The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 25, 2006
Rudy M. Vican, Oxford, MI (US);
Rudy M. Vican, Oxford, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A tubular instrument panel support structure is provided. The structure includes a plurality of support tubes aligned substantially end-to-end and extending laterally to span the width of a vehicle body for the support of various instruments and devices within the panel. A plurality of brackets and braces are welded or attached to the support tubes and extend radially outward therefrom to define various areas within the instrument panel such as a driver-side, console-side, and passenger-side. The lateral support tubes are connected to and separated into segments by a plate or plates, and each tube segment having a different configuration or gauge thickness suitable to the unique forces born by each segment. The lateral support tubes are operatively connected to a vehicle hinge pillar to thereby provide substantially rigid lateral support to the instrument panel.