On Dash Patents (Class 296/37.12)
  • Patent number: 8454074
    Abstract: A structure of instrument panel parts is proposed that is capable of increasing the support strength of a striker and the rigidity of an opening portion, and with which an enlarged storage volume can be achieved. The structure of an instrument panel has a storage portion arranged above a glove box. The structure includes an opening portion for a tray provided above the glove box; a tray constituting the storage portion, the tray being provided as a separate member from the instrument panel and being attached to the opening portion for the tray; a striker engaging a lock of the glove box; and a substantially flat plate-shaped striker reinforcement member supporting the striker. The lower side of the tray and the striker reinforcement member are fastened together to the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ono, Gouki Ata
  • Patent number: 8449001
    Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Whitens, Jeff Webb, Gary D. Mullen, Scott A. Clark
  • Patent number: 8444202
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a display surround for protecting a display area and, in particular, to trim elements for surrounds located around dials in automotive instrument panels. A display surround for protecting a display area comprises a perimeter wall for surrounding the display area and a wall capping piece. The wall extends from a base portion of the wall proximate the display area towards an end portion of the wall away from the display area. The end portion includes a top face, and the top face includes a groove. The capping piece has a tongue. The tongue includes a protuberance on opposite sides and the groove includes a recess on opposite sides. The capping piece is secured in place to cap the wall by seating the tongue within the groove and by engaging each protuberance with a corresponding recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary James Casey, Anthony Raymond Stevens
  • Patent number: 8439417
    Abstract: A multi-functional device for a center stack of a vehicle and a center stack include, but are not limited to a storage room and a control panel, which is movable in an opened position and in a closed position. In the closed position the storage room is covered by the control panel. The storage room provides a connection element for multimedia devices and the multimedia devices are detachable from the connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Martin Andersson
  • Patent number: 8439418
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment is provided having a housing defining a storage space and a shelf disposed within the housing such that the compartment is divided. The shelf includes translucent material coated with flock and has non-flock areas. A light source is operatively coupled to the shelf to provide light illumination through the translucent material such that light illumination is illuminated into the compartment through the non-flock areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Lovejoy, Irene Shu, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Denis Patrick Igoe
  • Patent number: 8434810
    Abstract: A surrounding structure of a recessed storage compartment of an instrument panel, including the compartment formed in the instrument panel, includes a steering support member extending in a vehicle width direction on a forward position of a front wall of the compartment, and an attachment piece protruding frontward from the front wall. The attachment piece has an attachment portion abutting the support member. A U-shaped cutout is formed in the attachment portion to be opened on a front edge of the attachment portion or on a rear edge of the attachment portion. The attachment piece is fastened to the support member by a fastening member inserted into the cutout. A cross-sectional center of the support member is arranged above a top edge or below a bottom edge of the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Masada, Tomonari Fujita
  • Publication number: 20130093204
    Abstract: Provided is an interior cover covering a device near an operator's seat and having an article holding section capable of discharging a foreign substance while preventing the foreign substance from attaching the device. The interior cover comprises: a cover body covering the device from a side of the operator's seat and being formed with a concave portion opened toward the side of the operator's seat; and a holding member attached to the cover body so as to cover a lower region of the concave portion to form, in cooperation with the concave portion, an article holding section for holding an article. The article holding section has a bottom wall for placing the article thereon. The holding member is attached to the cover body so as to form an outlet for discharging a foreign substance on the bottom wall toward the side of the operator's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohito Kitagawa, Seiji Nagase
  • Publication number: 20130093205
    Abstract: A unit for storing items in a motor vehicle interior includes a main storage compartment and a docking station for a portable electronic device such as a smart phone or a navigation device. A main cover is movably attached to the storage compartment to enclose the main storage compartment, and a docking cover encloses a sub-portion of the storage compartment. The docking cover is movable to an in-service position wherein its underside is exposed. A device holder is attached to the underside of the docking cover for holding a mobile electronic device in an access position when in the docking cover is in the in-service position. The docking cover and the portion are inset relative to a perimeter of the storage compartment, so that the docking station forms a portion of a main perimeter of the storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Patent number: 8403392
