Patent ID: 8672392

Claim:
An instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle, the instrument panel assembly operable to mount a meter cluster, the meter cluster positioned adjacent to a shifter of the automotive vehicle, the instrument panel assembly comprising: a main panel, the main panel including the meter cluster mounted thereto, the main panel further including a mounting aperture for the meter cluster, the meter cluster mounted to the mounting aperture, the main panel including a rear surface and an upper surface defining a mounting space for the meter cluster, the rear surface including the mounting aperture for the meter cluster, the upper surface extending away from the rear surface; a plurality of weakening apertures positioned on the main panel, the plurality of weakening apertures on the main panel located adjacent to, behind and surrounding the meter cluster, the plurality of weakening apertures positioned on the rear surface and extending onto the upper surface, the mounting apertures of the rear surface positioned between the plurality of weakening apertures operable to weaken the structure of the main panel to facilitate breakage of the main panel when the shifter hits the meter cluster in the event of an automotive vehicle accident.