Claims:We Claim:
1. A console assembly (100) for a vehicle interior, the console assembly (100) comprising:
an enclosure (105), the enclosure (105) comprising a first and a second spaced side walls (135, 136), a front wall (137) and a rear wall (138) defining an enclosed storage space (100a) accessible from a first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) and / or a second horizontal portion (110);
the second horizontal portion (110) arranged adjacent to the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) of the console assembly (100), the second horizontal portion (110) is adapted to move between a first position (110a) and a second position (110b);
wherein in the first position (110a), the second horizontal portion (110) forms an essentially flat horizontal plane along with the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) closing the storage space (100a) of the console assembly (100) and in the second position (110b), the second horizontal portion (110) is at a higher position than the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) of the console assembly (100) such that the second horizontal portion (110) configures a table top and the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) configures a seat-pan; and
wherein a panel (130) is adapted to move from a stow position (130a) to a deployed position (130b) for configuring a backrest for the seat-pan in the deployed position (130b).

2. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel (130) is arranged in or on the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) in the stowed position (130a) and the panel (130) is pivotable on a first pivot axis (131) to configure the backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position (130b).
3. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the first horizontal panel (120a, 120b) has a cushioning sheet (121) at an upper surface of the first horizontal panel (120a, 120b) and the panel (130) has a cushioning sheet (121) at a backrest side of the panel (130).
4. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel (130) is arranged on or in the front wall (137) and / or in the rear wall (138) of the console assembly (100) in the stowed position (130a) and the panel (130) is pivotable on a second pivot axis (132) or is slidable vertically upwards to configure the backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position (130b).
5. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 4, wherein the panel (130) has a cushioning sheet (121) at a backrest side and an integrated display (122) or a display holder (122) at an opposite side of the backrest side.
6. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) of the console assembly (100) is pivotable on a third pivot axis (133) to provide access to the enclosed storage space (100a).
7. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spaced side walls (135, 136) has a sidewise slidable member (135’, 136’) for providing easy entry to an occupant to sit on the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) when the second horizontal portion (110) moves to the second position (110b).

8. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the spaced side walls (135, 136) is slidable on a floor of the vehicle interior for providing easy entry to an occupant to sit on the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) when the second horizontal portion (110) moves to the second position (110b).

9. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first horizontal panel (120a, 120b) has a hinged portion (20) hinged on a hinge axis (80), the hinged portion (20) has a glided telescopic rod (30) and an auxiliary spring-loaded footrest (10) is projected if an occupant pulls the footrest (10).

10. The console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pop-out headrest member (90) is arranged on a top portion of the panel (130) for supporting the occupant head when the panel (130) is in the deployed position (130b).
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a console assembly for a vehicle interior. More specifically, the present invention relates to a console assembly convertible to a stowable seating and table arrangement for a vehicle interior.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Vehicle interiors usually have constrain of space as many things may be integrated to the interior panels. Most of the accessories are integrated with the instrument panel, such that an additional accessory may limit the freedom of movement of the occupants inside the vehicle. Apart from the instrument panel, the central console is also now equipped with many holding mechanisms other than the transmission controls such as instruments, gauges, storage compartments, cup holders and the like.

[0003] The centre console is arranged in between the front seats, especially in between the driver seat and the front passenger seats. At present, smaller and foldable tables are being configured on the central console of the vehicle. This may provide comfort for the occupants as the foldable table is easily accessible from the centre console. But the current mechanism of tables inside the centre console is bulky structured and is not compact within the console. Another common aspect of many of these central consoles is the inclusion of a designed storage space. But the space for the central console is not utilised completely.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a central console which may overcomes the problems of the prior art.

Objects of the Invention
[0005] An object of the present invention is to propose a console assembly for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a console assembly which is multifunctional.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a console assembly which can configure a stowable seating and table arrangement without using interior space of the vehicle interior.

[0008] One more object of the present invention is to provide a console assembly which is economically designed and robust in construction.

Summary of the invention
[0009] According to the present invention, a console assembly for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention is provided. The console assembly for a vehicle interior comprises an enclosure, the enclosure further comprises a first and a second spaced side walls, a front wall and a rear wall defining an enclosed storage space accessible from a first horizontal portion and / or a second horizontal portion. The second horizontal portion is arranged adjacent to the first horizontal portion of the console assembly. The second horizontal portion is adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second horizontal portion forms an essentially flat horizontal plane along with the first horizontal portion closing the storage space of the console assembly. In the second position, the second horizontal portion is at a higher position than the first horizontal portion of the console assembly such that the second horizontal portion configures a tabletop and the first horizontal portion configures a seat pan. Further, a panel is arranged which is adapted to move from a stow position to a deployed position for configuring a backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position.

