Claims:1. A cover assembly (100) for a trim panel (104) of a vehicle, the assembly (100) comprising:
a cover member (102) adapted to at least partially cover the trim panel (104); and
a retaining element (106) extending from a surface of the cover member (102) and configured to arrange and engage the cover member (102) in or on the trim panel (104);
wherein the retaining element (106) comprises a first portion (106-1) extending from the cover member (102), a second portion (106-2) hingedly coupled to the first portion (106-1), and a biasing member (106-3) configured between the first portion (106-1) and the second portion (106-2).
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (106-2) is configured to move between a first position, and a second position with respect to the first portion (106-1), wherein the first position corresponds to a position where the retaining element (106) is free to move within a first slot (112) provided in or on the trim panel (104) , and wherein the second position corresponds to a position where at least a section of the second portion (106-2) can engage or abut on an inner surface of the trim panel (104) restricting disengagement of the cover member (102) from the trim panel (104).
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein at the second position, a first end of the second portion (106-2) is extended away from the first portion (106-1) and the second portion (106-2) makes a first predefined angle with respect to the first portion (106-1) such that at least a section of the second portion (106-2) can engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel (104).
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein at the first position, the first end of the second portion (106-2) is towards the first portion (106-1) and the second portion (106-2) makes a second predefined angle with respect to the first portion (106-1) such that the retaining element (106) is insertable within the first slot (112), and wherein the first predefined angle is greater than the second predefined angle.
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein at the first position, the second portion (106-2) comes in contact with the first portion (106-1).
6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing member (106-3):
allows movement of the second portion (106-2) to the first position upon application of a predefined force on the second portion (106-2) towards the first portion (106-1) when the retaining element (106) is to be positioned into the first slot (112) for arranging and engaging the cover member (102) in or on the trim panel (104); and
facilitates automated movement of the second portion (106-2) to the second position when the second portion (106-2) of the retaining element (106) moves within the first slot (112).
7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly (100) comprises a hook (108) extending from the surface of the first portion (106-1) of the cover member (102), which is adapted to be arranged and engaged into the first slot (112) provided in or on the trim panel (104), and wherein the retaining element (106) restricts disengagement of the cover member (102) from the trim panel (104) when the hook (108) disengages from the first slot (112) upon application of a force on the cover member (102).
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing member (106-3) is selected from any or a combination of a compression spring, a tension spring, a metal clip, and a torsion spring.
9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first end of the first portion (106-1) is coupled to the surface of the cover member (102) and a second end of the first portion (106-1) is extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover member (102), and wherein a first end of the second portion (106-2) is free, and a second end of the second portion (106-2) is hingedly coupled to the second end of the first portion (106-1) by a hinge (110).
10. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member (102) is adapted to be removed from the trim panel (104) upon disengagement of at least one end of the biasing member (106-3) from any of the first portion (106-1), and the second portion (106-2) of the retaining element (106).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of covering and decorative assembly for trim panels of vehicles, and more particularly the present disclosure relates to a simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing decorative or cover assembly for a trim panel of a vehicle, which can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel, and which prevents ejection of the covering or decorative members of the assembly from the trim panel.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Vehicles are generally provided with a decorative or covering assembly including deco trims, bezels, and covering members, and the like, on inner surfaces and on trim panels of the vehicle's interior to cover the trim panels and beautify the vehicle interior. These decorative or covering panels are generally provided on the armrests, door panels, dashboard, and roof of the vehicle's interior. As per regulatory norms, ejection of bezels, decorative panels, covering panels, trim panels, and other parts of the vehicle interior is undesirable and recommend to avoid. However, upon application of force on these parts, these covering or decorative panels may easily eject out of the trim panels, which is highly undesirable.
[0004] To prevent ejection of these decorative or covering panels, existing assembly is generally provided with a hook or anchors that locks the covering panels in slots provided in or on the trim panels or vehicle interior. However, existing designs of hooks have very small overlaps due to assembly and packaging constraints, which restrict the hooks to keep the decorative or covering panels attached to the vehicle interior in case of application of force. Further, the possibility of the hooks coming out of the slots of the trim panel is high, thereby making them inefficient and incapable of keeping the covering or decorative panels engaged to the trim panel of the vehicle interior.
