# US 8,540,298 B2 · Vehicle console tray assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,298 B2 - Document ID: US8540298B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/020,199 - Filed: 2011-02-03 - Published: 2012-08-09 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-03 - Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc. - Applicants: Melaina Vasko; Thomas Mally - Inventors: Melaina Vasko; Thomas Mally - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540298B2 ## CPC - B60R 7/04: in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)} - B60R 13/0206: {Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings (devices for fastening or securing F16B)} - B60R 13/0262: {Mid-console liners} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicle interior trim assembly comprises first, second and third trim members. The first trim member has a first surface which includes a first mounting structure. The second trim member is positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member. The third trim member is more elastic than the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member. The third trim member has a second surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle interior trim assembly comprising: a first trim member having a first surface which faces upward in a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly and includes a first mounting structure; a second trim member positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member, the second trim member having a second surface which faces upward in the vehicle; and a third trim member which has an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second surface of the second trim member such that the third trim member is above the second surface of the second trim member, the third trim member having a third surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the third trim member is positioned over the first peripheral edge of the first trim member and the second peripheral edge of the second trim member and the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member includes an elastomeric material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member has a third surface that is opposite the second surface and is substantially coplanar with the first surface of the first trim member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting structure includes a channel; and the second mounting structure includes a first projection that extends away from the second surface of the third trim member and is received within the channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second mounting structure further includes a second projection that extends perpendicularly from the first projection and engages a sidewall of the channel to create an interference fit between the first and second mounting structures. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member includes a third mounting structure that couples the third trim member to the second trim member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 6, wherein the third mounting structure passes through an aperture defined by the second trim member to create a snap-fit engagement between the second and third trim members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member includes a forward portion that is positioned closer to a front of a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly than the third peripheral edge of the third trim member, and the forward portion extends vertically higher in the vehicle than does the third peripheral edge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second trim member has a curved portion and a shape of a portion of the third trim member substantially corresponds to a shape of the curved portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member includes a forward portion that is positioned closer to a front of a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly than the second trim member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 10, wherein the forward portion has a downward extending member that extends downward in the vehicle and includes an inner surface which is adjacent to a front edge of the second trim member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second and third trim members define an accessory outlet opening through which extends an accessory outlet of a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member includes a portion that defines a cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 13, wherein the second and third trim members define an accessory outlet opening that at least partially extends through the cavity and through which extends an accessory outlet of a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third trim member includes a portion that extends upward in a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly to create a rear surface that extends above the second trim member and faces rearward in the vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 15, wherein the second and third trim members define an accessory outlet opening that at least partially extends through the rear surface and through which extends an accessory outlet of a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 15, wherein the third trim member includes a stiffening rib extending downwardly in the vehicle from the second surface of the third trim member and positioned adjacent to the rear surface. ### Claim 18 A vehicle interior trim assembly comprising: a first trim member having a first surface which includes a first mounting structure; a second trim member positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member; and a third trim member which is more elastic than the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member, the third trim member having a second surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member, the third trim member including a forward portion that is positioned closer to a front of a vehicle including the vehicle interior trim assembly than the second trim member and a stiffening rib extending downwardly in the vehicle from the second surface of the third trim member and positioned between the second surface of the third trim member and a third surface of the second trim member that faces the second surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The vehicle interior trim assembly according to claim 17, wherein the stiffening rib is configured to maintain a gap between the second trim member and the forward portion of the third trim member. ### Claim 20 A vehicle interior trim assembly comprising: a first trim member having a first surface which includes a first mounting structure; a second trim member positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member; and a third trim member which is more elastic than the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member, the third trim member having a second surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member, the third trim member including a stiffening rib extending downwardly in the vehicle from the second surface of the third trim member and positioned between the second surface of the third trim member and a third surface of the second trim member that faces the second surface.