This application claims the priority of German Application No. 102 42 966.9 filed Sep. 17, 2002, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a flexible gap covering between an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel, the gap covering on one side, being fastened to a steering column covering and, on the other side, being fastened to the instrument panel.
From German Patent Document DE 195 25 181 A1, a flexible gap covering between a flexible steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel is known, where the frame-type gap covering constructed in one piece, on one side, is fastened to the steering column covering and, on the other side, is fastened to the instrument panel. The mounting of this one-piece gap covering on the steering column covering and on the instrument panel is difficult and time-consuming because of the narrow space conditions in the gap area.
It is an object of the invention to further develop a flexible gap covering between an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel such that it permits a large adjusting range of the steering column, is easily mountable and, in addition, has an attractive appearance.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a flexible gap covering assembly between an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel, the gap covering assembly, on one side, being fastened to a steering column covering and, on the other side, being fastened to the instrument panel, wherein the flexible gap covering comprises an upper covering and a lower covering, wherein the upper covering comprises two parts which are arranged above one another and are fixedly connected with one another in a joint overlapping area, and wherein at least one tensioning element is applied to the joint overlapping area on a side facing away from a vehicle occupant compartment when installed in a motor vehicle.
Further advantageous features of preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein and in the claims.
The important advantages achieved by means of preferred embodiments of the invention are that the flexible gap covering formed by an upper covering and a lower covering can be mounted in a rapid and simple fashion. As a result of the two-part construction of the upper covering and the arrangement of at least one tensioning element, the two parts of the upper covering are tensioned in all positions of the steering column, so that the parts take up a visually attractive low-wrinkle tensioned position. Both coverings of the flexible gap covering assembly may be preassembled with one end either on the instrument panel or the steering column covering, whereas the other end can be fastened by way of a releasable fastening according to certain preferred embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, by means of the flexible gap covering assembly, a muffling effect is achieved and no dirt can penetrate through the recess according to certain preferred embodiments of the invention. The flexible gap covering assembly permits large adjusting movements of the steering column and is held in a taut low-wrinkle tensioned position by means of the at least one tensioning element according to certain preferred embodiments of the invention.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.