[0005] The existing assembly is also locked to the trim panel using metal clips, which are difficult to hide, thereby making the interior aesthetically unpleasing and also making the serviceability difficult. Further, in order to keep the covering or decorative panels locked to the trim panel or vehicle interior, a large number of metal clips may be required, which would make the overall assembly costly. Besides, the limited packaging space in the vehicle interior also restricts the use of a large number of clips to keep the covering or decorative panels locked to the trim panel or vehicle interior. In addition, the hooks or metal clips used in the existing assembly are too stiff.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need to overcome the above drawbacks, limitations, and shortcomings and provide a simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing decorative or cover assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel or vehicle interior, and which prevents ejection of the covering or decorative panels.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an anti-ejection mechanism for existing decorative or cover assemblies, which restricts ejection of the assembly from the trim panel or interior of a vehicle, in case the hooks or metal clips of the assembly fails.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing decorative or cover assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel or vehicle interior, and which prevents ejection of the covering or decorative panels in case the hooks or metal clips fail upon exertion of force.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a decorative or cover assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily assembled, serviced, and packaged.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a decorative or cover assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, whose stiffness can be controlled and the assembly also provides sufficient stiffness to sustain higher impact while ejection.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a decorative or cover assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily engaged in or on the trim panel and can also be removed from the trim panel with minimum effort when required.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure relates to a simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing decorative or cover assembly for a trim panel of a vehicle, which can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel, and which prevents ejection of the covering or decorative members of the assembly from the trim panel in case the hooks or metal clips of the assembly fails upon exertion of force.
[0014] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a decorative or cover assembly for a trim panel of a vehicle. The assembly may comprise a cover member (also referred to as a decorative member, herein) that may be adapted and shaped to partially or completely cover the trim panel. The cover member may comprise a hook or anchor adapted to be arranged and locked into a first slot provided in or on the trim panel, thereby allowing arrangement and engaging of the cover member over the trim panel. Further, the assembly may comprise a retaining element positioned away from the hook, and extending from a surface of the cover member. The retaining element may keep the cover member engaged to the trim panel and may restrict disengagement of the cover member from the trim panel when the hook disengages from the first slot upon application of a force on the cover member.
[0015] The retaining element may be a foldable structure comprising a first portion and a second portion hingedly coupled to each other by a hinge or live hinge. The first portion and the second portion may be connected to each other by a biasing member like a spring or a metal clip, which may help control the stiffness of the retaining element and also allows the retaining element to be folded as required for assembling the cover member on the trim panel. A first end of the first portion of the retaining element may be coupled to the surface of the cover member and a second end of the first portion may be extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover member. Further, a first end of the second portion is may be free, and a second end of the second portion may be hingedly coupled to the second end of the first portion for example by the live hinge.
[0016] In an aspect, the second portion may be configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the first portion. The first position may correspond to a position where the retaining element is free to move within the first slot provided in or on the trim panel. Further, the second position may correspond to a position where the second portion can engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel restricting disengagement of the cover member from the trim panel. More specifically, restricting disengagement of the cover member from the trim panel when the hook disengages from the first slot upon application of a force on the cover member
[0017] A biasing member like a spring may allow movement of the second portion to the first position upon application of a predefined force on the second portion towards the first portion when the retaining element is to be positioned into the first slot for arranging and engaging the cover member in or on the trim panel. Further, the biasing member may also facilitate automated movement of the second portion to the second position (away from the first portion) once the retaining element moves within the slot. As a result, the extended second portion may engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel. Thereby, restricting the disengagement of the cover member from the trim panel even when the hook disengages from the first slot upon application of a force on the cover member.
[0018] In an aspect, the cover member may be adapted to be easily removed from the trim panel for servicing or maintenance when required by disengaging at least one end of the biasing member from any of the first portion, and the second portion of the retaining element. This disengagement of the biasing member frees the second portion and allows it to further extend or freely move, which facilitates easier removal of the retaining element of the cover member from the slot, thereby allowing removal of the cover member from the trim panel.
[0019] Accordingly, the proposed assembly may be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel of a vehicle interior and may prevent ejection of the covering or decorative members in case the hooks or metal clips of the assembly disengages from the trim panel upon exertion of force. In addition, the use of a minimum number of easily available components in the proposed assembly makes it simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing, which can be easily assembled, serviced, and packaged. Further, the stiffness of the assembly can be controlled, which was not possible in existing technologies, and the proposed assembly also provides sufficient stiffness to sustain higher impact while ejection.
