Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple foam substrate of predetermined shape and a method of manufacturing the substrate. The substrate is a multiple foam substrate which may be manufactured by the method with a mold having first and second mold cavities. The method includes injecting a first foam into the first mold cavity sufficiently to fill the first mold cavity and storing the first foam in the first mold cavity for a predetermined time sufficient to form a substantially non-mixing surface on the first foam. The method further includes injecting a second foam into the second mold cavity and onto the non-mixing surface on the first foam sufficiently to fill the second mold cavity. The method further includes storing the second foam in the second mold cavity for a predetermined time sufficient to bond the first foam to the second foam along the non-mixing surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back having a frame, and the frame has first and second bolster mounting portions. Each bolster mounting portion has first, second and third receptacles. The seat assembly also includes first and second bolsters selectively engageable with the first and second bolster mounting portions, respectively. Each bolster has first and second posts and is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the seat back between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. When each bolster is in the first longitudinal position, the first and second posts of the first bolster are respectively engaged with the first and second receptacles of the first bolster mounting portion, and the first and second posts of the second bolster are respectively engaged with the first and second receptacles of the second bolster mounting portion.

Abstract: A glove box damper device is disclosed having a cam rotationally moving against a spring to slow the descent of glove box lid during opening. The glove box damper device is easy to install, has reduced costs over many previous damper devices and reduces breakage. The glove box damper is suitable for use with glove box lids having a sheet metal insert to meet automotive safety requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the absorbing of energy during an impact with the front edge of the sun visor and directing the sun visor out of the impact area such that the sun visor front edge does not break under impact by the use of a sun visor arm that incorporates energy absorbing and directional collapsing through the use of breakaway notches in the sun visor arm.

Abstract: An instrument panel including a first portion and a second portion separate from the first portion. At least one wire is disposed between the first and second portions. The first and second portions are welded together, thereby trapping and retaining the wire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle pull handle assembly includes injection molding a pull strap portion in the first shot of a multi-shot molding process. The pull strap portion includes a first pivot joint member. A base is over-molded onto the pull strap portion in the second shot of the multi-shot molding process. The base includes a second pivot joint member which pivotally mates with the first pivot joint member but does not chemically bond with the first pivot joint member in the final molded pull handle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are a retractable tie-down cord assembly and a removable tie-down assembly for securing cargo in the cargo area of a station wagon, utility vehicle, mini van or the like. In one embodiment the tie-down cord assemblies also provides for a tie-down cords to be stored in the interior side wall of the vehicle and the tie-down cord hooks to be stored on the interior side wall of the vehicle and positioned so as to be available as utility hooks within the cargo area.

Abstract: The assist handle includes an elongated handle body having opposed ends and an attachment portion extending from each of the opposed ends. Each of the attachment portions is adapted to be attached to the surface of the vehicle interior. The handle body carries a light unit, which is operable to provide illumination to the vehicle interior. Preferably, the handle body is adapted to be hingedly attached to the vehicle interior surface and the light unit is incorporated as a part of the handle body.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for use with a vehicle includes a seatback frame and a guide member attached to the seatback frame. A slide bracket is attached to the seatback frame below the guide member, and the slide bracket has a slot. The seat further includes a headrest arrangement movably associated with the seatback frame. The headrest arrangement includes a headrest and a support structure connected to the headrest and engageable with the guide member. The support structure includes a projection that extends into the slot and that is movable with respect to the slide bracket from an initial position to an actuated position. Upon sufficient impact to the vehicle, the projection moves from the initial position toward the actuated position and the support structure moves along the guide member, such that movement of the headrest is guided to provide support for the head of an occupant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control panel for a vehicle interior. The control panel includes a housing defining a recess formed therein. A panel is pivotally attached to the housing at a pivot axis. The panel has at least one control mechanism mounted thereon. The panel is movable between a first position, wherein the panel generally covers a portion of the recess, and a second position wherein the panel generally exposes the recess. The control panel further including one of a detent mechanism attached to the housing and the panel for biasing the panel in one of the first and second positions, a spring mechanism attached to the housing and the panel for biasing the panel towards one of the first and second positions, and a damper mechanism to dampen the motion of the panel during movement of the panel between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Acoustical attenuating devices (52) and method of forming them. The attenuating devices (52) include an exterior layer (64), a sound absorption layer (66), and multiple perforated layers (68) coupled to the sound absorption layer (66). The perforated layers (68) include a perforated structural layer (70) and a perforated substrate layer (72). The perforated structural layer (70) and the perforated substrate layer (72) provide structural stiffness and define multiple resonating tubes (88) that attenuate sound.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector of the type fixedly attached to printed circuit boards having the male pins or terminals of the connector designed to go through corresponding bores in printed circuit boards that are then soldered to said board permanently establishing the desired electrical connections and further offering a high degree of resistance to humidity and, consequent humidity caused corrosion in the male pins or terminals through the novel use of ring-like projections around each male pin, stand-off supports, and a insulating and sealing resin filler.

