Abstract: An integrated front body clip including an instrument panel support structure, steering column support structure, and cowl structure forming a shared, dependent, and complementary support structure between the A-Pillars of a vehicle. Front and rear magnesium casting, each having a plurality of cast in features, are clamshelled into a single integrated clip. The resultant integrated front body clip offers substantial weight and improves the torsional and bending strength characteristics as compared with traditional steel structures. By maximizing cast in features, redundancy between competing parts is eliminated with an increase in dimensional control. Further, by creating a hollow region within the resultant clip structure, heated or cooled air may be moved without complex ductwork. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the front casting is provided in three modular parts that may be arranged for use in left-side or right-side driving vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component, in particular a crossmember for arranging between A-pillars of a motor vehicle, having an essentially tubular base body in which at least one duct is provided. In order to provide an improved lightweight component which can be produced in a more simple manner using fewer working steps and therefore more cost-effectively and in which, in an advantageous manner, a duct can be integrated, it is proposed that the base body is lined on the inside with plastic in order to form duct walls consisting of plastic.

Abstract: A steering column hanger beam 21 extended between left and right front pillars 13, 15 for supporting a steering column 65 is constructed as an in-line connected body comprising a driver's side hanger beam 22 having a large diameter cross-section and a front passenger's side hanger beam 60 having a small diameter cross-section.

Abstract: An integrated heating ventilation and air conditioning unit (“HVAC”) and steering column support structure 10. Structure 10 is adapted to be operatively installed within a conventional automotive vehicle of the type including a conventional body assembly having an underbody platform or structure 12 and a steering assembly 14. Assembly 10 includes elongated lateral support structures or members 20, 22; an integrated “HVAC” duct/face plate/support structure or member 24; an “HVAC” housing or assembly 26; and support brackets 30, 32, and 34. Members 20, 22, and 24 and brackets 30-34 cooperate to support steering wheel assembly 18. Member 24 acts as both a support for the “HVAC” assembly 26 and a support for steering assembly 14.

Abstract: For mounting an instrument panel onto a given portion in a motor vehicle, there is provided an instrument panel mounting structure. A cowl panel is arranged at the given portion. The cowl panel includes an upper panel part and a lower panel part which are united to constitute an inwardly protruding holder structure. The holder structure comprises a first section where the upper and lower panel parts intimately contact at mutually facing surfaces thereof and a second section where the upper and lower panel parts are spaced from each other at the mutually facing surfaces thereof. The second section constitutes a rear end of the holder structure. Catch devices are provided by the instrument panel. Each catch device includes a catch section and a guide section. The catch section is constructed to catch the rear end of the holder structure when brought to the rear end of the holder structure.

Abstract: To provide a cockpit module structure for a vehicle where large foot space and a secure and stable supported state can be secured, the body of an air conditioning unit inside which heat exchangers and opening and closing doors are installed is penetrated by a steering member.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a crossmember for stiffening an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, the crossmember that is to be manufactured having at least two profiled segments, with cross sections differing from one another, arranged in axial prolongation, the smaller-cross-section profiled segment is arranged so as to overlap the larger-cross-section profiled segment over at least a partial length; and in the overlap region, the profiled segments are joined to one another in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by way of at least one stabilizing joining element.

Abstract: In an assembling structure of a vehicle center cluster, plural electrical devices are detachably assembled to a holding member to be removed from an inside of a passenger compartment while the holding member is fixed to a dashboard. Therefore, for example, when a CD deck is removed from the center cluster into the passenger compartment among the electrical devices, only the CD deck can be removed from the holding member into the passenger compartment without removing the other electrical devices, in a fixed state of the holding member to the dashboard. Accordingly, removing operation of the electrical devices can be made simple.

Abstract: A fastener assembly attaches and aligns two panels. The fastener assembly has a connector member (20), a support platform (66) and a tab (80). The connector member has a head (26), a threaded portion (32) and an annular groove (36). The support platform (66) is mounted on a first panel. The support platform (66) threadingly engages the threaded portion (32) of the connector member (20). The tab (80) is mounted on a second panel. The tab has an opening (82) for receiving the annular groove (36) of the connector member (20) in a supporting relation. Rotation of the connector member (20) moves the second panel towards and away from the first panel in a direction of draw to space the second panel relative to the first panel.

