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: The present invention is directed to a seamless airbag door assembly for a motor vehicle. A panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the panel has predetermined breaking lines that are not visible when the panel is viewed from the outside surface. A scrim is connected to the inner surface of the panel and has a cut-line operable aligned with the predetermined breaking lines of the inner surface of the panel. An airbag chute is connected to the scrim and inner surface of the panel in order to connected the airbag chute to the panel.

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 structurally reinforced cross-car beam is comprised of a plastic material impregnated with long reinforcement fibers. The long reinforcement fibers have a length of at least three-quarters of an inch. The plastic material may be a thermoplastic and the reinforcement fibers may be comprised of glass fibers. The cross-car beam may also include a first portion comprised of a metallic material, such as magnesium, and a second portion comprised of the plastic material impregnated with long reinforcement fibers.