Abstract: An automotive vehicle door is provided including a first generally rigid outer structure having first and second ends; a second generally rigid inner structure with a major portion spaced from the first outer structure, the second inner structure having first and second ends generally positionally aligned with the first and second ends of the first outer structure, the second inner structure having an opening; a trim panel positioned generally adjacent the second inner structure; a target position in alignment with the opening of the second inner structure adjacent a first end of the second inner structure, the target also having a portion adjacent the first outer structure; and a beam having a first end generally fixed with respect to the second inner structure first end and a second end fixed with respect to the second inner structure second end, the beam crossing over the target and wherein an impact on the door first outer structure causes the target to move inwardly through the opening, contacting the be

Abstract: A powered seat adjuster slide unit is providing including a top rail for mounting a vehicle seat; a bottom rail for supporting the top rail; a guide rail pivotally joined to the top and bottom rails along generally opposite ends to stabilize the top rail; a first forward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the first jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails; and a second rearward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the second jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in a preferred embodiment, an interior trim component for a motor vehicle including a first membrane with a connected foam backing, an apertured second membrane spread adjacent the foam backing of the first membrane, and a moldable rigid polymeric material providing a backing for the second membrane and supporting the first membrane, the moldable polymeric material penetrating the apertures of the second membrane and adhering to the foam backing of the first membrane.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle rear seat with a divided back rest, the individual back rest parts are hinged for the purpose of pivoting about at least one horizontal pivot axis running transversely to the travel direction via an inner hinge arranged on the inside in the region of the plane of division of the back rest and an outer hinge arranged in the region of the side wall of the motor vehicle on the vehicle body. Each hinge has a fastening part on the back rest side and on the vehicle body side. Each back rest part in the approximately vertical position of use is capable of being locked to the side wall by means of a locking device. To increase the safety of the passenger, at least on the inner hinge another locking device is provided which can be locked and unlocked jointly with the locking device engaging the side wall.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided which includes a riser assembly; a floor latch for joining a rear leg to a vehicle floor releasable by a pull cable; a seat back bracket joined to the riser having first, second and third pins connected thereto and a first slot; a seat back foldable from an upright position to a fold position pivotally connected to the seat back bracket via the first pin, and the seat back having a connected fourth pin captured within the seat back first slot; a pawl connected to the third pin angularly biased toward the fourth pin when the seat back is in an upright position; a release lever connected to the seat back bracket having a handle and first and second fingers bifurcated by a slot which accepts the fourth pin, one of the fingers having a tab to remove the lock pawl from engagement with the fourth pin when the seat back is moved to the folded position from the upright position; a first link pivotally connected to the seat back bracket; and a second link pivotally joined to the release leve

Abstract: An automotive vehicle door structure is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first generally rigid outer structure, a second generally rigid inner structure spaced from the outer structure and having an opening generally aligned with the pelvic region of a vehicle occupant seated inside the vehicle, a bracket spanning the opening of the inner structure, and a compliant target held by the bracket spaced generally adjacent the inner structure opening and located between the inner and outer structures. Thus, an impact on the door causes the target to protrude inwardly through the inner structure opening.

Abstract: An arrangement of a supplemental inflation restraint for an automotive vehicle is provided including an elongated inflator having a main axis and also having first and second ends, and a housing for mounting within the vehicle which has a first end joined to and spaced from a second end. The housing first end has spring fingers for compliantly spheroidically mounting the first end of the inflator. The housing second end has an opening large enough for passage of the inflator first end. The housing also has a twist lock connection with the second end of the inflator to prevent the inflator from exiting the housing when the inflator is activated.

Abstract: A method for making a two-tone vinyl skin cover for an automotive interior trim panel is provided including heating a first vinyl skin to a working temperature; heating a second vinyl skin to a working temperature; stretching the first vinyl skin over a first male vacuum mold, the first mold having a first welding blade along a translationally separable part line; applying a vacuum via the first mold to the first vinyl skin; stretching the second vinyl skin over a second male vacuum mold, the second male mold having a second welding blade along a translationally separable part line aligned with the translationally separable part line of the first mold; applying a vacuum via the second mold to the second vinyl skin; heating the first and second vinyl skins through the first and second welding blades; and abutting the first and second welding blades together under a pressure force to heat weld the first and second vinyl skins together until such time as the first and second vinyl skins are welded to one another

Abstract: An automotive signal lamp is provided including a lens illuminated by a first light source on a first side, a transmissive hologram adjacent the lens for providing an image when the first light source is activated, and a reflective hologram adjacent the transmissive hologram for providing an image when the first light source is nonactuated and the lens is illuminated by a second light source on a second side of the lens generally opposite the first light source.

Abstract: A lift-off type door hinge for pivotally and detachably connecting a door to a vehicle body is provided including a body strap with a base for connection to the vehicle body with generally horizontally projecting upper and lower arms projecting therefrom, the upper and lower arms having generally aligned apertures with first and second pins extending therethrough, the body strap also having a reaction surface, a mid-strap, the mid-strap having a main body with generally horizontally projecting upper and lower arms, the mid-strap arms via the first and second pins being pivotally attached with respect to the body strap, the mid-strap lower arm also having a door aperture, and the mid-strap also having a reaction surface, a spring extending between the reaction surfaces of the body strap and the mid-strap to bias the mid-strap to a hold open position with respect to the body strap when the door is open, and a door strap, the door strap having a main body fixably connected to the door and the door having first,

Abstract: A guide sleeve designed as a separate component is pushed onto the upper end of a guide rail of a drop window. This guide sleeve guides a window pane as soon as the window pane has almost reached its uppermost position. By means of an eccentric screw or other adjusting means, it is possible to adjust the position of the guide sleeve relative to the guide rail and thus to achieve the correct tension and position of the window pane in its final position.