    Abstract: A glove box for a vehicle includes a lid, which opens and closes an opening portion of a storage box provided in an instrument panel in a closed position of the lid, and a locking claw which is provided at the lid engages with a locking hole provided in the storage box. Accordingly, even if a passenger secondarily collides with the instrument panel and the storage box is deformed at the time of collision of a vehicle, the storage box deforms with the lid, since the rib of the lid is inserted in the locking hole of the storage box, whereby the positional relation of the locking claw of the lid and the locking hole of the storage box is inhibited from changing, and the locking claw can be prevented from being disengaged from the locking hole and opening the lid. The structure is a simple one in which only a pair of ribs are added to the storage box of the existing glove box, and therefore, the structure can be realized at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Okimoto
  • Patent number: 8403190
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tray assembly. The tray assembly may include a tray having a guide slot, a hinge arm including a cam-shaped portion and rotably coupled to the tray, a cover fixed to an end portion of the hinge arm, a drawer box storable in the tray and having a guide pin at a side portion thereof, the guide pin passing through the guide slot of the tray and being movable along the guide slot by selectively engaging with the cam-shaped portion of the hinge arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jung Hoon Woo
  • Patent number: 8398139
    Abstract: A storage compartment or presenter includes a tray that is ejected from a vehicle panel when a door on the storage presenter is fully opened and recessed into a storage housing. In this way, the present invention presents objects stored in the storage compartment to a driver or passenger by deploying a storage tray allowing access to items stored therein. Thus, the present invention eliminates the difficulty in retrieving objects within the often times small confines available for in-panel storage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Anthony Ligi
  • Patent number: 8398155
    Abstract: A magnetic holding system for a vehicle cabin includes a non-ferrous panel having a front side exposed to the vehicle cabin and a rear side. A magnet is located on the rear side of the non-ferrous panel. The thickness panel, in the region where the magnet is located, and the strength of the magnet are selected to grip a ferrous element when it is placed on the front side of the panel in the region where the magnet is located. The ferrous element may be an object to be held on the non-ferrous surface or it may be attachable to the underside of an object that is to be held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Scott E. Andochick
  • Patent number: 8398130
    Abstract: An anti-opening apparatus locks a tray so as to prevent the tray from opening when impact such as head impact is applied to a crash pad. In the tray anti-opening apparatus, the tray is mounted so as to be pulled into or out of a housing fixedly coupled to a crash pad. A rotary bar is hinged to the housing at an intermediate portion thereof, extends toward the tray on one side thereof, extends in a direction which crosses the extension direction of one side thereof on the other side thereof, and is rotated such that one side thereof approaches one surface of the tray when impact is applied to the crash pad. A pin is coupled on one side of the rotary bar, and a free end of the pin is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the tray when the rotary bar is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Wan Park, Yong Gu Kang, Chang Min Lee, Jong Sun Lee
  • Publication number: 20130062901
    Abstract: A structure for exchanging an air filter for a vehicle, may include the air filter accommodated in an air conditioning device, and a glove box housing provided on a dashboard and having an accommodation space formed therein, wherein the air filter exchanging portion may be formed on the glove box housing inside thereof to communicate with the air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Won Yeon
  • Patent number: 8393663
    Abstract: An automobile glove compartment includes: a storage space (1) built into a dashboard and accessible through a main opening (2); a movable door (3); a tray (4) placed inside the storage space, the tray being slidable between a first position a), wherein the tray is stored in the storage space, and a second position b), wherein the tray is partially outside the storage space; and first tray-guiding elements (5), the first tray-guiding elements (5) each including a guiding element (10) projecting out from one of the respective side wall (7a, 7b) of the drawer (4), the guiding element (10) being insertable into a groove (11) built into one of the side walls (8a, 8b) of the glove compartment and slidable along the groove. The groove has a curved or angular shape enabling the sloping of the tray (4) towards the user when the tray (4) is partially outside the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: David Gayon, Jean-Remi Billon, Sergio Da Costa Pito, Jean-Pierre Morel
