Abstract: The technique disclosed in the present specification is embodied as a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor panel and a pedal. The floor panel constitutes a floor of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle and has an inclined portion in a front portion of the floor panel. The inclined portion is inclined upward toward a front side of the vehicle. The pedal is disposed rearward of the inclined portion of the floor panel in a vehicle front-rear direction and operated by a driver of the vehicle toward the inclined portion. A raised portion that is raised toward the vehicle cabin is provided integrally with the inclined portion of the floor panel. When the driver places a foot on the pedal, the raised portion is located forward of a heel portion of the foot in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a transmission case including an injection port to allow injection of transmission oil, a floor mat above the transmission case and near a driver's seat, the floor mat including an opening/closing portion to be opened in an open state in which the injection port is exposed and to be closed in a closed state in which the injection port is covered, and a fixing portion to fix the opening/closing portion in the closed state, in which the opening/closing portion includes a protrusion protruding in a predetermined direction, and the fixing portion includes a hole configured to fix the opening/closing portion when the protrusion is inserted into the hole.

Abstract: An injury preventing structure located in a vehicle is provided and comprises a lower member and an upper member which distribute impact of a vehicle, and a panel which forms a bottom surface of the vehicle, in which the upper member and the lower member are in contact with the panel to form a dosed cross-section between each member and the panel, and a position at which the panel is in contact with a rear end of the upper member and a position at which the panel is in contact with a front end of the lower member at least partially overlap each other to form a collision transformation support shaft. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent injury of the legs of a first or frontrow occupant even with a reduced cross-section of the upper member. It is additionally possible to further reduce the first row space of the vehicle, thereby also securing the rear seat and cargo loading space.

Abstract: A floor mat for placement on a vehicle floor, where the floor mat includes a body having a bottom wall, an upper surface, and a bottom surface, and a front wall extending from the bottom wall. The upper surface and the bottom surface extending along the bottom wall and the front wall. A first portion of the bottom surface of the bottom wall having a support structure provided with a variable height such that the shape of the support structure complements the irregularities in the vehicle floor, where the support structure extends from the bottom surface of the bottom wall, and a second portion of the bottom surface of the bottom wall has a flat surface, where upon the vehicle floor mat being placed on the vehicle floor, the support structure engages the irregularities in the vehicle floor so that the upper surface of the bottom wall is generally level.

Abstract: An example floor panel for a flooring system in a passenger vehicle includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a body situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and an interlocking feature that extends outward from the body for slidably engaging an adjacent floor panel. An example flooring system in a passenger vehicle includes a first set of floor panels including panels rigidly attached to a structure of the passenger vehicle, and a second set of floor panels and each floor panel of the second set of floor panels has an interlocking feature for slidably engaging an adjacent floor panel and for enabling lateral relative motion to occur and restricting vertical relative motion between panels of the second set of floor panels and a respective adjacent floor panel.

Abstract: A load floor arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The arrangement has a rear load floor element which, in a floor position, forms a floor portion of a load space. The load floor arrangement has a front load floor element which is connected to a backrest of a vehicle seat so as to be pivotable about a floor element pivot axis extending in the vehicle transverse direction, whereby it is adjustable between a contact position and at least one pivoted position in which its inclination relative to the horizontal is reduced compared to the contact position, when the backrest is inclined forwards in an inclined position about a backrest pivot axis.

Abstract: A flooring member comprising: a structural member having one or more ducts extending along a length of the flooring member, each of the one or more ducts forming a hollow cavity extending along a length of each duct, the one or more ducts being integrally formed with the flooring member.

Abstract: A floor mat including an elastomeric mat and an emblem with a base and a shell. The base has a portion supporting the shell and a peripheral flange portion surrounding the supporting portion and forming a hidden portion within the floor mat and having apertures. The shell overlays the supporting portion and forms a visible portion of the emblem on only one side of the floor mat. The apertures are essentially filled with elastomer to fix the emblem into the desired location on the floor mat. Also, the emblem and a method for making a floor mat.

