US4105246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-purpose dashboard attachment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-20
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Granted: 1978-08-08
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Expires: 1997-06-20
Abstract
Abstract An attachment for the dashboard of a motor vehicle including a rectangular panel pivotally movable between positions approximately parallel to the top of the dashboard and to the windshield and having a raised lip bordering three sides which contacts the windshield when the panel is raised. The defroster outlet discharges into the space between the panel and windshield, the air being confined by the lip and exiting through one or more air outlet passages therein. The panel serves as an effective glare and heat shield when in its raised position. A shallow drawer, which may be extended to provide a shelf disposed within a recess in the dashboard and is covered by the panel when in its lower position.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald M. Trumbull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J3/00; B60R; B60R7/00; B60R7/04; B60R7/06; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A multi-purpose unit for mounting upon the top of an automobile dashboard having an elongated defroster outlet adjacent the lower edge of the windshield forwardly of the steering wheel, said unit comprising, in combination: (a) an essentially rectangular, planar panel member; (b) hinge means mounting said panel for movement between first and second positions relative to the dashboard and windshield about an axis through one edge of said panel substantially parallel and closely adjacent to the defroster outlet; (c) a raised lip bordering said panel on one side along the three edges thereof other than said one edge; (d) said one edge being so arranged with respect to the dashboard and windshield that said panel lies approximately parallel to the top surface of the dashboard when in said first position and at least a major portion of said lip is in contact with the inside of the windshield when in said second position; and (e) means defining at least one air outlet passage in said lip, whereby air from the defroster outlet is discharged into the space between the windshield and said panel when the latter is in said second position and exits from said space through said air outlet passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A multi-purpose unit for mounting upon the top of an automobile dashboard having an elongated defroster outlet adjacent the lower edge of the windshield forwardly of the steering wheel, said unit comprising, in combination: (a) an essentially rectangular, planar panel member; (b) hinge means mounting said panel for movement between first and second positions relative to the dashboard and windshield about an axis through one edge of said panel substantially parallel and closely adjacent to the defroster outlet; (c) a raised lip bordering said panel on one side along the three edges thereof other than said one edge; (d) said one edge being so arranged with respect to the dashboard and windshield that said panel lies approximately parallel to the top surface of the dashboard when in said first position and at least a major portion of said lip is in contact with the inside of the windshield when in said second position; and (e) means defining at least one air outlet passage in said lip, whereby air from the defroster outlet is discharged into the space between the windshield and said panel when the latter is in said second position and exits from said space through said air outlet passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said hinge means provide frictional engagement between said panel and the dashboard, said panel being retained in either of said first and second positions by said frictional engagement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said panel is disposed in a rectangular recess in the top of the dashboard when in said first position, said lip being substantially flush with the top surface of the dashboard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said air passage is in the portion of said lip bordering the edge of said panel parallel to said one edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention according to claim 1 and further including a tray horizontally disposed in a recess in the dashboard, said tray being of substantially the same rectangular dimensions as said panel, the latter being arranged in covering and uncovering positions with respect to said tray in said first and second positions, respectively, of said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 5 and further including slidable mounting means for said tray for movement thereof toward and away from the steering wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 6 and further including a raised lip bordering at least three edges of the upper side of said tray, thereby forming a shallow drawer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said panel is opaque.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein at least the surface of said panel bounded by said raised lip includes a non-reflective, black coating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-07 | 1982-02-06 | 1982-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-07 | 1986-02-06 | 1986-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-07 | 1990-02-06 | 1990-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |