Abstract: A cross car beam for a vehicle having a molded base, a molded steering column structure attached to the forward side of the driver's side of the molded base, and a molded driver side structure attached to the rearward side of the driver's side of the molded base. One of the molded base, the molded steering column structure, and the molded driver side structure is composed of a polymer or a blend of polymers reinforced with fibers to provide strength. An optional tensile member such as a steel tube is attached to the molded base. The tensile member is composed of a metal or a reinforced polymerized material. One of the molded base, the molded steering column structure, and the molded driver side structure may include a class A surface. Alternatively or in addition a class A part may be attached to one of these structures.

Abstract: In a vehicle which comprises an electric motor to drive front wheels and/or rear wheels of the vehicle, a battery to supply an electric power to the electric motor, a dash panel partitioning a vehicle-inside space from a vehicle-front side space located in front of the vehicle-inside space, a floor panel partitioning the vehicle-inside space from a vehicle outside located below the vehicle-inside space, and a tunnel portion provided at the floor panel so as to project upwardly toward an inside of the vehicle-inside space, the battery is arranged so that a front-side part thereof is positioned in front of the dash panel and a rear-side part thereof is positioned inside of the tunnel portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Accordingly, an appropriate weight balance of the vehicle between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle can be provided.

Abstract: A frontal structure of a vehicle includes: a dashboard lower section; a dashboard lower cross member, positioned at a front surface of the dashboard lower section, and divided into a left part and a right part; a dashboard cross member integrally formed by connecting and welding the dashboard lower cross member to a steering joint cover; and an acceleration pedal bracket fixed to an overlapping part of the steering joint cover and the dashboard lower section.

Abstract: A tractor center control console may be assembled before being mounted on a tractor. The tractor center control console includes a one-piece molded plastic pedestal, an instrument panel, and a steering column assembly that is solely supported by the one-piece plastic pedestal. A removable cowl covers at least part of the one-piece plastic pedestal. Electronic components are housed in the one-piece plastic pedestal and covered by the removable cowl.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle including a passenger compartment and an instrument panel is provided. The instrument panel includes a beam disposed at a forward end of the compartment and extending across the width of the compartment. A driver's side instrument panel module is secured to the beam. A passenger's side instrument panel module is also secured to the beam. A defrost module is located adjacent at least one of the driver's side module and said passenger side module and positioned to provide forced air flow over the windshield of the vehicle. A driver's side vent module is disposed between the driver's side module and the sidewall of the compartment. In addition, a passenger side vent module is disposed between the passenger side module and the opposed compartment sidewall.

Abstract: A structure for the front section of the vehicle body of a vehicle in which the windshield glass is curved to a large extent and the position of the front end of the hood is located below the position of the rear end thereof, the structure enabling a dust seal to be more easily applied to the areas about dashboard lower and upper sections and a windshield support. A structure for the front section of a vehicle body is provided with a joint section (62) at which a rear end flange (51) of a dashboard upper section (22) and a rear end flange (61) of a windshield support (31) are welded together by spot welding. Protrusion sections (63) which protrude rearward relative to a dashboard lower section (21) are provided to the left and right of the joint section (62). An air introduction space (64) is formed so as to open forward from the joined section (62) and so as to continuously continue in the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The integrated structural system having a molded duct system configured to guide airflow, the molded duct system having a first section and a second section, the molded duct system configured to provide a supporting surface; and a metal structure, the metal structure integrated with the molded duct system by a means for integrating the metal structure with the molded duct system forming an integrated structural load path assembly, the integrated structural load path assembly being configured as a load bearing area to distribute a load on the supporting surface over the integrated structural load path assembly, wherein the means for integrating the metal structure with the molded duct system includes one of sonic welding, heat staking, insert molding, and gluing.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided, the integrated structural system having: a structural member; a first beam component secured to the structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, wherein the configuration of the first beam component is defined by the molding process; and a second beam component secured directly and only to the first beam component by a vibration weld, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: A knee airbag is provided to the lower part of a glove box door, and an airbag door provided to the glove box door opens in both upward and downward directions when the knee airbag expands. As the knee airbag expands, the rigidity of the lower part of the glove box door decreases, and this causes a relatively small reaction force, which corresponds to a relatively small load generated when the knees of an occupant having a relatively small body build make contact with the lower part, to be generated on the lower part of the glove box door. On the other hand, because the knee airbag is not provided to the upper part of the glove box door, the upper part can generate a relatively large reaction force which corresponds to a relatively large load generated when the knees of an occupant having a relatively large body build make contact with the upper part via the knee airbag.

