Moveable panel assembly

• US 7,021,691 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert M., Wright, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B.
• Application Number:
  US10/954,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 296/70, 296/24.34, 162/50, 340/815.4, 340/815.47, 340/815.83, 340/815.86
• US Class Current: 296/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/774 on or in the centre console
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/774 on or in the centre console
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/102 storable or foldable in a non-use position

Abstract

A panel assembly includes a housing defining first and second troughs. Each trough has an arcuate surface. A panel is pivotally attached to the housing. The panel is moveable between first and second positions. The panel includes first and second protrusions. The first protrusion extends in the first trough adjacent the arcuate surface of the first trough. The second protrusion extends in the second trough adjacent the arcuate surface of the second trough. Movement of the panel between the first and second positions moves the first protrusion over the arcuate surface of the first trough, and moves the second protrusion over the arcuate surface of the second trough.

Claims

1. A moveable panel assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing defining first and second troughs, each trough having an arcuate surface; and

a panel pivotally mounted to said housing, said panel being moveable between first and second positions, said panel including first and second protrusions, said first protrusion extending in said first trough adjacent said arcuate surface of said first trough, said second protrusion extending in said second trough adjacent said arcuate surface of said second trough, such that movement of said panel between said first and second positions moves said first protrusion over said arcuate surface of said first trough, and moves said second protrusion over said arcuate surface of said second trough.

2. The panel assembly according to claim 1 wherein said panel further includes a component.

3. The panel assembly according to claim 2 wherein said component is on a front face of said panel.

4. The panel assembly according to claim 2 wherein said component is an electrical component.

5. The panel assembly according to claim 4 wherein said electrical component is a vehicle system control.

6. The panel assembly according to claim 4 wherein said electrical component is a display screen.

7. The panel assembly of claim 2 wherein said panel assembly includes a flexible cable extending from said panel, said flexible cable electrically connecting said component to another electrical component.

8. The panel assembly of claim 7 wherein said flexible cable extends from said first protrusion.

9. The panel assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel is pivotably mounted to said housing about a pivot axis.

10. The panel assembly of claim 9 wherein said first trough is defined about a first radius extending from said pivot axis and wherein said second trough is defined about a second radius extending from said pivot axis.

11. The panel assembly of claim 10 wherein said second radius is less than said first radius.

12. The panel assembly of claim 11 wherein said flexible cable extends from said first protrusion at a distance from said pivot axis between said first radius and said second radius.

13. The panel assembly of claim 10 wherein said first protrusion extends in said first trough at a distance from said pivot axis slightly less than said first radius and wherein said second protrusion extends in said second trough at a distance from said pivot axis slightly less than said second radius.

14. The panel assembly according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a recess.

15. The panel assembly according to claim 14 wherein said panel generally covers a portion of said recess in said first position, and generally exposes said recess in said second position.

16. The panel assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel is pivotably mounted for movement of rotation greater than 90 degrees.

17. The panel assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel includes a recess stop portion that cooperates with a portion of said housing to limit the movement of said panel.

18. A movable panel assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted within the interior of a vehicle, said housing defining first and second troughs, each trough having an arcuate surface, said housing including a recess;

a panel pivotably mounted about a pivot axis to said housing, wherein said first trough is defined about a first radius extending from said pivot axis and wherein said second trough is defined about a second radius extending from said pivot axis, said second radius being less than said first radius, said panel pivotably movable between a first position and a second position, said panel including first and second protrusions, said first protrusion extending in said first trough adjacent said arcuate surface of said first trough, said second protrusion extending in said second trough adjacent said arcuate surface of said second trough, such that movement of said panel between said first and second positions moves said first protrusion over said arcuate surface of said first trough, and moves said second protrusion over said arcuate surface of said second trough, said panel including an electrical component on at least one of a front face and a back face, wherein said panel generally covers a portion of said recess in said first position, and generally exposes said recess in said second position; and

a flexible cable extending from said first protrusion at a distance from said pivot axis between said first radius and said second radius.