Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Door or window with specified vehicle feature
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-04
2004-11-23
Patel, Kiran (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Door or window with specified vehicle feature
C296S037800, C296S037900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06820921
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to electrical control panels for vehicles. Most all passenger vehicles are equipped with electrical components which are controllable by the occupants of the vehicle. The electrical components are controlled by the manual manipulation of control mechanisms, such as switches and rotary devices. The control mechanisms are mounted on various panels within the interior of the vehicle, such as the instrument panel, door panels, seats, center consoles, and overhead consoles. It is becoming increasingly more common to replace manually actuated components with electrically actuated components, such as for example, seat adjustment mechanisms, mirror adjustment mechanisms, door locks, window lifting devices, pedal adjustment mechanisms, and steering column adjustment mechanisms. Because of the increase in number of control mechanisms, the various areas surrounding the occupants, namely the driver of the vehicle, is becoming over crowded and sometimes confusing. The increased amount of control mechanisms also leads to the placement of some of the control mechanisms at undesirable locations where they might be difficult or cumbersome to reach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a control panel for a vehicle interior. The control panel assembly includes a housing having a recess formed therein. A panel is movably attached to said the housing. A control mechanism is mounted on the panel. The panel is movable between a first position in which the panel generally covers the recess, and a second position in which the recess is exposed. The panel is releasably locked in the first position by a latch mechanism.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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Automotive Industries, Sep. 2001 issue; article entitled “Process of Elimination” by Gerry Kobe starting on p. 29; see specifically p. 31, navigation unit.
Lear Corporation
Panagos Bill C.
Patel Kiran
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