US20020093224A1 - Interior enclosure for vehicles - Google Patents

Interior enclosure for vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020093224A1
US20020093224A1 US09/764,971 US76497101A US2002093224A1 US 20020093224 A1 US20020093224 A1 US 20020093224A1 US 76497101 A US76497101 A US 76497101A US 2002093224 A1 US2002093224 A1 US 2002093224A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
dashboard
piece
interior enclosure
distal end
mounting bracket
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/764,971
Other versions
US6419304B1 (en
Inventor
Wayne Richardson
Mark Owsiany
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EAGLE III DIVERSIFIED Inc
O-R FEB Inc
Original Assignee
O-R FAB Inc
O-R FEB Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by O-R FAB Inc, O-R FEB Inc filed Critical O-R FAB Inc
Priority to US09/764,971 priority Critical patent/US6419304B1/en
Assigned to O-R FEB, INC. reassignment O-R FEB, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OWSIANY, MARK J.
Assigned to O-R FAB, INC. reassignment O-R FAB, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RICHARDSON, WAYNE A. II
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6419304B1 publication Critical patent/US6419304B1/en
Publication of US20020093224A1 publication Critical patent/US20020093224A1/en
Assigned to EAGLE III DIVERSIFIED, INC. reassignment EAGLE III DIVERSIFIED, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: O-R FAB, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/13—Roll-over protection

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to interior enclosures, and, more particularly, to interior enclosures for sport utility vehicles.
  • Interior enclosures are known in the art for use with sport utility vehicles, particularly such vehicles as the Jeep® Wrangler® and the like. Such enclosures are found to be aesthetically pleasing and offer mounting points for speakers, storage devices and the like within the sport utility vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior enclosure of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a rear and side perspective view of the interior enclosure of the present invention installed on a vehicle;
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with the vehicle's top removed;
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with the vehicle's top on;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 1 - 5 The present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 - 5 is an interior enclosure 10 extending along a door frame 16 a sport utility vehicle 18 from a rollover bar 27 to a dashboard 29 .
  • Interior enclosure 10 comprises two parallel bars 12 having a horizontal portion 14 with a rear edge 25 which is adapted to mount to rollover bar 27 , preferably by welding or bolting.
  • a leading portion 20 extends forwardly and downwardly from horizontal portion 14 .
  • a distal end 30 of leading portion 20 has means 28 for mounting to dashboard 29 .
  • Parallel bars 12 are preferably steel tubes and are adapted to conform in shape to the upper edge of door frame 16 of a particular sport utility vehicle 18 .
  • Leading portion 20 is adapted to conform in shape to a front edge 22 of the window portion 24 of door frame 16 .
  • Leading portion 20 in the illustrated embodiment, extends downward to the top and side of dashboard 29 of vehicle 18 .
  • sport utility vehicle 18 is a Jeep® TJ®. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the exact shapes that bars 12 conform to is dependent upon which sport utility vehicle is used.
  • a center cross bar 26 which provides lateral support for enclosure 10 and further provides mounting points for automobile accessories.
  • mounting means 28 comprises a back piece 32 , a front piece 34 , a dashboard piece 36 and a mounting bracket 38 .
  • Mounting bracket 38 is a generally right triangular, planar piece of metal having a base 39 which is mounted, preferably by welding, to distal end 30 and extending downwardly therefrom. A leading edge 40 thereof extends straight downwardly and forms a right angle with front piece 34 . Front piece 34 is vertically oriented and extends laterally outwardly from mounting bracket 38 to flatly engage a door jam 42 of vehicle.
  • Back piece 32 is positioned behind door jam 42 thereby, in combination with front piece 34 , capturing door jam 42 therebetween.
  • Bolts (not shown) are inserted through back piece 32 and front piece 34 to secure said pieces together.
  • Dashboard piece 36 is a horizontally oriented flat piece which extends laterally inward from bracket 38 to engage the top of the dashboard of vehicle 18 .
  • Dashboard piece 36 provides vertical support for enclosure 10 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

An interior enclosure extends along a door frame of a sport utility vehicle from a rollover bar to a dashboard. The interior enclosure comprises two parallel bars. Each parallel bar has a horizontal portion with a rear edge which is adapted to mount to a rollover bar. Each parallel bar further has a leading portion which extends forwardly and downwardly from the horizontal portion. The distal end of the leading portion being mounted to a dashboard. A center cross bar extends between the two horizontal portions proximate to the leading portion.

