The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 15, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 28, 1997
Robert W Roossien, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Grand Haven Stamped Products Division of JSJ Corporation, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Abstract
A cover arrangement is provided for covering a transmission shifter for a vehicle. The cover arrangement includes a lower cover member and an upper cover that mates with the lower cover. The lower cover has a perimeter flange forming a recess, and the upper cover is configured to fit into the perimeter recess. The lower perimeter flange includes a plurality of integrally formed apertures having a tooth on one side and a pressure tab on the other side. The upper cover includes a plurality of integrally formed protrusions shaped to extend into the apertures. Each protrusion has a rough surface on one side for engaging the tooth of the aperture corresponding thereto, and a relatively smooth surface on another side for slidably engaging the pressure tab of the aperture corresponding thereto, the rough surface and the smooth surface being substantially parallel. Each respective protrusion, pressure tab and tooth is related and configured so that the respective pressure tab presses the respective protrusion into engagement with the respective tooth with a predetermined constant force, thereby creating a desired force of engagement regardless of the depth of engagement of each respective protrusion into the respective aperture. Also, the upper cover can be installed and reinstalled on the bottom cover member without concern over the retention strength, depth of engagement, or wear.