# US 11,440,595 B2 · Instrument panel support structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,595 B2 - Document ID: US11440595B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/959,329 - Filed: 2019-02-12 - Published: 2021-02-25 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-12 - Assignees: Zephyros, Inc. - Applicants: Zephyros, Inc. - Inventors: Henry Richardson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440595B2 ## CPC - B62D 25/145: {having a crossbeam incorporated therein} - B62D 27/02: rigid - B62D 29/001: {characterised by combining metal and synthetic material} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract An instrument panel assembly comprising: a crossmember (2) including a first beam (4) and a second beam (6), a center support assembly (8) with a first structural arm (30), a second structural arm (32), and a center support bracket (34); wherein the first beam (4) is hollow and has a larger diameter than the second beam (6), and the second beam (6) is adapted to slide into the first beam (4). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An instrument panel assembly comprising: a. a crossmember including: i. a first beam; and ii. a second beam; b. a center support assembly including: i. a first structural arm; ii. a second structural arm; and iii. a center support bracket; and c. a steering column support; wherein the first beam is hollow and has a larger diameter at its widest cross section than the second beam, and the second beam is adapted to slide into and be received by the first beam; and wherein one or more of the first beam and the second beam include one or more longitudinal channels on an exterior surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more longitudinal channels of the first beam form one or more internal protrusions on an inner surface of the first beam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the first structural arm of the center support assembly and the second beam complement each other when inserted into the first beam, engaging one or more internal protrusions of the first beam, and filling a portion of an interior of the first beam. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the second structural arm engages one or more longitudinal channels on the second beam with one or more interlocking features, the one or more interlocking features fit inside the one or more longitudinal channels, securing the second structural arm to the second beam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The instrument panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the steering column support includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion both include one or more interlocking features that engage one or more longitudinal channels on the first beam, connecting the steering column support to the crossmember. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, including a plurality of positioning brackets. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, including a plurality of molded polymeric positioning brackets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The instrument panel assembly of claim 7, including a first portion and second portion of the steering column support that comprise a molded polymeric material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The instrument panel assembly of claim 8, wherein the first structural arm and the second structural arm comprise a molded polymeric material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, including two interlocking features that occupy the same of the one or more longitudinal channels at a same location. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The instrument panel assembly of claim 7, including one or more mounting brackets. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, including one or more mounting arms. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The instrument panel assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of positioning brackets and the one or more mounting arms connect and support one or more instrument panels, one or more dash panels, one or more knee guards, a glove box, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the center support bracket is made of steel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the center support bracket comprises a molded polymeric material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the first beam overlaps the second beam by about 2 inches to about 7 inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second beam are formed of a pultruded polymeric material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for forming the instrument panel of claim 1, comprising: pultruding the first beam; pultruding the second beam; molding a plurality of support arms; connecting the first and second beams to the plurality of support arms. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, including molding the support arms around the pultruded first and second beams. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, including sliding the second beam into a portion of the first beam.