Vehicle dash assembly

Claim 1

A vehicle dash assembly in a cab area comprising: an instrument panel extending transversely across substantially the entire width of the cab area and upon which the vehicle instruments and associated control members are mounted, said panel having an upper side visible from the cab area and an underside; a hinge along the top of said panel, said hinge pivotally connecting said panel with the vehicle cab structure such that said panel is movable from a closed condition to a fully pivoted open condition; pivot means mounted to the underside of said panel; an elongated support member having one end pivotally rotatably mounted on said pivot means, said member being formed with an elongated slot; guide means mounted on the cab structure, said guide means cooperatively engaging said member slot wherein said member is guided by said guide means as said panel is moved from the closed condition to the open condition; a plurality of shoulders formed in said member elongated slot, said shoulders cooperating with said guide means to hold said panel in a corresponding open condition; and a bias spring mounted about said pivot means and acting against said elongated member, said spring force urging said member in a direction wherein said guide means will engage one of said plurality of shoulders such that said panel is held in the open condition.