Abstract: A welding arrangement for plastic components includes a base member, a primary member abutting onto the base member and provided with a first positioning feature that engages a corresponding first positioning feature provided on the base member. A secondary member is vibration welded to the base member so as to at least partly interpose the primary member between the secondary member and base member. Because the welding is performed while the primary member is properly positioned relative to the base member on account of the first positioning feature cooperating with the corresponding first positioning feature, the positional precision of the primary member is ensured. The primary member may be additionally provided with a second positioning feature that engages a corresponding second positioning feature provided on the secondary member, so as to permit positional adjustment between them in a prescribed direction corresponding to a direction of movement of the vibration welding.

Abstract: A rear loaded part for attaching to a mounting plate having a mating part with a pair of parallel side walls each having a proximate end attached to the mounting plate. An upper surface, which extends between the pair of parallel side wall, includes an aperture and an elongated rib extending parallel to the pair of parallel side walls. The rear loaded part having a pair of parallel guide rails with a proximate end and an opposite distal end. The pair of parallel guide rails extends outwardly from the rear loaded part to define an elongated channel which is dimensioned to receive the elongated rib of the mating part. A pair of tabs extends outwardly from the pair of guide rails, and are dimensioned to snap into the aperture of the upper surface to releasably lock the rear loaded part to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A switch box includes an optical-axis-changeover switch for headlamps, an on/off-changeover switch for the headlamps and a starter switch arranged on the same operation board. A main switch can turn on and off a main electric source of an MUV 1 in cooperation with a portable key. The switch box and the main switch are arranged on the instrument panel. The switch box is partially or fully disposed in a projective area of the steering wheel in a driver's eyesight. The starter switch is made to be of a push-type, whereas the optical-axis-changeover switch and the on/off-changeover switch for the headlamps are made to be of a seesaw-type. A segment display of a meter device includes a unit indication member for switchably indicating kilometer indication and mile indication by displaying only an arbitrary display element of a plurality of display elements arranged adjacently to each other in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A curved glass for a motor vehicle dashboard including a mechanism positioning the glass with respect to the dashboard of the vehicle and with respect to a reference point representing an upper observation point. A reference axis to be vertical when the glass is assembled on the vehicle includes the reference point. The glass includes a main portion having partially elliptical sections in vertical cross-sectional planes including the reference axis. Each of the elliptical sections has a first focus situated at the reference point of the glass.

Abstract: A utility vehicle with space utilization features is disclosed. The space utilization features provide storage and access to components.

Abstract: There is provided a reinforcing structure for a steering support member, which is made up of a pipe part, and is set across in the vehicle width direction. In this reinforcing structure, a pin part is penetratingly arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction in a location in which a steering bracket of the steering support member is fixed, and the end portions of the pin part are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe part.

Abstract: A vehicle display unit for a vehicle includes a display panel, a transmitting panel, a peripheral wall member, and a sounding body. The display panel faces a vehicle interior of the vehicle and displays visual information to a vehicle occupant of the vehicle. The transmitting panel is disposed on a vehicle interior side of the display panel. The visual information is transmitted to the vehicle occupant through the transmitting panel. The peripheral wall member surrounds a space between the display panel and the transmitting panel in a circumferential direction of the display panel. The sounding body is attached on an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall member and is configured to provide auditory information for the vehicle occupant by generating a sound wave. The peripheral wall member has a communicating hole, which opens toward the sounding body and communicates with the space.

