Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a deployable vehicle desk that could wind up being used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on September 30th, 2021, published on March 30th, 2023, and assigned serial number 0097623.
The Ford Authority Take
Aside from filing a patent for an external and internal vehicle door bin recently, Ford has launched a couple of interesting features that give owners new ways to work, eat, or just plain take a break inside their vehicles. That includes the current-gen Ford F-150 and its Interior Work Surface, as well as the recently-revealed Ford E-Transit Custom, which features a folding steering wheel that doubles as a holder for laptops, tablets, or even a meal. Now, this new Ford patent previews a feature that we may also see in future Ford vehicles – a deployable vehicle desk.
Ford E-Transit Custom
This new patent takes inspiration from those two aforementioned features, yet also builds upon them by introducing an idea for an entire desk that would reside inside the dashboard, then extend out when desired. When not in use, the desk would sit flush with the dashboard – keeping it out of the way and out of sight, making it a neatly integrated feature.
When the driver needs some space to work or eat their lunch, they could then deploy the desk when the vehicle is parked in a number of ways – such as a physical button or with a control located in the infotainment screen – and the desk would then extend outward.
This idea is certainly a simple one that seems very feasible, and it also isn’t without precedent, given the fact that Ford already offers two similar features in its current lineup. Thus, we wouldn’t be surprised is some future Ford vehicles came equipped with a hidden desk of sorts, which could prove quite useful for all kinds of customers – not just commercial ones.
We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comment
Love the desk idea as I have tried to work/eat in my car on numerous occasions and a surface would have been great. On another note, I have been a long time fan of Fords, from being a baby in my parent’s ’68 mustang, to having a Police Interceptor, having said that I am deeply saddened that Ford has dropped all cars in North America. While I have nothing against suv’s and loved my Ranger (stick shift) I must have a least one car in my household. Both of my current cars are getting old, one is from 2011 the other 1999 and I fear there won’t be any Ford cars to replace with. Ford Spain has a great lineup and all are available with manual transmission options (another pet peeve) why not here in Ford’s birthplace. I may just have to find a way to import.