Vehicle having deployable work desk

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11932154-B2
Application number	US-202217872169-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2022
Priority date	Jul 25, 2022
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a dashboard located in the cabin interior, and a desk supported on the dashboard and movable between a stowed position on the dashboard and a deployed position extending outward from the dashboard, the desk comprising a plurality of interconnected panels having arms configured to engage a track to bend around at least a portion of the dashboard, and wherein the desk operably moves along the track when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:
a cabin interior;
a trim panel component located in the cabin interior, wherein the trim panel component comprises a dashboard;
a desk supported on the trim panel component and movable between a stowed position on the trim panel component and a deployed position extending outward from the trim panel component, the desk comprising a plurality of interconnected panels having support arms configured to engage a track to wrap around at least a curved portion of the trim panel component, and wherein the desk operably moves along the track when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position; and
a steering wheel that is configured to be stowed when the desk is in the deployed position, wherein the desk extends over at least a portion of the steering wheel in the deployed position.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the dashboard is vehicle-forward of a seat.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the dashboard further comprises a cross beam, wherein the desk bends around at least a portion of the cross beam.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the dashboard comprises a storage bin, wherein the storage bin is covered by the desk in the stowed position and is exposed when the desk is in the deployed position.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , further comprising a display screen proximate the dashboard, wherein the display screen is stowable in the bin and deployable from the bin when the desk is in the deployed position.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the support arms comprise bearings engaged within the track.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the desk comprises a first main panel, a second panel and a third panel interconnected in series.

8. A vehicle comprising:
a body defining a cabin having an interior;
a seat;
a dashboard located in the interior of the cabin forward of the seat;
a track located in the dashboard; and
a desk supported on the dashboard in the track and movable between a stowed position on the dashboard and a deployed position extending outward from the dashboard, the desk comprising a plurality of interconnected panels having support arms configured to engage the track to bend around at least a portion of the dashboard, and wherein the desk operably moves along the track when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position, wherein the dashboard further comprises a cross beam, wherein the desk bends around at least a portion of the cross beam.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the dashboard further comprises a storage bin, wherein the storage bin is covered by the desk in the stowed position and is exposed when the desk is in the deployed position.

10. The vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a display screen stowable in the bin and deployable from the bin when the desk is in the deployed position.

11. The vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a steering wheel that is configured to be stowed when the desk is in the deployed position, and wherein the desk extends over at least a portion of the steering wheel in the deployed position.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the support arms comprise bearings engaged within the track.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the desk comprises a first main panel, a second panel and a third panel interconnected in series.

14. A method of deploying a desk in a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a desk located on a dashboard and movable between a stowed position on the dashboard and a deployed position extending outward from the dashboard, the desk comprising a plurality of interconnect panels having arms configured to engage a track to bend around at least a portion of the dashboard, wherein the desk operably moves along the track when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position;
extending the desk from the dashboard such that the support arms move in the track; and
stowing a steering wheel when the desk is in the deployed position such that the desk extends over at least a portion of the steering wheel.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising deploying a display screen from a bin when the desk is in the deployed position.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Glickman David Brian
• Shedlarski Dustin
• Jones Micah
• Welch Ryan

Classifications

• B60K35/22

  Display screens · CPC title

• B60K37/20

  Dashboard panels · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B60N3/001 Primary

  of tables or trays · CPC title

• B62D1/04

  Hand wheels · CPC title