Abstract: A fixture structure for an in-vehicle electronic apparatus includes an in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket through which an in-vehicle electronic apparatus is attached to a vehicle body. The in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket includes a retreat structure part allowing the in-vehicle electronic apparatus to retreat toward the front of the vehicle body when a dynamic load is inputted into the in-vehicle electronic apparatus. The retreat structure part includes: a hinge part allowing a lower portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket to rotate together with the in-vehicle electronic apparatus, toward the front of the vehicle body about an upper portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket; and a rotational displacement accepting part allowing the lower portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket to be displaced due to its own rotation toward the front of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle interior structural assembly includes an instrument panel that is dimensioned to extend laterally between opposing interior side walls of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A structural member extends between first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel. A stay bracket is connected to the structural member and extends downward from the structural member. The stay bracket is located forward of a rearmost extent of the instrument panel. A reinforcement member is connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another. The reinforcement member includes a support portion cantilevered from and extending rearward of the rearmost extent of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member.

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.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly that includes a first component and a second component fixedly installed within the vehicle interior assembly at spaced apart locations. A trim panel is fixedly attached to the first component in a fixed positional orientation relative to the first component and is attached to the second component in a predetermined range of orientations in order to compensate for minor alignment variations resulting from the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the first and second components.

Abstract: A vehicle with an air conditioner comprises an instrument panel center member disposed vertically behind an evaporator and fixed to a vehicle structure. The evaporator is disposed obliquely in such a manner that its maximum-area face has a crossing angle relative to a horizontal face and a distance between its front and rear ends is a specified length or greater. The evaporator is configured so as to be rotated between a vehicle dash panel being moved rearward and the instrument panel center member at a frontal crash of a vehicle in such a manner that the distance between its front end and rear end becomes shorter. Accordingly, the evaporator can be prevented from being pushed into a vehicle cabin at the vehicle frontal crash, thereby ensuring the safety of the passenger.

Abstract: An instrument panel is provided with: a steering column having a column cover; and an instrument panel body having an opening into which the steering column is inserted and a shield part which is disposed on an edge of the opening so as to shield a gap between the opening and the column cover, wherein the shield part protrudes from an upper edge of the opening so as to enter the column cover at a position lower than an upper portion of the column cover, and a gap between the column cover and the opening is shielded in such a manner that lower portions of side surfaces of the column cover are inserted into the opening and are disposed on the front side of the shield part in a vehicle longitudinal direction rather than a rear end thereof.

Abstract: An instrument panel comprising a synthetic resin base material and a skin material covering and integrated with the surface of the synthetic resin base material. The instrument panel may be disposed ahead of a seat within a driving cab in a vehicle. A metal support is integrally formed in the synthetic resin base material and insert-molded in such a state that a part of the metal support is protruded from the synthetic resin base material. The site protruded from the synthetic resin base material has a frame fixing section, which can be fitted and fixed to the cab frame of the vehicle. In such an the instrument panel, even upon exposure to vibration or impact, neither drop of various mounted instruments nor damage to the instrument panel takes place. Further, in mounting various instruments, the necessary number of components can be reduced, and stable mounting of instruments can be realized.

Abstract: A receptacle for receiving an HVAC control panel of a vehicle includes a frame and at least one unlocking lever. The frame may define an opening for receiving the HVAC control panel. The at least one unlocking lever may include a handle portion, a shoulder and a tapered portion. The tapered portion pivotally connects the at least one unlocking lever to an underside of the frame while the handle portion may extend from the tapered portion such that, when the handle portion is actuated, the at least one unlocking lever may be elastically flexible with respect to the frame. The shoulder portion is disposed on the at least one unlocking lever between the handle portion and the tapered portion and is operable to engage and retain the HVAC control panel in the frame when the HVAC control panel is inserted into the frame.