  • Patent number: 8388042
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an integrated door and shelving system for a storage compartment located on a vehicle instrument panel. The storage compartment includes at least one door rotatably mounted to the opening of the storage compartment and rotatable about a first axis. The storage compartment includes a side wall, a back wall, and a lower wall. When the door is in a substantially open position, the door is generally parallel to the lower wall and generally perpendicular to the back wall. When the door is rotated to a fully closed position, the door is generally perpendicular to the lower wall and generally parallel to the back wall. When fully opened, the door is used as a shelf to store a cell phone, iPod, PDA, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Joseph Quijano
  • Publication number: 20130043699
    Abstract: A motor vehicle interior structure comprises a receptacle having an opening; a door for covering the opening; a pivot connection of the door to the receptacle for movement around a first axis of rotation; and a member for impeding the displacement of the door. The member includes a movable piston carried by a body that is attached to the receptacle. The structure further includes a link pivotally mounted on the receptacle and interconnecting the piston and door via first and second connecting points, respectively. The link pivots about a second axis of rotation and the first and second connecting points are located relative to the second axis of rotation so that a rotary movement in the counter-clockwise direction of the first connecting point around the first axis of rotation drives the second connecting point into rotation around the second axis of rotation in the clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Nicolas Mercey, Guillaume Malatre
  • Publication number: 20130043698
    Abstract: A storage compartment or presenter includes a tray that is ejected from a vehicle panel when a door on the storage presenter is fully opened and recessed into a storage housing. In this way, the present invention presents objects stored in the storage compartment to a driver or passenger by deploying a storage tray allowing access to items stored therein. Thus, the present invention eliminates the difficulty in retrieving objects within the often times small confines available for in-panel storage compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Anthony Ligi
  • Patent number: 8353549
    Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism for a lid of a storage receptacle provided on a vehicle comprises a push button, a button pin and a lid linkage. The push button includes a first slider having an inclined face at a rear end thereof. The button pin includes a second slider having a first inclined face cooperating with the inclined face of the first slider. The first inclined face is spaced from a rear end of the second slider. The second slider is biased to contact the first slider. The lid linkage has a first end selectively engaged by the rear end of the second slider and a second end for selectively locking the lid in a closed state. The lid linkage is biased toward the second slider. Engagement of the push button with the button pin moves the second slider, which, in turn, allows the lid linkage to move toward the second slider to unlock the storage receptacle lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nathaniel J. Buchheit
  • Patent number: 8328265
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage compartment (1) having a pivotable cover (5). The invention proposes that the cover (5) be mounted on a slider member (3) and driven with a constraining kinematic arrangement (15) so that, during opening, the cover (5) is in the first instance displaced with the slider member (3) in parallel and is then pivoted upwards, the cover (5) being displaced further with the slider member (3) during pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fischer Automotive Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Danz, Peter Muehllehner, Frank Werner, Dennis Puskar, Michael Summersett
  • Patent number: 8322769
    Abstract: A multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle has an instrument panel for receiving one or more elements (e.g., display and/or operating elements), the instrument panel being designed as movable and being transferable from a closed position into an open position, the instrument panel being situated within an opening of the central console in the closed position. Furthermore the central console has a storage element, which is situated outside the field of vision of the vehicle occupants in the closed position of the instrument panel and which is freely accessible to the vehicle occupants in the open position of the instrument pane. It is thus possible to provide a multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle, which is particularly easily reachable for the driver of the motor vehicle and simultaneously can increase the possible useful space within a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Klaus Kuhlmann
  • Publication number: 20120280530
