Patent Document

This non-provisional U.S. patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/207,584 filed on May 26, 2000. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a bezel for an automobile and, more particularly, to an after-market dashboard bezel for an automobile for mounting supplemental instruments or gauges. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many automobile drivers either choose or require more or additional information about the status of their vehicle&#39;s engine than is made available by the manufacturer of the vehicle. This may be especially true for owners of what are termed custom vehicles or vehicles in which the engines have been modified. As well, drivers of vehicles involved in racing and other similar activities may have a critical need for more information regarding the status of their vehicle&#39;s engine. 
   An engine has many measurable properties that may be monitored. Often, it is very important for a driver to monitor revolutions per minute (RPMs) of an engine, the amount of oil and its pressure in the engine, the air and fuel mixture ratio in the engine, as well as the water temperature. Additional measurable properties include voltage, engine temperature, quantity of fuel and other consumable liquids, and the like. However, most car manufacturers do not choose to make the instruments or gauges necessary for such measurements available from the factory, or provide “idiot lights” in place thereof to warn the owner only after a problem has occurred. 
   Thus, owners are forced to add the instruments or gauges to their vehicles on their own. Since the vehicles have not been designed to accommodate the additional instruments, the resulting addition of instruments can be unsightly as well as posing a potential safety risk. Some instrument clusters or gauge pods, designed for additional instruments, such as the A-Pillar instrument pods, can obstruct the driver&#39;s view of the road, while other gauge pods are positioned such that constant monitoring of these instruments can significantly distract the driver from the road. 
   It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a manner of mounting supplemental instruments in a vehicle that alleviates the above problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a method, apparatus, and/or article of manufacture that facilitates the addition of supplemental instruments to a vehicle. The present invention provides the capability of adding supplemental instruments to a vehicle without placing the instruments in a location that would make reading these instruments awkward and/or unsafe. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an instrument bezel for a vehicle. The instrument bezel includes a body configured to surround a window of an instrument cluster assembly of the vehicle. The instrument bezel also includes an instrument mount secured to the body. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an after-market instrument bezel adapted to replace an original dashboard bezel surrounding a window of an instrument cluster assembly of a vehicle. The after-market instrument bezel includes a body substantially conforming in dimension to the original dashboard bezel. The after-market instrument bezel also includes an instrument mount secured to the body. 
   In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of adding an additional instrument to a vehicle. The method includes the step of removing an original dashboard bezel from the vehicle so as to expose a bezel mounting space. The method also includes the step of installing an instrument bezel in the bezel mounting space. The instrument bezel has a body which substantially conforms in dimension to the original dashboard bezel. The instrument bezel also includes an instrument mount secured to the body. The instrument mount is adapted to retain the additional instrument. 
   In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit for mounting a supplemental instrument in a vehicle. The kit includes an instrument bezel having (i) a body substantially conforming in dimension to an original dashboard bezel of the vehicle, and (ii) an instrument mount secured to the body. The instrument mount is adapted to retain the additional instrument. The kit also includes a number of printed instructions for installing the instrument bezel in the vehicle. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of adding an additional instrument to a vehicle. The method includes the step of removing a first dashboard bezel from the vehicle such that the first dashboard bezel is spaced apart from a window of an instrument cluster assembly associated with the vehicle. The method also includes the step of securing a second dashboard bezel to the vehicle such that the second dashboard bezel is positioned proximate to the window of the instrument cluster assembly. The second dashboard bezel has (i) a body substantially conforming in dimension to the first dashboard bezel, and (ii) an instrument mount secured to the body. The instrument mount is adapted to retain the additional instrument. 
   In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dashboard assembly for a vehicle. The dashboard assembly includes an instrument cluster assembly having a first instrument and a window through which the first instrument is visible to a driver of the vehicle. The dashboard assembly also includes a bezel having a body which defines a viewing opening. The bezel is mounted in relation to the instrument cluster assembly such that the first instrument is visible to the driver of the vehicle through the viewing opening. The bezel also has an instrument mount secured to the body of the bezel. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful replacement dashboard bezel. 
   It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide an improved replacement dashboard bezel. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful method for adding an instrument to an automobile. 
   It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for adding an instrument to an automobile. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a replacement dashboard bezel which allows an instrument to be added to an automobile in a manner which is more aesthetically pleasing relative to heretofore designed mounting mechanisms and methods. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a replacement dashboard bezel which allows after-market instruments to be added to the automobile without obstructing the driver&#39;s view of the road. 
