INSTRUMENT-PANEL MOUNTING SYSTEM

摘要

An instrument-panel mounting system mounts an instrument panel to the body of an automotive vehicle. The mounting system includes an instrument panel having at least one base panel with at least one aperture defined through the base panel and adapted to be aligned with a corresponding aperture on the vehicle body. A threaded fastener is received in the aligned apertures defined through the base panel and vehicle body and adapted to generate a clamping force to mount the instrument panel to the vehicle body. A clamping sheet is disposed between the base panel and vehicle body. The clamping sheet includes an aperture defined through the clamping sheet and aligned with the aligned apertures defined through the base panel and vehicle body. The clamping sheet also includes a strut defined about the periphery of the aperture defined through the clamping sheet and extending in the general direction of the clamping force generated by the fastener. The strut acts to distribute the clamping force through the clamping sheet and vehicle body.