Extruded instrument panel structure

Abstract

An instrument panel structure for use in an vehicle having opposing side pillars, so called "A Pillars". The structure includes an extruded cross car beam having a plurality of radially spaced grooves transversely extending along the length. End caps having a receiving cavity adapted to receive the cross car beam suitably mounted to each of the pillars and the cross car beam is installed within each of the end caps. A plurality of extruded component brackets adapted to slidably engage within the cross car beam are positioned therein along the beam. The component brackets are fixed positionally along the beam by a plurality of fasteners, adhesive joining, or welding. Advantageously the instrument panel structure provides a flexible and efficient method of installing interior components within a right hand drive or left hand drive vehicle with the same structural elements.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.