Claims:
1. A collapsible floor console (100) for a vehicle comprising:
a vertical panel (104), a first horizontal panel (106), and a second horizontal panel (108), wherein
a lower end (104b) of the vertical panel (104) is configured with a sliding movement and an upper end (104a) of the vertical panel (104) is pivotally coupled to a front end (106a) of the first horizontal panel (106); and
a rear end (106b) of the first horizontal panel (106) is pivotally coupled to a front end (108a) of the second horizontal panel (108) and a rear end (108b) of the second horizontal panel (108) is pivotally coupled to a vehicle cockpit (102);
a cavity (120) provided in the vehicle cockpit (102) to store the collapsible floor console (100) in a collapsed position.
2. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first horizontal panel (106) comprises a first plurality of hinges (116) on the rear end (106b); and
the second horizontal panel (108) comprises a second plurality of hinges (118) on the front end (108a);,
wherein a cylindrical passage (122) is formed by joining the first plurality of hinges (116) and the second plurality of hinges (118).

3. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first horizontal panel (106) and the second horizontal panel (108) are pivotally coupled to each other by inserting a pivot shaft (110) in the cylindrical passage (122).

4. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first plurality of hinges (116) comprise a first slot (124a);
the second plurality of hinges (118) comprise a second slot (124b); and
the pivot shaft (110) comprises a plurality of lock keys (110a),
wherein the plurality of lock keys (110a) are configured to engage with at least one of the first slot (124a) and the second slot (124b).
5. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lock keys (110a) are configured to engage with the first slot (124a) in the collapsed position of the collapsible floor console (100).

6. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lock keys (110a) are configured to engage with both the first slot (124a) and the second slot (124b) in the fully open position of the collapsible floor console extension (100).

7. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring (126) is configured to engage with a side surface of one of the first plurality of hinges (116) and a shaft head (111) of the pivot shaft (110).

8. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, is configured to collapse by pressing the shaft head (111).

9. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical panel (104), the first horizontal panel (106), and the second horizontal panel (108) comprise a plurality of pockets (130) to store belongings of the passengers.

10. The collapsible floor console (100) as claimed in claim 1, is configured with a locking arrangement to prevent unintentional movement of the collapsible floor console (100) in the collapsed position.
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A COLLAPSIBLE FLOOR CONSOLE FOR A VEHICLE

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400001,
Maharashtra, India

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

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a floor console for a vehicle, and more specifically to a collapsible floor console for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Motor vehicles, these days have floor consoles so that the passengers may place a book, a cell phone, drinking glasses, or other light weight consumer infotainment or personal item organized in an available space. The floor console must be engineered with enough packaging space to accommodate articles. These consoles need a lot of space at the center of the vehicle, which could be used as a luggage space, otherwise. A larger size of the floor console results in a lesser leg room for middle passenger sitting at the vehicle rear seat and may lead to discomfort.
[003] Therefore, there is a need for a collapsible console to be provided in such a way, which can be used as per requirement of the passengers and also can be accommodated in the available space around the center of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[004] An object of the present subject matter is to provide a collapsible floor console for a vehicle.
[005] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide more space on the vehicle floor to store personal belongings of the passengers.
[006] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to facilitate collapsing of the floor console for use, as per the requirement of the passengers.
[007] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to facilitate folding of the floor console during non-usage.
[008] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide additional utility space, small luggage space, and leg space to the rear passengers in the collapsed position of the collapsible floor console.