    Abstract: A holding apparatus for removably holding an article has a base, a slider, and an urging member. The base has a stationary holding part provided. on one end side of a placement part, and an operating button supported to be capable of swinging through a pivot part. The slider has a movable holding part for holding an article together with the stationary holding part, and a teeth part being provided following a sliding direction. The operating button has an operating part on one end side of the pivot part, and a claw part provided on the other end side for coupling and decoupling with the teeth part of the slider. The operating button. is constantly urged by an urging spring so that sliding of the slider is restricted in a state in which the claw part is coupled with the teeth part. The coupling is released by an operation opposing the urging force of the operating part so that the slider is allowed to slide against the urging force of the urging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Takehiko Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20120267878
    Abstract: An active bolster for an automotive vehicle has base wall for mounting against a rigid structure of the vehicle. A front wall overlies the base wall and forms an interior trim piece of the vehicle. The base wall has a first surface facing the front wall, and the front wall has a second surface facing the base wall. The base wall and front wall are joined around a closed perimeter to form an inflatable bladder with an initial open space between the first and second surfaces. The base wall includes a wide rib projecting from the first surface continuously along the closed perimeter, the wide rib having a minimum radial width along the closed perimeter equal to a first predetermined radial width. The front wall includes a plurality of narrow ribs projecting concentrically from the second surface continuously along the closed perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond E. Kalisz, Jeffery N. Conley
  • Publication number: 20120261937
    Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism for a lid of a storage receptacle provided on a vehicle comprises a push button, a button pin and a lid linkage. The push button includes a first slider having an inclined face at a rear end thereof. The button pin includes a second slider having a first inclined face cooperating with the inclined face of the first slider. The first inclined face is spaced from a rear end of the second slider. The second slider is biased to contact the first slider. The lid linkage has a first end selectively engaged by the rear end of the second slider and a second end for selectively locking the lid in a closed state. The lid linkage is biased toward the second slider. Engagement of the push button with the button pin moves the second slider, which, in turn, allows the lid linkage to move toward the second slider to unlock the storage receptacle lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nathaniel J. Buchheit
  • Publication number: 20120256439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a glove and storage box assembly (1) which is located in vehicles, into which articles are placed, opened slowly and prevented from vibrating after being opened, has low production cost, docs not resist while being dosed and does not make a sound during opening and closing. The inventive glove and storage box assembly (1) essentially comprises at least one shell (2) which has at least one clearance (3) providing access to the chamber formed in the vehicle cockpit in order that articles are placed on thereof and at least one cover (4) which is disposed on the shell (2) and ensures to access the clearance (3) from out-side by opening and closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi Anonim Sirketi
    Inventor: Hasan Ayarturk
  • Patent number: 8251399
    Abstract: Energy absorption systems are described herein. Energy absorption systems may include an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle, a bracket secured to the instrument panel reinforcement including a body and a distal strike, and an instrument panel assembly including a passenger facing surface and a catch disposed on the instrument panel assembly, wherein when an impact force is applied to the passenger facing surface of the instrument panel assembly, the catch of instrument panel assembly may engage the strike of the bracket to absorb at least a portion of the impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. Babian
  • Publication number: 20120200107
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle glove box (1) that enables easy reading of a serial code of an airbag device. The vehicle glove box (1) is installed in a vehicle instrument panel (IP) and includes a storage unit (10) for having goods to be stored therein. The storage unit (10) includes a second opening (11b) and a second lid (40) for opening and closing the second opening (11b). The opening (11b) is formed to face both an air conditioner filter (F) and a serial code (SC) of an airbag device (AB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouzou Kobayashi, Tomohiko Nara
  • Publication number: 20120200108
    Abstract: There is provided a structure with which a lid can be easily removed from a vehicle instrument panel, and the lid hardly drops off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kamioka, Nam Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 8215684
    Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Whitens, Jeff Webb, Gary D. Mullen, Scott A. Clark
  • Patent number: 8205909
