  We propose a quantitative estimate of the charge gap that opens in the
one-dimensional dimerized Hubbard model at quarter-filling due to dimerization,
which makes the system effectively half--filled, and to repulsion, which
induces umklapp scattering processes. Our estimate is expected to be valid for
any value of the repulsion and of the parameter describing the dimerization. It
is based on analytical results obtained in various limits (weak coupling,
strong coupling, large dimerization) and on numerical results obtained by exact
diagonalization of small clusters. We consider two models of dimerization:
alternating hopping integrals and alternating on--site energies. The former
should be appropriate for the Bechgaard salts, the latter for compounds where
the stacks are made of alternating $TMTSF$ and $TMTTF$ molecules. % $(TMTSF)_2
X$ and $(TMTTF)_2 X$ ($X$ denotes $ClO_4$, $PF_6$, $Br$...).
