Abstract: A body hanger bracket aligns and attaches an accent panel to a vehicle body panel. The hanger bracket includes selectively detachable first and second alignment tabs. The first alignment tab engages a horizontal indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket horizontally and the second alignment tab engages a vertical indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket vertically. After the hanger bracket is aligned and attached to the body panel, the first and second alignment tabs are detached. The accent panel is then attached to the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a trim panel and a finisher panel. The trim panel has a base portion, a support portion, and an accent portion. The accent portion is adjacent to the base portion and the support portion. The finisher panel is connected to the trim panel such that a first perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the base portion of the audio panel, a second perimeter edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the accent portion of the audio panel, and the support portion is concealed by the finisher panel.

Abstract: A body hanger bracket aligns and attaches an accent panel to a vehicle body panel. The hanger bracket includes selectively detachable first and second alignment tabs. The first alignment tab engages a horizontal indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket horizontally and the second alignment tab engages a vertical indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket vertically. After the hanger bracket is aligned and attached to the body panel, the first and second alignment tabs are detached. The accent panel is then attached to the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes an audio panel and a finisher panel. The audio panel has a base portion, a support portion, and an accent portion. The accent portion is adjacent to the base portion and the support portion. The finisher panel is connected to the audio panel such that a lateral edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the base portion of the audio panel, a side edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the accent portion of the audio panel, and the support portion is concealed by the finisher panel.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes an audio panel and a finisher panel. The audio panel has a base portion, a support portion, and an accent portion. The accent portion is adjacent to the base portion and the support portion. The finisher panel is connected to the audio panel such that a lateral edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the base portion of the audio panel, a side edge of the finisher panel is adjacent to the accent portion of the audio panel, and the support portion is concealed by the finisher panel.

Abstract: An instrument panel, for use with a vehicle including a body, wheels, a driver seat, and an engine, is configured to be disposed at least partially in front of the seat and includes a steering wheel disposed in front of the seat, a display configured to provide information to a person seated in the seat, and a modular housing configured to hold the display and the steering wheel, the steering wheel being rotatably connected to the housing, the display connected to the housing, the housing extending substantially an entire width of a passenger area of the vehicle, the modular housing including independent sections that can be removed and replaced independently of any other section of the housing.

Abstract: An instrument panel for an automobile that eliminates the gaps between the lateral ends of the instrument panel and adjacent door panels, when the doors of the automobile are in their closed positions. In one embodiment, the instrument panel includes a rigid substrate and a pliable cover layer that extends beyond lateral ends of the substrate to form flexible flanges. The flexible flanges contact the door panels when the doors are closed, and deform toward the substrate so as not to interfere with the closing of the doors. In another embodiment, the substrate includes central and lateral sections connected by the pliable cover layer. As the doors of the automobile are closed, the lateral substrate sections contact the door panels and are deformed toward to central substrate section.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly having a generally symmetrical upper cowl portion (56) defining a cutout region (57) having a center stack assembly (50) disposed within the cutout region (57). The central stack assembly (50) is capable of slidably receiving a number of service modules (58).

Abstract: A dashboard height-adjusting apparatus, used for the adjustment of the assembly of upper and lower units of the dashboard, the upper unit having a plurality of fastening hooks and the lower unit having a plurality of assembling sockets for engagement, the assembling socket received in the dashboard height-adjusting apparatus. The dashboard height-adjusting apparatus comprises a hook. unit formed at the bottom part of the height-adjusting apparatus, the hook unit folded horizontally to hook onto the lower edge of the wall side of the assembling socket; an extended section extending vertically from the hook unit; a covering section extending horizontally from the top of the extended section, the covering section being parallel to the hook unit and covering the upper edge of the wall side of the assembling socket; and a hook section being a flexible element and extending vertically and downwardly from the covering section in order to engage with the lower edge of the fastening hook of upper unit.

Abstract: A protection device for the driver of a vehicle equipped with a dashboard and a steering wheel, in order to provide, on impact, a displacement of the steering wheel towards the dashboard, said steering wheel being mounted on a steering column passing under an instrument-carrying zone situated with regard to the steering wheel and connected to, but distinct from, the dashboard, said protection device comprising means for displacement of the instrument-carrying zone, the displacement means being adapted to move the instrument-carrying zone, on impact, in one of an upward vertical direction and in a direction having a vertical upward component, wherein the means for displacement of the instrument-carrying zone connect the steering column directly to said instrument-carrying zone, so that, on impact, said displacement of the steering column results in the displacement of the instrument-carrying zone along said direction.

Abstract: In a vehicle door with a basic body in the form of a body-in-white that includes the exterior sheet metal, internal trim, and a partial area within this interior trim with functional parts that are visible and/or operable from the vehicle interior, the partial area must be installed with high dimensional accuracy. For this purpose, the partial area is formed by an insert part that is permanently attached to the body-in-white and the interior trim, is separate from, and has a reinforcing effect relative to the remaining area of the door interior trim.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly, for mounting between the front support pillars of a vehicle, includes a panel body with openings for supporting and displaying instruments and gages and extending transversely between two front support pillars of a vehicle, with the panel body having first and second ends, and the panel body further includes adjustable, compressible bellows disposed at the terminal ends of the panel body for adjustment between extended and compressed positions to provide flush engagement with the front support pillars of the vehicle.

Abstract: Driver's knee guard in cab of tractor-trailer rig. A metal sheet extends around the steering wheel and controls and is secured at its opposite ends to the dashboard. Foam rubber separates the inner side of the metal sheet from the steering wheel and controls, and leather-like material covers the outer side of the metal sheet.