Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of a storage assembly for a vehicle. More particularly the present disclosure relates to storage assembly arranged in between a front and/or rear seats of the vehicle having a carrier tray for accommodating articles therein/therein.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Storage assembly is a very trending feature that automobile and vehicle companies provide along with vehicles nowadays. The storage assembly is mostly arranged on the floor of the vehicle and/or in between the vehicle front and/or seats for storing articles therein for example beverage articles. Mostly, these articles are place near to floor of the vehicle which may result into some difficulties to the passengers whenever they like to store articles and while taking out the article from such storage assemblies.

[0004] There is, therefore, a need for an improved storage assembly that can be configured to ease the usability of the storage assembly by the passengers while storing and taking out the articles. Further, there is a need for simple yet effective storage assembly.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy are as listed hereinbelow.

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a storage assembly maybe arranged on the floor and in between the front and/or rear seats of a vehicle.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide simple yet effective system that allows ease in the usability of the storage assembly by the passengers while storing and taking out the articles.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide simple and easy to operate storage assembly.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide storage assembly that require no/less maintenance.

Summary of the invention

[0010] The present disclosure relates to the field of a storage assembly for a vehicle. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a storage/console assembly arranged in between the front and/or rear seats of the vehicle having a carrier tray movable from a retracted position to a use position.

[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a storage assembly for a vehicle. The storage assembly includes a storage box with a storage space for storing articles therein. A lid for opening and closing of the storage space of the storage box A carrier tray with a first end and second end, in which the first end is slidable on an inner surface of the storage box and the second end is slidable on the lid, such that upon opening of the lid, the carrier tray is movable from a retracted position to a use position. Particularly, the articles are placed on/in the carrier tray. In an aspect, the carrier tray has step wise cabinet structure to arrange two or more articles like a beverage holding element thereon/therein.

[0012] In an aspect, upon opening of the lid, sequentially or simultaneously the carrier tray moves from the retracted position to a use position. In the retracted position the carrier tray is substantially parallel to a base wall of the storage box and in the use position the carrier tray is oblique, more particularly in a raised orientation with respect to the base wall of the storage box. More predominantly, the carrier tray is at greater angle in its use position with respect to the base wall of the storage box compared to its retracted position.

[0013] In an aspect, when the lid is in a closed position the carrier tray is in the retracted position and when the lid is in an open position the carrier tray is in the use position or is movable to the use position. In the use position, the carrier is in a raised orientation compared to the retracted position enabling easy access of the storage box thus improving the usability for keeping and taking out the articles from the storage box.

[0014] In an aspect, the first end of the carrier tray is slidably coupled on an inner surface of a base wall of the storage box. The second end of the carrier tray is slidably coupled on an inner surface of the lid.

[0015] In an aspect, the lid opening and closing and/or the carrier tray movement is actuated by a drive system. The drive system is a motor driven cable/linkage system. More particularly, the first end and the second end of the carrier tray includes a wheel and the inner surface of the storage box, and an inner surface of the lid includes a track such that upon actuation of the drive system at least one of the wheels of the carrier tray moves on the track enabling lid to close and open the storage box and simultaneously moving the carrier tray in-between the retracted position and the use position.
[0016] In an aspect, one end of the motor driven cable/linkage system is connected to the wheel at the first end of the carrier tray such that upon actuation of a motor the cable/linkage system pull/push the wheel to move on the track. In another aspect, one end of the motor driven cable/linkage system is connected to the wheel at the second end of the carrier tray such that upon actuation of a motor the cable/linkage system pull/push the wheel to move on the track, in this aspect a hydraulic linear actuation can be used.

[0017] In another aspect, in the retracted position the first end and the second end of the carrier tray is slidably coupled on an inner surface of a base wall of a storage box such that upon actuating the drive system the carrier tray slides towards the lid and after a certain distance the second end of the carrier tray moves over the lid and pivots the lid towards the open position then the second end of the carrier tray further slide on the lid to move towards the use position.

[0018] In an aspect, the storage assembly is arranged on a floor and in between a front and/or rear seat of the vehicle.

[0019] In an aspect, the lid is pivotably arranged at a base wall of the storage box such that in the open position the lid is oblique with respect to the base wall, more specifically obtuse with respect to the base wall.

[0020] In an aspect of implementation, a method of operating a storage assembly for a vehicle is explain hereafter: the storage assembly including a storage box with a storage space including a carrier tray movable between a retracted position and a use position and a lid movable between a close position and an open position. In which a drive system is connected (via cable or wirelessly) to the carrier tray such that upon actuation of the drive system the carrier tray is movable in between the retracted position and a use position, wherein the method of operating the storage assembly includes a step of actuating a drive system, the drive system simultaneously moving the carrier tray and lid towards the use position and the open position respectively. Or in another aspect of implementation, wherein the method of operation the storage assembly includes a step of: actuating the drive system the carrier tray slides towards the lid and after a certain distance a second end of the carrier tray moves over the lid to pivot the lid towards the open position and thereby moving the carrier tray towards the use position respectively.

[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0023] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary side view representation of the proposed storage assembly, wherein a carrier tray of the storage assembly is in a retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary side view representation of the proposed storage assembly, wherein a carrier tray of the storage assembly is in a use position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0027] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0028] The present disclosure relates to the field of a storage assembly for a vehicle. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a storage/console assembly arranged in between the front and rear seats of the vehicle having a carrier tray movable from a retracted position to a use position.

[0029] Now referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, a storage assembly (1000) for a vehicle is shown. In an embodiment, the storage assembly (1000) is arranged on a floor and in between a front and/or rear seat (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0030] In an embodiment, the storage assembly (1000) includes a storage box (10) with a storage space (11) for storing articles (A) therein. A lid (20) for opening and closing of the storage space (11) of the storage box (10). The lid (20) is pivotably arranged at a base wall (B) of the storage box (10). In an open position of the lid (20), the lid (20) is obtuse with respect to the base wall (B) of the storage box (10). The assembly (1000) further includes a carrier tray (30) for holding articles. The carrier tray (30) has a first end (30-1) and second end (30-2). The first end (30-1) is slidably coupled on an inner surface of the storage box (10) and the second end (30-2) is slidably coupled on the lid (20) such that upon opening of the lid (20), the carrier tray (30) is movable from a retracted position (55) to a use position (65). More particularly in the present embodiment, the first end (30-1) is slidably coupled on an inner surface of a base wall (B) of the storage box (10), and the second end (30-2) is slidably coupled on an inner surface of the lid (20). In alternate embodiment (not shown), both the ends (30-1, 30-2) are slidably coupled on an inner surface of a base wall (B) of the storage box (10), such that the second end (30-2) is slidable over on the inner surface of the lid (20).

[0031] In an embodiment, upon opening of the lid (20), the carrier tray (30) moves from the retracted position (55) to the use position (65). More particularly, when the lid (20) is in a closed position the carrier tray (30) is in the retracted position (55) and when in the open position the carrier tray (30) is in the use position. More predominantly, in the retracted position (55) the carrier tray (30) is substantially parallel to a base wall (B) of the storage box (10) as shown in figure 1 and in the use position (65) the carrier tray (30) is oblique and in a raised orientation compared to the retracted position (55) with respect to the base wall (B) of the storage box (10) as shown in figure 2.

[0032] In an embodiment, the lid (20) opening and closing and/or carrier tray movement in between the retracted position (55) and the use position (65) is actuated by a drive system (50). More particularly in an embodiment, the drive system (50) is a motor (60) driven cable/linkage system (61). In detail, the first end (30-1) and second end (30-2) of the carrier tray (30) includes a wheel (32) and the inner surface of the storage box (10) and an inner surface of the lid (10) includes a track (not shown) such that upon actuation of the drive system (50) at least one of the wheel (32) of the carrier tray (30), for example in the present embodiment the wheel at the first end (30-1) moves on the track (34) enabling lid (20) to close and open the storage box (10) and simultaneously moving the carrier tray (30) in-between the retracted position (55) and the use position (65). In the present embodiment as shown in figure 2, one end of the motor driven cable/linkage system (61) is connected to the wheel (32) at the first end (30-1) of the carrier tray (30) such that upon actuation of the motor (60) the cable/linkage system (61) pull/push the wheel (32) to move on the track (not shown). More Particularly, the wheel (32) of the carrier tray (30) is engaged and arranged within the track (34).

[0033] In another embodiment (not shown), the first (30-1) and second (30-2) ends of the carrier tray (30) is arranged on the base wall (B) of the storage box (10) such that upon actuation of the drive system (50) the carrier tray (20) is movable from the retracted position (55) to the use position (65), then a portion of the carrier tray (30) abut the lid (20) to pivot the lid (20) towards the open position and the carrier tray (30) towards the use position (65). In yet another embodiment (not shown), the lid (20) is moved to the open position first and then sequentially the carrier tray (30) is movable from the retracted position (55) to the use position (65).
[0034] In an embodiment, the lid (20) is pivotably arranged on the base (B) around a biasing member (not shown), preferably a torsion spring biasing the lid (20) towards a close position.

[0035] Further in an embodiment, a stopper (not shown), preferably a projection may be arranged on the base (B) and/or on the lid (20) to arrest/prevent the fall of the carrier tray (30) beyond a certain limit.

[0036] In another embodiment, the carrier tray (30) has a strap (not shown), such that upon opening of the lid (20), the strap can be pulled by a user to move the carrier tray (30) from the retracted position (55) to the use position (65).

[0037] In another embodiment, the drive system (50) is a hydraulic linear actuation which can be used to slide the carrier tray (30) on the track (34) to configure the use position/retracted position. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to use any similar mechanisms which facilitate sliding of the carrier tray (30) on the track (34) to configure the use position/retracted position.
[0038] In implementation, a method of operating a storage assembly (1000) for a vehicle is explained hereafter. The storage assembly (1000) comprising a storage box (10) with a storage space (11) including a carrier tray (30) movable between a retracted position (55) and a use position (65) and a lid (20) movable between a close position and an open position. The method of operating the storage assembly (1000) includes a step of: actuating a drive system (50), the drive system (50) moves simultaneously the carrier tray (20) and the lid (20) towards the use position (65) and the open position respectively or actuating the drive system (50) the carrier tray (30) slides towards the lid (20) and after a certain distance a second end (30-2) of the carrier tray (30) moves over the lid (20) and pivots the lid (20) towards the open position and the carrier tray (30) towards the use position (65) respectively.

[0039] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0040] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0041] Therefore, the present disclosure has the advantage of providing a storage assembly that maybe arranged on the floor and in between the front and/or rear seats of a vehicle. The present disclosure provides simple yet effective system that allows ease in the usability of the storage assembly by the passengers while storing and taking out the articles. The present disclosure provides simple and easy to operate storage assembly. The present disclosure provides storage assembly that require no/less maintenance.
, Claims:We Claim:

1. A storage assembly (1000) for a vehicle comprising:
a storage box (10) with a storage space (11) for storing article (A) therein,
a lid (20) for opening and closing of the storage space (11) of the storage box (10),
a carrier tray (30) with a first end (30-1) and a second end (30-2),
wherein the first end (30-1) is slidable on an inner surface of the storage box (10) and the second end (30-2) is slidable on the lid (20), such that upon opening of the lid (20), the carrier tray (30) is movable from a retracted position (55) to a use position (65).

2. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon opening of the lid (20), the carrier tray (30) moves from the retracted position (55) to a use position (65).

3. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the retracted position (55) the carrier tray (30) is substantially parallel to a base wall (B) of the storage box (10) and in the use position (65) the carrier tray (30) is oblique with respect to the base wall (B) of the storage box (10).

4. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the lid (20) is in a closed position the carrier tray (30) is in the retracted position (55).

5. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (30-1) of the carrier tray (30) is slidably coupled on an inner surface of a base wall (B) of the storage box (10), and wherein the second end (30-2) of the carrier tray (30) is slidably coupled on an inner surface the lid (20).

6. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (20) opening and closing and/or carrier tray movement is actuated by a drive system (50).

7. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drive system (50) is a motor (60) driven cable/linkage system (61).

8. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first end (30-1) and second end (30-2) of the carrier tray (30) includes a wheel (32) and the inner surface of the storage box (10) and an inner surface of the lid (10) includes a track (34) such that upon actuation of the drive system (50) at least one of the wheel (32) of the carrier tray (30) moves on the track (34) enabling the lid (20) to close and open the storage box (10) and simultaneously moving the carrier tray (30) in-between the retracted position (55) and the use position (65).

9. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 7, wherein one end of the motor driven cable/linkage system (61) is connected to the wheel (32) at the first end (30-1) and/or second end (30-2) of the carrier tray (30) such that upon actuation of the motor (60) the cable/linkage system (61) pull/push the wheel (32) to move on the track (34).

10. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage assembly (1000) is arranged on a floor (F) and in between a front and/or rear seat (S) of the vehicle.

11. The storage assembly (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (20) is pivotably arranged at a base wall (B) of the storage box (10), wherein in the open position, the lid (20) is obtuse with respect to the base wall (B).

12. A method of operating a storage assembly (1000) for a vehicle, the storage assembly (1000) comprising: a storage box (10) with a storage space (11) including a carrier tray (30) movable between a retracted position (55) and a use position (65) and a lid (20) movable between a close position and an open position, the method of operating the storage assembly (1000) includes a step of:

actuating a drive system (50) for moving simultaneously the carrier tray (20) and lid (20) towards the use position and the open position respectively or actuating a drive system for moving the carrier tray towards the lid and after a certain distance a second end of the carrier tray moves over the lid resulting in pivoting the lid towards the open position and the carrier tray towards the use position respectively.