FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to an interior component for a vehicle with magnetic structures for attaching and supporting an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Presently, vehicles will often have electronic devices integrated into

components in the interior of the vehicle. Examples of such electronic devices include navigation systems and radios. However, such integration of the electronic device limits the ability of the user to select and/or upgrade the device. Also, the integration eliminates the ability of the user to position the electronic device at a variety of potentially desirable locations.

[0003] It has been determined that it would be desirable to configure the interior of a vehicle such that electronic or other devices can be upgraded, changed, and/or moved to a variety of locations in the interior of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, an interior component for a vehicle includes a surface configured to be exposed to a vehicle occupant, a mounting structure affixed at least one of on and within the surface and that is configured to mount a magnetic structure, and a magnetic structure mounted on the mounting structure. The magnetic structure is configured to magnetically connect with an attachment. The mounting structure is configured to remain at least one of on and within the surface while moving between a use position in which the magnetic structure will be visible to the vehicle occupant and a non-use position in which the magnetic structure will not be visible to the vehicle occupant. [0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, an interior component for a vehicle includes a surface configured to be exposed to a vehicle occupant and a magnetic structure integrated as part of the interior component so as to be visible to the vehicle occupant at least one of on and within the surface, wherein the magnetic structure is configured to magnetically connect with an attachment.

[0006] The interior components described above may have one, all, or any

combination of the features described below.

[0007] The interior component can be one of a headrest, a seat back, an armrest, a console, an instrument panel, a door panel, a headliner, and an interior trim panel.

[0008] The interior component can have a magnetic structure that comprises a

ferromagnetic ball.

[0009] The interior component can have a mounting structure that comprises a panel, the magnetic structure is attached to one side of the panel, and the panel is rotatable about a rotational axis to move between the use position and the non-use position.

[0010] The interior component can have a mounting structure that includes a frame that rotatably holds the panel.

[0011] The interior component can have a mounting structure that is configured to space the magnetic structure from the surface in a direction toward the vehicle occupant.

[0012] The interior component can be configured to attach to an attachment that is an electronic device.

[0013] The interior component can have an attachment that comprises a mating magnetic structure configured to magnetically connect to the magnetic structure and configured to be affixed to an electronic device.

[0014] The interior component can have a magnetic structure that comprises a

ferromagnetic ball and a mating magnetic structure that comprises a ring.

[0015] The interior component can have an attachment that includes a bridge having first and second ends, the first end having a mating magnetic structure configured to magnetically connect to the magnetic structure, and the second end being configured to connect to an electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with interior components according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a vehicle seat of the vehicle of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of a headrest of the vehicle seat of FIG. 2 with an embodiment of a panel bearing a magnet assembly oriented such that the magnet assembly is in an exposed position.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the headrest of the vehicle seat of FIG. 2 with the panel bearing the magnet assembly oriented such that the magnet assembly is in a hidden position.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 3 with a device connected to the magnet assembly.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the panel of FIG. 3 according to one

embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a frame for holding the panel of FIG. 3 such that the panel can move the magnet assembly between an exposed position and a hidden position. [0024] FIG. 8 is a side view showing of an embodiment of a panel bearing a magnet assembly such that the magnet assembly is in an exposed position.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a side view showing of an embodiment of a panel bearing a magnet assembly such that the magnet assembly is in an exposed position.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a vehicle seat with a magnet assembly integrated with a vehicle component and a device connected to the magnet assembly via a bridge.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It has been determined that there is a need for an interior component of a vehicle that permits an electronic or other device to be removably attached and secured to location(s) within a vehicle to give a vehicle occupant the ability to utilize and/or view the device in a hands-free manner. Even more preferably, the vehicle occupant will be able to alter the viewing angle between the vehicle occupant and the device.

[0029] Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein are a variety of

exemplary embodiments of a vehicle interior component that includes a magnetic structure configured to magnetically connect to an attachment.

[0030] The interior component may be located in an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, such as the vehicle 20 illustrated in FIG. 1. Although a four-door sedan is shown in FIG. 1, the interior component may be used with any type of vehicle, such as a two-door or four-door automobile, a truck, a SUV, a van, a train, a boat, an airplane, or other suitable vehicular conveyance. Even more preferably, multiple interior components according to the present invention could be disposed at various locations within the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle 20, such that the attachment can be removably attached and secured to different locations within the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle 20.