[0010] In an embodiment, the panel is arranged in or on the first horizontal portion in the stowed position and the panel is pivotable on a first pivot axis to configure the backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position. In an alternative embodiment, the panel is arranged on or in the front wall and / or on or in the rear wall of the console assembly in the stowed position and the panel is pivotable on a second pivot axis or is slidable vertically upwards to configure a backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position. Specifically, the panel is configured inside a slit opening on the front and / or rear wall of the console assembly. The panel may have a locking arrangement to lock the panel in the deployed position while configuring the backrest for the seat pan. The lock may restrict the movement of the panel along the sideways. The panel is slidable vertically upwards can be locked at different heights customising the requirement of an occupant.

[0011] The first horizontal panel has a cushioning sheet at an upper surface of the first horizontal panel and the panel has a cushioning sheet at a backrest side of the panel and an integrated display or a display holder is arranged at an opposite side of the backrest side.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the first horizontal portion of the console assembly is pivotable on a third pivot axis to provide access to the enclosed storage space.

[0013] In an embodiment, the spaced side walls of the console assembly comprise a sidewise slidable member for providing easy entry to an occupant to sit on the first horizontal portion when the second horizontal portion moves to the second position. In another embodiment, a portion of the spaced side walls is slidable on a floor of the vehicle interior for providing easy entry to an occupant to sit on the first horizontal portion when the second horizontal portion moves to the second position.

[0014] Further, the movement of the panel from the stowed position to the deployed position can be controlled manually or by a motor operated mechanism. Similarly, the movement of the second horizontal portion and the sidewise slidable member of the spaced side walls can be controlled manually or by motor operated mechanism. A single or multiple motor(s) may be used for controlling the movement of the panel, second horizontal portion and the sidewise slidable member.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the first horizontal panel has a hinged portion hinged on a hinge axis, the hinged portion has a glided telescopic rod and an auxiliary spring-loaded footrest which projected if a user pulls the footrest. A pop-out headrest member is arranged on a top portion of the panel for supporting the occupant head when the panel is in the deployed position.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the second horizontal portion is supported on a vertical column configured within the console assembly and slidable along a vertical axis between a first position and a second position. The second horizontal portion has an upper substantially flat surface capable of holding and accommodating articles of various sizes and shapes thus can be used as table top.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the detailed description given below, purely by way of example and in a non-limitative manner, referring to the following figures:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a console assembly for a vehicle interior with a storable seating and table arrangement in a used position;

[0019] Figure 2 shows perspective view of the figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of the console assembly in closed position with a first and a second horizontal portion covering the storage space of the console assembly;

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a first embodiment where a panel is arranged in or on the first horizontal portion of the console assembly and rotatable to configure the backrest for the seat pan;

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a second and third embodiment with a panel arranged in or on a front or rear wall of the console assembly and is rotatable or slidable vertically upwards to configure the backrest for the seat pan;

[0023] Figures 6 illustrates a schematic representation of the console assembly with the seat pan, backrest and table are in use position at one end of the console assembly and a first horizontal portion is pivoted for providing access to the storage space at another end of the console assembly;

[0024] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic representation of the console assembly with a sidewise slidable member sliding sidewise for easy entry of an occupant on the console assembly;

[0025] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic representation of the console assembly with a footrest and a headrest in extended position.

[0026] Figures 9a and 9b illustrates an alternative embodiment of the vehicle interior with the first horizontal portion being a one half of the console assembly with the other half having a second horizontal portion.

[0027] Figure 10a and 10b illustrates a top view of the vehicle interior at a console assembly closed position and the seat pan, backrest and table used position respectively.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0030] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0031] The present invention is to provide a console assembly (100) for a vehicle interior. The console assembly (100) is a central console arranged on a floor of the vehicle interior arranged in between a front seat(s) (400a, 400b) and a rear seat(s) (400c, 400d) as shown in figure 10a and 10b. Further, the console assembly (100) has an enclosure (105), the enclosure (105) has a spaced side walls (135, 136), a front wall (137) and a rear wall (138) configuring an enclosed storage space (100a) for storing articles.

[0032] Referring now to figure 1, a console assembly (100) for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The console assembly (100) includes a second horizontal portion (110) arranged adjacent to a first horizontal portion (120a, 120b). The enclosed storage space (100a) is accessible from the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) or the second horizontal portion (110).

[0033] The second horizontal portion (110) is a flat structure mountably arranged on a vertical column (102). The second horizontal portion (110) has an upper flat surface capable of holding and accommodating articles of various sizes and shapes. In the present embodiment as shown in figures 1 to 8, the second horizontal portion (110) is at the mid portion of the console assembly (100) parting two upper portions of the console assembly (100). Specifically, the second horizontal portion (110) separates the upper portion of the console assembly (100) to two equivalent independent first horizontal portion surfaces like a primary first horizontal portion (120a) and a subsequent first horizontal portion (120b). In an alternative embodiment as shown in figures 9a and 9b, the second horizontal portion (110) can be a one half of the console assembly (100) with the other half having a first horizontal portion (120ab) as shown in figures 9a and 9b.

[0034] The second horizontal portion (110) is supported on a vertical column (102) configured within the console assembly (100) and is slidable along a vertical axis between a first position (110a) and a second position (110b). In the first position (110a), the second horizontal portion (110) forms an essentially flat horizontal plane along with the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) closing the storage space (100a) of the console assembly (100). In the second position (110b), the second horizontal portion (110) is at a higher position than the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) of the console assembly (100) such that the second horizontal portion (110) configures a table top and the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) configures a seat pan.

[0035] Referring again to figures 1, 4 and 5, the console assembly (100) comprises a panel (130). The panel (130) is a flat structured element adapted to move from a stowed position (130a) to a deployed position (130b) for configuring a backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position (130b).

[0036] In a first embodiment as shown in figure 4, the panel (130) is arranged in or on the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) in the stowed position (130a) and the panel (130) is pivotable on a first pivot axis (131) to configure the backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position (130b). In the stowed position (130a), the second horizontal portion (110), the panel (130) and the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) lies along a same horizontal plane closing the storage space (100a) of the console assembly (100). In the deployed position(130b), the panel (130) configures a backrest for the seat pan and the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) configures a seat pan and the second horizontal portion (110) configures a tabletop for holding articles thereon.
[0037] In a second embodiment as shown in figure 5, the panel (130) is arranged on or in the front wall (137) and in the rear wall (138) of the console assembly (100) in the stowed position (130a) and the panel (130) is pivotable on a second pivot axis (132) or is slidable vertically upwards to configure the backrest for the seat pan in the deployed position (130b). Specifically, the panel (130) is configured inside a slit opening on the front and / or rear wall of the console assembly (100). The panel (130) may have a locking arrangement (not shown) to lock the panel (130) in the deployed position (130b) while configuring the backrest for the seat pan. The lock may restrict the movement of the panel (130) along the sideways. The panel (130) is slidable vertically upwards can be locked at different heights customising the requirement of an occupant.

[0038] The panel (130) has a cushioning sheet (121) at a backrest side and an integrated display (122) or a display holder (122) at an opposite side of the backrest side.

[0039] Further referring to figure 6, the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) of the console assembly (100) is pivotable on a third pivot axis (133) to provide access to the enclosed storage space (100a). In the present embodiment, the spaced side walls (135, 136) of the console assembly (100) has a sidewise slidable member (135’, 136’). The sidewise slidable member (135’, 136’) slides away such that it provides easy entry to an occupant to sit on the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) when the second horizontal portion (110) moves to the second position (110b). In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a portion of the spaced side walls (135, 136) is slidable on a floor of the vehicle interior for providing easy entry to an occupant to sit on the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) when the second horizontal portion (110) moves to the second position (110b).

[0040] Referring to the figures 1 and 8, the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) is provided with a footrest arrangement (140) and the panel (130) has a pop-out headrest (90). The footrest arrangement (140) of the first horizontal panel (120a, 120b) has a hinged portion (20) hinged on a hinge axis (80), the hinged portion (20) has a glided telescopic rod (30) and an auxiliary spring-loaded footrest (10) is projected if a user pulls the footrest (10). The pop-out headrest member (90) is arranged on a top portion of the panel (130) for supporting the occupant head when the panel (130) is in the deployed position (130b).

[0041] Further, the movement of the panel (130) from the stowed position (130a) to the deployed position (130b) can be controlled manually or by a motor operated mechanism. Similarly, the second horizontal portion (110) movement between the first position (110a) and the second position (110b) can also be controlled manually or by motor operated mechanism. Also, the panel (130) backrest side and an upper portion of the first horizontal portion (120a, 120b) has a cushioning sheet (121) for comfortable accommodation of the occupant. The opposite side of the backrest side is arranged with a display screen or a display holder (122).

[0042] Further, as shown in the figure 10a, a top view of an arrangement where the console assembly (100) is used as a storage box for storing articles and as shown in figure 10b. In such arrangement, the console assembly (100) converts into a stowable seating and a table arrangement for the occupant to sit on it and a front seats (400a, 400b) of the vehicle interior can be faced towards the rear side that is towards the rear seats (400c, 400d) or the rear backrest (500c, 500d) of the vehicle interior by sliding the backrest (500a, 500b) or by rotating the seat (400a, 400b). In this arrangement, the console assembly (100) may have a sliding surface on its bottom portion which is adapted to slide over a rail (700) arranged on the floor of the vehicle interior. The rail (700) facilitates in sliding the console assembly (100) back and forth towards the front seats (400a, 400b) or towards the rear seats (400c, 400d). Further, in such embodiment as shown in figure 10b, the second horizontal portion (110) may have a flap (10a) extending both sideways to accommodate more articles.

[0043] Therefore, the present invention has an advantage of providing a console assembly (100) for a vehicle interior which is multifunctional. The console assembly (100) can be configured as an occupant seat for example to accommodate a child. Also, the console assembly (100) is economically designed and robust in construction.
[0044] 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 best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.