Abstract: A floor mat arranged in a working machine includes a floor portion, a wall portion arranged on a circumferential portion of the floor portion, and an opening portion arranged on a part of a connecting portion of the wall portion, the connecting portion connecting to the floor portion. The floor mat includes a mat main body arranged on the floor portion, a covering portion configured to cover the opening portion, and an connecting portion configured to connect the covering portion flexibly to a circumferential portion of the mat main body.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat in which entry of foreign matter from an opening part formed in a cover member is suppressed when stored. The vehicle seat of the present invention includes a seat cushion 11 on which an occupant sits, a leg member 20 that supports the seat cushion 11 and includes a locking device 22 at a lower end, a cover member 30 that covers a front side of the leg member 20, wherein an opening part is formed at a position of the cover member that overlaps with the locking device 22, and an elastically deformable lip part 40 that is attached to the cover member 30 and that covers the opening part. Since the opening part is covered by the lip part, the entry of foreign matter is suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular cover for covering car floor mat. Many times, the passengers boarding the vehicles associated with a shared cab service do not take enough precautions to clean their footwear before entering the vehicle. Due to this the car floor mat is subjected to the onslaught of dirt, snow, soft drink spills, and the like, thereby rendering the car floor mat or rug dirty. To overcome this issue, the present invention envisages a modular cover for car floor mats, which is designed to cover the entire surface area of the car floor mat. One embodiment of the car floor mat cover includes a pair of mat sections that are connectable via a connector section. The mat sections and the connector section are interconnected by means of complementary engagement formations formed thereon.

Abstract: A multi-piece floor mat for a vehicle is provided. The floor mat includes a first section and a second section that are configured to assemble to one another to create a single floor mat assembly that spans across two or more floor regions of respective seating areas of the vehicle. The first section has a projection extending therefrom and entirely from a front edge to a rear edge thereof. The second section has a corresponding groove defined therein and extending entirely from a front edge to a rear edge thereof. The groove is configured to receive the projection to interlock the first and second floor mat sections. The projection may be provided with a stem and a bulbous head for additional securement.

Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A floor mat assembly includes an extended floor mat and a connecting floor mat. The extended floor mat includes a floor portion and an interlocking portion. The interlocking portion extends from the floor portion and includes a body, at least one first rib and at least one second rib. The body defines a channel. The at least one first rib and the at least one second rib are disposed within the channel and cooperate to form a compartment. The connecting floor mat includes a floor portion and an adapter portion. The adapter portion extends from the floor portion and includes at least one locking tab. The extended floor mat and the connecting floor mat interlock when the at least one locking tab is received in the compartment, thereby restricting lateral movement of the extended floor mat and the connecting floor mat relative to each other.

Abstract: A floor mat includes a first section, a second section, an interlocking feature and a snap fit feature. The first section includes a flap. The interlocking feature and the snap fit feature connect the flap of the first section with the second section.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a metallic floor pan. A plurality of trim components defining a foot well is proximate the floor pan. A flooring component is coupled with the floor pan which includes a polymeric structural layer. An insulation layer is positioned on the structural layer. A sealing layer is coupled with the floor pan and extends to seal the insulation layer against the structural layer.

Abstract: Floor mats comprising two layers bonded together with an undulating boundary between them. The surface color and/or surface texture of the first layer being different from the surface color and/or surface texture of the second layer. The mats having an interlocking periphery boundary adapted so the mats can be interlocked with adjoining mats to form a continuous planar mat flooring.

Abstract: A removable protective floor liner for a rearward seating area of a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a first floor mat section including a first flap section that is configured for installation in a first foot well of the passenger compartment and a second floor mat section including a second flap section that is configured for installation in a second foot well of the passenger compartment. The first flap includes an overlapping portion and a plurality of female interlocking fasteners and the second flap includes an underlapping portion and a plurality of male interlocking fasteners, including the underlapping portion extending a predetermined distance beyond the male interlocking fasteners. The first and second flaps cover a tunnel area intervening between the first and second floor mat sections. The male interlocking fasteners are joined with corresponding ones of the female interlocking fasteners when the first and second flaps are aligned.

