Patent ID: 7300072

Claim:
Device to mask the gap between a dashboard ( 6 ) and a covering element ( 2 ) connected to a steering column ( 8 ) adjustable in translation in a longitudinal direction ( 10 ) and angularly in a transverse direction ( 12 ) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, said angular rotation of the steering column giving rise to a movement substantially in translation of the covering element relative to the dashboard in a transverse direction ( 12 ) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction ( 10 ) and to the lateral direction ( 14 ), said device comprising moreover a rigid intermediate element having a sliding surface ( 5 b ) coming substantially into contact with the dashboard and a masking surface ( 5 a ) coming substantially into contact with the covering element, characterized in that: the masking surface extends substantially in the longitudinal direction and the sliding surface extends substantially in the transverse direction, the device moreover comprises first means ( 24 , 34 , 38 , 54 ) to move the covering element substantially in the longitudinal direction relative to the dashboard and a hole in the intermediate element in the longitudinal direction relative to the dashboard, during sliding in the longitudinal direction of the steering column relative to the dashboard, such that the sliding surface remains substantially in contact with the dashboard and the covering element slides relative to the masking surface, while remaining substantially in contact with said masking surface, and the device moreover comprises second means ( 32 , 40 , 44 , 56 ) to move the intermediate element substantially in the transverse direction relative to the dashboard and to hold the intermediate element in the transverse direction relative to the covering element, during angular rotation of the steering column, such that the masking surface will thus be substantially immovable relative to the covering element and the sliding surface will move substantially in the transverse direction relative to the dashboard, while remaining substantially in contact with said dashboard.