Abstract: A structure of a vehicle instrument panel area, which is capable of sufficiently ensuring a frontward displacement of a steering column adapted to be displaced frontwardly in response to an impact load applied thereto frontwardly, even under a condition that a column cover is disposed to overlap with a meter unit when viewed in an axial direction of the steering column. A meter unit 3 is attached to an instrument panel 1 through brittles portions 31g, 31g, 33g, 33g, in such a manner as to allow the attachment therebetween to be released when a column cover 5 is brought into contact with the meter unit 3.

Abstract: A support for an airbag housing of a motor vehicle, in particular for a knee airbag housing, has a support strut which is connected to the airbag housing. The support strut is mounted in a carrying frame of the vehicle by at least one elastic element. As a result of the mounting of the support strut by way of the elastic element, connecting elements, for example screws, can be dispensed with and noise generation is prevented.

Abstract: A theft and tamper resistant vehicle interior is disclosed. The front compartment of the vehicle interior has a concealed mode and an operating mode. During the concealed mode, multiple components, including a display region, a gear shifter, a center armrest, a side armrest, and a central control module may be completely or partially hidden from view. During the operating mode, each of these components may be revealed.

Abstract: System for engaging two components with each other wherein one of the components has hook-like devices (1) which are suitable for being engaged in an opening (L) of the other component and for co-operating with an engagement lock (2) and which can be moved between a retracted assembly/disassembly position for the two components and an active position for engaging the two components under the control of an operating device (3).

Abstract: An instrument panel includes a panel body and a joint member. The panel body includes a core member and an outer layer that covers the core member, and is formed by reaction injection molding. The panel body includes a meter installed portion. A recess of the meter installed portion becomes an undercut at the time of molding. A core member is provided with a deformable portion which is elastically deformable. The molded panel body can be demolded by deforming the deformable portion. There is no need to provide a slide core with a molding die. A deformation of the deformable portion is prevented by installing the joint member onto the demolded panel body. According to the instrument panel, it is possible to improve a product quality and reduce manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The integrated structural system includes a molded duct system configured to guide airflow having a first section and a second section and configured to operably attach a vehicle component thereto. The integrated structural system also includes a metal structure integrated with the molded duct system by means for integrating the metal structure with the molded duct system forming an integrated structural load path assembly. The integrated structural load path assembly is configured as a load bearing area to distribute a load of the vehicle component operably attached thereto. The means for integrating the metal structure with said molded duct system include, but not limited to, at least one of, sonic welding, heat staking, insert molding, and gluing.

Abstract: A knee bolster, disposed within the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle, for absorbing energy from impact with the knees of an occupant of the automotive vehicle, the knee bolster assembly comprising a skin defining a show surface of the instrument panel, an inner panel secured to the skin, the inner panel including at least one male portion protruding therefrom in a direction away from the skin, at least one energy absorbing structure extending in a direction away from the inner panel, the energy absorbing structure having portions defining at least one recess therein, the male portions of the inner panel being received within the recess of the energy absorbing structures in a non-contacting alignment.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The method including the steps of: securing a first beam component to a structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, the structural member being formed from a material different than the first amount of thermoplastic material; and securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: A center cluster panel 2 is formed with a projected portion 20 including an upper panel 21 extended to a vehicle rear side and disposed at an uppermost portion thereof, a curved face panel 22 connected to a rear portion of the upper panel 21 and directed to a vehicle front side by being bent from the connected portion 24, and a lower panel 23 connected to the curved face panel 22, extended to a front side and disposed on a vehicle lower side of the upper panel 21. The upper panel 21 and the lower panel 23 are formed such that respective wall thicknesses t1 and t2 are uniform. The wall thickness t1 of the upper panel 21 is made to be thicker than the wall thickness t2 of the lower panel 23. The curved face panel 22 is formed such that a wall thickness t3 thereof is equal to the wall thickness t1 of the upper panel 21 at the portion 24 connected with the upper panel 21 and formed such that the more proximate to the lower panel 23 from the connected portion 24, the more thinned the wall thickness t3 gradually.