Abstract: For mounting an instrument panel onto a given portion in a motor vehicle, there is provided an instrument panel mounting structure. A cowl panel is arranged at the given portion. The cowl panel includes an upper panel part and a lower panel part which are united to constitute an inwardly protruding holder structure. The holder structure comprises a first section where the upper and lower panel parts intimately contact at mutually facing surfaces thereof and a second section where the upper and lower panel parts are spaced from each other at the mutually facing surfaces thereof. The second section constitute a rear end of the holder structure. Catch devices are provided by the instrument panel. Each catch device includes a catch section and a guide section. The catch section is constructed to catch the rear end of the holder structure when brought to the rear end of the holder structure.

Abstract: In front of a dash panel of a vehicle body, the dash module to which various parts are assembled, the various parts including an air conditioning unit and the like with a steering member extending in a vehicle width direction as a main constituent is installed. When the dash module is installed to the vehicle body, before heater pipes of the air conditioning unit are inserted to through hole portions of the dash panel, positioning pins at a vehicle body side enter upper and lower guide grooves of a bracket, which are provided in an end portion of the steering member at a driver's seat side, and a temporarily holding claw provided in an end portion of the steering member at a passenger's seat side is inserted to a temporarily holding hole portion at the vehicle body side.

Abstract: This dashboard for a motor vehicle comprises a core (4) made of plastic foam, which includes recesses forming air ducts (12), and a covering (20) comprising a fiber mat (22) incorporated into a layer of polymer resin (24). The covering is a stiffening covering (20) completely surrounding the perimeter of the cross section of the core (4) over at least one portion of the length of the latter.

Abstract: An arrangement of a dash panel in a vehicle body includes the dash panel being fixed at its ends to opposite A-pillars of the vehicle body. The dash panel defines a transverse support at the height of the dashboard, and vehicle parts are disposed in front of a middle area of the dash panel. During a head-on collision, the vehicle parts are blocked against the dash panel as a result of energy-absorbing deformations of the front part of the vehicle. The dash panel includes side areas aligned in a rectilinear arrangement between the A-pillars and a middle area bent toward the passenger compartment. This arrangement provides a larger displacement path for the vehicle parts located in front of the middle area without reducing the space and distance of the front seats in the side areas. The middle area may include a triangular cross-section having a wedge-shaped edge pointing towards the front of the vehicle, the wedge-shaped edge defining a separation and cutting edge.

Abstract: A center console cross member in a vehicle is aligned in a forward structure at a level of an instrument panel in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The cross member is fastened by one end respectively on opposite vehicle body parts of the motor vehicle. The center console cross member includes a tube-shaped basic member, on which at least one holding element for mounting vehicle function elements, and lateral fastening consoles are mounted. For providing a center console cross member, which, while its construction is simple, can be used for several different vehicles of a vehicle family and by means of which large tolerances can be compensated, it is provided that, onto a basic member of a defined length, one or several holding elements and the two lateral fastening consoles can be slid and can be fixed in the intended position by clamping fastenings, the holding elements and the fastening consoles almost completely enclosing the basic member in areas.

Abstract: The invention is related to a dashboard cockpit for an automotive vehicle comprising a hollow beam as a reinforcing means, transverse to move direction of the vehicle; said beam including a air duct. Preferably, this cockpit comprises moreover a upper support-plate having a first upper portion of longitudinal duct, and on the other hand, a lower support-plate having a second lower portion of longitudinal duct. The first and second portions of duct being adapted to be arranged facing one the other and connecting together for defining a longitudinal duct.