[0031] The interior component may be anywhere in or on any surface within the interior of the vehicle 20. For example, the interior component may be one or more of a headrest, seat back, and armrest of a seat of the vehicle 20. As additional examples, the interior component could be one or more of a console (such as a front row console), an instrument panel, a door panel, a headliner, or an interior trim panel.

[0032] As further described herein, the attachment, to which the magnetic structure of the vehicle interior component is configured to magnetically connect, may be, for example, an electronic device, a non-electronic device, a mating magnetic structure that can be connected to such a device, or a bridge that can be connected to such a device. Examples of electronic devices include mobile telephones, tablets, video monitors, portable gaming devices, transmittable devices, scanners, barcode readers, etc. Examples of non-electronic devices include books, clipboards, toys, etc.

[0033] It has been determined that it is particularly preferable for the interior

component to be located on a portion, such as a headrest or a seat back, of a vehicle seat. Such a location allows second row or third row occupants the ability to view the attached device. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of such a vehicle seat 22. The vehicle seat 22 may include a seat cushion 26, and a seat back 24, as shown in FIG. 2. The seat cushion 26 is substantially horizontal and configured to support a vehicle occupant. The seat cushion 26, and hence the seat 22 itself, may be slidable along tracks 23 affixed to the vehicle floor. The seat back 24 may comprise a substantially vertical back support portion 27 which supports the back of the vehicle occupant and a head rest 28 which may support the head of the vehicle occupant. The back support portion 27 may be adjustable relative to the seat cushion 26 via a reclining mechanism 25. The head rest 28 may be adjustable relative to the back support portion 27 such that the head rest 28 may extend outward from the back support portion 27 or retract inward into the back support portion 27. Alternatively, the head rest 28 may be integral to the back support portion 27 or may be omitted from the seat back 24.

[0034] The overall structure of the vehicle seat 22 including its structural frame, padding, and covering can be any known seat known in the art. For example, the overall structure of the seat may be, for example, any of the vehicle seats disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012/0032486, 201 1/0316317, 2011/0260514, 201 1/0080026, 2011/0074199, 2010/0320816, 2007/0132266, and 2002/0171282, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the interior component 21 is the head rest 28 of the vehicle seat 22. The interior component 21 may include a surface 29 that is configured to be exposed to an occupant of the vehicle. The surface 29 may be any portion of the interior component 21 within the vehicle that is visible to an occupant. For example, the surface 29 of FIG. 3 is the backside of the head rest 28 on the vehicle seat 22 and is exposed to an occupant behind the vehicle seat 22.

[0036] In this embodiment, the interior component 21 preferably includes a

mounting structure 30 affixed at least one of on and within the surface 29 and configured to mount a magnetic structure 40. The mounting structure 30 may be configured to space and mount the magnetic structure 40 from the surface 29 in a direction toward the vehicle occupant at a variety of different distances and methods, as shown by FIGS. 3, 8, and 9. Such spacing can be advantageous, because it can creates an offset from the surface 29 that allows the attached device to be manipulated, e.g. rotated, to a desired viewing position or angle.

[0037] The mounting structure 30 may configured, through a variety of different methods, to move or rotate between a use position and a non-use position. It is particularly preferable that the magnetic structure 40 is visible to a vehicle occupant in the use position and not visible to the vehicle occupant in the non- use position. For example, FIG. 3 shows the mounting structure 30 positioned in an exposed, use position 32, in which the magnetic structure 40 may be visible and exposed to the vehicle occupant. FIG. 4. shows the mounting structure 30 positioned in a hidden, non-use position 34, in which the magnetic structure 40 may be concealed or not visible to the vehicle occupant. Such a feature allows the interior component 21 to be functional, yet present pleasing aesthetics when the magnetic structure is not in use.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting structure 30 may comprise a substantially flat panel 36 that is rotatable about a rotational axis to move between the use position 32 and the non-use position 34. Although alternate rotational axis locations may be used, the rotational axis preferably runs vertically or horizontally along the midline of the panel 36, as shown in FIG. 4. The magnetic structure 40 may be attached to one side of the panel 36 with a low profile to allow the panel 36 to rotate about the rotational axis. More specifically, the panel 36 may rotate 180 degrees to reveal or conceal the magnetic structure 40. When the panel 36 is in the use position 32 (as shown in FIG. 3), the magnetic structure 40 may be visible and exposed to an interior of the vehicle 20 to connect to an attachment. When the panel 36 is in a non- use position 34 (as shown in FIG. 4), the magnetic structure 40 may be concealed. The panel 36 may be secured into the use position 32 or the non- use position 34 by at least one detent 66 (as shown in FIG. 7).