Abstract: A technology attaching a wire harness and a carpet to a vehicle body panel at a low cost is provided. A carpet with wire harness includes: a carpet main body; a wire harness arranged on the carpet main body; a retaining tab having a portion near a base end connected to the carpet main body and, together with the carpet main body, wrapping up and holding the wire harness by folding back a portion near a forefront end of the retaining tab; and an attachment portion attaching the retaining tab to the carpet main body by passing an insertion portion through the carpet main body and a portion of the retaining tab nearer to the forefront end than the portion covering the wire harness. The carpet main body is attached to a vehicle body panel by inserting the insertion portion through the vehicle body panel.

Abstract: A mat comprises a profile bar, a metal strip with a high coefficient of friction, a U-clip, and a rivet rod is disclosed. The profile bar includes a head with a flat surface and a post including a hole. The metal strip includes a surface with a high coefficient of friction, and a plurality of posts opposite the surface with the high coefficient of friction, wherein the plurality of posts includes a hole. The rivet rod fits through the hole in the post of the profile bar and the hole of the plurality of posts of the metal strip. The U-clip includes notches, and the post of the profile bar rests in one of the notches while the plurality of posts of the metal strip rests in several of the notices. The rivet rod extends through the holes to couple the profile bar and the metal strip to the U-clip.

Abstract: A mat system for a vehicle floor that has a floor mat retainer defining a fixed first vertical axis. The floor mat system includes an adapter portion and a mat portion. The adapter portion has a first receiver to enable engagement of the adapter portion to the mat and a plurality of second receivers to enable engagement of the adapter portion to the mat retainer at a selected one of a multitude of locations. Each engagement of the adapter portion to the mat retainer is rotational about the fixed first vertical axis, according to a selection from the plurality of second receivers.

Abstract: A cargo tray assembly for a vehicle includes first and second trays. The first tray has a translatable planar section in a first plane, and a first hinged section moveable between upright and flattened positions with respect to the first plane. The second tray has a fixed planar section arranged in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. The fixed planar section connects to the interior, e.g., a wall of a rear cargo area, and the first hinged section connects to a seat in the interior. The translatable planar section translates in response to an applied force, such as when the seat is moved forward or aft. The first hinged section pivots about an axis orthogonal to the direction of translation, e.g., when the seat is stowed flat or deployed into an upright position. A vehicle having the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle floor mat reducing a load on a mat main body. The vehicle floor mat includes at least one fastening device for fastening the mat main body to a vehicle. The fastening device includes a first fastening member fixed to the vehicle and a second fastening member fixed to the mat main body. The first fastening member includes a vertical rotating knob, and the second fastening member includes: an insertion receiving section for the rotating knob to be inserted thereinto and engaged therewith; and upper and lower half bodies sandwiching the mat main body and being connected to each other through a half body connecting portion for the rotating knob to be inserted thereinto and at least one outer connecting portion disposed outside the half body connecting portion provided around the insertion receiving section, thus improving a connecting strength between the upper and lower half bodies.

Abstract: An injection molded carpet mat includes a flexible base having an upper surface defining a carpet recess, and an opposite lower surface. A carpet sheet is secured in the carpet recess by being integrally formed with the base, and having a napped top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge. The lower base surface having a plurality of spaced ribs supporting the carpet bottom surface adjacent the peripheral edge and defining a track on the lower base surface corresponding to the peripheral edge of the carpet sheet.

Abstract: A heel protecting vehicle floor mat device for protecting a heel of a user's footwear from abrasion while driving. The device includes a mat having a front section, a back section, and a medial section positioned between the front section and the back section. The front section is narrower than the back section for positioning on a floor of a vehicle such that the front section extends under pedals of the vehicle. Each of a plurality of pads extends upwardly from the mat positioned in spaced relationship to a front edge of the front section of the mat wherein the pads are configured for positioning to support a heel of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A floor mat assembly (A) comprises a floor mat (10) and an evacuation unit (14) including a pump (16) and a reservoir (18). The floor mat (10) defines a collecting area (36) and ribbing (28, 30) with channels (29, 32) therebetween, which channels (29, 32) are adapted to convey substances, such as water, slush, mud, etc., to the collecting area (36). The pump (16) is provided with an inlet conduit (38) having an entry end thereof located in the collecting area (36). The pump (16) is adapted to pump at least some of these substances out of the collecting area (36) and into the reservoir (18). The evacuation unit (14) is adapted to be removed from the floor mat (10). A decorative auxiliary mat (12) is also provided for positioning atop the floor mat (10).