Abstract: The present invention integrates a blower unit into a vehicle dashboard and of reducing blower-vibration transmittance to a steering unit. In a vehicle, at least a reinforcement member having a steering support portion and an air conditioner are disposed inside a dashboard, at least a portion of a blower unit of the air conditioner is fixed to a side bracket for fixing the reinforcement member to a vehicle body. Further, the blower unit is integrally mounted inside the dashboard via the reinforcemnt member. This manner can attain both of realizing the modulization that the blower unit is integrated into the vehicle dashboard and of reducing the vibration transmittance from the blower unit to the steering support portion via the reinforcement member.

Abstract: An assembly for a cockpit area of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, having a cross member extending approximately over the width of a vehicle interior, the cross member having attachment points at its end regions for the connection to a vehicle cell and an attachment point which is eccentric to the vehicle longitudinal axis, for the connection to a steering column.

Abstract: A method of securing two or more components together is disclosed in which one of the members is made from a thin wall tubular material that can be expanded by a hydroforming technique to cause deformation which is used to secure one or more components (11, 12, 13, 14; 111, 122, 123 and 114) to the tubular member (9, 109).

Abstract: The invention relates to a subassembly for a cockpit of a motor vehicle, having a heating or air-conditioning housing which is arranged in the center console and has at least two housing parts and at least one air guide duct for guiding air at a controlled temperature to air outlet openings arranged in the cockpit. The subassembly includes a T-shaped structural unit, on which a large number of functional components of the cockpit can be mounted formed from an air guide duct having a shell-like duct component and the housing. The shell-like duct component can be covered to form the air guide duct. The present invention further relates to a method of producing the subassembly.

Abstract: A front portion structure of an automobile vehicle body having front side members disposed in right and left side portions of a vehicle body and extending in the longitudinal direction and an instrument panel reinforcement disposed between right and left front pillars and extending in the lateral direction. Pillar braces are connected to the front side members in the right and left side portions and the instrument panel reinforcement.

Abstract: A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. The driver side cross tube has a greater average wall thickness than the passenger side cross tube. The driver side cross tube is hydroformed so that a middle portion has larger bending and torsion resistance than the end portions.

Abstract: An improved cross car beam is tailored to be utilized in either right hand or left hand drive applications. The cross car beam has channels which extend for elongate distances such that components mounted to the cross car beam can be mounted in the channels at an infinite number of locations. This allows the use of a single cross car beam for both right hand and left hand drive applications.

Abstract: A fastening device 1 for securing an instrument panel 3 to a vehicle body 5 comprising a first striker member 7 for passing through a bore 9 in the instrument panel 3, the first striker member 7 comprising an enlarged head 11, and a nose 13, extending from the head 11 and coupled to the head 11 by a shank 15 having a transverse cross section which is smaller than the transverse cross section of the head 11, the nose 13 having a transverse cross section 17 greater than the transverse cross section of the shank 15 such that a shoulder area 19 is defined, the nose 13 tapering from a region 17 to the nose tip 21, and a second catch member 23 on the vehicle body 5 having a nose receiving housing 27 shaped to receive the nose 13 with a mouth 29 into which the nose 13 may be pushed and a throat region having resilient walls to grip the nose 13 when inserted in the housing 25, the throat 33 and cavity 31 defining a shoulder region 35 which inhibits the removal of the nose 13 from the cavity 31 by the shoulder 19 of t

Abstract: In a root portion of a front side member, the front side member is extended to a forward-and-backward direction of a vehicle body. At the root portion of the front side member, the front side member is joined to a lower surface of a floor panel. The floor panel to which the front side member is joined is jointed to a first dash panel. A first bent portion is provided to the front side member so that the front side member is bent to the downward direction of the vehicle body, a slanted portion is provided to the front side member so that the front side member is slanted from the first bent portion towards the lower surface of the floor panel, and a second bent portion is provided to the front side member so that the front side member is bent from the slanted portion towards the lower surface of the floor panel. Further, a gap is left between the first bent portion and the first dash panel, and a second dash panel is provided by utilizing this gap.

Abstract: A unique flexible hinge member for an instrument panel airbag is formed of a flexible plastic. The flexible hinge member is secured to the under surface of the instrument panel by a welding technique. The instrument panel is formed with a tear seam on its under surface, but no tear seam on its under surface. In one embodiment, the tear seam is h-shaped and two flexible hinge portions are utilized. In another embodiment, the tear seam is u-shaped and a single flexible hinge member is utilized.

