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US 7,607,691 B2Granted
Lost core structural instrument panel
AssigneeMahle International GmbH
InventorsPaul Arnold, Spero Boutsikaris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support structure for an automotive instrument panel includes a single unitary molded article fabricated from a lost core molding process. The support structure includes integrally formed support segments for knee bolsters. A plurality of air passages are formed from hollow cores within different segments of the support structure.
Claims15
A plastic support structure for an instrument panel comprising:
- a first segment having a hollow core defining an air passage;
- a support segment for an instrument panel;
- and
- at least one knee bolster support segment, wherein said first segment, said support segment and said at least one knee bolster support segment comprise a single unitary plastic molded article, said at least one knee bolster support segment including a substantially oval cross-section having a wall thickness that varies along a length of the knee bolster support segment.
1 more element
An instrument panel support structure comprising:
- a center support structure comprising a first plurality of air passages;
- a first knee bolster support segment extending laterally from said center support structure to a first flange member;
- and
- a second knee bolster support structure extending laterally in a direction opposite said first knee bolster support structure to a second flange member, wherein said center support structure and said first and second knee bolster support segments include a common continuous exterior surface;
- and
- a plurality of hollow segments forming a structure between a first end adjacent said first flange member and a second end adjacent said second flange member, wherein said center support structure and said first and second knee bolster support segments comprise a single unitary plastic molded article.
3 more elements
An instrument panel support structure comprising:
- a center support structure comprising a first plurality of air passages;
- a first knee bolster support segment extending laterally from said center support structure to a first flange member;
- a second knee bolster support structure extending laterally in a direction opposite said first knee bolster support structure to a second flange member, wherein said center support structure and said first and second knee bolster support segments include a common continuous exterior surface;
- a plurality of hollow segments forming a structure between a first end adjacent said first flange member and a second end adjacent said second flange member;
- and
- a second plurality of air passages disposed on opposite sides of said center support structure.
3 more elements
An instrument panel support structure comprising:
- a center support structure comprising a first plurality of air passages;
- a first knee bolster support segment extending laterally from said center support structure to a first flange member;
- a second knee bolster support structure extending laterally in a direction opposite said first knee bolster support structure to a second flange member, wherein said center support structure and said first and second knee bolster support segments include a common continuous exterior surface, said first knee bolster support segments and said second knee bolster support structure comprise a substantially oval cross-section include a wall having a thickness varying within said oval cross-section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.