Description:Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device for an article in a vehicle interior. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for holding an article, preferably an electronic device such as a mobile in a vehicle interior.

Background of the invention

[0002] Generally, an article holding device for example a mobile holder has a holding jaw(s) to hold a mobile in a vehicle interior. The article holding devices are adapted for being in a closed position when they are not holding the article and in an open position when they are holding the article. Various mechanisms are implemented to facilitate the opening and closing of the mobile holding device.

[0003] The article holding device with the holding jaw(s), that are opened to accommodate the mobile therebetween and also can be closed when not in use. While closing and/or opening the holding jaw(s), the holding jaw(s) are pivoted and at least a portion of the holding jaw(s) may hit on an interior panel while being closed and/or opened which makes an unpleasant noise.

[0004] Conventionally, a plurality of bumpers, are provided to damp the noise when the holding jaw(s) are being closed and/or opened. The plurality of bumpers is separately manufactured and assembled to the mobile holding device at various stages of production which increase complication in assembly and requires more time, manpower etc. for assembly.

[0005] Therefore, there is a requirement for a holding device for holding an article in a vehicle interior with a damping solution to damp the noise while closing and/or opening of the holding jaw(s).

Objects of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a holding device for holding an article in a vehicle interior.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a pivotable holding jaw for holding an article, preferably a mobile in a vehicle interior without scratching or damaging the article or mobile surface and without making any unpleasant noise while closing and/or opening of the holding device.

Summary of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided with a device for holding an article in a vehicle interior. The device may be configured on an interior panel of the vehicle. In an aspect, the device may include a holding jaw for holding article such as cup, mobile phone, tablet and similar electronic device.

[0009] In an aspect, the holding jaw may be configured to be pivotably connected to the interior panel of the vehicle interior such as a dashboard panel or a door panel to configure a closed position and an open position. Furthermore, this definition also covers an aspect, wherein the holding jaw is arranged in or on a holding frame which can be installed in or on the interior panel of the vehicle interior. Along, with an aspect wherein the holding jaw is directly installed on the interior panel.

[0010] In an aspect of the invention, the holding jaw has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface includes a first softer portion adapted to hold and grip the article when the holding jaw is in the open position and a second softer portion adapted to damp noise while closing and/or opening the holding jaw.

[0011] More particularly, the first softer portion is a central part of the holding jaw which protrudes and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw to hold and grip the article.

[0012] In an aspect, the second softer portion is closing bumps arranged at distal side ends of the holding jaw and protrudes to abut with the interior panel or the holding frame in the closed position to damp noise while closing the holding jaw.

[0013] In an aspect, the second softer portion is an opening bump arranged at a pivotal end of the holding jaw to damp noise while opening the holding jaw.

[0014] In an aspect, the holding jaw may be configured to be pivotably connected to the interior panel and may be biased by a bi-stable spring to allow the holding jaw to bias and remain in the closed position and in the open position until and unless any external force is applied on the holding jaw. In another aspect, the holding jaw may be configured to be pivotably connected to the interior panel and may be biased by a torsion spring to bias the holding jaw always towards the closed position.

[0015] In an aspect, the holding jaw with the first surface and the second surface can be manufactured by a 2k/two-shot injection moulding process thus avoiding any separate bumper/damper to be assembled on the holding device.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, the holding jaw of the device for holding an article may include an upper holding jaw and a lower holding jaw. The upper holding jaw and the lower holding jaw may be configured to be pivotably arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle and adapted to pivot around a corresponding pivotal axis parallel to each other. The upper holding jaw may be configured to be pivotably connected to the interior panel and biased towards the closed position via a torsion spring to bias the upper holding jaw always towards the closed position.

[0017] The lower holding jaw may be arranged adjacent to the upper holding jaw and may be aligned in a same plane with the upper holding jaw in the closed position. In an aspect, the lower holding jaw may be configured to be arranged on or in the interior panel with a bi-stable spring to allow the lower holding jaw to bias and remain in the closed position and in the open position until and unless any external force is applied on the lower holding jaw.