   The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an uninstalled and unpainted bezel without instruments mounted therein, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a left side perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is right side perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1  turned 180° relative to  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a left side perspective view of a dashboard of an automobile with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed; 
       FIG. 9  is another left side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed; 
       FIG. 10  is a right side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed. 
       FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed; 
       FIG. 12  is a left side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  being installed therein; 
       FIG. 13  is a right side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  being installed therein; 
       FIG. 14  is another left side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  being installed therein; 
       FIG. 15  is a right side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  installed therein; 
       FIG. 16  is a left side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  installed therein; 
       FIG. 17  is another right side perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  installed therein; 
       FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with the automobile manufacturer&#39;s dashboard bezel removed and the bezel of  FIGS. 1-7  installed therein; 
       FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the dashboard of the automobile of  FIG. 8  with a finished bezel according to the present invention installed therein with additional instruments retained thereby; 
       FIG. 20  is a front perspective view of the original dashboard bezel subsequent to removal thereof from the automobile; 
       FIG. 21  is a rear perspective view of the original dashboard bezel of  FIG. 20 ; and 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an installation instruction manual which provides instructions relating to installation of the replacement dashboard bezel of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , there is shown a bezel, generally designated  20  in accordance with the principles set forth herein. The bezel  20  includes a body  40  which includes a lower body or housing portion  22  and an upper body or housing portion  24  that are each connected to a right body or housing portion  26  and a left body or housing portion  28 . It should be appreciated that the bezel  20  may be formed as a single, integral piece, or as two or more pieces (i.e. body or housing portions) joined together. The bezel  20  is preferably constructed of fiberglass, but may be constructed, fabricated, molded and/or the like from any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, carbon fiber, metal, and/or the like. 
   The lower, upper, right, and left body portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28 , respectively, form a central or viewing opening  30  that is adapted to allow the essentially unobstructed viewing of existing, original, and/or factory-installed instruments/gauges in a dashboard  36  of the automobile. In particular, the dashboard  36  of an automobile is generally constructed to include an instrument cluster assembly  54  (see  FIG. 8 ). The instrument cluster assembly  54  is generally a sealed assembly having a housing  56  which houses the electronics, wiring, and other components (not shown) associated with a number of instruments such as a speedometer  58  and a fuel gauge  62 . A plastic window  64  is generally secured to the housing  56  so as to protect the instruments (e.g. the speedometer  58  and the fuel gauge  62 ) therein. The entire instrument cluster assembly  54  is generally sealed together in a secure manner so as to prevent tampering with the components associated with the assembly  54 . Specifically, the plastic window  64  is generally sealed to the housing  56  in a secure manner to prevent tampering with an odometer  66  associated with the instrument cluster assembly  54  thereby preventing someone with illicit intentions from reducing the number of miles displayed by the odometer  66 . Hence, as described herein, the term “instrument cluster assembly” is intended to mean the collection of instruments which are housed together within the assembly of the housing  56  and the window  64 . Typically, the instrument cluster assembly  54  is installed by the manufacturer of the automobile at the assembly plant (i.e. the original equipment manufacturer or OEM). 
   As shown in  FIG. 19 , the body  40  of the replacement dashboard bezel  20  is configured to surround the window  64  of the instrument cluster assembly  54 . What is meant herein by the term “surround” in regard to a dashboard bezel is that the body of the bezel defines a frame-like structure which borders substantially the entire periphery of the window of the instrument cluster assembly. Hence, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  (or the original dashboard bezel  80  of  FIGS. 20 and 21 ) “surrounds” the window of the instrument cluster assembly much in the same way that a picture frame surrounds a picture. 
   It should be appreciated that the term “instrument” is utilized herein to mean any instrument, gauge, display, light, or the like that may be used to indicate a property, state, or measurement data with regard to the engine of an automobile, any other automobile function or feature, or an automobile in general. As described above, certain instruments are included in the automobile&#39;s instrument cluster assembly  54 . However, as shall now be described in greater detail, other instruments may be provided as “stand alone” instruments which are installed in the vehicle subsequent to manufacture thereof (i.e. after-market instruments). 
   The dashboard bezel  20  also includes a first instrument mount or pod  32  and a second instrument mount or pod  34 . It should be appreciated that the terms “instrument mount” or “instrument pod” are herein intended to mean any mounting and/or retaining configuration, device, assembly, feature, or the like that is operable or otherwise adapted to mount, retain, and/or hold an instrument. The first instrument mount  32  is shown as a generally circular opening in order to accommodate a first generally circular instrument  60  (see  FIG. 19 ). The first instrument mount  32  is formed so as to allow a cable, signal line, or the like to be coupled to the instrument without interfering with the driver&#39;s view of the instruments associated with the instrument cluster assembly  54  or with any other part of the vehicle. The second instrument mount  34  is shown as a generally circular opening in order to accommodate a second generally circular instrument  70  (see  FIG. 19 ). The second instrument mount  34  is formed so as to allow a cable, signal line, or the like to be coupled to the instrument without interfering with the driver&#39;s view of the instruments associated with the instrument cluster assembly  54  or with any other part of the vehicle. Although the first and second instrument mounts  32  and  34 , respectively, are herein described and shown as being circular in shape, it should be appreciated they may be configured in any shape and/or size (i.e. dimension) in order to accommodate a like dimensioned instrument. 
   The first instrument mount  32  is shown as situated at a lower right corner of the bezel  20  between the lower body portion  22  and the right body portion  26 , or adjacent a corner defined at the intersection of the lower body portion  22  and the right body portion  26 . The second instrument mount  34 , on the other hand, is shown as situated at a lower left corner of the bezel  20  between the lower body portion  22  and the left body portion  28 , or adjacent a corner defined at the intersection of the lower body portion  22  and the left body portion  28 . While the first and second instrument mounts  32  and  34  are shown in the lower corners of the bezel  20 , it should be appreciated that the location or placement of the instrument mounts  32  and  34  in the figures is only exemplary, and thus may vary as necessary or desired. As well, while there are only two instrument mounts shown in the bezel  20  of  FIGS. 1-7 , the bezel  20  may be configured to include more or less than two instrument mounts, limited only by the resulting integrity of the bezel  20  and/or the physical dimension of the bezel  20  and the instruments to be accommodated. 
   Therefore, in accordance with the above, it should be appreciated that the number and dimension of instrument mounts of the bezel  20  may vary depending on the type of instrument that is to be accommodated by the respective instrument mount. 
   Further, an instrument mount may be integrally formed with any one of the body portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 , or  28 , or at the corner or intersection between either the upper body portion  24  and the right and left side body portions  26  or  28 , or the lower body portion  22  and the right and left side body portions  26  or  28  such as is shown in the figures. Alternatively, an instrument mount may be formed as a separate piece and attached or coupled to any one of the body portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 , or  28 , or at the corner or intersection between either the upper body portion  24  and the right or left side body portions  26  or  28 , or the lower body portion  22  and the right or left side body portions  26  or  28 . 
   What has been shown and described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-7  is an exemplary dashboard bezel in accordance with the present principles. Thus, it should be appreciated that dashboard bezels having various combinations of instrument mounts, (i.e. in size, shape, and/or placement) may be produced to accommodate the various sizes and shapes of the instruments to be retained by the respective instrument mount. The number of instrument openings and/or their configuration may vary in accordance with the type of instrument, gauge or the like which will be mounted in the instrument mounting. The dashboard bezel  20  shown in the figures is, therefore, only exemplary of one style or embodiment of the present invention. There are infinite variations or combinations possible in accordance with the principles of the present invention herein presented. As an example, the lower body portion  22  may contain one or a plurality of instrument mounts (not shown). 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 8-11 , there is shown a dashboard  36  of an automobile in which an original or factory-installed (i.e. OEM) dashboard bezel  80  (see  FIGS. 20-21 ) has been removed. It should be appreciated that the removed bezel  80  could, in fact, be a replacement dashboard bezel that does not have supplemental instrument pods associated therewith. In either case, the removed bezel (albeit OEM or a replacement) is hereinafter referred to as the “original dashboard bezel”. In any event, the removal of the original dashboard bezel  80  exposes a bezel mounting space  38  that essentially surrounds or encompasses the window  64  of the instrument cluster assembly  54 . As discussed above, the instrument cluster assembly  54  includes the original, factory-installed instruments such as the speedometer  58  and the fuel gauge  62 . It should be appreciated that the number, layout, and type of original or factory-installed instruments depend on many factors, such as the model type and options associated with the automobile. 