[0039] In order to rotate the panel 36, a variety of mechanisms may be utilized, including, but not limited to, manual, electronic, electromechanical, power motor, or spring activated. As shown in FIG. 6, the panel 36 may rotate via two axial protrusions 62 along the sides of the panel 36, rotatably held by at least a portion of the interior component 21. The axial protrusions 62 may be integrally formed with a flat or substantially flat surface portion 37 of the panel 36 or may be one or more separate rods that fit inside holes in the sides of the panel 36. [0040] A frame 38 within the interior component 21 may rotatably hold the panel 36 to allow the panel 36 to freely rotate between the use position 32 and the non- use position 34. For example, the axial protrusions 62 may be inserted into two corresponding holes 64 in the frame 38, as seen in FIG. 7. The axial protrusions 62 may be spring loaded and retractable so as to be pushed into the holes of the panel 36 when the panel 36 is placed in the frame 38. Once inside the frame 38, the axial protrusions 62 may be released to protrude into the holes 64 in the frame 38.

[0041] The frame 38 may be attached to on or within the surface of the interior component 21 by any suitable mechanism such as, for example, screws, nails, rivets, adhesives, and/or welding. The panel 36 and/or the frame 38 may be constructed out of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, such as polypropylene or ABS, and metal.

[0042] The frame 38 may form a recess into which the magnet structure 40 may fit when the panel 36 is rotated. Alternatively, the frame 38 may simply form a perimeter around the panel 36 (as seen in FIG. 7) and an interior portion of the interior component 21. The interior portion of the interior component 21 may be a recess formed by the frame 38 or may be a gap in the structure of the interior component 21 into which the magnet structure 40 may be concealed within when the panel 36 is rotated into the non-use position 34.

[0043] While the mounting structure 30 is in the use position 32, the magnetic structure 40 may be configured to removably mate with an attachment 42, as shown in FIG. 5. The magnetic structure 40 may allow the attachment 42 to be articulated and adjusted in order to provide rotation and angling to give the user an optimum viewing angle. More specifically, the magnetic structure 40 may allow a large number of degrees of freedom and therefore provide multiple positions to secure the attachment 42. For example, the attachment 42, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, may be articulated in the vertical direction Y and the horizontal X or any combination thereof relative to the magnetic structure 40 as the attachment 42 moves around the curved surface of the magnetic structure 40.

[0044] While the interior component 21 with the mounting structure 30 has been described above in connection with a headrest, the mounting structure 30 could be used as part of any other interior component.

[0045] As an alternative to the movable mounting structure 30, the present invention can include a magnetic structure integrated into the interior component.

"Integrated," in this respect, means that the interior component is specifically designed or configured to receive and secure the magnetic structure in a fixed position. An embodiment of such an interior component 21 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the interior component 21 is preferably a seat back. A magnetic structure 140 is integrated into the interior component 21, i.e., seat back, so as to be visible to the vehicle occupant at least one of on and within a surface 29 of the seat back. The seat back is specifically configured to receive the magnetic structure 140 such that it is fixed in place. For example, the seat back can be formed with a hole designed to receive the magnetic structure 140 or the seat back can be formed around the magnetic structure 140. This configuration is advantageous, for example, because the magnetic structure 140 is held very firmly in place, thereby decreasing the risk that it will become dislodged and/or lost.

[0046] While the interior component 21 with the integrated magnetic structure 140 has been described above in connection with a seatback, the integrated magnetic structure 140 could be used as part of any other interior component.