Abstract: In a center console area for a passenger motor vehicle, the compensating wedge is disposed by a bearing arrangement on the assigned holding section of the center console crossmember. Thereby, the compensating wedge can be changed in a forcibly guided manner from a mounting position into an operative position which compensates tolerances between the center console crossmember and the support columns. A stop fixes the compensating wedge in its mounting position, and, in particular, form-lockingly acting fixing devices are assigned to the compensating wedge for securing the compensating wedge in its operative position.

Abstract: Side attachment assemblies are provided for mounting an instrument panel cross car support beam structure or the like to right and left hand cowl panels of a vehicle body.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle provides connection between an instrument panel and a glovebox so that the glovebox has a separate mating reference between moving parts independent of the instrument panel. The instrument panel is mounted to a cross-car beam in the vehicle and has a glovebox opening with a frame mating surface therearound. The glovebox has a frame and a door. The frame is attached adjacent the frame mating surface, and has a first integrally formed half-hinge. The door, which pivots to alternately cover and uncover the glovebox opening, has a second integrally formed half-hinge. The frame and the door are connected at the respective half-hinges to provide a mating reference therebetween independent of the instrument panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a vehicle instrument panel to a cross-car beam. The apparatus includes a boot having a first portion for secure attachment to an underside of the instrument panel and a second portion for frictionally retaining the cross-car beam. The apparatus further includes a mounting bracket for attaching the first portion to the instrument panel and providing additional spaced apart points of attachment to the instrument panel. In one form, the second portion of the boot includes a C-shaped cross section which is resiliently deflectable. The boot is secured to the instrument panel during pre-assembly of the vehicle. The configuration of the boot facilitates blind attachment of the instrument panel to the cross-car beam, without the need for any tools, during final vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A dashboard for a vehicle which is capable of permitting the integration of items, such as accessories and/or interior fittings of the vehicle. The dashboard is composed of a base framework which is predetermined to the type of the vehicle, an intermediate framework having a configuration that is semi-permanent as a function of the fittings of the vehicle and is secured to the base framework, and a variable trim capable of covering the base framework and the intermediate framework in such a way so as to assure the aesthetic finish of the dashboard. The base framework is secured to the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A structural cross car beam for transverse mounting to A-pillars on opposite sides of an automotive vehicle body. The beam comprises outer, intermediate and inner nesting structural members fixed together at upper and lower edge portions and opposite end portions and internally configured to provide a structurally stiff load carrying and support beam. The outer member has a generally U-shaped cross section with upper, rear and lower sides and an open frontal area. The intermediate member has a modified generally W-shaped cross section with upper and lower sides nested with the corresponding sides of the outer member, spaced intermediate sides angled toward one another from adjacent the upper and lower sides to connect with a short front side, and open frontal areas between ends of the short front side and the upper and lower sides of the intermediate member.

Abstract: An instrument panel structure for use in an vehicle having opposing side pillars, so called "A Pillars". The structure includes an extruded cross car beam having a plurality of radially spaced grooves transversely extending along the length. End caps having a receiving cavity adapted to receive the cross car beam suitably mounted to each of the pillars and the cross car beam is installed within each of the end caps. A plurality of extruded component brackets adapted to slidably engage within the cross car beam are positioned therein along the beam. The component brackets are fixed positionally along the beam by a plurality of fasteners, adhesive joining, or welding. Advantageously the instrument panel structure provides a flexible and efficient method of installing interior components within a right hand drive or left hand drive vehicle with the same structural elements.

Abstract: A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. A knee bolster is connected by two metal crush tubes to the driver side cross tube. Two metal crush tubes connect a glove box door frame to the passenger side cross tube. The instrument panel reinforcement structure offers about a 40% weight saving compared with similar systems made with steel components.

