US 11,912,238 B2
Seat-integrated access system for storage in a vehicle
Harshad Zambare, Troy, MI (US); Ryan Cotter, Clawson, MI (US); Steven Mousigian, Lake Forest, CA (US); and Daniel John Bateson, Ladera Ranch, CA (US)
Assigned to Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed by Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed on Nov. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/518,749.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/226,327, filed on Jul. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0034735 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 7/04 (2006.01); B60R 7/02 (2006.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 7/043 (2013.01) [B60R 7/02 (2013.01); B60R 2011/0015 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle, comprising:
a frame element, comprising a first opening, forming at least a part of a storage compartment arranged adjacent to an occupant compartment having a seat assembly with a center console;
a threshold element, affixed to the frame element, comprising a second opening between the storage compartment and the occupant compartment, wherein the second opening is aligned with the first opening;
a sliding door; and
a rail assembly, wherein:
the sliding door is configured to slide along the rail assembly into a recess to achieve:
a first state wherein the second opening is blocked by the sliding door, and wherein the sliding door, the threshold element, and the frame element form a boundary of the storage compartment; and
a second state wherein the second opening is unblocked by the sliding door.