[0018] The holding jaws may include a first surface and a second surface. The holding jaws may be manufactured by a 2k/two-shot injection moulding process thus avoiding any separate bumper/damper to be assembled on the holding device.

[0019] The second surface may include a first softer portion adapted to hold an article when the holding jaws are in the open position, and a second softer portion adapted to damp noise while closing and/or opening the holding jaws. The first softer portion and the second softer portion can be made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

[0020] The first softer portion may be a central part of the holding jaw which protrudes and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw. The second softer portion may have closing bumps arranged at distal side ends of the holding jaw and may protrude from the second surface to abut with the interior panel to damp noise while closing the holding jaw.

[0021] Further, the second softer portion may include opening bumps, the opening bumps are arranged at pivotal end of the holding jaw to damp noise while opening the holding jaw.

[0022] More particularly, the second softer portion of the upper holding jaw may have closing bumps arranged at distal side ends of the upper holding jaw to damp noise while closing the upper holding jaw. The second softer portion of the lower holding jaw may have opening bumps arranged at pivotal end of the lower holding jaw and the closing bumps arranged at distal side ends of the holding jaw to damp noise while closing and opening the lower holding jaw.

Brief description of drawings

[0023] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0024] Figure 1a shows a side view of a device for holding an article in a vehicle interior in an open position in accordance with the present invention;

[0025] Figure 1b shows a side view of a device for holding an article in a vehicle interior in a closed position in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] Figure 1c shows a perspective view of a holding jaw in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2a shows an isometric view of a device for holding an article in an open position in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2b shows a side view of a device for holding an article in a closed position in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a rear side isometric view of the holding device illustrating a torsion spring and a bi-stable spring in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an upper holding jaw in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a lower holding jaw in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0032] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0033] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

[0034] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0035] The present invention provides a device having holding jaw to hold an article. The holding jaw is manufactured in such a way that the holding jaw are having a damping solution to damp the noise while opening and/or closing the holding jaw.

[0036] Referring to figures 1a and 1b, a device (100) for holding an article (50) in a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The device (100) is configured to be arranged on an interior panel (200) such as a dashboard panel or door panel of the vehicle. The device (100) includes a holding jaw (10) configured to be pivotably arranged on the interior panel (200) of the vehicle for holding article (50) such as beverage container, cup, mobile phone, tablet and similar electronic devices. Furthermore, this definition also covers an embodiment, wherein the holding jaw (10) is arranged in or on a holding frame (not shown) which can be installed in or on the interior panel (200) of the vehicle interior. Along, with the present embodiment, the holding jaw (10) is directly installed on the interior panel (200).

[0037] The holding jaw (10) is configured to be pivotably arranged on or in the interior panel (200) and is adapted to configure an open position (shown in figure 1a) and a closed position (shown in figure 1b). In the present embodiment, the holding jaw (10) is pivotably connected to the interior panel (200) and biased by a biasing member/spring. Specifically, the holding jaw (10) is pivotably connected to the interior panel (200) and biased by a bi-stable spring (not shown) to allow the holding jaw (10) to bias and remain in the closed position and in the open position until and unless any external force is applied on the holding jaw (10). In another embodiment, the holding jaw (10) is pivotably connected to the interior panel (200) and biased by a torsion spring (not shown) to bias the holding jaw (100) always towards the closed position.

[0038] In an embodiment, the holding jaw (10) has a first surface (14) and a second surface (16) opposite to the first surface (14). The second surface (16) includes a first softer portion (16a) adapted to hold the article (50) when the holding jaw (10) is in the open position and a second softer portion (16b) adapted to damp noise while closing and/or opening the holding jaw (10).

[0039] Referring now to figure 1c, the first softer portion (16a) is a central part having a first extended part (166) and a second extended part (167) to hold and grip the article (50). The first extended part (166) is longitudinally aligned near an edge of the holding jaw (10) and extends along the length of the holding jaw (10). The second extended part (167) is longitudinally aligned parallel to the first extended part (166) of the holding jaw (10) which protrudes and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw (10). The second softer portion (16b) is a closing bump (168a, 168b) arranged at a distal side end of the holding jaw (10) and protrudes to abut with the interior panel (200) [or a holding frame in another embodiment (not shown)] in the close position to damp noise while closing the holding jaw (10). Further, the second softer portion (16b) is an opening bump (169a, 169b) arranged at pivotal ends of the holding jaw (10) and protrudes to abut with the interior panel (200) in the close position to damp noise while opening the holding jaw (10).

[0040] Further, the device (100) includes a ledge (210) extending from a surface of the interior panel (200) of the vehicle. The ledge (210) is extended from the interior panel (200) in such a way that the article (50) is received and held in between the holding jaw (10) and the ledge (210). The ledge (210) horizontally extends parallel to a length of the holding jaw (10) to firmly hold the article (50) there between. In the present embodiment, in the closed position, the holding jaw (10) pivots into a cavity of the interior panel (200) and flushes with a visible surface of the interior panel (200) of the vehicle.

[0041] In another embodiment, wherein the holding jaw (10) is arranged in or on a holding frame (not shown) which can be installed in or on the interior panel (200) of the vehicle interior, the holding jaw (10) in its closed position pivots into a space (not shown) of the holding frame (not shown) and may flush with a visible surface of the interior panel (200) of the vehicle. The holding jaw (10) is manufactured by a 2k or two-shot injection moulding process thus avoiding any separate bumper/damper to be assembled on the holding device (100).

[0042] Referring now to figures 2a, and 2b, a device (100) for holding an article (50) in a vehicle interior in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The device (100) includes a holding jaw (10). The holding jaw (10) includes an upper holding jaw (11) and a lower holding jaw (12) pivotably connected to an interior panel (200). The upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12) are configured to be pivotably arranged on the interior panel (200) and are adapted to configure an open position (as shown in figure 2a) and a closed position (as shown in figure 2b).

[0043] The upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12) are pivotable around a corresponding pivotal axis which is parallel to each other configuring the open position and the closed position. Specifically, each holding jaws (11, 12) are adapted to pivotably move between the closed position (figure 2b) and the open position (figure 2a). The device (100) configures the open position to hold the article (50) in between the upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12). In the closed position, each of the holding jaws (11, 12) pivots into a cavity of the interior panel (200) and flushes with a visible surface of the interior panel (200).

[0044] Referring now to figures 2a, 2b, and 3 the holding jaws (11, 12) are pivotably connected to the interior panel (200) of the vehicle and biased by a biasing member or spring. Specifically, the upper holding jaw (11) is biased towards the closed position via a torsion spring (12a) to bias the upper holding jaw (11) always in the closed position. The lower holding jaw (12) is pivotably connected to the interior panel (200) and is coupled to the interior panel (200) with a bi-stable spring (12b) to allow the lower holding jaw (12) to bias and remain in the open position and in the closed position until and unless any external force is applied on the lower holding jaw (12), unlike the upper holding jaw (11) which always bias towards the closed position. The combine-effect of the torsion spring (12a) of the upper holding jaw (11) and the bi-stable spring (12b) of the lower holding jaw (12) enables effective holding and grip of the article (50).

[0045] Referring now to figures 4, and 5, the holding jaws (11, 12) has a rectangular profile having a first surface (14) and a second surface (16) opposite to the first surface (14, now shown). The second surface (16) includes a softer portion (16a, 16b) which can be softer than the first surface (14). The holding jaws (11, 12) are manufactured by a 2k or two-shot injection moulding process. The 2k or two-shot injection moulding process to avoid the need for any separate bumper/damper to be assembled on the holding device (100).

