SECONDARY STORAGE ENCLOSURE FOR GLOVE BOX

Publishing Venue

The IP.com Prior Art Database

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a secondary storage enclosure for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a movable secondary storage enclosure for a glove box, and is adaptable and easily accessible storage space that may provide additional security or concealment for items. The glove box includes a door and a storage bin. This second storage enclosure is preferably located in dead space within the instrument panel that is accessed from the glove box storage space, and includes a secondary storage bin movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The movement of the secondary storage bin may be configured to occur as the glove box door is being opened, or may require an operation by the vehicle occupant. Alternatively, the secondary storage bin is static and may include a panel or door to allow access.

SECONDARY STORAGE ENCLOSURE FOR GLOVE BOX

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a secondary storage enclosure for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a movable secondary storage enclosure for a glove box.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] It is generally known to provide for a storage area such as a glove compartment or box in an instrument panel of a vehicle. Such glove boxes typically are located in front of the front-seat passenger and include a door and a glove box bin that defines a glove box storage area. The door is coupled to the instrument panel by a hinge and released by operation of a latch. The glove box storage area is accessed by opening of the door. In some known glove boxes, the bin rotates with the door.

         [0003] Such glove box storage areas, however, provide limited storage space and do not use the open or hollow space within the instrument panel efficiently as storage space. As such, there is typically a significant amount of unused space within the instrument panel (i.e., "dead space"). Also, in many current vehicles, instrument panels are being made smaller and are incorporating additional vehicle systems, such as airbag systems-both of which

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tends to reduce the available space for the conventionally configured glove box storage area.

         [0004] To provide a widely adaptable and easily accessible storage space that may provide additional security or concealment for items that avoids the above-referenced and other problems would represent a significant advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] A primary feature of the present disclosure is to provide an inexpensive, easy-to-manufacture and easy-to-access supplemental or secondary storage space within the instrument panel that overcomes the above- noted disadvantages.

         [0006] Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a secondary storage compartment or enclosure that utilizes the dead space within the instrument panel.

         [0007] Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a secondary storage enclosure that is accessible from the glove box.

         [0008] Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a secondary storage device that moves between a stowed position and a deployed position.

         [0009] How these and other advantages and features of the present disclosure are accomplished (individually, collectively, or in various

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subcombinations) will be described in the following detailed description of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the FIGURES. Generally, however, they are accomplished in an instrument panel including a glove box and a secondary storage enclosure. The glove box includes a door and a storage bin that provides a storage space. The secondary storage enclosure is accessed from the glove box storage space, and includes a secondary storage bin that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed p...