On Door Or Side Panel Patents (Class 296/37.13)
  • Patent number: 11654809
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a door panel including a metallic plate material, a lower trim attached to the door panel, and an armrest installed on top of the lower trim and configured to be slidable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The door assembly further includes a base fixedly installed on the top of the lower trim, a slider positioned on top of the base, wherein the armrest is coupled to a top of the slider, and a guide fixedly installed on the base and configured to penetrate the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Seoyon E-Hwa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Won Kim, Yong-Kyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11608004
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to storage bin for a door of a motor vehicle. In an example, a door, which provides a boundary between a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and an exterior of the motor vehicle, includes a storage bin configured such that an item in the storage bin is accessible both from the passenger compartment and from the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Gould, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Marguerite Kimball
  • Patent number: 11577657
    Abstract: A vehicular luggage tray apparatus is capable of receiving and storing goods in a main tray and a sub tray, and of receiving and storing the main tray and the sub tray in an unused space in a side wall of a luggage room of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, DAEJOO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Lee, Seung Soo Ryu, Jae Yong Lee, Kwang Ok Jeon, Tae Woo Kim, Dong Ju Kim, Kyoung Jun Jin
  • Patent number: 11377037
    Abstract: An access flap for a luggage compartment of a vehicle includes a basic body configured to close an access opening to the luggage compartment of the vehicle in a closure position and to open up the access opening in an opening up position, and a bearing device configured to mount the basic body for a reversible movement between the closure position and the opening up position. The basic body has a fastening portion for the fastening of a covering device for covering the luggage compartment in the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Fleischhacker
  • Patent number: 11318894
    Abstract: An accessory body panel includes a recessed feature. The body panel is mounted at the exterior surface of the vehicle body over an opening or hole formed in the vehicle body. The opening can correspond to an OEM window cut-out. The mounted body panel creates an indentation present at the interior side of the vehicle body, which effectively extends the available interior space in the lateral or transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FLARESPACE AL, LLC
    Inventor: Sonja Scheler
  • Patent number: 11318841
    Abstract: A vehicle control panel protection device, including a main body to cover at least a portion of a vehicle control panel disposed on a portion of a door of a vehicle, at least one first fastener disposed on at least a portion of the main body, and at least one second fastener disposed on the vehicle control panel to detachably connect to the at least one first fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Julia Rozier
  • Patent number: 11185180
    Abstract: One or more personal article holders and/or mobile structures to which personal article holders can be attached or are integrated into are provided. A personal article holder comprises an elongated body comprising a hollow interior and a first open end configured for allowing a personal article to be inserted into the hollow interior. The personal article holder comprises an attachment means configured to attach the personal article holder to a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Frederick Nicholas Albrecht, Frederick Steven Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11117525
    Abstract: A apparatus includes a trim panel and a displaceable face pane. The trim panel includes a storage compartment and a guideway having a latching slot and a positioning rack. The displaceable face panel has a trunnion received for sliding movement along the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Koehler, Bhavani Thota, Steven Nicholas Fidh, Gary D. Mullen, Linh Ngoc Doan
  • Patent number: 10780834
    Abstract: A removable cover for maintaining debris and other items in an inner door compartment of a vehicle. The removable cover can be removed from the door compartment and when in use prevents debris from blowing out of the door compartment. The removable cover has an opening with flexible flaps for allowing the user to place items in the door compartment during use. The removable cover can be used with a debris wall or dam that prevents debris from moving from a storage area of the door compartment to a drink holder area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Matthew James Dunlop
  • Patent number: 10427612
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes an inner panel and a trim panel portion connected to the inner panel. The trim panel portion includes an inner surface facing the inner panel. At least one holding device for an object is disposed on the inner surface and the trim panel portion is pivotable between a closed position adjacent the inner panel and an open position, in which the holding device is accessible, wherein a storage space for the object to be held by the holding device is provided in both positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Otomotiv Sanayi Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Husniye Akdag Cakir, Cihan Karadeniz, Halil Oelmez, Tamer Koc, Muharrem Yildiz, Nehir Yurt
