GB1600188A

GB1600188A - Backlighted instrument consol for a tractor

Info

Publication number: GB1600188A
Application number: GB22333/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Massey Ferguson Services NV
Current assignee: Massey Ferguson Services NV
Priority date: 1978-03-13
Filing date: 1978-05-25
Publication date: 1981-10-14
Also published as: IT7920539A0; BR7901567A; ES478500A1; JPS54124448A; FR2419836A1; CA1107323A; IT1111106B; FR2419836B1; DE2907616A1

Description

(54) BACKLIGHTED INSTRUMENT CONSOLE FOR A TRACTOR (71) We, MASSEY-FERGUSON SER- VICES N.V., a Corporation organised under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, Abraham de Veerstraat 7A, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates generally to a backlighted instrument console particularly for a tractor, the console being provided with various instrumentation and controls.

In the past it has peen generally conventional to form the principal supporting member of a tractor console on which various instrumentation and controls are mounted from sheet metal components. The instrumentation and controls have been secured directly to the sheet metal by sheet metal fasteners or by clamping rings disposed to either side of the sheet metal. As the instrumentation for tractors and the like has increased, it has become more time consuming to assemble such consoles. In addition, such consoles frequently become dust catchers, which dust not only adversely affects the appearance of the console, but also adversely affects the operation of the instrumentation and controls. Furthermore, the accumulation of dust can work between mating parts thereby making disassembly for service more difficult. The sheet metal consoles have a further disadvantage in that the labour time to produce such consoles is relatively high.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of instrument console.

According to the present invention there is provided an instrument console having a backlighted visual signal display and control means, the console comprising a rigid support member haveng formed therein a panel mounting surface, a plurality of openings housing signal lights, an aperture for housing a support panel, and recessed lip means formed in the support member and extending peripherally around the aperture; a support panel housed in the aperture and lodged on the lip means; securing means for securing the support panel in the aperture; an outward facing translucent panel secured to the panel mounting surface of the support member and bearing indicia corresponding to the location of signal lights and overlying the openings of the support panel; and a control means mounted on the support panel and extending through the translucent panel.

An instrument display panel having instrument recesses therein may be formed integrally in the support member.

In accordance with the invention, in an instrument console for a tractor or the like, the principal supporting member is formed of relatively thick rigid foam plastics mate rival.

Preferably the mounting surface is adjacent the aperture for the support panel and the outward facing surface of the support panel lodged on the lip means around the aperture forms a generally level surface with the mounting surface.

Preferably the translucent panel is bonded to the generally level surface. The translucent prevents the entry of dust into the interior of the console and also gives the console an improved appearance.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the backlighted instrument console of this invention; FIGURE 2 is a right side view of the console illustrated in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 in Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a section taken generally along the line 4--4 in Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a section taken generally along the line 5-5 in Figure 3, and FIGURE 6 is a view of the flat translucent sheets which forms a part of the instrument console of this invention.

Referring first to Figure 2, a portion of a tractor is shown, the tractor being indicated generally at 10. The tractor is provided with a hood 12, and a cab indicated generally at 14, only a portion of the cab being illustrated and this including a windshield 16, floor 18, and firewall 19. A steering column 20 the upper portion of which is secured to the firewall 19. extends upwardly and rearwardly from the firewall and carries a steering wheel 21 at its upper end. The steering column and wheel are mounted generally along the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the tractor.

According to this invention a novel console is provided, the console being indicated generally by reference numeral 24. The console includes a relatively rigid support member 26 which is secured to the firewall 19 by angle brackets 27 and fasteners 28. In practice the support member 26 is formed of a cast foamed structural plastic. However, other materials may be employed having similar properties.

The support member 26 is provided with spaced apart rearwardly facing generally flat first and second surfaces 30, 32, (Figure 3), disposed to either side of the steering column 20. In addition, a further flat surface 34 is disposed above the steering column which, in the embodiment illustrated, is provided with circular recesses 36 which receive dial like instruments such as a tachometer, ammeter, and/or oil pressure gauge. It should be obvious from the following that other information display devices could be utilized in the flat surface area 34, such as digital read-outs which could be covered by translucent sheets so as to give the same appearance to this area of the console as the side areas.

However, dial type gauges are employed in the illustrated embodiment as it has been found that dust does not severely affect the performance of the dials since they are ordinarily extremely well sealed.

As the portions of the support member about the flat surfaces 30, 32 are generally similar, references made to one of the flat surface areas would apply equally as well to the other flat surface area.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an essentially continuous flat surface in those areas assocaited with instruments and controls. Thus, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, translucent sheets (one of which is shown in Figure 6) are disposed over the flat surfaces 30, 32.

Thus the flat surfaces 30, 32 form essentially a mounting surface for the translucent sheets.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a plurality of openings 38 along the periphery of each of the flat surface areas as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. A sheet metal member 40 is secured along the inwardly and downwardly facing surface of the support member 26 by fasteners 42, the member 40 being provided with a plurality of circular apertures in line with each of the openings 38, the apertures having cylindrical members 44 secured thereto by crimping or any other suitable method. Light emitting devices in the form of bulbs 46 are disposed within the cylindrical members 44 in association with the openings 38, there being one light emitting device for each of the openings 38. Each bulb 46 is carried by a socket member 48 which is secured within a cylindrical member 44 by a snap fit structure which is integral with the assoceated socket member 48. Each of the bulbs 46 can be considered to be a warning or indicating lamp and it is of course interconnected by suitable electrical circuitry with suitable switching means 52, to switch the light emitting device on and off at the appropriate times.

As is conventional, the console not only is provided with warning devices in the form of the various light emitting devices, but also supports various control devices. Such control devices, as for example the hand throttle 54, may be mounted directly on the side of the console. Other control devices, those which are to be provided in the area of the flat surfaces 30, 32, may be mounted in a different manner. To this end, each of the surfaces 30, 32 is provided with an aperture 56, which is surrounded by a recessed lip 58 (which may be discontinuous). A generally flat support panel indicated generally flat at 60 overlies the recessed area and has an outwardly facing surface 62 which is in line with the adjacent surface 30, 32. The support panel 60 is secured by peripheral fastening assemblies 64.

A printed flat translucent sheet 66 is bonded over each of the surfaces 30, 32 and the rear surface 62 of the associated panel 60 in order to improve the appearance of the console, to provide for a surface which excludes dust from passing into the various light emitting devices and control assemblies (which will be described later), and also to provide various indicia. The translucent sheets 66 are of a type commercially available from the W. H. Brady Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Symbols or indicia 68 and 70 are printed on the undersurface of the sheets 66 in such a manner that the indicia 70 are visible at all times while indicia 68 are virtually invisible except when backlighted by one of the light emitting devices 46. Thus, that portion of the sheets 66 which carry the indicia 68 have an appearance which is generally referred to as a "dead front" appearance. By printing the indicia on the undersurface it will have improved wearing characteristics as it is protected from the elements. It should be obvious that those indicia 68 which are to be associated with the various light emitting devices 46 should be so positioned on the sheet 66 that when the sheet 66 is adhesively secured or bonded in place the indicia will overlie those openings with which they should be associated.

Various control devices may be associated with the sheet 66, and to this end the sheet 66 may be provided with one or more apertures 72 which will correspond to an aperture in an associated support panel 60. Control knobs may be associated with each of the apertures in any desired manner, one example being shown in Figure 5. In this example the control, which is indicated generally at 74, is provided with a threaded tubular member 76 which passes through the aperture 72 and the associated aperture in the panel 60, the threaded member 76 surrounding a rotatable shaft 78 to which a control knob 80 is secured. A portion of control housing 82, abuts one side of the panel 60, and a securing nut 84 is disposed on the threaded member 76, on the other side of the panel 60 and sheet 66 to secure the control member in place in a manner well known in the art. A clearance hole may be provided in the sheet 66 to permit the nut 84 to bear directly against the panel 60, however, it will be appreciated that at least a portion of the control knob 80 overlies the sheet 66.

It should be obvious from the foregoing that by employing the various novel features of this invention a console can be provided which can be manufactured with less labour, which has a better appearance, and which can isolate various indicating and control devices from dust, etc. However, in order to service these various devices, it is necessary to provide access to the front. Therefore, a removable cover plate 86 is disposed over a corresponding aperture in the support member 26, the cover plate being secured in place by fasteners 88.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An instrument console having a backlighted visual signal display and control means, the console comprising a rigid support member having formed therein a panel mounting surface, a plurality of openings housing signal lights, an aperture for housing a support panel, and recessed lip means formed in the support member and extending peripherally around the aperture; a support panel housed in the aperture and lodged on the lip means; securing means for securing the support panel in the aperture; an outward facing translucent panel secured to the panel mounting surface of the support member and bearing indicia corresponding to the location of signal lights and overlying the openings of the support panel: and a control means mounted on the support panel and extending through the translucent panel.

2. An instrument console according to claim 1 wherein an instrument display panel having instrument recesses therein is formed integrally in the support member.

3. An instrument console according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the support member is formed from a cast rigid foamed plastics material.

4. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mounting surface is adjacent the aperture for the support panel and the outward facing surface of the support panel lodged on the lip means around the aperture forms a generally level surface with the mounting surface.

5. An instrument console according to claim 4 wherein the translucent panel is bonded to the generally level surface.

6. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least some of the indicia are printed or otherwise marked on the undersurface of the translucent panel so as to be visible only when the relevant signal lights are illuminated.

7. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support member includes a side portion on which a control device is mounted.

8. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein a sheet metal housing is secured to the support member, the housing having cylindrical members adapted to accommodate light bulbs of the signal lights in alignment with the openings in the support member.

9. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support member is formed with an aperture for giving access to the interior and a removable cover plate is disposed over the aperture.

10. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support member surrounds a portion of a steering column.

11. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein the securing means secures a peripheral portion of the support panel to the support member.

12. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims comprising a support member having two apertures each housing a support panel and located on either side of the steering column, a plurality of openings housing signal lights disposed along a peripheral edge of a or each support panel, and an integrally formed instrument display panel on a third side of the steering column.

13. An instrument console according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support member is secured directly to a forward portion of a cab of a tractor.

14. A tractor having instrumentation and controls wherein the instrumentation and controls are mounted in an instrument console according to any of the preceding claims.

15. An instrument console substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Various control devices may be associated with the sheet 66, and to this end the sheet 66 may be provided with one or more apertures 72 which will correspond to an aperture in an associated support panel 60. Control knobs may be associated with each of the apertures in any desired manner, one example being shown in Figure 5. In this example the control, which is indicated generally at 74, is provided with a threaded tubular member 76 which passes through the aperture 72 and the associated aperture in the panel 60, the threaded member 76 surrounding a rotatable shaft 78 to which a control knob 80 is secured. A portion of control housing 82, abuts one side of the panel 60, and a securing nut 84 is disposed on the threaded member 76, on the other side of the panel 60 and sheet 66 to secure the control member in place in a manner well known in the art. A clearance hole may be provided in the sheet 66 to permit the nut 84 to bear directly against the panel 60, however, it will be appreciated that at least a portion of the control knob 80 overlies the sheet 66. It should be obvious from the foregoing that by employing the various novel features of this invention a console can be provided which can be manufactured with less labour, which has a better appearance, and which can isolate various indicating and control devices from dust, etc. However, in order to service these various devices, it is necessary to provide access to the front. Therefore, a removable cover plate 86 is disposed over a corresponding aperture in the support member 26, the cover plate being secured in place by fasteners 88. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An instrument console having a backlighted visual signal display and control means, the console comprising a rigid support member having formed therein a panel mounting surface, a plurality of openings housing signal lights, an aperture for housing a support panel, and recessed lip means formed in the support member and extending peripherally around the aperture; a support panel housed in the aperture and lodged on the lip means; securing means for securing the support panel in the aperture; an outward facing translucent panel secured to the panel mounting surface of the support member and bearing indicia corresponding to the location of signal lights and overlying the openings of the support panel: and a control means mounted on the support panel and extending through the translucent panel.