[0020] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0022] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0023] FIGs. 1A and 1B illustrates an exemplary representation of a cover member of the proposed assembly in a first position, and a second position, respectively, where a compression spring is used, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIGs. 1C and 1D illustrates an exemplary representation of a cover member of the proposed assembly in a first position, and a second position, respectively, where a torsion spring is used, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
[0025] FIG. 2A to 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the proposed assembly configured with a trim panel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view depicting removal of the proposed assembly from the trim panel when required, in an accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0028] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing decorative or cover assembly for a trim panel of a vehicle, which can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel, and which prevents ejection of the covering or decorative members of the assembly from the trim panel in case the hooks or metal clips of the assembly fails upon exertion of force.
[0030] According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a cover assembly for a trim panel of a vehicle, The assembly can include cover member adapted to at least partially cover the trim panel, and a retaining element extending from a surface of the cover member and configured to arrange and engage the cover member in or on the trim panel. The retaining element can include a first portion extending from the cover member, a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion, and a biasing member configured between the first portion and the second portion.
[0031] In an embodiment, the second portion can be configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the first portion. The first position can correspond to a position where the retaining element is free to move within a first slot provided in or on the trim panel l. The second position can correspond to a position where at least a section of the second portion can engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel restricting disengagement of the cover member from the trim panel.
[0032] In an embodiment, at the second position, a first end of the second portion can be moved away from the first portion and the second portion can make a first predefined angle with respect to the first portion such that at least a section of the second portion can engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel.
[0033] In an embodiment, at the first position, the first end of the second portion can move toward the first portion and the second portion can make a second predefined angle with respect to the first portion such that the retaining element is insertable within the first slot. The first predefined angle can be greater than the second predefined angle.
[0034] In an embodiment, at the first position, the second portion can come in contact with the first portion.
[0035] In an embodiment, the biasing member can allow movement of the second portion to the first position upon application of a predefined force on the second portion towards the first portion when the retaining element is to be positioned into the first slot for arranging and engaging the cover member in or on the trim panel. Further, the biasing member can facilitate automated movement of the second portion to the second position when the retaining element moves within the first slot.
[0036] In an embodiment, the assembly can include a hook extending from the surface of the first portion of the cover member, which can be adapted to be arranged and engaged into a first slot provided in or on the trim panel. The retaining element restricts disengagement of the cover member from the trim panel when the hook disengages from the first slot upon application of a force on the cover assembly.
[0037] In an embodiment, the biasing member can be selected from any or a combination of a compression spring, a tension spring, and a torsion spring or the alike.
[0038] In an embodiment, a first end of the first portion can be coupled to the surface of the cover member and a second end of the first portion can be extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cover member. Further, a first end of the second portion can be free, and a second end of the second portion can be hingedly coupled to the second end of the first portion by a hinge or live hinge.
[0039] In an embodiment, the cover member can be adapted to be removed from the trim panel upon disengagement of at least one end of the biasing member from any of the first portion, and the second portion of the retaining element.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1A to 2C, in an aspect, the proposed decorative or cover assembly 100 (also referred to as deco-cover assembly or assembly 100, herein) can include a cover member 102 (also referred to as a decorative member 102, herein) that can be adapted to partially or completely cover the trim panel 104 of the vehicle for beautifying the vehicle interior. The assembly 100 can further include a retaining element 106 extending from a surface of the cover member 102, which can be configured to arrange and engage the cover member 102 in a first slot 112 provided in or on the trim panel 104. The assembly 100 can also include a locator 114 extending from the cover member 102, which can be positioned in a second slot 112’ provided in or on the trim panel 104. The retaining element 106 can include a first portion 106-1 extending from the surface of the cover member 102, a second portion 106-2 hingedly coupled to the first portion 106-1 by a live hinge 110. Further, a biasing 106-3 can be configured between the first portion 106-1 and the second portion 106-2 of the retaining element 106.
[0041] In an embodiment, the second portion 106-2 can be configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the first portion 106-1. The first position can correspond to a position where the retaining element 106 is free to move within a first slot 112 provided in or on the trim panel 104. Further, the second position can correspond to a position where at least a section of the second portion 106-2 can engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel (104) restricting disengagement of the cover member 102 from the trim panel 104.
[0042] The biasing member 106-3 can allow movement of the second portion 106-2 of the retaining element 106 to the first position upon application of a predefined force on the second portion 106-2 towards the first portion 106-1 when the retaining element 106 is to be positioned into the first slot 112 for arranging and engaging the cover member 102 in or on the trim panel 104. Further, the biasing member 106-3 can facilitate automated movement of the second portion 106-2 of the retaining element 106 to the second position when the retaining element 106 moves within the first slot 112, thereby engaging the cover member 102 to the trim panel 104 once positioned within the first slot 112.
