MXPA97002969A - Assembly of storage box for board of vehic instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly of dashboard and glove box for mounting inside a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: an instrument panel having an opening formed therein, the opening provides access to an interior area within the dashboard The dashboard has an outer surface, a glove box that has walls that define an enclosure, the glove box is removably insertable into the opening, a door connected to the glove box along the front portion of the glove box, a union of connection that forms a releasable connection between the glove box and the opening, the connection joint has a single pivot axis around which the glove box can be pivoted between a fully closed position and an open position, the door prevents access to the enclosure when the glove box is in the fully closed position, the fully open position allows access to the enclosure when the glove The glove compartment is constructed so that the rear portions of the enclosure are coupled with the instrument panel when the glove box is in the fully open position to stop the pivotal movement of the glove box, so the glove compartment and door can be conveniently and completely removed from the opening to provide unobstructed access to the interior of the instrument panel through the opening

Description

ASSEMBLY OF STORAGE BOX FOR BOARD OF VEHICLE INSTRUMENTS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates in general to boxes or glove boxes for vehicles and more particularly concerns a set or assembly of dashboard and glove box for vehicle, by which the The glove compartment can be conveniently separated to provide access to an area inside the dashboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The glove boxes are commonly mounted on or within a vehicle instrument panel and include a door to provide access thereto. The glove boxes of the prior art instrument panel usually have doors, which are mounted in an articulated or rotating manner to the dashboard and boxes which are securely fastened to the dashboard from the inside. Vehicle dashboards commonly house or contain a variety of vehicle components, such as wiring, heating or air conditioning ducts and the like, which often require work or service, either during the initial assembly of a vehicle or as part of a post-purchase maintenance regime. A service provision usually separates a portion of the dashboard or the entire dashboard, in order to access the REF: 24390 necessary vehicle components that need such a service. Alternatively, a service provision may have only enough space to access from below the dashboard. In the latter case, the box or glove compartment is sometimes on the way to the service work that is needed. In one way or another, gaining access to the area necessary to perform the desired service is difficult to say the least. This invention was developed from the need to provide easier access to the areas within the vehicle instrument panels, which include vehicle components in need of service. It was further developed from a desire for a completely detachable dashboard storage box unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. Figure 1 is a front view of the dashboard and glove box assembly, constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which shows the glove box in a closed position. Figure 2 is a front view which is similar to the view shown in Figure 1, which shows the glove box in an open position.

Figure 3 is a front view of the instrument panel, which shows an opening in the dashboard in which the glove box can be inserted. Figure 4 is a side view, which shows the glove box in an open and closed position. Figure 5 is a top view of a glove box and door sub-assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a rear view of the glove box and door sub-assembly. Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting bolt and mounting bolt receiver according to a preferred aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This description of the invention is presented in advance of the objectives of the patent laws to promote the progress of science, technology and ul techniques.

General Assembly Figures 1 and 2 show a dashboard and glove box assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dashboard and glove box assembly 10 includes an instrument board 12 having an opening 14 formed therein. A glove box 16 is mounted on the dashboard or dashboard 12 in the opening 14. The glove box or storage box 16 of the dashboard is secured in a closed position when using a fastener 18. The glove box or guard is movable in relation to the 12 instrument board, between a closed position which is shown in Figure 1, and an open position, which is shown in Figure 2. Preferably, the glove box is articulated between such positions in a manner described in more detail below. As will be evident, it is also possible that the glove box is mounted on the dashboard to use other types of relative movement. In the preferred embodiment, the dashboard and glovebox assembly or assembly 10 is proposed for use in a vehicle, such as the cab of a truck suitable for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. It should be understood that the assembly or assembly of dashboard and glove box of the invention can be used in other suitable vehicles.

Instrument Panel Figures 1 and 2 show that the instrument board 12 includes an outer surface 20 of the instrument panel, at least a portion of which defines a front surface area 21 of the instrument panel. The instrument board 12 can be constructed or formed from any suitable material. Preferably, the dashboard is formed from a material which is durable, lightweight and strong enough to withstand the stresses expected in the operating environment. Such material should also be inexpensive and easy to work with. Suitable materials include those materials which are commonly used to form vehicle instrument panels, such as rigid polymeric or thermoplastic materials. The opening 14 is provided on the outer surface 20 of the instrument panel and allows access to an interior area 22, inside the instrument panel 12. The interior area 22 is shown in more detail in Figure 3 where several electronic components (not specifically designated) can be seen. Exemplary electronic components could include a vehicle fuse system, vehicle system controllers and other such components as are usually associated with a tractor-trailer cab. It will be understood, however, that such components can be any type of components for any type of vehicle and not necessarily a tractor-trailer cabin. The interior area 22 is also useful for containing or housing articles such as heating or air conditioning ducts. The instrument board 12 includes air conditioning / heating vents 23, either on one side or the other of the opening 14, which are operatively connected to the heating and / or air conditioning ducts mentioned above. The vents 23 provide means for venting the passenger compartment to which the instrument board 12 is located. The opening 14 conveniently provides access to the area 22, to allow servicing such articles, as they might be included therein, such as the aforementioned air conditioning / ventilation components or vents. Such access is provided or facilitated by the glove box 16, which is removably insertable into the opening 14, as will be apparent below. As shown in Figure 3, the opening 14 is generally rectangular in shape, although a variety of appropriate configurations are possible.

