Removable storage assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A console assembly for a motor vehicle, including a housing and a removable container received by the housing. A handle is connected to the removable container and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

1 . A console assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising: 
 a housing having portions defining a container recess;    a container removably received by the housing in the container recess; and    a locking member being moveable between a locked position where the container and the housing are locked together and an unlocked position where the container can be moved from the housing, the locking member including a first locking component and the housing including a second locking component interactively engaging the first locking component;    wherein one of the first and second locking components includes a tab and the other of the first and second locking components includes a slot;    the slot having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the tab is aligned with the first portion in the unlocked position, and the tab being located in the second portion and not aligned with the first portion in the locked position.    
     
     
         2 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the tab is located on the first locking component and the slot is located on the second locking component.  
     
     
         3 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the tab is located on the second locking component and the slot is located on the first locking component.  
     
     
         4 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is mounted to the container.  
     
     
         5 . A console assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein the locking member is a carrying handle of the container.  
     
     
         6 . A console assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein the locking member is pivotable about an axis.  
     
     
         7 . A console assembly as in  claim 6 , further comprising a second tab located coaxially with the axis.  
     
     
         8 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the slot has a generally arcuate shape.  
     
     
         9 . A console assembly as in  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the slot defines a substantially constant radius of curvature.  
     
     
         10 . A console assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the container is received into the housing along a first direction and the first portion of the slot is generally aligned with the first direction.  
     
     
         11 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the slot includes an upper portion having a first width, a lower portion having a second width, and a shoulder defined therebetween.  
     
     
         12 . A console assembly as in  claim 11 , wherein a second tab is provided on the locking component having the first tab, the second tab having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first tab.  
     
     
         13 . A console assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the second tab is greater than the second width of the lower portion of the slot.  
     
     
         14 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the container is a thermally-insulated cooler.  
     
     
         15 . A console assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the slot has a first depth at a first point and a second depth at a second point, wherein the second depth is less than the first depth.  
     
     
         16 . A console assembly as in  claim 15 , wherein the tab abuts the second point when the locking member is in the locked position.  
     
     
         17 . A console assembly as in  claim 16 , wherein the container includes a toe portion opposite the tab that abuts the housing when the locking member is in the locked position.