head disposed within a rail of the track assembly of the vehicle.

11. The module of claim 1 , wherein:
the first portion of the base structure has a C-shape and the second portion of the base structure has backwards C-shape.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Prozzi Anthony
• Carpenter Tyler
• Malick Jeremy John
• Galin John
• Westfall Christopher Robert
• Senatore Andres Almeida
• Boccuccia Daniel
• Selvasekar Siddharthan

Classifications

• B60R7/04 Primary

  in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/062 Primary

  transversally slidable · CPC title

• B60N2/015 Primary

  Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis · CPC title

• B60N2/01516

  with locking mechanisms · CPC title

• B60N2/3043

  about longitudinal axis · CPC title