Glove box Figures 4-6 show the glove box 16 in more detail. As shown, the glove box 16 includes a plurality of walls 30, which define an enclosure or cavity 32 which is useful for retaining items, such as road maps, pens, pencils, vehicle registration documents and other commonly held items. in a glove box The walls 30 comprise two side walls 31 and an end wall 33. The glove box 16 includes a region 34 of the perimeter edge, which is integral with each of the side walls 31 and which is attached to a door 40 by a plurality of screws 36. The glove box is also adapted to provide a board connection of instruments, which is advantageously in the form of a pivot connection. As shown, the dashboard-glove compartment connection includes features on the glove box, which are adjacent to the lower corners of the region 34 of the perimeter edge. As perhaps best seen in Figure 6, a pair of mounting bolt receivers 35 are included to receive the respective mounting bolts 46, which are part of a releasable connection between the glove box 16 and the instrument board 12, described in more detail below. The mounting bolts are preferably mounted on the instrument panel 12, adjacent to the opening 14. The releasable connection which is formed between the glove box and the opening in the instrument panel 12 is important, since it allows the glove compartment to separate selectively from the instrument panel. This provides improved access to the inside of the dashboard and allows cleaning and maintenance for the glove box itself. The glove box 16 can be inserted into or removed from the opening 14. When inserted, the glove box can be secured by the holding feature 18 in a manner described in greater detail below.

Door The assembly further includes a door 40 which is mounted on the glove box 16. It is advantageously movable between an open position, in which the enclosure 32 can be accessed from the front of the instrument panel 12 (figures 2 and 4). ) and a closed position, in which the enclosure 32 can not be accessed from the front of the instrument board 12 (figures 1 and 4). Because the door 40 is mounted on the glove box 16, the glove box also moves between the open position and the closed position when the door 40 moves.

Removable glove box connection system The invention includes a separable box joining system, which allows the glove box-door assembly to be removed or fixed on the instrument panel. The connection system includes a fastener and a connection board of the dashboard-glove box assembly. The two work together to fully secure the glove box-door assembly in place when it is closed and fixed by the fastener. In the open condition, the fastener is opened and the connecting gasket retains the glove box-door assembly to the instrument panel, unless released. In the preferred connection joint, the glove box 16 and the door 40 are removably mounted within the opening 14 by virtue of a pair of mounting bolts 46, which are mounted on respective projections 47, a respective projection from which it is shown in Figure 7 and discussed in more detail below. Each of the mounting bolts 46 is received in a receiver 35 of the respective mounting bolt. The glove box 16 and the door 40 provide a sub-assembly, which is mountable within the opening 14 of the outer surface 20 of the instrument panel and movable, preferably rotatably or hingedly, between an open position and a closed position, described in more detail. detail below. In discussing the receiver 35 of the mounting bolt and the mounting bolt 46 in more detail, attention is directed to Figure 7, which is an amplified perspective view, of such bolt and receiver, according to a preferred aspect of the invention. the invention. It will be understood that an identical mounting bolt receiver 35 and mounting bolt 46 are located adjacent to the other corner of the region 34 of the perimeter edge. The projection 47, as shown, provides a seat in which the mounting bolt 46 is firmly fixed. The mounting bolt extends outwardly relative to the projection 47 and the opening 14 at a distance sufficient to be received and captured by the receiver 35 of the mounting bolt. The receiver 35 of the mounting bolt can be an integral part of the glove box 16 or the region 34 of the perimeter edge, or it can be formed and joined separately thereto, as by any appropriate connector, such as chemical adhesives or mechanical fasteners. . A receiver 35 of the preferred mounting bolt includes a base 50, a pawl 52 and a detent 54. The base 50 is firmly fixed against an interior surface of the region 34 of the perimeter edge and is kept leveled against it by a plurality of screws , a representative screw of which is shown with the number 36. The pawl 52 joins or otherwise connects to the base 50 and curves generally away from the inner surface of the region 34 of the perimeter edge, to form a hook which, together with the detent 54, defines a capture region 56, for capturing a portion of the mounting bolt 46. The mounting bolt and the mounting bolt receiver described above form a part of the releasable connecting joint between the glove box 16 and the opening 14. The mounting bolt 46 (and the receiver 35 the mounting bolt) define a preferred gasket with the associated pivot shaft 58 around which the glove box 16 and the door 40 can be articulated between the open position, in which the enclosure 32 can be accessed and a closed position, in which the enclosure 32 can not be accessed. The pivot shaft 58 is preferably oriented generally horizontally and parallel to the front surface area 21. The pivot shaft 58 may also have other orientations. It will be appreciated that although a mounting configuration, such as between the glove box 16, the door 40 and the instrument board 12 has been described, which is articulated or rotatable by nature, other mounting configurations which are not necessarily articulated or rotatable as described above, they can be used to carry out the invention. Further, although the receiver 35 of the mounting bolt has been described mounted on the glove box 16 and the mounting bolt 46 has been described mounted on the instrument board 12, adjacent the opening 14, it will be understood that this configuration is only a preferred one. and as such other configurations are possible. More purposely it is possible for a mounting bolt to be mounted on the glove box 16 and a mounting bolt receiver mounted on the instrument board 12 to contact the mounting bolt. In addition, different mounting configurations such as those which do not necessarily employ the described mounting bolt and mounting bolt receiver can be used to obtain the advantages provided by the invention.

