Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Auxiliary article compartments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-02
2001-01-23
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Auxiliary article compartments
C296S037800, C296S070000, C454S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176534
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an integral center stack storage door to provide convenient driver access in a vehicle instrument panel assembly.
BACKGROUND ART
Traditionally, the glove box is used to conceal stored items within the instrument panel of a vehicle. Glove boxes are positioned on the passenger side of the vehicle. This makes access by the driver difficult, and impossible when the vehicle is moving.
In the “center stack” area of the vehicle instrument panel, which is the center of the instrument panel, numerous vehicle interior systems are “stacked”, such as the radio and HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) systems and their respective controls, and sometimes a clock or other features. Moving the storage bin closer to the driver is difficult due to the location of the center stack. Some designs have addressed this problem by placing a storage compartment below the center stack, but this arrangement is so low in the vehicle that accessing items from this position takes the driver's eyes off the road for an extended period of time, which is, of course, undesirable.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide concealed storage closer to the driver in a vehicle in a position which provides the driver with easy access to the contents of the storage area while seated in the driver seat.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-referenced problems associated with prior instrument panel assemblies by providing a storage bin within the center stack area of the vehicle instrument panel. This provides storage space for frequently accessed items, such as CDs, cassettes, maps, sunglasses, tissue, etc., in a position which is very close to the driver and in a configuration in which opening the door does not infringe upon the passenger's knee space.
More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle instrument panel assembly including a movable storage bin positioned in a center stack area of the instrument panel and movable between a closed position for storage and an open position for convenient driver access. The movable storage bin includes a faceplate having vehicle system controls exposed thereon. Preferably, the faceplate contains HVAC controls, radio controls and a clock. The actual radio and other components would be mounted elsewhere in the vehicle and connected to the controls on the faceplate by a conventional wiring harness, a flex cable, flat wire, or by transmitted R.F. signals.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide storage for frequently accessed items in a position which is easily accessible to the driver of a vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide a large storage bin in a center stack area of an instrument panel.
The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Gutman Hilary
Lear Corporation
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