Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-15
2001-02-13
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186546
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to knee bolsters for vehicles and, more specifically, to a driver's side knee bolster for an instrument panel on a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Knee bolsters are employed as interior components on motor vehicles. Typically, the knee bolster is mounted to an instrument panel on the motor vehicle. During a frontal impact of the motor vehicle, the knee bolster provides a first contact surface for knees of a seated occupant and to aid in cushioning and directing the knees. The knee bolster also provides energy management of a lower torso of the occupant and load transmission to other members, for example, energy absorption brackets and the support structure for the instrument panel (IP).
Typically, the knee bolster for a driver's side vehicle application also functions as a steering column cover for a steering column opening in the IP. The steering column cover is a separate end-item assembly. The steering column cover is shipped directly to the assembly plant as a loose item to allow the steering column to be checked and attached to the IP before the steering column cover can be attached. Typically, the steering column cover is attached with screws and/or clips to the IP. Because the steering column cover is not part of the IP shipped to the assembly plant, a “tie strap” or support strap is usually used to secure and hold the steering column opening together during shipping. During assembly, the support strap is either left in or removed and discarded once the steering column is in place. The steering column cover is secured to the IP to provide the necessary support for the steering column opening.
Although the above knee bolster or steering column cover has worked well, it is desirable to provide a knee bolster with a hinge to allow rotation of the knee bolster relative to the IP. It is also desirable to provide a knee bolster for an IP that eliminates the use of a support strap and is lower in cost. It is still desirable to provide a knee bolster attached to the IP that can be shipped as part of the IP from the manufacturing to the assembly plant. It is further desirable to provide an improved fit and finish between the knee bolster and the instrument panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a knee bolster for a motor vehicle including a knee bolster cover adapted to mount to vehicle structure in an interior of a motor vehicle. The knee bolster also includes at least one hinge member extending from the knee bolster cover for attaching the knee bolster cover to the vehicle structure and to allow the knee bolster cover to rotate relative to the vehicle structure.
One advantage of the present invention is that a new knee bolster is provided for a motor vehicle having a hinge to allow the knee bolster cover to rotate relative to the instrument panel. Another advantage of the present invention is that the knee bolster is attached to the instrument panel at the manufacturing plant and serves as part of the steering column opening, eliminating the use and cost of a support strap. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a living hinge is provide on the knee bolster and improves fit and finish between the knee bolster and the instrument panel. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the knee bolster has improved quality since the knee bolster stays attached to the instrument panel and is not subject to assembly plant handling and damage. A further advantage of the present invention is that the knee bolster saves labor costs and reduces in plant complexity because the knee bolster is no longer a separate attachment and comes with the instrument panel as part of the instrument panel assembly. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the knee bolster eliminates the need for a separate fuse panel access door or cover because the fuses can be packaged behind the knee bolster and the knee bolster swung down for access.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3774713 (1973-11-01), Stegmaier
patent: 3794349 (1974-02-01), Fuller
patent: 5190314 (1993-03-01), Takasugi
patent: 5456494 (1995-10-01), Witkovsky
patent: 5697667 (1997-12-01), Beaudet et al.
patent: 6032978 (2000-03-01), Spencer et al.
patent: 4410041 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 2263671 (1993-08-01), None
patent: 207252 (1986-09-01), None
Rice Kenneth R.
Shelton Larry I.
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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