    Abstract: An active knee bolster for an automotive vehicle has a base which is attached to a supporting structure, such as a glove box. The base has an outer periphery and an inner field containing a number of frangible attachment tabs. A combination inflatable bladder and cover is attached to the frangible attachment tabs such that the tabs tear partially free, and effectively become hinged from, the base when the bladder is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Raymond Edward Kalisz
  • Publication number: 20120139280
    Abstract: A display screen in a panel in a vehicle interior, in particular a dashboard or central console, is mounted so it is pivotable in the panel and can be switched over from a display mode into an illumination mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Rainer JUNG
  • Publication number: 20120138649
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage area, particularly for vehicles, comprising a frame (10) having opposite legs (12, 13) and a plurality of bars (20) extending from one of the opposite legs (12) of the frame (10) to the other leg (13), wherein the bars (20) are each implemented as a detented system, so that they can be displaced independently of each other between a starting position and an ending position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Lisa Draxlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Raimund Kreis
  • Patent number: 8191935
    Abstract: A glove box assembly for a dashboard of a motor vehicle has two glove box compartments adjacent to one another and associated with respective doors movable between an open position and a closed position; the glove box assembly has two retaining devices each associated with a relative door and releasable by manually operating respective control elements, which are both borne on one of the two doors; to open the other door, a transmission transmits the release command when the first door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Toppani, Angela Falagario
  • Publication number: 20120126563
    Abstract: A glove box structure for a vehicle includes a storage portion and a lid portion. The lid portion is openably mounted on a instrument panel of the vehicle and includes an inner panel, honeycomb structure ribs, an intermediate panel, and an outer panel. The inner panel is disposed on a storage portion side. The honeycomb structure ribs integrally formed with the inner panel. Each of the honeycomb structure ribs is disposed on a first surface of the inner panel. The first surface is disposed on an opposite side of the inner panel to the storage portion. The intermediate panel is attached to at least one of the honeycomb structure ribs to increase a shock transfer capability of the inner panel. The outer panel is mounted on the inner panel. The intermediate panel is sandwiched between the outer panel and the honeycomb structure ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Kuwano, Masamitsu Shiono, Katsuhiko Sato, Tsukasa Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120112488
    Abstract: An engaging portion 11 provided at an article storage box 10 pivotally engages with an axle portion 7 provided at a peripheral edge portion 4S of an opening 4 of an instrument panel 1 so that the article storage box 10 can swing so as to be switchable between a closed state and an opened state. The article storage box 10 includes a box body 20 and a lid 30. The engaging portion 11 is provided at one of the box body 20 and the lid 30, and a support portion 27 receiving and supporting the engaging portion 11 on a side of the engaging portion 11 opposite to a side of the engaging portion 11 on which a force applied from the axle portion 7 to the engaging portion 11 is exerted is provided at the other of the box body 20 and the lid 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuhito Iwamoto, Kenzaburo Azuma
  • Publication number: 20120112489
    Abstract: In a glove box for a vehicle, when a lid (14), which opens and closes an opening portion of a storage box (13) provided in an instrument panel (11), is in a closed position, a locking claw (21b) provided at the lid (14) engages with a locking hole (13f) provided in the storage box (13). Accordingly, even if a passenger secondarily collides with the instrument panel (11) and the storage box (13) is deformed at the time of collision of a vehicle, the storage box (13) deforms with the lid (14), since the rib (20b) of the lid (14) is inserted in the locking hole (13f) of the storage box (13), whereby the positional relation of the locking claw (21b) of the lid (14) and the locking hole (13f) of the storage box (13) is inhibited from changing, and the locking claw (21b) can be prevented from being disengaged from the locking hole (13f) and opening the lid (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohei Okimoto
  • Patent number: 8172297
    Abstract: A multi-position rotary detent assembly operable to selectively retain a first component and a second component in a first position, a second position, and at least one intermediate position is provided. The detent assembly includes a first biasing assembly urging the first component into the first position. A cam plate is disposed opposite a guide pin assembly and has a cam path having a first detent feature and at least one intermediate detent feature. The guide pin is configured to engage the cam plate and is movable along the cam path. The first component is in the first position when the guide pin engages the first detent feature, is placed in an intermediate position when the guide pin engages a corresponding intermediate detent feature, and is urged into in the second position when disengaged from the cam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Que-Whang Rhee
