Claims:We Claim:

1. A storage assembly 100 for a vehicle interior, the storage assembly 100 comprising:
a first storage compartment 110 arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle interior and is movable between a first position 10 and a second position 20,
wherein a second storage compartment 120 is enclosed behind the first storage compartment 110, the second storage compartment 120 is accessible when the first storage compartment 110 is moved to the second position 20, and
wherein a lid 112 is arranged to open and to close the first storage compartment 110 in the first position 10 and/or in the second position 20.

2. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third storage compartment 130 is movably arranged below the first storage compartment 110 such that the second storage compartment 120 is enclosed between the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130.

3. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first storage compartment 110 and/or the third storage compartment 130 are pivotable on a pivot pin 200, 201 respectively.
4. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first link 150 is provided between the first storage compartment 110 and the second storage compartment 120 and/or between the third storage compartment 130 and the second storage compartment 120 respectively.

5. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 2, wherein a second link 160 is provided between the first storage compartment 110 and the second storage compartment 120 and/or between the third storage compartment 130 and the second storage compartment 120 respectively.

6. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the first link 150 is connected to a posterior portion of the storage compartments 110, 120 and 130 and/or the second link 160 is connected to an anterior portion of the storage compartments110, 120 and 130.

7. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the first link 150 and the second link 160 enables pivotal movement of the first storage compartment 110 and/or the third storage compartment 130 and sliding movement of the second storage compartment 120.

8. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one biasing member 140a, 140b is arranged between the second storage compartment 120 and the interior panel for sliding the second storage compartment 120 towards the vehicle interior when the first storage compartment 110 and/or the third storage compartment 130 moves from the first position 10 to the second position 20.

9. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second storage compartment 120 may have a locking mechanism which can be operated by a biometric, a numerical or a physical key.

10. The storage assembly 100 for the vehicle interior as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage assembly 100 is a glove box assembly of the vehicle interior.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a storage assembly for a vehicle interior having a hidden storage compartment.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, vehicle interiors are provided with storage compartments for storing essential articles, such as a mobile phone, a wallet, a document and the like. The available storage compartments can be a single box where most of the essential articles jumbled thereby. To overcome this problem, some attempts have been made where the box is separated into two compartments by providing a partition, thereby making the users ease to access their essential articles. Also, the user can put a lock on the storage compartment to secure their essential articles. However, once the storage compartment has locked any person other than the user is not able to use the storage compartment. If the user keeps the key of the storage compartment securely, and a third person uses the vehicle, he or she may not be able to access the storage compartment, which may be a problem for storing their essential articles.

[0003] Once the lock is open, the whole storage compartment is accessible by any person, and the essential articles that are stored are not safe.
[0004] There is no alternate option available as on date for safely keeping the user’s essential articles which require extra security and also letting other people use the storage compartment for keeping their essential articles while using the vehicle. Also not letting know to others about these essential articles of the user.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a storage compartment for keeping essential articles securely inside the vehicle.

Objects of the Invention

[0006] Object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior.

[0007] Further object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior, which is having multiple storage compartments for storing essential articles, such as a mobile phone, a wallet and the like.

[0008] Furthermore object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior, which is having at least two easy access compartments for keeping essential articles.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior, which is having a hidden compartment for keeping essential articles which is only accessible by the user.

[0010] Still one more object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior, which is having a separate lid for all compartments.

[0011] Further object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior, which can integrate with a biometric lock and the like for the hidden compartment.

[0012] Still further object of the present invention is to provide a storage assembly for a vehicle interior, which is compact and easy to use.

Summary of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided with a storage assembly for a vehicle interior s illustrated in accordance with the present invention. The storage assembly is a glove box assembly or any other similar storage assembly to store essential articles such as mobile phone or book or cups or cans and the like. The storage assembly is arranged on an instrumental panel or central console of the vehicle. The storage assembly is provided with multiple storage compartments to ensure space for safekeeping the essential articles. The storage assembly is having a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment.

[0014] The first storage compartment is arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle interior. Specifically, the first storage compartment is pivotally movable between a first position and a second position. The first position is where the second storage compartment is hidden / enclosed behind the first storage compartment and the second position is where the second storage compartment is moved towards the vehicle interior from where it can be accessible to the user(s). The first storage compartment is accessible to an occupant in the first position and the second position. The occupant can utilize the storage space inside the first storage compartment in both the first position and the second position. The second storage compartment is accessible only when the first storage compartment is moved to the second position. A lid is arranged to open and to close the first storage compartment in the first position and/or in the second position.

