WO1990008671A1

WO1990008671A1 - Storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1990008671A1
Application number: PCT/AU1990/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johanna Anna Maria Kavanagh; Kenneth Charles Kavanagh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-26
Filing date: 1990-01-25
Publication date: 1990-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-26

Abstract

A storage and entertainment unit (10) for a motor vehicle includes rear (20) and lower (22) surfaces for locating the unit (10) on the back (BS) and squab (S) of a motor vehicle seat. The unit (10) also has a recess (18) which is adapted to receive a seat belt (B) associated with the motor vehicle seat, to enable the unit (10) to be secured to the seat. Various storage areas (40, 44, 50, 64, 76) and receptacles (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) are included in the unit (10), together with other features.

Description

TITLE : STORAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE This invention relates to a storage and entertainment unit for use in a motor vehicle.

It is desirable and often necessary to provide entertainment for children during automobile journeys. There are in existence many games and amusements designed to keep children occupied whilst travelling, but there has always been a problem in providing a stable game playing surface, and storage means for games apparatus, writing implements and the like, and for things such as soft drink cans .

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved storage and entertainment unit for a motor vehicle

The invention may provide a unit for storage and entertainment, for use with a motor vehicle, said unit being able to be located on a seat of said vehicle and being adapted to be secured to said seat by use of a seat belt associated with said seat.

An embodiment of the invention, which may be preferred, will be described in detail hereinafter, with reference_, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of an embodiment of a unit in accordance with the invention, t h.e unit being in a closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from above of the unit of Fig. 1 in an open position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. is a side elevation of the unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section through the unit of Fig. 2

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the unit of Fig. 1 in position on a motor vehicle seat;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a tray; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the tray of Fig. 6;

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 7, the storage and entertainmen unit 10 has a main body portion 12 with an undercut 14 defining with a forwardly extending flange 16 a lateral recess 18. In use, as sho n in Fig. 7, the rear surface 20 of body portion 12 is intended to abut the rear BS of a motor vehicle seat, whilst lower surface 22 - which is at a slight angle to, in use, horizontal top surface 24 to accommodate the fact that most seat squab top surfaces are angled down towards the rear - is intended to sit on the seat squabs. A seat belt S may be buckled around unit 10 with the belt lodging in recess 18. The seat belt S, when tightened, (as shown in Fig. 7) will securely locate the unit 10 on a motor vehicle seat, preferably in the central position on a three-person rear bench seat.

The unit 10 has the following additional features.

In the front section, there are receptacles 26.28 - which are shown as cylindrical - which are dimensioned to hold cups or cans of drink.

A larger receptacle 30 - shown in Fig. 1 as cuboidal - may be used for snacks or other small items.

There are smaller receptacles 32,34 - shown in Fig. 1 as cylindrical - to receive articles such as a small portable battery-operated light for night use.

A litter-bag holding bracket 36 is provided on the front end of unit 10.

A spill rim 38 around the previousl -mentioned receptacles prevents beverages from spilling over.

As shown in Fig 6, there is in the middle of unit 10 a lower compartment storage area 40 an abutment 42 between area 40 and upper storage area 44. Upper storage area 44 is adapted to receive a tray or box 46 for storage of pencils or other articles. A lid 48 is adapted to fit over box 46. Lid 48 is' provided with catches 60,62 for attachment to tray or box 46.

There is a twin lower area 50, with similar features, including tray or box 52 and lid 54.

Indentations 56,58 are provided so that digits may lift up trays 46,52.

At the rear of unit 10 is a deeper storage area 64 for storage of larger items such as books or magazines to A4 size. Area 64 has a lid 66 pivoted at 68 with a catch 70. Indentations 72,74 are provided on body portion 12 to allow digits to lift lid 66.

A further storage area 76 is provided in flange 16, for lap trays (see hereinafter), and three levels of L-section slots are provided (78,80) on each side of unit 10.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a lap tray 82, of which two per unit are preferably supplied. The tray 82 is hinged at 84, which hinge is stabilized by a hinge stabilizer 86 (Fig. 8). A bracket 88 is supplied to locate the tray 82 in slots 78 or 80.

As previously described, particularly in relation to Fig. 7, the unit 10 locates on a car seat, with surface 24 substantially horizontal to allow board games and the like to be played on lids 48,54 or 66.

Preferably, the unit 10 and most if not all of the accessories thereto described hereinbefore are formed from plastics material or materials.

It can be seen that this invention provides an improved storage and entertainment unit for use with motor vehicles.

Claims

1. A unit for storage and entertainment, for use with a motor vehicle, said unit being able to be located on a seat of said vehicle and being adapted to be secured to said seat by use of a seat belt associated with said seat.

2. A unit according to claim 1, wherein said unit has a body in which is provided a recess adapted to take said seat belt.

3. A unit according to claim 2, wherein said recess is defined between an undercut of said body and a forwardly extending flange.

4. A unit according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said body has rear and lower surfaces adapted to abut the rear of said seat and the squab of said seat respectively.

5. A unit according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein said body has side surfaces, in at least one of which there is provided an L-section slot adapted to receive a tray.

6. A unit according to any preceeding claim, including storage areas and/or receptacles.

7. A unit according to claim 6, wherein said storage areas are located within said body and include a rear storage area extending from a top surface of said unit to near said lower surface, said rear storage area being provided with a hinged lid, an upper front storage area extending from said upper surface downwards in said body, said upper front storage area having an upper sub-area and a lower sub-area, said lower sub-area being of smaller dimensions than said upper sub-area, and a lower storage area extending from the front of said flange.

8. A unit according to claim 6 wherein said receptacles are located at the front end of said top surface.