Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
39 OF 1970
&
THE PATENT RULES 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTIONS 10 & RULE 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A CENTER CONSOLE ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH LEVEL DIFFERENCE CONTROL FEATURES
2. APPLICANTS (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED

Indian
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj,
New Delhi - 110070
India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

A CENTER CONSOLE ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH LEVEL DIFFERENCE CONTROL FEATURES

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a center console assembly of a vehicle equipped with level difference control features. In particular, the present disclosure relates to structure of the center console assembly of the vehicle where the structure is developed in order to control level difference arising between a center console and a seat belt harness coupler cover resulting due to independent movement of the seat belt harness coupler cover.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A center console of a vehicle typically rests on floor with a front end facing steering of the vehicle and a rear end facing rear seat passengers of the vehicle. The center console is the control bearing area of the vehicle including gear sticks and different storage compartments. Additionally, the center console is provided with a seat belt harness coupler cover (104) at a lower rear end portion of the center console (102) in order to facilitate to cover seat belt harness coupler.
[0003] However, in an existing arrangement as shown in Figure 1 (a)-(b), level difference between the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) and the lower rear end portion of the center console (102) is not maintained along both sides of the center console due to absence of matching between surfaces of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) and a lower rear end portion of the center console (102). Consequently, both surfaces at joinery of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) and a lower rear end portion of the center console (102) tend to behave as a free edge contributing to a considerable amount of level difference. Moreover, this may further lead to warpage issues due to absence of proper matching between both the surfaces of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) and a lower rear end portion of the center console (102).
[0004] Towards this direction, the present disclosure is intended to design and develop a structure such that above challenges can be overcome suitably without compromising on strength of the overall structure.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0006] It is an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in the prior art systems and methods.
[0007] It is a significant object of the present subject matter to restrict independent movement of a seat belt harness coupler cover of a vehicle.
[0008] It is another significant object of the present subject matter to control level difference between the center console and the seat belt harness coupler cover of a vehicle.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a structural assembly such that the overall structure is rigid and robust.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taking into consideration with accompanied drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a center console assembly of a vehicle to control level difference between a center console and a seat belt harness coupler cover. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided the center console assembly of a vehicle to control level difference between a center console and a seat belt harness coupler cover, the center console defining a U shape profile.
[0013] In an aspect, the center console assembly comprises of the seat belt harness coupler cover having a front surface angularly inclined away from rear seat passengers of the vehicle, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface forming shape of triangle and coupled to each of the lateral sides of the front surface in outward direction through continuous flanges, where inner side of each of the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface is supported by an extension projected horizontally outward to couple with the center console.
[0014] In an aspect, in the center console assembly, the center console configured to receive the seat belt harness cover at lower rear end portion, the lower rear end portion rest and mounted on floor of the vehicle, where the lower rear end portion faces rear seat passengers of the vehicle.
[0015] In an aspect, in the center console assembly, there are also provided flanges, each extending inward from each of two lateral surfaces of the lower rear end portion, with the flange from both lateral surfaces facing each other.
[0016] In an aspect, each of the flanges define an inverted “V”-shaped slot to receive the extension of the seat belt harness coupler cover.
[0017] In an aspect, in the center console assembly, the inverted “V”-shaped slot present at the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, is configured to guide the extension emanating from the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover to inner side of the lower rear end portion of the center console for restriction of movement of the seat belt harness coupler cover towards transverse outside and inner-side.
[0018] In an aspect, in the center console assembly, one end of each of the extension provided on each of the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover is tapered for entering into each of the inverted “V”-shaped slots of the center console.
[0019] In an aspect, in the center console assembly, inner side of the front surface, the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover is provided with a strengthening rib extending continuously through the flange from inner side of the first lateral surface to inner side of the second lateral surface.
[0020] In an aspect, in the center console assembly, the strengthening rib is joined with each of the extension present on inner side of each of the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, to strengthen the seat belt harness coupler cover.
[0021] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0022] 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 numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)
[0023] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which
[0024] Figure 1 (a)-(b) depicts an existing arrangement of a center console assembly of a vehicle;
[0025] Figure 2 depicts structural layout of a seat belt harness coupler cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] Figure 3 depicts sectional layout of a rear end portion of the center console in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0027] Figure 4 depicts complete assembly of the center console with the seat belt harness coupler cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0030] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0031] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0032] The present disclosure relates to a center console assembly that has been developed to minimize level difference between a center console and a seat belt harness coupler cover of a vehicle that is otherwise created due to side wall warpage issue. The different structural attributes of the proposed center console assembly are discussed in the subsequent sections.
[0033] Figure 2 depicts structural layout of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) is having three surfaces viz., a front surface (104-1), a first lateral surface (104-2) and a second lateral surface (104-3), respectively.
[0034] In an aspect, the front surface (104-1) is angularly inclined in a manner such that it is facing away from rear seat passengers of the vehicle. The first lateral surface (104-1) and the second lateral surface (104-2), on the other hand, are forming shape of a triangle and are coupled to each of the lateral sides of the front surface (104-1) in outward direction through a secondary rib (116).
[0035] In an aspect, herein inner side of each of the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3) is supported by an extension (114-1, 114-2), where the extension (114-1, 114-2) is projected in an outward direction in order to guide entry of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) into a rear end portion of the center console (102).
[0036] In an aspect, inner side of the front surface (104-1), the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) is provided with a strengthening rib (118) extending continuously through the secondary (116) from inner side of the first lateral surface (104-2) to inner side of the second lateral surface (104-3).
[0037] In an aspect, the strengthening rib (118) is joined with each of the extension (114-1, 114-2) present on inner side of each of the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, in order to provide strength to the seat belt harness coupler cover (104).
[0038] Figure 3 depicts sectional layout of a rear end portion of the center console in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein the central console is configured to receive the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) at a lower rear end portion (102). The lower rear end portion (102) usually rests on the floor by appropriate mounting and faces rear seat passengers of the vehicle as discussed in the previous section.
[0039] In an aspect, as shown in Figure 3, the lower rear end portion (102) comprises of two flanges (102-1F, 102-2F), each extending inward from each of two lateral surfaces (102-2, 102-3) of the lower rear end portion (102). The flanges (102-1F, 102-2F) are positioned in a manner such that each of the flanges (102-1F, 102-2F) from both lateral surfaces (102-2, 102-3) are facing each other.
[0040] In an aspect, it may be further observed that each of the flanges (102-1F, 102-2F) are defining an inverted “V”-shaped slot (112-1, 112-2) to receive the extensions (114-1, 114-2) of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104). The inverted “V”-shaped slots (112-1, 112-2) are acting as a guiding structure in order to allow entry of the extensions (114-1, 114-2) emanating from the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) suitably to inner side of the lower rear end portion (102) of the center console. Therefore, in this manner, the inverted “V”-shaped slots (112-1, 112-2) become capable to restrict movement of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) towards transverse outside and inner side directions, respectively.
[0041] In an aspect, one end of each of the extensions (114-1, 114-2) provided on each of the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, is tapered in order to facilitate entry into each of the inverted “V”-shaped slots (112-1, 112-2) present in the lower rear end portion (102) of the center console.
[0042] Figure 4 depicts complete assembly of the center console with the seat belt harness coupler cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, as already mentioned, the inverted “V”-shaped slots (112-1, 112-2) present at the inner side of the lower rear end portion (102) of the center console is acting as hook such that the extensions (114-1, 114-2) can be suitably stuck into the “V”-shaped slots (112-1, 112-2). Therefore, in this manner free movement of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) is restricted thereby maintaining level difference between the center console and the seat belt harness coupler cover (104).
[0043] In an aspect, it is to be noted that position of the center console and the seat belt harness coupler cover has been described viewing the vehicle from front. The direction of the structures is liable to change accordingly if viewed from any other direction.
[0044] Technical Advantages
All in all, the invention described in the present disclosure is having the following advantages:
a) The present assembly (100) facilitates reduction of free movement of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104)
b) The present assembly (100) allows maintenance of level difference between the center console and the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) of the vehicle
c) The extensions (114-1, 114-2) of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) are joined by strengthening beads which provides strength and rigidity to the present assembly (100)