[0047] In both embodiments described above, and in other contemplated

embodiment of the invention, any type of magnetic structure may be used for the interior component 21. The magnetic structure preferably comprises a ferromagnetic element to temporarily, magnetically attach to an attachment 42. The ferromagnetic element may be any suitable material or shape that provides a magnetic connection. For example, the ferromagnetic element may be steel, iron, nickel, or any other suitable ferromagnetic element. Further, the ferromagnetic element may be pyramidal, trapezoidal, cubical, spherical, or another form of protrusion.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-9, the magnetic structure 40 comprises a ferromagnetic ball. Use of such a ball-shape can be advantageous because it can allow the attachment 42 to be manipulated, e.g. rotated, to a desired viewing position or angle.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 1 1, the magnetic structure 140 has a frustoconical shape. Use of such a shape can be advantageous because it can provide greater stability for the attachment 142.

[0050] While specific configurations of the magnetic structure 40, 140 have been shown in conjunction these embodiments, the disclosed magnetic structures, or other configurations of the magnetic structures, can be used in either of the embodiments or in other embodiments of the invention.

[0051] The attachment 42 may be a variety of objects, including an electronic

device, a non-electronic device, a mating magnetic structure that can be connected to such a device, or a bridge that can be connected to such a device.

[0052] The construction of the device may be such that it can be the attachment.

For example, the device may be constructed such that it will directly magnetically connect to the magnetic structure of the interior component.

[0053] Alternatively, the attachment may comprise a mating magnetic structure configured to magnetically connect the magnetic structure and device. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the mating magnetic structure 44 may comprise a magnetic component that mirrors the shape of the magnetic structure 40. More specifically, the mating magnetic structure 44 may be able to mesh with the ferromagnetic element of the magnetic structure 40. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mating magnetic structure 44 can comprise a ring to magnetically connect to the ferromagnetic ball of the magnetic structure 40. The ring may fit around at least a portion of the ferromagnetic ball and may allow the attachment 42 to articulate.

[0054] The ring may be magnetic, as shown in FIG. 8. For example, the steel ball and magnetic ring currently marketed by Nite Ize may be used within the interior component 21. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the ring may have a cover 48, such as a plastic cover, to mate with the magnetic structure 40 (such as the ferromagnetic ball). In this embodiment, the cover 48 may have a hole, such that a magnet 46 is exposed in order to abut the ferromagnetic ball when the mating magnetic structure 44 is connected to the magnetic structure 40.

[0055] Further, the magnetic structure 40 or the mounting structure 30 may only be exposed to one side of the panel 36, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the magnetic structure 40 or the mounting structure 30 may be exposed to both sides of panel 36, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0056] The mating magnetic structure 44 may be configured to permanently or temporarily attach to the device 43 to temporarily secure the device 43 within a vehicle 20. The device 43 may be affixed to the mating magnetic structure 44 through a variety of different methods, including, but not limited to screws, clips, double-stick tape, glue, epoxy, sewing, hook-and-loop fasteners (for example, Velcro®), or any other suitable attachment mechanism.

[0057] According to yet another alternative, the attachment may comprise a bridge configured to magnetically connect the magnetic structure and device. A bridge differs from the mating magnetic structure, for example, in that the bridge can have an extended body that provides significant additional spacing between the device and the surface of the interior component. An example of a bridge 50 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The bridge 50 has a first end 52 and a second end 54. The first end 52 of the bridge 50 has a mating magnetic structure 144 configured to magnetically connect to the magnetic structure 140 of the interior component 21. The second end 54 may be configured to connect to the device 43. For example, the second end 54 may comprise a magnetic structure 240 configured to permanently or removably attach directly or indirectly to the device 43. As shown in FIG. 10, the magnetic structure 240 can magnetically mate to a mating magnetic structure 244 affixed to the device 43. However, the second end 54 could be configured to otherwise mechanically connect to the device 43.

[0058] The bridge 50 may be constructed at any length, depending on the desired viewing angle between the device 43 and the user and the desired distance from the user. For example, the distance of the bridge 50 may be 1, 6, 12, or more inches or any distance there between.

[0059] While particular attachment configurations have been shown with particular interior component configurations, they could be used interchangeably and in a variety of different configurations. For example, a bridge could be configured to be used with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-9.

[0060] Besides those embodiments depicted in the figures and described in the above description, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated. For example, any single feature of one embodiment of the present invention may be used in any other embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present invention within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention.