SINGLE-HAND OPERABLE FLEXIBLE POUCH ASSEMBLY
A single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly includes a substrate, a flexible pouch body attached to the substrate along only part of a perimeter of the flexible pouch body, leaving at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible pouch body unattached to the substrate, and a belt assembly connected to the perimeter of the flexible pouch body along said portion thereof that is unattached to the substrate. The belt assembly includes a first, inner belt including a first slot. The belt assembly further includes a second, outer belt including a second slot. Still further, the belt assembly includes a spring-loaded pin mechanism including a pin and a spring, wherein the pin is configured in four portions. The flexible pouch is suitably implemented at various locations throughout a vehicle.
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The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle storage compartments, which may be embodied as a pouch or pocket. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a flexible pouch/pocket, positioned in a vehicle, for example along door trim, central console side wall, seat back/side, cargo wall, cargo floor, roof surface, among other places, which is operable using a single hand.
Vehicle storage compartments, commonly referred to as “pockets” or “pouches”, are known in the art as areas of the interior of a vehicle that are designed to hold objects, such as the vehicle operator's personal effects. Such pouches can generally be located anywhere in the vehicle, and may be of any size or shape. For example,
Yet, flexible pouches also remain deficient in certain respects. For example, it has been typically required for the operator to use two hands to adequately operate (i.e., place objects in, or remove objects from) these flexible pouches.
As will be appreciated in the art, there are many practical instances when both of a vehicle operators hands are not available to operate a flexible pouch, yet it would still be desirable to access the pouch. Such instances may include, for example, the use of one hand for steering, the use of one hand for supporting/attending to a child, or possibly the presence of an operator, whom, perhaps due to a physical limitation, may only have functional use of one hand. No matter the circumstance, having only one hand available to operate the flexible pouch 210 shown in
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved vehicle storage compartments, such as pockets or pouches, which enjoy the dual benefits of both flexibility and single-handed operation. In addition, it is desirable to provide such pockets or pouches that are economical to manufacture using conventional tooling. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this introductory section.
BRIEF SUMMARYA single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly includes a substrate, a flexible pouch body attached to the substrate along only part of a perimeter of the flexible pouch body, leaving at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible pouch body unattached to the substrate, and a belt assembly connected to the perimeter of the flexible pouch body along said portion thereof that is unattached to the substrate. The belt assembly includes a first, inner belt including a first slot, the first slot including a plurality of first pin-hole portions having a first diameter and a plurality of first straight portions between the first pin-hole portions having a first width, wherein the first diameter has a greater magnitude than the first width. The belt assembly further includes a second, outer belt including a second slot, the second slot including a plurality of second pin-hole portions having a second diameter and a plurality of second straight portions between the second pin-hole portions having a second width, wherein the second width is of substantially the same magnitude as the first diameter and wherein the second diameter has a greater magnitude than the second width. Still further, the belt assembly includes a spring-loaded pin mechanism including a pin and a spring, wherein the pin is configured in four portions, including: (1) a first, innermost portion having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the first width, (2) a second portion, immediately outward from the innermost portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as both the first diameter and the second width, (3) a third portion, immediate outward from the second portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the second diameter, and (4) a fourth, outermost portion having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and wherein the spring is disposed over the first, innermost portion of the pin.
In further embodiments, the single-hand operable flexible pouch assemblies described above may be incorporated into a vehicle, for example along door trim, central console side wall, seat back/side, cargo wall, cargo floor, and/or roof surface.
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosed flexible pouches. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding introductory section or the following detailed description. As used herein, the term substantially the same, such as “substantially the same magnitude,” means that two values differ from each other on an absolute basis by less than 20%, by less than 10%, or by less than 5%, in alternate embodiments.
The present disclosure generally provides a single-hand operated flexible storage compartment, for use at various possible locations throughout a vehicle, which stays in an open position during object loading/unloading. As initially noted above, existing flexible storage compartments require the use of two hands for opening the compartment, moving objects in/out of the compartment, and closing the compartment. Many other compartments remain rigid, and the closing option is not available. Thus, in this disclosure is provided a single-hand operated flexible pouch for interior storage. The flexible pouch expands (i.e., opens) and contracts (i.e., closes) due to flexibility built into the pouch body and associated belt assembly. The pouch stays in the open position due to a spring-loaded pin mechanism and slot design included as part of the belt assembly. Thus, it becomes possible to move objects to/from the flexible pouch using just a single hand.
With reference now to
Referring now to
The components of the belt assembly 320 are also shown in greater detail in
Greater detail regarding the belt assembly 320 and the spring-loaded pin assembly 330 is provided in
The spring-loaded pin mechanism 330, as shown in
Turning next to
With reference now to
To change the spring-loaded pin mechanism 330 to the unlocked state, the operator may grasp the outermost portion 905 of the pin 331 using only one hand, and apply thereto a force that causes the pin 331 to move outwardly (i.e., along movement arrow 1101 in
Accordingly, the present disclosure has provided embodiments of a single-hand operated flexible storage compartment, for use at various possible locations throughout a vehicle, which stays in an open position during object loading/unloading. The flexible pouch expands (i.e., opens) and contracts (i.e., closes) due to flexibility built into the pouch body and associated belt assembly. The pouch stays in the open position due to a spring-loaded pin mechanism and slot design included as part of the belt assembly. Thus, it becomes possible to move objects to/from the flexible pouch using just a single hand.
While at least one exemplary flexible pouch assembly has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary flexible pouch assembly or exemplary flexible pouch assemblies are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary flexible pouch assembly of the disclosure. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary flexible pouch assembly without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly comprising:
- a substrate;
- a flexible pouch body attached to the substrate along only part of a perimeter of the flexible pouch body, leaving at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible pouch body unattached to the substrate; and
- a belt assembly connected to the perimeter of the flexible pouch body along said portion thereof that is unattached to the substrate, wherein the belt assembly comprises: a first, inner belt comprising a first slot, the first slot comprising a plurality of first pin-hole portions having a first diameter and a plurality of first straight portions between the first pin-hole portions having a first width, wherein the first diameter has a greater magnitude than the first width; a second, outer belt comprising a second slot, the second slot comprising a plurality of second pin-hole portions having a second diameter and a plurality of second straight portions between the second pin-hole portions having a second width, wherein the second width is of substantially the same magnitude as the first diameter and wherein the second diameter has a greater magnitude than the second width; and a spring-loaded pin mechanism comprising a pin and a spring, wherein the pin is configured in four portions, including: (1) a first, innermost portion having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the first width, (2) a second portion, immediately outward from the innermost portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as both the first diameter and the second width, (3) a third portion, immediate outward from the second portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the second diameter, and (4) a fourth, outermost portion having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and wherein the spring is disposed over the first, innermost portion of the pin.
2. The pouch assembly of claim 1, wherein the pouch body is attached to the substrate with stitching.
3. The pouch assembly of claim 1, wherein the belt assembly further comprises a flexible belt cover surrounding and enclosing the first and second belts, wherein the belt cover comprises a hole to allow the spring-loaded pin mechanism to pass at least partially therethrough.
4. The pouch assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second belt comprise an attachment end that are respectively receivable into first and second hinge portions along the substrate.
5. The pouch assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible pouch body is made from a flexible material and wherein the pouch body comprises a flange portion around said portion of the perimeter thereof that is attached to the substrate.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The pouch assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring-loaded pin assembly further comprises a nut cap and a washer coupled with the first, innermost portion, wherein the spring is disposed in between the nut cap and the washer.
9. The pouch assembly of claim 1, wherein each belt comprises an elastic band that passes through and is secured by the substrate.
10. The pouch assembly of claim 9, wherein each belt comprises a band guide detent, wherein the elastic band of the first belt passes through the band guide detent of the second belt, and wherein the elastic band guide of the second belt passes through the band guide detent of the first belt.
