The present invention relates to a compact control unit for motor vehicles, particularly trucks.

Background Art

It is known that in motor vehicles the controls for the various functions, such as the switches for lights, windshield wipers, turn indicators, power windows and the like, are distributed in various positions on the steering column or on the dashboard or anyway in the vicinity of the driver's seat.

Actuation of these accessory driving functions can therefore be awkward, particularly in difficult driving conditions, for example on curves or on rough or winding roads. It is in fact necessary to move one hand from the driving position and sometimes imbalance one's body.

This makes driving unsafe and in any case tiring due to the greater attention required; furthermore, it is necessary to check any swerving of the vehicle. Disclosure of the Invention

An aim of the present invention is to solve the above described problem by providing a compact control unit for motor vehicles, particularly trucks, that allows greater safety in driving and a more straightforward control of the vehicle.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact control unit for motor vehicles which is simple in concept, safely reliable in operation and versatile in use.

With this aim and this object in view, there is

provided, according to the invention, a compact control unit for motor vehicles, particularly trucks, characterized in that it comprises a tubular case mountable on a motor vehicle gearshift and closed at the top by a cover member defining a base on which the controls and indicator elements of several accessory driving functions are grouped and appropriately distributed.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the compact control unit for motor vehicles, particularly trucks, according to the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a side view of the compact control unit for motor vehicles according to the invention; figure 2 is a top view thereof; figure 3 is a corresponding top view of a different embodiment of the control unit. Ways of carrying out the invention

With particular reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates the compact control unit, which is mounted on the gearshift 2 of the motor vehicle, particularly a truck.

The control unit 1 includes a tubular case 3 which is mounted on said gearshift 2 so as to allow the grip knob thereof to protrude upward. The case 3 tapers downward and has, in a downward region, a groove 4 for the coupling of a conventional elastic bellows 5 for covering the base of the gearshift 2.

In its upward region, the case 3 is closed by a cover formed by two complementary portions 6 and 7, hereinafter termed front and rear portions with reference to the advancement direction of the vehicle, which surround and secure the gearshift 2; the two portions of the cover in fact have a continuous peri etric edge which forms, at the mutual joining plane, respective semicircular recesses for coupling to the gearshift 2.

The covers 6 and 7 are coupled by means of respective metal elements 8 which cooperate so as to form a sort of collar that follows the contour of the edge of said lids at the joining plane. The half-collars 8 are secured by means of two screws 9 arranged symmetrically on the sides of the gearshift 2; the screws 9 are inserted through a hole of one of said half-collars 8 and screwed in a corresponding hole of the opposite half-collar (figure 2).

In another embodiment, the covers 6 and 7 are coupled, at said edge, by two fork-like elements 10 which are arranged symmetrically at the sides of the gearshift 2 (figure 3). The forks 10 fit from below over the coupled edges of the covers 6 and 7, which are then secured by means of screws 11 which are inserted through a hole in one of the tines of said forks and screwed in a corresponding hole of the opposite tine. The coupled covers 6 and 7 are then associated with the case 3 and fit, by means of said edge, on a complementarily shaped upper edge 12 of said case. The covers 6 and 7 are fixed to the case 3 by means of screws 13 passing through said edges. The front cover 6 forms a base 14 on which the controls

and indicator elements of several functions are grouped and appropriately distributed; preferably, the base 14 has at least one front flap 14a which is tilted so as to offer better access. Of course it is possible to arrange some of

5 said controls in the rear cover 7 as well.

In particular, as shown in figure 2, the windshield wiper switch 15 and the high-beam headlight switch 16 are arranged on the front flap 14a of the cover 6, together with an associated indicator light 17. The turn indicator lever 10 18 is arranged at the center of the base 14 in an intermediate position between associated indicator lights 19. Finally, the horn sounding button 20, the power window actuation buttons 21 and 22 which are symmetrical to the emergency light 23, and the high-beam headlight flashing

15 button 24 are arranged in this order proximate to the gearshift 2.

Conveniently, said controls have a built-in night lighting system that is turned on when the vehicle lights are switched on. 20 Figure 3 illustrates a different embodiment of the control unit, wherein said controls, designated by the same reference numerals for greater clarity, are arranged differently. In particular, the power window buttons 21 and 22 are arranged on the front flap and are symmetrical to the

25 windshield wiper switch 15, to the indicator light 17 and to the high-beam headlight switch 16. The turn indicator lever

18 is arranged at the center of the base 14 together with the associated indicator lights 19. Finally, the buttons 26 for locking the differential or for the rear fog lamp and of 30 the engine brake are arranged proximate to the gearshift 2

in addition to the horn sounding button 20, to the emergency light button 23, and to the flashing high-beam headlight button 24. The engine brake function is present in larger trucks. Naturally it is possible to provide for the presence of controls other than those described above, for example the microphone button of radio transceiver equipment.

Said controls and indicator elements are placed parallel with those normally present on the vehicle, so that their use does not rule out use of the conventional controls.

To conclude, the described control unit allows to group, in a compact manner and at the gearshift, the various accessory driving functions that are usually arranged in different positions on the steering column of the vehicle and on the dashboard. This allows to activate these functions without taking one's hand off the gearshift, while the other hand holds the steering wheel. It is possible for example to flash one's headlights or sound one's horn even while changing gears or, if necessary, to operate the windshield wiper.

Furthermore, in the case of trucks provided with an engine brake, it is possible to provide an earlier braking action, since by down-shifting it is also possible to reduce the rotation rate of the engine.

In this manner one obtains far more relaxed and safer driving even on difficult roads as well as straightforward control of the vehicle.

In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials employed, as well as the shapes and dimensions,

may be any according to the requirements.