Abstract: In a vehicle floor tray thermoformed from a sheet of thermoplastic polymeric material of substantially uniform thickness, a central panel includes a reservoir that has plural elongate hollow baffles which act to elevate the foot or shoe of the occupant above fluid collected by the reservoir, and also act to impede lateral movement of fluid in the reservoir. Heights of first and second side panels, measured at their junction, are substantially similar to each other. The vehicle floor tray may be one of a product line of such floor trays having the same functional characteristics but substantially conforming to respective and differently shaped foot wells in different vehicles.

Abstract: An assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel having first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material is provided. The core has first and second portions positioned between the outer layers. The second outer layer is bonded to the core by the second sheet by press molding. The first outer layer includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by the first sheet by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form a mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer. A component is mounted to the flange to pivot with the flange. A living hinge allows the flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle floor mat reducing a load on a mat main body. The vehicle floor mat includes at least one fastening device for fastening the mat main body to a vehicle. The fastening device includes a first fastening member fixed to the vehicle and a second fastening member fixed to the mat main body. The first fastening member includes a vertical rotating knob, and the second fastening member includes: an insertion receiving section for the rotating knob to be inserted thereinto and engaged therewith; and upper and lower half bodies sandwiching the mat main body and being connected to each other through a half body connecting portion for the rotating knob to be inserted thereinto and at least one outer connecting portion disposed outside the half body connecting portion provided around the insertion receiving section, thus improving a connecting strength between the upper and lower half bodies.

Abstract: A floor mat assembly (A) comprises a floor mat (10) and an evacuation unit (14) including a pump (16) and a reservoir (18). The floor mat (10) defines a collecting area (36) and ribbing (28, 30) with channels (29, 32) therebetween, which channels (29, 32) are adapted to convey substances, such as water, slush, mud, etc., to the collecting area (36). The pump (16) is provided with an inlet conduit (38) having an entry end thereof located in the collecting area (36). The pump (16) is adapted to pump at least some of these substances out of the collecting area (36) and into the reservoir (18). The evacuation unit (14) is adapted to be removed from the floor mat (10). A decorative auxiliary mat (12) is also provided for positioning atop the floor mat (10).

Abstract: In a vehicle floor tray thermoformed from a sheet of thermoplastic polymeric material of substantially uniform thickness, a central panel includes a reservoir that has plural elongate hollow baffles which act to elevate the foot or shoe of the occupant above fluid collected by the reservoir, and also act to impede lateral movement of fluid in the reservoir. Heights of first and second side panels, measured at their junction, are substantially similar to each other. The vehicle floor tray may be one of a product line of such floor trays having the same functional characteristics but substantially conforming to respective and differently shaped foot wells in different vehicles.

Abstract: A support for one or more elements intended to be fastened to a front pillar of a motor vehicle so that the one or more elements can be supported along the structure. The support includes: at least one mechanism guiding and retaining cables, at least one mechanism fastening a trim of the structure, at least one mechanism indexing a carpet, and at least one mechanism fastening an electrical connector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses automotive floor mat structures. The automotive floor mat structure comprises a containing plate, a bottom surface, a raised edge, a guarding edge, at least one plateau bump and a foot resting pedal. The cross-section of the guarding edge is an inverse-V shape, and one side of the inverse-V is longer than the other side. With the implementation of the present invention, the snow, water, mud, rocks, or foreign bodies carried into the chamber of the automotive can be greatly reduced, the resisting force by the foot resting pedal can prevent the automotive floor mat from being set off by foot accidently, and the plateau bump further prevents snow, water, mud, rocks, or foreign bodies on the containing plate from falling into the car chamber.

