Abstract: Cooling apparatus having a cooling box with integrated cooling and attachment features providing end of arm tooling to demold and cool molded parts. There is provided a net fit between a porous tool nest portion of the cooling box and the molded part being manufactured to allow the cooling cycle time to be reduced as the molded part finishes the cooling cycle in the end of arm tooling while a mold is closed and starts making the next molded part. The cooling box is connected to at least one vacuum line having a vacuum unit to generate a vacuum allowing for part demolding and cooling. The fully assembled form fitting cooling box is 3D printable to effectively create a partially solid and partially microporous cooling box.

Abstract: A trim panel assembly for retaining an acoustical device, the trim panel assembly comprising a trim panel, and a voice coil, wherein at least a portion of the voice coil is partially embedded within a surface of the trim panel.

Abstract: A vehicular storage enclosure comprising a sub-compartment (108) disposed within a passenger compartment (P) of a vehicle (V), wherein the sub-compartment (108) includes a closure panel (106) that provides selective access to the sub-compartment (108), wherein the closure panel (106) includes an outboard surface (116) that is substantially exposed to the passenger compartment (106) and an inboard surface (114) that is substantially exposed to the sub-compartment (108) when the sub-compartment (108) is closed off by the closure panel (106), and a handle (204) that is accessible from within the sub-compartment (108), and wherein one of or both of the handle (204) and an area proximate the handle (204) on the inboard surface (114) includes indicia (G) to conspicuously provide one or more instructions for opening the closure panel (106) from within the sub-compartment (108).

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door substrate having an aperture, said door handle assembly comprising: a bell crank capable of pivoting about an axis, the bell crank including a first arm, a second arm and a base therebetween; a door handle that operatively engages the second arm of the bell crank, wherein a free end of the second arm extends upward and outward away from the base such that the free end of the second arm sweeps around a generally conical shape as the bell crank pivots about the axis; means for securing the door handle to the bell crank including a pin and notch assembly, wherein the pin is inserted through an aperture in the door handle and engages a notch located on the second arm; and a plurality of ribs formed on one or more surfaces of the bell crank.

Abstract: A THIXOMOLDING™ process and a die are utilized to fabricate a hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hinge assembly includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: An automotive console is provided including an accessory receiving body or bodies generally located proximate one or more base portions positioned over or secured to a body, such as, for example, a floor pan/panel of an automobile. The accessory receiving body or bodies may each include a closure panel or the like and an actuator operably associated therewith. The actuator may be a switch, such as an electronic contact, arranged in a predetermined position, such that a portion of the closure panel operably contacts the actuator to deploy an accessory, such as a beverage container or the like. Further, it will be appreciated that upon movement of the closure panel away from the actuator, the actuator will be adapted to stow the accessory.

Abstract: A vehicular interior assembly including an air duct defining a duct opening having at least one key receiver and a vent that includes a vent body defining a longitudinal axis and a vent opening axially therethrough. At least one key extends outward from the vent body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is sized for receipt through the corresponding at least one key receiver. The vent body is axially receivable into the duct opening with the at least one key received through the corresponding at least one key receiver. Rotation of the vent body about its longitudinal axis moves the at least one key from an axial movable position to an axial non-movable position. A trim retention feature disposed on the vent body retains a vehicular trim component against the air duct while the at least one key is in its axial non-movable position.

Abstract: An interior trim component includes a handle having a cradle portion and an insert portion, the insert portion is nested within a cavity of the cradle portion, the first ends of the cradle and insert portions define a tucking portion and the second ends define a latching portion.

Abstract: The present invention is an accessory jack for use in an interior panel of an automobile, having a rotating assembly, including two or more sides. An accessory jack is operably associated with the rotating assembly and a pivot point. In a first embodiment, the pivot point is located in the center of the rotating assembly equidistant from the two or more sides, along a substantially vertical axis. In a second embodiment, the pivot point is located where one of the two or more sides connects to another of the two or more sides, along a substantially vertical axis. The rotating assembly rotates about the pivot point, exposing the accessory jack, making the accessory jack available for use.