Fastening Mechanism The fastener 42 is operatively mounted on the door 40 to advantageously secure the door 40 in the closed position. The fastener 42 forms part of the releasable connection between the glove box 16 and the opening 14 and as such, allows the glove box 16 to be released and removed from the opening 14, to provide convenient access to the interior of the instrument panel. Preferred components of the fastener 42 include a handle 60 of the fastener, a releasable release button 62, depressed and a retractable, spring loaded retainer 64. The retainer 34 is operatively attached to the button 62 for selective retractibility, to allow the door 40 and hence the glove box 16 to be released or secured and secured on or to the instrument board 12. The clamping handle 60 is positioned over the door 40 near the top of the door as seen in Figure 1. The handle 60 of the clamp is configured to allow an individual to grip the handle by inserting a finger under an area between the handle of the fastener and the door, such that the thumb can be used to press the button 62. By pressing the button 62, the spring-loaded retainer 64 retracts, which releases or unlocks the door 40 from its position closed. The fastener 42 can be any appropriate fastener, which is capable of securing the glove box and the door in the closed position. For example, the button 62 can be replaced in favor of a rotary knob, which similarly serves to operatively separate the detent 64 from its secured or fixed position. It is pointless to say that there are simply numerous fastener and fastener type configurations which could be used to carry out the present invention, all of which are considered within the spirit and scope of the invention. The holding receiver 44 is advantageously provided and operates in cooperation with the fastener 42 to ensure that the door 40 can be closed securely and that the glove box 16 is secured within the opening 14. An appropriate holding receiver 24 can be provided. by the inner surface 45 of the opening 14 alone, or may include a separate structure which is mounted to the instrument board 12 for receiving and contacting the fastener 42. One such separate structure is shown in Fig. 6 in the form of a coupling fitting 51, which includes a light source for illuminating the enclosure 32 when the glove box is opened. More specifically, the spring loaded retainer 64 includes a surface which serves to contact the bra receiver 44 (coupling accessory 51) and prevents the glove box 16 from opening once it is closed. The button 62 allows the retainer 64 to be retracted, such that the door 40 and the glove box 16 can be opened oscillatory to provide access to the enclosure 32. In the event that the button 62 is fixed, such As with a key, it would have to be unlocked or opened before opening the glove box.