SUMMARY
[009] Before the present system is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or device, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a collapsible floor console for a vehicle, and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0010] The present subject matter describes a collapsible floor console for a vehicle. The collapsible floor console comprises a vertical panel, a first horizontal panel and a second horizontal panel. A lower end of the vertical panel is configured with a sliding movement and an upper end is pivotally coupled to a front end of the first horizontal panel. A rear end of the first horizontal panel is pivotally coupled to a front end of the second horizontal panel and a rear end of the second horizontal panel is pivotally coupled to a front portion of a vehicle cockpit. A cavity is provided in the front portion of the vehicle cockpit to store the collapsible floor console in a collapsed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and device disclosed in the document and the drawing. The detailed description is described with reference to the following accompanying figures.
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a view of a collapsible floor console, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates another view of the collapsible floor console, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0014] Figure 3a illustrates a view of a first plurality of hinges, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0015] Figure 3b illustrates a view of the first plurality of hinges and the second plurality of hinges, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] Figure 4a illustrates a view of a pivot shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0017] Figure 4b illustrates a view of a pivot shaft inserted into the first plurality of hinges and the second plurality of hinges, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] Figure 5a illustrates another view of a pivot shaft inserted into the first plurality of hinges and the second plurality of hinges, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Figure 5b illustrates a view of the collapsible floor console in a collapsed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] Figure 5c illustrates a view of the collapsible floor console in a stored position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] Figure 6a illustrates a view of the collapsible floor console in a stored position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] Figure 6b illustrates a view of the collapsible floor console in fully opened condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0023] The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, 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. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any devices and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, devices and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0025] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0026] As discussed above, interiors of a passenger vehicle are designed to provide a comfortable experience. Most of the vehicles provide a lot of features and accessories in the vehicle floor console including infotainment system, air conditioning controls, trays, mobile charging sockets, pockets to keep personal items. While most of these features are generally used by front seated passengers, it covers a lot of floor space that could be otherwise used as utility space or small luggage space. Further, a large size of the floor console restricts leg space for the rear passengers. Therefore, the present subject matter discloses an improved floor console for usage by front passengers of the vehicle.
[0027] Following is a list of elements and reference numerals used to explain various embodiments of the present subject matter.
Reference Numeral Element Description
100 Collapsible floor console
102 Vehicle floor console
104 Vertical panel
104a Upper end of the vertical panel
104b Lower end of the vertical panel
106 First horizontal panel
106a Front end of the first horizontal panel
106b Rear end of the first horizontal panel
108 Second horizontal panel
108a Front end of the second horizontal panel
108b Rear end of the second horizontal panel
110 Pivot shaft
111 Shaft head
110a Lock keys
112 Sliding track
114 Rollers
116 First plurality of hinges
118 Second plurality of hinges
120 Cavity in the vehicle main console
122 Cylindrical passage
124 Slots
124a First slot
124b Second slot
126 Spring
130 Pockets

