초록 ▼

The combination of a multi-layer instrument panel having a skin layer with an exposed surface and an opening therethrough and a first accessory that is mounted in the opening. The first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the f

The combination of a multi-layer instrument panel having a skin layer with an exposed surface and an opening therethrough and a first accessory that is mounted in the opening. The first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing the instrument panel with the first accessory.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory separate from the multilayer instrument panel and mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface t

1. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory separate from the multilayer instrument panel and mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel. 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer comprising a synthetic resin and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer.3. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the first accessory is secured directly to the skin layer on the multi-layer instrument panel. 4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the cushion layer comprises a foamed resin.5. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the first accessory has a first securing part and there is a second securing part defined at least partially by the skin layer and the first and second securing parts are connected to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel. 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the first securing part has a first shoulder, the second securing part has a second shoulder, and the first and second shoulders face each other with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein there is a projection on one of the first and second securing parts and a receptacle for the projection on the other of the first and second securing parts, the projection defines one of the first and second shoulders and the other of the first and second shoulders bounds the receptacle.8. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the exposed surface of the skin layer faces in a first direction, there is a second surface defined by the skin layer that is spaced from the exposed surface of the skin layer and faces in the first direction, and the first accessory has a surface that is abutted to the second surface with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel. 9. The combination according to claim 8 further comprising a fastener connecting between the multi-layer instrument panel and the first accessory to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer, and the fastener connects between the core layer and the first accessory.11. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the exposed surface of the skin layer faces in a first direction, there is a second surface defined by the skin layer that is spaced from the exposed surface of the skin layer and faces in the first direction, and the first accessory has a surface that is abutted to the second surface with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel; and a fastener connecting between the multi-layer instrument panel and the first accessory to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer, and the fastener connects between the core layer and the first accessory, wherein the fastener has a gripping portion which is releasably engageable with the multi-layer instrument panel and first accessory in a plurality of different relative positions. 12. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the receptacle and projection have a complementary shape.13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the receptacle and projection each have a squared shape.14. The combination according to claim 5 further comprising a shape retaining member embedded in the multi-layer instrument panel to rigidify the multi-layer instrument panel adjacent to where the first and second securing parts are connected.15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the shape retaining member is embedded in the cushion layer.16. The combination according to claim 15 wherein the shape retaining member is attached to the skin layer.17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein the shape retaining member is bonded to the skin layer.18. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the projection has a pawl-like configuration.19. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the receptacle is formed in the cushion layer.20. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel has a peripheral edge extending around the opening and the receptacle is defined in the peripheral edge.21. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the exposed surface of the skin layer faces in a first direction, there is a second surface defined by the skin layer that is spaced from the exposed surface of the skin layer and faces in the first direction, and the first accessory has a surface that is abutted to the second surface with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel; and a fastener connecting between the multi-layer instrument panel and the first accessory to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the fastener is elongate with a length and comprises a plurality of projections and recesses alternating along the length of the fastener. 22. The combination according to claim 21 wherein the fastener is fixedly maintained on the first accessory so as to move as one piece with the first accessory.23. The combination according to claim 21 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the fastener engages the core layer to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.24. The combination according to claim 23 wherein the core layer has a free edge and the fastener engages the free edge of the core layer to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.25. The combination according to claim 23 wherein the core layer has an opening therethrough and the fastener extends through the opening to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.26. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the projection extends into the opening.27. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the exposed surface of the skin layer faces in a first direction, the multi-layer instrument panel defines a second surface within the opening spaced from the exposed surface and facing in the first direction and a projection in the opening adjacent to the second surface. 28. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the first accessory has a first securing part and there is a second securing part defined at least partially by the skin layer and the first and second securing parts are connected to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the first securing part has a first shoulder, the second securing part has a second shoulder, and the first and second shoulders face each other with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein there is a projection on one of the first and second securing parts and a receptacle for the projection on the other of the first and second securing parts, the projection defines one of the first and second shoulders and the other of the first and second shoulders bounds the receptacle, wherein the multi-layer instrument panel is formed by pouring a resin material and solidifying the resin material with the projection in the receptacle. 29. The combination according to claim 28 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the resin material defines the cushion layer.30. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the exposed surface of the skin layer has a radius of curvature not more than 1.0 mm at the opening. 31. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the exposed surfaces face in substantially the same direction and are spaced from each other by no more than 1.0 mm.32. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multilayer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has an exposed surface that is substantially flush with the exposed surface of the skin layer with the first accessory mounted in the opening and operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the first accessory has a frame with a notch therein to provide flexibility to the frame. 33. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multi-layer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the exposed surface faces in a first direction, the skin layer defines a second surface that is spaced from the exposed surface and faces one of a) in the first direction; and b) oppositely to the first direction, and the first accessory is directly abuttable to the second surface with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel. 34. The combination according to claim 33 wherein the first accessory has a first securing part and the multi-layer instrument panel has a second securing part comprising the second surface and the first and second securing parts are connected to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.35. The combination according to claim 33 wherein there is a projection on the multi-layer instrument panel defining the second surface.36. The combination according to claim 33 wherein there is a receptacle on the multi-layer instrument panel defining the second surface.37. The combination according to claim 33 further comprising a fastener connecting between the multi-layer instrument panel and the first accessory to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.38. The combination according to claim 37 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the fastener connects between the core layer and the first accessory.39. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed surface, said multi-layer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory mounted in the opening, wherein the exposed surface faces in a first direction, the skin layer defines a second surface that is spaced from the exposed surface and faces one of a) in the first direction; and b) oppositely to the first direction, and the first accessory is directly abuttable to the second surface with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel; and a fastener connecting between the multi-layer instrument panel and the first accessory to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the fastener connects between the core layer and the first accessory, wherein the fastener has a gripping portion which is releasably engageable with the multi-layer instrument panel and first accessory in a plurality of different relative positions. 40. The combination according to claim 33 wherein the first accessory has a first securing part and there is a second securing part defined at least partially by the skin layer and the first and second securing parts are connected to maintain the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.41. The combination according to claim 40 further comprising a shape retaining member embedded in the multi-layer instrument panel to rigidify the multi-layer instrument panel adjacent to where the first and second securing parts are connected.42. The combination according to claim 41 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel comprises a core layer and a cushion layer laminated to the core layer, wherein the skin layer is laminated to the cushion layer and the shape retaining member is embedded in the cushion layer.43. The combination according to claim 40 wherein there is a projection on one of the first and second securing parts and a receptacle for the projection on the other of the first and second securing parts, the projection residing in the receptacle with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel.44. The combination according to claim 43 wherein the projection has a pawl-like configuration.45. The combination according to claim 43 wherein the multi-layer instrument panel has a peripheral edge extending around the opening and the receptacle is defined on the peripheral edge.46. In combination:a multi-layer instrument panel comprising a skin layer having an exposed forward surface, said multi-layer instrument panel having an opening; and a first accessory that is mounted in the opening, wherein the first accessory has a first securing part and the multi-layer instrument panel has a second securing part, further wherein there is a projection on one of the first and second securing parts and a receptacle for the projection on the other of the first and second securing parts, the receptacle and projection having shapes that are closely complementary so as to abut to substantially limit both fore-and-aft movement of the first accessory within the opening with the first accessory operatively connected to the multi-layer instrument panel, the receptacle bounded by first and second surfaces that are substantially flat, oppositely facing, and substantially parallel to each other, the projection having substantially flat third and fourth surfaces which confront the first and second surfaces. 47. The combination according to claim 46 wherein the receptacle and projection have a squared shape.