Seat caddy for charging cable

Abstract

An electric vehicle rechargeable via electric power transferred from a power outlet separate from the vehicle includes a seat movable between a first position for supporting a person and a second position. A caddy is positioned below the seat to define a cable storage volume. The cable storage volume is accessible when the seat is in the second position. A charging port is positioned outside of the caddy and accessible with the seat in the first position. A charging cable is positioned within the caddy, the charging cable having a first end engageable with the charging port of the vehicle and a second end engageable with the power outlet. The first and second ends of the charging cable are removable from the caddy when the seat is in the second position to enable charging the electric vehicle via the charging cable and the charging port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electric vehicle rechargeable via electric power transferred from a power outlet separate from the vehicle, the electric vehicle comprising:
 a seat movable between a first position for supporting a person and a second position;   a caddy positioned below the seat to define a cable storage volume, wherein the cable storage volume is accessible when the seat is in the second position;   a charging port positioned outside of the caddy and accessible with the seat in the first position; and   a charging cable positioned within the cable storage volume of the caddy, the charging cable having a first end engageable with the charging port of the vehicle and a second end engageable with the power outlet;   wherein the first and second ends of the charging cable are removable from the caddy when the seat is in the second position to enable charging the electric vehicle via the charging cable and the charging port.   
     
     
         2 . The electric vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the caddy is rotatably mounted to be rotatable between a stowed position and a presentation position, and further comprising a detent for locking the caddy in the presentation position. 
     
     
         3 . The electric vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the detent is provided between a pin and a channel of a track in which the pin is retained, the pin and the channel of the track forming at least part of the linkage. 
     
     
         4 . The electric vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the caddy is rotated from the stowed position to the presentation position by movement of the seat to the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The electric vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein an interior of the caddy includes a mounting device for releasably supporting the charging cable. 
     
     
         6 . The electric vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch operable to retain the seat in the first position, and a pivot positioned at a rear end of the seat, wherein the latch is located at a front of the seat, and wherein the seat is rotatable about the pivot from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The electric vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein a forward end of the seat is lifted upward in the second position as compared to the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The electric vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is lockable in the first position.