Method for mounting an inside cover section of a motor vehicle

Abstract

In a method for mounting an inner cover section to a support structure of a motor vehicle, an engagement member is introduced onto the cover section or onto the support structure and engages into a receptacle formed in the corresponding other component. The engagement member thereby seats loosely with play in the receptacle to engage behind it and an elastic foam is injected into a gap remaining between the cover section and the support structure to expand and thereby tension these components. The elastic foam material at least partially fills-up the intermediate space between the cover section and the support structure.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for mounting a cover section to a support structure inside a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) attaching a receptacle to one of the cover section and the support structure, said receptacle having a front wall defining an opening;    b) attaching an engagement member to another one of the cover section and the support structure;    c) inserting said engagement member into said receptacle, wherein said engagement member fits loosely and with play in said receptacle within said opening and behind said front wall thereby leaving a gap between the cover section and the support structure; and    d) introducing an elastic foam material into said gap, said elastic foam material expanding within said gap to push against the cover section and the support structure for clamping said engagement member against said front wall.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said engagement member comprises a base section and an engagement shoe disposed at a separation from said base section, said engagement shoe engaging within said opening of said receptacle.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said engagement shoe is tapered at an introductory end thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said engagement shoe is directed away from said base section at an introductory end of said engagement shoe.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle comprises a retention member for mounting to one of the cover section and the support structure.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said engagement member is mounted to the support structure and said receptacle is disposed on the cover section.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of attaching the cover section to the support structure using one additional fixed mounting and executing steps a) through d) for a plurality of said receptacles and associated said engagement members.