Abstract: An affixation system for a vehicle floor cover prevents the misinstallation by a consumer of a vehicle floor cover in a vehicle foot well.

Abstract: Points on a surface of a vehicle foot well are digitally measured with a coordinate measuring machine. A vehicle foot well surface model is recreated in an electronic memory to include these points. The foot well surface model is in turn used to construct a mold for a vehicle floor tray, which ensures a snug fit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ornamental floor mat cover for vehicles that provides a decorative appearance while concealing the underlying floor mat of a vehicle. The device includes an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the upper layer may having various patterns or designs thereon. The lower layer includes a high friction surface and one or more pockets disposed thereon. The pockets are adapted to receive ends of a floor mat so that the cover is removably attached to the floor mat. In this way, the present device provides a vehicle floor mat cover with various designs, while concealing the presence of the existing vehicle floor mat. The device may be easily installed and removed, while protecting the existing vehicle floor mat to prolong the use thereof.

Abstract: The three-dimensional positions of points on a surface of a vehicle foot well are digitally measured and are stored in a memory. The stored points are used to construct an electronic model of the vehicle foot well surface. The electronic model of the vehicle foot well surface in turn is used to construct an electronic three-dimensional image of the vehicle floor tray. A vehicle tray data file is created from the electronic three-dimensional image. The data file is in turn used to make a mold for a vehicle floor tray, and vehicle floor trays are manufactured by molding polymer material in the mold.

Abstract: A floor arrangement of a driver's section of a vehicle includes a floor frame, an acoustic absorbent placed on the floor frame and a floor mat placed on the acoustic absorbent. A wire harness is placed in an acoustic absorbent-free space formed between the floor frame and the floor mat. A protector is provided inside the acoustic absorbent-free space in the vicinity of the wire harness and extends upward from the floor frame. This protector is affixed to the floor frame and configured to receive a load applied to the floor harness from the upper side thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle floor mat that can reliably maintain a fixed state and includes a mat main body and at least one fastening device for fastening the mat main body to a vehicle. The fastening device includes a first fastening member fixed to the vehicle and a second fastening member fixed to the mat main body. The first fastening member includes a rotating knob rotating about a vertical axis and a lever pivotally provided on an upper section of the knob. The second fastening member includes an insertion receiving section for the knob to be inserted thereinto, and engaged therewith by rotating the knob inserted into the insertion receiving section. A rotation of the knob in an engaged state is restricted by laying the lever. The knob and lever allow the mat main body to be fixed to the vehicle through a two-step fixation mechanism, thus enabling strong fixation.

Abstract: A sandwich-type, generally planar, structural member having an attachment feature and an assembly utilizing same are provided. The member includes a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. A portion of the member is locally crushed by the press molding to form a depression. The depression has bottom and side surfaces formed by the first outer layer. The member further includes a connector fixedly secured to the bottom surface of the depression to attach a second generally planar member to the first outer layer of the structural member.

Abstract: A retaining arrangement includes a first component having a first main body portion and a first interface edge. Also included is a second component operatively coupled to the first component, the second component comprising a second main body portion, a second interface edge in contact with the first interface edge, and an end portion in an overlapped configuration with the first main body portion of the first component. Further included is an aperture defined by an aperture wall and extending through the end portion of the second component. Yet further included is an elastically deformable protrusion extending away from the first main body portion of the first component, the elastically deformable protrusion configured to fittingly engage the aperture proximate an end region of the aperture wall, wherein the elastically deformable protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the aperture wall.

Abstract: A carpeted, vehicle load floor including a pivotable, carpeted cover segmented into articulated sectional members is provided. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel and the segmented cover to removably cover a storage area in the interior of the vehicle. The cover is segmented into articulated, planar sectional members to allow desired cover positioning over the storage area. The members are pivotally connected to one another for folding one over the other. The load floor also includes a substantially continuous carpet layer bonded to a top support surface of the panel and top support surfaces of each of the members. A first living hinge allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions and a second living hinge allows the members to easily pivot and fold one over the other in a compact, folded, open position of the cover.