Operation In the operation, the invention provides a mounting or assembly of dashboard and glovebox which allows quick, convenient access to an area, such as the interior area 20, inside the dashboard. Such quick and convenient access is desirable to facilitate the servicing of vehicle components, such as wiring, electronic components and heating and / or air conditioning ducts and the like, which are housed in area 22. A sub-assembly Glove box and door is also provided, which includes a holding feature, which serves a variety of different purposes. The clamping feature ensures that the door 40 and the glove box 16 are kept in a closed, fixed position relative to the instrument board 12. When the door 40 is closed, the clamping feature ensures that the glove box 16 remains operatively connected in relation to the door 14, in such a way that it can not be separated from it. The clamping feature also provides or defines a pivot axis, such as the pivot shaft 58, around which the glove box 16 can be moved. Upon releasing or otherwise releasing the fastener feature 18 and more specifically the fastener 42, the door 40 and the glove box 16 can be opened hinged about the axis 58 to provide access to the enclosure 32. Additionally, when the feature 18 of fastener or fastener 42 is released, the glove box 16 can be conveniently removed from the opening 14 to provide access to the area 22. Separation and / or convenient insertion of the glove box 16 from or to the opening 14, is made possible by two mounting bolts , which are received in respective mounting bolt receivers, which are mounted on the glove box 16, as described above with reference to Fig. 7. More specifically, each one of such receivers 35 of the mounting bolt includes a region 56 of capture, which is defined by a curved ratchet 52 or connection and a detent 54 spaced from the pawl 52 on the base 50 of the receiver. To mount the glove box within the opening 14 on the instrument board 12, it is simply necessary to align the receivers 35 of the mounting bolt either on one side or the other of the glove box 16, such that each respective capture region 56 is from front to down and towards a respective mounting bolt 46. Then, by placing each capture region 56 adjacent to a respective mounting bolt 46 and exerting a force applied downwardly on the glove box, each respective mounting bolt 46 can be slid over a respective detent 54 and inserted into place in the region 56 of capture. This retains the glove box-door assembly to the dashboard and allows the articulation or rotary movement described above of the glove box 16 between the open and closed positions.

The spacing of the glove box 16 from the instrument board 12 can be done simply by moving or articulating the glove box to an open position and lifting the glove box slightly upwards and outwards relative to the instrument board with a sufficient amount of force to dislodge or otherwise causing the release of each mounting bolt of its respective mounting bolt receiver. After this, the area 22 (Figure 3) inside the instrument panel is exposed and can be easily accessed. As mentioned above, such an operation provides a hitherto unavailable convenience which will be more appreciated by an individual having an opportunity to access the interior of instrument board 12 for the purpose of providing some type of service or maintenance. By providing an easily separable glove box to access an opening in the dashboard, the individual is saved from extra work by having to separate all or part of a dashboard to gain access to the same area. This is true whether an individual performs maintenance for the first time such as that associated with the initial assembly of a vehicle at a manufacturing or post-purchase maintenance site as it might be by an owner of such a vehicle. The invention has been described in more or less specific language in terms of aspects and structural, methodological or other characteristics. It will be more appropriately understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific forms shown and described. Other structures and equivalent features may be within the concepts of the invention, which are appropriately protected under the concession of the patent rights sought. Accordingly, the invention is claimed in an effort to define the invention, but the various forms or modifications which the invention may take are difficult or impossible to define with certainty. Good criteria should be used to properly interpret the scope of protection, which will be applied appropriately with respect to these new and inventive concepts.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A mounting or assembly of dashboard and glove box for mounting within a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: an instrument panel having an opening formed therein; the opening provides access to an area inside the dashboard; a glove box defining an enclosure, which can be detachably inserted into the opening; a connection feature, which forms a releasable connection between the glove box and the opening; by which the glove box can be conveniently removed from the opening to provide access to the area inside the dashboard.
2. 2. The assembly of the dashboard and glovebox according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection feature includes an articulated or rotating connecting joint.
3. 3. The assembly of the dashboard and glovebox according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a door which is mounted on the glove box.
4. 4. The assembly of the dashboard and glovebox according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises: a door mounted to the glove box; a fastener operatively mounted on the door, for securing the door in a closed position; and wherein the connection feature is articulatable or rotatable.
5. 5. A glovebox and door sub-assembly for mounting in an opening of a vehicle dashboard, to provide access to the interior of the dashboard, characterized in that it comprises: a glove box or glove box defining an enclosure for retaining articles; The glove box can be received inside the opening; a door attached to the glove compartment; a fastener operatively mounted on the door to fix the door in a closed position; a releasable connection joint between the glove box and the dashboard.
6. 6. The glove box and door sub-assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the glove box and the door are joined together in a assembly or assembly.
7. 7. The glovebox and door sub-assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the glove box and the door are articulated or rotatable in relation to the instrument panel between an open position, in which the enclosure can be accessed from inside the dashboard. instruments and the closed position, in which the enclosure can not be accessed from the outside of the dashboard.
8. 8. The glove box and door sub-assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the door is articulated or rotatable about an axis between an open position, in which the enclosure can be accessed from the outside of the instrument panel and the closed position , in which the enclosure can not be accessed from the outside of the dashboard.
9. 9. The glove compartment and door subassembly according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises a bracket receiver positioned adjacent to the opening for receiving the fastener and securing the glove box within the opening.
10. 10. The glovebox and door sub-assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the releasable connection seal includes at least one mounting bolt and a mounting bolt receiver.