Motor vehicles – Bodies – Dashboards
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-27
2002-11-05
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Bodies
Dashboards
C296S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06474431
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a instrument panel assembly for holding a plurality of instruments on a work machine. More particularly, the invention relates to the ability to rotate an inner mechanism of the instrument panel from an operating position where the plurality of instruments are exposed to a secured position where the plurality of instruments are not exposed in order to protect the plurality of instruments from damage.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well-known in the prior art to utilize a hidden panel to secure a vehicle mounted electronic apparatus so as to hide it from view to deter vandalism, theft, and the like. For example, such devices may utilize a lid which is housed within an upper space of the electronic apparatus. The lid may be rotated and pulled downward to cover the face of the electronic apparatus when not in use. Other such devices actually move the electronic apparatus forward or backward by a motor wherein the lid may be open and closed accordingly. Unfortunately, such devices may require complex or large mechanisms to move the electronic apparatus. Further, the lid of such devices project from the electronic apparatus when it is being used, lowering the ornamental appearance of the entire assembly.
In contrast, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,868 issued on Mar. 10, 1998 by Kazuya Koyama, et al., a robbery proof mechanism for a electronic apparatus is disclosed that utilizes a cover housed in an upper space of the electronic apparatus. The mechanism is driven by a small drive mechanism without the requirement of moving the electronic apparatus forward or backward. The mechanism includes a frame mounted on the front of the electronic apparatus and a cover capable of insertion into a groove formed in the frame. The frame is rotated to a horizontal position wherein the cover is moved into the groove. The frame together with the cover is then rotated to a vertical position to hide the operation panel. Although a smaller drive system may be used, this mechanism requires a complex series of arms and levers to drive the frame and cover.
Similar devices have been used to protect instrument panels for use in a work machine. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,701 issued on Oct. 21, 1975 by Lary Lynn Williams, an instrument panel cover assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a cover that is constructed so as to be substantially linearly rearwardly shiftable from a normally stored position to an intermediate position form which it is pivotable vertically downward to a closed position to cover a plurality of instruments mounted within a panel. Also, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,431 issued on Oct. 15, 1974 by James W. Russey, an instrument panel guard is disclosed. This guard includes a cover device pivotally connected externally to an instrument console for pivotal movement between a closed protective position covering the instruments and an open position whereby the instruments are readily observable and accessible. These types of protective devices include the use of separate components to act as covers for protecting the instrument therein, increasing assembly and maintenance complexity.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a rotatable instrument panel assembly is disclosed. The rotatable instrument panel comprises a housing with front and rear surfaces and a pair of spaced tab portions that extend from the rear surface. An inner mechanism has first and second end portions rotatably mounted to the tab portions. The inner mechanism has an instrument panel portion and a security panel portion. The inner mechanism is rotatable from an operating position wherein the instrument panel portion is substantially aligned with the front surface of the housing and the security panel portion is located behind the rear surface of the housing to a secured position wherein the security panel portion is substantially aligned with the front surface of the housing and the instrument panel portion is located behind the rear surface of the housing. A plurality of instruments are mounted on the instrument panel portion. The plurality of instruments are viewable at the front surface of the housing when the inner mechanism is in the operating position and are hidden from view at the front surface of the housing when the inner mechanism is in the secured position.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of protecting a plurality of instruments disposed on an instrument panel assembly for a control console is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of fixedly mounting a housing on the control console. Next, rotatably mounting an inner mechanism with the housing. The inner mechanism has an instrument panel portion and a security panel portion. Then, attaching the plurality of instruments on the instrument panel portion of the inner mechanism. Finally, rotating the inner mechanism from an operating position wherein the instrument panel portion is accessible and the plurality of instruments are exposed on the control console to a secured position wherein the instrument panel portion is not accessible and the plurality of instruments are not exposed on the control console.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a rotatable instrument panel assembly is disclosed. The rotatable instrument panel assembly comprises a housing with front and rear surfaces and a pair of spaced tab portions that extend from the rear surface. The tab portions each define a central opening therethrough. An inner mechanism has a pair of side flanges that each define a central opening therethrough coaxially aligned with the central openings in the tab portions. The side flanges are rotatably mounted with the tab portions via an attachment device disposed respectively through each of the central openings in the tab portions and the side flanges. The inner mechanism has an instrument panel portion and a security panel portion. The inner mechanism is rotatable from an operating position wherein the instrument panel portion is substantially aligned with the front surface of the housing and the security panel portion is located behind the rear surface of the housing to a secured position wherein the security panel portion is substantially aligned with the front surface of the housing and the instrument panel portion is located behind the rear surface of the housing. A plurality of instruments are mounted on the instrument panel portion. The plurality of instruments are viewable at the front surface of the housing when the inner mechanism is in the operating position and are hidden from view at the front surface of the housing when the inner mechanism is in the secured position.
The present invention is able to move an inner mechanism of an instrument panel assembly with an instrument panel portion and a security panel portion from an operating position wherein the instrument panel portion is accessible and a plurality of instruments attached thereto are exposed on a control console to a secured position wherein the instrument panel portion is not accessible and the plurality of instruments are not exposed on the control console.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2529478 (1950-11-01), Bach
patent: 3841431 (1974-10-01), Russey
patent: 3913701 (1975-10-01), Williams
patent: 4112718 (1978-09-01), Logsdon et al.
patent: 4131173 (1978-12-01), Boersma
patent: 4253537 (1981-03-01), Intveld
patent: 4359882 (1982-11-01), Peifer et al.
patent: 4549625 (1985-10-01), Tindall
patent: 5102181 (1992-04-01), Pinkney
patent: 5165262 (1992-11-01), Brem et al.
patent: 5184489 (1993-02-01), Squires et al.
patent: 5726868 (1998-03-01), Koyama et al.
patent: 403273947 (1999-12-01), None
Baker Jaimison W.
Myslik John E.
Proksch Fred D.
Caterpillar Inc
Charlton Diana L.
Draper Deanna
Johnson Brian L.
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