Automotive center console with combination rear wall and articulated armrest

Abstract

A storage console for an automotive vehicle includes a rear wall which is hingedly attached to the console's base unit, for rotation about an axis generally transverse to the vehicle. An armrest is attached to the rear wall and is preferably articulated to the rear wall, so as to effect a double-articulation sufficient to permit the armrest to be rotated into a horizontal position, which allows passengers seated in the rear seats of the vehicle to use features incorporated into the interior surface of the armrest.

1 . A storage console for an automotive vehicle, comprising: 
 a base unit having a storage cavity defined in part by a floor, a fixed front wall, and fixed side walls, with said front wall and said side walls being attached to said floor; and    an armrest and rear wall hingedly attached to said base unit for rotation about a generally transverse axis located proximate said floor.    
   
   
       2 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , wherein said armrest and said rear wall are unitary.  
   
   
       3 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , wherein said armrest is mounted to said rear wall by means of a hinge having a generally transverse hinge axis.  
   
   
       4 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , wherein said armrest has at least a closed position in which it is overlaid upon said base unit, and an open position in which said storage cavity is completely accessible.  
   
   
       5 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , wherein said armrest has a generally planar horizontal surface with a plurality of depending surfaces which overlap at least a portion of said front wall and said side walls when said armrest is in a closed position.  
   
   
       6 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , wherein said armrest is mounted to said rear wall by means of a torque-responsive hinge having a generally transverse hinge axis.  
   
   
       7 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , wherein said armrest is mounted to said rear wall by a hinge having a generally transverse hinge axis, with said hinge having a sufficient range of motion to permit said armrest to open to a generally horizontal position.  
   
   
       8 . A storage console according to  claim 7 , further comprising a cup holder attached to an inner surface of said armrest such that said cup holder is useable when said armrest is opened to a horizontal position.  
   
   
       9 . A storage console according to  claim 8 , wherein said cup holder is useable by a passenger in a rear seat of a vehicle when said armrest is opened to said horizontal position.  
   
   
       10 . A storage console according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed cup holder mounted to said base unit at a location forward of said armrest.  
   
   
       11 . A storage console for an automotive vehicle, comprising: 
 a base unit having a storage cavity defined in part by a floor, a fixed front wall, and fixed side walls, with said front wall and said side walls being attached to said floor; and    a double-articulated armrest and rear wall attached to said base unit, with said rear wall being articulated about a first generally transverse axis located proximate said floor, and with said armrest being articulated about a second generally transverse axis extending between the rear wall and the armrest.    
   
   
       12 . A storage console according to  claim 11 , wherein said armrest is mounted to said rear wall for articulation about said second axis by means of a torque responsive hinge which resists rearward rotation about said second axis until such time as said rear wall is rotated to a rear stop position.  
   
   
       13 . A storage console according to  claim 12 , wherein said torque responsive hinge permits rearward rotation of said armrest with respect to said rear wall to an extent at which said armrest is open and generally horizontal.  
   
   
       14 . A storage console according to  claim 13 , further comprising a cup holder attached to an inner surface of said armrest such that said cup holder will be useable when said armrest is in said generally horizontal open position.  
   
   
       15 . A storage console according to  claim 11 , further comprising a graphical display attached to an inner surface of said armrest such that said display will be viewable by an occupant seated in a rear seating position of a vehicle equipped with said console when said armrest is in said generally horizontal open position.  
   
   
       16 . A storage console according to  claim 11 , wherein said armrest and said rear wall have a range of articulation sufficient to permit said armrest to be in contact with a rear seat structure when the armrest is in an open and generally horizontal position.  
   
   
       17 . A storage console according to  claim 16 , wherein said rear seat structure comprises a center armrest for use by rear seat passengers.