Abstract: A passenger-side supplemental inflation restraint and door arrangement is provided including an air bag housing mounted in a forward portion of the vehicle, an inflator positioned within the housing, an air bag and an instrument panel covering the air bag. The instrument panel includes a rigid self-supporting polymeric base having a preform defining a door and a door opening, a generally non-supporting polymeric skin covering the base and spaced therefrom, a molded polymeric foam with a density lower than that of the base and the skin supporting the skin on the base, and a self-supporting foam border material joined to the base on the door opening portion on a side of the base adjacent the polymeric skin generally adjacent to the preform along the door opening and the self-supporting foam border material extending toward the skin.

Abstract: An upholstery layer for a motor vehicle seat is provided in a preferred embodiment with a resilient bottom layer, for example of foam and/or rubberized hair, and on top of this a buffer layer covered by a seat cover fabric. The buffer layer consists of at least two further layers connected to each other in an almost nondisplaceable manner. One of these top layers is made from a particularly elastic material, and a layer situated beneath this or an intermediate layer is made from a less elastic steam-permeable material which supports the upper layer.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp adjuster for aiming a headlamp unit is provided including a housing for connection with a generally fixed portion of the vehicle, the housing having first and second ends; a drive screw mounted by and projecting through the housing, the drive screw having a first end for connection with the headlamp unit and a second end extending from the second end of the housing; a drive train mounted by the housing to translate the drive screw to adjust the headlamp unit; a transparent end cap connected to the second end of the housing and encircling the second end of the drive screw; and a slider having a first end slidably mounted on the housing and a second end slidably mounted on the end cap. The slider is translationally frictionally held in position and is adjacent to the second end having indication markings to determine the position of the drive screw.

Abstract: A modular window regulator system is provided for controlling the movement of a window which includes first and second cross arms pivotally joined to one another, each cross arm having first and second ends, the first cross arm first end being geared; a back plate mounting a driver gear for torsional engagement with the geared end of the first cross arm, the back plate mounting the first end of the second cross arm for linear movement; first and second channels extending generally vertically and transverse to the back plate and fixably joined thereto at opposite ends of the back plate; a sash slidably mounting the second end of the cross arms, the sash having first and second ends extending toward the first and second channels, respectively; a first guide block fixably connected to the sash first end and to the window, the first guide block having a vertical bearing connection with the first channel; a second guide block fixably connected to the sash second end and to the window, the second guide block having

Abstract: A cam, pawl and sector gear locking arrangement useful in vehicle seat adjusters is provided which maintains better engagement over a wider range of positioning of the cam and is more forgiving of misplacement of the cam or the sector gear with respect to the pawl due to build tolerances or wear conditions.

Abstract: A glass positioning fixture for retaining a glass enclosure in place while the glass enclosure is being adhesively joined to an automotive frame is provided which in one preferred embodiment includes a base which includes a platform with a projecting compliant hook extending therefrom, the hook having a width generally larger than an insertion aperture provided in the frame and the hook expanding outwardly, permanently pivotally joining the base with the frame after insertion into the aperture, the base also having facing channel sides connected to the platform, the channel sides having a series of apertures; and a linear slider having a main body captured adjacent the platform and held by the channel sides and having a curvilinear head for contact with the glass enclosure, the slider also having peripheral sides with protrusions for selective engagement in the holes of the channel to allow bidirectional incremental adjustment of the slider with respect to the base, thereby positioning the glass enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in a preferred embodiment, a vehicle seat adjuster particularly suitable for the middle or forward seating of a three-row van or minivan type vehicle. The seat adjuster may be provided with a master-slave latch arrangement allowing adjustment by the vehicle seat occupant by manipulating a rod extending toward the front of the vehicle seat adjuster or by a vehicle occupant seated rearwardly manipulating a second rod extending toward the rearward end of the vehicle seat adjuster. Although particularly useful in van-type vehicles, this seat adjuster may also be used in conventional passenger vehicles. The seat adjuster has two latches which are moved to a nonengaged or release position by manipulation of a slidably mounted roller which is displaced by a rod to tension a cable connected to both of the latches.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint is provided including an air bag housing positioned in an instrument panel lower surface with an open end extending toward the seated occupant, the open end having a top and a bottom; and an air bag which has a lower lobe for contact with lower extremities of a seated occupant and an upper lobe for contact with the torso of a seated occupant. The upper and lower lobes are separated by a first tether extending from an area generally adjacent to the top of the housing projecting generally toward the seated occupant. The air bag has a pressure restrictor creating a pressure differential between the upper and lower lobes. The upper lobe is subdivided by a second tether from an area adjacent to the top of the housing to an end of the upper lobe generally opposite the lower lobe.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is providing including a seat bottom frame; a generally U-shaped seat back frame with an upper cross member with legs pivotally mounted with respect to the seat bottom frame, the seat back cross member being generally at least approximately 470 millimeters along a line generally parallel to the torso of a seated occupant from an H point of the seated occupant, and the cross member being concavely bowed if under approximately 525 millimeters from the H point of the seated occupant; and a deformable lower cross member having ends fixably connected to the seat back legs being concavely bowed, the cross member having a major dimension oriented generally parallel to the torso of the seated occupant, the lower cross member having an upper and a lower end, the lower cross member upper end being vertically above the H point of a seated occupant when the seat back frame is positioned in a normal seating position and where in a rear crash situation, the lower cross member deforms to pivot its lower end f