Abstract: A deformable vehicle door pull cup is provided which is both sufficiently strong for use during closing of the door and which also deforms during a side impact collision. A deformable vehicle door pull cup includes a weakening groove and dimple system in preferred embodiments. Dimples are placed within grooves to enhance crack propagation in a side impact collision.

Abstract: A cover assembly covers a portion of a seat adjuster mechanism, wherein the seat adjuster mechanism includes a lower member configured to be coupled to a vehicle floor and an upper member operative for substantially vertical adjustment relative to the lower member. The cover assembly includes a lower cover and an upper cover. The lower cover is coupled to the lower member for concealing at least part of the lower member. The upper cover covers at least part of the upper member. The upper cover is pivotally coupled to the upper member of the adjuster mechanism and pivotally coupled to the lower cover so as to conceal the at least part of the upper member of the adjuster mechanism during the vertical adjustment of the upper member relative to the lower member.

Abstract: A seat belt shoulder guide having a plate with a flange protruding normally outwardly from the plate which defines an opening between the flange and the plate. A plastic insert is positioned in the opening. A belt opening is provided through the insert and this opening includes a linear central portion and an arcuate and transversely extending portion at each end. An antirotation lip is formed around the insert opening. In addition, a central aperture in the plate reduces the weight of the shoulder guide while reinforcing beads formed around the sides of the aperture rigidify the plate.

Abstract: Apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an advisory system that transmits information regarding the status of the host vehicle to drivers of other vehicles, in particular when the status of the host vehicle presents a hazardous condition to other vehicles. An advisory system may also receive information from other vehicles, and provide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle if a hazard to the host vehicle exists. Methods of providing such information are also described.

Abstract: A garnish assembly for an automotive pillar having a garnish dimensioned to cover the pillar and in which the garnish has a predetermined thickness and an elongated through slot. A spacer is disposed in the slot while a fastener extends through the spacer and is secured to the pillar. The spacer has a length at least as long as the predetermined thickness of the garnish and a cross-sectional shape smaller than the area of the slot so that the garnish is slidable relative to the spacer. The fastener may also be used to secure a handgrip to the pillar.

Abstract: A tether anchor assembly is coupled to a vehicle allowing a child seat tether to be connected thereto. The anchor assembly includes a mounting bracket, a receiver bracket, a nylon loop and a boot. The mounting bracket is configured to be fixedly secured to the vehicle. The nylon loop extends through both the mounting bracket and receiver bracket. The boot includes a channel for concealing the receiver bracket and the loop when not in use.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator is provided. The mounting bracket has a circular section and at least one base leg. The circular section entraps an airbag inflator and the base leg is rigidly attached to the circular section and mounted to a vehicle rail. The base leg positions the circular section of the mounting bracket a specific distance from the rail, for the purpose of allowing the section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when an impact force is exerted on the section. One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a circular section entrapping an airbag inflator and a first base leg, a second base leg and an intermediate leg. The first base leg is located adjacent to the vehicle rail when the bracket is mounted to the rail and is rigidly attached to the intermediate leg. The intermediate leg is rigidly attached to the circular section and the second base leg is also rigidly attached to said section.

Abstract: A seat belt guide includes first and second walls each having opposite top and bottom ends. A pair of generally parallel end walls extends from the first wall. The end walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in a transverse direction. A pair of generally parallel side walls extends from the second wall. The side walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in the transverse direction. First and second lips protrude outwardly for maintaining the seat belt spaced apart from the second wall to minimize friction associated with sliding of the seat belt through the guide. A pair of retaining walls extends toward each other from the pair of side walls, the retaining walls being spaced apart from the second wall for retaining the seat belt therebetween.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension includes a plurality of leaf springs fixedly secured together by a bolt in the form of a stack. A first leaf spring of the plurality of leaf springs has ends configured to be coupled to a vehicle frame. A pin extends through each leaf spring except for the first leaf spring to prevent splaying between the leaf springs during transverse loading of the suspension.

Abstract: An improved protective cover is provided for a piston-cylinder unit. The cover has an elongated body with a convoluted portion and a cylindrical portion. The convoluted portion covers the piston rod of the piston-cylinder unit and allows the protective cover to contract and extend when said unit moves from a compressed position to an extended position. The cover is fixedly attached to the piston-cylinder unit such that it covers and protects the cylinder and the piston rod of the unit. The attachment of the protective cover to the piston-cylinder unit results in water and air resistant seals between the cover and the unit, or in the alternative, in non-watertight and/or non-airtight seals that prevent dirt, debris, dust and the like from contacting the cylinder and piston rod of the unit.