Abstract: A control panel configuration for a motor vehicle has a cross member that extends transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is retained on fixed lateral construction structures. A control panel provides coverage toward the vehicle interior, and a knee retainer has a section for fastening the knee retainer to the cross member. A force absorption section extends essentially in the direction of the knee of an occupant. To reduce an intrusion of the control panel bottom parts, the knee retainer can be a rod-shaped support element that is loaded essentially longitudinally to its axis.

Abstract: An instrument panel device includes an instrument panel incorporating a speed meter, an odometer, a main switch and a meter cover covering the instrument panel and the main switch. The main switch is provided with a key cylinder projecting inwardly from the side surface of the meter cover. An inclined surface is formed on the side surface of the meter cover so that the projecting direction of the key cylinder is oriented obliquely downwardly. The inclined surface is formed at a position lowered by one step from the outermost circumferential surface of the meter cover. The resulting configuration reduces the size of the instrument panel device by reducing the depth of the instrument panel device incorporating the main switch with the key cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fixtures and methods for assembling automotive instrument panels. Some embodiments include a means for locating an instrument panel in a lateral direction and in a selected rotational direction. Some embodiments also include a means for locking the panel in specific desired rotational position. Furthermore, some embodiments may accommodate a wide variety of panel designs having variable lengths.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first component, a second component and a frame. The first component has a first aperture. The second component has a second aperture. The frame has a main wall. The frame includes a generally cylindrical boss extending outwardly from the main wall. The boss has an outer surface. The boss has a bore aligned with the first aperture of the first component to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the first component to the frame. The boss extends through the second aperture of the second component such that the outer surface locates the second component relative to the frame along a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the boss. The second component is disposed between the first component and the frame so as to be constrained along the longitudinal axis of the boss.

Abstract: A component for an interior of a vehicle including a substrate, a skin cooperating with the substrate to define a cavity, and foam disposed within the cavity. The skin includes first and second skin components cooperating to define an outer show surface and a hidden support portion that extends away from the show portion. The skin components matingly engage each other along the length of the support portion to substantially prevent the foam from leaking therebetween. Additionally, the support portion includes an deformable portion to improve the soft-touch feel of the component.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle, includes: a steering device; a steering hanger beam supporting the steering device; a bracket including a base fixed to the steering hanger beam, an extending portion that extends to a front of the vehicle from the base, a support section that is curved toward an upper portion of the vehicle at a front portion of the extending portion and extends substantially toward a rear of the vehicle; and a vehicle-mounted device supported by the support section and fixed to the steering hanger beam via the bracket.

Abstract: An instrument panel is provided with: a steering column having a column cover; and an instrument panel body having an opening into which the steering column is inserted and a shield part which is disposed on an edge of the opening so as to shield a gap between the opening and the column cover, wherein the shield part protrudes from an upper edge of the opening so as to enter the column cover at a position lower than an upper portion of the column cover, and a gap between the column cover and the opening is shielded in such a manner that lower portions of side surfaces of the column cover are inserted into the opening and are disposed on the front side of the shield part in a vehicle longitudinal direction rather than a rear end thereof.

Abstract: An instrument panel device comprises an instrument panel body, a meter cluster portion, a display indication portion, an instrument-panel recess portion comprising a bottom face portion extending from a central portion of the recess portion to a driver's-seat-side end portion of the recess portion and a portion of difference in level which rises upward from a front end portion of the bottom face portion, a projection portion provided in front of the steering wheel, the projection portion being formed in such a manner that a specified portion of the bottom face portion of the recess portion which is located in front of the steering wheel projects upward. A meter-panel face portion of the meter cluster portion is provided at the projection portion. The display indication portion is provided at a central portion of the portion of difference in level.

