Cover plate

A cover plate for use in covering an automotive vehicle body panel having an opening therein defined by a first panel edge therearound with a hole adjacent thereto defined by a second and smaller panel edge therearound, said cover plate comprising:

• a substantially flat base having an appearance face and a hidden face thereon bordered by a peripheral edge thereabout, said peripheral edge of said base having a tapered frame integral therewith along at least a majority thereof, said base further having a first portion and an overhanging portion centrally separated by a median portion therebetween;
• a pair of somewhat flexible legs having a substantially L-shaped configuration thereto each being defined by a shortened member and an elongated member thereof, each of said shortened members having a distal end thereof affixed to said hidden face of said base thereto, each of said elongated members of said pair of legs having a distal end thereof extending beyond said peripheral edge of said base, a first predetermined portion of said elongated members adjacent to said shortened members being in offset relationship with said overhanging portion of said base so as to define cavities therewithin, said elongated members being angled in orientation toward a plane defined by said base with a second predetermined portion of said elongated members adjacent to said distal ends thereof being closest to said plane;
• a wedge ramp having a triangular-shaped segment with a first side thereof being mounted upon said hidden face of said base, a hypotenuse of said wedge ramp intersecting said base near said first portion thereof, said first portion of said base being locationally displaced opposite from said pair of legs attached thereto;
• a fastening post protruding from said first portion of said hidden face of said base in a direction substantially normal thereto;
• an auxiliary fastener;
• and
• said cover plate covering said opening of said body panel by engagement of said first panel edge between said elongated members of said pair of legs and said overhanging portion of said base therebetween, said cover plate further attaching upon said opening of said body panel by insertion of said fastening post within said hole of said body panel such that said auxiliary fastener can be secured thereto, said wedge ramp locating said cover plate into a desired relationship with said opening such that said pair of legs properly engages said first panel edge thereof.