Automotive center console with open front face

摘要

A center console for an automotive vehicle encloses an internal storage area accessible through an opening covered by a pivoted lid serving as an armrest. The vertical front face of the console immediately forwardly of the armrest is open to create an access opening that is greater than the opening covered merely by the pivoted lid. A removable storage tray seated in the upper portion of the storage area covers the open vertical front face of the console. The opening of the pivoted lid and the removal of the storage tray creates an access opening into the storage area that will accommodate the insertion of a laptop computer or a purse for hidden storage within the internal storage area of the center console. The latch mechanism is operable in conjunction with the removable storage tray to permit closure of the when the storage tray is removed from the console.