Movable vehicle module system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11623574-B2
Application number	US-202217583695-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2022
Priority date	Aug 17, 2018
Publication date	Apr 11, 2023
Grant date	Apr 11, 2023

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 storage unit for a vehicle comprising:
a base structure;
walls extending upward from the base structure;
a top structure disposed above the base structure and supported by the walls extending upward from the base structure;
a storage area defined by the base structure, the walls extending upward from the base structure, and the top structure;
additional walls extending upward from a periphery of the top structure;
an additional storage area defined by the top structure and the additional walls extending upward from the periphery of the top structure;
a latch;
a locking pin that the latch can actuate, the locking pin configured to interact with a track assembly of a vehicle; and
a cylinder through which the locking pin downwardly extends, the cylinder including an outwardly extending circular flange configured to rest upon a rail of the track assembly of the vehicle;
wherein, the storage unit is open above the additional walls extending upward from the top structure.

2. The storage unit of claim 1 further comprising:
straps configured to selectively retain packages in the storage area.

3. A storage unit for a vehicle comprising:
upwardly extending and intersecting walls that define four peripheral sections, with the storage unit being open above the walls;
strap coupled to one of the walls, the strap configured to maintain a package on the storage unit;
a latch;
a locking pin the latch can actuate to interact with a track assembly of a vehicle; and
a cylinder through which the locking pin downwardly extends, the cylinder including an outwardly extending circular flange configured to rest upon a rail of the track assembly of the vehicle.

4. A vehicle comprising:
a track assembly; and
a storage unit coupled to the track assembly, the storage unit comprising:
a base structure;
walls extending upward from the base structure;
a top structure disposed above the base structure and supported by the walls extending upward from the base structure;
a storage area defined by the base structure, the walls extending upward from the base structure, and the top structure;
additional walls extending upward from a periphery of the top structure;
an additional storage area defined by the top structure and the additional walls extending upward from the periphery of the top structure;
a latch;
a locking pin that the latch can actuate to interact with the track assembly of the vehicle; and
a cylinder through which the locking pin downwardly extends, the cylinder including an outwardly extending circular flange that rests upon a rail of the track assembly of the vehicle;
wherein, the storage unit is open above the additional walls extending upward from the top structure.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

6. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein
the vehicle further comprises a passenger compartment; and
the storage unit is disposed in the passenger compartment.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein
the passenger compartment comprises a rear portion; and
the storage unit is disposed in the rear portion of the passenger compartment.

8. The vehicle of claim 4 further comprising:
a pair of seat assemblies,
wherein, the storage unit is disposed rearward of the pair of seat assemblies.

9. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein
the storage unit further comprises straps configured to selectively retain packages in the storage area.

10. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein
the walls of the storage unit intersect and define four peripheral sections; and
the storage unit further comprises a strap coupled to one of the walls, the strap configured to maintain a package on the storage unit.

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

• B60N2205/30

  Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces · CPC title

• B60N2/3034

  in a longitudinal-transversal plane · CPC title

• B60R7/04 Primary

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

• B60N2002/0216

  the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a transversal axis · CPC title

• B60N2/307

  in a transversal-vertical plane · CPC title