Description

    RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application is a continuation of provisional application serial No. 60/238,605 filed Oct. [0001] 6, 2000.
    • TECHNICAL FIELD
  • This invention relates in general to interior enclosures, and, more particularly, to interior enclosures for sport utility vehicles. [0002]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Interior enclosures are known in the art for use with sport utility vehicles, particularly such vehicles as the Jeep® Wrangler® and the like. Such enclosures are found to be aesthetically pleasing and offer mounting points for speakers, storage devices and the like within the sport utility vehicle. [0003]
  • However, such enclosures are generally floor mounted and require drilling to install. Further, the present systems block air vents for air conditioning and heating or interfere with the window cranks on vehicles. Thus, there is a need for an interior enclosure which does is not floor mounted and does not block vents or window cranks yet offers the same aesthetics and mounting points as the present systems. [0004]
  • The present invention meets these needs. [0005]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of this invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing interior enclosure which does not require drilling to install. [0006]
  • It is a further object of this invention to provide a dash mounted interior enclosure which is aesthetically pleasing and offers mounting points for desired accessories. [0007]
  • Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the specification annexed hereto.[0008]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior enclosure of the present invention; [0009]
  • FIG. 2 is a rear and side perspective view of the interior enclosure of the present invention installed on a vehicle; [0010]
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with the vehicle's top removed; [0011]
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with the vehicle's top on; and [0012]
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. [0013]
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • The present invention is shown in FIGS. [0014] 1-5 is an interior enclosure 10 extending along a door frame 16 a sport utility vehicle 18 from a rollover bar 27 to a dashboard 29. Interior enclosure 10 comprises two parallel bars 12 having a horizontal portion 14 with a rear edge 25 which is adapted to mount to rollover bar 27, preferably by welding or bolting. A leading portion 20 extends forwardly and downwardly from horizontal portion 14. A distal end 30 of leading portion 20 has means 28 for mounting to dashboard 29.
  • [0015] Parallel bars 12 are preferably steel tubes and are adapted to conform in shape to the upper edge of door frame 16 of a particular sport utility vehicle 18. Leading portion 20 is adapted to conform in shape to a front edge 22 of the window portion 24 of door frame 16. Leading portion 20, in the illustrated embodiment, extends downward to the top and side of dashboard 29 of vehicle 18.
  • In the illustrated example, [0016] sport utility vehicle 18 is a Jeep® TJ®. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the exact shapes that bars 12 conform to is dependent upon which sport utility vehicle is used.
  • Extending between [0017] horizontal portions 14 proximate to the leading portion 20 is a center cross bar 26 which provides lateral support for enclosure 10 and further provides mounting points for automobile accessories.
  • Means for mounting [0018] 28 to dashboard 29 provided at the distal end 30 of vertical portion 20 is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. In the presently preferred embodiment, mounting means 28 comprises a back piece 32, a front piece 34, a dashboard piece 36 and a mounting bracket 38.
  • [0019] Mounting bracket 38 is a generally right triangular, planar piece of metal having a base 39 which is mounted, preferably by welding, to distal end 30 and extending downwardly therefrom. A leading edge 40 thereof extends straight downwardly and forms a right angle with front piece 34. Front piece 34 is vertically oriented and extends laterally outwardly from mounting bracket 38 to flatly engage a door jam 42 of vehicle.
  • [0020] Back piece 32 is positioned behind door jam 42 thereby, in combination with front piece 34, capturing door jam 42 therebetween. Bolts (not shown) are inserted through back piece 32 and front piece 34 to secure said pieces together.
  • [0021] Dashboard piece 36 is a horizontally oriented flat piece which extends laterally inward from bracket 38 to engage the top of the dashboard of vehicle 18. Dashboard piece 36 provides vertical support for enclosure 10.
  • Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. [0022]