  • Patent number: 10286759
    Abstract: A door inner structure includes a first vertical wall, a second vertical wall, a floor, a lip, and a plurality of vertical ribs. The second vertical wall is disposed laterally inboard of the first vertical wall. The floor extends between and is connected to the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall. The first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, and the floor cooperate to define a storage compartment. The storage compartment has an open end that provides access to the storage compartment. The lip extends from a top edge of the second vertical wall toward the first vertical wall. The plurality of vertical ribs is disposed below the lip and extends from the second vertical wall. Each of the plurality of vertical ribs is connected to an outer surface of the second vertical wall and to an underside surface of the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eliseo Arturo Flores Diaz
  • Patent number: 10179531
    Abstract: An adjustable cup holder assembly is provided. That adjustable cup holder assembly includes a support having a guide track and a drag bar. The adjustable cup holder also includes a cup holder having (a) a body including a well, (b) an actuator and (c) a drag. The cup holder may be displaced along the guide track and secured in various positions on the support by engaging the drag bar. A motor vehicle door including a cup holder with an adjustment mechanism for displacing the cup holder along the body of the door between multiple positions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
  • Patent number: 9216692
    Abstract: A panel member assembly forming a pocket, and a method for fabricating the panel member assembly is provided. The panel member assembly including a panel including a non-linear slot which may be a generally U-shaped slot, an insert which is inserted into the slot to form the pocket, and a retainer attachable to the panel to retain the insert in the slot. The panel includes one or more attaching features and the retainer includes one or more attaching features to attach the panel and the retainer to each other, thereby retaining the insert in the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer may be heat staked to the panel. The insert may include one or more additional features, such as cording, loops or rickrack to attach the pocket to the panel or the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jesse J. Brinster, Robert L. Demick, Daniel W. Booth, Cheryl L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9193376
    Abstract: A fixing device for an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes a first cam carrier having one or more cams fixedly attached thereto, and at least one further cam carrier having one or more cams fixedly attached thereto. The cam carriers are arranged such as to be rotatable relative to each other about a rotational axis. Upon rotation of the cam carriers relative to each other about the rotational axis, the cam or cams of the first cam carrier interact with the cam or cams of the further cam carrier such as to slide exclusively along each other. The fixing device includes at least one energy-consuming damping device which damps the rotation of the cam carrier in at least one direction of rotation about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Konstantin Cron, Simon Blaettler, Hieronymus Schnitzer, Martin Rohr
  • Patent number: 9193310
    Abstract: A door trim includes an ornament and a trim board. The ornament includes a decoration main body having ornament fitting portions at its peripheral edge portion, and an ornament insertion portion. The trim board includes a trim main body, a receiving portion, and an extending portion. The trim main body has an opening to which the decoration main body is fitted and an opening edge portion on which the fitting portions are located. The receiving portion receives the ornament insertion portion so as to be exposed on a side of the outer peripheral portion of the trim main body. The extending portion extends from the receiving portion to a space in the opening. The extending portion includes a mount seat to which a stopper member is mounted, and the door trim is mounted to a door panel via the stopper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Hinokio, Bongkee Kim
  • Patent number: 9139137
    Abstract: A vehicle interior storage pocket includes a retaining sheet having a first side piece, a second side piece, and a resilient material extending between the first side piece and the second side piece. The resilient material is configured to bias the first and second side pieces toward one another. The vehicle interior storage pocket also includes a sleeve disposed about the retaining sheet, and configured to conceal the resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Raza Ahmed Bashir, Emery Jay Zadina
  • Patent number: 9016748
    Abstract: Interior door panel arrangements for motor vehicles are provided herein. In one example, an interior door panel arrangement comprises a door panel wall surrounding an interior volume and defines a door panel with an opening formed through the door panel wall. A storage compartment arrangement is operably coupled to the door panel wall and comprises a storage compartment bin that is configured to be advanced through the opening between a retracted position in the interior volume and an extended position outside of the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Ardigo
  • Patent number: 8863367
    Abstract: A vehicle trim panel assembly is provided having a beverage retainer formed in a storage compartment on the door of an automotive vehicle. The trim panel assembly includes a storage receptacle and a trim panel arranged to define at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The trim panel includes a base portion connected to a beverage retainer portion via a living hinge. The beverage retainer portion is pivoted about the living hinge into position within the storage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Langenbacher, Steve Dreher, Scott H. Dunham, Ammad Bhatti
  • Publication number: 20140138978
    Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly is provided having a beverage retainer formed in a storage compartment on the door of an automotive vehicle. The trim assembly includes a storage receptacle and a trim component such as a trim panel arranged to define at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The trim panel includes a base portion connected to a beverage retainer portion via a living hinge. The beverage retainer portion is pivoted about the living hinge into position within the storage receptacle. The trim assembly may include a trim component assembled onto a pillar and pivoted about the living hinge between a use position and a stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Langenbacher, Steve Dreher, Scott H. Dunham, Ammad Bhatti
  • Publication number: 20140028044
    Abstract: A pocket member includes a flat-shaped first floor portion located forward and extending substantially horizontally and a flat-shaped second floor portion located in back of the first floor portion and rising obliquely rearward from the first floor portion. A trim recess portion recessed outward in a vehicle width direction is formed at a portion which is located above a trim opening portion and between a door armrest portion and a speaker storage portion which respectively protrude toward a vehicle-compartment side. The trim recess portion is configured to extend obliquely forward and upward from the trim opening portion along the direction substantially perpendicular to the second floor portion. Accordingly, an appropriate storage position of any stored bottle containers, regardless of its size (a large-sized one, a small-sized one) can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiro HAMAMOTO, Keishi NISHIMURA, Kazuhisa KODAMA
  • Patent number: 8544928
    Abstract: A storage compartment such as a map pocket is provided over a recess in the door panel of a transportation vehicle. A frame includes a U-shaped member and a flexible spring piece coupled between the ends of the U-shaped member. The flexible spring piece has a length greater than the distance between the ends so that it tends to assume either a closed position proximate the recess or an open position away from the recess. A pocket cover has a front portion concealing the frame and has a folding side portion disposed between side and bottom edges of the frame and the door panel along corresponding edges of the recess. A tether is coupled to the frame for urging the frame toward the door panel while permitting the frame to be moved away from the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Orlowsky, Kenneth S. Laird
  • Publication number: 20130168992
    Abstract: A storage compartment such as a map pocket is provided over a recess in the door panel of a transportation vehicle. A frame includes a U-shaped member and a flexible spring piece coupled between the ends of the U-shaped member. The flexible spring piece has a length greater than the distance between the ends so that it tends to assume either a closed position proximate the recess or an open position away from the recess. A pocket cover has a front portion concealing the frame and has a folding side portion disposed between side and bottom edges of the frame and the door panel along corresponding edges of the recess. A tether is coupled to the frame for urging the frame toward the door panel while permitting the frame to be moved away from the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Orlowsky, Kenneth S. Laird
  • Patent number: 8459603
    Abstract: A motor vehicle screen device having a screen that can be driven by a driving mechanism between an inactive position within a cavity of a dashboard and an approximately vertical active position outside the cavity and from the active position into the inactive position. The screen is provided with spaced-apart guiding elements which are guided within guides that run nearly horizontal, perpendicular to the movement path of the screen. The monitor can be driven such that the guiding elements thereof are movable within the guides. At least one of the guiding elements is locked at the active position end of the guide by a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Baudisch, Klaus Karl, Robert Wolfgang Kissel, Georg Nehm, Marcel Rigorth, Günter Urlaub
  • Patent number: 8398155
    Abstract: A magnetic holding system for a vehicle cabin includes a non-ferrous panel having a front side exposed to the vehicle cabin and a rear side. A magnet is located on the rear side of the non-ferrous panel. The thickness panel, in the region where the magnet is located, and the strength of the magnet are selected to grip a ferrous element when it is placed on the front side of the panel in the region where the magnet is located. The ferrous element may be an object to be held on the non-ferrous surface or it may be attachable to the underside of an object that is to be held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Scott E. Andochick
  • Publication number: 20130057012
    Abstract: The present invention provides a panel end cap storage unit that is disposed on an instrument panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door and is configured such that the unit is not accessible when the vehicle door is closed. In this way, the present invention provides a nonvisible secure storage unit that is only accessible when the adjacent vehicle door is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Thomas William Pietila, Anthony Ligi, Bhavani Thota
  • Publication number: 20120299324
    Abstract: A vehicle trim panel assembly is provided having a beverage retainer formed in a storage compartment on the door of an automotive vehicle. The trim panel assembly includes a storage receptacle and a trim panel arranged to define at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The trim panel includes a base portion connected to a beverage retainer portion via a living hinge. The beverage retainer portion is pivoted about the living hinge into position within the storage receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Kim Langenbacher, Steve Dreher, Scott H. Dunham, Ammad Bhatti
  • Patent number: 8317247
    Abstract: This panel (1) includes at least one zone (10) forming a pictogram (12), the pictogram (12) being illuminated by a light source (14) placed beneath the lining panel (1), the lining panel (1) having a translucent skin (2) forming the external surface (8) of the lining panel (1) and a support layer (4) placed against the skin (2) between the light source (14) and at least the zone (10) forming a pictogram (12). The support layer (4) has at least a first thickness (e1) around the zone (10) forming the pictogram (12) and at least a second thickness (e2) facing the zone (10) forming the pictogram (12), the second thickness (e2) being smaller than the first thickness (e1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Godefroy Beau, Jean-Francois Oeuvrard, Pierre Guerreiro
  • Patent number: 8308226
    Abstract: A storage panel assembly for a vehicle includes a panel having a louvered exterior and internal surfaces. A vent structure is formed on a portion of the panel. At least one jack wrench clip assembly is formed on the portion of the panel including the vent structure. The exterior louvered surface of the panel remains unblemished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Frank Parkinson, Robert Charles Steinbrecher
  • Patent number: 8251434
    Abstract: A vehicle door construction having a 360° grab handle includes a fastener cover that conceals a fastener hole in an A-surface of the vehicle door and which provides a buckling path for the 360° grab handle. An L-shaped cover and a fastener hole configuration is provided in the lateral A-surface to reduce stiffness in the region and to absorb side impact loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Brewster Hall, Srinivas Sanikommu, John Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 8210590
    Abstract: A trim panel assembly for an automotive vehicle having a pocket door that is moveable between a reduced width position and an increased width position. The trim panel assembly includes a panel having a recessed portion. A pocket door is mounted over at least a portion of the recessed portion such that the pocket door and the recessed portion define a storage pocket. The pocket door is mounted for translational movement between first and second positions. In the first position, the storage pocket has a first width defined between an outboard side wall and an inboard side wall. In the second position, the width of the storage pocket is increased. This increase in width occurs over the vertical extent of the storage pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua L. Moberg, Aaron S. Park, Benjamin D. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8141933
    Abstract: A vehicle door, such as a tailgate (1), having a pull pocket (P) on which a hand is put when the door is manipulated includes a door panel (2), a lining (3), and a pull pocket member (4). The lining (3) is provided over an inside of the door panel (2) facing toward a vehicle cabin when the door is mounted to a vehicle body. The pull pocket member (4) is a member formed independently of the lining (3) and mounted to the lining (3). The pull pocket member (4) includes a recessed portion (41) which is recessed toward the door panel (2) and configured to form an undercut at a face (3a) of the lining (3) facing toward the vehicle cabin when the pull pocket member (4) is mounted to the lining (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120049870
    Abstract: A vehicle component is provided that includes a console surface, at least one circuit board proximate the console surface, and an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. Each of the proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field, wherein a lateral direction of the activation field extending approximately parallel to the console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of the activation field extending approximately perpendicular to the console surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Scott Simon, Raymond Anthony Oldani, Jeffrey Singer
  • Patent number: 8056951
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interior fitting part for a vehicle, comprising a wall part (12) that has a first side (21) facing the interior (IR) in the properly mounted state thereof, an opposite second side (22), and an edge (23) that extends between the sides. The interior fitting part further comprises a decorative layer (30) that is arranged on the wall part (12). An edge section of the decorative layer (30) is folded onto the second side (22). The second side (22) of the wall part (12) is provided with at least two elevations (41, 42), at least some sections of which extend next to one another along the edge (23), from the perspective of the edge (23). The decorative layer (30) is folded from the first side (21) to the second side (22) via the edge (23) while an edge section (31) of the decorative layer (30) extends between two elevations (41, 42) on the second side (22). Also disclosed are a motor vehicle door comprising an interior fitting part as well as a method for producing an interior fitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Schilles
  • Patent number: 7997635
    Abstract: An opening/closing device includes a bistable device having a fixed member (24) delimiting one side of an opening providing access to a compartment, and a flexible mobile member (18), articulated on the fixed member proximate the ends of the access opening. The fixed and mobile members (24, 18) delimit jointly the entire access opening, and the mobile member (18) has two stable positions, one wherein it is adjacent to the fixed member (24), the other wherein only its ends are adjacent to the fixed member (24). The mobile member (18) is elongated and has naturally two stable positions with opposite convexities. The invention is applicable to vehicle passenger compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Tony Ercolano, Didier Ponthieu, Pascal Rumigny, Cédric Habert, Pierre Guerreiro, Guy Heriquet, Stéphane Dannenhoffer
  • Publication number: 20110193315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tricycle having one front wheel and two rear wheels, the tricycle including: a seat frame mounted on a support frame to which the rear wheels are coupled, and having a concave seat formed at the front center thereof; side plates and a rear plate fixed at the bottom ends thereof to the both sides and the rear side of the seat frame; a plurality of space bars disposed spaced apart from each other between the side plates formed on the both sides of the seat frame; and a canopy mounted supportedly onto the plurality of space bars disposed between the side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Laura Hija J. Kim
  • Patent number: 7980416
    Abstract: A storage bin assembly is for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a storage bin and a housing. The storage bin has a storage space extending between spaced apart sides, a guide pin extending outwardly from at least one of the sides of the storage bin, and a pair of retainer clips disposed on opposite sides of the storage bin. The housing has spaced apart side walls for receiving the storage bin therebetween, a pair of bosses each extending through one of the pair of retainer clips for pivotally interconnecting the bin to the housing for movement between open and closed positions relative to tile housing, and a track disposed on at least one of the side walls and in which the guide pin slides during the movement of the storage bin between the open and closed positions. Each of the retainer clips and the track has an open end facilitating removal of the storage bin from the housing and reinstallation of the bin to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren Jing Po Chou
  • Publication number: 20100320793
    Abstract: A vehicle multi-compartment cargo system includes a first storage compartment defined by a cargo bin lining. The first storage compartment has an open upper side selectively closed by a first compartment lid. A second storage compartment is also defined by the cargo bin lining. The second storage compartment has an open upper side selectively closed by a second compartment lid. The first and second compartment lids form a cargo floor. A side compartment is defined by a side lining. The side compartment has an open side extending upward from the cargo floor and is selectively closed by a side compartment lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Aebker, Matthew S. Stechschulte, Donald W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7845701
