Automotive instrument panel apparatus
US5461361A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K2360/334
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An instrument panel projection apparatus is mounted on a pivotable steering column or the ceiling of the vehicle. A small steering wheel, preferably no more than twelve inches in diameter, is also mounted on the steering column. The instrument panel image is projected onto a reflection plate. The steering wheel, reflection plate and the instrument panel cluster are positioned so that the driver's sight line for viewing the image of the instrument panel cluster is over the steering wheel. Further, when the steering column is pivoted or telescoped, the steering wheel and the instrument panel cluster are also pivoted and telescoped, so as to continue to provide a sight line for viewing the instrument cluster over the steering wheel. The projection apparatus may include a lens system with a magnifying lens to increase the size of the projected image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.