US3774713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instrument panel of a motor vehicle
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
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Filing: 1971-08-26
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An instrument panel in a motor vehicle with a padded projection essentially rectangularly shaped in cross section and protruding into the vehicle interior, which includes an essentially obliquely downwardly extending support anchored in the foot space of the vehicle, and in which the entire surface of the projection as also essential parts of the surface of the support are covered by a padding, preferably of foamed material while the walls of the projection as well as the support carrying the padding are permanently deformable independently of one another under the force of an impact of a passenger.
Inventors
- 👤 W Stegmaier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An instrument panel in a motor vehicle comprising a projection means projecting into a vehicle interior and having a rectangularly shaped cross-section in a longitudinal plane of the vehicle, said projection means including permanently deformable walls, an essentially obliquely downwardly extending support means anchored in the vehicle foot space below the projection means, said support means including permanently deformable walls, and padding means covering substantially the entire surface of the projection means and the support means wherein the deformable walls of each of the projecting means and the support means are independently deformable with respect to one another under the force of impact of a passenger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An instrument panel in a motor vehicle comprising a projection means projecting into a vehicle interior and having a rectangularly shaped cross-section in a longitudinal plane of the vehicle, said projection means including permanently deformable walls, an essentially obliquely downwardly extending support means anchored in the vehicle foot space below the projection means, said support means including permanently deformable walls, and padding means covering substantially the entire surface of the projection means and the support means wherein the deformable walls of each of the projecting means and the support means are independently deformable with respect to one another under the force of impact of a passenger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection means protrudes relatively deeply into the vehicle interior.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the padding means consists of foamed material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the padding means is a continuous padding means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An instrument panel according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the projection and support means include sections such that the sections can be crumbled together under the force of an impact of a passenger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument panel according to claim 5, characterized in that said sections are formed by parts of the projection and support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An instrument panel according to claim 5, characterized in that meander-shaped sections are disposeD in at least one of the projection and support means wherein said meander-shaped sections can be drawn apart under the force of the impact of a passenger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument panel according to claim 7, characterized in that said meander-shaped sections are formed by portions of both said projection and support means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
An instrument panel according to claim 7, characterized in that the support means includes inclined and at least approximately horizontally extending sections forming a step into which the knees of the passenger enter during a collision, said sections are padded particularly strongly, and the horizontal section is meander-shaped to be drawn apart during a collision whereas the other sections of the support means are crumbled together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument panel according to claim 9, characterized in that the padding means extends beyond the step section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the projection and support means include sections such that the sections can be crumbled together under the force of an impact of a passenger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument panel according to claim 11, characterized in that said sections are formed by parts of the projection and support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
An instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized in that meander-shaped construction sections are disposed in at least one of the projection and support means wherein said meander-shaped sections can be drawn apart under the force of the impact of a passenger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument panel according to claim 13, characterized in that said meander-shaped sections are formed by portions of both said projection and support means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
An instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means includes inclined and at least approximately horizontally extending sections forming a step into which the knees of the passenger enter during a collision, said sections are padded particularly strongly, and the horizontal section is meander-shaped to be drawn apart during a collision whereas the other sections of the support means are crumbled together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument panel according to claim 15, characterized in that the padding means extends beyond the step section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |