Abstract: A trim panel including a substrate layer having a first portion, a second portion, and a frangible pre-weakened segment between the first portion and the second portion; a bridge covering at least a portion of the pre-weakened segment frangibly connecting the first portion and second portion; and a skin layer covering at least a portion of the substrate layer and the bridge. A method of manufacturing a component of a trim panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module comprises an inflatable restraint canister including an inflatable restraint, an instrument panel, and a mechanism for interlocking the instrument panel to the inflatable restrain. The mechanism includes an attachment portion attached to a chute of the inflatable restraint module, a shaft portion extending from the attachment portion, and an engagement flange extending from the shaft portion. Upon upward displacement of the chute as a result of deployment of the inflatable restraint, the mechanism concurrently shifts with the chute, causing the engagement flange to shift from a free-floating, at-rest position to an engagement position with a structural member for controlling the relative movement between the chute and the instrument panel.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module comprises an inflatable restraint canister including an inflatable restraint, an instrument panel including an inflatable restraint door, and a structural reinforcement member that maintains proper deployment of the inflatable restraint. The structural reinforcement member is attached to an inflatable restraint chute that extends from the instrument panel at a first location and is attached to the structural member and the instrument panel at a second location. Upon deployment of an inflatable restraint, the structural reinforcement member goes into tension, thereby causing the structural reinforcement member to relieve stresses imparted to the instrument panel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module comprises an inflatable restraint canister including an inflatable restraint, an instrument panel, and a mechanism for interlocking the instrument panel to the inflatable restrain. The mechanism includes an attachment portion attached to a chute of the inflatable restraint module, a shaft portion extending from the attachment portion, and an engagement flange extending from the shaft portion. Upon upward displacement of the chute as a result of deployment of the inflatable restraint, the mechanism concurrently shifts with the chute, causing the engagement flange to shift from a free-floating, at-rest position to an engagement position with a structural member. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module comprises an inflatable restraint canister including an inflatable restraint, an instrument panel including an inflatable restraint door, and a structural reinforcement member that maintains proper deployment of the inflatable restraint. The structural reinforcement member is attached to an inflatable restraint chute that extends from the instrument panel at a first location and is attached to the structural member and the instrument panel at a second location. Upon deployment of an inflatable restraint, the structural reinforcement member goes into tension, thereby causing the structural reinforcement member to relieve stresses imparted to the instrument panel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A retention clip for securing a trim piece to a vehicle. The retention clip includes a trim piece affixing portion, a first leg member, and second leg member that extends from a head portion. The trim piece affixing portion is defined by at least one pair of grips that includes a plurality of retention barbs. Each first and second leg member is defined by a first leg portion, an intermediate knee portion, and a second leg portion. Each second leg portion is defined by a first and second length and a first and second deployment angle, respectively. The retention clip has a resilient retention feature that allows the retention clip to deform inwardly to during installation, then outwardly when affixing a trim piece to a vehicle in order to provide a perpendicular biasing force and a later, outboard biasing force.

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 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 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

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. An apparatus utilized in the method comprises a mold assembly including a first vacuum mold component having a mold surface shaped to form the exterior surface of an upper section of the door panel, a second non-vacuum mold component cooperable in side-by-side relation with the first vacuum mold component having a mold surface shaped to form the exterior surface of a lower section of the door panel and a third non-vacuum mold component cooperable in opposed relation with the first and second mold components having a mold surface shaped to form the entire opposite surface of the door panel. The method comprises the steps of heating a laminated sheet, and vacuum forming the heated sheet in the first vacuum mold component.

Abstract: A method of making an interior panel of a vehicle door having an exterior surface which is to face toward the interior of the vehicle when installed therein. The method includes the steps of heating a laminate sheet comprising (1) an outer layer of vinyl sheet and (2) a layer of relatively soft foamed material bonded thereto and vacuum forming the heated laminate sheet in a vacuum mold component oriented so that an arm rest portion of the laminate sheet is the vinyl sheet surface thereof engaged with the mold surface arm rest portion. Next, a preformed pad of foamed elastomeric material having a density in the range of 30 to 45 pounds per cubic foot is mounted on the opposite surface of the arm rest portion of the heated laminate sheet.

Abstract: A composite trim foundation panel of densified wood fibers and resin and a molded-in clip wherein the clip includes a base portion provided with outwardly flared segmented fingers which project from the inner surface thereof into the panel with the fingers and the base portion being both adhesively and mechanically bonded to the panel during densification of the panel in a mold. The clip also includes a return bent portion spaced from the base and provided with a slot for receiving the head of a fastener to mount the panel and clip to a vehicle body.