  • Patent number: 8172293
    Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle electronic device support system comprise a vehicle console and an electronic device holder disposed anterior to the vehicle console, wherein the vehicle console comprises a vehicle console bin comprising an auxiliary port, and the electronic device holder is configured to secure an electronic device. The electronic device holder comprises an opening at the bottom of the electronic device holder which extends into the vehicle console bin, which is configured to pass a cord of an electronic device through the opening of the electronic device holder into the vehicle console bin for connection with the auxiliary port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charan Singh Lota, Que-Whang Rhee
  • Patent number: 8157311
    Abstract: An interior system of a vehicle includes an instrument panel substrate having a driver side, a passenger side, and a center section between the driver and passenger sides. The instrument panel substrate has an opening on the passenger side. A trim panel is mounted to the instrument panel substrate covering the opening and comprising a connector hub having a plurality of electrical connectors for mobile electronic devices. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the trim panel is releasable and pivotable after mounting in order to access a rear side of the trim panel. The trim panel may further include a cradle on the rear side to receive a printer, a paper holder on the rear side to receive and supply paper for the printer, and an elongated slot aligned with the cradle for feeding printed paper from the printer to a front side of the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James H. Fowler
  • Patent number: 8141759
    Abstract: A container assembly for a motor vehicle passenger compartment includes a housing, a door, an arm, a helical spring and a cam. The door is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement about a first pivot between a closed position wherein the door covers an opening in the housing and an open position wherein the door is pivoted about the first pivot to allow access through the opening to a storage space in the housing. The arm is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement about a second pivot. The arm has a cam surface. The helical spring continuously biases the arm toward the first pivot. The cam is coupled to the door and movable with the door about the first pivot between the closed position and the open position. The cam has a center portion and a lobe extending outwardly from the center portion. The lobe remains in contact with the cam surface of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charan Singh Lota, Joel T. Runyan
  • Patent number: 8132516
    Abstract: A work surface/storage system can be attached to a motor vehicle which has a passenger compartment with a driver seat, a passenger seat, a passenger restraint belt, and a dash panel in front of the passenger seat. A main body section of the system includes at least one flat surface for providing a writing support for a person in the driver seat, at least one storage bin, and a bottom surface for positioning on the passenger seat. A belt receptacle is located at a rearward end of the main body for capturing the passenger restraint belt so that tension in the passenger restraint belt loads the rearward end against the passenger seat. A front wing section extends forward and upward from the main body section to a distal end. The distal end includes an attachment tab. A bay is provided in the dash panel including a holder for capturing the attachment tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Pietila, Anthony Ligi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8127962
    Abstract: A lid body is constituted so as to enable to selectively take a lid closing preparation position wherein the lid body is moved forward to a housing frontward side with an approximately horizontal condition and projects to a housing front, a lid closed position closing an opening portion of a housing with an approximately vertical condition, and a lid open position wherein the lid body is moved to a housing backward side with an approximately horizontal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Kogami
  • Publication number: 20120049558
    Abstract: A device configured to provide a writing support in a motor vehicle. The device includes: a tablet that can be mounted in the motor vehicle element that includes an opening; a translation mechanism for allowing translationary movement of the tablet between a rest position in which the tablet is housed in the motor vehicle element and an intermediate position in which the tablet is extracted from the motor vehicle element through the opening; a rotation mechanism that rotates the tablet to allow the tablet to be rotated from the intermediate position into a position of use in which the tablet is inclined to form a writing support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: RENAULT SAS
    Inventor: Arnaud Souillac
  • Patent number: 8104816
