Kitchen module for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12559018-B2
Application number	US-202418427056-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2024
Priority date	May 16, 2019
Publication date	Feb 24, 2026
Grant date	Feb 24, 2026

Abstract

A kitchen module for a vehicle includes a frame system for providing structural support, a rail system affixed to the frame system and the vehicle, and a plurality of kitchen components mounted to the frame system. The rail system is configured to allow the frame system to move relative to the vehicle. The plurality of kitchen components include a sink, a potable water tank, a waste-water tank, a rangetop, at least one drawer, a countertop, lights, any other suitable component, or any combination thereof. The vehicle, which may be an electric vehicle having a battery module, can include an electrical extension connecting an electric power source of the vehicle to the kitchen module. The electrical extension may be coupled to at least one of an actuator of the rail system and a rangetop.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A kitchen module comprising:
an internal frame comprising a plurality of connected members that form an internal volume for storing components; a plurality of panels attached to respective external surfaces of the internal frame; a countertop removably attached to a top of the internal frame; and at least one hinge that rotatably couples at least one panel of the plurality of panels to a side of the internal frame.

2 . The kitchen module of claim 1 , wherein the internal frame is mounted to a rail that extends from an opening in a vehicle body.

3 . The kitchen module of claim 1 , wherein:
the kitchen module is arranged in a storage compartment of a vehicle; the storage compartment is separated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle by an angled sidewall; the internal frame comprises an angled side that accommodates the angled sidewall; the internal volume comprises at least one recess to accommodate components; the internal volume accommodates at least one drawer; and the at least one drawer is collapsible into the internal frame.

4 . The kitchen module of claim 1 , wherein:
the countertop comprises a hinge for folding a first part of the countertop against a second part of the countertop; and the countertop is arranged over a stowable water system comprising one or more of a retractable faucet, a retractable hose, or a collapsible sink.

5 . The kitchen module of claim 1 , wherein the countertop comprise one or more of a rangetop or a burner that heats a cooking receptable.

6 . A storage apparatus of a vehicle, the storage apparatus comprising:
a kitchen module comprising an internal frame that extends laterally along a sidewall of a storage compartment of the vehicle, the internal frame comprising:
a plurality of connected members that form an internal volume for storing components;
a plurality of panels attached to respective external surfaces of the internal frame; and
at least one panel of the plurality of panels comprises a storage surface; and
a rail affixed to a surface of the storage compartment of the vehicle, wherein the rail includes at least one feature fixedly attached to the internal frame for translating the kitchen module relative to the storage compartment.

7 . The storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one feature comprises one or more of a slide bushing, a slide, or a telescoping component.

8 . The storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the storage compartment is separated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle by an angled sidewall; and the internal frame comprises an angled side that accommodates the angled sidewall.

9 . The storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the internal frame comprises an end cover.

10 . The storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one feature translates relative to the storage compartment using at least one wheel bearing.

11 . The storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the rail comprises a first member that telescopes relative to a second member.

12 . A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body; and a kitchen module comprising:
an internal frame comprising a plurality of connected members that form an internal volume for storing components;
a plurality of panels attached to respective external surfaces of the internal frame;
a countertop removably attached to a top of the internal frame; and
at least one hinge that rotatably couples at least one panel of the plurality of panels to a side of the internal frame.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the internal frame is mounted to a rail that extends from an opening in the vehicle body.

14 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the internal volume comprises at least one recess to accommodate components.

15 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the countertop comprises a hinge for folding a first part of the countertop against a second part of the countertop.

16 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the countertop comprise a rangetop.

17 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the countertop is arranged over a stowable water system.

18 . The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the stowable water system comprises one or more of a retractable faucet, a retractable hose, or a collapsible sink.

19 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein:
the kitchen module is arranged in a storage compartment of the vehicle; the storage compartment is separated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle by an angled sidewall; the internal frame comprises an angled side that accommodates the angled sidewall; and the internal volume accommodates at least one drawer that is collapsible into the internal frame independent of an extendable rail to which the internal frame is secured.

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Parker Larry
• Steenwyk Elizabeth
• Elder Christian
• Bledsoe Arthur
• Tsang Ruey-Khan
• Benoit Kaitlyn

Classifications

• B60N3/16 Primary

  of cooking or boiling devices · CPC title

• B60R2011/0084

  with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position · CPC title

• B60R2011/0082

  collapsible, e.g. for storing after use · CPC title

• B60R2011/0043

  for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts · CPC title

• B60R2011/0024

  Rear shelves · CPC title