    Abstract: The invention concerns a storage compartment for a motor vehicle with a container (110) and a container lid (112), arranged on the container in a pivotal fashion, a pivoted lever (116), arranged on the container lid, a first elastic element (120), whose first end (122) is connected with the container and whose second end (118) is connected with the pivoted lever, so that the first elastic element acts upon the container lid with a closing force and/or a closing torque, a locking element (126), which is mounted in a pivotal fashion, so that, in case of an impact of the motor vehicle, said locking element, due to its mass inertia, will be brought into a locking position for locking the pivoted lever into position, whereby the locking element is mounted in such a way that it is pivotal around the first end of the first elastic element, whereby the first elastic element is a dead center spring, and whereby the dead center spring is embodied in such a way that it exerts the closing force and/or closing torque a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Müller
  • Patent number: 7832781
    Abstract: An integrated combined extended map pocket close-out and pelvic bolster component for attachment to a door trim substrate used in a vehicle door is disclosed. The component comprises a map pocket close-out portion, a pelvic bolster portion, and a bridge connecting the map pocket close-out portion and the pelvic bolster portion. The pelvic bolster portion is substantially hollow and preferably defines a box. The component includes a plurality of walls and the thickness of some of the walls is greater than the thickness of other walls. One or more of the walls may be angled. The map pocket close-out portion has a depth and the pelvic bolster portion has a depth. The depth of the map pocket close-out portion is greater than the depth of the pelvic bolster portion. The one-piece component is a molded component formed from a polymerized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Nagaraj Mariyapp, Alvin Lee, John Pinkerton, Michael Dong, Richard Wang
  • Patent number: 7823947
    Abstract: A storage compartment for mounting on a trim panel of an automobile door. The trim panel includes an aperture configured to receive a speaker assembly. The storage compartment includes a rear wall, a side wall bounding the rear wall to define a storage cavity and having a perimeter which is complementary in shape to the aperture. A retaining wall having a shape which is substantially similar to a portion of the aperture is attached to a portion of the side wall which is adjacent to the bottom end of the rear wall by a living hinge. The living hinge allows the retaining wall to hinge relative to the rear wall so as to cover a portion of the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Frank Parkinson, Robert Charles Steinbrecher
  • Patent number: 7798548
    Abstract: A flexible trim panel attaches to a surface of a vehicle interior and includes a compression-molded thermoplastic foam layer and a textile fabric or synthetic leather layer, such as expanded polyurethane or PVC material. The panel has a compression-molded surface feature in an inner and outer layer, and may have a pocket and a zipper closure. An LED, EL ribbon, or other lighting device is connected to a transparent zipper closure. A composite trim panel is also provided having a compression-molded EVA foam layer and an outer layer. The layers form a composite piece that is attachable to a seat, an instrument panel, or a door. A vehicle interior includes a seat, an instrument panel, a door, and at least one composite trim panel. A transparent closure device connects to the composite trim panel, and a lighting device having a variable property is positioned adjacently to the transparent closure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Embach, Wade W. Bryant, Simon Cox, Benjamin Walsh, Pierre R. Webster, Therese A. Tant
  • Patent number: 7735892
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure having a storage portion for facilitating maintenance for a vehicle front portion includes a first storage portion that includes a bottom portion extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, left and right walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion, a ceiling portion connecting the left and right walls and a back wall closing the respective backs of the bottom portion, left and right walls and ceiling portion. The first storage portion is provided with a maintenance opening formed to be spanned among the back wall, a left wall continuous with the back wall and the bottom portion continuous with the back wall, and with the lid body which covers the maintenance opening in an attachable and detachable manner. A key cylinder arrangement structure for a vehicle is provided that can significantly enhance operability of a key cylinder while preventing tampering or theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Sakamoto, Sadamichi Enjo, Hideo Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7708329
    Abstract: A stowable storage compartment for a motor vehicle having a frame and a flexible container portion attached to the frame, and a lid mounted on the frame, wherein the lid includes a receptacle for holding the flexible container portion when the storage compartment is stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Bernardo M. Duller
  • Publication number: 20100078956
    Abstract: A vehicle multi-compartment cargo system includes a first storage compartment defined by a cargo bin lining. The first storage compartment has an open upper side selectively closed by a first compartment lid. A second storage compartment is also defined by the cargo bin lining. The second storage compartment has an open upper side selectively closed by a second compartment lid. The first and second compartment lids form a cargo floor. A side compartment is defined by a side lining. The side compartment has an open side extending upward from the cargo floor and is selectively closed by a side compartment lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Aebker, Matthew S. Stechschulte, Donald W. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20100072769