Abstract: In a system for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having front tires including a right tire and a left tire, and rear tires including a right tire and a left tire, a system and method are provided for automatically identifying tire location. A transmitters mounted in each tire transmits tire information signals conveying tire pressure data and associated tire rotation direction data. A vehicle mounted receiver has a location a first distance from the front tires and a second distance from the rear tires, the first distance being different from the second. A vehicle mounted controller in communication with the receiver determines whether pressure data is associated with a front tire or a rear tire based on the strength of the tire information signal, and whether pressure data is associated with a right tire or a left tire based on the associated rotation direction data.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus includes a housing and a bladder mounted relative to the housing. The bladder has at least one flexible wall and defines a chamber having an electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid disposed therein. The apparatus further includes a device for creating an electrical or magnetic field about a volume of the fluid to alter the effective viscosity of the fluid when the flexible wall is moved relative to the housing, thereby altering the acceleration rate of the flexible wall relative to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat bottom. The vehicle seat also has a recliner mechanism for adjusting the angle between the seat back and the seat bottom. The recliner is capable of substantially supporting the seat back relative to the seat bottom below a threshold force acting on said seat back during normal operating loads. The operating loads are below a threshold level. The seat also has an impact control mechanism operatively connected to the seat back and the seat bottom. The impact control mechanism is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the seat back is permitted to move relative to said seat bottom. In an engaged position, the impact control mechanism restrains the seat back from moving relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: Sound-deadening composites of metallocene copolymers having superior properties are used in automotive applications. Flexible composites having low temperature performance properties with improved elongation and impact strength are provided.

Abstract: A seat latching assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback having first and second sides. A first latch is provided for latching the first side of the seatback to a portion of a vehicle, the first latch being operable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A second latch is provided for latching the second side of the seatback to another portion of the vehicle, the second latch being operable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A mechanism is operatively connected to the first and second latches, and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When one of the first and second latches is in the unlatched position, the mechanism is prevented from moving into the unlocked position, and when the first and second seat portions are both in their latched positions, the mechanism is permitted to be moved into the unlocked position.

Abstract: A method and system for multiple-cavity gas-assisted plastic injection molding. Each of the mold cavities are oriented in the vertical direction with the valve gates for the plastic material being positioned at the lower vertical ends of the mold cavities. With four mold cavities, an “X”-shaped runner pattern is utilized, although an “H”-shaped pattern could also be utilized. The centerline of the manifold is offset from the centerline of the mold. Gas is injected through in-article gas pins positioned in the mold cavities. The direction of the melt front advance is vertical from the bottom of the mold cavities to the top of the cavities. The gas pin location is also at the gate end of the part, either at or forward of the gate or resin entry point.

Abstract: A passenger restraint includes a knee bolster having receptacles for receiving knee blockers. The knee blockers are multi-celled elements that absorb kinetic energy attributed to collisions of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A modular headliner assembly (10) includes a headliner (12) having an appearance surface (13) and a back surface (14). At least one component (19, 20, 22, 23) is disposed adjacent the back surface (14) of the headliner (12). Furthermore, an integration sheet (24) is attached to the back surface for securing the at least one component (19, 20, 22, 23) to the headliner (12). A method of manufacturing the headliner (12) assembly is also disclosed.