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:
1. An interior enclosure extending along a door frame of a sport utility vehicle from a rollover bar to a dashboard, the interior enclosure comprising:
two parallel bars having a horizontal portion having a rear edge adapted to mount to a rollover bar and a leading portion which extends forwardly and downwardly from the horizontal portion, a distal end of the leading portion having means for mounting to a dashboard, and
a center cross bar extending between the two horizontal portions proximate to the leading portion.
2. The interior enclosure of claim 1 wherein the leading portion is adapted to conform in shape to a front edge of a window portion of a door frame.
3. The interior enclosure of claim 1 herein the leading portion extends downward to the top and side of a dashboard of a vehicle.
4. The interior enclosure of claim 1 wherein the rear edge is attached to a rollover bar.
5. The interior structure of claim 1 wherein the means for mounting to a dashboard comprises a back piece and a front piece adapted to capture a door jam of a vehicle therebetween, the front piece being mounted to the distal end, a dashboard piece mounted to the distal end adapted to engage the top of a dashboard.
6. The interior enclosure of claim 5 further having a mounting bracket mounted to the distal end, the dashboard piece and the front piece being mounted to the mounting bracket.
7. The interior enclosure of claim 6 wherein the mounting bracket is a right triangular, planar piece of metal having a base is mounted to the distal end, the mounting bracket extending downwardly therefrom, the mounting bracket having a leading edge which extends straight downwardly and forms a right angle with the front piece.
8. The interior enclosure of claim 5 wherein the front piece and the back piece are bolted together.
9. The interior enclosure of claim 5 wherein the dashboard piece is a horizontally oriented flat piece which extends laterally inward from the distal end to engage the top of the dashboard of the vehicle.
10. An interior enclosure extending along a door frame of a sport utility vehicle from a rollover bar to a dashboard, the interior enclosure comprising:
two parallel bars having a horizontal portion having a rear edge attached to a rollover bar and a leading portion which extends forwardly and downwardly from the horizontal portion, the leading edge being adapted to conform in shape to a front edge of a door frame and extending downwardly to the top and side of a dashboard of a vehicle, a distal end of the leading portion having means for mounting to a dashboard,
the means for mounting to a dashboard comprising a back piece and a front piece adapted to capture a door jam of a vehicle therebetween, the front piece being mounted to the distal end, a dashboard piece mounted to the distal end adapted to engage the top of a dashboard; and
a center cross bar extending between the two horizontal portions proximate to the leading portion.
11. The interior enclosure of claim 10 further having a mounting bracket mounted to the distal end, the dashboard piece and the front piece being mounted to the mounting bracket.
12. The interior enclosure of claim 11 wherein the mounting bracket is a right triangular, planar piece of metal having a base is mounted to the distal end, the mounting bracket extending downwardly therefrom, the mounting bracket having a leading edge which extends straight downwardly and forms a right angle with the front piece.
13. The interior enclosure of claim 10 wherein the front piece and the back piece are bolted together.
14. The interior enclosure of claim 10 wherein the dashboard piece is a horizontally oriented flat piece which extends laterally inward from the distal end to engage the top of the dashboard of the vehicle.
US09/764,971 2000-10-06 2001-01-16 Interior enclosure for vehicles Expired - Fee Related US6419304B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/764,971 US6419304B1 (en) 2000-10-06 2001-01-16 Interior enclosure for vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23860500P 2000-10-06 2000-10-06
US09/764,971 US6419304B1 (en) 2000-10-06 2001-01-16 Interior enclosure for vehicles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6419304B1 US6419304B1 (en) 2002-07-16
US20020093224A1 true US20020093224A1 (en) 2002-07-18

Family

ID=26931811

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/764,971 Expired - Fee Related US6419304B1 (en) 2000-10-06 2001-01-16 Interior enclosure for vehicles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US6419304B1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11446991B2 (en) 2018-08-28 2022-09-20 James Bell Collapsible door frame and fabric cover
US11446990B2 (en) 2018-02-15 2022-09-20 James Bell Accessory utility vehicle door panel
US20230027831A1 (en) * 2019-10-30 2023-01-26 Polaris Industries Inc. Roll over protection system
US11752844B2 (en) 2021-05-25 2023-09-12 James Bell Replacement Jeep® door frame and fabric cover

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003182647A (en) * 2001-12-20 2003-07-03 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd Vehicular rear body structure
US6508505B1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2003-01-21 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Stiffener bar bezel
US7083223B2 (en) * 2002-12-13 2006-08-01 Volvo Last Vagnar Ab Vehicle cab
DE602004021565D1 (en) * 2003-02-27 2009-07-30 Komatsu Mfg Co Ltd ROPS-COVER FOR HYDRAULIC TRAILER
US7140670B2 (en) * 2003-08-19 2006-11-28 Custom Products Of Litchfield Interconnection system for overhead frame structures
AU2006332048B2 (en) * 2005-12-28 2012-03-15 Yanmar Co., Ltd. Tractor
US20080106112A1 (en) * 2005-12-28 2008-05-08 Yanmar Co., Ltd. Tractor
US7604277B2 (en) * 2005-12-28 2009-10-20 Yanmar Co., Ltd. Working vehicle equipped with assist grip
US8162388B2 (en) * 2006-07-03 2012-04-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Multiple tube body side construction for automobiles
JP2008062736A (en) * 2006-09-06 2008-03-21 Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd Four-wheel travel vehicle for irregular ground
US9315219B2 (en) * 2013-10-18 2016-04-19 Yanmar Co., Ltd. Tractor
US10604194B2 (en) 2018-04-09 2020-03-31 Synoptic Designs LLC Apparatus for the modification of vehicles

