Showing papers on "Dashboard published in 1981"

A rearview mirror having an electronic instrument display

Abstract: Automotive instruments have traditionally been located in the dashboard about the steering column generally outside the driver's peripheral vision. To see them the driver must take his or her eyes off the road. A novel rearview mirror (13) has an electronic instrument display incorporated into it so that the driver may receive driving information without removing his or her eyes from the road. A speedometer (14), odometer (16), and fuel gauge (15) are easily placed on the mirror (13) so that readouts display through unsilvered portions. 'Trip log' functions (18) and other displays (17, 21 and 22) may also be incorporated. A microprocessor (20) conveniently processes data input and controls the displays.

Passive lower body restraint for automotive vehicles

Abstract: A passive knee restraint for an automotive vehicle is formed by the yieldable rearwardly facing lower wall of a dashboard portion positioned to engage the knees of a seated passenger in an automotive vehicle, thereby restraining the lower portion of the body of the passenger in the seat in the event of sudden vehicle deceleration According to the invention, this dashboard portion is at least partly swingable on the remainder of the dashboard to afford unrestricted access to the region behind it, thereby allowing repair and maintenance in this region and/or access to articles stored therein as, for example, when a glove compartment is provided behind this swingable part

Insulating dashboard cover having antiglare and heat resistant characteristics

Abstract: A dashboard cover is made of a polyester foam rubber backed upholstery material. Spots of adhesive is placed between the dashboard and cover to semi-permanently secure the cover to the dashboard. The cover is cut from an aluminum foil pattern which is formed by first placing tin foil on the exterior of the windshield and contouring it generally to the shape of the dashboard. The contoured aluminum is then placed on the dashboard and trimmed. The foil pattern is traced onto permanent pattern material.

Storage device for mounting in motor vehicles

Abstract: Storage devices for magnetic recording tape cassettes or the like, for mounting in motor vehicles with a housing subdivided into compartments and an attachment device arranged thereon are installed in a known manner in the dashboard area or on the transmission tunnel between the front seats of a motor vehicle. This is disadvantageous above all because of the damaging effects of light and sun. Therefore, the storage system is to be constructed in such a way that it can be attached directly under the vehicle roof, without a troublesome hangover downwards, within the reach of the vehicle occupants, even subsequently without changing the vehicle fixtures. For this purpose, it is composed of a housing which is of elongate, flat design in its lateral direction and whose compartments are arranged one next to the other in this lateral direction and are open towards the rear longitudinal side of the housing. Here, a clip arranged at the front longitudinal side of the housing serves for mounting.

Air duct for car dashboard - has flexible wall ducts clipped to underside of dashboard moulding

Abstract: The air duct for a car dashboard has separate ducting (3) applied to the underside of the preformed dashboard, and held in place with mounting flanges (6,7). The dashboard is shaped for impact absorption as is the duct. The dashboard is made of hard cardboard or similar material, clad in padding and shaped around the instrument consoles and steering wheel. The air duct is fitted before the dashboard is fitted as one complete unit, with defroster vents and facial vents assembled into the structure.(DS).

Security locker for dashboard mounting - has clip=on fitting and handgrips to serve as briefcase

Abstract: The dashboard mounting security locker has a case (3) held under the dashboard on snap fasteners and with the lower half hinged to swing down for access. When required the case can be unclipped and taken away when the vehicle is left, so that valuables are kept in safe reach. The case is plastic moulded, complete with hand grip. It locates on a stud (9) with its bottom end while the upper end has a snap fastener (8) to secure in place. An internal light, operated through pressure contacts, can also be fitted.

Automobile dashboard with instrument panel illumination - has printed lamp supply circuit applied to rear of panel

Abstract: The dashboard has a printed circuit carrying the supply circuit for the illumination system(16) directly in contact with the underside of the instrument panel (4), or alternatively the latter is formed of a material which allows the printed circuit to be directly applied to it. Pref. the instrument panel (4) fits across the front of a plastics housing (1) containing the various instruments and its peripheral edges support the lamps (16) providing the panel illuminations which are masked by a peripheral frame (18). This has colours diffusion panels in front of the lamps. A glass front plate (20) with a reflector shield (21) is fitted across the front of the panel (4).

