Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive door armrest is provided and comprises molding an armrest support surface into a lower door panel. A frame assembly is formed to comprise at least one through socket having an open upper socket face and an open lower. The frame assembly is overmolded such that an overmold surface is formed over the open upper socket face. A foam bun is inserted into the lower socket face. The frame assembly is mounted onto the armrest support surface such that the foam bun becomes secured within the at least one through socket. The frame assembly is affixed to the lower door panel.

Abstract: A plastic product for particular use as grab handles, door closure handles, and other trim and component products. A foam core, either structural or non-structural, is over-molded with a hard or soft plastic shell or skin. Structural members for heat staking, mechanical fastenings, and the like, are integrally formed on the ends of the handles in order to affix the handles to a door pillar, door panel, or the like.

Abstract: A locking system (12) for a mold (14) includes a first mold half (20), a second mold half (22), and a lock assembly that is coupled to one of the mold halves (20, 22). The lock assembly includes a wear plate (80), that is disposed between the first mold half (20) and the second mold half (22), and an adjustment element (86), which is disposed between the wear plate (80) and one of the mold halves (20,22). The lock assembly also includes a wear plate locking fastener (84), that locks the position of the wear plate (80), and an adjustment fastener (88), which is separate therefrom and adjusts the position of the wear plate (80).

Abstract: An automotive slouch rear seat with improved adjustability is provided including an upper seat back and a lower seat bottom. The upper seat back includes a fixed rear seat back, a pivotal seat back, and a sliding seat back. The pivotal seat back has an upper end and a lower end for connecting to the lower seat bottom. The sliding seat back is slidably engaged to the fixed rear seat back. The sliding seat back is rotatably engaged to the upper end of the pivotal seat back. The lower seat bottom includes a fixed rear seat bottom, and a sliding seat lower. The sliding seat lower is slidably engaged to the fixed rear seat bottom. The sliding seat lower is rotatably engaged to the lower end of the pivotal seat back. Also, an automotive slouch rear seat assembly and a method of assembling a pre-installation automotive slouch rear seat assembly are provided.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback assembly including an upper seatback surface and a guide stem positioned within. A head restraint post is positioned within the guide stem, and includes a head restraint mount end and a seatback insertion end. A head restraint element is mounted to the head restraint mount end. A roller guide is mounted in proximity to the upper seatback surface and comprises a bezel element inserted into the guide stem. A primary roller housing is mounted to said bezel element and forms a center cylindrical path through which the head restraint post passes. A primary roller element is rotatably mounted within the primary roller housing and is biased into communication with the head restraint post by way of a roller bias such that the head restraint post is restrained from motion absent the application of a vertical adjustment force. A housing cap is mounted over the bezel element.

Abstract: An assembly for use in an automobile is provided including an automotive seat element including a seatback element having a seatback forward face, a seatback top face, and a seatback rearward face. The seatback rotates between a use position and a folded position and includes a mounting structure. The lower pivot end, of a pivot structure, is rotatably mounted to the mounting structure having a pivot structure storage position and a pivot structure use position. The pivot structure extends vertically upward in the pivot structure use position. The upper pivot end rotates forward to a pivot structure storage position. A headrest inner structure rotates at the upper pivot end, extends on a downward angle, is covered by a headrest outer structure having a head engagement surface. The headrest inner structure rotates away from the seatback so the headrest slides down the seatback face into the pivot structure storage position.