Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
6
초록▼
An instrument panel assembly and method of installing an instrument panel assembly is provided. The instrument panel assembly includes a base having a side portion. The side portion includes a first mounting aperture. A side panel is dimensioned to cover the side portion. The side panel is configure
An instrument panel assembly and method of installing an instrument panel assembly is provided. The instrument panel assembly includes a base having a side portion. The side portion includes a first mounting aperture. A side panel is dimensioned to cover the side portion. The side panel is configured to be angled relative to the side portion so as to preventing other tabs from scratching the exterior surface of the instrument panel assembly.
대표청구항▼
1. An instrument panel assembly for use in a vehicle, the instrument panel assembly comprising: a base having a side portion, including a first mounting aperture having a predetermined width; andat least one side panel having an interior surface opposite an exterior surface, a first tab spaced apart
1. An instrument panel assembly for use in a vehicle, the instrument panel assembly comprising: a base having a side portion, including a first mounting aperture having a predetermined width; andat least one side panel having an interior surface opposite an exterior surface, a first tab spaced apart a second tab, the first tab extending axially from a side edge of the at least one side panel so as to be generally coplanar with the at least one side panel, the second tab extending outwardly from the interior surface of the at least one side panel and generally orthogonal to the first tab, the first tab having a first flange disposed on the exterior surface extending in a direction opposite the second tab, the first flange is disposed on a distal end of the first tab, the first flange having a length greater in distance than the predetermined width of the first mounting aperture so as to require the at least one side panel to be angled relative to the base when mounting the at least one side panel to the side portion. 2. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base includes a top portion, a front portion, a top portion cover, and a front portion cover, the front portion cover mounted to the front portion and the top portion cover mounted to the top portion. 3. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the side portion includes a second mounting aperture configured to receive the second tab, the second mounting aperture disposed opposite the first mounting aperture and adjacent the front portion cover so as to receive the second tab when the first tab is rotated about the first mounting aperture toward the front portion cover. 4. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first tab includes an elongated body having a pair of side flanges, each of the side flanges spaced apart from each other and generally planar with respect to the interior surface of the at least one side panel, wherein each of the pair of side flanges narrows from a proximal end to a distal end and dimensioned so as to place the proximal end of the elongated body in a pinching engagement with the first mounting aperture. 5. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first flange includes a pair of first side walls, each of the pair of first side walls spaced apart from each other and extending between a body wall, each of the pair of first side walls disposed on opposite edges of the first flange, each of the pair of first side walls including an arcuate side edge facing the at least one side panel, the arcuate side edge facilitating rotation of the at least one side panel about the first mounting aperture. 6. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 1, further including a second side wall extending along the side edge. 7. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second tab is a plurality of second tabs, and the second mounting aperture is a plurality of second mounting apertures, the plurality of second mounting apertures corresponding in number to the plurality of second tabs. 8. The instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of second mounting apertures is disposed on the side portion so as to receive a corresponding plurality of second tabs as each of the plurality of second tabs are moved along a radius wherein a center point of the radius is where the first tab is pivoted within the first mounting aperture. 9. A method of assembling an instrument panel assembly, the instrument panel assembly having a base having a side portion, the side portion including a first mounting aperture having a predetermined width, and at least one side panel having a second tab configured to engage a second mounting aperture disposed on the side portion, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first tab on the at least one side panel, the first tab spaced apart the second tab, the first tab extending axially from a side edge of the at least one side panel so as to be generally coplanar with the at least one side panel, the second tab extending outwardly from an interior surface of the at least one side panel and generally orthogonal to the first tab, the first tab having a first flange disposed on an exterior surface extending in a direction opposite the second tab, the first flange disposed on a distal end of the first tab, the first flange having a length greater in distance than the predetermined width of the first mounting aperture;angling the at least one side panel so as to fit the first flange into the first mounting aperture and seating the first tab into the first mounting aperture; androtating the at least one side panel towards the side portion about the first mounting aperture wherein rotation of the at least one side panel about the first mounting aperture registers the second tab to engage the second mounting aperture. 10. The method of assembling an instrument panel as set forth in claim 9, further including the step of providing a pair of first side walls formed on the first flange, each of the pair of first side walls spaced apart from each other and extending between a body wall, each of the pair of first side walls disposed on opposite edges of the first flange, each of the pair of first side walls including an arcuate side edge facing the at least one side panel, and rotating the at least one side panel about the first mounting aperture along the arcuate side edge. 11. The method of assembling an instrument panel as set forth in claim 10, wherein the base further includes a top portion, a front portion, a top portion cover, and a front portion cover, the front portion cover mounted to the front portion and the top portion cover mounted to the top portion. 12. The method of assembling an instrument panel as set forth in claim 11, wherein the side portion includes the second mounting aperture configured to receive the second tab, the second mounting aperture disposed opposite the first mounting aperture and adjacent the front portion cover so as receive the second tab when the first tab is rotated about the first mounting aperture toward the front portion cover. 13. The method of assembling an instrument panel as set forth in claim 12, wherein the second tab is a plurality of second tabs, and the second mounting aperture is a plurality of second mounting apertures, the plurality of second mounting apertures corresponding in number to the plurality of second tabs. 14. The method of assembling an instrument panel as set forth in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of second mounting apertures is disposed on the side portion so as to receive a corresponding plurality of second tabs as each of the plurality of second tabs are moved along a radius wherein a center point of the radius is where the first tab is pivoted within the first mounting aperture.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Zellner, Jr., Kerry Scott, Component assembly for a motor vehicle.
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