   The bezel mounting space  38  essentially defines an upper bezel mounting space portion  46 , a lower bezel mounting space portion  48 , a right bezel mounting space portion  50 , and a left bezel mounting space portion  52 . The upper body portion  24  of the bezel  20  corresponds at least generally in dimension to the upper bezel mounting space portion  46 . The lower body portion  22  of the bezel  20  corresponds at least generally to the lower bezel mounting space portion  48 . The right body portion  26  of the bezel  20  corresponds at least generally to the right bezel mounting space portion  50 . The left body portion  28  corresponds at least generally to the left bezel mounting space portion  52 . 
   It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the upper, lower, right, and left bezel mounting space portions  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and  52  are particular to the make and/or model of the automobile. As well, the automobile shown in  FIGS. 8-19  is an example of one type of automobile in order to describe the present invention. In order for the bezel  20  to fit into the bezel mounting space  38 , the dimensions of the lower, upper, right, and left body portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  are generally the same as, or otherwise correspond to, the dimensions of the lower, upper, right, and left bezel mounting space portions  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and  52 . The bezel  20  would thus be dimensioned quite similarly to the original dashboard bezel  80  (e.g. the OEM dashboard bezel) that was removed from the dashboard  36 . Indeed, as shown in  FIGS. 20-21 , the original dashboard bezel  80  has a body  42  which includes a lower body or housing portion  82  and an upper body or housing portion  84  that are each connected to a right body or housing portion  86  and a left body or housing portion  88 . The body portions  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  of the original dashboard bezel  80  are substantially identical to the body portions  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  except that the body portions  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  of the original dashboard bezel do not include any structures or features for accommodating the instrument mounts  32 ,  34 . 
   In  FIGS. 12-14 , the dashboard bezel  20  is shown being installed or otherwise inserted into the bezel mounting space  38  of the automobile after the original dashboard bezel  80  has been removed. It should be appreciated the after-market instruments  60 ,  70  have been removed from the bezel  20  in  FIGS. 12-14  for clarity of description. The dashboard bezel  20  is dimensioned to essentially replace the original dashboard bezel  80 , but provide for the mounting of additional or supplemental instruments  60 ,  70  at a location that is proximate to the original instruments associated with the instrument cluster assembly  54  (e.g. the speedometer  58  and the fuel gauge  62 ). 
   It is thus desirable and preferred to remove the original dashboard bezel  80  (see  FIGS. 20 and 21 ) from the automobile before installing the replacement dashboard bezel  20 . In one embodiment, however, it is not necessary that the original dashboard bezel  80  be removed, since the replacement dashboard bezel  20  may be dimensioned so as to be installed over, or surrounding, the original dashboard bezel  80 . If the original dashboard bezel  80  is not being removed, the bezel mounting space  38  becomes a surface defined by the original dashboard bezel  80  and the replacement bezel  20  would therefore be dimensioned accordingly. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15-18 , the replacement dashboard bezel  20  has been fully inserted into the bezel mounting space  38 . As with  FIGS. 12-14 , the after-market instruments  60 ,  70  have been removed from the bezel  20  in  FIGS. 15-18  for clarity of description. The replacement dashboard bezel  20  is inserted into the bezel mounting space  38  in the same manner as the original dashboard bezel  80  was inserted (or would be reinserted) therein. It should be appreciated that the replacement dashboard bezel  20  is configured to include the same mounting features as the original dashboard bezel  80 . In particular, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  may be configured to include a number of clips (not shown) which are identical to a number of clips  90  (see  FIG. 21 ) associated with the original dashboard bezel  80 . In this manner, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  may be secured within the bezel mounting space  38  in the same manner as was the original dashboard bezel  80 . It should also be appreciated from the above discussion that the replacement dashboard bezel  20  could therefore be configured with other mounting features such as fasteners, or apertures for receiving fasteners, if the original dashboard bezel  80  was likewise configured. 
   Referring to  FIG. 19 , the replacement bezel  20  is shown with the first instrument  60  disposed in the first instrument mount  32  and the second instrument  70  disposed in the second instrument mount  34 . The first and second instruments  60  and  70  may be retained in their respective instrument mount  32 ,  34  via a press fit, clamps, or any other manner. 
   Further, the replacement bezel  20  may be painted or have a color formed or molded therein to match the interior color of the automobile, or any other color as desired. As well, the bezel  20  may be configured in multiple colors or have graphics, patterns, and/or the like associated therewith. It should be appreciated that there are a multitude of variations. 
   Operation of the Present Invention 
   In operation, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  of the present invention may be utilized to replace the original dashboard bezel  80  of an automobile thereby allowing for the positioning of a number of after-market instruments  60 ,  70  proximate to the instruments associated with the automobile&#39;s factory installed instrument cluster assembly  54  (e.g. the speedometer  58  and the fuel gauge  62 ). As shown in  FIG. 22 , if the replacement dashboard bezel  20  is provided as part of a kit, such as an after-market kit, the bezel is typically packaged with an installation instruction manual  92  which includes the printed instructions for installing the bezel  20  into an automobile in the manner which will now be described. 
   In any event, the process begins by removal of the original dashboard bezel  80  from the dashboard  36  of the automobile. In particular, the fasteners, clips, or any other retaining mechanisms (e.g. the clips  90 ) which are utilized to secure the original dashboard bezel  80  within the bezel mounting space  38  of the dashboard  36  are disengaged so as to allow the original dashboard bezel  80  to be spaced apart from the instrument cluster assembly  54  or otherwise lifted away from the dashboard  36 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , such removal of the original dashboard bezel  80  exposes the window  64  and the housing  56  of the instrument cluster assembly  54 . 
   Thereafter, the additional instruments  60 ,  70  are secured within the instrument mounts  32 ,  34 , respectively, of the replacement dashboard bezel  20 . Moreover, the wires, signal lines, or the like associated with the instruments  60 ,  70  are coupled to the instruments  60 ,  70  and thereafter routed along the rear portion of the replacement dashboard bezel  20 . 
   The replacement dashboard bezel  20  is then aligned with the corresponding surfaces of the bezel mounting space  38  and thereafter advanced into the dashboard  36 . Specifically, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  is advanced into the bezel mounting space  38  and thereafter secured to the dashboard  36  by use of clips, fasteners, or other mechanisms (not shown) which are similar to those that were used to secure the original dashboard bezel  80  within the bezel mounting space  38  of the dashboard  36 . Once done, the after-market instruments  60 ,  70  are fully operational for use by the driver of the automobile. 
   Hence, as described herein, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  of the present invention has a number of advantages over heretofore designed mechanisms for mounting after-market instruments. For example, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  of the present invention allows after-market instruments to be installed in the automobile in a manner which appears “integrated” with the automobile&#39;s original instrument cluster assembly thereby increasing the aesthetic appearance of the dashboard. Moreover, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  of the present invention allows after-market instruments to be installed in a location within the automobile that allows the information displayed by the instrument to be quickly and safely obtained by the driver. Moreover, by eliminating the need to mount after-market instruments on, for example, the A-pillar of the automobile, use of the replacement dashboard bezel  20  of the present invention provides the driver with a relatively unobstructed view of the road. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 
   There are a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the replacement dashboard bezel and associated method described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the replacement dashboard bezel and associated method of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a replacement dashboard bezel and associated method that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   For example, although the replacement instruments  60 ,  70  are herein described as being installed in the instrument mounts  32 ,  34 , respectively, prior to installation of the replacement dashboard bezel  20  within the bezel mounting space  38  of the dashboard  36 , and has significant advantages thereby in the present invention, it should be appreciated that other configurations are also possible. In particular, the instrument mounts  32 ,  34  may be configured to receive the after-market instruments  60 ,  70  from the front side of the replacement dashboard bezel  20 . In such a configuration, the replacement dashboard bezel  20  would be installed within the bezel mounting space  38  of the dashboard  36  without the instruments  60 ,  70  secured thereto, but with the coupling end of the wires, signal lines or the like associated with such instruments  60 ,  70  hanging out from the front openings of the instrument mounts  32 ,  34 , respectively. Once the replacement dashboard bezel  20  is secured  80  within the bezel mounting space  38  of the dashboard  36 , the respective coupling end of the wires or signal lines are secured to the instruments  60 ,  70 . The instruments  60 ,  70  may then be advanced into the instrument mounts  32 ,  34  from the front side of the replacement dashboard bezel  20 . It should be appreciated that during such advancement of the instruments  60 ,  70  through the front side of the replacement dashboard bezel  20 , the wires or signal lines associated with the instruments are contemporaneously guided back into the instrument mounts  32 ,  34  so as to prevent them from being pinched or dangling from the bezel  20  within the view of the driver.

Technology Category: 7