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, a collapsible floor console 100 for a vehicle is disclosed. The collapsible floor console 100 comprises a vertical panel 104, a first horizontal panel 106 and a second horizontal panel 108. The first horizontal panel 106 comprises a front end 106a and a rear end 106b. The front end 106a of the first horizontal panel 106 is pivotally coupled to an upper end 104a of the vertical panel 104 and the rear end 106b of the first horizontal panel 106 comprises a first plurality of hinges 116 (shown in Figure 2). A lower end 104b of the vertical panel 104 is mounted on a sliding track 112 by means of rollers 114. The vertical panel 104 may slide to and fro on the sliding track 112. The second horizontal panel 108 comprises a front end 108a and a rear end 108b. The rear end 108b of the second horizontal panel 108 is pivotally coupled to a front portion of a vehicle floor console 102 and the front end 108a of the second horizontal panel 108 comprises a second plurality of hinges 118 (shown in figure 2).
[0029] Further, the front portion of the vehicle cockpit 102 comprises a cavity 120 to store the collapsible floor console 100 in a collapsed position.
[0030] Referring to Figure 2, in one aspect of the present subject matter, a top view of the collapsible floor console 100 is illustrated. The rear end 106b of the first horizontal panel 106 and the front end 108a of the second horizontal panel 108 are pivotally coupled to each other through a pivot shaft 110. The first plurality of hinges 116 and the second plurality of hinges 118 complement each other to make a continuous cylindrical passage 122 (as clearly visible in Figures 3a and 3b) for insertion of the pivot shaft 110.
[0031] Referring to Figure 3a, a section view of one of the hinges (116, 118) is shown. The hinges (116, 118) comprise slots 124 along the cylindrical passage 122. Further as shown in figure 3b, the first plurality of hinges 116 comprise the first slot 124a and the second plurality of hinges 118 comprise the second slot 124b.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, as illustrated in figure 4a, the pivot shaft 110 comprises a number of lock keys 110a positioned along the length of the pivot shaft 110. The lock keys 110a are configured to fit into the slot 124 of the hinges (116, 118). The pivot shaft 110 further comprises a shaft head 111 at one of the extreme ends of the pivot shaft 110. In example implementation of the present subject matter, the shaft head 111 may also be used as a lock/unlock button.
[0033] Referring to figure 4b, the pivot shaft 110 is shown inserted into the cylindrical passage 122 of the hinges (116, 118) in a fully open position of the collapsible floor console 100. The fully open position of the collapsible floor console 100 is illustrated in the Figure 1. A spring 126 is assembled between a side surface of one of the first plurality of hinges 116 and the shaft head 111. In fully open position, the lock keys (110a) are engaged with the slots 124 in both the hinges (116, 118), and therefore, prevent any pivotal movement of the first horizontal panel 106 and the second horizontal panel 108 with respect to each other.
[0034] Referring to Figure 5a, in one aspect of the present subject matter, the collapsible floor console 100 may be folded by pressing the shaft head 111. When the shaft head 111 is pressed, the lock keys 110a on the pivot shaft 110 are moved to a position where the lock keys 110a are engaged with only the second plurality of hinges 116 and hence allowing the pivotal movement of the first horizontal panel 106 and the second horizontal panel 108 with respect to each other. At this situation, the vertical panel 104 may be allowed to slide in a first direction to collapse the collapsible floor console 100 as shown in Figure 5b. By further sliding the vertical panel 104, the collapsible floor console 100 may be stored in the cavity 120 as shown in Figure 5c.
[0035] Referring to Figure 6a, to open the collapsible floor console 100, the vertical panel 104 may be pulled in a second direction. As the collapsible floor console 100 achieves the fully open position, as shown in figure 6b, the slots 124 on the hinges (116, 118) get aligned, the pivot shaft 110 slides due to action of the spring 126, the lock keys 110a get engaged to the slots 124 of both the hinges (116, 118), and therefore, prevents any pivotal movement of the first horizontal panel 106 and the second horizontal panel 108 with respect to each other.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, as shown in figure 6b, the vertical panel 104, the first horizontal panel 106 and the second horizontal panel 108 of the collapsible floor console 100 may comprise a plurality of pockets / soft material bins 130 to store belongings of the passengers. The pockets 130 are configured to provide quick storage and retrieval options for quick use items, such as mobile phones, eyeglasses, tumblers, etc.
[0037] As described above, the collapsible floor console 100 may be used to store the belongings of the passengers in the fully open position. Whenever the collapsible floor console 100 is not required to be used, it may be collapsed by pressing the shaft head 111 and may be stored in the cavity 120 of the vehicle cockpit 102. Further, the collapsible floor console 100 may be configured with a locking arrangement to prevent any unintentional movement in the collapsed position.
[0038] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
[0039] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide a collapsible floor console for a vehicle.
[0040] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide more space on the vehicle floor to store personal belongings of the passengers.
[0041] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to collapse the collapsible floor console as per the requirement of the passengers.
[0042] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to store the collapsible floor console during non-usage.
[0043] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide more leg space to the rear passengers in the collapsed position of the collapsible floor console.
[0044] With the present floor console, the rear middle passenger will be benefitted with additional leg space and enhanced comfort in longer rides. This adaptability of the floor console also provides a driver and a co-driver the flexibility to decide whether they wish to utilize the floor space or use the utilities available in the floor console, as and when required.
[0045] Although implementations for the collapsible floor console 100 have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementation for the collapsible floor console 100.