Automotive gauge mounting bracket with frictional fit apertures

• US 7,325,775 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Auto Meter Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Chen, Ieon
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/755,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,485 Days
• Field of Search: 248/27.1, 248/309.1, 248/315, 248/300
• US Class Current: 248/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10

Abstract

An automotive gauge mounting bracket is provided that is engagable to an automotive vehicle interior. The bracket comprises at least one gauge receiving aperture formed in the bracket. The aperture is provided with a perimeter defining a plurality of displaceable gauge receiving segments. The segments are displaceable in response to insertion of a gauge into the aperture, for friction fit engagement of the gauge directly to the bracket.

Claims

1. An automotive gauge assembly engagable to an automotive vehicle interior, the assembly comprising:

a) a bracket;

b) at least one gauge receiving aperture formed in the bracket;

c) the aperture defining a plurality of displaceable segments and recesses extending therebetween;

d) the segments being displaceable in response to insertion of the gauge into the aperture for friction-fit engagement of the gauge to the bracket; and

e) a gauge disposed in each gauge receiving aperture, each gauge having a gauge diameter and each recesses defining an aperture inner diameter, the aperture inner diameter being less than the gauge diameter.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein recesses are provided with a series of radial cuts, the cuts defining additional displaceable segments therebetween.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the recesses define a cross-shape aperture, having a plurality of displaceable interior segments.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the recesses define a plurality of outer arcuate recesses and the displaceable segment defines a plurality of displaceable inner arcuate segments disposed intermediate arcuate recesses.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the radial cuts are of generally equal length.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the aperture is generally circularly shaped.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the apertures is of generally equivalent size.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the bracket includes three gauge receiving apertures formed therein.

9. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the segments are equidistantly spaced around the aperture.

10. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the bracket defines an interior side and an exterior side and the segments are displaceable toward the interior side of the bracket.

11. The assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein displacement of the segments in response to insertion of the gauges into the aperture deforms the segments.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the bracket defines an interior side, an exterior side and a surface about the periphery of the aperture, the gauge defining a lip and being insertable through the aperture from the exterior side to the interior side until the gauge lip contacts the surface about the aperture periphery, and the segments being displaceable toward the interior side upon insertion of the gauge for resisting removal of the gauge from the bracket.