[0045] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various systems that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0046] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to package features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0047] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0048] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.

, Claims:We Claim:

1. A center console assembly (100) of a vehicle to control level difference between a center console and a seat belt harness coupler cover (104), the center console defines a U shape profile, the assembly (100) comprising:
- the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) having
a front surface (104-1) angularly inclined away from rear seat passengers of the vehicle,
a first lateral surface (104-2) and a second lateral surface (104-3) forming shape of triangle and coupled to each of the lateral sides of the front surface (104-1) in outward direction through a secondary rib (116), wherein inner side of each of the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3) is supported by an extension (114-1, 114-2) projected horizontally outward to couple with the center console;
- the center console configured to receive the seat belt harness cover (104) at lower rear end portion (102), the lower rear end portion (102) rest and mounted on floor of the vehicle, wherein the lower rear end portion (102) faces rear seat passengers of the vehicle; and
- flanges (102-1F, 102-2F), each extending inward from each of two lateral surfaces (102-2, 102-3) of the lower rear end portion (102), the flange (102-1F, 102-2F) from both lateral surfaces (102-2,102-3) faces each other,
each of the flanges (102-1F, 102-2F) define an inverted “V”-shaped slot (112-1, 112-2) to receive the extension (114-1, 114-2) of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104).

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inverted “V”-shaped slot (112-1, 112-2) present at the first lateral surface (102-2) and the second lateral surface (102-3), respectively, is configured to guide the extension (114-1, 114-2) emanating from the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) to inner side of the lower rear end portion (102) of the center console for restriction of movement of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) towards transverse outside and inner-side.

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of each of the extension (114-1, 114-2) provided on each of the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) is tapered for entering into each of the inverted “V”-shaped slots (112-1, 112-2) of the center console.

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein inner side of the front surface (104-1), the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, of the seat belt harness coupler cover (104) is provided with a strengthening rib (118) extending continuously through the secondary rib (116) from inner side of the first lateral surface (104-2) to inner side of the second lateral surface (104-3).

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the strengthening rib (118) is joined with each of the extension (114-1, 114-2) present on inner side of each of the first lateral surface (104-2) and the second lateral surface (104-3), respectively, to strengthen the seat belt harness coupler cover (104).

Dated this 30th day of September, 2022

AMIT JAIN
PATENT AGENT
IN/PA – 2189
OF L. S. DAVAR & CO.,
APPLICANT’S AGENT