Abstract: An energy absorbent and stiffening assembly for an automotive headliner. The assembly includes at least one energy absorbent cone and at least one stiffening rib joined with and extending outwardly from the energy absorbent cone which stiffens the headliner.

Abstract: An energy absorbing boss for a trim panel that is secured to a body panel on a vehicle includes a generally planar trim panel having an inner surface facing the body panel and an outer surface facing into the vehicle. An energy absorbing boss extends radially from an inner surface of the trim panel, and includes an upper end, a lower end attached to the trim panel, and a wall having a predetermined thickness extending therebetween the upper end and the lower end. A triangular support fin extends radially from a lower portion of the wall, such that a lowermost end of the support fin is attached to the trim panel. Energy from a load applied to the body panel is absorbed by the energy absorbing boss at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: An air duct assembly for a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first duct member having a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall, a front wall, a rear wall and a central passageway. A second duct member is operatively attached to the first duct member, and includes a plurality of integrally formed chambers. Each chamber has a pair of opposed side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall interconnecting the sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall and a central passageway extending between an opening in the front wall and an opening in the upper wall. A door member is disposed between the first duct member and the second duct member. The door member includes a plurality of flaps that control the flow of air through the second duct member and the first duct member.

Abstract: A bumper assembly that includes a molded bumper fascia and a molded cover/bezel mounted in an opening in the bumper. The bezel/cover is adapted to contain a fog lamp and is accurately positioned within the opening of the bumper fascia to avoid motion along the longitudinal axis of the opening, both in the forward and reverse directions, by external ribs on the cover/bezel that engage edges of the bumper to act as detents. Living hinges may be integrally molded with the bumper fascia to provide a mechanical fixation to the cover/bezel after the cover/bezel is installed in the opening and the hinges are bent from their mold positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a folded flat position overlying the seat cushion. The seat back has a front seating surface and an opposite back surface. The back surface has a console with at least one compartment with a hinged lid for storing objects therein.

Abstract: A cushion for an automotive grille mounted in an automotive body. The cushion includes an elongated shank having an exterior thread formed along its length. The shank is adapted to be threadably mounted in a hole in the automotive body so that a portion of the shank is sandwiched in between the grille and the automotive body. The effective thickness of the cushion is controlled by rotation of the shank relative to the automotive body.

Abstract: A seat assembly supports an occupant in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the vehicle for movement about a first pivot axis between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally upright stowed position. The first pivot axis being fixed with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat back pivotally coupled to seat cushion for pivotal movement relative to the seat cushion about a second pivot axis, such that the seat back is displaced rearwardly as the seat cushion is moved toward the stowed position.

Abstract: An oil separator separates oil from crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine. The oil drainage device includes an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of stages arranged in a stack between the inlet and the outlet. Each stage includes a generally upright side wall having opposite top and bottom faces. An end wall is disposed at the bottom face of the side wall. The end wall has opposite upper and lower surfaces. The end wall has a bore extending through the upper and lower surfaces for receiving a flow of crankcase gases therethrough. A plate diverts the flow of crankcase gases exiting the bore for creating a pressure increase that separates oil from the crankcase gases. A tube extends through the bore for directing the flow of crankcase gases therethrough. The tube being spaced apart from an inner surface of the bore allowing oil to flow therethrough in an opposite direction relative to the crankcase gases.

Abstract: An ejection control mechanism for a rail mount airbag is provided. The ejection control mechanism is comprised of an elongated strap attached to the rearwardmost cell of a side impact airbag. When the cell is inflated, the strap applies a tension to the cell in an upward and rearward direction and thereby assists the airbag in providing complete coverage of the motor vehicle side windows. One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of the strap being attached to the rearwardmost cell of the rail mounted airbag, whereas a second embodiment is comprised of the strap being attached to the rearwardmost cell and the motor vehicle frame.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode wherein both the cathode and anode each have a flow path with an inflow and outflow. A gaseous source containing oxygen is connected to the inflow of the cathode flow path while a gaseous fuel source is connected to the inflow of the anode flow path. Upon shutdown of the fuel cell, a control system reduces the stoichiometric ratio at the anode to less than or equal to one to thereby deplete the oxygen from the gas at the cathode. A normally closed valve is fluidly connected between the cathode outflow and the anode inflow. The control system opens the valve upon shutdown of the fuel cell to thereby purge the fuel from the anode flow path with the oxygen depleted outflow from the cathode flow path.