Storage console

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11933087-B2
Application number	US-202217676332-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 21, 2022
Priority date	Mar 11, 2021
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A storage console includes a housing with a storage chamber, two closure members connected to the housing, an actuator movably arranged in the housing and a latch mechanism rotatably connected to the housing. The two closure members can be rotated to open or close the storage chamber. The latch mechanism includes two latch members and a synchronizer connected between the two latch members. The movement of the actuator actuates the two latch members to rotate to a lock position in which the two latch members engage with the two closure members or a release position in which the two latch members are separated from the two closure members. The two closure members of the storage console can be opened synchronously by use of the actuator and closed independently of each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A storage console comprising:
a housing with a storage chamber;
two closure members connected to the housing and rotatable to open or close the storage chamber;
an actuator movably arranged in the housing; and
a latch mechanism rotatably connected to the housing, wherein the latch mechanism includes two latch members and a rigid synchronizer, which is connected at opposite ends thereof to rotating shafts via connection parts between the two latch members and is used to make the two latch members rotate synchronously, wherein the rigid synchronizer prevents relative rotation of the first and second latch members relative to the rigid synchronizer, and wherein movement of the actuator actuates the two latch members to rotate to a lock position, in which the two latch members engage with the two closure members, and a release position, in which the two latch members are separated from the two closure members.

2. The storage console according to claim 1 , wherein the two closure members cooperate with each other to cover the storage chamber when the two latch members are in the lock position, and the two closure members rotate to an open position to allow access to the storage chamber when the two latch members are in the release position.

3. The storage console according to claim 1 , wherein the two closure members are configured to pivot mirror-symmetrically to open or close the storage chamber.

4. The storage console according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to move between a first position and a second position.

5. The storage console according to claim 4 , wherein the two latch members comprise lock hooks that are engaged with engaging grooves of the two closure members when the actuator is in the first position, and wherein the lock hooks of the two latch members are separated from the engaging grooves of the two closure members when the actuator is in the second position.

6. The storage console according to claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a drive button exposed to a surface of the housing and configured to move between the first position and the second position.

7. The storage console according to claim 6 , wherein the actuator comprises a reset element for returning the drive button back to the first position from the second position.

8. The storage console according to claim 7 , wherein each of the two latch members comprises a contact part and a corresponding one of the lock hooks, wherein the contact part and the corresponding lock hook of each of the two latch members are separated from each other and each of the two latch members includes a center of mass biased towards the corresponding lock hook.

9. The storage console according to claim 8 , wherein when the two latch members are in the lock position, each contact part is in contact with or adjacent to the actuator and each lock hook is engaged into the engaging groove of the corresponding one of the two closure members.

10. The storage console according to claim 9 , wherein when the two latch members are in the release position, the movement of the actuator actuates each contact part, thereby rotating the two latch members to move each lock hook out of each engaging groove.

11. The storage console according to claim 1 , wherein the storage console is a vehicle storage console configured to be installed on a vehicle.

12. A storage console comprising:
a housing including a storage chamber with an opening;
a first closure member and a second closure member rotatably connected to the housing and rotatable mirror-symmetrically to open or close the opening;
an actuator movably arranged in the housing; and
a latch mechanism rotatably connected to the housing, wherein the latch mechanism includes a first latch member, a second latch member, and a rigid synchronizer, which is connected at opposite ends thereof to rotating shafts via connection parts between the first latch member and the second latch member and is used to make the first latch member and the second latch member rotate synchronously, wherein the rigid synchronizer prevents relative rotation of the first and second latch members relative to the rigid synchronizer, and wherein movement of the actuator actuates the first latch member and the second latch member to rotate to a lock position, in which the first latch member and the second latch member engage with the first closure member and the second closure member, respectively, and a release position, in which the first latch member and the second latch member are separated from the first closure member and the second closure member, respectively.

13. The storage console according to claim 12 , wherein the actuator is configured to move between a first position and a second position.

14. The storage console according to claim 13 , wherein the first and second latch members comprise lock hooks that are engaged with engaging grooves of the first and second closure members when the actuator is in the first position, and wherein the lock hooks of the first and second latch members are separated from the engaging grooves of the first and second closure members when the actuator is in the second position.

15. The storage console according to claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises a drive button exposed to a surface of the housing and configured to move between the first position and the second position, and wherein the actuator comprises a reset element for returning the drive button back to the first position from the second position.

16. The storage console according to claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second latch members comprises a contact part and a corresponding one of the lock hooks, wherein the contact part and the corresponding lock hook of each of the first and second latch members are separated from each other and each of the first and second latch members includes a center of mass biased towards the corresponding lock hook.

17. The storage console according to claim 16 , wherein when the first and second latch members are in the lock position, each contact part is in contact with or adjacent to the actuator and each lock hook is engaged into the engaging groove of the corresponding one of the first and second closure members.

18. The storage console according to claim 17 , wherein when the first and second latch members are in the release position, the movement of the actuator actuates each contact part, thereby rotating the first and second latch members to move each lock hook out of each engaging groove.

19. The storage console according to claim 12 , wherein the storage console is a vehicle storage console configured to be installed on a vehicle.

20. A storage console for a vehicle, the storage console comprising:
a housing configured to be located on the vehicle and including a storage chamber with an opening;
a first closure member and a second closure member rotatably connected to the housing and rotatable minor-symmetrically to open or close the opening;
an actuator movably arranged in the housing; and
a latch mechanism rotatably connected to the housing, wherein the latch mechanism includes a first latch member, a second latch member, and a rigid synchronizer, which is connected at opposite ends thereof to rotating shafts via connection parts between the first latch member and the second latch member and is used to make the first latch member and the second latch member rotate synchronously, wherein the rigid synchronizer prevents relative rotation of the first and second latch mem

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Li Mona
• Xu Wei
• Chen Leo
• Shen Kevin

Classifications

• E05B83/32 Primary

  for console boxes, e.g. between passenger seats · CPC title

• E05B1/0038

  Sliding handles, e.g. push buttons (E05B13/105 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05B81/16

  operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action · CPC title

• E05B85/08

  Sill-buttons, garnish buttons or inner door lock knobs · CPC title

• E05C3/162

  the handle or member moving essentially towards or away of the plane of the wing or frame (E05C3/167 takes precedence) · CPC title