IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0359049
(2009-01-23)
|
등록번호 |
US-8182018
(2012-05-22)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Duplantis, Scott J.
- Leech, Jesse E.
- Morgan, Paul E.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
22 |
초록
▼
A dash assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body defining an access opening includes a dashboard configured to extend across and generally obstruct the access opening. The dashboard includes a mounting tab configured to engage a portion of the vehicle body adjacent to the access opening. The dash
A dash assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body defining an access opening includes a dashboard configured to extend across and generally obstruct the access opening. The dashboard includes a mounting tab configured to engage a portion of the vehicle body adjacent to the access opening. The dash assembly also includes a retainer having an elongated body configured to connect to the vehicle body. The elongated body extends at least partially about a perimeter of the access opening such that the mounting tab of the dashboard is sandwiched between the retainer and the portion of the vehicle body to secure the dashboard to the vehicle body.
대표청구항
▼
1. A dashboard for a vehicle including a frame, a plurality of wheels mounted to the frame, and a body disposed on the frame, the body having a brow, a front end member, a storage cavity, and a retainer, the storage cavity having an access opening between the brow and the front end member, the brow
1. A dashboard for a vehicle including a frame, a plurality of wheels mounted to the frame, and a body disposed on the frame, the body having a brow, a front end member, a storage cavity, and a retainer, the storage cavity having an access opening between the brow and the front end member, the brow including a plurality of mounting holes, the front end member defining a groove, and the retainer being coupled to the brow via fasteners that engage the mounting holes, the dashboard comprising: a body section defining a mounting tab and a lower edge,wherein the lower edge is inserted into the groove such that the lower edge is both vertically supported and horizontally retained by the groove;wherein the body section is arranged to substantially obstruct the access opening;wherein the mounting tab is sandwiched between the brow and the retainer; andwherein the dashboard is coupled to the vehicle by engagement of the lower edge in the groove and the mounting tab being sandwiched between the brow and the retainer. 2. The dashboard of claim 1, wherein the body section defines a dashboard opening that provides access to the storage cavity. 3. The dashboard of claim 2, further comprising a door movably coupled to the body section adjacent the dashboard opening to selectively provide and inhibit access to the storage cavity through the dashboard opening. 4. The dashboard of claim 3, further comprising a latch assembly for selectively maintaining the door in a closed position over the dashboard opening. 5. The dashboard of claim 3, further comprising a hinge that pivotably connects the door to the body section. 6. The dashboard of claim 3, further including a locking mechanism for maintaining the door in a closed position to inhibit unwanted entry into the storage cavity through the dashboard opening. 7. The dashboard of claim 1, wherein the mounting tab includes at least one of scallops and clearance holes that provide clearance for the fasteners. 8. A vehicle comprising: a frame;a plurality of wheels mounted to the frame;a body disposed on the frame and defining a storage cavity with an access opening and a support surface located adjacent the access opening, a plurality of mounting holes formed in the body;a dashboard accessory member connected to the body generally below the access opening and defining a groove;a dashboard arranged to substantially obstruct the access opening and defining a mounting tab and a lower edge, the lower edge engaged with the groove, and the mounting tab positioned adjacent the support surface; anda retainer coupled to the body via fasteners that engage the mounting holes such that the mounting tab is sandwiched between the retainer and the mounting surface to secure the dashboard in place. 9. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a steering wheel and a steering wheel column, the steering wheel in communication with the wheels to affect the direction of travel of the vehicle; wherein the dashboard accessory member includes a steering wheel base, an ignition assembly mounting section, a tray, and a cup holder;wherein the steering wheel column passes through the steering wheel base such that the steering wheel base surrounds the steering wheel column;wherein the steering wheel base, the ignition assembly mounting section, the tray, and the cup holder combine to define a nonlinear and uneven contour;wherein the groove is defined along at least a portion of the contour by at least one of the steering wheel base, the ignition assembly mounting section, the tray, and the cup holder; andwherein the dashboard may be installed across the access opening without removal of any of the steering wheel base, the ignition assembly mounting section, the tray, and the cup holder. 10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the mounting tab includes at least one of a scallop and a clearance hole that provide clearance for the fasteners. 11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the groove is defined by at least a substantially vertical retention surface and a substantially horizontal support surface. 12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the dashboard accessory member includes at least one of a steering wheel base, an ignition assembly mounting section, a tray, and a cup holder. 13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the groove forms an uneven and nonlinear contour, the lower edge shaped to substantially match the contour. 14. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a steering wheel, the dashboard installable without removal of the steering wheel or alteration of the dash board accessory member. 15. A method of installing a dashboard on a vehicle, the vehicle including a frame, a plurality of wheels mounted to the frame, and a body disposed on the frame, the body having a brow, a front end member, a storage cavity, a retainer, and a dashboard accessory member, the storage cavity being between the brow and the front end member, the storage cavity having an access opening, the retainer being coupled to the brow, the dashboard accessory member including a steering wheel base, an ignition assembly mounting section, a tray, and a cup holder, the steering wheel base, the ignition assembly mounting section, the tray, and the cup holder combining to define a nonlinear and uneven contour, and a groove being defined along the contour by at least one of the steering wheel base, the ignition assembly mounting section, the tray, and the cup holder, and the lower edge of the dashboard shaped to follow the contour, the method comprising:providing a dashboard that includes a body section having a mounting tab, and a lower edge;removing the retainer from the brow;after removing the retainer, installing the dashboard by engaging the lower edge with the groove such that the groove vertically supports and horizontally retains the dashboard, and positioning the mounting tab adjacent the brow such that the body section substantially occupies the access opening and inhibits access to the storage area;after installing the dashboard, installing the retainer onto the brow such that the mounting tab is sandwiched between the retainer and the brow; andmaintaining the dashboard installed on the vehicle via engagement of the lower edge with the groove and engagement of the retainer with the mounting tab. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the brow includes a plurality of brow mounting holes and wherein the retainer is secured to the brow with a plurality of fasteners received in the brow mounting holes; wherein providing a dashboard includes providing in the mounting tab a plurality of fastener clearance members comprised of at least one of dashboard mounting holes and dashboard mounting scallops;wherein the step of removing the retainer includes removing the fasteners from the brow mounting holes to release the retainer, and removing the retainer from the brow;wherein positioning the mounting tab adjacent the brow includes aligning the fastener clearance members with the brow mounting holes; andwherein installing the retainer onto the brow includes extending the fasteners through the fastener clearance members, and engaging the fasteners with the brow mounting holes.
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