초록 ▼

A panel end cap storage unit is disposed on an instrument panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door and is configured such that the unit is not accessible when the vehicle door is closed. In this way, the present invention provides a nonvisible secure storage unit that is only accessible when the adjace

A panel end cap storage unit is disposed on an instrument panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door and is configured such that the unit is not accessible when the vehicle door is closed. In this way, the present invention provides a nonvisible secure storage unit that is only accessible when the adjacent vehicle door is open.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A storage unit disposed on a panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door, the storage unit comprising: a housing having an open upper first end defining a housing entrance and a closed horizontally lower second end having at least one drainage aperture, wherein the entrance is not accessible when the a

1. A storage unit disposed on a panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door, the storage unit comprising: a housing having an open upper first end defining a housing entrance and a closed horizontally lower second end having at least one drainage aperture, wherein the entrance is not accessible when the adjacent vehicle door is in a closed position, and further wherein the housing defines a cylindrical cavity having an upper portion with a first diameter and a lower portion with a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter; anda tray insert slideably received within the housing and having a storage compartment. 2. A storage unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the housing is operably coupled to a ventilation duct at an aperture disposed on the housing. 3. A storage unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the housing is disposed within a vehicle panel and has a downward angle in a range of approximately 5° to 45° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle panel, such that first open end of the housing is higher in level than the second end. 4. A storage unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein: the tray insert is slideable between a stowed position and a removed position relative to the housing, and further wherein the storage compartment of the tray insert is defined by a front wall, bottom wall, side walls and a rear wall. 5. A storage unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein: the bottom wall of the storage compartment comprises at least one drainage aperture. 6. A storage unit disposed on a panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door, the storage unit comprising: an elongate cylindrical housing having a first end with an opening and a closed second end, wherein the opening is not accessible when the adjacent vehicle door is in a closed position;wherein the housing includes upper and lower portions, the lower portion having a larger dimension relative to the upper portion, such that guides are defined at an intersection of the upper and lower portions; anda cylindrical tray insert having a storage compartment slideably supported on the guides. 7. A storage unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: the housing is operably coupled to a ventilation duct at an aperture disposed on the housing. 8. A storage unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: the tray insert is slideable between a stowed position and a removed position relative to the housing, and further wherein the storage compartment of the tray insert is defined by a front wall, bottom wall, side walls and a rear wall. 9. A storage unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein: the front wall of the storage compartment covers the opening when the tray insert is in the stowed position, and further wherein the front wall includes a pull. 10. A storage unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein: the housing includes a downward cant from the first end to the second end. 11. A storage unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein: the bottom wall of the storage compartment comprises at least one drainage aperture; andthe second end of the housing comprises at least one drainage aperture. 12. A storage unit disposed on a panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door, the storage unit comprising: a housing having a cavity portion defined by an open upper first end and a closed lower second end, wherein the first end is not accessible when the adjacent vehicle door is in a closed position, and further wherein the housing defines a cylindrical cavity having an upper portion with a first diameter and a lower portion with a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter;guides integrally formed along the housing between the first and second ends at an intersection of the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing; anda cylindrical tray insert removably supported on the guides of the housing, the tray insert having a storage compartment. 13. A storage unit as set forth in claim 12, wherein: the housing includes a downward cant from the upper first end to the lower second end. 14. A storage unit as set forth in claim 12, wherein: the tray insert is slideable between a stowed position and a removed position relative to the housing, and further wherein the storage compartment of the tray insert is defined by a front wall, bottom wall, side walls and a rear wall. 15. A storage unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a cross section of the housing defines a tray insert channel, and the rear wall of the tray insert has a correlating configuration to the cross section of the housing. 16. A storage unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein: the front wall of the storage compartment covers the open upper first end when the tray insert is in the stowed position, and further wherein the front wall includes a pull. 17. A storage unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: the bottom wall of the storage compartment comprises at least one drainage aperture; andthe lower second end of the housing comprises at least one drainage aperture.