초록 ▼

A cover for use in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel. The cover may include a top surface, an underside and one or more clips for securing the cover in an opening of the vehicle instrument panel. The cover may also include one or more lock-out ribs extending from the underside of the cover. T

A cover for use in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel. The cover may include a top surface, an underside and one or more clips for securing the cover in an opening of the vehicle instrument panel. The cover may also include one or more lock-out ribs extending from the underside of the cover. The lock-out ribs prevent the cover from being improperly installed in an instrument panel opening where an accessory is present.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A cover for an instrument panel of a vehicle comprising: a top surface, an underside and at least one lock-out rib, wherein the at least one lock-out rib extends from and the underside of the cover; and wherein, when the cover is positioned in an opening of a vehicle instrume

What is claimed is: 1. A cover for an instrument panel of a vehicle comprising: a top surface, an underside and at least one lock-out rib, wherein the at least one lock-out rib extends from and the underside of the cover; and wherein, when the cover is positioned in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel and the opening contains an accessory, the at least one lock-out rib contacts the accessory and prevents the cover from being seated in the opening thereby preventing the cover from being improperly installed in the opening. 2. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of connectors configured to engage with corresponding connectors located in the opening of the instrument panel, wherein the plurality of connectors extend substantially orthogonally from the underside of the cover; and wherein, when the cover is positioned in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel and the opening comprises an accessory, the at least one lock-out rib contacts the accessory and prevents the plurality of connectors from engaging with the corresponding connectors located in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel. 3. The cover of claim 2 wherein, when the connectors of the cover are engaged with the corresponding connectors located in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel, the connectors provide a horizontal datum preventing the cover from being withdrawn from the opening. 4. The cover of claim 2 wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of standoff ribs extending substantially orthogonally from the underside of the cover, wherein the standoff ribs are configured to rest on a standoff shelf positioned in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel such that, when the cover is properly seated in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel, the standoff ribs resting on the standoff shelf provide a horizontal datum preventing the cover from being further inserted into the opening. 5. The cover of claim 2 wherein the at least one lock-out rib and the plurality of clips are integral with the cover. 6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the cover and the at least one lock-out rib comprise a polymeric material and are injection molded as a single piece. 7. The cover of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the top surface comprises a grid pattern. 8. A cover for an opening in a vehicle instrument panel comprising: a top surface, an underside and a plurality of connectors configured to engage with corresponding connectors in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel, wherein the connectors extend substantially orthogonally from the underside of the cover; and at least one lock-out rib, wherein the at least one lock-out rib extends from the underside of the cover such that, when the cover is positioned in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel and the opening contains an accessory, the at least one lock-out rib contacts the accessory and prevents the cover from being seated in the opening and the connectors of the cover from engaging with the corresponding connectors in the opening, thereby preventing the cover from being improperly installed in the opening. 9. The cover of claim 8 wherein, when the connectors of the cover are engaged with the corresponding connectors located in the opening, the connectors provide a horizontal datum preventing the cover from being withdrawn from the opening. 10. The cover of claim 8 wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of standoff ribs extending substantially orthogonally from the underside of the cover, wherein the standoff ribs are configured to rest on a standoff shelf positioned in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel such that, when the cover is properly seated in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel, the standoff ribs resting on the standoff shelf provide a horizontal datum preventing the cover from being further inserted into the opening. 11. The cover of claim 8 wherein the at least one lock-out rib and the plurality of connectors are integral with the cover. 12. The cover of claim 8 wherein the cover, the at least one lock-out rib and the plurality of connectors comprise a polymeric material and are injection molded as a single piece. 13. The cover of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the top surface comprises a grid pattern. 14. A method of preventing a cover from being improperly installed in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel containing an accessory comprising: providing a vehicle instrument panel having at least one opening for receiving an accessory; providing a cover comprising a top surface, an underside and at least one lock-out rib, wherein the at least one lock-out rib extends from the underside of the cover; positioning the cover in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel; exerting a force on the cover to seat the cover in the opening wherein, when an accessory is located in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel, the at least one lock-out rib on the underside of the cover contacts the accessory preventing the cover from being seated in the opening and thereby preventing the cover from being improperly installed in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of connectors configured to secure the cover in the opening of the instrument panel, wherein the plurality of connectors extend substantially orthogonally from the underside of the cover; and wherein, when the cover is positioned in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel and the opening comprises an accessory, the at least one lock-out rib contacts the accessory and prevents the plurality of connectors from securing the cover in the opening of the instrument panel. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein, when the plurality of connectors of the cover are engaged with corresponding connectors located in the opening, the connectors provide a horizontal datum preventing the cover from being withdrawn from the opening. 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of standoff ribs extending substantially orthogonally from the underside of the cover, wherein the standoff ribs are configured to rest on a standoff shelf positioned in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel such that, when the cover is properly seated in the opening of the vehicle instrument panel, the standoff ribs resting on the standoff shelf provide a horizontal datum preventing the cover from being further inserted into the opening. 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one lock-out rib and the plurality of connectors are integral with the cover. 19. The method of claim 14 wherein the cover and the at least one lock-out rib comprise a polymeric material and are injection molded as a single piece. 20. The cover of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the cover comprises a grid pattern.