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:
Oct. 04, 2016
Filed:
Jan. 21, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, KY (US);
Nicholas Earl Merkel, Canton, MI (US);
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Erlanger, KY (US);
Abstract
An instrument panel and energy absorbing system for a vehicle includes an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle. At least one bracket is secured to the instrument panel reinforcement. A one piece instrument panel includes an open bin structure formed thereon. An opening is formed in the instrument panel and receives a glove box structure. A trim panel is connected to the instrument panel about the opening and open bin structure. When an impact force is applied to the glove box, the glove box travels along a path from an unengaged position to an engaged position wherein the trim panel contacts the at least one bracket to absorb at least a portion of the impact force, when the glove box is in the engaged position.