Abstract: The present invention aims at the shortening of a main line which constitutes an assembly line. To achieve such an object, in the present invention, an assembly line is constituted of a main line and sub lines, and a first unit which is constituted by connecting a clutch part and a transmission part, a second unit which constitutes a prime mover part, a third unit to which a support body and parts such as a handle, pedals, a dashboard, a fuel tank and the like which are supported on the support body are assembled, a fourth unit to which a front support body and parts such as a battery and a radiator which are supported on the front support body are assembled, a fifth unit to which steps, fenders and the like are assembled, and a sixth unit which is a hood are preliminarily assembled on sub lines and, thereafter, the above-mentioned first to sixth units are assembled together on the main line.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle having an instrument panel support configured to be supportive in the vertical direction. The instrument panel support is inserted into a receptacle contained on the underside of the instrument panel such that the receptacle holds the support part in the vertical and lateral directions. The instrument panel support is then affixed to the instrument panel by a fastener. Loads applied to the instrument panel are transferred to the instrument panel support which, in turn, transfers the load to an instrument panel reinforcement thereby improving the rigidity of the instrument panel.

Abstract: An improved saddle-ride type vehicle in which heat radiation of a body is improved while the exterior appearance of the body is enhanced, and an exhaust pipe and a muffler are free from interference from the outside while a hose, a cable and the like are designed to be easily retained in place in a simple structure. A saddle-ride type vehicle provides a side cover disposed on the side of a body frame, a foot board disposed below the side cover and an exhaust pipe extending in the forward and rearward direction of a vehicle body disposed inside the body frame. The exhaust pipe is disposed as viewed laterally so as to be exposed to the exterior through an opening surrounded by an upper slat frame, the side cover and the side plate of a foot board, and the guard member is disposed at the opening.

Abstract: A dash assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body defining an access opening includes a dashboard configured to extend across and generally obstruct the access opening. The dashboard includes a mounting tab configured to engage a portion of the vehicle body adjacent to the access opening. The dash assembly also includes a retainer having an elongated body configured to connect to the vehicle body. The elongated body extends at least partially about a perimeter of the access opening such that the mounting tab of the dashboard is sandwiched between the retainer and the portion of the vehicle body to secure the dashboard to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A motor vehicle reinforcing structure includes an instrument panel crosspiece (1) fixed between the left and right front pillars (2) of the vehicle, and a hollow tube (7) having a length substantially less than the instrument panel crosspiece (1) and substantially parallel to the instrument panel crosspiece, and the hollow tube (7) being fixed to an end portion of the instrument panel crosspiece (1). The hollow tube (7) is rigidly fixed to the instrument panel crosspiece by first and second linking elements (8, 9) so as to form a quadrilateral therewith and through its end proximate the end of the instrument panel crosspiece (1) to the pillar (2) adjacent the vehicle by a threaded element (20) whereof the axis is parallel to the axis of the hollow tube (7) and is inscribed in an inner volume of the hollow tube (7).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to steering column covers, and related assembly methods. According to some embodiments a steering column cover assembly can include a plurality of alignment and fastening means. For example, some embodiments include one or more sets of male/female clips, one or more track-and-barrel devices, one or more means for accepting a fastener, and one or more pivoting means. In some embodiments, the track-and-barrel device can include a feature for seating the barrel in the track in a snap fitted relation. Some embodiments comprise a process for using one or more of the foregoing structures to assemble a column cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite part, and a method for producing a composite part, having a first body with at least one zone forming a depression and being separated from the front face of the first body by a projection forming one or more lateral walls. The depression receives a second foam body that is covered by a covering or finishing element. At least one lateral end portion of the covering element forms an edge held between the foam body and a corresponding lateral wall.

Abstract: An operator's seat for heavy equipment having optimized switch arrangements for controlling the equipment is provided, in which arrangements of various kinds of switches and components of operating devices that are frequently used by an operator in the seat due to the characteristic of the equipment are integrated within a radius that an operator's hand reaches (i.e. in a hand arm operation zone), and thus physical inconvenience and fatigue that the operator who repeatedly operates working devices for a long time suffers can be reduced.

Abstract: A bracket enables mounting of non-standard sized or shaped instruments in openings of a standard pillar mount or similar instrument mounting arrangement. The bracket includes a first extension that fits in a standard opening and a second extension that mounts the instrument at a position offset from the standard opening.