Abstract: Closed sockets are formed in the lower surface of a vehicle floor cover, such as a mat or tray. Each socket is adapted to receive a vehicle floor cover retention device which stands up from the floor of the vehicle foot well in which the floor cover is being installed. The sidewall of the body of each device acts as a physical stop to the sidewall of a respective socket, preventing or mitigating movement of the floor cover within the foot well. The top surface of the device may have a first fastener which is adapted to engage a second fastener on the ceiling of the socket. The device may be an adapter which is fastened to preexisting OEM mat retention structure. Embodiments of the adapter include one assembled from two pieces around an OEM retention post with an enlarged head.

Abstract: A product line of vehicle floor trays each are molded from a polymeric material to substantially conform to respective ones of a plurality of differently shaped foot wells of different vehicle makes and models. In an embodiment, the trays each have a reservoir in their central panels for collecting meltwater and the like, and baffles which retard the movement of the collected fluid.

Abstract: A load floor assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback that pivots between an upright position and a stowed position. A cargo floor extends rearward of the seatback, and a load panel is coupled with the cargo floor. The load panel moves between a rearward position and a forward position. In the forward position, the load panel extends over at least a lower portion of the seatback in the stowed position.

Abstract: A sandwich-type composite component having imprinted 3-D structures which provide at least one pattern at an outer surface of the component is provided. The component includes a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer comprises an integral, unitary structure including 3-D structures imprinted by the press molding. The 3-D structures are sized, shaped and arranged in one or more patterns at the outer surface. The one or more patterns may form a textural surface finish, a logo or indicia such as instructions at the outer surface. The component may be a vehicle interior component such as a vehicle load floor component.

Abstract: A vehicle floor tray is molded from a sheet of polymeric material of substantially uniform thickness. A reservoir is formed in a portion of the central panel of the tray. Hollow upstanding baffles disposed in the reservoir impede movement of collected fluid. In a system embodiment including the floor tray and a vehicle foot well, upstanding first, second and third tray walls exhibit a close conformance to respective vehicle foot well walls, such that a large part of the external surface area of the first, second and third tray walls is within one-eighth of an inch of a respective vehicle foot well wall.

Abstract: A load bearing panel member having a first portion, a second portion, and an appearance surface portion is formed by injection molding such that the first portion includes a plurality of ribs forming a grid pattern on the first portion and another plurality of ribs extending toward the periphery of the first portion which may be non-orthogonal to each other and to the ribs forming the grid pattern. An internal channel may be formed within each of the non-orthogonal ribs by injecting a gas into the rib during the molding process forming the panel. An appearance surface portion attached to the first portion and second portion of the panel member forms an integral hinge between the first and second portions of the panel member. The panel member may be configured as a floor panel of a vehicle.

Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a vehicle component receiving feature is provided. The load floor compartmentalizes a cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment. The system includes a first generally planar member having a first depression of a first predetermined depth and a compression-molded, composite, second generally planar member having a second depression of a second predetermined depth. A portion of the second member is locally crushed by press molding to form the second depression. Opposed surfaces of the first and second depressions cooperate to restrain movement of a vehicle component positioned in a cavity defined by the first and second depressions between the first and second members and prevent sudden transfer of vehicle component weight during vehicle acceleration and deceleration.

Abstract: A sandwich-type, structural, composite component including at least one hingedly connected portion which pivots with reduced or eliminated hinge binding and a cargo management system and vehicle load floor utilizing the component are provided. Elongated first and second interior portions of the component are locally crushed by the press molding to form a living hinge having a pivot axis and an elongated depression, respectively. The component includes an elongated cut-out which extends completely through the component at the elongated depression to obtain a clearance between a first portion of the component hingedly connected to a second portion of the component by the living hinge. The living hinge and the clearance allow pivotal movement of the first portion between different use positions relative to the second portion with reduced or eliminated hinge binding during the pivotal movement about the pivot axis.