[0043] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2C, at the second position, once the retaining element 106 is positioned within the first slot 112, the biasing member 106-3 can enable a first end of the second portion 106-2 to automatically move away from the first portion 106-1, allowing the second portion 106-2 to make a first predefined angle with respect to the first portion 106-1 such that at least a section of the second portion 106-2 can engage or abut on the inner surface of the trim panel 104, thereby restricting the complete removal of the cover member 102 from the trim panel 104 for example upon exertion of a force on the cover assembly (100).
[0044] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 2B, when the retaining element 106 is to be positioned into the first slot 112 for arranging and engaging the cover member 102 in or on the trim panel 104, the spring 106-3 can allow the first end of the second portion 106-2 to move toward the first portion 106-1 upon application of a predefined force on the second portion 106-2 towards the first portion 106-1. This can cause the second portion 106-2 to make a second predefined angle (less than the first predefined angle) with respect to the first portion 106-1 such that the retaining element 106 can be positioned within the first slot 112. In another embodiment, once the retaining element 106 is moved within the first slot 112. The spring 106-3 can allow a user to move the first end of the second portion 106-2 towards the first portion 106-1 upon application of a predefined force on the second portion 106-2 towards the first portion 106-1.
[0045] In an embodiment, at the first position, the second portion 106-2 can come in contact with the first portion 106-1, allowing positioning of the retaining element 106 in the first slot 112.
[0046] In an embodiment, the assembly 100 can further include a hook 108 extending from the surface of the first portion 106-1 of the cover member 102, which can be adapted to be arranged and locked into the first slot 112 of the trim panel 104. A portion of the first slot 112 can have an inclined or curved profile for smooth insertion of the retaining element 106 and the hook 108 can include a protrusion with a curved or inclined profile, which allows the hook 108 to be snap-fitted within the first slot 112. The retaining element 106 can restrict disengagement of the cover member 102 from the trim panel 104 when hook 108 disengages from the first slot 112 upon application of a force on the cover member 102.
[0047] In an embodiment, the biasing member 106-3 of the retaining element 106 can be a compression spring, a torsion spring, or a tension spring. For instance, a compression spring can be used in assembly 100 as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B. One of the ends of the compression spring 106-3 can be coupled to the first portion 106-1, and the other end of the compression spring 106-3 can be coupled to the second portion 106-2. Similarly, a torsion spring 106-3 can be used in assembly 100 as shown in FIGs. 1C and 1D. One of the free ends of the torsion spring 106-3 can be in contact with the surface of the first portion 106-1, and the other free end of the torsion spring 106-3 can be in contact with the surface of the second portion 106-2.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, the cover member 102 can be adapted to be easily removed from the trim panel 104 for servicing or maintenance when required by disengaging at least one end of the spring 106-3 from any of the first portion 106-1, and the second portion 106-2 of the retaining element 106. This disengagement of spring 106-3 can free the second portion 106-2 and allow it to further extend or freely move, which can facilitate easier removal of the retaining element 106 from the slot, thereby allowing removal of the cover member 102 from the trim panel.
[0049] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the proposed assembly 100 can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel or vehicle interior and can prevent ejection of the covering or decorative members in case the hook or metal clips of the assembly 100 fail upon exertion of force. Besides, the use of a minimum number of easily available components in the proposed assembly 100 makes it simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing, which can be easily assembled, serviced, and packaged. Further, the stiffness of the proposed assembly 100 can be easily controlled, and the proposed assembly 100 also provides sufficient stiffness to sustain higher impact while ejection, which was not possible in existing technologies,
[0050] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0051] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0052] The proposed invention provides an anti-ejection mechanism for existing decorative or covering assemblies that restricts ejection of the assembly from the trim panel or interior of a vehicle, in case the hooks or metal clips of the assembly fails.
[0053] The proposed invention provides a simple, robust, improved, and aesthetically pleasing decorative or covering assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily arranged and engaged in or on the trim panel or vehicle interior, and which prevents ejection of the covering or decorative panels in case the hooks or metal clips fail.
[0054] The proposed invention provides a decorative or covering assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily assembled, serviced, and packaged.
[0055] The proposed invention provides a decorative or covering assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, whose stiffness can be controlled and the assembly also provides sufficient stiffness to sustain higher impact while ejection.

[0056] The proposed invention provides a decorative or covering assembly for trim panels of a vehicle or vehicle interior, which can be easily engaged in or on the trim panel and can also be removed from the trim panel with minimum effort when required.