Underseat storage enclosure
OwnerBradley S. Schlachterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a vehicle having a foldable passenger seat, there is a storage area underneath the seat. According to the invention, a lockable plate closes up an opening under the seat to thereby inhibit access to the volume of storage space and form a lockable storage enclosure. The plate cooperates with existing underseat components to form the novel underseat enclosure.
Claims11
An article for use in a motor vehicle having a floor, and a seat including a seat part pivotable between a first lowered position and a second raised position offset from the first lowered position by some angle, wherein when the seat part is located in the first lowered position a volume of storage space exists between the seat and the floor accessible though an opening extending below and across at least a portion of the seat part, the article comprising:
- a plate movable independently of the seat and comprising a front panel;
- and
- means for supporting the plate across at least a portion of the opening for inhibiting access to the volume of storage space through the opening when the seat part is located in the first lowered position, wherein the supporting means includes at least one hinge having a first portion attached to the floor and a second portion attached to the plate.
In a motor vehicle having a floor, and a seat including a seat part pivotable between a first lowered position and a second raised position offset from the first lowered position by some angle, wherein when the seat part is located in the first lowered position a volume of storage space exists between the seat and the floor accessible through an opening extending below and across at least a portion of the seat part, the improvement comprising:
- a plate comprising a front panel supported across at least a portion of the opening for inhibiting access to the volume of storage space through the opening when the seat part is located in the first lowered position, said plate being selectively movable relative to said seat part when said seat part is in either said first lowered position or said second raised position to facilitate access to the volume of storage space;
- means for pivoting the plate between a first raised position, in which the opening is substantially closed and access to the volume of storage space is inhibited, and a second open position, offset from the first raised position, in which access to the volume of storage space is facilitated when the seat part is pivoted towards the second raised position;
- and
- means for locking the plate in the first raised position when the seat part is located in its first lowered position to thereby form a secure enclosure within the volume of space, wherein the means for locking comprises:
- a locking mechanism supported in the plate;
- and
- a locking bracket attached to an underside of the seat part.
In a motor vehicle having a floor, and a seat including a seat part pivotable between a first lowered position and a second raised position offset from the first lowered position by some angle, wherein when the seat part is located in the first lowered position a volume of storage space exists between the seat and the floor accessible through an opening extending below and across at least a portion of the seat part, the improvement comprising:
- a plate comprising a front panel supported across at least a portion of the opening for inhibiting access to the volume of storage space through the opening when the seat part is located in the first lowered position, said plate being selectively movable relative to said seat part when said seat part is in either said first lowered position or said second raised position to facilitate access to the volume of storage space, wherein the plate is supported on the floor of the vehicle by at least one end panel.
An article for use in a motor vehicle having a floor, and a seat including a seat part pivotable between a first lowered position and a second raised position offset from the first lowered position by some angle, wherein when the seat part is located in the first lowered position a volume of storage space exists between the seat and the floor accessible though an opening extending below and across at least a portion of the seat part, the article comprising:
- a plate comprising a front panel;
- and
- means for supporting the plate across at least a portion of the opening for inhibiting access to the volume of storage space through the opening when the seat part is located in the first lowered position, wherein said plate is selectively movable relative to said seat part when said seat part is in either said first lowered position or said second raised position to facilitate access to the volume of storage space, wherein the means for supporting includes at least one hinge having a first portion attached to the floor and a second portion attached to the plate.
An article for use in a motor vehicle having a floor, and a seat including a seat part pivotable between a first lowered position and a second raised position offset from the first lowered position by some angle, wherein when the seat part is located in the first lowered position a volume of storage space exists between the seat and the floor accessible though an opening extending below and across at least a portion of the seat part, the article comprising:
- a plate comprising a front panel;
- and
- means for supporting the plate across at least a portion of the opening for inhibiting access to the volume of storage space through the opening when the seat part is located in the first lowered position, wherein said plate is selectively movable relative to said seat part when said seat part is in either said first lowered position or said second raised position to facilitate access to the volume of storage space;
- and
- means for locking the plate in the first raised position when the seat part is located in its first lowered position to thereby form a secure enclosure within the volume of space, wherein the means for locking comprises:
- a locking mechanism supported in the plate;
- and
- a locking bracket attached to an underside of the seat part.
An article for use in a motor vehicle having a floor, and a seat including a seat part pivotable between a first lowered position and a second raised position offset from the first lowered position by some angle, wherein when the seat part is located in the first lowered position a volume of storage space exists between the seat and the floor accessible though an opening extending below and across at least a portion of the seat part, the article comprising:
- a plate comprising a front panel;
- and
- means for supporting the plate across at least a portion of the opening for inhibiting access to the volume of storage space through the opening when the seat part is located in the first lowered position, wherein said plate is selectively movable relative to said seat part when said seat part is in either said first lowered position or said second raised position to facilitate access to the volume of storage space, wherein the means for supporting further includes at least one end panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.