Abstract: An air vent with a damper for redirecting air flow within the air vent is provided. The air vent can include a housing that has an air inlet end and an air outlet end. In addition, the air vent has the damper within the housing, the damper having a generally flat surface and being movable between a closed position and an open position. At least one fin can be rigidly attached to and extend from the damper, for the purpose of redirecting air flow through the housing when the damper is in the open position. In some instances, a plurality of fins can extend from the damper, with at least one fin extending from an air inlet side of the damper and at least one fin extending from an air outlet side of the damper. The fins can extend from the generally flat surface of the damper at an angle between 15 and 165 degrees and in some instances extend in a generally normal direction from the damper flat surface.

Abstract: An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.

Abstract: An automotive assembly having a rigid substructure with at least one opening. A panel having a substrate and a cushioned layer which is disposed over one side of the substrate. At least one clip extends outwardly from the other side of the substrate and the clip is complementary in shape and aligned with the opening in the substructure. An attachment mechanism secures only a portion of the outer periphery of the panel to the substructure upon insertion of the clip into its corresponding opening.

Abstract: A knee airbag housing assembly including a cover panel, a box case, and a lower panel. The cover panel has an upper support portion and a lower support portion extending transversely from a cantilevered support portion. A tear seam formed between the upper cover and lower cover portion. A lower support portion extends transversely from a cantilevered support on the lower cover portion of said cover panel. The box case supports an airbag module and has a lower wall with a distal end lower wall extending towards the cover panel. The box case is fitted in the space between the upper support and lower support portions such that the distal end lower wall of the box spring is disposed closer to the cantilevered support than the terminal edge of the lower panel.

Abstract: The present invention affords an adjustable beverage container holder. The holder has an outer case, an actuator ring, a cover ring, at least one container holding arm and a dial. The outer case has a case axis and holds the actuator ring, the cover ring and the at least one holding arm. The at least one holding arm is rotateably attached to an inner flange of the outer case and the cover ring which is fixedly attached to the outer case. The actuator ring is engaged with the at least one holding arm and the dial. The dial is rotateably coupled to the outer casing and rotates relative to said casing about the case axis. With engagement of the dial to the actuator ring, and engagement of the actuator ring to the at least one holding arm, rotation of the dial affords for the extension and/or retraction of the holding arm towards or away from the case axis. In this manner, an adjustable beverage container holder is provided.