A sequence of current Ford patent filings present how the Blue Oval would possibly make car interiors reconfigurable for work or relaxation.

Three patent functions revealed lately by the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) present how a deployable desk may very well be built-in into car dashboards, and the way interiors might be reconfigured to be extra comfy when not driving.

One doc, titled “Deployable Automobile Desk,” exhibits a flat floor that’s stowed in a recess within the underside of the dashboard. When in use, it pops out of the middle of the dashboard on hinges. This does not seem to be it will work with a traditional middle console, which might possible get in the way in which of the desk. The console may very well be eradicated, or changed with a lower-lying model as within the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Two further patent functions, each titled “Automobile Inside Techniques,” are aimed extra at napping than working. They describe retractable steering wheels and pedals, which make room for reclining seats and footrests that create a compact sleeping space, just like the fold-flat seats in business-class airline cabins. The patents present lay-down seats for each the motive force and entrance passenger.

Ford already presents fold-flat seats, as a nicely as a folding shifter that turns the middle console right into a flat work house, within the present F-150 pickup. The concepts described in these patent filings may very well be Ford’s manner of taking these options to the following stage. Be aware that the automaker has additionally filed a patent software for fold-flat-seats in a pickup with a midgate, creating much more sleeping house.

It is value noting that patented concepts do not all the time make it to manufacturing, and Ford has loads of these within the works proper now. Different lately revealed Ford patent filings embody tech to make railroad crossings safer and to allow EVs to do four-wheel burnouts.