United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Thomas C Morgan, Iii

Dhirendra C Roy

A cover plate for use in covering an opening in an automotive vehicle body panel is comprised of a substantially flat base having an appearance face and a hidden face bordered by a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has a tapered frame around a majority thereof. The cover plate is further comprised of a pair of flexible legs each having a shortened member projecting from the hidden face and having an elongated member extending beyond the peripheral edge of the base partially coincidental to an overhanging portion of the base. The cover plate also has a wedge ramp with a triangular-shaped segment being mounted upon the hidden face of the base such that an intersection is created between a hypotenuse of the wedge ramp and the base. The base has a first portion which is juxtaposed to this intersection. A fastening protrudes from the hidden face of this first portion. Accordingly, the cover plate covers the opening of the body panel by engagement of the pair of legs and the overhanging portion of the base around an edge of the body panel surrounding the opening. The cover plate is also attached upon the body panel by insertion of the fastening post within a hole adjacent to the opening such that an auxiliary fastener can be secured upon the inserted fastening post. Moreover, the wedge ramp serves to locate the cover plate into a desired relationship with the opening to ensure proper engagement thereagainst.

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Berkley, MI, United States of America

Thomas C Morgan, Iii