Abstract: An automotive component (10) and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The component (10) comprises a core portion (14) formed of a first material and a second portion (18) integral with the core portion (14) and formed of a second material. In one illustrated embodiment, the first and second materials have different material property characteristics. For example, the first material can be made of a relatively harder plastic material than the second material made of a softtouch plastic material. The method for manufacturing the component comprises the steps of injecting the first material into a first cavity of a mold to form the core portion (14), altering the mold cavity to form a second cavity and injecting the second material into the second cavity while the first material is in a reactive state to form the second portion (18) of the component. Because the first material is in the reactive state, the second material is integrally formed with the first material.

Abstract: A sub-assembly of a lift-glass hinge is disclosed. The sub-assembly includes a conductive connection member including a central portion, a first terminal end and a second terminal end; a first conductive lead; and a second conductive lead, wherein each of the first and second conductive leads include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first conductive lead is connected proximate one of the first and second terminal ends of the conductive connection member, wherein the first end of the second conductive lead is connected proximate the central portion of the conductive connection member. A lift-glass hinge is also disclosed. A vehicle system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trim panel assembly for retaining an acoustical device, the trim panel assembly comprising a trim panel, and a voice coil, wherein at least a portion of the voice coil is partially embedded within a surface of the trim panel.

Abstract: A sub-assembly of a lift-glass hinge is disclosed. The sub-assembly includes a conductive connection member including a central portion, a first terminal end and a second terminal end; a first conductive lead; and a second conductive lead, wherein each of the first and second conductive leads include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first conductive lead is connected proximate one of the first and second terminal ends of the conductive connection member, wherein the first end of the second conductive lead is connected proximate the central portion of the conductive connection member. A lift-glass hinge is also disclosed. A vehicle system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A movable cargo floor assembly for a vehicle providing at least a portion of the cargo floor moving closer to an entrance of the vehicle or extending beyond or outside the vehicle when it is in a deployed position, and the cargo floor being in a stowed position when not in the deployed position. In addition, the cargo floor has at least one ramp surface integrated into the base of the cargo floor, and a track that is integrated into the ramp surface so that a gear assembly contacts the track and moves the cargo floor to and from a deployed position and a stowed position. Thus, as a gear rotates it contacts the teeth of the track and causes the cargo floor to move between positions.

Abstract: A vehicular storage enclosure comprising a sub-compartment (108) disposed within a passenger compartment (P) of a vehicle (V), wherein the sub-compartment (108) includes a closure panel (106) that provides selective access to the sub-compartment (108), wherein the closure panel (106) includes an outboard surface (116) that is substantially exposed to the passenger compartment (106) and an inboard surface (114) that is substantially exposed to the sub-compartment (108) when the sub-compartment (108) is closed off by the closure panel (106), and a handle (204) that is accessible from within the sub-compartment (108), and wherein one of or both of the handle (204) and an area proximate the handle (204) on the inboard surface (114) includes indicia (G) to conspicuously provide one or more instructions for opening the closure panel (106) from within the sub-compartment (108).

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rail bracket is fixedly secured to the vehicle and includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: An automotive console is provided including an accessory receiving body or bodies generally located proximate one or more base portions positioned over or secured to a body, such as, for example, a floor pan/panel of an automobile. The accessory receiving body or bodies may each include a closure panel or the like and an actuator operably associated therewith. The actuator may be a switch, such as an electronic contact, arranged in a predetermined position, such that a portion of the closure panel operably contacts the actuator to deploy an accessory, such as a beverage container or the like. Further, it will be appreciated that upon movement of the closure panel away from the actuator, the actuator will be adapted to stow the accessory.

Abstract: A interior trim component includes a handle having a cradle portion including a cavity. The handle also includes an insert portion nested within the cavity of the cradle portion. Each of the insert portion and cradle portion includes a first end and a second end. The first ends of the cradle and insert portions define a tucking portion. The second ends of the cradle and insert portions define a latching portion. A method for assembling the interior trim component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door substrate having an aperture, said door handle assembly comprising: a bell crank capable of pivoting about an axis, the bell crank including a first arm, a second arm and a base therebetween; a door handle that operatively engages the second arm of the bell crank, wherein a free end of the second arm extends upward and outward away from the base such that the free end of the second arm sweeps around a generally conical shape as the bell crank pivots about the axis; means for securing the door handle to the bell crank including a pin and notch assembly, wherein the pin is inserted through an aperture in the door handle and engages a notch located on the second arm; and a plurality of ribs formed on one or more surfaces of the bell crank.