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3622177A (en) * 1969-10-20 1971-11-23 Richard Lee Notestine Roll bar cage for vehicles
US3622175A (en) * 1970-01-29 1971-11-23 Robert F Benz Safety canopy for snowmobiles
US3849908A (en) * 1971-12-27 1974-11-26 J Sturgeon Method and means for training drivers to operate automobiles
US3785439A (en) * 1972-02-09 1974-01-15 Leroy Britt Tractor canopy sprinkler system
US4217970A (en) * 1974-01-28 1980-08-19 Chika John J Configuration and construction of four wheeled motor vehicles
US3964782A (en) * 1975-02-05 1976-06-22 International Harvester Company Interlocking welded construction for roll over protective structures
US4232755A (en) * 1977-02-07 1980-11-11 Douglas Dow Electric motor vehicle
US4135591A (en) * 1977-10-17 1979-01-23 Eberle Keith F Snowmobile rollover protective structure
US4538752A (en) * 1984-09-19 1985-09-03 Welter Charles J Top carrier for a convertible jeep-type vehicle
US4726166A (en) * 1986-03-14 1988-02-23 American Motors Corporation Vehicle frame rail assembly and underbody construction
US4800986A (en) * 1988-03-01 1989-01-31 Hayes Iii James C Collapsible tower for ATVs
US4995537A (en) * 1989-12-19 1991-02-26 Thedieck T Mark Removable gun rack
USD332437S (en) * 1990-05-16 1993-01-12 Lay Jr John Combined article cab and rod bar safety cage
US5327989A (en) * 1991-03-20 1994-07-12 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Four-wheeled buggy
US5743561A (en) * 1995-09-14 1998-04-28 Kim; Sinil Light motorcycle roll bar
JP4031819B2 (en) * 1998-09-07 2008-01-09 本田技研工業株式会社 Small four-wheel vehicle
US6149228A (en) * 1998-12-09 2000-11-21 Deere & Company Modular operator enclosure
US6189962B1 (en) * 1999-08-13 2001-02-20 James M. Henderson Vehicle top and method
JP4287578B2 (en) * 2000-01-14 2009-07-01 本田技研工業株式会社 Vehicle parking brake device
JP2001199283A (en) * 2000-01-14 2001-07-24 Honda Motor Co Ltd Compact vehicle

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11446990B2 (en) 2018-02-15 2022-09-20 James Bell Accessory utility vehicle door panel
US11446991B2 (en) 2018-08-28 2022-09-20 James Bell Collapsible door frame and fabric cover
US20230027831A1 (en) * 2019-10-30 2023-01-26 Polaris Industries Inc. Roll over protection system
US11814104B2 (en) * 2019-10-30 2023-11-14 Polaris Industries Inc. Roll over protection system
US11752844B2 (en) 2021-05-25 2023-09-12 James Bell Replacement Jeep® door frame and fabric cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6419304B1 (en) 2002-07-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6419304B1 (en) Interior enclosure for vehicles
US8827293B1 (en) Decorative side bar for a motor vehicle
JP3432018B2 (en) Car body support structure
EP0662902B1 (en) Crossmember for the dashboard of a motor vehicle
US20120104802A1 (en) Overhead frame structure system
US10099633B2 (en) License plate mounting bracket for vehicles having mesh or horizontal grilles
CA2643184C (en) Partition for separating cabin and cargo areas in a motor vehicle
US7658428B2 (en) Device for attaching a backrest
US6139082A (en) Cross car beam with adjustable mounting locations
EP1762437A3 (en) Automotive front body structure
US7585009B2 (en) Side curtain air bag deployment pillar bracket and garnish
JP2907502B2 (en) How to assemble the front body of the vehicle
EP0919452A3 (en) Bumper-mounting structure for frame-mounted-body vehicle
US6837534B2 (en) Front grille guard for vehicle
GB2540541A (en) A Motor vehicle having an instrument panel
JP3064288U (en) Gas generator housing
JPH10236183A (en) Instrument panel supporting structure of automobile
JP3921990B2 (en) Radiator grille mounting structure
JP2004359044A (en) Mounting method and structure of on-vehicle instrument
US8419112B2 (en) Vehicle pillar garnish
US20030118206A1 (en) Combined speaker/dome lamp
CN206155396U (en) Car back row safety belt coiler installation device
JP3268424B2 (en) Mounting structure of vehicle front underrun protector
JP2006297978A (en) Rear bumper structure of vehicle
JP2004142578A (en) Mounting structure for front underrun protector

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: O-R FAB, INC., ARIZONA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RICHARDSON, WAYNE A. II;REEL/FRAME:011479/0397

Effective date: 20010111

Owner name: O-R FEB, INC., ARIZONA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OWSIANY, MARK J.;REEL/FRAME:011479/0529

Effective date: 20010111

AS Assignment

Owner name: EAGLE III DIVERSIFIED, INC., ARIZONA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:O-R FAB, INC.;REEL/FRAME:015083/0525

Effective date: 20031016

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20060716

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES DISMISSED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFS); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES FILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFP); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

REFU Refund

Free format text: REFUND - SURCHARGE, PETITION TO ACCEPT PYMT AFTER EXP, UNINTENTIONAL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: R2551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY