Abstract: A door cartridge assembly is provided to be installed into a vehicle door. The assembly includes a door hardware mounting panel having door components mounted thereon and being constructed and arranged to be fixedly mounted to a vehicle door; coupling structure carried by the mounting panel; and a door latch assembly constructed and arranged to be secured to a vehicle door to provide a latch for the vehicle door. The door latch assembly includes a latching member constructed and arranged to be movable between a latching position and a releasing position. The coupling structure is constructed and arranged to receive the latching member in latching relation therewith when the latching member is in the latching position thereof, thereby permitting the mounting panel to be transported with the door latch assembly connected thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adjusting mechanism including a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to lock the adjusting mechanism to prevent adjusting movement and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit manual movement in one direction and return movement in the opposite direction. The adjusting mechanism includes a power operated assembly constructed and arranged to enable the locking and releasing device to be moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof, and a manually actuated remote control constructed and arranged to operate the power operated assembly to enable the locking and releasing device to be selectively moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion assembly for supporting an occupant seated thereon and a seat back cushion assembly for supporting the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. A first mounting assembly is constructed and arranged to mount the seat cushion assembly on a vehicle floor and a second mounting assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to mount the seat back cushion assembly on the seat cushion assembly. An adjusting mechanism is operatively embodied in one of the first and second mounting assemblies and is constructed and arranged to enable the cushion assembly mounted by the one mounting assembly to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjustable positions with respect to the assembly on which the one mounting assembly mounts the cushion assembly. The adjusting mechanism also includes a locking and releasing device.

Abstract: A vehicle seat track assembly wherein guide elements are mounted on one of a pair of cooperating track structures. The guide elements have generally vertically facing guide surfaces which have been broached to be positioned a predetermined distance vertically from generally opposed spaced surfaces on the one track structure. The vertically facing guide surfaces slidably engage generally oppositely facing surfaces of another of the track structures so as to effectively prevent relative vertical movement in a direction tending to vertically separate the track structures.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion assembly for supporting an occupant seated thereon. A seat back cushion assembly is provided for supporting the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. An adjusting mechanism is operatively associated with the seat back cushion assembly and is constructed and arranged to enable the seat back cushion assembly to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjusting movements with respect to the seat cushion assembly. The adjusting mechanism includes a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position preventing the adjusting movements from being affected and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit the adjusting movements.

Abstract: A vehicle seat track assembly includes an elongated fixed track structure constructed and arranged to be fixed to a vehicle floor and a movable track structure cooperable with the fixed track structure. A plurality of rolling elements are engaged between track structures for rollingly supporting the movable track structure on the fixed track structure to enable the movable track structure to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjusting movements with respect to the fixed track structure. An adjusting mechanism IS operatively associated with the track structures and is constructed and arranged to permit the movable track structure to be moved through the adjusting movements.

Abstract: A headliner assembly for lining a passenger compartment ceiling of a motor vehicle comprising a headliner cover having an exterior surface presenting a major exterior appearance of the headliner assembly and an opposite interior surface, and a body of foamed material adhered to the opposite interior surface of the headliner cover and having central portions thereof with a greater thickness than peripheral portions thereof, the body of foamed material being of generally constant density throughout its extent including the central and peripheral portions thereof.

Abstract: A beverage heating and cooling device has at least one removable beverage container holding chamber. Each chamber has a spring mechanism assembly to bias a beverage container against a heat transfer member protruding through the chamber-side-wall opening. An electronic controller controls the operation of a thermoelectric heating and cooling element connected to the heat transfer member. The controller has a thermal fuse to protect the device from overheating in the event that the thermal switches fail to maintain the heat transfer member at a desired temperature range. When used in a motor vehicle with the ignition off, an automatic timer within the controller shuts off the unit after a predetermined time to conserve power.

Abstract: A seat assembly including an integrated child seat assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a seat frame including a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame. A cushion assembly is mounted on the seat frame assembly and includes a movable cushion construction mounted for movement between (1) an adult position wherein the cushion assembly including the movable cushion construction provides an adult seat cushion and a cushioned adult seat back for engaging the back of an adult sitting on the adult seat cushion, and (2) a child position wherein the cushion assembly including the movable cushion construction provides a child's seat and a cushioned child's seat back. An adult seat belt assembly is mounted with respect to the seat assembly, and a child's seat belt assembly is provided with the integrated child's seat assembly.

Abstract: A headliner assembly for lining a passenger compartment ceiling of a motor vehicle comprising a headliner cover having an exterior surface presenting a major exterior appearance of the headliner assembly and an opposite interior surface, and a body of foamed material adhered to the opposite interior surface of the headliner cover and having central portions thereof with a greater thickness than peripheral portions thereof, the body of foamed material being of generally constant density throughout its extent including the central and peripheral portions thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided for use in a vehicle including floor means having a pair of front and rear wells and anchor members extending across the wells. The seat is movable between a fixed, operative position and forwardly tumbled, storage position. Handle structure is coupled to at least one of the rear legs in a position to be manually grasped and operated at a side of the vehicle seat for unlatching the rear hook members thereby permitting the vehicle seat to be pivoted about the front anchor members and moved to the forwardly tumbled, storage position thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle seat integrated to selectively provide an adult seat in an adult seat mode and a child's seat in a child seat mode, the child's seat including a child's seat belt assembly including a pair of shoulder belts extending from the cushioned child's seat back over the shoulders of a child in a sitting position on the cushioned child's seat. Each of the shoulder belts when the child's seat belt assembly is in a restraint condition including a generally straight portion which extends forwardly from a position rearwardly of a support surface provided by the child's seat back through a space in the cushioned child's seat back accommodating the same to a position adjacent the child's shoulder.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame structure having a riser and a movable portion movable in relation to the riser in fore and aft directions with respect to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle. A seat cushion assembly including an open-cell foam seat cushion is mounted on the movable portion. The seat cushion includes a plurality of air channels therein extending from a bottom surface to a top surface thereof. The seat cushion is of sufficient thickness and density to support an occupant thereon. The seat cushion assembly includes a seat cushion cover material covering at least the top surface of the seat cushion. The seat cushion cover material is constructed and arranged to permit air to pass therethrough. A seat back frame is coupled to the movable portion of the frame structure. A seat back pad assembly is mounted on the seat back frame.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a switch having a lockout feature is described. The circuit permits both a primary operator and an auxiliary operator to operate a bi-directional motor by activating separate low-current switches. The circuitry enables the primary operator to disable the auxiliary operator's ability to operate the motor by activating a lockout switch. With the lockout switch activated, the primary operator can operate the motor without interference from the auxiliary operator. High-current power switches, activated via logic circuitry rather than by the operators, are used to complete a power circuit for energizing the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for acquiring data relating to an amount of force required to move a manually movable member operatively associated with a motor vehicle through a predetermined range of movement. The apparatus comprises a movable assembly constructed and arranged to be able to engage the manually movable member through the predetermined range of movement of the manually movable member. A drive mechanism is constructed and arranged to drive the movable assembly so that the movable assembly applies a force to the manually movable member and moves the manually movable member through the predetermined range of movement so as to generally simulate a predetermined manual movement of the manually movable member.

Abstract: A device for molding foam products including upper and lower portions cooperable to form a foam mold defining a mold cavity therein. The upper mold portion has at least one vent hole therein. A mechanism for providing the mold cavity with an expandable foam during a filling cycle is also provided. The expandable foam reactively expands when provided within the cavity so as to be molded into the shape of the cavity during a foaming cycle. The foam approaches the vent hole while expanding within the mold cavity during the foaming cycle. At least one vent hole provides a passage through which air and reaction product gases introduced into the cavity as a byproduct of the reactive expanding of the foam can escape to atmosphere from the cavity during the foaming cycle. A sensing and signal generating assembly detects the presence of the foam at a predetermined proximity to the at least one vent hole during the foaming cycle and generates a signal in response to the detection.

Abstract: A tailgate for an open bed truck is provided in the form of a tubular grate, with openings between tubes to allow wind to flow through the tailgate even when it is closed, improving fuel economy. The openings provide defined passages in which long articles can be supported, and an optional solid panel can be secured to the front face of the tailgate to retain loose loads.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a memory carriage assembly having a connector mechanism mounted thereon for movement between first and second positions, and an actuator mechanism mounted thereon for movement between first and second positions.

Abstract: A vehicle door is provided including a latching mechanism carried by the door constructed and arranged to move between an unlatched relation with a door opening catch and a latched relation with the door opening catch. The latching mechanism includes a movable releasing component constructed and arranged to be in a latching position within the door structure when the latching mechanism is in latched relation with the door opening catch and to be moved from the latching position in a generally downward direction into a releasing position to move the latching mechanism into unlatched relation with the door opening catch. A motion-transmitting assembly is disposed within a space defined by the door to transmit a manual motion of an external door handle to downward motion of the movable releasing component.

Abstract: A method of making an interior panel of an automotive vehicle door having an exterior surface which is to face toward the interior of the automotive vehicle when installed therein which comprises the steps of forming a bolster laminate including a textile outer layer, a flexible imperforate layer and an inner surface layer of a material which becomes tacky when heated, mounting the bolster laminate in a vacuum mold part, heating a sheet of predetermined material content presenting a vinyl surface, vacuum forming the heated sheet in the vacuum mold part so that the vinyl surface bondingly interengages the tacky material of the film inner layer of the bolster laminate, molding material between the vacuum mold part with the bolster laminate and the sheet therein and a cooperating opposed mold part to form an integrally molded panel having a content between an exterior bolster and vinyl surface and an opposed surface which includes a relatively hard substrate defining the opposed surface, a layer of sheet vinyl p