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interior fitting part for a vehicle, comprising a wall part (12) that has a first side (21) facing the interior (IR) in the properly mounted state thereof, an opposite second side (22), and an edge (23) that extends between the sides. The interior fitting part further comprises a decorative layer (30) that is arranged on the wall part (12). An edge section of the decorative layer (30) is folded onto the second side (22). The second side (22) of the wall part (12) is provided with at least two elevations (41, 42), at least some sections of which extend next to one another along the edge (23), from the perspective of the edge (23). The decorative layer (30) is folded from the first side (21) to the second side (22) via the edge (23) while an edge section (31) of the decorative layer (30) extends between two elevations (41, 42) on the second side (22). Also disclosed are a motor vehicle door comprising an interior fitting part as well as a method for producing an interior fitting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Wilfried Schilles
  • Patent number: 7594686
    Abstract: An automotive door comprising a door trim member (10) with a map-receiving pocket (12) that is defined by a back member (16) that is secured to the door trim member and an inner member (14) that is secured to the back member with an umbrella-receiving member (18) that is accessible through the map-receiving pocket and is defined by a U-shaped member (24) that is attached to the door trim member and is adapted to receive an umbrella (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Augustyn
  • Publication number: 20090218842
    Abstract: The invention concerns a storage compartment for a motor vehicle with a container (110) and a container lid (112), arranged on the container in a pivotal fashion, a pivoted lever (116), arranged on the container lid, a first elastic element (120), whose first end (122) is connected with the container and whose second end (118) is connected with the pivoted lever, so that the first elastic element acts upon the container lid with a closing force and/or a closing torque, a locking element (126), which is mounted in a pivotal fashion, so that, in case of an impact of the motor vehicle, said locking element, due to its mass inertia, will be brought into a locking position for locking the pivoted lever into position, whereby the locking element is mounted in such a way that it is pivotal around the first end of the first elastic element, whereby the first elastic element is a dead center spring, and whereby the dead center spring is embodied in such a way that it exerts the closing force and/or closing torque a
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Ralf Muller
  • Patent number: 7562924
    Abstract: An installation is provided in a cargo area of a vehicle for the stowage of a vehicle jack and tools useful in the changing of a wheel of the vehicle. The installation includes a receptacle in a recess in a deck of the cargo area. The receptacle includes an open top container having space to accommodate the jack and the tools. A cover plate across the top of the container covers a portion of the top only, leaving an access opening through which the jack and the tools may be inserted into and removed from the space in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Carl J Schultz, Ian N Dupret, Henry J Ziaja, Randolph C Smith
  • Patent number: 7537258
    Abstract: A fastening system for a vehicle body passenger compartment includes at least one fastening element mounted with respect to the vehicle body to be exposed within the passenger compartment, and at least one connector configured to support a convenience device, such as a cup holder, reading light, power source, cellular telephone charger, etc. The at least one connector is releasably connectable to the at least one fastening element to enable a vehicle user to alter or change which of several convenience devices is mounted within the passenger compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one fastening element is sufficiently configured such that the at least one connector is connectable at multiple locations within the vehicle interior to enable a vehicle user to alter or adjust the physical location of a convenience device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherry L. Quijano, Andrew J. Hanzel, Joseph W. Cobble, III
  • Patent number: 7517002
    Abstract: A pocketed panel assembly for a vehicle door is disclosed herein. The pocketed panel assembly includes a trim panel, a partial pocket structure, and a living hinge. The trim panel has a pivotal edge, and the partial pocket structure also has a pivotal edge. The living hinge integrally joins the pivotal edge of the trim panel to the pivotal edge of the partial pocket structure. In such a configuration, the partial pocket structure can be rotated about the living hinge and substantially abutted against the trim panel so as to form an open pocket on the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Reed, David James Dooley, Richard David George, Todd Leland DePue, Mark J. Heinze