[0015] In an embodiment, a third storage compartment can be movably arranged below the first storage compartment. Specifically, the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment is pivotally arranged in an instrument console of the vehicle. The first storage compartment and/or the third storage compartment are pivotable on a pivot pin. The second storage compartment is enclosed between the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment. Specifically, the second storage compartment is enclosed and hidden when the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment are flushed against each other. The second storage compartment may be provided with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be operated by a biometric, numerical or a physical key to access the second storage compartment. The second storage compartment is slidably arranged between the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment. Specifically, the second storage compartment slides towards the vehicle interior to provide access to the occupant.

[0016] The second storage compartment and the third storage compartment is also provided with a lid. The lids are hingably connected with respective storage compartments. These lids can be latched with the respective storage compartment by using any latching mechanism obviously known to a person skilled in the art.

[0017] Further, a first link and a second link connects the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment with the second storage compartment. The first link is connected to the posterior portion of the storage compartments, and the second link is connected to the anterior portion of the storage compartments. The first link has more than one articulated link. Specifically, the first link is provided between the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment and between the third storage compartment and the second storage compartment. The second link is provided between the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment and between the third storage compartment and the second storage compartment, respectively.

[0018] The first link and the second link enables pivotal movement of the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment and sliding movement of the second storage compartment to slide forward to provide access to the occupant and slide backwards in an enclosed position or first position. Further, the second storage compartment is accessible to the occupant when the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment are in the second position where the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment are moved away from each other. Specifically, the first storage compartment moves pivotally towards the upper side, and the second storage compartment moves pivotally downwards.

[0019] Further, two biasing members are arranged between the second storage compartment and the instrument console of the vehicle. The biasing member facilitates the second storage compartment for sliding towards the vehicle interior. The second storage compartment slides toward the vehicle interior by pivoting the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment to the second position that is away from each other. Also, the biasing member retracts the second storage compartment when the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment are flush against each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols.

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a storage assembly for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment showing a perspective view of the storage assembly for a vehicle interior;

[0023] Figure 3 shows another perspective view of the storage assembly with a first storage compartment and a third storage compartment partially pivoted towards a second position;

[0024] Figure 4 shows a side view of the storage assembly where the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment are in a first position and a second storage compartment is enclosed between the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment; and

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates the side view of the storage assembly for a vehicle interior where the first storage compartment and the third storage compartment is in the second position.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 item.

[0028] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a storage assembly 100 for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention. The storage assembly 100 is a glove box assembly or any other similar storage compartment to store essential articles such as a mobile phone or a book or cups or cans and the like. The storage assembly 100 is arranged on an instrument console or on a central console of the vehicle. The storage assembly 100 is provided with multiple storage compartments to ensure space for safekeeping of the essential articles. In the present embodiment, the storage assembly 100 is having a first storage compartment 110 and a second storage compartment 120. The first storage compartment 110 is arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle interior. Specifically, the first storage compartment 110 is provided for storing the essential articles like mobile phone, cup and the like of the person who is driving and travelling on the vehicle.

[0030] Further, the second storage compartment 120 is enclosed behind the first storage compartment 110. The second storage compartment 120 is a hidden compartment arranged for storing essentials of the user such as a document, a weapon and the like which is more sensitive and needed extra security. In this embodiment, the second storage compartment 120 may be provided with a locking mechanism (not shown). The locking mechanism may be operated by a biometric, a numerical or a physical key to access the second storage compartment 120.

[0031] The first storage compartment 110 is movable between a first position 10 and a second position 20. In the first position 10, the first storage compartment 110 is accessible to an occupant, and the second storage compartment 120 is in a hidden/enclosed position. The second position 20 is where the first storage compartment 110 is moved, and the second storage compartment 120 is accessible to the occupant. In the present embodiment, the first storage compartment 110 is pivotally moved between the first position 10 and the second position 20. Further, a lid 112 is arranged to open and close the first storage compartment 110 for securing the stored essential articles. Also, the lid 112 is arranged for opening the first storage compartment 110 in both the first position 10 and/or in the second position 20. The first storage compartment 110 is accessible to the occupant in the first position 10 or the second position 20. The occupant can utilize the storage space inside the first storage compartment 110 in both the first position 10 and the second position 20.

[0032] Referring now to figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, various views of an embodiment of the storage assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the storage assembly 100 is provided with a third storage compartment 130. The third storage compartment 130 is movably arranged below the first storage compartment 110. In this embodiment, the second storage compartment 120 is enclosed between the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure more than three storage compartment.

[0033] The second storage compartment 120 and the third storage compartment 130 is also provided with a lids 122 and 132, respectively. In the present embodiment, the lids 112, 122 and 132 are hingably connected with respective storage compartments 110, 120, 130. In another embodiment, the lids 112, 122 and 132 may be removably or slidably configured with the storage compartments 110, 120 and 130. These lids 112, 122 and 132 can be latched with the respective storage compartment 110, 120 and 130 by using any latching mechanism obviously known to a person skilled in the art.

[0034] Referring to figures 2 and 3, the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 is pivotally arranged on an instrument console of the vehicle. Specifically, the first storage compartment 110 and/or the third storage compartment 130 are pivoted on a pivot pin 200, 201, respectively, as shown in figure 4. The third storage compartment 130 is arranged below the first storage compartment 110. The second storage compartment 120 is enclosed between the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130. Specifically, the second storage compartment 120 is enclosed and hidden when the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 are flushed against each other, as shown in figure 4. The second storage compartment 120 is slidably arranged between the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130. Specifically, the second storage compartment 120 slides towards the vehicle interior to provide access to the occupant.

[0035] Further, in the present embodiment, a first link 150 and a second link 160 connects the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 with the second storage compartment 120. Specifically, the first link 150 is connected to the anterior portion of the storage compartments 110, 120 and 130, and the second link 160 is connected to the posterior portion of the storage compartments 110, 120.

[0036] The first link 150 is having more than one articulated link. Specifically, the first link 150 is provided between the first storage compartment 110 and the second storage compartment 120 and between the third storage compartment 130 and the second storage compartment 120. The second link 160 is provided between the first storage compartment 110 and the second storage compartment 120 and between the third storage compartment 130 and the second storage compartment 120 respectively.

[0037] The first link 150 includes four links 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d. One end of the link 150a connects with a rear portion of the first storage compartment 110, and the other end is connected to the link 150b. The link 150b further connects with the second storage compartment 120. Similarly, one end of the link 150a connects with a rear portion of the third storage compartment 130, and the other end is connected to the link 150d. The link 150d further connects with the second storage compartment 120. The links 150b and 150d are also connected together in the periphery of the second storage compartment 120.

[0038] Further, the second link 160 is a connecting rod which connects the first storage compartment 110 with the second storage compartment 120 and the third storage compartment 130 with the second storage compartment 120. The first link 150 and the second link 160 enables pivotal movement of the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 and sliding movement of the second storage compartment 120. Specifically, the second storage compartment 120 slides forward to provide access to the occupant, as shown in figure 5 and slide backwards in an enclosed position as referred in figure 4.

[0039] Further, the second storage compartment 120 is accessible to the occupant when the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 are moved away from each other. In the present embodiment, the first storage compartment 110 moves pivotally towards the upper side and the third storage compartment 130 moves pivotally downwards.

[0040] Further in an embodiment, at least one biasing member 140a, 140b is arranged between the second storage compartment 120 and the interior panel specifically instrument console of the vehicle as shown in figure 1 and 4. The biasing member 140a, 140b facilitate the second storage compartment 120 for sliding towards the vehicle interior. The second storage compartment 120 slides toward the vehicle interior by pivoting the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 away from each other. Specifically, the first storage compartment 110 and/or the third storage compartment 130 moves from the first position 10 to the second position 20. The first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 is accessible to the occupant in the first position 10 or the second position 20. Also, the biasing member 140a, 140b retracts the second storage compartment 120 when the first storage compartment 110 and the third storage compartment 130 are flushed against each other. In the present embodiment, two biasing members like 140a and 140b are arranged between the second storage compartment 120 and the instrument console of the vehicle.

[0041] In an embodiment (not shown), the first storage compartment 110 is placed pivotally movable, and the third storage compartment 130 is fixedly placed. The second storage compartment 120 is accessible by moving away from the first storage compartment 110. In the embodiment, the movement of the first storage compartment 110 may be pivotally configured upwards or in downwards direction.

[0042] Accordingly, the present invention has the advantage of providing a storage assembly 100 for a vehicle interior. The storage assembly 100 is having multiple storage compartments for storing the essential articles, such as a mobile phone, a wallet and the like. Also, the storage assembly 100 is having at least two easy access compartments for keeping the essential articles. The storage assembly 100 is having a separate lid for all compartments also. Further, the storage assembly 100 is having a hidden compartment for keeping the essential articles which are only accessible by the user. The storage assembly 100 can integrate with a biometric lock and the like for the hidden compartment. The storage compartment of the storage assembly 100 is compact and easy to use.

[0043] 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.