Patent ID: 6572179
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A cab side panel assembly for a vehicle having an operator access opening, said panel assembly being formed as a single unitary piece having narrow posts defining forward and upper portions of the operator opening, the panel assembly comprising inner and outer die formed panels each die formed panel being formed from a single sheet of material, the outer panel having an outer surface and a rounded peripheral edge with peripheral flange portions generally perpendicular to a plane of the outer surface, the outer surface including outwardly extending wall sections forming recesses open to an inner side thereof, and the inner panel having a planar surface mating against inner surface portions of the outer panel and nesting inside the peripheral flange portions of the outer panel and having wall portions that span the recesses of the outer panel, and the inner panel having a inner peripheral flange resting against the peripheral flange portions of the outer panel, the inner and outer panels being rigidly joined together at the peripheral flange portions to form a side wall panel assembly that has box section forms at the recesses, the recesses surrounding the major portions of the operator access opening and the inner and outer panels having no portions extending outwardly from the perpendicular flange portions of the outer panel.