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:
Oct. 23, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2010
Doug Montie, Norwich, CT (US);
Kevin Terry, Uncasville, CT (US);
Gjergji Karanxha, Waterford, CT (US);
Doug Montie, Norwich, CT (US);
Kevin Terry, Uncasville, CT (US);
Gjergji Karanxha, Waterford, CT (US);
Other;
Abstract
A gauge mounting assembly for mounting a gauge to an instrument panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, boat, airplane or any other device utilizing said gauge and instrument panel. The gauge mounting assembly comprises: a gauge disposed within a gauge housing abutting a gauge housing flange; a gauge mounting bracket integrally attached to the gauge housing; said gauge mounting bracket comprising a circular base with a series of flexible fingers extending axially from said base; and, said fingers consisting of a ratcheting tip. When said gauge mounting assembly is positioned within a hole in said instrument panel the flexible fingers consist of an elastic dual-action cantilevered spring members. First, said fingers flex inwardly towards the axial surface of the gauge housing to permit passage through said hole. Second, said spring members bow outwardly from their original position exerting an outward force against said hole maintaining retention and alignment of the gauge housing. The ratcheting tips of the flexible fingers distal from said base become trapped on a opposite rear surface of said instrument panel, corresponding to the thickness, sandwiching the instrument panel between the gauge housing flange and corresponding ratcheting tips creating an exponential resistance in removal force created by the bowed shaped configuration of the spring members and automically centering the gauge device within the hole of the instrument panel without the need of a additional element.