Anti-glare dashboard trim for car - has echelon profiled surface to reflect light away from driver

Abstract: The motor vehicle anti glare dashboard trim, has the upper surface of the trim with a saw toothed- or echelon profile. The vertical sections (12) are directed away from the driver and are reflecting while the upper sections (13) are matt. Heat and light coming through the windscreen are reflected away from the driver and the profile prevents any reflection from the inside of the windscreen. The shape of the profile varies with the depth of the trim board so that any reflections of the board only show the matt surface. The reflecting vertical sections are diffuse. The design can be mounted on any dashboard trim.

Monitor for brake condition on individual wheels - gives display of assessed state or defect warning signal on dashboard

Abstract: The braking torque applied to each wheel, for every application of the brakes, is assessed by an electronic processor. The torque is evaluated against applied pedal pressure and the result classified as 'brakes operational' or 'brakes defective'. If desired the latter classification can be subdivided into excessive pedal pressure required, and a condition where the pedal pressure is lower than normal for the braking effort obtained. The output from the processor can be displayed on a small screen on the vehicle dashboard. The screen can be divided into three zones, the centre one showing brakes normal and the adjacent ones indicating a defect. Alternatively, the information can be given by warning lamps. As all wheels are measured separately and compared against a set reference the result for each wheel can be displayed if so desired.

Cover plate for dashboard switch panel - has moulded rear tags to secure unused cable connections

Abstract: A cover plate for a dashboard switch panel has a moulded rear with tags (17) onto which the press fit cable connectors are fitted. This allows subsequent fitting of the accessory without having to rewire the loom or remove the dashboard. The vehicle can be mass produced with the accessory wiring included in the normal loom. To fit any item the user merely removes the cover and replaces it with the switch. The other ends of the cables are clipped near the fitting points of the accessories.

Control unit for motor vehicle electrical equipment - issues binary coded signals for control and test of equipment

Abstract: A number of connecting units are combined in parallel onto a single control line connected to a central unit whose input circuits are connected to switches on the vehicle dashboard. When a switch is operated, the central unit issues a binary coded signal to address the unit to be controlled. The address signal also contains data bits which signal adjustment of the supply voltage for the controlled unit. Two other data bits in the address signal are placed on the control line, after the addressing process, to verify and signal the operating state for an indicator on the dashboard. Each control command is preceded by three logic zero pulses.

Illuminated vanity mirror for car - has pivot mounting in glove pocket including internal light

Abstract: The illuminated vanity mirror for a car has the mirror mounted on the dashboard either on, or in the glove pocket The lamp (5a) is mounted inside the glove pocket and is switched on automatically when the pocket is opened The mirror is mounted in a position where it can cause least injury The electric connections to the lamp are simple to lay and do not have to be taken through the mirror mounting, as in a visor mounting

Dashboard mounted handbrake lever for lorry - has recessed mounting alongside moulded handgrip

Abstract: The mounting for a handbrake lever on a lorry dashboard has the short lever (12) pivoted in a moulded recess (8) to provide an easily reached mounting with little danger of injury when struck. The mounting has a moulded handgrip (10) in one side. The mounting is part of a moulding on one end of the dashboard. Fresh air grilles are mounted in the moulding above and below the recess for a compact layout. The handgrip is on the outside of the dashboard and provides a grip when entering the lorry. The handbrake is operated by a servo system controlled by the short lever.

Supporting plate for radio equipment in control panel - has toothed helical cams acting against panel for vibration proof installation

Abstract: The supporting plate (1) fits into the opening in a control panel or dashboard (3) so that the rim (5) is in contact with the panel. Rotating helical cams (8) are turned, using the screwdriver slot (10) such that the upper cam face (11), after passing through the hole (14) in the side of the supporting plate, engages with the rear face of the panel. The cam shape enables the supporting plate to be mounted in panels of varying thickness (i-E). The upper and lower faces of the cams are serrated so that the assembly is shockproof and vibration proof. The radio equipment (2) is mounted on the support plate using the slotted holes (20). This may be carried out prior to mounting the support plate in the control panel/dashboard.