11. A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- a substrate coupled to the vehicle body; and
- a flexible pouch body attached to the substrate along only part of a perimeter of the flexible pouch body, leaving at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible pouch body unattached to the substrate; and
- a belt assembly connected to the perimeter of the flexible pouch body along said portion thereof that is unattached to the substrate, wherein the belt assembly comprises: a first, inner belt comprising a first slot, the first slot comprising a plurality of first pin-hole portions having a first diameter and a plurality of first straight portions between the first pin-hole portions having a first width, wherein the first diameter has a greater magnitude than the first width; a second, outer belt comprising a second slot, the second slot comprising a plurality of second pin-hole portions having a second diameter and a plurality of second straight portions between the second pin-hole portions having a second width, wherein the second width is of substantially the same magnitude as the first diameter and wherein the second diameter has a greater magnitude than the second width; and a spring-loaded pin mechanism comprising a pin and a spring, wherein the pin is configured in four portions, including: (1) a first, innermost portion having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the first width, (2) a second portion, immediately outward from the innermost portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as both the first diameter and the second width, (3) a third portion, immediate outward from the second portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the second diameter, and (4) a fourth, outermost portion having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and wherein the spring is disposed over the first, innermost portion of the pin.
12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the substrate comprises a door trim panel of the vehicle, a central console side wall of the vehicle, a seat-back of the vehicle, a cargo wall or floor of the vehicle, or a roof surface of the vehicle.
13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the pouch body is attached to the substrate with stitching.
14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the belt assembly further comprises a flexible belt cover surrounding and enclosing the first and second belts, wherein the belt cover comprises a hole to allow the spring-loaded pin mechanism to pass at least partially therethrough.
15. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second belt comprise an attachment end that are respectively receivable into first and second hinge portions along the substrate.
16. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the flexible pouch body is made from a flexible material and wherein the pouch body comprises a flange portion around said portion of the perimeter thereof that is attached to the substrate.
17. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the spring-loaded pin assembly further comprises a nut cap and a washer coupled with the first, innermost portion, wherein the spring is disposed in between the nut cap and the washer.
18. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein each belt comprises an elastic band that passes through and is secured by the substrate.
19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein each belt comprises a band guide detent, wherein the elastic band of the first belt passes through the band guide detent of the second belt, and wherein the elastic band guide of the second belt passes through the band guide detent of the first belt.
20. A method for operating a single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly, wherein the single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly comprises a substrate, a flexible pouch body attached to the substrate along only part of a perimeter of the flexible pouch body, leaving at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible pouch body unattached to the substrate, and a belt assembly connected to the perimeter of the flexible pouch body along said portion thereof that is unattached to the substrate, wherein the belt assembly comprises: wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- a first, inner belt comprising a first slot, the first slot comprising a plurality of first pin-hole portions having a first diameter and a plurality of first straight portions between the first pin-hole portions having a first width, wherein the first diameter has a greater magnitude than the first width,
- a second, outer belt comprising a second slot, the second slot comprising a plurality of second pin-hole portions having a second diameter and a plurality of second straight portions between the second pin-hole portions having a second width, wherein the second width is of substantially the same magnitude as the first diameter and wherein the second diameter has a greater magnitude than the second width, and
- a spring-loaded pin mechanism comprising a pin and a spring, wherein the pin is configured in four portions, including: (1) a first, innermost portion having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the first width, (2) a second portion, immediately outward from the innermost portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as both the first diameter and the second width, (3) a third portion, immediate outward from the second portion, having a diameter that is of substantially the same magnitude as the second diameter, and (4) a fourth, outermost portion having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and wherein the spring is disposed over the first, innermost portion of the pin,
- applying a force to the spring-loaded pin mechanism to cause the spring-loaded pin mechanism to move from a locked position to an unlocked position;
- pulling the belt assembly outwardly away from the substrate to cause the first, inner belt to move relative to the second, outer belt so as to increase a length of the belt assembly; and
- releasing the force applied to the spring-loaded pin mechanism to cause the spring-loaded pin mechanism to from the from unlocked position to the locked position.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of, after releasing the force applied to the spring-loaded pin mechanism, placing an object into the single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly or retrieving an object from the single-hand operable flexible pouch assembly.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of, after releasing the force applied to the spring-loaded pin mechanism, re-applying the force to the spring-loaded pin mechanism to cause the spring-loaded pin mechanism to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 28, 2017
Publication Date: Aug 30, 2018
Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC (Detroit, MI)
Inventors: TUSHAR RAJARAM GAWADE (MAHARASHTRA), MARTEN WITTORF (INGELHEIM), PETER KAHLER (NIERSTEIN)
Application Number: 15/445,600