Self-centering grille assembly and method of centering a grille

Abstract

A self-centering grille assembly includes a grille having a first chamfer and a second chamfer, a first outboard component including a third chamfer and a second outboard component including a fourth chamfer. An additional alternative embodiment of self-centering grille assembly including a centering bar is also disclosed as are related methods of centering a grille between a first outboard component and a second outboard component on a motor vehicle.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A self-centering grille assembly, comprising:
 a grille including a first chamfer and a second chamfer;   a first outboard component including a third chamfer engaging said first chamfer; and   a second outboard component including a fourth chamfer engaging said second chamfer.   
     
     
         2 . The self-centering grille assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first chamfer, said second chamfer, said third chamfer and said fourth chamfer are aligned on a single axis. 
     
     
         3 . The self-centering grille assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said first outboard component is a first headlight assembly, said second outboard component is a second headlight assembly and said grille is positioned between said first headlight assembly and said second headlight assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The self-centering grille assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first outboard component is a first headlight assembly, said second outboard component is a second headlight assembly and said grille is positioned between said first headlight assembly and said second headlight assembly. 
     
     
         5 . A method of centering a grille between a first outboard component and a second outboard component on a motor vehicle, comprising:
 aligning said grille between said first outboard component and said second outboard component; and   engaging chamfers on said grille with cooperating chamfers on said first outboard component and said second outboard component.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , including pressing said grille in a first direction along an X-axis between said first outboard component and said second outboard component until said grille is centered between said first outboard component and said second outboard component on a Y-axis by engagement of said chamfers on said grille with said cooperating chamfers on said first outboard component and said second outboard component. 
     
     
         7 . A centering bar for a motor vehicle grille, comprising:
 a body;   a first chamfer carried on said body; and   a second chamfer carried on said body.   
     
     
         8 . The centering bar of  claim 7 , wherein said first chamfer is oriented in a first direction and said second chamfer is oriented in a second direction wherein said first direction is opposite said second direction. 
     
     
         9 . The centering bar of  claim 8 , further including a first incremental fastener carried on said body. 
     
     
         10 . The centering bar of  claim 9 , wherein said body includes a longitudinal axis and said first chamfer and said second chamfer are aligned along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The centering bar of  claim 10 , wherein said first incremental fastener is provided on said body between said first chamfer and said second chamfer. 
     
     
         12 . The centering bar of  claim 7 , further including a first incremental fastener carried on said body. 
     
     
         13 . The centering bar of  claim 12 , wherein said body includes a longitudinal axis and said first chamfer and said second chamfer are aligned along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The centering bar of  claim 13 , wherein said first incremental fastener is provided on said body between said first chamfer and said second chamfer. 
     
     
         15 . The centering bar of  claim 7 , wherein said body includes a longitudinal axis and said first chamfer and said second chamfer are aligned along said longitudinal axis.