    Abstract: A storage assembly for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle provides power to an electronic device from a vehicle power system. The storage assembly includes a storage bin having an exterior surface, an opening, and a storage space accessible through the opening. The storage assembly also includes a door having an outer surface which is pivotally coupled to the storage bin. A retractable cord is attached to a detachable member which is releasably attached to the storage bin. The retractable cord includes a first end having a first connector which is configured to connect the vehicle power system and a second end having a second connector configured to connect to the electronic device. A notch is formed in the housing adjacent the opening. The notch allows the second connector to extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing when a door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred William Lupton, III, Marc Daniel Reish
  • Patent number: 8091749
    Abstract: The frame or device described herein was designed for use on a golf cart or all terrain vehicles. The frame or device would be used by golfers or hunters in times of cold weather as a secure mounting device for a propane heater device and propane bottle. The invention as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings indicate multiple parts of the frame or device. Although the main purpose of the frame is a secure location for the propane heater device and propane bottle, it also consists of a storage container, two cup holders and a golf ball receptacle. The device attaches to the windshield frame of a golf cart or all terrain vehicle and is adjustable to all makes and models as a mounting device for a propane heater device and propane bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald Ray Stautzenberger, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110316300
    Abstract: An active knee bolster for an automotive vehicle has a base which is attached to a supporting structure, such as a glove box. The base has an outer periphery and an inner field containing a number of frangible attachment tabs. A combination inflatable bladder and cover is attached to the frangible attachment tabs such that the tabs tear partially free, and effectively become hinged from, the base when the bladder is inflated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Edward Kalisz
  • Patent number: 8002179
    Abstract: A display assembly is adapted to be received by a vehicle console and includes a chassis, a display member, a hood, and a mechanical positioning mechanism. The mechanical positioning mechanism can be easily activated to adjust the display member between a hidden or closed position and a visible or open position. In one embodiment, the display assembly has a latch mechanism to maintain the display member in the hidden position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Feit, Luis De Santos
  • Publication number: 20110198827
    Abstract: An energy management system for mounting in a vehicle, the energy management system comprising an inflatable bolster for mounting in a glove box door of a glove box of the vehicle, the inflatable bolster including an expansible hollow interior, an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior, a front wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the glove box on inflation of the expansible hollow interior, and a back wall located between the expansible hollow interior and the glove box, and a support structure for mounting to the inflatable bolster, the support structure being operable to resist the back wall being forced into the glove box due to inflation of the inflatable bolster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Raj S. Roychoudhury
  • Patent number: 7997635
    Abstract: An opening/closing device includes a bistable device having a fixed member (24) delimiting one side of an opening providing access to a compartment, and a flexible mobile member (18), articulated on the fixed member proximate the ends of the access opening. The fixed and mobile members (24, 18) delimit jointly the entire access opening, and the mobile member (18) has two stable positions, one wherein it is adjacent to the fixed member (24), the other wherein only its ends are adjacent to the fixed member (24). The mobile member (18) is elongated and has naturally two stable positions with opposite convexities. The invention is applicable to vehicle passenger compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Tony Ercolano, Didier Ponthieu, Pascal Rumigny, Cédric Habert, Pierre Guerreiro, Guy Heriquet, Stéphane Dannenhoffer
  • Publication number: 20110187145
    Abstract: An instrument panel allows increase in the strength of supporting a striker, and improvement of the rigidity of an opening part formed in a front wall of an instrument panel body, thereby easily maintaining a constant gap at a joint between the opening part and a glove compartment, even if the instrument panel or the glove compartment is made larger. An opening part is formed in a front wall of an instrument panel body, a glove compartment is provided on a back side of the opening part, a lower end portion of the opening part is fixed to brackets extending from a steering member, a reinforcement including a striker is fixed to a back surface of an upper end portion of the opening part, one end portion, on the inner side of the vehicle interior, of a cover panel that covers an upper portion of an article storage part is fixed to the reinforcement, and an opposite end portion of the cover panel is fixed to the brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori Ishikawa