- Ford continues to find patents for smart vehicle packaging
- A three-section folding tray system could fit into a future glove box
- Ford may be trying to create some kind of mobile workstation
Ford has developed a folding tray system for use by the front passenger of a vehicle, but this is not an airline-style tray.
The tray system would consist of up to three sections connected by hinges, allowing the entire assembly to be folded and stored in the vehicle’s glove compartment, according to a Ford patent application published by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on May 30, and originally filed by Ford in 2022.
One of the three sections would attach to the inside of the glove box, while the other end would anchor to the front passenger’s seat belt buckle via a connector, Ford states in the patent application.
At least one of the three sections of the tray would also have molded recesses to hold items, depending on the application. The accompanying drawings show a series of circular notches that appear to serve as cup holders, as well as a slot that could hold a phone or tablet.
Ford tray system patent image
While this tray system offers more space for storing smaller items, the downside can be a front seat that cannot be used by the passenger. In the drawings, it appears that the fully deployed tray assembly sits right on the bottom cushion of the front passenger seat, leaving no room for a person’s legs. It’s probably for the best, as items in the trays could become projectiles if the driver stops suddenly.
This is just one of several recent Ford patent filings related to reconfigurable interior accessories. Others ranged from deployable panel tables for workstations for EV frunks. None of these ideas are guaranteed to make it to production, but the level of activity shows that Ford is putting a lot of emphasis on rethinking the interiors.