[0046] More particularly, the softer portions (16a, 16b) of the second surface (16) of the holding jaws (11, 12) include a first softer portion (16a) and a second softer portion (16b). The first softer portion (16a) is adapted to hold and to provide grip to the article (50) when held in between the upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12). The article (50) held in the holding jaws (11, 12) is a mobile phone or a tablet or a cup or the like. The first softer portion (16a) is a central part of the holding jaws (11, 12) which protrudes and extends longitudinally on the holding jaws (11, 12) to hold and to provide grip to the article (50).

[0047] In the present embodiment, the first softer portion (16a) and the second softer portion (16b) are made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

[0048] More particularly, the first softer portion (16a) of the upper holding jaw (11) is a first elongated part (161), a second elongated part (162), and a third elongated part (163). The first elongated part (161) and the second elongated part (162) are longitudinally aligned near an edge of the upper holding jaw (11) and extend along the length of the upper holding jaw (11). The third elongated part (163) is longitudinally aligned parallel to the first elongated part (161) and the second elongated part (162) forms a first recessed portion (165a) therebetween to receive the article (50) in the upper holding jaw (11).
[0049] Further, the first softer portion (16a) of the lower holding jaw (12) is having a first extended part (166) and a second extended part (167). The first extended part (166) is longitudinally aligned near the edge of the lower holding jaw (12) and extends along the length of the lower holding jaw (12). The second extended part (167) is longitudinally aligned parallel to the first extended part (166) forming a second recessed portion (165b) therebetween to receive the article (50) in the lower holding jaw (12). The first recessed portion (165a) of the upper holding jaw (11) and the second recessed portion (165b) of the lower holding jaw (12) receives and holds the article (50) in between the upper holding jaw (11) and the lower holding jaw (12).

[0050] Further, the second softer portion (16b) is adapted to damp noise while closing and/or opening the holding jaws (11, 12). In the present embodiment, the second softer portion (16b) is closing bumps (168a, 168b) and opening bumps (169a, 169b). The closing bumps (168a, 168b) are arranged at distal side ends of the holding jaws (11, 12) and protrude to abut with the interior panel (200) in the closed position to damp noise while closing the holding jaws (11, 12). The opening bumps (169a, 169b) are arranged at a pivotal end of the lower holding jaw (12) to damp noise while opening the lower holding jaw (12). The closing bumps (168a, 168b) and the opening bumps (169a, 169b) are arranged away from a central axis of the holding jaws (11, 12). Each of the holding jaws (11, 12) are having two closing bumps (168a, 168b).

[0051] In the present embodiment of the invention, the upper holding jaw (11) is having only closing bumps (168a, 168b) to damp noise while closing the upper holding jaw (11). More particularly, the closing bumps (168a, 168b) are arranged adjacent to the first elongated part (161) and a second elongated part (162).

[0052] The lower holding jaw (12) is having closing bumps (168a, 168b) and opening bumps (169a, 169b) on the second surface (16). More particularly, the closing bumps (168a, 168b) are arranged adjacent to the first extended part (166) and the opening bumps (169a, 169b) is arranged in such a way that the opening bumps (169a, 169b) abuts the interior panel (200) when the lower holding jaw (12) is pivoted to configure the open position.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the closing bumps (168a, 168b) are provided to damp noise which is generated when the holding jaws (11, 12) hits the interior panel (200) while closing the holding jaws (11, 12), and the opening bumps (169a, 169b) are provided to damp noise which is generated when the holding jaws (11, 12) hits the interior panel (200) while opening the lower holding jaw (12). In another embodiment, the closing bumps (168a, 168b) are provided to damp noise which is generated when the holding jaws (11, 12) hits a holder frame (not shown) which can be installed on the interior panel (200) while closing the holding jaws (11, 12), and the opening bumps (169a, 169b) are provided to damp noise which is generated when the lower holding jaw (12) hits the holder frame (not shown) while opening the lower holding jaw (12).

[0054] The opening bumps (169a, 169b) of the lower holding jaw (12) abut with the interior panel (200) when pivoted and to configure the open position. The closing bumps (168a, 168b) of the holding jaws (11, 12) abut with the interior panel (200) when pivoted and to configure the closed position.

[0055] In an embodiment as shown in figures 4, and 5, the lower holding jaw (12) is having the closing bumps (168a, 168b) and the opening bumps (169a, 169b). The upper holding jaw (11) is only having closing bumps (168a, 168b) which damps the noise while closing the upper holding jaw (11). In another embodiment, the upper holding jaw (11) may have opening bumps (169a, 169b) to damp the noise while moving the upper holding jaw (11) from the closed position to the open position.

[0056] Therefore, the advantage of the present invention is to provide the device (100) for holding articles (50) preferably a mobile in a vehicle interior without scratching or damaging the mobile surface and without making any unpleasant noise while using the device (100). The device (100) has integrated dampers to damp noise while closing or opening the holding jaws (11, 12) of the device (100). The holding jaws (11, 12) are manufactured by the 2k or two-shot injection moulding process thus avoiding any separate bumper/damper to be assembled on the holding device (100).

[0057] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention best and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. , C , Claims:We Claim:
1. A device (100) for holding an article (50) in a vehicle interior, the device (100) comprises:
a holding jaw (10) configured to be pivotably arranged on or in an interior panel (200), the holding jaw (10) is adapted to configure a closed position and an open position to hold the article (50) in the open position;
wherein, the holding jaw (10) has a first surface (14) and a second surface (16) opposite to the first surface (14);
wherein, the second surface (16) includes:
a first softer portion (16a) adapted to hold the article (50) when the holding jaw (10) is in the open position; and
a second softer portion (16b) adapted to damp noise while closing and/or opening the holding jaw (10).

2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first softer portion (16a) is a central part of the holding jaw (10) which protrudes and extends longitudinally along the holding jaw (10) to hold and to grip to the article (50).

3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second softer portion (16b) is closing bumps (168a, 168b) arranged at distal side ends of the holding jaw (10) and protrude to abut with the interior panel (200) or a holding frame in the closed position to damp noise while closing the holding jaw (10).

4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second softer portion (16b) is an opening bump (169a, 169b) arranged at pivotal end of the holding jaw (10) to damp noise while opening the holding jaw (10).

5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding jaw (10) is configured to be arranged on or in the interior panel (200) with a bi-stable spring or a torsion spring (not shown) to allow the holding jaw (10) to bias and remain in the closed position and in the open position until and unless any external force is applied on the lower holding jaw (10) or to bias the holding jaw (10) always towards the closed position.

6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding jaw (10) includes an upper holding jaw (11) and a lower holding jaw (12) configured to be pivotably connected to the interior panel (200) of the vehicle interior.

7. The device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second softer portion (16b) of the upper holding jaw (11) has closing bumps (168a, 168b) arranged at distal side ends of the upper holding jaw (11) to damp noise while closing the upper holding jaw (11), wherein the second softer portion (16b) of the lower holding jaw (12) is having opening bumps (169a, 169b) arranged at pivotal end of the lower holding jaw (12) and closing bumps (168a, 168b) arranged at distal side ends of the lower holding jaw (12) to damp noise while closing and opening the lower holding jaw (12).

8. The device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upper holding jaw (11) is biased towards the closed position via a torsion spring (12a) to bias the upper holding jaw (11) always in the closed position, and the lower holding jaw (12) is configured to be arranged on or in the interior panel (200) with a bi-stable spring (12b) to allow the lower holding jaw (12) to bias and remain in the closed position and in the open position until and unless any external force is applied on the lower holding jaw (12).

9. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the holding jaw (10) is manufactured by a 2k or two-shot injection moulding process.

10. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first softer portion (16a) and the second softer portion (16b) is made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).