Joint assembly for a trim panel

Abstract

A joint for a trim panel comprising a first and second outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a connector portion formed therein, and a connector platform. The connector platform comprises a first connector portion and a second connector portion, the first connector portion connected to the first outer cover connector portion and the second connector portion is connected to the second outer cover connector portion.

1 . A joint for a trim panel comprising: 
 a first outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a connector portion formed therein;    a second outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a connector portion formed therein;    a connector platform having a first connector portion and a second connector portion, the first connector portion connected to the first outer cover connector portion and the second connector portion connected to the second outer cover connector portion.    
   
   
       2 . The joint for a trim panel of  claim 1  including a joint cover overlying the connector platform, the joint cover covering the connection between the connector platform first connector portion and the first outer cover connector portion and the joint cover covering the connection between the connector platform second connector portion and the second outer cover connector portion.  
   
   
       3 . A joint for a trim panel comprising: 
 a first outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface, a joint line edge and a connector portion formed therein, the connector portion comprising a plurality of receptacles disposed along the first outer cover joint line edge, the receptacles comprising through holes;    a second outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface, a joint line edge and a connector portion formed therein, the connector portion comprising a plurality of receptacles disposed along the second outer cover joint line edge, the receptacles comprising through holes;    a connector platform having a first connector portion and a second connector portion, the first connector portion comprising a plurality of protrusions and the second connector portion comprising a plurality of protrusions;    wherein the protrusions of the first connector portion of the connector platform extend into the receptacles of the first outer cover to form a connection between the connector platform first connector portion and the first outer cover connector portion; and    wherein the protrusions of the second connector portion of the connector platform extend into the receptacles of the second outer cover to form a connection between the connector platform second connector portion and the second outer cover connector portion.    
   
   
       4 . The joint for a trim panel of  claim 3  including a joint cover overlying the connector platform, the joint cover covering the connection between the connector platform first connector portion and the first outer cover connector portion and the joint cover covering the connection between the connector platform second connector portion and the second outer cover connector portion.  
   
   
       5 . A trim panel comprising: 
 a first outer cover;    a second outer cover;    a connector platform;    a joint comprising said first outer cover and said second outer cover connected to said connector platform;    a substrate held in spaced relationship to said first outer cover and said second outer cover;    said spaced relationship comprising foam.    
   
   
       6 . The trim panel of  claim 5  including a joint cover overlying said connector platform.  
   
   
       7 . The trim panel of  claim 6  wherein said joint cover overlying said connector platform includes covering the connection between the first outer cover and the connector platform and the connection between the second outer cover and the connector platform.  
   
   
       8 . A trim panel comprising: 
 a first outer cover;    a second outer cover;    a connector platform;    a joint comprising said first outer cover and said second outer cover connected to said connector platform;    a substrate formed directly behind said first outer cover and said second outer cover, comprising a reaction injection molded plastic composition.    
   
   
       9 . The trim panel of  claim 8  including a joint cover overlying said connector platform.  
   
   
       10 . The trim panel of  claim 9  wherein said joint cover overlying said connector platform includes covering the joint between the first outer cover and the connector platform and the connection between the second outer cover and the connector platform.  
   
   
       11 . The trim panel of  claim 8  wherein said reaction injection molded plastic composition is reinforced with fibers.  
   
   
       12 . The trim panel of  claim 8  wherein said reaction injection molded plastic composition comprises polyurethane.  
   
   
       13 . A method for forming a joint for a trim panel comprising: 
 providing a first outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a connector portion formed therein;    providing a second outer cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a connector portion formed therein;    providing a connector platform having a first connector portion and a second connector portion,    connecting the first connector portion to the first outer cover connector portion and connecting the second connector portion to the second outer cover connector portion.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further including providing a joint cover and overlying the connector platform with said joint cover, wherein the joint cover covers the connection between the connector platform first connector portion and the first outer cover connector portion and the joint cover covers the joint between the connector platform second connector portion and the second outer cover connector portion.