Under dash cover

• US 4,887,861 A
• Filed: 09/15/1988
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John E. Moch, Jones, Ronald L.
• Original Assignee: John E. Moch, Jones, Ronald L.
• Inventors: Jones, Ronald L., Moch, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/244,741
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 296/70, 180/90, D12/192
• US Class Current: 296/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0256 Dashboard liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/083 for fire walls or floors

Abstract

A detachably attached panel for closing off the bottom of the space behind a vehicle instrument panel, directly under the dashboard so as to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the vehicle interior is described. The under dash cover comprises an axially elongate formed body having an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface. Contiguous with the upper edge of the elongate body is a plurality of lips, adapted to rest on a frame lip under the vehicle dashboard. The lower edge of the under dash cover is provided with a magnet to held hold the dash cover in place, and to facilitate ease of installation. A tab is provided at the opposite end of the cover and is constructed and arranged to secure the under dash cover in place by insertion into a loop, disposed on the upwardly sloping surface of the vehicle floor.

Claims

1. In combination, a motor vehicle having a dashboard, an instrument panel with a ledge portion projecting away from the vehicle interior, and a metal wall separating the passenger section of the vehicle from the frontal cavity, an improvement comprising:

an under dash cover having an axially elongate body, formed to fit the contours of the area under the dashboard, proximate the instrument panel, said body having a outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface, an upper edge and a lower edge;

at least one lip, connected to said body along the upper edge thereof, said lip adapted to rest on the ledge portion of the instrument panel, which is situated behind the instrument panel, under the dashboard;

a magnet, attached to said inwardly facing surface proximate said lower edge and adjacent one end of said body, said magnet adapted to engage the metal wall so as to help hold said under dash cover in place; and

means for quickly releasably connecting said body at the floor board edge, said means for connecting including a tab portion and an associated mating connector.

2. An under dash cover as defined by claim 1, wherein said associated mating connector is a loop, secured to the vehicle floor and adapted to receive said tab portion so as to secure said under dash cover in place.

3. An under dash cover as defined by claim 1, further comprising:

a vent opening, proximate said tab portion, said vent opening being surrounded by a U-shaped seal, secured to said inwardly facing surface, said seal adapted to channel air flow in a forward direction, toward the vehicle interior.

4. An under dash cover as defined by claim 3, wherein said seal is formed of charcoal polyester-urethane.

5. An under dash cover as defined by claim 3, wherein said body exhibits a conical hump proximate said vent opening, said hump adapted to accommodate an air conditioning duct once said under dash cover is operatively installed.

6. An under dash cover as defined by claim 1, wherein said outwardly facing surface of said under dash cover is stippled to reduce glare.

7. A motor vehicle as defined by claim 1, wherein said under dash cover is made unobtrusive by covering said outwardly facing surface with carpeting to match the vehicle interior.

8. An under dash cover as defined by claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a Porsche having a 911 body style.

9. A detachably attached panel, suitable for mounting within a vehicle, said panel adapted to close off an area behind a vehicle instrument panel under a dashboard, comprising:

an axially elongate body, formed to fit the contours of the area under the dashboard, proximate the instrument panel, said body having an inwardly facing surface, an outwardly facing surface, an upper edge and a lower edge;

at least one lip, connected to said body along the upper edge thereof, said lip adapted to rest on a ledge portion of the instrument panel, which is situated behind the instrument panel, under the dashboard; and

a tab portion, extending substantially perpendicularly from said lower edge of said elongate body, said tab portion adapted for insertion into an associated mating connector.

10. A detachably attached panel as defined by claim 9, further comprising a vent opening proximate said tab portion, said vent opening being surrounded by a U-shaped seal, secured to said inwardly facing surface, said seal adapted to channel air flow in a forward direction, into said vehicle interior.

11. A detachably attached panel, as defined by claim 10, wherein said tab is adapted for insertion into a loop which is secured to the upwardly sloping floor surface in said vehicle.

13. A detachably attached panel as defined by claim 10, wherein said outwardly facing surface is stippled so as to reduce glare.

14. A detachably attached panel as defined by claim 10, wherein said outwardly facing surface of said elongate body is covered with carpeting so as to provide an unobtrusive covering for said space behind the instrument panel.

15. A detachably attached panel as defined by claim 10, wherein vehicle is a Porsche having a 911 body style.

12. A detachably attached panel as defined by 11, wherein said axially elongate body exhibits a conical hump near said vent opening on the outer surface thereof, said hump providing a channel on the inwardly facing surface into which an air conditioning duct may reside when said device is operatively installed within said vehicle.

16. A quick release covering for closing off the bottom of the space under a vehicle dashboard, comprising:

an elongate panel shaped to fit the contours of the area underneath the dashboard, said panel having a an upper edge, a lower edge and first and second ends;

a magnet, secured to said panel proximate said lower edge and said first end, said magnet adapted to attach to a metal wall under the dashboard of the vehicle, said wall separating the passenger section of the vehicle from the frontal cavity; and

a connector element, connected to said panel proximate said lower edge and said second end, said connector element adapted for quick releasability and insertion into a mating connector element, secured to an upwardly sloping surface of the vehicle floor.

17. A method of concealing unsightly wires hanging below the vehicle dashboard of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing an under dash cover, having a outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface, at least one lip, a magnet and a tab portion;

aligning said lips of said under dash cover with a ledge portion of the dashboard;

rotating said under dash cover upwardly toward said dashboard until said magnet engages a metal surface under the dashboard of the motor vehicle; and

lifting said tab portion above a loop element, secured to an upwardly sloping surface of the vehicle floor and inserting said tab therethrough so as to secure said under dash cover in place.

18. An under dash cover as defined by claim 17, wherein said vehicle is a Porsche having a 911 body style.

19. An unobtrusive covering for closing off the bottom of the space behind a vehicle instrument panel under a dash board, comprising:

an elongate panel, formed to fit the contours of the area under the dashboard, proximate the instrument panel, said elongate panel having an outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, and first and second ends, said elongate panel having a convex curvature with respect to the outwardly facing surface thereof;

at least one lip, connected to said elongate panel along the upper edge thereof, said lip subtended at an angle with respect to the elongate body, resulting from the convexity thereof and adapted to rest on a ledge at the base of the instrument panel projecting toward the vehicle frontal cavity;

a magnet secured to said inwardly facing surface, proximate said lower edge and adjacent said first end of said elongate panel, said magnet adapted to engage a metal wall under the dashboard which separates the passenger section of the vehicle from the frontal cavity; and

a tab extending substantially perpendicularly from said lower edge of said elongate panel, proximate said second end, said tab adapted to mate with a loop, said loop disposed on an upwardly sloping surface of the vehicle floor.

20. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 19, wherein said lip is subtended at an angle of between 45°

and 60°

with respect to said elongate panel.

21. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 19, wherein said lip is subtended at an angle of between 53°

and 53°

with respect to said elongate panel.

22. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 19, wherein said loop lies along a horizontal plane which is at least 3.375 inches and not more than 6.375 inches below said ledge at the base of the instrument panel.

23. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 22 wherein said elongate panel is positioned within the vehicle under the dashboard and is subtended at an angle of not more than 26°

with respect to said horizontal plane when properly installed.

24. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 23, wherein said elongate panel is subtended at an angle of between 19°

and 23°

.

25. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 24, wherein said angle is 21°

.

26. An unobtrusive covering as defined by claim 19, wherein said vehicle is a Porsche having a 911 body style.