Abstract: A motor vehicle instrument panel has a basic body and a trim strip which is fastened to it and extends horizontally and is visible from the vehicle occupant compartment. The trim strip is constructed in a stable manner with a low weight. For this purpose, the trim strip is constructed as a reinforcing support and covers the whole width of the basic body of the instrument panel, in which case this reinforcing support can additionally form-lockingly reach around the lateral ends of the basic body.

Abstract: A dashboard attachment kit including an attachment member having nuts secured to one side of the attachment member with the attachment member including openings therein for securing a rivet fastener to the body of a vehicle and the attachment member with the method of attaching a dashboard to a vehicle body comprising the steps of placing the attachment member adjacent a portion of the vehicle and than drilling holes through the vehicle body using the holes in the attachment member as a guide. In the next step the fastener is extended through the vehicle body and through the attachment member to secure the attachment member to the vehicle body. After securing the attachment member to the vehicle body the replacement dashboard is placed adjacent the vehicle body and further fasteners are extended through the dashboard and vehicle body into a member secured to the attachment member.

Abstract: Known cross members consisting of an alloy press-drawn section do not permit easy assembly of the passenger airbag module or other bolt-on parts after the cross members have been installed. Accordingly, the press-drawn section of the cross member is provided with at least one groove open at the top in such fashion that a rib or a bar of a bolt-on part can be added from above such that simple pivoting enables a seating surface of the cross member to cooperate with a mounting surface of the bolt-on part in the installed state. Assembly is extremely simple. The cross members are used for the instrument panels of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A forward structure of a motor vehicle has a cross member which connects the two A-columns with one another and which is used for fixing a steering column and a knee restraint. A strut is fixed on the forward structure and extends from the cross member to a transmission tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least two mutually overlapping strut sections of the strut have a connection area which, under a load during a crash and after overcoming a force threshold, can be elongated in a longitudinal direction while absorbing energy. A force limiting device is provided in the connection area of the strut sections in the force transmission path. Consequently, after the force threshold is exceeded, an energy reduction is achieved during a predetermined lengthening path of the connecting strut and at a constant force level so that a yielding of the impact-loaded knee restraint together with the cross member takes place with a force-limited resistance along a predetermined path distance.

Abstract: A base member is laid in a space portion, which is defined by an instrument panel, in a vehicle width direction over a generally entire width of the vehicle, and a plurality of ducts is integrally formed with the base member. Furthermore, a meter placing portion, on which a meter is placed, and an air bag placing portion 24, on which an air bag is placed, are formed on the base member, and a harness placing portion, on which a flat harness is placed, is also formed on the base member in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the base member with which the plurality of ducts is integrally formed is a separate body from the instrument panel. Even in the case where the size of the instrument panel is changed, the base member is not required to correspond to the instrument panel and, therefore, the ducts can be commonly used. Moreover, since the base member is formed with ducts each having a closed structure, in section, it has a predetermined physical strength.

Abstract: A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being preassembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the preassembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision.

Abstract: A knee impact absorption assembly for passenger vehicles is disclosed. Two supporting parts are arranged such that they are spaced apart laterally from one another and are connected to a transverse carrier extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and fixed to the vehicle. A high degree of energy absorption is achieved in the case of a slight displacement of knee impact parts of an instrument panel carrying part or dashboard by providing that the transverse carrier with the supporting parts extend above points in which the knee of the occupant makes impact and each supporting part has a hook-shaped configuration. The supporting parts include struts which are directed such that they are angled off laterally upwards from a web connecting to the instrument panel carrying part or dashboard. The struts are provided with an angle cross-section, project at a distance from one another and are fixed on the transverse carrier by means of their free ends.

Abstract: A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being pre-assembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the pre-assembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision.

Abstract: A modular assembly for separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment in an automotive vehicle body comprises three structural cross car members that combine to provide sufficient cross car stiffness between the side pillars so as to eliminate any need for an upper cross car beam at the cowl of the vehicle body. The three structural cross car members include a front of dash panel, an intermediate close out panel and an instrument panel carrier that form two rows of ducts for meeting the needs of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system of the vehicle and the wiring requirements of the instrument panel. The instrument panel carrier is part of a covered instrument panel subassembly that includes a shell and an underlying foam cushion. The foam cushion is foamed in place in a mold that includes a slide and pivot mechanism for manipulating a mold lid and clamp between a closed clamped position and a shaping position where the molded subassembly is accessible for a shaping operation.

Abstract: A movable instrument console for an asphalt paving machine includes a hollow instrument body movable back and forth along support rails extending widthwise of the machine and a brake shoe locking mechanism for locking the instrument console in place, and for unlocking it for movement to either side of the paving machine.

Abstract: An instrument panel mounting structure for an automobile, characterized in that lower end portions of a pair of front pillar trims are forcibly flexed inwardly of a cabin of the automobile to come into contact with laterally opposite end portions of an instrument panel, respectively, thereby securely eliminating a gap between the lower end portion of each front pillar trim and the corresponding laterally opposite end portion of the instrument panel to improve an appearance. A pair of leaf springs are mounted to the laterally opposite end portions of the instrument panel, respectively. The lower end portions of the front pillar trims are biased inwardly of the cabin by the leaf springs so as to be urged against the laterally opposite end portions of the instrument panel, respectively.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a dashboard accessory item in the form of an add-on housing that enables the repositioning of certain instrument panels closer to the driver, thereby making the instruments on such panels more accessible. In use, the instrument panels are first detached from a stock dashboard, and the housing is mounted to the dashboard over the location where the panels were originally located. The add-on housing projects forwardly of the dashboard, and the panels are remounted to its forward or frontal face. Such face angles toward the driver as it extends along the dashboard from the steering wheel toward the right-hand side of the cab. This repositions the panels much closer to the driver than they were when originally mounted to the stock dashboard.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a dashboard accessory item in the form of an add-on housing that enables the repositioning of certain instrument panels closer to the driver, thereby making the instruments on such panels more accessible. In use, the instrument panels are first detached from a stock dashboard, and the housing is mounted to the dashboard over the location where the panels were originally located. The add-on housing projects forwardly of the dashboard, and the panels are remounted to its forward or frontal face. Such face angles toward the driver as it extends along the dashboard from the steering wheel toward the right-hand side of the cab. This repositions the panels much closer to the driver than they were when originally mounted to the stock dashboard.

Abstract: The vehicle structure comprises a body defining an engine compartment and a passenger compartment communicating with each other through an opening which the body defines between them, and a panel independent of the body and arranged to close said opening between the engine compartment and passenger compartment. The panel is composed of a rigid element having a mechanical support function and a soundproofing element of cellular structure, an instrument dashboard defining internally the ducts for an aeration system, and other accessories, all directly fixed to and supported by the panel to define with it a self-supporting sub-unit. The sub-unit is preassembled off the assembly line and is then fixed to the vehicle body by inserting it from the passenger compartment side so as to position the panel in the opening, and then fixing the panel to the body.

Abstract: An instrument panel for an automobile is provided comprising a beam member. The central portion of the beam is spaced away from the frame and is capable of flexing elastically in the transverse direction. A recoil restraint means is secured at one end intermediate the ends of the beam and is secured at the other end to the frame. The recoil restraint means permits motion of the beam in the transverse direction towards the frame but preventing motion away from the frame.

Abstract: A core of an instrument pad is connected to a glove box reinforcement by way of a stay. The glove box reinforcement is in turn secured to a vehicle body by way of an instrument stay and a side bracket, etc.

Abstract: A motor vehicle scuttle-dash instrument panel component of plastics material having an integrated ventilating and heating unit comprising (i) a first part extending between the inner walls of the motor vehicle bodywork and having integrally formed hollows and walls adapted to receive components of the ventilating and heating unit, (ii) a second part likewise extending between inner walls with correspondingly matching shaped hollows and walls. When the two parts are adjacent they form together a unit having spaces and channels of a specific shape. The first and second parts can be inserted in the bodywork as a pre-assembled structural member supplemented by the corresponding components of the ventilating and heating unit and additional covering elements and being connected to the bodywork by way of lateral flanges.